2015 New Zealand
Getting away from the winter weather, we went with Odysseys Unlimited and Kansas State/Iowa State down under to Australia and New Zealand. I've split the trip into Australia and New Zealand for easier access.
Australia is a long way away! Starting on Saturday, from Rockport we drove 3 hours to Houston to catch an almost 4 hour flight to LAX. Following a 5 hour layover, we flew Qantas (no U, as it stands for Queensland And New Territory Air Service) for 14 hours, landing Monday in Brisbane Australia. Following a 1.5 hour layover in Brisbane, we took a 2.5 hour flight to Cairns (pronounced Caaaaarns, with the “r” only hinted at) and our hotel.
It was worth it. From Cairns, we went on a rail journey to Kuranda with a gondola ride thrown in for good measure. Cairns seaside climate was missed as we went to Alice Springs on the inland. There’s a good reason why 90+ percent of Australians live on the coast – it’s HOT in the interior. We hit 108 F at times. A beautiful land in its own right, we got to see how the people have adapted – the Royal Flying Doctors Service and Radio School of the Air are great examples. The bush BBQ and then the meeting with the Aboriginals and the talk from Con about them were really special events not duplicated on this trip.
Uluru was full of surprises. First was the great hotel in the middle of nowhere. Second was the Rock itself at sunset. We had clouds and were not expecting the spectacular sunset we got. It just lit the Rock in a matter of seconds and then it was gone. Sunrise at the Rock was good but a bit anticlimactic. I would be amiss in not mentioning the flies. We had a baked bread called Spotted Dog – the reason why they added raisins to it I’m sure was to make sure you couldn’t notice the flies mixed in with it. We were issued face nets and they were definitely used.
We flew next from Uluru to Sydney. Sydney was probably my favorite city with the Opera House, Harbor Bridge and the abundance of things to do there. From tours to Club Swizzle to walks through the Botanical Gardens and over the Harbor Bridge, there wasn’t a dull moment. Then it’s off to New Zealand.
Read MoreAustralia is a long way away! Starting on Saturday, from Rockport we drove 3 hours to Houston to catch an almost 4 hour flight to LAX. Following a 5 hour layover, we flew Qantas (no U, as it stands for Queensland And New Territory Air Service) for 14 hours, landing Monday in Brisbane Australia. Following a 1.5 hour layover in Brisbane, we took a 2.5 hour flight to Cairns (pronounced Caaaaarns, with the “r” only hinted at) and our hotel.
It was worth it. From Cairns, we went on a rail journey to Kuranda with a gondola ride thrown in for good measure. Cairns seaside climate was missed as we went to Alice Springs on the inland. There’s a good reason why 90+ percent of Australians live on the coast – it’s HOT in the interior. We hit 108 F at times. A beautiful land in its own right, we got to see how the people have adapted – the Royal Flying Doctors Service and Radio School of the Air are great examples. The bush BBQ and then the meeting with the Aboriginals and the talk from Con about them were really special events not duplicated on this trip.
Uluru was full of surprises. First was the great hotel in the middle of nowhere. Second was the Rock itself at sunset. We had clouds and were not expecting the spectacular sunset we got. It just lit the Rock in a matter of seconds and then it was gone. Sunrise at the Rock was good but a bit anticlimactic. I would be amiss in not mentioning the flies. We had a baked bread called Spotted Dog – the reason why they added raisins to it I’m sure was to make sure you couldn’t notice the flies mixed in with it. We were issued face nets and they were definitely used.
We flew next from Uluru to Sydney. Sydney was probably my favorite city with the Opera House, Harbor Bridge and the abundance of things to do there. From tours to Club Swizzle to walks through the Botanical Gardens and over the Harbor Bridge, there wasn’t a dull moment. Then it’s off to New Zealand.
