So two days after we got back from Fiji, my mother came to visit me, here in Australia! Apparently, the Australians really want tourists to come and boost their economy, so Qantas round-trip flights were under $700. Crazy, no? Considering I paid over $1500 for my flight. Anyways, I showed her around, hitting all the big tourist places. We even went to Bondi Beach on a Wednesday morning, and having seen how crowded it can get, I was surprised to get there and see more birds than people. Granted, it was about 11 in the morning, and it wasn't the hottest day in the world, but still. I thought tourists would be like my little sister (who is coming in a week, yay!), and would insist on going to Bondi and "tanning," if even for just a few minutes. Then, we engaged in our favourite pastime, which is, of course, eating. I've always known where I got those genes, but this visit of hers only made it abundantly clear. The amount of food in my apartment has tripled, along with the newly purchased utensils she felt I lacked. But I digress.
We took long walks from my apartment to Circular Quay (the Opera House and Harbour Bridge), walked across the Harbour Bridge, visited the Botanical Gardens (good gosh, there are so many bats there), among other things. We also went on a couple guided tours up to the Blue Mountains, to Featherdale Wildlife Park (where the exotic animals roam free), and also Canberra.
That was my first, and probably last time to Caberra. I know it's the capitol of Australia and what not, but there really isn't anything there! Aside from the big area where all the embassies are, the Parliament House, and some war memorials, there's a "miniature" park. Seriously. Not much there. We were driving through the CBD (Central Business District = downtown), and there were literally ten people walking around. On a Wednesday afternoon. If you've seen what the CBD is like in Sydney, or even Brisbane, this comes as a huge shock. Nobody. There is really nobody there.
At least the people who run the "miniature" park have a sense of humour. This is a group of people, part of a larger diorama of a soccer/football pitch. Yes, that is a streaker and the police attempting to tackle him. Very amusing. There were several other things like that, like someone falling off a boat into the water, or people engaging in a bar fight or what not. I imagine making miniatures can only be so exciting and you have to find ways to add amusement to your life.
Then Mommy left and Mickis's Swedish visitors came! I think all Swedish people come to Australia. Maybe it's a rite of passage. It's so awesome, though. I feel like Americans don't travel enough. I haven't determine whether it's because of financial reasons, or if we're simply less willing to leave the North American continent.
Either way, we went out and did some more touristy stuff. For example, we enjoyed the Rose Garden in the Botanical Garden, strolled along Macquarie Point or wherever this is, and the Swedes found their national symbol (Absolut ;-) just kidding) outside Customs House! I don't quite know what it was doing there, but it was certainly an interesting display. Sunday, we went to a footy game. Australia Rules Football. Needless to say, I don't understand the rules. I found the most interesting person on the field was this sideline judge, who tossed balls in backwards. Yep. But no matter, I'll learn (maybe). Sydney won, though! I suppose that's cool, but I don't actually know where Richmond is.
Then we did the usual: fooding, drinking, and dancing. Tapas and ivy on Friday, a home cooked meal and sidebar on Saturday, and Hugo's on Sunday. Needless to say, there are lots more weird pictures than I care to show here.
I'm going to Surf Camp this weekend, so wish me luck, and I'll be back with another post soon.
Sina says "Bye bye!"
