Tag Archives: Australia

The Australian Bakery in AMERICA!

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Yesterday, April 25, was ANZAC day.  We had had a great show in Macon, Georgia the night before at Christ Chapel and I was driving the Alabaster Box tour van home.  Everyone was in the back watching movies or sleeping when I remembered that there was an “Australian Bakery” in Atlanta somewhere.   After some quick consultation with Naarah – Alabaster Box’s lead singer, we decided to stop there for lunch seems it only added 2mins to our ETA.


It was a hit!  I had a lamb, curry and vege meat pie [Meat Pies are a savoury crust with filling inside - usually a saucy stewy meat and gravy consistency some have veges], a Lamington [a sponge cake dipped in chocolate and coated in coconut] and bought a Cherry Ripe Chocolate bar for the ride home.  All very authentic and not that healthy!   They had fish ‘n’ chips, burgers with the lot (Beets, fried eggs, tomato, lettuce, cheese, fried onion…etc..etc.), pavlovas, caramel and cherry ripe slices, Bundaberg Ginger Beer (non alcoholic gingery carbonated beverage)…etc…etc.   It seriously felt like an authentic Australian Cafe.  Needless to say we stayed there for a while savouring the moment.

Fact…

Australians are the world’s largest consumers of meat pies per capita, with each person on average consuming over 12 meat pies and a further 17 combined pastries, sausage rolls, and party pies per annum.  (The Australian Bakery)

Seriously though, every ‘servo’ [Gas station] or cafe you come across in Australia will serve some sort of meat pie and/or Sausage Roll.  Although… some of them I’d be hesitant to recommend… This photo above was taken of Naarah and I somewhere on the side of the road between Adelaide and Berri in South Australia.  We were broken down and some kind dude took us to the nearest cafe for us to buy Ginger Beer, fish n chips and meat pies!

If you have a minute… here is a classic video of us trying to decide whether to actually eat the food and share it with the billions of flies that were plaguing us!  Eric’s classic fly dance is priceless… I’ll prob get busted for showing this one!

So you wanna experience some Aussie goodness?  You can either visit the Australian Bakery next time you’re in Atlanta OR you can buy online! Check it out! Or you can come visit and I’ll make ya one!

Have you ever tried an Aussie meat pie?  Whats your thoughts?

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Australia day in Tennessee… what I miss about home right now

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January 26 marks a special day on an Australia’s calendar – Australia Day! Officially its a day to remember the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet of 11 convict ships that came in from Britain in 1788. However in reality, its a public holiday where Aussie’s have a barbie, go for a swim, play a game of backyard cricket or just soak up some sunshine doing something outdoorsy.

Well, I’m in Nashville, Tennessee almost as far away from the sunshine and heat as they come so I thought I’d share some things I’m missing right now!
1. Pool parties with @festivallinda. How dare she twitpic pics of their pool party!!!

2. Eating a big roast lamb! Seriously I have very few friends here who’d even join me if I cooked one. Sam Kekovich would seriously be horrified! Watch his passionate plea to the world to eat lamb here.

3. My family… my niece and my little sister are probably going fishing with their pink girlie fishing rods!

4. Ginger Beer, lollies, Cadbury Chocolate (I know America has Cadbury… but take a close look at where it is made… Hershey’s factory… not cool!), Bakery’s with fresh bread, lamingtons and meat pies, sausage rolls, fish and chips… just to name a few.

5. The beach… what more do I need to say?

6. A roomful of Aussie’s accents, people joking around… mostly lots of sarcasm and bad jokes.

What I love about Nashville though…
1. The people that make this place feel like home. You know who you are… home is where friends make you feel loved and at ‘home’! Thank you for welcoming me into this town!

2. It’s country feel… the rollin’ green hills (at least thats what you see from the sky when you fly in during the spring!) the shades of Autumn… the (ever so slight!) chances of snow.

3. Grinning to myself everytime I hear a REAL southern accent! Sometimes I still don’t believe they really talk like that :-p

4. My friends graciously letting me brag on Australia and they even eat the ‘Aussie’ food I make and say they like it!

5. It’s cheaper to fill my car up with fuel here and to eat out!

6. We almost speak the same language! Every now and then I’ll have to explain ‘I’ll shout’ or how long a fortnight is… but most of my friends have gotten use to my lingo and understand me or just grin and pretend they did!

So cheers! Happy Australia Day! Find your local Outback Steakhouse and celebrate – even though they wont even realise there even is an Australia day! Below is a video of our shenanigan a few years ago at the Coolsprings one! Where you there?

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13 things to do in South East Queensland, Australia in FOUR days!

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Recently I had the privilege of having two American friends come to my part of the world – Southeast Queensland in Australia. I had four days to show off my country so put together basically a four day which I think… left the girls impressed!

So here’s 13 things to do in South East Queensland!


DAY ONE
1. Check out South Bank on Brisbane River
You’ll find a place safe for the whole family to go swimming, great places to eat, markets, beautiful parks to stroll through and see the view of Brisbane city. You can even check out for free Queensland Museum or Queensland Art Gallery. You can jump on a city train or a bus and to Southbank Station.

2. Enjoy the river by catching a CityCat to Brett’s Warf
At Brett’s warf you’ll find lots of places to eat. We walked the short distance to Hamilton Hotel where we bought a good pub meal. Kangaroo steaks are even on the menu!

3. Experience Brisbane by night.
Catch a CityCat back to Southbank and walk across to the Victoria Bridge to the city – or just get off at QUT or North Quay. The city has late night shopping on Friday nights. Lots of pubs, clubs and places to eat. Also walk to and check out the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens – if you’re there in the evening watch the skyline for the millions of bats!

4. Late night at Mt Coot-tha
For a spectacular view of Brisbane by night drive (or catch a cab) to Mt Coot-tha and grab a coffee and cake from Kuta Café. Lovely romantic place to end your night if you have a date!

DAY TWO
5. Hit the famous Gold Coast
You can catch a train or bus to the beach but if you can beg, steel, borrow a car that would be make the rest of this trip easier! And try and find somewhere to stay the night. If you can’t find somewhere free to gatecrash try wotif.com for last minute deals on great hotels. I recommend going to a not-so-touristy beach like Burleigh Heads, Currumbin (checking out Elephant Rock) or Palm Beach. Surfers Paradise is a big tourist trap next to the beach. I’m not a big fan. Be sure to douse yourself in Suncream and if you like your skin avoid the beach from 11am – 2pm. (We didn’t and got burnt even with suncream on!)

6. Go shopping
Robina Town Centre is ROCKING right now! Shops for every budget and the most amazing chocolate place ever – Max Brenner!

7. Go snorkeling
Check out the tides and go for a snorkel at the mouth of the tweed river near Point Danger. Best to go as High Tide is coming in to try and avoid being swept out to the ocean. There is really an underwater world out there!

8. Eat at Coolangatta
Kirra Beach is the gateway to Queensland’s Gold Coast and is has one of the widest sand bars – amazing. We grabbed dinner at Thai Coola Restaurant (plenty of options though – Fish and chips, Mexican, Sushi…etc) and then strolled down to an holiday amusement park and had some fun with our cameras.

DAY THREE
9. Get some local church culture
We happened to be on the Gold Coast still for a Sunday so I took everyone to my home church Beachside Christian Church. We actually went after another quick snorkel… so you can dress super casual. People roll in from the surf to meet with and worship God.

10. Experience the breathtaking views of Byron Bay
We then headed south into the next state, New South Wales to visit Byron Bay. This is a little hippie town thats becoming more and more of a major tourist attraction. ‘The Cape Byron Lighthouse is Australia’s most easterly light being situated on the most easterly point of the mainland. It is also Australia’s most powerful Lighthouse.’ More If you have more time then we did I recommend going to the exclusive Watego’s beach and walking to the top of the cape to the Lighthouse. If you’re there in the right season you might even see whales or dolphins. Seriously one of my favourite des
tinations.

11. Go a-drivin in the country to Stanthorpe

The 3.5hour drive

The incredible views

We then hit the road a little further south and then west and drove through the Great Dividing Range. It was unprecedentedly green and beautiful. Often struck by severe droughts this country would have looked totally different just a month before. The American’s got to see their first ‘wild’ Kangaroo enroute! We then stayed at a farm just South of Stanthorpe with friends. There are heaps of quaint little villa’s to stay at around Stanthorpe or Girraween. Here’s just one site with info. If you’re into coming to Australia to work for a season – you can come to this town to pick fruit and earn a bit of cash. See here for more info.

DAY FOUR
12. Go ‘bush walking’ at Girraween National Park
You could spend all day walking to different cool locations at Girraween. We went to the Pyramids – huge Pyramid shaped rocks that give you a great work out to climb. They are made from granite. We then went to the underground river. This was my favourite part. The river was fairly low, so you can climb down into it and see the way the years of rushing water has highly polished and uniquely carved the granite.

You’ll be sure to see heaps of Kangaroos, Lizards and you might even see a snake! Its a bit deadly

13. Take your time and drive back to the big smoke (city)
There’s plenty more to do in Stanthorpe on the way back home. Check out the wineries. Have a meal at a local cafe. Stop at Heavenly Chocolate on the way out of Girraween… or check out the UGG BOOT LADY if you are there in the cold and need to rug up!

Our four day tour of South East Queensland and the little drive through Northern New South Wales truly was awesome. I love Australia. We drove just over 600kms and saw Australia in all its glory… or at least just a fraction of it! I highly recommend you save your dimes and make it happen all you American’s who keep telling me ‘I really want to go to Australia one day’

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Americans coming to Australia

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Last week, my friend Holly and her friend Jessica came from the US to visit me in Australia. They landed here on New Years Eve ready to party! It was great seeing and hearing them get excited about this country and hearing them comment on things they noticed were different. The following Video is a little video blog they did … captured in the car on the way to the Gold Coast.

Click here if this video doesn’t upload in your reader.

Stay tuned for our four day tour of South East Queensland and Northern NSW!

Christmas wishes from Downunder!

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It’s time to say ‘Happy Christmas’… and reflect on the birth of Christ! Praise God for allowing his son to come to earth as an innocent, helpless Child to live a human life!

I was sent this encouraging quote this past week that I thought I’d share with you all.

“Sometimes our light goes out but is blown again into flame by an encounter with another human being. Each of us owes the deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this inner light.” Albert Schweitzer

This Christmas lets reflect on those who’ve quietly invested in our lives. Isn’t it interesting seeing who indeed has been brought our way during the different seasons we go through to encourage us! I’m truly grateful for my friends. Some of you I know real well… some of you I’ve met on the road just for an hour or two… some via twitter or this blog.

I pray that this Christmas you (and I) are encouraged and brought to a deeper understanding of the true friendship we can have with Christ, the KING who was born on Christmas day over 2000 years ago. And also that we can realise how much impact we can have on someone else’s life by giving some time, resources and love. If you have a minute free check out this video from our local Brissy radio station, 96.5 and see one of their local DJ’s, Liam Renton, take to the street for a week to find out what its really like being homeless. Certainly leaves you with something to think about!

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So blessings to you this Christmas from ‘Downunder’.

On the road to… Uluru

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Last week I got to fulfill a lifelong dream and visit the centre of Australia! Alabaster Box had a gig in Alice Springs. We flew in at around 4:30pm on the Monday afternoon. A couple of us took up some locals offer to drive out to visit Uluru that evening. The 4WD of choice ended up having a steering issue so we took the next option – a Hyundai Getz. Yeah, it was probably the most logical options fuel economy-wise with fuel out there being between $1.50 – $2 a litre… but as far as driving after dark goes… we potentially were issuing ourselves a bit of a life threat! I thought that we would only have to worry about roos… but no… apparently at times hitting camels is almost as possible!

So after stocking up on redbull, ice coffee’s, lollies, banana’s and road food we left Alice Springs after 7pm. So late! The unlimited speed limits have now been dropped to between 130kph – 100kph but because of the wildlife all over the roads we barely went over 80 clicks!

Check out the vid below for some action! Click here if it doesn’t come up in your reader.

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At midnight, about 80ks from the rock, we pulled up in a free camping area on the side of the road. This one actually had a real toilet and a shower block. The area is encaged by an electric fence to keep out wild beasts… and dingos We rolled out our swags (somehow we fit three of them in the Getz!)and fell asleep watching shootings stars. The sky looked magnificent! 1000′s of kilometers from the nearest city lights. Even a new moon seemed to give off as much light as a full one. And if you’ve never slept in a swag put it on the to-do list. One of the most comfortable, outdoors sleeping/camping arrangements there is. In Alice Springs pretty much everyone has one so we had plenty of options to borrow!

Next morning, we arose as the sun did and continued our journey to the rock arriving just after 7am. All looked good for us to climb Uluru… we set off to climb and took no more then 20 steps up when the park ranger ordered us down. The winds had picked up making it too dangerous to climb. Apparently people have lost their lives falling off the thing! So gutted… this was our tour guide Matt’s 3RD attempt to climb it! He’s now seeing how many times he can do the 1100km round trip before he GETS to actually climb it!

After traipsing around and taking a few happy snaps we decided to use the extra time we now had to go out a little further and check out Kata Tjuta also known as the Olgas. These incredible rock formations look like sediment… many rocks joined together to form the 36 huge steep sided monoliths. Kinda makes you wonder when they REALLY were formed. The day was unprecedentedly cool so we walked the ‘Valley of the Winds Walk’. There were a lot less tourists at the Olgas and a much more rugged, authentic walking trails. You definitely felt like you were getting a glimpse of some exclusive God made sculptures… surrounded by 1000′s of kms of uninhabited desert. So incredible. Definitely as spectacular as Uluru and highly worth checking out.

On the road home I just soaked in the views – the red sandunes… the straight roads… passing massive road trains (semis can have up to six trailers!)… dodging Wedge Tailed Eagles who prey on the road kill… two narrow misses with Emus and their chicks. I love the great outdoors our God has given us to enjoy! Make sure you take some time out to enjoy creation today.

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Coincidence or destiny?

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One of my favourite moments this past weekend was running into an old mate at Albury, NSW airport when we were catching our 6:30am flight to Adelaide. Matt was one of the pilots flying the little Dash we were on! I had tried catching up with he and his wife while I was in Sydney a few weeks ago but it just didn’t happen. So it was so awesome to get to catch up as everyone boarded!

Got me thinking while we were flying about how God cares for each one of us so much that he’ll do whatever it takes to get our attention. So often we wonder if he’s forgotten us… or if he’s keeping up with where we are in the world – in my case Is he gonna let my soulmate find me? Am I where God wants me? As I was gazing over Australia’s beautiful countryside on that flight… fog filled valleys… miles and miles of rugged bushland… I just sensed God’s presence so tangibly as he reminded me that he cares so much about me and that he knows the plans he has for me… (Jer 29:11) He absolutely ordains our steps. He puts people in contact with us to encourage us or for us to encourage them. So grateful to be living in his will!

Hope you’re encouraged today!

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On the road to… Tamworth

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Another day on the road… yesterday we traveled through the back roads and over the Great Dividing Range to get from Taree to get to Tamworth. The shot seen here was taken out the window along the way. I love driving through the bush of Australia. Especially when its all green! Very uncommon.

Tour has been great still. Since I’ve written we’ve played in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Taree and tonight in country music capital of Australia – Tamworth. Check out the photo below with the massive (not) Golden Guitar!

Prob my highlight of this past week if I had to choose one would be visiting the school I use to teach at – Mueller College. We played in their massive awesome new venue to over 900 kids and teachers and were welcomed with open arms. There was such anticipation and excitement. It was kinda weird feeling like the place was so familiar yet I didn’t know any of the students anymore… just teachers. The crazy chaplain told the year 5 students that the most important signature they could get was the ‘band managers’ so then I was bombarded by them all! Gosh! I don’t envy the band on that one It was super encouraging though hearing how God is moving each week in their chapel services and that students love it. So often uncommon in Christian schools. Many many have given their lives to Jesus this year.
Above is a shot of Alabaster Box’s show in Taree.

Better fly… the boys have nearly finished packing the truck yet another night… hopefully you’ve been able to catch a show somewhere or plan too. Love to hear what your favourite moment of the show was if you have!

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Seawalking in Cairns

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On Monday, we had a day off and had the privilege of going to see one of the seven wonders of the world. Green Island on the Great Barrier Reef. We left on a boat from Cairns and made our way out to the island. Our friends from SU hooked us up with Karl from the amazing company – Seawalker. What an incredible experience.

Basically what you do is jump in wetsuit and then descend a ladder into the ocean. On the way down you get a 35kg air helmet thing plomped on your head and you just keep going. Its kinda freaky watching people just head into the depths of the ocean and disappear. I was wondering whether I should be risking it considering I had had asthma in my day. But she was all good. 15 feet under the water once on the ocean floor we were directed by snorkelers to a meeting place where we all held this bar and then trudged around looking at coral and fish. The snorkelers would throw fish food into our helmets and then we’d got attacked (not really!) by huge fish! It was AMAZING! I even got to see NEMO! Like for real! There he was swimming in the coral. So if you are ever in Cairns, I highly recommend checking out Seawalker for an incredible underwater experience.

Later in the day, I attempted snorkeling around the jetty on Green Island. Again such an incredible experience. A friend and I were snorkeling under the jetty checking out all the huge fish when we spotted on the floor of the ocean a shark looking shape slightly buried in sand. I thought it was like a fakey that someone had put their to scare off tourists cause we had totally been told to snorkel in that area. The thought actually crossed my mind to go swim down to it… thankfully my diving ability is pretty poor and I gave up on the idea before I even tried… cause later the boys left the water screaming like girls when the SHARK moved! So yeah… I technically went swimming with a shark

So put it on the agenda… go to Cairns experience the Great Barrier Reef.

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its finally here… SYDNEY – MELBOURNE – ATHERTON

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I hate that I’ve barely had a second to blog in the last two weeks since I’ve been back in Australia. Getting online is a luxury! I landed in Brissy Thursday week ago… the first week was just a blur trying to finish off the itinerary for this 22 town and city tour! Seriously check it out at www.alabasterbox.com. Its by far the biggest tour I have attempted to organise!

Last Wednesday we jumped on a plane to Sydney… eventually! After a 3 hour delay, huge luggage dramas we finally were on our way and ended up at the principals office – I mean residence at ‘The Kings School’ – Australia’s oldest and one of the most prestigious colleges in Australia. Alabaster Box had the great honour of playing the boys chapel.

This is a pic of the boys on parade lining up to come to chapel.

We then played a show at Sydney at Norshore Christian Church.

Saturday morning nice and early we headed to the capital of Victoria – Melbourne. My first visit to this city… and only there for 24 hours! Our show was right in the city so I got a quick glimpse of this cities art and food culture. I want more! Another great show run by Melbournes Light FM. I also stayed up way to late catching up with a long lost cousin!

An awesome little side story to the show in Melbourne. One of the guys in the band whilst walking from the hotel back to the show was asked for money by a homeless couple. Somehow he ended up offering to buy them Subway (seriously I have no idea how this all happened in the short time frame he had… it was an absolutely manic evening preparing for the show!) and invited them to the show. He found out that the guys brother had been tragically killed in a train accident the week before (wont go into the graphic details) which resulted in him becoming homeless. The couple ended up coming to the show and stayed through the whole evening. The guy was powerfully moved to tears by the words spoken and sung and hung around at the end to get help. God even put a pastor at the concert who knew someone that specifically helps people in these types of situations that they could be put in touch with. Makes you think hey? How many times do you brush of someone who’s asking for help? Maybe God brought us to Melbourne just for these dudes!

Sunday morning we boarded yet another flight to Cairns – far north Queensland… and then drove to Atherton tablelands for a show! Yep – thats pretty much from the bottom of Australia to the top… almost. In Atherton the vibe was amazing! So many people showed up in this country town for the church service. I love working with country towns. I love the response to shows. I love how churches work together to put on events. I look forward to this weeks shows in Townsville, Bowen, Rocky, Bundy and Hervey Bay. I’ll be back with more from Alabaster Box’s We will not be silent tour. To follow check out my twitter.