I am back from my 4-week trip in Australia

I am back in Vancouver, BC, and back to work. And hard to find time to
organize my ten thoushandspicture.

And I start writing my own travellog. It is here.
If you are having troubles with the link above, please try this link.
The Australian portion not yet started. I just finished the pre-trip part!
I started from Oct 10. On Oct 13, we caught the flight. On Oct 14, we waste no time and visited Narita, a lovely historial Japanese town while we were proposed in transit!

Enjoyable time in Narita

Landing off to Tokyo

We had seven hour free either at the airport or at the town. Of course, we chose the town!

The customs people say we should line in another queue for transit. But we expressed strong interest to go to the town. And he says yes, "you got lots of time.
The historical town of Nairta was just 10mins from the airport.

We took the Keisei railway to go there ($250).

There was ceremony and performance to celebrate the birth of Nairta town. And lots of school kids carry some "fishing rods" (for performance?)

We at first could not find the historical street. And we went to a donut shop to eat noodle! It was the first ever microwaved wild veggie noodle I purchase. Taste okay, but small in quantity.

By the time we hit the historical street the celebration was close to the end. I want to visit the temple, but mom was to afraid to follow the street as it was very dark and shops are closing.
One thing worth to mention is that the cars of Narita were cutely small. I want one!

We get to a noodle shop (on the historical street) again when time is close to 8. Many western travelers were there. Unfortunately, the noodle was not authentic Japanese. We were quite disappointed.
See my photo album!
http://iconhatch.tripod.com/pretrip.html

Moreton Island: Ready for dolphin feeding - Moreton Island, Australia

Moreton Island: Ready for dolphin feeding - Moreton Island, Australia

Moreton Island, Australia

Actually, Fraser Island was high on my wish list. However, we were very short of time. Not even bear the time to transport to Harvery Bay from Brisbane.

So Moreton Island is our next best.
We did sand sliding and dolphin feeding all in one day.

Back from Oz

I returned from my first ever big trip last week. And still suffer from jet lag.
Australia is a big country. But the major cities are very comparable to North America's. Like the road signs, buildings, shops, etc. Maybe both of them were British colonies.

Australis Trip 2006

Visit my uncles in Gold Coast and Sydney. Will see Cairns, Alice Spring, Uluru, Adelaide, Great Ocean Road, and Melbourne en-route. See Narita in transit.

www.travelpod.com/members/annchou
Itinerary
1. Oct 07, 2006, Saturday
Last weekend before departure for Brisbane
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

2. Oct 07, 2006, Saturday
Booking flight from Melbourne to Sydney
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

3. Oct 08, 2006, Sunday
Still planning!
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

4. Oct 10, 2006, Wednesday
3 days from departure
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

5. Oct 10, 2006, Wednesday
Re: 3 days from departure
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

6. Oct 13, 2006, Friday
Flying out to Narita, Japan
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

7. Oct 14, 2006, Saturday
In Transit. Waste no time to visit Narita, Japan
Narita, Japan


8. Oct 15, 2006, Sunday ...
Arrive Brisbane
Brisbane, Australia

9. Oct 16, 2006, Monday
Moreton Island: Ready for dolphin feeding
Moreton Island, Australia


10. Oct 19, 2006, Thursday ...
Leave Brisbane for Cairns
Cairns, Australia


11. Oct 23, 2006, Monday ...
Leave Cairns for Alice Spring
Alice Spring, Australia

12. Oct 24, 2006, Tuesday ...
3.5 day Red Center Tour
Uluru, Australia


13. Oct 27, 2006, Friday ...
2 day Groovy Grape from Alice Spring to Adelaide
Alice Spring, Australia


14. Oct 30, 2006, Monday ...
Arrive Adelaide
Adalaide, Australia

15. Oct 31, 2006, Tuesday ...
3 day Great Ocean Road, Grampian to Melbourne
Adelaide, Australia

16. Nov 02, 2006, Thursday ...
Arrive Melbourne
Melbourne, Australia

17. Nov 03, 2006, Friday ...
Philip Island
Philip Island, Australia

18. Nov 04, 2006, Saturday ...
Arrive Sydney
Sydney, Australia

19. Nov 07, 2006, Tuesday ...
Leave Sydney
Sydney, Australia

20. Nov 07, 2006, Tuesday ...
Arrive Narita
Narita, Japan

21 Back to home

Last Day of True North-Waterton 4 days tour

Today is our last night at Waterton lake. We had two great hike at wateron: Crypt lake and Carthew-anderson, respectively 16km and 20km. Both have great scenery and snow up here.
Tomorrow I will take greyhound back home
Ann.

Quoting ann

> Itinerary of True North - Waterton 4 day tour
>
> Sept 9 Vancouver --> Sept 10 Lake Louise (greyhound)
> Bus leave 06:45 pm arrive 08:00 am
>
> Location Arrives Departs Layover Carrier
Schedule Stop Remarks
>
> VANCOUVER, BC 06:45pm GLC 0006 P+D
> COQUITLAM, BC 07:15pm 07:15pm GLC 0006 P+D
> CHILLIWACK, BC 08:15pm 08:25pm :10 GLC 0006 P+D
> HOPE, BC 09:00pm 09:00pm GLC 0006
> MERRITT, BC 10:35pm 10:35pm GLC 0006 P+D
> KAMLOOPS, BC 11:35pm 12:15am :40 GLC 0006 RS,P+D
> CHASE, BC 12:50am 12:50am GLC 0006 D
> SORRENTO, BC 01:02am 01:02am GLC 0006 D
> SALMON ARM, BC 01:35am 01:35am GLC 0006 P+D
> SICAMOUS, BC 02:00am 02:00am GLC 0006 P+D
> REVELSTOKE, BC 03:00am 03:15am :15 GLC 0006 P+D,RS
> ROGERS PASS GLACIER, BC 04:05am 04:05am GLC 0006 P+D
> GOLDEN, BC 06:10am 06:35am :25 GLC 0006 RS
> FIELD JCT, BC 07:20am 07:20am GLC 0006 F
> LAKE LOUISE JCT, AB 08:00am 08:00am GLC 0006 P+D
> BANFF, AB 08:45am 08:50am :05 GLC 0006 RS,P+D
> CANMORE, AB 09:15am 09:15am GLC 0006
> COCHRANE, AB 10:10am 10:10am GLC 0006 D
> CALGARY, AB 10:30am
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------
> Sept 10-11 Stay : Hi Lake Louise Alpine Center
> htLakeLouiseAlpine/Hostels/index.html
> Village Road Box 115 Lake Louise, Alberta T0L 1E0
> 403) 670-7580 (Central Res), (403) 522-2202 (hostel) / 1(866) 762-4122
> (Northe America)
>
> GiddyGoat 403-609-9992 or 1-866-go-giddy
> Lake Louise Taxi & Tours PhoNE: (403) 522-2020
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------
> Sept 12: Lake Louise --> Banff (greyhound)
> Lake Louise Jct Banff
> 03:25am 04:15am 0h, 50m 0 GLC 0002
> 08:00am 08:45am 0h, 45m 0 GLC 0006
> 04:35pm 05:20pm 0h, 45m 0 GLC 0004
> 08:10pm 09:00pm 0h, 50m 0 GLC 0062
>
> Brewster PhoNE: (403) 762-6767 You may also book an Airport transfer by
> calling 1-800-661-1152.
> Lake Louise (Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise) 06:45 10:45 17:15
> Lake Louise (Lake Louise Inn) 06:55 10:55

> Lake Louise (Samson Mall) 07:00 11:00 17:30
> Banff (Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel) 08:05 12:00 15:45 19:00
> Banff (Mount Royal Hotel) 08:15 12:10 15:50 19:10
> Banff (Brewster Transportation Centre) 08:30 12:30 16:00 19:30
>
>
> StAY: Hi Banff Alpine Center
> the Banff HI for the night of 12 September. Your
> booking number is 49017
> htBanffAlpineCentre/Hostels/index.html
> Box 1358, 801 Coyote Drive (on Tunnel Mountain Road) Banff, Alberta T1L 1B3
> 403-670-7580 (Central Res), 403-762-4123 (hostel) / 1(866) 762-4122
> ____________________________________________________
> Sept 13: Banff -->Waterton
>
> True North Tour
> > > > We've booked you a seat on our Tuesday September 13, Waterton Lakes 4 day tour.
> > > > >
> > > > > The total cost is C$260 (you received a $20 'HI/YHA( members discount') On the way to and from Waterton we will visit the Head-Smashed -in interpretive centre, Frank Slide and the Bar-U historic ranch site, there is an entry fee at both places, which is not included in your tour cost.
> > > > >
> > > > > There are generally some extra cost activities available at places in the Park we will visit such as Cameron Lake (Kayaking/Canoeing). Prices for any optional activities you choose such as Horse riding, rafting, or Canoeing are not included in the tour price.
> > > > >
> > > > > The tour price includes 2 evening meals (The one evening meal not included in the tour cost, we will go to a caf? or pizza shop in Waterton Village for an inexpensive meal) Basic breakfast, and sandwich makings for lunches are also included. Wemake the meals at the hostels together as a group. You will have a chance to buy any food items we don't supply. This will be explained by your guide after we pick you up.
> > > > >
> > > > > True North Tours 1-888-464-4842 (403) 934 5972
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------