luckykaa

Been meaning to upload these to Picassa for ages.

Singapore
Melbourne Day 1
AussieCon 4!
A trip to Fitzroy where I met Jaz
A trip to the narrow gauge railway
St Kilda Beach in the early srping
Sydney
Dubai

Syndey's transport infrastructure really isn't set up for people with a 6am flight.  Decided that I'd wait at the airport rather than loiter in Sydney. 

Sydney airport is very shut.  Doors are closed, everything's shut down, but for some reason the escalator on the other side of the barrier is running.

There are a couple of dozen of us with the same idea waiting for flights to Auckland, Singapore, Dubai, Christchurch, all sitting in the lobby of the railway station because it's the only building that's actually open.  Many people came prepared with sleeping bags and pillows.  They're prepared.  Why can't Sydney airport accommodate us?  All we want is a cafe and an area with comfy seats to wait in.  Maybe something kip-on-able. 

Do all airports close between midnight and 3am?  There's clearly a demand for something to be open.  Maybe no the entire shebang but at least one coffee stand. 

I guess I could have spent more time in Sydney.  There's just only so much to do there though.  I had a nice meal saw a movie (Scott Pilgrim - absolutely brilliant movie - not nearly enough movies do gamer/comic culture), had a drink or two at an overpriced bar of severe trendiness.  But really I need a nice place to sit and relax for the next few hours.

Check-in opens at 3.  Just over an hour and a half to go.

Well, it's pretty chilly up in the mountains.  Katoomba is 1000m above sea level.  There's a sign at the railways station telling you this.  Actually it says 3334 feet.  It's an old station.  Very old fashioned and kept that way for the tourists. 

I'm not sure a single day is enough to really explore the mountains, but plenty of time to get some nice views and pleasant strolls.

So I took the express bus down to the skyway, rode the skyway across the sky, and took the "scenic railway" down the cliff.  This is the steepest railway in the world, going down to 52 degrees at its steepest.  Sort of fun.  Not sure the Indiana Jones theme was really necessary.

Katoomba was once a mining town.  The Scenic railway was part of the mining rail lines, and there are a few bits of discarded mining equipment still lying around the area, as well as a couple fo displays complete with recorded commentary which is something I find a little annoying.  The walkways are very pleasant though, with many a sign indicating the interesting trees, a lot of them seem to be telling us about terrible things that have happened to Turpentines.

Was delighted to meet an annoying Australian.  I was starting to think the cocky outbacker stereotype didn't really exist. 

Got on the bus, went around to a short walk down to Leura cascades.  I was tempted to follow the path to Echo point, but there wasn't a good indication of distance.  That and I had no idea whether the path might have become less beaten.  It probably would have been fine but I wasn't really equipped if the walk did turn out to be longer than expected and if it turned out to be colder than I expected.  Both unlikely but I had the option to wait for a bus as well.  Bus took me to Seven Sisters viewing point and Echo Point.  I bought myself a bush hat. 

On pixiequeen10thk 's recommendation I went to Common Ground.  Nice ambience, and good food.  Made it to the station just in time to miss the train so I had an hour's wait for the next one.  Plenty of time for a quick half of Amber ale.  Despite location the pub seemed to be popular with the locals.  There does seem to be a slightly funky geeky alternative crowd. 

And so finally I got the train back.  2 hours. I had accidentally finished my book in the first half hour of journey out but I do have several audiobooks on my mp3 player to choose from. 

Day was finished off by me trying to find a train going in the right direction.  First candidate was delayed due to passenger illness so I was directed to platforms 20 and 21.  I eventually found platforms 20 and 21.  They were nowhere between platforms 19 and 24.  When I found theme there was a train about to leave for my stop.  After sitting on it for about 5 minutes we were told to get off because actually the train was terminating there because the driver's relief hadn't turned up.  Next train arrived and waited about 10 minutes for that to start moving.  If I knew the city better I would have walked.  Certainly would have been quicker.  Central to Museum is only 1 stop.  So, I got to the hotel and my keycard had stopped working in the lift. 

Sometimes I feel my life is a budget 8-bit text adventure game.

So, it's been a day of even more wildlife.  Took a ferry to Taronga Zoo.  I like the ferry service here.  Pretty regular and an easy to understand pricing scheme. 

I wasn't totally sure whether it was going to be warm so I packed an extra layer just in case.  Forgot about the possibility of rain.  Decided the way to deal with rain was simply to get wet.

So, the zoo - it's a zoo.  Cable car up to the plaza, animals from around the world.  Lots of hyperactive kids rushing around.  There was a very impressive bird show.  One of the demonstrations had a bird peck a coin from an audience member's hand, and drop it in the keeper's pocket, then dropping the coin back in the keeper's palm.  Not only is this an impressive trick but a clever money raising scheme.  At the end of the show, kids can give coins to the bird to drop in the collecting area.  The seal show was amusing as well.  It does slightly worry me that their behaviour in the show is learned rather than natural but they seem to enjoy themselves. 

I had a couple of hours spare, and a ticket so had enough time to see Sydney Wildlife World.  Lotsa spiders and insects and some possums. Also saw some kangeroos and more wallabies.  Sadly the weather meant they just wanted to hide under shelter.

Plans were the Blue Mountains tomorrow but that does depend on weather a little, also on mood.  May do Manly instead. 

Last day in Melbourne. Felt like having a low key day.  While apparently the Aquarium is unmissable, I seem to have missed it.  There's a selection of Exhibitions and things but I can only take so much. 

Fortunately it's the weekend.  Melbourne is one of those cities that does weekends.  Lots of buskers and things, including a dragon dance team in Chinatown, a very shy violinist who hid behind his violin when I took a photo (either that or he expected money before photos but I thought it was a good photo). 

Wandered around the south bank.  Put $1 into the slot machine since I felt I had to try the casino and didn't want to waste too much there.  I fouind the slot machines confusing.  Roulette, blackjack, Poker, and horse racing I can see are fun.  There's that little buzz all the time that you might possibly win.  Slot machines just seem so random especially when they're entirely digital.  It's just a switch somewhere that determines whether you've won or lost. 

At a loose end, I went back to Federation square to see if anything was going on.  Found a bit of ACMI that I missed the last time, a nd randomly bumped into another con geek at the cafe.  Which was nice. 

Then went for dinner because it's always nice to have someone to eat with.

Then was a little anxious about getting back to the Hostel that had my bags before it closed.  Then just missed the bus to the airport and was a little anxious about getting the plane (How long before take-off can you check in anyway?).  But I made it.  QANTAS Domestic is like taking a flight in the 1980's.  I'm too used to long distance international with seat back entertainment systems.  Having a low quality projector and having the stewardesses actually demonstrate the use of seatbelts is something I haven't seen for years. 

I have to wonder though, why they still serve meals on short haul flights.  It's 50 minutes.  Even including boarding and waiting for baggage, there's only 2 hours, with food available at both ends.  Most people can cope for that long without eating.  What is it about planes that's so different from trains and coaches?  Also bemused that people care enough to pay the extra for business class but I guess if the business is paying, why not. 

And do we really need lifejackets for an overland flight?

So anyway, Hello Sydney.  I have bag at last.  Now to find the buses.

Seriously, is that the best title I could come up with?

I was treated like a damn criminal!  I'd paid for this!  The Old Melbourne Gaol is worth a visit where the ticket includes the Arrest experience.  All the fun of being lined up against the wall, checked for drugs, I was designated the criminal for the day.  Actually had met the prison guard at the convention.  Apparently I was caught manufacturing drugs.  I wasn't on drugs.  Just sleep deprived.  We were then thrown into a prison cell.  I pulled out my imaginary harmonica.  It's a pretty gruesome depressing place.  You'd have expected this given it was a prison.  Saw Ned Kelly's armour, saw all the exhibits.  Had a fun afternoon. 

Discovered a shop that sells chocolate pizza!!!

Met up with Emilly.  Was introduced to Sumana. Ate food.  Drank chocolate porter.  Ate dessert.  Was also given a free comedy act courtesy of Sumana which was absolutely hilarious. Saw live music courtesy of Justin Carter and Rosie Burgess trio, who were all pretty good. 

Woke up early to go on a tour.  I have mixed feelings about these organised tours.  On one hand it's all stuff that otherwise I probably wouldn't have realised was there to be done and even if I did, would have had a lot of trouble organising.  On the other hand I have exactly the same experience as every other person on the trip.  Also there's a strong feeling of being herded about between tourist traps. 

Still, I enjoyed it and that's what matters.  Caught a quick glimpse of a camper van that had rolled down the hill.  First stop was Devonshire Tea (freshly baked scones - very nice), and feeding of kookaburras, rosellas and other native avians.  The Devonshire Tea was nice in that they seated single people together so we could have someone to chat to.  I was with a Korean girl who was either shy or not good enough at English and an Indian Executive Producer for Star TV. 

Next stop was the train ride. A preserved Narrow Gauge ride, called "Puffing Billy".  It's hard to work out whether that was the name of the line or the engines or the service or what.  It was fun though and they actually encourage people to sit on the edge of the coaches with legs dangling out.

So we had the train ride, then went on to the "unique" town of Sassafaras.  Unique in that it appears to have a population of about 30 but can support three teashops, a toyshop, and antiques shop, a shop selling nick-nacks, and a couple of sweetshops. 

That was only a morning tour, so I went down to St. Kilda in the evening.  Someone mentioned "Lentil as Anything".  A volunteer run vegetarian restaurant where they spend their profits on various worthwhile goals.  My table had a map on it.  It must have been quite old because it still had the USSR on it.  A very loud pair of women came in.  Well, one was loud and seemed a little out of it.  According to her "I'm not on drugs, just sleep deprived". Then she whispered "because I was in the lockup all night". 

Had contacted the photographer girl I met the yesterday to see if she wanted to meet up. Eventually she caught up with me.  She was feeling a little rough after a heavy night the night before.  There was a nice art area/garden.   Beach would have been a lot more pleasant if it was summer and stuff was happening and it was warm.  Dipped my toes in the water to see what it was like.  Wayyyy too cold. 

They have a scale model Solar system along St. Kilda beach.  Saw Jupiter and Saturn.  May go back sometime and find out what the sun is. 

Because I really need to catch up.

The scheduled events for the day ended with the Hugo Awards.  It's Worldcon.  Many cons have panels, masquerades, Guest of honour speeches,  and parties, but only the Worldcon has the Hugo Awards.  It seems silly not to attend the ceremony.  My main impression seems to be of an interesting experience rather than excitement. 

Many people dressed up very nicely.  Men in tuxedos, or in some cases, period costume, ladies in posh frocks.  It's a serious award ceremony, and high profile in SF publishing.  As such there's something of an air of respectability to it. 

The ceremony started with the Traditional Australian start of ceremonies ("I'd like to thank the ancestors...").  Awards were given.  Speeches were made.  Most were short.  Some people got quite emotional.  I was pleased to see Girl Genius win an award.  Slightly surprised Doctor Who won since Epitaph 1 was really good, but I suspect the large Australian presence (50% of attendees, and abut a third of eligible voters) and the fact that DW is actually shown over here, was a factor. 

I would have been surprised had anything other than Windup Girl or The City and The City won best novel.  I'm sure everyone was surprised when it turned out that there was a tie between them. 

Met jeanieofoz  and her friend Emma who was absolutely lovely.  JeanieofOz had to disappear but Emma was happy to accompany me to the parties.  Emma is an absolutely adorable sweet and also extremely affectionate girl:)  We had a lovely time together and later I felt guilty about worrying JeanieOfOz by returning her a little late...  Alas Emma wouldn't fit in my luggage and I wouldn't fit in hers.

So that was Sunday.  Monday was a quiet affair.  I was a little tired.  Went to a couple of panels.  Helped with teardown.  Last panel was on the Beschdel Test.  Sadly the panellists had to cancel.  We figured that just because there was no panel there was no reason not to still do the panel and it worked nicely enough as a round table. In fact it's what I think the last panel item should be like.

Closing ceremony ended with the traditional handover to the next Worldcon (Renovation 2011).  I have to say, the chair of Renovation did a fantastic job of selling that one. 

So that was that.  There was officially no Dead Dog party.  There was a helper's party that I went along to.  Caught up with Emma again.  Eventually found the unofficial dead dog party.  Always a shame when a con comes to an end.

This is exhaustin g stuff.  Went to panels, volunteered to assist on the stand for London bid.  Volunteered to help on the info desk.  Someone asked for information on the NZ Earthquake, which reminded me of that bit in Airplane.  Discovered that the masquerade was completely without organiser...

So, by about 3:00 I was absolutely exhausted and hid in my room.  Nice to be able to do that.  I sort of forgot that I'm an introvert.  People exhaust me. 

After a couple of hours rest, I no longer hated the entirety of humanity and was okay to go to parties.

London Bid was again extremely popular because it had alcohol!  Other bids looked fun.  There was a party for George R R Martin which meant I got into the awesome private function space in a club at the casino.  Would have been cool, but I forgot I don't like clubs. 

And there was a Masquerade.  Which was a little disappointing.  The costumes wrre good and I rather liked the format.  People went on stage, did their bit, and then the hosts asked them about it afterwards so that was cool. 

Internet access at the station seems to be getting worse. 

Taking it easy today.  Want to preserve energy.

So, quick update while my laundry dries...

Went to Tim Burton Exhibition.  Was probably worth it just for the cute animated short - Vincent. Am tempted to make an Edward Scissorhands costume at some point or a mad hatter one.  Sadly no photos were allowed.  

Also had a look at ACMI.  Decent enough movie museum.

Bought a Myki card for the trams.  Similar to Oyster except Oyster works and these are really flaky.

Pub crawl.  Started off with a piss up in a brewery.  Directions were rubbish.  Stops out in the sticks aren't all labelled on the route map.  Brewery directions don't mention stop numbert.  Just the name of an adjacent street.  Eventualy got there.  They did a sampler platter - 4 smallish (third of a pint?) glasses on a wooden board, each with a different beer.  Nice idea.  4 very different beers. 

Followed up with the Lambs Go Barrrr.  Bad pub.  Huge selection of bottled beers from around the world.  Chocolate porter was interesting.

Apple/Pear Cider in Mrs. Parma's.  Pub #4 was Penny Blue.  By the time I left there were only 4 of us.  Then there were three.  I'm sure the others went on to the next pub after I left.  

Feet are really killing me.  Am going to spend as much of the con as possible sitting down.