Here's a few of the little things I've noted along the way and just don't want to forget!-Cranes are everywhere! Could see 12 outside our window in Sydney.-Read an article in local news saying that they were passing a law requiring kids to be immunized...or lose their health benefits.-Most school students wear uniforms that include hats with big brims-Speed limit on most roads is about 50 mph...on major highway 60 mph and nobody was speeding-Gas prices about $1 per liter-Easter lilies grow wild here-Lots of Chinese tourist who tend to travel with large groups and couldn't help but notice that most families consisted of parents with one son. Actually did a count while we waited in line once: 14 boys to 4 girls...and all the girls had a brother.-Stores that are Down Under & USA:McD, 7/11, Target, KFC, Krisby Kreme, IGA, Aldi, Woolworths, Babies R Us, Toys R Us, Little Caesars, Starbucks, Ben & Jerry, KMart and DominoesAnd loving their accents & sayings like:G'Day and How ya going?No WorriesCarry On
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Update #34. Tidbits About Australia
Update #33 Kuranda
> Weather was iffy today so took a bus to Kuranda--the traditional home of the Djabugay for 20 or 30,0000 years. Now crowded with souvenir shops loaded with stuff from China & India...and a few items made by the local Djabugays. We'd hoped to take in a Djabugay tour...but it closed down recently. Kinda tells the story of what happens once the Europeans "discover" a country. Saw a few Djabugays hanging around the public restroom...all drinking. Sad. Took the rainforest trail to work up our appetite for lunch: kangaroo steak sandwich. Chewy beef is closest way to describe it. While Rog rested in the shade, I went into a Butterfly Sanctuary and soon was surrounded by vibrant colored butterflies & moths. I also toured the labs where hundreds of caterpillars munched on leaves, cocoons & chrysalis hung, freshly hatched babies fluttered about and plants were being farmed to feed them all. Quite a heavy rainfall started just a half hour before we boarded our bus back. We spent time catching up on emails, news, doing the wash...& writing as the rain waters all the lush vegetation around here. Later, our new neighbors showed up. They are renting the other bedroom in "our" apt. They are newlyweds from India. We had a wonderful time talking to them about their wedding & honeymoon ...2 months long. We showed them some of our favorite pictures of India & which we both enjoyed. Then we got talking about the India & the world's problems. It is always interesting to get other nationalities' take on things. Mostly he (name??) was worried about the future...ISIS & environmental issues. Finally he smiled and said, "Holiday!" In other words...no more talk about problems....We remember so well that same smile & mindset we'd seen so often in India...as their saying goes: "In India, the only problem is...there are no problems!"
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Update #32 Cairns
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> Feeling a bit like a kangaroo me self...hopping about Australia. Packed up our trolley at 4 a.m. And the on to a plane headed to Cairns...pronounced "Cans." We located our Airbnb...nice! Full apt with balcony overlooking a pool & full kitchen. Owner, Joe, is in Japan skiing & his mom was here cleaning up after the last visitors...something wrong with that picture. Took off to find lunch--ate at a Dominoes in support of Ben's new job!! (Hey Ben, not only did they have great pizza but also a spot on warm volcano brownie!! Hope to find those in USA!). We picked up some groceries & then into the pool to cool off...it's about 90 degrees with major humidity. Toward evening we took a stroll on the riverside boardwalk which ended at a park with a gigantic pool...never saw so many people stationary in a pool...not one person was actually swimming...all just trying to cool off. When we got back to "our" apt, we cranked up the AC and fixed chicken salad sandwiches.
> Feeling a bit like a kangaroo me self...hopping about Australia. Packed up our trolley at 4 a.m. And the on to a plane headed to Cairns...pronounced "Cans." We located our Airbnb...nice! Full apt with balcony overlooking a pool & full kitchen. Owner, Joe, is in Japan skiing & his mom was here cleaning up after the last visitors...something wrong with that picture. Took off to find lunch--ate at a Dominoes in support of Ben's new job!! (Hey Ben, not only did they have great pizza but also a spot on warm volcano brownie!! Hope to find those in USA!). We picked up some groceries & then into the pool to cool off...it's about 90 degrees with major humidity. Toward evening we took a stroll on the riverside boardwalk which ended at a park with a gigantic pool...never saw so many people stationary in a pool...not one person was actually swimming...all just trying to cool off. When we got back to "our" apt, we cranked up the AC and fixed chicken salad sandwiches.
Update #32 Cairns
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> Feeling a bit like a kangaroo me self...hopping about Australia. Packed up our trolley at 4 a.m. And the on to a plane headed to Cairns...pronounced "Cans." We located our Airbnb...nice! Full apt with balcony overlooking a pool & full kitchen. Owner, Joe, is in Japan skiing & his mom was here cleaning up after the last visitors...something wrong with that picture. Took off to find lunch--ate at a Dominoes in support of Ben's new job!! (Hey Ben, not only did they have great pizza but also a spot on warm volcano brownie!! Hope to find those in USA!). We picked up some groceries & then into the pool to cool off...it's about 90 degrees with major humidity. Toward evening we took a stroll on the riverside boardwalk which ended at a park with a gigantic pool...never saw so many people stationary in a pool...not one person was actually swimming...all just trying to cool off. When we got back to "our" apt, we cranked up the AC and fixed chicken salad sandwiches.
> Feeling a bit like a kangaroo me self...hopping about Australia. Packed up our trolley at 4 a.m. And the on to a plane headed to Cairns...pronounced "Cans." We located our Airbnb...nice! Full apt with balcony overlooking a pool & full kitchen. Owner, Joe, is in Japan skiing & his mom was here cleaning up after the last visitors...something wrong with that picture. Took off to find lunch--ate at a Dominoes in support of Ben's new job!! (Hey Ben, not only did they have great pizza but also a spot on warm volcano brownie!! Hope to find those in USA!). We picked up some groceries & then into the pool to cool off...it's about 90 degrees with major humidity. Toward evening we took a stroll on the riverside boardwalk which ended at a park with a gigantic pool...never saw so many people stationary in a pool...not one person was actually swimming...all just trying to cool off. When we got back to "our" apt, we cranked up the AC and fixed chicken salad sandwiches.
Update #31 Heading back to Brisbane
Time to head back to Brisbane...slowly with lots of stops. First one was a short hike to a waterfall where 3 young mates were abseiling. The word "falls" could have been used two ways...luckily they made it safely. Driving a bit farther, we stopped where a pile of cars were stopped...what's up? Parasailing! Saw at least 20 brave souls run and jump off a high ridge and sail they did. We noticed that risky, adventurous spirit is common both here and in NZ. We have enjoyed driving about the hinterlands. Here's Rog's take on it:
In America we have many place that we named by or in honor of Native Americans. A few examples are: Pottowatmie Trail, Hiawatha Nat'l Forest, Tecumseh, Titieawasee River, Lake Huron, Mackinaw Island...and there are many, many more. Many places in Australia were named by the Aboriginal people who were here for 30,000+ years before the Europeans came just 200 years ago. Try to read the names of the places we drove to over the last couple days. We went past Jimboomba on our way to Canungra by way of the Mundoolun Scenic Way. Then we drove to Binna Berra to do some hiking. Binna Berra means "where the Antarctic Beech tree grows". Then on to Burringbar, Murwillumbah, Mooball and finally to Mulumbimby where we are staying tonight with Seeta. Tomorrow we will pass through Mudgeeraba, Nerang and cross the Tallburdgera River. If we had more time here, we should go to Baddaddaba and Benobble just because they should neat. Could you say all those words? We sure had trouble with many of them.In Mulumbimby, we took a walk to where the river meets the sea. Spotted dolphins, turtles & lots of fish and people enjoyed the crystal clear water. Got a message that we'd left our charger at Jan & Terry's so made a plan to meet up with them on our way back to Brisbane...note to self: got lucky, we were close by...be more careful! Got to Brisbane in time to check out tomorrow a.m. Route to drop off our car and then to Colin & Tonya's again for a good night's rest.
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