I'm
pretty new to all this modern wizardry they call a 'blog' so I shall offer
pre-emptive apologies for any inability to follow correct blogging etiquette.
As you may already have cleverly deduced from the URL or from other subtle
hints, I am Jason and will be off to Brisbane, Australia in 25 days! I have
just Googled to discover that it is a little over 10,000 miles from London to
Brisbane. This equates to an eagerly anticipated 2 day journey; I gather the time
zone change also offers huge jetlag potential, while the wildlife can be
dangerous and the weather downright apocalyptic!
So
you may well ask: why Australia? The idea was first brought up, as so many
things seem to be, in an inebriated conversation about my life direction. As I
was not gainfully employed, and without many encumbrances it was suggested that
now would be as good a time as any for a far away escapade. Given my mum’s
Australian heritage this seemed like the perfect plan – an opportunity to personally
deliver family greetings and meet some friendly faces combined with the
adventure of a lifetime!
Now,
5 months later, in the harsh light of day, this intoxicated conversation has
suddenly become sober reality. Since booking my flight in January - hopefully
coinciding with a not too blisteringly hot period the other side of the world -
it feels like I have done awfully little to prepare myself. Other than making a
to-do list and frantically applying for an Australian passport (having not
renewed it following my last visit to Australia, see photo) I have so far come
up with next to nothing by way of concrete plans. I am hoping to visit some or
all of Cairns, Brisbane, Toowoomba (mum’s hometown), Sydney and Canberra, given
generous offers of accommodation from mum’s friends and family and would like
to see some beaches, islands, generic touristy stuff and pretty scenery... I am
also firing off some job applications as a means of paying for all of this! I
hope that flexible planning is a good thing – I certainly do not want every
last detail planned out so that I miss out on anything exciting; I imagine
there is probably a happy medium!
Some
thought has gone into what I should take with me. Should I travel light, or
with my life possessions? I have opted to verge towards the ‘light’ option
although just how light remains to be seen. Aside from customary clothes,
passport, money etc, I still have decisions to make: what device should I use
for internet access (most probably some kind of tablet); should I take a
separate device for my photography needs; what can entertain me for the
entirety of my flight...?
Well,
that’s certainly given me enough to think about for my first post. Stay tuned -
updates will follow when I have something worth saying, dependent on internet
connection.
Comments?
Suggestions? Questions? Most welcome; be my guest. I will do my best to
respond!
