HUNTER VALLEY, AUSTRALIA
At the library.
January 3, 2002
Kim and I have just enjoyed a lovely morning eating breakfast by the vineyards in Hunter Valley, one of Australia's oldest viticulture areas. We did a speed tasting tour of six wineries yesterday as soon as we arrived - I managed with purchasing only one bottle of wine while Kim's damage was much more severe - eight bottles. We think we'll have to consume a couple before we fly onward so as to lighten her load back to the States. The vineyards and countryside here are beautiful and we've been met with sunny weather. Each vineyard has its unique charm and many have rose bushes that line along their roads.

Yesterday we rented a car - and Kim and I have perfected the use of the windshield wipers - the turn signals are on your RIGHT! So we at least warn all the cars around us that we don't know what we're doing and then they can steer clear. We've managed to stay on the correct - that is, the LEFT - side of the road most of the time. On the right turns, we remind each other: "Go to the FAR side!" It's definitely a blog experience, we declared, to be driving on the wrong side of the road.

Before leaving Sydney, we went to see the Shackleton Adventure on the largest IMAX screen in the world - eight stories high - about the trials and tribulations of the Antarctic voyage of 27 men - which made the AIDS ride look like a cinch. We also managed to have dinner in under an hour - quite speedy for these Australians! Our dinners generally take nearly two hours (usually more) and are generally about four or five courses. It's a good thing Kim and I are "in training" for our rainforest trek so we've managed to walk a lot of it off.

Now we head further up the Pacific Coast (also Route 1 here) on our way to Byron Bay, where we will (maybe) stay the night. We'll try blogging from the road!
Cheers,
Hani & Kim