TRAVELS & ADVENTURES
The sun's coming up in Melbourne, and I'm getting an early start. The goal for the day is to take in as much of the city as I can, by foot or tram. There is a lot of ground to cover, so I have my running shoes tied tight, some Australian dollars in my wallet, and my phone with Google Maps in its holster. I'm ready to roll.
Our seat belts snap shut. I'm sitting shotgun next to the helicopter pilot, while my wife, Lisa, has her iPhone in camera mode in the seat behind us. The chopper blades are rotating, and we have our head phones on.
"G'day mates," says the pilot. "Is everybody ready?"
"Let's do it."
And off we go, rising into the desert sky, first in an upward trajectory, then accelerating forward.
It's Sunday morning, and I've just knocked off an item on my bucket list-diving at the Great Barrier Reef in Port Douglas. Feeling excited about this, we hop in the van and head towards Cairns. On the way, we pass Rex's Outlook with its rugged beach line and mountains in the background. The next stop is the Port Douglas Market, held every Sunday on the waterfront at Anzac Park. This looks like a happening place with many locals and tourists browsing over 100 stalls. I've been to outdoor markets all over the world-one of my favorite past times. Let's see how this one stacks up.
I'm in Sydney, Australia recovering from jet lag after a long flight from LA. This is no time for somnolence. I've heard about, and seen pictures of, the famous Sydney Opera House for many years. Sleep can wait. Off the couch I go to Bennelong Point on Sydney Harbour for my first glimpse of this architectural wonder.
