Mark and I finally made it to Melbourne by Wednesday afternoon. We were a bit tired from the drive and took a fairly long nap at the hostel. Once awake and refreshed we walked around the town for a bit. It was my hopefully plan all along that we made it to Melbourne by Wednesday so we could try and get tickets to Chicago - and lucky enough we did! Rocked up about 2 hours before the show and got some good seats.
The next day we headed out and made it first to the Old Melbourne Gaol (or Jail for us new age people). I had a great time during the tour where we learned about how the prisoners lived, the number of hangings at the jail, and the most infamous prisoner Ned Kelly. Ned Kelly had home-made armor (looked kind of like the tin man only with steel). He has had more written about him than any one else in Australian history.
After the jail it was off to Brunswick street. One of the cities hipster areas with lots of boutiques, trendy cafes and pubs. Did a bit of shopping, but since it's not either of our favorite activities we did take a leisurely lunch at Little Creatures (Melbourne's New Belgium with really good food).
The next day was more touring. Did the city walk through the botanical gardens and then a tram ride down to St. Kilda brought us to the city's closest beach. Had some real fish and chips - like I'm sure they caught the fish that morning and fried it in front of me. It was delicious. That night a good friend took us to the best Mexican reasturant he has found in Australia and I must say it was the best Mexican food I've had in awhile. Eventhough the margarita's were made with lemons...
The next morning we were off - wanted to get back home with a day to recoup. So the trip that took us five days to drive there only took us 8.5 hours to drive back (granted we did take a different more direct route). But lucky us, on the way home we were able to see the giant koala (they do love making things big down here).
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Holiday to Melbourne Part One
Finally Mark and I were able to take some vacation and see a bit more of Adelaide. It started two weekends ago when we packed up the Getz and started driving toward Melbourne. There are a few routes to get to Melbourne and we chose the longest, which goes along the Great Ocean Road. Built after World War Two to give the returning soldiers a job. It would take a normal person about two days to drive from Adelaide to Melbourne on this route.
Its a good thing we aren't normal, because it took us about 5 days. We stopped to see everything, which included the giant lobster. We did a lot of car camping and cooking on our tiny gas camping stove (although the food was restaurant quality). The first night was in Robe (still in South Australia). The ocean was within walking distance and there were some wombats close by (I got a picture of one running away). In Robe we attempted to take the Getz 4 wheeling, but as it was the first day, decided it would be best not to break the car yet.
The second night we stopped at Port Campbell (now in Victoria and on the Great Ocean Road). The stars were so bright that night, we just laid on our little hill near by and made up all the constellations (as there is no big dipper on this side of the world). The next day was a big tourist day. The road is on the limestone coast which has wonderful rock formations. Well the formations are all named and big lookout points. So we stopped at each to get our pictures and marvel at the views. There is the arch, the london bridge and the 12 apostles are the most common.
This got us down to Otway National Park. We found a site and did a bit of touring in the park. Mainly saw the oldest lighthouse in Australia which warned the ships that they were close to land. Back in the day this would be the first thing people saw when sailing from Europe. Well it rained all day and we couldn't get a fire started. Ate dinner in the car and make it an early night. The nice part was that there were koalas everywhere. One right above our tent, which I named Fred.
The next day we headed north though the national park and stopped by the red sequoya forest. This is the first thing I've seen that reminds me of home and our mountains (so it was nice to visit). We then headed to the rain-forest and walked up top on large bridges along the canopy. Really nice, but for someone scared of heights kind of nerve racking as well. Afterward, we headed toward Melbourne and got to Apollo Bay.
Unfortunately, there wasn't a lot of camping around, so we just backtracked and camped at a place called Blanket bay in the Otway National Park for another night. This time we were in rock throwing distance to the ocean and could hear the waves. Well this night was the rainiest of all and a lit creepy for me. But when we woke up made some breakfast by the beach and headed to Melbourne.
I've posted all the pictures of our camping time - check them out on fliker.
Its a good thing we aren't normal, because it took us about 5 days. We stopped to see everything, which included the giant lobster. We did a lot of car camping and cooking on our tiny gas camping stove (although the food was restaurant quality). The first night was in Robe (still in South Australia). The ocean was within walking distance and there were some wombats close by (I got a picture of one running away). In Robe we attempted to take the Getz 4 wheeling, but as it was the first day, decided it would be best not to break the car yet.
The second night we stopped at Port Campbell (now in Victoria and on the Great Ocean Road). The stars were so bright that night, we just laid on our little hill near by and made up all the constellations (as there is no big dipper on this side of the world). The next day was a big tourist day. The road is on the limestone coast which has wonderful rock formations. Well the formations are all named and big lookout points. So we stopped at each to get our pictures and marvel at the views. There is the arch, the london bridge and the 12 apostles are the most common.
This got us down to Otway National Park. We found a site and did a bit of touring in the park. Mainly saw the oldest lighthouse in Australia which warned the ships that they were close to land. Back in the day this would be the first thing people saw when sailing from Europe. Well it rained all day and we couldn't get a fire started. Ate dinner in the car and make it an early night. The nice part was that there were koalas everywhere. One right above our tent, which I named Fred.
The next day we headed north though the national park and stopped by the red sequoya forest. This is the first thing I've seen that reminds me of home and our mountains (so it was nice to visit). We then headed to the rain-forest and walked up top on large bridges along the canopy. Really nice, but for someone scared of heights kind of nerve racking as well. Afterward, we headed toward Melbourne and got to Apollo Bay.
Unfortunately, there wasn't a lot of camping around, so we just backtracked and camped at a place called Blanket bay in the Otway National Park for another night. This time we were in rock throwing distance to the ocean and could hear the waves. Well this night was the rainiest of all and a lit creepy for me. But when we woke up made some breakfast by the beach and headed to Melbourne.
I've posted all the pictures of our camping time - check them out on fliker.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Labour Day Weekend
Well in September I was a little bummed out that we didn't get to have Labour Day weekend like the rest of the States. But then came October and while most of my family and friends were enjoying a two day weekend, we were able to enjoy a three day weekend.
Friday night started off with drinks at The Office (not the real office but a pub called The Office). Another KPMGer quit so we went out to celebrate. Saturday, while Mark was hard at work, Hillary was busy spending. Luckily, I'm addicted to Salvos (like the Goodwill) so whenever I go shopping it doesn't break the bank. This weekend I got three dresses, one magazine, two necklaces, a hat, a pitcher and a book for about $25.
Saturday night, our co-worker Roger and his wife had us and the international group over for drinks. I have been craving margaritas so I found some tequila and margarita mix and bam (not really close to a margarita). The liquid was very limey (so I added additional tequila) and looked neon green (like the slime in Ghostbusters). Needless to say I'm still craving a good margarita, but not likely to come across one in these parts.
Sunday was ladies day. We all dressed up (I wore one dress from Salvos) and headed to high tea. Drank tea/coffee, ate sandwiches with no crust (well I didn't because they were all meaty), enjoyed little scones with cream and jam, and tiny tarts. The company was great - the service not so much. But all in all a great afternoon. Afterwards Leanne, Sal and I met up with the boys who had just finished drinking beers and eating schnitzel (there comparable high tea experience). We had a few drinks on the patio and enjoyed the additional light from daylight savings.
Monday was the big day...the actual day you feel the greatness of a three day weekend. Mark and I purchased tickets to a music festival about 4 months prior called Parklife. I didn't know most of the groups that were playing but figured a day in the park with music and friendly people who could go wrong? And I was right - it was a great time. I would probably call it a hipster fest, everyone with Bob Dylan sunglasses, tight jeans, crazy shirts (definitely not appropriate for the audit room). The people watching was great - the music was alright - but what really got me was the vodka redbulls that everyone was drinking (Mark and I participated in one when we first got there, but my heart wouldn't let me have any more).
All in all a great Labour Day weekend. It got me very excited for this coming weekend (well tomorrow for me) and our long holiday to Melbourne...
Friday night started off with drinks at The Office (not the real office but a pub called The Office). Another KPMGer quit so we went out to celebrate. Saturday, while Mark was hard at work, Hillary was busy spending. Luckily, I'm addicted to Salvos (like the Goodwill) so whenever I go shopping it doesn't break the bank. This weekend I got three dresses, one magazine, two necklaces, a hat, a pitcher and a book for about $25.
Saturday night, our co-worker Roger and his wife had us and the international group over for drinks. I have been craving margaritas so I found some tequila and margarita mix and bam (not really close to a margarita). The liquid was very limey (so I added additional tequila) and looked neon green (like the slime in Ghostbusters). Needless to say I'm still craving a good margarita, but not likely to come across one in these parts.
Sunday was ladies day. We all dressed up (I wore one dress from Salvos) and headed to high tea. Drank tea/coffee, ate sandwiches with no crust (well I didn't because they were all meaty), enjoyed little scones with cream and jam, and tiny tarts. The company was great - the service not so much. But all in all a great afternoon. Afterwards Leanne, Sal and I met up with the boys who had just finished drinking beers and eating schnitzel (there comparable high tea experience). We had a few drinks on the patio and enjoyed the additional light from daylight savings.
Monday was the big day...the actual day you feel the greatness of a three day weekend. Mark and I purchased tickets to a music festival about 4 months prior called Parklife. I didn't know most of the groups that were playing but figured a day in the park with music and friendly people who could go wrong? And I was right - it was a great time. I would probably call it a hipster fest, everyone with Bob Dylan sunglasses, tight jeans, crazy shirts (definitely not appropriate for the audit room). The people watching was great - the music was alright - but what really got me was the vodka redbulls that everyone was drinking (Mark and I participated in one when we first got there, but my heart wouldn't let me have any more).
All in all a great Labour Day weekend. It got me very excited for this coming weekend (well tomorrow for me) and our long holiday to Melbourne...
Sunday, October 4, 2009
The Fresh Food People
On weekends, there is typically a day that is dedicated to food shopping. Well maybe not an entire day, but a good two to three hours of the day. In Adelaide, one has many options of where to buy the groceries. There is the local butcher, the local baker, the produce people, the Saturday market (which has all these people in one location), or the grocery store (of which there are Coles or Wolworths).
We all know I'm not going to go to the local butcher anytime soon so I tend to stick with the market or grocery stores. The market is great - all the local farmers come down from the hills to sell there ripe luscious fruits and vegetables. To effectively shop at the market one must be assertive, able to cut and dodge through the crowds and have tremendous arm strength to carry all the goodness back home. If you are there at 2:00, when all the sales start to go down, be prepared to block some elbows and watch out for the old ladies with rolling baskets (but for three zucchinis for a dollar or two red peppers for a dollar who can resist).
There are some weekends that I'm not prepared for the market and therefore go to the grocery store (plus we get discounts from work to shop there - and frequent flier miles). Out of the two grocers we have grown fond of Wolworths.
Woolworths - the fresh food people. Every weekend a few commercials are aired on TV detailing the different produce that has come in this week, what is priced well and ready to eat. One weekend we met the manager of our local Wollys, Laurence. A very nice man, he recognised Mark as he knows "all the Yankees that come through the store." He gave us a run down of the store and where to find all the good kangaroo meat (although Mark has yet to try it).
One of my favorite things at Wollys are the trolleys. They go forward, backward, side-ways, diagonally all with just a little touch of the finger. Probably the most friendly push trolleys I've experienced.
My second favorite thing are the prices - if you eat healthy it is cheaper. For example, natural peanut butter is $2.50 while peanut butter made with extra sugar (think Jiffy) is $3.50. The organic veggies and fruits are less than the other produce. From what I have read and heard, Australia is the second most obese country (right behind the US) and the government is actively working towards getting Australians back in shape. Works well for Mark and I.
We all know I'm not going to go to the local butcher anytime soon so I tend to stick with the market or grocery stores. The market is great - all the local farmers come down from the hills to sell there ripe luscious fruits and vegetables. To effectively shop at the market one must be assertive, able to cut and dodge through the crowds and have tremendous arm strength to carry all the goodness back home. If you are there at 2:00, when all the sales start to go down, be prepared to block some elbows and watch out for the old ladies with rolling baskets (but for three zucchinis for a dollar or two red peppers for a dollar who can resist).
There are some weekends that I'm not prepared for the market and therefore go to the grocery store (plus we get discounts from work to shop there - and frequent flier miles). Out of the two grocers we have grown fond of Wolworths.
Woolworths - the fresh food people. Every weekend a few commercials are aired on TV detailing the different produce that has come in this week, what is priced well and ready to eat. One weekend we met the manager of our local Wollys, Laurence. A very nice man, he recognised Mark as he knows "all the Yankees that come through the store." He gave us a run down of the store and where to find all the good kangaroo meat (although Mark has yet to try it). One of my favorite things at Wollys are the trolleys. They go forward, backward, side-ways, diagonally all with just a little touch of the finger. Probably the most friendly push trolleys I've experienced.
My second favorite thing are the prices - if you eat healthy it is cheaper. For example, natural peanut butter is $2.50 while peanut butter made with extra sugar (think Jiffy) is $3.50. The organic veggies and fruits are less than the other produce. From what I have read and heard, Australia is the second most obese country (right behind the US) and the government is actively working towards getting Australians back in shape. Works well for Mark and I.
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