back from honeymoon downunder
 

IT was awesome...both of us would move there in a heartbeat!<BR><BR>WE loved TASMANIA! SO beautiful. Easy to get around (we rented a car!). Port Arthur ghost tour was incredible. The restaurant there was quite good as well--I recommend the Wallaby! mmmmm<BR><BR>Mures at the wharf was quite tasty too! We stayed at the Old Woolstore...very nice, friendly, helpful, clean...cheap internet access...<BR><BR>Mt Field was awesome---did the hike around the waterfalls and took the long way back...saw Wallabies in the wild there! <BR><BR>Did Bonorong Wildlife Park--it was our favorite wildlife park out of the 3 we visited in Australia.<BR><BR>First 4 days in Sydney, stayed at the Hilton near Town Hall area...great location, used the subway a lot. However, it is closing down for remodeling in November for 18 months. <BR><BR>CANBERRA--was AWESOME...could have used 2 full days. BUT with the limited time we had--did the best we could. The WAR MEMORIAL/MUSEUM was the best we have EVER seen compared to the ones in Washington DC.<BR><BR>HIGHLY recommend ECO ADRENALINE Boat tours from MANLY BEACH --better than the fast boats in the harbor. Cheaper and can go out of the harbor area. and it is longer!<BR><BR>take the ferry from Circular Quay to Manly beach and follow along the walk way to your right towards the Manly Yacht Club (it is down below in the garage looking door). Contact me if you want more info...I don't have it on me at the moment!<BR><BR>Bridge Climb was incredible--we started getting ready at 5:45pm.<BR><BR>ONLY had 1 day of rain since the darn country is in a major drought..of course it was in TASMANIA the day we wandered around Mt Field...but with all the tree covering it was quite mild. <BR><BR>Palm Cove (in between Cairns/Port Douglas) was beautiful. We really enjoyed our train ride/Kurand/sky rail trip and Tjapakai was great! IF you are interested at all in Aboriginal culture--it is a must see! <BR><BR>We also did the NIGHT ZOO--that was a ton of fun...all you could eat and drink -beer/wine and wild critters for $69 AUD (if you drive yourself--a bit more if you take the shuttle service). <BR><BR>REALLY didn't like CAIRNS AT ALL...except for some of the shopping downtown. OTHERWISE, I would NEVER tell anyone to step foot in that place.<BR><BR>OUR Poseidon excursion to the reef was awesome!!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND (out of Port Douglas)..they were very gentle with me on my Intro Dives!!!! :-)<BR><BR>ummmm what else....4wd to Blue Mts was nice but I wouldn't say it is a must see attraction. <BR><BR>I had a very disappointing experience with Australian Opals (I believe downtown on Pitt St --near the Hilton). Got what I wanted but their SERVICE was HORRIBLE. Also bought an opal from Flame Opals in the Rocks--they were much better.<BR><BR>Ate at Doyle's at Circular Quay--very good!<BR>Philip's Foote was good and different in the Rocks.<BR><BR>REALLY enjoyed our Didjeridoo buying at Didj Beat in the Rocks...very helpful, best prices on Didjeridoo's--we looked all over the place and different cities.<BR><BR>Enjoyed our Upstairs seats on our Qantas flights (business class). Food choices were a bit to be desired. Flight to oz had upgraded video games larger screens than flight home--small screens, no video.... :-(<BR><BR>but what is up with cheese that has NO flavor and bacon that isn't fried....I think our only real complaints were the bland food! Thank goodness for all of the asian immigrants and the oriental food choices!!!<BR><BR>

Shannon<BR>Great trip report. Cairns is only worth a visit because it's the airport for GBR. Best to fly in and stay elsewhere.<BR><BR>I'm surprised about the food - I would never consider the food here as bland. Not fried as much as you expect, but bland,??? And we have some fantastic cheeses. You must be eating at the wrong places. ;-)<BR>I am glad you enjoyed your visit - come back soon.

Yes, I agree, I wouldn't bother to send anyone to Cairns; only as a launching point to somewhere else.<BR><BR>Glad you enjoyed the rest of your trip.<BR><BR>And I also am puzzled about the "bland food". Where did you eat? There are some wonderful cheeses in TAssie. Did you get to taste any of those?

We noticed the bacon to be limp in Australia. Not the crispy kind we have here in the states. I guess it`s whatever you are used to.

Hi,<BR>The food in Australia was tasty--beautiful fresh fish, outstanding Asian choices...the one thing I missed was a tasty bagel in the morning--but certainly didn't go all that way for that!<BR><BR>Debbie<BR><BR>And does anyone miss Tim Tams? That's one yummy packaged cookie...

I am IN LOVE with TIM TAMS!!!! had to bring some home....wish I had brought more but we were OVERPACKED as it was! Bought a whole package while we were in Palm Cove and at them between the two of us in 3 days--good for breakfast!<BR><BR>I wonder if we can get them here in the USA?<BR><BR>hard to explain my bland description...for example the steaks/burgers were lacking seasoning perhaps? <BR><BR>I totally loved all of the asian food! My husband loved the fish and chips....but all the cheese that was on the sandwiches/burgers/breakfast muffins --had no flavor. <BR><BR>Unfortunately didn't get to try any Tassie cheese :-(<BR><BR>I would give up BAGELS for a SCONE any ol day! We ate at the Honey House? in Kuranda---had pumpkin scones....mmmmmm the best! <BR><BR>

Aha! That cheese. Of course it's bland - it's deliberatly dumbed down for those without taste. How sad not to have tasted the cheeses in Tasmania - there are some beauties there. I have a great King Island cheddar just waiting in the fridge for some investigation with a good red on the weekend!<BR><BR>How did you manage to make an opened pack of TimTams last 3 days? Must be some sort of record!<BR><BR>Bagels are a bit in short supply here. On Abuzz, the NYTimes forum, about a year ago, there was a very funny discussion where assorted Americans, including Canadians, tried to convince me of the wondrous thing that was a bagel. I couldn't see that chopped liver would improve anything!!<BR><BR>I finally found one here - and I still don't understand the fuss! It was a bit like eating a football!

Hi!<BR>Good news, American Fodorites! I just googled 'tim tams' and found we can order them online through http://www.simplyoz.com!!<BR><BR>My piggish friends wolfed down the 3 bags of minis that I brought back in just a couple of days (ok, so I helped myself to one or two--do you blame me?!). I may just have to quietly order some more and keep them to myself.<BR><BR>Debbie<BR><BR>PS Marg--Come visit New York and I will personally treat you to a REAL bagel. In most places outside NYC, what's advertised as a bagel is just a tasteless roll w/a hole. The perfect bagel is a bit crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside. If after trying a genuine traditional NY bagel, you still feel the same way, I'll let you be! I'm guessing you haven't had the real deal.

Oops, sorry Margo for the typo!

Nice report Shannon...I'm so glad you had a great time! I think it's great you went on an intro dive...lots of people end up chickening out. Good for you...I'm sure it's an experience you will remember.<BR><BR>This Tim Tams discussion is cracking me up. I love them too...and I brought 10 packages back home in my carry-on (for gifts to friends and family). They searched my bag at the airport and looked at me like I was porky pig.<BR><BR>Debbie, thanks for the research...might have to order a few!

ok, now I am curious & I have to ask. What are Tim Tams? What are they made from? You guys are making me want some, and I don't even know what they are!

They are cookies/biscuits/whatever you want to call them.<BR><BR>There are different flavors, but most have a chocolate coating. I've had mocha, dark chocolate, and of course, the original! I think I've had even more varieties, but I can't remember all of them.<BR><BR>They're just really good. I have no idea why though...American cookies are good too, but everyone raves about Tim Tams!

Speaking of Tim Tams, the ultimate experience of course is to get a Tim Tam, bite off each end, then just use it like a straw with a cup of coffee - just dip the end into the coffee, then sip your coffee up through the Tim Tam. It's a kind of Tim Tam O/D! :)

Can't help myself - I have to butt in!<BR>It's called a Tim Tam Slam! Tim Tams are chocolate biscuits, very rich and very yummy, chocolate coated with choccy cream stuff inside and choc biscuit. A chocoholic's dream. For years and years there was only one type but now there are about 6 varieties.<BR>Did anyone try Mint Slice - now they're my favourite!<BR>Kay

Ok...I have to also mention that I am having LEMON LIFT or as a lot of places know it Squash withdrawals...My new favorite soda of choice.<BR><BR>We have a higher up connection with Coca Cola in Atlanta and I put in my personal appeal for local USA distribution. BUT alas, it is not available in the states.<BR><BR>oh well....<BR><BR>I should have bought many more TIM TAMS but with a $30 bag of Cadbury's it was hard to convince the honey I needed more. He liked them but didn't think they were all that! :-(<BR><BR>As for the DIVE--almost all our group chickened out at one point either on their 1st or 2nd dive if they even attempted a 2nd. I was the only one to complete 2. I am quite prooud of myself!<BR><BR>OK...off to check on the prices for ordering Tim Tams.

ok...checked out simply oz...<BR><BR>they can get 2 of the 4 items I really like...<BR><BR>Cadbury Nut Caramel wasn't on the list<BR>and you AUSSIES help me out here--my husband really liked these LIME and PEPPER flavored potato chips. They don't have them either BUT if I can get enough info (name brand) they can put it on their wish list and they get regular shipments!<BR><BR>The chips were available at most convenience stores and the bag was green. I also had some that were sweet chili flavored by the same manufacturer.<BR><BR>I thought it would be nice to try and get them for an XMAS stocking stuffer for the husband!

What I really miss is the prawn crisps.<BR><BR>(That's a joke, for all of you who haven't never tried a prawn crisp).

You guys are making me hungry (except what's this prawn crisp stuff?)<BR><BR>I usually like dark beers, but I miss Crown Lager. I have a lot of good memories of Crown, even though Crown tried to take a lot of memories from me!

Hi!<BR>Crown was really nice but did you try Cascade?! Mmmmm. It was tasty, and as my pal Annie says, it's non-bloating....From my experience, that means I could just drink myself silly!<BR><BR>Debbie<BR><BR>Shannon--Are you in Atlanta too? Maybe we could just put one giant order together! Did you see Tim Tams are just $3.50?

No, I didn't try the cascade. Guess I'll have to go back to sample it. &lt;G&gt;<BR><BR>Non bloating, hah! I thought Guinness was non-bloating too, until I drank way too many pints. Then I couldn't fit out the door.

<BR>Welcome to Food Chat! :)<BR><BR>How funny! Like Debbie, on my first trip to Australia I too noticed the lack of bagels as a food source.....(that's the former East Coaster part of me)...also, the lack of a really good salad bar (that's the West Coast part of me, where I now live). Having a fairly entrepeneurial sort of bent, I started fantazing about moving, opening either a bagel shop or fantasic salad bar (ala "Fresh Choice") and becoming fabulously weathly. :)<BR><BR>I'm not a person who craves sweets, although I have had Tim Tams (can you avoid it)? My downfall was Twisties. I developed a serious Twisty problem; thankfully I've been through a 12-step program and I'm ok now.<BR><BR>Shannon, you must go back to Tassie though -- you've missed out on some fabulous cheeses!<BR><BR>Melodie

Hi Shannon, being a chip lover I can help you - the brand is Red Rock Deli. I haven't tried the Lime & Pepper yet but have the plain Rock Salt as well as Honey & Soy - yum!

Good news for our friends in the "States"..Tim Tams will be in USA soon but under another name.Look out for them!

Debbie--no, I am not in Atlanta --Pittsburgh but I will be in Hotlanta this weekend attending the Ga Tech vs UVA football game. <BR><BR>oooh Tim Tams in the US...I hope they don't screw with the recipe! Wonder how long it will be??<BR><BR>J0---thanks for the potato chip help!!! Will have to search around for them or request Simply Oz to find them for me! Would make a great stocking stuffer for the honey.<BR><BR>DOES anyone know if there is a CADBURY product that has HARD chewy caramel in the middle??? I could have sworn the tourguide told me it was nut caramel BUT I broke down and opened up that candy bar today and IT is NOTHING like what I tasted while on tour. <BR><BR>It was chocolate covered but the caramel was not anything like a caramello it was hard like a taffy and it appeared to have bits of small nuts in it.<BR><BR>Sorry I missed the Tassie cheese :-(

Shannon, are you talking about Snickers bars?

You can also get all sorts of aussie food at:<BR>www.aussieproducts.com<BR><BR>They have a catalog of products at the Australian consulate offices as well.<BR><BR>Patrice

Shannon, <BR><BR>The chocolate bar you're thinking of might be the Scorched Peanut Bar. <BR>For those interested, you can browse and view a range of foods at the on-line supermarkets, like www.woolworths.com.au

This is so weird, what we take for granted, just have to mention, im in Perth western australia and doing my weekly shop today only succumbed to 2 packs of tim tams ( they were on a special) Eat your hearts out!!! sorry,<BR>anyway when my mother went to the US last year the things she missed most were lemon squash and fish &amp; chips and a decent cup of tea!<BR>She did love those massive steaks &amp; can't understand why the salad gets served first before the steak. She filled up on the salad &amp; could not eat all the steak, here we eat it all together!<BR>One thing she bought back from our relatives in LA was a recipe for these yummy biccies, they are crackers sandwiched together with peanut paste (butter)and dipped in white or milk chocolate and covered with 100s &amp; 1000s, can anyone tell me what they are called?<BR>happy eating, sue

hmmmm peanut butter crackers with chocolate and 100s and 1000s on them???<BR><BR>not a clue. <BR><BR>I can't think of any place to buy something like that other than our local amusement park has Ritz Crackers filled with peanut butter and dipped in regular chocolate but they don't put 100s and 1000s on them??<BR><BR>I don't think it is anything official. We did notice a lack of the peanut butter and chocolate combinations in Oz. IT is my husbands FAVORITE combo. He loves Reese's ANYTHING....even the chocolate ice cream with peanut butter ribbons!!!<BR><BR>Cadbury.com.au doesn't even show this NUT CARAMEL bar that I am eating right now. Ingredients--Dairy Milk, with toffee, rice cereal and peanuts.<BR><BR>The only thing I can think of---perhaps the MILK TRAY or other mixed variety chocolate boxes have a hard/chewy caramel chocolate covered sweet in them??<BR><BR>I emailed Cadbury but they didn't answer my question.<BR><BR>OH and another thing....SimplyOz.com says that Campbell's bought Arnott's and they have an agreement to NOT sell any of their biscuit formulations in the states...so according to her they will NOT be selling Tim Tams (under any name) in the states. Whomever mentioned this--where did you get your information?<BR><BR>I have to go online and put in my order soon for xmas.<BR><BR><BR><BR>I think the reason the salad gets served BEFORE the meal is this--we are impatient and HUNGRY. WE don't like waiting for our food....so they can make the salads in a few minutes and you can eat that while waiting the 15-20mins for your hot food to arrive.<BR><BR>IF anyone knows the real reason---please post!<BR><BR>

Shannon - that bar you are eating sounds like a Cadbury Picnic. Choc coated, toffee, nuts and rice crisps - all bumpy on the outside.<BR>I loved the dark choc Milky Way bars we found in America and THOUGHT I bought some on our last trip to bring home. They were the WRONG BARS! Aaaahh! Anyway, they have just brought out a dark Mars Bar here which is exactly the same - yum!<BR>Kay

Or possibly a Chokito bar? It has a chewy centre with rice crisps on top all coated in chocolate...one of my faves!

HI again,<BR>Mt imformation came from news radio(630 AM)They were talking about the fact that for US markets they were going to change the name to...(and I cant remember!!!!it was 2 words and the were both the same word I think)I was interested because my other half is from San Fran and we keep sending Tim Tams to our friends there...<BR>

Please Melodie keep bagels in the USA we much prefer our lovely bread or French/Italian bread. I think bagels are an acquired taste like vegemite. I am surprised that you couldn't find nice salad bars because we have more consumption of that sort of food compaired to the USA. I always get withdrawal from veggies when I go to the US - where are the beans, peas, cauli, broc and all the rest...... mostly fried stuff there.

Funny - I am from Perth Western Australia too. Last week Tim Tams were on special at Coles for AU$1.75 - US0.96. I love the new &quot;Limited Edition&quot; Fudge ones.<BR><BR>Yum - the best biscuits as we call them (cookies? in the US) in the world.

Mmmm...Tim Tams...Yum!<BR><BR>I'd love to find XXXX beer in the States. Anyone know where I could find some? I'm getting really thirsty!<BR><BR>John in Miami

hmmm not sure where you might get XXXX<BR><BR>I put in my order for TIM TAMS and LIFT....lift is backordered... :-(<BR><BR>but should be getting Tim Tams soon I hope...got regular and dark chocolate.<BR><BR>The shipping on the LIFT cost more than the product itself. OH WELL...got 12 bottles. I will have to ration 1/month ;-)<BR><BR>SO how do I RETIRE in AUSSIE????<BR><BR>FIGURE we could come and live there and travel around for a few years after we retire. <BR><BR>IT would double my spending $$$ assuming in 30 years the rates are still the same!<BR><BR>I sure miss that place.......<BR>being back in the real world SUCKS....<BR><BR>only thing keeping me sane is planning my European vacation for the 1 year anniversary. IF I only had 2-3 weeks to take to Aussie again...that is where I would be headed.<BR><BR>I am trying to squeeze 8 days to Belgium, Luxembourg, Paris, Netherlands and Western Germany....just enough to give me a taste of the places to see if they are worth coming back and exploring further...like my AUSSIE trip! :-(