I was listening to a choir singing carols in Melbourne last week and one of the songs that we were able to sing along to was Jingle Bells (Aussie Style) and after having a good laugh, I thought I would share it with you!
“Dashing through the bush, in a rusty Holden Ute,
Kicking up the dust, esky in the boot,
Kelpie by my side, singing Christmas songs,
It’s Summer Time and I am in my singlet, shorts and thongs
Chorus: Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
Christmas in Australia on a scorching summers day,
Hey!
Jingle Bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut!
Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute.
Engine’s getting hot; we dodge the kangaroos
The swaggie climbs aboard, he is welcome too.
All the family’s there, sitting by the pool,
Christmas Day the Aussie way, by the barbecue.
(Chorus)
Come the afternoon, Grandpa has a doze,
The kids and Uncle Bruce, are swimming in their clothes.
The time comes roudn to go, we take the family smap,
Pack the car and all shoot through, before the washing UP.”
(Chorus)
With summer approaching, Tasmania is the place to visit. So much hype is always made about the East Coast, but you will find when you venture to Tasmania, the beaches, the people, the food, and the adventure are all there.
Where you should visit?
Take the Spirit of Tasmania and arrive in Devonport with your car and everything ready to go. Or take a flight (did you know that from Melbourne it only costs about $50 to fly!).
Lavender Farm – Scottsdale – the largest lavendar farm in the Southern Hemisphere. You can get soap, perfume, and even lavender flavour ice cream!
Bay of Fires – St.Helen’s, incredible beaches, red coast, fantastic camping and hiking
Freycinet National Park – Wineglass Bay, Hazard walk, wildlife, a definite highlight of Tasmania. Don’t forget to go by Swansea and stop in Kate’s Berry Farm (best homemade ice cream!)
Port Arthur – the history of Australia, penal settlement, excellent historic site with boat tour, walking tour and self-guided tour.
Hobart – Flying into Hobart and then heading North is a great idea too! Once in Hobart, check out the Salmanaca Markets, have fish & chips by the water, explore the Botanical Gardens.
Huon Valley – if you are looking for somewhere quiet to explore with a bit of hiking, sipping some good wines, and eating fresh seafood, this is the place to go (only 45 minutes from Hobart).
Cradle Mountain – West of the island, it is definitely worth visiting. Many visit this area as a separate trip but if you have time, do the East coast and Cradle Mountain. The scenery is beautiful, and some of the best hiking in Australia.
If you have ever been to Canada (and now parts of the United States), you would have experienced Tim Hortons. If you live in Australia and ever do go to visit Canada, stop in to Tim Hortons (don’t worry you will find them on every corner).
Why do people love Tim Hortons so much?
1) It has quality food and drinks for cheap. I was just back in Canada for a visit now that I live in Australia and I ordered two muffins, a bagel with cream cheese, a coffee and a chocolate milk for under $5. Now that is a steal!
2) The coffee…now this is something that not everyone agrees on. Once you have sat down at a nice cafe in Melbourne, Australia or perhaps Italy sipping your cappiccino, it is hard to go back and really think Tim Hortons coffee is quality! However some people are die hard fans and won’t ever give it up!
3) The Donuts: Fresh, tasty, yummy! What else is there to say about them, other than, if you don’t want a whole one, then get a Timbit!
Our suggestion: Buy a can of Tim Hortons coffee and take it with you when you go and travel or live in Australia. Hmmm… you could try the donuts somewhere else in Australia but unless you go to Krispy Cream donuts, you won’t find anything quite like Tim Hortons!
Now what about food and the fun treats we have grown up with? You find many Canadian or American treats in Australia!
1) Marshmallows – yes they have marshmallows in Australia but have you ever tried one?! Crunchy, small, sugary little balls – they are awful! I miss the light fluffy marshmallows that taste good on their own, in Rice Krispies squares (or Rice Bubble squares if you are in Australia), or roasting in a nice campfire!
2) Licuorice – Yes again they have great black licuorice but where’s Twizzlers red licuorice. Not even at the movies can you find them!
3) Clamato Juice – Now this is a sore spot because it isn’t even something you can ask your family or friends to ship over to you (due to the sheer weight of it). They don’t even know what a Caesar is in Australia! With all this nice weather and no caesars – whats the point! Yes they will mix it up and say ‘Oh a bloody mary’ but have you ever done a taste test to see that they are two totally different drinks!
Now how about Tim Hortons? I think Tim Hortons needs it’s own discussion-coming soon!
I am happy to say that finally after many years of waiting, they now have a better variety of deodarant in Australia.
It used to be that the only deodorant/antiperspirant you could find in Australia was roll-on or spray. Now have you ever tried going from the nice dry stick, back to roll-on or spray. It sucks! You suddenly feel like you are back in the 1950’s with your arms in the air while you wait for the stuff to dry!
And then there’s the whole argument on what kind actually works. I can’t say I have ever found a roll-on or spray that has been as effective as stick.
But Australia is improving. They now have Lady’s Speedstick! Nope you won’t find Degree or Secret…just Lady’s Speedstick.
Our suggestion: bring some with you from home and have your friends/family send you a supply!
What about snacks; junk food; drinks…come back for more! Or did you miss our discussion on feminine products.
Yes it’s true! When you travel and or live in Australia, one of the main holidays you are going to miss is Halloween. I know I could hardly believe it myself in a country that loves to dress up for footy, the races, and other parties, but they don’t bother celebrating Halloween!
So why not celebrate Halloween? Well when Canadian or American teachers in Australia have asked people in Australia the most common answers are:
1) It is an Americanized event where it is an excuse for kids to get candy. Plus we don’t like to do what other countries are doing.
2) The message of Halloween is a bad one – witches; tricking; giving away candy.
What about the joy of dressing up; or meeting your neighbours and building a safe and fun community?
All I know is that, as an adult, I miss Halloween parties, getting dressed up, giving out candy and seeing the kids in their cute costumes.
Our suggestion: get dressed up anyway, have your own Halloween party while in Australia
Speaking of what I miss in Australia as a Canadian; how about candy and treats?! Stay tuned!
One of the things most missed by Canadian women when moving to Australia, is good feminine products. They are just not the same.
1) All the names are different so you have to start by doing a bit of trial and error which can get expensive and tiresome when it continues to be disappointing! Any that seem familiar, are not what you think!
2) Pads/pantiliners – not only are they massive (even in slender or small size), they are still made the old school way. The nice quick dry weave that goes into the pad and away from the body is not used often here.
Tampons – applicators are about the same. If you want a tampon like OB’s then you will need to look at the “Cotton” brand.
3) Cost is similar for pads, pantiliners, and tampons.
4) We miss ‘Always’ and ‘OB’s’ in Australia. Now they are good products. Lots of different sizes, thicknesses, dry weave, effective!
Our suggestions: Bring a whole stack with you when you come over so that you have time to transition over to a new kind. Or if you just can’t, then have people send you the good stuff!
With October coming to an end, what is on all people’s mind that are from Canada or USA when travelling to Australia-Halloween?! See our next article for more!
Lavender Farm – Scottsdale – the largest lavendar farm in the Southern Hemisphere. You can get soap, perfume, and even lavender flavour ice cream!
Bay of Fires – St.Helen’s, incredible beaches, red coast, fantastic camping and hiking
Freycinet National Park – Wineglass Bay, Hazard walk, wildlife, a definite highlight of Tasmania. Don’t forget to go by Swansea and stop in Kate’s Berry Farm (best homemade ice cream!)
Port Arthur – the history of Australia, penal settlement, excellent historic site with boat tour, walking tour and self-guided tour.
Hobart – Flying into Hobart and then heading North is a great idea too! Once in Hobart, check out the Salmanaca Markets, have fish & chips by the water, explore the Botanical Gardens.
The coffee…now this is something that not everyone agrees on. Once you have sat down at a nice cafe in Melbourne, Australia or perhaps Italy sipping your cappiccino, it is hard to go back and really think Tim Hortons coffee is quality! However some people are die hard fans and won’t ever give it up!
And then there’s the whole argument on what kind actually works. I can’t say I have ever found a roll-on or spray that has been as effective as stick.
Yes it’s true! When you travel and or live in Australia, one of the main holidays you are going to miss is Halloween. I know I could hardly believe it myself in a country that loves to dress up for footy, the races, and other parties, but they don’t bother celebrating Halloween!
Pads/pantiliners – not only are they massive (even in slender or small size), they are still made the old school way. The nice quick dry weave that goes into the pad and away from the body is not used often here.
