I'm back. Just touched down not too long ago. Had a great trip. Unfortunately, the dry and cold weather wrecked havoc on my lips. They are all dry, cracked and swollen now. So if you happen to see me in the next few days, please don't be alarmed, I do not have HFMD or something...
But I had a good rest, and was honestly a little sad to leave the country. But then, there is no place like home. It is quite amazing to think about it; I woke up in Hunter Valley surrounded by vineyards early this morning, and now I am at home at my familiar table thousands of miles from where I started the day. My head is really swirling now...
I guess I needed to leave the business of the country and find some rest. It has been a tough year so far, one of the worse for me honestly. And I think I really needed the rest. But I am home now and the days ahead are packed! VCF LPC, YM Leaders Retreat, One Purpose Camp followed by Go Forth. And squeezed in between that, I will be leading worship at the CCR BB Camp and at the LPC. And the TTC gig rehearsal somewhere in there as well. To top it all off, results are due on Tuesday. Sounds fun! Well, I truly am home.
Saw Ryan post the One Purpose Camp logos. I thought I post the camp theme-song. Got the inspirition to use this song from an obvious place. The VCF FoC 2004! Anyway, here it is; it's called "One Pure and Holy Passion". My prayer is that each and everyone who attends the camp, whether they are Christian or not, find a purpose in their life.
One Pure and Holy Passion
Give me one pure and holy passion
Give me one magnificent obsession
Give me one glorious ambition for my life
To know and follow hard after You
To know and follow hard after You
To grow as Your disciple in the truth
This world is empty pale and poor
Compared to knowing You my Lord
Lead me on and I will run after You
Lead me on and I will run after You
(C) Mark Altrogge
For a run-down of my trip. Highlight.
Day 1. Plane ride to Sydney was pretty smooth. Watched "Phantom of the Opera" on the plane. Maybe that wasn't such a good idea to watch that after all. Some things, I rather forget. But anyway, arrived in Sydney at 5am in the morning, got the rental car and drove to the city. Reached the city about 7am plus. And first thing we did was to have Porridge breakfast in Chinatown?!?! Could not book into our hotel yet, so we did some standard sightseeing. Went to the Darling Harbour and the Opera House and The Rocks for lunch. Had a nice Italian lunch there. After that we were finally able to check in and get some much needed rest. That evening, met up with my cousins who are supposed to be studying in Sydney. Had a Japanese dinner at this small restaurant near UNSW. After that we went for dessert, woah... the Ice cream I had was HUGE! Will post a pic some other time!
Day 2. Went to Hillsongs Church at the Hills for service. Very interesting. And the compound of their church is huge! And I mean HUGE! Had a Krispe Kreme Donut for breakfast over there. Now I know why everyone asked me to bring those things home, they are sinful! Went to a place called Balmain for lunch, at some fish shop. Nice and simple. Was pretty tired after that, went back to the hotel to sleep. My parent's brought dinner back for me after that, a huge Kebab and Pizza.
Day 3. Had breakfast at the hotel's coffeehouse. Then we set off for the Blue mountains which are due west of Sydney. Along the way, we stopped at the Sydney Olympic Village and Featherdale Wildlife Park. Wombats are really cute. As a result of a seriously long drive, we missed lunch but had an early dinner. We stayed at a placed called Katoomba, at a nice guest house over there. Went to see the 3 Sister's rock formation. And went to take the scenic railway and cable car rides. Incredible view. Had dinner at a Chinese restaurant somewhere in Katoomba. Went back to the Guest House and I watched a movie, "Dune". Been wanting to watch it again for some time now; now that I understand the story.
Day 4. Woke up had breakfast at the guest house. Then went to the Jenolan Caves. Been there before, but this time they had the whole lighting system and tour revised. So it was a lot more interesting! Had a sandwhich lunch at the Jenolan Caves. Made our way back to Katoomba via the "scenic route" and stopped at a town called Leura along the way. Had dinner at a local pizza joint that night.
Day 5. Woke up even earlier for an even longer drive to Hunter valley, which is due north of Sydney. So if you can visualise, Hunter Valley is due north, Blue Mountains is due west, the fastest route should be to travel along the hypotenuse of this right angled triangle right? But no! There is no such route, so we had to travel back to Sydney and then north again. Super long drive. Started early in the morning and had a Macdonalds breakfast along the way. Then stopped at a city called Newcastle for lunch. Just had pies and sandwhiches at a foodcourt there. Then we shot to a place called Cessnock to try and look for accomadation. But there wasn't any! And the Sun was setting, so we drove into the vineyard regions and managed to find a really great place to stay at some lodge over there. Had dinner at the lodge's Italian Restaurant. NOW THAT WAS A DINNER TO REMEMBER!
Day 6. Drove around the place looking at the vineyards and sampling some wines and cheeses. Had lunch at the Hunter Valley Village. Had a lagsane and a pie. Nice. Finished the meal with Chocolate Fondue. (Yup, gym sessions need to start next week.) Drove around to more vineyards and had dinner at another Italian restaurant. Also another meal to remember! That was the last night there.
Day 7. By this time my lips are in really terrible condition. Drove back to Sydney city area, had a dim sum lunch then headed off to the airport. 7 hours flight home. It was a bumpy ride. The humidity is much better for my lips, and they are starting to heal. But they are still painful. Well, home sweet home and the mad rush of the June Holidays is going to start. Thank God I will have a full month after that to rest even more. But then again, I may need to go to the library and do research for honours thesis.
