Out with the old, in with the new

It’s now the 4th of January, in 2009. I am on a train heading south to Melbourne. The last time I wrote, it was just about to be the last day of 2008. I guess I am slowing down with my posts. I will try to pick up the pace a bit more, loyal readers.

On the last day of ’08, I went on a trek to the Blue Mountains – so called because of the blue hue that is seen from a distance. I am told that it’s bluer than most vistas, because of the large amount of eucalyptus trees on the mountains, and they give off blue reflections. Coming from Canada, I have to say that they didn’t seem too mountain-like. More like small rocky hills. Yes, they were several thousand feet about sea level, but they were quite low compared to anything else I’ve experienced.

The main draw for me on this trip was the chance to see Koalas and Kangaroos. Sure, I’ve seen them in zoos, but this time I got to touch them, pet them. It was encouraged, even. It was quite touristy, though. The animals were in a glorified petting zoo for adults. There were dozens of Koalas in pens that you could reach out and touch. But most of them were sleeping in the trees far away from the pen walls. Koalas sleep about 18 hours per day, partly because their entire diet consists of eucalyptus leaves, and the toxins in the leaves make them kinda dopey. One of the handlers brought a 2 year-old female Koala around so that we could get up close. Very cute creatures, and the fur was oh-so-soft. I was not disappointed, despite the touristy side of it.

The Kangaroos, Wallabies and Wallaroos were roaming about the park freely. I guess they could hop over any fence that they try to pen them in with anyways. Several of the Roos had young Joeys in their pouches, which was cool to see. Interestingly, the Wallaroos are all white, like an albino Kangaroo. I guess it’s something in the mixing of the genes. The ‘petting zoo’ had plenty of other interesting creatures that are unique to Australia, like Echidnas, Dingoes, Flying Foxes, Emus, etc. I looked for a Platypus, but it was not visible.

The rest of the tour that day was spent driving to and from the Mountains. We stopped several times for various vistas and areas of historical significance. A couple of cable cars and ‘the world’s steepest railway’ later, we started to head back to Sydney. We stopped off one last time, cracked a bottle of Champagne, and watched as wild Kangaroos hopped on by. I got quite close this time to get some decent shots.

Later that day, it was New Years Eve. It’s not often that I spend NYE in a warm climate. I was in Hong Kong a few years back, but generally I spend it on a cold rainy night in Vancouver. So it was a treat to be wearing a t-shirt and enjoying +30 weather. The big event in Sydney on NYE is the fireworks. It’s akin to the ones that Vancouver displays every summer. But in Sydney, the iconic Harbour Bridge is the centre point of the display. It’s become world famous as the start of the New Years festivals (although New Zealand is really first). I didn’t bother going to the event, since I think of fireworks as a bit ho-hum. I suppose I should have gone, but people spend all day jostling for a good position with a view of the bridge, and I am just not that kind of person.

I did go out on NYE, though. I went to the famous Oxford Street, where many of the pubs and dance clubs are. The road was littered with debris from the earlier fireworks revelers, and by 1 AM there were lots of young kids learning what their alcohol tolerance is, the hard way. Police presence was clear, and it was pretty calm. Most bars in Sydney close at 5 AM or later. And most have a rule that requires them to lock out new patrons at 2 AM. If you’re in by then, you can stay until 5. But no new people can come in. And all the bars don’t serve alcohol for 10 minutes, every hour, in a strange attempt to reduce the amount of drinking. Although, now that I’ve experienced it, the stereotype of the drunken Australian seems somewhat accurate. I’ve seen my share.

Overall, I quite like Sydney. It has its charms, and I understand why people like to come here. There is enough to do in the city and surrounding areas to keep most people busy for a week or two. I went to a few museums, lots of parks, the Opera House, a theme park, a few harbours…I was never bored. The Australians are a proud and patriotic people. They love to show off their country.

As mentioned, I am on a train as I write this. I decided to take a train to Melbourne, rather than my usual last-minute flight. I thought it would be a good way to see more of the country. Although, after the firs 6 hours on this train, the country is beginning to look a bit repetitive. Hues of yellow and brown, with some more brown and yellow thrown in. Rolling hills, and the occasional tree from a distance, houses with metal roofs, and lots of cattle and sheep. Maybe the next 6 hours will be tougher. I am in a First Class coach. But I fail to identify anything about it that is First Class. No pillows, no blankets, no TV’s, Internet. Nothing. The First Class cars are the two most forward coaches, so maybe they should just call them “First Coaches”, not “First Class Coaches”.

I am looking forward to Melbourne. I am told it is ‘the centre of culture and the arts’ in Australia. Many people tell me that it is THE place to see in Australia. It will be my last stop in the country, after which I will head back north to SE Asia, winding my way back up to Hong Kong by the end of the month, and then into China.