Apologies for the last few weeks break in updating my blog.
This weekend I came across many people leaving Australia after literally only a few hours stay in the country. They were mostly American citizens who had cruised from Honolulu to Sydney, arriving in the morning and on a flight back in the other direction in the afternoon. Hopefully they will spend a little more time in our country next time!!
I came across 2 American couples who had visited children who were now living here. One of these couples had their home living arrangements well worked out. Each year they spend the cooler half of the year in Arizona and the warmer season in North Dakota. That certainly makes for a comfortable climate all year round.
It wasn't only Aussie revheads that headed to the Bathurst car racing last weekend. I chatted to a New Zealand couple who had split their Aussie visit between Bathurst and Sydney. While the male really seemed to have had a great time at Bathurst, his partner appeared to have enjoyed the shopping expeditions in Sydney much more so.
Other travellers included US businessmen who had spent time in Sydney and Melbourne, a NZ woman in Sydney for only 3 days on business and a young American guy who spent his whole stay in an on-site van in a caravan park in Cairns.
Till next time.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
From Seattle to Sydney and a Russian Student
Another friendly bunch of visitors this last weekend!
Travelling to Honolulu on Jetstar for a Hawaiian break was an American women who had just spent time in Sydney on business. Also on the same flight was an English couple on Round the World tickets.
I chatted to a friendly young Russian girl heading home via Beijing. She had stayed in Sydney with her aunt and did a short English language course. Other travellers on China Airlines included a young Italian couple who had enjoyed their holiday in Australia and were now about to spend a week in Beijing before heading home.
A couple of other visitors travelled our country widely by campervan and rental car. The first was a younf Irish girl who flew from Sydney to Townsville and then went back to Sydney by campervan with stops including Airlie Beach, Whitsundays, Hervey Bay, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Nimbin, Byron Bay and Newcastle. The others were a couple of French who had spent a lot fo time with family travelling through the Northern Territory.
I also came across an English businessman who spent 3 weeks in Sydney and stayed at the lovely Coogee Beach for all his stay.
Till next week.
Peter
Travelling to Honolulu on Jetstar for a Hawaiian break was an American women who had just spent time in Sydney on business. Also on the same flight was an English couple on Round the World tickets.
I chatted to a friendly young Russian girl heading home via Beijing. She had stayed in Sydney with her aunt and did a short English language course. Other travellers on China Airlines included a young Italian couple who had enjoyed their holiday in Australia and were now about to spend a week in Beijing before heading home.
A couple of other visitors travelled our country widely by campervan and rental car. The first was a younf Irish girl who flew from Sydney to Townsville and then went back to Sydney by campervan with stops including Airlie Beach, Whitsundays, Hervey Bay, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Nimbin, Byron Bay and Newcastle. The others were a couple of French who had spent a lot fo time with family travelling through the Northern Territory.
I also came across an English businessman who spent 3 weeks in Sydney and stayed at the lovely Coogee Beach for all his stay.
Till next week.
Peter
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
A Wedding Anniversary and Visiting Friends
On their way to Christchurch was an Irish couple who had just had a few days in Sydney. They had only known about their trip 3 days before their departure. The trip was a gift from their children to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary and the wife's 60th birthday. Their daughter is living in New Zealand.
On Air Vanuatu I chatted to a guy travelling on a German passport and living in Vanuatu for his work project which was in the field of waste management. He only had one night in Sydney with an old friend and, from what he told me, it sounded like they partied all night long. Also travelling to Vanuatu for a 9 day stay was a Canadian family. They had spent time in Sydney and Melbourne and would be staying in Brisbane on their return from Port Vila.
Heading home to Germany on British Airways were 2 young German sisters (20 and 14 years old old). Their father had been with them for the first few days in Sydney and they then stayed with friends in Brisbane and had an enjoyable couple of days by themselves on the Gold Coast at the end of their stay Down Under. Also on the same flight was a friendly young Italian guy who had studied English in Sydney for the last few months and a young French guy who spent 4 months holiday just in Sydney.
I came across a few visitors who were in Australia just to visit friends. These included a British passport holder who lives in Pennsylvania, USA and another from Georgia, USA who spent a week only in Adelaide with a close friend.
Till next week.
Peter
On Air Vanuatu I chatted to a guy travelling on a German passport and living in Vanuatu for his work project which was in the field of waste management. He only had one night in Sydney with an old friend and, from what he told me, it sounded like they partied all night long. Also travelling to Vanuatu for a 9 day stay was a Canadian family. They had spent time in Sydney and Melbourne and would be staying in Brisbane on their return from Port Vila.
Heading home to Germany on British Airways were 2 young German sisters (20 and 14 years old old). Their father had been with them for the first few days in Sydney and they then stayed with friends in Brisbane and had an enjoyable couple of days by themselves on the Gold Coast at the end of their stay Down Under. Also on the same flight was a friendly young Italian guy who had studied English in Sydney for the last few months and a young French guy who spent 4 months holiday just in Sydney.
I came across a few visitors who were in Australia just to visit friends. These included a British passport holder who lives in Pennsylvania, USA and another from Georgia, USA who spent a week only in Adelaide with a close friend.
Till next week.
Peter
Monday, August 3, 2009
From Iceland to Hobart, Film School in Sydney, an Irishman in Grafton and more
I'm a bit behind in posting my latest reports so I'll combine 2 weeks of visitors in this one. They were again a very varied and interesting bunch.
I met a lady and her daughter and 2 children from Iceland. I think these are the first visitors I've come across from Iceland. Actually she was an ethnic Thai living in Iceland and was here to spend time with her Icelandic husband who spends much of each year working in Hobart, Tasmania. It was their first trip to Australia and they only visited Tasmania. Our conversation included a mix of England, Icelandic (daughter to mother) and some Thai language.
One Swedish guy that I chatted to was in Sydney to attend a Film School course. The course was good but his comment about the film 'Australia' wasn't - 'the worst film he has ever seen'. This movie has certainly received very mixed reactions from the 'very enjoyable' through to that of this Swedish visitor.
Spending a few days in Sydney on their way to New Zealand to work were a couple of different US visitors. The first was a young couple who were going to spend 5 months in religious related work in Tauranga on the New Zealand North Island. The other was an older couple from Alaska who were off to Christchurch where the husband was to take up a University lecturer position in Mathematics.
Also on the way to New Zealand was a very friendly Catholic priest from Christchurch who had spent time bushwalking in the Blue Mountains and attending a religious retreat in Sydney.
Other visitors of note included the following:-
* A young Irish guy who had been working on construction equipment in Jindabyne and Grafton, NSW. He was going home for a short break and then back here to work for another year.
* An Aussie guy and his family heading back to Illinois, USA where he has his own business selling hand made soaps and other products.
* A 40's NZ couple who had visited family and friends in Mullavey, Bathurst and Moree - all in country NSW.
* A Swiss businessman travelling on a South African passport. He spent one week in Sydney and was off to China and Japan, also on business.
* An Irish couple who were here to visit their son who was working in Dunsborough, WA. They also visited Central Australia, Cairns and Sydney.
* A friendly young French girl who studied Sociology for one semsester at Sydney University and in her Uni breaks, backpacked around much of the country. Her accommodation included camping, hostels and sleeping in cars.
I met a lady and her daughter and 2 children from Iceland. I think these are the first visitors I've come across from Iceland. Actually she was an ethnic Thai living in Iceland and was here to spend time with her Icelandic husband who spends much of each year working in Hobart, Tasmania. It was their first trip to Australia and they only visited Tasmania. Our conversation included a mix of England, Icelandic (daughter to mother) and some Thai language.
One Swedish guy that I chatted to was in Sydney to attend a Film School course. The course was good but his comment about the film 'Australia' wasn't - 'the worst film he has ever seen'. This movie has certainly received very mixed reactions from the 'very enjoyable' through to that of this Swedish visitor.
Spending a few days in Sydney on their way to New Zealand to work were a couple of different US visitors. The first was a young couple who were going to spend 5 months in religious related work in Tauranga on the New Zealand North Island. The other was an older couple from Alaska who were off to Christchurch where the husband was to take up a University lecturer position in Mathematics.
Also on the way to New Zealand was a very friendly Catholic priest from Christchurch who had spent time bushwalking in the Blue Mountains and attending a religious retreat in Sydney.
Other visitors of note included the following:-
* A young Irish guy who had been working on construction equipment in Jindabyne and Grafton, NSW. He was going home for a short break and then back here to work for another year.
* An Aussie guy and his family heading back to Illinois, USA where he has his own business selling hand made soaps and other products.
* A 40's NZ couple who had visited family and friends in Mullavey, Bathurst and Moree - all in country NSW.
* A Swiss businessman travelling on a South African passport. He spent one week in Sydney and was off to China and Japan, also on business.
* An Irish couple who were here to visit their son who was working in Dunsborough, WA. They also visited Central Australia, Cairns and Sydney.
* A friendly young French girl who studied Sociology for one semsester at Sydney University and in her Uni breaks, backpacked around much of the country. Her accommodation included camping, hostels and sleeping in cars.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Camping in Central Australia and a Hillsong Conference
Last Saturday was my first day back at Sydney airport after a bit of a break. We did a big road trip to Central Australia and took a 3 day camping trip with a bunch of young international backpackers from Alice Springs to Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kata Tjuta (Olgas) and Kings Canyon. All went well and had a great time. Time to start planning the next one!
It was then quite a surprise to find that the first visitor I chatted to on Saturday was a young Swiss backpacker who had done the same camping tour as us just 4 days after we did it. She had also travelled with friends up the East Coast and to Darwin, Adelaide and Sydney.
I also came across a couple of French visitors on their way home. The first was a yuong girl who had been on a homestay in Australia for 7 months and loved it. She had also done a couple of short holidays to Bali and NZ. The second was a French couple who had 3 nights in Sydney on their way home after a holiday in Noumea.
On a Qantas flight to Singapore was a friendly young Indonesian lady who now spends most of her time here in Sydney. She had first come to Australia as a 9 year old schoolchild and now works in food technology for a large company.
Travelling home on V Australia was a couple from Ohio, USA who had seen a lot of our country in a short time. In 16 days they had visited Port Douglas, Cairns, Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, Melbourne and Sydney. This included a bus trip from Adelaide to Melbourne.
I met a young New Zealander going home after attending the big Hillsong Church annual conference in Sydney. He said there were 30000 people here for the conference from all parts of the world.
Till next week.
Peter
It was then quite a surprise to find that the first visitor I chatted to on Saturday was a young Swiss backpacker who had done the same camping tour as us just 4 days after we did it. She had also travelled with friends up the East Coast and to Darwin, Adelaide and Sydney.
I also came across a couple of French visitors on their way home. The first was a yuong girl who had been on a homestay in Australia for 7 months and loved it. She had also done a couple of short holidays to Bali and NZ. The second was a French couple who had 3 nights in Sydney on their way home after a holiday in Noumea.
On a Qantas flight to Singapore was a friendly young Indonesian lady who now spends most of her time here in Sydney. She had first come to Australia as a 9 year old schoolchild and now works in food technology for a large company.
Travelling home on V Australia was a couple from Ohio, USA who had seen a lot of our country in a short time. In 16 days they had visited Port Douglas, Cairns, Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, Melbourne and Sydney. This included a bus trip from Adelaide to Melbourne.
I met a young New Zealander going home after attending the big Hillsong Church annual conference in Sydney. He said there were 30000 people here for the conference from all parts of the world.
Till next week.
Peter
Saturday, June 13, 2009
A Long Way To Go For An Exam and A Nigerian Musician
On Ethihad Airlines yesterday was an Egyptian guy who had come all the way from Egypt to Sydney for 3 days just to do an IT networking exam for Cisco Systems. He had previously come in January for the same exam and failed then but this time he was confident that he had passed. Apparently there are only a few places in the world where this exam can be done and Sydney is one of them. I came across another fellow a few months back who had come for the same exam so it seems like it is a regular occurrence.
Also on Ethihad was a British Airways cabin crew menber who had been here for a few months travelling around the country and also in Bali. She spoke very highly of Ethihad and their cabin service and, in fact, was considering a transfer to work for them instead. Ethihad is expanding rapidly and employing many new staff.
On a Qantas flight to London was a French guy who had come for a couple of weeks to visit his girlfriend in Cairns. She is Japanese and works in the tourism industry in Cairns. They had met in Melbourne during his previous visit to Australia. He is planning to come back in August for a longer stay with her and a working holiday.
I chatted to an English guy going home on BA who was here to work in oil refineries. His job entailed making sure that the oil storage tanks were cleared of any impurities such as sand.
Other travellers included a Welsh guy on a family visit to Melbourne and an older delightful English lady who visited her daughter in Canberra. Her last full day in Canberra was the coldest day there for 43 years - a maximum of only 4 degreees C.
My last interview was with a Nigerian musician who was part of a musical group which had just performed at the Opera House. They were only here for 4 days so he didn't get to see much of Sydney. Most of his time was taken up rehearsing and performing. They had performed in Australia a couple of times before. I forgot to ask him the name of the performing group.
Till next time.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
Also on Ethihad was a British Airways cabin crew menber who had been here for a few months travelling around the country and also in Bali. She spoke very highly of Ethihad and their cabin service and, in fact, was considering a transfer to work for them instead. Ethihad is expanding rapidly and employing many new staff.
On a Qantas flight to London was a French guy who had come for a couple of weeks to visit his girlfriend in Cairns. She is Japanese and works in the tourism industry in Cairns. They had met in Melbourne during his previous visit to Australia. He is planning to come back in August for a longer stay with her and a working holiday.
I chatted to an English guy going home on BA who was here to work in oil refineries. His job entailed making sure that the oil storage tanks were cleared of any impurities such as sand.
Other travellers included a Welsh guy on a family visit to Melbourne and an older delightful English lady who visited her daughter in Canberra. Her last full day in Canberra was the coldest day there for 43 years - a maximum of only 4 degreees C.
My last interview was with a Nigerian musician who was part of a musical group which had just performed at the Opera House. They were only here for 4 days so he didn't get to see much of Sydney. Most of his time was taken up rehearsing and performing. They had performed in Australia a couple of times before. I forgot to ask him the name of the performing group.
Till next time.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
Friday, June 12, 2009
A Fish Conference and a New Niece
Last Saturday I chatted to a couple of American marine scientists who had been in Fremantle, Western Australia for a fish and marine life conference. It was some conference with over 1000 people attending from all over the world. After the conference they spent a week in the south western corner of W.A.
Travelling on QF5 was a Finnish couple who had come here for a family visit. The fellow was travelling on an Australian passport but his wife needed to spend time here to satisfy Australian permanent residency requirements. I also came across a young Finnish guy on Air China who had spent time with relatives in Manly (Sydney) and a couple of nights in the Blue Mountains.
On their way to Beijing was a couple who had come to Oz for a short stay to visit relatives in Port Macquarie and to see their new nephew who had been born just a week before.
I also spoke to a young Canadian guy who worked for a few months and did a campervan trip to the Centre and an Aussie guy who was back to spend time with his wife in Sydney. The Aussie was working in a military job in Kuwait and was travelling on a Turkish passport.
So yet another varied and intersting batch of travellers at Sydney Airport...
Till next time.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
Travelling on QF5 was a Finnish couple who had come here for a family visit. The fellow was travelling on an Australian passport but his wife needed to spend time here to satisfy Australian permanent residency requirements. I also came across a young Finnish guy on Air China who had spent time with relatives in Manly (Sydney) and a couple of nights in the Blue Mountains.
On their way to Beijing was a couple who had come to Oz for a short stay to visit relatives in Port Macquarie and to see their new nephew who had been born just a week before.
I also spoke to a young Canadian guy who worked for a few months and did a campervan trip to the Centre and an Aussie guy who was back to spend time with his wife in Sydney. The Aussie was working in a military job in Kuwait and was travelling on a Turkish passport.
So yet another varied and intersting batch of travellers at Sydney Airport...
Till next time.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Fashion Design from Thailand and a New Army Graduate
I had another short shift at the airport this weekend but everyone I spoke to was very friendly and told interesting tales about their visit.
The first people I made contact with were a group of Thais. Two of the women in the group had been in Sydney for a month to train students in fashion design. While their English was limited (and my Thai language skills even more limited) we managed to have a good chat. They had enjoyed their time in Sydney - especially the shopping outings!
Also travelling on Thai was a young Polish girl who is studying tourism in Sydney and was going back to Poland for a sad and unexpected trip home - her father had just died and she was returning for his funeral.
Travelling to London on Qantas was a friendly young Italian backpacker who had spent 4 months in Australia and had seen much of the country, including a stint with some friends in a campervan in the Northern Territory. On the same flight was an Aussie who lives in England and was home for a short visit to attend the army graduation of his son in Wagga and visit relatives in Brisbane.
On a flight back to Christchurch was a very friendly 70's couple who had come to Sydney for a short visit, mainly to see the live musical 'Chicago' which they really enjoyed. They were originally from England and had settled in New Zealand 53 years ago. The husband told me the story of why he chose to go to New Zealand rather than Australia. At the time there was a ten pounds passage fee to emigrate to Australia whereas it was a free passage from England to New Zealand. This was what made up his mind and he originally went for one year to see how he liked it. His wife followed when he decided on a longer stay.
Till next time.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
The first people I made contact with were a group of Thais. Two of the women in the group had been in Sydney for a month to train students in fashion design. While their English was limited (and my Thai language skills even more limited) we managed to have a good chat. They had enjoyed their time in Sydney - especially the shopping outings!
Also travelling on Thai was a young Polish girl who is studying tourism in Sydney and was going back to Poland for a sad and unexpected trip home - her father had just died and she was returning for his funeral.
Travelling to London on Qantas was a friendly young Italian backpacker who had spent 4 months in Australia and had seen much of the country, including a stint with some friends in a campervan in the Northern Territory. On the same flight was an Aussie who lives in England and was home for a short visit to attend the army graduation of his son in Wagga and visit relatives in Brisbane.
On a flight back to Christchurch was a very friendly 70's couple who had come to Sydney for a short visit, mainly to see the live musical 'Chicago' which they really enjoyed. They were originally from England and had settled in New Zealand 53 years ago. The husband told me the story of why he chose to go to New Zealand rather than Australia. At the time there was a ten pounds passage fee to emigrate to Australia whereas it was a free passage from England to New Zealand. This was what made up his mind and he originally went for one year to see how he liked it. His wife followed when he decided on a longer stay.
Till next time.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Bondi For A Day And School In Hobart
I did a shorter shift this week at the airport so didn't get to chat to as many visitors as normal but still came across quite an interesting and varied bunch.
There was lovely older Scottish lady travelling home on Qantas who had been here to visit relatives in Cessnock in the Hunter Valley and also sampled and bought wine at 2 wineries. She said that they had been living in Australia now for 45 years and loved the Hunter Valley area.
I chatted to a guy from the Netherlands who was just in transit for the day from NZ. He went to see friends in Bondi and also spent some time at the beach, all within the space of the few hours that he had here. There was also a group of 3 English guys who had just spent 5 days in Sydney after coming from NZ. This included a very big last night in town from which I think they were still suffering!!
Another fellow from the Netherlands that I met had been here training crane operators that work over water in Newcastle Harbour. Others I talked to included a young Irish woman living in Singapore and a Thai male in Sydney for just 2 days on business.
The youngest traveller I came across was a young Thai student- around 15 or 16 years old - who is studying at High School in Hobart. He was travelling alone back home to Bangkok for a family visit. What a contrast it would be between home in huge, chaotic, bustling Bangkok and the much quieter and peaceful surrounds of Tasmania.
Till next week.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
There was lovely older Scottish lady travelling home on Qantas who had been here to visit relatives in Cessnock in the Hunter Valley and also sampled and bought wine at 2 wineries. She said that they had been living in Australia now for 45 years and loved the Hunter Valley area.
I chatted to a guy from the Netherlands who was just in transit for the day from NZ. He went to see friends in Bondi and also spent some time at the beach, all within the space of the few hours that he had here. There was also a group of 3 English guys who had just spent 5 days in Sydney after coming from NZ. This included a very big last night in town from which I think they were still suffering!!
Another fellow from the Netherlands that I met had been here training crane operators that work over water in Newcastle Harbour. Others I talked to included a young Irish woman living in Singapore and a Thai male in Sydney for just 2 days on business.
The youngest traveller I came across was a young Thai student- around 15 or 16 years old - who is studying at High School in Hobart. He was travelling alone back home to Bangkok for a family visit. What a contrast it would be between home in huge, chaotic, bustling Bangkok and the much quieter and peaceful surrounds of Tasmania.
Till next week.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Family Visits, Marriages to Aussies & A Cooking Show
Plenty of visitors on their way home this week after family visits. They included a Danish woman here to see her daughter who had married an Aussie and an English couple visiting family in the Camden area.
One English woman was here for the wedding of her daughter in Sydney. The wedding reception on Sydney Harbour was actually filmed for an upcoming episode of the Masterchef cooking show. She has another daughter already married to an Aussie and living here so I guess she will be making many more visits 'Down Under'.
I also chatted to an Aussie who has been living in Sri Lanka for over a year and was just home on a short visit to see family in Canberra. There was also a German guy here on business for 2 weeks, a friendly French lady who travelled around the country with a friend and a Canadian backpacker on his way to Rome who had just loved his few months stay in Australia.
I'm often surprised at how adventurous some of our visitors are and their willingness and ability to be able to easily drive cars or campervans around a rather different country to their own. This week I spoke to a young Swiss couple who drove a campervan all the way from Perth to Darwin.
Till next time.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
One English woman was here for the wedding of her daughter in Sydney. The wedding reception on Sydney Harbour was actually filmed for an upcoming episode of the Masterchef cooking show. She has another daughter already married to an Aussie and living here so I guess she will be making many more visits 'Down Under'.
I also chatted to an Aussie who has been living in Sri Lanka for over a year and was just home on a short visit to see family in Canberra. There was also a German guy here on business for 2 weeks, a friendly French lady who travelled around the country with a friend and a Canadian backpacker on his way to Rome who had just loved his few months stay in Australia.
I'm often surprised at how adventurous some of our visitors are and their willingness and ability to be able to easily drive cars or campervans around a rather different country to their own. This week I spoke to a young Swiss couple who drove a campervan all the way from Perth to Darwin.
Till next time.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Business Travellers and a New Teacher for Wollongong
I didn't get a chance to do my update last week so this one covers some of the interesting travellers I've met over the last 2 weekends.
I've come across quite a few business travellers including a Canadian male who spent 2 weeks in Canberra, German and Swedish businessmen here for just a few days. There was also a New Zealander here for just 1 night for her own company conference in Coogee. Great spot to have a conference! Go homing on Singapore Airlines was a young Syrian lady who lives in the United Arab Emirates. She was here for a week of work training.
There have been quite a few holidaymakers lately who have travelled around Oz in rental campervans. They seem to be generally quite comfortable driving in Australia. One Irish guy I came across had shared a campervan right across the Nullarbor to Perth from Sydney. He had also spent 6 months working in Sydney.
On a flight to Beijing was a friendly Californian who had spent 3 weeks in Australia and was off to China for the second 3 weeks of his holiday. I imagine it will be quite a contrast to his last 3 weeks here. He had done an Oz Experience bus trip up the East Coast and also camped in a tent at Uluru.
Travelling on Qantas back to London was an English woman who had spent time in Sydney and with friends in Wollongong and really enjoyed her stay. She mentioned that she will be back to work later in the year and had already lined up a teaching job in Wollongong.
Other visitors of note were an English couple who visited relatives in Brisbane who were soon taking up Australian citizenship and 2 young French brothers who visited another brother of theirs in Brisbane.
Till next time.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
I've come across quite a few business travellers including a Canadian male who spent 2 weeks in Canberra, German and Swedish businessmen here for just a few days. There was also a New Zealander here for just 1 night for her own company conference in Coogee. Great spot to have a conference! Go homing on Singapore Airlines was a young Syrian lady who lives in the United Arab Emirates. She was here for a week of work training.
There have been quite a few holidaymakers lately who have travelled around Oz in rental campervans. They seem to be generally quite comfortable driving in Australia. One Irish guy I came across had shared a campervan right across the Nullarbor to Perth from Sydney. He had also spent 6 months working in Sydney.
On a flight to Beijing was a friendly Californian who had spent 3 weeks in Australia and was off to China for the second 3 weeks of his holiday. I imagine it will be quite a contrast to his last 3 weeks here. He had done an Oz Experience bus trip up the East Coast and also camped in a tent at Uluru.
Travelling on Qantas back to London was an English woman who had spent time in Sydney and with friends in Wollongong and really enjoyed her stay. She mentioned that she will be back to work later in the year and had already lined up a teaching job in Wollongong.
Other visitors of note were an English couple who visited relatives in Brisbane who were soon taking up Australian citizenship and 2 young French brothers who visited another brother of theirs in Brisbane.
Till next time.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Northern NSW and Growing Tomatos
Flying home to Europe on Malaysia Airlines this week were two people who had spent all their stay in the Northern Tablelands area of NSW. The first was a Swedish woman who came to visit her daughter who was living in Walcha, a small country town in the area. She alos visited three other towns in the area - Gunnedah, Armidale and Coonabaraban. Coonabaraban is most famous for its large radio telescope.
The other was a Dutch guy who stayed in Guyra on business. Guyra is quite a small town and not one that would welcome too many international business visitors so I asked him about his line of work. He is a technical person who was underseeing the operation of tomato processing and packing equipment. The machinery was custom made for the tomato firm and he told me that they process 60000kg of tomatos per day for delivery to Coles supermarkets along the east coast of Australia. I had not realised that Guyra is a major tomato growing area.
I came across quite a few travellers here on family visits, one sadly for a funeral and a British backpacker who did the common backpacker route down the Queensland coast - Cairns, Magnetic Island, Airlie Beach, Whitsundays, Rainbow Beach, Fraser Island, Noosa and then Brisbane.
Travelling home on Qantas was a friendly Singapore family - parents and a teenage daughter. The father was very inquisitive about what I did and told me that he was a businessman involved in trading various products. On Emirates was a Thai student going home after a 3 month homestay and doing a general English course.
Till next week.
Cheers
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
The other was a Dutch guy who stayed in Guyra on business. Guyra is quite a small town and not one that would welcome too many international business visitors so I asked him about his line of work. He is a technical person who was underseeing the operation of tomato processing and packing equipment. The machinery was custom made for the tomato firm and he told me that they process 60000kg of tomatos per day for delivery to Coles supermarkets along the east coast of Australia. I had not realised that Guyra is a major tomato growing area.
I came across quite a few travellers here on family visits, one sadly for a funeral and a British backpacker who did the common backpacker route down the Queensland coast - Cairns, Magnetic Island, Airlie Beach, Whitsundays, Rainbow Beach, Fraser Island, Noosa and then Brisbane.
Travelling home on Qantas was a friendly Singapore family - parents and a teenage daughter. The father was very inquisitive about what I did and told me that he was a businessman involved in trading various products. On Emirates was a Thai student going home after a 3 month homestay and doing a general English course.
Till next week.
Cheers
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
Monday, April 20, 2009
A Friendly Frenchman, A Helicopter Pilot And An Aussie Wine Enthusiast
I was fortunate to again chat with a very varied and mostly friendly bunch of people this last weekend.
My first encounter was with a friendly 60ish French fellow who had been on a short group tour around the country - over two weeks he visited Melbourne, Sydney, Alice Springs, Darwin and Cairns. His English was a little limited but from what I could gather he enjoyed his stay.
On another flight back to Europe was an New Zealander living in England who flies helicopters for a living. He had travelled to Oz for a for a stay of only 4 days - 3 days with family in Bondi and 1 day on business in Maitland. This reminded me of something else I must do one day - take a flight in a helicopter!
Heading home to Malaysia was a Malaysian family group who had just had a holiday in Sydney and the wineries in the Hunter Valley. The older family member I spoke to really raved about the high quality of the wines from boutique wineries that they visited. They had purchased plenty of wine to enjoy when they arrived back home.
On China Airlines was a friendly young Taiwanese couple who had spent time in Sydney and with a friend in Canberra. They were very happy to chat and answer my questions despite their very limited English. I also came across an English couple heading back to Auckland where they now live after a stay in Sydney. They had been to Sydney numerous times and commented that they knew Sydney so well that they are able to show other visiting friends around the city.
Till next week.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
My first encounter was with a friendly 60ish French fellow who had been on a short group tour around the country - over two weeks he visited Melbourne, Sydney, Alice Springs, Darwin and Cairns. His English was a little limited but from what I could gather he enjoyed his stay.
On another flight back to Europe was an New Zealander living in England who flies helicopters for a living. He had travelled to Oz for a for a stay of only 4 days - 3 days with family in Bondi and 1 day on business in Maitland. This reminded me of something else I must do one day - take a flight in a helicopter!
Heading home to Malaysia was a Malaysian family group who had just had a holiday in Sydney and the wineries in the Hunter Valley. The older family member I spoke to really raved about the high quality of the wines from boutique wineries that they visited. They had purchased plenty of wine to enjoy when they arrived back home.
On China Airlines was a friendly young Taiwanese couple who had spent time in Sydney and with a friend in Canberra. They were very happy to chat and answer my questions despite their very limited English. I also came across an English couple heading back to Auckland where they now live after a stay in Sydney. They had been to Sydney numerous times and commented that they knew Sydney so well that they are able to show other visiting friends around the city.
Till next week.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
Sunday, April 12, 2009
One Method of Car Disposal and a Unique Place to Sleep
I met a couple of Dutch travellers flying home on Malaysia Airlines yesterday. One was a backpacker who had done an interesting camping tour from Alice Springs to Adelaide. The other one also had some interesting stories to tell. He had stayed for the first 2 weeks in a luxury hotel in Sydney and then, in sharp contrast, travelled around the country on a very tight budget. He used a car he had bought in Sydney for A$1800 and stayed in backpacker hostels. When he flew out of Cairns to join his flight home in Sydney, he just gave away the car for free to another traveller he had met there. The car had gone well for his travels and had not needed any repairs or manintenance.
Also heading home to Scandinavia at the weekend was a young Norwegian backpacker who had also had quite an adventure on the East Coast. She had rented a car with some other fellow travellers and also was on a tight budget. They slept in the car on 2 occasions including 3 consecutive nights at one location. However she had also spent 4 nights in a much more unusual location - an airport hangar! They had gone skydiving and somehow managed to be allowed to sleep next to the planes.
On a flight home to Christchurch was a friendly Chinese family with a very cute 8 year old daughter who was happy to answer all my survey questions (on behalf of her mum) to the best of her ability. They had been on holidays in Sydney.
Other visitors of note that I came across included:-
* An Egyptian lady here to visit her son. She had already been to Australia many times.
* An older English couple on a round the world journey who travelled by rental car in Tasmania and travelled by train from Melbourne to Adelaide and the Ghan train from Adelaide to Alice Springs. They were heading to Honolulu and then Las Vegas before going home.
* An American who had done Melbourne, Kangaroo Island (SA) and Cairns all in 6 days. He was on his way to visit a friend in New Zealand while the rest of his family spent some more time in the Cairns area.
Till next week.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
Also heading home to Scandinavia at the weekend was a young Norwegian backpacker who had also had quite an adventure on the East Coast. She had rented a car with some other fellow travellers and also was on a tight budget. They slept in the car on 2 occasions including 3 consecutive nights at one location. However she had also spent 4 nights in a much more unusual location - an airport hangar! They had gone skydiving and somehow managed to be allowed to sleep next to the planes.
On a flight home to Christchurch was a friendly Chinese family with a very cute 8 year old daughter who was happy to answer all my survey questions (on behalf of her mum) to the best of her ability. They had been on holidays in Sydney.
Other visitors of note that I came across included:-
* An Egyptian lady here to visit her son. She had already been to Australia many times.
* An older English couple on a round the world journey who travelled by rental car in Tasmania and travelled by train from Melbourne to Adelaide and the Ghan train from Adelaide to Alice Springs. They were heading to Honolulu and then Las Vegas before going home.
* An American who had done Melbourne, Kangaroo Island (SA) and Cairns all in 6 days. He was on his way to visit a friend in New Zealand while the rest of his family spent some more time in the Cairns area.
Till next week.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
Monday, April 6, 2009
From Dublin To Oz And An Avid Train Traveller
This week I encountered lots of Irish visitors who all seemed to enjoy their stay Down Under. They included a couple here for a family wedding in the Hunter Valley and to stay with relatives in Gosford. I also chatted to a young Irish lass who had been working here for the last few months.
On a flight to Christchurch was an American businessman from Colorado who works for a medical equipment company. I guess this is a busy industry to be in with fast advancing technologies and our ageing population.
Travelling to Malaysia were a Chilean guy in Sydney for just one night on business - that's what you call a quick business trip! There was also a Malaysian guy here to spend a week with his girlfriend in Sydney.
On British Airways back to London was an English guy who was in Sydney for a job interview and to visit a friend. He already knew that he had got the job (in the engineering field) and now had to get everything organized for the big move to Australia.
Also travelling home on BA was a German guy in his early 30's who had travelled over most of the country during the last few months. But, in contrast to most backpackers I come across, he had travelled mainly by train - on the Indian Pacific, the Ghan and the Overlander trains. He found train travel much more appealing and quite economical using a rail pass. That's something I need to look into myself. I quite enjoy rail travel but haven't done much for a long time.
Till next week.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
On a flight to Christchurch was an American businessman from Colorado who works for a medical equipment company. I guess this is a busy industry to be in with fast advancing technologies and our ageing population.
Travelling to Malaysia were a Chilean guy in Sydney for just one night on business - that's what you call a quick business trip! There was also a Malaysian guy here to spend a week with his girlfriend in Sydney.
On British Airways back to London was an English guy who was in Sydney for a job interview and to visit a friend. He already knew that he had got the job (in the engineering field) and now had to get everything organized for the big move to Australia.
Also travelling home on BA was a German guy in his early 30's who had travelled over most of the country during the last few months. But, in contrast to most backpackers I come across, he had travelled mainly by train - on the Indian Pacific, the Ghan and the Overlander trains. He found train travel much more appealing and quite economical using a rail pass. That's something I need to look into myself. I quite enjoy rail travel but haven't done much for a long time.
Till next week.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Missed By A Day and Another Stuck In Transit
I came across a lady from Brunei who had arrived in Sydney one day too late for the birth of her second grandson. Her daughter, who lives in Sydney, had given birth 3 weeks earlier than expected so it was quite a rush trip this time for her. All were well and happy.
Weddings still seem to be a popular reason for visits to Australia. I spoke to an Irish woman here with her husband and their 4 year old daughter. They stayed with relatives in Gosford and attended her sisters wedding in the Hunter Valley.
On the V Australia flight to LA was a Canadian women who had been in Australia for almost a year with her husband and was going home for a short family visit. They were both working in Sydney and she was happy to advise that they had now received longer term Australian visas.
I also chatted to a young New Zealander who works for Emirates Airlines and had been stuck in transit in Sydney for 2 days. She was on her way back to Dubai (her base) after a family visit in New Zealand and had great difficulty in getting on a flight. Her Sydney stay was one night at the airport and one night in a motel nearby and was happy to finally get a seat on a flight. She was however not so happy to be due back at work on long haul flights within 24 hours of arriving in Dubai.
Other visitors I spoke to last weekend included a Canadian and her mother here to stay with relatives in Blacktown, an Aussie living in Singapore back for a stay at her own house in Neutral Bay and a 70's Kiwi couple in OZ for a family visit.
Till next time.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
Weddings still seem to be a popular reason for visits to Australia. I spoke to an Irish woman here with her husband and their 4 year old daughter. They stayed with relatives in Gosford and attended her sisters wedding in the Hunter Valley.
On the V Australia flight to LA was a Canadian women who had been in Australia for almost a year with her husband and was going home for a short family visit. They were both working in Sydney and she was happy to advise that they had now received longer term Australian visas.
I also chatted to a young New Zealander who works for Emirates Airlines and had been stuck in transit in Sydney for 2 days. She was on her way back to Dubai (her base) after a family visit in New Zealand and had great difficulty in getting on a flight. Her Sydney stay was one night at the airport and one night in a motel nearby and was happy to finally get a seat on a flight. She was however not so happy to be due back at work on long haul flights within 24 hours of arriving in Dubai.
Other visitors I spoke to last weekend included a Canadian and her mother here to stay with relatives in Blacktown, an Aussie living in Singapore back for a stay at her own house in Neutral Bay and a 70's Kiwi couple in OZ for a family visit.
Till next time.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
Monday, March 23, 2009
Sleeping At The Airport and Living In Mongolia
Last week I spoke to a traveller who had stayed on their own yacht on Sydney Harbour. This week it was the other extreme. I came across a Swedish girl in transit from New Zealand and had spent a night on the seats inside the airport. Hopefully she had a more comfortable rest when she got home.
On a Qantas flight to Frankfurt was a friendly middle aged German tour guide. He spends 4 months a year as a tour guide and takes holiday groups to Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada. He has done this job for many years and has been to Australia around 25 times. In between tours he enjoys 5 week breaks at home.
Flying to Beijing was a woman who has been living in Ulan Bator (Mongolia) for the last 18 months. It was fascinating to get her insights into this country which I know very little about. One of the interesting things she said was that Mongolians in general tend not to show any facial expression when they speak. Her own background was also quite a mix. She was of German ethnic origin, was travelling on an American passport and had lived in Australia for much of her life.
Other travellers of note included a Dutch businessman and a Singapore guy who had both been to Australia around 20 times before and an English couple who had spent their whole 3 week stay with relatives in Port Macquarie.
Till next week.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
On a Qantas flight to Frankfurt was a friendly middle aged German tour guide. He spends 4 months a year as a tour guide and takes holiday groups to Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada. He has done this job for many years and has been to Australia around 25 times. In between tours he enjoys 5 week breaks at home.
Flying to Beijing was a woman who has been living in Ulan Bator (Mongolia) for the last 18 months. It was fascinating to get her insights into this country which I know very little about. One of the interesting things she said was that Mongolians in general tend not to show any facial expression when they speak. Her own background was also quite a mix. She was of German ethnic origin, was travelling on an American passport and had lived in Australia for much of her life.
Other travellers of note included a Dutch businessman and a Singapore guy who had both been to Australia around 20 times before and an English couple who had spent their whole 3 week stay with relatives in Port Macquarie.
Till next week.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
From Marla to Sydney Harbour and Kangaroos
Another fascinating bunch of travellers leaving Sydney last weekend. Here are some of the most memorable.
I chatted to a New Zealander who had been working for 3 weeks straight at Marla. I had to admit to him that I had never heard of the place. It's actually on the main highway north of Coober Pedy in South Australia. His occupation was a surveyor and he had worked in many remote parts of Australia. Just to get home to Christchurch was a 2 day expedition for him - Marla-Coober Pedy (road) - Adelaide (air) - Sydney (air) - Christchurch (air).
My next interviewee was a Chinese woman with an American partner whose form of accommodation for their 2 week stay in Sydney was their own yacht on Sydney Harbour. It beats paying a hotel bill and think about the view!! They had owned the boat since 2001 and made regular trips back to Sydney since then.
A Finnish gentleman on his way home had just attended a sporting related conference in Canberra. The most interesting part of his stay was when he decided to walk back to his hotel from the Brumbies Rugby game at Canberra late one night. He came across a kangaroo jumping through a park and suburban streets. Actually this can be quite a regular occurrence as I learned during the 25 years that I lived in Canberra.
On a British Airways flight home was an English couple who had spent 2 weeks in Sydney and the Blue Mountains after a 7 week continuous voyage on a P & O crusie ship from Southampton. They'd had a great holiday and their journey home was going to be much quicker.
Other interesting visitors this week included a Kiwi living in France who was in Sydney to run a
1 week course at a university, an older Russian women from St. Petersburg here for only 4 days for a UN/Government conference, a Scottish guy here with his girlfriend to fulfil his duty and visit her relatives in Sydney & Perth & and a friendly young Italian backpacker who spoke about her camping adventure tour in Central Australia.
As always, till next week.
Cheers
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
I chatted to a New Zealander who had been working for 3 weeks straight at Marla. I had to admit to him that I had never heard of the place. It's actually on the main highway north of Coober Pedy in South Australia. His occupation was a surveyor and he had worked in many remote parts of Australia. Just to get home to Christchurch was a 2 day expedition for him - Marla-Coober Pedy (road) - Adelaide (air) - Sydney (air) - Christchurch (air).
My next interviewee was a Chinese woman with an American partner whose form of accommodation for their 2 week stay in Sydney was their own yacht on Sydney Harbour. It beats paying a hotel bill and think about the view!! They had owned the boat since 2001 and made regular trips back to Sydney since then.
A Finnish gentleman on his way home had just attended a sporting related conference in Canberra. The most interesting part of his stay was when he decided to walk back to his hotel from the Brumbies Rugby game at Canberra late one night. He came across a kangaroo jumping through a park and suburban streets. Actually this can be quite a regular occurrence as I learned during the 25 years that I lived in Canberra.
On a British Airways flight home was an English couple who had spent 2 weeks in Sydney and the Blue Mountains after a 7 week continuous voyage on a P & O crusie ship from Southampton. They'd had a great holiday and their journey home was going to be much quicker.
Other interesting visitors this week included a Kiwi living in France who was in Sydney to run a
1 week course at a university, an older Russian women from St. Petersburg here for only 4 days for a UN/Government conference, a Scottish guy here with his girlfriend to fulfil his duty and visit her relatives in Sydney & Perth & and a friendly young Italian backpacker who spoke about her camping adventure tour in Central Australia.
As always, till next week.
Cheers
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Weddings, A French Hostel Intern & Redundancy Holidays
There were more wedding related visits amongst those heading home last weekend. I chatted to a German resident travelling on a Canadian passport who was staying with relatives in the Lake Macquarie area of NSW and exploring possible locations in the Hunter Valley for her upcoming wedding. She has family & friends in Australia and Canada and had decided to hold the wedding here. So no doubt there will be a few Canadian visitiors arriving for the event. I also came across an English couple who had been in Sydney to attend their daughters wedding.
There was a young French girl on her way to New Zealand who had done a 3 month intern job at a backpackers hostel in Melbourne. Her duties were mainly reception and bar work. After her Kiwi holiday she was planning to do similar work in Perth. I hadn't realised these sorts of employment opportunities were available to working holiday visitors.
A pleasant young Polish couple were on their way home after a package tour of Australia visiting Uluru, Hamilton Island, Gold Coast & Sydney. It's not very often that I have come across tourists from Poland. I also chatted to a French couple here for 2 weeks with friends in Sydney.
Redundancy holidays are probably becoming more common in the current economic environment. I ran across an English couple in their 50's who had both recently been made redundant. They decided to have a 3 month holiday Down Under while they contemplated their future. Their stay involved around 35 different overnight stops in South Australia, Victoria, NSW, Tasmania and South East Queensland and they had a most enjoyable time.
Till next week.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
There was a young French girl on her way to New Zealand who had done a 3 month intern job at a backpackers hostel in Melbourne. Her duties were mainly reception and bar work. After her Kiwi holiday she was planning to do similar work in Perth. I hadn't realised these sorts of employment opportunities were available to working holiday visitors.
A pleasant young Polish couple were on their way home after a package tour of Australia visiting Uluru, Hamilton Island, Gold Coast & Sydney. It's not very often that I have come across tourists from Poland. I also chatted to a French couple here for 2 weeks with friends in Sydney.
Redundancy holidays are probably becoming more common in the current economic environment. I ran across an English couple in their 50's who had both recently been made redundant. They decided to have a 3 month holiday Down Under while they contemplated their future. Their stay involved around 35 different overnight stops in South Australia, Victoria, NSW, Tasmania and South East Queensland and they had a most enjoyable time.
Till next week.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Travelling With Truckies and a Hippie From Way Back
The two most interesting characters that I chatted to last weekend were both travelling home to the US on Qantas.
The first was a middle aged American women who had been to Australia many times before, on some of these occasions to exhibit show horses. She had many friends living here and some of them are truckies. Much of her stay on this trip was spent travelling with truckie friends with overnight stays being sleeping in trucks on the road side. One road trip she made was with a load of bricks from Wollongong, NSW to Gladstone, QLD. Her Australian stay was vastly different to that of the typical tourist.
The second character was a softly spoken American guy in his late 60's with a very long grey beard. He had done the Indian Pacific train trip across the country and spent the rest of his time in hostels in different parts of the country. His leisure activities were minimal and all that he could mention were reading and relaxing - certainly no mention of sightseeing or partying. He just reminded me of the classic 'hippie' type from the 1960's. In fact my 18 year old colleague who was nearby referred to him as a hippie before I made any such reference or comment!! I didn't realize that teenagers today would know what a 'hippie' type was as it's not such a commonly used term nowadays.
On a Qantas flight to Europe was a very friendly French businessman who spoke great English and had enjoyed his stay here. I also chatted to a sociable Swiss woman and a number of British tourists.
Till next time.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
The first was a middle aged American women who had been to Australia many times before, on some of these occasions to exhibit show horses. She had many friends living here and some of them are truckies. Much of her stay on this trip was spent travelling with truckie friends with overnight stays being sleeping in trucks on the road side. One road trip she made was with a load of bricks from Wollongong, NSW to Gladstone, QLD. Her Australian stay was vastly different to that of the typical tourist.
The second character was a softly spoken American guy in his late 60's with a very long grey beard. He had done the Indian Pacific train trip across the country and spent the rest of his time in hostels in different parts of the country. His leisure activities were minimal and all that he could mention were reading and relaxing - certainly no mention of sightseeing or partying. He just reminded me of the classic 'hippie' type from the 1960's. In fact my 18 year old colleague who was nearby referred to him as a hippie before I made any such reference or comment!! I didn't realize that teenagers today would know what a 'hippie' type was as it's not such a commonly used term nowadays.
On a Qantas flight to Europe was a very friendly French businessman who spoke great English and had enjoyed his stay here. I also chatted to a sociable Swiss woman and a number of British tourists.
Till next time.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
Saturday, February 21, 2009
More Planning Their Return, Lots of Swiss & A Problem Thai Dental Treatment
It was another interesting bunch of people that I came across this weekend at the airport. These included 3 Swiss travellers - more than I would usually come across. All enjoyed their stay and travels here and one did an intensive English course at Byron Bay. It'd have to be a good combination there - beach, partying and learning English all at the same time!
There were a lot of backpackers who had seen much more of the country than I have. One of them was a young Swiss guy who had strayed off the beaten tourist track a bit and visited quite a few places that I had barely heard of. It was his intention to get away from the tourist hordes. A German girl I met was only here for a short stay this time but had already organised her return trip in April with her boyfriend and had a job lined up.
Another one who loved Sydney so much that he was planning his return was a 30ish English guy. He was here doing 2 weeks training for his company and they offered him a full time position here. It sounded like he was going to to take it - just had to talk it through with his wife and sort out visa and other formalities.
I briefly chatted to a Kiwi on an Emirates flight who was travelling back to Bangkok to get his dental work redone. He had dental treatment there last year (at one third of the cost of in New Zealand) but there had been some complications. He didn't seem too upset about it though and thought that the Thai dental treatment was generally good and he had just been unlucky.
Till next week.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
There were a lot of backpackers who had seen much more of the country than I have. One of them was a young Swiss guy who had strayed off the beaten tourist track a bit and visited quite a few places that I had barely heard of. It was his intention to get away from the tourist hordes. A German girl I met was only here for a short stay this time but had already organised her return trip in April with her boyfriend and had a job lined up.
Another one who loved Sydney so much that he was planning his return was a 30ish English guy. He was here doing 2 weeks training for his company and they offered him a full time position here. It sounded like he was going to to take it - just had to talk it through with his wife and sort out visa and other formalities.
I briefly chatted to a Kiwi on an Emirates flight who was travelling back to Bangkok to get his dental work redone. He had dental treatment there last year (at one third of the cost of in New Zealand) but there had been some complications. He didn't seem too upset about it though and thought that the Thai dental treatment was generally good and he had just been unlucky.
Till next week.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Crazy Weather, An Olive Farm and Aspiring Dutch Emigrants
The most common comment from visitors from England and New Zealand last week was that the weather was just like home and not what they were hoping for. We've had a pretty crazy few weeks weatherwise here in Sydney. There was a long run of extreme heat (40 degrees plus) then about a week of cool wet weather which was almost like winter had come 3 or 4 months early. Many of the visitors were only here for a week or less and just suffered the wet days which made it hard to do much sightseeing.
I ran across a young English guy (late teens) who had spent some time in Sydney but also about 2 months work on an olive farm in Hillston, NSW, He quite enjoyed the farm work but found it very hot.
Travelling home on Malaysia Airlines was a 30's Dutch couple who were here for 3 months, mainly in Sydney. They had been here a few times before and loved it so much that they were checking out job opportunities so that they can live here.
On the same flight was an older Malaysian couple who had flown to the Gold Coast with the budget carrier, Air Asia and had already booked another dirt cheap fare on Air Asia to Melbourne later in the year. We desperately need more low cost airlines such as Air Asia to fly into Sydney.
A couple of weeks back I finally got around to doing something that so many of our overseas visitors do in Sydney - the Harbour Bridge climb. It was a great experience and I would certainly recommend it. Not many locals tend to do it and just think 'it's something we can do anytime and put it off till later'. I'll try and post a photo here soon.
Till next week.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
I ran across a young English guy (late teens) who had spent some time in Sydney but also about 2 months work on an olive farm in Hillston, NSW, He quite enjoyed the farm work but found it very hot.
Travelling home on Malaysia Airlines was a 30's Dutch couple who were here for 3 months, mainly in Sydney. They had been here a few times before and loved it so much that they were checking out job opportunities so that they can live here.
On the same flight was an older Malaysian couple who had flown to the Gold Coast with the budget carrier, Air Asia and had already booked another dirt cheap fare on Air Asia to Melbourne later in the year. We desperately need more low cost airlines such as Air Asia to fly into Sydney.
A couple of weeks back I finally got around to doing something that so many of our overseas visitors do in Sydney - the Harbour Bridge climb. It was a great experience and I would certainly recommend it. Not many locals tend to do it and just think 'it's something we can do anytime and put it off till later'. I'll try and post a photo here soon.
Till next week.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
A GPS Distributor, Student From Iran & An Austrian Practising His Aussie Slang
Here's the latest dose of airport tales.
Last weekend I met an American here who works for a GPS laser navigation company and was visiting their Australian distributors. This seems to be a huge business these days.
It was a little sad to speak to a UK woman who had been for a long stay but had to go home for a week to attend a funeral and then resume her working holiday Down Under.
There continue to be lots of people from many different countries arriving on our shores to undertake studies here. This time I chatted to a guy from Iran who had been studying here for 3 months. His English was quite good and he seemed to have enjoyed his stay here.
We've had a very long hot spell of weather in NSW, Victoria and South Australia over the last few weeks. This had taken its toll on one Kiwi who had been staying with family in Sydney. His wife was staying on another week but he thought it was too hot to do much so was heading home to the much cooler climate of Wellington.
Travelling out on Singapore Airlines was a young Austrian guy who had spent some time here on holiday. In his hand was an 'Aussie Slang' book which he had just bought at the airport. Perhaps this would have been more useful on his arrival in Australia but, as he seemed to have had a great time here, it was probably to help prepare for his next Aussie adventure.
Till next time.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
Last weekend I met an American here who works for a GPS laser navigation company and was visiting their Australian distributors. This seems to be a huge business these days.
It was a little sad to speak to a UK woman who had been for a long stay but had to go home for a week to attend a funeral and then resume her working holiday Down Under.
There continue to be lots of people from many different countries arriving on our shores to undertake studies here. This time I chatted to a guy from Iran who had been studying here for 3 months. His English was quite good and he seemed to have enjoyed his stay here.
We've had a very long hot spell of weather in NSW, Victoria and South Australia over the last few weeks. This had taken its toll on one Kiwi who had been staying with family in Sydney. His wife was staying on another week but he thought it was too hot to do much so was heading home to the much cooler climate of Wellington.
Travelling out on Singapore Airlines was a young Austrian guy who had spent some time here on holiday. In his hand was an 'Aussie Slang' book which he had just bought at the airport. Perhaps this would have been more useful on his arrival in Australia but, as he seemed to have had a great time here, it was probably to help prepare for his next Aussie adventure.
Till next time.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
Holidaying On Bruny Island, A Desperate House Sale And A Sad End to A Romance
A little late but here are some stories of people I met the weekend before last.
Travelling home on United Airlines was an American couple who had spent a few weeks holiday on Bruny Island. I had to think for a moment and picture exactly where this was. It's actually a small island off the southern coastline of Tasmania and certainly well off the normal tourist trail. They went there the first time about 8 years ago and loved it so much that they bought a property there to come back and stay in regularly. The landscape reminds them of the upstate New York area where they live. Apparently there are only about 500 people that live there on a regular basis but that swells to about 5000-6000 during the peak holiday season.
The current economic crisis is affecting people in all sorts of ways. I met a woman on Qantas who was planning her emigration to Australia. She had just spent time with her son and daughter in the Central Coast and Port Stephens areas of NSW but had been trying to sell her house back in England for many months and was continuing to reduce the asking price. She was still hopeful of having enough money to be able to buy a property here.
There was an American guy who I chatted to who was in the wine business and had spent his time in the Barossa Valley. It was also fascinating to hear that he had been to Cuba. Officially US citizens still cannot travel there but he had done it via Mexico and didn't get any stamp in his passport. Cuba is one of those places that would be great to see and experience before it eventually and inevitably changes and modernizes.
I came across an English guy on his way home who wasn't terribly happy. I then discovered why. He had come to Sydney to marry his fiance but it seems they broke up instead and he spent the last part of his stay alone in the city.
A happier traveller was an English backpacker on his 3rd trip here and had spent 5 months travelling through WA, NT, NSW and QLD. He raved in particular about the great Whitsunday Islands cruise he had done.
What a mixed bunch of visitors that was!!
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
Travelling home on United Airlines was an American couple who had spent a few weeks holiday on Bruny Island. I had to think for a moment and picture exactly where this was. It's actually a small island off the southern coastline of Tasmania and certainly well off the normal tourist trail. They went there the first time about 8 years ago and loved it so much that they bought a property there to come back and stay in regularly. The landscape reminds them of the upstate New York area where they live. Apparently there are only about 500 people that live there on a regular basis but that swells to about 5000-6000 during the peak holiday season.
The current economic crisis is affecting people in all sorts of ways. I met a woman on Qantas who was planning her emigration to Australia. She had just spent time with her son and daughter in the Central Coast and Port Stephens areas of NSW but had been trying to sell her house back in England for many months and was continuing to reduce the asking price. She was still hopeful of having enough money to be able to buy a property here.
There was an American guy who I chatted to who was in the wine business and had spent his time in the Barossa Valley. It was also fascinating to hear that he had been to Cuba. Officially US citizens still cannot travel there but he had done it via Mexico and didn't get any stamp in his passport. Cuba is one of those places that would be great to see and experience before it eventually and inevitably changes and modernizes.
I came across an English guy on his way home who wasn't terribly happy. I then discovered why. He had come to Sydney to marry his fiance but it seems they broke up instead and he spent the last part of his stay alone in the city.
A happier traveller was an English backpacker on his 3rd trip here and had spent 5 months travelling through WA, NT, NSW and QLD. He raved in particular about the great Whitsunday Islands cruise he had done.
What a mixed bunch of visitors that was!!
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
Monday, January 26, 2009
An Exam Visitor from Egypt, A Young Swiss Tourist and Lots More Family Visits
At the weekend I talked to a friendly Egyptian guy who had come to Sydney for 5 days just to sit for a computer networking examination. There are apparently very few cities where this exam can be done. Despite failing the exam he was still very happy and upbeat and loved Sydney so much that he was seriously considering moving here with his wife and daughters. He had already done some checking on property prices and determined that it was affordable for him.
There were many more family and friend visits including those from England, Wales and Germany. The very bubbly Welsh girl spent the time with her boyfriend here in Sydney and did the Harbour Bridge Climb. She assured me that I would really enjoy the Bridge Climb when I get to do it next week. I've been talking about doing it for years but now it's finally happening. It just seems to be one of those things that visitors do all the time but us locals keep putting off doing.
I came across a Malaysian women here on business for a week. There was also an English woman who combined a holiday in Byron Bay with business in Sydney. However she stayed in a backpackers in both places and not the typical luxury hotel for a business visitor.
The young Swiss visitor I met had stayed with friends on the Gold Coast and also did camping tours in the Northern Territory - including Alice Springs, Uluru and up to Darwin. Unfortunately she fell sick while on the Gold Coast and spent a longer time there and was unable to visit some of the other areas she had planned.
Till next week.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
There were many more family and friend visits including those from England, Wales and Germany. The very bubbly Welsh girl spent the time with her boyfriend here in Sydney and did the Harbour Bridge Climb. She assured me that I would really enjoy the Bridge Climb when I get to do it next week. I've been talking about doing it for years but now it's finally happening. It just seems to be one of those things that visitors do all the time but us locals keep putting off doing.
I came across a Malaysian women here on business for a week. There was also an English woman who combined a holiday in Byron Bay with business in Sydney. However she stayed in a backpackers in both places and not the typical luxury hotel for a business visitor.
The young Swiss visitor I met had stayed with friends on the Gold Coast and also did camping tours in the Northern Territory - including Alice Springs, Uluru and up to Darwin. Unfortunately she fell sick while on the Gold Coast and spent a longer time there and was unable to visit some of the other areas she had planned.
Till next week.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
A Friendly Italian With An Aussie Wife, A Surprise Birthday Party & Horse Riding in the Snowies
I'm a little late with my blog about visitors I met last week on their way home. Most had some sort of family connection which is understandable at this time of the year.
I chatted to a very friendly Italian guy who works on cruise ships. He spent the time with his Aussie wife and family in the Wollongong area and was off on a 2 month work stint in the Caribbean. He really enjoyed his stay here but unfortunately his work often takes him away for extended periods. It was also very interesting to talk to an Israeli women who was here to visit family in Sydney. She spoke of having spent the last 50 years raising a family amidst the ongoing Middle East turmoil but was accepting that it was just 'her lot' in life.
There was an English middle aged guy who had spent much of his time on a horse riding trek in the NSW Snowy Mountains with friends. I think this is something that not many overseas visitors (or Aussies also for that matter) would have the chance to experience.
Others of note included a friendly young American woman from Atlanta, a Kiwi who had spent a year with his girlfriend in Perth and a Finnish couple who had travelled on the Indan Pacific train from Perth to Adelaide and then took a rental car to travel through Victoria and NSW. Then there are the sad visits such as a New Zealander in Sydney for 1 night to attend his friend's wifes funeral.
Travelling home to the UK with Air China was an English woman who had come as a surprise for the birthday party of her friend in Sydney. Finally there was an English guy here for a family visit who had just bought a copy of 'Australian Property Investor' magazine. It seems like he may have future intentions that extend beyond family visits.
Yet another interesting and diverse bunch of travellers.
Cheers
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
I chatted to a very friendly Italian guy who works on cruise ships. He spent the time with his Aussie wife and family in the Wollongong area and was off on a 2 month work stint in the Caribbean. He really enjoyed his stay here but unfortunately his work often takes him away for extended periods. It was also very interesting to talk to an Israeli women who was here to visit family in Sydney. She spoke of having spent the last 50 years raising a family amidst the ongoing Middle East turmoil but was accepting that it was just 'her lot' in life.
There was an English middle aged guy who had spent much of his time on a horse riding trek in the NSW Snowy Mountains with friends. I think this is something that not many overseas visitors (or Aussies also for that matter) would have the chance to experience.
Others of note included a friendly young American woman from Atlanta, a Kiwi who had spent a year with his girlfriend in Perth and a Finnish couple who had travelled on the Indan Pacific train from Perth to Adelaide and then took a rental car to travel through Victoria and NSW. Then there are the sad visits such as a New Zealander in Sydney for 1 night to attend his friend's wifes funeral.
Travelling home to the UK with Air China was an English woman who had come as a surprise for the birthday party of her friend in Sydney. Finally there was an English guy here for a family visit who had just bought a copy of 'Australian Property Investor' magazine. It seems like he may have future intentions that extend beyond family visits.
Yet another interesting and diverse bunch of travellers.
Cheers
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
Thursday, January 15, 2009
An English Couples Aussie Ambitions Achieved and Swedes Having Fun Down Under
On a Jetstar flight to Bali last week was an English couple in their 60's who had 2 main things on their 'to do in Sydney' list. The first was to do the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb which they achieved on their first visit 4 years ago. The second was to witness the Sydney New Years Eve fireworks which they did this time and from their comments it seemed that it well and truly lived up to their high expectations. The Sydney New Years Eve fireworks and parties have achieved worldwide renown over the last few years.
Heading home on Qantas to Europe last weekend were a couple of Swedish guys - one had done some of the East Coast visitor hot spots (Byron Bay, Fraser Island, Airlie Beach, Whitsundays and Sydney) while the other was just in Sydney with his uncle.
Also on the same plane was a middle aged German guy who had been in Melbourne, Kilmore, Davidson, Newcastle and Sydney. He had combined some business in Sydney with visits to friends in the other locations.
Till next week.
Cheers
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
Heading home on Qantas to Europe last weekend were a couple of Swedish guys - one had done some of the East Coast visitor hot spots (Byron Bay, Fraser Island, Airlie Beach, Whitsundays and Sydney) while the other was just in Sydney with his uncle.
Also on the same plane was a middle aged German guy who had been in Melbourne, Kilmore, Davidson, Newcastle and Sydney. He had combined some business in Sydney with visits to friends in the other locations.
Till next week.
Cheers
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
Sunday, January 4, 2009
New Year Party Goers, Family Visits and a German Guy With a Real Love of Australia
This last weekend there were quite a few Kiwis (New Zealanders) heading home after short visits here. Most were here for family visits or to enjoy the New Year celebrations and fireworks in Sydney. Travelling across the Tasman between Australia and New Year is almost like a domestic flight for Aussies and Kiwis except that you need a passport.
I met a fascinating German guy heading home on Singapore Airlines who was here with his girlfriend on his 13th visit to Australia!! He had done a lot of travel through other countries but Australia was his favourite. And on this trip he traversed a large section of the southern half of our country -not just the big cities. I'm sure he has been to many Aussie places that I've never heard of, let alone been to! His stay this time was only 4 weeks but he was already planning the next Aussie expedition in 2010 which will be for 6 months.
Also heading off after New Year was a Dutch woman and her partner who had been driving and camping all over the countryside and a Swedish woman and her teenage son who had spent time in Sydney and Port Douglas.
I'd love to hear your comments and any airport stories you may have.
Till next week.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
I met a fascinating German guy heading home on Singapore Airlines who was here with his girlfriend on his 13th visit to Australia!! He had done a lot of travel through other countries but Australia was his favourite. And on this trip he traversed a large section of the southern half of our country -not just the big cities. I'm sure he has been to many Aussie places that I've never heard of, let alone been to! His stay this time was only 4 weeks but he was already planning the next Aussie expedition in 2010 which will be for 6 months.
Also heading off after New Year was a Dutch woman and her partner who had been driving and camping all over the countryside and a Swedish woman and her teenage son who had spent time in Sydney and Port Douglas.
I'd love to hear your comments and any airport stories you may have.
Till next week.
Peter
Souvenirs Australia Warehouse
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