Arrived Australia

V Australia delivered me safely to the airport in Sydney. In LA, I talked my way into dragging my two bags on board so there would be no risk of lost luggage - the one fear I continue to nurture for some odd reason. Clueless back in coach, I sat ignorant to the fact that on board, way up in first, rested Britney Spears -- on her way to her Australian come-back tour, appropriately named something about a Circus (do I even need to comment more about this?). Ultimately, she was headed for Perth, and I to Melbourne. I wondered why I felt such strange energy on board, now I know. About five hours after take-off in LA, during the second movie I watched (a beautiful movie about a Chinese ballet dancer plucked from a farm in central China by the Communist leaders to develop his natural skills; the kid ends up dancing for the Houston ballet in the 80s), panic ripped through me as I realized I forgot to pack my Speedos (as well as my more modest board shorts and mid-cuts). Upon landing in Melbourne, the weather proved uncooperative with swimwear anyway - rainy and chilly. My first day in Australia consisted of finding a hotel for the night (since my camper van fell through) and arranging for a rental car so that I can proceed with my plan to drive the Great Ocean Road. I meandered about the city by foot, and this time, I wore my very lovely gym shoes and barely noticed the miles I walked. Such a vast difference from the foot torture I endured during my recent trip to Eastern Europe. To no one's surprise (if you read the blog from E. Europe), I found a kobab shop and, of course, sampled their version. To my delight, it hit the spot completely and put a smile on my face. I wandered down the shore of the Yarra River, then made my way back to the hotel through the lovely shops and cafes in and around Collins and Manchester Lane and the area around the Foreign Language Bookshop - an area not to miss is you visit (in my opinion). The hotel I picked off the Internet, a boutique hotel called Hotel Sophia, I soon discovered after checking-in, enjoyed a location smack in the middle of about 4 Gentleman's Clubs (yes, those kind). Again, only I could manage to book this hotel in this place and be completely disinterested in the local talent on display. Thus, my first night was spent in the hotel room (after my walk-about the city), planning for the rest of my journey over the next month in the country. I pick up the car today and will provide an update regarding the Great Ocean Drive soon.