A to Z on…

@sishy7 (27169)
Australia
December 1, 2017 11:42am CST
# 96 A – AUSTRALIA: the name Australia originally comes from the latin terra australis incognita meaning "unknown southern land". B – Barbie: not the doll but the favorite pastime or BBQ. C – Cricket: one of the most popular sports in Australia. D – Dingo: a feral dog which is quite common in Australia. E – Emu: one of the animals that become a symbol of Australia. F – Fishing: another favorite pastime. G – Great Barrier Reef: the largest coral reef system in the world. H – Hamilton Island: a favorite tourist destination near the Great Barrier Reef. I – Indigenous Australians: the original inhabitants of the Australian continent. J – Jellyfish: one of the many deadly creatures in Australian waters. K – Kangaroo: one of the official symbols of Australia. L – Lamingtons: an Australian cake, made from squares of sponge cake coated in an outer layer of chocolate sauce and rolled in desiccated coconut. M – Melbourne: the capital city of an Australian state of Victoria and second-most populous city in Australia after Sydney. N – New South Wales: a state on the east coast of Australia with Sydney as its capital city. O – Opera House: located in Sydney, it is one of the most well-known buildings in the world. P – Phillip Island: just a short trip from Melbourne, it is another popular tourist destination which is also home of well-known circuit for MotoGP and F1 racing. Q – Qantas: Australia’s official airline. R – Red back spider: highly venomous spider native to Australia. S – South Australia: a state in the southern central part of Australia known for its extreme wilderness. The red back spider is believed to be originated from SA. T – Thongs: not the underwear but the footwear or, specifically, flip-flops. U – Ute: Australian term for utility vehicle like a pick-up truck. V – Vegemite: Australian food spread made from leftover brewers' yeast extract with various vegetable and spice additives. W – Western Australia: a state covering the entire western third of the country with Perth as its capital city. X – Xmas: it falls in the middle of summer and it is common for Australians to celebrate it at the beach. Y – Yulara: an isolated town in the Southern Region of the Northern Territory, Australia. Z – Zebra rock: a distinctive reddish-brown and white-banded sedimentary rock from the east Kimberley of Western Australia. Hope you enjoy the little tour down under…
50 people like this
44 responses
@AmbiePam (85496)
• United States
1 Dec 17
I have been to Australia, but will never try their kangaroo pizza.
10 people like this
@AmbiePam (85496)
• United States
2 Dec 17
@hereandthere The people were incredible, and the scenery was majestic.
8 people like this
@sishy7 (27169)
• Australia
2 Dec 17
@AmbiePam I did try a bite of kangaroo steak and that was it...
5 people like this
• Philippines
2 Dec 17
what did you like when you were there?
9 people like this
@JudyEv (325776)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Dec 17
Well done. I think you've chosen very appropriate facts.
10 people like this
@sishy7 (27169)
• Australia
2 Dec 17
Aww, you knew all of these plus much, much more, I'm sure...
6 people like this
@JudyEv (325776)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Dec 17
@sishy7 These are still good basic facts.
4 people like this
@much2say (53959)
• Los Angeles, California
1 Dec 17
I thought this was going to be A-Z all about sishy7 . But I love this too! A lot of my Australian "knowledge" came from The Wiggles when my kids used to watch them. Ohhhh, I hope you will write more about "Lamingtons" sometimes - I've never heard of that one !
7 people like this
@much2say (53959)
• Los Angeles, California
2 Dec 17
@hereandthere .. . Oh, that's a tough one! My very favorite was actually not a Wiggle, but a pirate - Captain Feathersword . But if it must be a Wiggle, I loved Anthony's (blue) forever enthusiasm . . . and of course let's not forget Jeff (purple) - the one who always fell asleep (I would love to have his job ).
5 people like this
@sishy7 (27169)
• Australia
2 Dec 17
They're a typical bakery item down here just like meat pies. Oh, did you hear about that ESPN reporter (Darren Rovell) who tried eating a meat pie at an NBA game and nearly caused a US vs Australia war?
2 people like this
• Philippines
2 Dec 17
and which wiggle (color) did you like?
4 people like this
@Fleura (29129)
• United Kingdom
1 Dec 17
Well what can I say, you found something notable for every letter.
7 people like this
@sishy7 (27169)
• Australia
1 Dec 17
Thank you. Some letters are harder than the others...
3 people like this
• Philippines
2 Dec 17
i agree. it's a great idea.
4 people like this
@DianneN (246849)
• United States
1 Dec 17
Great A-Z list! I knew quite a few of those facts, but you left out your poisonous snakes and jumping spiders that terrify me!!!!
8 people like this
@sishy7 (27169)
• Australia
2 Dec 17
Yeah, I was going to do B for brown snakes but changed it to barbie instead.
3 people like this
@Kandae11 (53679)
1 Dec 17
Very interesting. Thank you for sharing this.
7 people like this
@sishy7 (27169)
• Australia
1 Dec 17
No worries... Thank you for stopping by. Did you learn something new from any of the letters by any chance?
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
2 Dec 17
Now I have learned a few more things, but keep those spiders to yourself.
5 people like this
@sishy7 (27169)
• Australia
2 Dec 17
They originated from one state (SA) but I think now they can be found all over Australia...
2 people like this
@rebelann (111177)
• El Paso, Texas
1 Dec 17
That's awesome, it's always good to know how some words that mean one thing here is totally different there. And boy am I glad there are no red backed spiders here
6 people like this
@sishy7 (27169)
• Australia
1 Dec 17
I believe they discovered an effective anti-venom for them though, thankfully.
5 people like this
@rebelann (111177)
• El Paso, Texas
1 Dec 17
I sure hope so @sishy7 of course here they probably don't, I just hope they haven't been introduced into the Americas.
4 people like this
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
2 Dec 17
yeah, christmas down under means barbie and beach. the only ones that's new to me are yulara and zebra rock, speaking of which, why not the massive red rock uluru for u? by the way, just how do you pronounce ute?
5 people like this
@sishy7 (27169)
• Australia
2 Dec 17
I posted about zebra rock on Bubblews - I'll probably do another write up on here one day, it's very interesting... It's pronounced just like when you say 'utility' without the -ility...
3 people like this
@pgntwo (22408)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
1 Dec 17
Thongs, not the down-under variety...
4 people like this
@sishy7 (27169)
• Australia
2 Dec 17
No... Havaianas has a massive range of varieties and it's a must-have item for all the Aussie kids, men, and women.
2 people like this
@sishy7 (27169)
• Australia
3 Dec 17
@hereandthere Yes, it's a popular brand as well... But their thongs are a bit fancier and pricier than the ones people usually wear to the beach... Crocs are definitely comfortable for walking around all day though...
3 people like this
• Philippines
3 Dec 17
@sishy7 how about crocs?
2 people like this
@sol_cee (38223)
• Philippines
1 Dec 17
L for me please!
5 people like this
@sishy7 (27169)
• Australia
2 Dec 17
I'll have to make them someday and share them here...
3 people like this
• Philippines
2 Dec 17
@sishy7 well, then can you do the caramel slice and the jelly slice shown here too?
Australia's culinary love affair with desserts is much more than pavlova and lamingtons. Discover the sugary, delicious foods you are missing out on!
3 people like this
• Philippines
2 Dec 17
i love timtam, but fantasize about the pavlova.
3 people like this
@Shiva49 (26202)
• Singapore
2 Dec 17
Nice to learn about the "Lucky Country". Been there thrice - first visit to Gold Coast, Sydney, Canberra Second to Melbourne and third to WA. I was called to the stage to act out sort of a play at the Gold Coast. I was among the hundreds but I couldn't refuse. I did my best though I couldn't understand some parts due to your unique accent! siva
6 people like this
@sishy7 (27169)
• Australia
2 Dec 17
Oh, you've been to most states especially on the east coast... What's left are just NT, SA and Tasmania...
3 people like this
@Shiva49 (26202)
• Singapore
3 Dec 17
@sishy7 I do not know whether I can make another visit to Australia. Anyway if I get a chance, why not? siva
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
1 Dec 17
Very cool. I learned a lot from this post that I never knew!!
5 people like this
@sishy7 (27169)
• Australia
2 Dec 17
Thanks! Glad there's something new to learn from this post.
3 people like this
@kavinitu (5535)
• India
2 Dec 17
Because of your post, I thought I had come to Australia
4 people like this
@sishy7 (27169)
• Australia
2 Dec 17
Glad I could bring you down here...
3 people like this
@kavinitu (5535)
• India
2 Dec 17
@sishy7 Hope to see you someday
2 people like this
@marguicha (215428)
• Chile
1 Dec 17
Thanks for the post. I only knew about Melbourne.
4 people like this
@marguicha (215428)
• Chile
1 Dec 17
@sishy7 There are many so to say, twin cities, all around the world.
2 people like this
@sishy7 (27169)
• Australia
1 Dec 17
I learned from reading around on myLot that there's a city of Melbourne as well in Florida, USA...
3 people like this
• Austin, Texas
2 Dec 17
I can't believe it! Somebody who actually knows what thongs are! I said that word to my kids and they were like "What??" They didn't know thongs were shoes!
4 people like this
@sishy7 (27169)
• Australia
2 Dec 17
Did they know them as the underwear kind?
1 person likes this
• Austin, Texas
2 Dec 17
@sishy7 - Uuummm … LOL … yeah they did. It's why they were so confused when I kept using the word.
2 people like this
@marlina (154166)
• Canada
2 Dec 17
Opera House and kangooroos is what i think of about Australia.
4 people like this
@sishy7 (27169)
• Australia
2 Dec 17
That's what most would think of when they hear the word 'Australia'...
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (137145)
• United States
2 Dec 17
Very nice, sishy! Have you ever read any of the books written by Sir Terry Pratchett? He wrote one book titled "The Last Continent". If you haven't read this book, may I suggest you take it for a spin? You never know, you might think you recognize the place and the people the book could be, but isn't, based on. In his book, Sir Terry Pratchett describes some... uncommon? (Yes, I think that word works for this!) creatures/things, like "drop bears", "cork hats" and the "Peach Melba". (He is a pretty funny author!) The name of that continent is Xxxx!
4 people like this
@sishy7 (27169)
• Australia
2 Dec 17
4-letter continent? Asia? Of, I'll just have to read the book, right?
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137145)
• United States
6 Dec 17
@sishy7 Hmmm... the continent referred to in the book as Xxxx MIGHT resemble some aspects of Australia, but might not to someone who actually grew up and lives there. To an American the way Pratchett described things seem to come across as very funny but eerily descriptive of some aspects we hear about here. If you want a link to the ebook by Sir Terry Pratchett, let me know. (I LOVE his books!)
2 people like this
@rina110383 (24495)
2 Dec 17
Learned a lot of interesting facts today just by reading your post. This is a good one.
4 people like this
@sishy7 (27169)
• Australia
2 Dec 17
Thank you! Glad that you think so...
2 people like this
• Derby, England
2 Dec 17
Vey good! Do you remember the advert "We're happy little vegemites" ?? II still sing it to my adult kids when we have some vegemite - we can buy it here in the UK now
4 people like this
@sishy7 (27169)
• Australia
3 Dec 17
Yes, they have gone international now...
2 people like this