So one short 14-hour flight, a few rounds of customs and 6 in-flight movies later, we arrived home, weary but glad we were not detained. You may laugh, but we were very lax with the word "terrorist," having freely used it in Australian airports without a care. They let us keep our shoes on when we go through security! Pretty nice, right?
So our last day in Sydney was hot. Literally. It was about 35C there, which is I think 90/95F. either way, it was hot. and what did I decide to do? walk around in the heat. I was determined to go see the Barracks Museum even though it required walking, and it didn't disappoint. I'm not going to lie, it wasn't amazing, but I did learn some cool facts I can now casually add into a conversation. When my friends and I will be talking about female Irish immigrants or solitary confinement bins I'm not sure of, but it'll happen. One day.
Later Maggie, Jess, and I then headed over to the Royal Botanic Gardens for a cake/chip party. It's exactly what it sounds like. We kept on seeing weird flavored chips in the stores that sparked curiosity and repulsion, so we decided to try the weirdest flavors, such as Chicken, Ham, Bacon and Cheese Balls, Burger Rings, Tasty toobs, and Moroccan Chicken and Lemon. Turns out, they weren't so bad. Except for the bacon and cheese ball Cheetos. they were disgusting. we all determined we should write letters to the company suggesting more appetizing names. And the cake, well, come on. It's cake.
So that's about it for the trip. I am now trying to fight my jet lag by staying up until I can't fight it anymore, but it's not working. I have to keep on moving because if I idle longer than ten minutes I start to drift off to sleep.
I'm going to search for caffeine. Thanks for reading this folks. I hope you enjoyed it. I sure did. No I didn't. Just kidding.
PS. here's a tip: never ever eat Vegemite. But don't tell my family. I'm going to make them try it tonight.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
Two days left...wait, one full day. to, you know, do stuff
Hey kids, how's it going?
Personally, I'm a little sad that my journey is nearly over. I really don't want to leave. This always happens to me. Whenever I know the end of anything is nearing I get so attached. Except for the trip to Pennsylvania last May. If you ever traveled with my father you'd understand. Sorry Pops.
So we're in Sydney now, whiling away the days, no, hours until we take off for good ol' California. We're at the point where it's too exhausting to plan a full itinerary so we're kind of just doing whatever we feel like, such as sleeping in and wandering the streets looking for suitable gifts for our family members. To be honest guys, i have no idea what to get 3 of you. I'm sure no one wants a snow globe, and if you did, i don't know how I'm related to you. I'll make it happen. I have no choice.
So, Sunday we arrived at 8 in the morning. We had to get up at 4 in order to get to the airport, which was excruciating, especially because I passed a lot of people coming home as we were going out. Plus it was Halloween, and even though they don't celebrate as hard as we do in the States, no one's going to pass up a chance to drink in costume.
The night before we met up with Nicole, our Cairns friend who was also in Auckland and we randomly ran into on the street earlier. We went to dinner, then headed over to the sky tower casino to watch the All Blacks Rugby game. Don't get confused, i haven't taken up a sudden interest in a sport that I know nothing about, but the thing about the game I most wanted to see was the war chant that the all-blacks do pre-game to intimidate their challengers. it's a Maori war chant, and apparently it's quite funny when the team does it. A lot of teddy bears sporting the uniform had a recorder with the chant and when you squeezed it, it started yelling at you, and that was frightening enough. I don't want stuffed animals challenging me.
Sadly, we missed the chant, but we did play a slot machine. I won a solid 80 cents but lost it when i put it all in. I could have been rich.
So anyways, we arrived to Sydney in beautiful weather. Finally. When we were able to check in, the girls took a nap and I attempted,but it was useless. I'm not a good sleeper to begin with. I got up and walked to the Hyde park barracks, which were closed, but hopefully I'll get them in tomorrow. I did walk to St. Mary's Cathedral. it's a beautiful place. Sure, it's no Italian Cathedral, but it's not bad for Australia. It's huge inside. I guess you can consider that going to church, right? Ma? Am I right Ma?
Today I wandered over to Circular Quay, which is right in between the Rocks, the oldest part of Sydney where all the convicts first landed, and the Opera House. On this trip I was determined to see something in the Opera House, so I got a ticket for The God of Carnage. It's a comedy. Really. After the ticket buying and tourist dodging, I headed to the Rocks and crossed the Harbour Bridge. Ok, I went halfway, but it was hot and it takes an hour there and back, so I snapped some pictures and returned to go souvenir shopping. It's a cute area, with all it's cafes and old buildings. I returned later that night to see the play, which was excellent. Jessica went on the bridge climb at dusk and had fun. Maggie had to endure talking with one of our roommates while we were out. it was all good. Maybe not for Mags.
I must say, Sydney is beautiful at night. lights always make the dark better. they bounce off the water, making it sparkle and illuminate the skies. it's just...so nice. And peaceful. Sydney is a really nice city to walk around in at night. You feel safe. I still hold this it's the city I'd want to live in in Australia. Hands down.
So, that's about it for us. I just need to make a stop at the barracks to nerd out on convict history tomorrow, buy some gifts and Tim-tams , have a picnic in the botanic gardens with the girls, then we're done. Sad.
and I'll leave you with a cool fact: in 1967, the prime minister Harold Holt went down to a beach in Victoria with some friends. he went for a swim, and was never seen again. They lost their prime minister. They searched the water. Nothing. interesting, no?
Just thought you'd enjoy that. I know I did.
And now I'm off to escape some really, really bad karaoke.
Personally, I'm a little sad that my journey is nearly over. I really don't want to leave. This always happens to me. Whenever I know the end of anything is nearing I get so attached. Except for the trip to Pennsylvania last May. If you ever traveled with my father you'd understand. Sorry Pops.
So we're in Sydney now, whiling away the days, no, hours until we take off for good ol' California. We're at the point where it's too exhausting to plan a full itinerary so we're kind of just doing whatever we feel like, such as sleeping in and wandering the streets looking for suitable gifts for our family members. To be honest guys, i have no idea what to get 3 of you. I'm sure no one wants a snow globe, and if you did, i don't know how I'm related to you. I'll make it happen. I have no choice.
So, Sunday we arrived at 8 in the morning. We had to get up at 4 in order to get to the airport, which was excruciating, especially because I passed a lot of people coming home as we were going out. Plus it was Halloween, and even though they don't celebrate as hard as we do in the States, no one's going to pass up a chance to drink in costume.
The night before we met up with Nicole, our Cairns friend who was also in Auckland and we randomly ran into on the street earlier. We went to dinner, then headed over to the sky tower casino to watch the All Blacks Rugby game. Don't get confused, i haven't taken up a sudden interest in a sport that I know nothing about, but the thing about the game I most wanted to see was the war chant that the all-blacks do pre-game to intimidate their challengers. it's a Maori war chant, and apparently it's quite funny when the team does it. A lot of teddy bears sporting the uniform had a recorder with the chant and when you squeezed it, it started yelling at you, and that was frightening enough. I don't want stuffed animals challenging me.
Sadly, we missed the chant, but we did play a slot machine. I won a solid 80 cents but lost it when i put it all in. I could have been rich.
So anyways, we arrived to Sydney in beautiful weather. Finally. When we were able to check in, the girls took a nap and I attempted,but it was useless. I'm not a good sleeper to begin with. I got up and walked to the Hyde park barracks, which were closed, but hopefully I'll get them in tomorrow. I did walk to St. Mary's Cathedral. it's a beautiful place. Sure, it's no Italian Cathedral, but it's not bad for Australia. It's huge inside. I guess you can consider that going to church, right? Ma? Am I right Ma?
Today I wandered over to Circular Quay, which is right in between the Rocks, the oldest part of Sydney where all the convicts first landed, and the Opera House. On this trip I was determined to see something in the Opera House, so I got a ticket for The God of Carnage. It's a comedy. Really. After the ticket buying and tourist dodging, I headed to the Rocks and crossed the Harbour Bridge. Ok, I went halfway, but it was hot and it takes an hour there and back, so I snapped some pictures and returned to go souvenir shopping. It's a cute area, with all it's cafes and old buildings. I returned later that night to see the play, which was excellent. Jessica went on the bridge climb at dusk and had fun. Maggie had to endure talking with one of our roommates while we were out. it was all good. Maybe not for Mags.
I must say, Sydney is beautiful at night. lights always make the dark better. they bounce off the water, making it sparkle and illuminate the skies. it's just...so nice. And peaceful. Sydney is a really nice city to walk around in at night. You feel safe. I still hold this it's the city I'd want to live in in Australia. Hands down.
So, that's about it for us. I just need to make a stop at the barracks to nerd out on convict history tomorrow, buy some gifts and Tim-tams , have a picnic in the botanic gardens with the girls, then we're done. Sad.
and I'll leave you with a cool fact: in 1967, the prime minister Harold Holt went down to a beach in Victoria with some friends. he went for a swim, and was never seen again. They lost their prime minister. They searched the water. Nothing. interesting, no?
Just thought you'd enjoy that. I know I did.
And now I'm off to escape some really, really bad karaoke.
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