Zach's Travels

Penguins, Koalas, and up to the Beach

Zoracle — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 01:32:58 +0000

I know it’s been a few days since I’ve posted, but just haven’t had time. In Melbourne, we rented a car to drive around south. On the first day, we went southeast to Phillip Island to see the penguins. We stopped off at a Koala reserve too and saw the cute little marsupials. There was even one with a baby in her pouch. They had these Koala walls which they couldn’t get over so you could walk around the boardwalk and see them in the trees. We snuck into the Penguin thing just cause no one asked us to buy a ticket when we entered. there’s loads of stuff to in the museum/gift shop but the real attraction is the penguins. Every night they come in from the ocean onto the beach and back to their roosts. They’re called Little Penguins cause they’re actually the smallest penguin on earth. They’re quite cute. They come onto the beach in groups and waddle across the sand into the bushes. It was funny to watch them but it started raining on us so we were really wet and cold which didn’t help Ani, who’s been sick, basically since I got here. We were glad we got in free cause I wouldn’t pay 20 bucks (price of admission) to see this, but it was cool to see for free. When most of them have come in, you can go back up the boardwalk and walk beside them as they return to their roosts.

The next day, we drove down to the Great Ocean Road which is south west of Melbourne. We stopped at Bells Beach and watched the surfers then went on to Lorne where they have a famous golf course. I was hoping to see some kangaroos on the golf course cause that’s where they hang out, but it was raining again and we didn’t see any. I’ve seen some wallabees at the Koala place but so far this whole time no kangaroos! The weather had turned bad and Ani was feeling sick, so we returned home.

The next morning, we hopped a flight to Townsville, just barely making the ferry over to Magnetic Island, erroneously named by the great Captain Cook who thought the island in the distance was messing up his compass. We hadn’t booked accomodations, but had been told of Bungalow Bay hostel near Horseshoe Bay, but once we got there, it was completely booked exept for one room that night. So we stayed there the one night and the next night moved over to Arcadia Budget Hostel, which we actually ended up liking better anyway. Bungalow Bay was nice, but the bathrooms were outside and not very clean. I know, I’m getting less rugged the older I get. I did take a walk down to the beach that night and I’ve never seen so many nocturnal creatures, especially the birds. In the States, typically birds go to sleep at night, but here, that’s when they’re most active. There are the long legged ficknies that come out and make all sorts of noise. The road was dark and all i could hear was their screeching and wings swooping over my head. The bushes were constantly russling with possums and other nocturnals.

The next day, we moved to our new hostel, and went for a bike ride on the bikes the hostel provided for free. We rode down to Alma Bay which wasn’t far and was supposed to be the best swimming spot on the island. It was quite nice and we laid out in the sun. I’m trying to get tan before I go to LA for the BBQ. I bought this water ball, which looks like a hackie sack but bounces on top of the water. I met some guys and we were throwing it around. The thing could hit a ripple and launch into the air over your head or hit you in the face, either way a good time. We went to an art studio and actually scheduled some painting classes for Tuesday. I also scheduled a wreck dive for monday morning which i’m pretty excited about.

After that, we went to the Friday night market, got some fresh fruit, and really good/cheap food. I wish that market was on every night. Since it’s “winter” here the days are very short, so it gets dark around 5 or 6. we came back here to the hostel and watched Babel on DVD. It was good, but I thought it dragged on a bit.

This morning, we woke up and got more accomodations settled deciding to stay in Arcadia instead of return to Horseshoe Bay (it’s a long story). We woke up late, so it was time for lunch by the time the day started. We took the bus to Horshoe Bay and at at Noodie’s, a latin place with some very good food. We ate there for dinner too. From there, we embarked on a walk to Radical Bay which was a more secluded beach, swam and layed out, then walked to Balding Bay and did basically the same thing.

We returned for dinner to Noodies and didn’t want to wait for the bus so ended up walking half the way back before the bus finally came by us to take us back to Arcadia. And now we’re gonna watch a movie and hit the sack.

—

And Happy 4th of July America!!

Wineries in Yerra Valley

Zoracle — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:55:02 +0000

We took a wine tour today to four wineries and I was amazed at how much wine they give you. In the States, you get a predetermined amount of wine, but at these places, we could take as many tastings as we wanted of all different kinds of wine. It was fantastic. Ani and I both probably drank two bottles full each today. They served us lunch as well, I got the lamb shank which was delicious. At the second winery, they also had fudge tastings which were waaay too good. Ani bought some of those, and I bought a few bottles of wine. The fourth winery also had sparkling red wine which is unique to Australia, along with some excellent relishes, cheeses and bread. It was a great day of views and drinking.

When we came back, we dropped our stuff off and went out to one of Ani’s favorite spots, a Polish place (she is polish) called Vodka, Borsch, and Tears; a sort of lamented description of Poland but none the less expressive. They had more types of vodka then i have ever seen. I’d love to have that place in Austin! I had a vodka cocktail and we ate perogis, lamb stew, and an array of polish tapas. So good. I’m going to now retire and allow my stomach to digest.

Chillin in Melbourne

Zoracle — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 10:49:21 +0000

Went down to the beach today. St. Kilda is a southern part of Melbourne and a very trendy place to live. There’s all sorts of shops, bars, and cafes. We went to a place called Vineyard which had a really good feel. This is me playing around with the panoramic mode on my camera.

Here’s some other examples of it. It actually does it IN the camera, it’s sooo cool.

Melbourne

Zoracle — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:43:26 +0000

Walked all over Melbourne yesterday. It’s much colder here, but it warmed up a bit in the day. Went to the Shrine of Remembrance which is a huge structure inspired by an Egyptian tomb and memorializes all those Australians who lost their lives in World War I and II. It’s quite huge acturally, with three floors and a balcony to view the city. The Stone of Remembrance is in the center of the shrine and every Nov 11th of each year the sun goes across this tiny hole in the wall so that the light crosses the Stone of Remembrance. The ceremony is observed by the governor but not open to the public, so they have a moch display going with a booming voice over and fake light moving across the stone every hour. I thought that was kind of strange but the attendants took it quite seriously.

Melbourne is a very artsy town and they have a theater spire playhouse which is beautiful and this placed called ACMI, Australian Center for the Moving Image which has all sorts of cinematic events and shows. The Atrium in Federation square ahas some very interesting architecture which really I just have to post and show you. Anyway, it was fun just to wonder around the city. Not sure what I’m doing today, maybe just go down and check out the beach. Gonna rent a car in a couple days to go down to the Great Ocean Road and see some roos and penguins.

Drummin and Partyin

Zoracle — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 23:41:43 +0000

Thurs, we just chilled and Phil showed us some more on the drums. I was getting pretty I good I think, and then he switched to a alternating beat, two different beats with each hand and I was lost. Still fun though.

Last night, we went out to World Bar with Lucy and met up with Mark, Kat, and Evelyn who I met in Japan. It was heaps cool and good to see those folks again and hear of Mark’s latest travels and future travel plans. he’s going to NZ to snowboard for 3 weeks, I’m so jealous. We left there, and went over to this other bar which we’re still not sure if it was a gay bar or not, but they had great music and cheap drinks. We danced a bit and then retired to la casa.

Today, we’re headed to Melbourne to see Louie Vega in concert for Anya’s friend Terrance’s bday.

Beaches and Opera House

Zoracle — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:15:59 +0000

Quick Summary:

yesterday went to Manly beach and laid out for a bit. Snuck into an aqaurium. I went to the Opera House and had the tour which was amazing. Their organ has 10,100 pipes and all the concert halls together can seat 5000 people. returned to Phil’s and had dinner and we played some drums.

today went to Bondi beach and did the walk from there to Coogee. Then we went to cinema and saw The Proposal in Gold Class which means you’re watching the movie in a nice recliner chair with wine and food if you want. Despite it being winter, the weather has actually been quite nice and warm: shorts during the day, but need pants at night. Sorry so short, but exhausted, must sleep (but then I’m sure the brevity is a nice change of pace)

Arrived safe and sound

Zoracle — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 22:28:07 +0000

I arrived at 6:30am in Sydney International and was supposed to go through customs, get my bag and meet Agnieszka at the domestic terminal baggage claim. Everything in Australia is much more expensive then I thought. In fact, to get from the international terminal to the domestic terminal, the airport bus costs $5.50! And when I did the exchange, because of all the fees and everything, for 100USD, i got 103AUD, and that blows. Anyway, got to the domestic terminal to find no sign of Agnieszka. Apparently, she had deviated from the plan. I called her cell phone from a pay phone and she was over at the international terminal waiting for me cause she thought my plane was delayed, but it was not. Anyway, we met up and came to Phil and Svetha’s place here in Belmain just south of downtown Sydney. We all had breafast, which was really good, and then Anya and I went out sight seeing. I had just been on a 15 hour plane ride and Anya got up at 3am to make it to Sydney airport; i think she was more tired then I was, but we agreed we couldn’t go to sleep until at leasr 8pm otherwise our sleep cycles would be all messed up.

We walked down to the peire and took a ferry to the opera house which was beautiful. We’re going to do a tour of it some time today. We walked around The Rocks area and got some food and drink and then went down to Darling Harbour which is a very hip placec on the docks. We got some ice cream and then I dragged her into the Maritime Museum cause (it was free) I wanted to tsee the replica of the HMB Endeavor. That’s the ship Captain James Cook used to map much of the eastern coast of Australia. I read a book on him once cause I keep ending up in places he’s been like New Zealand, Alaska and the like. It was thought at the time that New Zealand was actually a part of Australia until he charted all around New Zealand and found that they were way off. We went around in the museum for a bit and then came back to Phil’s to meet up with Anya’s friend Lucy who was a lot of fun. Also, Phil taught us some drumming rhythms; he teaches drum classes down on Bondi beach. Lucy, Anya, and I went out to have sushi and wine and by the time we came back, everyone was asleep.

So that was the first day down under. Today, we’re headed to Manly Beach, maybe surfing, back to the Opera House and who knows what else!

Why does everyone think I’ve already been to Australia?

Zoracle — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 02:16:25 +0000

I’ve been to New Zealand and many parts of South East Asia, but never been to Australia. And yet everytime I tell someone I’m headed to Australia, they’re like, “Again? How many times you been down there?”

To set the record straight, I’ve never set foot on the isle of convicts, but I’m headed there tomorrow! Going to go meet some friends down under and travel around for a bit, then come back and host the Big Beach BBQ Bash in LA on July 25th. All are welcome to come! While in Oz, I’m spending a week in Sydney sight seeing and meeting up with friends I met in Asia last winter; then heading to Melbourne to relax and soak in the Austin of Australia; Townsville for some scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef; and Darwin for hiking around the salt water crocs.

On a personal note, this trip feels a little different. While I’m excited to go, I’m gonna miss my friends in Austin a lot. It’s only a month though and I’m sure it’ll be fun… as long as something doesn’t kill me. I keep remembering what those british guys said when we were exploring a cave in New Zealand with only a cell phone for a light. “If we were in Australia, we’d be dead.” Australia is

home to more deadly species then you can imagine, from snakes and spiders, to sharks and crocs, most everything can kill you somehow. Makes you wonder how the Koala bear survived.

If all goes well, I’ll see yall when I get back with all limbs intact (jinx jinx) and more stories to tell. Until then, feel free to follow my travels right here on Zach’s Travels. *cue theme music*

Extreme Pizza very extreme on closing time

Zoracle — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:27:43 +0000

This is a complaint post. I’m in San Francisco working night shifts at the hospital, 8pm to 4am. So obviously, I’m going to get hungry at an odd time of midnight or so. I was told I could order from Extreme Pizza to get it delivered to the hospital. So I called at 11:50pm and they didn’t know where the hospital was so I had to go find out what the address was and then call them back. The guy I talked to was not all that helpful, and kind of an ass as I later found out when I called back at the stroke of midnight to the message, “Extreme Pizza is now closed, our operating hours are 7am to midnight, blah blah blah.” Thanks for letting me know dude. Dusche.

Shantaram Movie “in development”

Zoracle — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 03:00:31 +0000

I just learned that there was meant to be made a movie of the novel Shantaram which I am reading and Johnny Depp has been cast as the main character, Lin. It’s been trying to be shot since 2007, but because of the writer’s strike, was put on hold and is still on hold. I don’t know how they’re possibly going to capture a thousand page book in two hours. I think it should actually be a tv show. There’s at least 5 seasons of episodes in that thing, it would just be very difficult to watch sometimes cause some of the things that happen to Lin are terrible. And they damn well better have voice over narration otherwise no one’s gonna get anything out of this movie, there’s just too much to cover.

On the subject of Johnny Depp, I checked out his imdb and he’s slated for ALOT of upcoming movies including Alice in Wonderland (perfect), Sin City 3 (excitement), Pirates of the Carribean 4 (WTF! Really? I thought we were done with that. I know I am)
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000136/