Tuggerah / Gosford

Today was another local day

We left for some shopping at Westfield – Tuggerah. This is close to where Shari lives – maybe 10 minutes or so away. I will have to say that Australia has some amazing shopping centres. The prices may be high; but if you look around you can find some good bargains. Westfield - Tuggerah was a very nice shopping centre. We parked on top of the complex which was nicely appointed with parking canvas canopies. We entered the complex and went down an escalator that was a ramp versus stairs. This was designed this way to accommodate the trollies (shopping carts) that locked into the ramp for easy movement around the shopping centre. The grocery store and butcher shops were located in this shopping centre as we had seen in other locations. I’ve never been any where before where you see people pushing shopping carts around the mall!! We went to a store called Hot Dollar where we picked up some hot bargains. We then walked around the mall and went to the Escape Travel Agency. A gal named Karen waited on me and she planned the rest of my trip here in Australia. Nothing like procrastinating eh? LOL We had lunch at the Australian steakhouse called Hogs Breathe Café. I had a very nice prime rib lunch with a BBQ sauce. It was a big lunch but I ate every bite!! We also had garlic cheese bread for appetizer. They use that Tasty Cheese and that is just very very GOOD – especially when melted. Probably the test garlic cheese toast I’ve ever had. We walked around the mall some more and then went back to Karen at Escape Travel to get my agenda.

http://westfield.com.au/tuggerah/

Then we went to Gosford Hospital to see where Shari works in the department of Anatomical Pathology. I met some of her co-workers and got a tour of the lab. Shari wears many hats at her job between administration and actual lab technician. Imagine going to the hospital for a procedure and they take samples of your body for testing. This is what Shari does – they take the samples and cut it down on the slides, set the dyes, and analyze the samples. What was really cool is one of the pathologists kindly gave me a brief lesson on pathology and viewing the samples. It was really interesting and I view it as one of my great experiences on my trip so far. We had a really nice conversation about many things including activities happening in the states.

When we got back to Shari’s the weather was finally decent so we took a nice walk around her neighborhood. We went to visit her friend Lisa. Upon our return home, I repacked my suitcase to get ready for my early departure in the am for Cairns. The day went by quickly.. we had such a big lunch there was no need for dinner. But I did want to try the custard we had bought before our road trip so was anxious to try that. It was absolutely delicious!!! So, we come to the end of my visit with Shari and the girls.. It has been absolutely wonderful and I’ve had a great time. I got the girls each a box of tissues so they could cry on Saturday over my departure. (LOL) I didn’t buy them for Shari as I know she will be HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY to finally have her house and peace and quiet back. Shari was a fantastic hostess and I am extremely grateful to her hospitality. Shari has been a great friend; we met under a trying circumstance and she has turned out to be an awesome friend. Talk about making lemonade outta lemons. Lemonade ROCKS!

I leave for Cairns on Sat am for a few days; on to Airlie Beach after that for rest and relaxation on white sand and blue water…. The next phase…… it’ll all be over before I know it, but I’ll enjoy while it is.