The Boy in Oz

I’m in a land that they call Down Under…

Ain’t nobody’s gonna steal my thunder!

I’m in a land where they say G’day!

Ain’t nobody’s gonna stand in my way!

I’m gonna beat my drums…

I’m gonna ring my bell…

And I don’t give a damn if I go to hell!

… Don’t you agree with me, Australia?!?!?

These words Her Madgesty once declared on her widely successful Aussie stop for the Girlie Show Tour. Naturally, having that in mind, I was excited to know that my return to ship life would take me to AUSTRALIA… Sydney & Melbourne in particular.

I actually boarded my 2nd ship in Sydney and I remember the night we flew in, I could already see the Sydney Harbor Bridge and the iconic Sydney Opera House from the plane and what a sight!

Like in my previous first times seeing world renowned landmarks, I could not believe that those I have only seen in TV and movies are now right before my bespectacled eyes.

Too bad that I did not have enough time to wander the night we arrived Sydney since we had to get up early the next morning for my 1st day on the job. And too bad as well that my work schedule did not allow me much time as well to wander far and long in Sydney & Melbourne each time we dock there. We’ve been on this run (Australia-New Zealand) for 4 months now and simply put, it wasn’t as fun as I thought and hoped it would be. My fingers are crossed that Asia would yield more amazing times.

The only time we had a great chance to experience Sydney was rather eventful, New Year’s Eve! Yes, I had the great opportunity to welcome 2009 by witnessing one of the most popular and acclaimed fireworks display in the world this time of year.

Lo and behold, there was another downside. We did not get to see the whole thing in the best vantage point. Due to the enormous number of people in the streets, we could only go as far as being stuck in a street party with a side view of the Harbour Bridge.

But just the same, we had an amazing time! The fireworks was spectacular and the party mode was contagious! It was such fun celebrating the night with my friends and so many other people from different parts of the world. It was like one big happy convention!

In the middle of the whole celebration though, I could not help feeling bittersweet. It’s still so much more fun ringing in the New Year back home with my family and/or friends. Sure, the Aussie fireworks were amazing, but it does not beat the simple joy of lighting up a ‘watusi’ and watch it dance away or the childish excitement in lighting up a ‘labintador’ or ‘bawang’ then waiting for it to explode. The Aussie pyrotechnics do not hold a candle to our beloved ‘Roman Candle’!

Still, it was such an experience and so much better than celebrating New Year’s Eve in the middle of the ocean like what I did last year! For that, I am still thankful…

Well, naturally, I am sharing some of my photos in Australia just to prove that I was really there and I did not make this up… Enjoy!

click to view my Aussie pics



;-)