Activities

March 2005
General Update > Mardi Gras Float

The last year has been very hectic for me at work. I took on a Project Director role, responsible for setting up project management infrastructure on the Qantas account. I committed to a year on the account - this time was spent building tools, processes, organisation structures, customer relationships, etc, taking over all of Qantas in-flight IT projects, and starting up new IT initiatives.
I commenced the task of handing over the role to a program manager in January, and finally extracted myself six weeks later. This freed me up to take on an IBM-internal program for Request for Service - the expectation is this program will take me through to year-end.
Andre's progressing well with his Hospitality certificate. He's got another couple of months to go, then he'll work on the next phase of his diploma. This plus working two jobs is keeping him very busy.
Outside of work:
Our holiday cruise to Alaska in September brought back the travel bug for both of us. So we're busy planning our next trip (in May, to Adelaide, Uluru and Darwin by train). We've also started thinking about a holiday in October to China (Shanghai). More on this later.
For the last 8 weeks, our energies have been directed to putting on a float in the Mardi Gras parade. After two years of asking, IBM finally agreed to fund a small float - and it was a fantastic crowd-pleaser (IBM was the only non-GLBT corporation in the parade this year). We had a truck with the cab decorated as a personal computer, a mock office on the back (along with two drag queens, lots of lighting and music), and a crowd of about 30 IBMers and friends dancing behind. Challenge now is to quantify the benefit to IBM so we can run another float next year, as well as get a presence in Midsumma Festival in Melbourne.
March 2004
General Update . . . For a few months last year I focussed on building transition proposals. Then in September 2003 I picked up the transition for Energy Australia - what a challenge that was. Unfortunately I'd committed to act as backfill for transformation manager on JPMC at the same time, so there was no 'me' time for a few weeks. I also put in some time teaching in Bangkok, Singapore and Brisbane. On completion of that, I was offered (and accepted) a role as project director, looking after managed services projects on the Qantas account. This should keep me out of mischief for the next year or so. I also completed my IBM and PMI recertification, so I won't have to worry about them for another couple of years. In my spare time I co-ordinated the development of a transition delivery toolkit - a set of templates and utilities to assist transition managers in delivering projects.
Outside of work:
In June/July 2003, Andre and I travelled by Indian Pacific across to Perth, then spent a week driving around Perth and south-east Western Australia. What a great holiday.
Another successful New Sydney Ladies High Tea Society event was held in September. A relatively small event of around 10 people.
We managed to get another two weeks off in November and we took the opportunity to drive up to Queensland, stopping at Port Macquarie, Tweed Heads (to visit Mum), one night at Palazzo Versace (couldn't afford more than one), Peregian Beach (south of Noosa), then back via Tweed to Coffs Harbour, then inland to Tamworth. Highlights of the trip included Sea Acres Rainforest in Port Macquarie, Dream World and Sea World in the Gold Coast, Palazzo Versace (if visiting you have to dine at their signature restaurnat), Fraser Island, and Spirit House restaurant at Yandina (out from Noosa). It was also fantastic to spend quite a few days relaxing and catching up at Mum's
The last six or so months has seen us frequenting some great restaurants, including Becasse, Alio, Tabou, Pavilion Cafe, Doyles Circular Quay, MG Garage, Bathers Pavilion, Brass Razoo, Wharf, and 1 Burton. There were of course others but not at the same quality.
Mardi Gras came and went. We went to the launch, four movies with QueerScreen, Fair Day, and the party. The launch was a disappointment, but the rest was great. The party was extremely well organised with great music and great dance spaces.
We've also been invited to some great parties and dinners - we're both very appreciative of the friendships we have.
I had a disaster with my home computer - a crashed hard drive meant I lost most of my digital pictures since December 2002. Backups are now being done diligently.
July 2003
General . . . The last six months have been extremely busy. In early February we held a party for Andre's 30th birthday. A catered affair in the apartment, it was a great success. Almost immediately after that, I headed over to Hong Kong as the transition project for JP Morgan Chase ramped up. The time over there was spent building the team and setting the ground rules for how we'd run the project over the next year or so. I did manage to have some free time, and visited the Hong Kong Museum of History (to see the War and Peace exhibition) as well as a number of dinners.
JP Morgan Chase consumed most of my time till May, when I started handing the transformation project over to a more junior project manager to look after.
Of course, with that project slowing down for me, I took on other work. We've developed another offering, aimed at the Gas and Electricity industry, which is going to market right now. We've also run our first e-business on demand transition, proving the concept (and of course finding all those little things we forgot to plan for). And I've been involved in a number of proposal developments for contracts with an estimated value of around $700 million - pure number crunching tells me we're going to be quite busy for the rest of this year.
Outside of work, we've also maintained a frenetic pace. First of course was Mardi Gras in early March, then my birthday in mid-March (a fantastic dinner at Level 41 restaurant), visits to lots of museums (Museum of Contemporary Art for the Ron Mueck Exhibition, Powerhouse Museum, Australian Museum for the Dinosaurs Exhibition, National Maritime Museum, and Customs House for the Bald Archy exhibition, Art Gallery of NSW for he Archibald exhibition and the James Fairfax collection), and day trips down to Royal National Park, Morton and Budderoo National Parks to see Minnamurra, Belmore and Fitzroy Falls. Closer to home, we've done brunch on Fort Denison, did a day trip walking from Manly back to the city via the scenic walk, another trip up the Parramatta River by ferry, and lunch and bushwalking near Church Point and West Head.
We've been fairly slack on dinner parties, having only held about 5 or six in the last few months.
Now with winter settled in, we'll probably remain indoors a fair bit, venturing out for dinner, the occasional bushwalk on very nice days, and lots of movies.
January 2003
General . . . Andre headed off to New Caledonia on 7 January for 10 days to catch up with his family and friends. it's been six years since he's been there and he was a bit nervous about how things had changed. All went really well and he's going through a bit of homesickness.
Andre and I went to Circus Oz last week - what a hoot! This circus, although not as technically stunning as Cirque du Soleil, is full of tricks, stunts and humour - great for kids and adults alike. I'd recommend it to anyone.
My work is picking up dramatically now. Having just completed development of a process for bringing new customers onto IBM's eBusiness On Demand environment), I've taken on the transition of JP Morgan Chase into Australia and New Zealand. Worldwide this deal is worth $US5billion to IBM - I'm glad to be part of it.
May 2002
Cairns - Turtle Cove . . . I decided I needed to a bit of quiet time after a very stressful few months, so booked a trip up to Turtle Cove in Cairns. I'd been to Cairns a few times and I love the climate. It's also much more laid-back than Sydney - a great place to relax.
I flew up on the Friday and came back the following Tuesday. I had four nights and five days of sitting by the pool, reading and not worrying about anything.
Turtle Cove is a place you either love or hate. If you want lots of activities and to be in the hub of things, this is not the place. It's a fair drive to Cairns or Port Douglas, and there is absolutely nowhere for you to walk (except for rainforests and deserted beaches). The service is excellent and the facilities are great.
December 2001
Coolangatta . . . Christmas in Queensland. We decided to visit my mum in Banora Point for Christmas. David hadn't been to the Gold Coast before, so we figured we'd stay in Coolangatta so we could do all the touristy things and spend time with Mum.
We stayed in a budget hotel in Boundary St, which proved a great choice. Centrally located and easy parking. On the first morning we found a great little cafe which did very large breakfasts for very cheap - we had breakfast here every day!
As well as having quality time with Mum (including a great Christmas Day - David prepared a fantastic seafood platter), we spent some time wandering around Surfer's Paradise, went to Dream World, and watched a couple of movies (Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings).
August 2001
Cairns Getaway
Us beside Kuranda Train

Blue Lagoon - Lizard Island
Cairns
David on Esplanade in Cairns

Reef from Plane
Part of reef from the Plane
After the great trip we had in April, we thought we'd spoil ourselves by heading up to Cairns for an extended weekend.
Leaving Sydney on the Thursday afternoon and arriving in Cairns in the evening, we dropped our luggage off at 18-21 James before heading into town to catch up with a friend of our's. That turned into a very messy night (way too much wine) so the next day was fairly quiet - just walking along the waterside and relaxing by the pool.
Saturday morning saw us on a train heading for Kuranda. This train journey takes you through the flats and then heads up into the tablelands, passing waterfalls, rivers and rainforests. Finally arriving at Kuranda, we did the touristy stuff like the Butterfly Sanctuary, spent some time by the river, and lunch at a German cafe (just for novelty value). Then it was on to the Skyrail which takes you over the rainforest canopy with two stops on the way back down towards Cairns.
Sunday was the big day. Met in the morning by a minibus to take us out to the airport, we then boarded a six-seater plane which took us up the coast (past the Daintree, Cooktown, Cape Tribulation) to Lizard Island. This resort is almost deserted and boasts perfect white beaches, blue lagoons and the Great Barrier Reef only 30 metres from the beach. This place is spectacular - one day does not do it justice! It was back on the plane in the late afternoon with a flight back to Cairns via the outer reef.
Sunday evening was out to dinner on the main drag with our friend Mike.
Monday and after a relaxing morning it was back to the airport for the trip home.
April 2001
Great South Pacific Express
David at Dinner
Bar - Observation Car
Me at Bar of Observation Car
David in Cabin
David at Cabin

Helicopter View
View of Sydney from Helicopter
What a birthday present! David organised a fabulous train journey aboard the Great South Pacific Express (a train jointly owned and operated by the Orient Express and Queensland Rail).
The journey starts with a flight from Sydney to Brisbane, dinner by the river then overnight at a 5-star hotel overlooking the river.
In the morning we are met at the hotel by the train's Maitre d', who accompanies us to the station to board the train. After a short settling-in period, we head to the Observtion Deck at the rear of the train and celebrate with a bottle of Bollinger (hmmm - 10am may be a little early for this).
The train takes us from Brisbane towards Sydney, with two overnight stays on board, and a day-trip through the Hunter Valley (with lunch at Robert's near Peppertree Vineyards, and wine tasting and tours at some exclusive vineyards).
For the final night of our journey the train travels up to Mt Victoria. In the morning we are coached to Lilianfels (again part of the Orient Express chain) for brunch before a helicopter journey through the Blue Mountains, along the Parramatta River to Sydney Harbour and then into Sydney Airport.
This trip is luxury all the way - fine dining, excellent service, great entertainment and lots of variety - another holiday we want to do again.
Aug-Sept 2000
France and England Avignon street
Street in Avignon
Paris
Me at Arc de Triomphe

David at Buckingham Palace

Bath
Avon River - Bath
David and I spent four weeks travelling France and England.
We spent a week in Paris, then drove down to Nice stopping at Lyon overnight, then a few days in Orange (near Avignon). fter four days in Nice we caught the TGV back to Paris and the following day flew to London.
We spent a week enjoying everything London could throw at us before heading out to Oxford, Bath then back round to Brighton. A few days back in London and we were off to Singapore for a couple of days before heading home, arriving back in Sydney for the last 5 days of the Sydney Olympics.
Our accommodation was a combination of gay venues (a 3.5 star hotel in Paris and a bed & breakfast in Avignon), hostels (in Lyon, Bath and London), hotels (London, Nice, Oxford and Singapore) and friend's place (in London).
So many stories to tell - saw so much and did so much. We can't wait to go back - alas we'll have to wait till 2002 now.
14-23 Jan 2000
Hong Kong, Symphony and Open Air Cinema
Buddhist Temple

Hong Kong Skyline

From Peak Tower

Powaqqatsi
I headed off to Hong Kong, primarily to teach Project Management principles and to train an instructor. As I hadn't been there before, it gave me an opportunity to do some sightseeing.
My host (the other instructor) kindly offered to act as my guide. Saturday took me through Tsim Sha Tsui, a train ride to Tin Hau Temple, shopping in Nathan Road, Dim Sum lunch, Star Ferry to the island, Peak Tram up to Peak Tower, a tram ride out to Causeway Bay, more shopping then to Times Square. A train ride back to Tsim Sha Tsui in time for dinner.
Sunday ws slightly less hectic - shopping in Tsim Sha Tsui, a Star Ferry to the island then a bus to Stanley via Aberdeen. Some sightseeing here plus a walk through the markets and a bus back to the city. I'd been invited to dinner at a friend's who lives in an executive apartment at Mid-Levels so walked up to the escalator (if you've been to Hong Kong you know which one) then across to Mid-Levels. Dinner was great - it was good to catch up with Pat and his wife.
Most of the week was teaching, but I did get to do touristy stuff like a walk up Temple St and shopping (it was sale time so clothes were real cheap).
Arriving back to Sydney on the Saturday, David picked me up at the airport and we headed out to Symphony in the Park. On the Sunday we went to the open air cinema in the Botanical Gardens to see Powaqqatsi.
31 Dec 1999 to 12 Jan 2000
New Year's Eve and following week . . . What a buzz! Start the evening at a friend's apartment, overlooking the city. About fifteen or so of us decided the best place to be was away from the madding crowd but somewhere where we could see all the action. So the order of the night was a crate of champagne, nibbles, sparklers, great music, television (for the telecast of fireworks and entertainment) and a balcony giving unobstructed views of the city skyline. What a great fireworks display! Probably the best seen in Sydney, and of course Sydney leads the world.
Once the fireworks had finished and we'd waved our sparklers, drunk the champagne and sung Auld Lang Sine we headed off to the Pride NYE Party. This is one of the largest dance parties in Australia, and the Millennium party was bigger and better than before. Joining 20,000 others we partied through till daylight, thn back home to get ready for the recovery parties.
It took us a few days to get over the partying, but we managed to cram in a visit to iMax (to see Cirque du Soleil), lunching with friends, a movie (Double Jeopardy), and Koyaansqatsi live at Sydney Opera House before I was off to Hong Kong.
23-27 Dec 1999
Adelaide . . . Christmas with the relo's! David and I flew down to Adelaide on 23rd December. We stayed at Greenways Apartments, gay-friendly and reasonably-priced accommodation a short walk from the centre of the the city.
As this was going to be a fairly short trip (only staying 5 days), we planned a couple of days of sightseeing and a couple doing family things. Sightseeing included a drive up to Mount Lofty, a visit to Adelaide Botanical Garden (and a walk through Adelaide's Tropical Rainforest), up to Carrick Hill (a magnificent heritage mansion set in 40 hectares of manicured gardens, about 10 minutes drive from the city), a ride on the O-bahn, and a visit to Hahndorf township.
Catching up with David's family and friends was great. I was made to feel right at home, and was fully accepted by all. A traditional Australian Christmas - salads, crayfish, friends dropping over, visiting aunts and uncles - meant this was definitely a memorable occasion for me.
We flew back on the 27th, giving us a few days R&R before the New Year's celebrations.

March 2005 General Update	>	The last year has been very hectic for me at work. I took on a Project Director role, responsible for setting up project management infrastructure on the Qantas account. I committed to a year on the account - this time was spent building tools, processes, organisation structures, customer relationships, etc, taking over all of Qantas in-flight IT projects, and starting up new IT initiatives. I commenced the task of handing over the role to a program manager in January, and finally extracted myself six weeks later. This freed me up to take on an IBM-internal program for Request for Service - the expectation is this program will take me through to year-end. Andre's progressing well with his Hospitality certificate. He's got another couple of months to go, then he'll work on the next phase of his diploma. This plus working two jobs is keeping him very busy. Outside of work: Our holiday cruise to Alaska in September brought back the travel bug for both of us. So we're busy planning our next trip (in May, to Adelaide, Uluru and Darwin by train). We've also started thinking about a holiday in October to China (Shanghai). More on this later. For the last 8 weeks, our energies have been directed to putting on a float in the Mardi Gras parade. After two years of asking, IBM finally agreed to fund a small float - and it was a fantastic crowd-pleaser (IBM was the only non-GLBT corporation in the parade this year). We had a truck with the cab decorated as a personal computer, a mock office on the back (along with two drag queens, lots of lighting and music), and a crowd of about 30 IBMers and friends dancing behind. Challenge now is to quantify the benefit to IBM so we can run another float next year, as well as get a presence in Midsumma Festival in Melbourne.
March 2004 General Update	. . .	For a few months last year I focussed on building transition proposals. Then in September 2003 I picked up the transition for Energy Australia - what a challenge that was. Unfortunately I'd committed to act as backfill for transformation manager on JPMC at the same time, so there was no 'me' time for a few weeks. I also put in some time teaching in Bangkok, Singapore and Brisbane. On completion of that, I was offered (and accepted) a role as project director, looking after managed services projects on the Qantas account. This should keep me out of mischief for the next year or so. I also completed my IBM and PMI recertification, so I won't have to worry about them for another couple of years. In my spare time I co-ordinated the development of a transition delivery toolkit - a set of templates and utilities to assist transition managers in delivering projects. Outside of work: In June/July 2003, Andre and I travelled by Indian Pacific across to Perth, then spent a week driving around Perth and south-east Western Australia. What a great holiday. Another successful New Sydney Ladies High Tea Society event was held in September. A relatively small event of around 10 people. We managed to get another two weeks off in November and we took the opportunity to drive up to Queensland, stopping at Port Macquarie, Tweed Heads (to visit Mum), one night at Palazzo Versace (couldn't afford more than one), Peregian Beach (south of Noosa), then back via Tweed to Coffs Harbour, then inland to Tamworth. Highlights of the trip included Sea Acres Rainforest in Port Macquarie, Dream World and Sea World in the Gold Coast, Palazzo Versace (if visiting you have to dine at their signature restaurnat), Fraser Island, and Spirit House restaurant at Yandina (out from Noosa). It was also fantastic to spend quite a few days relaxing and catching up at Mum's The last six or so months has seen us frequenting some great restaurants, including Becasse, Alio, Tabou, Pavilion Cafe, Doyles Circular Quay, MG Garage, Bathers Pavilion, Brass Razoo, Wharf, and 1 Burton. There were of course others but not at the same quality. Mardi Gras came and went. We went to the launch, four movies with QueerScreen, Fair Day, and the party. The launch was a disappointment, but the rest was great. The party was extremely well organised with great music and great dance spaces. We've also been invited to some great parties and dinners - we're both very appreciative of the friendships we have. I had a disaster with my home computer - a crashed hard drive meant I lost most of my digital pictures since December 2002. Backups are now being done diligently.
July 2003 General	. . .	The last six months have been extremely busy. In early February we held a party for Andre's 30th birthday. A catered affair in the apartment, it was a great success. Almost immediately after that, I headed over to Hong Kong as the transition project for JP Morgan Chase ramped up. The time over there was spent building the team and setting the ground rules for how we'd run the project over the next year or so. I did manage to have some free time, and visited the Hong Kong Museum of History (to see the War and Peace exhibition) as well as a number of dinners. JP Morgan Chase consumed most of my time till May, when I started handing the transformation project over to a more junior project manager to look after. Of course, with that project slowing down for me, I took on other work. We've developed another offering, aimed at the Gas and Electricity industry, which is going to market right now. We've also run our first e-business on demand transition, proving the concept (and of course finding all those little things we forgot to plan for). And I've been involved in a number of proposal developments for contracts with an estimated value of around $700 million - pure number crunching tells me we're going to be quite busy for the rest of this year. Outside of work, we've also maintained a frenetic pace. First of course was Mardi Gras in early March, then my birthday in mid-March (a fantastic dinner at Level 41 restaurant), visits to lots of museums (Museum of Contemporary Art for the Ron Mueck Exhibition, Powerhouse Museum, Australian Museum for the Dinosaurs Exhibition, National Maritime Museum, and Customs House for the Bald Archy exhibition, Art Gallery of NSW for he Archibald exhibition and the James Fairfax collection), and day trips down to Royal National Park, Morton and Budderoo National Parks to see Minnamurra, Belmore and Fitzroy Falls. Closer to home, we've done brunch on Fort Denison, did a day trip walking from Manly back to the city via the scenic walk, another trip up the Parramatta River by ferry, and lunch and bushwalking near Church Point and West Head. We've been fairly slack on dinner parties, having only held about 5 or six in the last few months. Now with winter settled in, we'll probably remain indoors a fair bit, venturing out for dinner, the occasional bushwalk on very nice days, and lots of movies.
January 2003 General	. . .	Andre headed off to New Caledonia on 7 January for 10 days to catch up with his family and friends. it's been six years since he's been there and he was a bit nervous about how things had changed. All went really well and he's going through a bit of homesickness. Andre and I went to Circus Oz last week - what a hoot! This circus, although not as technically stunning as Cirque du Soleil, is full of tricks, stunts and humour - great for kids and adults alike. I'd recommend it to anyone. My work is picking up dramatically now. Having just completed development of a process for bringing new customers onto IBM's eBusiness On Demand environment), I've taken on the transition of JP Morgan Chase into Australia and New Zealand. Worldwide this deal is worth $US5billion to IBM - I'm glad to be part of it.
May 2002 Cairns - Turtle Cove	. . .	I decided I needed to a bit of quiet time after a very stressful few months, so booked a trip up to Turtle Cove in Cairns. I'd been to Cairns a few times and I love the climate. It's also much more laid-back than Sydney - a great place to relax. I flew up on the Friday and came back the following Tuesday. I had four nights and five days of sitting by the pool, reading and not worrying about anything. Turtle Cove is a place you either love or hate. If you want lots of activities and to be in the hub of things, this is not the place. It's a fair drive to Cairns or Port Douglas, and there is absolutely nowhere for you to walk (except for rainforests and deserted beaches). The service is excellent and the facilities are great.
December 2001 Coolangatta	. . .	Christmas in Queensland. We decided to visit my mum in Banora Point for Christmas. David hadn't been to the Gold Coast before, so we figured we'd stay in Coolangatta so we could do all the touristy things and spend time with Mum. We stayed in a budget hotel in Boundary St, which proved a great choice. Centrally located and easy parking. On the first morning we found a great little cafe which did very large breakfasts for very cheap - we had breakfast here every day! As well as having quality time with Mum (including a great Christmas Day - David prepared a fantastic seafood platter), we spent some time wandering around Surfer's Paradise, went to Dream World, and watched a couple of movies (Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings).
August 2001 Cairns Getaway	Us beside Kuranda Train Blue Lagoon - Lizard Island David on Esplanade in Cairns Part of reef from the Plane	After the great trip we had in April, we thought we'd spoil ourselves by heading up to Cairns for an extended weekend. Leaving Sydney on the Thursday afternoon and arriving in Cairns in the evening, we dropped our luggage off at 18-21 James before heading into town to catch up with a friend of our's. That turned into a very messy night (way too much wine) so the next day was fairly quiet - just walking along the waterside and relaxing by the pool. Saturday morning saw us on a train heading for Kuranda. This train journey takes you through the flats and then heads up into the tablelands, passing waterfalls, rivers and rainforests. Finally arriving at Kuranda, we did the touristy stuff like the Butterfly Sanctuary, spent some time by the river, and lunch at a German cafe (just for novelty value). Then it was on to the Skyrail which takes you over the rainforest canopy with two stops on the way back down towards Cairns. Sunday was the big day. Met in the morning by a minibus to take us out to the airport, we then boarded a six-seater plane which took us up the coast (past the Daintree, Cooktown, Cape Tribulation) to Lizard Island. This resort is almost deserted and boasts perfect white beaches, blue lagoons and the Great Barrier Reef only 30 metres from the beach. This place is spectacular - one day does not do it justice! It was back on the plane in the late afternoon with a flight back to Cairns via the outer reef. Sunday evening was out to dinner on the main drag with our friend Mike. Monday and after a relaxing morning it was back to the airport for the trip home.
April 2001 Great South Pacific Express	David at Dinner Me at Bar of Observation Car David at Cabin View of Sydney from Helicopter	What a birthday present! David organised a fabulous train journey aboard the Great South Pacific Express (a train jointly owned and operated by the Orient Express and Queensland Rail). The journey starts with a flight from Sydney to Brisbane, dinner by the river then overnight at a 5-star hotel overlooking the river. In the morning we are met at the hotel by the train's Maitre d', who accompanies us to the station to board the train. After a short settling-in period, we head to the Observtion Deck at the rear of the train and celebrate with a bottle of Bollinger (hmmm - 10am may be a little early for this). The train takes us from Brisbane towards Sydney, with two overnight stays on board, and a day-trip through the Hunter Valley (with lunch at Robert's near Peppertree Vineyards, and wine tasting and tours at some exclusive vineyards). For the final night of our journey the train travels up to Mt Victoria. In the morning we are coached to Lilianfels (again part of the Orient Express chain) for brunch before a helicopter journey through the Blue Mountains, along the Parramatta River to Sydney Harbour and then into Sydney Airport. This trip is luxury all the way - fine dining, excellent service, great entertainment and lots of variety - another holiday we want to do again.
Aug-Sept 2000 France and England	Street in Avignon Me at Arc de Triomphe David at Buckingham Palace Avon River - Bath	David and I spent four weeks travelling France and England. We spent a week in Paris, then drove down to Nice stopping at Lyon overnight, then a few days in Orange (near Avignon). fter four days in Nice we caught the TGV back to Paris and the following day flew to London. We spent a week enjoying everything London could throw at us before heading out to Oxford, Bath then back round to Brighton. A few days back in London and we were off to Singapore for a couple of days before heading home, arriving back in Sydney for the last 5 days of the Sydney Olympics. Our accommodation was a combination of gay venues (a 3.5 star hotel in Paris and a bed & breakfast in Avignon), hostels (in Lyon, Bath and London), hotels (London, Nice, Oxford and Singapore) and friend's place (in London). So many stories to tell - saw so much and did so much. We can't wait to go back - alas we'll have to wait till 2002 now.
14-23 Jan 2000 Hong Kong, Symphony and Open Air Cinema	Buddhist Temple Hong Kong Skyline From Peak Tower Powaqqatsi	I headed off to Hong Kong, primarily to teach Project Management principles and to train an instructor. As I hadn't been there before, it gave me an opportunity to do some sightseeing. My host (the other instructor) kindly offered to act as my guide. Saturday took me through Tsim Sha Tsui, a train ride to Tin Hau Temple, shopping in Nathan Road, Dim Sum lunch, Star Ferry to the island, Peak Tram up to Peak Tower, a tram ride out to Causeway Bay, more shopping then to Times Square. A train ride back to Tsim Sha Tsui in time for dinner. Sunday ws slightly less hectic - shopping in Tsim Sha Tsui, a Star Ferry to the island then a bus to Stanley via Aberdeen. Some sightseeing here plus a walk through the markets and a bus back to the city. I'd been invited to dinner at a friend's who lives in an executive apartment at Mid-Levels so walked up to the escalator (if you've been to Hong Kong you know which one) then across to Mid-Levels. Dinner was great - it was good to catch up with Pat and his wife. Most of the week was teaching, but I did get to do touristy stuff like a walk up Temple St and shopping (it was sale time so clothes were real cheap). Arriving back to Sydney on the Saturday, David picked me up at the airport and we headed out to Symphony in the Park. On the Sunday we went to the open air cinema in the Botanical Gardens to see Powaqqatsi.
31 Dec 1999 to 12 Jan 2000 New Year's Eve and following week	. . .	What a buzz! Start the evening at a friend's apartment, overlooking the city. About fifteen or so of us decided the best place to be was away from the madding crowd but somewhere where we could see all the action. So the order of the night was a crate of champagne, nibbles, sparklers, great music, television (for the telecast of fireworks and entertainment) and a balcony giving unobstructed views of the city skyline. What a great fireworks display! Probably the best seen in Sydney, and of course Sydney leads the world. Once the fireworks had finished and we'd waved our sparklers, drunk the champagne and sung Auld Lang Sine we headed off to the Pride NYE Party. This is one of the largest dance parties in Australia, and the Millennium party was bigger and better than before. Joining 20,000 others we partied through till daylight, thn back home to get ready for the recovery parties. It took us a few days to get over the partying, but we managed to cram in a visit to iMax (to see Cirque du Soleil), lunching with friends, a movie (Double Jeopardy), and Koyaansqatsi live at Sydney Opera House before I was off to Hong Kong.
23-27 Dec 1999 Adelaide	. . .	Christmas with the relo's! David and I flew down to Adelaide on 23rd December. We stayed at Greenways Apartments, gay-friendly and reasonably-priced accommodation a short walk from the centre of the the city. As this was going to be a fairly short trip (only staying 5 days), we planned a couple of days of sightseeing and a couple doing family things. Sightseeing included a drive up to Mount Lofty, a visit to Adelaide Botanical Garden (and a walk through Adelaide's Tropical Rainforest), up to Carrick Hill (a magnificent heritage mansion set in 40 hectares of manicured gardens, about 10 minutes drive from the city), a ride on the O-bahn, and a visit to Hahndorf township. Catching up with David's family and friends was great. I was made to feel right at home, and was fully accepted by all. A traditional Australian Christmas - salads, crayfish, friends dropping over, visiting aunts and uncles - meant this was definitely a memorable occasion for me. We flew back on the 27th, giving us a few days R&R before the New Year's celebrations.