Close Encounter

I was expecting the US-VISIT program to be the highlight of my flight through San Francisco, but I got to take these photos instead. Quite the surprise.

As we were coming in to land I noticed another plane, way below us. I was listening to the flightdeck radio at the same time so knew that our plane was meant to "maintain visual contact" with an Air China Cargo flight. I didn't realise that meant a parallel landing, nor how close the planes would be to each other. I understand that it's normal practice (according to the pilot's reassuring announcements), but still quite the sight to see.

Aussie Train System

One thing I've noticed that's different between Vancouver and Sydney is trains, though the difference is noticeable the world over. The Sydney rail network is very complex and uses huge honking trains. Rail networks elsewhere are simpler and/or use lighter rail. The difference is most evident when you compare something like the Vancouver SkyTrain service to our regular Sydney CityRail service.

I know I'm comparing apples and oranges here, but that's deliberate. You see, Canada and the rest of the world also have heavier trains but they're not like CityRail; they're most similar to the New South Wales CountryLink service. You pay a higher price and are given a fancy ticket with a pre-assigned seat number, optional food service, etc. The idea of massive, cheap, come-as-you-please, heavy rail network doesn't seem to have reached many places outside of Australia. Very odd.

Cairns Photos

I've put up some photos of beautiful Cairns. Some of the photos at the end are actually from my parents' cameras. Will upload some more photos and blog some stories later.

Food, Glorious Food!

I'm stepping up in the world. Nissin noodles (chicken flavour of course) with egg and imitation crab meat! Hey, it's better than my average.

On an unrelated note someone seems to have stolen the pump that was mounted to my bicycle. Not the helmet or the odometer or the headlight or the taillight. Just the pump. Either that, or I've taken it off and forgotten where I put it. Which do you think is more likely?

Wedding Photos

Took some photos at my good friends' wedding. I'm not a very good photographer, so I took about 500 photos. Most of them are crap, but the good ones I've put up on a Picasa Web Album. The bride of course looks beautiful. That's probably not the right term for the groom, so I'll say he's handsome. Check out the panoramic shots to get a feel for the fantastic garden venues. :)

Wishing the two of them the best of times together. Come visit when you're done with the honeymoon!