A drive up Mount Coot-tha for lunch: that was the first thing we did after we checked into our hotel in Brisbane today. The view over the city was wonderful, especially as it changed so often. Sun and then shadow and rain, then sun again. Thank you for that suggestion–and for all of the great ideas for our time here.
I learned a few things on the way here:
- Northwest Airline had QSA’s–Quality Service Assistants. They do whatever is needed to smooth the way for travelers with unusual needs, from celebrities to film crews with mountains of equipment to the woman whose husband died in the airport or on the plane. Delta doesn’t have QSA’s, so now that NWA is Delta, it’s not clear whether this kind of service will continue at Minneapolis St. Paul Airport, which used to be a NWA hub.
- The visa for visiting Australia is applied for online and will show up when the ticket agent prints your boarding pass.
- Ticket agents working Sunday may be less experienced and think you don’t have a visa (according to the experienced guy at the service desk where we were sent), while agents working on busy Mondays can do it all.
- If you leave Minneapolis on Sunday night, you arrive in Australia on Tuesday morning. I’m assuming we’ll get that day back on our way home? But I can’t do the math, because when we return, we’ll arrive in Los Angeles before we left Sydney. And wait a minute–I’m writing you on Tuesday, and you’re probably reading this on Monday? AAAGGGHHH, math!
- It’s not wise to bring any uncooked anything into Australia. They are strict in order to maintain the unique indigenous ecosystem. A flight attendant told me she’d brought a can of natural almonds (i.e. not roasted) one time and it was confiscated. She said if you don’t claim all food, and they find any uncooked items, they will go through everything. So I checked the correct square because of the commercially packaged individual servings of natural almonds in my checked bag. Turns out it was no problem for me. But next time (I hope there’ll be a next time), I’ll avoid the possibility of hassle.
- The Sydney airport is not well-marked for international arrivals. We wasted 1/2 hour going through unnecessary lines. Next time, I’ll ask directions at every turn.
- On the Virgin flight from Sydney to Brisbane, Johnny asked for a Diet Pepsi as the cart came down the aisle. The flight attendant opened it, poured it, and asked for $2–the first time we’ve ever had to pay for a soft drink on a plane.
- Watching Australia on the plane seemed like good cultural preparation, right? But, according to an Australian, it’s not quite like that. In particular, he mentioned the massive cliff and canyon in one dramatic scene. The northern territory is beautiful and rugged, and yet for this scene, the cliff was computer generated.
- Brisbane is the most beautiful city in Australia, the same person told me. “But don’t say I said so, because I’m from Sydney.” So that’s what he said, but I won’t tell you who he is.
Well, I guess all that’s pretty random. Maybe after a good night’s sleep, I’ll be able to think one thought for more than one sentence.
Here’s a chance to get your name in a another time for the mystery gift from Australia. Subscribe to this blog, using a link in the right-hand sidebar, then comment on this post to tell me you’ve just done it or you already had.
I’ve subscribed! I just love your blogs – they are so encouraging and informative.
Welcome to Brisbane Noel!!
I have been reading your other blog for a long while and am excited you have made it to our beautiful city. There are lots of nice things to do here, but my favourite is to visit the Sunshine Coast, I hope you get to see our beautiful beaches on your trip.
I am looking forward to hearing John speak on Thursday night.
Enjoy your time here,
Selina.
Subscribed via Google Reader. Glad that awful trip is behind you. It is SO far. When I flew into Sydney from Beijing a few years back the announcements about not taking food in made me so paranoid I declared my smashed Snickers Bar. She laughed and let me keep it. Wish you could make it down to Tasmania. Now that’s a fun place.
Noel, I have subscribed to your new blog and I look forward to reading about your travels, and about how God is working around the world. My sister-in-law, Karen, is the QSA who helped you in Minneapolis, and I am the sister-in-law she told you about. She tried to arrange for someone from Delta to help you in LAX. God bless you all as you spread your passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of the people of Australia.
I just subscribed. I enjoyed your random thoughts and look forward to hearing about Australia!
Noel,
I just subscribed. Love your other blog and look forward to following your travel adventures!
I subscribed to your blog the moment I saw your husband’s tweet about it–because the tweet was so sweet! And I love it. You have such an enchanting voice. I’m looking forward to traveling with you!
I’m a subscriber!!
I’ve subscribed and look forward to vicariously living this adventure with you!
Psalm 121:8 “The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.”
I’m subscribed! Safe travels!
I subscribed to your blog!
I subscribed! Now I’m excited to get email alerts, never thought of doing that before.
Hey ms. Piper I so enjoy your blogs!!!
I subscribed! Sounds like quite a trip already. I can’t wait to hear about your adventures.
Love the time zone thing!
Be sure to learn about opals while you’re there! Maybe buy one as a reminder for your trip!
Black opals are great there!
I have already subscribed.
Love reading about your Adventure. Would love to see more photos.
I subscribed via Google Reader. I love following your blogs and catching glimpses of different parts of the world as you travel!
I’ve subscribed via Google Reader. I hope we’ll see more pictures from your trip – what an amazing place!
I’m already enjoying your posts. It’s almost like going along, but without the jetlag and expense. Thanks for taking me?
Hope you have a wonderful time! It’s fun to travel along with you! My boys think you should bring home a pet Wallaby!
Done! Hehe, … getting back to work.
I’ve subbed!
You’re a star on my Google reader, thanks for taking the time to write – it’s wonderful to share a little vicariously.
I already subscribed. Looking forward to reading more!!
“Keep your eyes on the prize” or in my case I’m waitin’ for the mystery gift. (;-)
I enjoyed reading your post and look forward to reading more. I have subscribed to your blog. God bless! Have a happy day in Jesus!
~Hannah~
I have already subscribed…excitedly so!
I have already subscribed to Tell Me When to Pack.
I have subscribed already. Always excited to read your perspective on things!
I have subscribed! I love your blogs and twitter posts. As someone whose husband has recently decided to enter seminary, your transparency is an encouragement and evidence of how influential a God-exalting wife is to her husband’s ministry. Love on, travel on, and through it all, please write on! Brava!
You’re welcome to come and visit us! We live a bit north of Sydney (Hunter Valley) and will have the kettle boiled – if you want to immerse yourself in ordinary Australia with some ordinary people who love Jesus too! (Serious offer, although I know it’s not likely you’d fit it into the schedule!).
Noel, I asked some people last year if they could invite you to come to Australia with John. At the time they said it was not likely, so I am so pleased to read that you are traveling together.
Enjoy your time. Looking forward to seeing how our great God makes it fruitful for Jesus’ fame, in the power of his Spirit..
I’ve wanted to visit Australia for as long as I can remember. Reading your posts will be a little like going myself
I subscribed, too : ) I thought I did the other day, but turns out I’m a bit more technically challenged than most : )
Brisbane is the most beautiful city in Australia, the same person told me. “But don’t say I said so, because I’m from Sydney.” So that’s what he said, but I won’t tell you who he is.
once you’ve been in sydney for more than a few hours you’ll change your mind on this one!
I hope you have a wonderful time in Australia. If the Lord ever gives me a trip to the land down under I would love to go to Sydney and just walk around enjoying the people and their beautiful accents. I love to hear their english..How incredible that there’s another continent so far away where english is spoken. I would also like to see the Opera house and visit Sydney Missionary and Bible College, where one of our past Sunday class teachers, Malcolm Gill, lectures. Going to church would be on my list too …just to see how they “do” church =) and hear their praise music. Being an east cost girl, transplanted to TX, I’d also hang out at their beach and just take in the beauty as much as possible and maybe even see the great barrier reef and a rain forest too. Of course I couldn’t return home without a visit with some Koalas, and Kangaroos =) It was fun writing this to you…thanks for inviting me to dream again =.)
Hi Noel! I’m happy to following your comings and goings.
Praying for you and John as you travel and speak.
I just subscribed. Love your new blog.
I totally subscribed!! You now come right to my Google Feeder AND I am loving all the info, especially about the coffee!!
Subscribed! Straight to email! Ok this post made me smile. I LOVED it!
Oh and the fact that you call him Johnny tickles me to death. It has prompted a discussion of new pet names for each other.
Subscribed.
And I recommend that you not report food on the way home. More than one agent has been known to confiscate packet of Tim Tams for their own consumption.
Subscribed!
Subscribed. Blessings and safe travels!
subscribed! had to hear about your Australian travels!
I’ve subscribed! Love your blogs!
Definitely Subscribed to this blog – even before you mentioned it in the post! I would love to go to Australia some day! At least now I can live vicariously through your trip. ENjoy!
I subscribed.
Subscribed. LOVE this blog! And LOVE your miscellanies. They are to your blog what your husband’s parentheses are to his sermons.
I subscribed to your blog and I am looking forward to reading it!
I’m subscribed as well. I love reading your blog. I feel like I’m on the journey with you. I like hearing you refer to your husband as “Johnny.” I only refer to him as Pastor John Piper or Pastor Piper so it’s kind of funny to hear him referred to differently. : )
I just subscribed! I love your blogs. Thank you for writing!
I subscribed! Thanks, Noel.
subscribed, and vicariously living through you.
Enjoy God’s creation!
Wow, that was really interesting.
I got a bit confused you see
And signed meself up for
entry number two on three.
But if it’s okay with you
I’ve come back to two
to sign up for three.
I’m getting your fun posts…
Taking a break from work to read another one of your trip blogs!
I subscribed this morning….:)
I forward your blog to friends in Australia as well as my retired husband…enjoying all very much!
I subscribed!
Subscribed! I thought I’d remember to check without needing to subscribe, but it seems my memory isn’t that good!
On the Bridge #3
On the Bridge with the Symphony hall #2
I couldn’t decide on the symphony hall
Glad to see all the photos! Lovely work
See you Soon!
I subscribed! Love it!
I have already subscribed. I love this kind of blog.
Very helpful information! It’s always good to hear tips from an experienced traveler!
Love the asking for directions @ every turn comment!! And I am subscribed via twitter!
Finally getting around to commenting…my sister sent me the link to your first post, and I just love getting your messages! Thanks, Noel!
Finally got my name on the “I’ve subscribed!” list! Don’t know why I didn’t at first…