Canberra and other observations

Well, I'm back home after my week (and a bit) in Australia. Here are some observations from Canberra:

• The Australian War Memorial is an outstanding museum, probably the best I've ever been too.
• And it doesn't glamorise war, it just tells it like it is - one of the displays includes listening to the real radio traffic of an Australian Helicopter airlifting an injured solider to safety, only to be shot down killing all on-board, another is the story of the attack of three Japanese micro-submarines on Sydney Harbour during WWII which praises the bravery and sacrifice of the Japanese.
• I saw a real, wild Kangaroo - standing in the middle of the road as I was driving along at night. Not the best way to encounter Australian wildlife
• Australia's Parliament doesn't have the character of New Zealand's, mainly because our Parliament Buildings are a mix of different styles over 100 years, theirs is all from 1988.
• You would think that the Aboriginal protesters would have moved to the new Parliament by now.
• Driving in Canberra is unlike anywhere else I've been - becuase it is generally very good. They do run red lights, they don't try and barge their way in at merge points, and are very polite and conscientious.

I also went up the top of the Eureka Tower in Melbourne yesterday - quite an experience as the viewing deck on the 88th floor is higher than the Auckland Sky Tower viewing deck.

And this morning I managed to get an upgrade to Business Class on the flight back from Melbourne. Sitting in the Koru Lounge beats queueing for coffee in the terminal, but I was amazed at the number of China Airlines passengers who kept coming in and helping themselves (before being politely asked to leave by the lounge staff) just because the lounge was by their departure gate. Definitely a better way to travel, although I'm not sure if the extra cost is worth it as Air NZ economy is not too shabby.

Anyway, it's good to be back to the warmth of Wellington - every morning in Melbourne and Canberra has been freezing with fog on some days, and even during the day there is a chill in the air - like the way a clear crisp New Zealand winter day is in July/August after a dumping of snow on the mountains.