Categories: friends, food, australia
Date: 13 January 2008 02:11:37
It has been very warm here the last few days: it is supposed to reach 37°C out here today, and it feels as if it is well on its way to it. Looking forward to this evening's promised thunderstorm.
A fun day of many different landscapes and places yesterday. Juan, originally from Spain, came over for Nila and Andrew's wedding and is staying in Sydney until Monday. I took him for a drive yesterday south of Sydney to show him some of the sights out of the city. He seemed to be very much in awe of not only the vastness of everything, but also the many varied landscapes you can pass through on even a short drive from Sydney. I am just glad he had a good day out and wasn't bored with my selections.
We started off, after picking him up from the Backpacker's at King's Cross, heading through Sydney's southern suburbs to The Royal National Park -- established in 1879 it is the world's second oldest national park [Yellowstone in the USA is the first]. We drove through the very scenic road, stopping to take photos as we reached the coast at Otford. It was then along part of the Grand Pacific Drive, including a drive and walk along the lovely Sea Cliff Bridge and looking at the wonderful view from Bald Hill at Stanwell Tops, where hang-gliders can often be seen: none yesterday unfortunately.
We continued along the Grand Pacific Drive, travelling though many small towns with beaches [we often used to go to them as a family: less crowded than Sydney's beaches] until we got near Wollongong. We then went inland and then back out to the coast to Kiama, home of the famous blowhole which, sadly, due to calmer sea conditions wasn't blowing at all!
It was then back on the Princes Highway [one of two routes from Sydney to Melbourne: the other, the Hume Highway [named for explorer Hamilton Hume] is the main road as it is quicker than the indirect coastal route of the Princes Highway]. We stopped for a look at the Nan Tien Buddhist Temple [the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere]. It is a beautiful temple, and it is amazing to see the traditional architecture among the gum trees, and other Australian natives. We also had a wonderful (vegetarian) lunch there: we both went for soups and were very satisfied.
Travelling south, we travelled though the town of Berry and then turned west to begin the windy and steep descent into the pretty-as-a-postcard Kangaroo Valley. It was too early to see any kangaroos at dusk, but it is still a lovely place and Juan was amazed at the dramatic change in scenery from that of the coast and then that of the sheep/cow fields to the bush and lush vegetation of Kangaroo Valley. I had a coffee and Juan a milkshake at a nice café and we also went under the sandstone Hampden Bridge at the Kangaroo River, where people were swimming, canoeing or just relaxing in the water or on the small beach.
We then set off back to Sydney, stopping at Fitzroy Falls. As well as the beautiful waterfall, the views across the valley, of endless gum trees and the sheer cliffs, make for a jaw-dropping experience. As an aside, Juan seemed fascinated with our street signs. This one particularly fascinated him: mainly as he had not heard of a wombat and had no idea what it was!
I thought surburbia might be worth showing him, so we headed back towards my place, stopping at Cabramatta [an area with a large number of Vietnamese and south-east Asian migrants] for dinner. Another very pleasant dinner: which I am thankful for as there is nothing worse than taking someone to one of your favourite places only to have them dislike the food.
We continued through Fairfield [my city: one of the most culturally diverse places in Sydney -- see here]. I did not take that much notice when I was in Europe [UK or the Continent], but Juan seemed quite surprised that, within 10 minutes' drive of my place, you had 4 Buddhist temples, 1 mosque, an Assyrian Church of the East Cathedral and church, and a multitude of other [Anglican, Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Presbyterian, Independent churches]. He was also rather amazed at the number of restaurants from places as diverse as Laos and Lebanon, practically side-by-side. I do suppose, growing up with it, you think it normal. And I love it: one reason why, I do love Fairfield. It was then, at 22:00, time to take Juan back. I travelled in a round-a-bout way, stopping at Abla's at Granville to get my fix of Lebanese pastries and sweets.
A very fun day out. It was great to have a good day out, outside of Sydney for a large part of it, and Juan is a very pleasant fellow and extremely easy-going. I am heading in to the city for dinner tonight with him, and two friends, before he heads back to the Netherlands tomorrow.