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Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Happy New Year
We've been in Sydney for the new year. We thought it was a novel idea to go to Sydney for New Year, but it turns out that idea was shared by 1.5 million other people that were in town for the show. We also found three other couples from Epic that are here for the new year, so this has become our unofficial Asian office.
We had a great view of the bridge, so we were able to watch the fireworks from our room. We were out a little bit during the evening, but there were so many people that we just decided to stay in the room & out of the crowds. They shoot fireworks from the bridge and 6 other barges that are in the harbor. We though about getting a boat, but ticket prices were $500 per person. Just to get into a restaurant or bar near the festivities, tickets were at least $250 pp.
We've also done a tour of the opera house and a harbor cruise. We were hoping to catch Madame Butterfly on Monday, but this was opening night of the season. The opera only holds about 1,000 people, so tickets are nearly impossible to get. Unlike the states, there are not ticket resellers or folks reselling outside of the event (or at least that we could find). We also found Sydney's oldest pub, so we stopped off for a drink yesterday, and we've managed to do some shopping around town.
We have another two days in the city to explore, so we'll keep you posted.
Steve
We had a great view of the bridge, so we were able to watch the fireworks from our room. We were out a little bit during the evening, but there were so many people that we just decided to stay in the room & out of the crowds. They shoot fireworks from the bridge and 6 other barges that are in the harbor. We though about getting a boat, but ticket prices were $500 per person. Just to get into a restaurant or bar near the festivities, tickets were at least $250 pp.
We've also done a tour of the opera house and a harbor cruise. We were hoping to catch Madame Butterfly on Monday, but this was opening night of the season. The opera only holds about 1,000 people, so tickets are nearly impossible to get. Unlike the states, there are not ticket resellers or folks reselling outside of the event (or at least that we could find). We also found Sydney's oldest pub, so we stopped off for a drink yesterday, and we've managed to do some shopping around town.
We have another two days in the city to explore, so we'll keep you posted.
Steve
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Weekend in Cairns
December 27th
Today we went snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef. We took a two hour boat ride to a small island. The weather was horrible on the way out, with rainy and chopping weather. Our captain told us that ‘statistically’, it gets calmer as we go out, so we forged ahead. I think he just didn’t want to refund us the tour price. I thought of Ahab chasing the white whale as we drove straight into dark clouds. However, it did clear up after a bit, and it was absolutely sunny at the island.
At the reef, we did a semi-submersible submarine ride, and then had a biologist took us on a snorkeling tour of the reef. There were hundreds of big colorful fish that would gather around you as you toured. The reef was incredible with all the different shapes and textures.
That evening, we ate at a great local seafood restaurant. I had east coral trout, which is some of the best fish I’ve ever had. It was called Splash. We also have been experiencing the Australian wine. We tried a Shaw and Smith Sauvignon Blanc our first night and a Red Claw Chardonnay this evening. We always drink good bottles & forget the next day, so this will hopefully help with recollection of our bottle choices.
December 28th
Today was a multi-tour that took us into the rainforest near Cairns. We took a quick hike around rainforests, and did a river cruise in Daintree. Unfortunately, there were no crocodiles. (though lots of ‘log-odiles’ as the guides call them) We then ate at restaurant in the forest, and sampled local fruits. The owner came out to give us a description of the different fruits, how they were harvested, where they are found & what they are called around the world. In the afternoon, we went to a wildlife preserve. We were able to walk around with kangaroos and kolas. Sam felt better to her animal fix since she misses the cats and dogs. There were tons of birds, which we did not care for, and also lots of bats, which were pretty nasty. They were screechy the whole time, and evoked a scene from a bad horror movie. After the habitat, we spend the rest of the afternoon in Port Douglas & then back to the hotel. The weather has been pretty cloudy and rainy. We had not realized, when we booked the trip, but this is Australia’s rainy season.
We ate at a great restaurant that our guide recommended, and had some of the best Italian food we’ve ever had. It was called La Fettuccina. I know that sounds odd that our best Italian food was in Australia, but the place was excellent. We also enjoyed a Stonier Pinot Noir with the meal.
Today we went snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef. We took a two hour boat ride to a small island. The weather was horrible on the way out, with rainy and chopping weather. Our captain told us that ‘statistically’, it gets calmer as we go out, so we forged ahead. I think he just didn’t want to refund us the tour price. I thought of Ahab chasing the white whale as we drove straight into dark clouds. However, it did clear up after a bit, and it was absolutely sunny at the island.
At the reef, we did a semi-submersible submarine ride, and then had a biologist took us on a snorkeling tour of the reef. There were hundreds of big colorful fish that would gather around you as you toured. The reef was incredible with all the different shapes and textures.
That evening, we ate at a great local seafood restaurant. I had east coral trout, which is some of the best fish I’ve ever had. It was called Splash. We also have been experiencing the Australian wine. We tried a Shaw and Smith Sauvignon Blanc our first night and a Red Claw Chardonnay this evening. We always drink good bottles & forget the next day, so this will hopefully help with recollection of our bottle choices.
December 28th
Today was a multi-tour that took us into the rainforest near Cairns. We took a quick hike around rainforests, and did a river cruise in Daintree. Unfortunately, there were no crocodiles. (though lots of ‘log-odiles’ as the guides call them) We then ate at restaurant in the forest, and sampled local fruits. The owner came out to give us a description of the different fruits, how they were harvested, where they are found & what they are called around the world. In the afternoon, we went to a wildlife preserve. We were able to walk around with kangaroos and kolas. Sam felt better to her animal fix since she misses the cats and dogs. There were tons of birds, which we did not care for, and also lots of bats, which were pretty nasty. They were screechy the whole time, and evoked a scene from a bad horror movie. After the habitat, we spend the rest of the afternoon in Port Douglas & then back to the hotel. The weather has been pretty cloudy and rainy. We had not realized, when we booked the trip, but this is Australia’s rainy season.
We ate at a great restaurant that our guide recommended, and had some of the best Italian food we’ve ever had. It was called La Fettuccina. I know that sounds odd that our best Italian food was in Australia, but the place was excellent. We also enjoyed a Stonier Pinot Noir with the meal.
Australia 12.26.08
Last night was the “sounds of silence” dinner tour. We were in the middle of the outback for a dinner with a great view of Uluru. Unfortunately, the weather was not cooperating with our tour. We had lots of cloud coverage, so the sunset was not very good. We also were supposed to dine by starlight, but the clouds also blocked out the stars. We were lucky to avoid the rain, which started right after we got back to the hotel.
We were able to try some interesting foods, including crocodile appetizers and kangaroo. The crocodile was served in a pastry, so you had no clue you were eating it. The kangaroo was very much like beef in texture and taste. Maybe we’ll include it a next year’s cookout. We also had an intro to Australian desserts, which include a date/bread pudding of some sorts. They haven’t quite shook all things British, and crummy desserts seems to be one item that they did not drop.
The guest at the hotel varies in nationality. We have encountered people from France, Germany, Britain, Scotland, Italy, Japan, Sweden, Israel, China, and India. There are also many folks from various countries in South East Asia, but we do not know enough of the languages to place nationalities. There is a good share of Americans, though we are in the minority. Because it’s an Anglo-American country, you tend to forget it is really more part of Asia in terms of people and economy. I would venture that two thirds of the people are from countries in Asia. There are also lots of adorable Asian babies, which keeps Sam smiling.
We were able to try some interesting foods, including crocodile appetizers and kangaroo. The crocodile was served in a pastry, so you had no clue you were eating it. The kangaroo was very much like beef in texture and taste. Maybe we’ll include it a next year’s cookout. We also had an intro to Australian desserts, which include a date/bread pudding of some sorts. They haven’t quite shook all things British, and crummy desserts seems to be one item that they did not drop.
The guest at the hotel varies in nationality. We have encountered people from France, Germany, Britain, Scotland, Italy, Japan, Sweden, Israel, China, and India. There are also many folks from various countries in South East Asia, but we do not know enough of the languages to place nationalities. There is a good share of Americans, though we are in the minority. Because it’s an Anglo-American country, you tend to forget it is really more part of Asia in terms of people and economy. I would venture that two thirds of the people are from countries in Asia. There are also lots of adorable Asian babies, which keeps Sam smiling.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Merry Christmas
December 25, 2008
Merry Christmas from Australia! Since we are ahead a day, we get to celebrate early in the outback. It is about as far from a White Christmas as you get. We were up at four to enter the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and watch the sunrise. It was not the best day for a sunrise, but it was still an inspiring site. We then toured around Uluru. There is a climb to the top of the rock, but we did not do it. The park closes the walk if the weather is too hot or if there is a chance of storms – both of which we had today. It’s probably better this way because the hike isn’t really a trail – it’s a chain that goes up the side of the rock. If you fall, there is no ledge on either side & it’s a straight drop down. It is probably best to keep both feet on the ground.
The temperature is above 100, but don’t worry, it’s a dry heat. Rather than being hot & muggy, you feel like you are inside of a toaster. Hot is hot, so we are spending most of the afternoon indoors. There is only one resort in the area as the land here is desolate. We have a very ‘authenticate’ room – it comes complete with an assortment of outback wild life. We’ve had an assortment of beetles, spiders, flies, mosquitoes, moths, and other unidentifiable bugs visit us. Since there is not much in the way of civilization, the bugs are everywhere. Flies attacked us on our Uluru hick. At first we laughed at the people wearing hats with mosquito nets, but by the end of the hike, we were contemplating how much it would cost to buy it from them. Even if we upgraded the room, we would probably still have the bugs. At least the beds are nice and the air conditioning works, although it leaks all over the second bed. There is a campground next to us, and I cannot imagine how anyone could survive in this heat.
Our flights into Australia were nice, but long. From Monday to Wednesday (skipped a day when we crossed the International Date Line) we flew 1.5 hours from Indy to Minneapolis, 4 hours to San Francisco, lay over for 5 hours, then 15 hours to Sydney, and then 2 hours to Uluru. I did not sleep well on the plane, but Sam was out like a baby. The seats at least had in-flight entertainment, so were able to watch a few movies and I finished my Andrew Jackson biography. Our layover from Sydney to Uluru was only 1.5 hours. I thought for sure we would miss it. The travel agented filled out Sam’s visa incorrectly, so she was stopped at customs. Then our bag was literally the last one off the baggage claim. We ended the layover with a last minute sprint to our gate, where we then sat for another 20 minutes. If nothing else, it was good exercise after a long flight. Once we arrived, we explored the resort and decided to take an afternoon nap. That nap started at 3pm and did not end until 3 am. The jet lag got to us more than we expected, but we are feeling much better today.
Tonight we are doing dinner in the outback via candlelight, and then we will do some star gazing. Tomorrow we will fly to Cairns for some beach time and a tour at the Great Barrier Reef. We are not sure if we’ll have internet there, but we should send another update when we are in Sydney next Monday.
Happy holidays and much love,
Steve & Sam
p.s. We tried some unusual food and drinks today. Ginger cola, chicken flavored chips, and bacon and cheese puffs. No kangaroo yet.
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