I managed to get to Australia in one piece and with not too much jetlag. I was on Quantas, the big airline here in Australia, for part of the way and out of the three airlines I was on they were definitely the best. Although it may have had something to with the fact that it was only a 45-minute flight.

When I landed the first order of business was to get to the hotel and take a shower. I asked a man who looked like he was just getting off his shift how to go about getting into town. He told me the best way is to take a cab but it would cost me about $40. It turned out he was heading my way and offered to give me a ride. I paused for a second as hitchhiker horror stories flashed through my head, but in the end my frugality trumped my concerns and I took the ride.

The man was actually very nice, just like everyone else I’ve had the pleasure of meeting here has been. On the way to the hotel he gave me a quick rundown on what to do while in town. I tried to give him some money for his troubles but he just said “no worries” and looked genuinely happy to have helped.

Last night a friend from work offered to take me out to his old university campus to go look for kangaroos, as I had told him I needed to get a picture of one before going back. We spotted a group of them in the bush quite easily. Some of them even had “joeys” hanging out of their pouches; at least I think that’s what it was. You be the judge… the kangaroo on the left, what is that sticking out?

click the image for a bigger version

So far I have nothing but good things to report. I’ve been made to feel very welcome at the office and I’ve gotten a lot of good work in done in just two days. The weather’s been absolutely perfect and I’m enjoying just going for walks. I hope the rest of the trip is as enjoyable and productive as the past few days have been.