Australia
Friday, April 8, 2011
7./8.4.2011 Singapore - Zürich/Kloten
Weather: sunny, warm and humid
On our last .day in Singapore, we visited Santosa, a Far Eastern Disneyland. In the afternoon we went back to the hotel to change and make our way to the airport to catch our flight QF 31 to London. A good flight, but I had problems to sit still for 13 hours and sleep didn't want to come either.
We have really enjoyed our8 weeks on the road, but like all good things there is always an end to it. C ya later.
Nous avons passé la dernière journée à Singapore avant de prendre le vol QF31 pour Londre. Nous étions exposés à la humidité une dernière x. Etre dans les endroits climatisés fait du bien. Les températures et la humidité ne sont pas nécessairement fait pour nous.
Nous espérons que vous avez eu du plaisir de nous suivre et que les infos n'étaient pas toutes inutiles.
Den letzten Tag unserer 8-wöchigen Reise haben wir in Singapur in glühender Hitze und grosser Luftfeuchtigkeit verbracht. Freunde haben uns den Sentosa Vergnügungspark empfohlen. Weil wir die Disneylands in Kaliforniern und Florida schon besucht hatten, haben wir diese Shows nicht besucht, sondern haben einfach flaniert und uns ein letztes gutes Mittagessen genehmigt.
Diese 8 Wochen waren spannend und haben jeden Tag etwas Neues geboten. Wir hatten sehr selten Pausen eingelegt und waren dauernd auf Achse. Dies ist jetzt zu Ende und wir haben immer das Gefühl, dass wir Etwas verpassen, weil wir uns jetzt einfach mal hinsetzen und nichts tun.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
6.4.2011 Singapore day 3
Merlin Lion |
Marina Bay Sands |
Marina Bay Sands |
Ruffles Hotel |
Ruffles Hotel |
Marina Bay Sands |
Singapore Flyer |
Weather: warm and humid
We started out with the idea of using the hop-on / hop-off buses, but changed our minds again..........we just kept on walking visiting some of the sights like:
- Merlion Park with the Merlion statue (half fish and half lion).
- Marina Bay with the Singapore Flyer (giant wheel) and the new Marina Bay Sands (hotels, casino and loads of exclusive shopping. Do not let your wife alone for too long, unless you have won the lottery). We have visited its viewing platform on the 56th floor, overlooking 360° of this exciting city. From port (with dozens of ships waiting to unload) to a golf course and the skyline.
- Cavenagh Bridge
- Fullerton building (old postal offices)
- Raffles City
- Raffles Hotel (old colonial building)
- Esplanade Cultural Center
- Far East Square
Die Weeg zu all diesen Sehenswürdigkeiten führen meistens durch Shopping Malls/Centers. So bleibt man immer mehr oder weniger kühl.
Das Marina Bay Sands ist ein beeindruckendes Gebäude. Zuoberst beim 56. Stock ist ein horizontales „Schiff“, welches auf 3 Säulen ruht. Dieser 56. Stock beherbergt eine Aussichtsplatform, Restaurant und Swimmingpool. Der Lift bringt den Kunden in 18 Sekunden zur Platform. Dies natürlich nicht kostenlos, Eintritt kostet 20 SG$ / Person und das Restaurant ist nicht gerade billig.
Als Belohnung für die Kilometerschinderei, werden wir uns einen Singapore Sling genehmigen. Wir haben viel davon gehört, wissen aber nicht was alles drin ist. Verspreche aber, all denen, die sich von uns mit Fotopräsentationen und Randnotizen langweilen werden, das Rezept zu finden und Euch den Drink in Mollens zu servieren.
Aus dem Internet
4 cl Gin
• 2 cl Cherry Brandy
• 2 cl Zitronensaft
• 1 cl Grenadine
• 1 Spritzer Angostura
• einige Tropfen Bénédictine
• Sodawasser (oder Tafel- oder Mineralwasser mit Kohlensäure)
Eiswürfel
Ballonglas (wenn nicht vorhanden: Longdrinkglas)
• 2 cl Cherry Brandy
• 2 cl Zitronensaft
• 1 cl Grenadine
• 1 Spritzer Angostura
• einige Tropfen Bénédictine
• Sodawasser (oder Tafel- oder Mineralwasser mit Kohlensäure)
Eiswürfel
Ballonglas (wenn nicht vorhanden: Longdrinkglas)
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
5.4.2011 Singapore day 2
Add caption |
Add caption |
Weather: sunny and humid
Contrary to Cairns with its dry climate, Singapore is very humid, reminding us of Texas or Florida in summer.
Today was a shopping day. Never seen as many shopping centers in such a small area. All nicely layed out. Not too crowded. Its funny to see that the layouts are all about the same. First cosmetics, then ladies fashion, then mens fashion. And most centers sport a food hall in the basement.
A friend of ours asked us not to come home without „Oelong Mango Tea“. We were supposed to find it in „Cold Storage“. All we could find was Liptons and Oelong Mango Tea in a bottle ready to drink. We walked our butt off and still didn't find it. Well tomorrow is another day ........we might not see anything else then „Cold Storage“ supermarkets in the basements. :))))
Die Gebäude sind alle klimatisiert. Ohne Klimaanlage wäre es fast nicht auszuhalten. Beim Eintritt wirds einem richtig kalt, denn der Temperaturunterschied ist für uns ungewohnt.
Singapur ist ein Stadtstaat, kleiner als Hamburg, mit ca. 690 km2 Fläche und der Aequator ist auch nicht weit. Ueberall üppiges Grün (auch die Hauptverkehrsadern sind durch Bäume/Palmen begrünt) und schön angelegte Pärke.
Singapurs Aufstieg beginnt um 1819 mit der Ankunft der Engländer. Im 2. Weltkrieg griffen die Japaner die britische Marine an und versenken 2 Kriegsschiffe. 1942 besetzen die Japaner die Insel und halten sie bis zur Kapitulation besetzt. 1963 wird Singapur unabhängig und schliesst sich der Föderation Malaysia an, tritt jedoch 2 Jahre später wieder aus und wird eine unabhängige Republik. Politisch scheint es sich hier um eine Familiendynastie zu handeln.
Notre hôtel est prêt du canal au milieu de centre. Lelong du canal il y en a beaucoup de restaurants. On peut manger toutes cuisines internationeaux, du mexicain, thailandais, espangol, chinois etc. Nous connaissons tous la réputation de Singapore: propété! C'est évidant partout. On trouve toujours quelqu'un qui néttoie, souvent un après l'autre. Cette proprété se transmit aussi dans les cuisines – tous très propres. Etonnant en faite. Même les „fast food“ sont propres.
4.4.2011 Sydney - Singapore
Great Ocean Road |
Suburb of Sydney |
Weather: sunny and warm, blue sky
This morning we have had an easy and lazy 80 km drive from Wollongong to Sydney Airport. We had time to stop and admire the views for a last time.
I said to Chris that we'll take our time and just cruise along. What I didn't reckon on was the Australian Police. Having set the cruise control to 60 km/h and admiring the views, I didn't see the steep slop behind a bend in a wooded part. As we came around the corner, we saw the blue lights flashing. OOOOOOOOOOOOppps...........A speeding ticket half an hour before returning the car. A lady officer, approched with her speed camera in hand and a microphone strapped to her lapel : „ You have been trtavelling at 70 in a 50 km/h zone, sir and just for the record this conversation is recorded by my colleague in the car!“ What was I to say?: „So sorry maam, This is just what I needed half an hour before returning the car and driving for the past 3 weeks and making a point of driving slowly because we have plenty ot time!“ I gave her my best Swiss smile. She disappears and returns after an agonizing few minutes with her best Aussi smile: „G'day sir.“ and returns my Swiss drivers license. After this I suspected a police car behind every corner. Quantas collects left over change and accepts donations on behalf of Unicef, so we donated a sum to them, instead of the Aussi speeding fine.
The traffic policing in Australia is really strict, using marked and unmarked cars. Actually their driving is quite relaxed and if you are are driving slower than the indicated speed, they don't sound the horn, but wait patiently. One thing though, they do overtake on the left side (not zig-zagging like the Americans, but still to be watched)
During our stay we have also picked up a few slang expressions
- G'day mate
- How are you doing mate (unlike the Americans, they reply)
- 'sright (after you said thank you)
- no worries (when you need more time with choosing your menu or just browsing in the shop)
- C ya later (when you leave the store or restaurant)
Die Einreise benötige weniger Zeit als in Australien. Aber wie üblich haben wir die langsamste Beamtin erwischt. Die Taxifahrt zum Hotel beanspruchte 20 Minuten und kostete 21 SG$. Kann man sich nicht beklagen.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
3.4.2011 Wollongong day 3
Wollongong harbour |
our favorit drink "cappucino" - you can get a decent one almost anywhere in AUS &NZ |
Wollongong harbour |
Berrima art center. I almost bought this sculpture & have it shipped to Mollens |
Rain Forests you can find all over the eastern/southern coast of Australia |
Weather: beautiful day and warm. One of the best days of our entire trip.
Today we just hung about and took a little sidetrip to Berrima. A playground for wealth poeple from Sydney. It almost sports more restaurants than inhabitants (400). Was estabilshed around 1842 and quite a distance at that time. Today easy reachable by car – 140 km. Houses with 20 or 40 acres sell for as much as 1.7 Mio AU$.
Summary / Zusammenfassung Australien
17.2. - 25.2. und 14.3. - 4.3.2011
Stationen unseres Aufenthaltes
Stationen unseres Aufenthaltes
- Sydney und Cairns per Flugzeug- 16.2. to 25.2.2011
- Autorundreise von Adelaide nach Sydney: gefahrene ~3766 km- 14.3. to 4.4.2011
Ureinwohner: Aboriginals, welche vor 50'000 Jahren aus Südostasien eingewandert sind, 250 Sprachen mit 700 Dialekten
Fläche: 270'534 km2, 33 bis 53° südlicher Breite und 160 bis 173° westliche Länge
Kellereien: ca. 1500 und 28 Anbauzonen
Kellereien: ca. 1500 und 28 Anbauzonen
Zeitzonen zu uns: Perth +7 Std., Darwin & Adelaide + 8.5 Std. und Sydney +9 Std.
Einwohner: ca. 21 Millionen
Einwohner: ca. 21 Millionen
The following information I have picked from the official Australian Tourism site
Australian's Landscape
A wide, brown land
Australia is the sixth largest country in the world. It's about the same size as the 48 mainland states of the USA and 50 per cent larger than Europe, but has the lowest population density in the world - only two people per square kilometre.
Beach paradise
Australia’s coastline stretches almost 50,000 kilometres and is linked by over 10,000 beaches, more than any other country in the world. More than 85 per cent of Australians live within 50 kilometres of the coast, making it an integral part of our laid-back lifestyle.
Australia island home
Australia is the only nation to govern an entire continent and its outlying islands. The mainland is the largest island and the world’s smallest, flattest continent.
Australia's exports
Opals in your eyes
Australia produces 95 per cent of the world's precious opals and 99 per cent of its black opals. The world’s opal capital is the quirky underground town of Coober Pedy in South Australia. The world’s largest opal, weighing 5.27 kilograms, was found here in 1990.
Gold galore
Kalgoorlie in Western Australia is Australia's largest producer of gold. It also embraces the world's largest political electorate, covering a mammoth 2.2 million square kilometres.
A wide, brown land
Australia is the sixth largest country in the world. It's about the same size as the 48 mainland states of the USA and 50 per cent larger than Europe, but has the lowest population density in the world - only two people per square kilometre.
Beach paradise
Australia’s coastline stretches almost 50,000 kilometres and is linked by over 10,000 beaches, more than any other country in the world. More than 85 per cent of Australians live within 50 kilometres of the coast, making it an integral part of our laid-back lifestyle.
Australia island home
Australia is the only nation to govern an entire continent and its outlying islands. The mainland is the largest island and the world’s smallest, flattest continent.
Australia's exports
Opals in your eyes
Australia produces 95 per cent of the world's precious opals and 99 per cent of its black opals. The world’s opal capital is the quirky underground town of Coober Pedy in South Australia. The world’s largest opal, weighing 5.27 kilograms, was found here in 1990.
Gold galore
Kalgoorlie in Western Australia is Australia's largest producer of gold. It also embraces the world's largest political electorate, covering a mammoth 2.2 million square kilometres.
Australia's Record-Breakers
Natural legends Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef is home to the world’s largest oyster, weighing up to 3 kilograms, while the world’s longest earthworm, stretching up to 4 metres, is found in Gippsland in Victoria. The heaviest crab, weighing up to 14 kilograms, is found in Bass Strait near Tasmania. Australia’s tallest mountain is Mt Kosciuszko, which is 2,228 metres above sea level.
Longest road, rail and fence
The world’s longest piece of straight railway track stretches 478 kilometres across South Australia’s vast, treeless Nullarbor Plain. Australia’s longest stretch of straight road - 148 kilometres – is on the Eyre Highway in Western Australia. It’s just a tiny portion of the 2,700 kilometre sealed road that takes travelers from Perth to Adelaide. The world's longest continuous fence – the dingo fence – was built to keep sheep safe from Australia's native dog and runs for 5,531 kilometres through central Queensland and South Australia.
Natural legends Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef is home to the world’s largest oyster, weighing up to 3 kilograms, while the world’s longest earthworm, stretching up to 4 metres, is found in Gippsland in Victoria. The heaviest crab, weighing up to 14 kilograms, is found in Bass Strait near Tasmania. Australia’s tallest mountain is Mt Kosciuszko, which is 2,228 metres above sea level.
Longest road, rail and fence
The world’s longest piece of straight railway track stretches 478 kilometres across South Australia’s vast, treeless Nullarbor Plain. Australia’s longest stretch of straight road - 148 kilometres – is on the Eyre Highway in Western Australia. It’s just a tiny portion of the 2,700 kilometre sealed road that takes travelers from Perth to Adelaide. The world's longest continuous fence – the dingo fence – was built to keep sheep safe from Australia's native dog and runs for 5,531 kilometres through central Queensland and South Australia.
Australia's 85.7 million sheep (mostly merinos) produce most of the world's wool. With 25.4 million head of cattle, Australia is also the world's largest exporter of beef.
Australia's People and Culture
An ethnic melting pot Since 1945 more than six million people from across the world have come to Australia to live. Today, more than 20 per cent of Australians are foreign born and more than 40 per cent are of mixed cultural origin. In our homes we speak 226 languages - after English, the most popular are Italian, Greek, Cantonese and Arabic.
Big country, big ideas
Australians invented notepads (1902), the surf lifesaving reel (1906), aspirin (1915), the pacemaker (1926), penicillin (1940) the Hills Hoist clothesline (1946), the plastic disposable syringe (1949), the wine cask (1965), the bionic ear (1978), dual-flush toilet flush (1980) anti-counterfeiting technology for banknotes (1992) and long-wearing contact lenses (1999).
Aboriginal advances
Believed to be the world’s oldest civilization, Aboriginal people have lived and thrived on this continent for more than 50,000 years. Aboriginal societies made many unique advances long before the Europeans arrived. They invented the aerodynamic boomerang and a type of spear thrower called the woomera. They were also the first society to ground edges on stone cutting tools and the first to use stone tools to grind seeds, everyday tools developed only much later by other societies.
An ethnic melting pot Since 1945 more than six million people from across the world have come to Australia to live. Today, more than 20 per cent of Australians are foreign born and more than 40 per cent are of mixed cultural origin. In our homes we speak 226 languages - after English, the most popular are Italian, Greek, Cantonese and Arabic.
Big country, big ideas
Australians invented notepads (1902), the surf lifesaving reel (1906), aspirin (1915), the pacemaker (1926), penicillin (1940) the Hills Hoist clothesline (1946), the plastic disposable syringe (1949), the wine cask (1965), the bionic ear (1978), dual-flush toilet flush (1980) anti-counterfeiting technology for banknotes (1992) and long-wearing contact lenses (1999).
Aboriginal advances
Believed to be the world’s oldest civilization, Aboriginal people have lived and thrived on this continent for more than 50,000 years. Aboriginal societies made many unique advances long before the Europeans arrived. They invented the aerodynamic boomerang and a type of spear thrower called the woomera. They were also the first society to ground edges on stone cutting tools and the first to use stone tools to grind seeds, everyday tools developed only much later by other societies.
The 10 largest trading partners with Australia are
- China
- Japan
- USA
- Singapore
- UKSorry to say that Switzerland is not on the list.
If you want to pick up more economicdetails go to
Pour ceux qui aimeraient s'expatrier pour jouer du golf, voici quelques informations concernand
Wollongong Golf Club
Green Fee 1130 AU$ y inclus 100 pour le restaurant (qui n'est pas mal, mais il faut s'adapter: pour commander un repas il faut se mette en ligne avec les autres clients et payer tds. Les boissons sont à commander auprès du bar à côté) et natruellement aussi à payer tds.
Une carte de membre par année est de 600 AU$.
Normalement il n'y en pas de frais d'entrèe dans ce club.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
2.4.2011 Wollongong day 2
Sunrise |
Weather: windy and cloudy, not too cold
Today was destined for recuperation. Just a lazy day.
Nous avons joué les 18 torus de Wollongong Golf Club. Pas trôp difficile, en éffet il y en a peu d'eau. Mais ils ont le même problème que nous: jeu lent. Et ils ne te laisse pas passer. Etanten vacances nous avons mentré beaucoup de patience.
Nous avons fait nos achâts chez Woolsworth. C'est un supermarché comme Migros. Ils ne vendent pas d'alcohol non-plus comme Migros. Ils ont un Woolworth-Liquor à côté. Il y on a tous, du vin au wiskey ou bièrre. Prix d'une bouteille de vin: 8.00 – 35.00 AU$/bouteille.
En faite la bouteille au Hunter Valley était le moins chèr en Australie et Nouvelle Zealande: 17 – 25 AU$, et ça dans un restaurant
Heute wird gekocht, oder so was ähnliches mit den limitierten Möglichkeiten in einem 2-Zimmerappartment. Hier auch noch einige Informationen zu Lebensmittelkosten (Preise in AU$)
- Rindfleisch 11.00/kg
- Grüner Salat 2.00/Stk
- Steak 26.00/kg
- Rindsbraten 9.00/kg
- Hackfleisch 10.00/kg
- Schweinskotelett 18.00/kg
- Yogurth 1.59 – 2.50/pro Becher
- Merguez-Würstchen 13.00/kg
- 250gr Butter 2.30 – 4.60/kg
- Reis 3.50/kg
- Milch 1.75/Liter
- Freilandeier 4.00/duzend
- Schinken 20.00/kg
- Bananen 13.00/kg (Grund: Cylone Yasi hat die Ernte in Queensland beeinträchtigt)
- Birnen 1.70/kg
Friday, April 1, 2011
1.4.2011 Hunter Valley / Wollongong
Wollongong City Beach |
Hunter Valley |
Wollongong Golf Club |
Tasting Center Hungerford Hill |
Roche Winery |
Hunter Valley |
Wollongong Golf Club |
Wollongong City Beach |
Weather: sunny and warm
Arriving late in Cessnock last night, we had an early start today. Having to drive, we didn't sample any wine in Hunter Valley – 0930 is a little too early to start drinking. Hunter Valley is similar to Barossa Valley – vast layout with gentle hills. Many vineries have their tasting centers along one or two roads. You can sample wine and cheese. And if you fancy, you can also get married in one of the chapels – incorporated into the tasting area – and the party can be held at the same location.
Wollongong is a popular address for the weekenders from Sydney.
Die Umgebung von Sydney ist voll von Aktivitäten und die Hotels und Motels sind gut belegt. Nicht einfach etwas zu finden. Wir haben uns entschieden die letzten Australientage in Wollongong zu verbringen. Wir haben ein Best Western Hotel am Wollongong Golf Club gefunden. Die Preise sind vergleichbar mit anderen Hotels/Motels, jedoch in guter Lage direkt am Strand und Golfplatz.
Der Strand ist 100 m vom Hotelzimmer entfernt. Schöner Sand, Richtung Norden mit Sicht auf einen Leuchtturm und Richtung Süd mit Sicht auf ein Stahlwerk des uns bekannten Konglomerats Billington. Schöne Meersicht für Bürolisten und Stahlkocher.
Pour mes amis golfeurs. C'est l'endroit idéal pour passer quelques jours – dolce far niente. Cet hotel a des offres spéciales: 3 jours avec 3 x 18 trous sur 3 parcours dans les environs, y inclus petit déjeuner pouir 440 AU$/p. Adresse à noter. Naturellement nous jouerons samedi après-midi.
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