Australia, my last continent, was someting I was never quite sure I'd ever see. It's not like I lounged around day dreaming about it all of my days, but it just seemed so far away that I was never quite sure if it'd be possible.

After a bit of finagling I found a way by getting frequent flier miles through different business promotions, credit card miles and gifts from friends. It was a bit expensive to do it that way, but I did it nonetheless and was on my way to Oz in style...business class style that is.

I arrived in Sydney just shortly after 7am exactly one year ago today. I'll never forget flying in over Sydney Harbor and seeing the Sydney Opera House and Harbor Bridge. It was an unbelievable site and one I shall not soon forget.

I transfered to my hotel by cab, which I was recommended against doing because of traffic jams, and disregarded the cost in favor of arriving earlier, checking in, and getting out to see some of the sites. I was able to easily justify this since I knew there was no way I'd easily be able to get back to Sydney in the near future, so why not spend the $50 and just get everything going.

Oddly enough, and part of why I'm writing about this now too, on top of the anniversary of my arrival, is because there is an air/hotel package currently being advertised in Frommer's Budget Travel magazine for the same hotel I stayed at, the Sydney Travelodge.

It certainly wasn't anything fancy, but it had a kitchenette and was in a perfect location in the heart of Sydney's business district...not even a mile from the Opera House.

Anyway, I'm digressing...

Upon setting foot in Sydney's Botanic Gardens, after checking in at the Travelodge, I felt a distinct sense of accomplishment. I am now one of only a handful of people in the history of the world to have set foot on all seven continents.

Think about that now for a moment. Think about just how many people have walked this earth over it's short history. That's quite a lot of people really.

And now, now think about how many people out of all of those have been on all seven continents. It's a pretty small ratio really.

Of course, I don't discount that it's certainly easier to do now, especially with jet planes, than back in the days when explorers like Shackleton and Scott may have done it, but it certainly is still quite an accomplisment.

As I stood in the gardens looking at all of the different flowers and taking in the sunshine I truly felt as though I had done something great. I have done something that none of my ancestors before me have done. I have set foot on all seven continents, taking in their beauty in turn and in varying degrees.

My one regret in visiting Australia, and it really is my only regret, is that I didn't have enough time or money to see more of the continent. When I was planning this trip I had thought about spending it all in Australia with stops in a couple different spots, but instead I opted to spend the last week of my holiday in New Zealand.

I certainly don't regret visiting New Zealand by any means though, and I don't want it to sound like that here in the least. New Zealand is a spectacular country and I had an amazing time there. I just simply wish that I had more time available to me where I could've seen more of Australia.

Australia is such an amazing country and there's so much to see and do there. I really only can only imagine everything I missed and look forward to a time when I'll be able to go back and do a visit that's a bit more than a sampler in size.

I'll always fondly remember my trip to Australia, and my visit with my judo friends Steve and Ian (among others), as a time where I was really able to understand and appreciate how vast and great this world really is. There's so much to see and do and so many great people to experience it with along the way.

Don't let a moment or an opportunity pass you by...even if it may be a little hard on the pocket book. After all, if you do, won't you just always wonder "what if"?