Family Trip - Day 3 (Mardi Gras Day)

Today was to be the biggest and longest day of them all..

As any gayboy knows, Mardi Gras day there is a lot of running around preparing for the evening, and so with showing my family around Sydney, it was always going to be a long slogg..

First thing the family ended up doing was head down to Darling Harbour to walk around the general area. While they were doing that, I went to Fox Studios to get my pass to the Mardi Gras party from the box office. Then I joined the family and we had brunch at the Paddys Markets before jumping on the monorail and heading to the Sydney Aquarium..

The Aquarium has changed a little since I was there last, primarily as they have added the Sydney Wildlife World to the site. It was great to be back there again, as it's always so magical..







After a quick bite to eat, we moved on to the Chinese Garden of Friendship. I was stuffed by that stage, and the family went on through without me.. Now I have seen the photos though, I wish I went in!

I have been in there before with my boyfriend during the day on a weekday, so that it would be at it's quietest. There were 3 wedding parties taking pictures in the Gardens, but you wouldn't even know from the pictures.. Looks so quiet and peaceful..







It was now time to head home.. Clearly, as you can see below, my brother was tired! In fact we all were exhausted! We jumped on a train to Kings Cross from Central and went home for a rest.. Well some of us!

Once home, I started to get ready for the 5 shows I was to do over the night. First was Stonewall Hotel, 10pm/11pm/12am and then Imperial 1am/2am.

Realising there was too little time to get ready before heading to the parade (I was informed the parade route crossings were closing earlier than expected), we headed off, with all costumes and bags in tow, to Stonewall Hotel. And so from there my family were looked after by the boyfriend while I got transformed..

I missed most of the parade, but listened out for some key floats going by and watched the footage on the large plasma screens in the venue when they did.

Coming out and saying hello to the family was the big moment! My brother and his wife, Jessie, were fine as they had seen pictures and some footage from my shows when I visited Perth for their wedding last November. Anna was great about it too.. All my worry was about my Dad..

I was not sure what to expect with my Dad's reaction. I left some photos up of me in drag (among others) in my studio where they were staying as a test. Dad did not say anything to me about them, but certainly looked surprised by the pictures when he was taking a look. After talking with my brother, I found out that my Dad didn't have an inkling that I was working in drag... Great!

Anyways, back to Stonewall..

My Dad seemed to be fine with me in drag and didn't treat me different at all. It was such a relief!

The family were getting a bit freaked out with gayboys and gaygirls falling all over them kissing and having simulated sex. Admittedly for the first night in a gay pub, it was a bit confrontational. I considered getting them tickets in the Glamstands, but I wanted them to see me perform - so I made a call on it. I think they enjoyed the parade, what they saw of it..

So now I had to do some great spot numbers for them.. After all they had been so great with me in my second "coming out". I performed "Can't Get Enough Of Your Love Baby", "Don't Rain On My Parade" and "Last Dance". They were in the front row, right at my feet the whole time watching - and seemed to have a good time.

Dad said that I did really well and that was all I needed to hear.. Phew!

Unfortunately they were really tired (and probably too scared to go to the Imperial), so they went home when I had to leave for the Imperial shows. It's a pity cos I wanted them to watch a production show, not spots.. Oh well..

As far as the rest of my night was concerned, the Imperial was packed of course and the vibe was really positive. The shows went down exceptionally - much to our delight. Charisma, Ru Bella and I had a ball - then all headed off to the Mardi Gras party.

Next was the final day for my family in Sydney, before the plane flight back to Perth..