Down Under ... New Zealand & Australia
Nov 5th, 2009, 10:12 PM
#41
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ivenotbeeneverywhere ... I wish I had your info earlier. I have had alligator.. croc's probably same but wallaby sausage and Buff Barramundi sounds great. I hope someone else will get the benefit of my misfortune.
I agree there are better mangoes but ... is three such a thing as bad candy or ice cream? Would a mango of another name not be the same? Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmm!
I agree there are better mangoes but ... is three such a thing as bad candy or ice cream? Would a mango of another name not be the same? Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmm!
Nov 5th, 2009, 10:25 PM
#42
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SYDNEY – 10,000 STEPS
En route to Sydney, I get another experience on Qantas of what airline service can and should be. Is it that people here pay more for airline tickets or is the service just better than in other countries? A nice breakfast along with in flight entertainment where on “Plane Talk” I learn about the four types of turbulence and what causes bumpy rides. Just prior to descent we are given a granola bar and small bottle of water. Unfortunately, I have not experienced this level of service enough in my travels. Good job Qantas.
About fifteen minutes after leaving the airport, I am getting nice views of downtown Sydney from the upper deck of “The Airport Train”(AU$15). Exiting at Town Hall Station, I head south on Pitt Street in and out of the shadow of tall buildings. The sky is sea blue and practically empty of clouds, a spectacular day to be in Sydney.
509 Pitt Street and I check into “Wake Up!” … A top notch hostel with great facilities and a friendly staff. AU$38 per night and I share a newly renovated quad room with individual lockers. With some suggestions from the front desk staff, I set off to explore some of Sydney by foot.
An hour later at Circular Quay, I am sipping a miniature “Grand Cosmopolitan” and watching an Australian fashion show all compliments of Smirnoff Vodka. Circular Quay is a live and hopping with activities as we all take in the atmosphere and great weather. With The Harbour Bridge, Sydney's Famous Opera House and perfect skies as back drops, brief friendships are made as cameras are exchanged to capture “Kodak Moments”.
To take in an aquatic view of Sydney without paying the price of a tour, I purchase a round trip local ferry ticket to Woolwich (AU$11). A 2:25PM departure and we are soon passing under The Harbour Bridge which seems covered in some spots with ants wearing windbreakers and helmets. For AU$168 you can be one of these “dare devil ants” on a 3 hour climb of the 134m (300ft) bridge.
Criss crossing the harbour while sail boats of all types ride the winds, the views of Sydney are like a 3D postcard, breath taking. A few stops and I disembark at Woolwich. A walk through town finds historic quaint homes and streets with various flowers in bloom. The purple jacaranda is majestic.
At nearby Clarkes Point, I take a relaxing break as my view is filled by boats most of which skillfully master the brisk winds. Failure for one results in a capsized boat that takes another set of skills and about twenty minutes to remedy. With no obvious panic this seemed to be a routine maneuver.
A suggested walk back and I pass a historic boat dock with a couple of sleek race class boats now at anchor there. Not long after, I am in a park area and ten feet away from me is an exotic bird (blue head with green, yellow and red body feathers) camouflaged in a tree snacking on its flowers. Click, click, Sony captures the moment before it flies way.
Back at Circular Quay, I take a walk through “The Rocks” where the evenings activities are beginning to take shape. Pubs are filling up with laughter and diners are seriously looking over menus at fine restaurants. Even a couple of wedding receptions are in progress.
As a scary chill fills the air I make my way towards Kings Cross for one of “Sydney's Cheap Eats For Under $9”. People pass by me with strange clothing, specks of blood and injuries visible. At Park and College a shriek is heard as a black pointed hat blows my way. I retrieve the hat and return it.... I assume to it's rightful owner dressed in black. Grateful she smiles, grabs her mother's hand and joins others like her headed to The Australian Museum. It's Halloween in Sydney!
Even with darkness fallen, slices of lamb leg covered in gravy with peas, green beans and a baked potato is anything but scary at AU$6.50. It's a delicious meal served at New York Restaurant, 18 Kellet St, Kings Cross.
Making my way back to “Wake..Up!” more creatures of the night are invading the city and I must be a part of this experience that is starting to grip the city with fear. With a set of $2 dusk mask, a borrowed Sharpie marker and a $1.50 set of M.J White Gloves alert “The Ministry”...... ?????????? Fear, Fun And The Music Begins At 10PM ….. “WAKE UP!”
En route to Sydney, I get another experience on Qantas of what airline service can and should be. Is it that people here pay more for airline tickets or is the service just better than in other countries? A nice breakfast along with in flight entertainment where on “Plane Talk” I learn about the four types of turbulence and what causes bumpy rides. Just prior to descent we are given a granola bar and small bottle of water. Unfortunately, I have not experienced this level of service enough in my travels. Good job Qantas.
About fifteen minutes after leaving the airport, I am getting nice views of downtown Sydney from the upper deck of “The Airport Train”(AU$15). Exiting at Town Hall Station, I head south on Pitt Street in and out of the shadow of tall buildings. The sky is sea blue and practically empty of clouds, a spectacular day to be in Sydney.
509 Pitt Street and I check into “Wake Up!” … A top notch hostel with great facilities and a friendly staff. AU$38 per night and I share a newly renovated quad room with individual lockers. With some suggestions from the front desk staff, I set off to explore some of Sydney by foot.
An hour later at Circular Quay, I am sipping a miniature “Grand Cosmopolitan” and watching an Australian fashion show all compliments of Smirnoff Vodka. Circular Quay is a live and hopping with activities as we all take in the atmosphere and great weather. With The Harbour Bridge, Sydney's Famous Opera House and perfect skies as back drops, brief friendships are made as cameras are exchanged to capture “Kodak Moments”.
To take in an aquatic view of Sydney without paying the price of a tour, I purchase a round trip local ferry ticket to Woolwich (AU$11). A 2:25PM departure and we are soon passing under The Harbour Bridge which seems covered in some spots with ants wearing windbreakers and helmets. For AU$168 you can be one of these “dare devil ants” on a 3 hour climb of the 134m (300ft) bridge.
Criss crossing the harbour while sail boats of all types ride the winds, the views of Sydney are like a 3D postcard, breath taking. A few stops and I disembark at Woolwich. A walk through town finds historic quaint homes and streets with various flowers in bloom. The purple jacaranda is majestic.
At nearby Clarkes Point, I take a relaxing break as my view is filled by boats most of which skillfully master the brisk winds. Failure for one results in a capsized boat that takes another set of skills and about twenty minutes to remedy. With no obvious panic this seemed to be a routine maneuver.
A suggested walk back and I pass a historic boat dock with a couple of sleek race class boats now at anchor there. Not long after, I am in a park area and ten feet away from me is an exotic bird (blue head with green, yellow and red body feathers) camouflaged in a tree snacking on its flowers. Click, click, Sony captures the moment before it flies way.
Back at Circular Quay, I take a walk through “The Rocks” where the evenings activities are beginning to take shape. Pubs are filling up with laughter and diners are seriously looking over menus at fine restaurants. Even a couple of wedding receptions are in progress.
As a scary chill fills the air I make my way towards Kings Cross for one of “Sydney's Cheap Eats For Under $9”. People pass by me with strange clothing, specks of blood and injuries visible. At Park and College a shriek is heard as a black pointed hat blows my way. I retrieve the hat and return it.... I assume to it's rightful owner dressed in black. Grateful she smiles, grabs her mother's hand and joins others like her headed to The Australian Museum. It's Halloween in Sydney!
Even with darkness fallen, slices of lamb leg covered in gravy with peas, green beans and a baked potato is anything but scary at AU$6.50. It's a delicious meal served at New York Restaurant, 18 Kellet St, Kings Cross.
Making my way back to “Wake..Up!” more creatures of the night are invading the city and I must be a part of this experience that is starting to grip the city with fear. With a set of $2 dusk mask, a borrowed Sharpie marker and a $1.50 set of M.J White Gloves alert “The Ministry”...... ?????????? Fear, Fun And The Music Begins At 10PM ….. “WAKE UP!”
Nov 6th, 2009, 02:24 PM
#43
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Great writing DMBTraveler! I've enjoyed reading your excellent report. The birds you saw are rainbow lorikeets, there's some great footage of their antics on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZsBg23XVBQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZsBg23XVBQ
Nov 6th, 2009, 08:11 PM
#45
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SYDNEY – HALLOWEEN
“I've Got A Feeling ….. That Tonight's Gonna Be A Good, Good Night ...” With a pulsing beat, goons and goblins, 200 pound full yellow feathered canaries, men in skirts, a biomedical team, H1N1 Virus (yours truly) and a host of other disturbing specimens are stirred into frightening action.
German Diesels (Coke & Beer) along with other adult beverages are liberally consumed as the air is filled with more energy and electricity than the laboratory of Dr. Frankenstein. It's close to midnight and something evil's lurking in the dark ….. but the carnage continues. T..h..r ..i ..ll..e...r!
H1N1 consumes a slice of pizza, a slurpee then disappears into the night before the sun destroys the cover of darkness …....
A few days earlier, in consultation with “The Ambassador Of Sarsaparilla” concern was expressed about the importation of what is considered an American Product … Halloween to Australia. After tonight, I can honestly say that his concerns can be put to rest as I believe our International And Cultural Relations have been greatly improved. Yeah, Baby … Yeah!
MANY, MANY HEARTFUL THANKS
To all that have contributed in some way to making my journey “Down Under” a wonderful experience. Safe travels and I look forward to reading your trip reports. I will post a link shortly to view my pictures and I am open to suggestions of an easy way to do so.
DELTA 16, Take Me Home But Only If You Promise To Bring Me Back Real Soon “Down Under”.
“I've Got A Feeling ….. That Tonight's Gonna Be A Good, Good Night ...” With a pulsing beat, goons and goblins, 200 pound full yellow feathered canaries, men in skirts, a biomedical team, H1N1 Virus (yours truly) and a host of other disturbing specimens are stirred into frightening action.
German Diesels (Coke & Beer) along with other adult beverages are liberally consumed as the air is filled with more energy and electricity than the laboratory of Dr. Frankenstein. It's close to midnight and something evil's lurking in the dark ….. but the carnage continues. T..h..r ..i ..ll..e...r!
H1N1 consumes a slice of pizza, a slurpee then disappears into the night before the sun destroys the cover of darkness …....
A few days earlier, in consultation with “The Ambassador Of Sarsaparilla” concern was expressed about the importation of what is considered an American Product … Halloween to Australia. After tonight, I can honestly say that his concerns can be put to rest as I believe our International And Cultural Relations have been greatly improved. Yeah, Baby … Yeah!
MANY, MANY HEARTFUL THANKS
To all that have contributed in some way to making my journey “Down Under” a wonderful experience. Safe travels and I look forward to reading your trip reports. I will post a link shortly to view my pictures and I am open to suggestions of an easy way to do so.
DELTA 16, Take Me Home But Only If You Promise To Bring Me Back Real Soon “Down Under”.
Nov 6th, 2009, 10:07 PM
#46
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Sob! sniff! sob! I have enjoyed your tales very much and hope that you will be brought back very, very soon if only to eat some of our really "best of all" mangoes, then there are all those other lovely tropical fruits as well you know which may, or may not, go with Wallaby sausages. Methinks that Mr Bryson should start to watch is back with you around.
Nov 7th, 2009, 05:47 PM
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Nov 7th, 2009, 10:02 PM
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PHOTO LINK UPDATE - AUSTRALIA
http://www.dotphoto.com/go.asp?l=dmb...er&AID=6021352
A work in progress
http://www.dotphoto.com/go.asp?l=dmb...er&AID=6021352
A work in progress
Nov 7th, 2009, 10:04 PM
#49
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PHOTO LINK UPDATE - NEW ZEALAND
http://www.dotphoto.com/go.asp?l=dmb...er&AID=6021386
A work in progress
http://www.dotphoto.com/go.asp?l=dmb...er&AID=6021386
A work in progress
Dec 29th, 2009, 04:53 PM
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Ksucat ... Suspire ... Suelynne ... Oneday ... I am glad you enjoyed my report, thanks for your comments. Sharing my experiences is another aspect of why I find travel so enjoyable.
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