Category: Travel

  • So I ran over a dead wombat…

    No, really. That was the only traffic-related incident of the weekend, though, so I’m going to chalk this one up in the “Win” column. We got into the Blue Mountains pretty easily Friday and made our way to the Melaleuca Chalets. As soon as we stepped out of the car, we noticed that it was frickin’ freezing. Mountains are cold, yo! At Reception we figured out that we were the first arrivals and picked up the key. “We’ve got the fire going in your chalet,” the owner told us. SWEEEEEET. And there it was, perched up on a hill: the Rosewood Chalet, also known as the Cutest Accommodation Ever. It was this tiny wooden cabin with a wood stove, kitchenette, double bedroom, bathroom, and kids’ room with bunks. Oh, and cable TV. We were in heaven. And get this – there were kangaroos all over the property. They’d just bounce right up around your cabin. How weird is that? A really big one hopped out near the resort’s driveway and I nearly drove off the road. It’s like staying in a zoo!

    The rest of the gang arrived not long after us and we all got ready for Steve’s wedding. This is when tragedy struck – I felt a telltale tingle in my lip. The stress of getting my license and planning for this trip gave me a goddamn cold sore! I spent the next eight hours frantically rubbing Zovirax on at every opportunity but it was all for naught. That’s why I didn’t take any pictures; I was a horrible scabrous leper the whole time! (Not really, but I’m still gonna airbrush any pictures the other guys send me.)

    Okay, the wedding. I offered to drive a group down in our rental car, not realizing that I’d end up doing blind hairpin turns in mist and rain both up and down a friggin’ mountain (and at night, to boot!). The ceremony was held in Cathedral Cave, which required fifteen minutes of climbing steps, ducking down passageways, navigating very short tunnels. (The sight of old people spelunking in evening wear is one I’ll never forget.) The cave itself was beautiful, though I have to admit we were disappointed that Steve and Kate didn’t take advantage of the high ceiling and rickety ladder to attempt a “bride rappels in from above” entrance. We all stood and watched as they exchanged their vows, tying colored ribbons on each other’s wrists and swapping rings. Afterwards we made our way back to the Chalets, hoping to glug some champagne before the reception. The rain and the darkness contributed to some missed turns though, so we barely made it there before the bus came to pick us up again. Then it was over to Duckmaloi Park Lodge for the reception festivities. Many hours and bottles of champagne later, we crashed back at the chalet and huddled as the loud mountain wind tried to blow the roof off.

    Saturday started late (as you might expect), and after breakfast there was some debate about what to do to fill the afternoon. Many were in favor of a cave tour, but the Snook and I passed in favor of more metrosexual delights: a three-hour session at SpaRadise. (Rodd’s co-worker Hank went there a few months ago and recommended the place.) This is when the Snook decided it was time for him to take the wheel. He did really well! Once we got there we relaxed in the indoor hot-water bath; we sucked in eucalyptus in the Herbal Steam Room; and we enjoyed a few moments of sunshine (and an incredible rainbow) in the outdoor hot bath. The Snook even waded into the cold water pool a few times, though I couldn’t stand it for more than a couple seconds. We each had a half hour massage too, and I’m happy to report once again that the Asian masseuses are all about my ass. Because you know you were wondering.

    Saturday night we got dressed up for the Bollywood Dinner Party and the Snook did some very creative facial hair manipulation. (Other people took photos; I’m sure I’ll post one.) I went overboard on the eye makeup in the hopes of distracting everyone from the second head growing on my bottom lip. We were pretty wiped out though, so after partaking of some of Steve’s yummy, yummy curry, we headed back to the chalet for some rest. We closed out the weekend this morning with a huge group pancake breakfast and a stop off in Leura to visit the world famous Candy Store. Fueled by Jersey Caramels, Sherbies, and Nutter Butter Bites, the ride home to Sydney just flew by…

    And there in the bedroom window was our adorable Puss-Puss, waiting for us to come home. Big thanks to Amy for stopping by to check on her…

    What? Oh, right, the dead wombat. That was this morning on our way out of the mountains. The sun was finally shining and I was admiring the scenery and thinking how relaxed I was with my driving and how wind-y the road was and how I felt like I was in a car commercial and wondering what song would be playing in the commercial, when suddenly Rodd went: “Wombat.” and I looked down to notice what looked like a big-ass rock at the side of the road right before we THUMPED over it. “OH MY GOD, I HIT IT!” “It was already dead,” he said. Still, that’s the first wombat I’ve seen outside the zoo and I defiled its carcass. I was really bummed out… (until we got to the candy shop).

  • White-knuckled terror

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    In over five years, this is the first time I’ve ever been in a car the Snook was driving. Love means trust, folks!

  • Easy Rider

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    Driving on the M4 towards Katoomba. No accidents yet!

  • Beware of the cliff.

    Beware of the cliff

    Today the Snook and I joined Amy for a trip to the Blue Mountains. Our first destination was the Three Sisters in Katoomba, as I’d never seen them. Then we did a little window-shopping and had lunch. Finally, off to do some real Aussie bush-walking. Our chosen path was the Grand Canyon Track which is 5 kilometers down into a sub-tropical canyon. We climbed down rocks and slithered under overhangs and splashed across streams, all with a minimum of hand-holds (and none of the accompanying legal waivers you’d expect in a similar American setting). I did fairly well; I only slipped a few times and I didn’t take any tumbles. My difficulties only began when we had to start climbing out again at the other end. That’s when carrying the extra weight really catches up with you. I felt like I was climbing the Endless Stair of Mordor. I was sweaty, tired, and puffing like a freight train. Finally I made it out. The guidebook says it’s a 3.5 hour walk; we did it in 3 flat. Kickass. We’re going to do it again in six months and see if we improve. More pictures tomorrow (assuming my legs function well enough to get me out of bed).

  • A Guide to British Pub Etiquette

    Passport to the Pub: A Guide to British Pub Etiquette. Useful tips for anybody planning a trip to the UK anytime soon (and a nice bit of nostalgia for those of us who’ve left for warmer climes). Some of it applies more to regional pubs than the ones you find in London, but the advice on ordering, tipping, and buying rounds is spot on.

  • Knee Defender

    Got legroom? Add that to my Christmas list.

  • NZ

    Planning a trip to New Zealand anytime soon? I think the Snook and I are definitely going to have to check out these Lord of the Rings filming locations.

  • Good… and bad

    Good News: We bought our round-the-world tickets today. We fly from Sydney to Chicago, Chicago to Boston, Boston to London, London to Venice, Rome to London, and London to Sydney via Singapore.

    Bad News: An Australian flight attendant has just been placed in isolation with a suspected case of SARS after working the Singapore to Sydney flight. Crap.

  • One Eighty

    The Snook and I went into our local Flight Centre today to price flights home for a 10-day visit in July. We walked out half an hour later planning a one-month round-the-world trip instead. As the Snook put it, if we’re going to be spending $2000 each anyway, why not go the extra $500 and make it a proper holiday? I was trying to be all grown-up and economical but then he mentioned the magic word… Italy. With visions of the Arno in my head, I rapidly agreed. Looks like the Snook-Howard World Tour will be leaving here in late June bound for Los Angeles, Chicago, London, Frankfurt, and Rome. Anybody got a floor we can crash on in one of those cities?

  • Frequent flyers

    If you fly frequently (or you have to take really long flights, like me), you might want to print out this page. It lists all the particular rows and seats on various airplanes that have more leg room than the other coach seats. Very helpful for tall girls like me.

    Edited 30/04/2025: Link is dead and not archived.