Last post of the trip ....

Well well, as I await the second to last flight from San Francisco to Toronto in a hotel, I reflect on what this journey has brought me. I have for sure realized that I could live abroad, but most likely by myself, not working for someone as a personal assistant. Second, I have found out so much about myself, this trip has bee a revelation as well as a blessing. A lot of soul searching, a lot of thinking as I was away from everything I knew and with no one to talk to, and coming to terms with the decision I made to leave.

On the first flight out of Melbourne, I already felt better and lighter, and the feeling was only enhanced from Sydney to San Francisco, over the 12+ hours of flight time. Now, as I am about to finish this journey and head back home, I can honestly say I LOVE MONTREAL and that I missed it so much: missed my family, missed my friends, missed the everyday life, missed ...everything. Can't wait to get back, and the city's welcome committee decided to give me a 25 degree day for my return.... THANK YOU =)


“To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.” - Bill Bryson

3 dodos and counting

OMG. It's almost here, the Montreal return. Sat April 25th... after a total of 26+ flight hours in less than 1.5 days...
Can't wait. Trying to keep quiet as much as possible to save energy reserves and keep health on good track for travel as it's been iffy from day to day. The main reason I am coming back.

On another hand, finished CHAPTER 4 last night... yey! Only a few more to go and then Luzisphère in a bookstore near you...=) Will get cracking on chapter 5 today, and hopefully I get through it. So goal before heading home: finish 2 additional chapters!!!!

"Enthusiasm spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishment." - Norman Vincent Peale

It's official: Montreal bound

Can't wait to see all of you... Booked flights last night after dinner at yummy Vietnamese place... Departure date: April 24th, itinerary: Melbourne-Sydney, Sydney-San Francisco, San Francisco- Toronto, Toronto-Mtl.

Phewww. Just reading about it makes me think I'll be in airports or plane for a full day. Better get ready! But cannot wait to be hoooooome. In the cold. =)

Every ceiling, when reached, becomes a floor, upon which one walks as a matter of course and prescriptive right.- Aldous Huxley

Pondering, wondering...

Yours truly is truly thinking it's time for her to come home. Can't explain why, just a feeling. SO am writing away and seeing-weighing different options allowing me to come back home earlier...

Keep you posted
Muah.

In everything the ends well defined are the secret of durable success.- Victor Cousins

Easter weekend and sun...

Had a great weekend filled with sooo many activities. Saturday, wrote, wrote, wrote, and decided to test fate and send an email to the hotel in Merida, Mexico, where Luz is staying, asking them for a free one-week stay as they are mentioned in the book, etc etc...

Then, went to a fabulous Vietnamese dinner at Chilly Peppers, a BYOW...but not to worry, the food didn't compare to the Mtl Vietnamese =). After that, had a Sex and the City night in due form, as it had been a while. Educating boss at the same time with the ladies.

Sunday, Easter, went to Fitzroy gardens in the afternoon for a picnic (which I cut short as I wasn't feeling too good, but it was so pretty!). And get this. At a point, I look up in the sky and what do I see? These words spelled out by a plane: CALL MUM. So funny. It's part of an advert campaign from a major telecommunications cie, but they are even using the sky on EASTER to do advertising. Think Mtl should catch up on this one...

Then attempted to go to my favorite church because of the reverend who's so cool for Easter mass, but that was closed. Tried a second one, which had a service at 6pm, but the priest was old, boring and dry. But still got my "rebirth" of Easter... and I had forgotten all about the link with baptism. I'm such a great Catholic =)

And had an Easter epiphany. Decided to cook a salmon pie from scratch, with dough and everything. Took me 2 hours, but I DID IT! Becoming a real chef! And my bechamel sauce was to die for...hihihi... Completed it all with a few chocolates (possibly the only time in a year when I eat them).

On Monday, we rented a Smart Car and went off to shop. Bought 2 amazing Aussie designer dresses (one of which is for Mai Mai's wedding...so gorgeous!), purse...but still missing the sparkly shoes I have been eying at Nine West (think Dorothee of Oz...but not red, silver and black...SO cute!). Looking for them everywhere. I KNOW I'll find them in my size...7.... anyone? hihihi

Drove up to Mt. Dandenong (a Melbourne equivalent of Mt. Royal mountain) and enjoyed the little antique shops, etc etc. Then had tea at Mrs. Marple's Tea Room (famous character from Agatha Christie's books), the proper English way with scones, jam and cream. Headed to the skyline lookout- which Phil, as a good Melburnian, had no idea existed) and marveled at the beautiful city views.

And at night, they played the Mtl Just For Laughs festival galas, with all Aussie comics. Was SO great. I LOVE Mtl.... Can't wait to be back.

Today, Tuesday am, is one of the last "summer" days. 26 degrees, so headed to South Melbourne Beach, where I spent the most part of the day. Can only compare it to....CUBA baby! So sunny and hot, it was exactly what I needed.

Now home, catching up on blog...sorry I've been lazy.
But I feel I will have exciting news soon... keep reading!

Caro X

"The indispensable first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: decide what you want."- Ben Stein

And do I EVER Know what I want...hihihi

Luz is ALIVE... and other things, too =)

Ok, alright, here goes. I started writing again, for real. 5 pages a day, minimum, AND the best is that I can now do it daytime (as opposed to midnight writing) AND without wine. It's unbelievable. So, at this rhythm, chapter 4 should be finished by the end of the week, and I'll be well on schedule to finish the book by the time I return home. Promising!!!

On another note, celebrated Good Friday as it should be, with fish: oysters, prawns and mornay crayfish. Yummy. Then watched a ridiculous, but entertaining funny 70's movie, The Rise and Rise of Micheal Rimmer.

Forgot to mention that tomorrow, I get to revamp the whole wardrobe of boss...SO exciting. Played What not to Wear as he showed me his collection of 80's ties, and shirts, and we will take care of business tomorrow, Easter. So it won't be an Egg hunt, but a Clothing hunt. Couldn't ask for more.

Happy Easter to all of you Canadians... muah!

"The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them."- Mark Twain

Back to health & Melbourne

Hello from a very happy, healthy Carolyne. As I mentioned to most of you over the phone, I AM BACK. No more headaches, no more antibiotics, no more pain: YEY! It's crazy how you appreciate health tenfold once you lost it temporarily. So back to daily yoga as well, and no more vino for a while... but we shall reconnect soon =)

Wednesday was Phil's bday and we went to an art gallery exhibit that was opening by Richard Baxter. Beautiful painter, who transmits through painting that "life is joyous and explosive, here and now in the present, amidst the ordinary, amongst the flowers and the garbage. This joy is found right wherever you are, at any time, you don't have to search, you don't have to attend monasteries for years on end, you don't need large amounts of money, or knowledge".

I simply loved his work, here is a sample of my favorite painting. Let me know what you get out of it. If I would have a spare AUD16K lying around, I would have bought it...! hihihi














After, went on to a nice Italian dinner at The Grand, an old pub revamped into one of the best meals in town. And we were lucky to get in, as the place was PACKED on a Wednesday night. Great homemade pork sausage and roasted duck, and a lot of water... The first meal I ate in weeks fully, without leaving the restaurant because I felt sick, and I actually enjoyed myself. So that in itself was a small victory =)

Today, Thursday morning, am getting back into writing, for real. And for those of you who don't yet know, decided to stay on the journey until the end, so returning to Montreal May 21st, when the flowers are blooming and the sun is shining, just like it is here right now.

Kisses!

A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.- Francis Bacon

Brisbane, Lone Pine Koala sanctuary...wow

Departed from Gold Coast Tuesday am for Brisbane, about 1h30 train ride away, leaving the beautiful sunny 30 degree weather behind, but all for a good cause: KOALAS! Checked in to the hotel which was right in the train station, and then jetted to the Lone Pine Koala sanctuary, the largest of its kind in the world (actual Guiness Record holder...more than 140 koalas!!!)

Sprinted for the cuddle-koala time, and waited for my turn impatiently, like a 4 year old. Actually, most of the people were not 4, but it is definitely paradise for any kid at heart. They initially tried to give me a koala girl, little one year old, named Donatella (Versace!), and said she was temperamental and a princess. I thought " perrrrfect! We'll get along just fine!" but after two minutes of unsuccessful trying, they switched me over to a 4 year old male named O'Ryan who immediately took a liking to me =) and lached on. As the picture proves, and I someone commented, I am not sure who was holding who...hihihi... He weighed close to 40 pounds, so on top of getting my dream realized, also worked out, holding him for roughly 2 minutes. Then pet him a bit more, and stayed in a koala daze for the rest of the day. And when I got the picture, I was amazed. Just couldn't ask for more.

But THEN, I saw there was an enclosure (very large, almost a football field) where kangaroos roamed free and where you could feed them!!!! 2 in 1!! So spent another hour there, talking to them and petting the various species, from joeys (youngters) to Red kangaroos, and I know I am forgetting some. But the pictures are priceless, and anyone should have the chance to experience this kind of encounter once in their lifetime!




And is it just me or Skippy didn't have such big cojones hanging? Can't remember anything like that... they censored a kangaroo's parts?? ;)

Walked some more, saw mooooore koalas and other Aussie wildlife, and left around 4ish, fully satisfied and happy that I had accomplished what I wanted to do the MOST in Australia.


Had a glass of wine (complimentary with hotel stay) and that was a baaaad idea as I am still on antibiotics. But hey, it's me! Had dinner at a nice Italian place in South Bank (cute artsy part of Brisbane) and felt a humongous headache coming on, so left really quickly, and went to bed at 10.

However, as I have to wake up at 4am every day to take the antibiotic, I haven't had a good night's sleep in a while... And woke up at 7, to have breakfast with Louis, old Montreal friend. We had a really nice time, was good to reconnect (however short the time together was) with a Montreal person... Walked around the Spectacle Gardens- which are simply breathtaking in 25 degree heat at 9am, and headed back to hotel as needed to check out to head back to cold cold Melbourne.

Made the flight without any problems, as I am fit to fly after all...hihihi... and landed in 17 degree cold weather. Ewww. But hey, am still on koala high, so it doesn't matter.

Will get back to writing as of tonight since the last week, was, well, mmm... not as productive as one would hope.

Kisses

"Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."- Abraham Lincoln

FIT TO FLY!!!! Brisbane bound Monday ....

OMG. The ear infection has finally cleared. Almost back to normal! Got a clean bill of health from doctor yesterday, saying the infection had cleared (thanks mummy for the advice.... even though it was long-distance!), so I can FLY again (planes, that is...hihihi).

Had a lovely day today, hung out with Phil's mother, sister and niece. They were all very sweet. Told them the tales of Canada and foreign land, as it is very exotic for them... Imagine that! And we are so impressed by Australia. So it's not all upside down after all... Then went on a walk on the beach, and started feeling a LOT better, so had a late lunch, and headed to the jacuzzi. Niiiiiiiiiiicccce.

Replenished and feeling great, started writing again. So Luz is alive! Once again.

Tomorrow AM, heading to Brisbane where I get to go to Lone Pine KOALA sanctuary, and FINALLY hold a koala. Give it a real hug. Can't wait.

And then, hopefully meet up with an old-time friend, Louis, in the city.

Kisses from a healthy Caro XX

“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” - Miriam Beard

Almost a month in...

Hello all..
So the last few days haven't been so eventful. Bed rest, battling an ear infection which I need to get under control in order to fly back to Melbourne, and ultimately back to Mtl asap. So spent Thursday, Friday and almost feeling better today (Sat am)... Need to go get a doctor's OK before flying as my ear drum could be in danger when flying... sooo not doing much but watching TV, and as I have a pounding headache most of the time, can't even write.

IT'S ALMOST OVER. I am convinced.
Keep you all posted. So sorry I have nothing more interesting to report than the frequent visits of my parrot friends on the balcony. I fed one yesterday!!

CaroX

"What we think or what we know or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is what we do." - John Ruskin

Grey Sydney & Gold Coast, anyone's paradise

Last days in Sydney were quite uneventful... Spent Monday in bed, siiiiiccck and achy (maybe too much traveling?. Managed to drag myself to a Gold Suite (fancy chairs, food and booze at the movies again...hihihi) to see He's just NOT that into you...funny and cute, appreciated the movie version of the book and thought of what my book may look like up on a screen like that one day...

Tuesday was departure day, and I was still feeling under the weather, but had to pack and be out of the room by 11am, and Phil had a meeting which ran until 2pm. So busied myself up with a visit to the Sydney Museum of Contemporary Art ... where entry is free .I LOOOOVE that they make art accessible to everyone, including the special events, just like London. Anyways, saw the works of crazy woman Yakoi Kusama (a celebration of 60 years doing art), a very controversial artist who commited herself into a mental asymum, and who creates unconventional pieces and works that use repetition, continuity and obsession as themes. If interested, check out what I saw...
http://www.mca.com.au/default.asp?page_id=10&content_id=4737

Wandered around a bit more, but a huuuuuge storm hit the city, and then took the flight to Brisbane. Perfect timing.

Landed in sunny, hot, humid 30 degree weather, which immediately made me better. Hopped on the train to Gold Coast (1h30 hr) and settled into apartment. VERY nice. Have my own quarters.... Then had a great Thai meal, at a local place on Surfer's Paradise road, and went off to bed as I wanted to wake up to see the sunrise.

My body woke up Wednesday am at 6h15, just as the sun was peeking over the ocean. You will never have seen me get up so fast! By 6h30, was walking on the beach, sand between my toes, sun blazing, hot, humid weather, and peace and quiet. Had a yoga meditation in this beautiful environment, no one around... NICE. Then, did a few cartwheels and had a few National Geographic moments, jellyfish, fishes being eaten by seagulls and left half dead on beach, still breathing (broke my heart), and picked up shells for future jewelry pieces =)

Groceries bought for the week here, then headed to the beach for MAJOR sun time....butttttttt.... felt sick and spinny after 30 minutes, so headed back to the hotel. Damn. Thought I would sun all day and get nice tan, but around 1h30pm, felt better but still decided to stay close by. Can't believe I'm actually saying this but used the HOTEL POOL for the the first time in my life, and stayed in the afternoon beautiful warm sun until 4.

Came back up, and sat down to write this post with a glass of wine... and as a lovely God-given gift, 4 Australian King parrots came to say hello (see for yourself...)although the pic I chose is the nicest one and only shows 3), on the balcony RIGHT in front of me. WOW. Have been chasing them to get a good picture for the past 3 weeks, and here they were love this place.

Nothing major tonight, but the weather forecast isn't looking good for the next few days. A huge wall of fluffy clouds is rolling in from the ocean onto shore... So hopefully I get to finish chapter 4 of Luzisphère... she's also now in a sunny place with an ocean...how fitting =)

Now 6h30pm and pitch black outside. The curtain has come down.

Love and miss all of you
Caro
XX
“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.” - Martin Buber