Home delights Down Under

Vik´s version:
And so we made our flight. Only just. And our final few hours in SE Asia were a little less calm than anticipated; a hasty Pad Thai as we motored through the streets of Bangkok in the midday heat and no time for a farewell Chang, just a rapid dash for the airport. And then the problems really started. Our delight at arriving at the check-in desk soon subsided when the exceptionally smiley lady informed us that we did not have the correct visa to travel to Australia. In fact we did not have any visa to travel to Australia. It´s not that Steve and I had overlooked this, it was merely that we had been absolutely certain - based on no real information - that we did not need a visa to be welcomed into Aus. We´re all great mates after all, we share the same queen, surely we could just breeze in? No. Smiley woman started saying things like ´I cant let you travel on the plane´ and the whole day was starting to feel like a bit of a disaster. But thankfully, after a bit too much time left to construct crazy ways of getting to Oz in time to get our flight for Chile, still smiling woman helpfully decided to share with us that, for a phenomonal fee, Qantas could save the day and get us an urgent visa. And we were airbourne.
Of course, on arrival in Sydney, hastily thrown together and massively expensive visa turned out to be incorrect. And after the standardly enormous amount of time spent clearing Australian customs (every possible means of checking that you are not bringing in any creature that might go on to prosper in the beautiful climate is utilised) Steve and I were hauled off by Immigration. But then things started to improve. Hugely.
Emerging bleary-eyed into the morning, this time there was no need to try and fathom any unfamiliar and desperately confusing transport systems, no need to try to avoid the shadier elements of society congregating to pounce on the obvious newcomers, no need to consult the Lonely Planet for some suggested dodgy lodging...instead we had a warm and very welcoming cousin of Steve´s waiting to whisk us to his home!
And then four days of loveliness with Manuel, Beatrice, Daniel & Gabriel Vieites. And Mica the budgie. Our personalised tour ensured that we were able to enjoy all of the classic and iconic sights that Sydney offers, as well as much more beyond. The familiarity of the city was not such a surprise, and it was a real treat to wander through modern busy streets that you almost immediately feel comfortable within. What did prove more of a surprise was the spectacular stretch of coastline that hugs the city and it´s surrounding suburbs. The bright winter sunshine provided a beautiful illumination of the waves as they stretched up high and threw their weight into the shore. And what more perfect way to enjoy the sights and sounds of a chilly morning beside the sea than sitting with your mitts around a perfect cup of over-brewed tea!! But that wasn´t the only gastronomic delight. And for four days we were fed, incessantly, with a host of delicious foods that had been absent from our diet. As well as, for me, a couple of new additions...at Sydney Harbour we were treated to lobster and oysters 'kilpatrick' (turns out if you throw a load of cheese and bacon in with your oyster it changes it from something really quite revolting to something bordering on delicious). And what stay in Australia would be complete without a lighting of the barbeque? It seems that some traditions persist way beyond geographical boundaries; undeterred by the evening rainfall, the blokes huddled round to prod the carefully marinaded meat whilst I got to sit back and enjoy the fruits of their labour.
And during our brief stay, Steve and I were also introduced to some of the other Australian residents. Of course we couldn't have left without meeting the kangaroos, the koalas and a dingo or two. I was not too saddened however to depart without running into any of Oz' equally renowned citizens...thankfully not an arachnid in sight.
And as quickly as we arrived it seemed time to leave. After a trouble-free check-in, Steve and I sat waiting for our flight contemplating why we had made our stop over here so swift. Oh, and how we might cover the necessary 2219 kilometers that stand between Santiago, Chile, and Cusco, Peru, in the three days before my brother arrives to meet us?!

stuff from steve (as i write this there appears to be a riot in the street outside...well at least we are inside!)
Sydney was one of those places you go to where things look really familiar and homely. The Bridge and The Opera House were amazing to see, however i was suprised that the opera house was more yellow than white! Sydney was a clean, well-ordered and easy city to visit, especially when you're lucky enough to have some great family to show you around, and spoil you!! The feel of the city is one of a cross between the US and Europe, and despite it being such a large city it never felt too busy. The fact that there seems to be either a beautiful harbour, beach or park only 10 minutes away from wherever you are really helps! We of course arrived in mid winter, when there was a massive storm off shore so huge waves swept onto the beaches, preventing even a paddle...maybe next time i suppose. But Manolo gave us a brilliant whistle-stop tour of the beaches, including the ever famous Bondi. A day trip to the Blue Mountains was a lovely way to escape the city and try to get some idea about what Australian countryside looks like. We only met one aboriginal...who just happened to have lived in Oxford, off Donnington Bridge Road for a few years, and had more than a striking resemblence to one of the Cowley Rd characters (that those of you at AORT would have appreciated).
Only a few days was nothing like enough time, time just shot by and we were off again.

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