I'm not sure about JP and Wayne...but I'm very sorry to let you know  that Sherry and myself had a difficult time getting home.  Submitted by Scott on Tue, 2007-04-03 15:29.
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Was I in Sydney?  It’s hard to recall after the 16 hour flight.  Honestly, I hardly remember the trip.  Thank goodness for photos!  I’ll attach a few of them.  Despite my being incoherent, I greatly appreciate the Sydney Rotarians that graciously showed us the quick sites of the city.  From the quick tour.. Sydney is very different than Perth.  Not necessarily better, just different. J

April 2, 2007 - Melbourne

What can be better than waking up, visiting a casino, shopping at stores like Tiffany, Versace, Burberry, Prada, Louis Vuitton….well I guess hitting it big at the casino and not just window shop, but actually purchase things.  I only made one purchase and it wasn’t shoes to everyone’s disbelief.  After shopping I went to China town to walk around and eat Japanese which I haven’t had in over a month!  Lunch was at a sidewalk Japanese restaurant named GiGi and Tendon was my choice and one of my favorites as a child.  After lunch I found the fuel to shop some more.  I looked around Chinatown at David Jones and Myer, visited St Paul’s and Flinder’s Street Station, and then the shops at Australia on Collins (attached to my hotel).  I wanted to visit the hotel pool, spa and sauna so I did so this evening then changed and went back to the casino for dinner and a nice view of the city at night.

April 1, 2007 – Melbourne

I must have been exhausted.  The combination of wine, beer, and vodka/tonics last night and the Pillow Menu from the Novotel Hotel(yes……I did say pillow menu) including a Rubber Pillow (soft yet supportive, never lumps of flattens), ‘V’ Pillow (V shaped pillow, perfect for sitting up in bed, reading or watching TV), Contour pillow(contoured 2 ways and shaped to wrap around your shoulders. Best for those who want to sleep on their side), Hollyfill pillow(a combo of polyfill and Dacron designed for a restful sleep), and a Pregnancy pillow (no Mom and Dad…..I didn’t need this one!). I believe I woke up at 10am which is very late for me.

Melbourne March 31, 2007

Even though I had to wake up at 5am and leave the wonderful city of Perth, Australia which I’ve been visiting, I was excited to start a new journey to the East Coast.  Upon arrival I decided to take a taxi to the hotel.  I’d have to say I was very pleased with the hotel location.  I’m next to a Nine West shoe store and across the street from the beautiful jewelry of Tiffany’s.  The hotel is a Novotel which is also connected to a mall named Australia on Collins.  After checking in and dropping off my luggage I decided to walk to the Yarra River and visit the Melbourne Aquarium.  These were 2 of the many sights I wanted to see while I was here.  I’d have to say I was pleased with both.  The aquarium had a few creatures I’ve never seen before and the Yarra was calm and relaxing, but a not so clear brown.  I will have to visit the Yarra in the evening and take photos of the city at night. 

Well I'm staying with a great Rotarian (Steve) who lives in a condo on the river overlooking the city!  Check it out.

Last night we stayed at the historic Esplanade hotel and in turn got to give ourselves a self guided tour of this wonderful area of town.  I was told by Jeremy Bagwell that I would love it and he’s right.  It’s an art filled, food filled, people filled place.  It is also the home of the Maritime Museum.  Pensacola would be fortunate to have such a building on its waterfront.  I hope that happens soon.  Enjoy the pictures.

The food was great.  We were recognized and we got to meet the American Consulate to Australia.  She was brilliant and a pleasure to know.  She is being promoted/relocated to India where she will answer directly to Condie Rice.

Well we’ve travelled back to the city of Perth and have been transferred to new host families.  Last night we attended the opening reception for their Rotary district conference.  This afternoon we give a presentation and then attend the Governor’s ball for the evening.

I was told this morning that I would be visiting a casino before lunch.  With thoughts of blackjack, roulette and slot machines on my mind, I’d have to say I was very surprised to show up to what was an illegal 2UP ring.  2UP is an Australian game played with 2 coins.  You bet on the odds that either it’s 2 tails, 2 heads or 1 of each.  Very simple rules, but since it was illegal to play, people would travel to the bush to play 2 UP in rings with an aluminium sort of wall. Adults would have their children climb up in the trees to watch for police and restrooms were provided (see my picture of the women’s room.  Today you have to have a permit to play 2UP.