So, that's it then. We are finally at the end of this mega mammoth tour that was Living The Dream".
I have mixed feelings about heading back to Melbourne, but the main feeling is I can't wait to get there. Traveling is great and we've seen and done some fabulous things over the past 3 months, but there's always something about coming home. Being close to friends and family, sleeping in your own bed and being able to make a vegemite sandwich without hassle are all things I've missed.
This trip wouldn't have been the same and really couldn't have happened it it weren't for the Living The Dream Team :
Madds - you made a lot of peoples' day during the Olympics and your ability to take photos out of the moving car window throughout Ireland was magnificent.
Lu - Your passion and dedication throughout the London 2012 Olympic Games was unprecedented and you are still one of the funniest chicks I know.
Tans - A big congratulations goes out to Miss Tanya Hammond who has become engaged since the English/Irish leg of the tour finished. Well done to Nick. I'd like to thank you guys, together with Adam for all your amazing hospitality. You are truly gracious hosts and I look forward to the wedding (assuming there's an invite in the mail..... well you sort of have to now that I've blogged about it, right?) Tans, your organisational skills are second to none and it is great to know that we can always rely on you to get us up in the morning!
Next, Me Jenny - what a great travel companion. She never complains, just goes with the flow and wants to try everything..... and also likes to have the odd nanna nap in the afternoon, which I also love - so it was win win!
So, what were our favourite places on the tour you ask? What a great question....
1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada: for its sheer beauty and marvellous engineering feats where they built houses on tiny islands make mostly out of rock.
Niagara on the Lakes, Ontario, Cananda: for being the prettiest town we visited and for the best bakery home made sausage rolls.
The Rockies, BC & Alberta, Canada: for the spectacularism of the scenery (so good it gets its own word) and the plethora wildlife.
Charlottetown, PEI, Canada: for Anne Shirley
Kilkenny, Kilkenny Co. Ireland: for the quaintness and for the Kilkenny Kats - Go the Kats!
Quebec City, Quebec: for the cobblestone streets and the wall murals in the street.
London, England: for putting on a great Olympics.
Vancouver, Canada: for introducing me to the Red Velvet Cupcake - you may have created a monster.
A big thank you to all the people who came to meet me to catch up and made themselves available and opened their homes to me.
And last, but certainly not least - thanks to you all for reading. Without you, it's just me, and I don't know anyone who'd be happy with that.
So, until next time...... I'll leave you with this photo that I took this morning of something that made me giggle......
Until next time.
xxx
Thursday, October 11, 2012
The End
I Can See Clearly Now the Smog Has Gone
Honkers is a bit smoggy and feels a little bit dirty even though it's one of the cleanest looking cities we've been to. I'm referring to the ciggie butts and flayling rubbish on the street that you see in, dare I say it, New York or London, but there is none of it here in Honks. But there is dirt and lots of it. There's lots of construction going on which means lots of building dust in the air - then combine this with a fine layer of perspiration and you feel oh so grose.
Jen and I were hoping to do some heavy duty shopping here, but to no avail - I'm not sure how many fur lined boots they'll sell here, but they weren't for us. What a shame. So our suitcases remain in the unextended position.
Yep - This Happened!
This lady was sitting in front of us on the ferry and she was..... yes, she was trimming her nose hairs with nail clippers. Not the hairs inside her nose, but the ones on the top! How many can you have there? She was at it for ages.
One Day in Hong Kong
How easy is getting around Honkers? Off the plane and our bags were there waiting for us, almost calling our names from the conveyor belt. Then we walked out the arrivals door and almost fell into the train - it was that close. Off the train and a bus was waiting for us to take us straight to the door of our hotel. So we thought, we've been on nearly every other mode of transport, so let's get the ferry over to Hong Kong Island, catch a taxi to the bottom of the peak train. Then we would have done it all. So easy!
And lucky it's so easy because to be totally honest with you, if you had to deal with terrible public transport on top of the crowds and the pushing and the smoking and the spitting as well as the heat (when it's hot), then more people would surely be killed. Surely!
Asian Engineering
I'm always baffled at how things get done in Asian countries..... or it's probably more that I'm thinking "why aren't more people killed?" This could be just me thinking this, but is Australia such a "Nanny" country now that we believe everything is going to go wrong until it doesn't? Perhaps its my earlier career in child care where a big part of the job is making things safe for the bambinos..... I have noticed that since then I preempt accidents from happening. You know, moving that cord BEFORE somebody trips over it or moving the glass back from the edge of the table BEFORE it falls spilling red wine all over the beige carpet. Am I over cautious? Should I look past the potential hazard staring at me and just go with the flow and deal with the problems as they arise? Am I teaching kids that there aren't any dangers because I've removed them all before they've even seen them?
The thing is, I don't think I could let it go.... I mean, I even tuck in the label tages on the tops of complete strangers. Not that that is a danger, but I can't help myself.
Which brings me to the view from our window in Kowloon. How long is going to be before somebody falls through that scaffoldingly looking balcony arrangement there?
Positive Note to potential employers: I would make a great Occupational Health and Safety Officer.
Play to your strengths, always play to your strengths.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Why?
Ps: to the bitch of a woman patting me down, I think you'll find that the metal showing up on my left wrist is my watch and probably not some sort of metal explosive under my skin. Sure, easy mistake.
A Traveller's 10 Commandments
1. Thou shalt not expect to find things as thou hast them at home, for thou has left home to find things different.
2. Thou shalt not take anything TOO seriously, for a care-free mind is the beginning of a fine holiday.
3. Thou shalt not let other tourists get on thy nerves, for thou art paying out good money to enjoy thyself.
4. Remember to take only half the clothes thou thinks thou needs - and twice the money.
5. Know at all times where thy passport is, for a person without a passport is a person without a country.
6. Remember that if we had been expected to stay in one place, we would have been created with roots.
7. Thou shalt not worry, for he that worrieth hath no pleasure - few things are ever fatal.
8. When in Rome, thou shalt be prepared to do somewhat as the Romas do.
9. Thou shalt not judge the people of a country by the one person who hast given thee trouble.
10. Remember thou art a guest in other lands, and he that treateth his host with respect shall be honoured.
I think there's a little bit in there for everybody.
Start Spreading The News....... We're Leaving Today!
And so ends our fabulous week in New York, New York. We've walked all over and now have calves like Jack Sheedy (a Veteren East Perth Football Player with calves like tree trunks). It's so wonderful to actually see all the places and things that you recognise from books or in the movies. However, as hard as we looked, we didn't see any movie or TV Personalities...... maybe they don't hang around with the 1.7 million people who hang out in Times Square?
We still have a couple of days left of the tour - one in the air over the Pacific and the other in Hong Kong, but I do like to reflect on our time away and think back over the things that we have learned on our travels.
1. There will be cues, so one must breath in and out and in and out and just know that we will get there in the end.
2. Always keep your humour - always! Even when the people around you don't get the joke - it's ok to laugh by yourself.
3. When on a tour, time is of the essence and never be the last one on the tour bus! The heckling just isn't worth it.
4. Don't ever come to me for light packing advice. Way too many items were brought, so much so that not many items could be bought!
5. My love for Meatball Gracy Sliders is still very strong.
6. Whilst it's great to be away and seeing so many wonderful things, it's always a good feeling to be heading for home.
Monday, October 8, 2012
The Little Owl
Back on the Girlie Tour of '09 we went to a little restaurant in the West Village, and I mean little and ordered the meatball gravy sliders. They were so good that we went again before leaving New York and I've been talking about them every since. So it was a no brainer when Jen and I were thinking of must do's whilst here. I booked a week ago and the only time slot we could get was at 5pm..... we'll take it! So after we had meandered through the gorgeous leafy streets of the West Village, we made out way to this gem of a place and immediately tucked into the best morsels of food that have ever passed my lips! That's a big call, I realise, but I'll stand by it.
The Little Owl
Cnr Hudson and Bedford Streets
West Village, New York
Bookings essential!
The West Village
A little wander through the West Village was lovely. We found Carrie's stoop from Sex and the City. The Village has such a, dare I say it, villagey feel about it. So very different from the hustle and bustle of the numbered patchwork that is Midtown. This house, like so many others were readying themselves for the onslaught of trick or treaters. They take it quite seriously over here as we know from the movies - you can buy a pumpkin bigger than your own head for just $10!
Privacy Please.
Some of the Highline is lined with residential buildings and some apartments look out onto the bridge at the same level. I can't imagine that the person who lives here would be out on their balcony often, especially lounging on their sun lounge chair. I imagine it would be somewhat intrusive.
Jenny, Sitting With Her Mates!
On the Highline there are funky places to sit, there's a few little cafes and an eatery under an overpass and some performers along the way. Everything has been designed to keep the feel of the railway line - in fact, most of the tracks are still there and they've built around them. Well done people of New York.
The New York High Line
This was out last day in New York and it was a corker. A bit cloudy, but no rain..... thank you very much who ever organised that.
The Highline is an old disused railway line that was built up off the street. After they stopped using it, it just lay dormant waiting until somebody decided what to do with it. Then some bright sparks thought it would be a great idea to make it into a public space. They've done such an amazing job. It runs from just below 14th street and goes all the way to 30th following 10th Ave.
Toilet Humour?
How many places in the world are there where you would choose to spend most of the time in the bathroom? It is just so lovely and elegant in the ladies lounge. I just like saying "Ladies Lounge"!
So Pretty
But the most fabulous room in the building is the ladies lounge. Imagine being here in the 1930's.
The Great Hall
This building is absolutely spectacular and has always been kept in the style of the 1930's.
All The World's A Stage
Next Stop - Radio City Music Hall. This is such a beautiful theatre. We got to see all around the theatre and meet a rockette!
'Ello Guvna
This is the Governor or New York, Andrew Cuomo. He was pretty happy to be part of the parade.
Focus!
You're in a parade in New York, walking up 5th Avenue in front of a crowd of millions...... do you think you'd put your phone down?
Happy Columbus Day
First job today was the Coumbus Day Parade. It ran up 5th Avenue starting at 47th street and worked it's way up to 59th. There was a huge turn out of people lining the sides of the street. To be honest it wasn't terribly exciting. There were lots of what looked like ramdom people just walking up the street and then a band and them some girls holding flags then some more random people.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Macy's Bedlam
When we decided to go to Macy's, we weren't completely sure we'd be alone..... and we weren't - we were joined by approximately 2.8 million other people.
Check out this shopping system..... You choose your item then you tell a lady what you want, then she takes your items and walks you to a cue and then when you get to the front of that line, you tell the person who served you and she writes it down on a slip of paper, then you line up in another line to pay. so all the items are lined up on the counter with the slip of paper under them. Then you pay, Then you get your item. We lasted until about half way through the second line before getting the hell out of there. The lipsticks are probably still sitting on the counter. They're probably wondering what the hell went wrong with their system....... probably!
Not Our Day.......
So, tired and over crowded we found solace in the nearest restaurant/bar.
- no beer on tap due to renovations
- when we ordered a beer and tried to order a second, they had run out!
- and we were seated at the bar where the barman had to lean around the cake stand and over the bain marie without burning himself as he passed the beers over.
Luckily for us we decided to catch the metro underground train home and had to make a stop to change to another line, and when we came up to the street ...... we found the Columbus Day street market - excellent.
The End Of The Line......
Lucky we got into the museum when we did otherwise the other 2 million people waiting in the line would have had to cram into the exhibits with us....... Let's Go!
Some Of The 1.5 Million
So after a couple of hours of looking at the exhibits from the back of people 3 deep, we headed down to Century 21 with about 960 thousand other people.
Butta Fies
Butta Fies..... Apparently this is what my sister used to call butterflies.
Sunday - Columbus Day. The day that Chris Columbus discovered America and so it turns out that we also discovered taht we don't have original ideas. 1.7 million people had the same idea to go to the museum at the same time.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Paul Rudd - I Love You Man!
Today's cultural highligh was a matinee performance of Grace, starring Paul Rudd, Ed Anser (remember him from the Mary Tyler Moore Show?) and a couple of others that we didn't know. It was a play where PRudd plays a devout follower of Jesus and isn't afraid to let people know the error of their ways when they don't have the same beliefs. He is trying to set up a chain of gospel themed hotels who's motto is - "Where would Jesus stay?" It was funny, even if a little dark in places.
I love Paul Rudd.
Oh, For Pete's Sake!
Flying High
This sign reminded me of the movie "Flying High" or "Aeroplane" as it was called in some countries.......
"The red zone is for immediate loading and unloading of passengers, there is no stopping in the red zone......"
Vezzo Pizza
A few years ago my lovely sister, Jodie was in New York and she found this pizza place, stating that it was possibly the best pizza she'd tried. So when the girls and I came on The Girlie Tour of '09 we had to try it ourselves....... and it was so good, that it was a must for me Jenny to try on this trip.
Pizza was ordered. Pizza was eaten. Job done!
Now I've Seen Everything!
Jen and I were at the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market today. A very cool little mixture of handmade things, jewellery, bits and pieces, antiques and lots of fur! But the thing that caught my eye was this hat mannequin - complete with stubble!
Hands up if you have seen anything like this before.
C = Columbia
This rock is across the river from Columbia University. Apparently the students tried for ages to paint this letter C, but the police would always catch them, then one day they were told that they were allowed to paint it there - something about misuse of police time, and since then they've painted it and maintained it. Good to see that money is being well spent at Columbia Uni!
Your Friendly Window Washer
Check out this guy waving to the ferry. Don't tell me people from Jersey aren't friendly!
New Jersey
This building was over the Hudson River in New Jersey and Jenny and I were discussing how the people who lived there would have a great view, but we wouldn't like to be the guy who has to wash the windows...... then I zoomed in........... (see next picture)
One Lap Around
As we cruised up the East River and into the Harlem River, we passed Brooklyn, Harlem, Queens and Roosevelt Island which is where a large, old and still working mental institution stands..... chances are that a few patients have somehow made it across the river to Manhattan!
It was exciting to see Yankee Stadium from the outside. This is the new stadium, the old one was situated just to the right of the new one and all that stands there now is a very tall chimney shaped like a baseball bat, complete with handle strapping.
The Brooklyn Bridge
There is something about this bridge that I just love. I'm not sure if it's the arch ways or the suspension wires or the castle like features that it has..... but I just love it and so far we've gone under it and over it twice each.
Lady Lib
Here she is..... What a great day to go out and visit one of the most well known landmarks in the world. Can you believe that when the French gave this statue as a gift to USA, nobody wanted her. They didn't know what to do with her.
Can you imagine the looks on the faces of the Americans accepting the present, like opening something at Christmas that you really don't like, but have to pretend so as not to hurt the French people's feelings?
Ummmmm, Excuse Me!
This building at the font is the tallest in New Jersey. It's only a fairly new build and I would like to know what the people who live in the building behind it are thinking now.
The Ultimate Driving Range
This is a multi level driving range where you whack the balls toward the Hudson River. How cool is that? If everybody hit at the same time, how would you know which ball was yours?
Let This Be A Lesson!
If you don't have a full length mirror at home or good friends to tell you, then let this girl's mistake be a lesson to us all. If your pants are too low and your t-shirt is too short - then this is what happens.
It's not smart and it's not clever and quite frankly, nobody should have to look at it for 3 whole hours when stuck on a boat!
Cruisin'
To keep making the most of the one beautiful day we were guaranteed to have, we hopped onto the Circle Line Ferry that takes you around the whole of Manhattan Island. A 3 hr guided cruise past the gorgeous skyline, under about 18 bridges, past all 5 New York boroughs and a real close up of Lady Liberty herself.
The Colonial Alliance
One of the questions we had was "Which religion has scriptures called Tripitaka?"
Who knew that my knowledge of Monkey Magic would come in so handy?
We all had our strengths, but it was really Kurt and Karla - an engineer and a music teacher (who plays every instrument) who really brought this team to victory...... but it was a team effort!
Oh Shit!
If you're going to get your arms stuck, I can't think of a better place than between the glass barriers on the top of the Rockefeller Observation Deck!
Three Lovely Ladies
Can you see our Lady Liberty in the background? No? We couldn't see her either. So, I guess it's just 2 lovely ladies!
The Upper West Side
There was still a slight haze in the sky, but at least the cloud had lifted off the top of the buildings. I love this view of New York, looking over the park towards the upper west and over the Hudson River.
Top Of The Rock
It had been rainy and cloudy and foggy for the past couple of days, so when we knew that this day was going to be blue skies and 80 degrees F (we've learned that you take away 30 and then halve that number to get C) - so 25C we planned to head to the Top of the Rock for a great view. We were up and about very early and got to the Rockefeller Centre with about 2000 other people who had the exact same idea. Why is it that we think that we're the only people with the good ideas?