Hello from Melbourne:
Alyson and I parted ways with Alissa and Danielle in New Zealand after a stunning Milford Sound trip. We took a bus from Te Anau, NZ across the southern part of the South Island to Dunedin. I jumped off at Oamaru to try to see some penguins, leaving a very jealous Alyson on the bus to Christchurch. I did manage to see about 10 very rare yellow-eyed penguins, and I also saw quite a few of the populous blue penguins. After a night in Oamaru, I bussed to Christchurch, from which I flew to Sydney and stayed for the night. Really, the only reason I flew to Sydney was so that I could fly back on Emirates, which was way nicer than Virgin Blue (a bare bones carrier).
You can catch all of my New Zealand pictures at this flickr page:
http://flickr.com/photos/31905988@N00/
In Sydney, I randomly ran into Perth-based EAPSI-ite Adam, so we shared a drink at the nearby Scubar. The next night, I flew back to Brisbane, where I packed up all of my stuff, said goodbye (again) to all of my friends at UQ, and realized that my crappy house had no power (which made it quite hard to pack). The next day, since I had an afternoon to kill, I went to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, where I saw a million koalas, fed kangaroos, and saw emus, wombats, and cassowaries.
I then flew to Melbourne, where I am being graciously hosted by Alivisatos alumnus and friend Udo Sebastian Bach. Yesterday, I met up with my sister's labmate, Carmen, who is in town for a conference, and we experienced the unique thrill of going to an Aussie Rules Football game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. I also ate kangaroo for the first time, and of course it tasted a lot like beef. I gave a talk today in Udo's department at Monash University and then met up with fellow EAPSI-ite Rhesa. After dining at the Retro in bohemian Fitzroy, we headed to this seriously hidden, back-alley bar called the Croft Institute (eye-washes in the bathroom!), which is decorated as a chemistry lab and has astroturf in its gymnasium-like third-floor bar.
Tomorrow I head out to the Great Ocean Road, and then Wednesday I head back to Sydney for a few days.
I'll try to post photos and internet access permits. Check out the New Zealand ones for now.
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1 comment:
have a safe flight home, friend.
we've missed you and look forward to getting the whole slideshow with your live commentary, dot doodles, cool fonts, and food; don't forget the food. bonus points if you bring back a hobbit, glow worm, or mini-glacier.
i'd bet you can find a test audience in l.a.
yrs
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