Whereupon I Tell You All The Reasons That You CAN Come Visit Australia

I can't tell you the number of times I've heard expats here in Australia say some variation of the same sentiment ...

"All my friends and family said that they were going to come visit Australia, but none of them actually do."

We also all have tales of people we care about who have declared that they would never come to Australia - not because of the cost, but because the flight is too long.

To those members of our friend/family community, I say to you ... really?

It's about a 14 hour flight from L.A. As one expat once said to me, "I mean, c'mon, what did you do with your last 14 hours?"

If you can handle a 3 hour flight, you can handle a 14 hour flight. You'll take a sleeping pill/shot of whiskey and be out for most of it. Or, you'll catch up on some movies that you never saw because your significant other wasn't interested. You won't lose your mind or your sanity. No, honestly - you won't.

Actually, you'll probably be surprised at how quickly the flight went and wonder what it was that you were so worked up about in the first place.

And for those of you who are stuck on the price: Come in the off-season. Plan ahead, and you're likely to find a flight that's about the cost of a flight to Europe. And, for serious, think of the frequent flyer miles you're going to accrue.

So, c'mon over. Your expat family/friends would be thrilled beyond belief to see you and play tour guide.

Now, I got my mind on this rant in quite a roundabout way. I've actually been meaning for some time to write about the Work and Holiday Visa program, which I think is about the most awesome way for people between 18 and 30 to get a vacation in Australia. I am constantly trying to get one of the Under 30s I know and love to take this option and come over for an extended vacation.

Basically, U.S. citizens (and other countries as well) within the age range are eligible to come to Oz for up to a year and work temporary jobs in order to make money while they're here. It's a very common program, and with the great employment rate in Australia right now, there seems to be a pretty good supply of jobs available. We meet Work and Holiday visa "kids" from different countries all the time - it's a quite well known and common thing here.

I suppose that I bring this up as just another reminder for all of my buddies at home who I have been pestering about visiting me. Don't have a job in the U.S. because the job market is a mess? Lots of jobs here! ... Also, there's no shortage of surfing, snorkeling, kayaking, barbecuing, bars, kangaroos, koalas, and good looking people in bathing suits. You'll come home with enough stories to eat out on for years to come.

So, that's settled.
See you all in Australia soon!