On Sydney Harbor Cruise

On Sydney Harbor Cruise
On Sydney Harbor Cruise

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Australia Day Gala in Boston






On January 26, 2011, the Oprah Road Trippers attended the Australia Day Gala at the Park Plaza Hotel in Boston.  I was flown up from Florida by the Tasmanian Department of Tourism on the day before and took the MBTA from Riverside into Boston in a snowstrom.  Thanks again to my Tasmanian friends for the Blunnies, a traditional Australian boot we were given while down under.  I sure needed them walking in the snow covered streets of the city.  We decdied to stay at the hotel because of the storm.  At 6:30 we finally got to meet the wonderful Malcolm Griffiths who has been our liasson with Tasmania.  He escorted us to the wine reception. Here we mingled with Qantas executives who had been very influencial in getting us to and around Australia in December.  We met up with Michelle O'Bryne, the Minister of Tourism is Tasmania who had been the force behind our fairytale trip and now this fantastic celebration.  After the Wine Reception the wall opened up to the Grand Ballroom and we joined about 200 other attendees for a delicious dinner accompanied by outstanding wines from Australia.  The Australian Ambassador, Kim Beazley, joined us for awhile.  What a delightful night to end our Australian dream.