A wondrous variety to see Down Under

Adelyn Klarin

My 30-year dream came true when I visited Australia and New

Zealand in December. My husband and 24 friends from University

Synagogue traveled to Australia and New Zealand.

I was surprised by how modern the cities were. Many original

buildings had been restored next to new modern skyscrapers. I think I

could find anything I wanted at the colorful shopping centers. The

Elizabeth Market was open air with clothes and produce side by side

like our swap meet. I was thrilled with my purchases. The fleece

jacket I bought kept me very warm at the end of our trip and it was

such a bargain.

Also, the cities had many parks, great many trees and beautiful

flower gardens. The people were so kind, polite and they were happy

to see us.

One thrill was seeing our childhood friend in Sydney. We had

promised her we would visit for the last 30 years and we finally made

it. She and her young family settled in Australia from the United

States in the ‘70s. She lives in the Blue Mountain region two hours

outside Sydney.

She picked us up and gave us a great tour. She took us to some of

her favorite places -- grand view of the Opera House and the Sydney

Harbour Bridge, as well as Bondi Beach. She said when she arrived in

Sydney over 30 years ago, it was a very provincial city with few

restaurants -- food was very English-style. Today, Sydney is an

international port city with a wide variety of restaurants and

cultures.

Our friend took us to the fish market area next to the harbor. The

fish is so fresh. The daily catch brings in as many as 60 varieties

of seafood. So many we had never seen. Visiting this area is a must.

We stopped to eat fresh Barramundi fish for lunch. A local fish and

so good. We also saw people who pay $125 to walk on the top of

Harbour Bridge.

We also went to New Zealand. We saw the North and South islands.

The country is a nature’s wonderland. The South Island has unspoiled

landscapes with its mountains, rivers, lakes, forests, fiords and

glaciers. The views are breathtaking. Lake Wanaka is sometimes called

the “Matterhorn of New Zealand.” The wild flowers were violet, pink,

white and yellow next to clear blue lakes.

Beautiful cities, gardens, scenery, kind and generous people,

great food -- this is what we found in Australia and New Zealand.

Can’t wait to return!

* ADELYN KLARIN is a 32-year Newport Beach resident.

* TRAVEL TALES runs on Sundays. Have you, or someone you know,

gone on an interesting vacation recently? Tell us about your

adventures in about 400 words, accompanied by a couple of photos to

choose from that do not have the Daily Pilot in them, and send them

to Travel Tales, 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627; or e-mail

[email protected]; or fax to (949) 646-4170.