Day 334 Going Up!

Wednesday 30 November


We had a leisurely start this morning.  Yesterday was quite tiring so we gathered breath before todays onslaught! A taxi seemed a better option than the buses and are quite cheap so we soon found ourselves at the ticket office of the Singapore Flyer.  This is a big wheel, like the London Eye and gave fantastic views of the city.  The most bizarre object in view was the Marina Sands Hotel - 3 Tower blocks with an apparent cruise liner on top.

On top of the wheel

Singapore River & Ships in the Bay

One Crazy ship!

This was our next stop which gave more high level views from the front deck of the ship, 56 floors up, including of the wheel we'd just left.

Millenium Flyer & Singapore Suburbs

Central Singapore - what a place for a soccer pitch!

Stern of the ship

Clarke Quay

Next we took a boat trip down the river and around the harbour, similar views from a lower level and a better aspect on the Marina Sands.  The tulip shaped building is the Science and Arts Museum which we sadly didn't have time to visit.

Marina Sands Hotel

Another taxi ride took us to Arab Street, full of shops selling wonderful quality silks and other fabrics.  We were hot tired and sweaty by now and hunting a cafe.  On a corner we saw one full of people so headed straight there.  I'm not quite sure what I ate, you got a plate of rice and pointed to what you fancied from a choice of about a dozen dishes.   I had some green cabbagey like veg, prawns in a some sort of sauce, some fish in batter and bhindi all with another sauce poured over. It was very tasty.  The rain clouds were gathering by now but unlike yesterdays torrential downpour there were initially just showers which we dodged as we walked back to the hotel.  Fortunately there are colonnades and verandahs in front of all the shops giving protection from both the sun and rain.


Back at the hotel it was time for a shower and a rest before the evening's entertainment. We met up with Adam, one of the boys old school friends who is now living and working out here. He took us to a nice pub that was a microbrewery for a meal and several beers. It was both enjoyable and informative as he had lots of insights into Singapore life which is not readily apparent to tourists.  Anyway now it's time for bed. It's been another tiring day!

Day 333 Exploring Singapore, Chinatown

Tuesday 29 November


What an amazing city this is! Our hotel is in the area known as Little India, an apt description.  The streets are packed with small open fronted shops selling everything from soap to saris. Taylors sat in front of the shops working away on their old treadle sewing machines and people are everywhere, mostly Indian in this area but also Chinese, Malay, European & who knows what else.  Vibrant is the clichéd but accurate description.


This morning we walked  down to the bus stop for the Hop on Hop off bus we have tickets for. Belatedly we realised it wasn't due for over an hour so caught a normal bus, along with another British couple, Reg who was blind and Barbara.  First stop was Raffles hotel, just to say we'd seen it  then, having parted company with R & B finally caught our HoHo Bus to Chinatown.  we took lunch in the Maxwell Hawker Centre, a food hall with numerous small booths either side of a central aisle filled with chair and tables. The stalls had a great variety of meals and drinks & the food was freshly cooked and delicious. When we left we realised there were 3 or 4 aisles not just the one we ate in.

While wandering around Chinatown we were enticed into a camera shop and bought some odds and ends.  The salesman recommended seeing the Chinese Buddhist Temple of the Tooth which we'd walked right passed.  We called in as a service was in progress.  The chanting of the monks was quite hypnotic, we stood and listened until they had finished.  The hall itself was magnificent

We got back on the bus just as the rain started.  They seem to have a downpour every afternoon.  We were feeling quite smug that we were in the dry when the bus driver told us we'd have to get off and another bus would come in 10 minutes.  fortunately there was a shelter there so I spent the time photographing drips and rain.

Back to the hotel for  a rest then this evening we had a meal in the Banana Leaf Restaurant.  The gimmick is that your food is eaten off a banana leave but the important point is that it was beautifully cooked and very tasty.

We've done a lot of walking today so time for bed!

Day 332 Singapore

Monday 28 November

Got up at 3.30 and spent all day in planes and airports. Now in Singapore in a nice hotel in the Little India district. Have had a beer and a snack of Indian bread stuffed with mutton accompanied by 3 sauces in cafe next door No idea what we were eating but it was delicious. This place is really buzzing. Looking forward to exploring but now it's time for a shower and bed

The only photo I took today was on my iPhone in Sydney Airport. I thought this display of Christmas decorations, all with snow scenes, was quite bizarre.






- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Day 331 Goodbye to Gaz and Vicky

Sunday 27 November


It was hard saying goodbye today. We left at about 11.30 and tears were shed all round.  We've had a wonderful time with Gaz and Vicky, they were excellent hosts and made us feel so welcome and at home.  Of course just being with Gaz was so important to us, it's a wrench to leave him again. However, we'll get over it , the saying goodbye is worse than actually being apart and with things like Skype we keep in pretty close touch.


The drive to Brisbane was delayed by a huge traffic jam which seemed to be caused by a solitary car that had broken down but we eventually arrived at the very nice Kingsford Smith Motel close to Brisbane airport.  After checking in we nipped over to the airport to check on the procedure for leaving the car in the morning, as it will be before the office opens, then back to the motel for a rest.  We asked at reception where to eat and were told Port Wharf 5 minutes away.  We got in the car and rapidly found she meant 5 minutes walk! At least the parking was free, as is usually the case out here,  and we had a selection of restaurants nicely situated on the bank of the Brisbane River. We had a super meal in the Italian Restaurant and are now preparing for an early night and 3.30 start in the morning!!


I didn't have much enthusiasm or opportunity for much photography today so here's just one view of the river and evening sky taken from the wharf near the restaurant

Day 330 Last Day

Saturday 26 November


I'm feeling rather sad now. Tomorrow we leave Gaz and Vicky, and Hervey Bay for the drive to Brisbane where we will overnight before flying out on Monday.  I've not thought about it till now but we'll probably not see Gaz for 9 months. Hopefully he'll be visiting home in August.  Thank heavens for Skype, it really does make a difference being able to see him when we talk. In fact Ian skyped John this morning and we had a video call with him and Sue while they were still in bed!


Anyway we've had a nice last day together.  He and Ian went fishing ( unsuccessfully) this morning so I wandered down to  the beach to say hello.  As they were packing up two tandem sky divers came in to land.  The tide was well in and I was impressed by the small target patch of dry sand that they landed on.  The early start was too much for Gaz and he went back to bed while Ian Vicky and I went up the coast to see the sea eagle nest again. I didn't get any better photos of it but did manage some nice ones of the dandelions!  

For lunch we all went to Toogoom again.  Its a lovely spot and today we went to the bakery/cafe rather than the restaurant.  The milk shakes and cakes were great but Gaz's choice of quiche Lorraine caused problems.  They'd obviously got their quiches confused as three times they heated one for him and all turned out to be smoked salmon quiches which he hates. In the end he had a sausage roll instead!  Back home and Vicky went off to a works fancy dress party and Ian and I had a cooling swim in the pool. 




 Tonight we're off for a meal together in the best restaurant they've found out here.  I think we all want to do something a little special.

Day 329 Back to Hervey Bay

Friday 25 November


No excitement today, just a six hour drive back to Gaz & Vicky.  We left Byron Bay early, didn't stop off anywhere on the way and arrived early afternoon.  It was good to see Gaz again. Vicky bounced in a little later after having had a job interview which went well. We all had a bit of a nap and then after doing the necessary shopping went over to the pubic bbq to cook our supper.  We were intrigued by the several cars and one motorbike driving to the small parking area by the beach. As they all switched there lights off, one even before reaching an isolated parking spot we guessed there was some nefarious activity going on but didn't care to investigate further.


Back home and I have been deserted.  Everyone disappeared up to bed just after 8.00. I was left wondering what photo to take.  While here I want to take souvenir photos  so prowled around the house looking for inspiration. Then I realised take a photo outside. The house is in a small gated development of 8 houses along a little street.  So this is what it looks like at night, taken from Gaz's front door.

Day 328 Rain!

Thursday 24 November

Raindrops in the Garden

Last night's rain has persisted on and off all day, which was very disappointing.  There's not much to do here when it's wet. We got up late and drove to the nearby town of Ballina where there was a Big W.  Big W is the non food part of Woolworths, which exists in Aus although sadly demised in UK.  It's not like UK Woolies though.  Woolworths is a major supermarket chain, like Tescos but selling food only, not even booze.  I'd bought a nice rash vest in Big W in Hervey Bay and wanted to see if they had them in different designs here. Yes they did!  I also got matching shorts and Ian picked up some T shirts.  In the shopping mall nearby I bought a new swimsuit then we had coffee and a cake while waiting for the rain to ease before walking back to the car.  We took the scenic route on the return to our little apartment for an afternoon nap.  This evening we picked up another take-away, this time from the noodle bar.  It's going to be a quiet night and early start tomorrow, so we can get back to Hervey Bay in good time.

The Pool - we didn't get to use it!

Grey day, Grey Seas

Day 327 Road to Byron Bay

Urunga Riverside

We had another long drive today so left the wonderful Riverview Motor Inn at 8.00.  We only stopped off twice other than the odd break to stretch our legs and quench our thirst.  First stop was at Urunga, a quiet town on a river estuary where we had coffee and cake, then a short walk.  I'm not sure what the bird is, perhaps a whimbrel but I'm open to correction.




Further on we had a good length stop at Yamba.  This holiday town is at the mouth of the Clarence River, which is HUGE! Apparently there are 11 beaches here although we only saw 6.  We walked out onto a headland between two of them and watched the waves. There were some young boys jumping and diving off the rocks into a very turbulent sea which scared me silly.  The tide was nearly out and most people left the water just as we were debating whether to go for a swim, presumably as the surf had flattened off. We decided to avoid getting sandy bits again as we still had an hour and a half's drive.  We're now safely ensconced in a nice little motel "studio"which we've booked for two nights, the reward for todays long drive.  We have a sitting room and kitchenette as well as bedroom.  It has been nicely relaxing to have had a quiet evening in, enjoying a bottle of white wine and a take away Indian curry (yum!) while listening to the rain :(

Yamba

Yamba

Day 326 Taree

Tuesday 22 November


We left Katoomba early for todays long drive.  It took us 250km to reach the edge of the forest, driving through both the Blue Mountains and the Wollemi National Parks.  The roads, particularly towards the end of this section, were superb - empty good tarmac, fantastic views and ...twisty! Oh for a bike! It was obviously popular with bikers as there were numerous warnings and road safety messages aimed at them but today we hardly saw a car let alone bikes.

Smith's Lake

Next was a rather boring section on the highway passing a huge open cast coal mine and some built up areas before we turned off onto the Lakes Way.  Not surprisingly this passed several lakes, though most were disappointingly hidden from view, and ended up at the coast. 


 At Bluey Beach we finally got to stretch our legs and go for a swim.. Well not much swimming was done as there was very strong surf.  It was like a super strong jacuzzi!  We got nicely pummelled, did some body surfing then lay on the beach to dry off.  Just behind the surf a pod of dolphins was patrolling the area when we arrived but soon moved off.

Bluey Beach

Bluey Beach

We drove through some fairly affluent areas, firstly past large houses which all seemed to have a paddock and horse or two attached then more large houses each with it's own jetty and mooring on one of the lakes.  Ian spotted a tourist sign to Hawkes Point Lookout so we diverted to see it. We parked at the end of a lane to the sound of thunder.  We decided it wasn't too close so set off up the marked path, up and up and up!  We were just thinking of giving up when we reached the top and and large metal tower.  The views from the top were spectacular, particularly of the rapidly approaching storm!  Time to turn back. We passed this sign explaining the name of the place.

Approaching Storm

Finally we arrived at a great little motel in Taree. Our room is slightly bizarre as it has a bedroom and separate kitchenette/dining area containing a whirlpool  bath.  It was just big enough for us to share and wash off all the sand we'd acquired in unmentionable places. Finally a simple meal in the motel restaurant in the company of a lovely New Zealand couple and the motel owners.  A great day!

Day 325 Katoomba

Monday 21 November


Just to finish off yesterday....once everyone woke up , we talked, and talked, and talked....  It's great to get on so well.  The highlight of the evening, without doubt, was showing John Skype on the iPad.  We called his sister and he took the iPad all around the house and garden to show her how it had changed since her last visit some years ago.  He had a grin from ear to ear and looked like a kid given free run of the sweetshop! Today he texted to say he's bought an ipad2!


Anyway, this morning it was really sad to say our farewells.  We'd had such a great time with really fantastic company.  I think we're going to be giving John plenty of Skype practice! Sue dropped us off at the airport where we picked up a hire car and set off to the Blue mountains.  The first stretch was a major highway through flat countryside . It took a couple of hours to reach some hills.  The Northern Road was a bit disorientating as it took us from near Liverpool, through Penrith and Llandilo (no e - they can't spell here!), past Windsor to Londonderry and on to Richmond.  Up into the mountains proper where there were some great views  and on to Katoomba.  We booked in to a motel overnight then drove the short distance to the canyon edge.  First we took a cable car over to a viewpoint and back, past a wonderful very long waterfall which was too big for me to take a photograph of the whole, then we went down on the steepest funicular railway in the world to the forest below.  There were walkways around the canopy. The huge tree ferns were really impressive but the whole walk was fascinating.  Back up the railway and we walked to the topmost part of the waterfall and finally called at the big viewpoint of the rock formation known as the Three Sisters.  There is an expansive view over the forest and distant hills, quite magnificent - but dull!  The sun deserted us today.  Anyway here's a selection of todays photos

Down the Funicular!

Tree Ferns

Waterfall Detail

Strange Man on Stepping Stones ;)

The Three Sisters

Across the Valley

Day 324

Sunday 20 November


After last nights excesses it was a late start this morning.  It was quite suprising to be woken by rain and temperatures 15 degrees less than yesterday!  Several cups of tea out on the verandah revived us enough for bacon & eggs cooked on the bbq for breakfast. John and Sue then took us for a little drive around the village. It's called Captains Flat and was a mining village.  The mine is now closed and the village has shrunk considerably in size.  We went up to the remains of the old mine, where there are quite good views and then had an exceptionally good lunch in the cafe and art gallery. 

Up the hill with Sue

Admiring the View

Mine Entrance

The art is largely by Gunther the owner, and quite thought provoking.  Now back home everyone else is asleep so a good time to post though rather early in the day. I'm sitting at the kitchen table being watched by the parrots on the verandah and on the tree outside the kitchen window. 

The Watchers - King Parrots

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo

We're leaving here tomorrow for a 5 day road trip back to Hervey Bay.  Hopefully our trusty mifi will supply us with internet access en route so I can continue regular posts.

Day 323 Exploring & a Ball

Saturday 19 November
After a good nights sleep and breakfast on the verandah John took us for a short drive up the "road" beyond his house and around some of his property.  The road was a very rough dirt track, much rutted and eroded. The Toyata 4x4 coped with it admirably but I had to hang on for dear life. I was in the small middle front seat and kept sliding over onto the handbrake which was more than a bit uncomfortable! We stopped at the small dam and lake which was beautiful but were disappointed not to see any kangaroos or feral pigs up there. 

Viewing the Dam from the Road

Back home we set the gps and went in to Canberra in Sue's car leaving the family with Winnie.  Sadly while we were out she deteriorated further and made the expected trip to the vet. She now lies in the garden under a rose bush.


Meanwhile Ian and I had a splendid day in the National Museum.   We were as enthralled by the building itself as by it's contents.  These abstract photos are all part of the exterior.

Home again and after commiserating over the loss of Winnie , it was time to party.  Tonight was the annual village ball, and did we have a ball!  Taken by bus with our picnic to the Community Hall, we had a fantastic evening, met lots of lovely people, and danced the night away.  Even Ian danced! He just doesn't do it usually.  We've only had about 4 dances together since we married prior to tonight, now I've lost count. We're both so grateful to John & Sue for putting us up and giving us such a great time.

The Ballroom

My Big Cousin