San Fran for a day

A few months back, during my lengthy 10 hour layover in SFO, enroute back to the land of Oz, I got the chance to escape the airport and check out the city that is San Fran for the first time.  

It didn't take long to understand why a day in the city just isn't enough to truly experience the city and surrounds, though a fantastic introduction some of the cities famous highlights.   Ghirardelli's chocolate, Fisherman's Wharf, the lazy seals at Pier 39, the infamous streetcars, Lombard St.  Not to mention all the exercise from walking up and down those hills made the subsequent 15 hours of sitting ahead, much more bearable. 

Since it's taken me this long to actually post this,  I'll just leave you with a few pix from my brief encounter with San Fran.  This is a city, I'll definitely try to get back to someday soon!

Lombard St

Alcatraz in the distance

It was just a wee bit windy in SFO

 

Best view of the Golden Gate Bridge I could get.  Those sunny, cloud free pictures can't be easy to catch.

There is something so wrong and so right about that burger.  Sums up my thoughts about Maccas. I just spewed a little in my mouth.

 

A few days in Darwin

I made the trek north to Darwin, Northern Territory in early June for a short 4 day jaunt to catch up with Hayley and Andy.  Still incredibly jet-lagged after only two days back in Australia and a long five hour flight from Melbourne, I arrived delirious and ready for a few days of sunny and uber hot weather before settling in for a long Melbourne winter.   (Yes, Melbourne "winter's" area really only "fall" to Canucks, but it's still bloody cold here!)

Four days exploring Darwin and surrounds was the best way to mark my return to Oz after six weeks away. It was hot, there were palm trees and the ocean breeze everywhere, drinks were constantly flowing and a few touristy things may have been done somewhere along the way.  We teased hungry, jumping crocs on the Adelaide River, wandered through the Sunday evening Mindil Market, cooled off in some Litchfield NP watering holes, explored the Darwin CBD (note...that one didn't take long at all!)

Humpty Doo Hotel where an obligatory pint was consumed to escape and cool down from the heat

Searching for hungry and jumping crocs on the Adelaide River. Maybe not such a great idea...

One hungry croc

I finally got to put my crocodile hunting skills to work!  Crikey!

Mindil Night Market - Darwin

Almost two months ago, after just getting back to Australia, I took a short 5 hour flight up to Darwin to catch up with Hayley and Andy for a few days and maybe a few drinks.

Since I haven't really posted many photos since then, here are a few from the Mindil Night Market held every Thursday and Sunday nights from April to October.

Hungry?

Sunday evening in Darwin at the Mindil Market by the beach

Back to the cold homeland....

 After a year away exploring Australia, New Zealand and random pockets of Asia, I had finally made my return to Canada after an agonizingly long flight via LAX.  The weather in Toronto to welcome me home: 3C.  Not the late April weather I was expecting.  And seriously, no joke, as we weaved through rush hour traffic on the 427 with The Hip playing in the background, there was snow.  Snow at the end of April! Come one!!

Returning to the homeland after a year away can be a shock to the system.  Especially going from Western Australia boiling hot summer to a cold Canadian spring.  The temperature, the culture, the tipping, and the oh so Canadian accents, eh.  Not to mention the lack of decent coffee after living in Australia and Melbourne for a year.  Tim Horton's may be convenient, generally consistent and cheap, but the coffee is still bad. Now I understand why all the Aussie's complain about finding decent coffee in Canada.

Returning to North American driving was also an interesting challenge. Especially being thrown right into it again on my second day home navigating downtown Toronto.  Adjusting to driving on the other side or the "right" side of the road was like riding a bike - kinda.  At least the few vehicles I've driven so far had the indicator and wipers on the same side.  Convenient, yet confusing.  

The phrases, slang, and words I had become accustomed to like "How ya going," "heaps," and "indicator" were like latin to the people around me.  On the positive side, I could say things like toque, washroom and 2-4 without looks of confusion.

 I have unofficially nicknamed my visit home Dill Picklefest 2011.  Oh how I've missed the constant use of pickles on burgers, sandwiches, in gigantic club size jars.  I may have slightly O.D'd on crunchy garlic.

Pickles anyone?

The other great things about coming home: all the food, sports and ways of life I had grown up with has been kinda amazing.  NHL playoffs, spicy Caesars, Wendy's chicken burgers, pancakes and maple syrup, nanaimo bars, ketchup chips, coffee crisp, Toronto street meat with all the toppings, Mr. Christies, roller-blading along the lakeshore...you get the idea.  And the sangria was the cherry on top! I know it's not Canadian, but it should be the unofficial year-round drink of choice...and also the breakfast of champions! 

Overall, the last six weeks have been wonderful, catching up with family and friends, although way too brief.  If only there was enough time to see everyone and do everything.  Until the next time, it's back to Oz on another agonizingly long flight after a brief stop in San Fran! Dear Air New Zealand, please, please play your Richard Simmons safety video.

Mississippi Lake in Perth finally calm enough to kayak

Traditional Burmese longyi tying

 The Moustache Brothers demonstrate how to tie the traditional longyi.