Australia Archives - Page 14 of 19

December 29, 2012

Govett’s Leap Lookout

A wide open space.

After hiking the National Pass Trail we decided to take the long way back to our hostel and check out Govett’s Leap. Govett’s Leap is a lookout in the Blue Mountains named after William Romaine Govett, an early assistant-surveyor in the area. Supposedly, Govett was the first person to come upon this incredible view, although I have a feeling that’s not entirely so.

Later in the evening we went back to Echo Point for another incredible sunset.

Finally, the chilly weather drove us back to our cozy hostel.

xo, jill

posted by Jill Leave a Comment
Filed Under: Australia

December 27, 2012

National Pass Trail

“One of Australia’s greatest walking trails.”

Our first morning in the Blue Mountains we asked the proprietress of our hostel for a good hiking recommendation. She suggested we drive a short distance to the National Pass Trail trailhead. We met up with two Germans we befriended the night before and set off.

After a kilometer or so, we stopped to chat with an Australian couple who was very familiar with the hiking trails in the area. They warned us that we were in store for a long and arduous hike. They also let us know that we initially took the wrong trail and added a few extra kilometers to the route. Oops! We decided to ignore their warning and press on. I’m glad we did. Although the trail was a bit strenuous at times (tallest outdoor staircase in Australia), it was nothing we couldn’t handle.

The National Pass Trail takes you through forests, past waterfalls, and up to lookouts, all while walking along the side of the gorge walls. It’s difficult to explain just how impressive the hiking route is. I guess you’ll just have to trust me!

Along the way we spotted several parrots, cockatoos, and other unidentifiable birds.

The making of the trail is quite interesting as well. It was built between 1906-1907 using picks, shovels, crowbars, and dynamite. (Some of the work was supposedly completed using a Bosun’s chair, eep!). Certain points of the trail showcase old photographs of the trail’s construction and early hikers. It’s hard to believe that people used to hike in suits and long dresses. I can’t imagine. Thank goodness for yoga pants.

Ooh, horrible angle.

Hiking the National Pass Trail was definitely a highlight of our time in Australia. Now I just wish I could hike every other trail in the area, but that might take some time and true devotion.

xo, jill

posted by Jill 6 Comments
Filed Under: Australia

December 26, 2012

A Christmas Recap

Australian Christmas.

Mike and I had a wonderful Christmas down here in Australia. We are both incredibly grateful to be house sitting over the holidays. It definitely beats sleeping in our tent!

We anticipated lounging by the pool in the sun for Christmas. Unfortunately, a thunder storm arrived on Christmas Eve and prevented that fantasy from happening. Instead, we had a relaxing rainy day indoors. It felt much more like home with gray outside the windows.

Christmas Eve

We headed out to the shops to pick up groceries for our Christmas meal. Just as I expected, it was insane! We spent the afternoon listening to Christmas music and wrapping up our gifts. I found a Santa section in the newspaper and chuckled while I made sure at least one Santa was on each on Mike’s packages.

In the evening we spent a few hours preparing a delicious Christmas meal. It was quite the spread and will be feeding us for a few days. We prepared an avocado and beet salad, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, roasted pumpkin, and a chicken for Mike.

After dinner we posed for a few photos by the Christmas tree and curled up on the couch.

Dino came and crashed our photo

Christmas Day

In the morning we exchanged gifts on the floor under the tree. We agreed to a $10 budget this year so we had to be creative. One of my gifts to Mike was a pack of Skittles comprised of only his favorite color: red. I was so excited for him to open it. We also opened a package sent by my parents. Now I have plenty of books to read and vegan marshmallows to eat. Mike has his very own Powell’s t-shirt and enough ginger candy to keep him satisfied. Thank you Mom, Dad, and Toni!

After gifts we cooked up a special breakfast, drank some tea, took a few photos, and cracked our Christmas crackers.

Dino got a Christmas cracker too!

The rain continued to pour the rest of the day so we continued the indoor relaxing.

It was a very pleasant Christmas, but Mike and I both agreed that no matter how hard you try to create a holiday atmosphere with lights, gifts, and good food… it’s friends and family that really make it feel like Christmas.

I hope everyone’s holiday was merry and bright!

xo, jill

posted by Jill 3 Comments
Filed Under: Australia, chatter

December 26, 2012

A Christmas Recap

Australian Christmas.

Mike and I had a wonderful Christmas down here in Australia. We are both incredibly grateful to be house sitting over the holidays. It definitely beats sleeping in our tent!

After dinner we posed for a few photos by the Christmas tree and curled up on the couch.

Dino came and crashed our photo

Christmas Day

After gifts we cooked up a special breakfast, drank some tea, took a few photos, and cracked our Christmas crackers.

Dino got a Christmas cracker too!

The rain continued to pour the rest of the day so we continued the indoor relaxing.

I hope everyone’s holiday was merry and bright!

xo, jill

posted by Jill Leave a Comment
Filed Under: Australia, chatter

December 20, 2012

Christmas Past

3 of them.This year this will mark my fourth Christmas spent abroad. It’s always a bit strange to be anywhere other than home for the holidays. It’s especially weird if you are in a country where Christmas is just any other regular day of the year. Happily, Australia closes down for Christmas (just like home!), but it will probably be a scorcher and not the traditional wet weather I’m accustomed to.

Here’s what Christmas has looked like for me over the past 3 years.

2009 – United Arab Emirates

2009 was my first year spending Christmas away from my family. In the days leading up to it, I was pretty nervous. I didn’t know what it would feel like to be on my own. Of course, I wasn’t really on my own because I had Molly there with me and she’s just about as close to family as you can get.

We had to work on Christmas Eve (which is super weird if you’re a teacher) but thankfully Christmas day fell on the weekend. We spent the evening of Christmas Eve making macaroni and cheese (my family tradition) and cinnamon rolls (her family tradition). I accidentally used vanilla soy milk for the mac and cheese. So disgusting.

Christmas morning we opened presents and celebrated at breakfast with Hannah and Jen before driving out to Frannie’s place in the desert. We ate a delicious meal and chatted with our families via Skype.

2009 was also the year that launched our annual Christmas video greetings.

2010 – Jordan

I thought I might go home for Christmas in 2010, but instead I ended up in Jordan with Molly and her sister. We spent Christmas Day driving around trying to find a certain church in Madaba. It was probably one of the most frustrating driving experiences I’ve ever had, but we perserved and made it there in the end.

Later in the day we stopped at the Dead Sea for a swim where Molly performed some Christmas themed synconized swimming. That evening we talked our way into the business center at a fancy hotel so we could get in touch with our families. Unfortunately, not all of the microphones or speakers were functioning so it made it pretty tricky.

After dark we struggled to find our hotel for the night until a police officer jumped in our car and had his police officer buddies escort us in their jeep. This is still hilarious to me and one of Molly’s greatest travel feats. (She asked for help, and she got it!)

We toasted the holiday with some Mickey Mouse sparkling cider and fell fast asleep.

2011 – Vietnam

Last year Mike and I spent both Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Hanoi. We didn’t plan it purposefully that way, but it worked out great both times. Our hotel was across the street from a church so everything was quite festive and merry.

Christmas this year could be characterized by “searching.” Christmas Eve we searched for the perfect meal, and Christmas Day we searched for Skype with webcams. (Having families in different time zones is not ideal.) Luckily, we found both! We also treated ourselves to a famous water puppet show.

I’m looking forward to celebrating Christmas 2012 with Mike in Australia. We’re planning to stuff ourselves and relax by the pool.

xo, jill

posted by Jill 2 Comments
Filed Under: Australia, Jordan, UAE, Vietnam

December 17, 2012