Darling Harbour and the Sydney Aquarium

Clark and I both had Monday off this week.  Excellent.  So even though we had an eventful weekend at Nelson Bay, we decided to spice up the beginning of our week with a trip to Darling Harbour.  Our good friends Joanne and Ivan gave us their extra tickets to the Sydney Aquarium, and with expiration dates looming, we knew we had to take advantage and see the aquarium as soon as possible!

The giant ferris wheel at Darling Harbour.  Upon seeing this ferris wheel, an argument ensued.  Clark is sure this ferris wheel is larger than the ferris wheel in Frankfurt, Germany.  I don't think it is.  We rode the blasted thing in Frankfurt and it was massive.  Scott and Dagmara, any comment?  (Side with me, please.)

Obliging his wife and posing.

Part of downtown Sydney.

An odd looking bird creature.

A spiral/whirlpool inspired water fountain.

The FIRST Starbucks I've seen since being here! HA, Starbucks, you DON'T own the world!

Just outside of the aquarium.  I love the flags lining the monorail track.

I have to admit, as we first started going through the aquarium, I was disappointed.  The most impressive things to view were the Lego creations since all the fish looked like normal fish.

But finally, just when I was about to spit in disgust at the thought that Sydney had a super sucky aquarium, we descended to a couple of underwater tunnels...and the Sydney Aquarium totally redeemed itself!  In the first tunnel we saw this sea cow.  I actually don't even know what it is but the way it ate lettuce was intriguing.

And then we same upon the shark tunnels.  Which were actually super cool.

Such a special moment.

This photo would have been so awesome had Clark not yawned at the exact moment I took the picture.  His jaw looks totally jacked and dislocated. 

Much better, but the shark isn't as impressive.

In summation, I am glad we went to the aquarium.  The aquarium truly redeemed itself with the sharks.  Thanks Joanne and Ivan for being awesome and giving us your extra tickets.  We like free stuff.  We'll treat you to some ginger beer, don't you worry.

Nelson Bay

Last weekend we rode the train as far as it goes Northeast (approx 3.5 hours) to Newcastle.  From Newcastle, our friends Jade and Levi picked us up and took us to their holiday home in Nelson Bay, NSW, where they have just moved. It was such a relaxing weekend and the weather was perfect.  We were so glad to see Jade and Levi again and we're happy some other couples could come up for the weekend, too!

Ahhh, the water was so clear and refreshing!  I can't say that we got all the way in though. Our first full Day at Nelson Bay we walked 3k to the marina since Jade and Levi had to work.  

And on the way we saw a road sign with a dude pushing a car up a hill.  And we thought it was funny + picture worthy.

At the marina we spied one pelican perched perfectly (I should get a gold star for alliteration!) on a wooden beam.

I have never seen clearer water at a marina.  Yes, the Nelson Bay marina is small, but the water was still clear enough to see underwater life!

I wanted to get a good picture of our lunch, but unfortunately I have an impatient husband who doesn't like to pose for my pictures very much.  Fish and chips for Clark, and a side "salad" which turned out to be a tomato salad.  And Clark doesn't do well with raw tomatoes. Luckily his wife is part garbage disposal and eats anything but okra.  I indugled in a burger called, "the works."  

After lunch we craved ice cream but I refused to spend $6 for a single scoop of ice cream.  Ridiculous!  So we walked to the grocery store and bought a pack of 4 drumsticks for $7.50.  I love how we think sometimes.  And then we devoured all 4 drumsticks on our 3k trek back to the holiday home.

The next day we all woke up slowly but eventually made our way to a nearby Toboggan Park.  We took a tractor ride to a maze and took a couple of rides on the toboggan hill. 

This picture cracks me up.  Clark is making his signature rock and roll face, and Jade, unknowingly, is making a similar face!  The best part is she isn't even posing for the camera.

Getting our toboggan on.

You know I'm going fast when I have 80's hair with my bangs flying back!

Later that day we had a bbq near the water.  

Jade was nice enough to loan under-dressed Clark her blanket.  He wasn't well, you know.

Just beyond those grassy mounds is the Pacific.  

We had such a great time and we were so happy to be in the company of friends!  Thank you Jade and Levi for having us all crash at your super awesome holiday house in beautiful Nelson Bay!  We can't wait to see you guys again for Levi's party in June!

My Versa is MINE all MINE

I just paid off my car loan. Took me long enough, but IT'S DONE!  I'll be a happy camper as long as my little Versie's engine purrs to life when we get back to SLC.  Oh, please, please don't start giving me troubles in August, Versie, now that you legally belong to me.

South coast adventure with the Canadian and the Russian

So we love to hang out with our friends, Joanne and Ivan.  Joanne is from East coast Canada and Ivan is from Russia.  They are pretty awesome and they are always up for an adventure. Which is great because we are always up for an adventure.  So our friendship just instantly makes sense.

Saturday we decided to drive down the coast an hour to Wollongong and then drive through the Kangaroo Valley (where we didn't even see a kangaroo) to Fitzroy Falls.  

Our first stop was at a scenic overlook which I have previously posted a picture of...sometime back in March or April.  However, my last photo of this overlook was dreary and grey.  This photo is so awesome it nearly takes my breath away.  Nearly.  

As you can see, I would have benefited from a hat.

Me and crazy JoJo.

Ivan and Joanne sabotaging the photo.  

After the scenic stop we drove for another 23 kilometers to Wollongong. 

On our walk to the lighthouse in Wollongong, Clark decided to show us all that he "still has it."  We may or may not have egged him on.  My question is, does that little girl in the right hand corner really think she's going to reach the monkey bars?  Really?! And why is she so strangely looking at my husband?

Riding a canon near the lighthouse.  I have no idea what purpose these canons actually served.  I didn't see a plaque of any sort and I didn't bother to look for one.

We are pretty graceful, didn't you know?  For the record, I am a huge fan of lighthouses.  For years I have yearned to live in one, preferably off the East coast in the US.  (I'm hinting again, Clark.  Take notice.)

Group photo without any signs of sabotage.  Thanks Clark, for letting me borrow your hat.

What do you really NOT  want to see as a backdrop to a beautiful beach? Smokestacks. 

Pretty birds that scared easily. 

On our way to the Kangaroo Valley we stopped in Berry where they have the Donut Van.  They fry up the best donuts here.  So, so tasty!  

The Kangaroo Valley.  I was so hoping to see a Wombat as caution signs for Wombats were everywhere.  I only saw one dead on the side of the road.  I think the wombat died of a skinned shoulder since it's internal organs all seemed to be contained (i.e. not all over the road).  I guess I'm kind of like a wombat in the sense that I too would give up if my shoulder got skinned up on asphalt.  

At Fitzroy Falls Joanne and I decided to play a little tennis in the parking lot.  But that was short lived as we didn't have much daylight left and we needed to see the falls!

Clark and Joanne dancing in place.  Ivan appearing to ignore his wife's awesome moves.

Fitzroy Falls.  Gosh dang, I love waterfalls.  I need to go to Iguazu Falls in Argentina, asap.

Someday, we'll successfully have a great jumping photo.  Oh yes, someday.

Thanks Joanne and Ivan for spending your Saturday with us!  We're so lucky to have friends like you here in Oz!  We are so looking forward to our Melbourne adventure with you two in June!

Manly Beach

It's been rather chilly here lately.  Despite the chill in the air, Clark and I finally decided to take the ferry from downtown Sydney to Manly Beach.  The day actually started off beautiful.  The sun was shining and there wasn't a cloud in the sky.  But by the time we set off for the train station to ride in to Sydney, the wind had picked up and the sky had become thickened with clouds.  

Of course.

We still had a great time, even if we didn't stay at Manly beach for more than an hour and a half.  

We had about 20 minutes to spare before we had to board the ferry.  I opted for a self timed photo with the opera house, and I got my way.  Self timers are always a good idea in my book.  Clark, however, loathes self timed photos, and he's not afraid to let me know.

From the front of the ferry: Sydney Harbour bridge.

Clark looking semi-enthused on the ferry.  The sun was too bright for him so he didn't enjoy the fresh air all the way to Manly.  He wimped out and went inside.

I, on the other hand, chose to stay outside even as the sun disappeared behind the clouds.  The water was a bit rough as we approached Manly.  Here's a ferry boat heading back to Sydney.  I've got a hunch that the people outside probably got sprayed.

The walk to Manly Beach from the ferry terminal wasn't too far.  On our way we found a Hungry Jacks where we later ate lunch/dinner.  (Yes, Burger King is called Hungry Jacks in Australia.)  We had been dying to snap a picture of a Hungry Jacks sign since we arrived, so we were pretty stoked on this opportunity as it arose.

Clark scanning the beach for hot babes.

Oh I wish I wish I wish we could have soaked up the sun on the sand.  Far too cold for swimsuits, though.

Best decision I made that day: braided hair and a hat. The wind didn't stand a chance.

On the ferry back to Sydney it started raining lightly.  But I just had to get some pictures of the bridge, downtown and opera house.  

Oh Manly, please warm up so that we can come sunbathe on your beach!

It's supposed to get up to 22-23 degrees Celsius this weekend.  I can't wait.