My Last Blog In Australia for 2015

In less than two days I will be on a big white bird on my way to the land of the long white cloud...... so indeed this will be my last blog in Australia for 2015.

This represents my first Xmas ever out of the country. It is also a rare Xmas Full Moon. The Full Moon fell on Xmas Day only three times in the 20th century and three times in the 19th century, and this is the first of only five such events in the 21st century. I see it as significant that I will spend my first Xmas out of the country on the rare Xmas Full Moon. I didn't plan it this way, but as always the case for me, I always seem to be in tuned with the celestial cycles.

So been really busy preparing for this trip, there is so much to do, even little things like cancelling newspaper delivery for the duration of my trip - things one could easily forget about until too late!! Last weekend I did do a "dry run" to the airport, to find the best way to get there, how long it will take for me to get there, and to scope out the terminal in which I am due to depart from. It was so very high energy being there knowing that in just a few days I would be joining those queues at the checkin counters, getting my boarding pass, then a while later, going through the gate and onto the plane. Of course we have to get there three hours before departure. So after scoping out the place I went to one of the cafes for a chocolate muffin and juice. It still seemed so unreal that I will actually be flying out from there in just a few days.... well now just one more full day and two more nights.

Now I know it will take me about 30 minutes to get to the airport. I drive there myself, I already have a spot booked for long term secured parking, so all I need to do in theory is to just turn up and scan the code given to me, then go find a parking spot, then wait for the bus that runs every 15 minutes 24/7 from there to the terminals. So with my Virgo precision planning, I will leave about 5:15am, arrive by 5:45am, then park the car and get the bus, which hopefully will get me to the terminal by 6:15am exactly 3 hours before my scheduled departure. Join the queue to the checkin counters, then pass time at the cafe, play on my tablet, there are charging facilities at the cafe, it was one of the things that I scoped out. We Virgos like to be well prepared!!! Then finally wander on through the gate...... and onto the plane....... I don't think the reality of the situation will really hit me until I am actually on that plane!!!!

One could actually check in online up to 24 hours before the fact and print out the boarding pass. But then I realise I will be without my computer tomorrow as it will be shut down and packed up ready to be taken to my secure storage unit, along with the printers, routers, and indeed all electronic devices and other valuables. Afterall I will be away from home for 2 and a half weeks. Of course I will still have my phone and tablet so will keep in touch. But to take advantage of the online checkin you need to be able to print out the boarding pass, a wee bit difficult when the printers will be in secured storage. So I will have to checkin the old fashioned way LOL.

Among the many other things in this past week, I went to some crystals shops to find myself something to take with me for my trip, and was drawn to some crystals pendants, so I bought one of those, so will wear it during my trip and time in NZ.

So it seems like my single days are pretty well at an end...... Chrissy is a Capricorn, she doesn't take no for an answer, she gets what she wants ;)..... being hippies we don't go down the traditional route of engagement, marriage, etc..... but this goes way beyond the usual hippie "love-in" kind of thing..... its more like soul-kin or twin-flame..... so.... um...... yeah....... say no more!!!!!

I have roaming on my phone and tablet though will be used sparingly, it is so expensive even for New Zealand, nevertheless I will keep in touch..... the other complicating factor is most of my time will be spent in the country region where phone reception is not the most reliable, especially at the hippies festival where I'm told there is no reception at all, so be 5 days or so cut off from the rest of the world - but then that is probably the idea of this hippies festival, a retreat with no electronic communications. In any case there won't be any long blogs like this, but perhaps short updates with a pix or two..... well will see how it all pans out........

Oh yes anyone who wants to catch me during my nine hours in Sydney on my return leg on January 10, well I come in on Qantas flight QF 138 arriving at T1 at 8:40AM. I plan on using the 9 hours to explore Sydney. Being a Virgo I have details worked out, there is a place where one can store one's luggage for a fee, so will be able to store my carry-on there while I explore Sydney, and there's a train from the Airport into the city and beyond every 15 mins or so...... So will be able to get around on my own, but any company will be also welcomed ;) ;)

Now I can smugly look back to those bad old days........

Um... yes..... ;)

This one really hits home !!!!!!!!

Life in Perth.......

Ten More Days.......

How surreal..... while everyone else is counting down to Xmas, I am counting down to my New Zealand trip where after spending Xmas Eve between airports and those big white birds, I will have arrived in New Zealand by Xmas Day!! So Ten days to Xmas, ten days until I land in New Zealand into the arms of my Earth Goddess flame Chrissy.

This has been a busy weekend, only the 2nd weekend before I leave these sunny shores. This time I hit the malls to get some extra clothes for the trip, especially the warmer variety such as jeans\pants and shoes. Being a Virgo I like to be well prepared, and while I happily get by on scant clothing at home, I like to better prepared with extra clothes and other items while a long way from home.

Among the many other tasks that needed to be completed for overseas trips, I took out travel insurance. Of course as usual there is always a catch, and in this instance, the insurance does not cover pre-existing medical conditions. So if I find myself in a New Zealand hospital due to any heart-related events then I will be basically left to fend for myself. Though I do understand there is this reciprocal medical agreement between Australia and New Zealand where Aussies in New Zealand (even love-struck ones! LOL!) has access to public hospitals in NZ, and vice versa. Not quite sure what it means in terms of costs, I can't seem to find much information on that, but I guess it is probably better off economically than for example having to be treated in a hospital in America or elsewhere. Uh well I still am taking the travel insurance, it does cover a lot of other things such as lost luggage and costs associated with flight delays, me being a Virgo like to be prepared for all possible situations.

It turns out that my stay in New Zealand coincides with my Earth Goddess's birthday, which I guess is not surprising considering she is a Capricorn ;) And me being a fussy Virgo wants only the best for her, so here I was pounding the malls over the weekend searching for that perfect gift for her only to come up empty!!! So less than ten days to find such a gift for her as well as an equally perfect Xmas gift. Trust me to be a Virgo !!!!!

Then last night was dinner at the Dawes-Smith household, here as I broke the news to one family member\couple at a time about my trip to New Zealand, sending them into shock, and having to pick them up off the ground - well it wasn't quite that dramatic but came pretty close to it. Afterall they all know I lead such a depressingly dull mundane life and hardly even go down the street for a vacation let alone overseas!! Then they ask the inevitable question - WHY am I going to New Zealand. And of course when I mention the reason, they all give a giant *sigh* as they remember my American affair with Sally, marrying her in America and bringing her back to Australia as my wife. I suppose its a valid concern, history does sometimes repeat itself, but really I don't think it is going to turn out that way. For starters there are important differences between Chrissy and Sally, one being that Chrissy has a job in New Zealand..... so very unlikely for this to happen!!!!!

Anyway a busy week coming up. Want to get a few more items of clothing. I gotten most what I wanted, but this anxious Virgo likes to be as well prepared as possible!! Also need to determine if I need an adapter to enable me to use my phone charger and electric shaver charger in New Zealand. And scope out online on Google about Sydney Airport and Christchurch Airport so I won't get lost - Virgo anxiety again. Perth airport I am just going to take a drive out there this weekend, see how long it takes for me to get there, exactly where my long-term parking lot is located as I have booked long-term parking for the trip, and visit the terminal which I am departing from to scope out the place, see where everything is, and etc so I won't get lost on the day of departure. Trust me to be a Virgo !!!!!

Those ten days will probably go by quickly due to the fact I still have so much to do in preparing for the trip, and not much time to do it in......

 It's cartoons like this that makes me feel incredibly old !!!!!

The perils of trusting GPS systems.....

More like my sleep patterns LOL

There's always hope... LOL

All seems like a dream......

Here I am on this first night of Chanukah, the Jewish festival of lights, in commemoration of the rededication of the Temple. The holiday commemorates the miracle of the oil, the one day supply of oil kept the lights burning for eight days while they were preparing a new batch of oil - a process that takes eight days.

My own miracle...... it all seems like a dream..... I pinch myself constantly, is this real or a dream??? My upcoming trip to New Zealand. It happened all so quickly!! It was just this time last week that Chrissy invited me over, and this very cautious careful Virgo who thinks through all things and does not make rash decisions took only five minutes to give the affirmative reply, and the only reason why it took as long as five minutes is cos it was how long it took for me to check air ticket prices and figure if it was within my limited means!!!!!

So much has happened over the week already. The first three days an excruciating wait until my yearly holiday bonus pay was deposited into my bank account, and within two hours, at 2am Thursday, I went online to book my flights. That in itself was a momentous occasion. Now the flights were booked and paid for, and the confirmation came a few hours later, early in the morning. It was such a relief and burst of high energy!!!! I really am now on my way to New Zealand, only my 2nd ever overseas trip.

And now the preparations given that I depart in less than three weeks away, on December 24. Today I drove down to my storage unit to retrieve my suitcase which was last used back in 1998 - my last overseas trip!!!! Apart from a bit of dust and a bit of a clean, the suitcase is all good and about ready to start packing, probably in about a week or so. I start packing about two weeks before departure so to make sure I have everything. If I forget something it's not like I could just turn around and go back home to grab it!!!! Once I am on my way to the airport that is it - tough noodles if I forgotten anything!!!!

Then other things...... my passport is still current, and one doesn't need a visa if an Aussie travelling to New Zealand. Then there's other things. My heart meds. I went to visit my GP and she did a note for me for my meds so that I could take them on board the plane with me. I am on five different meds.

And the travel insurance which I am definitely taking given my chronic heart condition. Well in case I need medical attention in New Zealand, its not covered by Medicare! LOL! Plus it is just good to have this cover if other things happens such as lost luggage or some other mishap. Travel insurance is a very good idea for anxious Virgos who likes to be prepared for all things, and it is not expensive, it is really most reasonably priced.

And then other things like getting to and from the airport. This fiercely independent Virgo have booked a spot in secure long term parking, its cheaper when booking online, so allowing from a few hours before departure to a few hours after I arrive back. This means I could drive myself to the airport, park my car in a secure spot, and be the master of my own destiny!!

Other things to figure out, such as phone roaming so I could still use my phone in NZ at least to update my FB status ;)

The only other thing of note..... Katie and the fledgling UFO\ET group in Perth. Katie is destined to be friend only cos I think Chrissy might be the one for me..... not going to pre-empt anything. I am a Virgo and we Virgos are no good at relationships. But Chrissy and I chat each night, we msg each other each day, and the are synchronicities and certain things happenings...... I wasn't actually looking for such a relationship, but as we all know, things happens anyway, even for Virgos!!!!!

Anyway..... the UFO\ET group...... the camp-out was cancelled due to our extremely unusual weather conditions, I think they call it "rain"!!!! So the group of us had dinner at a restaurant last night. I think I been to more restaurants in the past four weeks than I have been the previous year!!!!! Seem to be going out a lot now, something utterly unheard of in this city!!!! So the next camp-out is scheduled for the first weekend in January. Of course I will be in New Zealand then.

So I guess that is it for another time....... as I am still getting my head around at how dramatically my life has changed in just the last four weeks with the UFO\ET group, then infinitely more with the New Zealand trip, my 2nd ever overseas trip in my life!!!!!!!!!!

Some more random cartoons.....

After govt budget cutbacks....

Meanwhile at a restaurant in Perth......

Not a good time to come......

I have had days like this........

The Land of the Long White Cloud

OK let's get right to the point...... I've booked my flights and I am off to New Zealand for Xmas and the New Year. I fly out from the sunny and isolated shores of Perth on December 24, the first leg to Sydney, and after a couple of hours layover, the 2nd leg to New Zealand. Christchurch to be exact. And I fly back to sunny Perth on January 10.

So WHY am I going to New Zealand..... aside from the fact that it is an interesting country?

A lady......... *sigh*

Also a hippies camp-out over the new year which this lady invited me to.

Chrissy is her name...... less than a month ago I began getting messages from this lady, and Virgo me would politely reply to her but otherwise play hard to get. Well not that I do this on purpose, but I am a Virgo, and we Virgos by nature play hard to get. It is part of being a Virgo.

However she is a Capricorn with a Leo rising. A very potent combination. Such a woman does not take no for an answer. Once she is determined to get something she does not give up.

So this stubborn Virgo finally had enough..... uh ok then....... and so we first began to regularly contact each other by email, quickly followed by chatting using the chat app.

Then she asked me if I was taking vacation over Xmas and New Year...... and I said yes..... Then she asked me if I had any plans for my vacation.... and well living the kind of boring and lonely life that I have, I said.... nah..... no plans........

So then she invited me to come over to her place and to attend this hippies camp-out festival that she attends every year.

OMG this was TOO good an opportunity to pass up!!!! I ALWAYS wanted to attend a hippies event. I am a frustrated hippy. Very much the Uranus natal in my Sun sign!!! So first thing was to first check on air tickets and see if I could possibly afford it. So I went online to check for air tickets and was quite pleasantly surprised that it was within my reach, especially since I was due for the yearly holiday bonus that I get each year at the beginning of December, well my first pay in December.

So I said.... YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The festival in question is this......

http://convergence.net.nz/

CONVERGENCE

OK MY KIND OF EVENT!!!!!!!!!

My dream come true!!!!!!

So I said yes...... then the nerve wracking wait for my bonus to come in, expected for Thursday...... and as soon as my bonus came into my bank account, I went online to book my flights - at 2am in the morning!!!! Oh the wonders of online booking!!!!! Departing on the 24th, the first leg of the trip is to Sydney. Then a couple of hours layover in Sydney, then the final leg to Christchurch New Zealand. Of course with Perth being the most isolated city on Earth, it takes longer to fly to Sydney than it does from Sydney to NZ. Yes the east coast is closer to NZ than it is to Perth!!!! Shows how very isolated we are over here. But anyway, together with the five hour time difference between Perth and NZ, the trip will pretty well take all day, arriving just before midnight in Christchurch where Chrissy will be waiting for me.

Chrissy lives on a farm much like a hippy, does everything organic, and does art and craft...... she is just amazing.... and also a Pleiadean like me. Indeed at the festival last year she had contacts with Pleiadeans. There is just so much synchronicity happening here!!!!

So yes travel to New Zealand will take place on December 24, just three weeks away, and I will be there with the Kiwis until January 10. This of course my 2nd ever overseas trip in my life. We all know my first overseas trip to America in 1998, where I got married and brought home a wife...... Well that is NOT going to happen THIS time!!!! hehehehe!!!!! Just other equally life changing events may happen...................

So will do my blog as usual over the weekend........ but just need to share this now....... it seems so like a dream...... so surreal....... to be actually going to New Zealand...... how life can change so quickly!!!! Just a week ago I had no idea whatsoever that I would be going to New Zealand nor any other overseas country...... I resigned myself to the fact that I would never go overseas again........ But within this one week since last Sunday when Chrissy invited me over, and the normally cautious careful Virgo immediately accepted!!!!!!!!!!!

So last week I was in for yet another boring mundane Xmas and New Year with nothing happening...... this week I am about to embark on the most exciting adventure ever, spending both Xmas and New Year in New Zealand!!!!!!!!! I am more excited about this than I was about going to America, and I know how excited I was about going to America....... that was one very significant point in my life......... but this NZ trip will take it up to a whole new level..........

Meanwhile I am pinching myself even with my e-tickets and my flight plans in front of me...... pinching myself to see if this is just a dream and I am about to wake up............... this is beyond the most wildest dreams ever...........