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In Australia theres plenty of places to go out for the day. One of them of the places I went to was Port Stephens. This is what I would call Blue Water Paradide. There was plenty of things to do here: picnicking, go to the beach, or just go for walk along the coast to browse in the local shops. Boats could be seen going along the coast as with most beaches. While in Australia, I found 2005 was the hottest year on record here. If it wasnt for the kiosks at the beach I probably would have fainted from heat exhaustion. Here in the pic I went down onto the beach to take a cool quick dip in the gorgeous transparent waters of port stephens.

If your going to the beach this is the place to be. Along the coast of Newcastle, you can see plenty of beaches stretching from Nobbys which had a cool historic lighthouse, all the way down to Mereweather Beach which has the largest ocean bath of the state. My first trip up to Newcastle started at Newcastle Ocean Bath. It was so much fun going in the first time to a swimming pool made entirely up of ocean water. Its like being in the sea while smooth waves all along your swim.

The beaches here are gorgeous. You can see clear through the water at each one with fish swimming around you occasionally. I would probably be in the water half the time if I was on permanent holiday.

The sand is beautiful is well with it being cleaner than some you would find in children's playgrounds in America. Mostly every part of the coast is super clean. And for the ladies, there's heaps of dashing aussie lifeguards ready to come to your rescue

Inside the city, I found a buzzing city life, without all the rush of the big city. I got a chance to visit a nice nightspot while at Newcastle, a well known place called the Brewery. I was quick to take advantage of free admission as it would be almost impossible to find such fun places in America. The brewery was jolting with excitement as the music was some of my favourites from the 70's and 80's from such artists such as Rick Springfield. Now where can I find a place like that?

When arriving in Maitland, Australia I would stay in a friends' home for about three weeks. There I learned all about the way of life of the average aussie. Being it was in a suburban area, I found it quite relaxing compared to the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. At first I unexpectedly had to get to use to all the quiet. The roads coming in and out of the suburb were quite easy to understand. I especially liked the give way signs, which you actually didnt have to stop at, like the stop signs in America very welcoming. There was also circular intersections called roundabouts which are similar to doing a U turn in the states without having to wait for any lights.

The house I was living in Australia is very similar to the one in America. Spending time together and having a fare of things to do each day comes hand in hand in a lively atmosphere such I found here.

From time to time I encountered this unusual animal who lived in the house as me. He was a strange critter who welcomed me into the house with nudges, bites, and adorable brown eyes. His name is Aussie, chook hunter. He is known to chase pushbikes with those he has caught never to be seen again.

An adorable darling who never saw a pushbike he didnt like

After taking foot on Sydney, I found it much like Los Angeles. Busy streets, many people, and heaps of traffic. I went for a brief walk around the city to see some of its shops while stopping at a familiar site called Maccas. Even for a fast food restaurant, the food was much less salty, but still had a good taste to it.

While shopping, I took a stroll through a nearby shopping center which had fairy floss aka cotton candy in one of its kiosks. The prices of the items in the shops were obvisously priced higher than in America because of the current rate of exchange, which is good for tourists who come to do a good fare of shopping.

Along the way I passed through Darling Harbour and saw some of the boats that cruise in and out offering tours and other services for those who wish to voyage along the ocean outskirts of Sydney. Sydney was a nice site to see and it offers plenty of adventures such as visiting centerpoint, sydney harbour bridge, the opera house, taking a tour along a ferry, and if you have the time, going exploring along the blue mountains for the elusive koalas and roos.

I took my first train in years going from Sydney to Newcastle taking hours to arrive. From there I took a short trip up to Victoria St. by train in which I would begin my holiday in a nice home in the quiet suburban area of Maitland.

My visit to the Hunter Valley Vineyards and Winery was tasteful in more ways than one. There are over 127 wineries to choose from which offer complimentary samples of the different types of wines Hunter Valley has to offer. There's also heaps of pubs, a nice garden, chocolate, and cheese shops to get your mouth watering as well.