by Imogen Jane

Created on: January 23, 2007   Last Updated: April 17, 2007

Tip #1: Drive on the proper side of the road.

So, there we were, turning right because, well, that was the direction we needed to go when suddenly, we hear 60 or so horns honking at us. We are looking around and the guy going straight rolled down his window and said "G'day. You from America yeah?" I'm thinking, are we that obvious? Then it clicked. We were about to turn right...right onto the wrong side of the road, head on into traffic. The very kind country assuming man let us back up and pull in front of him, our faces red with embarrassment, but grateful we didn't die. Tip: Drive on the proper side of the road.

Tip # 2: What do you mean you don't tip?

Gramps pulled out pockets of Aussie cash and handed it to basically any one who helped us in the slightest. Bus driver, concierge, bell-boy. We had spent practically a whole month in Australia handing out money...tipping. The whole time, we got strange looks and people reluctantly took the money. It isn't like we poisoned it or something. We arrived in Sydney, our final destination before we go home to Seattle. As the hotel manager showed us to our room, Gramps pulled out some money, handed it to the lady and she refused. He asked why. And she responded that Australians don't accept tips. There we were, giving out free money to people who didn't really want it. Tip: Australians don't accept tips...most of the time anyway.

Tip #3: Watch out for them Emu's.

Aren't they cute? Playing with all those kangaroos. Oh! And look at the Koala in that tree! It has a baby! With bags of "Kang-Food" in hand we fed the baby kangaroos, and the momma kangaroos, and out of nowhere something hit me in the back of the head. I turned around to find an emu, poised and ready to poke me in the face. He wanted me to share the "Kang-Food". The zoo keepers had warned that the emu's could get mean...but, we hadn't seen any of them for hours, until one was right in my face. I hardly had the chance to reach my hand in the bag, when the bag quickly disappeared into his mouth and he was running away. Tip: Want to feed kangaroos? Act like you don't have food, and avoid the emu's.

Tip #4: Milkshake Please.

Our first dinner in Canberra. It was warm, and muggy...and...I wanted to divulge in a milkshake. So I order one. Only to get...a frothy chocolate milk. This isn't what I ordered! Tip: Order "Thick Milkshake" if you want a traditional American ice cream involved milkshake. Order regular milkshake if you want a shaken flavored milk.

Tip#5: Proposal.

We

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