Wines of Australia from the Hunter

The Hunter Valley Wine Journey is over.  We had 3 days in the Hunter Valley staying at the Crown Plaza Resort that were fantastic.  Only the weather did not cooperate - rain showers - and I did not get to lay out at the pool.  But oh well, it gave us more wine tasting time!  We officially toured & tasted Tyrell, Wyndham, Tamberlaine, Rosemount/Lindeman's (owned by Fosters Beer), Draytons, and Ivanhoe Wines.  By far the very best wine of the lot was a Shiraz by Wyndham called Black Cluster.  It was like drinking butter grape juice.  It sells for $65/bottle and is only available at the Winery in Australia. 

The other wineries were spectacular and each had their stars but all that I liked were not exported to the US.  We are bringing back a bottle of Black Cluster and some incredible Ports.  But we are limited to what we can import into the US duty free so decisionshad to be made.  Our bus tour was great fun.  We startoutas 17 strangers and by sunset we were 17 tipsy friends from all parts of the world - Ireland, Lebanon,Australia, England & Korea.  Of course we toasted the Royal Wedding at every wday inery.

When we returned I watched every moment of the Royal Wedding.  I thought  it was awesome & Cate was beautiful.

Yesterday (Sunday) we returned to WW to do our last laundry, wash Wayne's car, clean up the house & pack up our suitcases.  We did find a few moments to go down and feed the Kangaroos in Morriset.

So I am typing this my last Australian Adventure post while in my Sydney Airport Hotel.  Monty & I fly out in the morning to LA.  We are sad to leave Australia but know that our 7 weeks here have been a lifetime dream come true & we are ready to return to see our family & friends, our TV stations, our newspapers, and really good dirty martini.

"Yeah!!!  Obama caught bin Laden!!!

Thanks for following my Blog.  It made me feel closer to home when I wrote it and loved hearing that you were reading it and following my adventure and loving it!!!!!!!!!

Some of the Best in Australia



Best Looking Roo


These are only my opinions and not endorsed by the Australian Government!!  They are in no particular order:




Best Night Time View!



Best Concert Heard

Best Day At the Beach (Caves)

Best Way to See Uluru - Probably no Flies

Best Sunset

Best of the Dream Land - Uluru

Three Sisters Peaks with 3 Beautiful Cockatoos- Best Bird Visual

Best Blue Mts. View



Best Koala Petting Experience





Best Uggs



One or The Best Aussie Cities - Brisbane

On the Way to The Best Climb About

Best Spectacular Day & View (Easter Sunday 2011)

Best View from the Top of the Bridge

The Best Roo

Best Water Fall in the Rainforest

Absolutely the Best Aussie Baby Face - Ivy

Best Beach Butts

Best Lunch plus a beer & a Shandy

Best Bit of Scotland

Best Road Sign



Best Mail Box



Best Altruistic Organization

Best Caring People

Best All Time Fun

Best Thing I have ever done!

When I Die!!!!

I know that is a morbid way to start out a Blog but it goes like this!!

When I die and go to that great unknown (you may call it Heaven), I hope that I land in the same place that Aaron Neville, The Blind Brothers of Alabama and Mavis Staples sing Gospel music.  Hearing them at the Sydney Opera House was truly spectacular  & it may have been as close to heaven as I will ever get.  The place rocked.  A real revival meeting!!!!  We weren't supposed to take pictures but I got 1 of Aaron before they yelled at me.  Hard to believe that 3,000 people in Australia truly enjoy American Gospel music but I am here to testify.  We even met people that flew in from Perth.  

Sydney Bridge Climb Happened Today

I woke up to superb weather in Sydney.  Not only was it Easter Sunday but the sun was shining bright, there were zero clouds in the sky and the temperature at the highest point on the Bridge was 70 degrees F.  Sail boats were out in the Harbor and the views were stupendous!!!!!!!!

My guide, Liam, took great care of me since I was the elder of the group & the only single on the "Great Adventure".   I walked approx 2 miles from start to finish, climbed 1,437 steps and stood at the highest arch at 252.5 meters or 1.6 miles.  It was exhilarating, challenging at some levels extremely freeing.  My confidence in my physical capabilities grew tenfold.  I lead the group of 12 and never fell back or hesitated on the climb.

The Bridge Climb, Inc. people thought of everything about the safety of the climb.  At no point do you feel unsafe or unloved.  I was so pumped  after the climb that I walked back to the hotel (another 3 miles) from the Rock. 

I am back in my hotel room safe & sound.  Tomorrow is Aaron Neville at the Sydney Opera House :) :)

For All My Girlfriends!!!!!



Two Cheekie Aussies on Bondi Beach:)  

 We went to Bodi Beach just outside of Sydney today. It was rainy during the morning but I didn't miss snapping this wonderful pic for all my "Girlfiends"!  You are very welcome!!!!!!!!!!