The adventure begins! - DPChallenge Forums

Sony Sonnar FE 2.8 35mm ZA

08/29/2012 03:16:37 AM · #1

Landed in Melbourne this morning to gray, stormy skies. By the time we got to the car, the day had turned spectacular, with dramatic cloudy skies, although it's a bit chillier than we were expecting.

Despite all my careful planning, I managed to leave home without my signature 17-35mm lens!!!! I have the 24-70, and I brought my D90 with the 18-270, but I almost kicked myself to death. In addition, once we'd settled in at the hotel, my laptop, after diligently updating all my editing software, refused to boot. Turns out it doesn't boot properly while my phone is connected to it... doh! So fortunately, all is well in that department.

We are taking it slow and have not gone out today, although I've taken some pictures from my hotel window. Nothing worth posting - yet :-) Hopefully, our hot spot device will work while we're on the road, and I'll be able to post stuff here during our journey.

Tomorrow I'll be meeting up with a handful of DPCers from Oz, so hopefully we'll be able to produce some worthy imagery together.

jagar

Samsung Galaxy S9/S9+

08/29/2012 03:23:09 AM · #2

Have a great adventure J. we look forward to seeing some pics, watch out for John David, I've heard he's a bit of a shifty character :)

herfotoman

Canon EOS-7D Mark II

Canon EF-S 15-85mm IS USM

08/29/2012 03:24:52 AM · #3

Did you not see me waving you down for a lift whilst crossing over Africa? Shame on you. Oh wait, you probably flew over the Pacific... well, send pictures then. Enjoy!

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

08/29/2012 03:25:18 AM · #4

*subscribed* Looking forward to following along.

pamb

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II

08/29/2012 05:27:45 AM · #5

Welcome! Learn to say "g'day" properly, please. And then 'ooroo at the other end of the conversation ;P

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

08/29/2012 05:37:16 AM · #6

'ooroo????? Dang! I thought I'd packed my English/Aussie dictionary...

Neat

Canon Canon 1d x Mark II

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

08/29/2012 05:44:27 AM · #7

OH DOH!! Your fave lens, what a shame, I can imagine how you felt~~~~~~!!!!!

This is another saying you have to remember " G'DAY MATE"

say it 10 times~

edited to add, Oh I see Pam beat me to it!

Message edited by author 2012-08-29 05:45:27.

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

08/29/2012 06:08:47 AM · #8

They have another weird custom you should be aware of.

Giles

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/29/2012 06:12:08 AM · #9

I'm sheltering from the rain on a building site in south Manchester England, it's 8 degrees Celsius I'm not at all jealous.......

Haha have a great time looking forward to the pics

pamb

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II

08/29/2012 06:16:06 AM · #10

This is well worth another outing (beware, some of it's true)

Q: Does it ever get windy in Australia? I have never seen it rain on TV, so how do the plants grow?
A: We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around watching them die.

Q: Will I be able to see kangaroos in the street?
A: Depends how much you've been drinking.

Q: I want to walk from Perth to Sydney - can I follow the railroad tracks?
A: Sure, it's only three thousand miles, but take lots of water...

Q: Are there any ATMs in Australia? Can you send me a list of them in Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville and Hervey Bay?
A: No. What did your last slave die of?

Q: Can you give me some information about hippo racing in Australia?
A: Africa is the big triangle shaped continent south of Europe. Australia is that big island in the middle of the Pacific which does not... oh forget it. Sure, the hippo racing is every Tuesday night in Kings Cross. Come naked.

Q: Which direction is north in Australia?
A: Face south and then turn 180 degrees. Contact us when you get here and we'll send the rest of the directions.

Q: Can I bring cutlery into Australia?
A: Why? Just use your fingers like we do.

Q: Can you send me the Vienna Boys' Choir schedule?
A: Austria is that quaint little country bordering Germany, which is...oh forget it. Sure, the Vienna Boys Choir plays every Tuesday night in Kings Cross, straight after the hippo races. Come naked.

Q: Do you have perfume in Australia?
A: No, we don't stink.

Q: I have developed a new product that is the fountain of youth. Can you tell me where I can sell it in Australia?
A: Anywhere significant numbers of Americans gather.

Q: Can I wear high heels in Australia?
A: You are a British politician, right?

Q: Can you tell me the regions in Tasmania where the female population is smaller than the male population?
A: Yes, gay nightclubs.

Q: Do you celebrate Christmas in Australia?
A: Only at Christmas.

Q: Are there killer bees in Australia?
A: Not yet, but for you, we'll import them.

Q: Are there supermarkets in Sydney and is milk available all year round?
A: No, we are a peaceful civilisation of vegan hunter gatherers. Milk is illegal.

Q: Please send a list of all doctors in Australia who can dispense rattlesnake serum.
A: Rattlesnakes live in America which is where YOU come from. All Australian snakes are perfectly harmless, can be safely handled and make good pets.

Q: I have a question about a famous animal in Australia, but I forget its name. It's a kind of bear and lives in trees.
A: It's called a Drop Bear. They are so called because they drop out of gum trees and eat the brains of anyone walking underneath them. You can scare them off by spraying yourself with human urine before you go out walking.

Q: I was in Australia in 1969 on R+R, and I want to contact the girl I dated while I was staying in Kings Cross. Can you help?
A: Yes, and you will still have to pay her by the hour.

Q: Will I be able to speek English most places I go?
A: Yes, but you'll have to learn it first.

08/29/2012 06:30:05 AM · #11

Oh thanks! I am here for the hippo races! Didn't realize the Vienna Boy's Choir will also be at the same venue! A two-fer!!!!

pamb

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II

08/29/2012 07:50:08 AM · #12

Don't ya just hate it when other people get to see more of your own country than you do? I've lived here all my life and haven't yet made it to King's Cross for the hippo races... unfair!

eta: but I've seen lotsa drop bears

Message edited by author 2012-08-29 07:50:45.

jomari

Nikon D7000

Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR

08/29/2012 08:02:33 AM · #13

Welcome down under, Johanna. So sorry I couldn't make the gtg but I hope you have a fantastic holiday (Australian for vacation). Oh, one important bit of advice that Pam forgot - if you go swimming you can halve your chances of being eaten by a shark if you go in with a friend.

CNovack

Canon EOS-600D/T3i Rebel

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

08/29/2012 09:13:28 AM · #14

Have loads of fun Johanna...and of course take lots of pictures;-) Will watch this post to for any pictures when you get time/upload them.

blindjustice

Canon EOS-60D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

08/29/2012 10:21:04 AM · #15

Have a great trip, stay away from the wines.Australian Table Wines

vlado

Canon EOS-70D

Canon EF-S 18-135mm IS STM

08/30/2012 06:29:00 AM · #16

It was an honour to be a member of your harem today. I had a great time with you and the guys. I look forward to reading your posts and seeing your photos over the next six weeks.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

08/30/2012 08:30:33 AM · #17

There's NO place like DPC for making homes away from home!!! Just had the most fabulous afternoon with my Aussie harem (John, Craig, Vlado, and Enzo)!!! You guys really know how to make a gal feel special. What a treat. Thank you so much, John, for organizing an afternoon with a quartet of gorgeous guys. Gals, you really missed out :-)

Stay tuned for an entry in stranger featuring one of the boys :-)

Neat

Canon Canon 1d x Mark II

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

08/30/2012 08:06:10 PM · #18

Originally posted by tanguera:

Did you fly all the way out here just so you could win the 'stranger challenge' ....lol!!

Lydia

Canon EOS-6D

08/30/2012 08:24:22 PM · #19

Yipppeee! I'm feelin' my Vicarious Vacation gene kick in!!

JulietNN

Canon EOS-7D

Tamron 16-300mm Di II VC PZD MACRO w/Canon Nikon mount

08/30/2012 09:18:35 PM · #20

Well, crap women, I planned on draggin you down there next year, you beat me t the punch by a year!!!!!!!!!!!! I seriously, really really need to get my life in order as I am in CA next week and was hoping to hook up! LOL My brain is fried!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =P

Have a totally stunning time down there babe!

nam

Sony DSLR-A580

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

08/30/2012 10:33:21 PM · #21

tagging

Have a GREAT time!

Brent_S

Canon EF 24-70 2.8L II

08/30/2012 10:51:49 PM · #22

I'm keeping an eye on this thread too. Have a great holiday Johanna and I'll hope to see a few pix taken during your journey :)

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Nikon

09/03/2012 06:30:44 PM · #23

First post from the bottom of the world...

DPCers in the image are

Vlado, Craig (

Lad), Enzo (

hotpasta), and John (

daisydavid). Craig and I ALMOST gave the other guys an eyeful with some tango moves :-)

levyj413

Nikon D7100

09/03/2012 08:32:30 PM · #24

If you're still in Melbourne, try to get to the State Library of Victoria.

Beautiful architecture, and the main reading room is especially nice:

Also be sure to have a hot chocolate in one of the chocolate shops. They take it very seriously, with delicious results!