- Sorry, this is a google translation... -

Thursday April 1st. This morning, early morning awakening. It was planned to return to Sydney today, and as Leigh's going to work every day, we suggested we took. We just get up at 5am! Anyway, this is not a problem, it's still more convenient than the train. We climb in the carriage of Leigh, and the ride is fairly quiet because it is still very tired. After an hour and a half, we arrived in Sydney and Leigh drops us near our host, Thomas. It is still early, only 7 am, but after a quick phone call, Thomas comes open ourselves without problems. He lives in a shared apartment with two other people, and there are already more than 3 other Couch Surfers. This means that the house is busy! The people are still sleeping, but even when we discuss a time with Thomas. The others wake up slowly, then heads for town to stock up on souvenirs.

It passes the bar where they had celebrated the New Year, and buying a nice little chocolate croissant in the French bakery where we had stayed a long time that day. We then moved toward the souvenir market, the "Sydney's Paddy's Market. The market is very large, we can find anything. It is a good time strolling the aisles in search of the best deals. We ended up finding almost anything you want, then it returns to the city center. We made a quick tour of the galleries of Queen Victoria Building, but it is mainly for decoration as for stores very chic! After that, we returned to the Park "Hyde Park", where is a moment in the grass to rest a little. It's always nice to have a good time like that. It then returned quietly to Thomas, where we spend a quiet evening.


Friday, April 2. No time to finally sleep in today because we go to 7:45 with an agency that takes us to the Blue Mountains. It is a place well known here, is we had heard good reviews, so we decided to go see for ourselves. It is with a dozen other people in a minibus. After a little over an hour, we arrive at the first point of view. Unfortunately the weather is not too much with us today, it was so beautiful yesterday. Today the sky is covered with dark clouds. Fortunately it does not rain ... This mountain range is very pretty, it is covered with rainforest and when it's low noise around us, we can hear the distant cry of birds in the forest. Really nice. It stops at various points of view with some beautiful waterfalls, before finally arriving at that which we all expect: where we see the three sisters (The Three Sisters). They are 3 rocks that are detached from the rest of the mountains, a bit like the 12 Apostles on the Great Ocean Road, except that here there is no ocean. It is an image we've seen before many times, but as always, is much prettier in real life.

From here, our guide offers several options. As this is a very touristic place, many facilities were in place, as the cable cars that go down into the forest, or passing over the void. Of course, these attractions are not given. As it is already gone several times in tropical forests, it prefers to walk on a narrow path along the cliff. It has beautiful views from this road is very pleasant to walk through here and prevent the flow of tourists. Once finished our walk, we expect other people on the minibus which took the cable car, before driving off. We stop again at different places to admire the view and have some explanations by our guide. We pass a village to eat, then went to a zoo. It's very similar to the one we saw in Brisbane, but it's always a pleasure to see and touch koalas and kangaroos. We also see echidnas, of devils, dingoes, moved on, penguins and even goats ... ^ ^ We spent a pleasant time to contemplate all these critters, then hit the road.

The bus dropped us near a boat which take us back to Sydney. It's nice to return the boat, we'll have a beautiful view of the opera. Indeed, the arrival in Sydney is very beautiful, but you'd think the driver of the boat on purpose to put behind another boat for us to spoil the fun. No but really, at first it accelerates to double it, then once arriving at his level, it slowed down again and then goes to the other side of him which we completely hides the opera. Thank you very much ... Once on land, we take the train to Newtown where a friend of Anais, Marie, waiting for us. We'll drink a drink with her and her friends, then we'll eat in a Thai restaurant (to get used to soon ^ ^). We spend a nice time, then goes home Thomas. We spend the evening at our store business, but we do not sleep too late because tomorrow we must get up early to fly.

           - Sorry, this is a google translation... -

Monday, March 29. This morning, we do not see Leigh as he left as every morning at 5am to go to work in Sydney. There are some that are motivated! Michelle later hand, but we do not see it either (7.30, it is still too early for us ^ ^). We get up quietly, we take our breakfast and then waits for the return of Dorf who agrees to show us a little corner. He returns a little later than expected, but still takes us. We therefore share the surroundings, unfortunately the weather is not terrible, there are big black clouds and it sometimes falls a few drops. We stopped at a lighthouse, with a beautiful beach below. After a few photos, Dorf takes us down a deserted beach. Although sympathetic, even if it is not very beautiful or hot! Dorf offers us to snorkel (sorry, no French equivalent, which means separate PMT-Mask Snorkel Fins). He has only two pairs of PMT, so that each will be our turn. Nadège begins. There is no hot water ...!

Dorf turn takes us a bit off, where there are some reefs (although there are mainly rocks). It shows us different kinds of fish. It's nice. We go back home where it is to eat our leftovers and some fruits and vegetables purchased just before. Light lunch for once! Dorf then left work. You rest a bit and when we decide to go to Coles on foot to do some shopping, Michelle returns from her job. She invites us to take us to Coles because it must do some shopping too. We pass then afternoon and evening at home, between PC, internet, television programming with our various comments, and Michelle Leigh. French meal with a zucchini quiche. Very good, unanimously! Evening good fun! 

 
Tuesday, March 30. Another day with bad weather. This morning, Dorf with us (his bike) on the lake near his home. In fact, here are three lakes that follow, all interconnected, and the latter is itself connected to the sea You can walk around the lake so that is in the middle. Dorf leaves us a moment. It's quite pleasant to walk there, but this is awesome right now because it rains and the lake is gray. On the way, have fun to do some workouts, then a little short. It lets off steam and it feels good! Dorf joins us and we turned around. We get home, you get used to eating, working and Dorf hand we stay here during the afternoon to rest and make the computer. Tonight, Anaïs made a potato gratin. As always, the dish is very appreciated! Evening Penard.

 

Wednesday, March 31. This morning, the weather is a little better, we see partly cloudy. Maybe we can finally enjoy the beach as expected ...! Because we came here in part for that, because otherwise there is not much more to do. Again, Dorf takes us to discover a new place. It is a beach with rocks. It's beautiful. As there are a lot of wind, the waves are strong and have fun on the rocks splashing, it's really incredible. We descend on the beach, and walk on the rocks. Sometimes the waves are very close to us. Drof takes us on a sandbar, but it must first pass through an area where the waves of the two sides meet in the center. We must therefore seek the right time to pass, if we take all the water! Drof go first, we follow a little later. Nadège through a coup, running, but in the end the water catches up, and suddenly she found herself soaked ...! Anais stops in the middle as long as the water passes through without too then be watered. It has a beautiful view from here, a bit like being in the middle of the water. You look for a moment the landscape, then leaves.

Drof wants to go through his work (a bar), one expects near the car, and we enjoy trying to dry a bit. Back at home, eat and then spend the afternoon to deal with things and others. Anais will run one time. Although brave eh In the evening, go out with Leigh and Michelle to eat in a restaurant. It is not very late yet because here in Australia, people eat relatively early. In short, there is a very nice little restaurant, although a bit more expensive than our usual meal. We can make some exceptions sometimes! Besides, we eat really well, it's delicious. We finish the evening at home with a good dessert made by Michelle and called Aussie mess. A blend of passion fruit and mango with meringue and a good cream. Thank you very much Michelle, it's delicious!

          - Sorry, this is a google translation... -

Thursday, March 25. Today we leave for Melbourne to Sydney. 12 of course, this is long enough especially that for here are not as comfortable as in South America for travel the same length. The bus is at 7:30, so we get up at 5:30. Before leaving, we wake Lucia to tell her goodbye She will have plenty of time to get through the morning after! We arrived at the bus terminal just in time (20 minutes before departure). Then we go for 12 hours of journey. We take care as we can, but eventually the time passes relatively quickly. We should begin to do the great trip! We arrive at the station in Sydney in late afternoon. We must go on foot at Tristan, our host of Couch Surfing. It is about twenty minutes with our big bags, and bursting with enough day that we spent. And here it is warmer than Melbourne, it soon became very hot! Aprèsavoir looked a little door of the house, it finally arrives. Tristan lives in collocated with John and two other people. We will soon take a shower, it really needs ^ ^ Can we leave a little time for a drink with Tristan and John.

Friday, March 26. We take our time this morning to get up. We're leaving in the morning to visit the city. The city center is about thirty minutes at Tristan, it allows us to explore the area by walking through the streets. Despite being the largest in Australia, much like other city with a downtown square and a pedestrian street (well, a "mall" that here is not quite as pedestrian ... ) You take the high road, "Elizabeth Street, which crosses the city from south to north. It thus ends up arriving at the headquarters "The Rock", very nice. From there you can already see not far opera. It's always more impressive in real life than in photos. We walk a little in the area where there is a small market, and where is the information center. We made a quick turn in the 2.

At the i-site, we reserve tickets for the concert to be held in two days at the opera. It is a particular concert, much less expensive than usual concerts. We made a U-turn, through the port from which it has a beautiful view over the famous bridge near the opera. We then made a tour of the botanical garden (which the second visit!) And then continue to descend towards at Tristan. As we walked a lot today, there arises a time in the "Hyde Park" which is on our road. It's great fun, there is a fountain with a beautiful cathedral and behind a lot of people passing by, resting, playing ... Finally, Tristan returns home. You take a shower, you can relax a little, then emerges with he and John to eat and have some fun. Evening nice.

Saturday, March 27. It does not do much that day ^ ^ We get up relatively late because of the previous evening. By late morning, we went to the popular beach in Sydney, Bondi Beach. John is with us in the car, what suits us! The time is mixed, and the wind blows hard enough. To simply say it is not very hot in swimsuit but we'll swim a little while anyway. We will then sit on the beach. We spent several hours here, then mid-afternoon, we went home Tristan. We're back quickly to Coles (supermarket) next door to buy food. We spent the end of the afternoon at Tristan. In the evening we go out again in the streets of Sydney.

Sunday, March 28. Till late enough for this morning. Anais share a ride into town in early afternoon. She returned to the port sees a pretty impressive show of a guy in the street. Shortly before 16h, Nadège joined the front of the Opera. In one hour, the concert will begin. And until we walk around the Opera and within the designated areas. It's really pretty. We buy some postcards, we admire the sea view from inside the opera, then we enter the theater. It's a beautiful room, the scene is beautifully decorated in the style of 18th century, with a piano. At 17h battery, the concert begins. There is a pianist and four singers (a tenor, a bass, a soprano and a mezzo) They sing opera tunes, as of course Carmen and La Traviata. Well, our musical culture in this area is still limited quickly, so we do not recognize all the tunes. But in any case this small concert 1:30 we will be well pleased. Waiting for the bus home Tristan. Our bags were recovered from him and then you start to get in other Couch Surfers, who lives in the suburbs of Sydney, 2 hours in transit. It therefore takes the train station towards Whyee. Arivées there, Leigh, our host, and Dorf, his roommate, we are waiting with their car. Their house is still several minutes away, in a little village called Budgewoi. At home there is the wife of Leigh, Michelle. We talk a moment with the 3, they are very nice. Since he has arrived, it is especially Dorf speaks because he is accustomed to the CS system, while for Leigh and Michelle, it's their first time, so this is not necessarily obvious. But we are very proud to be their first experience ^ ^

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From Sunday, March 21 to Wednesday, March 24. During these past four days in Melbourne, we discover a little more the city and its neighborhoods. It will include a tram ride to beach south of the city. It's not very nice that day, there are even a few showers. So much the worse, return to swimming later! Above the beach there is a market, along the sidewalk, so we decided to take a look. Most booths expose decorations and stuff. We love a booth with packages and bags very well decorated in an original way. So we each bought a small kit in memory. We spend the afternoon at Luna Park, an amusement park permanent and very nice. As it was Sunday, there are mostly children and families, but we like it well to us too! We have a little fun environment, then you buy the day ticket, which allows us to make as many attractions as you want, as many times as you want. And this is not a huge amusement park where there are lots of people. We can therefore make the tail without having to wait too long. We spend a very good afternoon. Then in the evening, we go each on our side in our respective hosts. Anais is not very eager to find contained in the "squat".

The next day, Monday, March 22, we meet in town to drift a bit and set two to three things as booking the bus to go to Sydney or "Book Shop" to try to sell our guides and Australia New Zealand (unfortunately, they have not been accepted because there are already too many copies. It's either nothing or two were then dragged $...) downtown, then it has adopted a moment on the steps to listen to a band. It is very beautiful songs that we like very much, but the CD is a bit too expensive for us. Too bad, it will stay in our heads ... Lucia joins us at the end of these courses and we will in the streets of Sydney to find food in a nice place. After lunch, we go to the Flinder Street to await the tourist bus. It is free, runs every 30 minutes and made a city tour with explanations. He made a dozen stops. It's nice to see the city this way, with the comments of the bus, and also those of Lucie! We go down to the botanical garden. We must still do that in at least one true before leaving from Australia! Just before you go, you pass two memorials for World War II. The botanical garden is a pleasant park, with beautiful plants and a beautiful lake. It makes you want to land in the grass to put a time ... That night, Anaïs returned to his host, but Nadege Lucie goes home because she can not stay longer with his host other home Couchsurfers. Night difficult for Anais (still too much noise and agitation) and Nadège and quiet evening for Lucia.

The morning of Tuesday, March 23, one is faced with the Immigration Department to print our visas. Even if we decided to make our visa for India to Thailand, it's always fun to have his visa in his passport print ^ ^ After that we went to the market "Queen Victoria", where you can find full of Remember the cheap. We spend a lot of time indoors, to make and remake the aisles looking for the best deal! Finally, we bought a lot of very nice little souvenirs. We made a detour to a supermarket to do some shopping, then we pass by every 2 "squat" to get the business Anai joined tonight Nadege Lucie. New small quiet evening in Lucie's room, and better night Anais ^ ^

Wednesday, March 24. Happy Birthday Nadege! And yes, that day, Anais and Lucia are the first to celebrate her a happy birthday, since there are 9 am ahead of France ... Today, Lucia in several courses, but you still have us home all day. We take advantage of this rest to work, store our belongings, sort photos ... We did not see the time! In the evening, Anais prepares a great meal for the anniversary of Nadege. It also invites Laura, very nice girlfriend Lucie. The menu entry with cherry tomatoes and "garlic bread, main dish with tagliatelle with salmon and sauce delicious and for dessert, wonderful chocolate muffins with chocolate sauce over pieces of peanuts topping, along with wonderful raspberries. Hmmm, a real delight, pure happiness that meal! A real French dinner ^ ^ (students who passed the kitchen was quite confused by everything we ate!). A quick word from Nadège: Thanks for this unforgettable meal Anais for my first birthday so far from France! As a gift, Anais gives me a French book (just as special subject, but too happy to read a book!), And Lucie 2 packets of sweets with a delicious jar of Nutella. Yum yum! J Many thanks to all the 2!

In the evening, little surprise from Anais and the rest of the family called a videoconference with everyone. It's been fun and weird to see everyone and to talk to all at the same time. It was cool ^ ^

Before going to bed, it offers some small gifts to thank Lucy for us hébergées.Ca him really happy, and we also shot!