I love that the RACV has gotten together with the Melbourne City Council to introduce our very own bike share arrangement around the city. This is fantastic! Soon there will be 50 stations around the city where you will be able to pick up and drop off bikes. You can take a bike for up to 30 minutes before you are charged extra. You play either $2.50 a day, $8 a week or $50 a year for the privelege. I first spotted the idea in Barcelona last year. In Barcelona there must be thousands of the bikes because everyone is riding them! There will only be 600 initially in Melbourne. It has been reported that the take up here has not been that great, but this could be blamed on the fact that it is winter, we have had a lot of rain, and you must had a bike helmet with you to be able to ride the bikes…. or face a fine. Well done Melbourne! Another reason why I love this city!
Missing New York
It was a very quick and rushed trip to New York. It seems that I never have enough time there to do everything that I would like to do. I had a great time hanging out with my mate Jim there and running around Manhattan. I included New York in this trip for what some would say was a bit of a silly reason. I wanted one last ride on the Qantas 747 before they stop it’s service between LAX and JFK airports in July. It will be replaced with a smaller A330 plane (a continuation service from New Zealand). These 747s are getting quite old now and I would imagine that Qantas will start getting rid of them soon. This was the last 747 service from LA to New York. Sadly the crew operating this service were not a happy bunch.
Now that I am at home and back at work I am trying to work out how I can getting another long break to travel the world. I have very few holidays left at work, so I may have to be a little creative.
The A380 Conclusion
After talking about it so much over the past year I thought I had better at least give you my thoughts after my first ride on the Qantas A380 Airbus from LAX to Melbourne (a 15 hour flight). Forgive my greasy look above… I had just flown over 5 hours from New York and was about to take on another 15 hours of flying to Australia.
I was on the newest A380 plane added to the Qantas fleet so it was very shiney and new. And I’ve gotta say… that thing is enormous inside! I am actually sitting against the window in economy in the pic above and there is more space between the window and your shoulder. So even though I had 2 people sitting alongside me I did not feel crowded. The seats are quite comfy and the new large TV screens are great, clear and full of movies and TV shows to keep you entertained for many hours.
In the middle of the flight I staggered to the back of the plane looking for the toilets. I asked the flight attendant if there were toilets at the back, and she said yes, just go past the curtain. I lifted the curtain aside to find that there was even more plane back there!!! I was only part way down the plane. And this big beast takes 45 minutes to load. About 15 minutes longer than the Boeing 747.
Overall it was nice ride. It is a lot smoother taking off and landing, and definitely a lot quieter. I would take the A380 anytime… but make sure you get a window or aisle seat so you are not stuck in the middle. The last shot below is a the view from the tail camera on my TV screen as we pulled back into Melbourne airport. Home sweet home!
Working my Butt Off
Since getting back to work after the big trip back from New York I’ve started doing two jobs in the same company. Initially I was going to be working half time on each job, but it now turns out that I am doing 1 and a half jobs. So sadly I’m pretty busy at the moment and working very long hours. I’m hoping to rectify this in the coming month.
So I’m still here. I’m working in the Loft today so I’ll switch the camera on later so you can see me busy at work. Not very exciting to watch… but it will prove that I’m still alive!
The Week in New York
It’s been such a busy week here in New York. It’s been non-stop visiting friends, shopping and more shopping. And last night I was taken out by my friend Jim to see the opening night of the new season for the American Ballet Theatre at the Met Opera House. Now that was very cool! Caroline Kennedy and Blain Trump both got up and gave speeches.
So once again it’s my last night in New York and I’m a bit sad to be leaving. And this time it’s going to be one very long trip home.
Oh man this visit to San Francisco has been busy. I was sad that I only had time for 2 work outs on my 7 day pass to Gold’s Gym. But the rest of the time was spent wisely meeting friends, shopping and researching possible new projects for life in my 40’s. And I can say that from meeting certain people I now have more motivation than ever. Some people are so inspirational. It really makes you question how you are spending your life.
San Francisco will always be my favourite city in the USA. I have to keep myself from booking a ticket and returning next month. Tomorrow I start my trip to New York.
And out comes everyone to soak up the sun. Even these nudists hanging out in front of my guesthouse. I had to return a bag I had bought at the Sports Basement so Steve kindly drove me back to that side of the city. Earlier in the morning I had a nice breakfast with the guesthouse manager and then had my first work out at Gold’s Gym. It’s kind of an old gym with pretty old equipment. It is also quite expensive compared to others nearby. By the guys here take their work outs very seriously.
Later in the day I met up with Dan who I had met last time I was here. We spent the afternoon drinking beers and eating. It’s been so nice this trip seeing so many people who I would now call friends. It’s still pretty cold here, but it’s not too cold to get out and about. Mental note… Cafe Baghdad has good burgers and Cafe Flore has cheap beer (both on upper Market Street).
San Francisco – Day 2
Who doesn’t love San Francisco? I took it easy the first day, just seeing friends and relaxing. But day 2 was quite different. After a brekky at Orphan Andy’s in the Castro my friend Steve drove me down to the Sports Basement so I could start my shopping. I finished around 6pm with my last purchase, two pair of trainers at Footlocker. Macy’s was having a one day sale (and I think Macy’s are always having a sale) and spent up big!
Eventually I headed back to the guesthouse because I couldn’t carry anymore bags. Big day. No shopping tomorrow.
San Francisco Day 1
Just a quick post. I had a quick and easy ride from Melbourne to Sydney to San Francisco. I slept for 8 hours of the 13 hours trip over here. Along the way I saw Pam An’s very funny 2 hour comedy show in London on the Qantas entertainment system. It was the perfect program to watch on a long haul to the US. And good on Qantas for showing it considering it is all about making fun of the airline industry.
I am staying at the same guesthouse that Chris and I stayed in last year. I’m pretty sad that Chris could not come along. But within 3 hours of being here I had already joined Golds Gym (a 7 day membership pass) and met up with 3 friends. I have a feeling it’s going to be an interesting week here. I will post pics soon.
USA in May
It’s just 10 days now until I leave to travel to California and New York again. And I can’t wait! It’s not so much about the destination anymore… I just like going on vacations overseas… anywhere! I’m sure I will be beating myself up again once I wake up with 4 hours still to go on one of those long hauls across the Pacific Ocean. The photo above was taken around this time last year as I waited amongst the masses at LAX for my flight to Melbourne. This trip will give me 6 days in San Francisco and 6 days in New York. I hope it is nice and warm by the time I get there.