Today we are off on an adventure to Australia. Let me rephrase that, TONIGHT we leave on a trip to Australia. Our plane is due to take off at 10:55 pm. I don’t recall ever leaving on a trip that late.
Patrice has long been lobbying for a trip to the down under. Personally I never really cared to go to the place. But with Patrice being so open to traveling to all the MLB parks (let’s see if she will really go to Cleveland, Milwaukee and Cincinnati) how could I decline this wish.
This will be our first trip with Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) who comes highly recommended by our friends Don and Ginger. So far they seem to have their act together (OAT, not Don and Ginger although I’m sure D&G have their act together too). We have received lots of information and recommendations to help us prepare for our vacation. Our tour guide has been in contact and recommended we read “In a Sunburned Country” by Bill Bryson to help us get familiar with this far away continent.
Let me quote from the book, “Of the world’s ten most poisonous snakes, all are Australian. Five of its creatures–the funnel web spider, box jellyfish, blue-ringed octopus, paralysis tick, and stonefish– are the most lethal of their type in the world. This is a country where even the fluffiest of caterpillars can lay you out with a toxic nip, where seashells will not just sting you but actually sometimes go for you. Pick up an innocuous cone shell from a Queensland beach, as innocent tourists are all too wont to do, and you will discover the little fellow inside is not just astoundingly swift and testy but exceedingly venomous. If you are not stung or pronged to death in some unexpected manner, you may be fatally chomped by sharks or crocodiles, or even carried helplessly out to sea by irresistible currents, or left to stagger to an unhappy death in the baking outback. It’s a tough place”.
Now let’s wait a second. This is what the tour company wants us to read prior to paying them a bunch of money to takes us to, and around, Australia?
I need to go now. I’m going to check to see if we can reroute this plane to Cincinnati. “.
Robert Reiss Travel Blog and Other Ramblings 
I have been to Australia and read the book. The quote about 5 of the 10 most deadly snakes is absolutely incorrect. So, don’t worry and have fun!!!! PS- It is 6 of 10
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Have fun!!!! I am so jealous! You guys are going have a blast! Have a safe trip there and I look forward to reading you posts. Love, Stef
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Hope you make it to Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo! Oh, and say hello to my cousins in Melbourne. BTW Riverfront Stadium in Cinci is very cool. Patrice definitely owes you one! Have a blast!
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I read Bill Bryson‘s “Nnotes from a small island” and found it to be mostly true😉
In June, Chuck and I are going to see the White Sox, whom we have never seen at their home playing,, pure luck in timing, my Yankees, and then we will travel even further north to see the Milwaukee Brewers.
Have a great time in Australia!!
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I bitch 14 hours but you will sleep. Remember to go to Funk fish in the queen Victoria market have a potato cake
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Have a fun adventure! I hope you enjoy OAT. I’ve gone to Costa Rica and Peru with OAT. The guides are very well informed and go above and beyond to ensure you have a great experience. They always include a home visit with locals and lots of educational opportunities. I usually bring gifts like baseball caps, See’s candy to the schoolchildren on the school visits. Leaving tomorrow from NYC to go to morocco on OAT trip!
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Have an amazing trip! So excited for you and Patrice! I’m going to read Bill Bryson’s book! I like his style of writing. Look forward to your next post.
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Ask your guide if he knows Richard Davies. He was our guide when we did this trip about 12 years ago. A wonderful man and a former Qantas executive who really knew his country and how to get around it on a plane. One of our best guides ever! 🦘🇦🇺 Don
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I do know Richard Davies, and agree, he’s a lovely man. Haven’t seen him in a few years though.
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