Mission Australia 2013 - Day 10

Bondi Beach 

Awake well after 7, we thought it would be wise to catch the bus earliest from Central so that we can visit some more places downtown after Bondi Beach. Again served a fine Indian breakfast of poha, we left wearing borrowed clothes to Bondi. Due to the weather, the ambience at the Beach was nothing compared to what I had expected. Rarely could I spot skimpy clothing, for even the adventurers were seen heading to the waters wearing diver wet suits with their surfboards.

Aboard the Red Bus again

Approaching Bondi

Bondi Pavillion

My favorite Bollywood Pose

Piggy-Back

Idling there for some time, catching up with the events back home on phone; we started strolling away from Bondi to catch the red bus again when Neha suddenly (yet expectedly) expressed her desire to visit one of the Direct Factory Outlets (D.F.O.s). We had been told earlier that there is one in Homebush, not far from Strathfield and could alight from the train at a station very close to the DFO. As usual, we found it quite far against the “walkable” directions that we had been advised – it took us nearly 30 minutes to reach.

Neha went on a window-shopping spree – her favorite pastime whereas I loitered around here & there trying to take care of Ayana. One thing I could never understand in AUS that why the shopping centers closed down at 5 PM because I was used to our Indian system (& even US) that major shopping happened after office hours. Nonetheless, Neha was again left purchase-less (which she was bound to regret later) & I made a call to our Uncle for directions to his home.

He had to re-arrange for the baby seat to pick us up. Back at home, we were again treated to a sumptuous evening supper on which we gorged hungrily & later due to the heavy downpour, Mrs & Mr Gupta both decided to give us a hitchhike till Liverpool. The day ended with chit-chat with Sanjeevji about the next day’s planning.

Mission Australia 2013 - Day 09

Sydney City 

Liverpool was a nice suburb with placid surroundings which included a river. A narrow-nice walk further, we reached the Liverpool station to board a train till Sydney Central. We had been advised to not travel privately but to take a simple option of the Red Bus (Hop-on-Hop-off). Sydney Central felt no different than Grand Central at New York. We had some difficulty finding our way to the Red Bus pickup point.

Waiting for the Red Bus outside Sydney Central

Aboard the Rooftop of the Hop-on-Hop-off Bus

With my Professor at Sydney IMAX

Once aboard the bus, we first learnt how to properly park the baby stroller from the Conductor. We also purchased a subsidized entry to 2 attractions of Sydney City – Madame Tussaud’s & Sydney Tower Eye. I felt other attractions could be missed because part had been seen at Perth & others were probably better at Gold Coast. At the King’s Wharf, right outside the IMAX, the sight of a familiar face astounded me. It was one of my professors from Delhi. We chit-chatted a little while, clicked pictures & bid goodbyes to each other. I realized once again, how small is this world.

I replaced Barack

And She replaced Elizabeth II

As usual, I played the Lead though unusually Neha took on the Drums

Ives Steps besides the Harbour Bridge

Harbour Bridge from the Sydney Tower Eye

Dining by the Opera House

Romance at the Opera House

Despite my doubts, I felt very glad when we completed the entire city route & reached Opera House (our last destination for the day) by 5:30. One hour of photography & romance later, we caught our last bus for the day for Central from where we had to take the train to Strathfield to meet my cousin paternal uncle. He picked us up from the station & his home – once we reached – was a big comfort to our bones rattling with the cold weather outside. I & Neha wondered to each other – “Is this Aussie summer? Really”

Our aunt had known about our arrival & had prepared a very very nice dinner for us. We chit-chatted late through the night – so late that when I recalled where I had to sleep – it was already way beyond 12 and they insisted that we stay with them for the night. I was really in a complete 50-50 dilemma – but then such remarkable & incorrigible comfort mixed with finest wine & delicious food was un-refutable.

As we changed into the clothes lent by our hosts, we laid our tired bodies on the bed reminiscing about touring through the city where many a Bollywood movies had been shot with action, romance, drama & comedy. We hoped that we had lived some of that. I commented “Neha, you have not just seen Sydney today. New York, London, Paris, Singapore & even Tokyo are not that different. I said this reminding myself that I had seen just NY myself albeit most of others through my family’s eyes.”

Mission Australia 2013 - Day 08

Ayer’s Rock – Sydney 

When we slept last night, I had a hunch we might not be able to make it for sunrise view. I could see the tiredness in Neha & Ayana so I didn’t want to push them harder – our trip had still not reached its half-point. It was well beyond 10 AM when we proceeded towards the Ayer’s Rock to get the last glimpse – it didn’t look good – it was quite torrid though. Just as I prepared to bid goodbye to the Rock, I realized I had to top up the fuel tank. Following the GPS took me around the entire town of Yulara, and to our surprise, it was right besides the Outback Pioneer where we stayed – I thought we were definitely much better off without the GPS! Neha suggested that we grab our brunch right here & we did – to only find that it was the best decision of the day because the options at the Airport were not only less but also damn expensive.

White Nissan Pulsar right outside our Room

And right besides the Uluru

Last shots of the Rock

"Palya" (similar to Juley)

The Kind Old Lady at Thrifty
I kept wondering where do these people live.
Places like Uluru, Alice Springs are out-&-out Touristy & Barren!

It was a breeze returning the car within the 24 hour limit & checking into the penultimate – third outward flight of the day. Staring at the barren desert below, Neha wondered whether anybody lived down there – to which I replied “We would need to drive through this desert someday to find that out”. “Look!” I said after some time “Opera House!” As we descended into Kingsford-Smith Airport, I narrowly missed getting tangled in a suitcase of a co-passenger while exiting from the aero-bridge – I confided in Neha “Welcome to Sydney!”

Opera House on the Left
Sydney Tower on the Right

Ayana playing with a smaller toddler at SYD

Waiting...

Seems Airports had become the favorite playfield for Ayana

Everybody was in a hurry. I got reminded of my Delhi. Well, as discussed with a friend, whom we called ‘Sanjeevji’; we had to now wait for him for pickup. He insisted that traveling to Liverpool using trains would not be an easy affair with bags & baby. He arrived without a baby seat for which we kept Ayana hidden all through the drive. “Welcome to Sydney!”

Mission Australia 2013 - Day 07

Cairns – Ayer’s Rock 

Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park 

Our families were quite concerned about Uluru since in the pictures it seemed to be a very deserted place and although even when I always am very comfortable without mobile phones, I am sane enough to know their use when I am in trouble. This was the reason that we were actually carrying 2 mobiles – one with me & other with Neha because while discussing with my elder brother we could foresee that at many instances I would need to leave Neha alone with Ayana while I go for grocery or for hotel hunting or to stand in the queue, etc. Uluru was one place where I suspected that our mobile phones might not work.

View of the Barren Red Center from the Plan
Nobody for Miles, oops Kilometers!

First View of the Ayer's Rock
Crew unable to control Crowd taking pictures

View of the Ayer's Rock from Air-Strip

All through the flight to AYQ from CNS, I was really very excited on watching the barren desert down below. Now this was a Qantas Link flight (full-service) and to our pleasant surprise we were soon offered Arhar Dal & Chana with Rice apart from nice yogurt & pickle. Only somebody who has craved for Indian food on foreign land can understand how good that flight would have become for us. As soon as we prepared to land, we could see the Ayer’s Rock and people started shifting seats to get a better picture restlessly in the face of the flight attendant trying to maintain order in a descending flight. It was a tough time for the Ground Crew preventing tourists from clicking pictures on the runway. This Airport looked more like a boutique Bus-Stop with a single air-strip meant for a total of 4 flights in & 4 out during the entire day.

Alighting from Qantas Link

Entire Air-strip can be visualized from the above 2 shots

Ayana's Playfield - Air-Conditioned i.e.

Entire Airport can be visualized from the above 2 shots

The Kind Lady at Thrifty gives Pen & Paper to Ayana

Shhh! Neha shouldn't see this or else I'll have to check out!
This is the Lizard I first saw on TV 20 yrs back on National Geographic.
This Lizard is able to walk on hot soil by keeping 2 feet in the air at a time.

Shared Kitchen at Outback Pioneer Lodge

While doing the research, at the last moment, I had fortunately decided against the AAT Kings tour & rather decided to rent a Car. As per telephone discussion the previous day from Cairns, I took a black Nissan Pulsar from Thrifty and the old lady was kind enough to keep aside a baby-seat with a GPS (which I later regretted to spend AUD 150 on because the directions were quite simple in the area – I couldn’t have got lost there unless I wanted to). Checking-in the Outdoor Pioneer was smooth due to the booking and on top of that, we got an upgrade to a Private Bathroom Room – the kitchen was still shared – a concept we really enjoyed together.

Entry of the Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park 

Two Ways - We took the Right turn

Selfie with a Scottish Hiker

Walpa Gorge

With French Couple

Neha at the Wheel 

From Kata Tjuta to Uluru

As soon as I could, I pushed my family out for cooking our Lunch & packed up with lots of water for our half day ahead. We decided to visit the Kata Tjuta first where upon parking in the lot, I decided that Neha & Ayana stay inside the car with the A/C on while I go about trotting through the Valley of the Winds. While returning towards Parking, I was accompanied by a French Couple (from Bordeaux) who were road-tripping down under. What attracted Neha to them was the Caravan they were traveling in. We clicked pictures with them never knowing we would bump into them in Melbourne right at the end of our trip. At the end when we proceeded towards the Ayer’s Rock, I decided to give the wheel to Neha for sometime – the road was really empty & the chance was really rare that a cop could pull us over. Of course she enjoyed the drive & I captured her on video so she could boast it later.

Complete Family (with the Stroller) at the Uluru

Uluru Dining (as advertised) has a million more flies than Delhi parks

Finally, the Uluru Sunset Shot

Absolutely Red Soil - Blood Red!

Classic Sunset Shot in my Cam! 

I'd never know how such a small baby could cope up with this trip!

Ayana sleeps after going through the Uluru Day Tours Brochure

Ayana enjoys the after dinner Outdoor Rock Show

Driving & Clicking around the Ayer’s Rock was fun & really exhilarating for me because deep down that the reason for an AUS trip was my childhood fantasy with the Uluru. My dream had come true. Nobody could understand my feelings – not even Neha. We visited the Information Center & read about how the aboriginal people. All the time, all the places, I was always left wondering – how adventurous are Caucasians! They can be found at all the places. As we parked into the Sunset Viewing Area, Neha kept asking me how the rock could change colors to which I kept replying – it was to see not talk. As the sun dropped, it surely changed colors and everybody jostled in the crowd to find a clean picture frame without anybody else.

Our mobile phones were, of course, working & as decided earlier, we left well before dark due to safety. The evening ended at the common kitchen where we cooked our veggie curry and enjoyed the outdoor rock show before retiring to our room to rest for another “flight-ful” day. Tomorrow we fly into Sydney!