Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

For those of you that want to recapture the essence of Australia, in a peculiar but fun way, I suggest you rent the video of "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert." Terence Stamp, Hugo Weaving (you would never guess what major American suspense Sci-Fi movie he starred in - hint, think Keanu Reeves) and Guy Pearce, Australian hunks star in this 1994 movie playing, of all things. three drag queens on tour. The movie is outrageously funny and I am glad that I was not able to see the stage play that regulary tours in Australia and New Zealand (just ahead or behind the cities we visited). The movie highlights the wonder of Australia, its people and scenery, on many different levels.

My favorite scenes were those of the indigenous people's party one night in the desert, the show and dance scene and music and spectacular mountain scenery around Alice Springs. The movie also explains Australian ABBAholics. Another unknown, by me, fact of Australian culture.

Try renting it....you'll like it.

Most recent email from Jax:

Last evening John and I headed out to dinner and we had asked Judy along but she bowed out. We went to a restaurant called Ganders a few miles from our home and when the waitress started enlightening us to the specials for the day...she mentioned that kangaroo was available! If only Judy had been there!!!!! I told the waitress that I had in fact enjoyed just such a dish recently while in Australia. Oh lord, I couldn't wait to call miss Judy! We simply had the most uproarious time over that. Kangaroo was going off the menu today but they said to call before coming to the restaurant again and they could let us know when it was going to be available. Any Kangaroo there in California? Priscilla was a hoot of a movie and we thought it was a lot of fun. Definitely did give one a look into the Outback of the Alice Springs area but we sure didn't have an opportunity to catch the show!!!!!!! I had mentioned to three friends of ours who are leaving next month on the same OAT trip that I had ordered a movie on Australia and I'd share it with them. NOT going to happen. We had a lot of laughs but its not for everyone but thanx for the heads up on Priscilla. Went for a walk around Ocean Dunes around 7:30 this evening and was one of the first ones to discover a sink hole right in the middle of the road! Police brought barricades. Earlier kids had been riding their bikes over the depression in the road just for kicks. When I saw it the road had collapsed and the rim was at least five feet around and five feet deep. Darn scary discovery. Sort of like the beginning of a sci-fi movie! We are only a long block and a half from the ocean so I'm hoping we aren't going to be a beachfront association within time. Life is never boring! Keep having fun! Cheers,

jax

Previous email from Jax:

Judy, John, and I are planning to check-out Priscilla, Queen of the Desert tomorrow evening over martini's, wine, and beer plus casual nosh. John ordered it through NETFLIX since Judy could not locate a CD copy anyplace in Palm Beach County. She did locate a cassette but that is such old school who still has a cassette player? Actually John and I do but Judy didn't know that! John keeps everything!!!! What the heck, he's kept me for 53 years!!!! I'll give you feedback after viewing. Cheers to the both of you and thanx for the viewing suggestion.

jax

Hi Jax,

Glad you enjoyed what Chuck sent out. You’re right; we are good friends and we do always have fun together. You have to remember, we go back a loooooong way…to college days. J At this time of all of our lives it’s good to make time for as much fun as possible. We sure enjoyed the OAT trip where we got to meet YOU!! Tom and I have thought back on that trip and commented how much fun it was in good part due to the great people on the trip with us. We just had a terrific, amiable, fun loving group. Sure would be good to travel again together. Hopefully, one of these days.

Hope the new year is getting off to a good start for you. We’re in the process of having work done to replace our patio and walkways. It sure needed it and I have high hopes for the outcome. I’ll let you know! J

til later, thanks for the note and you take good care.

Xoxo,

Nanc

Happy Holidays from Jim Roch

Click on the link below for a surprise holiday greeting.....

Click here: Santa's Jigsaw

Happy Thoughts and THANKSGIVING

In reviewing the Aussie songs recorded thus far on this OAT Ultimate Australia travel blog, I noticed I have neglected and failed to include our friend Duncan as well as not highlighting our afternoon sojourn (Tom and Nancy, Chuck and Marilyn) in Lord Nelson's Pub in old town Sydney. So here is justice done to Tom's Navy hero Admiral Nelson (stay with the video till the end):

On the lighter side in America - Switching from analog to digital TV

A little levity submitted by Judith. And you thought our instructions on how to add to the OAT Australia blog were confusing. Enjoy:

http://www.hulu.com/watch/36608/talkshow-with-spike-feresten-cable-psa

Greetings from the Sommers and Milams

It's the best of times and the worst of times depending on one's outlook (also when you hit the start arrow, you will have to turn the volume way up- this is a video taken in front of the Milam house):

And another comment by Judy

Furthermore:

Chuck- thanks , took the time to watch , ..never ceases to amaze how our "clogged" system works, eg- if in 2005 Mc Cain backed reform or tightening of Fannie/Freddie,was voted down, why is that the only try? media?can't it be re-introduced again & again?see the $$ line to Democrats but can't that be exposed then, why now postmortem? guess i'm soo naive.....

how does the Ralph Nader/ Pikens ticket sound????too bad we don't have a representative "debate"( using that term loosely), do have a 3rd party out there& there seemed to be alot of room on the stage, at least for one more..might even slow down the theatrics??.

thanks for info, keep it coming, how can we get organized to impact a difference? too late this time?got the next 4 yrs free if u do?

love u guys, always love new info.."ranting in Fl"-so scared we won't count the ballots right!!!

Judy's comments in response to Julia's below

Can we buy a condo together??????

Always wondered what "those people" did for a living that lived in these wonderful 4-BR mansion-like track homes, esp here in FL ( acres & acres of them)- now i know- they got unrealistic "creative" mortgages that you & I now have to pay for!!!! I'm already paying for mine now their's too???

Seem's Mr& Mrs Greed moved into more than just neighborhoods, they're positioned in banks( with no oversight/or consequence)& they positioned themselves nicely on Wall St and guess who's getting the squeeze & the bill?yup u& me & ours...........
without a doubt it is "living beyond means" esp in Washington with horrendous budget defiicet & our "I'd gladly pay u tomorrow for a hamburger today"..philosophy..
feeling "your pain" as my 401K is now just 4.............+1 one of my kids made the mistake of being in the service industry & got his "pink slip"( no kind of shute!)Fri-wife/kids....

Thanks for letting me rant, saved me $50 @ the shrink! best to all &keep in touch jc

American Financial Crisis and Political Mismanagement

Found this video on You Tube which I would like to share and receive comments (be patient, it is a long, but stimulating video):

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RZVw3no2A4">

The world ....... and the USA (Vince's comments)

It is just a good thing that the US doesn't "charge" the rest of the free world for all that she has done to keep that world free and defended from evil countries. Nor does she "charge" the world for all the good-will and humanitarian efforts made in its behalf. Nor for funding the UN and most other international interests. Nor for providing the "standing army, air force and navy" to protect the world. Thank goodness that that doesn't happen because if those other countries had to pay for all these things, there really wouldn't be much money left in their coffers to pay for many of the social programs they might have underway. Thank goodness ......... Oh well, what have you done for me lately? Cheers, Tom

More on the same subject from Julia

Isn't it amazing he seems to understand what is happening better than we do!!!
Why don't the politicians explain it to us in this manner? They spend so much time pointing fingers, and listening to lobbyists,....I may just move to Australia or China.

Comment by our fearless leader Vince in respone to "When the US sneezes, Australia catches pneumonia"

Hi all
Sorry that I hav'nt got back to you, I'm on tour and have been up in Cape Trib.

as to comments on the present money crisis ---ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!

I know that our family has lost as a whole close to a million wiped off our combined portfolio's....sorry we are very worried. However in saying that, Austraila,as a whole, while suffering the stock jitter's, is able to ride this out in the short - medium term; our banks are under control and have moved in the last year to reduce their exposure to the US.

We should be ok if.......

1) China can at least maintain i(Australian) import levels at the current level,
2) the Europeans, and other cash positive countries (China, Japann, Tiawan, and the Emirates etc.) continue to support the US's need for cash,
3) That these cash positive economies maintain cash/credit flow's and feel confident that they are not putting good money into bad
4) and I think the most important is that the world see that the US Govt.( and its Presidential candidates) do not play politics with the world economy. If this means a hard time for the US so be it; however, if they try and "cushion" the US for short term political gain, then you will find the cash/credit will dry up as those economies, such as the EU, China, Japan and Australia will "fortress" the money to save themselves and that will see devastating effects on the US, seeing a weaker postion on international trade, which Europe in particular will only be to happy to exploit at the US's expence.

Australia has large cash reserves and tight controls on the economy--which will be getting tighter, a lot of people may lose asset weatlh but the country as a whole should be Ok--short to medium term.

3 times, now, and in the last 20 years, the US has almost imploded the world economy with under an represented "bubble collapse." The Europeans in particular won't let it happen again even if that means the collapse of the US economy

It's very scary times for all of us, and sorry if this is pretty "heavy" but that is the short and long of it

Cheers
Vince

Comment by Jacqueline "Jax" in respone to "When the US sneezes, Australia catches pneumonia"

Recalling Vince's comment on the Australian economy as related to the US financial situation I most heartily concur with your comments. Knowing that yesterday the stock market had a one day drop of 777.68, the worst in Dow history, has had an overwhelming effect throughout not just Australia but throughout the world! Wouldn't it be interesting to have a comment from Vince! Not just to read about the tremors felt throughout the world but a view from someone, Vince, whose opinion would be most interesting and deeply felt. Your e-mail was stunning! I am hoping I will hear further! May today be the start of a recovery in the stock market! Take care, both you and Marilyn. jax

Learning and Discovery

As a post script to the OAT Ultimate Australia trip, I would like to repeat and amplify an early tour comment made by Vince Haberfield: "When the United States sneezes, Australia catches pneumonia." It sure would seem this comment is being tested as a result of the current financial and mortgage home crisis in the United States. The impact of the US home mortgage crisis is certainly affecting the rest of the world. On our Australia and New Zealand trips, we were amazed at the homes for sale signs and the unexpected high prices of Australian real estate. Even with Australia's booming export market, the mortgage crisis is having a tremendous effect on international and world trade and financial markets.

I am wondering how much this condition will affect the booming coffee houses and boutique stores in Australia, as well as Aussie travel abroad. We are certainly living now in a global economy.

In that regard, the following is an interesting description of the Financial Crisis in America:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RZVw3no2A4

Farewell Dinner in Sydney May 13, 2008

From the left: Julia, Tom, Nancy, Chuck, Jax, Judy, Wanda, Jamille, Vince, Marilyn, Jim and Mary Anne


Video

Sydney Harbor

Pictures:






Videos- Sidney Harbor:


Indigenous Music:



Haborside at night:

Hurricane Faye and news from Jax

Woke up this AM with our electric out and our world pretty much shut down. We're hoping that by this evening John and I will be walking up to the beach to see how our beach has been affected by the winds and waves. After the electric came back on around 1:30 PM I sat at my computer and enjoyed looking at so many of your video-clips...felt myself once again heading out to the Great Barrier Reef, next enjoying the luxury of Sea Temple, totally mesmerized with the orthological spider studies of you with Tom and Nancy, and then I sang along with A PUB WITH NO BEER///twice! And as a finale, I had John again pull up his chair next to my computer and watch the Sydney Aquarium sharks, turtles, and other sea animals! What a wonderful way to pass the gloomy, rainy afternoon.

John and I are signed up with OAT to go on a tour February 23, 2009 departing to Antarctica. We will spend some time in Buenos Aires, then a night in Ushuaia, and then on board ship to the Antarctic Peninsula. It would be so awesome if some of the great friends that I went to Australia with were along, but its probably one chance in a million. This Australia group was just so much fun and reliving the trip through your pictures and videos made it moreso. Thanx again and again. jax

Sydney Aquarium

As mentioned in an earlier blog video (Party Time), the Sydney Aquarium is open until 10 pm. As an added bonus, because our visit occurred on May 9th, Mothers Day, the OAT mothers were admitted free of charge. The first video is taken alongside the hug shark tank:



Giant Sea Turtles:



More Colorful Fish:





Nice Fish Variety and background music:






More of a different variety:




Coral and coral fish:

Sing along with OAT ( I know what you're thinking and, no, Vince does not sing)

A Pub with no Beer:



Bound for Botany Bay (please comment on the correct title):

Tie me Kangaroo Down:

More Learning and Discovery

After the Champagne ran out,, Tom and Chuck, having nothing better to do (remember we were in the northern rain forrest which is very dark and spooky at night), decided upon doing an orthological study involving the feeding of a fly to the resident Golden Orb spider (yes, the video is dark because of limited light on the porch, but if you listen carefully you will hear and note that even Nancy got hooked on the evening feeding experiment). At the end of the video, you will get a better look at this beautiful, large spider on another front porch the next morning before departing for the flight to Sydney:

Party Time (one of many on this trip)

It should be noted that the Champagne provided at this get together was the "fruits" of the May 6, 2008 hot air balloon ride when each participant received a bottle of champagne (for you math majors this meant that we had 4 bottles for the 11 tour members and Vince, the Australian tour director, who also imbibed somewhere between mostly and not at all and should be given credit for providing the cheese and crackers). The video is dark because the party started at 7:30 pm):

And the party rolls on with review of past (Julia's s massage in town and future travel itinerary and activities in Sydney:

A sampling of the food along the way

We certainly ate, drank and traveled well on our Ultimate Australia tour. For example:

Kangaroo meat:





Desserts (the sweet kind, not the dry land kind):





Fruit Farm optional tour (but lots of fruit sampling):

A walk in the rain forrest with Piggy

Listen to the rain....it's cool to be walking in the rain forrest when it's raining:

Coopers Creek - Cape Tribulation

There are 69 species of the salt water crocadile. As the guide says, fresh water alligators will spit you out whereas the salt water variety will eat you up. Here, it is very unuusal to see a male and female together in the non-mating season:



This one prefers to sleep alone:

Sea Temple

Sea Temple and its fabulous multi-acre pool:




Great 40-50 meter straight on lap and swimming pool:



Wrap around side lagoons:

Great Barrier Reef - Port Douglas

The boatride to Low Isle (one of the many islands in the Great Barrier Reef) on Quicksilver VIII (see picture below), although windy and blustering, turned out to be pleasant and sunny (definately beating the alternative of no boat ride in a tightly scheduled tour) as shown in the video below:

Osprey and its nest at lighthouse:

Snorkeling area and Quicksilver VIII:


Lighthouse on Low Isle:

Uluru in all its magnificence

The following are two videos: the first was taken in the bus drive to Uluru; the second as viewed inside the Park. Both discuss the history and cultural significance of Uluru:

Waltzing Matilda sung by a true Aussie

What do you think after listening to Vince "the Voice" Haberfield singing Waltzing Matilda? Should it be posted on "You Tube"? Before you comment, it should be noted that Vince's rendition of this famous Aussie (drinking ????) song was preceeded by the below champagne, sunset viewing party. Furthermore, there is evidence in a previous picture posting (below) that Vince may have been doing something other than just pouring Champagne and serving as host.



Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong,
Under the shade of a coolibah tree,
And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me.

(The refrain in the next verse is in Vince's version, but not the one below)

Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me
And he sang as he watched and waited til his billy boiled
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me.

Down came a jumbuck to drink at that billabong
Up jumped the swagman and grabed him with glee
And he sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tuckerbag
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me.

Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me
And he sang as he shoved that jumpback in his tuckerbag
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me.

Up rode the squatter, mounted on his thoroughbred,
Down came the troopers, one, two, three.
"Where's that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tuckerbag?
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me.

(Vince used "Who's in that jolly jumpbuck...")

Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me
"Where's that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tuckerbag?
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me.

Up jumped the swagman and sprang into the billabong,
"You'll never catch me alive," said he
And his ghost may be heard as you passed beside that billabong,
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me.

Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me
And his ghost may be heard as you passed by that billabong,
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me.

Below is another version using the words noted above:



Another version of Waltzing Matilda by The Seekers (extra refrain and slightly different wording):




Another (and last) version of Waltzing Matilda:

Ayres Rock - Uluru at Sunset and next morning Sunrise

Video:


Sunset Bubbly Pictures followed by Sunrise Pictures taken early the next morning at Outback Pioneer Lodge:


















Sunrise Video at Outback Pioneer Lodge:

Kata Tjuata National Park

On the road to Uluru:

On the Road to Uluru (Ayres Rock)

Adventuresome Camel Riders Julia and Nancy :

Hot air balloon:

Sing along with Vince (pay special attention to his motions and more to follow on Vince's solo for Waltzing Matilda and the Pub With No Beer)

kangaroo island

More people pictures from Tom

You will be able to hot-link to all of Tom's pictures that are posted on Kodak using this link (might need to use the copy and paste method): http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=rzyqwdv.4ksxcmnv&x=0&h=1&y=795q1u&localeid=en_US We all joined up in Melbourne on April 30, 2008, for our OAT Australia tour. Melbourne city scape from memorial steps. Yes, it true, the picture below was taken when we were playing "peek aboo" with our tour guide who had to use the men's restroom in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens. We had Vincent stumped for the moment, upon his exit from the men's room, because we were all hiding behind this huge Ficus tree: Now where did that tour guide go? Vince Haberfield was his name. Vince give us a tour of Melbourne. "Nancy it's over there" We did some walking with Vince! Man, did we! This guy wasn't in our group, was he? Ned Kelly was his name. Judy and Jax off on another adventure. Judy and Nancy at the Melbourne museum. Chuck and Tom after a long day's work. On to Adelaide. Judy and Jax at Cleland Wildlife Park in Adelaide. Mary Ann and Jim with friend. Same "friend," different humans. The real star of the show. We liked this statue near the university. Nancy, too. He is from the South Torres islands just off the NE tip of Australia. Gave us a wonderful performance. We liked the migration museum in Adelaide. On the tram ride down to the beach town of Glenelg south of Adelaide. Nice evening in Glenelg. Sunset on the South Ocean Gulf of St. Vincent. Alice Springs from War Memorial Hill.
Video - Lookout Station in Alice Springs from previous picture Lest We Forget. The Southern Cross and the Commonwealth Star (six stares and the territories) on a blue field with the Union Flag in the upper hoist quarter -- The Australian National Flag. Alice Springs walk. All went to the Flying Doctor's museum. Tom and Nan to the Pioneer Women's museum. Telegraph Station at Alice Springs. Alec - our living historian at Alice Springs. Here is how it was .... Throw it like this, Chuck. What form Nancy!! The one of Tom throwing and having the returning boomerrang hitting his leg has been omitted to save his dignity. Did we win? Julia and Nancy go for a camel ride at bus stop on the way to Ayre's Rock. Cute aren't they? No, not the camels!! The Olgas (Kata Tjutas). Big rock formations near Uluru. Beautiful "high desert" landscape. Marilyn is having fun. "These are big!" Vince and Nancy all smiles. Ayers Rock (Uluru) just before sunset. Vince pours the drinks at our sunset "Rock" party. Jamille and Jax take it all in. (F)Nan, Julia, Wanda, Judy, Jax, (R)Tom, Jim, Mary Ann, Marilyn, Chuck, Jamille. Good food, good drink, good friends. The line up to make sure the Rock stays put. It did!! See the changing colors. Wanda helps herself to more goodies. For the record, we all had the expectation that the OAT guides were not supposed to imbibe while on duty; so we are not sure whether Vince was the exception or the rule and who enjoyed the champagne more. Looking good! Tom, Nancy, Marilyn, Chuck and the Rock Chuck and Tom .... and Uluru. Sunset on the desert. Nan's bucket list got shorter. SHE DID IT!!!! Helo flight over Ayers Rock at sunrise. Sunrise over the desert. See the dot --- that's Nancy! Ayers Rock is impressive. We walked around most of it. Vince is telling us that it was this big, but it got away. Keep those pesky flys off me!! Vince leads the way and Chuck has his trusted Sony camera ready. Tom couldn't go up the rock; so he jogged around the base --6 miles. All these images in the rock have special meanings to the Aboriginees. You gotta see it to believe it. Jamille sit-down strike during Vince's "walk around the Rock." Nice seat, I protest too. Let's all go on a sit-down strike. Read all about it. Port Douglas harbor. Our hotel. Sea Temple, in Port Douglas. Chuck did his laps, the rest of us had fun dog paddling around. Dinner at the Ironbar in Port Douglas. Wavedancer; our "ride" to the Great Barrier Reef. On our way to the Great Barrier Reef. Wild ride!! Low Isle where we snorkled, swam, glass boated and ate. Great scenery on/from the boat. Captain Tom is happy to be at sea. Meanwhile, back to the Barrier Reef and rainforrest pictures: Jim and his harem. Lives in Utah, you know. :-) Wanda wants to make sure she gets into the picture. This guy does get around. Mary Ann, are you watching? Final choice. And the winner is .... Mary Ann Wanda and Mary Ann enjoying the ride. Jim and Tom on the forecastle. Jax, Jamille and Judy taking it all in. Judy had a heck of fun time last night. Wonder what the other guy looks like? Marilyn and Chuck are a happy looking couple. Chuck working on Wanda's camara -- he got it fixed!! Nancy and Marilyn on the beach at Cape Tribulation. The Ferntree Lodge in Cape Tribulation. Capt. Cook named this Cape Tribulation after his ship went aground on the reef. Tom and Nancy in love. Oh, those tired feet! When does Vince want us to be ready for the next hike? Our nature cruise boat ride up Coopers Creek. Nice river --- except for the crocs. Unusual; a male and female together on the flat. He is over 800 pounds! Great picture of Jamille and Julia. Nice smile, Jamille. Don't get too close to the bank. A real rain forrest, and it rained. Yep it did! Tom and Nancy took shelter under a ---- what the heck is it? Our own spider at the Ferntree Lodge. 4-5 inches across. We named her Charlotte. aka Golden Orb. What's left of the hikers from Vince's last OAT group. The city --- Sydney! Sydney Opera House and Sydney bridge in background. Where lifeguarding started -- Bondi Beach. Bondi Beach -- we couldn't take pictures of the topless girls. Sob! No problem taking this picture on the beach. Aborigine instrument on the right is a didgeridoo. Yep, the Opera House again. Jax and Nancy living the good life. It's been a good day. Yes it has!! Two happy guys -- must have been to a pub along the way. Wanda looks ready to get the boat underway. Darling Harbour at night. From the bridge - Cicular Quay in the foreground and the city behind. From the bridge. The Sydney bridge at sunset. Another boat ride -- the ferry to Manly.

Good beer here --- and a little naval history, too. Speaking of which, here is one of Tom's favorite Aussie beer songs:



Looks like the General himself. We had our last OAT dinner here.


Video of interior of Lord Nelson's Pub

Our farewell dinner ending our OAT Australia tour. Great time was had by all. Good by Sydney. Nancy, Tom and the Koala.