One of the frustrations of travel is that you only completely appreciate it in retrospect, not unlike nature. The immediate experience is banal, unimpressive—standing in front of a breathtaking vista merely thinking to yourself, “oh, well I am supposed to … Continue reading

It really isn't (only) a stereotype: the Australians love their country music, as evidenced by Australian radio, approximately 20% of which is populated by country stations. Just today, I heard Kenny Chesney, Dolly Parton doing "9-5", and a truly abysmal … Continue reading

After three days in Sydney, we have made our way out to the rural Kangaroo Valley, and are staying for a few days at a farm house owned by my wife’s uncle. The sights are rather breathtaking, I can attest … Continue reading

"What is it," I mused to myself, "about warm climates and white people playing in reggae bands," as we listened to four sunburnt gents with Hawaiian shirts and beards amble through "Waiting in Vain" on the patio of a restaurant … Continue reading

Shockingly similar to America, in many ways, but with better animals. The basic layout of Sydney is reminiscent of Seattle, with the ferries (and furries?) and the waterways and the whatnots. Plenty of McDonald's, Burger Kings (called Hungry Jack's here; … Continue reading