iWriting線上寫作網

第一站要為你介紹的並不是她從小生長的西澳城市Perth(伯斯)，而是她離開澳洲開始她的旅遊行程前，最後一個停留的城市，也是大家最為耳熟的城市--東澳Sydney(雪梨)！

AUSTRALIA

Since I talk a lot with you all and you know so much about my life and adventures in Taiwan , I thought that it's about time that I tell you about my home. Australia is a big and beautiful place but for now I'm going to focus on Sydney because that's the city I was last in Australia .

I don't actually come from Sydney. I'm from Perth, all the way on the other side of Australia. It's the most isolated city in the world! But Perth is pretty and relaxing, and there are many cool places there. But I'll tell you about Perth another time.

Sydney is also pretty, but it is a bustling city too. I stayed in Sydney for almost 2 months before I started travelling, so I saw all of it! The opera house is really big, and on one side is the promenade which you can see in this picture below. It has a lot of pretty cafes but they're very expensive! There are plenty of nice places to sit and admire the view though (*and they're free!*), so I often enjoyed walking around there. One day I sat and listened to an Aboriginal man playing his didgeridoo. He was really popular and many tourists gave him some money or bought his CD. A didgeridoo is a long, thin instrument made from a hollow tree branch or trunk. You blow into one end and can make lots of interesting noises. I think didgeridoos sound either exciting or sad, depending on the song being played.

On the other side of the promenade and the opera house, there is the Royal Botanic Gardens. It's absolutely stunning to walk around and see the beautiful sights. It's right on the water, so you can hear the relaxing sound of waves gently lapping the shore. Sometimes I went there and just relaxed, and once I even fell asleep there!

Personally, I really like the environment and nature. Some of the natural features and species in Australia are so unique and beautiful; it'd be really good for you to see it someday!

Sydney isn't full of trees and flowers like all my pictures show, it has a lot of roads and buildings too. But it's nice that you can always escape the busy-busy-business of the city and retreat to a quiet and lovely park so easily. Another great thing about the city is that it is really close to lots of attractions: aquariums, the Blue Mountains, wineries and wildlife parks. At the wildlife parks you can meet koalas, kangaroos, guinea fowls and peacocks, as well as many other adorable and interesting animals.

Above: Some wallabies (a relation of the kangaroo) and a kangaroo

Below: Fairy Penguins coming out of the water

And… some sleepy koalas

I'm not too sure about koalas, but I can tell you some interesting facts about kangaroos. Did you know that when a baby kangaroo is born, it's the same size as a NTD$1? It's so tiny, isn't it? And all by itself, it crawls up into its mother's pouch where it can sleep and be safe for the next few months while it grows bigger. But a really amazing fact about kangaroos is that they can carry embryos inside of them for years. Why? Because in Australia, in some places it might not rain for a long, long time. Therefore if there is not a lot of grass for kangaroos to eat, and if a mother kangaroo gave birth to a baby, there might not be enough food for them to eat. So, a mother kangaroo can choose not to give birth until there is enough food around, and makes sure that her baby will survive!   

Riana要教大家一些不同於美式英語的澳洲口語英語，把它學起來，下次遇見來自澳洲的朋友，跟他說他所熟悉的澳洲英語，他一定會覺得你很親切喔！ 

Ok – so you know a little more about our animals, but let me teach you some Australian words!

Aussie = Australian (pronounced like “ozzie”)

G'day = hello

Bush = the countryside

Biscuits = cookies

Mate = friend

Bathers = swim suit

BYO = ‘bring your own” – usually beer, meat etc for a party

"He's got a few loose roos in the top paddock" - it means the person is crazy.

"Chucking a wobbly" - someone is angry and upset about something.

"Mad as a cut snake" - to be really angry

"Chip off the ol’ block" - to be just like their Mum or Dad

Oh - and in Australia we say "Mum", not "Mom". Mom is the American way to address your Mum.

Have you heard of any? Let me know which ones you know of!! As an Australian by herself in Taiwan , it always a heart-felt reminder when someone knows something about Australia J

I'm here in Taiwan , so if you have any popular sayings or expressions then please let me know! I really want to learn more.