Our friends the David Hoys (Anne Wallerius) not only move around the US, and take train trips from Coast to Coast, but now we have the report of their latest venture . . . a trip aboard the QE2 to down under!! (I didn't even know the QE2 went to Australia . . . but it does) I say, it must be the MOST fun of all just to be aboard that floating luxury . . . but what do I know?? Here's the beginning of the . . . AUSTRALIAN TRIP ABOARD THE QE2 by Dave and Anne Hoy William Bryson's In A Sunburnt Country describes Australia in general, although not completely. For an American, it is an entertaining, well-diagnosed treatise of the more important and recognized features. Australians take minor exception to the work in saying it doesn't quite give the country its just dues. However, it remains a good description of what to expect, and what to look out for. Not all Australians talk like Paul Hogan of Crocodile Dundee, but most have the inflection you expect to hear. The purest spoken language comes from the Melbourne and Adelaide areas that are more cosmopolitan. People from Sydney have a variety of speech patterns, and particularly those who hail from just north of Sydney are almost unintelligible. Bob Propol of ABC (Australian Broadcasting Co.), a table partner aboard the QE2, noticed my difficulty. He is from the area north of Sydney and told me that, in order to talk Australian, it is necessary to keep the upper lip stiff and just move the lower jaw! (Ed. note: I tried it...not easy!) In my opinion Australians don't eat well. They think otherwise, however. Also, it is impossible to order a vodka martini on the rocks with olives that doesn't taste like vermouth. In resignation, order a glass of vodka, and doctor it up from there. The beer is excellent, costs $3. Aus./pint. Most pubs serve Victoria Bitters,, a dark, heavy brew. Australians have weird taste in food. They swear by Vegemite, and a thin biscuit called Wheatbix used for breakfast food. They seem to enjoy mixing vegetables, cheeses and dips that just don't mix very well. It may not be all bad. You don't see many F A T Australians! We had a luncheon at the SALOPIAN INN in McLarenvale. The menu so fascinated me that I had to bring it back. I had the pan-fried sweetbreads out of curiosity, but there was no comparison to my mother's ala Newburg of depression days. (Ed. note: Menu below...can you decipher it??) Australians and Americans get along well. They are forthcoming, story-telling, jocular, and use and make up slang expressions. They are fun and caring and love to show off their country. Our problem was not enough time. In Sydney, at the ferry docks, we were asked by a lone gentleman, "Were we from the ship QE2?". He just wanted to welcome us to his country. On board the QE2, we met a couple, Ken and Penny Scardifield, while watching the kiwi sailboat Black Magic practicing for America's Cup, and we were graciously taken to the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron by them. Penny is Deputy Mayor of North Sydney, and Ken is a steady crew member in the cruising division, and participates in the Sydney-Hobart race. We promise to tell you more about this trip AND the QE2 in the next issue of the NEWSLETTER!! -The Hoys- On to Part 4   |   Back to Part 1 (Or use the "Back" button) Newsletter Home Page