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 James Boag Beer, MY favorite
brand in Oz by pchamlis
FOSTER'S....Australian for beer.
Nothing could be further from the truth, actually. I don't believe I met a single Aussie who said Foster's was his or her favorite beer. In fact, I don't remember seeing Foster's on tap anywhere.
Over my short time in Australia, I developed a liking for two particular beers. One was recommended to me by k.knight, a man I inadvertently insulted by publicly offering him a birthday Foster's on VT. Kev's favorite beer is XXXX Gold. A bold brew with a nice little kick, I'd consider it one of the better beers I sampled in Australia. In fact, it would be my favorite if not for.....
James Boag, a Tasmanian brew. Much like Coors in the USA, Boag is especially proud of their water source, clear and cold in Tasmania for well over one hundred years. The brew was smooth and yet solid. It was one of those brews that did a very nice job of taking the edge off anything.
When I was in the Alice Springs airport, our flight to Sydney was delayed an hour. I went to the spirits counter, plunked down my A$6 and got myself a big cold bottle of Boag. At the risk of sounding like a tourist going Aussie, "no worries, mate".
So, enjoy your beer drinking experiences Down Under. And, don't come expecting to see Fosters as the ubiquitous national drink. From where I sat, dedicated Fosters drinkers were as rare as wild kangaroos in a mid-city park.
OK, I admit it....... on my last night in Oz, we ate at a private supper club called the Moreton Bay Boat Club/Harborside Cafe. I went up to the bar and the bartender says "what's for, Yank" and smiled.
I said gimme a 4X gold, love. (The bartender was a lady, don't get any silly ideas)
I felt so like a local. But then, she said something about me having a lovely accent. Accent? What accent?
Oh well, my beer's ready. No worries. Leave a Comment
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 Crocs?? No way, mate.
Pumpkin rules in Oz. by pchamlis
We soon learned that it was different in Australia. Our first night in Sydney, we noticed aussiedoug's lovely wife Kerry ordering pumpkin soup at Caffe 2000. Gee, that sounds exotic, we thought. The next day, while walking around Sydney, we noticed pumpkin soup on the menu of at least half the restaurants we saw... maybe more.
On Sunday, when we had our wonderful barbecue at aussiedoug's house, one of the huge variety of tasty vegetable dishes Kerry prepared was mashed pumpkin. Wonderful, but rare for Americans. I'm 49 years old, and I bet we haven't had mashed pumpkin as a veggie in our house EVER to my knowledge. We maybe should, because it's very very good.
When we got to Adelaide, the first restaurant we visited had "soup of the day" on their menu board. Yep, you guessed it.... pumpkin soup.
Well, from that point on, it became a source of wonder for us, the sheer number of opportunities to eat pumpkin that we encountered.
Now, no complaints at all, we LIKE it. We tried a couple of different soup recipes, and both were scrumptious. And like I say, Kerry's simple mashed pumpkin accompaniment was terrific.
My comment to Americans, and to others too I guess, is this...... you don't have to be near Halloween to see a lot of pumpkin in Australia. : )
The knowing look on my wife's face in Adelaide when the guy at the Arab Steed Hotel said that the soup of the day was.... pumpkin. Leave a Comment
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 NASA (Galileo) photo of
Australia and Antarctica by tiabunna, 2 more photos
During its drift north, Australia also became drier. Where once there were lush forests throughout, deserts developed and rainforests retreated to a few places in the east. Gumtrees (eucalypts) began to predominate as fires became more frequent.
Between 60,000 and 45,000 years ago, the first human inhabitants arrived from the north. They mainly walked in across the land bridges (but somehow also managed the short ocean crossings). Later the icecaps retreated and the oceans rose again, cutting off Australia and leaving it unknown to the rest of the world. Four hundred years ago, in February 1606, the tiny Dutch ship Duyfken made the first recorded European landfall on the west coast of Cape York, at the northeast of the continent. Those and subsequent early Dutch explorers saw nothing to justify the long and hazardous voyage, as most of the coasts they visited were desolate.
Main photo:NASA (Galileo) photo of Australia and Antarctica
Second photo:Aboriginal stockman
Third photo: Replica of the ‘Duyfken’, first ship to Australia.
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 Stick these kookaburras on
your postcard ! by pchamlis
::: I asked a guy wearing a Royal Australian Post uniform, pulling a mail cart, how much the postage would be and he said HE DIDN'T KNOW.
I began to believe that it was a state secret. I also begin to consider the fact that since NOBODY seemed to know the correct amount of postage for an international delivery postcard, perhaps it was like PRICELINE.... name you own price for postage.
But finally.... in Adelaide, I went RIGHT to the actual post office. Two very sweet ladies told me that the correct postage for an international postcard heading out from Oz was/is A$1.10 per card. And, she informed me that they sold cute little books of 5 international postage stamps for my convenience.
So, those of you who asked me to send you a postcard from Australia can thank those two ladies in the Adelaide branch post office over on Hutt street for your cards being delivered. : )
I have to admit that I found it humorous when the mailman didn't know the correct international postcard rate. Then again, like he said..... "I only deliver the mail, mate".
And like every other Aussie, he said it with a smile. ; ) Leave a Comment
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 She LIKES it !! (Please
excuse the face cream...) by pchamlis
As for how it looks, I'd describe it as resembling an oily lubricant. I suppose it would work well if you're having trouble loosening a bolt from an engine block. It could also serve as a "personal lubricant" (one of the all time great euphemisms), but I'd think the high yeast content could lead to trouble. :^/ Oh, I suppose it's best possible use is as a food...
They say it's an acquired taste, and for me, I just don't "acquire" it. I'd describe is as being like a yeasty and concentrated bouillion. But for millions of Aussies, it's something they've eaten and loved all of their lives. We all know about the famous "vegemite sandwich" that was sung about in the Men At Work hit "Down Under".
We came across Vegemite several times, usually around the breakfast table. Sure, we gave it a try. For me and Bonnie, once was enough. I'm not saying that I'd never eat it again, I'm just saying that the cupboard would have to be completely empty of all other food items. : )
My daughter was another story. She loves the stuff. She'd eat it on her toast, and then get an extra dollop from the tube, just for effect. Perhaps she was trying to horrify her parents, and she succeeded.
But, when you visit Oz, you should give it a try. My daughter, who IS one in a million, loved it. Maybe you are too. : )
Going in, I knew WHAT vegemite was. I kind of figured I wouldn't like it. I also could take it to the bank that my wife wouldn't care for it, either. But, something told me that my "eat anything" daughter WOULD like it.
Two reasons...
(1) She will literally eat anything. I can't tell you the horrible crap she'll eat when she stays with my parents.....all that "elderly persons" food that we Baby Boomers reject en masse.
(2) It's Australian....and Sara loves all things Aussie. Leave a Comment
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 $10 Australian bank note by pchamlis
The paper money comes in A$5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 bills. $1 and $2 units are only available as coins. BE CAREFUL.... the $2 coin is quite small, and looks a little bit like the American dime...but it's clearly more valuable.
Subdivision of the dollar produces coins of the following values...
1 cent (1/100th), 5 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents. The biggest difference in coin denominations between Oz and the US and Canada is that they have the 20 cent piece rather than the quarter dollar.
My fondest money memory in Australia would be learning that in my fistful of coins were quite a few of those little A$2 coins. They add up. : ) It may only look like you've got 7 or 8 "dimes", but in reality, it was more like A$16... A very pleasant surprise. : ) Leave a Comment
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 International student
ID...your ticket to savings by pchamlis
Silly me, I'd heard of no such animal as an international student ID. They're never requested or needed here in America. But, looking to save several hundred dollars from my 16 year-old daughter's fare, I did my research.
BTW, by student, we can be talking about almost ANY age.....primary school through university years.
I found a website that offered details, as well as the opportunity to purchase said card. It is www.statravel.com
If you buy online, you'll have to supply documentation and a photograph in very specific formats. I chose to buy at a local location, which for me turned out to be a local university travel agent. The cost was approximately US$30.
In addition to being the ticket to get all sorts of travel and tour discounts due "students", the card purchase also suppies the user with all sorts in insurance benefits, including emergency evacuation, accidental medical expense, passport replacement and baggage delay reimbursement. All in all, a good deal. To get these benefits, REGISTER your card (after you get it) at www.isicus.com
So, if you're traveling to Australia with a student, I'd get one of these. It's worth its cost alone THE first time you use it for a ride on an interstate train. And, you'll never get insurance or hospitalization, if you need it, for a cheaper price. I realize that citizens of other countries may have national health reciprocal agreements with Australia, but such an item does not exist for US citizens. And my home health insurance doesn't cover me in most foreign lands. Always something to think about. :^/
I was very happy realizing that my daughter's US$30 student ID card saved me well over US$600 on tour and train fares. Leave a Comment
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 Kerry-Edwards?? Must not be a
Republican. : ) by pchamlis
I had numerous political discussions, both specific and in general. The discourse was always civil, and I learned a great deal about Australia's government, their special and continued relationship with the UK and the Crown, and their political leaders. And, they seemed to enjoy hearing my thoughts and comments on the system(s) in place in America.
The key is to respect each other's opinions, and to be civil. Don't critique or criticize....just teach and learn from each other. Civics was NEVER this much fun in school.
I had several interesting and spirited political discussions in Australia. One of the best was over dinner after our camel safari trip in Alice Springs. Our dinner companions were a couple from Brisbane. The fellow was a retired forensic policeman, and he was a staunch Republican. FWIW, in Australia, a Republican is one who wants to minimize or eliminate all official ties to Great Britain and the monarchy.
Anyway, we really enjoyed talking with "Officer Mike" and his kind wife. Leave a Comment
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 The highly addictive Cherry
Ripe candy bar. : ) by pchamlis
A delightful mix of dark chocolate, coconut and cherry, the Cherry Ripe is a big and satisfying snack.
OK, it's silly to make a candy bar a general tip I suppose. But, let's put it this way. Had Kev not given ME the news about Cherry Ripes, then I feel that I would have missed something very special. : )
Check out the Cherry Ripe bars. And, if you value your waistline, don't bring more than a few dozen back home. : )
My Cherry Ripe fond memory occurred just today. I looked into my pantry, seeking an after-lunch snack. Much to my delight, we had ONE Cherry Ripe bar left from our Australian holiday.
Boy, it turned the afternoon into a G'day...mates. Leave a Comment
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 The Three Sisters, The Blue
Mountains by Paul2001
The region is full of lovely valleys with waterfalls, steep cliffs, rocky crags and supposedly very good hiking trails. Once I returned to Canada, I made one of my missions in life is to return to the Blue Mountains and to do it right. Leave a Comment
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