whats hot, what's not and what is just plain topsy-turvy
Hot top 10
1. Plastic money yip you can leave it in the washing machine and it comes out tip top, I have even heard of someone leaving it in the oven (long story), it shrinking but as you could still see the serial number the bank replaced it.
2. Outdoor lifestyles everything is centred on being outdoors, alfresco dining, exercise, travelling to work etc forms the fabric of daily life.. there is no chance of suffering from the disorder SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).
3. Meat & Fish very good quality and cheap as chips! And grilled fish available at the chippy not just deep fried!
4. Coffee is available anyway you like (e.g. double soy decaf extra hot . it goes on and on) and is on every street corner
5. Air so clean compared to London - outstanding (no more black bogies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
6. Restaurants the quality and variety is generally very high. Check out Sydney's Good Food Guide each year, the book makes a great investment and lists butchers, grocers, markets etc, the 2008 awards are published in the Sydney Morning Herald. Food halls in major buildings in the city are amazing and really good value! BYO lots of very good restaurants do 'Bring Your Own' wine (some with corkage so check out in advance).
7. Barbeques communal barbeques on the beach or in parks available for free or for small change hooray!
8. Cars generally cheap.
9. Wine although not many European wine varieties easily available they produce some rocking stuff around this neck of the woods, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is a definite preferred choice and Yarra Valley Rieslings aren't too bad either!
10. Work life balance you really are nearly always out of work between 17.00 - 18.00!
Not hot to trot
1. Broadband snails pace and with download restrictions.
2. Fish and Chip chips they just aren't right, they are processed and not real potato chips like good old Blighty fish and chips.
3. Taxis a nightmare on a Friday night, literally a rule unto themselves. They drive around empty with their light off and wont stop at taxi ranks you can be waiting for more than a hour easily. You can call and book them but they are unlikely to turn up.
4. Underground there is not a comprehensive metro system like London (who thought I would ever miss the tube).
5. Public transport - generally expensive
6. Marmite the serious lack of it, vegemite doesn't compare and the stuff they call Marmite just aint!
7. Champagne very expensive, we are spoilt in the UK being so close to Europe.
8. Fashion there are fewer options with clothes shops (the big names are here including Gucci, Armani etc) but the European labels haven't made it across yet (e.g. Zara).
9. Books they are so EXPENSIVE (no Amazon)
10. TV adverts tacky and too many on free to air channels!
Topsy-turvy
Coon that is a make of cheese!
Sausage rolls, cake and tea served for morning tea at many places of work.
Wog that's what they call people of Mediterranean descent, it is not offensive here like it would be in the UK.