Australia – nettiesnotes.com

Australia, Melbourne, Victoria, Photography

Melbourne

17-19 January 2017

Arrived Melbourne in the afternoon & used the Skybus to get to our hotel. It seemed cheaper but wasn’t quick. It was about $40 for the two of us both but you are only taken into centre of Melbourne (about 20 Minutes ride). Then you have to wait about 20 minutes for a free bus to the hotel. We stayed at Pan Pacific Hotel which was a decent modern hotel and very central view n Flinders Street. We had a very nice dinner across the river in Southgate Restaurant. Then a lovely walk around that area of Melbourne. Very relaxed & friendly with beautiful nighttime scenes.

Following day up sharp for breakfast again in Southgate Restaurant the we took the free tram to the Rod Laver Arena to have a day at the Australian Open 2017. What a treat. It was a beautiful warm sunny day, what more could one ask for. First on was Venus Williams. Then later that day was Roger Federer v We had great seats Section 18 seats C92 & 93 as you can see in the photo. We realised that Andy Murray was playing in the evening so we bought evening tickets for that too as we didn’t want to miss our UK player who I really wanted to win. What a contrast with buying tickets for Wimbledon where there is a ballot to determine whether a ticket can be purchased!! We thoroughly enjoyed our tennis day and it will live long in my memory.

Andy Murray AO Day against Andey Rublev

Andy Murray Day 3 of AO

Roger Federer v Noah Rubin USA

Following day Thursday 19th we used our time to explore the city of Melbourne before setting off to drive the Great Ocean Road. We walked through the shopping streets Bourne Street. Spent time in a park then took the No. 35 circle tram around the city which was free & came with a commentary.

Park in Melbourne

That evening we met up with great friends Robin & Becci. Robin is a GP worked in the UK with me when I was a Practice Manager a few years ago. We had a meal at The Press Club which is a smart Greek Restaurant in Melbourne. There was a tasting menu, which I don’t think any of us realised at the time of booking & due to the number of dishes this meant a lot of interruptions to explain all the dishes. I found this a little trying when all I wanted to do was hear about our friends life in Australia. However we had a laugh about it all & really enjoyed our night catching up with our friends again.

Australia, Malaysia, Uncategorized, Wildlife

Blue Mountains – New South Wales

We flew to Sydney, picked up a hire car & drove to the blue mountains. Despite dire warnings of terrible traffic (Friday evening) it took us about two hours to get to Katoomba the main town. Not pretty as I was expecting – an old mining town. However charming for all that. We had a walk around the town and then retired to our hotel. The Hotel was very old & had a lovely history of past glories, however the stay for me was a little marred by the unfriendly staff. The Mountain Heritage Hotel it was a very nice hotel, had a great piano player with dinner on Saturday night just slight shame about the atmosphere. That said this is the only negative reception we have received. All over Australia we have had such warmth & friendliness, it has been more than we could possibly have hoped for. Just great people.

View of Blue Mountains from Echo Point

Our first day we drove to the information centre at Echo point which is where a lot of the walks start. We did two walks from Echo point. One called the Prince Henry Cliff walk which was supposed to be about 35 minutes. It took us a little longer as taking photos. Quite an easy walk but it was hot so takes a bit more effort.

Blue tongue lizard

Goana seen on a Giant stair walk

The next day we got the bus to Echo point again & did a longer walk down the giant stairway which took us near the valley floor. This took about 2 hrs as we strolled & enjoyed the atmosphere. We were rewarded as we saw a lizard & later what looked like an Iguana. Just amazing. We ended up where the little train is which takes you back up the steep cliff so you don’t have to walk up!! A great day. The following day we drove to some amazing views as you can see from the photos. I will put some names in later.

Accommodation, Australia, Photography, Wildlife

Travels in Northern Territories

We arrived in Darwin late so stayed in a Mercure & picked up the hire car the following morning. The heat & humidity was like a damp blanket – a bit shocking after the cool plane. The hire car charged 30 cents a mile after 400 km driving which was quite ridiculous. Apparently because classed as a remote area.

We drove down the Stuart Highway for 4 hours to Katherine & Cicada Lodge which is in the Nitmiluk NP just outside Katherine. Roads are eerily deserted & a bit spooky, except for the occasional road trains appearing every now & then. So long with 3-4 trucks being hauled behind.

Cicada Lodge was a beautiful place and a welcome sanctuary out of the heat & flies of the outback. We were very relieved. Beautiful cool rooms & excellent gourmet dining from Tom the Chef & Karen the friendly & efficient manager.

Cicada Lodge Accommodation

Cicada Lodge

First day Norther Territories – We just did a short walk up to an escarpment about 4 miles. It was as still demanding as the heat at the top could reach 50C!! Then in the afternoon a welcome relax in our lovely accommodation.

Walking in Nintiluk National Park

Day two NT – The next day we took a two gorge river cruise. We were the only passengers so it was a great opportunity for taking photos. The scenery was stunning but sadly rainy season is not the best time to see birds. At the end of the cruise we stopped off & walked to a waterfall rock pool. I really regretted not bringing my swimming things. It was a heavenly place with such clear water. So we decided to walk back to the rock pool after picking up our swimming things. We were told 40 – 60 mins walk. We had plenty of water with us & I had drunk plenty before I left. However after 40 mins walking the heat was intense on the back of my head & neck. (I was wearing a hatI). I started to feel sick & dizzy & so hot there was no shade. It was cloudy when we set off. I knew I could not turn around, it was too exposed, so we had to go on. I drank but it didn’t help. It was pretty awful. Temp was about 40C or more up there. Eventually after about another 20 mins staggering along we made it to the pool & I threw myself in. What a relief. It was quite a scary experience & shows how quickly things can change. I was soon laughing the pool was absolutely wonderful. We walked home when the sun went down. It was a 3 mile walk each way!!

After the Gorge Ruver Cruise

Looking down Katherine River

Swimming rock pool & waterfall

Day 4 -NT. We drove back slowly to Darwin Airport. Stopping off at Pine Creek to photograph birds & bats!! Then took the scenic Adelaide river drive. It was really peaceful & very pretty, we spotted wallabies and eagles on the way. We have really enjoyed the Northern Territories finding it unspoilt & quiet as it is rainy season. No monsoons for us so we were very lucky.

Not sure what he is called? Sure someone can tell me.

Australia

Perth here we come …..

Had a very pleasant journey from Heathrow to Singapore. Didn’t sleep a huge amount but enjoyed it nonetheless. I adore Singapore due to living in Changi as a child so I enjoyed the landing and took a great video which with a bit of editing is something to treasure. Arriving in a Singapore is slightly confusing because BA don’t give enough information about the stop in Singapore. Hardly mentioning on the ticket that there is a stop in Singapore at all!! Leaving the plane we all looked around not knowing what to do & where to go. It would have been helpful to know that you had to go through security again even for a refuelling stop of 1.5 hrs. Then I could have prepared myself on the plane instead of being stressed at the last minute because all of my cosmetics were in disarray due to using them on the plane. Oh well the joys of travelling in 21st century. Note to myself – get a pair of pyjamas for home journey. Much more comfortable to travel in.

Second leg to Sydney was uneventful – very smooth & only 8 hours!! I tried to catch up on sleep and get myself into the Southern Hemisphere time zone quickly. Arriving at Sydney with fabulous views of Sydney Harbour was wonderful. We sailed through immigration and customs without any problems so that was a nice welcome.

Leg to Perth with Qantas (I love them) fabulous. Views of southern deserts were so alien, so flat and arid with hardly a settlement in sight. Along with the Great Australian Bight which was really spectacular. The friendly attentive service from the air crew made it a most enjoyable flight even if we were quite shattered by then.

After a quiet New Year dinner in Perth & missing actual New Year due to exhaustion we were wide awake 3 hrs later & able to celebrate British one. Happily the sunshine gets us moving so off for a visit to Kings Park botanical gardens on the free buses!!

Hope photos give a flavour of the day. At the tourist office I chatted to a lady about what to see. She said we had picked a good day as we were going to be “In for it tomorrow”. I politely asked in my British accent. “Oh is it going to rain”. No she said it’s going to be 38 degrees!!! We did laugh. It became our saying of the day. Parasols & suncream tomorrow I think.

I hope the photos give a flavour of the day