Travel plans
So plans for Australia are coming along. Steve is still unemployed but he has three four fish on the hook right now so hopefully he can reel one of the interviews into a job before we leave. We decided job or no job, the plane tickets were paid for so we really had no choice but to go. We have made a few concessions such as staying in hostels instead of hotels, renting one motorcycle instead of two, not renting cars, backpacks instead of luggage (no costumes?!?!), etc. but it still should be tons of fun.
The plan is arrive in Auckland the morning of Aug 30. Will be doing the low key tourist thing while recovering from jet lag and long plane trips. May try to get out of the city but it will depend on how we feel.
Sept 2 - fly to Melbourne. Our first stop is Worldcon or AussieCon 4. We had prepaid for our hotel next to the convention center and decided to keep it. We've learned that being close to the convention is a requirement for us to enjoy it as fully as we like. Need to minimize our walking after visiting the party suites :) Then an overnight at the brother-in-laws place and off to visit the Great Ocean Road on bikes. Currently just have a Yamaha 900 rented for a two up ride. If he gets a job offer before we leave then we will add a second bike for me. There were a couple 600 cc bikes not available in the states that I am eager to try out. I'm looking forward to getting a picture of the Team Oregon safety vests near a kangaroo crossing sign. :) After 4 days of seeing the sites, back into town to again visit with the in-laws and meet our new niece/nephew (due August 23), see the town, hang out with the penguins, visit with Canadian expats, and just enjoy things.
On the 13th we will fly up to Cairns. We actually got a hostel in Port Douglas which was a little bit more expensive than Cairns but we thought we would enjoy it more. Will certainly hit the Great Barrier Reef and job allowing, take a hot air balloon ride and/or go horseback riding. Back to Cairns on the 16th for a whirlwind tour of the city and fly home on the 17th.
In other news - not much as been going on. Working just about every weekend for teaching new motorcyclists for Team Oregon and Steve is putting in lots of time teaching midweeks and weekend classes. Steve has some other fun news of a personal nature but that is for him to share as he chooses. I'm just super happy for him.