Australia History
June Long Weekend- Free Jazz Festival at Darling Harbour!
Happy First Day of Winter!
June 11th is a Holiday for NSW and VIC. I think it is Monday the 4th for WA. What is this holiday you ask? The Queens Birthday! Pay no mind to the fact her birthday is actually in April, The Aussies have decided to celebrate it in June (Well 3 states anyway). So take note- banks etc will be closed those days- while the people of WA, NSW, and VIC run themselves mad all in the name of fun. …
Date: May 31st, 2007 | No Comments
Australia Hosts the Dalai Lama
Bono’s got nothin’ on this guy! Perth, Bendigo, Geelong, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sydney, Canberra, and NZ! Do you need a bit of inspiration? You are in luck! The Dalai Lama is touring Australia! Love that picture!
The days are counting down to the arrival in Australia and in Melbourne of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama 2007 Australia Tour will be eleven days of events and opportunities to hear and see one of the most recognisable people in the world today, …
Date: May 27th, 2007 | 1 comment
Sydney with Kids
Are you traveling with kids? A valuable learning experience for the whole family, it sometimes comes with its own special difficultires. One such difficulty is finding kid friendly venues for a feed. Sydney is a city of fabulous places to eat, and there is no reason not to experience them just because you are a party of 2.5 instead of 2.
Nearly 1400 general public diners who have visited a number of restaurants with their kids have made their voices heard and have created a list of the top 20 …
Date: May 27th, 2007 | No Comments
Darwin, National Treasures from Australia’s Great Libraries
The Museum of Art and Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) is hosting a free travelling exhibit of the Australia National Treasures drawn from the magnificent collections of Australia’s National, State and Territory libraries.
It contains a diverse range of iconic objects that tell the story of this nation’s history, folklore and identity. Manuscripts, maps, drawings, paintings and objects from the everyday to the exotic are certain to inspire, fascinate and educate visitors about the people, places and events that have shaped Australia.
Having just seen it- it is pretty cool! Death Masks, journals from cannibal convicts, Ned Kelly’s Helmet, and all kinds of facinating things kept me and the several hundred other people spell bound for the better part of an hour. The Museum is trully one of the Must Do stops in Darwin, but with this exhibit- you can’t afford to miss it. Besides, the Water Ski Club hosting it’s outdoor bar and Live Jazz is right next door with views to make a grown sailor cry.
The National Treasures from Australia’s Great Libraries will run until June 11th.
There are several other worthwhile travelling exhibits there at the moment as well. I had NO idea how affected Australia, let alone Darwin was by WWII until I saw Australia under Attack 1942-1943. Did you know Australia had a cowboy patrol that kept watch on the Northern Coast with the help of the Aboriginal people to help ward off the invading Japanese?
Date: May 22nd, 2007 | No Comments
Aussie Exports to Look For, Wine in a Can
Finally ! Thank goodness! I was in a crisis until I saw this latest clever Aussie invention! How on earth are you supposed to get pissed at the beach or on a boat without… are you ready for it?….. Wine in a CAN!!!!!
Yes that’s right- first we had wine in a box, then the screw cap to make the wine purists gasp (which are handy), now…it is wine in a can- with bubbles and without! Secondary School girls everywhere are cheering!
The flavors tend to be on the lighter side …
Date: May 21st, 2007 | 1 comment
Royal National Park, Ferry Service
Are you in Sydney and need to get out of the paved jungle? If you head just a little south- you’ll feel like you are on another planet entirely. Instead of pavement…you’ll be surrounded by nature! The Royal National Park established in 1879, it is now about 16,000 hectares of National Parkland- and just stones throw from Sydney! Can you imagine! Secluded beaches, sand dunes, dramatic cliffs, spreading heaths and cool rainforests can all be found just across the Port Hacking River, south of Cronulla. …
Date: May 29th, 2007 | No Comments
Sydney Italian Festival, Viva Italia until June 11th
Put on your slickest gear, hop on your vespa and prepare to speak the international language of Luuuuuuv! It is Sydney Italian Festival time again!
Fashion, design, Food, Wine, film, Music, and of course Sport all feature as the main components of the festival. Taste Gelatto, Watch a film with gorgeous actors, drinks some wine and come see the history of the Italian infuence in shaping Sydney and Australia. At venues all over the city including the impetuous Norton Street.
A few of the Highlights still left to experience:
Taste freshly made Italian gelato from Gelatissimo. The gelato cart will be touring Myer stores and spreading the taste of Italy. Sydney City – Thur May 24 and Sun June 3 Bondi Junction
Italian wine flights (three tasting glasses) with matching tasting plates, a small wine list feature and chalkboards dedicated to all things Italian including cocktails, will feature nightly during the Festival. 2 Elizabeth Bay Rd, Elizabeth Bay
Italy and Beyond at Paddington Contemporary Fine Art
This special exhibition will showcase the work by artists of Italian descent as part of the Sydney Italian Festival. The exhibition will feature sculpture by Diego Latella, paintings by Egidio Scardamaglia.
Italian National Day Celebrations - June 3
Italian National Day Celebrations official celebrations will start at 9.45am on Sunday June 3 at the War Memorial in Hyde Park with the laying of a wreath.
Date: May 27th, 2007 | 2 comments
Aussie Translation Guide #6
Hey you Mob! It is time for another colorful Aussie Translation guide! Today we are going to talk about Car related words. One of the fun things of Travel is learning the local lingo. Australia has no shortage of their very own Aussieisms. They are fun and inventive, though occasionally hard to translate. Feel free to add a few of your own in the comments section.
Australian = North American Translation
Ute = Elllll Caaaminnnoooo! The half car/half truck thing that failed miserably in the States. Wildly popular with Tradies (Trades people) and cowboys (Jackaroos). It makes North Americans giggle, while the Pommies just don’t know what to make of them. The Term Ute can sometimes mean truck, but more often than not, it means an El Camino.
Tarago = Toyota Mini Van, but it has become a generic term for the Mini Van. The Tarago is considered a full size van in Australia with Avis saying you can fit 8 people in them. We tried with a women’s soccer team on our trip to Griffith (see picture above). We fit- but I would not call it comfortable
Tyre = Tire. The round rubber thing on a car. He he he.
Boot = The trunk. The back end. Where you store things. Also used in Pommie English…..
Kerb = Curb. The hard cement thing that denotes where the edge of the road is. People tend to back into them while trying to parallel park on ridiculously narrow streets. Known to wreak havoc on wheel rims.
Petrol = Gasoline. The thing that makes the car go, unless you have a solar powered car, which are illegal in Australia even though they hosted the first big solar powered car race…..
Prang = Doh! A crash.
Bingle = DOH! DOH! A little crash, minor accident, sometimes a big crash but someone is trying to make it sound better. “Sweetheart, I might have had a little bingle this morning…”
Date: May 23rd, 2007 | No Comments
Darling Harbour, Snow Travel Expo
Considering a winter getaway in Australia or overseas? The snow travel expo has more than 50 international and domestic resorts represented as well as 15 snow travel wholesalers airlines and equipment manufacturers.
It provides an opportunity for skiers and snowboarders to find the best deal on alpine holidays, speak to resort representatives and experts, and pick up valuable tips.
There are special Snow Travel Expo offers and four holidays worth $35000 available to win. Experts will be on hand to provide advice on boots, skis, and boards. You can even bring your skis …
Date: May 21st, 2007 | No Comments
The Kimberley, Cool things to see: The Hoochery
He He He. Get thee to The Hoochery I tell you! An absolute delight! The family owned distillery and is the oldest legal Still in WA. 15k north of Kununurra on a farming property, they distill 100 bottles of spirit per week. Tours and tastings available. The tasting room is a really warm and welcoming antique space with tasting bar, gift shop and café style nibbles to get you through the extensive tasting list. Watch out!
A few of the fine liquors on offer: Cane Royal Liquor, …
Date: May 20th, 2007 | No Comments