Where to begin! I don't know. One of the more memorable trips to an land down under. I loved every single minute of it, from the views from the top of Sydney Bridge to the cold beach in Melbourne's Great Ocean Drive, from the 10 am wake ups to wander a wonderful city to 4 am wake ups to catch flights, from exhausting walking around, to simply hanging out, from dry days to thirty odd wine tasting marathons, and so many from-to pairs, I loved it all.

The book will be printed in september, is the lofty goal for this month. But I am determined to get the 1500+ pictures and my 15 chapter document of the trip all put together and printed. Printing may depend on the financial comptroller, but there may be wiggle room (lol).

As I sort out all the pictures, I will post them up here for all. But, till then Australia the land down under is a completely different from what I expected, completely different in reality from the books and the advertisments bombarded on US televisions. It is land of plenty of diversity in every possible way. Jostling around in Sydney with peoples from China, Japan, Taiwan, New Zealand, Philipines, and every other country in the far east along with Australians one learns a lot. From the earliest penal colonies to the sizzling cities it has come a long long way. There are strains of integration and separation of ethic backgrounds. Together and within their own communities maketh Australia. One great advantage of all this mixed ethicities, is that one gets to eat all sorts of authentic foods. I landed up having to really think about what food type of eat to try and taste all of them. No, I did not eat Kangaroo's.... because I simply did not get around to it! Food is incredibly good quality and fresh. Even the simplest and smallest dig had great tasting and freshly made food and I am not saying freshly defrosted and heated! Fast food is well made.

Most of the time I spent in Sydney. Lived with my sisters family in Surrey Hills. I highly recommend doing that, as we could roll out of bed and get to all possible different ethic foods, from Thai to Lebanese. We wandered around together and also me on my own all around the Sydney water front, bridge, Opera House, The Rocks, Macquarie Street, City Center, Manly beach, Harbour, Botanical Gardens and so much more. For couple of days I visited a family friend (lovely couple) in Melbourne. Two days visit does not do Melbourne justice, there is so much to do see and yet we packed a lot in the two days. Melbourne deserves a lot more time. While in Melbourne, it was great to walk through Victoria Market, the Melbourne University and take trams/trains around the city, seeing the Parliament house and a demonstration by Labor unions, Flinders station (gosh - reminds me of VT, Mumbai) and so much more.

The trip there and back on Qantas was quite decent. I had not expected it to be that comfortable. But the 13+ hours from LA to Sydney and then 12ish hours on return was not too terrible. It was just okay.

This trip was firsts for many things:
1. First time to Southern Hemisphere, that is crossing the Equator
2. First time to crossing International Dateline.
3. First time to Australia (duh!)
4. First time to travel in flight for more that 10 hours.
5. First time to trip that I had not really planned out in excruitiating details, because my sister was there and I was happy to go with the flow.
6. First time to leave kitties for 15+ days
7. First time to use a tiny notebook for a computer with no development tools on it! Hmmm.... I am liking this little computer thingy
8. First time to cross 1000 pictures in one trip
9. First time to travel light to the point of silliness. Roughly 24 lbs in check in for outbound trip and 40 lbs on return.
10. First time..... to have so many first times... ;)

So much more about the trip coming here mostly now reflections in tranquility.

Brooks Riesling, 2006

(Willamette Valley, Oregon)

Producer: Brooks Winery (http://www.brookswine.com)

This wine is not your typical Riesling… it is an initiative to restore the reputation of old world German Rieslings and to showcase how well old vines can grow in the Willamette Valley. It reveals terrior more than any other white varietal and carries through with finesse and elegance.

Immediate aromas of green apple, minerals, white currents, raspberries, cherries and citrus. After some time in the glass chestnuts, honey, slate, lime and mint all make an appearance.  The focus pushes the wine into the mid-palate with concentrated flavors of stone and honey. There is great power, succulence and depth in this gorgeous wine.
 My Notes:  Interesting Riesling, but found it was  a bit mixed up in its aromas and tasting with lemons and fruits with hints of earthiness (which now I know could be the taste of wet-stone).  I might buy this, if there is no other options.

Cost: $15.99/bottle ($18/bottle from the winery directly).

Inman Pinot Gris, 2006
(Russian River Valley)
Bermans Notes: The wine is well balanced, clean and refreshing. Typical of Pinot Gris, it is showing stone fruit and a zesty citrus tang on the palate and finishes with a flinty mineral character. The mouthfeel is generous for a Pinot Gris and the finish is long. Less than 500 cases produced.

My Notes: This must have just gotten old and pathetic. I dipped my nose in the tasting glass and balked! I am not going to hold it against this winery or this particular wine. But it was just horrid.  I could not bring myself to taste it. I was not alone in this judgment. A fellow taster sipped it and wrinkled her nose.

Cost: $19.99/bottle

Two Chardonnays to compare, this is awesome! One from Monterey, California and the other from Maconnais, France. One grape, two completely different styles, processing, growths and everything in between. 

Mount Eden Chardonnay, 2007  

(Arroyo Seco, Monterey)
(http://www.mounteden.com/)

Mount Eden Vineyards is a treasure of a California winery. Everything they produce is of quality and offers value. And what they do offer is the exact opposite of mass produced. Jeffrey Patterson  has been wine maker at the estate since 1981. Jeff, like many Burgundians, believes in non-interventionist wine making, handling the wines as little as possible. He is uncompromising in attaining the highest quality grapes for his various cuvees.  Rated 92 points by Wine Enthusiast. 

My Notes: If you are looking for a really 'loud' Chardonnay, then this is your choice. It lemony-yellow colored, full-bodied, mouthful of delight. Pairing with this would be hard, but I can see herbed roasted-lamb bits on biscuits holding up with this. Personally, I prefer the subtle flavors, but on its own this chardonnay is a drinkable good bottle.

Cost: $17.99/bottle

Mâcon-Chardonnay, 2008

Cave de Lugny, Maconnais , France 

An excellent value from the Maconnais appellation, this a chardonnay that expresses the beautiful, subtle flavors of the fruit followed by a bright, crisp finish that leaves your palate asking for more!

My notes: Now this is my kind of Chardonnays, straw colored, lime-lemony with hints of flowers and fruits and just delicious! Clean, clear and classy, should pair well with grilled white fish with lemon-pepper.

Cost: $12.99/bottle
 

Apaltagua Reserva Chardonnay, 2008  

An un-oaked Chardonnay from Chile, this wine delivers the fullness you would expect from Chardonnay, but also has spring in it. The lively acid level is a refreshing touch. Honey and pineapple notes make it an easy drinker, as well as a great match with

with food.
Cost: $12.99/bottle

Langhorne Crossing White Blend, 2006 

This blend of Verdelho (76%), Riesling (17%), and Chardonnay (7%), is a crisp, fresh, dry white wine displaying attractive fruit salad aromas and tropical fruit flavors.  It is best drunk while young, when the lively citrus and tropical fruit characters prevail; it will develop more complex flavor with bottle maturation. A lovely accompaniment to Chicken Salad, Waldorf Salad, and fish, chicken and pasta dishes.

Cost: $12.99/bottle

Langhorne Crossing Bleasdale Red Blend, 2006  

A blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Malbec, 15% Shiraz and 6% Petit Verdot,

This wine has an expressive bouquet of red and dark berries, along with subtle floral and mineral nuances. Sappy, smooth, and fruit-driven, with palate-coating raspberry and blackberry flavors, this blend has no obvious tannins, and finishes with good clarity and length

Cost: $12.99/bottle

Donna Laura "Ali" Sangiovese di Toscana, 2007   
Donna Laura, based in the Castelnuovo Berardenga area of Chianti Classico, crafts this versatile Sangiovese.  It's aged in stainless steel tanks for a year before bottling, giving the wine a dark-toned fruit flavor. Pure, true terroir-based Sangiovese delivered at an affordable price is the calling card of this terrific new Tuscan producer.  Donna Laura produces three cuvées of exceptional flavor and intensity. Owner Lia Tolaini-Banville utilizes two distinct Sangiovese clones to achieve both earthy, peppery depth and a lively fruit aspect. This cuvées, Ali (named for Lia's daughter), boasts dark-toned fruit, evenly moderated in the mouth by a slight spice and nice acidity.

Cost: $11.99/bottle

De Bortolli Brut Chardonnay

(Australia)

Terrific sparkler from Australia that is not a wallet breaker. The sparkler is clean, refreshing and bright. It is a great summer bubbly.

Cost: $9.99/bottle

Ranga Ranga Sauvignon Blanc, 2008
(Marlborough, Australia)
Ranga Ranga is a Maori term for "Gentle Breeze". But this one is anything but gentle. Light yellow and very clear colored white. A full aroma of limes-lemons and freshly cut grass. Very clean, clear and citrusy and simply great summer wine. I am sure will pair very well with coconut curries, thai seafood.

Cost: $12.99/bottle

Fenestra Riesling, 2007

(Arroyo Seco, California)
A lovely strong Riesling. At first wiff, it shows as a riesling with soft flowers, with no indication of following sweetness. Unlike the german ones, this one is a mouthful. It is sweet, almost a late harvest grape, with added residual sugars. It does show off touches of citrus, tropical fruits with vast minerality. Should be good with curries or sushi, but I think it would be just stunning with mixed tropical fruits put together served with a splash of this wine added and a glass of this alongside. Another idea of pairing this with kiesh also sounds great.

Cost: $16.99/bottle

Three others.... which as I write this have misplaced the sheet for the same! and it is late and I don't want to go looking for the same.

Allegrini Valpolicella, 2009
(Italy)
The Valpolicella is located in the Veneto region (northeast Italy) and wines made here are mostly based on three varietals. This one uses all three; Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinera. This is a pleasant red, with just right mix of fruits and cherries, and perfectly palatable for a lazy but cooler summer evening. They are not heavy and overbearing, but simply yummy. I would pair this with chicken-pizza, or light pastas.
Cost: $17.99/bottle

Pavilion Merlot, 2006
(Napa, California)
A 100% Merlot from Napa valley. This wine was 'berrier' that the previous tasted Allegrini, with notes of cola, unsweetned chocolate (hmm!) and hints of spicy oak. Soft tannins with dense blueberry flavors, well balanced. This is another good wine to pull on a summer cool evening paired with a little heavier chesses like gorgonzola. I would pair this with Apple-Gorgonzola added to spinach salad or toasted on a english muffin. Another idea being meatloaf

Cost: $14.99/bottle

Ed's Red Blend

(California)
After the two mellower reds, this one just shouts out loud! it is called a wild wine from Napa and Russian River Vallues. It is a blend of Syrah, Zinfandel, Petit Shirah, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot! Whoa! No wonder it is loud! Incredibly rustic, richly red, plently of plums and cherries and spice to go with it. The wine maker suggest to pair this with something robust like a Mammoth (hmmm... roasted?) or for the vegetarians amongst us.... portabelo mushroom stuffed with mammoth! (lol). Really though this would be perfect with spicy lamb kabobs with mint-chile sauce!
Cost: $16.99/bottle.

What did I finally pick? Coming soon, as I taste in detail, pair it with something nice, pictures and more in the next coming months.

A while back I posted A trip furthest from here. I had an plan then and the plan is being blessed by several powers that be (thank you!).

I am going to Sydney, Australia! No jokes, I am going for two-and-half weeks.  More on this shortly

Duke Amongst English Ivy

Every year, my company (mostly the management) does this incredibly generous thing of giving five-fridays-in-summer free. This is over and beyond normal earned time, holidays, etc. That is awfully nice of them to do so. This year, we had two fridays in June, one in July (because the we got 3rd July off for independence day) and then two in August.

I kind of remember taking one June friday, I think, I don't remember. Work has been keeping pretty dang busy. Busy enough through weekends and holidays (official ones and these fun-fridays). But all that changed today. I planned not to open the computer for work. Err.... I did open the same for writing this blog, catching up on facebook, emails - friendlies (non-work), and browsing on Amazon. But that is it, the rest of the day was spent in perfect relaxation.

A lazy start of the day with Duke (my cat) meowing every 10 mins or so at my head. He was like a persistent alarm clock whose snooze time was perfectly aligned to exactly the moment I had drifted into peaceful slumber. Every 10 mins or so he would come paw my face or stare at me, and meow until I patted his noggin (hoping that was a snooze button) and negotiated another 10 mins. When Princess came around meowing, I knew it was time to get moving. It was 8 am when I finally did get out of bed. This has not happened in the longest time. I haven't lazed in bed past 6:30 am, this is a new record.

The day (in the morning, at least) promised to beautiful, warm, dry and perfectly blue skies with few wandering white clouds. Too perfect to be indoors. After cutting some more gladolias for the house, I took my coffee and just chilled on the deck. Of course Duke and Princess had a great time hanging out with me outdoors.

I had a plan for the day: Cut and rearrange gladolias for home, drop gladolias at office, mail out bills, go to the movies, go the groceries, hang out at home.

Who knew that the day would go from perfectly warm and dry to perfectly monsoon day, with torrential rains? I did not, but that did not stop me from going to the movies and groceries and all other errands in between.

So, at the movies I watched Harry Potter and Half-Blood Prince, and came away with mixed feelings. It was not as super-charged as earlier two movie were. It was definitely really cool to see Harry and friends in their teens and more mature themes in it. It was missing powerful soundtrack that I have come to relate with these movies. The scenes with Dumbledore and Harry were less profound than before, and maybe that was because I was coming out of seeing Angels and Demons with such a powerful soundtrack, or perhaps I went in with higher expectations. The end scenes were just right, but not as dark as I had imagined. But, all in all, it was a wonderful movie.

Tomorrow I go the movies again.... for another one, not Harry Potter. :) Anyone want to go, I have not yet decided what movie yet, so company and suggestions are more than welcome.  

Ok, the glads have officially gone nuts..... they are flowering and toppling over themselves faster than I can churn out vases to hold them!

So, I am cutting and bringing them in and putting them in every possible vase that can hold them. Last week, I took just about 10 of brilliant yellows and whites to office for the front desk. Office mates loved them to death (er.... no one really died, but they loved them). Early on, I was harvesting mostly whites and yellows, and now it is mostly pinks and really deep reds...