Hey everyone, as suggested by Emz I am going to keep a running log of my year long (or so) trip to the land down under. I'm basically going to post the mass emails I write back home, as well as some pics.

Basically, I just finished Uni, and I wanted to travel and focus on DJing in a non-North American city, so I moved to Melbourne Australia on a 1 year working holiday maker visa.

So here goes...

2 days and 5 airports later ...and I have finally arrived in Melbourne. Not too much to say as I just arrived earlier today. I spent the day walking around the town a bit and down the statium and river front. Its about 21 degrees and partly sunny so I can't really complain. Mind you, after over 30 hours in an airplane/airports, pretty much any fresh air seems nice. There are lots of nice trees around the city and its quite lively.

The flights over here were pretty uneventful. Cathay Pacific has individual tvs with about 20 different channels of movies and tv, as well as audio, games, and a real time flight tracker that gives you all kind of stats about your flight and a moving picture of where you are on the globe. I had one close call when I woke up in the airport in Hong Kong just in time to see my plane boarding.

The airport in Hong Kong is pretty nuts. Its all brand new and is built right on the water. Its absolutely massive, I had to take a subway/train thing to get to my gate.

Mike and his girlfriend get in tommorow so I am going to go meet them at the airport and then probably explore the city a bit more and start looking for an apartment.

Anyhow, thats all for now. I''ll have some more interesting things to say once Ive been in the city for a bit longer.

And Ill post some pics when I get them uploaded on to a server. But my internet time is up now so I gotta split.

Regards.

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http://soundcloud.com/andrewmcdonell

Another person going to OZ I spent 7months travelling/working there and I just got back a couple months ago. I've been to Melbourne to, the Trance scene is pretty good there. Victorians take their music and Footy VERY seriously!

If you need some tips / info i'd be more then happy to tell you what I know. I worked in Sydney, so most of the info I would have would be for there.

Have an awesome time there, it was the best 7months of my life!

make sure u meet up with Luke Chable, Phil K, Nubreed (well they her eonly for a bit and hten gonna head back in a month or so), etc etc etc

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www.elkdee.com
Soundcloud sampler: www.soundcloud.com/elkdee

quote:

Originally posted by rahvin Have an awesome time there, it was the best 7months of my life!

i wonder if Australians say the same about Canada when they come up here ..

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Palm Trees > Pine Trees , Sand > Snow

If you want to skip the long email, you can go directly to some pics
by clicking here ---> http://dj.vidman.ca/nuera/aus0405

Lots happening since I last had time to sit down and write. Most of
the early part of my tip was spent tracking down a place to live, and
we still are not 100% settled. Currently we are staying at a friends
of the girl who is subletting our apartment. We sere supposed to move
in on Saturday, but due to complications with her roommate it got
pushed back to the 11th. Fortunately, she was nice enough to put us up
at a friend's place in the meantime. It is a pretty fancy apartment
right in the CBD (CBD is Aussie for downtown, if you say downtown,
people tend to laugh at you). The building has a full gym, pool, hot
tub and sauna on the 33rd floor with windows all around giving a
beautiful view of Melbourne and surrounding areas.

I've just returned from a weekend in Sydney. I had to go visit a
friend of mine before he took off over seas. He took me on a quick
tour of the city and then we went to the northern beaches area for his
farewell party at the Arms, a pub that is apparently has the best
patio in all of Australia. The next day in Sydney I met up with some
friends of mine from Melbourne that just happened to be in the area at
the same time. We explored the harbour and the CBD. When they left for
their afternoon flight, I took a bus up to Bondai beach and spent the
day playing in the surf and exploring the beach. The weather in
Sydney was mid 30's to 40 for the weekend. I then took the night train
back from Sydney to Melbourne.

Prior to the trip to Sydney, I got to venture down the world famous
Great Ocean Road on the back of a friends motorcycle. It was a good
way to experience the drive for the first time, but I'm pretty sure I
prefer transportation methods that use 4 wheels. The Great Ocean Road
had some of the most remarkable views that you could imagine. My
camera was still en route from Canada at the time I did the trip,. but
should have some pictures from my friends camera soon.

Managed to take in a couple good shows while here. Saw Ferry Corsten
and Ronald Van Gelderen at QBH, the biggest enclosed venue in the
Southern Hemisphere. Six days later caught Solar Stone at a much
smaller venue. Both were excellent shows. Talked to the promoter that
did the Solar Stone show and there is a real good chance I'll get a
spot at their December event. Going out in Melbourne is kind of like
going out in Toronto 3 years ago.

Other than that, I have been getting familiar with the city and
checking out some of the local sights. Now that I have my camera back
form repair I am going to do some more of the Melbourne touristy
things, including the Aquarium and the Botanical Gardens. I also have
to find a job at some point.

Thats all for now. Anyone that wants to come out for a visit is more
than welcome to stay with us.

Take care,

Andrew.


remember to keep tuning into my 1groove show at http://1groove.icebergradio.com/shows/destinations.php

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http://soundcloud.com/andrewmcdonell