We enjoyed our time in Melbourne, but now we are in SYDNEY!!

The Opera House



Bay Harbour Bridge


Since we came to Sydney on our way out of the country we got a good day's worth of play time. Our hotel was right on the harbor and we enjoyed splendid views of the Opera House and the Bay Harbour Bridge.

We also enjoyed beautiful summer weather. Fortunately for us, it had been raining and dreary in Sydney for the week, but we couldn't have asked for a better Thursday. It was probably a mild 77 or so degrees with a slight breeze coming in off the coast.



There's people on top of that bridge!!


So, where do you go with all that beautiful weather?

THE BEACH!

We took a ferry ride out to Manly Beach. It was a great day for it and clearly the locals thought the same. They were all up and down the beach as far as the eye could see.

It really was a beautilful day to be out on the beach. We didn't go near the water though... Sharks could've been near! We stayed back a ways from the beach and enjoyed man's favorite sport... People Watching. Well, that might have been me and Kelly. Tom and Dave seemed to be more interested in Car Watching. 

All in all, it was an afternoon well spent. Here are some pics of the beach and our ferry ride for your enjoyment...



Sail Boats were out in full force





More people swarming the beach

An old fashioned sail boat using only wind power

The whole harbor at sunset.

We had a great time seeing the sights and enjoying some much needed down time in Sydney. We had a great dinner with Arbon Masters Top Seller of 2011 Shane Cannavo. He played host to a fine Sydney dinner. The restaurant that we booked was right across the harbor from the Opera House, but our view was obstructed by an ugly cruise ship. Alas, we did not get the view of the whole beautiful harbor as the sun set, but we enjoyed good food, good drink and great company for one last evening. It was early to bed, though. Now we are on our way back home! We are sitting in the Sydney Airport and will be home in less than 24 hours!

We definitely enjoyed our time here. Got a lot of necessary work done and even got to enjoy our spare bits of down time. But I think we can all safely assume that being back home will be just as nice.







Tuesday we were in our home away from home for the whole day...

Arbon Australia

Glenn and Dave hard at work

Kelly and Katrina

Tom's ready to go!



Lee's hot ride



I added this picture for my husband... Boyce... this needs to be my next car :)

After work Tom, Kelly and I were joined by Katrina, Melissa, Dean and Shane for a "typical Aussie tea". Their "Tea" is our "Dinner". We went to Outback Jack's. Not sure how "typical" it is... perhaps more stereotypical, but it was good none-the-less. Tom even tried the kangaroo!



After Kangaroo... Looks uncertain to me...



Before Kangaroo...



Kelly and I refrained from that experience...

After dinner Dean took us for a drive around the suburbs of Melbourne so we could see what the city looked like outside of the urban downtown area.



The bay at sunset!



We unfortunately did not get many pictures. It's hard take pictures in a moving car!

It was an early night for us, though. I think late nights and early mornings are catching up to us.

In bed by 9pm!

More soon :)

We made it DOWN UNDER!!!



Downtown Melbourne

Unfortunately I was not able to get internet access until we made it to the Arbon Office a day and a half after we got here. But we're here and enjoying the Australian summer.

The flight was about as comfortable and enjoyable as you might imagine a 14 hour flight would be. I tried to take pictures of everone dozing off, but I don't think the other sleeping passengers would have appreciated my camera flashes...

After the finally landing, going through immigration, locating our luggage, going through customs and passing the dog's inspection for illegal food and drugs... we met up with our Australian host... the incomparable Glenn Ford and his lovely wife, Beverly. If I had been in the right frame of mind at the time, I would have taken a picture of them.



In any event we made it to the hotel at long last (survived riding on the wrong side of the road, thank goodness!) Nothing ever looked so wonderful as this....

So... comfy... must... resist...

But it was temptation we had to resist as it was only 1pm and we had to stay awake as long as possible. Melbourne is 16 hours ahead of EST... So we left on Friday, skipped Saturday altogether, and arrived on Sunday.

We resisted the urge to sleep and went exploring. Kelly and I went to find markets and see the sights while Tom, Dave and Marc discovered just the bar they were looking for. Kelly and I didn't quite find the markets we were looking for (yet! I'll find them, for sure!) so we found the guys and enjoyed a beer with our Australian colleague Lee Lorenc and his dear wife, Bridgit.



Melbourne is BEAUTIFUL!



A much needed drink after the long journey

It's a great river city

 It was hard to stay awake for long. Everyone looks a little tired, a little delirious, a little out in space. Marc was probably asleep behind those shades.



Dinner was practically sleep eating... We hit the hay before 9pm!!!

Monday was to work with the whole Arbon Australia crew.... A good looking bunch

Lee enthralling the crowd

There was a TEST!!

The whole team... We make this look GOOD

After work was dinner. Dinner for 25. It was a tight squeeze, but the food was good and the company was even better. What a great group of people!



After dinner we did some night exploring... and wandered into the casino. I snapped a quick pick before being told off by security about no pictures. So just the one to see...



After the casino... it was off to bed! Work in the morning.

So there's the first day and a half Down Under. So far, we're LOVING IT. It has been full of great fun, amazing sights and spectacular people.

I'll post more soon! There are more adventures to be had in this wonderful country.

We've made it to LA!! Living in the lap of the Beverly Hills luxury... Or the United Club. But ready for a 15 hour flight to Australia!

Now that team Arbon US is complete with Dave Hough and Marc Sundquist we begin Leg 2 of the travel journey.

And we know who will be missed most in the Charlotte office....





Next post when we reach Australia!!!

Team Arbon US takes off in T minus 24 hours!!

Tom Burrill, Kelly Fulton and I are leaving the QC - that's Queen City for all you non-Charlotteans - in a little over 24 hours. Plans are hatching for adventure beyond business. Tom's ready to hit the dives and mingle with locals. While Kelly is researching Australian symbols for a Down Under Tattoo! And I'm just ready to explore the scenery and artsy markets. But we're getting ahead of ourselves....

We've gotta make sure we're ready to go first!

• Bags Packed - I think it's safe to assume we've still got some packing to do... - Make note to save room for souvenirs!!
• Passport / Visa                                                              - CHECK! At least we've got that taken care of!
• LOTS of books, music, movies, crosswords... entertainment... for the 28 hour travel  - CHECK!
• Arbon Berets for Dave, Marc and Tom  - DOUBLE CHECK!!

I think that covers the initial travel issues!

We'll check back in before take off tomorrow!