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

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

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

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