So, I'm back at work now while Susan is just beginning her new adventure of living in and exploring Sydney for five weeks. I was able to see the place she's staying in on our last night together. I must confess to being quite jealous, not only of her additional adventure, but also of her apartment. It is simply fantastic. The apartment and the neighborhood fit Susan perfectly, and I know she's going to have a great time. I'll let Susan cover that more, but she did make me promise that we'd go back and stay a month there together someday.
It is hard to believe that two weeks came and went, and yet when I read back over our blog posts I can see that we did so much in that time. Highlights for me include the desert (of course), the amazing food we had in Margaret River, caving, biking and swimming at Rottnest Island, and my one night in Susan's Sydney apartment.
Upon returning to work, someone asked me what Australia was like. I said it was as if they took the good parts of California, turned it into a continent, and slapped a tropical rainforest on the top end. And I don't mean to say Australia isn't unique – it is truly a great country – but I felt that was the best way I could describe it. Australia is a young country, just as California is a young state. And there is a certain vibrancy there that you can feel. The people Susan and I met on our journey were all friendly and I suspect it has something to do with living in such a great place.
I have now been to each of Australia's states and each major city except for Darwin. I know I'll be back, and not just because I promised Susan. I've always been fascinated with the place – so far away, but so familiar, a great wide-open land with sunny days and happy people. So with that in mind, I thought I'd take some notes for future Jon to review prior to his next trip Down Under, or for anyone contemplating a similar journey.
Bring the bug net to the desert. Seriously. The flies don't bite, but they will do everything they can to drink from your eyeballs and nostrils. We passed many a miserable tourist doing a crazy dance while we calmly strolled through the desert's many sites and wonders. Visibility is slightly impeded, but less so than if your eyes were filled with buzzing bugs. You may even find it useful outside of the desert, though you might get funny looks.
Taking your time is a good way to see wildlife. Susan's foot is in recovery, and while she can't hike too far, she can walk at a gentle pace. We saw sooo many birds. And lizards, and a kangaroo, and a big fish, and humpback whales, and neat insects. Much of this I owe to our quiet strolls along the trails. Also, a good way to get the solitude necessary to appreciate the wildlife is by getting up early, particularly in the desert.
Don't forget to bring the charger for your camera battery. But if you do forget, most towns have a camera shop where you can purchase a universal charger that fits most batteries.
When hiking through the desert, make sure to bring something sweet along that doesn't melt. Susan was wise to do this and brought along these little milk chews – a tasty treat when you aren't close to food.
Speaking of desert food… lower your expectations. It's a shame that, unlike America, there are no Mexican restaurants in Australia's deserts. The ubiquitous gluten-free cuisine that is available in Australia is Thai.
If you are driving, get a good map. I think a good printed map is much better than any GPS if you have a great navigator (like Susan) with you. Renting from Hertz in Perth? Ask for a detailed book map. They lend them out and they are immensely helpful.
"How are you going?" is a greeting like "how are you doing?" The expected response is "fine" or "good." They aren't asking about your mode of locomotion.
Bring a good hat. And proper clothing. Spring means different things in different places and Australia is big.
The airports handle security a little differently than in the US. You will have to remove your laptop, but not your shoes (sanity). You won't be bothered about liquids much. You don't have to have a boarding pass to go through security, so people will greet each other at the gate. You will have to show your boarding pass when you enter the gate ramp (like the US) and when you actually step onto the plane (not like the US).
Eat early and often. Being even slightly hungry can result in a feedback loop of grumpiness.
A scotch fillet is just a rib eye.
Don't ever get guacamole in Australia.
This was one of the very best vacations I've been on. We saw all kinds of amazing places and had a lot of fun. Susan and I make excellent travel companions and I look forward to more adventures together, which I'm sure we'll document here. And writing this blog has been fun and helpful for both of us. It's been a great way for us to remember our trip and I hope it is helpful to others. I recommend keeping a trip journal, even if you don't publish it.
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