After, checked in at the hotel, realized that I only have a day and a half in Sydney. I wanted to plan myself well.
I was gonna go to Tangaroo Zoo, but it closed due to the installment of cable car until Aug25th. I still cant see no kangaroos, no koala bear.
I walked to Opera house. walked around sydney harbor for lunch. Went up to Sydney tower (highest building in Sydney) to take a look around sydney in 360*.
Walked around Central sydney, with Victoria building, a lot of churches. Walked by Sydney hospital.
My impression of Sydney is: Like NYC, and I saw a lot of resembling of London.
The next morning, i took the bus to go to Wildlife zoo, where I saw a lot of koala bears, and a lot of Kangaroos. When I went back I took the ferry (intentionally to go to Daring Harbor, but I ended up took the wrong one). However I later walked to Daring harbor and walk back to hotel.
Took a 2nd ferry to go to manly beach and had dinner with Tim and his wife on Manly beach and took ferry back watch Sydney at night.
Next morning I woke up at 5am wanting to watch sun rise over Harbor bridge. It wasn't until 6h45 am that the sun was up, but with the beautiful view of sunrise over Sydney and Opera house, I ended my trip in Sydney, with impression that Sydney surprised me every second.
I flew back to the state Sat morning in Sydney and get back to the State Sat morning in the State.
Knowing that there is no more trip anytime soon, i feel a little bit sad. But I'm glad to sleep on my own bed tonight.
I think it's time to put thoughts into the next trip on X-mas. (if I ever have time off again).
Life is good 'till next time :-)
Showing posts with label Traveling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Traveling. Show all posts
August 6, 2011
August 1, 2011
Australia trip-Port douglas-Brisbane
Day 3: Not much happening on day three since i was gonna gone to town in the afternoon to do some browsing around! However i spent all afternoon put myself back together.( it was sad day)
I came back after poster session! Talked to Lan Anh about everything around my life then when to bed
Day 4:
After all the talk in the morning we went to DanTree rain forest! I didnt appreciate the rain forest that much since you know i've seen better! In compare with Cuc Phuong national park, this is nothing! I didnt see any big scary animals or colorful trees like i hoped. All i saw was green trees, well to be honest i do come to apprecitate green now after living in arizona for too long. we only saw some turkeys, buterflies, and one big bird that i cant name. However do enjoin the nice walk, nice talk with young Romanian guy came from UC berkeley (abt his korean fiancee'). Later on i found out that he has quite characters.
That night Tim and i went over my slides, fixed here and there, and gave a lot and a lot of practice.
Day 5:
We only had 2 talks on wednesday in the morning and we all boarded to go out to the sailing cruise to go to the great barrier reef.
We only went out to Low Isles. I did try snorkeling, but it didnt work for me. I sank like a stone. I was never good in water :-((. At least, i've done what i promised to Nikki (tried snorkeling). I later went on those glass boats that they provided and looked at the corals, turtles, some fishes.
After the boat, i took a walk through the island (which took me literally 10 mins). But the view is really beautiful. I took some corals home (with Tim's helps), because i'm not supposed to do so :-s! But coral is so pretty, and it's from great barrier reef. So i cant help.
Day 6:
Rather long but very important day, Because there are presentations all day, and most it was the day that i have to present. I think i did pretty well in terms of delivery the info, the length of the materials, and at least nobody is sleeping.
Later on i got compliments from John Maier (who Tim said very rare on his compliments), Andrews ellis (i will have to check his name later) (chair of my session), and some other ppl told Tim that i did a good job. I think i made Tim proud.
In the evening, we went to crocodile farm for the banquet! I saw one is huge (5m crocodile) just imagine only me in the wild with him, guess who would win in that battle?
I did try some crocodile meat! To be honest i didnt like it that much. It tasted like chicken but a little bit more sour! I think i still prefer steak.
Day 7:
I woke up at 5:40am went to the beach hoping to catch some sunrise, however it was a cloudy day. So i missed out
It was rather very short day. We only attended the first session b/c Bob Field was giving the talk. Tim and I skiped the last session to went to town for Tim to get some cash, get the car, and for me to buy some stamps, sending my postcards, buying the fridge magnets for my fridge (it's kinda the hobby of me that every place i go traveling, i bought little magnet for the fridge)!
Just before we left, my ZrO2 paper on JPC got accepted. Im so glad. Just some minor corrections.
We checked out of the hotel, ha lunch and now currently on the road!
The town we r staying is Townsville.
Day 8:
We went to coffee place in townsville, then did a little hike up to castle hill in townvilles then back to driving.
We had a little picnic for lunch on a beach at a little town called Bowen. The park was nice and the beach was amazing.
On the drive we saw a lot of sugar canes and sugar mills.
Australia country side is very flat. It reminds me a little bit of everwhere i've been.
The weather is perfect! They seem complaining that is cold, but 25*C, i have nothing to say. Way much better than 47*C in Phoenix.
We will see how far we could go today.
Day 8:
We ended up staying at Sarina beach last night. After, asking at one hotel where there is no vacancy at, and one hotel is closed (for business) we stayed at a very weird bed and breakfast. The onwer has a huge dog, about half of my height.
The town is also very weird because they say it's high season, but we saw no tourist wondering around. There is only one take away restaurant and it's closed at 7:30pm on a saturday night. It seems like a ghost town to me:-s. We had a clear look at a southern sky last night as well, boys, this is a first time i had a clear look at a milky way. Appearently, the northern sky and the southern sky are so much different and the sky is limit at where we stand.
Now of to the road we go. We r trying to get as far as we cant today.
We stopped at Gladstone trying to get something for lunch. But we learned from that experience it's Sunday, everything is closed. Off the road we go again. We made reservations at Hervey bay. Only one more night until Melbourne.
Day 9:
we got a little walk at Hervey bay last night and i like the beach more than any place that I've been.
I got some more corals for Nikki. The weather is actually colder as we get down south. but i feel perfectly fine. After some coffee and little walk at hervey bay, we off to brisbane.
After checking in at the hotel in brisbane and some lunch. Got rest and Tim drove me to the airport to go to Melbourne in the evening. I finally got some internet at the airport and finally get to publish this
I came back after poster session! Talked to Lan Anh about everything around my life then when to bed
Day 4:
After all the talk in the morning we went to DanTree rain forest! I didnt appreciate the rain forest that much since you know i've seen better! In compare with Cuc Phuong national park, this is nothing! I didnt see any big scary animals or colorful trees like i hoped. All i saw was green trees, well to be honest i do come to apprecitate green now after living in arizona for too long. we only saw some turkeys, buterflies, and one big bird that i cant name. However do enjoin the nice walk, nice talk with young Romanian guy came from UC berkeley (abt his korean fiancee'). Later on i found out that he has quite characters.
That night Tim and i went over my slides, fixed here and there, and gave a lot and a lot of practice.
Day 5:
We only had 2 talks on wednesday in the morning and we all boarded to go out to the sailing cruise to go to the great barrier reef.
We only went out to Low Isles. I did try snorkeling, but it didnt work for me. I sank like a stone. I was never good in water :-((. At least, i've done what i promised to Nikki (tried snorkeling). I later went on those glass boats that they provided and looked at the corals, turtles, some fishes.
After the boat, i took a walk through the island (which took me literally 10 mins). But the view is really beautiful. I took some corals home (with Tim's helps), because i'm not supposed to do so :-s! But coral is so pretty, and it's from great barrier reef. So i cant help.
Day 6:
Rather long but very important day, Because there are presentations all day, and most it was the day that i have to present. I think i did pretty well in terms of delivery the info, the length of the materials, and at least nobody is sleeping.
Later on i got compliments from John Maier (who Tim said very rare on his compliments), Andrews ellis (i will have to check his name later) (chair of my session), and some other ppl told Tim that i did a good job. I think i made Tim proud.
In the evening, we went to crocodile farm for the banquet! I saw one is huge (5m crocodile) just imagine only me in the wild with him, guess who would win in that battle?
I did try some crocodile meat! To be honest i didnt like it that much. It tasted like chicken but a little bit more sour! I think i still prefer steak.
Day 7:
I woke up at 5:40am went to the beach hoping to catch some sunrise, however it was a cloudy day. So i missed out
It was rather very short day. We only attended the first session b/c Bob Field was giving the talk. Tim and I skiped the last session to went to town for Tim to get some cash, get the car, and for me to buy some stamps, sending my postcards, buying the fridge magnets for my fridge (it's kinda the hobby of me that every place i go traveling, i bought little magnet for the fridge)!
Just before we left, my ZrO2 paper on JPC got accepted. Im so glad. Just some minor corrections.
We checked out of the hotel, ha lunch and now currently on the road!
The town we r staying is Townsville.
Day 8:
We went to coffee place in townsville, then did a little hike up to castle hill in townvilles then back to driving.
We had a little picnic for lunch on a beach at a little town called Bowen. The park was nice and the beach was amazing.
On the drive we saw a lot of sugar canes and sugar mills.
Australia country side is very flat. It reminds me a little bit of everwhere i've been.
The weather is perfect! They seem complaining that is cold, but 25*C, i have nothing to say. Way much better than 47*C in Phoenix.
We will see how far we could go today.
Day 8:
We ended up staying at Sarina beach last night. After, asking at one hotel where there is no vacancy at, and one hotel is closed (for business) we stayed at a very weird bed and breakfast. The onwer has a huge dog, about half of my height.
The town is also very weird because they say it's high season, but we saw no tourist wondering around. There is only one take away restaurant and it's closed at 7:30pm on a saturday night. It seems like a ghost town to me:-s. We had a clear look at a southern sky last night as well, boys, this is a first time i had a clear look at a milky way. Appearently, the northern sky and the southern sky are so much different and the sky is limit at where we stand.
Now of to the road we go. We r trying to get as far as we cant today.
We stopped at Gladstone trying to get something for lunch. But we learned from that experience it's Sunday, everything is closed. Off the road we go again. We made reservations at Hervey bay. Only one more night until Melbourne.
Day 9:
we got a little walk at Hervey bay last night and i like the beach more than any place that I've been.
I got some more corals for Nikki. The weather is actually colder as we get down south. but i feel perfectly fine. After some coffee and little walk at hervey bay, we off to brisbane.
After checking in at the hotel in brisbane and some lunch. Got rest and Tim drove me to the airport to go to Melbourne in the evening. I finally got some internet at the airport and finally get to publish this
July 23, 2011
Australia (day 3): Port Douglas
The room was cold so I turned on the heater. I woke up because of the jetlag, I was so hungry because I didn’t have any dinner and mostly because I can’t breathe anymore. Cant fall back to sleep so I decided to make some coffee and stayed up.
We went to breakfast at sometimes around 7am, met some big shot ppl like the guy at Boulder, Colorado who is working with Obama (:-S), met the organizer of the conference.
We decided that we took a walk to 4 miles beach to Port Douglas village. Boyz, I’m telling you. I’ve been to Florida beach, California beach, Nha Trang beach, Da Nang beach, but this place is amazing, you would fall in love with it the first time you see it (like I did). The walk to town was absolutely perfect; I took my feet off just to put my feet in the water. It didn’t even smell like sea at all.
We went to town to get some grocery, I bought a hat and a short and a beach hat for me because I didn’t pack any (since I thought it’s going to be winter in Australia, but the place is warm enough and the water temperature is 22*C.
It’s Sunday in Australia so they have a little market at the town village. We took the rail road back to the resort and it was hot outside.
After taking a litter rest, we went down to the pool where I wore my 2 pieces (my shirt and my short) deep my feet in the water. Listen to some music and read “Chuyen tinh paris”.
After finished resister for the conference, Tim and I realized that my Hot topic presentation would be with some big shot ppl. Wow the pressure is on me to give the best talk. I don’t want to embarrass Tim in front of those ppl right?
It’s good until tomorrow, I still have to figure out what I want to do tmr afternoon yet. We will see what happen.
(I will update the pic later)
July 22, 2011
Australia (day 1 and 2): The travel has begun.
After a good practice on my presentation, we left the lab sometimes in the afternoon to go home and get ready for the trip. We were supposed to meet at the gate at the airport to fly to LA. Our flight didn’t leave until 6h50 and unlike other trip which I always plan myself at the airport right before the plane leave, this time I got to the airport early. The flight to LA is short and sweet as always.
The flight traffic in LA is crazy, we didn’t fly out of terminal 5 like usually, we flew out of terminal 3 with V Australia, somehow the seat assignment got so screwed up so I ended up sitting in row 38 (still an aisle which my favorites). I felt to sleep right before the plane departed, and woke up 8 hours later, finished watching a movie I started before falling to sleep and felt to sleep again while watching a second. I had good 12 hours of sleep.
We got into Sydney airport 6h30am in the morning. Sydney airport was crazy crowded since the plane from LA to Melbourne deferred landing to Sydney because some fogging situation. Custom was easy but baggage claims was very confusing. We transferred our bags to Virgin Australia and then on the bus to go to Domestic terminal.
We didn’t plan the trip so well and we thought the customs could take longer than that so the next plane didn’t leave until 2pm. We spent half of the day in the airport, where we got some currency exchange for Tim and Teresa, got some SIM Card for me to call my best friend in Melbourne.
1st impression of Australia that everything is more expensive than in America, I eat some noodles for breakfast and some tempura udon for lunch (which I paid about 15.50 and 12 Aud respectively). I like to eat some noodles soup when I’m a long journey because It helps me recovery fast.
We finally boarded around 2h15pm and for the whole time Tim blamed himself for not planning the trip so well. We got to Cairns around 6pm. The whole area is like Mexico, Florida, and California combination. 1st impression would be ppl here drove on the right side so the bus driver has to correct us that we should get on the van from the left but not on the right. Since we got to Cairns a little bit later during the day, so we missed out the beautiful drive from Cairns to Port Douglas, but I can tell that the place is beautiful. The bus driver was from New Zealand who retired at his 40. Now, he set up the bus driving business from Cairns to Port Douglas and only work for the peak season which is like now. My impression of him is he talks too much (seriously, if I complain that he talks too much, he definitely is talking too much)
We got to our resort a little bit after 8pm. After getting our room, we deadly tired after 2 days of traveling from the States to Port Douglas. Our eyes can’t be opened so we took a little shower and went straight to bed. They give us a really nice apartment (suite) with Tim and Teresa on the big room and I’m on a shared bed room with some other. The suite has burner, stove, and microwave and dish washer. That was a pretty good deal for just 60$/day. The suite is at the back of the resort where I can sit at the balcony and look to the forest.
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