I have made many observations about the people that live here since we’ve been here.  In general, they’re pretty friendly people.  From a physical standpoint, the men are very attractive.  Australia would make great scouting grounds for male models.  The women seem to have larger breasts on average than most Americans but other than that, they are basically the same.  I was told by an Australian on the flight over that I’d notice how dramatically less-fat Australians are than Americans, but I don’t find that to be true.  I found people in Poland to be far less fat than Americans, but Australians seem to be on par.

What is blatantly and oddly obvious is the lack of integration of blacks in the society.  I saw only one black business person since we’ve been here.  We saw some aboriginal children in Sydney that had a white teacher and were doing a tour of the Harbor bridge, but we just haven’t seen any interracial couples or many black people at all.  Aside from one aboriginal man selling his artwork on the street, the only black people we’ve seen have been tourists from Africa dressed in traditional garb and speaking in a tribal language.  From that standpoint, it’s incredibly different from the states.  Perhaps this is because the history of the murder and attempted assimilation of Aborigines in Australia is gruesome and evil.  Also, there aren’t very high numbers of aboriginal people in Australia compared to the rest of the population.  Anyway, it still seems very odd to me.  The only groups that seem to be fairly integrated here are Europeans and Asians.  We’ve seen plenty of Asian-Caucasian couples.

On a less shallow note, most people that have been to America really like it.  The attitudes of those that haven’t visited America are about 50/50 like and dislike.  Those that have been to America’s southern states really like it and commented on the southern hospitality.  Those that haven’t been don’t think they’d like it and don’t want to go.  Most Australians we’ve talked to really want to see NYC.  Most that have been there really like NYC.  I met one girl who worked at the Aquarium that said she liked New York but also visited Chicago and absolutely loved it.  We shared a few moments gushing about how awesome Chicago is.  In general, the people here REALLY want you to like Melbourne.  One fellow at a cafe where we stopped for lunch pummeled us with questions about the US, our lives, and what we thought of Melbourne.  He also asked us of we thought it was strange.   He also wants to move to the USA.

I also got told I had a “cool American accent” by a guy that works in an Australian restaurant here.  I told him that was the first time I’d ever been told that and had actually heard American accents were awful.  His response was that “those people are just idiots.” haha  That works for me, especially since the guy gave me a free espresso and a cookie.  He really wants to move to New York.  It seems like the “American dream” is alive and well for a lot of people here in Australia.

Just watching the news here, America is mentioned a lot, especially with the global recession that began in America.  Here (as in many places, I suppose), America is truly viewed as the most important, powerful country in the world and Americans make headlines in the newspapers as well as on TV.  However, the papers here tend to have a global focus anyway, which I quite enjoy. It’s nice to know what’s happening around the world and not only what pertains to America.  There is news in the papers of so many different countries and random happenings—both good and bad.

People from Melbourne are very proud of their “cafe culture.”  There are little coffee shops with prepared food pretty much everywhere.  Almost every single one of them also serves wine, and most serve mixed drinks as well.  Coffee and wine is served throughout the day and people seem to partake whenever the mood strikes them.  Tons wines from all over Australia are on all the menus… I read, before coming here, that you’d be hard pressed to find wines from outside of Australia for purchase at restaurants.  That’s not far from the truth.  I keep getting confused when I see a wine from “SA” on the menu, then remind myself it stands for South Australia, not South Africa.

Aside from some of the differences here, Australia really feels a lot like the US.  Not much like New York, per se, but a lot like the US in terms of the people, the dining and entertainment options, the cities, the history (or lack thereof), the way it was settled, etc.

As I mentioned, today is the end of our lengthy stint in Melbourne.  Justin and I are taking to the open (Great Ocean) road to see the 12 Apostles – cool rock formations off the coast.  Do a web search!  We’re also heading to the Yarra  Valley which contains over 70 wineries and to Phillip Island to see penguins.  We have 2 days to cover lots of distance and site see before we fly off to Tasmania.  Wish us luck.  The three major points we want to hit are plotted on a map here.

Day 2: Justin and I headed to Bondi Beach (Bon-dye) – probably Australia’s most popular beach. We did a cliff walk from Bondi beach to Coogee beach which was really pretty but hard!!! It took a few hours and there were definitely some strenuous parts. Along the way we noticed a settlement of what appeared to be two different make-shift homes on the cliffs where “homeless” (I guess they’re not technically homeless since they have these shacks) people live. I was really mesmerized by this and took a couple of photos. On one hand, I am repulsed that people would set up ramshackle dwellings on a public cliff . On the other hand, I think it is an awesome way to live and a really beautiful location (better than those million dollar homes across the main street way behind them)! We also gawked at several topless chicks. Apparently topless bathing is ok here. Some fat white dude was standing near a set of gals taking photos, which was creepy. I made fun of him… so nice. :)

Unfortunately I’ve been a little moody due to ‘female issues’. I put the kibosh on something Justin wanted to do on night two – a dinner cruise around the harbor. Somehow, 3.5 hours “stuck” on a boat being force-fed food that didn’t even intrigue me wasn’t appealing. I should’ve gone along with it, though, as I know Justin wanted to do it. My babyishness got the best of me. He took me to a bar called -5 C which I’d eyeballed on day 1. Everything inside is made out of ICE!!! They give you coats and boots to wear inside. Unfortunately your not allowed to take your own photos as they have a photographer that comes in and takes them for you. We were total tourists and bought both photos. The bar was actually -9.5 C inside and my hands started hurting really bad. We were only inside for 25 minutes (they actually have a maximum time limit of 30 minutes). I was really comfy and warm despite my hands. It was really a neat place (so pretty!) and a rad experience.

After the ice bar, we wandered around and took some photos of the opera house and downtown Sydney before heading toward a wine bar we’d seen the previous day. Once we got there, we learned 2 things. The first was disappointing. Apparently American accents suck. One guy that worked there wouldn’t go into detail, but he told me he guessed I’d never been there before because he heard an American accent. At that point I got excited and asked him what an American accent sounded like; he said he wasn’t going to tell me because he’d already “offended too many people today.” Add one to that count. The 2nd thing we learned was awesome which was how the wine tastings worked! It was a do-it-yourselfer, which I’d never experienced.

There were two bars setup and one rounded table with wine bottles attached to nozzles. Above each section there were buttons that you pressed to select whether you wanted a sample, half or full glass of the wine below. They gave us a plastic card (envision a credit card) that we could insert to the area above the bottles that racked up how much we were spending on tastings. You could really run amuck here and sample WAY too many expensive wines. It was fun but we only tried four. We hadn’t eaten dinner yet and that was our true mission.

We ended up heading to the Shangri-La Hotel to eat at Altitude which has a restaurant that is set on a high story with panoramic city views. We had to wait for a table, though, and killed time at the bar. I had my first martini ever that was made with basil which I really enjoyed – both the smell and the flavor were awesome! The food, well the sword fish, was really disappointing. Justin got steak which was pretty good.  In short, it was a decent experience, but we’d go somewhere else given the opportunity to do it over. We head back to the hotel that night and quickly crashed. Addendum: Justin and I became tourist lobsters (sunburned).

Day 3: Today we got up, had breakfast, and hailed a cab for the Domestic Airport. The cab driver was awesome! He told us all about the Blue Mountains and the “Three Sisters” – a rock formation of three pillars which supposedly were three sisters coveted by aboriginal tribes. One tribe turned the sisters to stone. Well, that’s a really short version of the story but you get the drift. On the way to the airport I spotted a dude walking around with an old-fashioned wig on (think British parliament) and the cab driver told me he was a lawyer and that all lawyers wear wigs like that. WTF! So, I took some snapshots of the guy. Thank goodness for informative taxi drivers. I have noticed that people here are WAY friendly and outgoing. It’s pretty cool.

At the airport we picked up a rental car and drove to Featherdale Wildlife Park. This was the high-point of the day for Justin. They had kangaroos out in the open that you could pet and feed. They also had koalas nestled in trees that you could pet as well as all other sorts of Australian wildlife including dingoes and Tasmanian devils. To me, it was just like a zoo/petting zoo, so I wasn’t all that psyched, but I am glad Justin liked it. We saw lots of gorgeous birds, one crocodile, and some freaky snakes. We also took *way* too many photos.

After Featherdale, we continued on to our hotel in the Blue Mountains. We’re staying at The Carrington, a Victorian era hotel. We were able to stay in this beautiful building for only AUD $10 more than getting a private room at the youth hostel in town, so it’s an excellent deal. We do have to share a bathroom, but everything is provided. This wing of the hotel is preserved as it was back in the day, bathrooms and all. It’s a really neat experience.

We hiked our asses off in the Blue Mountains this afternoon. A hotel employee recommended the route which took us along cliffs, beside the 3 Sisters, down King George’s steps into the valley, and around to another set of Steps (Ferber’s steps?) back up to the top of the cliffs. Phew! It reminded me a lot of a rainforest – like El Yunque and Kaaterskill Falls. Our walk took several hours but it was GORGEOUS and smelled fresh and sweet. I am guessing that’s due to the Eucalyptus but I am not sure. Apparently the Blue Mountains are so named because of the evaporation of oil on the eucalyptus trees. We saw lots of pretty birds, too.

For supper tonight we went to a restaurant in Katoomba (the town we’re staying in) called Bacchus. It’s a tapas bar that also serves pizza. We filled our empty bellies on their grub which included garlic mushrooms, Moroccan meatballs, potatas bravas and the ‘gargantua’ pizza (lots of meat) before coming back to the hotel and showering in our out-of-room showers. Now we’re exhausted and ready for sleep! Glad to keep you all updated. Tomorrow we head to the Melbourne area for a week. :)

After landing, we took a train from the airport into the main hotel and attraction area and, using our trusty Fodor’s guidebook, were able to secure accommodations at a reasonably priced hotel with spacious rooms.  We showered, changed, and head out immediately.  We spotted the Opera House and Sydney Harbor Bridge and got some amazing photographs.  It rained off and on throughout the day, but we lucked out, because for the most part the sun shone through the clouds.  We climed a pylon and saw all around Sydney from the same height as the top of the bridge.  There is also a bridge climb you can do, but it is over $100 USD per person so  we won’t be doing that. :)  We ate lunch at a delightful cafe with a beautiful outdoor patio that seemed like it could’ve been plucked straight out of Austin, TX.  Justin and I were intrepid explorers indeed and walked through the contemporary art museum.  Hmmm… modern art.

Our evening concluded with a stroll around the Opera House and wandering some lovely little alley ways.  There was an awesome art installation in one alley that was comprised of lit-up Tetris pieces.  More photos to follow!  Today we’re off to the Taronga Zoo and maybe to some beaches, though it’s way too cold (in my opinion) to swim. :D

Sydney by Michael McDonough

We’re leaving for Sydney, Australia on Friday or Saturday night which probably has us landing on Monday the 24th and returning on Saturday the 6th, though, I am hoping to shift our schedule so we get an extra day or two.  Jet lag, I imagine, will be a bitch.

Thanks to helpful people on Yelp!, I got a big head start planning things to do/places to see/foods to try!  If I had a car reserved, domestic tickets purchased, and places to stay, we’d be all set.  At any rate, I’ve concocted the list below as a result of the lovely suggestions Yelpers have given me.  Justin and I also acquired a Fodor’s Australia guidebook today, so things may be added, if at all possible. :)

My rough trip outline, working with the number of days I have, is below:

• 2 days in Sydney
  Beaches: Bondi (most famous), Coogee and Manly  (start at Coogee then take the trail to Bondi, about 3.5 miles.  Enjoy the walk and stop for food & drinks along the way.  Get a drink at Icebergs, a surf & lifesaving clubhouse near Bondi.)
  Breakfast at the Intercontinental Hotel
  Harbor tour: lunch at Doyle’s at Watsons Bay/Taronga Zoo/Aquarium/drink at the Opera
  Surry Hills (up and coming foody neighborhood to check out – maybe stay in this area)


Melbourne by Andrew Hux

• 1 day hiking + climbing in the Blue Mountains (climbing if I can find a guide) – overnight at B&B or camp
• 1 day driving/sightseeing southward – overnight camping or in car
• 1 day @ Phillip’s Island – overnight Melbourne
• 2 days in Melbourne
  Great Ocean Road
  great cafes with Italian coffee
• 1 or 2 days Yarra Valley wine tour – overnight in Yarra Valley?
• 2 days Alice Springs – an Oasis in the Outback (flight required)
• 1 day back to Sydney???
  (Paddington outdoor market if here on a Saturday)
• Depart for home

On the way from Sydney to Melbourbe, I’d like to possibly take the Snowy Mountain highway :) …unless it adds a ridiculous amount of time to the trip, and visit Canberra (the capital) if at all possible.

Also, I’d like to visit the Barossa Valley (if any way at all).  So yeah, not too much to ask for 2 weeks. haha

Foods to try in Australia (aside from the seafood and Asian food which I hear is great):
Pides – turkish pizzas – try one at the nearest kebab place
Laksa – thai coconut noodle soup
Aussie hamburger – same has here but we like ours with beetroot
Meat pies – savory pies

Justin and Vanessa at Castle Wawel in Krakow - Vistula River flowing past

As some of you already know, Justin surprised me with a trip to Poland for our fourth anniversary.  While we did things tourists are typically expected to do, such as visiting Castle Wawel and snapping photos in Rynek Glowny (the grand square) in Krakow, and strolling through Stephansplatz and along the Danube Canal in Vienna, the primariy purpose of our visit was so that I could experience, first hand, the land of my ancestors.

For a time I’ve been working on a family website based on research my great aunt,

Justin at St. Stephen's Cathedral - Stephansplatz, Vienna, Austria

Vanessa in St. Jacobus in Nysa, Poland

What I’ve managed to deduce so far: It’s probably an international flight given how long we’ll be waiting at the airport. It’s not a JetBlue flight, given the attire I am wearing to attempt to get on the plane.  I don’t know if we’re taking the puppies or if someone is watching them – though  am guessing the latter considering it’s possibly a non-JetBlue flight. I’ve also managed to deduce it is not a Caribbean destination after all (I’d originally thought otherwise) as I was told not to packed sandals, hiking, or beach clothes.  This goes entirely against typical Justin and Vanessa vacations – no hiking!? So, I am stumped.  I just hope we make it on the flight.  With only 5 seats open and an unknown number of standby passengers, it’s a gamble at best.

Luckily Justin has a couple of backup plans.  =)

I read this quote a moment ago and it had a strangely peace-inducing effect.  I thought I’d share it with you: “Give each day the chance to become the best one in your life“ – Mark Twain

No, chances are you were outside enjoying the nighttime air or curled up in front of the TV or even cozy in bed reading until you feel asleep well before midnight. But here we are, at almost 1 AM, revealing the new look of our site. We hope you like it and we welcome feedback for how we can make it even better, so let your thoughts rip!

Also, the comments are up at the top right now. Let us know what you think of that, too! :)

Thanks,
Vanessa

Justin and I got back from a weekend in Puerto Rico late last night. We had a blast!!!! We took one of his coworkers (Alex) and his friend (Marisa). They said it was one of the best trips of their lives (and they’ve been all over the place). This is how our trip went:

Day 1: Breakfast at Casa Cubuy in El Yunque, hike through the rain forest and swim in a variety of pools. Get back to the hotel and discover there are masseuses-in-training just down the street. We each get a 1 hour massage for $20! Drive to Naguabo and go out with Capt. Paco to see Monkey Island and snorkel. Capt. Paco was super busy so he dropped us off on our own with a kayak and supplies! We snorkeled out there – just us, monkeys, fish and seagulls for almost 2 hours. It was great!!! We even got to take turns kayaking. We also saw lots of starfish.

It was amazing. Return to Naguabo and have dinner. Head back to the hotel with a stop to grab rum and mixers. Sit outside for hours talking and drinking before hitting the hay.

Day 2: Breakfast at Casa Cubuy then head to the end of the road, where no cars are allowed. We were informed of a neat hike that takes you across a metal bridge (actually, not so much a bridge as a big pipe over a river). We were the only ones on the trail (actually – on both days!). Hiked for a while and came to a beautiful scenic overlook. On our way back, Justin suggested we head down to the river. We found and amazing lagoon at the bottom of a treacherous looking waterfall! Marisa kept climbing up rocks and finding neat places to jump in from.

There were lots of tiny little fish and even some prawns! Leaving El Yunque, we stopped at a beach on the way back to San Juan, walked along it, and spotted some hermit crabs. Back in San Juan, we bought some food to take back to the airport with us (I got amaaaazing camarones enchilados – shrimp in hot sauce, and beans) and stopped for pina coladas at Barrachina – of course!!! We made it back to the airport just in time to get on the flight!!! All in all, an action packed, exciting weekend. :)

There were only 2 minor hitches and they both worked out. 1) Our camera tumbled into raging water and somehow we managed to find it. The memory card compartment came open during the fall and somehow we managed to find the Flash card, too! 2) Alex forgot his wallet at a gas station on the way back to San Juan when he was changing in the bathroom. This morning he spoke with a woman there that found it and is FedExing back to him free of charge! So nice!!!

Re-reading my entry above, I feel kind of like I am reading a diary entry from when I was a little kid. I was pretty much never patient enough to go into things in depth. I guess that isn’t really a bad thing. :) Photos to follow. <3 :D

Photo Update
Ness’s Flickr Photo Gallery
Justin’s Facebook Photo Gallery

The majority of our trip will be spent in Montana with three days in Billings and two full days in Yellowstone. It’s guide training time for Austin-Lehman, which is as good a reason as any for me to fly out and meet everyone, see our offices, and work on face-to-face projects.

Justin plans to set up a remote JetBlue camp for the first few days from our LaQuinta hotel room before heading out to Yellowstone with the ALA crew. I am sure we’ll keep you updated via Twitter (easy with my phone) and the blog for more thoughts, feelings, and photos.

Special thanks a mucho love to the Val! for watching our babies and inhabiting our apartment while we are gone. Happy birthday to Olivia!!!

Love you guys and I’ll miss you!
Ness

All fun things to do on a nice Sunday in NY. To start our summer out right we headed to Flushing Meadows Corona Park for a picnic, perfect weather for one – breezy and bright. It was nice to have a happy wholesome day. See more photos on Flickr here.