Eat Kangaroo

Kangaroo Pizza

While I was in Sydney, Australia I met up with a friend, her husband, and another one of their buds for a fun night in the city.  They told me that since I was in Australia they would take me to a place that served things I probably would only find in Oz.  I was a little weary, as I was still a pretty young "Daring Foodie"  but I was open to trying something different.

We took a taxi to an area known as The Rocks and stopped at the Australian Heritage Hotel.  The restaurant prides themselves in serving Australian food with a twist, as well as local beers and wine.  I looked down at the menu and saw a few of my choices.....

I'll have Little Joey please, I mean the Pepper Kangaroo Pizza.

Before my dinner arrived I had one local beer and wine in hopes to numb a bit of that fear of eating a cute little animal.  When my food arrived it had huge pieces of Kangaroo all over the pizza.  I shuddered for a second, as I was expecting smaller pieces of meat to cover the pizza.

It tasted a little gamey and too chewy for me.  It wasn't a good sign when I started picking off the Kangaroo meat from my pizza and handing it over to my friends.

I'm convinced that the Kangaroo meat gave us a different type of energy though, we ended up hopping all over Sydney; from bar hopping at Circular Quay and to a party in an abandoned church.  Hoppity Hop Little Joey!

Date Accomplished:  March 20th, 2009

P.S.  I normally use only my photos on this site, but the photo of my Kangaroo Pizza was so horribly taken as it was pitch black outside.  The photo was so bad it would deter anyone from ever trying the pizza.

Cross The International Dateline To Go Back In Time

I might never find a magic car to take me back in time like in Back To The Future, or a time traveling telephone booth like Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure.  I just have to go back in time the old fashion way, by crossing the international dateline.

The International Date Line is an imaginary line that goes from the North to the South Pole and separates two different calendar days.  The line crosses through the middle of the Pacific Ocean and bends and curves around particular small islands and territories.  For example in Fiji it would be January 1st, while in Samoa it would still be December 31st. 

To be a successful time traveler, I arrived in Sydney, Australia airport for my 1PM flight bound for Los Angeles on March 24th.  I arrived in Los Angeles at 10AM on March 24th!  Take that Bill & Ted!

Date Accomplished:  March 24th, 2009

Cuddle A Koala In Australia

Koalas are just super adorbs.  As adorable as they are, I wouldn't want a boyfriend like a koala.  They are highly sedentary with minimal energy, antisocial, and sleep almost 20 hours a day.  They sound more like newborns, or perhaps some of you have (ex)boyfriends that match that description.  If so, sucks to be you.

At Featherdale Wildlife Park, located just outside of Sydney,  you can "cuddle up to a koala!" The wording is quite important so you don't get the false impression that you have an opportunity to "cuddle WITH A koala."

Because I arrived at the park just before opening, I was able to have a date with a Koala over breakfast.  One of the zookeepers came out with the cutest little guy, a two year old koala named Austin. I know, I know, huge age difference, I'm 27 and he's 2.  It would have never worked anyways!

In NSW (New South Wales) it is illegal to hold a koala unless you are a keeper, BUT you are allowed to pat the koala as long as you avoid patting its head.

Austin was a little supermodel as he moved his head towards the camera when it was time for his photo.  He was very chill as I expected, and besides turning his head and moving to get a better grip on his keeper, he stayed still and seemed to enjoy his mini back rub.

It would have been cool to cuddle with Austin (cause come on, he is so cuddleable!), but rules are rules, and I'd hate to endanger Austin's health for the sake of a photo op!

Date Accomplished:  March 22nd, 2009

Try Vegemite In Australia

Vegemite is a dark brown food paste made from brewer's yeast extract (used in brewing beer).  When I traveled to Europe in 2007 I met a few Aussies who actually brought tubes of Vegemite with them to have on their toast. I knew when I went to Australia I had to try it.

At a glance, it looked like it had the potential to taste good and possibly be sweet.  I was told by some locals to spread some butter on toast with a very thin film of Vegemite.  I did just that and it was AWFUL.  It was bitter, and smelled horrible.  I have heard it is an acquired taste, but I don't plan on trying it ever again so I can acquire its taste.

Date Accomplished:   March 23rd, 2009

Visit The Harbour Bridge

The Sydney Harbour Bridge along with the Sydney Opera House have represented Sydney in photos, movies and postcards for many years.  It is in the heart of the city.

The Harbour Bridge began construction in 1923, and was completed in 1932.  It connects the Sydney Central Business District to the North Shore.

There is a beautiful view of the Harbour Bridge from another famous landmark in Sydney, the Sydney Opera House.  Another popular activity involving the bridge is the Bridge Climb (which I plan to do during my next visit in Sydney).  With supervision you can climb to the top of the bridge during various times of the day.  It is quite pricey, but it offers some of the best 360°views of Sydney!

Date Accomplished: March 20th, 2009