Mood:
spaceyTopic: Asia Trip
Many Australians are missing or killed by the Tsunami, so the news has been on the front page of the paper everyday. The tragedy is overwhelming. We wonder how much it is being covered in the US. We spent several weeks on the beaches of Southern Thailand and specifically several days on Phuket and Kho Phi Phi. It is hard for us to comprehend what Phi Phi island must look like now and what we would have done if we were there sleeping in our beach bungalow or having breakfast by the waves. It is interesting and proves true - no matter how you like to think that it is not - that you care more for the people and countries where you have visited or know someone of that nationality. Having been to India and Thailand, I am extra saddened by their losses. Please do what you can to help these people, what you think is right. Give some cash, if that is your thing; pray is that is your thing.
We are now in Auckland, New Zealand, after spending a wonderful week in Australia. It is hard to conceive that we are starting the final phase of our travels. Sydney was lovely and if it was entered into "THE MARISA AND MOLLY LIVABLITY TEST FOR THE ASSESMENT OF CITIES TO CALL HOME" (yes, we have a spreadsheet); it would score 100%! (but don't worry Phyllis [Marisa's Mom], Sydney is not on the contenders list because it is in Australia and we are American.
Sydney has wonderful weather and we are currently in their summer. It is surrounded by beaches and mountains and has cute walk-able, tree-lined neighborhoods. We explored the area by foot, train and bus. We were greeted in Sydney by our friend Alan and his wife Margaret. Alan was one of the Aussie's who joined us this summer on the bike trip and they were excellent hosts! They were so sweet to take us out of the city to the Hunter Valley for a 2 day trip. We stayed with some friends of theirs who own a hot air ballooning business and had the pleasure of an early morning balloon ride over the vineyards of Hunter Valley! Marisa loved it and could not stop smiling as we floated over the hopping kangaroos.
Returning to Sydney we then stayed at Alan and Margaret's home. Accommodations in Sydney on New Years Eve were hard to come and extremely expensive, and they were so kind to take us in. That morning they took us to Featherdale which is a wildlife reserve for Australian animals. Marisa petted a Kuala bear and a Kangaroo. Marisa and I took the train into the city for NYE and saw the fireworks over Darling Harbor. During our short stay in Australia, Alan and Margaret also took us to see the Sydney harbor, Manley beach, the US Olympic site, an Aussi Workman's Club, and much more. They were wonderful and we are very grateful!
Tomorrow we pick up a rental car - yes, I am nervous about driving on the other side of the road - and head on out to explore the North Island of New Zealand. We are excited. Today we walked around Auckland - the Sunday after new years - which means that every darn thing is closed (shucks). But we made the best of it, exploring the museum and parks. Marisa mentioned that the city reminds her of Anchorage, Alaska and I agree. If you think about it they do have a bit in common. More soon! Happy New Year and happy Birthday! Oops. Did I let that slip... That it is my birthday on the 5th. Bye
Love,
Molly
PS. Did we mention that we miss the prices in Asia? AHHH
Now that we are no longer in Asia and are now in counties that speak English, you would think that we would be able to communicate. But I will tell you that I have a hard time getting my head around that accent and all of those cutesy words. And I have been told - by a bartender who could not understand my order - that the feeling is mutual. Shrug. Allright Mate and Kia Ora
