Beck's Aus Adventure Update =D

Canberra Continued…

Monday 30^th

  The planned activity of the day was a trip to Questacon, a science and technology centre for kids (and adults), much like Techniquest in Cardiff, but bigger and better! 

There were tonnes of different things, from a room of all pulley, cogs, piston and lever systems to a room explaining natural disasters with a timed Lightning creator and an earthquake simulator. 

 

Caged Lightning

The Earthquake simulator was a room set up as a house that you could go into, and as it starts shaking (Very violently, the equivalent of score 8 on the Richter scale).  It would be rather terrifying to experience in your own home, but I’m glad I’ve had the chance to feel what it would be like (pretty much). 

 Cool water display

 

After Questacon we headed to the National Library (across the road lol) to have a look at the Handwriting exhibition that was being advertised. 

  The exhibition showed heaps of documents showing the handwriting of many famous, influential people such as – Charles Darwin, Beethoven, James Cook, Karl Marx, Florence Nightingale, Marie Curie, Charles Dickens, Michelangelo, Isaac Newton, etc.  I didn’t take any photos as I imagine you weren’t allowed (I’m not actually sure if I could or not, there were no signs, no one else was and I didn’t want to risk it xD).  It was a really interesting display, although most of the writing was unreadable ^,^

 

As we headed out of the Library I noticed the Sydney 2000 Olympic Torch on display =D

Tuesday

 

  Started the day by making Welsh cakes with Alyssa’s assistance =D Almost screwed it up by using two eggs when I doubled the ingredients, but saved it by doubling the dry ingredients again xD Another friend of Natalie’s came for morning tea, where we pretty much demolished my Welsh cakes and enjoyed a few slices of Lamington cake (an Aussie cake, best of both worlds :D)

   After morning tea Natalie took me & the girls to Gold Creek, a cute-sy shopping area with cute, funky shops.  There we went to a walk through Aviary, a closed in garden with loads of birds.  On entry we were given a bowl of apples to feed to the birds.  Feeding the birds was pretty awesome, you had the chance to get really close to them, and even touch them.  I had one stand on my finger for a brief second, but Jazzie succeeded in having birds stand on her bowl for ages =D

 

We stopped for refreshments at AdoreTea, a café dedicated to tea (they didn’t even serve coffee) There were heaps of different tea flavours to choose from, and I settled for the Strawberries & Champagne black tea.

Natalie’s Turkish Delight Iced Tea

 

Aussie Burgers for tea anyone?

Wednesday

 

  Both Alan and Natalie had to work all day so after a little lie in (9am lol) I did some washing then went into the city.  The night before we figured out what buses I’d have to get and stuff, so it was pretty simple, also I had company on the bus part of the way from the neighbour whose house I’d been to on Australia Day =D

  I spent most of the day browsing shops, however I did buy a new pair of converse shoes and my black ones have developed holes in the bottom T.T So I got a lush red colour for the same price I’d pay back home =D I also found a cool comic shop, and purchased a Wonder Woman shopper bag that states ‘Save Planet Earth’.  Awesome right? xD

  As Wednesday was Natalie’s birthday, we all went out for a meal with the neighbours.  We went to this nice club where you had to have membership to get it, and the food was really nice.  It was a lovely night, Good food and brilliant company =)

 

Thursday

 

  My last full day in Canberra D= and a full day it was, starting with a lengthy Skype chat with Beck where we gossiped and freaked out over New Zealand awesomeness and booked our LotR Location Tour in Wellington.  I then sorted out stuff to send home, as my luggage was too heavy and I didn’t fancy more charges at the airport.  Cost me $49 to send home mind, and could take up to three months to get there (lmfao), but either way, it worked out cheaper than paying fees at the airport 4 times!

  We (me, Natalie & the Girls) went to parliament house and joined the free tour (just in time, we were a little late after I failed to remove metal things before passing security…  three times *blushes*) the tour was quite informative, and I believe I know more about the setup of the Aussie government than I do of my own xD

Australian Parliament; House of Representatives

Australian Parliament; House of Senate

On the roof

 

We then headed to the National Gallery where me and Jazzie went for a look around the special Renaissance exhibition where we saw paintings by Raphael, Bellini and Botticelli along with many other artists from 600 years ago.  It was really cool to see so many paintings from such a great era, and it’s amazing how these paintings have lasted so long.

 

Lastly we headed up Telstra tower, to look out over the city of Canberra at 850-ish meters above sea level, which was pretty high xD  The weather wasn’t too good though, so the view wasn’t great, but you could still point out the landmarks around the city.  Unfortunately my camera battery died, after realising I took a photo of the wrong part of the city xD

Somewhere in Canberra that’s not the centre xD

  I have to say, I absolutely loved staying with my family in Canberra.  It was great finally meeting them and getting to know them, and finding out that Alan loves Big Bang Theory and is often related to Sheldon xD  We’ve had tonnes of fun exploring the sights, shopping and playing the Wii (Mario kart and Super Mario Bros) and even watched a few films, like Ever After, Bride & Prejudice, Pride & Prejudice (Kiera Knightly), Mr Magorium’s wonder Emporium & Jayne Eyrie =D.  We’ve also watched the new Sherlock season (yummy ^,^) and some of the new Big Bang Theory episodes.

  It’s been great to see the ‘living’ side to Australia as well as the ‘tourist’ side.  Sounds odd but it’s different, and I really like it.  I remember saying before how when I do my working holiday visa it’s going to be a big step as I’ve never lived alone before, but after having an insight into Australian homes, I feel better and think it’s going to be amazing =D 

 

Right that’s it for now!  I’m almost up to date!  One more entry (hopefully done up tomoro) and I should be done for now!  I’ve got loads of plans for the week, most of it will be with Bey, who is mega awesome for doing heaps with me!