AUS->NZ

August 2023

A 27-day adventure by Ben M & Amy Read more

27footprints
4countries
27days
415photos
2videos
22.7kkilometers
21.6kkilometers

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AUS->NZ
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- Aug 3, 2023, 12:39pm
- ☀️ 28 °C
- Altitude: 166 m
- Canada Ontario Centennial Park Toronto Pearson International Airport 43.684942, -79.6195343°41’6” N 79°37’10” W
Day 1
Hawaii Bound
August 3, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
Sus’ Amy got a personal search at security as always, despite claiming “I don’t understand! I do everything right!!”

Amy also spent last night researching Boeing Max planes and their safety specs. I’m looking forward to her lulling me to sleep on the flight as she continues to explain all the details.

Next stop Vancouver!Read more
Traveler SAFE FLIGHT!
8/3/23Reply
Safe travels!❤️ [Mom]
8/3/23Reply
Traveler Thanks for the invite to flow along. Hopefully the specs on the plane were positive 🤞 Safe travels ❤️
8/3/23Reply
Traveler Super sus Amy
8/13/23ReplyTranslate
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- Aug 3, 2023, 7:49pm
- ☀️ 23 °C
- Altitude: 19 m
- Canada British Columbia Burkeville Vancouver International Airport 49.197392, -123.17509549°11’51” N 123°10’30” W
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Day 1
Layover+
August 3, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
A lot of long faces in Vancouver this evening. Can’t tell if it’s due to the multiple delays or the collective national grief over Justin and Sophie’s split. Prob a mix of both.

Several walks around terminal E and a pit stop to the Canuck’s bar, and we’re off.Read more
Traveler Ooh Dan would love this.
8/4/23Reply
Traveler I hate when it's so gray you can't see anything
8/13/23Reply
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AUS->NZ
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- Aug 4, 2023, 8:12am
- ☀️ 25 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- United States Hawaii Honolulu County Waikīkī Waikīkī Beach 21.276525, -157.82867421°16’35” N 157°49’43” W
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Day 2
Waikiki - Beaches, Lē’ahi & Ahi
August 4, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
One nice thing about still being on Ontario time is being able to enjoy this giant beach by ourselves at 6:30am.

After the beach, we did a hike at Diamond Head, which is a crater formed 300,000 years ago and once served as a military station. The hike up to the peak was terrifying at times but worth it. At the top, the views of the island were spectacular.

Diamond Head is Lē’ahi in Hawaiian, which means tuna ridge, given it resembles a fin. To cap off the night, we fittingly had delicious ahi tuna for dinner along with mai tais.Read more
Ben I didn’t realize you were such a knowledgeable tour guide! [Laurie]
8/5/23Reply
Traveler So cool!
8/5/23Reply
Traveler Awesome!
8/5/23Reply
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- Aug 5, 2023, 10:47am
- ☀️ 27 °C
- Altitude: 16 m
- United States Hawaii Honolulu County Foster Village USS Bowfin 21.367348, -157.93817121°22’2” N 157°56’17” W
Day 3
Pearl Harbor and Poke
August 5, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
Pearl Harbor - Started the day at Pearl Harbor. As part of the visit, we took a boat out to a memorial that floats directly above the sunken battleship USS Arizona, the final resting place for over 1000 US marines and sailors. Overall it was very informative and moving.

Manoa Falls - Located in the rainforest Koolau mountains. The hike up to the falls wasn’t nearly as terrifying as yesterday’s but just as beautiful. It reminded both of us of the Cloud Forest in Ecuador. Amy and her rule-following nature didn’t let me swim in the lake where the falls emptied into like the other tourists. Classic Hufflepuff. After reading more about the falls, the reason this isn’t allowed is due to high risk of contracting leptospirosis. I guess that’s a good rule. Thanks, Amy.

Food Festival on the Beach - Ended the night with more relaxation on the beach and enjoying a street festival. Our Lyft driver earlier in the day cursed the festivals and swore they made one up every weekend just to close roads. But he also gave us the tip of hitting up Da Bald Guy’s food truck. Apparently he’s been on a few Food Network shows and the food didn’t disappoint.

Off to the North and East coasts tomorrow for our last full day in Hawaii.Read more
Traveler Amy, as a fellow Hufflepuff, I beg of you to please stop giving us a bad name.
8/13/23Reply
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- Aug 6, 2023, 8:43am
- ☀️ 25 °C
- Altitude: 135 m
- United States Hawaii Honolulu County Waikane Kualoa Sugar Mill Beach 21.524035, -157.84103421°31’27” N 157°50’28” W
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Day 4
Welcome to Jurassic Park
August 6, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Leonard’s Bakery - famous for their malasadas, similar to a doughnut but crispier and chewier, since 1952. Great way to start the day.

Nu’uanu Pali lookout - stopped here on the drive North. More amazing views of the island. Apparently a war took place here, where the winning side pushed the defeated soldiers off the side of the cliff. Yikes.

Byodo-In Temple - replica of the 950 year old temple in Uji, Japan created to commemorate the the 100 year anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii in 1968.

Macadamia Farm - stopped by this farm here to grab some snacks. Cinnamon and coffee coated macadamia nuts were the best.

Kualoa Ranch - tour to view the sets and props of several shows and films, including the Jurassic Park/World series, Lost, Pearl Harbor, Jumanji, George of the Jungle, Kong Skull Island and Godzilla. So surreal and immediately places you in Jurassic Park.

Finished the evening off at a few more beaches. Hurricane Dora is on the way but is projected to just miss Hawaii. We’re starting to feel the effects of it - much windier today and the waves are huge.

Off to Sydney, Australia tomorrow! Hoping Dora doesn’t f with our flight.Read more
Traveler Yum
8/7/23Reply
Hahaha [Monica]
8/8/23Reply
Traveler Okay forget Anna Kendrick, that's Laura Dern!!!
8/13/23Reply
Traveler Beyond cool. Also note to self to rewatch Jurassic Park and 50 First Dates.
8/13/23Reply
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- Aug 8, 2023, 4:26pm
- ☀️ 17 °C
- Altitude: 14 m
- Australia New South Wales Sydney Haberfield Ferry Playground -33.884705, 151.20124833°53’5” S 151°12’4” E
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Day 6
Chippendale
August 8, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
Flight from Honolulu to Sydney was a long one, although not complaining as the extra leg room was glorious.

Half day in Chippendale, a neighbourhood of Sydney close to the university. Amy is already talking about how nice it’d be to study here … 🤔

It was sunny and 16 when we landed. It’s funny seeing so many people in winter coats, as it’s technically their winter and this is considered cold for them.

Settled in, explored a bit, and stopped for food at Spice Alley. A very cool outdoor eatery with several quick serve pan-Asian restaurants and bars.Read more
Traveler Lucky Ben!
8/8/23Reply
Traveler Lol Amy, you have studied enough for a lifetime.
8/8/23Reply
Nice!! ❤️ [Cathy]
8/8/23Reply
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- Aug 9, 2023, 9:02am
- ☀️ 13 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- Australia New South Wales Sydney The Rocks Bennelong Point -33.85725, 151.21493533°51’26” S 151°12’54” E
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Day 7
Sydney
August 9, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C
Sight seeing in the morning, including Hyde Park, the Art Gallery of NSW, and the Royal Botanical Garden. The garden is right in the centre of the harbour and business district but is so large you can’t even hear any of the city noise when in the middle of it.

Sydney Opera House - jaw-dropping and larger than it looks in pictures.

Emu, kangaroo and crocodile pizzas for lunch. Food was good and didn’t taste overly gamey.

Walked across Sydney Harbour Bridge and visited Luna Park.

Took the ferry back and explored more of downtown Sydney. The transit system is incredible. Tap on and off on any train, ferry or bus with a credit card and they are fast, clean, and reliable. What a concept.

Night cap at a hole-in-the-wall bar that has made several ‘best bars in the world’ lists. World class margaritas and other specialty cocktails.Read more
Wow, beautiful! Your pictures are fantastic! 🥰 [Cathy]
8/9/23Reply
Was that good? [Monica]
8/9/23Reply
Traveler Yea it was pretty good. Croc tasted like ground chicken. And the emu and kangaroo was like beef and turkey
8/10/23Reply
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- Aug 10, 2023, 9:44am
- ☀️ 13 °C
- Altitude: 982 m
- Australia New South Wales Blue Mountains Municipality North Katoomba Hodgson Park -33.703365, 150.31219533°42’12” S 150°18’44” E
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Day 8
Finally found them!
August 10, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C
Featherdale Wildlife Park - we finally found those penguins!! Incredible sanctuary of koalas, wombats, kangaroos, and many other Australian animals. We found a koala as requested by Isla and Nora and got a picture with him for proof. Feeding the kangaroos was amazing. Amy was slightly scared of them at first, which I mocked her for, but then she returned the favour later in the day.

Town of Leura - stopped for lunch at a bustling cafe with views of the mountains. Reminded us of Picton.

Blue Mountains - massive sandstone mountain ranges surrounded by sprawling a rainforest valley, which is larger than the Grand Canyon. It became clear that our driver, Huxley, was brand new and had never driven along the cliffs before. At each stop, the guide, Tony, would get out and show Huxley tips on how to start the car, how to maneuver around the cliff edges, etc. This was terrifying but Huxley pulled through and we made it.

Breathtaking views from the top and a series of trams and railroads to bring you down to explore the rainforest floor. These rides are where Amy got her revenge for the kangaroo teasing.

Took a ferry back to Sydney along the Parramatta River at sunset. Then enjoyed yum cha for dinner in Chinatown (what they call dim sum).Read more
Traveler Wow that’s cool.
8/10/23Reply
Oh, that's great!! 🐧 [Cathy]
8/10/23Reply
Wow that’s all so amazing. You guys are seeing so much!!!! [Monica]
8/10/23Reply
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- Aug 11, 2023, 12:52pm
- ☀️ 17 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- Australia New South Wales Waverley Municipal Council Bondi Beach -33.891399, 151.27755733°53’29” S 151°16’39” E
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Day 9
Bondi Beach
August 11, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
University of Sydney - crazy nice university. Amy is thinking of a second Masters degree here. Maybe a Masters of Tennis.

Bondi Beach - a stunning beach just East of Sydney. Water was cold as all hell but hey, if winter just means brisk ocean swims, I’ll take it. Gelato was excellent.

Off to Cairns and Port Douglas tomorrow morning! We’re both exhausted from all the walking so looking forward to the tropical, laid-back next leg.Read more
Traveler What an amazing picture!
8/11/23Reply
Traveler Dreamy
8/13/23Reply
Traveler Dreamier
8/13/23Reply
Traveler Dreamiest
8/13/23Reply
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- Aug 12, 2023, 5:32pm
- ⛅ 22 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- Australia Queensland Cook Shire Port Douglas Surf Life Saving Club Reserve -16.485785, 145.4687516°29’9” S 145°28’8” E
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Day 10
Not croc food today, check in tomorrow
August 12, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
Early flight to Cairns and shuttle to Port Douglas this morning. The airline check-in lady called us silly gooses when learning that we’re traveling to Australia during the Canadian summer.

Port Douglas is in the tropical north coast region where all the Aussies come to escape their winter. The resort is great and is a nice change after the bustle of Sydney. Lots of beach time and R&R for the next few days, assuming we avoid the crocs. So far, we’ve had two Aussies we’ve chatted with look us straight in the eyes, without any expression, say “watch out for those crocs. They’re no alligators and no joke”. Apparently they’re all over here, especially the rivers but occasionally the ocean.

Ended the day walking down four mile beach and enjoyed the Australia vs. France quarter-final soccer match on tv with dinner. It’s dead silent all around the resort except the bursts of shouts and celebration when the Matildas scored and eventually won.Read more
Traveler Careful - crocs love flamingos
8/12/23Reply
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