Australia Archives - INSPIRING MAX

Welcome To Sydney

October 6, 2014October 6, 2014 inspiringmax

Sydney, Australia is a beautiful part of the world. It is set around nature. Sydney Harbour—arguably one of the best in the world is on one side, with national parks on all other sides. It is a multi-cultural city, with people from all parts of the world, often living in pockets of like-minded people—mixing original customs with their new life, which adds to the vitality of the area. As a result, in Sydney, we can source all ingredients for international cooking by going to the specialist communities.

The strangest thing for first time visitors to Sydney may depend on where they are coming from. Living near Sydney Olympic Park—Sydney’s major sporting and entertainment venue—on the train I regularly overhear conversations of newcomers to the area discussing their first impression of Sydney.

Fellow Australians coming from the country Australia discuss:

Trains – how they work and how easy they are to use
The number of people
The traffic
The multiculturalism of the city
The fast pace of life
How long it takes to get anywhere

International visitors discuss:

Our sporting obsession
How fast we talk
Our strange slang and colloquialisms—they thought we spoke English
How slow our trains system is
How long the flight was
The temperature—especially with the high temperature and humidity in Summer

Wherever you come from, always remember you are welcome. We love visitors and it appears visitors love us. According to the following websites, Sydney is rated one of the top cities in the world to visit.

http://www.travelandleisure.com/worlds-best-cities-2014-winners-list#top-cities-overall

http://news.distractify.com/culture/trip-advisor-top-cities/?v=1

Luna Park North Sydney View

Sydney Harbour Bridge

View Over Sydney City

So, come on Down Under. Our beaches, plants and animals are unique. Join the millions of others who have experienced our relaxed, fun-loving way of life. There will always be someone to say—G’Day Mate.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/welcome-stranger/

Mouths Wide Shut

September 29, 2014 inspiringmax

Are you a picky eater? Share some of your favorite food quirks with us (the more exotic, the better!). Omnivores: what’s the one thing you won’t eat?

When asked about my food preferences as a youngster, I would say I eat everything. What I really meant was any usual food that may be put on my plate. Whilst in Australia this statement mostly remains true, the one thing I would like to try however I am unsure if I can put in my mouth is the aboriginal delicacy—the witchetty grub.

Eating a witchetty grub is an experience rather than a meal. They are found in Central Australia and are often on the bucket lists of travellers to the area. One day I will travel to the centre of our beautiful land. When that time comes I will have to decide if I am going to open my currently shut mouth to the experience.

Have you tried witchetty grubs? What were your thoughts? I would love some evidence to move me forward and open my mouth.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/mouths-wide-shut/

Wattle

September 21, 2014September 25, 2014 inspiringmax

Australia’s love affair with Wattle began many years ago. It is so special to Australians, it has its own national day — Wattle Day 1st September—the first day of Spring.

One species, Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) is the national floral emblem of Australia. It and many other species of Wattle, share the colours of Australia—green and gold. For most of the year, Wattle bushes and trees remain green. Then, suddenly, towards the end of winter, they bust into flower adding a mass of colour to the landscape. Having a Wattle bush in my front garden, feels very Australian and special.

Our Wattle arch

Like Australians, Wattle is diverse (there are 1000 species grown throughout Australia), supports the environment and is resilient. Wattle is one of several species of plants that regenerates first after fire. By doing so, it reminds us that life goes on and out of tragedy or difficult times, comes new life. This ability supports the bush, bringing plants and animals back after devastation, renewing hope.

Wattle tree down the road

John Williamson – Australian country and western singer/songwriter, dedicated one of his classic songs to one species of Wattle—Cootamundra Wattle (Acacia baileyana.) This song typically Australian. Although an older video, it shows footage of the Australian countryside where Wattle flourishes and changes the landscape.

All my life I have loved walking in the bush in Spring. Seeing the various species of Wattle as they blossom. Wattle is my favourite Australian flower and like John Williamson, I have many childhood memories associated with it.

What is your national floral emblem and can you associate with it? Like Australia’s Wattle is there a reason it has become your national floral emblem.

Secret Cafe and Restaurant

August 26, 2014September 4, 2014 inspiringmax

Have you ever been to a place that exceeds your expectations? The Secret Cafe, Lithgow did it for me. Nestled into a tranquil and secluded gully, the cafe and restaurant is part of a 200 acre native wildlife sanctuary for endangered Australian animals—Spotted-tailed Quoll, Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby, Swamp Wallaby, Brush Turkey and Pure-bred Dingo are all found here.

Although it is just 5 minutes away from Lithgow’s city centre, this secret location does take a bit of finding. However, when you realise you are on the right track you are well rewarded.The first thing we noticed was the cars lining both sides of the dirt road as they overflowed from the carpark due to the busy lunch time rush. Our visit was six weeks after major bush fires swept through the Blue Mountains and this gully saw their full force.The sight of burnt gum trees all the way to the building doors indicated how close they had come.

2013-12-01 14.54.03 The Australian menu was enjoyed by most in the cafe except us as we had come not for a meal, but to enjoy coffee with the animals, which did not disappoint. Out of the corner of my eye, I suddenly saw a sight I will never forget. A kangaroo eating off the plate of another patron. This was what we had come to experience—eating with the animals—although not the way I expected it to happen. This truly was a secret Australian experience.

2013-12-01 14.49.42

On leaving we were also entertained by an emu in a pen near the front walkway and by the carpark behind a wire fence, a beautiful albino dingo actually came to me when I called it. I couldn’t believe my luck. Short of time, we were unable to stay any longer at this inspiring location, however we will return, take the sanctuary tour and discover more about the work they are doing to save endangered Australian animals.

Calm Action

June 1, 2014June 1, 2014 inspiringmax

It had been weeks in the planning, my trip to Toowoon Bay. I had dreamt about feeling the fresh sea air, the sand under my feet and hearing the crashing waves. Imagine my disappointment, when, as I arrived it began to rain. It became heavier as I pondered my situation. “Do I ignore the rain, take my umbrella and go walking on the beach anyway?” or “do I stay inside and keep warm and dry?” Forever the optimist, I choose option one and was greatly rewarded.

Waves crashing Toowoon Bay

As I reached the top end of the beach, the rain stopped and the skies cleared. It was a beautiful autumn afternoon and I was the only person on the beach, which I shared with two seagulls.

Ony two Seagulls

I was complete as the sounds of the waves crashing and the smell of the salt air was taking all my stress away. Off came my sandals and my feet hit the wet sand, probably for the first time in a decade. My dream was coming true and it was so peaceful.

Toowoon Bay is on the Central Coast, 90 kilometres south of Sydney. It is a small protected family beach approximately 1 kilometre in length in a horse-shoe shape.

Toowoon Bay

Walking on the beach just after it has rained is an amazing feeling. The wet sand felt different as it was course (from an abundance of crushed shells) and solid. As I walked my foot broke through the sand like a crust, I felt the warm, dry sand underneath, leaving my toes with a very different feel.

Selection of shells found on Toowoon Bay beach

The further I walked down the beach the more surprises this beach had in store for me. All my childhood memories of going to the beach were coming flooding back. The naturally occurring types of seaweed and whole shells on Toowoon Bay were amazing.

Seaweed sample on the beach

I even came across a large area of pumice stones hidden among ground cover. I had not found natural pumice stones for years, so this discovery energised me.

Pumice Garden

A few hundred metres down the beach, I came upon a natural spring of fresh water flowing from the cliff top. It was like a little waterfall and the water was icy cold.

Natural Spring

Surrounded by this natural beauty and enjoying paddling in the foam, I began thinking about my life – past, present and future. It was at this point that I decided the time was right to begin this blog. I had little knowledge of how to do this technically but believed it would work itself out, which two weeks later it has and Inspiring Max is born.