1. In early December, bring along a pair of gloves. Although it is late Spring to Summer, the wind was still very strong, so my fingers were freezing throughout.
2. Bring thicker clothing. The temperature averaged eighteen degree celsius so the weather was cold and windy, especially for people used to tropical weather of average twenty-eight degree celsius throughout the year. I had on a long-sleeved top with a sweatshirt, but still felt cold and had to wear my jacket.
3. The weather could be cool and windy one day but hot and sunny the next. The temperature ranges from cool and windy in the morning to hot and sunny in the afternoon to cold and strong winds at night.
4. Intensive sunblock, hand cream and moisturiser is a MUST! So is a moisturising lip balm. I would recommend Vaseline Petroleum Jelly anytime! My face is combination, oilier around the T-zone and less oily around the cheeks, yet my normal UV moisturising lotion and hand lotion was not enough to fight off the UV rays. My skin got drier and my cheeks are now sun-burnt. I never burn back home even in tropical sunny weather!
5. The UV rays Down Under are really strong as it is nearer the hole in the ozone layer. Thus intensive cream and full sunblock works better than mere lotion in temperate climate.
6. It is more worthy to stay in Bed & Breakfast motels or inns, since they are cosier and much less expensive than a normal hotel.
7. Dining out is expensive. It is best to buy groceries and prepare meals by yourself - cost only a fraction of eating out.
8. Wear a hat / cap and sunglasses at all times to protect yourself from the harsh UV rays.
9. Do not bring food products into the country. The checkpoint at the airports are very strict and will confiscate any food product (bread, milk, cup noodles, etc) they see. People can buy food products at the local supermarkets. The Australian government wants visitors to help the country's economy by buying their products and not bring their own.
10. It is a very environmentally-friendly country. Grounds are free of litter even in the countrysides or mountains. All trash are to be thrown into designated trash / recycling bins. There are also fund-raising to help save the wild animals like wallabies, tasmanian devils, etc, and the trees. Singapore should adopt this policy.
11. The country really preserve old buildings so there are lots of quaint colonial-style nineteenth-century houses and lots and lots of white sandy beaches and greenery.
12. Australians are generally bigger-sized, so I was not able to buy any clothes or shoes there since the smallest they have are also too big for me.
13. For a more cosmopolitan city life, Sydney and Melbourne is the best bet. For a more peaceful life, Perth is good. For a laid-back life with lots of nature, go Tasmania anytime!
14. Shops close at 5 or 6 pm on the dot. The Aussies seem to have no nightlife except for Friday nights. There is no late-night shopping unlike here.
So I have gone from the West to the East to the Southern island of Australia. Hopefully I can venture into Alice Springs, Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast or Adelaide. I will also like to visit Tasmania again, at least to venture into the West Coast, where it is more rugged terrain, and also to visit the Cadbury Chocolate Factory!
Off to snooze at last. My body clock is still adjusting. Melbourne and Tasmania is three hours ahead of us. Starting work tomorrow, and later I am meeting a friend to talk about our friend's wedding and to buy a pair of work shoes. Busy time after my holiday!
2. Bring thicker clothing. The temperature averaged eighteen degree celsius so the weather was cold and windy, especially for people used to tropical weather of average twenty-eight degree celsius throughout the year. I had on a long-sleeved top with a sweatshirt, but still felt cold and had to wear my jacket.
3. The weather could be cool and windy one day but hot and sunny the next. The temperature ranges from cool and windy in the morning to hot and sunny in the afternoon to cold and strong winds at night.
4. Intensive sunblock, hand cream and moisturiser is a MUST! So is a moisturising lip balm. I would recommend Vaseline Petroleum Jelly anytime! My face is combination, oilier around the T-zone and less oily around the cheeks, yet my normal UV moisturising lotion and hand lotion was not enough to fight off the UV rays. My skin got drier and my cheeks are now sun-burnt. I never burn back home even in tropical sunny weather!
5. The UV rays Down Under are really strong as it is nearer the hole in the ozone layer. Thus intensive cream and full sunblock works better than mere lotion in temperate climate.
6. It is more worthy to stay in Bed & Breakfast motels or inns, since they are cosier and much less expensive than a normal hotel.
7. Dining out is expensive. It is best to buy groceries and prepare meals by yourself - cost only a fraction of eating out.
8. Wear a hat / cap and sunglasses at all times to protect yourself from the harsh UV rays.
9. Do not bring food products into the country. The checkpoint at the airports are very strict and will confiscate any food product (bread, milk, cup noodles, etc) they see. People can buy food products at the local supermarkets. The Australian government wants visitors to help the country's economy by buying their products and not bring their own.
10. It is a very environmentally-friendly country. Grounds are free of litter even in the countrysides or mountains. All trash are to be thrown into designated trash / recycling bins. There are also fund-raising to help save the wild animals like wallabies, tasmanian devils, etc, and the trees. Singapore should adopt this policy.
11. The country really preserve old buildings so there are lots of quaint colonial-style nineteenth-century houses and lots and lots of white sandy beaches and greenery.
12. Australians are generally bigger-sized, so I was not able to buy any clothes or shoes there since the smallest they have are also too big for me.
13. For a more cosmopolitan city life, Sydney and Melbourne is the best bet. For a more peaceful life, Perth is good. For a laid-back life with lots of nature, go Tasmania anytime!
14. Shops close at 5 or 6 pm on the dot. The Aussies seem to have no nightlife except for Friday nights. There is no late-night shopping unlike here.
So I have gone from the West to the East to the Southern island of Australia. Hopefully I can venture into Alice Springs, Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast or Adelaide. I will also like to visit Tasmania again, at least to venture into the West Coast, where it is more rugged terrain, and also to visit the Cadbury Chocolate Factory!
Off to snooze at last. My body clock is still adjusting. Melbourne and Tasmania is three hours ahead of us. Starting work tomorrow, and later I am meeting a friend to talk about our friend's wedding and to buy a pair of work shoes. Busy time after my holiday!
2 comments:
Do you realize that Australia covers more different latitudes than the continental United States? Describing the "typical weather in Australia" is like describing the typical weather in North America. Spend much time in Canberra during that same period of time and you won't be mentioning the chilly weather at all, you'll be thankful for the low humidity.
I'm always under the impression that US is generally colder cos somehow I seem to feel that the southern hemisphere has generally milder climates. Afterall, you hardly see snow in Australia, but in many parts of the US, there is snow.
I have not experienced summers in US, so won't know how hot it can be, but Australia's summer can be really unbearable.
Post a Comment