Let’s go drongos, let’s take a trip down under!

QANTAS jet all decked out for a great trip down under!

So, first off I’d like to dedicate this post to two gals.  One being the owner of the only blog that I actually read religiously, Mimioso (do read her blog!!!), and two being the aussie gal who I also met over the WWW, let’s call her K.M.

Tonight I was chewin’ the Fat with my buggerlugs (ha!) K.M. when we started talking about travelling down under.  I took a quick glance over to www.qantas.com just because I was bored and also very curious, how much would a flight from USA to Aussie-land cost these days?  Turns out I hit a goldmine.

Visit Australia

Fares from Los Angeles or San Francisco from $265* Each Way Based on Round Trip

With the US dollar its strongest in years against the Australian dollar, a down under getaway remains a much better value than a European vacation. We’ll help you save money on your airfare now, and when you’re traveling, you’ll save heaps due to the favorable exchange rate!

This fare sale is valid for outbound travel between now and 24 October 2009, book by Wednesday, 15 April 2009.

Seats are limited. Look for better availability from the end of July or after.

Book your flights today!

* Taxes, fees and restrictions apply.

Prices listed below include the fare plus fuel and insurance charges. Following these links, the next prices displayed will be the Total Price (each way) which also includes the government-imposed taxes and fees (which can reach up to $150-$200, depending on routing selected).

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US Gateway DeparturesValid for Outbound Travel between now and 24 October 2009

US Gateway	Destination City	Each Way* based on round trip travel	Round trip*
Los Angeles (LAX)	Sydney	$265	$530
	Brisbane	$265	$530
	Melbourne	$265	$530
San Francisco (SFO)	Sydney	$265	$530
	Brisbane	$265	$530
	Melbourne	$265	$530
New York (JFK) QF108/QF107 only	Sydney	$365	$730
	Brisbane	$365	$730
	Melbourne	$365	$730

http://www.qantas.com.au/regions/dyn/am/specials/us/visit-australia?int_cam=us:qf:15

For $654 INCLUDING taxes (I made an imaginary trip:  depart LAX arrive SYD|18.08.09, return flight on 29.08.09).  Now, for all of you unacquanited with the airline industry, flights to Australia are long, arduous and expensive.  This is a true strike in an oil field.  Wow, just look at all that oil spurting up through the ground! I wonder how long it will keep gushing out of the earth below!

That’s the trick!  Luckily I found it in good time, as the flight has to be booked by 15.04, (Tax day!) and flown by 24.10.09.  Not bad!!! Flights are normally going for an upwards of $1,500 I want to say!  I mean, no, I’m not flying to Australia, not this season… but I hopefully helped out my mate K.M. to get an unexpected vacation home down under.  Unfortunately for all you Aussies reading this, I’m not sure if the cheapo fares are also availabe in the other direction.  If you want, give me a holler and I’ll check it out for ya.

QANTAS jet tail

To ease you all in your travels down under, I’m going to clue you in on some Aussie-slang that I also learned tonight! (also thanks to Aussieslang)

Arvo=afternoon

to cark it=to die

chockie=chocolate

bite ya bum=to be quiet, shut ya mouth

chunder guts=after a long night of partying, ya know, puking and all…

to chuck a U-ey=make a U-turn

to dong=smack

drongo=basically a dimwit

dead horse=ketchup/tomato sauce

donk=car or boat engine

empties=empty beer bottles

fag=cigarette (NOT a homosexual!!)

fanny=vagina! NOT your buttocks!

franger=condom!

garbo=the garbage man

g’day!=good day!

bloke=guy

kafuffle=commotion

kip=nap

lippie=lipstick

lino=linoleum

local rag=newspaper

Lolly water=soft drink, usually carbonated

loo=toilet

…that’s gunna have to be good for now, I’m knackered! It’s already 2:30 am!

so if you do decide to take advantage of this offer and take a spontaneous trip to Australia, do leave me a comment and lemme know how it goes!!

I heart faces-Self portrait

Hey there gang–this is my first entry into a series of contests found over at the I ♥ Faces website.  Each week they host different themed photography contests, and today I happened to stumble upon their website and decided I’d try my hand in a little photography.

I’m posting this entry a few days early (the first chance to post an entry is Monday), but I’m sure its of no harm.

This week’s theme is the self-portrait.

WEEK 15 – Apri 20th – Self Portrait
We’d like to meet each of you! 🙂

Kids Category: A portrait of You and one (or all) of your children or You and a child you know.

Adults Category: Show us YOUR face…and your face only!

For this challenge, you have to take the photo and you have to be holding the camera. You cannot use a tripod to help you. (This should be fun!)

Taken on Christmas at our rental-condo in Ocho Rios on Jamaica, 2009.

This trip to Jamaica was actually one of my most memorable vacations with my family… went to Jamaica for Christmas 2009, scored a fantastic quaint little condo right on the beach for $600 for the WHOLE week! over CHRISTMAS! Fantastic!  And it came with a helper, she was one of the greatest person I’ve ever met.  She wanted to do her job, she was fun loving, helpful, and just an all-around fantastic woman, and her name was Rose.  She took us into the markets of Ocho Rios, cooked fantastic jamaican entreés for us… I’ll have to dedicate a post to her and our trip to Jamaica a little bit later.  All-in-all, it was one of the few times my entire family got together, enjoyed eachothers company, and actually got along and laughed!!

ps-I know I’m not the greatest photographer 😛 Actually, I’m hardly “decent”!! But I try, and I have fun doing it!  and I guess that’s all that matters!