Claire took a faceplant from her horse at a full gallop. No head injuries but a bad cut below her left eye and some bad scrapes.
Just arrived at hospital in Katoomba. Walked in the ER, registered in 3 minutes and back to see a nurse less than 10 minutes after arrival. Clean waiting room, no chaos, nice people.
Score 3 pts nationalized health care, 0 pts private health care.
$80 Australian per service rendered--doctor visit, Xray, etc. Score another for NHC. Its now NHC 4, PHC still big fat zero.
And she's back with 5 stitches. Doctor visit, stitches, laughing gas, total of $80 Australian. Final score NHC 5, PHC Nil.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Sydney--Day 3
It was another great day today. Got up and went to breakfast at Queen Victoria Building that was originally built in 1898. Has a beautiful clock tower that, according to a website "displays a series of mechanically moving tableaux of British kings and queens every hour on the hour. This "exhibition" is heralded by loud trumpeters and ends with the beheading of Charles I." Dang, I saw the clock but missed the beheadings.
Went to the Sydney Tower to get more sky high views of Sydney. The 1,000 ft high tower was pretty cool and we did an OzTrek kind of a virtual tour of Australia similiar to the Soaring attraction at Epcot.
Took a quick tour of Paddy's Market in Chinatown but not enough to do it justice. We had to take off to get out to Manly to have dinner with Brent and Cindy. I met Brent at the Teradata Partners conference the same year that Luke and Monica met. We took the ferry to Manly and he picked us up at the wharf. Then, we were off for a quick tour of Manly. As he was taking us to see the statue of where Duke Kahanamoku introduced surfing to Australia, we saw a film crew from National Geographic channel filming the beach. We looked out and there was a pod of southern Right Whales a few hundred yards off the shore. We watched there for a few minutes and Brent had us hop into his truck and we booked up to another point to get another view.
Then, we went to his house for a "barby". They have an incredible house thats up a steep driveway and then up another 2-1/2 flights of stairs to get to the front door. We had what Claire called "The First Annual Treehouse Meatfest". He cooked a few steaks, a bunch of sausage and a whole chicken. It was totally yummy. Brent's son, Xander, fell in love with Claire. He was sitting on her lap after dinner and she was scratching his tummy and he had this look of contentment and then leaned up and kissed her. I think she needs to spend her summer vacation as a nanny for the Kirkbys.
Amy and I were commenting about how all our Australian hosts know so much about their country's history. We ask lots of questions and they always know the answer. Of course, knowing my Aussie buddies, they could very well be bullshitting us.
PS Yes, we are aware that Michael Jackson died. Alan predicted the cause of death right when it was announced when he said, "He's today's Elvis without the bloating."
Photos are here-- http://katseyeview.shutterfly.com/539
Went to the Sydney Tower to get more sky high views of Sydney. The 1,000 ft high tower was pretty cool and we did an OzTrek kind of a virtual tour of Australia similiar to the Soaring attraction at Epcot.
Took a quick tour of Paddy's Market in Chinatown but not enough to do it justice. We had to take off to get out to Manly to have dinner with Brent and Cindy. I met Brent at the Teradata Partners conference the same year that Luke and Monica met. We took the ferry to Manly and he picked us up at the wharf. Then, we were off for a quick tour of Manly. As he was taking us to see the statue of where Duke Kahanamoku introduced surfing to Australia, we saw a film crew from National Geographic channel filming the beach. We looked out and there was a pod of southern Right Whales a few hundred yards off the shore. We watched there for a few minutes and Brent had us hop into his truck and we booked up to another point to get another view.
Then, we went to his house for a "barby". They have an incredible house thats up a steep driveway and then up another 2-1/2 flights of stairs to get to the front door. We had what Claire called "The First Annual Treehouse Meatfest". He cooked a few steaks, a bunch of sausage and a whole chicken. It was totally yummy. Brent's son, Xander, fell in love with Claire. He was sitting on her lap after dinner and she was scratching his tummy and he had this look of contentment and then leaned up and kissed her. I think she needs to spend her summer vacation as a nanny for the Kirkbys.
Amy and I were commenting about how all our Australian hosts know so much about their country's history. We ask lots of questions and they always know the answer. Of course, knowing my Aussie buddies, they could very well be bullshitting us.
PS Yes, we are aware that Michael Jackson died. Alan predicted the cause of death right when it was announced when he said, "He's today's Elvis without the bloating."
Photos are here-- http://katseyeview.shutterfly.com/539
Friday, June 26, 2009
Day 2
Another incredible day in Sydney yesterday. Got up and took a nice walk down to the harbor and had a great breakfast at one of the waterfront restaurants. Amy was fascinated at how much better looking the Australian seagulls are than the ones in Florida. She's convinced there's some seagull makeover facility here that smooths and whitens their feathers.
After breakfast, we split off from Monica's family and went to buy Claire a fleece for our trip to the mountains. Coincidentally, there is a two block area near our hotel filled with outdoor equipment shops. The guy at the shop was warning us about dropbears that live in the mountains. They are a particular type of vicious koala that likes to drop out of the trees onto unsuspecting humans below and attack them. The laughter of a nearby woman confirmed my suspicion that this was one of those ficticious stories designed to frighten the uninitiated. We had a good laugh.
We walked about a mile from the hotel up to the Botanic Gardens. Were able to see the ANZAC Memorial, St. Mary's Cathedral and Hyde Park on the way. The Botanic Gardens were awesome. They had signs encouraging visitors to touch the plants, walk on the grass, hug the trees....so we did. Claire especially enjoyed hugging various trees. There was a huge ficus tree that reminded us of the one in our backyard in Florida that she especially enjoyed hugging. It was like finding an old friend.
The coolest part of the gardens was totally unexpected. We were in one area and heard what we thought were a lot of birds nearby. We went to investigate and it wasn't birds, it was a huge colony of Flying Fox bats. Our whole family is fascinated by bats and we especially love the Flying Fox. I got a photo of Amy pointing to a sculpture of a Flying Fox while we were at the zoo the day before. We stood there watching them for a long time.
We walked around the Opera House and then it was time to meet Monica et al for the Bridge Climb. WOW, what an awesome experience. Got suited up in our jumpsuits that are specially designed to blend in with the bridge and the sky so motorists on the bridge are not distracted and our special safety harnesses that keep us attached to the bridge at all times. We did the climb and got to 440 feet above Sydney Harbor overlooking the city. Our guide, Dee, was great. Short, feisty, funny woman in her late-20s (?) sporting a modified faux-hawk hairstyle. She really kept us laughing. It was our group of 10 and two other single climbers, including a teacher from the Dallas area who was here chaperoning a group of 40 5th and 6th graders. This was his one excursion on his own and was a gift from the parents of the kids on the trip. Pretty cool.
Finished the climb and we were all starving. Luke, who is an awesome tour guide, took a quick poll of food preferences and decided we needed to go to Phillip's Foote (http://phillipsfoote.com.au/ ). Its a restaurant where you grill your own food--go to the counter, order your cut of steak, chicken, fish, etc., and head to the grill. It was a lot of fun and really good after a day of excercise. Lots of good food, beer and conversation.
Luke's son Stewart sat at the table with us and that kid is one of the most engaging boys I've ever met. He told us several jokes that, told by someone else, wouldn't be that funny but Stewart's charm and style just makes you laugh...even the one that had to be the world's longest joke.
We finished dinner, took the train back to the hotel and crashed.
Here's the photos-- http://katseyeview.shutterfly.com/473
After breakfast, we split off from Monica's family and went to buy Claire a fleece for our trip to the mountains. Coincidentally, there is a two block area near our hotel filled with outdoor equipment shops. The guy at the shop was warning us about dropbears that live in the mountains. They are a particular type of vicious koala that likes to drop out of the trees onto unsuspecting humans below and attack them. The laughter of a nearby woman confirmed my suspicion that this was one of those ficticious stories designed to frighten the uninitiated. We had a good laugh.
We walked about a mile from the hotel up to the Botanic Gardens. Were able to see the ANZAC Memorial, St. Mary's Cathedral and Hyde Park on the way. The Botanic Gardens were awesome. They had signs encouraging visitors to touch the plants, walk on the grass, hug the trees....so we did. Claire especially enjoyed hugging various trees. There was a huge ficus tree that reminded us of the one in our backyard in Florida that she especially enjoyed hugging. It was like finding an old friend.
The coolest part of the gardens was totally unexpected. We were in one area and heard what we thought were a lot of birds nearby. We went to investigate and it wasn't birds, it was a huge colony of Flying Fox bats. Our whole family is fascinated by bats and we especially love the Flying Fox. I got a photo of Amy pointing to a sculpture of a Flying Fox while we were at the zoo the day before. We stood there watching them for a long time.
We walked around the Opera House and then it was time to meet Monica et al for the Bridge Climb. WOW, what an awesome experience. Got suited up in our jumpsuits that are specially designed to blend in with the bridge and the sky so motorists on the bridge are not distracted and our special safety harnesses that keep us attached to the bridge at all times. We did the climb and got to 440 feet above Sydney Harbor overlooking the city. Our guide, Dee, was great. Short, feisty, funny woman in her late-20s (?) sporting a modified faux-hawk hairstyle. She really kept us laughing. It was our group of 10 and two other single climbers, including a teacher from the Dallas area who was here chaperoning a group of 40 5th and 6th graders. This was his one excursion on his own and was a gift from the parents of the kids on the trip. Pretty cool.
Finished the climb and we were all starving. Luke, who is an awesome tour guide, took a quick poll of food preferences and decided we needed to go to Phillip's Foote (http://phillipsfoote.com.au/ ). Its a restaurant where you grill your own food--go to the counter, order your cut of steak, chicken, fish, etc., and head to the grill. It was a lot of fun and really good after a day of excercise. Lots of good food, beer and conversation.
Luke's son Stewart sat at the table with us and that kid is one of the most engaging boys I've ever met. He told us several jokes that, told by someone else, wouldn't be that funny but Stewart's charm and style just makes you laugh...even the one that had to be the world's longest joke.
We finished dinner, took the train back to the hotel and crashed.
Here's the photos-- http://katseyeview.shutterfly.com/473
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Day 1 Reflections
Just some random thoughts about Day 1--
While looking at the HUUUUUGE Kodiak bear at the zoo, Claire said, "I find that animal really scary but I'd still love to go over and poke it." Reminds me of my relationship with my boss' boss at work.
Amy always loved Flying Fox bats but since owning her large eared dog, has developed an even greater affection for large eared animals in general. We wanted to see the dingos since we think her dog is a direct descendent from them but they moved them to their other zoo. She was very disappointed.
Saw Bilbys, Echidnas and Sugartail Gliders at the Sydney Zoo but couldn't get pictures since they're nocturnal and they don't allow flash photography. We kept waiting for the Tasmanian Devil to start its tornado shaped swirl and make the growling-babbling noise. Obviously, we all watched too many Warner Brother cartoons growing up.
It was cute to see the Australian school children in there school uniforms at the zoo. The children with the large, canvas bush hats were especially cute. They all had some sort of headwear embroidered with their school name but we liked the ones with hats like this-- http://www.hatsonline.com.au/epages/whitelabel1.sf/en_AU/?ObjectPath=/Shops/hatsonline/Products/AH702/SubProducts/AH702-0010
Its always risky to link your travel plans with other families, especially when you don't know some of them very well but we're having a blast with Monica's family. Monica and I have traveled together in many situations (she and I to conferences, her traveling with my family to Gator football games, etc.) but I'd only met her brother once before and never met her sister. No worries, cause we're having a great time. The laughter last night at dinner over something as mundane as a missing order of garlic bread was proof.
Today, its the bridge climb with all 10 of us--four Koontzes, three Woolmers, one soon to be Woolmer and two Meyers. Have to get suited up in special jumpsuits, take a breathalyzer, go through a simulator and then trek up 340 feet in the air onto the top of the structure above the Sydney Harbor Bridge at twilight. Can't wait!
While looking at the HUUUUUGE Kodiak bear at the zoo, Claire said, "I find that animal really scary but I'd still love to go over and poke it." Reminds me of my relationship with my boss' boss at work.
Amy always loved Flying Fox bats but since owning her large eared dog, has developed an even greater affection for large eared animals in general. We wanted to see the dingos since we think her dog is a direct descendent from them but they moved them to their other zoo. She was very disappointed.
Saw Bilbys, Echidnas and Sugartail Gliders at the Sydney Zoo but couldn't get pictures since they're nocturnal and they don't allow flash photography. We kept waiting for the Tasmanian Devil to start its tornado shaped swirl and make the growling-babbling noise. Obviously, we all watched too many Warner Brother cartoons growing up.
It was cute to see the Australian school children in there school uniforms at the zoo. The children with the large, canvas bush hats were especially cute. They all had some sort of headwear embroidered with their school name but we liked the ones with hats like this-- http://www.hatsonline.com.au/epages/whitelabel1.sf/en_AU/?ObjectPath=/Shops/hatsonline/Products/AH702/SubProducts/AH702-0010
Its always risky to link your travel plans with other families, especially when you don't know some of them very well but we're having a blast with Monica's family. Monica and I have traveled together in many situations (she and I to conferences, her traveling with my family to Gator football games, etc.) but I'd only met her brother once before and never met her sister. No worries, cause we're having a great time. The laughter last night at dinner over something as mundane as a missing order of garlic bread was proof.
Today, its the bridge climb with all 10 of us--four Koontzes, three Woolmers, one soon to be Woolmer and two Meyers. Have to get suited up in special jumpsuits, take a breathalyzer, go through a simulator and then trek up 340 feet in the air onto the top of the structure above the Sydney Harbor Bridge at twilight. Can't wait!
We Made It
Well we made it to Australia and have made it through our first day. There were no real travel glitches but the 14-hour flight from LA to Sydney is loooooooong, especially in coach. Claire woke up halfway through and saw our progress on TV and announced in an excited voice "We're halfway there!" Sorry kid, I can't get excited about only having another 7 hours of flight time left. I started putting my shoes on before we landed and discovered my ankles had swollen and I had "cankles". Not very attractive but they've recovered now.
We got here, met up with Monica and then her sister Mary Pat and brother Mark. Got to our "serviced apartment", then Monica went off to work and we went to the zoo. Navigated the subway and ferry and got to the zoo around 11. Beautiful place with lots of animals indigenous to Australia. Seriously, I thought an Echidna was a character from Sonic but its a real animal.
I'll post up pictures later. We're off to dinner now and then sleep in a real bed. It's been too long since I've done that.
Photos are added. Here's the link-- http://katseyeview.shutterfly.com//396
We got here, met up with Monica and then her sister Mary Pat and brother Mark. Got to our "serviced apartment", then Monica went off to work and we went to the zoo. Navigated the subway and ferry and got to the zoo around 11. Beautiful place with lots of animals indigenous to Australia. Seriously, I thought an Echidna was a character from Sonic but its a real animal.
I'll post up pictures later. We're off to dinner now and then sleep in a real bed. It's been too long since I've done that.
Photos are added. Here's the link-- http://katseyeview.shutterfly.com//396
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Down Under Itinerary
OK. we're in final prep mode for the Australia trip. Thought I'd share the itinerary for what I know we're doing--
Tues 10:30 AM--Leave Columbus
Tues Eve--5-hour layover in LAX followed by 14 hours in coach on United. UGGGGHHH!
Thu 6:15 AM--Arrive Sydney. Meet up with Monica and her stateside relatives who are arriving at the same time.
Thu Daytime--Try to stay awake maybe hit the zoo http://www.taronga.org.au/taronga-zoo/plan-your-visit.aspx
Thu Night--Blessed sleep in a bed
Fri Daytime--Art museum which is always a marathon with Amy. http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/ It is located next to the Botanic Gardens so those of us who don't spend 8 hours in an art museum can do something else. http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/welcome_to_bgt/royal_botanic_gardens
Fri Evening--Twilight bridge climb across Sydney Harbor bridge with Monica, Luke, Tim. Stewart and Monica's family. http://www.bridgeclimb.com/theClimb/BridgeClimb/sydney_climb.htm
Should be able to get a photo similar to this--
Any activity that requires you to take a breathalyzer with a lower allowable BAC level than driving a car in Ohio should be exciting.
Sat Daytime--Not sure just yet. That's the time to do things we discover once we get there.
Sat Evening--Ferry ride to Manly (cute beach town, photo below) and a cookout with my friend Brent and his family.
Sunday--Leave Sydney for Megalong Valley. Overnight at Ranch House.
Monday--Day long horseback ride through the Cox's River--http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrOBVMbd6_M
Tuesday--30m rappelling trip (or abseiling as the Aussies call it) near Three Sisters and a 5 mile hike. See stuff like this--
And this--
Wed AM--4WD trip to see stuff we missed on foot.
Wed PM--Down to south coast and Mollymook Shores where the wedding will be held.
Thu AM--Trip to Pebbly Beach to see the Roos and the birds (rosellas, king parrots, galahs and yellow-tailed black cockatoos) --http://www.southcoast.com.au/durras/index.html and take a visit to Emily Miller Beach which my Australian friend Paul says is the most beautiful beach in the world.
Thu PM--Start hanging out with the wedding party.
Fri AM--Morning activity somewhere around South Coast.
Fri PM--Wedding
Sat AM--Leave Mollymook. Maybe go to Pigeon House Mountain for a hike. Another site recommended by Paul. http://www.southcoast.com.au/pigeonhouse/index.html
Sat PM--Check out Canberra.
Sun AM--Maybe relax....yeah, probably not.
Mon 2:45 PM--Leave Sydney
Mon 11:30 PM--Arrive Cbus.
Tues 10:30 AM--Leave Columbus
Tues Eve--5-hour layover in LAX followed by 14 hours in coach on United. UGGGGHHH!
Thu 6:15 AM--Arrive Sydney. Meet up with Monica and her stateside relatives who are arriving at the same time.
Thu Daytime--Try to stay awake maybe hit the zoo http://www.taronga.org.au/taronga-zoo/plan-your-visit.aspx
Thu Night--Blessed sleep in a bed
Fri Daytime--Art museum which is always a marathon with Amy. http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/ It is located next to the Botanic Gardens so those of us who don't spend 8 hours in an art museum can do something else. http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/welcome_to_bgt/royal_botanic_gardens
Fri Evening--Twilight bridge climb across Sydney Harbor bridge with Monica, Luke, Tim. Stewart and Monica's family. http://www.bridgeclimb.com/theClimb/BridgeClimb/sydney_climb.htm
Should be able to get a photo similar to this--
Any activity that requires you to take a breathalyzer with a lower allowable BAC level than driving a car in Ohio should be exciting.
Sat Daytime--Not sure just yet. That's the time to do things we discover once we get there.
Sat Evening--Ferry ride to Manly (cute beach town, photo below) and a cookout with my friend Brent and his family.
Sunday--Leave Sydney for Megalong Valley. Overnight at Ranch House.
Monday--Day long horseback ride through the Cox's River--http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrOBVMbd6_M
Tuesday--30m rappelling trip (or abseiling as the Aussies call it) near Three Sisters and a 5 mile hike. See stuff like this--
And this--
Tues Night--Camp out somewhere near this stuff.
Wed AM--4WD trip to see stuff we missed on foot.
Wed PM--Down to south coast and Mollymook Shores where the wedding will be held.
Thu AM--Trip to Pebbly Beach to see the Roos and the birds (rosellas, king parrots, galahs and yellow-tailed black cockatoos) --http://www.southcoast.com.au/durras/index.html and take a visit to Emily Miller Beach which my Australian friend Paul says is the most beautiful beach in the world.
Thu PM--Start hanging out with the wedding party.
Fri AM--Morning activity somewhere around South Coast.
Fri PM--Wedding
Sat AM--Leave Mollymook. Maybe go to Pigeon House Mountain for a hike. Another site recommended by Paul. http://www.southcoast.com.au/pigeonhouse/index.html
Sat PM--Check out Canberra.
Sun AM--Maybe relax....yeah, probably not.
Sun PM--Dinner at my friend Paul's house outside of Canberra. Can't wait to meet his two German Shorthair Pointers, Lincoln and Ishka. Ishka and I are friends on Facebook.
Mon AM--Drive back to SydneyMon 2:45 PM--Leave Sydney
Mon 11:30 PM--Arrive Cbus.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!!! Figured this would be the best way to let folks see our adventures down under. Stay tuned!
Oh, and that thing in my last post 3-1/2 years ago about using the blog to record my transition from Florida to Ohio...be glad I didn't record it. Depressing doesn't even get close and I'm JUST starting to come out of that funk. No one would have wanted to read that.
Oh, and that thing in my last post 3-1/2 years ago about using the blog to record my transition from Florida to Ohio...be glad I didn't record it. Depressing doesn't even get close and I'm JUST starting to come out of that funk. No one would have wanted to read that.
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