I may catch up toward the end of the trip, but I doubt it.

written by  hallanniem on November 6, 2009 from Montrose, United States
from the travel blog: Great Australian Fun Filled Expedition (my GAFFE)
tagged Day0minus1
Send a Compliment

---

comment on this...

I dropped Ann off at O'Hare at about 3 pm. It's now 5:40 pm, so her boarding call has been made. I haven't received any frantic last minute phone calls or e-mails, so I have to assume she has her passport and credit cards with her!

She's flying to LA tonight, then has a 3 hour layover before her flight to Melbourne! She's gonna have a blast!

written by  hallanniem on November 8, 2009 from Chicago, United States
from the travel blog: Great Australian Fun Filled Expedition (my GAFFE)
tagged Day1
Send a Compliment

---

comment on this...

Funny thing. What I saw on the ride from the airport. A Costco, and a billboard advertising the movie New Moon. Did I really leave the country? the 14 hour flight says so.

Walked around the downtown area. It is very hot, or it seems that way after the frost we've been having. Just cannot get iced tea. McDonalds never heard of such a thing!!!!!
I finally got someone at Hungry Jacks (Burger King to you and I) to give me a hot tea and a cup of ice. Tetly tea to boot, hurrah.
You can get iced coffee and iced chocolate, but not iced tea.

I was able to get the heels on my boots resoled in an hour.

I took some pictures, but not of anything special.

I was tempted to eat at one of the indoor cafeterias, but there were birds flying around inside. (Near the food areas) no thanks.

More later.

I hope to get to the zoo today. also a walking tour, and avisit to the Vicoria Markets.

Victoria Market is closed on Mon and Wed. But I did make it to the Zoo.

The walking tour was very enjoyable. Lots of history and even chocolate.

Finally figured out the tram system ( I keep trying to get on the wrong way).

The day was so hot that the animals were mostly in hiding or taking a break in the shade (hard to see).

I am sending out some post cards. so keep and eye out you may get one.

Jenny- have no seen any shot glasses yet. but I am not buying much until the hiking tour is over

written by  hallanniem on November 10, 2009 from Melbourne, Australia
from the travel blog: Great Australian Fun Filled Expedition (my GAFFE)
tagged Zoo
Send a Compliment

---

1 comment...

OZE 1 caravan park to look for Koalas found birds also

First stop Bells beach site of the longest surf competition -m Easter week each year. A national Surf Shire

We move on to the Great Ocean Road which is a national monument to Soilders of World War I. It is about 300 Kilometers long, adn was built by about 3000 veterans from WWI.

The Great Ocean Road continues along the Southern Ocean (next stop south is the Antarctic) So I walked in the Southern Ocean today.

We stopped at a caravan park to look at Koalas. They like the gum trees there. Found some of them and some parrots also.

Next I was able to walk in the canapy of a rainforest. The Otway Fly is a suspended walkway in the Otway Rainforest. ( I also had the privilidge [tongue in cheek] of climbing 105 spiral steps up to the top of the tower). Looking down on the fern trees I thought of the bedding plants chicks and hens, but the fern trees were 10 feet tall!!

After checking in for the night and dinner we went to view the 12 apostles. Limestone pillars left by ocean erosion. Originally the Sow and piglets numbered 18. Today 11 are standing. It was very cloudy, and we did not think we would be able to see a sunset, but there was a brilliant red sunset just as we were driving off.

sunset 12 apostles

I forgot to mention our hosts for the first night at the 13th Apostle. Very good people.
And then there is Kate our host/guide.

Kate is perfect for her job. Outgoing enthusiastic and just a bit brash. The group is doing just what she needs and enjoying themselves too boot. Our side views and additions have been varied depending on the current need. But all is hadled with great attitude. Kate did tell me to go soak my head when I was a little too warm. I clued her in to the phrase later after reminding her that she told me to "go soak your head".

Went down Loch Ard Gorge, site of a famous shipwrech where there were only 2 survivours. (72 step and then lots of sand to wade through). More views of the 12 Apostles.

Were able to stop and view and old caldera from the volcanic past.

Sent the night at Hall's Gap inthe Granapians mts. Made no bake cookies a big hit especialy for Wolfgang. It was a beautiful night, but tomorrow it will be 38 celcius, we are starting our hike up the mountain early 7-8am so as not to be too hot.

As Kate says "it is going to be a stinker"

written by  hallanniem on November 13, 2009 from Halls Gap, Australia
from the travel blog: Great Australian Fun Filled Expedition (my GAFFE)
tagged OZE2
Send a Compliment

---

1 comment...

top of Mt Hollow

Very hot day. We stopped at border town for lunch and a look at the white kangaroos. We stopped and took pic of ourselves crossing from Victoria to South Australia.

Not much detouring today, just get there and stay cool if you could.

Oh by the by my accomidation is in the Red Light district. (yes it means the same here). Fortunatly Adelaide doen't have hookers on the street corners, so just shops and stores that emphasize sex. Then again a shopping mall is one block away.

no bake cookies.

2cups sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup Cocoa (powdered)

stir over medium heat in medium sauce pan. let boil one full minute. remove from heat and then stir in:

one capfull of vanilla (liquid)
1/3 cup of smooth peanut butter
3 cups oats (uncooked any kind - quick , minute or rolled)

spoon onto waxed paper or onto a buttered surface. Work quickly as it will harden in the pan and then you will be eating crumbs. Enjoy

one cup is about 240 mls.

Rundle shopping

Could not take the Sunday Markets tour. It was too hot and it was cancelled. (Not sure if it was the Markets or the Tour, but no go).

Went to the Botanical Gardens to walk around this morning. Then a Stop at the Australia Wine center.

Murdoch lane

Exhibits of grapes and types of wines. along with discriptions of the various wine regions in Australia.

Quick stops to do a bit of shopping.

A visit to the Aboriginal center.Tandanya. picked up a few souvineers. Post cards.

Unfortunately I seem to have mislaid my lip balm. Probably fell out on the bus yesterday.

It is so hot today, I will probably just go back to the room and veg.

Spent about anhour at Woolworths in Rundle shopping center, to cool off and blog.

emu

Keath Is our tour guide. 20 people on the tour 14 in their twenties and 6 of us not. Song, Christine, Margarite and Martine are on this tour with me.
Our fisrt stop is the Clare Valley, on of the first wine areas of Australia, Shiraz is made here.

Still hot, already too warm by 9 am.

Arrived at the Mill, nice room.

/we had burgers for lunch then went for a nice gentle walk of 8.2 km at Dutchman's stern (named so because it looks lik the stern of a Dutch ship). It took about 3 hours roundn trip.

Then back to the mill for dinner Emu Kangaroo and Camel were all on the menu.

Doing good so far, blisters are under control and my knees are doing fine.

written by  hallanniem on November 16, 2009 from Quorn, Australia
from the travel blog: Great Australian Fun Filled Expedition (my GAFFE)
tagged ATA1
Send a Compliment

---

comment on this...