I’ve been laid up this past week with an all invasive man flu. I’ve been coughing my guts up, and been a miserable bastard. Well yesterday I got myself out of the house, and went on a little adventure.

I needed to exercise some what and went on a little jaunt. I caught the bus into the city late in the afternoon. And then proceeded to walk around Circular Quay, past the Opera House, and into the Royal Botanical Gardens, and out to Mrs Macquaries Chair. The sun was warm, and the breeze was cool, and it was a glorious walk. Lots of people with smiling faces enjoying the lovely Autumn weather.

Mrs Macquaries Chair, is a sandstone outcrop that looks like a bench, and supposedly carved out of the sandstone by convicts. Local folklore says Lady Macquarie would set out there and watch the ships come in. It is a lovely spot as you can see west to the Bridge, and Opera House, and east towards Garden Island.

I decided to have a little rest at Mrs Macquaries Chair, and pull the camera out and watch the sunset. Today was a little different because I had a sound track. There was a group of people doing a ‘samba’ lesson. People dancing, and music playing as the sunset, and drifted away from the horizon. It was amazing. I even got up, and had a little go, but I have two left feet, and I’m terrible. My dancing consists of me wiggling, and looking like a man having a fit.

After that I proceeded to walk home to Newtown. All up 11.1km walk, and a very tired man.

We not only remember those who died serving our country, it is also commemorates those who served in those conflicts as well.

ANZAC originally stands for Australia and New Zealand Army Corps who fought at Gallipoli (Turkey) during World War I, but has grown to cover a lot more.

I’m unfortunately at work today, but for those that went to the dawn service, and then to the march, thank you.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young.Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.At the going down of the sun and in the morning,We will remember them.

Lest we forget.

My addiction continues. On the weekend I went to a brand new handstyle dance festival in Sydney. Considering how well produced Q-Dance’s other concoction Defqon-1 is, I had high expectations.

Getting there was a battle. It wasn’t the fault of the festival, but mother nature. During the night Friday a nice big tropical low, parked it’s arse off the coast and provided a large amount of water in a very small period of time. I seriously thought I was going to drown and, I was starting to wonder what the hell am I doing! I finally got on a train after wading through knee deep water.

I met up with some friends at Blacktown, where the sky was still providing a wet backdrop, had some lunch, and then headed off to the free shuttle buses to the festival.

The festival was held at Western Sydney International Dragway. It’s not the normal place you expect a festival, but it worked very well. It was like a cauldron. It allowed you unrestricted views no matter where you were in the complex, and wow what a production setup.

What is different about this festival it’s only a single stage. Which in my opinion is a better idea. No wandering around the stages all day. No wondering if there will be clashes. No working out who is on where, and at what time. No watching your watch! I had VIP tickets. Yes there is a big increase in ticket price, but there is one massive advantage for this getting older crazy person. Clean and maintained toilets!

I seriously had an amazing day. The music was great, the lighting was fantastic, the crowd friendly, and talkative. I didn’t feel out of place. There are other festivals in Australia where being a little bit older makes you a target for abuse. Q-Dance I’ve never felt that.

Pros:

• Unique location
• One stage set-up
• Music volume was loud (due to location)

Cons:

• Lots of technical glitches (but seriously there was so much rain before hand)
• Cops were heavy handed on entry (seems to be happening a lot since change of government)

There seems to be two schools of thought when it comes to this.

1. Bring everything you possibly can, and go right up to your luggage limit. This generally involves packing for 4 seasons, and bringing every little convenience you can get away with. Oh and don’t forget to pick the airline that has the largest limit.
2. Pack as light as possible. Use carry-on every where ever you go, so you don’t lose anything.

Personally I’m more number 2, than I am number 1. That wasn’t always the case. My first forays into travel involved me packing everything up till the 23 kg limit every time I flew. Whether it be for a few days or a month. Waiting around for luggage once I landed, and losing things along the way.

That all changed when I started flying for work. When I flew for leisure it was very rarely, and having those inconveniences didn’t concern me so much. When I started flying all the time, bloody hell I started to hate it to the extreme. So I got better. The ability to wander into an airport, and catch my flight with out queues was the goal. Getting to the other end, and sauntering out of the airport with my carry-on straight in to a cab was pure bliss.

As Douglas Adams observed ‘It’s no coincidence that in no know language does the phrase “As pretty as an airport” appear’

I just see airports as the pain in the arse thing you need to get through to get where you really want to be.

My packing strategies consist of two separate modes:

All trips less than a week (around 7 kg)

I use carry-on luggage exclusively. I pack one good outfit (or suit if it’s for business), 2-3 sets of causal clothes (things I can layer if its cold) and throw a jacket in for the plane trip. Also I limit my camera gear to just a 50mm and a walkabout lens (18-200mm). I have a pre-packed toiletries bag which has mini sizes for everything, and fits in the outer pocket on my bag.

I can feel people re-coiling in horror at how little I take. It’s simple really, I wash regularly, and lets be honest I’m on holidays no one is going to notice I’m wearing the same things all the time.

Once you experience the pure joy of walking off the plane, and not waiting around for your bags, it is so worth it.

All trips over a week (limit to around 12-15 kg)

Depending on the type of travel I’m undertaking it’s either my backpack (internal frame no wheels) or a travel pack (still a back pack but it has wheels, but heavier and not as comfortable).

I generally use the strategy as above, but with more clothes, more camera gear, and full sized toiletries. Shorter trips normally less than 12 kg, longer trips close to 15 kg. I generally keep my camera gear in my carry on pack. Yes I have one of those back packs that zips on to my main pack.

Things I can’t do without

• Camera Gear
• Reading material. Generally it’s my Kindle. It can last for weeks (due to no back lighting), and can pack a crap load of reading material.
• First aid kit (including imodium, pain killers, make sure they are non codeine variety as they aren’t always legal, band aids, antiseptic etc)
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen (seriously I burn badly)
• Favourite rain jacket (cause umbrellas suck!)

It has magnificent views from the escarpment, beautiful beaches, fresh seafood, and a thriving tourism industry. It’s a young place with surfers, and tradesmen mixing it up with people from every corner of the planet. It’s industrial past drawing workers from all over the globe after the second world war has left it with a multi-cultural edge that most places would struggle with.

On the weekend I went to visit my parents, a mixture of childhood buddies, and new friends. I had a car for a change, and you need one to really enjoy it. The public transport isn’t that bad, but if you want to really experience the escarpment and the beaches you will need one.

The weather was a typical autumn days, cool mornings, warm days, and a mix of cloud and rain. I did a bit of a road trip on the Sunday, starting from Wollongong down to Nowra, and up to the southern highlands via Kangaroo Valley. I took a few photos from the look outs along the way.

So come and check it out. You maybe surprised.

Number 1.

It makes me feel alive, more than any other activity that I partake in. I forget my day to day, and immerse myself in the experience.  It is the only time in my life that I feel that I am present in the moment. I don’t worry about the bills, I don’t worry about my life, I don’t worry about work, all that I’m concerned with is the right here and now.

I know people get that experience from a lot of different things, for me it is travel.

Number 2.

It is one of the rare times in my life where  I don’t care that I’m alone. Some times I prefer to travel alone, because it allows me to run my own timetable. If I want to be up at 4am in the morning to capture a brilliant sunrise no one is going to complain. If I want to go out, and dance all night in a night club where I don’t speak a word of the language, and my only currency is the music and the smiles on peoples faces I can. If I want to be a lazy arse, and lay by the pool all day drinking mojitos and reading a book I can!

Number 3.

I can have experiences that I can’t have at home. See things that are new. Experience countries and places with my own eyes. To just enjoy the pleasure and unforgettable experiences that adventure can bring. I hear your saying that travelling can be hell sometimes. Well yes it can, but it’s all part of the experience, and you get to learn more about yourself during those times.

Number 4.

Well this is easy. Cause I fucking love it. Seriously I get a tingle on my insides when I think about booking flights to go some where new.

To sum it up very briefly. Cause my life wouldn’t be worth living with out it!

Over the past year I’ve taken some photos from around Sydney and the Harbour, and thought I would share them with you. They are all instagram shots.

Before your trip

Make sure you research the locations that you are going to.

1. I can’t stress this enough! Check with the countries embassy on the process of bringing foreign medication into the country. Most diabetes medications will need you to have a letter or the original prescription from your doctor. This changes all the time, so make sure you are up to date before you leave.
2. Check what kind of food will be available in the locations that you are planning to visit. A quick check will ease your mind on what traps their may be when choosing food
   
3. Call the airline as to what their requirements are, concerning needles (if you are insulin dependant) and lancets. This can vary from airline to airline. Some airlines will even store your insulin in the galley fridge for you.
4. Make sure your travel insurance cover for diabetes. I personally use covermore. They are more expensive but they insure separately for diabetes, and provide full coverage.

At the Airport

I treat my diabetes medications and equipment the same as the regulations for liquids. I pack them separately and show them to the scanning staff, and customs. Saves you from searching through bags when they ask for them, or letting them think you are trying to hide them.

Generally I find they smile, and just wave you through. I’ve been asked once for the doctors letter, and after they sighted it I was on my way.

At your Destination 

Make sure you follow the same ritual as you do at home. Take your medication on time, drink plenty of water, and keep your fast acting carbohydrates in moderation.

Once Last Thing

You are on holidays. Enjoy the damn thing. Don’t stress that every little thing is going to spike you. Just try things in moderation and enjoy the new flavours, and textures that you normally don’t get to eat at home.

Most of all have fun!