Yes, don't let me confuse you, the official language here is still English (and I think primary language spoken as well, but some days depending on where I'm at in the city I wonder). However, sometimes a thick accent, someone talking quickly, or just throwing in enough "slang" words and I can be left wondering if I did really just hear English being spoken. Over the last month or so Steve and I have been working on compiling our own Aussie slang dictionary. I am sure it is quite far from complete, but just in case any of you are planning a trip in the near future or just want to throw any of these words into your American English vocabulary I thought I would share what we have learned. Many of these words are simply abbreviations, as it seems we've found Aussies really like to abbreviate things (hence the word Aussie). Some of these are not just Australian words or phrases either, but originate from British English. Please excuse the spelling as I cannot attest to the accuracy. And for any Aussie reading this, feel free to correct and add to my list!
Ambo = Ambulance
Air Con = Air conditioning
Arvo = Later part of the afternoon
Aussie = Australian
Av a go = Take a try at it
Bangers = Sausages (most commonly cooked on the grill)
Barbie = Barbeque
Barbeque = Grill
Bickie = Biscuit = Sweet cookie
Blimey = Exclamation of surprise
Blog Roll = Toilet Paper
Bludger = Someone who is lazy
Bloke = Man
Bodgie = Something not well made
Brekkie = Breakfast
Bub = Baby
Bugger = Used to express frustration
Bugger off = go away
Budgie Smugglers = Male swimming costume = Male swimsuit
Cap = Cappucino
CBD = Central Business District/Downtown/City Centre
Cheeky = Describes someone who has done something that may be considered rude or disrespectful, but often in a cunning way. Is also very commonly used to describe mischievous, sassy, young children such as my own!
Chat "to" = Chat with
Chips = French fries
Chrissie = Christmas
Cossie = Swimming Costume = Swimsuit
Crikey = Exclamation of surprise
Crisps = Potato chips
Cuppa = Cup of coffee or tea
Drink Drive = Drunk driving
Drug Drive = Driving under the influence of drugs
Esky = Cooler
Footy = Football/Soccer/Australian Rules Football
Gander = To have a look at something
G'day = Hello
Gumbies = Gum boots = Wellies = Wellingtons = Rain boots
Hens Night = Bachelorette Party
How are you finding it? = How's it going? / Do you like it?
Juice = Petrol = Gas
Kangas or Roos = Kangaroos
Kerb = Curb
Kindie = Kindergarten
Kiwi = New Zealander
Lollies = Candy
Loo = Toilet = Restroom
Macca's = McDonald's
Minny = Minute
Mitzi = Mitsubishi
Mozzie = Mosquito
Nappy = Diaper
Narky = Moody
No worries = It's ok
Pram = Stroller
Presser = Press Conference
Pressie = Present
Rashie = Long sleeve swim shirt
Rego = Car registration
Ridgy Didge = Genuine
Ripper = Great
She'll be apples = It will be ok
Satdy = Saturday
Servo = Gas station
Speedo = Speedometer
STRAYA = Australia
Sundy = Sunday
Supa = Most commonly used to replace super in "Super Center"
Sunnies = Sunglasses
Tassie = Tasmania
Thongs = Flip flops / Sandals
Tomato Sauce = Ketchup
Trolley = Shopping cart
Uni = University
Uterus = Ute = Utility vehicle
Woolie's = Woolworth's (local grocery store)
Here's to doing a better job of speaking the local language - hopefully Emma doesn't get too stressed about it!
We were fortunate that Steve had some extra time off the beginning of January, so we decided to take the week after New Years to rent a car and explore some of the coastal areas south of Sydney. Since it was the middle of summer school holidays we were far from the only people who decided that this would be a nice getaway. It felt similar to heading to the lakes of northern Minnesota or Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri during the summer. Unfortunately for us and everyone else hoping to enjoy many a day at the beach, we found ourselves amidst an extremely rainy week (for that sake month) that caused many a flash flood in the area and meant we found ourselves constantly seeking out new plans. Luckily, even without as many sunny days at the beach as we hoped, we more than enjoyed our time together as a family (knowing it will be our last trip as a family of three).
We headed out on Monday afternoon for the area around Bateman's Bay, which is about a four hour drive south of Sydney. Poor Steve had to make most of the entire drive in heavy rain, but it was otherwise uneventful and we found ourselves extremely welcome at a great Airbnb property we discovered. Ms. Lyn and Mr. Terry let us know ahead of time that they had some very friendly, but very wet dogs excited to great us upon arrival. There was no hesitation on our part, but more excitement, especially by Emma who talks about "her dog and cats at her old house" with somewhat regularity. So despite the fact that our week's forecast looked less than stellar, we knew upon our arrival that our first three nights' stay would still be enjoyable with a gorgeous house and welcoming hosts that fixed us a lovely dinner upon arrival.
Following a good first night's rest (seemingly always an important thing for us to do on our first night of vacation) we started revising our itinerary for the day. We originally chose this area for the several national parks in the area that were teeming with gorgeous beaches and wildlife. I had actually spotted a photo of Pebbly Beach in a TripAdvisor magazine that touted the beach for the wild kangaroos that resided there and I pinpointed it as a place we had to visit. Yet, with heavy rain predicted for most of the day we decided to explore the local towns instead. A lazy Aussie brekkie and coffee to start was just what we needed. We followed it with finding an indoor play area for Emma to run out some energy before venturing to the semi-covered mini golf course for Emma's first try at mini golf! She did great, surprising both of us with her patience to learn and let us help her rather than just whacking the ball throughout the whole course. We walked a local beach while the rain was light before finding an early dinner of fish and chips on a covered back deck overlooking the bay. It wasn't the beach, but it seemed that we still exceeded Emma's expectations for most of the day!
Perfecting her swing!
She just needed a little extra strength and mom not to whiff.
I don't know if Emma really came in first place, but it was a close match...
Rainy day at the beach.
Day two's forecast wasn't much better but we set off to explore some of the parks and beaches we had originally planned (although sans swimsuits). First stop was Pebbly Beach in Murramarang National Park and it did not disappoint. We found the resident kangaroos more than friendly and we enjoyed just pretending like we were part of their family lounging in the lush grasses next to the beach. We also made a quick stop to visit the kangaroos on Depot Beach. Luckily we stayed relatively dry before some more torrential rains hit the area.
They looked busy discussing the humans watching them.
Just a little hop, these animals are incredible.
No fear (from either party).
I sure hope none of them ever decide to take us out with their tail.
Just chilling next to their beach.
I just can't stop watching them.
Look carefully...
We stopped briefly at the cute little tourist trap of a town called Mogo and managed to dash into the local fudge shop between heavy downpours. At that point we had had enough of the rain so we headed back to Bateman's Bay and decided to hit up the four screen movie theater that I think nearly every other tourist had also visited in the past few days. Steve had been waiting anxiously for his opportunity to see the new Star Wars movie, and since I had little desire, we split up and I got to enjoy Emma's first movie theater experience watching the Charlie Brown Peanuts movie. She was so excited, it was priceless, and luckily she managed not to cry or be extremely frightened the entire movie (she is at a stage in life where movies and cartoons need to be selected very carefully as it seems like the smallest little thing can really scare her). With another first behind us we all met back up for dinner back on the bay before calling it a day.
She was soooo excited waiting to get in the theater with her popcorn!
Thursday arrived with a semi-decent forecast so we headed two hours north back towards Sydney for the well-known holiday area of Jervis Bay. Although we were disappointed by a change of plans with the house we had planned to rent on the bay, and at the last minute had to find another place that ended up being a little further away in the town of Berrara, we still enjoyed our visit in the area. Upon arrival we took our picnic lunch to Hyams Beach. Although it was not all that warm Emma, insisted on getting on her new swimsuit and playing in the sand. It was quite windy as well and far from ideal beach conditions. So when the skies looked threatening we packed up and went to find where we would be staying the next two nights. In Berrara we found ourselves not far from another beach so we made our way there for the end of the day. It ended up hardly raining and instead just being incredibly windy, so while not really swimming weather, Emma was ecstatic to finally have some time at the beach.
Showing off the new "swimming costume."
Some serious wind and waves.
Friday morning we awoke to glorious sunshine and warm temperatures! So there was one place and one place only we were destined to end up, the beach. We quickly found ourselves at one of the largest, main beaches in Jervis Bay in the town of Vincentia. I was a bit worried that it would be absolutely packed considering it was one of the biggest holiday weeks of the year and they had just endured four plus days of mostly rain. While there were quite a few people, I think there was just so much beach, and in comparison to central Sydney, so few people. As a result we still felt like we had the place to ourselves.
I don't know what she was trying to do, but I know she was pretty excited and happy!
While I had been on a day trip to Jervis Bay when I visited Australia before, it was the middle of winter and we had limited time, so I was nearly as excited about the beach day as Emma. The area is popular for many reasons - the large bay and numerous beautiful beaches, some of the whitest sand in the world (supposedly this is where Waikiki Beach gets its sand from), great dolphin and whale watching, and on Steve's list - the hope to see the bioluminescent plankton at night (more on that later).
Getting ready to test the board...
Daddy showing Emma how it's done.
The beach we chose was beautiful with perfect waves and sand. Emma was anxious to try out her new body board, but found the waves a little intimidating so Steve made his best use of it instead. After a great morning of play and relaxation for all of us, we made our way to the town of Huskisson for a delicious late lunch at the 5 Little Pigs. Following lunch we found our way back to virtually the same spot on the beach, but this time a little closer to the Moona Moona Creek. The creek was touted as a great spot for kids as it is a small inlet coming in from the ocean that provides calm waters. I could see how that is the case, but unfortunately as we found it with the first signs and smells in the area of Red Tide, it did not have what I would say is its likely usual appeal. Red Tide as we came to learn is an algal bloom that causes the water to turn red or brown. As far as it is known, it has a very low risk to people, mostly it can only potentially harm marine and plant life in the area (although certain blooms are evidently good). It does, however, make the water far from appealing in look and smell (smells like ammonia). Many people were still playing in the waters but we had a difficult time finding them very enjoyable so for the most part stayed away and kept to the bigger waves on the main beach.
And this is what red tide looks like...
However, there was one slight reason we were excited to see the red tide. There may be a link between it and a phenomenon called bioluminescent plankton, which is essentially a glowing plankton that can be seen in the waters in complete darkness. Steve had recently found some photos in Jervis Bay of this occurring. There are many conditions that need to be met for it to occur, and unfortunately while it does occur throughout the world in various places, there are very few that experience it on a consistent basis. So after dinner we made our way back to the beach around 10 pm in hopes of experiencing it, but had no luck, just dark beaches and water. So for now we will keep it on our bucket list to find someday, somewhere.
This was what we were hunting for, but we came up empty handed (photo from secondglobe.com).
Saturday promised another great weather day, but it was also our last day and we needed to drive back to Sydney by early afternoon. So we got ready quickly with plans to spend a few hours of the morning at a new beach in the bay before starting our remaining two hour drive. This time we made our way a little further north on the bay to Callala Beach. To our disappointment it was clear that the red tide had grown overnight. Less than appealing we found our way to Callala Bay instead, where there was less red tide, but the beach was not near as nice. It didn't phase Emma too much luckily and we still enjoyed a little remaining family time at the beach.
The week was not what we had hoped nor planned, but for this soon to be family of four, it was still some great time together outside in a little quieter, more relaxed setting than Sydney. Perhaps we'll find our way back again in better weather, but this is Australia after all, there are a whole lot of beaches left for us to explore!
Yes, don't let me confuse you, the official language here is still English (and I think primary language spoken as well, but some days depending on where I'm at in the city I wonder). However, sometimes a thick accent, someone talking quickly, or just throwing in enough "slang" words and I can be left wondering if I did really just hear English being spoken. Over the last month or so Steve and I have been working on compiling our own Aussie slang dictionary. I am sure it is quite far from complete, but just in case any of you are planning a trip in the near future or just want to throw any of these words into your American English vocabulary I thought I would share what we have learned. Many of these words are simply abbreviations, as it seems we've found Aussies really like to abbreviate things (hence the word Aussie). Some of these are not just Australian words or phrases either, but originate from British English. Please excuse the spelling as I cannot attest to the accuracy. And for any Aussie reading this, feel free to correct and add to my list!
