#13 - Quirks, Oddities and Interesting Differences in Oz

Several hundred years ago the British colonized both what became The United States  of America and Australia, that is a fact. So why do Australians sound like Brits when Americans clearly either never adopted or lost the accent? We can't come up with one good reason! 

We understand their thing for the Queen, just as we get that after we won the revolution, we didn't exactly invite British royalty to come over for ribbon cuttings or throwing out the first ball at the home opener. The Aussies still somewhat celebrate British royalty. 

But the list of other interesting differences is worth a half a blog. 

So.....

Why is it they seem to love American music but are inclined towards European design from light switches to kitchen appliances? 

    

                                                               

Why are all the beds low to the ground with wheels directly attached to the box spring....no legs at all ...while in the States, we have deeper and deeper mattresses and bed risers?

Why are their cities and towns so spotlessly clean when there are almost no trash receptacles on the street?

Why do all their beach towels have heavy cotton fringe like the French?

They eat KFC and McDonalds, the worst of all American food, but haven't caught on to how to make a great NY style or wood fired pizza?

Here are a bunch more Aussie oddities-

Their bed pillows have use-by dates.....??

                                                     

The favorite flavor for potato chips  is chicken.

                                                           

Why do all the pineapples in the market have their tops cut off?

Why are the newspapers more than twice the width of ours with half the news and and quadruple the gossip? (Anyone thinking Ruppert Murdock?  British tabloids?)

Why do they have the latest technology like electric roller shades on balconies and windows but the worst internet- slow and sparse? Very little free Wi-Fi.

Why have they adopted glass everything from staircase bannisters to balconies panels to shower walls to kitchen back splashes...you can't find a shower curtain or metal railing in the entire country!

Who else thinks a plate of hot mushrooms is breakfast? Steve has fully adopted this as a great lo-cal start to the day.....

                                                          

                          

In a nation where everyone is very fit, how can they have invented the gelato donut?

                                                          

And how did they seem to go from incandescent bulbs to lots of LED, did they completely skip over compact fluorescents?

We love to celebrate the differences when we travel. It is a chance to bring a bit of a new culture back home, whether it is a piece of art or an idea. But I did say this was only half the blog and if I don't share Noosa today, I will be sorely behind and miss the chance to catch up. 

Noosa

We left off heading down the hill to dinner. The down was easy, and once in town we strolled the five shopping blocks up and down

although the shops were all closed, and ended with a dinner at Locale, a recommended Italian. We shared a seafood antipasto and had our mains, stopped for a coconut chocolate ice cream just before heading home. But the walk back.......was a total non-stop, uphill, sweaty, tiring climb! Those fit and young Australians, long legs all, passed us time and again as we old 60ish geezers, legs clearly not used to this, slowly made it to the top. I actually had timed the walk down at seven minutes at a quick and easy pace but can only guesstimate the climb back somewhere around 20+ minutes. 

We came back to our A/C cold apartment, put on the 70" TV, watched the news and turned in early. Almost like being home. The next day was slated as a beach day and the thought of walking down and then back up that damn hill laden with beach bag, chairs and umbrella was just not going to happen. Good thing there is a big beach with lots of parking, so we loaded up and headed down to find a shady spot, a garden path through to the beach and set out our umbrella and chairs and got down to the hard work of sitting on our asses and reading on the beach in the brilliant sunshine. 

Although we were not technically on the swimming beach where the flags are, everyone was in the water, splashing or surfing. The water, although not the distinct turquoise at the reef, was crystal clear five feet down, refreshing from the hot sun and with just enough small waves to have a jump or two. 

By noon we were walking down the street to Seasons for lunch, as Trish had booked for us. Table 374 was indeed waiting for 'Steve' and it was a small table for two set on the corner facing the sea, with both chairs set to take in the view.

                                                        

Trish had even told us, or perhaps she would say suggested, we should have the seafood entree (Note for Americans: entree in Oz is an appetizer; the entree at home is a 'main' here ). It came out with prawns and tuna, oysters and calamari.

Next up was a roasted pumpkin and broccoli rabe, pine nut pizza for me (it was delicious but not really a true US pizza crust) and as usual, fish and chips for Steve.

                                                         

They do know how to do chips. A bit of rose, a nice breeze and we while away 90 minutes eating, people watching and half eavesdropping on the next table where a young Asian business man was trying to convince what we imagine was a wealthy older couple into investing with him.  It still feels strange to hear Asians here speak with an Aussie accent. 

Back into the sea for another swim, a walk, a dip in the pool at the apartment and a change before we went to an early movie in Noosa Junction, just up the road. We saw a great Australian flick, The Dressmaker, which if it plays at home, you should see. Kate Winslet and Judy Davis were great as the movie went from a bit campy to a bit spoofy to a bit American Western to a bit unexpected.  By the time we were out, most restaurants were shutting their kitchens but we managed to squeak in for a salad and veggie burger and a delicious Pinot Noir. As you can imagine, the wines here are great!

Ready to turn in and having enjoyed our day thoroughly, we decided we sure were glad our friends had recommended Noosa for our beach holiday.