Down Under
I recently watched the film Million Dollar Mermaid and found, after further research, that Hollywood had dug its greedy little claws into the truth and the resulting picture, though visually very beautiful, bore little resemblance to the actual life and career of swimmer Annette Kellerman.
Indeed, except for the brief presence of a boxing kangaroo, there was not much to suggest that Kellerman was from Australia (Esther Williams played the role with an American accent).
However, the film instilled enough curiosity in me that I was drawn to read The Million Dollar Mermaid, a short autobiographical piece written by Kellerman herself. It renewed my interest in, someday, making a trip to Australia and New Zealand.
I have other reasons for wanting to be in that hemisphere, of course. I want to see the Southern Cross in my lifetime. I have some family in Australia. I have friends in New Zealand -- some of whom I have met, others I only know via the Internet. I love the movie Heavenly Creatures and want to see Christchurch, the scene of the Happy Event, with my own eyes.
I need to eat Moreton Bay Bug at least once, because, while I still maintain my fear of any creature with more than four legs, Moreton Bay Bug fits the criteria of "unless it can be steamed and served with drawn butter."
You'll notice I haven't brought up Lord of the Rings. Please. I was a Kiwi-fan before Kiwi was cool.
Anyway, I started trying to find out a bit about what I'd need to travel there, other than money, which, obviously, I've none of at the moment.
I have learned a great deal of what I'd need to travel down under from Cheaperthanhotels, the go-to service whether you need to book in advance to help plan the perfect trip, or whether you need a last minute reservation. (Cheaperthanhotels also can help you prepare, even at the last minute, for an early morning departure or a late evening arrival ... definitely things you want to think about when you're coming from the other side of the International Date Line and can't remember whether you're arriving today, tomorrow, or yesterday, let alone whether it's at noon or midnight.)
For instance, did you know that Sydney International Airport isn't in Sydney? It's actually in the Sydney suburb of Mascot.
Does that make a difference? I don't think so ... Bradley Airport, considered to be in Hartford, is actually in Windsor Locks. Besides, there are thousands of signs. Furthermore, Sydney has a landmark the Hartford airport doesn't: a big box of broken dishes known as the Opera House. I think I'll be able to figure out where I am.
I'd want to rent a Ford Falcon to get to and from the airport via road, in tribute to Mad Max (otherwise known as Mel Gibson before he decided that What Women Want is an Anti-Semite). I guess I'd have to find someone to drive for me. The steering wheels are on the right side in Australia. I think it's to do with the Coriolis force which, once it found out that it wasn't really affecting the spiral of water running down the drain in opposing hemispheres, decided it needed something else to muck with.
In the event that I cannot kip on the floor of any of my Down-Under mates, I shall be seeking lodging in Sydney Airport Hotels, Melbourne Airport Hotels, and Brisbane Airport Hotels whilst in Australia, and Auckland Airport Hotels whilst in New Zealand. Fortunately, Cheaperthanhotels offers last minute discounts as well as bookings up to a year in advance to assist planning, which means I can either save up and make a reservation, or hit the lottery (and be a Million Dollar Mermaid myself) and leave tomorrow.
So now, if you want to come with me (or finance my trip), you're welcome to do so. I think you should be able to figure out how to get us there from this post. You can even have my Vegemite.