Day Ten: Sunday

Day Ten: The Long Day

We got up early on Sunday morning, packed up the last few things in the hotel room and headed out to the airport. We had gotten some insider tips from our Aussie family and there were a few more items I had to try before we left the country.

This happened at the airport, since we had plenty of time to browse. Our flight was almost an hour late leaving Sydney. We had some Gloria Jean's Coffee, which is like their Starbucks (according to Voula, who is a teacher and ought to know). I also picked up some Tim Tams, which are apparently close to the heart of many Australians (according to Theo). Tim Tams are a type of chocolate biscuit, otherwise known as a cookie. Last but not least, I had to try an Aussie Lamington, which is a type of cake that Aussies love very much (according to little Nicola - "it's her favourite!"). They also informed us that Vegemite is not to be eaten by itself, it is best when mixed with butter (what isn't better with butter) in a ratio of more butter to less Vegemite, and even better when cheese is added. I'm not sure if we'll try this... it's pretty bad by itself, so I don't know how much butter it would take to make it tolerable or palatable. Maybe. The Lamington and Tim Tams, however, delicious!

Our flight was as any 15 hour flight can be expected - long, cramped and sleepless. I wish we'd slept, but we just weren't tired enough and couldn't force it. We watched at least five or more movies, together with a headphone splitter and me half looking at Blake's monitor because mine would die every time I tried to watch a movie. It didn't really matter though because I was knitting like crazy trying to finish my first sock. Seriously, it was like ten straight hours of knitting - awesome! I can't believe I still didn't finish it though. I might have, but I needed to see how long to make it, but Blake didn't want to take his shoes off (for stinky feet reasons, although he'd probably hate that I said that). So I still need to measure how long to make it and I hope that the project doesn't get stuck at the end of my knitting queue like SO many other projects. I will finish it! I'll post a picture if when I do. Then when we go on our next vacation I can make the other sock ;) (Oh, how I wish that weren't so likely).

So a tidbit about the Lamington - A coworker asked me to find something delicious and Australian to make for the office (I made chocolate tarts after Italy and Baklava after Greece). It was a challenge I gladly accepted, but was afraid I wouldn't be able to complete until I discovered the Lamington. I mean, I can't exactly make Tim Tams, and most of the other food items they're 'known for' are not delicious or sweet. So when I make my Lamington attempt, I'll let you know how it goes.

Yeah! We made our train!

Sad, we're leaving :(

Our last view of the bridge and opera house
from the Circular Quay stop.

Chocolatey deliciousness

Bring on the Lamington! I was so glad that I
could find it at the airport (we checked five
cafes before finding this one).

The Aussie Lamington

Sponge cake, dipped in chocolate icing,
dusted with coconut.

My breakfast of Aussie champions.

When we arrived in Vancouver, BC, for our connecting flight to Portland, Oregon, we had missed our connection due to the plane leaving Sydney late. We were rescheduled on a flight five hours later and given meal vouchers from the airline. Even better, the agent that was helping to reschedule us, felt so bad that we had just gotten off of a 15 hour flight and had to wait five more hours, that he gave us guest passes to the Maple Leaf Lounge (it's a VIP lounge), out of what I'm pretty sure was his personal stash. It was so nice of him and definitely the best layover we'd ever had. They gave you free food and drinks and had the most comfortable chairs.. although what isn't more comfortable than an airplane seat after 15 hours. Without that lounge I'd have gotten no sleep at all that 36 hour day.

All said and done, we were awake and calling it 'Sunday' for over 36 hours. It was a ridiculously long day and such a weird phenomena. It was worth it though. What a trip! I feel like I got to know this little part of Australia pretty well, and best of all we had a great time together.

OH, I almost forgot. I found out that kangaroos travel in... Mobs!

Sorry for all the random details for the digital journal. I promise I'll start blogging about something else soon!