Australia - My Heart Divided Between Two Lands
From Heather Leonard
I lived in Australia for a year. I spent
6 months in each Sydney and Melbourne and found wonderful things about
both cities. The memories that I have of Australia are some of the most
exciting, fun and happiest memories. I am a worldly individual that has
experienced other cultures as well and feel that I left part of my
heart back in Australia. The Aussies are so friendly, light-hearted and
warm. I really enjoyed both Melbourne and Sydney but I personally felt
more at home in Melbourne because its lush green appearance and climate
reminded me of home (Washington State, USA) and I loved how
cosmopolitan it was.
Melbourne has a heavier European influence, the most
flavorful inexpensive foods when dining out, great shopping and
fashion, excellent transportation and full of arts.
After I left Australia, The best way that I could describe my
time there was by asking people whether they have seen the movie
"Pleasantville" because over that time that I was there, like the
movie, my eyes were opened to color and I now saw life so differently.
My heart has been yearning to go back because I love that land, the
culture and the people.
Some of my favorite things and recommendations for travelers
to OZ would be:
In Sydney....
1. Try the seafood...It is amazing!! Make sure to
try some fresh fish & chips wrapped up in paper.
2. Go see Bondi beach, Coogee or Manly...There's a
beach suited for everyone...and go jump in the surf,lay out, play on a
boogee board or try surfing.
3. Check out the downtown Sydney, "David Jones"
store. It's an Aussie high class department store and I love those
freshly made chocolate covered strawberries in the down stairs food department.
4. Visit the Centrepoint Tower. You will have
awesome views of the whole city!
5. Darling Harbour shopping and the Opera House. The
botanical gardens and go see the government house for a tour.
6. Jump on a ferry boat and cruise the harbor! You can take a
ferry and visit the zoo too.
7. North of Sydney, there is a great amusement park
called, 'Old Sydney Town' and attached to it is a wild life park that
will allow you a real close up look at some of Australia's wild life
and you can get a picture holding a koala.
Melbourne....
1. You must try the
authentic Italian coffee...They have the best espresso ever in
Melbourne! One of my favorite spots is a place on Lygon Street, called
"Brunetti's".
2. Go shopping at the "Queen Victoria Markets".
3. Brighton beach, where they have the old fashioned beach houses.
4. Go learn some Australia history and visit the
'Immigration Museum', where you can see how immigrants came into the
country, since Melbourne was the main port of entry.
5. Check out the footy!! Both Sydney and Melbourne
have great sites to watch their beloved rugby and Australian Rules. The
cheering is non-stop...Try some of the traditional footy food, like:
jam donuts, aussie meat pies with tomato sauce and chips and of course
their excellent
beer.
......There are truly just too many exciting and wonderful
things about Australia to name! That's why Ilove it there! It would be
an easy land to make home.
Heather L.
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