Hi All,
In some ways it’s hard to believe I’ve reached the end of the journey…but in others it seems I’ve been on the road forever! Each day has, literally, had its own storyline with highs, lows, comedy, and happily, very little drama (knock on wood for the long trip home).
I’m here in Melbourne today, and this is truly a terrific place to conclude the trip – I really love it here, it’s such a charming city, so easy to navigate, lots of interesting architecture (both old world and very new), pretty streets with lots of trees, and a real sense of unique identity and charm – largely conveyed by the very friendly people of Victoria. (Photo on the left if of the downtown skyline with the Yarra river in the foreground).
My visit to Sydney was very good – on the work front it wasn’t an A+ (more of a B), but I truly savored the city as much as I could around my meetings. It is just so incredibly beautiful (photo on right is just a teaser) – and this is the perfect time of year to be here, smack dab in the middle of summer with crystal blue skies, puffy whisps of clouds, sparkly harbour water and beautiful people all about. I was so very, very happy in my hotel, the Blue Hotel, which is located in Woolloomooloo in the renovated wharf that juts out into the ocean. Apparently it is knows as the destination for all the celebrities – and most of the wharf, beyond the hotel, are privately owned apartments for the whos who of Sydney (I heard various rumors about Nicole Kidman, Russell Crow and Hugh Jackman owning places there), plus there was a gorgeous marina alongside the wharf with huge glamorous yachts (reminded me a bit of Hurricane Hole in the Bahamas) and a whole long row of lovely outdoor eateries. I walked as much as I could – around the marina, over to the botanical gardens, around to the Opera House to Circular Quay (pronounced “key”) where all the ferries come & go. In my one free afternoon (Monday), I trotted over through the garden to the ferries and took the “commuter” ferry to Taronga Zoo which crosses the harbour to the north side and then came back. Next trip I’d really love to go to the zoo – it’s knows as the “Zoo with a View” because it’s right on the harbour and one of the ways to get about it is to take the aerial tram, so you can see the animals and the amazing Harbour View too! I discovered that right across from the Woolloomooloo wharf, there is a yoga studio that looks right out on the water – if I’d only known I would’ve dropped in on a class, it is such a great spot – so that also goes on the list for next time! On Wednesday, Valentine’s Day, I had my only truly “off” night… in that I was supposed to meet a gentleman who is actively evaluating Virginia as a location for his new factory (a true blue Aussie prospect), and somehow we miscommunicated so I spent 45 minutes waiting in the bar (looking much like I was being stood up by a blind date on Valentine’s day) while he apparently waited at the reception desk without walking around to find me. Despite the kind reception desk person’s best efforts – he urged him several times to “go check the bar” (I even heard this in the background on one of the messages my prospect left in my room), he never did and I went with the wrong instincts to “just stay put – to be easier to find”, only to finally give in and go to reception just after he’d gone on his way. Suffice it to say I was really, really upset with myself – this was perhaps the most important meeting of my trip, and somehow, I blew it…. I’m still having a hard time shaking it, although I’ve been in touch with him and he seems to not hold me responsible for the mixup…. Grrr. Meanwhile, the other downside of this mini fiasco is that it left me without a plan for dinner – and I was apparently in the most popular spot for Sydney couples to plan their romantic outings – as I took a twilight walk around the harbour and the park, I felt like a beacon of pathetic-ness as a lone waif amidst all the happy, valentines…. I almost felt like I was making them uncomfortable, so I opted not to have dinner outside, but rather packed it in for a quiet night of room service and I got some work done… but, really, this is not the way to enjoy Sydney – it’s made for being out and about!!! On Thursday, I had a few meetings and then walked back from down town (Martin Place) to the hotel – such gorgeous, warm, sunny weather – and I enjoyed more views of the parks and places of interest (despite being all dressed up for business). I had one last meeting at the hotel, which gave me a chance to grab a quick bite at one of the lovely restaurants on the wharf because I had company, and then off to the airport. I caught a 5:30 flight (instead of my planned 7pm), and made it to my hotel here in Melbourne by about 8:30.
In some ways it’s hard to believe I’ve reached the end of the journey…but in others it seems I’ve been on the road forever! Each day has, literally, had its own storyline with highs, lows, comedy, and happily, very little drama (knock on wood for the long trip home).
I’m here in Melbourne today, and this is truly a terrific place to conclude the trip – I really love it here, it’s such a charming city, so easy to navigate, lots of interesting architecture (both old world and very new), pretty streets with lots of trees, and a real sense of unique identity and charm – largely conveyed by the very friendly people of Victoria. (Photo on the left if of the downtown skyline with the Yarra river in the foreground).
My visit to Sydney was very good – on the work front it wasn’t an A+ (more of a B), but I truly savored the city as much as I could around my meetings. It is just so incredibly beautiful (photo on right is just a teaser) – and this is the perfect time of year to be here, smack dab in the middle of summer with crystal blue skies, puffy whisps of clouds, sparkly harbour water and beautiful people all about. I was so very, very happy in my hotel, the Blue Hotel, which is located in Woolloomooloo in the renovated wharf that juts out into the ocean. Apparently it is knows as the destination for all the celebrities – and most of the wharf, beyond the hotel, are privately owned apartments for the whos who of Sydney (I heard various rumors about Nicole Kidman, Russell Crow and Hugh Jackman owning places there), plus there was a gorgeous marina alongside the wharf with huge glamorous yachts (reminded me a bit of Hurricane Hole in the Bahamas) and a whole long row of lovely outdoor eateries. I walked as much as I could – around the marina, over to the botanical gardens, around to the Opera House to Circular Quay (pronounced “key”) where all the ferries come & go. In my one free afternoon (Monday), I trotted over through the garden to the ferries and took the “commuter” ferry to Taronga Zoo which crosses the harbour to the north side and then came back. Next trip I’d really love to go to the zoo – it’s knows as the “Zoo with a View” because it’s right on the harbour and one of the ways to get about it is to take the aerial tram, so you can see the animals and the amazing Harbour View too! I discovered that right across from the Woolloomooloo wharf, there is a yoga studio that looks right out on the water – if I’d only known I would’ve dropped in on a class, it is such a great spot – so that also goes on the list for next time! On Wednesday, Valentine’s Day, I had my only truly “off” night… in that I was supposed to meet a gentleman who is actively evaluating Virginia as a location for his new factory (a true blue Aussie prospect), and somehow we miscommunicated so I spent 45 minutes waiting in the bar (looking much like I was being stood up by a blind date on Valentine’s day) while he apparently waited at the reception desk without walking around to find me. Despite the kind reception desk person’s best efforts – he urged him several times to “go check the bar” (I even heard this in the background on one of the messages my prospect left in my room), he never did and I went with the wrong instincts to “just stay put – to be easier to find”, only to finally give in and go to reception just after he’d gone on his way. Suffice it to say I was really, really upset with myself – this was perhaps the most important meeting of my trip, and somehow, I blew it…. I’m still having a hard time shaking it, although I’ve been in touch with him and he seems to not hold me responsible for the mixup…. Grrr. Meanwhile, the other downside of this mini fiasco is that it left me without a plan for dinner – and I was apparently in the most popular spot for Sydney couples to plan their romantic outings – as I took a twilight walk around the harbour and the park, I felt like a beacon of pathetic-ness as a lone waif amidst all the happy, valentines…. I almost felt like I was making them uncomfortable, so I opted not to have dinner outside, but rather packed it in for a quiet night of room service and I got some work done… but, really, this is not the way to enjoy Sydney – it’s made for being out and about!!! On Thursday, I had a few meetings and then walked back from down town (Martin Place) to the hotel – such gorgeous, warm, sunny weather – and I enjoyed more views of the parks and places of interest (despite being all dressed up for business). I had one last meeting at the hotel, which gave me a chance to grab a quick bite at one of the lovely restaurants on the wharf because I had company, and then off to the airport. I caught a 5:30 flight (instead of my planned 7pm), and made it to my hotel here in Melbourne by about 8:30.
Today was a great day to wrap up the trip – I had 3 excellent meetings – including one with a company that is actively considering VA right now for a manufacturing operation, and another that made a big announcement of a new facility in VA last November. Plus a great meeting with my counterparts at the Victoria government, and a lovely lunch with a new found friend, Crystal Johnson – a transplant to Melbourne from Zimbabwe – and we are both blond, only children who speak Spanish… with a penchant for the international. What a treat! After my last meeting, over a couple of local “coldies” (it was a 5pm Friday afternoon meeting after all), I headed out into the warm summer evening for a “walkabout” along the Yarra river – fabulous evening, and I even got to partake of a Chinese New Year festival!!
I may jot one more note before I hop on the plane tomorrow – but for now I need to sign off and try to get a few more work-related loose ends tied up before I finish my first “circumnavigation” of the globe – I’m continuing the journey EAST via Sydney and then on to San Fran, and then home sweet home – it’ll be a long day, but I can’t wait!
G’day & Much love,
I may jot one more note before I hop on the plane tomorrow – but for now I need to sign off and try to get a few more work-related loose ends tied up before I finish my first “circumnavigation” of the globe – I’m continuing the journey EAST via Sydney and then on to San Fran, and then home sweet home – it’ll be a long day, but I can’t wait!
G’day & Much love,
Kim
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