5/23/2012 Great Barrier Reef, PS

The main photo of us, purchased from the dive crew, wasn't on the CD they gave me.  But I notified them via email and the missing photo has been found.  Here it is. As you can tell, I'm really having fun.

5/20/2012: Sydney

 

 

 

 

 

Now in Sydney. There has been no blog the past couple of day because of no internet service.  I wasn’t willing to pay for it in the hotel because we weren’t there very long.  Brenda, Brett and Marlo walked over the Harbor Bridge.  David, Chase and I didn’t go because we’re afraid of heights and/or falling.

Sydney is a wonderful city in, it seems, all respects. It’s great for residents and great for visitors. The transportation system is awesome: busses, subway, monorail and ferries. 26,000 residents commute daily by ferry. There are many museums; I went to the Australian Museum of Contemporary Art three times in two days. The restaurant scene is also great.  Brenda and I went to Malady, recommended by the magazine on the airplane.  Really great Malaysian food.  We arrived early without reservations.  We were fortunate to get in; by the time we left the place was packed with young, well-healed locals.

Sydney seems large. Brenda saw it from two perspectives. First from the top of the bridge and on Friday we rode several ferries to different parts of the city.  So how does it compare, population wise, with the rest of the world. Surprisingly, only number 73.

Of the 23 largest cities, those with populations over ten million, only 8 - Mexico City (#3), New York (#4), Sao Paulo (#7), Los Angeles (#12), Moscow (#14), Buenos Aires (#17), London (#18) and Rio de Janerio (#22) – are in the western hemisphere.

5/15/2012: Great Barrier Reef Part IV

Ok we were in the water yesterday.  And today we see this sign.  Shit, where was the sign yesterday? By the way, there are very few, if any, sharks near the reefs.

Nobody has asked what body of water the reefs are in. Answer: the Coral Sea.  For interesting information check-out “seas” vs “oceans” on Wikipedia. you’ll learn,for instance, the the Pacific Ocean has 35 seas.

After the excitement of the past two days we are relaxing.  Brenda and I were reading our Kindle’s fairly early and David went for a run but most appeared to sleep-in.  About 11:30 we walked 5 km to town for lunch.  Most of the walk was along the beach which was almost deserted.  Very nice to have it to ourselves. This afternoon we’ll do more reading and swimming, assuming the others leave the Irish pub at a decent hour.

5/14/2012: Great Barrier Reef Part III

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today went to the Outer Reef of the Great Barrier Reef on Quicksilver.  Everyone thought it was great except for me.  I expected something more specular; I at least expected the reef to be to be of vibrant colors. It was not. Some of the fish were colorful but not the reef. And once again I confirmed that I don’t particularly like SCUBA diving.  Being under water is like being in the air; it was not meant for mankind. 

Below is my apparently extended family.  Who are the females in the front row?  Sometimes my grandsons never tell me.

5/13/2012: Great Barrier Reef Part II

Today we go to the rain forest.  The out and up trip is via cable-car.  Neither David nor I like this. Can I open my eyes yet?  The worst part was when the damn car stopped and we were hanging there, blowing in the wind.  Why does mankind invent something like this?  If we were meant to be up in the air, we’d have wings.

We got off at the first possible moment, if only for a break.  Our timing was nice; we got to attend a 20 minute guided walk by a naturalist. Click on this sentence for a definition of, and more information about, rainforests.

In the village at the top we had lunch and then everyone but me went to the koala reserve, I sat on a bench and finished reading Empire: Summer Moon (highly recommended) on my Kindle.  The return trip via rail was much more enjoyable.

5/12/2012: Great Barrier Reef Part 1

We left Melbourne today – a 6:00 a.m. flight no less – flying to Cairns, from where a limo took us to Port Douglas.  The flight, approximately 1,800 km, is approximately the same as from Houston, Texas to Providence, RI.

We’re at a pretty posh resort, largest swimming pool I’ve ever seen, although 5 km from town.  After the travel, lunch and a grocery shopping spree in town, we relax at the pool.  We’re here for three days, but only one is planned for the reef.  Tomorrow, the rain forest.

5/11/2012: Melbourne, Part VI

Today we’re headed to Carlton and Parkville on the north end of downtown.  The main attractions are two museums, the University of Melbourne and Little Italy.

The Royal Exhibition Building is a UNESCO World Heritage Site originally constructed for the Centennial International Exhibition of 1888 and the opening of the Federal Parliament in 1901.

Next to the exhibition building is Melbourne Museum, a museum of science and natural history.  We went of a guided tour of this facility but they did not show the most interesting (to me) exhibit – it was hidden behind escalators in the basement – Australia’s first computer, CSIRAC.  In fact this is only first generation computer left on the planet and the fourth stored program electronic computer in the world.  I think I got into computers at the beginning (1963) but the CSIRAC’s life was 1949 (when I was 8 years old) to 1964.

The memory technology was delay lines. A 2010 laptop has 3 to 4 millions the speed of this antique computer and 100 million times the memory. 

We took restaurant recommendations from our guide book:

• Coffee at Brunetti Café (“Melburians come from every corner of the city to sample it peerless pastries.”)
• Lunch at Donnini’s – one of the best Italian meals in a long time.

5/10/2012: Melbourne, Part V

What did we do today? Not much.  I’m tired. Vacationing is tough work. I needed a rest.  So Brenda and I went out to breakfast and grocery shopping (It’s great to find the liquor stores open at 8:00 am.) then I spent the morning reading/napping while she did some laundry.

With grandson Brett, we went to Marlo’s office for a tour and lunch.

Then took a tram to Chase’s school; waited for him to get our and then rode the tram and train back home with the two grandsons. That was enough work for today.

5/09/2012: Melbourne, Part IV

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today we travel via ferry to Williamstown.  So far we’ve not been lost when using the transit system.  It’s impressive and complex with trains, trams and busses.  One card is good for all.  As you travel, the cost is deducted from your card to a max of $7.00 per day.  Each time you use your card, the machine displays the card balance.  You can top up your card at a transit station – or at 7-11.  Today, however, we walked a long time searching for the ferry.  To me, the best part of the day was the scenery as you go down the Yarra river. 

The most interesting bridges, architecturally, are all pedestrian bridges, as shown above.  The city has a lot of public art as seen below (also on a bridge).

Williamstown was founded in 1835 because of the deep harbor at Point Gellibrand.  However, 1887 Melbourne finished work on Coode Canal, looping the Yarra to the heart of Melbourne bypassing Williamstown.  Williamstown, now a sleepy village, is billed as a quaint port town; I found it pretty boring.

Melbourne shares Australia’s prosperity as seen by these condos on the river.

On the ferry we approach another pedestrian bridge.

5/08/2012: Melbourne, Part III

Today we went on a tour of Victoria’s parliament, both the assembly (top photo) and the council (second photo on left).  The assembly has 88 members and the council 40 but their chambers are equal sizes.

Our tour guide was a member of the council’s administrative staff and was much more informed and informative than your standard guide.

As the first tour group of the day, there were only 6 of us and we were allowed to stay and have coffee in the parliament restaurant.  See my partially eaten muffin on the parliament china.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also visited St Peter’s and St Paul’s cathedrals but found them not of the quality of many European cathedrals.  The following photo was taken in a garden near St Peter’s. It represents suffrage scrolls.

Prior to Chase’s school soccer game, we had time to visit one gallery (Indigenous Art) in the National Gallery.

5/07/2012: Melbourne, Part II

Today we walked. And walked. And walked. Our guide book, Melbourne Step by Step, named this walk The Collins Street Walk and focused on architecture.

Like Montreal, Melbourne is a good blend of the old and the new.

It’s difficult to photograph buildings in the city.  For tall buildings you’re very close and of course only a very few cameras have a Perspective Control (tilt-shift) lens. And you can’t get around trolley lines, trees or taxis.  But, occasionally, with a trick of two, you come up with an unusual photo.

I almost forgot about our beginning.  As we were walking from the Metro station to the beginning of the Collins Street Walk, I wanted to deviate 100 yards for a photo. Unfortunately, from this point Brenda saw the aquarium and wanted to go in. Well I didn’t.  It was not on our itinerary and I’m certainly not going to spend $35 to see some fish under glass – unless I can eat them.  But she went and I had to occupy myself for 45 minutes. It didn’t take long to find some amusement.

5/06/2012: Melbourne, Part I

Note that the date in the title to these blogs is the Australian date, one day later than the US date.

Since my family are extremely late sleepers, Brenda and I walked to the mall for a morning latte and espresso and to read the local paper. Encountered extremely friendly staff at café.

Brenda, Marlo, David and I took the Metro to the Victoria Market.  One primary reason is to orient us to the extensive public transportation system.  It’s pretty intimidating. The market covers probably 10 or more square blocks.  In Dallas terms you could combine the Texas state fair with the Farmer’s Market and this would still not match the Victoria Market. In addition to an extensive legitimate farmer’s market, there is everything in the world that you never want to buy.

This afternoon we went to Chase’s soccer game even though we knew he wouldn’t play; he’s recovering from a knee injury.  The sports complex which is home to his soccer club also houses a cycling veledrome. Does any other city in the world have two veledromes?

5/05/2012: Dallas to Melbourne, Part III

The Sinclair’s found my hat, Brenda didn’t buy anything at the Duty Free Stores because everything was too expensive and the shower was very refreshing so I felt good.  The flight to Melbourne was crowded and a bit bumpy so I was glad when it was over.  Our luggage arrived and David and Marlo were waiting on us.

So we’re at their home and relaxing (read “drinking wine”). 

A walk to the grocery store is enjoyable; with winter coming the temperature is about 55 degrees and there was some rain today. Felt great.

Photo below is of the Aussie grandsons, Chase and Brett.

Now, overcoming jet lag.

5/03/2012: Dallas to Melbourne, Part II

Thursday:  During our extensive layover in Los Angeles, we met friends Dwayne & Kim Sinclair for dinner (At Mama D’s Italian Restaurant in Manhattan Beach). The Sinclair’s migrated from Melbourne to Dallas in 1996-7.  And, of course we’re headed to Melbourne.  We learned they were married in Port Douglas which is where we’ll stay a couple of nights when we visit the Great Barrier Reef.  Our acquaintance is not only a result of working for Mobil Oil – all four of us did – but both couples ride tandems and are/were members of DATES (Dallas Area Tandem Enthusiasts). We had a great visit with them.

Friday: There was no Friday, even though grandson Chase had a birthday on Friday. I went to sleep shortly after takeoff - just before midnight on Thursday and awoke just after midnight on Saturday.  If I didn’t experience Friday, did it exist for me?  Am I one day younger? Only philosophers can answer. And their answers are questionable, at best.

Saturday: It’s a bright and beautiful morning in Auckland on the north island of New Zealand. We have a 4+ hour layover, even though it’s the same Qantas flight number (but different aircraft)  We’re comfortable in the Qantas VIP lounge.  The  lounge is almost deserted at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday.  Brenda is taking a shower.  Now, if I can only keep her from the (immense) duty free shopping area.

First causality of the trip: I lost my hat shown in the above photo:  think it’s at the Sinclair’s house. Oh well, I need an Aussie hat.

5/03/2012: Dallas to Melbourne, Part I

When travelling, don’t forget your toothbrush.  And, in this e-world, don’t forget your e-devices.

These include camera, extra camera battery and battery charger;  both Kindles, both Android phones; the I-touch; the laptop with power unit and mouse; Bose headsets and a splitter so we can listen to the same music.  Do I have the right cables?  The camera and I-touch have their own.  But the Kindles and Android phones all have the same power cable.  Oh yes, there’s the Australia power adapters and the toothbrush, not an electric one as you can see.

How long is this flight anyway?  We leave Thursday morning and arrive Saturday afternoon.  Not understanding the date line, etc. I made this chart:

Leaving DFW

Drive to DFW, security, etc.	2.5
AA 2433 to LAX	3.3
Layover	8.8
Quantas 26 to Auckland	13.5
Layover	4.7
Quantas 26 to Melbourne	4.0
Drive to David, Marlo’s	1.5
TOTAL EST TRAVEL TIME	38.3

The security line at DWF was a bit long but we had time to pick up a salad and sandwich and to go to Starbucks before the flight.  We arrived early at LAX and are currently in the Admiral’s Club.