Author Archives: noconbach
Banksia
Australia has been full of beautiful flowers. One in particular was something we’ve never seen before, but very common along the woodland coast, in fact everywhere we went in New South Wales and Queensland. It’s the banksia. Not a flower … Continue reading
Australia Animalia Part 2
In Noosa National Park, a fellow hiker alerted us to the existence of the goanna. We thought he said iguana, very similar sounding. We found out they are somewhat similar looking too. At least a goanna is also a big lizard, specifically … Continue reading
Surfing, Australian Style – February 2015
We found out Australian schools have four sessions a year with long breaks between them, but no three-month summer vacation as in the US. So in the summer months of February and March in New South Wales and Queensland, beaches are … Continue reading
Sydney to Brisbane – February 2015
The Pacific Coast drive from Sydney to Brisbane is legen–wait for it–dary. Beaches, national parks, and woodlands are outstanding. We also stopped at non-beach points of interest. The Australian shoreline is of course beautiful, but also treacherous. Interestingly, the lighthouses … Continue reading
Posted in Travel Journal
Tagged Australia, Big Banana, Big Prawn, big things, Gold Coast, Sydney to Brisbane
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Brisbane (Visiting my boss!) – February 2015
We were looking forward to seeing Brisbane for several reasons. We’ve been to eastern Australia’s top and bottom before, but never the middle. It’s a glorious city built on the Brisbane River, with bridge crossings providing access to parks and shopping … Continue reading
What’s hopping? 1950 to 2015
Here in Australia it’s the kangaroos and wallabies that are hopping, also tiny little feathertail possums that are less than 3 inches long but can hop or glide up to 75 feet. They were too fast for photos, but we … Continue reading
Posted in Travel Journal
Tagged Australia, Great Britain, hops, Kent, New Zealand, Toppenish, wallaby, Washington
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Australia Animalia – February 2015
Our first Australian animal sighting was a bird, an ibis. Since this one was new to us after seeing scarlet ibises in the US, we chased the birds through Sydney’s Royal Botanic Park to get pictures. Meanwhile, when we asked … Continue reading
Posted in Travel Journal
Tagged animals, Australia, kangaroo, koala, kookaburra, wildlife
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What’s north of Sydney? Wine! – February 2015
We’ve been to the northern and southern parts of eastern Australia before, but everything in between is vast unexplored territory for us. Our first stop is wine country, of course. The Hunter Valley in New South Wales is renowned for … Continue reading
Posted in Travel Journal
Tagged Australia, Hunter Valley, Lindeman's, Pepper Tree wine, wine
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Sydney and its Harbour – February 2015
Welcome to Port Jackson. That’s the actual name of Sydney Harbour. Who knew? It was given the name around 1770 by Captain Cook, the same navigator who explored Hawaii and New Zealand. Welcoming us to Sydney was none other than Olivia Newton-John. … Continue reading
Posted in Travel Journal
Tagged Australia, Hyde Park, Olivia Newton-John, Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House
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Sydney Beaches – February 2015
Remember, even though it’s February and Boston is trying to dig out of endless snowstorms, we’re in the Southern Hemisphere. So it’s the height of summer here…but we’re not rubbing it in! First stop in Sydney: the beaches. We took a … Continue reading
Finger Lakes to Lavender Fields 