Sin City – AC-DC

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Canberra / Blue Mountains – 5-22-07

Well, I couldn’t rightly have an Australia travel blog and not include at least one AC-DC song now could I? And what better Oz destination to label Sin City than its political capital, Canberra. No, it’s not Can-berr-a, Can-bra is the correct pronunciation. At least that’s what I’ve been told a hundred times every time I (still) say it wrong. The song is a bit ironic to be honest, because it’s the most sterile place I’ve seen next to Singapore. Perfectly planned and laid out, with nary a piece of litter or dodgy pub in sight. What better place to host venom spitting politicians. See, there’s a fair bit of politicking going on right now in Oz. Prime Minister Howard just recently admitted his party would be ‘annihilated’ if there was an election in the near future. Could you imagine Bush coming out with a comment like that? The Deep South would lynch him before the last syllable left the corner of his mouth. So in the heat of all this I get to visit the Capital AND actually see Parliament sitting in person. Very cool. I’ve never even gone to see my own country’s congress in session. Not even sure if we’re allowed to, but if so the public must behind bulletproof glass considering our penchant for bearing of arms against our political leaders.

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Anyway, Canberra was a great day trip. I can’t thank Scott and Jack enough for taking me up there. Very generous, but that’s been the norm with all the friends and family in Australia so I shouldn’t be surprised at all how great they are. I also have to comment on the Australian War Memorial. Amazing. Best War Memorial/Museum I’ve seen I think. The US needs one just like it. Not many pics unfortunately because my camera ran power dry but pics wouldn’t have done it justice anyway. A wonderful tribute to a brave nation.

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I decided to add my day trip to the Blue Mountains here as well, just because it made sense to post the pics. See, a lot to say about Canberra but few pics, little to say about the Blue Mountains but lots of pics. It’s all about the math. As far as that little to say thing goes, the mountains and Three Sisters rock pinnacles were beautiful. A great hike with stunning views and a fun train ride on the steepest train in the world. A nice day. So there you have it, politics and nature finally joined.

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Bill