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Published: March 18th 2007
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Koala bears, Healesville
You can't visit Australia without a few photos of these guys. Manly Beach/ Melbourne/ Sydney/ Honolulu: Final days (Feb. 5-23)
During my final days I tried to forget about the expense of Austrlia and not fret that I would soon be ending this journey. More noteworthy, though, were the days spent throughout different parts of Victoria and New South Wales, getting a different perspective from the drive and heat of Queensland. Australia had proved to be an easy place to easily enjoy as it seems very familiar to the California eye: beautiful coastline, wine country, neatly dressed yuppies and health minded park joggers.
After barely making it back to Sydney after a frat-party type of road trip from Cairns, I was ready to let my liver rest up a bit and try to get back in an ounce of shape. The days following mainly involved jogs through the Domain and Botanical Gardens, heaps of good Thai food and some much needed rest. I did head out to Manly Beach for a day to stroll along the boardwalk there and catch a wave or two of my own to claim I have surfed the Australian coast. Manly is a really cool little beach community and the ferry trip out there is
Yarra Valley, Victoria- Wine Country
Perhaps I can be a bit sophisticated; I saw Sideways. scenic and worth the time. I have to admit as well at this time to my addiction to Starbuck’s while overseas; every day I had made the 20 minute walk to Oxford St. for my fix as I couldn’t adjust to the Aussie ‘long black’. Maybe next time; it was on to Melbourne for another new city.
Strolling through the CBD (central business district) of Melbourne was my final long walk with heavy bags on my back but a cool walk to the hotel downtown, right near the Flinders St. Station. The first night, we went out in St. Kilda, while the next day found the Beastie Boys along with a host of bands playing (but I figured I was too old for that scene) near the Botanical Gardens- but we decided on a stroll through town on this pleasant day. Melbourne has an air of Boston to it (it's considered a sister city): smartly dressed young people, rowers on the river, a sharp skyline with a bustling but limited downtown- a refreshing contrast to the energy of Sydney. That night, we took in an outdoor movie- and a hilarious Australian film at that: Kenny. It's the story of
King of surf
Bells Beach, Australia- the surfing capital of Australia and home to the biggest waves outside of Mavericks (see end of Point Break). the guy who rents port-a-potties and is filled with bathroom humor Australians love and even us Americans couldn't help but cry in the humor. With a good night's rest, we hit the St. Kilda festival the next day, filled with live music, food vendors and a lot of people milling around and drinking at the line of cafes around so it was a lot of fun to plop down with a few bottles of wine for a few hours and meet up with an acquaintance of Beth's in another part of town for more drinks and Vietnamese food.. a great ending to a fun day.
It was on the road after that so we rented a car and hit the road for Yarra Valley, the wine country outside of Melbourne- and the town of Healesville, a quaint town very similar to the little towns that dot Sonoma north of SF. The wine country there is magnificent- rolling green hills, small vineyards and friendly people all around. We got special treatment because it was the middle of the week so got all the relevant information from our hosts and spent a great afternoon hitting a few of them, complete with
Jamming the didgeridoo, St Kilda festival
These guys jammed on the instrument of indigineous population at the popular St Kila's festival in Melbourne. free tasting- and a selection of up to 15 wines! The next day, we hit the Healesville Sanctuary to get our first sighting of kangaroo, emus, koala and rare Australian birds. From there it was down to Great Ocean Road, down the southern coast of Victoria to see the ocean jutting up against hills and mountains- which again reminded of me of my own home in California. The ride went through Bells Beach, where the worldwide surfing championships are held, and a number of small beach towns. On our final night in Melbourne, we saw a musical about the life of Cat Stevens- and it was awesome! I have always enjoyed his music but was even more impressed to learn about his life from a very talented singer-songwriter, who performed in this small theater complete with full ensemble.
My final days were spent in Sydney again in Darlinghurst. I had done most of the typical sightseeing already so spent more time cruising along the beach or around the neighborhood. Bondi Beach was in full swing, with heaps of surfers out and a bunch of people walking to Coogee Beach. To celebrate my 35th, Amy had bought us tickets for
Cruising through Melbourne
The little alleys were filled with cool cafes and restaurants.. Snow Patrol and the concert was a ton of fun- and led to another late night crawling through Darlinghurst and King's Cross. The following night, the Queen Elizabeth II was docked in the harbor; it is an incredibly massive ship that resembles a moving island and the Australians paid tribute with a colorful fireworks show. My final night a few of us went out for tapas and a few beers, a fun night in which I reflected back on the year.
So finally on Feb. 22, I packed up one final time, gave away some things I wouldn't need any more and headed to the airport. The dream had come to an end as I got on the flight to Hawaii, where I landed some 10 hours later and was finally able to queue in the line for 'Foreign Nationals'- where I had always previously joined the line for foreigners. My day in Hawaii was a bit melodramatic, having spent the last few months on island beaches, but nonetheless still worth the time. I had finally got through the time of living the adventure and was looking forward to being home: unpacking, eat homecooked meals and having my couch
Last night out
My final beers on the road with Amy and Beth. back. My first steps in Oakland airport were done with confident strides and a big smile as I had finally arrived home.
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Diapers?
I have to ask - why the diapers in the last photo (arriving in Oakland)? Some crazy backpacker's virus? Welcome back, man!!!