VoyForums
[ Show ]
Support VoyForums
[ Shrink ]
VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, [6] ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 06:50:00 07/06/10 Tue
Author: En Pointe
Subject: Okay, Stewart, You Were Right

Okay, so you were right, Stewart. It didn't take long after my philosophical musings to develop an affinity for Sydney and points beyond notwithstanding globalisation and the fast food nation(s). It's funny that you should have mentioned KFC in your last post because they are everywhere, along with McDonald's (even halal versions in areas densely populated with Middle Eastern immigrants), Wendy's, Burger King (or as they are called in Australia, Hungry Jack), and Taco Bell/Taco Bill. Not to mention the slew of 7-Elevens on practically every corner. As in Thailand, these fast food chains are packed at lunchtime and dinnertime, and there is an overload of advertising on the highways and on the telly.

So notwithstanding the industrial nature of Sydney, once venturing to the CBD and to Bondi Beach, Paddington, the lame version of Chinatown, Manly Beach, and Darling Harbour, I've become a bit smitten with Australia, unlike my BFF, who complains about the similarity between Australian and US cities. So there is an interesting vibe in Sydney which is not unlike Bangkok or maybe even NYC or Chicago. There are some cool boutiques in which to shop, interesting weekend markets, loads of restaurants, and lots of cool, interesting and friendly people who are more than willing to share info on the best places to visit/shop and what to avoid. Since I am especially interested in wildlife and conservation, I've been directed to some great places to see animals and to interact with them.

Gold Coast, Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast weren't much warmer, I loved it there too, as the ambience is totally different there. Got to see a lot of farming and cattle ranches further inland, fields of strawberries, pineapple orchards, wild koala and kangaroo, and a stunning view of the ocean. Huzza!

Melbourne has been great thus far. Colder but not any worse than a typical spring day in Michigan. Went to the Dandenong mountains to go birdwatching, tasted cheese and wine in the Yarra Valley, and heading off to Phillip Island for mini penguin watching, along the Great Ocean Road, and then to Wilson's Prom to be on the southernmost point of Australia and the on the closest point to the South Pole. How cool!

I'm already planning a second visit in September or November, after I attend conferences in Japan and Thailand. Need to visit the rest of Australia and to pick up some surfing lessons in warmer weather and to head down to Tasmania.

The sports are great here. I already got into soccer/football years ago while living in Thailand, and having gone to see live footy and rugby matches, this sports nut is sold! I already watch them on ESPN International, but as with all things, much better in person. Picked up some useful slang along the way, and can pretty much use my phony accent to pass as a 'native'. ^_^ Pretty cheeky, eh?

Well, if the rest of you ladies decide to visit Australia in the near future, avoid JetStar, the low budget airline with lame customer service and an apparent inability to electronically send flight itineraries in advance of flights, much less provide a booking confirmation.

Ladies, as soon as I get some of digital photos downloaded, I'll post some pics of some handsome blokes I've finally met here.

Love y'all!
Joanna

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

[> Re: Okay, Stewart, You Were Right -- LauraG, 20:32:40 07/06/10 Tue

I've enjoyed hearing about your trip. Glad you've moved past the obvious and are exploring things in a bit more depth. Remember, we aren't all a bunch of superficial "cougars" either, but enjoy a bit of culture ourselves.
In other words, in between pictures of "hunky, Australian men" you can always include something "cultural" like a recipe.

Just kidding.
LauraG


[ Edit | View ]

[> Re: Okay, Stewart, You Were Right -- Kathleen, 17:31:21 07/07/10 Wed

don't you just love fast food. Huh...idea travel australia for fast yummy food. LOL... Glad you had a great trip. Can't wait to see your photos!






[ Edit | View ]


[ Contact Forum Admin ]

Forum timezone: GMT-8
VF Version: 3.00b, ConfDB:
Before posting please read our privacy policy.
VoyForums(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems.
Copyright © 1998-2019 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved.