Posted 6:01 PM by MelanieandSteve
Here are a few pictures of good times in New Zealand - click to view:

Mel and Steve at top of Queenstown Hill Hike

Steve Flipping at AJ Hacket Bridge into Karawa aka River Anduin

Mel Abseiling aka rapelling in Waitomo Caves

Posted 4:37 AM by MelanieandSteve
YET ANOTHER THEATER EXPERIENCE IN OZ

-SWIMMING POOL UNDER THE STARS: another theater under the stars - look up, see the silver stars of Orion, Look ahead at the silver screan.
-WHAT'S IT ALL MEAN, AND WHO'S THE REAL JULIE?: The movie, Swimming Pool, was interesting and left a lot of questions in the end. - - We and other members of the audience found ourselves asking each other what it all meant??? Perfect opportunity for social hour. We ended up going out for hot chocolate and drinks with 4 Sydneyans just to try to figure out what the movie was actually all about. We think we've got it figured out. If any of you see it, let us know what you think. And if you can, see it in the open air, it's a much better experience.

Posted 12:28 AM by MelanieandSteve
1/29/04

Just had a relaxing day at Bondi Beach, near Sydney. We're tan and happy, and thought we'd stop in at the internet cafe and brag about the good life...

HIGHLIGHTS SINCE LAST POSTING OF 1/24 AUSSIE DATE/TIME:

-THE SYDNEY FESTIVAL: Good timing to be in Sydney. This week is the Sydney Festival and there are community and theater events just about everywhere. The last day of the festival was Australia day, a lot like our 4th of July.
-PARKLEA AND WINDSOR: Still staying with the eternally generous and welcoming Tahnee and Darren, we visited a couple of the stopping points local to their house Kellyville - the quaint country town of Windsor which invites a casual stroll, and the bustling weekend Markets at Parklea.
-HAWKSBURY RIVER: This is our idea of fun and travel. Tahnee and Darren took us to their river side cabin on the Hawksbury River. Along with being lush and beautiful, it was friendly. Their cabin is in a community where everybody knows each other. Following an afternoon of waterskiing (cut off early by a lightening storm) We spent the evening on the porch hanging out with all the neighbors. No problem on the lightening storm though, because we spent the whole next day on the river. We waterskied, wake boarded, and headed down river to anchor up next to a few of the neighbor's boats to watch the boat races. Our evening ski at sunset was on glassy water and the skiing was the best it could be.
-AUSTRALIA DAY: Tahnee and Darren stuck around the river, but we just had to head into Sydney to see all the hype for this national holiday. We spent the warm sunny day hanging out around Toombaalong Park, Cockle Bay, and Darling Harbor listening to bands, munching on international foods, watching boat parades, and people watching in the dense crowds. The day ended with an awesome fireworks show set to music and staged to a theme honoring Australia's Ethnic melting pot.
-BONDI BEACH: We both have some business to take care of in Sydney before moving on, so we decided to spend a last couple days near the Beach. We checked into a hostel in Bondi which we've been using as a hub while we get around town talking to travel agents and foreign consulates about visas and future travels. More on that later.
-BONDI-COOGEE WALK PATH: A great morning jog, Mel jogged further than she usually does to finish the famous (they say) gorgeous (she says) coastal trail through the local towns and beaches to the town and beach of Coogee. Great first morning here.
-LIVE BAIT MUSIC AND ART FESTIVAL: On a walk along the beach boardwalk, we met Kate who was working at the local theater. She was short of ushers for the show "The Embalmer" that night, so we volunteered. While one of us worked, the other sat in on the theater - trading off. So we each got to catch half a show, but we filled each other in on the missing links. The show had lots of good laughs. In exchange for our services, we got free tickets for a different show: the Open Air Seaside Dinner Cinema showing "The Swimming Pool". We'll be doing that tonight.
-TRAVEL AGENTS AND CONSULATES: We've spend a good deal of time planning the next portion of our trip. We're heading to Asia soon, and we've decided to take a guided tour. Part will be a city tour with usual transportations, but part of our travels will include an extended trek through the Himalayas. Looking forward to both - Currently rushing to plan and prepare for both.
-GOVINDAS, JAPANESE STORY: We've really enjoyed sampling some of the unique movie theaters that Australia has to offer. We've almost never been to a typical AMC style theater. We've always been to either old theaters, open air theaters, or this one last night: Govinda's was great - - It started with an all-you-can-eat mostly Indian food Vegetarian Buffet, and ended with the feature presentation in the upstairs theater on couches and mattresses with snuggly pillows etc... The place fills up, and it's clear why. It was the most comfortable theater going experience we've had. Like being at home in bed, but with big screan and sound. (the amazing thing was Mel didn't fall asleep). The other best part was, the movie was shot in several places we've already visited in Australia and it was great to retrace our footsteps.

Happy Birthday to

Eric S
and Julie G

That's it, we're off to the movies ... Stay well.