Category: Countries

My keepers (still staying with a friend’s family) turned on the TV this morning to find Discovery Channel had an American documentary on bush fires. It was quite surreal to realise that the subjects were Australian. Bush fires are such a part of Australian life that they hardly require a documentary, but to see someone… Continue reading Bush fires

There’s more to Aboriginal culture than digeridoos and carrobories, but they have the most impact, integrating music, art, dance and storytelling in one go. A couple of years ago, I stumbled across an aboriginal culture centre in Darling Harbour, just under the IMAX theatre. I wanted so much to take Marie there, but when we… Continue reading Aboriginal Culture

When I last lived in Australia, I used to laugh at the advice that said everyone should drink at least 2 litres per day. I used to drink that much before leaving home. But somehow, I lost that habit when I moved to Japan, then Belgium, then Bhutan. In the past 9 years, I’ve struggled… Continue reading Water

I used to believe that it was as compulsory to be registered with Medicare as it was to vote. I’m coming to learn that neither is really true. I’ve never been interested in politics and wouldn’t trust the person I voted for to live up to the promises that made me choose them anyway, so… Continue reading Not so easy to return

It’s great. I’ve been away long enough that the culture has changed in Australia. I have run a cable through the house where I’m staying so that I can get onto the net without having to bother my friends on their PC. Using their’s usually means booting it up rather than booting them off. If… Continue reading Power conscious

“Do kangaroos really hop down the streets in Australia?” It’s been a while since I’ve been asked this question, but the number of times I’ve heard it is surprising. Of course, I’m part of the problem. Every Aussie abroad spins stories of the wonder of our land and such a question begs a ‘drop bear’… Continue reading Wallabies in the Sydney Metropolitan

New Year’s Eve is always a big night in Sydney. The fireworks on the harbour are among the best in the world. Last year, we partied at the flat of a friend in the city, then walked out onto Anzac Bridge to watch the light show. This year, we’re feeling a little anti-social, so we’re… Continue reading New Year’s Eve in Sydney

The weather is improving – by which I mean getting more like a Sydney summer. On Wednesday, I joined Damion (who’s back from Japan for Christmas) and his family on their yacht in Pittwater Bay. The sun was fierce, yet tempered by the breeze, and the company great. With nothing but a shorts, long cotton… Continue reading Summer Sailing

I know I shouldn’t be writing on Christmas Day, but I don’t get access to the net so much since I moved back to civilisation. Today I’m having christmas at my aunt’s house and they have a cable ready made for me to connect my PC to so I took advantage and brought it along.… Continue reading Christmas in Sydney

I remember Australians being friendly, but I’m surprised at just how friendly they (we?) are. I’m staying with friends in Hornsby, almost the northern limits of Sydney’s metropolitan area and catching the train into town whenever I need to. The first time, just a couple of days after I arrived back, I was walking down… Continue reading Friendly Aussies