By popular request, a photo of my legs
The photo shows me in Honolulu, with Diamond Head in the background. Unfortunately, the cropping doesn't show Diamond Head
(Photo by Linda, cropping by David)
D
[L] He does have nice legs. A champion ass too.
Walking, massages, and Pilates
As good as his word, David has kept me focused on diet and exercise. I was in the habit of walking two miles, four days a week, in the Sumter mall. I'm learning to love hiking the hills of Canberra instead. It hasn't been easy, but we have a wonderful masseuse named Wilma to sooth any persistent aches. I've also begun training in the Pilates method. Robyn Barker, my coach, has a figure most eighteen year old's would envy. I hope Pilates will do that for me too.
As good as his word, David has kept me focused on diet and exercise. I was in the habit of walking two miles, four days a week, in the Sumter mall. I'm learning to love hiking the hills of Canberra instead. It hasn't been easy, but we have a wonderful masseuse named Wilma to sooth any persistent aches. I've also begun training in the Pilates method. Robyn Barker, my coach, has a figure most eighteen year old's would envy. I hope Pilates will do that for me too.
UGH Boots and another shopping center
< Linda's new Ugh (Ugg) Boots
As of yesterday, I'm the proud owner of a pair of genuine Australian Ugh boots. Ugh (or Ugg) boots are a type of sheepskin boot with a fleece inner lining and a tanned outer surface. The fleece allows air to circulate and keeps your feet toasty warm. They are worn without socks in order to maximize their thermal properties. Ugh boots have been made in Oz for well over a hundred years. Family members can expect to receive them as presents, along with Tim Tams and Arnotts Venetian biscuits.
Biscuits are what cookies are called here. What we Americans call biscuits, quick bread made with baking powder as a leavening agent, is unknown in Australia. The closest thing to them are scones.
[DN adds: Here we make large loaves from flour and baking powder called damper - usually cooked in a pan over an open fire out in the Bush, but not the smaller US-style 'biscuits'.]
After purchasing the boots and another package of Venetians (excellent with tea) we paid a visit to another of Canberra's large malls, called Woden Plaza. Woden Plaza is located in the Phillip suburb of Canberra and encompasses 250 stores. Tenants include Woolworths (no relation to the American company of the same name), Coles, David Jones, Harvey Norman, Dick Smith Electronics, 8 cinemas, McDonald's, The Coffee Club, and Hungry Jack's (known as Burger King in the states).
< Linda's new Ugh (Ugg) BootsAs of yesterday, I'm the proud owner of a pair of genuine Australian Ugh boots. Ugh (or Ugg) boots are a type of sheepskin boot with a fleece inner lining and a tanned outer surface. The fleece allows air to circulate and keeps your feet toasty warm. They are worn without socks in order to maximize their thermal properties. Ugh boots have been made in Oz for well over a hundred years. Family members can expect to receive them as presents, along with Tim Tams and Arnotts Venetian biscuits.
Biscuits are what cookies are called here. What we Americans call biscuits, quick bread made with baking powder as a leavening agent, is unknown in Australia. The closest thing to them are scones.
[DN adds: Here we make large loaves from flour and baking powder called damper - usually cooked in a pan over an open fire out in the Bush, but not the smaller US-style 'biscuits'.]
After purchasing the boots and another package of Venetians (excellent with tea) we paid a visit to another of Canberra's large malls, called Woden Plaza. Woden Plaza is located in the Phillip suburb of Canberra and encompasses 250 stores. Tenants include Woolworths (no relation to the American company of the same name), Coles, David Jones, Harvey Norman, Dick Smith Electronics, 8 cinemas, McDonald's, The Coffee Club, and Hungry Jack's (known as Burger King in the states).
We've re-jigged the blog HTML to customise the layout (thanks to Susan for pointing out how to add images within posts). We've embedded the images in the posts so they stay with their descriptions and archive proplerly. We've now added image titles, and have attempted to clean up the dubious code generated by blogger. David's AusAID experience came in quite handy! We have yet to validate things, but that may prove impossible 
D&L
D&L
The Canberra Centre - Shop till you drop
Mom, Judy, Beth - you'd love this place. Imagine a mall about two miles around and three levels high, featuring over 310 speciality stores, numerous food outlets and several major retailers including Myer (linked to Target), David Jones (a premium department store a la Lord & Taylor), and Borders. The centre also features a Cinema complex with 9 theatres and 2 premium lounges. There's a full size merry-go-round outside in the plaza, and a wonderful view of the mountains. Wheee!
Mom, Judy, Beth - you'd love this place. Imagine a mall about two miles around and three levels high, featuring over 310 speciality stores, numerous food outlets and several major retailers including Myer (linked to Target), David Jones (a premium department store a la Lord & Taylor), and Borders. The centre also features a Cinema complex with 9 theatres and 2 premium lounges. There's a full size merry-go-round outside in the plaza, and a wonderful view of the mountains. Wheee!
Canberra at last!
< Eastern Grey Kangaroos in Weston Park
We've been in Canberra a week now, so I suppose I ought to write something. The first thing you notice as you approach the city is that it appears encircled by blue mountains. There have been a few days of extremely cold weather, so some of the mountains are dusted with snow. Parliament House and Lake Burley Griffin, with its Captain Cook memorial jet (much like the water jet in Lake Geneva) are splendid in the late afternoon sunlight. I'm surprised by how familiar things seem. The gray-green-brown colors of the vegetation is very Michigan winterish.
< Golden Wattle in bloom
Spring is at hand, however. Wattles are blooming. Their clusters of yellow pompom flowers brighten every street. Tiny jonquils are blooming in the grass in front of the house. Soft purple iris line the garden path like little lanterns. The rhododendron buds are swelling. I'm so happy to be here.
We drove to Weston Park to look for kangaroos and found a mob of eighteen of the delightful animals. I know I'm really in Australia now. See image above and the photo gallery (no people photos yet, but at least these are animals! Photos taken with the little Canon G9, which David had in the car, just in case.)
< Eastern Grey Kangaroos in Weston ParkWe've been in Canberra a week now, so I suppose I ought to write something.
The first thing you notice as you approach the city is that it appears encircled by blue mountains. There have been a few days of extremely cold weather, so some of the mountains are dusted with snow. Parliament House and Lake Burley Griffin, with its Captain Cook memorial jet (much like the water jet in Lake Geneva) are splendid in the late afternoon sunlight. I'm surprised by how familiar things seem. The gray-green-brown colors of the vegetation is very Michigan winterish. < Golden Wattle in bloomSpring is at hand, however. Wattles are blooming. Their clusters of yellow pompom flowers brighten every street. Tiny jonquils are blooming in the grass in front of the house. Soft purple iris line the garden path like little lanterns. The rhododendron buds are swelling. I'm so happy to be here.
We drove to Weston Park to look for kangaroos and found a mob of eighteen of the delightful animals. I know I'm really in Australia now. See image above and the photo gallery (no people photos yet, but at least these are animals! Photos taken with the little Canon G9, which David had in the car, just in case.)
Australia's Crown Jewel
< Sydney skyline from the Eastern Suburbs
L says:
What do I say about Sydney? There's so much to say about Sydney I don't know where to start. Homes shimmer like jewels on sandstone cliffs. The soaring glass towers of the central business district compete for your attention with grand Victorian structures, like The Strand Arcade, filled with the Sydney's most fashionable boutiques. It's proud, and squeaky clean, and love at first sight. You could find new things to see and do here forever.
< War memorial, Hyde Park, from our hotel
D says:
I've managed to introduce Linda to (proper) tea, Aussie meat pies and vegemite - L likes tea and pies but is not overly keen on vegemite :) However, the secret weapon is dark chocolate Tim-tams. There is no defence against against Tim-tams. Resistance is futile
...
We're staying at the Hyde Park Inn in central Sydney. Central and comfortable and not expensive. Recommended.
One thing that came as a surprise was the huge number of fruit bats ('flying foxes') that roost in the large Morton Bay Fig trees in Hyde Park. These two-foot wingspan bats fly out in their hundreds after dusk, and back again at dawn.
< Sandstone cliffs that fridge the city's east
We spent today (Thursday) taking bus tours around Sydney. An excellent way to see the sights quickly, including all the usual suspects - the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, Bondi beach etc.
D Bought a new point-and-shoot camera as an easy carry around camera (a Canon G9). Excellent little gadget. There's a new photo gallery online taken with the G9. Nothing special, mainly intended to test out the new camera, but you get the idea. See also some of the test photos above: the city skyline from the Eastern Suburbs, the War memorial in Hyde Park (outside our hotel window) and the sandstone cliffs along Sydney's eastern edge.
< Sydney skyline from the Eastern SuburbsL says:
What do I say about Sydney? There's so much to say about Sydney I don't know where to start. Homes shimmer like jewels on sandstone cliffs. The soaring glass towers of the central business district compete for your attention with grand Victorian structures, like The Strand Arcade, filled with the Sydney's most fashionable boutiques. It's proud, and squeaky clean, and love at first sight. You could find new things to see and do here forever.
< War memorial, Hyde Park, from our hotelD says:
I've managed to introduce Linda to (proper) tea, Aussie meat pies and vegemite - L likes tea and pies but is not overly keen on vegemite :) However, the secret weapon is dark chocolate Tim-tams. There is no defence against against Tim-tams. Resistance is futile
...
We're staying at the Hyde Park Inn in central Sydney. Central and comfortable and not expensive. Recommended.
One thing that came as a surprise was the huge number of fruit bats ('flying foxes') that roost in the large Morton Bay Fig trees in Hyde Park. These two-foot wingspan bats fly out in their hundreds after dusk, and back again at dawn.
< Sandstone cliffs that fridge the city's eastWe spent today (Thursday) taking bus tours around Sydney. An excellent way to see the sights quickly, including all the usual suspects - the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, Bondi beach etc.
D Bought a new point-and-shoot camera as an easy carry around camera (a Canon G9). Excellent little gadget. There's a new photo gallery online taken with the G9. Nothing special, mainly intended to test out the new camera, but you get the idea. See also some of the test photos above: the city skyline from the Eastern Suburbs, the War memorial in Hyde Park (outside our hotel window) and the sandstone cliffs along Sydney's eastern edge.
Return to Honolulu
< Palm-fringed shores of the blue Pacific
We arrived back in Honolulu on Sunday via the Hawaii Superferry, which this time sailed around the amazing cliffs north of Molokai rather than across the channel between the islands.
Our room at the Ala Moana hotel in Honolulu was upgraded to a three room suite on the 35th floor, with a spectacular view of the Yacht club and beach at Ala Moana park (see photo left, showing the beautiful palm-fringed blue Pacific). While the room on our first stay was nothing extraordinary, this room was the sort of luxury we'd like to become accustomed to!
Dinner at Aaron's topped the evening. We had an early flight to Sydney the next morning, so dessert was a hippity hop to bed.
< Palm-fringed shores of the blue PacificWe arrived back in Honolulu on Sunday via the Hawaii Superferry, which this time sailed around the amazing cliffs north of Molokai rather than across the channel between the islands.
Our room at the Ala Moana hotel in Honolulu was upgraded to a three room suite on the 35th floor, with a spectacular view of the Yacht club and beach at Ala Moana park (see photo left, showing the beautiful palm-fringed blue Pacific). While the room on our first stay was nothing extraordinary, this room was the sort of luxury we'd like to become accustomed to!
Dinner at Aaron's topped the evening. We had an early flight to Sydney the next morning, so dessert was a hippity hop to bed.
Starry night at sea
(Friday) After a lazy day (they're getting increasingly lazy) we went for one of the night time stargazing cruises run out of Lahaina Harbor by the Pacific Whale Foundation. The purpose of the cruise is to get you out to sea a bit away from city lights, to see dark starry skies. It works well, and the cruise itself in the balmy tropical night is great. Paradoxically we've seen even better dark skies where we're staying east of Pa'ia. The skies away from the city lights are very dark in Maui.
< Starry night: Scorpio, Sagittarius and Jupiter
The astronomy part of the cruise was narrated by local Maui astronomy teacher, Harriet Witt. As D also teaches astronomy he found it interesting to hear the approach taken to the diverse audience aboard ship. A very good introduction to the night sky. Definitely worthwhile. See adjacent image (not a photo, but a screen grab showing exactly what the sky looked like, from the Starry Night program). It shows the Milky Way, Scorpius, Sagittarius ('the Teapot') and Jupiter (top left).
(Friday) After a lazy day (they're getting increasingly lazy) we went for one of the night time stargazing cruises run out of Lahaina Harbor by the Pacific Whale Foundation. The purpose of the cruise is to get you out to sea a bit away from city lights, to see dark starry skies. It works well, and the cruise itself in the balmy tropical night is great. Paradoxically we've seen even better dark skies where we're staying east of Pa'ia. The skies away from the city lights are very dark in Maui.
< Starry night: Scorpio, Sagittarius and JupiterThe astronomy part of the cruise was narrated by local Maui astronomy teacher, Harriet Witt. As D also teaches astronomy he found it interesting to hear the approach taken to the diverse audience aboard ship. A very good introduction to the night sky. Definitely worthwhile. See adjacent image (not a photo, but a screen grab showing exactly what the sky looked like, from the Starry Night program). It shows the Milky Way, Scorpius, Sagittarius ('the Teapot') and Jupiter (top left).
Aquarium today
< Surgeon Fish at the Maui Ocean Center
We took a trip to the Maui Ocean Center aquarium at Ma'alaea (West Maui) this morning. Definitely worth the effort. The highlight is the walk through exhibit where the sharks, rays and other fish swim over top of the perspex tube you walk though. The other large aquarium exhibits are beautiful, too. See photo of a Surgeon Fish at the aquarium, left.
We'd not recommend the fish and chips at the restaurant attached to the aquarium, though. Not fresh, overcooked.
Dinner was another matter. Barbecued hot dogs, followed by a fresh home made fruit salad of strawberries, pineapple, watermelon and orange. And we watched Venus set in the twilight over West Maui.
< Surgeon Fish at the Maui Ocean CenterWe took a trip to the Maui Ocean Center aquarium at Ma'alaea (West Maui) this morning. Definitely worth the effort. The highlight is the walk through exhibit where the sharks, rays and other fish swim over top of the perspex tube you walk though. The other large aquarium exhibits are beautiful, too. See photo of a Surgeon Fish at the aquarium, left.
We'd not recommend the fish and chips at the restaurant attached to the aquarium, though. Not fresh, overcooked.
Dinner was another matter. Barbecued hot dogs, followed by a fresh home made fruit salad of strawberries, pineapple, watermelon and orange. And we watched Venus set in the twilight over West Maui.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)