~Day 4 in Sydney: Wine-tasting @ Hunter Valley~
Today we experienced a "high-class" style of tour - Wine Tasting @ Hunter Valley. Basically we 2 are not that into alcoholic drinks or wine-&-fine dining kind of lifestyle. But if we missed out visiting the wineries of Australia, it will be a great loss! So we went ahead for this trip.
At our 1st stop - The Lindeman's Winery, we got to taste a variety of red and white wines. Can't finish after a sip or two, so we quickly poured away in the bucket provided for us to throw it away after tasting. Most of the Asians (Japanese, Hongkongers, Filippinoes) can't finish their wines, while the Caucasians finished clean clean.
Next we went to the Hunter Valley where we had a guided tour on the process of wine-making. The grapes are still in the midst of growing stage, so we don't actually get to see the whole process. Its more of an information-guide tour. Once we stepped into the factories where they process the grapes and yeast, there was a tint of the smell of wine. There were no workers in the factories. Maybe its the off-peak season since the grapes were not ripe yet? Afterwhich, we went to the restaurant for our lunch and wine-tasting. Placed in front of us are 4 different glassess of wine (2 white, 2 red) and each is to match different type of dishes. The 4 types of dishes are: Smoked Ocean Trout, Caesar Salad, Penne Pasta and Roasted Beef. The foods are very delicately done and heavenly to the tongue. I like the smoked ocean trout best, matched with the white wine. Its indeed a very different and special experience for both of us.
Lastly we went to the Hunter Valley Gardens where it was like a small town with a church (held many weddings there. The backdrop inside the church is simply unbelivably beautiful and enchanting..How I wish I could get married at that church!),m many small shops such as Sweets shop, Chocolate shops, Toy shops, X'mas accessories shop, Ice-cream outlet, cafe etc.. I love the small towns best.. Each has its own individual personality, and it is peaceful yet merry. Always wished I could spend more time in the small towns, instead of only being there for transit period (lunches, dinners).
Poor Dear, he started to get ill and kept sniffing away.
~Day 5 in Sydney: Australian Reptile Park & Dolphin Watching @ Port Stephens~
Dear didn't get well for the day, but we still have to go for the Dolphin Watching trip today.
We first went to the Australian Reptile Park (not really interest us as we are not reptile-lovers) and took a walk inside the park. Saw big old mama Turtle, cute black Tasmania Devil darting around, and a few koala bears.
Lunch was provided at the Moonshadow Cruise @ Port Stephens where we had "sumptous lunch buffet". Its not really that "sumptous" thou they are delicious and fulfilling. Its not really a "buffet" cuz they kept everything away after around an hour's time? After finishing our lunch, we went to the highest deck and wait for the curise to depart from the harbour and proceed with our Dolphin Watching of the Day. Disappointed to say, that we only managed to catch a glimpse of one or two dolphins when we started the journey. Everyone on board were hoping to see more in the deeper waters as the weather for that afternoon was fantastic! Hot sun, bright weather, clear blue skies.. but... we didn't get to see any more dolphins on the way to and fro. Very very disappointed and we felt the money paid was kinda wasted... sigh... Maybe we should go Sentosa instead. hahaha.. look at the well-trained dolphins instead of the ones in the wild...
Along the way back, there was this cheeky idiotic Ang moh from a nearby yet far beach, pulled down his pants and shoved us his bare ass. Idiotic. Duno why was he doing that.
Well, since the dolphins refused to come out to play, we had no choice but to go back to the city. Another infuriating event happened during dinner time. We decided to have dinner at the cafe near our hotel lobby, given that the cafe looked kinda empty with only a few diners. After ordering our food, we sat there waiting. Few more people came in (all are ang-mohs, only 2 of us are Asians). Our orders didn't come despite waiting for very long, yet the couple who came after us, got their starters and main courses served one after another!!!!! Thunder, lighting, everything just happened inside my head... How could they treat us in that way!!! My face turned black, arms folded in front, while I still kept quiet about it. The boss (who seemed to be a Spanish), came over and apologised that the kitchen staff missed our order slip so to give them another 5 more minutes. Then we waited again. 5 mins gone, 10 mins gone, 15 mins gone... Where is our food!?!? The boss came over again and said he is very sorry about it, and dinner is on him! But hey, we have the money and capability to pay, what makes you think that by treating us dinner, we would not feel "discriminated"? Anyway, to let go of the whole matter, we accepted his proposal. Did he really feel apologetic as what he said on his mouth? I am not that sure. *shrugs*
~Last Day in Sydney: Seafood feast @ Sydney Fish Market & Sayonara...~
After reading so many entries and looking at hundreds of pictures, guess my readers are bored by now.. So now its the finale of our journey in Australia!
We woke up at 9 a.m. and went to the Sydney Fish Market for fresh sashimi and seafood platter. A breezing cold morning as we stood outside the various fish market stalls. The sashimi is really cheap there and we juz ate once we bought it! Fresh! Then as we still had some time before we need to go the airport, we were walking around in the city and I managed to buy some clothes!
Soon, its time to depart Sydney and to our Home Sweet Home. We will miss Australia...
