Le Road Trip: A Dotto Summary in his brief LiveJournal sojourn
This post orginated as a reply to Necie's post of the same topic. But it ended up far too long for a comment. So here is Dotto's wrap up of le Tour de Nouvelles Galles du Sud.
- Left home at about 730. Picked up Necie, got attacked by David's dogs before meeting a half-asleep David, then picked up Emma, had our inaugural Macdonalds Breakfast before setting off on the M4.
- Google maps gave me unreliable times (on closer inspection, they just gave a blanket 60km/h for all of the roads), so we arrived in the Blue Mountains later than expected. We still got to see Wentworth Falls and Echo Point, which was worth it.
- Had Belgian Waffles in Katoomba, served by a sweet young girl who couldn't use a cash register. Emma had a french conversation with a man who went to Belgium (explains the waffles) All in all a really delicious breakfasty lunch.
- Decided that we should see Jenolan Caves instead of Bathurst, since there really isn't anything in Bathurst apart from pretty buildings, which were also in Katoomba. We narrowly missed the 2:30 tour so we waited til 3. Jenolan Caves was worth it; they are beautiful caves
- After a fuel stop in Oberon, we set off for Canberra, in the longest driving leg of the trip. I had planned to do the desolate, narrow Oberon to Goulburn road in daylight, but the caves meant that we were heading out at about 5:15, and travelling on unsealed road at dusk. Not to worry. Good experience. Occasionally breaking the speed limit (up to 120 on some straights, sorry Emma/David/Necie), I managed to make Canberra at 7:50 - 10 minuites before the hotel reception closed (though apparently the caretaker could have let us in until midnight).
- In Canberra we went to Dickson for food. Japanese restaurant was full so we went Malay. It was quite nice, but Emma and I did feel a bit uneasy afterwards (Emma moreso). It must have been a European thing.
- I actually tried to do homework, but failed.
- Girls got the bedroom whilst Davids got matresses (well, their choice of nice comfy matress or very stiff sofa). Had a nice sleep, althoguh I had to wrap myself in the blanket cos I couldn't get it to stay on the matress.
- Had nice breakfast in Canberra Centre, though old lady service was bitchin'.
- Went to Commonwealth Park to see Lake Burley Griffin. Necie commented on how it was strange that man created such a landform. I felt this was being a bit rich from someone who was praising Dubai so much the previous day.
- Went to Parliament House, where Australia's biggest mistakes are made (yeah I quoted myself, big deal wanna fight about it?). I've always wondered what all the Chinese tourists would think if the House revealed the reason why Western Australia really joined Federation (think White Australia).
- Went to War Memorial after getting a bit disoriented by all the circles. Walked around, found the roll for my grandpa's old batallion.
- Went to Mount Ainslie (note spelling), which had a spectacular view of Canberra. And got me thinking that Canberra wasn't such a bad place to live after all (more time living there would probably change my mind, though).
- Drove past Fyshwick for David, showing him the reason why I'm not as excited about Fyshwick as just about everyone who asks me about the place whenever I tell them I lived in Canberra is. (Porn and Fireworks there may be, but it's no Las Vegas, it's an industrial zone)
- Drove to Calwell, which is mah hometown y'all. Saw my school and my house. Nostalgic, but not much has changed. Necie commented that after looking at this suburb, one could see why my parents moved to Shire. I had to concede that point, especially since there was now a 'Calwell Club',
- On the way to Batemans Bay, we stopped outside Queanbeyan for a bit of a stretch. Blessing in disguise, because we saw kangroos. Live ones (Necie is awfully good at pointing out road kill)
- Stopped at Batemans Bay so that Emma could see Australian rural coast (in daylight). There was really just a beach there
- Despite the night time, we stopped at Hyams Beach (outside Jervis Bay, known for its white sand). The beach at night is actually really nice, under the moon and starlight and all. Must go back in light so we can see the white sand though.
- We sung a lot of songs (I brought too many CDs). As luck woulid have it, when Knights of Cydonia came on I was stuck behind a truck carrying two caravans. And when New Born came on I was doing 50 behind yet another truck. I replayed those two
- David and Necie argue a lot. Emma and I, on the other hand, couldn't really care less about car science, or whether mushrooms are fruit are not (they started arguing about fruity mushrooms when I left the car simply to pay for petrol, poor Emma). But hey now, hey now, don't dream, it's over.
- Ate too much Macdonalds (I was super hungry). Had to finish how I started.
- Arrived in Sydney from the Princes Highway, dropping off Necie, then Emma, then David before arriving home, 1.053 Megametres later. A lot of road in a short time, but at least we got a lot covered (and still half of what Winston can do).
- Left home at about 730. Picked up Necie, got attacked by David's dogs before meeting a half-asleep David, then picked up Emma, had our inaugural Macdonalds Breakfast before setting off on the M4.
- Google maps gave me unreliable times (on closer inspection, they just gave a blanket 60km/h for all of the roads), so we arrived in the Blue Mountains later than expected. We still got to see Wentworth Falls and Echo Point, which was worth it.
- Had Belgian Waffles in Katoomba, served by a sweet young girl who couldn't use a cash register. Emma had a french conversation with a man who went to Belgium (explains the waffles) All in all a really delicious breakfasty lunch.
- Decided that we should see Jenolan Caves instead of Bathurst, since there really isn't anything in Bathurst apart from pretty buildings, which were also in Katoomba. We narrowly missed the 2:30 tour so we waited til 3. Jenolan Caves was worth it; they are beautiful caves
- After a fuel stop in Oberon, we set off for Canberra, in the longest driving leg of the trip. I had planned to do the desolate, narrow Oberon to Goulburn road in daylight, but the caves meant that we were heading out at about 5:15, and travelling on unsealed road at dusk. Not to worry. Good experience. Occasionally breaking the speed limit (up to 120 on some straights, sorry Emma/David/Necie), I managed to make Canberra at 7:50 - 10 minuites before the hotel reception closed (though apparently the caretaker could have let us in until midnight).
- In Canberra we went to Dickson for food. Japanese restaurant was full so we went Malay. It was quite nice, but Emma and I did feel a bit uneasy afterwards (Emma moreso). It must have been a European thing.
- I actually tried to do homework, but failed.
- Girls got the bedroom whilst Davids got matresses (well, their choice of nice comfy matress or very stiff sofa). Had a nice sleep, althoguh I had to wrap myself in the blanket cos I couldn't get it to stay on the matress.
- Had nice breakfast in Canberra Centre, though old lady service was bitchin'.
- Went to Commonwealth Park to see Lake Burley Griffin. Necie commented on how it was strange that man created such a landform. I felt this was being a bit rich from someone who was praising Dubai so much the previous day.
- Went to Parliament House, where Australia's biggest mistakes are made (yeah I quoted myself, big deal wanna fight about it?). I've always wondered what all the Chinese tourists would think if the House revealed the reason why Western Australia really joined Federation (think White Australia).
- Went to War Memorial after getting a bit disoriented by all the circles. Walked around, found the roll for my grandpa's old batallion.
- Went to Mount Ainslie (note spelling), which had a spectacular view of Canberra. And got me thinking that Canberra wasn't such a bad place to live after all (more time living there would probably change my mind, though).
- Drove past Fyshwick for David, showing him the reason why I'm not as excited about Fyshwick as just about everyone who asks me about the place whenever I tell them I lived in Canberra is. (Porn and Fireworks there may be, but it's no Las Vegas, it's an industrial zone)
- Drove to Calwell, which is mah hometown y'all. Saw my school and my house. Nostalgic, but not much has changed. Necie commented that after looking at this suburb, one could see why my parents moved to Shire. I had to concede that point, especially since there was now a 'Calwell Club',
- On the way to Batemans Bay, we stopped outside Queanbeyan for a bit of a stretch. Blessing in disguise, because we saw kangroos. Live ones (Necie is awfully good at pointing out road kill)
- Stopped at Batemans Bay so that Emma could see Australian rural coast (in daylight). There was really just a beach there
- Despite the night time, we stopped at Hyams Beach (outside Jervis Bay, known for its white sand). The beach at night is actually really nice, under the moon and starlight and all. Must go back in light so we can see the white sand though.
- We sung a lot of songs (I brought too many CDs). As luck woulid have it, when Knights of Cydonia came on I was stuck behind a truck carrying two caravans. And when New Born came on I was doing 50 behind yet another truck. I replayed those two
- David and Necie argue a lot. Emma and I, on the other hand, couldn't really care less about car science, or whether mushrooms are fruit are not (they started arguing about fruity mushrooms when I left the car simply to pay for petrol, poor Emma). But hey now, hey now, don't dream, it's over.
- Ate too much Macdonalds (I was super hungry). Had to finish how I started.
- Arrived in Sydney from the Princes Highway, dropping off Necie, then Emma, then David before arriving home, 1.053 Megametres later. A lot of road in a short time, but at least we got a lot covered (and still half of what Winston can do).