Update #34. Tidbits About Australia

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 Dominoes

And loving their accents & sayings like:

G'Day and How ya going?

No Worries

Carry On

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.

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.

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.


Sent from my iPad

Update #30. Lamington Nat'l Park/World Heritage Site

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> We are in the most pristine rainforest in Australia....not at all the vision we had of Australia...tall trees, thick vines, moss, ferns and lots of waterfalls. We hiked about 7 miles on trails and spotted several blue tongue lizards...big, fat, black & 2-3' long...a tree frog that looked like a leaf...lots of turkey like birds that are related to dinosaurs...and a blue striped crayfish...all while being serenaded by birds. Part of the time we were engulfed in a swirling cloud. We got back to our Airbnb just before a downpour...the first real rain since we left home. We are staying on the top of a hill with a panoramic view...wallaby & hares hopping around the yard...and kookaburra laughing. Our host are Jan & Terry who also love to travel and our talkers...so now we have a few new destinations highly recommended...Bali and Istanbul.

Update #29 Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

 

Off again!  Picked up a rental and drove around Brisbane's road maze until we found a way out and then headed to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.  It was loaded with koalas and kangaroos...just love them both!  Also got to see some platypus!!  It is such an unique mammal...it lays eggs...uses it bill to find food using lector reception...milks its young through pores...and it is cute!  We also witnessed Tasmanian Devils fighting...their ears really do turn red and two tiny horns pop up.  Their new born joeys are a size of a grain of rice.  They also had a flock of sheep and a well trained sheep dog (looked a lot like our old dog, Shep) who herded the sheep with ease.  Then we watched a sheep get sheared.  The shearer had a harness sling which made it much easier on his back.  In 1990 there were 171 million sheep in Australia...now there are only 70 million....and only 3000 shearers who get paid $2.80 per sheep.  The record is 286 sheared in 9 hrs!!  That's less than one a minute.  Though we'd seen most of the animals we saw today in Sydney ...or home...we never get tired of watching what animals do!

Update #28 Brisbane

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> Flew into Brisbane & Colin, our Airbnb host, picked us up. We visited with him & Tonya, his wife for almost an hour. They live in his family home which is an older, large historical timber & tin house built on elevated stumps for ventilation and accommodate the hilly terrain. He said he'd never could afford it himself as home prices are astronomical here. Colin advises banks on real estate decisions & says Australia is being very selective on what they will sell to Chinese. Tonya, a social worker is from Germany. They met in S. Africa while working at an orphanage. We had lots to talk about. Our room was lovely...and cheaper than last night's dive!!! Woke early--thanks to the time change--and after a nice breakfast & some hints from Tonya--got the bus to downtown Brisbane & our next spot. The housekeeper met us & gave us a key & we dropped our luggage then headed out. After several wrong turns, made it to the ferry...city hopper. Riding on the shaded top deck cooled us down and we got to see lots of Brisbane...and it was free. After lunch, we stopped in a Visitor Center. Not too helpful--no bus or train schedule & couldn't help us figure out their CityCycle program. We see the bikes everywhere but few helmets & you need a special card to unlock them...not too tourist friendly. Bummer. With no bus or train map, we pounded the hot pavement til we finally got back to our apt, threw on our suits & jumped in the gorgeous pool. Ahhhh!! This place is like a 5 star hotel...spacious rooms with full kitchen & patio. Pool with sandy beach. Hot tub. Luxury! And cheaper than that dive!!! Francesco, the owner, has sent us several emails making sure all is well. Sure is! We picked up some groceries and so we ate in & about 6, totally refreshed headed back down to the ferry getting off at the Cultural Center area. A huge pool--with a big manmade sandy beach was being enjoyed by lots....and as far as we could tell, stays open 24/7. A great water park, a huge Ferris wheel, a lovely park and a nice river walk --what a jewel in this city...which has totally revived itself in just he last 40 years according to what a guide told us. The bridges, bldgs, walkways & cliffs were all lit up on our ferry ride back. Nice!! Brisbane Day 2: we got the bus system figured out so quickly we got to the Brisbane Museum...located in the Gov't Bldg...ornate & gorgeous. Went up the 1930 elevator to the top of the clock tower, sat in the domed assembly room where the G20 convention was held, learned more about the history of Brisbane...which like several other Australian cities, was originally a penal colony. Also enjoyed an art display of camera obscura pictures & watched a film about how they are created. Very interesting. Stops on our way back home included St. John's Cathedral, Albert St. Church and the old windmill...oldest building in town. We made sandwiches when we got back, threw our sweaty clothes in the washer and then in the pool!! Heading out of town tomorrow in a rental checking out what lies west of Brisbane.

Update #27 Food

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> It's been the usual scenario when it comes to food. Rog searches the menu looking for something unusual which confidence he'll love whatever he gets. I search the menu for something familiar in the hopes I'll like it...and I often strike out...like the egg rolls & the cheese/bacon pie...no idea what was inside of either but it sure wasn't what I expected!! To make matters tricker, we often share a meal...so we just take turns ordering....works great for Rog....and I can usually pick out enough to be satisfied...and Diet Coke is everywhere so I'm happy. Food prices in both NZ & Australia is about about 50% more as USA...even in the large grocery stores which are similar to ours with lots to select from. It has been nice not to have to wonder if the food & water is safe!!!

Update #26 Last Day in Sydney: Bondi to Bronte Walk

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> We were up and out of that dive early and soon walking the Bondi to Bronte Walk...a glorious 6 km path between these two fabulous aches. Bondi beach is about 1km long & maybe 150m deep. The walk took us along the bank of carved out sandstone, sandy coves & rocky cliffs. Waves were lapping & spouting over the boulders and the water full of surfers. The cool breeze added to the pleasure. We returned the rental car...with no dents...and Rog let out a sigh of relief and decided that wherever possible...we'll use public transportation.

Update #25 Valentine's Day--the Good, the Bad & the Ugly

> Headed back to Sydney with no plan for the day. Stopped at a McD to book a room about half way back and then stopped at a visitor center near Penrith...for such a big city, they sure didn't have much that we were interested in. Since it was hot, we decided to do the river walk & we were told we might see platypus. Bad & Ugly-River was muddy & banks were littered. Met a guy fishing in the river who told us he been fishing everyday for a month...no platypus. It was hot as an oven & no breeze. We crawled back to our car & went looking for lunch...all the way to the Outback...restaurant that is. Good!! Every bite like eating at the one home. Made another stop at McD to see if there was a movie near & then off we went to search for it. Bad. Traffic was thick & we didn't have accurate directions so had to turn around lots...which is hard enough when you are driving on the "right side" but totally screwed up on the other side. Finally found the theater but the movie we wanted was sold out. Bad. But decided on The Choice...which was a Good choice. Predictable but entertaining. Popcorn was blah...no butter or salt. Bad. Finding our hotel was easier...Good...but the hotel--BAD & UGLY!!! Had it not been after 10, we'd moved on and we are not too picky so you can imagine what kind of place it was...though I shouldn't complain...we actually had our own waterfall right in our room....air conditioner had a major leak...and our bed was on great rollers so every time we touched the wall, we'd go for a ride...though not too far cause the room was tiny! And to top it off, a slight screech from the AC grew with intensity until finally around 2 am, we pulled the plug...the heat was easier to endure. Sure made us appreciate all the other great rooms we've been in!! Good! So ends my story of the Valentine's Day Good/Bad/Ugly!!

Update #24 Ukulele Festival & Everglades Estate

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> After hiking on to see just "one more waterfall"...we headed to a Ukulele Festival...and what a treat! Ukulele groups...many with other instruments as well...from all over. Each got 30 min on one of the 7 stages from 10 am to 11 pm!! There was a whole lot of lively music, toe tapping and clapping going on. All pretty awesome. The crowd loved me and they totally loved performing. Only thing better would have been if some of our music, strumming friends were with us...like Terri & Ted who probably would have been up on the stage! Around 2 pm we took a break & headed to the Everglades Estate where we meandered around their extensive gardens filled with flowering shrubs, shady trees, ponds and of course, gorgeous flowers...many we have but also many we have seen in other countries even in rainforest & tropics. There was even a man made, rock-lined, creative creek & amazing waterfall complete with a pool. Again I was jealous of not just the variety of blooms but also the length of time they bloom. Something is blooming almost all year long. I'd work harder in my garden if that were the case in Michigan. Toward evening, we headed back for another fix of music & got it. Rog's favorite group what's a 4 man group with a terrific lead singer. Mine was a huge...may 30...high energy group that was having a blast entertaining us. All in all, a great day which ended in the cabin we've been staying in. There I popped some corn and we watched Robin Hood on TV.

Update #23. Blue Mountains/Scenic World/Blackheath

We were at Scenic World when the door opened.  Scenic World features 3 different rides down & over the mountains...the quickest way to "see it all."  Our first ride was in a skyway car that glided 270m between cliff tops above the Jamison Valley.  What a view...it would have been if we weren't in a thick cloud...so glad we got there so early!  Not to be discouraged, we climbed aboard the railway which at a 52 degree incline quickly had us down to the bottom.  There we walked the boardwalks that twisted & turned through the ancient forest while signs told us what we were seeing. So many different types of trees & evidence of past natural & manmade influence on their growth.   For 15 years this area was mined for coal...which is how the whole Scenic World vision began...on the coal bin tracks.  We took a cableway up 545m back to the base for lunch.  Now with a clear sky, we got back on the skyway car and this time the valley way, way, way below was crystal clear!  Back in our car, we headed for Blackheath...still in the Blue Mountains and still loving the various hues of blue that covers this entire area.  Rog and I toured the Blue Ridge Mountains in USA on our honeymoon (spending a whole lot less) so memories are popping up.  The blue here is much more pronounced because the oil that the Eucalyptus tree gives off. We spent about 10 hours today traveling the backroads pulling off often and searching for animals & we found them:  lyre birds, 3-4' iguana like creature, cockatoo, kookaburras and lots of hopping, happy kangaroos!!  What a riot to watch them!  We drove from the top of cliffs to the valleys below where the land was pastured & only a few towns...on curvy, narrow, and steep roads...sometimes feet away from the edge of cliffs.   Rog drove slowwwwly and carefullllly....and I just got to enjoy it!!  

Update #22. Katoomba/ Blue Mountains/Aboriginal Centre

Woke up early to get take in the morning views of the vast and breathtaking Blue Mountains...the vertical sandstone cliffs reaching the sky and the endless valley crowded with vegetation, rainforest area and the largest eucalyptus tree forest in the world...so many Gum Trees (their nickname)....no wonder the koala & kookaburra...and now us...love it here!!    And truly blue!  Slowly driving the Blue Mountain Drive , we stopped at every pull over to be awed over and over.  In the heat of the day, we went to the Waradah Aboriginal Centre. Members of the Gundungarra group performed for us beginning with their smoking ceremony.  A brief history of the area, introduction of some of the many groups & their languages as well as an explanation of their body paintings gave us a good background making the skits/dances much more meaningful.  A reenactment of the story told of how the didgeridoo was found was especially interesting...the sounds he could make to imitate animals & nature were great.  History:  At one time, most of Australia was home to about 250 family clans...each with their own language & customs.  For over 20,000 years (some think 30,000) they lived peacefully together.  No you or me...only us.  No mine or yours...only ours.  And the bush was cared for and was relatively  in pristine condition.  When the Europeans arrived about 200 years ago, things changed drastically and quickly...the ways of the Aboriginals ended as their land was taken away.  Sadly the same story repeated in so much of our world.  The good news is a revival of their culture and a recognition of their rights...and the Aborigines are showcasing their culture and making $$ doing it!  We wandered around some more before ending the day watching the sun set...in the SW...over the Blue Mountains...the blues, yellows, oranges, pinks painting a masterpiece before our eyes. 

Update #21 Featherdale Wildlife Park

We left the big town of Sydney behind...and headed to the country...in a rental car...driving on the "wrong side"...and Rog with white knuckles!!  First stop was the Featherdale Wildlife Park--home to lots of Australian native animals.  The park is uniquely designed so many of the animals can roam as they please with certain areas marked Animal Refuge area.  So we got up close and personal with the koalas,  kangaroos, wallabies and lots of birds & ducks.  Other animals were caged in very natural settings:  squirrel bats, emu, echidna, blue penguins, dingo, Tasmanian Devil, wombats, lyre birds, kookaburras, many species of cockatoos & owls & parrots...and lots more.  The staff was busy feeding the animals, giving them meds, and lots of TLC.  They obviously loved their jobs!  We spent most the day being entertained by all the animals' antics.  Finally around 5, we went looking for Katoomba and our beds for the night. 

Opera House lit for Chinese NY

Koala & Jane

Kangeroo & Rog

Last AirBnB in NZ

Inside Opera House

Blue Mountains

Wish u were here!

Wish u were here!

Rog and his kangaroo buddy

Last view of NZ

Update #20 Sydney Snippets

-Woke up to the laughing sound of a kookaburra!! Gotta look for a gum tree now!!

-Spotted this poem & dedicate it to Rog's Mom:

I think that I shall never spy

A poem as lovely as a pie.

-Saw a Woolworth with a cafe so had to eat there for nostalgia sake...Rog's mom's egg run lunch stop. It was serving Chinese food and seemed to be for seniors only. We were the young ones! 

-10:30 a.m. Monday 2/8: we heard rowdy cheers & saw a huge crowd pouring out of a bar...walked in to see the Super Bowl on the big screen! A day late here but just as exciting!