A trip to Australia
Sep 14, 2016, 6:58 pm
#17
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It was yummy. Both the dinner and the breakfast were Indian vegetarian - for the breakfast, we had paratha (the quartered flatbread) with potato-pea curry, served with an egg-shaped bread (for the dual purpose of boosting calorific and cholesterol content, while smothering hunger I presume). And a slice of rye bread.
Sep 15, 2016, 6:10 am
#18
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It was yummy. Both the dinner and the breakfast were Indian vegetarian - for the breakfast, we had paratha (the quartered flatbread) with potato-pea curry, served with an egg-shaped bread (for the dual purpose of boosting calorific and cholesterol content, while smothering hunger I presume). And a slice of rye bread.
Sep 15, 2016, 7:17 am
#19
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Day 4 - The Great Ocean Drive (Part 2)
Waves - on the way to Apollo Bay
Seals at Apollo Bay
This answers one of my questions about what folks do when they spend a week or two along the Great Ocean Road - we did not have time for any of these, though I had half a mind to go have a look at those waterfalls
Official location for the start of the Great Ocean Walk!
Figurines near Apollo Bay Visitors Centre
The Pacific/Indian Ocean at a distance (I originally had the misconception that this is the Pacific Ocean - look at a map. I wonder what the Aussies call this ocean?)
Of the three Koalas we came across, this was the only one up and about ... and eating
In Cape Otway, the scenery reminded me of the drive along the Northern Rim of the Grand Canyon a few years back
That is more like it - a typical koala sleeps about 20 hours a day
Koala #3, also fast asleep
What're you guys staring at? Move on along!! If you want to stare at sheep, go to New Zealand
A languid, bucolic scene in the Australian countryside (Cape Otway)
Getting close to Johanna Beach
Johanna Beach
Loved the waves there ...
... and the milky white foamy water
In the meantime, the moon had made its appearance ...
... when we reached the first of the (not really) Twelve Apostles
After walking down Gibson's Steps, a view from the beach level
That is how far below the beach is at this point
Last edited by an_asker; Sep 23, 2016 at 9:18 am
Sep 15, 2016, 8:55 am
#21
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Sep 15, 2016, 9:57 am
#22
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Day 5 - The Great Ocean Drive (Part 3)
Setting moon - on the road to the Twelve Apostles from Port Campbell
Moonset - Twelve Apostles Car Park
Looking back toward Gibson's Steps
Looking forward toward other Apostles
I liked the contrast between the morning skies and the ocean
The redness in the sky was spreading ...
... and the waves were relentless, maybe aided by the full moon
Meanwhile, the sun was about to make an appearance ...
... and here he comes!
A view of the little roundabout right in front of our hotel, Port Campbell
Sights to see ...
... and how to get there!
The rocks can now be seen more clearly in the sunlight
At the Loch Ard Gorge
Sharp cliffs
Some information and warnings
The gorge from the top
Stalactites at the bottom ...
... and a wide angle view
The gorge at sea level ...
... with footprints in the sand
Tiny humans enjoying the view
More rocks that look as if they've been brought down to California's Pacific Coast Highway from Utah's Bryce Canyon!
A bus that brought tourists for a quick stop
Last edited by an_asker; Sep 23, 2016 at 9:20 am
Sep 15, 2016, 12:29 pm
#23
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Day 5 - The Great Ocean Drive (Part 4)
More waves
We had first thought that this was The Grotto, but it was not
Closer to the sea now
... but this is as close as we got here
Don't have a clue who this was or what they were up to!
London Bridge (no longer)
Waves near the (former) London Bridge
What happened to the London Bridge
Approaching The Grotto
At The Grotto, a nice stout wall (only about a metre tall) was insufficient to stop this dude - I might have joined him for the photo op as well, but did't get permission from DW
Tree appears dead ... until you look toward its top!
Last edited by an_asker; Sep 23, 2016 at 9:21 am
Sep 16, 2016, 8:28 am
#24
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Day 5 - Port Campbell to Melbourne
The main highway through Colac
A fountain - Colac
Memorial Shrine - Colac
Leafless trees in winter - Colac
Australian Burger King - at a service area along the motorway
Anyone here who played Buzz Lightyear's shootout at Disney? No, this is NOT the same thing!!
Ramp metering on the way to Tullamarine (Melbourne airport)
Cockatoo in Woodland Historic Park near Tullamarine
Kangaroos hanging around in Woodland Historic Park
Sentinel kangaroo
Mall scenes near Tullamarine
Bus stop at Southern Cross station, Melbourne downtown/CBD
Southern Cross, Melbourne at night
Last edited by an_asker; Sep 23, 2016 at 9:22 am
Sep 16, 2016, 9:04 am
#25
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Day 6 - Melbourne
View from our room - Urban Central Accommodation, Melbourne
Street view
DVDs available for watching (we didn't have time!)
After we checked out, the luggage room had plenty of space for our luggage (we collected our stuff in the evening when we were ready to go board our train)
Quaint structure on our walkabout in Melbourne (because of rain, we did not get to do much)
Scene at the Southern Cross (previously Spencer Street Station), Melbourne
The Overland Express from Adelaide came in right on time
The engine that brought in the train
Display of train schedule
Display of tram schedule
Last edited by an_asker; Sep 23, 2016 at 9:24 am
Sep 16, 2016, 9:29 am
#26
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Day 7 - Sydney and the Blue Mountains (Part 1)
Melbourne-Sydney XPT (overnight), upon arrival
Artwork on the engine
The rear engine
Side entrance, Sydney Central
Aquatic Centre, Sydney Olympic Park
Three sisters, Katoomba, Blue Mountains
Jamison Valley
Close up of the Three Sisters - do you see the tiny people next to the three sisters?
Because of the clouds, the Sun was playing freeze and thaw (aka hide and seek) with us
A quick reminder that Australia is a Commonwealth that swears allegiance to Her Majesty (and Her Family)
In case you didn't get the previous reference!
There were folks higher up on the gadget ladder than yours truly
A lookout point
Trails are well-maintained and go all the way down to the valley (don't really remember if this one does or not); some need permit (which I have no clue where to obtain from and whether there are a limited number available)
Remember those little people in a previous photo above? Now, we are them! Looking back up from the Three Sisters
Just in case you wanted to run down the steps or take a flying leap, beware ...
Another viewing point - better fenced than what I remember of Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park in California
The vast Jamison Valley
Last edited by an_asker; Sep 23, 2016 at 9:26 am
Sep 16, 2016, 5:49 pm
#28
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Enjoying your trip downunder, looking forward to your next episode.
What do we call the ocean - well the Pacific is on the east coast of Australia and merges into the Tasman Sea which is between the East Coast of Australia and the west coast of New Zealand.
The Indian ocean is on the west coast of Australia between Australia and Africa.
South - well we call it the Southern Ocean.
But the area from Cape Otway to the east is known as Bass Strait - as it is between the South Coast of Victoria and the North Coast of Tasmania
Its all as clear as mud .....
What do we call the ocean - well the Pacific is on the east coast of Australia and merges into the Tasman Sea which is between the East Coast of Australia and the west coast of New Zealand.
The Indian ocean is on the west coast of Australia between Australia and Africa.
South - well we call it the Southern Ocean.
But the area from Cape Otway to the east is known as Bass Strait - as it is between the South Coast of Victoria and the North Coast of Tasmania
Its all as clear as mud .....
Sep 16, 2016, 7:46 pm
#29
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Day 7 - Sydney and the Blue Mountains (Part 2)
Directions to many more trails
Information about Katoomba ...
... and "The World's Steepest Railway" (based on past experience, I have come to realize that it is the Swiss who love liberal use of superlatives, and sure enough, this railway was constructed by them!)
Katoomba Falls ... as seen from the Skyway
Three Sisters ... from a different angle, and with less sunlight
Clouds provide a nice contrast to the valley ... reminded me of a previous trip to Bryce Canyon, Utah
The "Steepest Railway" funicular at Scenic World, reminded me of many such funiculars in Switzerland, including the one we actually rode at Reichenbach Falls (famous for Sherlock Holmes vs. Moriarty)
Scenery in the valley below Scenic World
Coming back up from the valley in the gondola
The Skyway at Scenic World (at the time this photo was taken, the temperature was about 9 degrees Celsius, i.e., 48 or so F, and then there was this stiff breeze ... Brrrr)
The vine is in the walking trail!
Wentworth Falls ... in fading light
A signboard listing everything you could do ... if you have more time :-)
Last edited by an_asker; Sep 23, 2016 at 9:33 am