Days 1-3: Perth, Australia

With the possible exception of Melbourne, Australian cities are what I imagine Hamilton would be if everyone won lotto at the same time.  Sure, there's a lot of money, but that doesn't buy you class.  That's what you get in Perth, with plenty of singlets with camo shorts, big cars and cappucinos set against dozens of skyline cranes, and lush gardens in the middle of a giant desert.

Then again, with perma-sun, cloudless skies and 25 degrees in late summer, who needs to be a stylista?  Sure, Wellington has its cool kids, but when your summer consists of two sunny Tuesday afternoons and that weekend where the wind dropped to a mere 80 kph, then why wouldn't you move to Australia?  Not to mention you'll be getting paid at least 25% more than you would back home.

Now I have a 3 hour wait at the airport before a 12 hour flight to that quaint, peaceful hamlet known as Johannesburg.  It should get interesting from here...