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Published: November 9th 2006
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Hi Folks
Sorry to hijack Ronnie’s blog but the first few pics in Hong Kong are of just us and so the last from Perth and Singapore (as yet to follow), however we do pick up Ronnie in Sydney where we spent a few days eating, drinking, and doing the usual tourist things. Got to mention the dyslexic taxi driver who fleeced two old jet lagged people when he picked us up from Sydney airport and took us to the hotel. FCUK U. He charged us $65 when according to the nice girl in reception should have been about $20, what’s even worse is that I gave him a tip!
Hong Kong was hot and our first impressions were “why have we come here”, it looks like Ipswich docks on speed. So many people and sky scrapers the air never clears but soon you melt into the city and admire the people and their culture (unlike afore mentioned). They are so polite and friendly after three days we were sad to leave. Mum you would like it here most people seem to be about the same height as you. The hustle and bustle was an experience to soak up and
food was fantastic plus I bought an Ipod nano from the apple shop as it was cheaper that in all the other shops!
The Chinese use bamboo for scaffolding and what’s amazing is that some structures go up as high as 30 stories laced together with bits of plastic string.
The streets of Hong Kong were brighter at night then they were during the day.
These pics are of the Blue Mountains just a 2-hour train ride north of Sydney, its part of a national park all the views have a blue haze which is the trees breathing.
Spot the tourist at Darling Harbour, We picked up Ronnie at the airport that day (by train a lot cheaper) and went back to Darling harbour for an Italian. Fantastic meal we ate so much that even having waited 30 minutes and another drink we still couldn’t eat a whole sweet, so we decided to share one between us. Note the beer glass only a “schooner” I did try to explain to the barman that I prefer a “pint” of warm beer not two thirds of cold gas but he looked at me as if I was girl !
The following day at Sydney Harbour you can tell by the bags that Ronnie and I had completed the Bridge Climb by then (and Ronnie got the Tee shirt). Excellent views from the top of the bridge and over the harbour and Opera house. The only disappointment was that it was physically easy. I had ridden my bike on 60 mile rides, worked out hard and prepared myself as I didn’t want to be the old fart who keeps everyone waiting, but the actual climb was easy, even my mum could have done it when she gets her new hip next week.
Spot the loony!
This is the view from Sydney Sky tower where we had a meal in the rotating restaurant, a tad expensive but well worth it for the views
A picture of some of the older houses in Sydney “Paddington” which was quite a walk across the city, (as Ronnie kept reminding us) the houses were very pretty and walk was interesting as we passed through the famous “Mardi Gras” area of Sydney and got some unusual pics which we can’t put on the web page.
We jumped onto the circular
bus and the next pic is of the famous Bondi beach. Forgot to take my swimwear doh! It was so nice I bought some Rip Curl togs from a shop and went for a swim.
Just a reminder that Christmas is coming as you need it because it seems odd that you are walking round in shorts and a tee shirt and its getting close to Christmas, where’s the snow!
The gang are back together at Adelaide at Lofty Point over looking the city, Met several of these little fellas on the way down a real wild Koala. Not a bear as I was informed by a nice lady later on during the holiday. Came across this water fall during the descent also. (Local knowledge)
Halletts Cove was our next place to visit and the wind picked up today so it was quite nippy . The tourist put sun cream on as instructed by local girl but the local girl didn’t need any ! or so she though.
The tourists flew to Melbourne for a few days and here are some pictures of the lovely place, it rained on our last night/day there and the
noise was quite loud as our motel had a tin roof, not uncommon in Aus. * Found a real pub in that sold beer by the pint! Apparently Irish themed pubs sell real beer in real pints!
The next few pics are of a wonderful day out we had a guests at the “Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron” . What a superb day, what superb people, Ray, Gail, Ian, Anne, it was one of those days when you weren’t sure how it was going to turn out and it turned out to be one of those days that you will want to tell your grand children. The “Hotspur” a 36-foot sailing boat, sailing what seemed like horizontally tacking against the wind and sailing out from Adelaide Harbour to salute the Commodore. Wow! many thanks.
This is Granite Island and Victor harbour. Here we waited until the evening and watched the “fairy Penguins” arrive home from a day at sea. Sorry can’t show you any pictures of the penguins as the light from the camera can damage their eyes. You may have noticed the additional tourist “Tanya” a good friend of Ronnie’s from the paddling club. These photo
show the last known whereabouts of Ronnie’s sunnies.
Wine tasting in the Barossa valley!!!
Jacobs creek and Seppeltsfield are the two Winery tours that we chose to take. Phil another paddling buddy of Ronnie kindly showed us around and showed us some spectacular scenery with his local knowledge.
They say a picture can say a thousand words so what do you think about this last picture of Ronnie over looking the Barossa valley. Before or after the wine tasting?
We popped round Phil’s for a beer and tea and I spotted this little girl on the kitchen door. Phil explained that it was a huntsman, I said I had heard that if you have one of these that you don’t get red backs. No said Phil and went to his outhouse and produced the next little girl! Phil then proceeded to do his “Steve Irwin” impression by putting his hand into a red back web and explaining that you know when you have touched the red back web as the strands are much stronger and taught. He looked at me as if to say try it out No!
That all for now will try to
update before home but time is no friend when there is so much to do. Bye from all of us, see you soon.
P.S. Good luck with the operation Mum.
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