I’m in New Zealand now, chilling out at a mates house for a few days before starting the New Zealand Oracle User Group conference.

Cheers

Tim…

From 2008_GoldCoast

Here’s a view up the beach.

From 2008_GoldCoast

Here’s a view down the beach.

From 2008_GoldCoast

Pretty awesome…

Cheers

Tim…

On arriving at the hotel I noticed there was a pool, so I went straight out and had a swim. This made me feel a little more positive. Then I noticed there was a gym with a room where they teach fitness classes. The room was empty so I went back to my room, got my Yoga mat and did an Ashtanga practice. It was cool not having to practice in my hotel room. Too many distractions. After this I was feeling up for a wander around.

After leaving the hotel I walked through a shopping center and a restaurant area, then out on to the beach. This is when I realized I was going to like the Gold Coast. The beaches are long and wide with white sand. It is the perfect place to bring kids on holiday, hence the holiday resort developments. I’ve got 2 days before the conference starts so I’m going to spend my time between the beach, the gym and the pool. I’m going to try and blank out the casinos and holiday resort feel as they will only spoil it for me.

I would post photos only the hotel internet charges are extortionate, so I’m using a public terminal. Unless I get internet access at the conference, I probably won’t be online much until I reach New Zealand.

Cheers

Tim…

From 2008_Sydney

I’m a sucker for aquariums, so I ended up at the aquarium. It’s a bit bigger than AQWA in Perth, but the main difference was that the seals were swimming.

From 2008_Sydney

Next I walked across the bridge.

From 2008_Sydney

That’s not me. I didn’t walk over the top like these people. I actually just walked across on the normal footpath.

Next I headed off to Bondi Beach to show the surfer types how we roll in the UK.

From 2008_Sydney

This involved me walking round fully clothed trying desperately to keep out of the sun. I went a bit mad with the sun screen this morning leaving be with a silvery glow. I must have looked like an overdressed alien. Needless to say I didn’t get sunburn.

Later I was back in Sydney center, walking through the gardens when I noticed people checking out the trees. At first I thought these were some freaky sort of bird nests.

From 2008_Sydney

It wasn’t until I zoomed in I noticed they were bats. Check out the gnashers on this one.

From 2008_Sydney

Fun, fun, fun…

Cheers

Tim…

I think it’s kinda funny that people may click on the link, check out my blog and see a bunch of movie reviews and pictures of Australia.

Cheers

Tim…

I had booked the cheapest hotel in Sydney (CBD) I could find on wotif.com. I got off the plane and became increasingly worried that I had booked into a crack-house, but it turned out really cool. It’s a pretty small place above a pub in the center of town, but the room is really cool. I wonder if they will give me an extra discount because I’m unemployed?

I went down to check out the harbour and took a ride on the Manly ferry. I’m pretty rubbish at taking photos, so I used the machine gun approach, figuring if I took enough, at least a few would turn out good. Turns out I’m not too good with a machine gun.

From 2008_Sydney

I know it’s a bit stupid, but the opera house is so iconic, I really feel like I’m in Australia now.

It was getting dark by the time the ferry came back from Manly, so I got some evening shots.

From 2008_Sydney

From 2008_Sydney

I walked home through a park and saw a bloody big rat. I was going to photograph it and make some joke about Quokkas, but I was too slow. A little further on I heard a noise in a tree and saw something a little cuter than a rat.

From 2008_Sydney

The flash made it jump and it took about 3 minutes to prize it off my throat.

Tomorrow is my only full day in Sydney before I go on to Gold Coast, so I’ve got to figure out what to do to make the most of my limited time.

Cheers

Tim…

The best speaker prize went to Connor McDonald. If you get the chance, check out his presentation style. It’s not the normal thing you see on the Oracle conference circuit.

I did two talks, which must have gone down OK with the audience as I got the second prize behind Connor. It was very nice surprise.

So tomorrow morning I leave Perth and head to Sydney for a couple of days on my way to Gold Coast…

Cheers

Tim…

Doug: I’ve already had the Number Two’s joke, so I’ll head you off at the pass on that one…

From 2008_Perth

Here’s another shot…

From 2008_Perth

The island was named Rottnest (Rat’s Nest) because William de Vlaming thought the native Quokkas were big (cat sized) rats. Here’s one of the little fellas.

From 2008_Perth

They are really tame. They walk right up to you without a care.

After taking a bike ride round the island I spent some time on the beach. Sorry to anyone present who was subjected to my incredibly white body.

Cheers

Tim…

From 2008_Perth

I turned around and this guy was grinning at me.

From 2008_Perth

Later, this old geezer ambled past and said hello.

From 2008_Perth

After all the exitement, I decided to find a nice spot and chill out, like this guy.

From 2008_Perth

Cheers

Tim…

First the DeLorean. Why didn’t Larry pack the Database Machine into one of these?

From OpenWorld

Next, a photo taken on Friday morning, after the conference was over. Believe it ot not, this was the road with the big marquee. Hard to imagine this road actually has traffic on it the rest of the year.

From OpenWorld

Cheers

Tim…