We arrived in Melbourne after driving all day on the Great Ocean Road. Without much energy and noticing everything in our section was starting to close down for the evening, we decided to go to a movie...Hancock. Yay...popcorn for dinner.
The next day, we didn't have much of a plan. We walked around and looked at different buildings in different sections of town. The buildings are really nice, fairly European in style. We tried to get tickets to Wicked and a circus to no avail, and then headed to the dome to watch the rising stars under 18 play Aussie rules football. It was pretty nice out, and we enjoyed watching them play. They don't wear pads, either punch or kick the ball to each other, and tackle each other. It looks like fun. We then got lunch, then walked around the shopping districts.
The following day, we walked to the market. This market had both clothing, both touristy and not (definitely less touristy than Sydney), and food. We enjoyed the market...especially Ed's bratwurst. We also walked around a lot of gardens and around the Melbourne Museum. We figured we had enough museums, so we didn't go in this one. Melbourne seems to be more of a city to live in, rather than visit doing touristy stuff. There aren't a ton of museums, but has lots of nice buildings. We ate dinner at a local brewery where Ed had a couple of pints and kangaroo filet and Jeanette had a chicken and cheese sandwich. It was nice to have good beer for a change, since most of the beer Ed has had so far in Australia is about as good as a Budweiser.
Today, we walked around the Royal Botanical Gardens, which were really nice despite it being winter. It was still really green, just not too many flowers. There is also a drought going on in Australia so there are water restrictions, which means most of the fountains were turned off. We went back to the market for lunch and dessert. We both had baked potatoes and donuts while Ed also had another brat.
We fly out to Alice Springs tomorrow and will be sleeping outside in the desert...we heard it's really cold - below freezing at night. Fun!!!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Great Ocean Road
After our tour to Kangaroo Island, we picked up our rental car the next day to begin our two day journey driving along the Great Ocean Road. Ed drove the first day from Adelaide to Warrnambool and it poured pretty much the entire day. Luckily, this was the day that there wasn't anything to see. Ed pictured this as driving through Kansas, but way worse. We did stop in a cute town at the end, Warrnambool. We did, however, choose to eat the worst restaurant in town...but we guess that's what $10 steaks will get you.
Jeanette drove the second day, and despite a little rain early in the morning, it cleared up for the rest of the day. We drove close to the ocean, saw the many sites to see including the Twelve Apostles, the arches, and some shipwrecks. We stopped in a quaint coastal town and ate some lunch. We arrived in Melbourne by 4:00.
Jeanette drove the second day, and despite a little rain early in the morning, it cleared up for the rest of the day. We drove close to the ocean, saw the many sites to see including the Twelve Apostles, the arches, and some shipwrecks. We stopped in a quaint coastal town and ate some lunch. We arrived in Melbourne by 4:00.
Adelaide and Kangaroo Island
We flew from Sydney to Adelaide, in South Australia, on July 5th. We arrived quite early in the morning as our flight left Sydney at 6 am. Once arriving in the airport, we noticed there was a half hour time change, so it was even earlier than expected. Luckily, once we went to our hotel to have them hold our luggage, they stated our room was ready. We put our stuff away and started exploring the city.
Although not large, Adelaide was quite charming. We went to the Adelaide market, which was probably the best market we've been to. It had tons of fruit, vegetables, meat, cheese, bread, pastries, etc. We then walked to the Royal Botanical Gardens, which are supposed to be the nicest in the country. It was huge. There were lots of eucalyptus trees, flowers, water gardens, desert gardens, etc. Because the market was so good, we walked back across town to eat lunch at the market and to pick up breakfast for the next morning. We walked through the outdoor mall, Rundle Mall, which had very few, if any, souvenir shops that we could find...which was nice. It did have a side street with lots of strip clubs and adult clubs, which Ed really enjoyed (just kidding).
The next morning, we woke up at 5:30 and got ready for our tour to Kangaroo Island, which was 6:15 am to 10:45 pm. We took a bus for two and a half hours to the ferry. No one told us that the ferry was going to be incredibly rocky. People and dogs were getting sick like crazy. The whole boat stunk of puke and there were countless numbers of vomit bags in the garbage when we disembarked. Luckily, we didn't get sick. Once we got off the ferry, we went straight onto another bus for the next half hour. Our first stop was a beach where there were sea lions everywhere. The colony consisted of approximately 600 sea lions. There were lots of pups too and they were very active...running, rolling, and whatnot. We then drove to grab a quick lunch and then saw a "birds of prey" show. There was a barn owl that ate a whole mouse, a spotted owl that ate an even bigger mouse, a wedged tail eagle that ate a huge rabbit leg, and a sea eagle that ate a fish. We drove on the bus for a while more and we saw the Remarkable Rocks. Unfortunately, we don't have time to upload the pictures right now as we are doing everything in internet cafes. We then headed to a lighthouse and an arch and saw a whole bunch of seals. And yes, we saw many kangaroos while driving around, dead and alive. In fact, our bus almost hit one. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, we weren't able to see the koalas, although we saw one get run over the next day. The ferry ride back was a little less rocky, but people still got sick. If we were to go again, or if anyone plans on going there, definitely stay there more than one day. It was too rushed doing everything on the bus in one day, and there was a lot to see.
Although not large, Adelaide was quite charming. We went to the Adelaide market, which was probably the best market we've been to. It had tons of fruit, vegetables, meat, cheese, bread, pastries, etc. We then walked to the Royal Botanical Gardens, which are supposed to be the nicest in the country. It was huge. There were lots of eucalyptus trees, flowers, water gardens, desert gardens, etc. Because the market was so good, we walked back across town to eat lunch at the market and to pick up breakfast for the next morning. We walked through the outdoor mall, Rundle Mall, which had very few, if any, souvenir shops that we could find...which was nice. It did have a side street with lots of strip clubs and adult clubs, which Ed really enjoyed (just kidding).
The next morning, we woke up at 5:30 and got ready for our tour to Kangaroo Island, which was 6:15 am to 10:45 pm. We took a bus for two and a half hours to the ferry. No one told us that the ferry was going to be incredibly rocky. People and dogs were getting sick like crazy. The whole boat stunk of puke and there were countless numbers of vomit bags in the garbage when we disembarked. Luckily, we didn't get sick. Once we got off the ferry, we went straight onto another bus for the next half hour. Our first stop was a beach where there were sea lions everywhere. The colony consisted of approximately 600 sea lions. There were lots of pups too and they were very active...running, rolling, and whatnot. We then drove to grab a quick lunch and then saw a "birds of prey" show. There was a barn owl that ate a whole mouse, a spotted owl that ate an even bigger mouse, a wedged tail eagle that ate a huge rabbit leg, and a sea eagle that ate a fish. We drove on the bus for a while more and we saw the Remarkable Rocks. Unfortunately, we don't have time to upload the pictures right now as we are doing everything in internet cafes. We then headed to a lighthouse and an arch and saw a whole bunch of seals. And yes, we saw many kangaroos while driving around, dead and alive. In fact, our bus almost hit one. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, we weren't able to see the koalas, although we saw one get run over the next day. The ferry ride back was a little less rocky, but people still got sick. If we were to go again, or if anyone plans on going there, definitely stay there more than one day. It was too rushed doing everything on the bus in one day, and there was a lot to see.
Sydney
We had a great time in Sydney. The harbor is great. We walked around a ton as there is so much to see and the weather was nice, except for the last day. We felt like we could have easily spent a full week there, if not more, and still had plenty to do. We walked around the royal botanical gardens, went to two shows at the Sydney Opera House (a magic show and the Mahler I symphony), went to the aquarium, walked around both Sydney and Darling Harbors, and visited the Blue Mountains.
The Blue Mountains are about a two hour train ride from Central Sydney. We took a cable car with a glass bottom over a 1200 foot or so gorge. Then, we took the steepest train ride in the world (or so they said) 53 degrees to the bottom. We then hiked around and saw some waterfalls and rainforests. This is where the Three Sisters were located. We then took a gondola straight up from the bottom to the top of the mountain. Once there, Ed had a buffet consisting of kangaroo stir fry, crocodile and seafood paella, lamb, and steak. He also ate lots of tiramisu and trife (a cake with raspberry in it) for dessert. Jeanette, who is not an adventerous eater in the least, opted for a chicken parmesan wrap.
On our last day in Sydney, it rained. We went to the Australia Museum, where they had a whole floor of rocks and gems and another floor dedicated to dinosaurs and extinct marsupials...Jason's dream. There was also some information on Aborogines, who were treated very badly through the 1970s...the government legally removed kids from the home and put them into foster care or institutions, where they were supposed to forget their culture. They also made them work and took all their money. Luckily, they've tried to reunite families recently and have started treating them with more respect...although New Zealand seemed to respect their Maori culture a lot more.
The Blue Mountains are about a two hour train ride from Central Sydney. We took a cable car with a glass bottom over a 1200 foot or so gorge. Then, we took the steepest train ride in the world (or so they said) 53 degrees to the bottom. We then hiked around and saw some waterfalls and rainforests. This is where the Three Sisters were located. We then took a gondola straight up from the bottom to the top of the mountain. Once there, Ed had a buffet consisting of kangaroo stir fry, crocodile and seafood paella, lamb, and steak. He also ate lots of tiramisu and trife (a cake with raspberry in it) for dessert. Jeanette, who is not an adventerous eater in the least, opted for a chicken parmesan wrap.
On our last day in Sydney, it rained. We went to the Australia Museum, where they had a whole floor of rocks and gems and another floor dedicated to dinosaurs and extinct marsupials...Jason's dream. There was also some information on Aborogines, who were treated very badly through the 1970s...the government legally removed kids from the home and put them into foster care or institutions, where they were supposed to forget their culture. They also made them work and took all their money. Luckily, they've tried to reunite families recently and have started treating them with more respect...although New Zealand seemed to respect their Maori culture a lot more.
Happy Birthday Lolly
Sorry we couldn't be there for your birthday, but we hope you have a great day. Hopefully my Mom will show you this on the 9th. Happy Birthday!!!
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Happy Fourth of July
Happy Fourth of July everyone. We hope that everyone is enjoying their extended weekend. It's actually July 5th over here. We celebrated the fourth by attending a symphony, Mahler I, at the Sydney opera house. It was a great experience.
We left Syndey this morning and landed in Adelaide. Adelaide is nice...not as touristy as Sydney, which is nice for a change. We are headed to a place called Kangaroo Island tomorrow...there are supposed to be lots of animals there so hopefully we will see some kangaroos and koalas.
After that, we are off to Melbourne. We'll write more updates then.
We left Syndey this morning and landed in Adelaide. Adelaide is nice...not as touristy as Sydney, which is nice for a change. We are headed to a place called Kangaroo Island tomorrow...there are supposed to be lots of animals there so hopefully we will see some kangaroos and koalas.
After that, we are off to Melbourne. We'll write more updates then.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Sydney
We made it to Sydney without any trouble. Sydney is a beautiful city and the weather has been great. It's probably in the mid 60s with lots of sunshine and lots of wind...perfect for walking around and exploring. We walked through Victoria Park yesterday, which had lots of parrots in the trees. We also walked over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which was a bit scary for us being that we're both scared of heights, but not too bad. We didn't do the bridge climb because it was super windy and expensive. We ended our day by catching a show at the Sydney Opera House...nothing too exciting. We saw a magic show put on by two guys from the Netherlands. It was okay. We actually figured out one of their tricks. There are five performing arts venues in the opera house, and our show was in one of the smaller ones in the basement. However, we are going to see a symphony on Friday night in one of the main two concert halls...that should be fun.
Today, we walked around Darling Harbour, went to the aquarium, and walked some more. The aquarium was really good with tunnels under the seal and shark areas. Tomorrow, we are headed off to the nearby Blue Mountains to hike around. Friday, we might go to one of the nearby beaches. We leave for Adelaide very early Saturday morning.
Sydney is probably one of our favorite cities on the trip so far. Although it's big, the main area is very accessible and is beautiful.
Today, we walked around Darling Harbour, went to the aquarium, and walked some more. The aquarium was really good with tunnels under the seal and shark areas. Tomorrow, we are headed off to the nearby Blue Mountains to hike around. Friday, we might go to one of the nearby beaches. We leave for Adelaide very early Saturday morning.
Sydney is probably one of our favorite cities on the trip so far. Although it's big, the main area is very accessible and is beautiful.
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