MESSAGE: Australia – Boomerang Coast *VIDEO*
Today’s MESSAGE highlights Australia’s Boomerang Coast, which constitutes the sweep of cities from Brisbane through Sydney, Canberra, and Melbourne on to Adelaide. Comprising only 5% of the nation’s land mass, OZ’s Boomerang Coast is home to 80% of all Australians.
MEET (Cool Meet Ups) – The last week of February, Adelaide’s Garden of Unearthly Delights meets the city’s annual 3-week Fringe Festival, featuring nearing 2,000 comedy and musical acts. It’s an Aussie party that’s half fair grounds, half burlesque show and an all-around good time. I was lucky to hit opening night and enjoy the opening ceremony performances by South Australia’s Aboriginal tribes.
EAT (Tasty Eats) – I got to give this one to a beverage – either the Flat White or the Long Black – Australia’s answer to lattes and Americanos. My friend Rose explained that a Flat White is basically a cappuccino without all the foam, so warm milk mixed with coffee. To me, this is very Australian – no fluff allowed!
SEE (Must-see Sights) – Victoria’s Great Ocean Road. This famous stretch of coastline features the 12 Apostles – dramatic rock out-croppings of weathered sandstone that guard the sea. I witnessed an amazingly rosy pink sunset and a crisp morning walk among the fragile giants. Very fine indeed!
SHOP (Gotta Have) – Aboriginal dot art paintings. I love the earth-toned colors and intricate abstract designs of this genre. I’m torn between buying hand-painted pillow shams or a painting. Stay tuned as I must decide within the week!
ACTIVITY (Gotta Do) – Sydney’s Harbor Bridge climb! The bridge, build in 1932, affords you an amazing view of the city’s harbor, the world’s largest natural harbor encompassing more than 200 miles. Before you can climb, you need to take a breathalyzer test (no drunks allowed!, sign a disclaimer, and don a jumpsuit. The most frightening aspect of the climb is the price at $200 – scary!
GIVE (Greatest Need) – Take your pick of Australia’s extreme weather since the beginning of the year: Cyclone Yasi hitting northern Queensland, the floods of central Queensland and Victoria, Cyclone Carlos hitting the Northern Territory, the landslides of Grampian National Park, or New South Wale’s heat wave. I’m not sure what Australia did to tick off Mother Nature, but Australians are suffering an increasingly mounting loss of land and lives.
ENJOY (Extra Fun) – Scaling Mt. Kosciuszko. Capping off the Australian Alps is Australia’s highest peak, Mt. Kosciuszko, standing at just over 7,310 feet. Check out this video from the top! Video.
OZ’s Boomerang Coast – Go and check it out and tell me what you think! Erin@GoErinGo.com
This entry was posted on Monday, February 21st, 2011 and is filed under Asia Pacific, Messages by Country.