Here is a second attempt at uploading her song- recorded on the train home from the Dandeongs yesterday. Let's try a link to YouTube (at the bottom of this entry). We were startled awake last night at midnight by the booming sound of fireworks so we got to say 'Happy New Years' as it rang in! We are awake and heading out for the day. Fortunately, the temps are back to normal- high 70's. It's crazy to think it is still late afternoon NYE at home!! Hope this works and happy new years again! xoxox
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mVQeQere9w
journal of my 15 week adventure through Australia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia and possibly Myanmar with 3 year old daughter Addi and husband Jim
Friday, December 31, 2010
104F
Freaking hot. 104F is the current temperature...on New Years Eve! Unseasonably hot. It will come as little surprise to most of you to know we will ring in the New Year from the comfort of our room- likely through closed eyelids. Hey- don't judge!!
To escape the heat, we headed up to the beautiful forests and fern gullies of the Dandenong Ranges about an hour outside of Melbourne. We took a ride on Puffing Billy-a 100+ year old narrow gauge steam train that ran on Diesel today due to a total fire ban. No A/C but nice breezes and shade kept us cool. Very pretty, but we are exhausted from the heat. Interesting note is that traveling with a toddler means you see a place through kid oriented activities. Don't ask us about the famous restaurants or bars or theaters. We wouldn't know!
Have a happy new years eve! A video from Addi is attached (someone please let me know if it works!) I SWEAR she has not been drinking...it has just been a long long day! :-)
To escape the heat, we headed up to the beautiful forests and fern gullies of the Dandenong Ranges about an hour outside of Melbourne. We took a ride on Puffing Billy-a 100+ year old narrow gauge steam train that ran on Diesel today due to a total fire ban. No A/C but nice breezes and shade kept us cool. Very pretty, but we are exhausted from the heat. Interesting note is that traveling with a toddler means you see a place through kid oriented activities. Don't ask us about the famous restaurants or bars or theaters. We wouldn't know!
Have a happy new years eve! A video from Addi is attached (someone please let me know if it works!) I SWEAR she has not been drinking...it has just been a long long day! :-)
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Thursday, December 30, 2010
Beach Day!
Today was 80 and cloudless so we hit St Kilda beach, about 15 min from town by tram. This beach, as with most near Melbourne, is on Port Philip Bay. So, the sand and water had somewhat of a Long Island Sound feel (I think Melbourne is famous for food and culture- not beaches). Addi made fast friends with a few little girls, and we saw a HUGE jellyfish on the beach. There is a boardwalk lined with outdoor restaurants, and St Kilda road is packed with shops and bars....and Hipsters. We walked through Luna Park, a Cony Island style amusement park with the world's oldest running roller coaster. The break is run manually by a man in the middle car! Hannah and Croz, you would be proud to know we are taking pictures ...some even at creative angles! But we miss our professional photogs! Generally uneventful but relaxing day. Notable fashion trend: young men in rugby length shorts hitting mid-thigh (vs at the knee, USA style) my vote: bring that state-side!
Notable coffee trend: we tried to order the brewed coffee off the menu at a coffee shop and the girl gave us a cup of mud, apologetically stating that she has never had to make one...everyone drinks 'Long Blacks' which is a diluted double shot of espresso. Tasty and powerful!
Notable people trend: all exceptionally friendly. Having a three year old really helps! Of the 4 people/ families we have spent any real time with, 2 (one Aussie, one Swede) were in a similar work (more appropriately workless)/ extended adventure situation! How crazy is that!
Notable coffee trend: we tried to order the brewed coffee off the menu at a coffee shop and the girl gave us a cup of mud, apologetically stating that she has never had to make one...everyone drinks 'Long Blacks' which is a diluted double shot of espresso. Tasty and powerful!
Notable people trend: all exceptionally friendly. Having a three year old really helps! Of the 4 people/ families we have spent any real time with, 2 (one Aussie, one Swede) were in a similar work (more appropriately workless)/ extended adventure situation! How crazy is that!
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Wednesday, December 29, 2010
The Fairies Tree
This entry is for all of the special little fairy loving people with moms or dads following this blog.
Today we walked the Yarra River banks, strode down Collins St (what I take to be Melbourne's equivalent to NYC 5th Ave) and did a bit of alot of eating. The highlight of the day, though, was Treasure and Fitzroy Gardens. Gorgeous open green spaces with flowers and gardens abound. Of special note: the Fairies Tree and fairy village. Photos attached. It seems a woman named Ola Cohn wrote a book long ago called The Fairies Tree....and these things were carved by her for the fairies. We spent solid time calling to the fairies to wake up and come out before a little boy told us they are only awake at night.
Coincidentally, Addi build a fairy house near the trails by our house on xmas morning, right before we left. Picture of that also attached. We are hoping our Aussie fairy friends come visit our Connecticut fairy tenants.
Today we walked the Yarra River banks, strode down Collins St (what I take to be Melbourne's equivalent to NYC 5th Ave) and did a bit of alot of eating. The highlight of the day, though, was Treasure and Fitzroy Gardens. Gorgeous open green spaces with flowers and gardens abound. Of special note: the Fairies Tree and fairy village. Photos attached. It seems a woman named Ola Cohn wrote a book long ago called The Fairies Tree....and these things were carved by her for the fairies. We spent solid time calling to the fairies to wake up and come out before a little boy told us they are only awake at night.
Coincidentally, Addi build a fairy house near the trails by our house on xmas morning, right before we left. Picture of that also attached. We are hoping our Aussie fairy friends come visit our Connecticut fairy tenants.
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Tuesday, December 28, 2010
NE Blizzards
Your weather made the news here in Australia! Hope you are all surviving it ok...and making the most of it! Go snow angels and sleds! Hello hot chocolate!
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Melbourne First Impressions
We arrived in Melbourne about 33 hours after we left New York (39 hours after leaving Guilford!) Addi was amazing the entire time- truly, I couldn't be prouder. She raised the bar and i had to contain my inner brat wanting to get out! She and I fell asleep at about 4PM Oz time. Jim wandered out and made fast friends with the hotel barkeep. He got the bloke's whole life story- this should be no surprise to anyone who knows my husband.
We have only been here for a day, but first impressions:
- at 3M people, it is perfectly sized. Amazingly clean and so friendly! Free trolley system can get you anywhere. Food is pricey. Hot air balloons float overhead at dawn (yup, we were wide awake and seeking food at dawn).
- Melbournians are in competition with Sydney about everything. "Sydney may be larger by 500k people now, but we were larger for the longest time. We will be the largest again! We can grow as far as the eye can see- Sydney is contained by sea and mountains!" "People here are so much nicer than the people in Sydney-they are a bunch of old convicts!" Having not yet been to Sydney, I can't say if the competitive feelings are reciprocal, but I assume so!
-Aussies drive on the opposite side of the road. They also walk to the left on the sidewalk. Im sure this is true in all countries where they drive on the left- but this is our first time working with it in the city environment. Needless to say, we caused many a human pile-up.
-Kellogg Rice Krispies are called Rice Bubbles here! Why? A 'krisp' is a french fry!
We hit the Melbourne Zoo today. Beautiful like the DC Zoo with fun exhibits and healthy environments. Our favorite, though, was "Who's Poo are You" yup. A dozen toilets with various animal poo on the lid. Lift the lid to see who owns it-the kanga? The lion? The human?
It is 4:10PM here and we are struggling to stay awake. Must....not....sleep...before....6:00.
We have only been here for a day, but first impressions:
- at 3M people, it is perfectly sized. Amazingly clean and so friendly! Free trolley system can get you anywhere. Food is pricey. Hot air balloons float overhead at dawn (yup, we were wide awake and seeking food at dawn).
- Melbournians are in competition with Sydney about everything. "Sydney may be larger by 500k people now, but we were larger for the longest time. We will be the largest again! We can grow as far as the eye can see- Sydney is contained by sea and mountains!" "People here are so much nicer than the people in Sydney-they are a bunch of old convicts!" Having not yet been to Sydney, I can't say if the competitive feelings are reciprocal, but I assume so!
-Aussies drive on the opposite side of the road. They also walk to the left on the sidewalk. Im sure this is true in all countries where they drive on the left- but this is our first time working with it in the city environment. Needless to say, we caused many a human pile-up.
-Kellogg Rice Krispies are called Rice Bubbles here! Why? A 'krisp' is a french fry!
We hit the Melbourne Zoo today. Beautiful like the DC Zoo with fun exhibits and healthy environments. Our favorite, though, was "Who's Poo are You" yup. A dozen toilets with various animal poo on the lid. Lift the lid to see who owns it-the kanga? The lion? The human?
It is 4:10PM here and we are struggling to stay awake. Must....not....sleep...before....6:00.
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Saturday, December 25, 2010
Check List
Santa came down chimney and made delivery, check
Xmas tree down, heat down, lights down, check
Visas Passports and Plane Tickets, check
Passports copied & extra photos made, check
Travel vaccines-lots of ‘em, check
Travel Books- well read, check
Global Smart Phone purchased, check
Emergency Medical Insurance, check
Emergency first aid kit, check
Emergency TP and water purifiers, check
Consulted Travel Advisories for potential riots, coups and public health outbreaks, check
Registered with gov’t for evacuation in case of riots or coups, check
Someone to watch the house, cats and plants, check
All bills arranged for electronic management, check
Bag O’ Fun for the 23 hour plane flight, check
Mask and flippers for the Great Barrier Reef, check
2 carry-on size bags holding 12 weeks worth of garb and gear, check
Someone to pick us up at the airport when we get home, check
St. Patty’s Day Plans state-side upon return, checkMerry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
Friday, December 10, 2010
The Great Packing Challenge
Packing light is paramount when you expect to use public transport in third world countries. With that in mind, this is what my family of three hopes to fit 12 weeks worth of gear into. Taking bets as to whether or not we can do it! (This is also a mobile photo upload test)
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