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Post by chech on Sept 20, 2015 12:39:19 GMT
Monograms' Wonders of Australia 5 Oct - 3 Nov 2015 The Tale can be found here. The photos can be found here. And guess who I met over there.... Yeah...that's where they were hiding.
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Post by tiffany on Sept 21, 2015 11:47:34 GMT
Have a great trip Chech!
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Post by chech on Sept 21, 2015 11:48:41 GMT
You too!
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Post by poodlegirl on Sept 21, 2015 14:55:10 GMT
Another exciting trip! Enjoy it all!
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Post by Oz-T on Oct 9, 2015 1:30:17 GMT
This will be very interesting.... I think I forgot to warn Chech about how residents from the northern hemisphere have to read this forum when they arrive downunder...
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Post by solaria on Oct 9, 2015 5:43:49 GMT
I think she'll be OK. Already had down under experience in Godzone! And the cats were with her all the way!
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Post by Oz-T on Oct 9, 2015 10:25:02 GMT
Yes, Chech has certainly been south of the equator before. That's how she worked out what Kiwis are made of...
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Post by solaria on Oct 9, 2015 19:49:55 GMT
Now, now Mr T. That was rather cutting!
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Post by chech on Oct 10, 2015 9:58:11 GMT
LOLOL...well, I'm learning some new things this time under the equator. 1. I don't like Aussie Coke. 2. I do like Aussie Pepsi. 3. I don't like Aussie Subway steak subs. 4. Hungry Jacks isn't too bad. 5. Still looking for the "sars." Found the recommended brand in stores here...but only ginger beer and other flavours. No sars yet. 6. My feet hurt. Well, my toes hurt. 7. Aussie soft drinks are $4.50! That's almost into Swiss territory! 8. Bondi rocks. 9. Did I mention my toes are blistered! Yeah...finally get my plantars fasciitis under control and three toes have blisters. 10. Jetlazzzzzzzzzzzz
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Post by Oz-T on Oct 10, 2015 23:14:11 GMT
Aussie Coca Cola has been changing their formula in recent times. They can never do this without approval from the USA Parent company - and maybe the direction even came from there. There's much more in Subway than the steak subs. Hungry Jacks is basically the same as Burger King. The franchise in Australia is licenced to a businessman, Jack Cowin, hence the name used here. Told you you'd have difficulties finding sarsaparilla. It isn't as popular as it should be. I wouldn't pay $4.50 a can for soft drinks. Convenience stores like 7-11 etc. and city retailers will always charge more than necessary. Maybe you could try a small supermarket like IGA or Foodworks etc & put some cans into your mini bar. Yes, Bondi is a remarkable place. That long, curved stretch of beach brings some memories of my younger days there in the surf. How did you get blistered toes with all your travel experience???
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Post by chech on Oct 11, 2015 10:05:21 GMT
It tastes like the Coke at home. That's why I drink it when I travel...I know I won't keep drinking it when I get home cause the taste is so different. The same with the bottled stuff and the fountain stuff. But it's okay...I've found Sarsaparilla. First one in Manly and more near the hotel here at City Convenience. $3.50 each. I got the blisters likely cause my sneakers are not wide enough. Seems to be squishing my little toe as both have the same blisters. And the top of my second toe is red and tender. I found these gel sleeves that you can cut to a certain length and pull over the toes...very cool. Helped a lot today but I didn't do as much walking today...more climbing.
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Post by tassiedevil on Oct 11, 2015 19:26:52 GMT
I agree Oz there is no way I would pay $4.50 for a can either! Just yesterday I stocked up with a Tasmanian brand (Hartz, mineral water from the Hartz Mountains) of sarsaparilla, $1.00 for a 1.25L bottle (or was it 1.5L?). I rarely pay more for any soft drink I buy, so I obviously don't buy the coca cola and Pepsi brands.
Ooops, I meant spring water not mineral water.
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Post by kiwigrandma on Oct 12, 2015 2:35:02 GMT
It tastes like the Coke at home. That's why I drink it when I travel...I know I won't keep drinking it when I get home cause the taste is so different. The same with the bottled stuff and the fountain stuff. But it's okay...I've found Sarsaparilla. First one in Manly and more near the hotel here at City Convenience. $3.50 each. I got the blisters likely cause my sneakers are not wide enough. Seems to be squishing my little toe as both have the same blisters. And the top of my second toe is red and tender. I found these gel sleeves that you can cut to a certain length and pull over the toes...very cool. Helped a lot today but I didn't do as much walking today...more climbing.
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Post by kiwigrandma on Oct 12, 2015 2:36:13 GMT
Did something wrong there. Meant to say better get out the jandals (nz) or thongs I think Australia call them to save your feet.
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Post by chech on Oct 12, 2015 8:02:57 GMT
I agree Oz there is no way I would pay $4.50 for a can either! Just yesterday I stocked up with a Tasmanian brand (Hartz, mineral water from the Hartz Mountains) of sarsaparilla, $1.00 for a 1.25L bottle (or was it 1.5L?). I rarely pay more for any soft drink I buy, so I obviously don't buy the coca cola and Pepsi brands. Ooops, I meant spring water not mineral water. It's probably a good thing that the prices are up there...I'm not drinking as much. LOL And I have a hard time finding pepsi! Time for a sarsaparilla now after a long Blue Mountain day.
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Post by chech on Oct 12, 2015 8:05:15 GMT
Did something wrong there. Meant to say better get out the jandals (nz) or thongs I think Australia call them to save your feet. The flip flops! LOL. I have a pair of sandals with me but I can't wear them for long since I need the arch support. I'll take blisters over plantars fasciitis any day. Thankfully, it hasn't said boo to me at all!!
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Post by chech on Oct 12, 2015 8:18:47 GMT
One question...what is it with tv shows starting at like 20 after the hour or 20 to....it's confusing...LOL
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Post by tassiedevil on Oct 12, 2015 9:48:14 GMT
I agree Oz there is no way I would pay $4.50 for a can either! Just yesterday I stocked up with a Tasmanian brand (Hartz, mineral water from the Hartz Mountains) of sarsaparilla, $1.00 for a 1.25L bottle (or was it 1.5L?). I rarely pay more for any soft drink I buy, so I obviously don't buy the coca cola and Pepsi brands. Ooops, I meant spring water not mineral water. It's probably a good thing that the prices are up there...I'm not drinking as much. LOL And I have a hard time finding pepsi! Time for a sarsaparilla now after a long Blue Mountain day. You can drink lots when in Hobart, where your hotel has free self serve machines. You can drink as much coke as you want there.
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Post by Oz-T on Oct 12, 2015 10:03:03 GMT
One question...what is it with tv shows starting at like 20 after the hour or 20 to....it's confusing...LOL Welcome to one of the most annoying 'innovations' to free TV. A few years back, the networks decided it would be clever to let their programs run a few minutes past their scheduled finish time. The logic was that you would then miss the start of the show you wanted to watch on another channel and then return to the one you were watching. To counteract this, the other networks did the same stunt. The result is a schedule that never quite aligns with the TV Guide. It's idiotic and happens most at evening primetime. Imagine the difficulty in recording TV shows - I always have to add an extra 30min at the end and occasionally that's not enough. if you could drop into the Canadian Embassy to raise this as an international incident it would be most appreciated!
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Post by chech on Oct 13, 2015 8:48:20 GMT
It's probably a good thing that the prices are up there...I'm not drinking as much. LOL And I have a hard time finding pepsi! Time for a sarsaparilla now after a long Blue Mountain day. You can drink lots when in Hobart, where your hotel has free self serve machines. You can drink as much coke as you want there. That could be dangerous to my waistline! LOL I just found a different brand here in Cairns. Gonna try it when I go back up to my room. (Free lobby wifi here)
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Post by chech on Oct 13, 2015 8:50:06 GMT
One question...what is it with tv shows starting at like 20 after the hour or 20 to....it's confusing...LOL Welcome to one of the most annoying 'innovations' to free TV. A few years back, the networks decided it would be clever to let their programs run a few minutes past their scheduled finish time. The logic was that you would then miss the start of the show you wanted to watch on another channel and then return to the one you were watching. To counteract this, the other networks did the same stunt. The result is a schedule that never quite aligns with the TV Guide. It's idiotic and happens most at evening primetime. Imagine the difficulty in recording TV shows - I always have to add an extra 30min at the end and occasionally that's not enough. if you could drop into the Canadian Embassy to raise this as an international incident it would be most appreciated! Holy cow...you have to be shistin' me! Haven't they figured out that it doesn't work!! LOL And just as annoying...of the two hotels so far, neither tv displays the channel number when you flick through the channels. Oh well...I have a football game to watch tonight.
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Post by tassiedevil on Oct 13, 2015 9:13:57 GMT
But it's okay...I've found Sarsaparilla. First one in Manly and more near the hotel here at City Convenience. $3.50 each. How was the sarsaparilla? Was it the Bundaberg brand?
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Post by chech on Oct 13, 2015 20:21:46 GMT
In Sydney it was Bundaberg. Here it's Cascade. I think I like the Cascade a bit more. It has a nice licorice aftertaste. Off to see the Reef today!
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Post by tassiedevil on Oct 13, 2015 22:16:58 GMT
I'm glad you like the Cascade, as Cascade is Tasmanian. The Cascade Brewery could be a good photo stop when you are in Hobart. It is Australia's oldest brewery so is in a nice old building and is only minutes from the city at the base of the mountain. It also has a beautiful garden.
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Post by chech on Oct 14, 2015 8:48:33 GMT
Cool. I just went out to look for another bottle but couldn't find the place where I got it last night. And I was too wiped to look far....4 hours of snorkeling with a 30 minute scuba dive will do that to me.
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Post by tassiedevil on Oct 14, 2015 8:58:05 GMT
I will tell them to stock up with it down here. Sounds like you had a great day!
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Post by Oz-T on Oct 14, 2015 9:00:18 GMT
Sounds like you were at the same pontoon off Cairns that I visited several years ago. Did they throw fish food all around you while you were snorkelling? That's when the tropical fish swarm around you - sort of an aquatic version of Hitchcock's 'The Birds'.
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Post by chech on Oct 14, 2015 20:37:36 GMT
Yeah...it's the last Australian owned reef boat - Reef Magic. The platform was called Marine World. They had all kinds of activities. I didn't stop. And I got to say hello to Wally. No catfish though.
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Post by Oz-T on Oct 14, 2015 20:52:11 GMT
No catfish when I was there either... ... but others were searching for them....
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Post by chech on Oct 14, 2015 21:13:19 GMT
LOLOL
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