In 72 hours, I board a plane bound for Down Under.
It’s a 30th wedding anniversary trip, conjoined with a belated 70th birthday celebration for DH.
So excited was he by this Trip of a Lifetime, DH activated his ancient double EE credentials from his Trinity University days and created this book.
I apologize for the shiny cover: kitchen lights don’t like clear plastic overlaid on white.
What really matters is the profiled cover stops for our Australia and New Zealand adventure:
- Sydney Opera House
- Ayres Rock
- Hobbiton
Beloved has planned even more stops: sailing around the Great Barrier Reef, visits to glowworms and geothermal vents, concerts and ceremonies with Maori dancers and Aboriginal natives, plus sunrise services and starlight shows amid rocks, mountains, and domes.
After the fall we’ve had, we both crave this escape to the other side of the world. But we’re only taking it because it was a journey earlier paid for. Alas.
Getting to/from and then all around Australia and New Zealand requires body padding and patience. It’s a combined 46 hours and five minutes to gallivant between the two nations.
One-way flying involves 18.4 hours of travel via routing from Houston to Auckland to Sydney. Then, there’s a 17-hour time difference between here and there. We’ll be on the road 13 days, visiting five cities/towns in as-yet uncounted stops between the two countries.
Now, Sydney’s on fire, along with much of New South Wales. I’m dreading more news of koalas burning and scorching temps of 94 degrees and more.
Heat stroke fears vanish if I can hold a joey, snuggle with a ‘roo? Maybe eat to chockers? Can I endure the weather and smoke without whinging or sooking?
Half the fun of a road trip is getting ready with research of local slang and customs. This jaunt offers a unique twist, courtesy a late-trip airline ticket.
What fun I’ll have landing as Mel in MEL. A lifetime first! Thank you, Melbourne, Australia for this quirky nugget!
It gets weirder later.
On our last day, we’ll arrive home three hours before we left Sydney.
FYI, I beg your understanding.
If I arrive early to your place in December, remember: I may still be on Aussie time.
Ah, another RoadBroad adventure beckons!