Today was an extra long day. We left for the airport at approx. 7:00. We checked in, went through security, and bought a lot of candy at the Duty-Free store. Our first flight was to LA and it was 13hrs and 15mins long. It was really boring but I watched lots of TV.
We then had five hours in LA. I slept almost the entire way to Detroit. Then we had dinner in Detroit and flew to Duluth. Mom picked us up there.
So this is my last blog post and I just want to say thank you for reading my blog. It was an amazing trip. Good bye and see you next time!
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
7/16/12 Sydney
I woke up at 8:00. I tried to tell Dad and Jay that I wanted to take the 9:35 ferry to Taronga Zoo but they refused to get ready in time so we didn't get to Taronga Zoo until about 10:30. Then we had to wait in a long line to buy the tickets. Eventually, we walked through the first part of the zoo. We saw tree kangaroos, emus, wombats, and more.Finally, we got to the Tasmanian Devils. We listened to the keeper talk. It was really interesting and we saw five different Devils.
Then we walked towards the platypus exhibit. The platypus were really cute and Jay was super excited because they are his favorite animals. We also saw several other animals such as rock wallabys and birds. They were really cute. Then we had lunch. I got a BLT and shared it with Jay. We ate while watching some elephants play.
Then we saw some more really bight colored birds. We also saw a red panda, a tree cat(?), and a fishing cat. The fishing cat looked like my cat, Tofu who has a tabby coloring. We also saw penguins. They we were the blue penguins that we saw on Phillip Island. We saw more reptiles, koalas, lions, tigers, and different monkeys. Then we left.
For dinner, we ate at the hotel restaurant. I got goose. It was prepared three different ways and it was amazing.
Monday, July 16, 2012
7/15/12 Sydney
Today we went to the Blue Mountains. It was a lot of fun. Let me tell you all about it:
I woke up at 5:50 a.m. I was so tired, it took me awhile to get out of bed. It was surprisingly bright outside already. The view was amazing. The train that we were taking from Circular Quay left at 6:44. We left the hotel at 6:20. Since it was Sunday, there was a special deal that let Jay, Dad, and I all go on any Sydney public transport for $2.50 each. Nobody was on our train because it was so early on a Sunday. We had to get off at Central Station and switch trains. Then it was a two hour train ride. Jay fell asleep immediately. I just listened to music and played games on my phone.
When we got to Katoomba, we bought our tickets for the Skyway, Cableway, and Railway. We had brecky at Savoy. I got cinnamon bread. We got on the express bus that took us to one side of the Skyway that went across a valley. The Skyway also had glass floor so we see underneath us. It was cool.
Next we went on the steepest railway in the world. It was kinda scary because at some points you couldn't over the edge. It just dropped down. It was also a lot of fun. When we got off at the bottom, we took a 45 minute walk through the forest. We saw a lyrebird and a bunch of really cool trees.
We took the Cableway to the top of the mountain. It was a short ride. We then walked around the mountain by the waterfall for a bit. I twisted my ankle so Dad and Jay walked down a path and then we all went back to the city. We had lunch at a bakery. Then we looked at some shops. We went to the train station but Dad had misread the timetable, so we went back to the shops and looked around some more.
When we got back to the hotel, we decided to lay around and watch TV. At 7:30, Master Chef (a cooking TV show) was on so I watched it. It went until 9:00 p.m. so we had a late dinner at a cafe. We got a kangaroo burger and shared it.
I woke up at 5:50 a.m. I was so tired, it took me awhile to get out of bed. It was surprisingly bright outside already. The view was amazing. The train that we were taking from Circular Quay left at 6:44. We left the hotel at 6:20. Since it was Sunday, there was a special deal that let Jay, Dad, and I all go on any Sydney public transport for $2.50 each. Nobody was on our train because it was so early on a Sunday. We had to get off at Central Station and switch trains. Then it was a two hour train ride. Jay fell asleep immediately. I just listened to music and played games on my phone.
When we got to Katoomba, we bought our tickets for the Skyway, Cableway, and Railway. We had brecky at Savoy. I got cinnamon bread. We got on the express bus that took us to one side of the Skyway that went across a valley. The Skyway also had glass floor so we see underneath us. It was cool.
Next we went on the steepest railway in the world. It was kinda scary because at some points you couldn't over the edge. It just dropped down. It was also a lot of fun. When we got off at the bottom, we took a 45 minute walk through the forest. We saw a lyrebird and a bunch of really cool trees.
We took the Cableway to the top of the mountain. It was a short ride. We then walked around the mountain by the waterfall for a bit. I twisted my ankle so Dad and Jay walked down a path and then we all went back to the city. We had lunch at a bakery. Then we looked at some shops. We went to the train station but Dad had misread the timetable, so we went back to the shops and looked around some more.
When we got back to the hotel, we decided to lay around and watch TV. At 7:30, Master Chef (a cooking TV show) was on so I watched it. It went until 9:00 p.m. so we had a late dinner at a cafe. We got a kangaroo burger and shared it.
7/14/12 Sydney
We flew from Melbourne to Sydney. Our flight was at 9:00 so we left the hotel at 7:00 on a cab because we wanted to get there an hour early. The flight was two hours long.
We went to our hotel and left our bags there and then had lunch at a street fair. Jay and I had a chicken tikka wrap. It was amazing! We also had a small cupcake. Dad told us to wander around the fair for a bit. We ended up getting honeycomb and whipped honey. Dad also tried a super hot sauce and then his stomach started hurting from it so we got him some milk and went back to the hotel.
Dad fell asleep so we watched TV for awhile. Then he woke up and we decided to go to Darling Harbour for dinner and fireworks. I got a BLT and chicken burger and fries (sorry, "chips"). The fireworks started suddenly. They were really cool and we had an awesome spot to sit and watch them. When it was done, we went to a shopping center and got free samples of candy at a lolly store. I got sour raspberry ball. It was so sour and awesome.
We took the ferry back to Circular Quay and completely figured out our plan for the next day. Then we went to sleep.
We went to our hotel and left our bags there and then had lunch at a street fair. Jay and I had a chicken tikka wrap. It was amazing! We also had a small cupcake. Dad told us to wander around the fair for a bit. We ended up getting honeycomb and whipped honey. Dad also tried a super hot sauce and then his stomach started hurting from it so we got him some milk and went back to the hotel.
Dad fell asleep so we watched TV for awhile. Then he woke up and we decided to go to Darling Harbour for dinner and fireworks. I got a BLT and chicken burger and fries (sorry, "chips"). The fireworks started suddenly. They were really cool and we had an awesome spot to sit and watch them. When it was done, we went to a shopping center and got free samples of candy at a lolly store. I got sour raspberry ball. It was so sour and awesome.
We took the ferry back to Circular Quay and completely figured out our plan for the next day. Then we went to sleep.
Friday, July 13, 2012
7/13/12 Melbourne
Today we decided that we just wanted to walk around the city a bit. We didn't actually leave until 11:30 because Dad refused to take a shower. Then we returned the rental car. From the Europecar place, we walked to a restaurant called Coconut House. The food was amazing. Even Jay liked it and ate a lot more than usual.
After lunch, we walked to Swanston St. and we stopped at a small grocery store to get ice cream. we all got paddle pop popsicles. I got Icy Twist. It tasted like lemonade.
We were just walking around when Dad suddenly stopped and said that he wanted to go into Target so he could see if it was any different than the one at home. We went in and then got some kinder eggs. The only difference that I saw was that there were cuter clothes :).
I hurried Dad and Jay down the street because they wanted to go to the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) and take a tour. We also stopped at another small place and got some small things. Dad saw a Japanese mart that was selling pineapple fanta. We went in and got two of those, a strawberry fanta, and a peach fanta. We paid and tried the pineapple one. It was delicious.
We made it back to the hotel. I went up to the room and Jay and Dad went to the MCG. I started working on my blog. Dad and Jay came back later with a mini cricket bat and a foam ball.
After lunch, we walked to Swanston St. and we stopped at a small grocery store to get ice cream. we all got paddle pop popsicles. I got Icy Twist. It tasted like lemonade.
We were just walking around when Dad suddenly stopped and said that he wanted to go into Target so he could see if it was any different than the one at home. We went in and then got some kinder eggs. The only difference that I saw was that there were cuter clothes :).
I hurried Dad and Jay down the street because they wanted to go to the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) and take a tour. We also stopped at another small place and got some small things. Dad saw a Japanese mart that was selling pineapple fanta. We went in and got two of those, a strawberry fanta, and a peach fanta. We paid and tried the pineapple one. It was delicious.
We made it back to the hotel. I went up to the room and Jay and Dad went to the MCG. I started working on my blog. Dad and Jay came back later with a mini cricket bat and a foam ball.
Monday, July 9, 2012
7/9/12 Queenstown/Melbourne
Today was sadly uneventful. We were planning to go paragliding but in the morning it was too foggy. We went to the top of Bob's peak on the Skyline Gondola and the paragliding people said to wait for 20 minutes in the cafe. After that we were told to wait for another 20 minutes. When it got to 11:30, we decided that we didn't want to wait any more so we cancelled our booking and left. Of course, at 12 or so, the sky was perfect. I was mad.
We just wandered around the town for a bit the headed off to the airport. Our flight was overbooked so we had to wait a bit to get our boarding passes. We made it to our gate right on time to board.
It was a little over three hour flight so I just watched some TV.
When we got to Melbourne, We took a shuttle to our hotel. After checking in, we walked around looking for somewhere for dinner. We decided an Indian place called Desi Dhaba. The food was amazing! We walked around for a bit more then went back to the hotel and went to sleep.
We just wandered around the town for a bit the headed off to the airport. Our flight was overbooked so we had to wait a bit to get our boarding passes. We made it to our gate right on time to board.
It was a little over three hour flight so I just watched some TV.
When we got to Melbourne, We took a shuttle to our hotel. After checking in, we walked around looking for somewhere for dinner. We decided an Indian place called Desi Dhaba. The food was amazing! We walked around for a bit more then went back to the hotel and went to sleep.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
7/8/12 Queenstown
Today Jay, Dad, and I up the Skyline Gondola up the mountain to the Ledge area. We had a great day planned.
I woke up at approx. 9:10. We all got ready for the day. By the time Jay was brushing his teeth, it was already 10:35 and we were supposed to catch a bus in front of the hotel at 10:40. We rushed down to the bus and made it just before it left. The bus was taking us to the bottom of of the Skyline Gondola. The gondola was just a cable car that would take us to the top of a mountain to The Ledge area. There were many things to do up there. There was a luge course, a souvenirs shop, bungee jumping, and a restaurant.
We were having lunch at the restaurant with the other ACR conference people. The gondola is one of the steepest in the world and we got an amazing view from so high up. We had to be at the Skyline restaurant at 11:45 for lunch so we had about an hour. First we explored the building. We saw a cafe, a shop, and a balcony where Dad got some pictures.
Then we decided that we wanted to try out the luge. Dad got us five tickets to share. We all went on our first ride on the beginner course rightfully called "The Scenic Route". Then Jay and I did another ride. I did the advanced route and Jay stuck to the beginner course. Dad took pictures.
After we finished, it was already 12:05 so we hurried down to the room that we were going to eat in. Instead of ordering for all of us (a little over 100), it was a buffet. There were so many options I didn't know where to start! I filled about four plates including dessert. Eventually, I felt like I would burst if I had another bite. Dad overate and was groaning!
When we had finally gotten up from the table, the person who was running the conference gave us each a voucher for two more rides on the luge! This time it was a race. We all went on the advanced course and tried to beat each other. In the middle of the course, Dad passed me and stayed right in front of me the rest of the way down. Jay was way behind us. Now it was time for bungee jumping.
We went into a small place to check in. We were already booked for 2:30 which was lucky because they were completely booked for the whole day. Dad and I had to sign release forms saying that the company was not responsible for any injuries we might get while bungee jumping. Then we got our passes saying that we payed and made our way to the bungee area. Dad positioned Jay to take some photos of us jumping off the platform. By this time I was starting to get nervous. Fortunately the bungee rope was attached at the stomach not the ankles so it wasn't as scary.
Dad and I walked down to the platform that we would be jumping off of. We saw some other people go and when they came back up, they said that it was amazing. I got into my harness and waited. Dad kept telling me to jump out with my arms and legs spread out. The people attached me to the bungee cord and led me to the edge of the platform for a photo. Of course I couldn't help looking down. Then I backed up, waved to a camera, ran, and jumped.
The first few seconds were terrifying. I was just free falling! Instead of spreading out while falling, I was gripping on to the rope right in front of me. Then I bounced and I felt ok. It became the most exhilarating thing I had ever done! I bounced a few more times then they pulled me up. When I got back to the platform, I asked Dad if he was nervous. He said no. I told him that there was something wrong for him. Dad jumped. When he came back up, he said that it was amazing.
We went back to the place that we checked in and got our video, photo codes, and free t-shirts. Jay and I then convinced Dad to check the price for the paragliding. He got us booked for tomorrow's early bird cheaper paragliding slot.
Then we did our last luge ride. I passed two really slow people on the advanced course and then I looked back. Dad was right behind me! Fortunately I kept moving in front of him so he couldn't pass me. I beat him that time! Jay came in last again.
We walked back to the hotel. We had decided to meet some of Dad's ACR friends for dinner which we did at 5:50. We all shared some pizza and nachos. Now I am about to go to bed.
I woke up at approx. 9:10. We all got ready for the day. By the time Jay was brushing his teeth, it was already 10:35 and we were supposed to catch a bus in front of the hotel at 10:40. We rushed down to the bus and made it just before it left. The bus was taking us to the bottom of of the Skyline Gondola. The gondola was just a cable car that would take us to the top of a mountain to The Ledge area. There were many things to do up there. There was a luge course, a souvenirs shop, bungee jumping, and a restaurant.
We were having lunch at the restaurant with the other ACR conference people. The gondola is one of the steepest in the world and we got an amazing view from so high up. We had to be at the Skyline restaurant at 11:45 for lunch so we had about an hour. First we explored the building. We saw a cafe, a shop, and a balcony where Dad got some pictures.
After we finished, it was already 12:05 so we hurried down to the room that we were going to eat in. Instead of ordering for all of us (a little over 100), it was a buffet. There were so many options I didn't know where to start! I filled about four plates including dessert. Eventually, I felt like I would burst if I had another bite. Dad overate and was groaning!
When we had finally gotten up from the table, the person who was running the conference gave us each a voucher for two more rides on the luge! This time it was a race. We all went on the advanced course and tried to beat each other. In the middle of the course, Dad passed me and stayed right in front of me the rest of the way down. Jay was way behind us. Now it was time for bungee jumping.
We went into a small place to check in. We were already booked for 2:30 which was lucky because they were completely booked for the whole day. Dad and I had to sign release forms saying that the company was not responsible for any injuries we might get while bungee jumping. Then we got our passes saying that we payed and made our way to the bungee area. Dad positioned Jay to take some photos of us jumping off the platform. By this time I was starting to get nervous. Fortunately the bungee rope was attached at the stomach not the ankles so it wasn't as scary.
Dad and I walked down to the platform that we would be jumping off of. We saw some other people go and when they came back up, they said that it was amazing. I got into my harness and waited. Dad kept telling me to jump out with my arms and legs spread out. The people attached me to the bungee cord and led me to the edge of the platform for a photo. Of course I couldn't help looking down. Then I backed up, waved to a camera, ran, and jumped.
We went back to the place that we checked in and got our video, photo codes, and free t-shirts. Jay and I then convinced Dad to check the price for the paragliding. He got us booked for tomorrow's early bird cheaper paragliding slot.
Then we did our last luge ride. I passed two really slow people on the advanced course and then I looked back. Dad was right behind me! Fortunately I kept moving in front of him so he couldn't pass me. I beat him that time! Jay came in last again.
We walked back to the hotel. We had decided to meet some of Dad's ACR friends for dinner which we did at 5:50. We all shared some pizza and nachos. Now I am about to go to bed.
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