tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85794532818059329602024-03-18T20:05:51.222-07:00Gerhards Down UnderPenni-Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820617437770240047noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579453281805932960.post-56896848452180082192012-01-29T10:49:00.000-08:002012-01-29T10:49:25.176-08:00Australian Signs<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdn5aqStBtZPYKiwlqavzgGpOrnuitmC9G2mW0_poHCcdLu1FVWYzuY6M0E8W01T5Sco3yq3L3YukLnYmYW_b0DQBGTr44d-_5k2SmePXzoWKw5p49jcQfHPcCtZoOusgbOhSMy99MIus/s1600/australian+egg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdn5aqStBtZPYKiwlqavzgGpOrnuitmC9G2mW0_poHCcdLu1FVWYzuY6M0E8W01T5Sco3yq3L3YukLnYmYW_b0DQBGTr44d-_5k2SmePXzoWKw5p49jcQfHPcCtZoOusgbOhSMy99MIus/s400/australian+egg.jpg" width="361" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zac was peeling this egg and noticed how much it looked like Australia.</td></tr>
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We have been back in London, Ontario for 3 weeks today! The excitement of being home and reunited with our dog Ceilidh and friends has worn off a bit. The reality of grey damp weather, bills, work, homework, and decluttering our space has set in. Don't get me wrong, we are still very happy and grateful to have a wonderful home and community to return too but Australia is feeling very far away and long ago. So today I will post a blog on Australian signs that I have been collecting. I actually love interesting signs and have been collecting pictures of them from Europe, Asia, North and South America, for years. I once thought it would make a great coffee table sort of book. No doubt someone has beat me to that one. Oh well enjoy these ones free of charge! <br />
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You may notice a bias towards toilet signs. Toilet signs always crack me up - clearly my 8 year old (His Birthday is today) and I have similar taste in humour!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzVJVJzZgJ-ZguxXXUif4s_r1Bu53KRJatOenG_yFslEA5_AtzabTYlkDTbodAC3OutOWq0v2T2-meiiLdbbNokW6uv7RLcuzTMe6Z9-_gfKTquurKtpFUOHUaItU2uZwOCa2sLfDBy4/s1600/wildlife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzVJVJzZgJ-ZguxXXUif4s_r1Bu53KRJatOenG_yFslEA5_AtzabTYlkDTbodAC3OutOWq0v2T2-meiiLdbbNokW6uv7RLcuzTMe6Z9-_gfKTquurKtpFUOHUaItU2uZwOCa2sLfDBy4/s320/wildlife.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sadly we did see some Roo roadkill. We were told that if we hit a Koala or see Koala roadkill, we should stop and check the pouch. Even if the mother dies, the joey can survive for several more hours. There are signs with wildlife help line phone numbers posted and someone will come and pick up the baby, or injured mother.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72W8ZLoY9VNhedgQ7VfSo02Fnn37vdXtAkmzMpY-0B39qu5r7JBTe7KtDGQPemd67BMZWpoWXDPYA0S-SQEBziTGjiMXPVQYWBuMUkD5LDA0uDxtiTnqX6cfvNMjrKLdZtsPAbhwYuXU/s1600/koala+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72W8ZLoY9VNhedgQ7VfSo02Fnn37vdXtAkmzMpY-0B39qu5r7JBTe7KtDGQPemd67BMZWpoWXDPYA0S-SQEBziTGjiMXPVQYWBuMUkD5LDA0uDxtiTnqX6cfvNMjrKLdZtsPAbhwYuXU/s400/koala+sign.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wombat signs are rare- finding this was a treasure!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPTcOg35AtigE3UQ8k_y2bh75JfydIyasvlRth4gquE-dOrzN8v_nV7DT4KHzLx8nUaoLKVK2WkHu82J0eRCrK4kxDUMIXWBH8MgvjLSFPuYNR7WmNhQn_b5NLh9B9k69XsSxXKmAVeRg/s1600/camel+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPTcOg35AtigE3UQ8k_y2bh75JfydIyasvlRth4gquE-dOrzN8v_nV7DT4KHzLx8nUaoLKVK2WkHu82J0eRCrK4kxDUMIXWBH8MgvjLSFPuYNR7WmNhQn_b5NLh9B9k69XsSxXKmAVeRg/s320/camel+sign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
We were surprised to find this sign in the Outback (near Ayer's Rock). We did see a feral camel while there.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipiN19sVOYfHU_-3DwDM-vEQI1bEkJuYx-5zXIlGQkzTrWnXHs8q1iyB9IMCyv4QLa_rCq6pVFgX_Yymab7FkI__OpdSRYlevxXTmLnKzKBkjaND0jHkjio26l4IKUw6j1w7REWLD7cn8/s1600/wildlife+sign+at+Uluru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipiN19sVOYfHU_-3DwDM-vEQI1bEkJuYx-5zXIlGQkzTrWnXHs8q1iyB9IMCyv4QLa_rCq6pVFgX_Yymab7FkI__OpdSRYlevxXTmLnKzKBkjaND0jHkjio26l4IKUw6j1w7REWLD7cn8/s400/wildlife+sign+at+Uluru.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">enough said.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelFSRvK1CrHFWwjY6dBHGnMc_M7B0yhtOLG5-R_yLwlxGGIfkfDMI6ISD3gNX5mqoa41MKcYXfRmzWvcavzY7OAfrYqWJpFCii1JVGDewOTDRpFPon98f633F9eiT0P7zfW92scGSw-s/s1600/spearfishing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelFSRvK1CrHFWwjY6dBHGnMc_M7B0yhtOLG5-R_yLwlxGGIfkfDMI6ISD3gNX5mqoa41MKcYXfRmzWvcavzY7OAfrYqWJpFCii1JVGDewOTDRpFPon98f633F9eiT0P7zfW92scGSw-s/s400/spearfishing.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I liked the 'totally' on this sign.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ42RGN6e-b9SzJyuTf8Ajj7elguasR5KWF7dd8B8a3TpP-TITP6POqdEm4Jg9ggVpFMUvMfQzTKoSyY3d9QruUMW2bWSAzxxEjB6XpUGZcVIV3639E4iW0KCwCILV7E0U5rFE8Fwgzos/s1600/Australia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ42RGN6e-b9SzJyuTf8Ajj7elguasR5KWF7dd8B8a3TpP-TITP6POqdEm4Jg9ggVpFMUvMfQzTKoSyY3d9QruUMW2bWSAzxxEjB6XpUGZcVIV3639E4iW0KCwCILV7E0U5rFE8Fwgzos/s400/Australia.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Australia's coat of arms</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWRUVC7a-HHfJUbKdXtPoFAIBGSebJiv_AqOhM67w59F0iRaHqoGk4hga-vm4YfqSMKjQW-hbWBEwkmSmTcBy1lD-NHbutcWYRsJZbfs-J74ehfh6EpQRSOqnRIZOIcs9QiMJVe7R3lM/s1600/city+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWRUVC7a-HHfJUbKdXtPoFAIBGSebJiv_AqOhM67w59F0iRaHqoGk4hga-vm4YfqSMKjQW-hbWBEwkmSmTcBy1lD-NHbutcWYRsJZbfs-J74ehfh6EpQRSOqnRIZOIcs9QiMJVe7R3lM/s320/city+sign.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We loved trying to say some of the Aboriginal names.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmVMPH6FJinslBQUfENUd1vlkAtgwPQz1JS0ztIZNnC66XJzQsEKQBx05XGCwFzKi59EwmgQ5D4YZnnRf71f_QNxhBo3SWC8vmiyRGbTD5D2CkOyBkEVf4cPJvbKtYFSog388yTaUDMI/s1600/Thirsty+Camel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmVMPH6FJinslBQUfENUd1vlkAtgwPQz1JS0ztIZNnC66XJzQsEKQBx05XGCwFzKi59EwmgQ5D4YZnnRf71f_QNxhBo3SWC8vmiyRGbTD5D2CkOyBkEVf4cPJvbKtYFSog388yTaUDMI/s400/Thirsty+Camel.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great name for a liquor store chain!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47gDH2RBPKHPCQdf8kss321tMvNmy1YztgXp1wNiCpm_C7G5RVI9mK8PavZ9spjNt3w9rlguyBlpopW0Bvkagk4l6gNoHotTxj6XMTvMBrBJDBfzndeSDwxmBPGo5zwk7CrqqJCZ8DFo/s1600/gloria+jean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47gDH2RBPKHPCQdf8kss321tMvNmy1YztgXp1wNiCpm_C7G5RVI9mK8PavZ9spjNt3w9rlguyBlpopW0Bvkagk4l6gNoHotTxj6XMTvMBrBJDBfzndeSDwxmBPGo5zwk7CrqqJCZ8DFo/s320/gloria+jean.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom's name is Gloria Jean, so I had to include this coffee chain sign.</td></tr>
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Signs warning people about imminent danger are often amusing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilD5ixeGvmO8ekwLRfdUy2hK6_Ej5Kf6yI2W1C2dMqUpMStvR71faaXqiT3EGQfo3boSvRQJn26lolWG7ap6hGsilqF8B8SIgjCaC2k5PFtY34XaPmKaN7BlgmVtnPcmp5t9QqAPu9upI/s1600/danger+cliff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilD5ixeGvmO8ekwLRfdUy2hK6_Ej5Kf6yI2W1C2dMqUpMStvR71faaXqiT3EGQfo3boSvRQJn26lolWG7ap6hGsilqF8B8SIgjCaC2k5PFtY34XaPmKaN7BlgmVtnPcmp5t9QqAPu9upI/s400/danger+cliff.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign found on one of a many hikes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCC59rTT8XmQNZkHHt8ht1W4Q5daZTcilej1pl2t5ekEHSWp8I5FqsOUKWfL6iAQDeTutQAy6-G9OpN4IdaJiLO8Kfj0w67TDsjibUzI_Og2oyWrPNcfrvplmXKcnj75YLD7T-Z_ibQ8/s1600/cliff+sign+(Blue+Mountains).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCC59rTT8XmQNZkHHt8ht1W4Q5daZTcilej1pl2t5ekEHSWp8I5FqsOUKWfL6iAQDeTutQAy6-G9OpN4IdaJiLO8Kfj0w67TDsjibUzI_Og2oyWrPNcfrvplmXKcnj75YLD7T-Z_ibQ8/s400/cliff+sign+(Blue+Mountains).jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one was found on hikes in the Blue Mountains.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfpkx1ha7kiUpl0SqwAczpgMI1CDsgjOKK2V0BPo7tRxFmzt2X7YazPfKEyU1MKO0b9eoq_59yxe0w9Ko5BRX2pzqjorUUTAu0bJNL4G5u6UA-dI8vujWD93qYmkFyzHD5zmyJNpFpxA/s1600/wrong+way.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfpkx1ha7kiUpl0SqwAczpgMI1CDsgjOKK2V0BPo7tRxFmzt2X7YazPfKEyU1MKO0b9eoq_59yxe0w9Ko5BRX2pzqjorUUTAu0bJNL4G5u6UA-dI8vujWD93qYmkFyzHD5zmyJNpFpxA/s400/wrong+way.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a highway sign to prevent you from entering the on ramp in the wrong direction.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJKvCaItoXqi1_GV9b80RTNCCH2L7lKv4yslgMHLhUn3GB6qSxewa11W_qVv2O3GHHNr2CZxuKGgH9WdDU2HzpDeI-dYUW2beD_c7XWGvte_ntLPI46EyGYNb_r7DsGSf9E2W0qbadmI/s1600/contamination+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJKvCaItoXqi1_GV9b80RTNCCH2L7lKv4yslgMHLhUn3GB6qSxewa11W_qVv2O3GHHNr2CZxuKGgH9WdDU2HzpDeI-dYUW2beD_c7XWGvte_ntLPI46EyGYNb_r7DsGSf9E2W0qbadmI/s400/contamination+sign.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Last January, Brisbane had a huge flood. All properties along the Brisbane River, which runs through the heart of the river were submerged. Our apartment building garage and first floor were under water. People lost cars, bikes, and anything stored below the second floor. The pictures we saw of the floods were unbelievable. Brisbane has spent tons of money and time repairing homes and and property, bikes and walking paths along the river. After the water levels receded, they were left with a toxic mess of sewage and chemicals. In fact, the sports fields and parks, along the river's edge were closed for months. Right after the flood, kids who played there were getting sores that would not heal. They had to have layers of top soil removed and then re soiled and grassed. A year on, the city is in much better shape. We moved out just before the completion of the gorgeous bike path that stretched from our apartment building right into the city (about 10 km). <br />
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Here are a few sign I saw in restaurants that amused me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DdiazNzsEco87VpSbevv0CYRdiAl8FvAuGBPSpqRZ6CO1Jm0cVMu2FRtFFK48GtXFw3c1pxh1JPtxPEdu0MVAtDKJHY7laVpPSyu0YoE30jRxe9Gsn3-pU90UH1CNPXibDXf33CfqwM/s1600/please+don't+trip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DdiazNzsEco87VpSbevv0CYRdiAl8FvAuGBPSpqRZ6CO1Jm0cVMu2FRtFFK48GtXFw3c1pxh1JPtxPEdu0MVAtDKJHY7laVpPSyu0YoE30jRxe9Gsn3-pU90UH1CNPXibDXf33CfqwM/s320/please+don't+trip.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is such a polite request.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VPzcbjHVa_rSKR0oDbeBqzQoypGBLjqW1wHrdZmiZR1694ZBC_LI43fFEhi43ppjJ-Cyi0H5f4aPTNBS4gIpa3fUnUL8uzo3dNr44Ch0yAIldAgM2uI_IR8Af8RD4RofGThsRNCg9vA/s1600/napkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VPzcbjHVa_rSKR0oDbeBqzQoypGBLjqW1wHrdZmiZR1694ZBC_LI43fFEhi43ppjJ-Cyi0H5f4aPTNBS4gIpa3fUnUL8uzo3dNr44Ch0yAIldAgM2uI_IR8Af8RD4RofGThsRNCg9vA/s400/napkin.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Napkin from our fav. pizza restaurant.</td></tr>
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Here you may notice a bias towards toilet signs. Toilet signs always crack me up - clearly my 8 year old (His Birthday is today) and I have similar taste in humour!<br />
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You'd think it would be obvious, but keep in mind, Australia is close to Asia where I can assure you first hand, toilet practices are different. I remember a time in Hanoi,Vietnam where I was very excited to see a throne style toilet after weeks of only finding a hole in the floor. My gratitude soon turned to disappointed when I saw all the dirty shoe prints on the toilet seat!!<br />
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In other countries the sign might say, please put the TP in the bin provided. Still others don't even provide toilet paper!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizli9ZizTOKFs5wvhnV_Bbo23WmHaQUDertu6g5ZVxTgAcVi65ByVLjRtAU2HYNgtjuDViqWhWgDwo_28NfT4toqmo_jOA7fiNquDrpMp1NKQ3BkrMZGT15PjZFi59u9gGbkccPKmc-eA/s1600/toilets+patrolled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizli9ZizTOKFs5wvhnV_Bbo23WmHaQUDertu6g5ZVxTgAcVi65ByVLjRtAU2HYNgtjuDViqWhWgDwo_28NfT4toqmo_jOA7fiNquDrpMp1NKQ3BkrMZGT15PjZFi59u9gGbkccPKmc-eA/s320/toilets+patrolled.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one kinda scared me! Performance anxiety.</td></tr>
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This toilet facility was not in the outback or some remote place, it was the washroom at a plaza in a small city!<br />
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Here is the whole reason for the trip. Thank you UQ for helping support this sabbatical!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLItdhyphenhyphenzgoHm_UlzZ4h9DY1az3NBC6nEwI028C9QRU3iZtTO57ERqHs9ll9_tCIgWYdYC2GWfLOUtFIeGz7rMkK9teU_VquhU9rRtAMsqAHc3ANFngve9c4qkrwLVin2EFWeN9xESqVWc/s1600/vegemite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLItdhyphenhyphenzgoHm_UlzZ4h9DY1az3NBC6nEwI028C9QRU3iZtTO57ERqHs9ll9_tCIgWYdYC2GWfLOUtFIeGz7rMkK9teU_VquhU9rRtAMsqAHc3ANFngve9c4qkrwLVin2EFWeN9xESqVWc/s640/vegemite.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We tried it... I'll stick with peanut butter, thanks.</td></tr>
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<h1>
<strong>Men At Work » Land Down Under Lyrics</strong></h1>
<div id="cnt_bdy">
Traveling in a fried-out combie<br />On a hippie trail, head full of zombie<br />I met a strange lady, she made me nervous<br />She took me in and gave me breakfast<br />And she said,<br /><br />"Do you come from a land down under?<br />Where women glow and men plunder?<br />Can't you hear, can't you hear the thunder?<br />You better run, you better take cover."<br /><br />Buying bread from a man in Brussels<br />He was six foot four and full of muscles<br />I said, "Do you speak-a my language?"<br /><strong>He just smiled and gave me a vegemite sandwich</strong>And he said,<br /><br />"I come from a land down under<br />Where beer does flow and men chunder<br />Can't you hear, can't you hear the thunder?<br />You better run, you better take cover."<br /><br />Lying in a den in Bombay<br />With a slack jaw, and not much to say<br />I said to the man, "Are you trying to tempt me<br />Because I come from the land of plenty?"<br />And he said,<br /><br />"Oh! Do you come from a land down under? (oh yeah yeah)<br />Where women glow and men plunder?<br />Can't you hear, can't you hear the thunder?<br />You better run, you better take cover." </div>
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We heard "Land Down Under" everyday! Those Aussies love that song. On New Year's Eve the band played it at midnight!!!</div>
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Well, I have one more blog in me. The Great Barrier Reef deserves a blog, so the next time I get some time I will post that one. I really do have 1000s of photos to sort through first.</div>
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Until then, be a "Happy little Vegemite" (someone in a good mood).</div>
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Penni-Sue</div>
<ins style="border: currentColor; display: inline-table; height: 280px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 336px;"><ins id="aswift_0_anchor" style="border: currentColor; display: block; height: 3px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 2px;"></ins></ins><br />
<ins style="border: currentColor; display: inline-table; height: 280px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 336px;"><ins id="aswift_0_anchor" style="border: currentColor; display: block; height: 3px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 2px;"></ins></ins>Penni-Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820617437770240047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579453281805932960.post-87923524698153996082012-01-12T17:50:00.000-08:002012-01-12T17:50:41.081-08:00Australia Blog #20 The Blue Mountains<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcgjG22pCWfn7nOoPOuZ4Vb2o8gmjpeX0-ahPrvoVJlt-dA6gprZGAiqmJunl7yYFWfNVL6CX_qQ0WUH-1n8CNgbSAWShBz0yrcF7rpcboVC3J-GGLIjzccv7_cU5b4TWkVCFekUAn9o/s1600/PS+jas+an.td+Zac+at+three+sisters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcgjG22pCWfn7nOoPOuZ4Vb2o8gmjpeX0-ahPrvoVJlt-dA6gprZGAiqmJunl7yYFWfNVL6CX_qQ0WUH-1n8CNgbSAWShBz0yrcF7rpcboVC3J-GGLIjzccv7_cU5b4TWkVCFekUAn9o/s400/PS+jas+an.td+Zac+at+three+sisters.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The change in temperature between Uluru and the Blue
Mountains was drastic!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we flew out
of Ayers Rock, it was 40 degrees Celsius. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we got out of the rental car in the Blue
Mountains it was 12 degrees Celsius.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Serenna
and Zac did not want to get out of the car it felt so cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately it warmed up during the next day, and
we had some extra layers to put on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
whole purpose for coming to the Blue Mountains was to do some hiking and enjoy
the fabulous views.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-nUJz9TSeqafGaM7XtILyY_Ap_0AniW-xAPEw_BASd8F_uvpelevFigPlgLy2cB37Z5gUd9TjuI30FsgsXVphPoHvK1eUdD6zB6lWFAJZKTHxcmM_WZYUQjfEyvIpsc7_JYPEu0JPo8/s1600/three+sisiters+at+sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-nUJz9TSeqafGaM7XtILyY_Ap_0AniW-xAPEw_BASd8F_uvpelevFigPlgLy2cB37Z5gUd9TjuI30FsgsXVphPoHvK1eUdD6zB6lWFAJZKTHxcmM_WZYUQjfEyvIpsc7_JYPEu0JPo8/s400/three+sisiters+at+sunset.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains, NSW, Australia</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9j49pVQ-29rDasEdbabWv268WAlp2ltPvIcG6CVxSIkgHYvOAn_I46CmHQMAsHhlSn_Hf1drUK0po2wV0PQuLhng1GKYOYgE2N2mxF53eRHsl0RcdVQcNrpHtCNLgRTqb4-lK9A3lIQ/s1600/PS+and+kids+in+Blue+Mountains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9j49pVQ-29rDasEdbabWv268WAlp2ltPvIcG6CVxSIkgHYvOAn_I46CmHQMAsHhlSn_Hf1drUK0po2wV0PQuLhng1GKYOYgE2N2mxF53eRHsl0RcdVQcNrpHtCNLgRTqb4-lK9A3lIQ/s400/PS+and+kids+in+Blue+Mountains.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you spot the kids and I?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Blue Mountains were so named because of the blue haze
that comes of the eucalyptus trees that carpet the floor of the valleys between
the Blue Mountains.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tJHQM2M4UZGTRkTvAq481Pije6H808jsrmSkr6cYUQiTEPNqjmfb5nkKmWMze9baNFCLfSruTnUQhaOTyxFWR4dvVsX67t4gcKHue6h_7502oGL5hSQMk9P8n9NoeXl3wsUXJs9tq8k/s1600/PS+Jas+and+Zac+Blue+Mountains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tJHQM2M4UZGTRkTvAq481Pije6H808jsrmSkr6cYUQiTEPNqjmfb5nkKmWMze9baNFCLfSruTnUQhaOTyxFWR4dvVsX67t4gcKHue6h_7502oGL5hSQMk9P8n9NoeXl3wsUXJs9tq8k/s400/PS+Jas+and+Zac+Blue+Mountains.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking in the Blue Mountains, NSW</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">During some parts of the hike we were walking through areas
of recent forest fires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amidst the
charred trees were beautiful examples of new growth. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDWboUXWn-iS4KzltMJjdpXIdwUGpbFLHxVQCYRBw4Trdfxnye5k88pIPdCcDopxGd93BLJH_y-40dssLKvlJrd19vyxuLS8082jqJDSb8-_zIcPnlCQAhmoh9tdQ3ZQd0qKZu_FWAI4g/s1600/Jas+in+burnt+forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDWboUXWn-iS4KzltMJjdpXIdwUGpbFLHxVQCYRBw4Trdfxnye5k88pIPdCcDopxGd93BLJH_y-40dssLKvlJrd19vyxuLS8082jqJDSb8-_zIcPnlCQAhmoh9tdQ3ZQd0qKZu_FWAI4g/s400/Jas+in+burnt+forest.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A recent forest fire has devastated part of the trail.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqEiFFcBbmRZiUL0SoNsjonP_f5l4q9qZ0NB9mxDqAP9tVlp3V1jPQxM2J0Mxi-zjhELyIa_c2P8WCMD7YnUKtxrr9PsuS2yY0IMnrSphT8-2TLyu2-jGapDZZ94yfQJYPguGaKJx8A8/s1600/new+plant+growth+from+burnt+trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqEiFFcBbmRZiUL0SoNsjonP_f5l4q9qZ0NB9mxDqAP9tVlp3V1jPQxM2J0Mxi-zjhELyIa_c2P8WCMD7YnUKtxrr9PsuS2yY0IMnrSphT8-2TLyu2-jGapDZZ94yfQJYPguGaKJx8A8/s400/new+plant+growth+from+burnt+trees.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New growth from the charred remains.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguLLRHJp0WWp0vjB61SbrYwdAGQWzVXEcycLms9RlXZ71w0IClyg9kIeRJqJhbw-qauLg1MnTRNW9BAT90_OK5GLljMOVTLy_YAxn6j5FRsbFYtzwu4bNsxIg3Ac_GyieOPDDlbDWRZuo/s1600/new+growth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguLLRHJp0WWp0vjB61SbrYwdAGQWzVXEcycLms9RlXZ71w0IClyg9kIeRJqJhbw-qauLg1MnTRNW9BAT90_OK5GLljMOVTLy_YAxn6j5FRsbFYtzwu4bNsxIg3Ac_GyieOPDDlbDWRZuo/s400/new+growth.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These fern heads were popping up everywhere.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At the end of our hike, we took a cable car across the gorge
to go to the visitor centre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cable
car had a glass floor, providing interesting views.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl0ruXz-MPI5n0A4uEQ4IR-8pETxDpEGdjrxOwfX6wLW-Ae7-lF3TEUvaADsUul2e_LbGmY4x1deTvA4VFLSGDk5D5mw1UlrIZv3O3917tGbwR7pkSD9m1PPuMmit8YOyggUnFr4MsqfY/s1600/cable+car+across+gorge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl0ruXz-MPI5n0A4uEQ4IR-8pETxDpEGdjrxOwfX6wLW-Ae7-lF3TEUvaADsUul2e_LbGmY4x1deTvA4VFLSGDk5D5mw1UlrIZv3O3917tGbwR7pkSD9m1PPuMmit8YOyggUnFr4MsqfY/s400/cable+car+across+gorge.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cable car across the gorge reminded us of our Switzerland ski days.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65TYr1BS5HIvJ7Ed7CdWUyfe5ODf9rRzBYiuU2swd3xzjCY1zeLqm7gRT25chq9eKpzZ8yLD1ML9vOuqDODHVS4xUnOjZjS-SXcjgPyChnLALHIFYdBui4cGj_R4h6TGI4YJxnBzEHnI/s1600/glass+floored+cable+car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65TYr1BS5HIvJ7Ed7CdWUyfe5ODf9rRzBYiuU2swd3xzjCY1zeLqm7gRT25chq9eKpzZ8yLD1ML9vOuqDODHVS4xUnOjZjS-SXcjgPyChnLALHIFYdBui4cGj_R4h6TGI4YJxnBzEHnI/s400/glass+floored+cable+car.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This cable car had a glass floor!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgunn0-BK328EXN3u2pMYuva-sl88WOSmoAMofZ0xJXPFsSzy57uLvj1K5G_fbaFHvQJFKvXv8IPVp3WdUM4qPFMStb-hztE_U7RSyKoiEABB_V5SWypjJGKJbGaHeWuHN0SHXf0ON_584/s1600/zac+and+cuddly+koalas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgunn0-BK328EXN3u2pMYuva-sl88WOSmoAMofZ0xJXPFsSzy57uLvj1K5G_fbaFHvQJFKvXv8IPVp3WdUM4qPFMStb-hztE_U7RSyKoiEABB_V5SWypjJGKJbGaHeWuHN0SHXf0ON_584/s400/zac+and+cuddly+koalas.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zac cuddles a few koalas in the gift shop.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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After a full day of hiking we were all keen on finding a spot for dinner. We ended up having the best meals in Katoomba and Leura (two towns in the Blue mountain area). Maybe it was the fresh cool mountain air, perhaps it was the appetite brought on by hiking, I just know that every meal we had was fabulous! Indian, Vietnamese, or traditional Australian, it was all great grub.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOyuthbNzuI0AyvGXNM1o-6fwo1HPQBfFF4zvtfM_0eqYuSKYEI2Ub9qhaC0JmJSUnbOVajv9MNiKv5ZZq86EUr0wmzOK4Y5hQ56Ao9HubzcS0RLraSaJASkutdRFHhsTbxZVIjxDqRk/s1600/Mount+solitude.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOyuthbNzuI0AyvGXNM1o-6fwo1HPQBfFF4zvtfM_0eqYuSKYEI2Ub9qhaC0JmJSUnbOVajv9MNiKv5ZZq86EUr0wmzOK4Y5hQ56Ao9HubzcS0RLraSaJASkutdRFHhsTbxZVIjxDqRk/s400/Mount+solitude.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mount Solitude behind the clouds.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The weather was incredibly changeable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One moment a huge cloud would roll in and it
would soon be pouring rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the sun
would come out and light up the gorgeous “three sisters”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwU12Yzk8_V3UFfA7vwwLrGb6_4y0y0RsUa6xb8B1geIaDoqM3VO9FnO2WBZY3jwnF9eAGOayj4zfovql1jY3P4k39cvArCPkay_yjbR1CbzFI-bZsqKt3KfWpMir2NfegYFYb8kUpU2A/s1600/three+sisters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwU12Yzk8_V3UFfA7vwwLrGb6_4y0y0RsUa6xb8B1geIaDoqM3VO9FnO2WBZY3jwnF9eAGOayj4zfovql1jY3P4k39cvArCPkay_yjbR1CbzFI-bZsqKt3KfWpMir2NfegYFYb8kUpU2A/s400/three+sisters.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three sisters in the haze.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXRk1iR5jzOPNKM2fsFs5q8kGCrWAOXl_9jJ13mUpMrA9XtZ5rC4LKYYxbOjneOfmZXpTe8EKyvMiTlwKYSHIfURMfK2Dcp-S_uvXrZxO0bd-WMif9KJSteGQ4NdZqo5YacvomAbJvQA/s1600/three+sisters+in+the+clouds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXRk1iR5jzOPNKM2fsFs5q8kGCrWAOXl_9jJ13mUpMrA9XtZ5rC4LKYYxbOjneOfmZXpTe8EKyvMiTlwKYSHIfURMfK2Dcp-S_uvXrZxO0bd-WMif9KJSteGQ4NdZqo5YacvomAbJvQA/s400/three+sisters+in+the+clouds.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three Sisters a few minutes later as a cloud front moves in - seriously!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnK22fBr1HMiokWmetH5kdFHPySZhgylR59RjAC1sidrIenFhWSmHeXid09hpzkziNo2H5fS91I96t9NiL-kjhO4kXuZ3nGjvuujiPSWzGkMRqwDQWFSO7jAoSG76zUL3bRIh32YKBnWU/s1600/PS+at+three+sisiters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnK22fBr1HMiokWmetH5kdFHPySZhgylR59RjAC1sidrIenFhWSmHeXid09hpzkziNo2H5fS91I96t9NiL-kjhO4kXuZ3nGjvuujiPSWzGkMRqwDQWFSO7jAoSG76zUL3bRIh32YKBnWU/s400/PS+at+three+sisiters.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three Sisters reappear 30 min. later and the sun pokes out.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7eFgJ35Ys5O0KIQVosdOjG1Zzkve0LscQAGutSTlCr0pXp8KrJqdtzQ8x_p3X9P7ZjvzkHCYuYsI5leuzKi1-wWMaUJJfT1gSwfRbKZgiq1fkFvU-ewbxJXGjulXqGksSqiF6Pp3h2E/s1600/family+at+three+sisters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7eFgJ35Ys5O0KIQVosdOjG1Zzkve0LscQAGutSTlCr0pXp8KrJqdtzQ8x_p3X9P7ZjvzkHCYuYsI5leuzKi1-wWMaUJJfT1gSwfRbKZgiq1fkFvU-ewbxJXGjulXqGksSqiF6Pp3h2E/s400/family+at+three+sisters.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">P-S, Jas, Serenna and Zac in the Blue Mountains.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On our second day of hiking we went down into the valley
between mountains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This meant a steep
stair climb, aptly named the “Giant Stairway”.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSTPrrv_atnt4qKi3VOrSxOEYO44PkHwqk8FmZozqOV0p7BDATn_POrNLFhWQ_PdX3fSSvmrVw-XKNDXv00DT0KLDJLS4_VsCAFsTnPLMdw1-9nfr-z7orPjPgc7Utwe17Yc6AkBeVVk/s1600/giant+stairway+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSTPrrv_atnt4qKi3VOrSxOEYO44PkHwqk8FmZozqOV0p7BDATn_POrNLFhWQ_PdX3fSSvmrVw-XKNDXv00DT0KLDJLS4_VsCAFsTnPLMdw1-9nfr-z7orPjPgc7Utwe17Yc6AkBeVVk/s400/giant+stairway+sign.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JpurSJJLbit7wlol3LZ1oQk0nCC-gSVFEO8_3eosnFrz2dzsYkTwb24XPdf94dleagd814ypKXsbT12-HDvn_aljKx33plJpd1k-6rI1LFsO_OXWoNKTyXoh1hyphenhyphenB9ZcaiDM7O7As8xQ/s1600/giant+stairway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JpurSJJLbit7wlol3LZ1oQk0nCC-gSVFEO8_3eosnFrz2dzsYkTwb24XPdf94dleagd814ypKXsbT12-HDvn_aljKx33plJpd1k-6rI1LFsO_OXWoNKTyXoh1hyphenhyphenB9ZcaiDM7O7As8xQ/s400/giant+stairway.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glad there was something to hold onto, it was pretty steep going.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuXnFB5UrrUApUnQ6xC6kus6fSoTh18CaiCqdh-X0g1TKFTv7lgTs7mPjRBGKFll1FKWt1TjVEQq82jaaLyhvH8X_Iip71arU2mhb58Tlb8EA9u_P7ha8r57nPtoBJm3357sgAazl-x-Y/s1600/stair+warning+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuXnFB5UrrUApUnQ6xC6kus6fSoTh18CaiCqdh-X0g1TKFTv7lgTs7mPjRBGKFll1FKWt1TjVEQq82jaaLyhvH8X_Iip71arU2mhb58Tlb8EA9u_P7ha8r57nPtoBJm3357sgAazl-x-Y/s400/stair+warning+sign.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No kidding!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lmsUy0oSf70zkKqQmVB_Cu4Z8Szcx8HslqfFNJpNL_Qj9y7s3q7fntGiv8QwT5SSvSVQd8JST9Pqt01aD6dwPSu1CMJtoN-rjkQjKIAXgJO9-J8AqUIXGwXVJUnq7TEkZksqOe76rdc/s1600/Ser+and+Zac+on+stairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lmsUy0oSf70zkKqQmVB_Cu4Z8Szcx8HslqfFNJpNL_Qj9y7s3q7fntGiv8QwT5SSvSVQd8JST9Pqt01aD6dwPSu1CMJtoN-rjkQjKIAXgJO9-J8AqUIXGwXVJUnq7TEkZksqOe76rdc/s400/Ser+and+Zac+on+stairs.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keep going down....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once again the kids impressed us with their stamina, lack of
complaining, and sense of adventure. They made up roll-playing games, and we took turns making up silly verses to song Serenna created as we hiked. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqlBDeiCC9U0-_0o0SMrm27j9Qv1xD9rphWtlI5NYNpVGOJKqnIhPFs6jqqe1ODkJrdsAkAWCPZTPyTxT1M2Ws5BCT0hZCjkL87xPymPWltJCT1HL_dmnkDwR7fG3bkc9Cl83OqWDDdE/s1600/Hiking+down+the+Blue+Mountains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqlBDeiCC9U0-_0o0SMrm27j9Qv1xD9rphWtlI5NYNpVGOJKqnIhPFs6jqqe1ODkJrdsAkAWCPZTPyTxT1M2Ws5BCT0hZCjkL87xPymPWltJCT1HL_dmnkDwR7fG3bkc9Cl83OqWDDdE/s400/Hiking+down+the+Blue+Mountains.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We rarely saw other people during the hike.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjER28e_pwywurfPUNi86bdX1su6-9WkUXr1BBCi6IEuNdflEJGjVXvBsyw2s89YMMmIKQj8rmwg4lKhQ4BsfKcfVZPPk-G_uEZvMylwKoFRD9ctcZ-ZnM8ll8B-DHwEAYLunU9WuwoFyA/s1600/Jas+between+the+three+sisters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjER28e_pwywurfPUNi86bdX1su6-9WkUXr1BBCi6IEuNdflEJGjVXvBsyw2s89YMMmIKQj8rmwg4lKhQ4BsfKcfVZPPk-G_uEZvMylwKoFRD9ctcZ-ZnM8ll8B-DHwEAYLunU9WuwoFyA/s400/Jas+between+the+three+sisters.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jason between the Three Sisters rock formations.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKXO4VreArRh_0Qe9oOGZT_3IPinbXf4DdHqhHK2Q6sbbZExMYZW25IYdLTA7FHOzKcDLgcgiF3ug-l8EHKydElFrvl7aQRA-XvNAC9u1rplJxyFT3XBGmT6AxQzSz1krRiQNd7zZTMPg/s1600/More+stairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKXO4VreArRh_0Qe9oOGZT_3IPinbXf4DdHqhHK2Q6sbbZExMYZW25IYdLTA7FHOzKcDLgcgiF3ug-l8EHKydElFrvl7aQRA-XvNAC9u1rplJxyFT3XBGmT6AxQzSz1krRiQNd7zZTMPg/s400/More+stairs.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And more bloody stairs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Blue Mountains were beautiful in all weathers. I am constantly reminded of the diversity of landforms and habitats that Australia has to offer.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCD0wHIsKYiRERDG858olCxXlfjQhpG_jCCXvoLtuwTcqf2TK8kohhxQOpc1F2Opg4vS-yx7dR6sZLwnwC11zgWyeXgllJ3kHkUWXFWR7MG0R3Q9ky5bhaCtkEjHbBHSGH4f27OKqelrw/s1600/three+sisters+at+sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCD0wHIsKYiRERDG858olCxXlfjQhpG_jCCXvoLtuwTcqf2TK8kohhxQOpc1F2Opg4vS-yx7dR6sZLwnwC11zgWyeXgllJ3kHkUWXFWR7MG0R3Q9ky5bhaCtkEjHbBHSGH4f27OKqelrw/s400/three+sisters+at+sunset.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
Next we drive back to Sydney, return the rental car and fly to Brisbane where at last I will see my sister Terri and brother in law Joe!!! Penni-Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820617437770240047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579453281805932960.post-14245523219573020082011-12-23T06:56:00.000-08:002011-12-25T15:35:03.409-08:00Going to The Outback<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BcUPIHPW0JQ/TvSKpOlxTiI/AAAAAAAAAlg/FcM1sSIWF9c/s1600/Outback+license+plate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BcUPIHPW0JQ/TvSKpOlxTiI/AAAAAAAAAlg/FcM1sSIWF9c/s320/Outback+license+plate.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Uluru, the red rock, has been the
screen saver on our computer for years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is a place that I have wanted to visit for a long time and it is
happening!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ayers Rock (Uluru) is located
in Central Australia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a 2.5 hour
flight from Sydney and about 2800km away. It would take about 30 hours to drive
it so we were grateful for the flight option.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The flight was fine, no on board entertainment but I took the time to
sort through a few hundred of our pictures taken while we have been traveling.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RWLbNEAss7s/TvSK1VU3YpI/AAAAAAAAAls/uOQZXFBBSRQ/s1600/airplane+to+Ayers+Rock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RWLbNEAss7s/TvSK1VU3YpI/AAAAAAAAAls/uOQZXFBBSRQ/s320/airplane+to+Ayers+Rock.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We arrived in Ayers Rock about
noon and hired a rental car at the wee airport. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Ayers Rock Resort where we had a cabin
reserved was about 10min. away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ayers
Rock Resort is the only development within several hundred kilometres in the
Outback.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a grocery store, a
post office, a couple of cafes and gift shops and three restaurants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The resort also offers four levels of
accommodations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First would be the deluxe
rooms of Desert Sails, then the more modest hotel style rooms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At a different area of the resort <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is the camp ground and cabins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> That is where we were. </span>The cabins we had was so great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much better than I had dared to hope!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was small but had everything we
needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One part was a 4 bunk bedroom,
then a little kitchen complete with table and chairs, and another room with a double
bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were most grateful for the noisy
air conditioner stuck in the wall!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> (The temperature at mid day can exceed 40 degrees Celsius. In the middle of the night it still feels warm.) </span>There
was no bathroom but just like most Canadian camp grounds, there was a big
bathroom with showers not far away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The best
feature was the outdoor pool.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since it was the middle of a hot
sunny day we decided to swim first and do a shortish hike later in the
afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided to save Uluru for
the next morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the Outback it gets
to hot during the day to hike so most people start hiking at sunrise (5:50am
and finish by 11 am).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is not alot
of shade as most of the vegetation is scrub bushes, grasses and a few trees
growing out of the red soil.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Outfitted
with hats, water and cameras we drove 45 minutes to Kata Tjuta rock
formation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Uluru is the most famous rock
but the Kata Tjuta (also known as the Olgas) are just as impressive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Djr6YdLkYsI/TvSLwyH-85I/AAAAAAAAAl4/g-7zy8zSkVQ/s1600/first+sitings+of+Kata+Tjura.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Djr6YdLkYsI/TvSLwyH-85I/AAAAAAAAAl4/g-7zy8zSkVQ/s400/first+sitings+of+Kata+Tjura.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First sightings of Kata Tjuta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-11MCHar_NOw/TvSOA8CQr1I/AAAAAAAAAm0/ThRLbyQ_W70/s1600/hiking+the+gorge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-11MCHar_NOw/TvSOA8CQr1I/AAAAAAAAAm0/ThRLbyQ_W70/s400/hiking+the+gorge.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting our hike</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8BgPnwMF-Y/TvSM4J7zWQI/AAAAAAAAAmE/rTNYIFhRd4s/s1600/Kata+Tjura+gorge+hike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8BgPnwMF-Y/TvSM4J7zWQI/AAAAAAAAAmE/rTNYIFhRd4s/s400/Kata+Tjura+gorge+hike.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking the gorge at Kata Tjuta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We hiked up and down the gorge
passage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I think of the Outback
from now on I will see red soil and red rock everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The soil has a high concentration of iron
oxide, rust basically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UEBMsMDOCVU/TvSNM2fnmuI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/W9M8_hO8i6o/s1600/family+at+Walpa+Gorge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UEBMsMDOCVU/TvSNM2fnmuI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/W9M8_hO8i6o/s400/family+at+Walpa+Gorge.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kata Tjuta Gorge hike</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ob87jfrCKKI/TvSNj4rRZ8I/AAAAAAAAAmc/yZJNawlzpUw/s1600/Kids+in+Walpa+Gorge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ob87jfrCKKI/TvSNj4rRZ8I/AAAAAAAAAmc/yZJNawlzpUw/s400/Kids+in+Walpa+Gorge.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zac and Serenna hiking Kata Tjuta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ctCfTb1JQuA/TvSON9HPhpI/AAAAAAAAAnA/FnrS1UFFsWg/s1600/Kata+Tjura+reflection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ctCfTb1JQuA/TvSON9HPhpI/AAAAAAAAAnA/FnrS1UFFsWg/s400/Kata+Tjura+reflection.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Kata Tjuta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On our walk, Zac spotted two tiny
lizards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like everything else they were
red!</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ee9rzmT_Do/TvSOqEPWI-I/AAAAAAAAAnM/gsc9pVN6qUE/s1600/Lizard+at++Walpa+Gorge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ee9rzmT_Do/TvSOqEPWI-I/AAAAAAAAAnM/gsc9pVN6qUE/s320/Lizard+at++Walpa+Gorge.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little guy is about 4cm long</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-olpkTX10sbA/TvSPRk-YvlI/AAAAAAAAAnY/-YYTbR-_gYU/s1600/tiny+lizard+and+sunnies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-olpkTX10sbA/TvSPRk-YvlI/AAAAAAAAAnY/-YYTbR-_gYU/s400/tiny+lizard+and+sunnies.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This wee guy is even smaller. Those are my sunglasses he is near.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We drove a few kilometres away
from Kata Tjuta at sunset to get a nice picture of the rock glowing in the
sunshine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T25bZF0GJBI/TvSPy9tnPjI/AAAAAAAAAnk/B5sALInY-kk/s1600/setting+sun+at+Kata+Tjuta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T25bZF0GJBI/TvSPy9tnPjI/AAAAAAAAAnk/B5sALInY-kk/s400/setting+sun+at+Kata+Tjuta.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset at Kata Tjuta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We had a simple dinner of spaghetti
and sauce in our cosy cabin and turned in early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The star watching from the Outback is
awesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately the only
constellation that I recognise is Orion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We cannot see the North star or the dippers from down here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think we were able to pick out the ‘Southern
Cross’ – the 7 stars on the Australian flag.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qpivDIMehzo/TvSQ8moFOqI/AAAAAAAAAnw/RP4XLAZeaHs/s1600/first+sitings+of+UlUru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qpivDIMehzo/TvSQ8moFOqI/AAAAAAAAAnw/RP4XLAZeaHs/s400/first+sitings+of+UlUru.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First sightings of Uluru</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Next morning we headed to Uluru
to meet the ranger for a guided 1.5 hour tour around part of the rock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Uluru (and Kata Tjuta) is a sacred area to
the aboriginal peoples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our guide told
us about some of their foods and traditions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We saw cave drawings where the young would have been taught about
hunting techniques, water holes, and spiritual stories would be passed down to
the next generation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-smOMBC_Xk90/TvSRJJUYO1I/AAAAAAAAAn8/5KvGpi5e_r4/s1600/guide+teaching+about+cave+drawings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-smOMBC_Xk90/TvSRJJUYO1I/AAAAAAAAAn8/5KvGpi5e_r4/s400/guide+teaching+about+cave+drawings.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cave drawings aprox. 32000 years old!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kjX-qLz2zpo/TvSRrlrSlWI/AAAAAAAAAoU/z3l5cTOhDSM/s1600/kitchen+cave+at+Uluru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kjX-qLz2zpo/TvSRrlrSlWI/AAAAAAAAAoU/z3l5cTOhDSM/s400/kitchen+cave+at+Uluru.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 'kitchen cave' used by Aboriginals years ago when Uluru was a gathering place.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Some places at Uluru are considers so sacred and important to the beliefs of the people that they ask visitors not to even take photographs of those areas. So I took a picture of the sign instead.<br />
<br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rbWpfHsuL7o/TvSSpc-XtGI/AAAAAAAAAos/SuNPDreCpWg/s1600/no+photos+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rbWpfHsuL7o/TvSSpc-XtGI/AAAAAAAAAos/SuNPDreCpWg/s400/no+photos+sign.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No photographs here please.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Many visitors want to climb Uluru for a sense of accomplishment. The indigenous people do not climb Uluru. It was and still is considered a meeting place for different Aboriginal tribes to come together for ceremonies and feasts. They ask that visitor also do not climb as an act of respect for the culture, the natural environment, and their own personal safety. The National Parks commission that jointly runs Uluru with the Indigenous council, also asks visitors to make an informed choice. During the summer months of Dec., Jan., and Feb., the climb is actually closed all the time as it gets so hot at the top that there have been deaths and serious injury. Despite all these reasons not to climb, some visitors just cannot resist. Sadly, multiple people die every year at Uluru by falling or heat related illness.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W_O4IcQjbNM/TvSUdNqn5wI/AAAAAAAAAo4/eNHeLBYf23I/s1600/Majestic+Uluru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W_O4IcQjbNM/TvSUdNqn5wI/AAAAAAAAAo4/eNHeLBYf23I/s400/Majestic+Uluru.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Majestic Uluru</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After our guided tour it was
getting hot by 9:30am so we went to the Cultural Centre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had great displays and information about
the aboriginal people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was also an
art gallery where we spent a long time looking at original aboriginal
paintings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All four of us agreed on one
painting for our home and Jason treated himself to another for his office.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">By noon we needed lunch, followed by many
hours in the pool!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E-pTTew0Jvw/TvSUy0TJtdI/AAAAAAAAApE/m_jT73ZnRq4/s1600/lunch+at+Ayers+Rock+Resort.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E-pTTew0Jvw/TvSUy0TJtdI/AAAAAAAAApE/m_jT73ZnRq4/s400/lunch+at+Ayers+Rock+Resort.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picnic lunch at the resort. Notice the shade canopies everywhere.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For dinner that night we went to
the Outback BBQ restaurant. The way it is run was a really cool idea. You go up
to the cash and selected a piece of steak, chicken, hamburger, vegetarian
burger, Kangaroo, fish, crocodile or Emu from the meat counter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then you take your own meat to one of the
dozen barbies and BBQ it yourself!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then you
fill your plate with salads, corn and baked potatoes from the buffet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The buffet even had apple crumble and vanilla
custard for desert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Considering our
location the price was fair and became the best bargain in town when they told
us kids eat for FREE!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went back the
next night too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And no, we did not eat
crocodile, emu or kangaroo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Our intention was to have an early dinner and then head off to the sunset viewing area to watch the sun set over Uluru. That plan had to be postponed as a storm front was moving in and there would be no glowing sunsets that night.</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a0OaZp7HlvQ/TvSVq2nyTDI/AAAAAAAAApQ/pxw7xSimCm4/s1600/Storm+brewing+over+Uluru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a0OaZp7HlvQ/TvSVq2nyTDI/AAAAAAAAApQ/pxw7xSimCm4/s400/Storm+brewing+over+Uluru.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No sunset but very dramatic skies.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
Because our sunset trip was called off, we did have one of those 'it is such a small world' experiences. I noticed a guy and his young daughter unloading their car in the rain. He had a MEC (Moutnain Equipment Co op) backback so we thought he must be Canadian. Jason went to ask if he needed help unloading their car, but the guy seemed to be ignoring him. Finally his 5 year old daughter explained that he couldn't hear him. When the guy turned around Jason began signing with him. (Jas became fluent in sign while he was dating a deaf girl in highschool). Turns out the family is Canadian, they live in Toronto, only a few blocks from Jason's dad and step-mom live. The rest of the family is hearing so we were able to communicate while we had a drink together. His wife went to Queen's for teacher's college too! The coinsidences got even stranger when it turns out they both know Jason's old girlfriend. They used to all teach together at a deaf school in Toronto. It felt pretty sureal being in the Outback in Australia talking/signing with a Canadian family withso many people and places in common.<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
One of the
amazing things about 'the rock' is how it changes colour at different times of
the day depending on how the sun is hitting it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
While at Uluru, i</span>t becomes important to see the rock in all its various moods and
colours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is common to get up at 4:30
am to make sure you make it to the viewing spot for sunrise, likewise for
sunset at 7:30 pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately we did
not get to see a sunrise, but it was not for lack of trying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We set the
alarm for 4:30am every morning but it was either raining or very overcast each
time!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the up side, we did get to see Uluru
in the rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-87NALt2N3S8/TveoxgoOjAI/AAAAAAAAApc/N2-as74PhCo/s1600/Uluru+in+the+rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-87NALt2N3S8/TveoxgoOjAI/AAAAAAAAApc/N2-as74PhCo/s400/Uluru+in+the+rain.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uluru in the rain and clouds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is apparently rather
unusual as it doesn`t rain all that often in the outback.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are some of the minority of visitors who
have seen waterfalls at Uluru.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
really rather special seeing the water cascading down the rock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3yBduZFg6w0/TvepK4UG7tI/AAAAAAAAApo/RoNGBD0Z_F0/s1600/temporary+waterfalls+at+Uluru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3yBduZFg6w0/TvepK4UG7tI/AAAAAAAAApo/RoNGBD0Z_F0/s400/temporary+waterfalls+at+Uluru.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Temporary waterfalls at Uluru</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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A place that we had seen the morning before, in the dry weather,
was a small pond (more like a big puddle) with lots of tadpoles, overnight
it had turned into a rather large pond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
change in the water level was shocking!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UtzjzwbjarM/Tvep0y7oPXI/AAAAAAAAAqA/hDAaqxMF5n8/s1600/waterfalls+Uluru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UtzjzwbjarM/Tvep0y7oPXI/AAAAAAAAAqA/hDAaqxMF5n8/s400/waterfalls+Uluru.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This pond was a tadpol filled puddle the day before.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3q1_wJNRpBE/TvernhNHJAI/AAAAAAAAAqM/KhTcVJdjFw4/s1600/family+hiking+Uluru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3q1_wJNRpBE/TvernhNHJAI/AAAAAAAAAqM/KhTcVJdjFw4/s400/family+hiking+Uluru.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking around the base of Uluru.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YvMUaCLPvYw/TveyMltnneI/AAAAAAAAAso/6uzduOoyw7U/s1600/Uluru+hiking+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YvMUaCLPvYw/TveyMltnneI/AAAAAAAAAso/6uzduOoyw7U/s400/Uluru+hiking+map.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map of base walk around Uluru: an ambitious 12 km</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The rain eventually turned to a
drizzle and then to just an overcast grey day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It actually made for great hiking weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kids did an amazing job walking the 12 km
around the base of Uluru.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took about
5 hours but we sang, learned some sign language, dodged mud puddles, jumped in
mud puddles, took too many pictures and spotted birds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hFyoInbPMYc/Tvet2M0ghzI/AAAAAAAAArU/UDumFyxGFPc/s1600/wet+footprints.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hFyoInbPMYc/Tvet2M0ghzI/AAAAAAAAArU/UDumFyxGFPc/s400/wet+footprints.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unseasonably wet they said.....</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kfqZxiGp92U/Tver1Nasf5I/AAAAAAAAAqY/fthoHfAPtbY/s1600/family+at+Uluru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kfqZxiGp92U/Tver1Nasf5I/AAAAAAAAAqY/fthoHfAPtbY/s400/family+at+Uluru.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cascades and high water levels at Uluru.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I86QjUQ1BXg/TvesOVoOeBI/AAAAAAAAAqk/YJXnL1nL3Uo/s1600/inside+a+cave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I86QjUQ1BXg/TvesOVoOeBI/AAAAAAAAAqk/YJXnL1nL3Uo/s400/inside+a+cave.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside one of the many caves of Uluru.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i1BSUrABvCE/TveslDYSkJI/AAAAAAAAAqw/ifQHIGWqWeM/s1600/looking+up+at+Uluru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i1BSUrABvCE/TveslDYSkJI/AAAAAAAAAqw/ifQHIGWqWeM/s400/looking+up+at+Uluru.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red rock of Uluru.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EbVSFbmqseM/TveszYGs4nI/AAAAAAAAAq8/3wlfMFX4J2g/s1600/mighty+hikers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EbVSFbmqseM/TveszYGs4nI/AAAAAAAAAq8/3wlfMFX4J2g/s400/mighty+hikers.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mighty hikers of Uluru.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the last kilometre of the hike the sun
came out, giving us yet another perspective of the rock.</div>
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</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--drZKYaa3jE/TveuIFGazjI/AAAAAAAAArg/M-VrIqJJ9_8/s1600/sunny+Uluru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--drZKYaa3jE/TveuIFGazjI/AAAAAAAAArg/M-VrIqJJ9_8/s400/sunny+Uluru.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunny Uluru.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I-FfsILWSew/TvevogrcF_I/AAAAAAAAArs/BVkdAlbq-2E/s1600/Uluru+caves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I-FfsILWSew/TvevogrcF_I/AAAAAAAAArs/BVkdAlbq-2E/s400/Uluru+caves.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caves at Uluru</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then it was back to the cabin, and
a few more hours at the pool!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Way too early on our last morning
at Ayers Rock we woke to try and see the sunrise over Uluru but once again it
was very overcast so we went back to bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Later that morning, we packed up all our stuff and headed to the airport
for our flight back to Sydney.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> On they way we spotted this feral camel!</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2egi5y2biIs/Tvew3rbXn0I/AAAAAAAAAr4/88GDjbUoUKg/s1600/feral+camel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2egi5y2biIs/Tvew3rbXn0I/AAAAAAAAAr4/88GDjbUoUKg/s400/feral+camel.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camel in the scub at Ayers Rock</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Once we
returned to Sydney we rented another car and drove to the Blue Mountains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More about the beautiful Blue mountains next
blog.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmH1T_F7oB4/TvexGBilvEI/AAAAAAAAAsE/_Lgn3EqrTMw/s1600/bench.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmH1T_F7oB4/TvexGBilvEI/AAAAAAAAAsE/_Lgn3EqrTMw/s400/bench.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful wooden bench</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Penni-Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820617437770240047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579453281805932960.post-961658087634646772011-12-22T19:04:00.000-08:002011-12-22T19:04:33.440-08:00A few days in Sydney, Australia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wRgxa-HJWqw/TvPYC54NCLI/AAAAAAAAAcU/0q-axTQHPD8/s1600/squishing+the+opera+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wRgxa-HJWqw/TvPYC54NCLI/AAAAAAAAAcU/0q-axTQHPD8/s320/squishing+the+opera+house.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We flew to Sydney on Sat. Dec 10 after spending far too many
hours cleaning our flat to ensure we got our 2700 dollar bond back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The building managers are actually really
great people but OMG did they have hawk eyes for detail when it comes to
cleaning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought I had a high
standard of cleanliness, but I've met my match.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Things like water marks on the edge of the cupboard door frame had to be
polished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was really over the
top!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jason was asked to clean the shower
several times. I actually had to scrub the inside of the dishwasher!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cleaning marathon came after a late night
of ‘intelligent’ packing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything we
own had to be sorted into four separate containers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One suitcase each, for our trip to Sydney,
the outback and the Blue Mountains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Another container for wrapped Christmas presents (I have never been
ready for Christmas by Dec. 9<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> before).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another, different suitcase for snorkeling
and beach stuff for the Sunshine Coast and Heron Island part of the trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A fourth container for stuff that we needed
while living in Brisbane but not needed while on the road like completed school
work, lunch boxes, uniforms, work clothes, souvenirs, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It felt like a huge accomplishment to finally
turn over our keys and head to the airport. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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We did not arrive in Sydney until 9pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is an hour and a half flight and an hour
time change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was also a noticeable
temperature change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sydney is 1000km
South (so away from the Equator) so it is a bit cooler here than the more
northerly located Brisbane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our weather
during our Sydney stay was actually quite cool and rainy – a bit of a
disappointment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> We stayed in an area of Sydney called "Wooloomooloo". I think I chose accommodations there just so I could have fun saying Wooloomooloo.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1E5I2M6f7qI/TvPYrU5cn7I/AAAAAAAAAcg/zRcAXv14R_w/s1600/wooloomooloo+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1E5I2M6f7qI/TvPYrU5cn7I/AAAAAAAAAcg/zRcAXv14R_w/s320/wooloomooloo+sign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zlw-M0QiD38/TvPY2ScoP_I/AAAAAAAAAcs/zrxM6hrdZEQ/s1600/Wooloomooloo+Bay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zlw-M0QiD38/TvPY2ScoP_I/AAAAAAAAAcs/zrxM6hrdZEQ/s400/Wooloomooloo+Bay.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wooloomooloo Bay (a block from our hotel)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The next day, we made the best of the intermittent rain and
got out when the sun peeked out and dashed into a museum or cafe when it down
poured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sydney itself is a great city
for walking around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is on the water
and there is a long walking path around the harbour and of course the Opera
House.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Jsfyry7s3o/TvPbAnAXfVI/AAAAAAAAAdo/97w-Asa_0kg/s1600/picnic+opera+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Jsfyry7s3o/TvPbAnAXfVI/AAAAAAAAAdo/97w-Asa_0kg/s400/picnic+opera+house.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picnic by the Sydney Opera House</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JXrbOaYojiE/TvPZTP3sb8I/AAAAAAAAAc4/GNQRzZhOjNk/s1600/family+at+opera+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JXrbOaYojiE/TvPZTP3sb8I/AAAAAAAAAc4/GNQRzZhOjNk/s400/family+at+opera+house.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking around Sydney, Australia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U9FGAkMb94E/TvPZnVROduI/AAAAAAAAAdE/7AOE1Gl1LxA/s1600/opera+house+sail+boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U9FGAkMb94E/TvPZnVROduI/AAAAAAAAAdE/7AOE1Gl1LxA/s400/opera+house+sail+boat.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sydney Opera House</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GuSUAKgy0lU/TvPZ1PbQLPI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/Icz9ZtxM0xA/s1600/opera+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GuSUAKgy0lU/TvPZ1PbQLPI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/Icz9ZtxM0xA/s400/opera+house.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sydney Opera House and Sydney Bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ml9l8OSGBC8/TvPeG8baYAI/AAAAAAAAAew/XEOWV3KcBAU/s1600/Sydeny+Central+Business+District.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ml9l8OSGBC8/TvPeG8baYAI/AAAAAAAAAew/XEOWV3KcBAU/s400/Sydeny+Central+Business+District.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sydney's central business district</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mYBPj5bJNro/TvPhu0KhiYI/AAAAAAAAAgo/7BKWH-U8qH4/s1600/pool+with+a+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mYBPj5bJNro/TvPhu0KhiYI/AAAAAAAAAgo/7BKWH-U8qH4/s400/pool+with+a+view.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huge open air swimming pool near Wooloomooloo Bay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sunday was Jason’s only day to
site see with us (and the best weather day) so we walked around a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S0C1Z8IX9E8/TvPaqgLSkNI/AAAAAAAAAdc/cXRDvW9p6ek/s1600/opera+house+near+by.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S0C1Z8IX9E8/TvPaqgLSkNI/AAAAAAAAAdc/cXRDvW9p6ek/s400/opera+house+near+by.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just when we thought the day had cleared and
we would take the ferry to Manly Beach to meet up with Denis and Gabrielle and
their kids (see earlier blog about the O’Carrolls – Western Ontario colleague
and friend also on sabbatical in Aus.) it started to really pour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took shelter in the covered snack bar at
the ferry terminal and had lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since
a beach day was not going to happen we wandered some more and took time to
watch a very talented street performer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In fact Jason was selected to help out in the show by holding the 12
foot unicycle for the street performer to climb on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the performer asked for a 7 or 8 year
old volunteer Zac got involved in the show too!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s30zulzrFBY/TvPbqT1DyEI/AAAAAAAAAd0/GJTZSvxtkqE/s1600/Zac+volunteers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s30zulzrFBY/TvPbqT1DyEI/AAAAAAAAAd0/GJTZSvxtkqE/s400/Zac+volunteers.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zac joins the show.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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You can imagine his delight when he promised to pay him $5 for helping
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had Zac put on a safety helmet
and glasses and sit on the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2EsUwXsXB88/TvPcFzoG-FI/AAAAAAAAAeA/HbI5z7U-69k/s1600/Zac+in+the+show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2EsUwXsXB88/TvPcFzoG-FI/AAAAAAAAAeA/HbI5z7U-69k/s400/Zac+in+the+show.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zac with helmet and 'safety goggles'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Then
he mounted a small unicycle and jumped over Zac.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very funny and not too scary for me to
witness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZU8iko-N240/TvPc6xDDxKI/AAAAAAAAAeY/oZgQiZwo8Dc/s1600/Zac+and+busker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZU8iko-N240/TvPc6xDDxKI/AAAAAAAAAeY/oZgQiZwo8Dc/s400/Zac+and+busker.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then he had Zac throw up a juggling club to him once he had climbed up the 12 foot unicycle.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N-FVCQao9L0/TvPcgyw2U0I/AAAAAAAAAeM/ospWXTl90Bc/s1600/street+busker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N-FVCQao9L0/TvPcgyw2U0I/AAAAAAAAAeM/ospWXTl90Bc/s400/street+busker.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Street busker juggling fire, knife and club on 12 ft. unicycle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The street
performer was clearly talented and had a very charming funny rapport with his
audience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We learned later that he is
the 2011 World Champion Unicyclist and married to an Australian Actress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the end of the show he actually paid Zac
$10 dollars!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You should have seen the
smile on Zac’s face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was so chuffed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really made his day, he kept talking about <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it for hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">We made our way to Darling Harbour. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Jason and I had the opportunity to visit
Australia 9 years ago, one place that I remember well was Darling Harbour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had memories
of Serenna playing in a sunken water feature when she was two years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a thrill to find it again and watch my
two kids playing in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DQmifIoWD3Y/TvPdjcqxNQI/AAAAAAAAAek/6gwcG0Qht1A/s1600/fountain+in+darling+harbour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DQmifIoWD3Y/TvPdjcqxNQI/AAAAAAAAAek/6gwcG0Qht1A/s400/fountain+in+darling+harbour.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Serenna and Zac in the water feature, Darling Harbour</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Darling Harbour
is a wonderland for kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is the
Aquarium, the Australian Outback Experience, IMAX theatre, and more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cmPkMssaJBs/TvPqe2SHzkI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/8D0iEqoRrrg/s1600/Lego+structure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cmPkMssaJBs/TvPqe2SHzkI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/8D0iEqoRrrg/s400/Lego+structure.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An amazing all lego statue at the Aquarium.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rqOg1IhqDVs/TvPquIohEWI/AAAAAAAAAjc/zwD_ir5KK7k/s1600/lego+titan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rqOg1IhqDVs/TvPquIohEWI/AAAAAAAAAjc/zwD_ir5KK7k/s400/lego+titan.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">amazing lego detail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Since it is the week before Christmas, the
entire Darling Harbour is decorated for Christmas with HUGE blow up Santas (and
in some cases Koala Clauses) all around the harbour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made a game of spotting them all.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oU2_-VnsRpo/TvPea-80iOI/AAAAAAAAAe8/i2aNnMlxftU/s1600/blow+up+santa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oU2_-VnsRpo/TvPea-80iOI/AAAAAAAAAe8/i2aNnMlxftU/s400/blow+up+santa.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Blow up Santa in Darling Harbour, Sydney</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QA6r8mlo57g/TvPem4hLYNI/AAAAAAAAAfI/Elzw_S7SOYM/s1600/climbing+santa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QA6r8mlo57g/TvPem4hLYNI/AAAAAAAAAfI/Elzw_S7SOYM/s320/climbing+santa.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BKGoEoPVsAY/TvPeucm5TOI/AAAAAAAAAfU/-EIm1uyr6kI/s1600/Koala+Clause.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BKGoEoPVsAY/TvPeucm5TOI/AAAAAAAAAfU/-EIm1uyr6kI/s320/Koala+Clause.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Koala Clause</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">There is also a nice play park for kids so when the sun came
out we hung out there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o-KXyrYKVu4/TvPffI9xxvI/AAAAAAAAAfg/Bcj4a1zVvss/s1600/darling+harbour+play+park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o-KXyrYKVu4/TvPffI9xxvI/AAAAAAAAAfg/Bcj4a1zVvss/s400/darling+harbour+play+park.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Playing in Darling Harbour play park</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it started
to rain we went to the IMAX theatre and saw Puss In Boots (3D).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F6rIVT3P6-E/TvPfri97YpI/AAAAAAAAAfs/zkSrbraQInI/s1600/imax+puss+in+boots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F6rIVT3P6-E/TvPfri97YpI/AAAAAAAAAfs/zkSrbraQInI/s400/imax+puss+in+boots.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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When the show got out we had some dinner and then listened
to some Christmas carols being performed by a lit up Christmas tree – all
lights, no tree. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Du4oglXY0a0/TvPgA3jMObI/AAAAAAAAAf4/uSWWnG991kM/s1600/Christmas+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Du4oglXY0a0/TvPgA3jMObI/AAAAAAAAAf4/uSWWnG991kM/s400/Christmas+tree.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lights only Christmas tree in Darling Harbour</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-en4pA2YVVPs/TvPgP39UMjI/AAAAAAAAAgE/o1LbTS8f1aU/s1600/Darling+Harbour+at+night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-en4pA2YVVPs/TvPgP39UMjI/AAAAAAAAAgE/o1LbTS8f1aU/s400/Darling+Harbour+at+night.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darling Harbour at twilight</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GfeYBxiD67s/TvPgfJ6CmsI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/0iA6gMdeyso/s1600/resting+my+feet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GfeYBxiD67s/TvPgfJ6CmsI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/0iA6gMdeyso/s400/resting+my+feet.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">taking a rest at Darling Harbour </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
next two days were work days for Jason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was giving talks at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, and
working with Denis so he was up and gone early each day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kids and I had a slower start to the day
as we had really packed it in the day before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Zac is such a homebody.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would
have been content to play and read (and yes we are back to homeschooling this
month) in the hotel room all day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By
noon we got out as hunger was motivating us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was intermittent rain once again so we decided to do the double
decker “Hop On, Hop Off city tour bus”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VWEBGZ4eOL0/TvPpEQf7a4I/AAAAAAAAAiU/IaGpgllLcw0/s1600/Bus+tour+of+Sydeny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VWEBGZ4eOL0/TvPpEQf7a4I/AAAAAAAAAiU/IaGpgllLcw0/s320/Bus+tour+of+Sydeny.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Open air bus tour of Sydney</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We got off at the Marine Museum as we wanted to check out the submarine,
the battle ship, the 1600s gunner ship and the 1800s tall ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being in the submarine was the
highlight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w2KeO5dk7go/TvPnLu-ScQI/AAAAAAAAAh8/0YHY_DQDVX4/s1600/submarine+and+ship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w2KeO5dk7go/TvPnLu-ScQI/AAAAAAAAAh8/0YHY_DQDVX4/s320/submarine+and+ship.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Battle ship and submarine at Marine Museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-auO9G6aU7HE/TvPjswVzkRI/AAAAAAAAAhY/RWOa8Skv1dA/s1600/sub+in+Darling+Harbour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-auO9G6aU7HE/TvPjswVzkRI/AAAAAAAAAhY/RWOa8Skv1dA/s400/sub+in+Darling+Harbour.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got to look around tour inside this Submarine.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Being in the submarine was the highlight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is really compact in there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sleeping bunks were everywhere – in the
narrow corridors, in the dining area, in the control rooms...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They all looked narrow and short!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were also dials and valves
everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SHaeEp48688/TvPpZN8ahVI/AAAAAAAAAig/wGUpfqCjeAc/s1600/P-S+crawling+into+Sub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SHaeEp48688/TvPpZN8ahVI/AAAAAAAAAig/wGUpfqCjeAc/s400/P-S+crawling+into+Sub.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Penni-Sue climbing down into the submarine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--q304etnSTM/TvPplt1p-BI/AAAAAAAAAis/lUlfU17Pfoo/s1600/sub+torpedo+launch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--q304etnSTM/TvPplt1p-BI/AAAAAAAAAis/lUlfU17Pfoo/s400/sub+torpedo+launch.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is where they launch the torpedoes from. We now know how to take down a battleship.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKiYEGwFDUU/TvPp2VRtdeI/AAAAAAAAAi4/_0A-cGDqKkY/s1600/Zac+in+Submarine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKiYEGwFDUU/TvPp2VRtdeI/AAAAAAAAAi4/_0A-cGDqKkY/s1600/Zac+in+Submarine.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zac in a confusing mass of dials and hardware inside the sub</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FjYs5cBFoDc/TvPqHJxje_I/AAAAAAAAAjE/gT6WJ6NBOlA/s1600/serenna+enters+sub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FjYs5cBFoDc/TvPqHJxje_I/AAAAAAAAAjE/gT6WJ6NBOlA/s400/serenna+enters+sub.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serenna entering a different section of the sub.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The coolest thing we learned on the 1600s ship was how to go
to the bathroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Toilet details are
always fascinating, especially if you are 7 years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To go to the Loo to do number two, you go to
the front of the boat and lean your butt over the edge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once finished you’ll need a wipe, so grab
that length of frayed rope and put it too use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As a courtesy to your shipmates, do not forget to give the rope a rinse
in the bucket of sea water placed nearby!</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iZkN1KJcJU0/TvPu_5GBZLI/AAAAAAAAAlU/7RT-1dpaxRk/s1600/Zac+at+canon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iZkN1KJcJU0/TvPu_5GBZLI/AAAAAAAAAlU/7RT-1dpaxRk/s400/Zac+at+canon.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zac learns about the cannons on the 1600s ship.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ohYf6B7vM5M/TvPtuM34BkI/AAAAAAAAAkw/8Bzdmn7Qd0E/s1600/lighthouse+at+maritime+museum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ohYf6B7vM5M/TvPtuM34BkI/AAAAAAAAAkw/8Bzdmn7Qd0E/s400/lighthouse+at+maritime+museum.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lighthouse and Tallship at the Marine Museum.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">By 5pm we were on a ferry on our way to meet up with Jason
and have dinner at Gabrielle and Denis’s home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> The ferry ride gave us yet another angle to admire the Opera House from.</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kAUo4F6LB4U/TvPr3Dq7K5I/AAAAAAAAAjo/FPfy8-xM3ws/s1600/Opera++House+from+the+ferry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kAUo4F6LB4U/TvPr3Dq7K5I/AAAAAAAAAjo/FPfy8-xM3ws/s400/Opera++House+from+the+ferry.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opera House from the ferry.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_qowaY-c_F8/TvPt8Oo_NTI/AAAAAAAAAk8/CLclXRBR040/s1600/luna+park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_qowaY-c_F8/TvPt8Oo_NTI/AAAAAAAAAk8/CLclXRBR040/s400/luna+park.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bizarre entrance to Luna Park (amusement park) in North Sydney. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
Our ferry stop was at Luna Park, an amusement park. We did not go in, but the entrance gate sure makes an impression. </span>We had a very nice dinner with them and the kids played and played!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Denis dropped us back at our hotel by
bedtime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On our third day in Sydney, the kids and I made more use of
our 24 hour bus ticket and went to the infamous Bondi Beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lK-KDSOJadI/TvPsIOCC8yI/AAAAAAAAAj0/rtPKyMFlwlQ/s1600/Bondi+Beach+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lK-KDSOJadI/TvPsIOCC8yI/AAAAAAAAAj0/rtPKyMFlwlQ/s320/Bondi+Beach+sign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>We wore our suits but we did little more than
splash in the waves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The water was
noticeably colder here than the Sunshine Coast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was beautiful and dramatic though with lots of wind and grey clouds
with spurts of sunshine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bondi Beach is
known for its surfing and we saw the surfers getting tossed about.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l8y9nnKPsDw/TvPsSfenMYI/AAAAAAAAAkA/SsqNXah-6kg/s1600/Serenna+and+Zac+at+Bondi+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l8y9nnKPsDw/TvPsSfenMYI/AAAAAAAAAkA/SsqNXah-6kg/s400/Serenna+and+Zac+at+Bondi+beach.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serenna and Zac at Bondi Beach.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gG4i4-fp8DM/TvPsc_52r5I/AAAAAAAAAkM/cV0SrAQvcmU/s1600/surfer+at+Bondi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gG4i4-fp8DM/TvPsc_52r5I/AAAAAAAAAkM/cV0SrAQvcmU/s400/surfer+at+Bondi.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surfer looking for some waves at Bondi Beach.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Before our tour bus ticket ran out we headed back to the
city for some lunch and more site seeing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xr0OKCe7fW4/TvPsxpxpsSI/AAAAAAAAAkY/1t4xtlr1LrI/s1600/devils+delight+pancakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xr0OKCe7fW4/TvPsxpxpsSI/AAAAAAAAAkY/1t4xtlr1LrI/s400/devils+delight+pancakes.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serenna enjoys "Devil's Delight" chocolate pancakes for lunch.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Zac spent 2 of his 10 dollar earnings on a matchbox car and I bought
Serenna a word search book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Zac and
Serenna have been enjoying that at every opportunity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact it has made homework time at
restaurants even less appealing when they could be doing a wordsearch instead!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We went back to our hotel in the late afternoon for a swim
in the tiny indoor pool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Jason
returned from work that evening we went out for a lovely dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CcYFMkt3afg/TvPtQ_53LBI/AAAAAAAAAkk/YUKyZj3ywTM/s1600/homeschooling+at+its+best.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CcYFMkt3afg/TvPtQ_53LBI/AAAAAAAAAkk/YUKyZj3ywTM/s400/homeschooling+at+its+best.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best way to homeschool.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Back at the hotel it was time to pack for our
flight the next morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are ULURU
bound and looking forward to it.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pYG3aM1BjY0/TvPursceQYI/AAAAAAAAAlI/4Ui4iI1k2Dc/s1600/cool+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pYG3aM1BjY0/TvPursceQYI/AAAAAAAAAlI/4Ui4iI1k2Dc/s400/cool+tree.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cool tree in the botanic gardens</td></tr>
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</div>Penni-Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820617437770240047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579453281805932960.post-75579215638756933522011-12-07T20:51:00.001-08:002011-12-07T23:01:01.219-08:00Queensland 2011 Refugee Lantern Parade<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Friday night is usually our movie night but I read about the
2011 Refugee Lantern Parade in the newspaper, so we decided to go to that
instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took place at South Bank so
it was an evening City Cat ride to that side of the river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We still LOVE traveling on the City Cat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> It is one of the main things I am going to miss about Brisbane. It is the best public transportation ever!</span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihq9BgWpoLU4fB0GvRvIJVpVmf4HiP9r0tqht8AjoU-rJ7PELgsUYxaiEmfayjITUlvVB3Npg9ZFEUAXx2sdRkl9oeq2sWGRqEF-C2RwHapigXo7OsOcVLe0_7GtFtNHBMcSdSQAVAZD0/s1600/jas+and+P-S+on+City+Cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihq9BgWpoLU4fB0GvRvIJVpVmf4HiP9r0tqht8AjoU-rJ7PELgsUYxaiEmfayjITUlvVB3Npg9ZFEUAXx2sdRkl9oeq2sWGRqEF-C2RwHapigXo7OsOcVLe0_7GtFtNHBMcSdSQAVAZD0/s320/jas+and+P-S+on+City+Cat.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best way to travel in Brisbane.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1LrrOCl5tCqllxKG7LZy8jONEq3urpeatJpiPlWM7jm3qqH4fR52H8mxr4SebYLDRTDmizO0BqEgL5x8bl3bRLnKZ2sJjZxXYy0gAfhUuMlsKjRbHGSrOAb6wtPV5F3lVOJpv91LVTc/s1600/Serenna+and+Zac+on+City+Cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1LrrOCl5tCqllxKG7LZy8jONEq3urpeatJpiPlWM7jm3qqH4fR52H8mxr4SebYLDRTDmizO0BqEgL5x8bl3bRLnKZ2sJjZxXYy0gAfhUuMlsKjRbHGSrOAb6wtPV5F3lVOJpv91LVTc/s400/Serenna+and+Zac+on+City+Cat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The purpose of the Lantern
Parade event was to make refugees feel welcome in Queensland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were people of all sorts of ethnicities
that gathered for the parade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lanterns
were amazing – some small, many beautiful, and large.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were animals of all kinds, like Koala,
zebra, elephant, kangaroo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first
part of the festivities was a parade of lanterns that everyone was encouraged
to join.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It started at the big Ferris
wheel at South Bank which ended at a big covered stadium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lantern lit stage was set up and after a
few boring speeches from politicians there were dancers, and singers to
entertain us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a feast for the
eyes so I will insert a number of pictures that capture a bit of the sights
although do not do justice to the feelings of unity, joy and peace.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOhH839CEFOnRQM12apIAuwdlbBY2b8Q51LwXhsDiAOwGWnhnWE25EiIqH2qScla0xBRkQbi8kFlVW9xXAXjMc3OZ29JH3zJLKIDwToiSQZ3eX_OzFBsVPRUTpGxSVxQq6_OZ6Emobsw/s1600/Koala+lantern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOhH839CEFOnRQM12apIAuwdlbBY2b8Q51LwXhsDiAOwGWnhnWE25EiIqH2qScla0xBRkQbi8kFlVW9xXAXjMc3OZ29JH3zJLKIDwToiSQZ3eX_OzFBsVPRUTpGxSVxQq6_OZ6Emobsw/s400/Koala+lantern.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Koala lantern, not yet lit up.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRZcPxITChoCLJJ8vN3FXrIGVtCWmp1lokPTgtnG0vFJFXHyY7EXZaM-LLHQ1vPFwReL8ZETPB59JF4S7ZwPy2hgyOf46LbUhiooMr1_XGAiGv4sOvzn2xiWYrZl1-0Vsf3nv31hTWUw/s1600/fish+lanterns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRZcPxITChoCLJJ8vN3FXrIGVtCWmp1lokPTgtnG0vFJFXHyY7EXZaM-LLHQ1vPFwReL8ZETPB59JF4S7ZwPy2hgyOf46LbUhiooMr1_XGAiGv4sOvzn2xiWYrZl1-0Vsf3nv31hTWUw/s400/fish+lanterns.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People gather at South Bank for the Lantern Parade.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91sgU-QLt3K0PqzBHfcKhcBo57w5a9ikiciToBm6WEuX6f1y9GlyEl8yQTU-mVqZn-Cp8tDrD7g2jgtLNBexVyp5ne2I3qOYYZ27ayY9MZQ_xnszDzkOPAohBng3QWr-05l4g3S-z9Ec/s1600/kangaroo+lantern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91sgU-QLt3K0PqzBHfcKhcBo57w5a9ikiciToBm6WEuX6f1y9GlyEl8yQTU-mVqZn-Cp8tDrD7g2jgtLNBexVyp5ne2I3qOYYZ27ayY9MZQ_xnszDzkOPAohBng3QWr-05l4g3S-z9Ec/s400/kangaroo+lantern.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixn_s4Khne8YEH4tA26m_R02lV4Od2A6n5Y9EtAv8ceFFFioxyGbCL3q3BAtj_b-53_v10wStsWHUQT0rkg6QjAr5SleCUcf2C1Dy-t6QtQ3XNb4zhrvDOUPs4sR5A3tOSZFJ-cwbA17o/s1600/hippo+lantern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixn_s4Khne8YEH4tA26m_R02lV4Od2A6n5Y9EtAv8ceFFFioxyGbCL3q3BAtj_b-53_v10wStsWHUQT0rkg6QjAr5SleCUcf2C1Dy-t6QtQ3XNb4zhrvDOUPs4sR5A3tOSZFJ-cwbA17o/s400/hippo+lantern.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCWukx72dUBGczACpGdw-FXcSWLuImMzvKjWFLmXy_lo7GEXUCHFVQrKCbohV0ptTrMTdYYYrrWtLXPH2ZmfXMvH5J26iAIVJIPjnqxFYxDzGVYdMIAs9QF5GTlCLgn2nU1dnLzsbFAY/s1600/performers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCWukx72dUBGczACpGdw-FXcSWLuImMzvKjWFLmXy_lo7GEXUCHFVQrKCbohV0ptTrMTdYYYrrWtLXPH2ZmfXMvH5J26iAIVJIPjnqxFYxDzGVYdMIAs9QF5GTlCLgn2nU1dnLzsbFAY/s400/performers.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entertainment with amazing lanterns bracketing the stage.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEBOiPKLXwdqZtpSMs9qNr8jjBx0xLSZiLOo_mqOPLO0YX_nag-oKR8iu0mVumUYKiKSKFlEKo5NjtwCRjsp583aytu7VVjA9m-MsI0Haa3ggnEFDi7ZGVCHtSxqKXA02JCNz9VUcyjA/s1600/lanterns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEBOiPKLXwdqZtpSMs9qNr8jjBx0xLSZiLOo_mqOPLO0YX_nag-oKR8iu0mVumUYKiKSKFlEKo5NjtwCRjsp583aytu7VVjA9m-MsI0Haa3ggnEFDi7ZGVCHtSxqKXA02JCNz9VUcyjA/s400/lanterns.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZKCFvymDbmq2jFtojDMFI0csJGMQ-jYn9pMgK7zPLDSJ5Kjnyg574OUb74m2WybYDpCIjcq_4FmG2vs-Kj5O7tQankWrz6e41_P1aBv9_SSvt8mUOb9EwYRtY1Pc2wQ8MBd8RIKcxArY/s1600/katie+nunan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZKCFvymDbmq2jFtojDMFI0csJGMQ-jYn9pMgK7zPLDSJ5Kjnyg574OUb74m2WybYDpCIjcq_4FmG2vs-Kj5O7tQankWrz6e41_P1aBv9_SSvt8mUOb9EwYRtY1Pc2wQ8MBd8RIKcxArY/s400/katie+nunan.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Australian award winning singer Katie Nunan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwz0R4tnTSMSY70ohl1td8ZiJo5AHaX7e-tX5jHtxTwGJNL4c87sk3Rilo5YClLZomfcSK6D123K0NQfnKMgC8uh5V6R7bUKKdTcZ9n1ItbVuH8D3xBnHn4t37zX4FLVTVzDWP9k_P7c/s1600/lanters+at+South+Bank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwz0R4tnTSMSY70ohl1td8ZiJo5AHaX7e-tX5jHtxTwGJNL4c87sk3Rilo5YClLZomfcSK6D123K0NQfnKMgC8uh5V6R7bUKKdTcZ9n1ItbVuH8D3xBnHn4t37zX4FLVTVzDWP9k_P7c/s400/lanters+at+South+Bank.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love these bigger than life lanterns.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdcsYTWlDCvaO33opto8Ztz_1SCWhV5Dkw6FPcIkWnijGENOIR3XlSSLKNnrVixPmtYkiGBTI0NaGk7-WOfBuMbsdFogfbtFwX0EqRi-qCh7_9kTGF3vbF0ASyIAfxmuzEmzsACNr2r8/s1600/elephant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdcsYTWlDCvaO33opto8Ztz_1SCWhV5Dkw6FPcIkWnijGENOIR3XlSSLKNnrVixPmtYkiGBTI0NaGk7-WOfBuMbsdFogfbtFwX0EqRi-qCh7_9kTGF3vbF0ASyIAfxmuzEmzsACNr2r8/s400/elephant.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last Saturday we celebrated
American Thanksgiving with our neighbours and about 25 of their friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We even had turkey with all the fixing
despite the fact that it was over 30 degrees Celsius.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had the meal outside at the Barbie area by
the Brisbane River.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8D6mivJl2s9cvyLK15IYmGrghMo5bQoC84xpqnEQtyviMjHkuzGx-1AjMlTSUIsKd3nR5pAfZbnfkzUJDp_lkJO7KPgERjGrbFHFtPi8Es0Tx0P1MY1YoCxgySyVTbVWqBkKNV5LG6o/s1600/thanksgiving+dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8D6mivJl2s9cvyLK15IYmGrghMo5bQoC84xpqnEQtyviMjHkuzGx-1AjMlTSUIsKd3nR5pAfZbnfkzUJDp_lkJO7KPgERjGrbFHFtPi8Es0Tx0P1MY1YoCxgySyVTbVWqBkKNV5LG6o/s400/thanksgiving+dinner.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Thanksgiving with our neighbours and friends.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXE9TnR1IYHjA-Ug6gt_6MBrH1gXeix3WKguhJBiDZ4LZ64QO2thdZFqmXJz_s2dH5Q46o2KNPJVd9vhuEAtx7wMbV0-PJ5ctCVLTGyPPAv_9j2ADa3QrvKTPpEMD0nnVAKyTjZzup9D4/s1600/american+thanksgiving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXE9TnR1IYHjA-Ug6gt_6MBrH1gXeix3WKguhJBiDZ4LZ64QO2thdZFqmXJz_s2dH5Q46o2KNPJVd9vhuEAtx7wMbV0-PJ5ctCVLTGyPPAv_9j2ADa3QrvKTPpEMD0nnVAKyTjZzup9D4/s400/american+thanksgiving.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joe, Anya, Jimmy, Emmi and Terry (American and Canadian friends)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkegFk7YMOHLTMJreAP9xGqcqVpaZySgKgZJViy6NsSZawSRLqReswrAQh7QU_w6nyoAW8m26qH2HkFdUL2sCcl7Ld0tYYeQzpr5IvBDxWOrGwebeBp4px9EenZzYg_pdsmqSUFUKJFI/s1600/Thanksgiving+dinner+with+Anya+and+Joe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkegFk7YMOHLTMJreAP9xGqcqVpaZySgKgZJViy6NsSZawSRLqReswrAQh7QU_w6nyoAW8m26qH2HkFdUL2sCcl7Ld0tYYeQzpr5IvBDxWOrGwebeBp4px9EenZzYg_pdsmqSUFUKJFI/s400/Thanksgiving+dinner+with+Anya+and+Joe.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A thanksgiving feast!! (on a sweltering day)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have gotten to know our neighbours much more in the last
month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have had their kids babysit
Serenna and Zach, while we went out with the parents, Anya and Joe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are a lot of fun and I only wish we had done this earlier in our
time here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We move out in a few days!</span><br />Penni-Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820617437770240047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579453281805932960.post-44693006043673766562011-12-07T03:38:00.001-08:002011-12-07T20:02:32.949-08:00Brisbane Blog#16 : The O' Carrolls visit<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMgkUdDBfgqkjpOuG7WOA_qw3uQVYuRL4xUEPUbFccRXR46hb7AERJKrUw1CQoc_qZCWiW1n4BJ5uhC56HLf0EIRvuCJfEWY_f_V3DW2_qW0OYk5cquStVW__HE8ufBXQGjO87KQWkLY/s1600/beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMgkUdDBfgqkjpOuG7WOA_qw3uQVYuRL4xUEPUbFccRXR46hb7AERJKrUw1CQoc_qZCWiW1n4BJ5uhC56HLf0EIRvuCJfEWY_f_V3DW2_qW0OYk5cquStVW__HE8ufBXQGjO87KQWkLY/s400/beach.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunshine Coast, Queensland</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
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We had the opportunity to host our first Canadian friends this past weekend.
They did not actually stay with us in our cosy 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom flat (oh
but the view!), they rented a two bedroom flat downtown for the weekend. We did
have a couple of meals together here though and a swim in our pool. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhM86_sLh3Q3aIga1gRxxNo99H6v7C2OCQ8wCWE3eH2ugLampE9FiSnde7QyUgjxdviV-wTwY1q8jeGJbtp6zohv1GvybHYPaZiBncVr2_ymhSR2sv8wsdhNigBilChXW9O0kUaq0se04/s1600/kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhM86_sLh3Q3aIga1gRxxNo99H6v7C2OCQ8wCWE3eH2ugLampE9FiSnde7QyUgjxdviV-wTwY1q8jeGJbtp6zohv1GvybHYPaZiBncVr2_ymhSR2sv8wsdhNigBilChXW9O0kUaq0se04/s400/kids.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zac, Serenna, Evelyn, Owen, and wee Oliver</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
The O'Carrolls are a family of 5 from London, Ontario (well they are not
actually from London but they have made London their home). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jason works with Denis at the University of
Western Ontario (they, along with another prof. Claire, and all their students
make up the RETORE group). </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1CaWzzJgGLwu340mqajxreXqYy7TPP43uSdMlJBkonqRGqjyFiQbDWBzIx0ddUvOlA8NlcpDplc_YWk0oSinfwg7NyUVaOrD1HMMQ6c-DatC8zpRZt-rg5AzJDHNrlY_Mg9BHqvsGFM/s1600/Jas+and+Denis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1CaWzzJgGLwu340mqajxreXqYy7TPP43uSdMlJBkonqRGqjyFiQbDWBzIx0ddUvOlA8NlcpDplc_YWk0oSinfwg7NyUVaOrD1HMMQ6c-DatC8zpRZt-rg5AzJDHNrlY_Mg9BHqvsGFM/s400/Jas+and+Denis.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jason and Denis</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZ80_5vQ0wLM3Kkyu0MXWpaFAZ4Ky_iFTouhwPngbr69uElSxwd7aOv37rKC1XNdKW-iZO7zHx38s8V4y_H4E0zq9tnGXcpP8ERSaXiFpaE2yiieyUlCkfDw3qJadLV0E-rRIte3pJ-Y/s1600/restore+working+men.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZ80_5vQ0wLM3Kkyu0MXWpaFAZ4Ky_iFTouhwPngbr69uElSxwd7aOv37rKC1XNdKW-iZO7zHx38s8V4y_H4E0zq9tnGXcpP8ERSaXiFpaE2yiieyUlCkfDw3qJadLV0E-rRIte3pJ-Y/s400/restore+working+men.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RESTORE men working hard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It just so happens that Denis is also on his sabbatical year and his lovely
wife Gabrielle has arranged for a one year placement at 3M in Sydney, Australia
(as opposed to her home base of 3M in London, Ontario). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So Denis, Gabrielle and their 3 kids have been
living in Sydney since July. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although on
the same side of Australia, we are still almost 1000 kms away from them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would take over 12 hours to drive! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was very fun to compare notes of living in
Australia with another family who is having a similar experience. We all agree
that it would be very tempting to relocate to this wonderful climate and way of
life. But, family, do not worry no relocation plans are being made - it is just
too far away, and our love for you trumps fabulous weather, oceans, amazing
wildlife, amazing sea life and a great tan all year round! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides, the kids can't wait to play in the
snow and see their dog again - oh yeah and they adore you all too!<br />
<br />
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<br />
As I was saying, we got to hang out with some fellow Canadians for the
weekend. We met up at South Bank for a swim in the fake beach, then had ice
cream and a drink at one of the open air patios.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkksG3zZP7N9TsVPoQgrtvsB6LRcDE4WXa4eYb7_zJDfwdeTAafA2Vg1vAib6PYGTfkZxXqQjhiSkWLg6Ku2CK7rHE_MxZGKL9rmGjCATyqaRAnRIIsQVQ8VEX8kC2TQnriN2ihM1kEM/s1600/the+girls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkksG3zZP7N9TsVPoQgrtvsB6LRcDE4WXa4eYb7_zJDfwdeTAafA2Vg1vAib6PYGTfkZxXqQjhiSkWLg6Ku2CK7rHE_MxZGKL9rmGjCATyqaRAnRIIsQVQ8VEX8kC2TQnriN2ihM1kEM/s320/the+girls.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the girls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbqzyHGO2pdk6C2ZOrP_h3hFEmOBpQG0mCZhKua8Lzx0tgn63T5OuEcQsSUfp8ynTXR9RoxemtQZ5N3qJvEe_YtBI3r3_AXfVRtQEEVsVSWCizgR2Mx9mc9T6t_gS7ETg6Md9bDzVdwE/s1600/the+boys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbqzyHGO2pdk6C2ZOrP_h3hFEmOBpQG0mCZhKua8Lzx0tgn63T5OuEcQsSUfp8ynTXR9RoxemtQZ5N3qJvEe_YtBI3r3_AXfVRtQEEVsVSWCizgR2Mx9mc9T6t_gS7ETg6Md9bDzVdwE/s320/the+boys.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the boys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We looked for a place to have dinner for a table of 9 and ended up at
an Irish Club with some live Irish music and a 'footie' game on the
"teli". <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed somehow
appropriate in the company of the ginger haired Denis O'Carroll. The kids all
get along very well. Serenna and Evelyn are almost the same age and likewise
with Zac and Owen. Their youngest Oliver can hold his own in their company and
is just too adorable not to be included. <br />
<br />
<br />
We met up very early at a car rental agency downtown Brisbane on Sunday
morning. The O`Carrolls wanted to see part of the Sunshine Coast, so we headed
an hour north to the closest beach. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Considering all the amazing beaches Australia
has on offer, this one turned out to be a bit of a disappointment as the water
was a bit brownish with seaweed bits in it and not much of a surf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the water was warm and the sand was
silky and the sun was shining as usual. <br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3swVmHxQuz_GFc-VY3g4XqoK_ULD0HOzt3NqE1_3tHtzt38VJdYUD3lZgfpgdd7WCYlPXWdQGPHL2EOPr_bLERfBDefKdb35AEsOrJ3J33e8Nnvvbs7NBNOi4ZVDblXLfyQ99aF3WV8/s1600/water+play.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3swVmHxQuz_GFc-VY3g4XqoK_ULD0HOzt3NqE1_3tHtzt38VJdYUD3lZgfpgdd7WCYlPXWdQGPHL2EOPr_bLERfBDefKdb35AEsOrJ3J33e8Nnvvbs7NBNOi4ZVDblXLfyQ99aF3WV8/s320/water+play.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent the morning there and then
went into the town to check out a recommended Gelateria. We had some award
winning gelato - I can personally recommend the 70% cocoa chocolate and the
coconut. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jas found the ginger had a
zing! <br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then drove another half hour up
the coast to another beach and were very pleased we did. The beach had
beautiful clear blue water and a very powerful surf and crashing waves. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEgZpm13ejJicD2Ofdd3F0uY0g4TbyGaMLjPBuD8uXZ4lX5rOeJhTtpSY0bqDRn8Ul5tUjinAdBJunUi0edW-OB9_PGGidboVRnezrWzSsvI6fsIJX47L1f6OZ53Oh8RKq6pznSLQR10/s1600/family+is+surf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEgZpm13ejJicD2Ofdd3F0uY0g4TbyGaMLjPBuD8uXZ4lX5rOeJhTtpSY0bqDRn8Ul5tUjinAdBJunUi0edW-OB9_PGGidboVRnezrWzSsvI6fsIJX47L1f6OZ53Oh8RKq6pznSLQR10/s400/family+is+surf.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now you see us....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-dX7O5SU7h-p8hwUhFpk7xz694YB9QZPJ5Bw1XVyZF_VxyrNnNoPV-vs79g8uJypfP0uevOSntpyZFo1EY4BZcBjVtVknWvv2GG5JGLbE2lo6npwzVMZEHVERjIY3schrrmxEfC53Kc/s1600/now+you+don%2527t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-dX7O5SU7h-p8hwUhFpk7xz694YB9QZPJ5Bw1XVyZF_VxyrNnNoPV-vs79g8uJypfP0uevOSntpyZFo1EY4BZcBjVtVknWvv2GG5JGLbE2lo6npwzVMZEHVERjIY3schrrmxEfC53Kc/s400/now+you+don%2527t.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now you don't!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
It was a great place to try out the new boogie boards that Jason and Zachary
bought. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpMRD-8m49ndEkmlHIYZaePke_wT-WeMSIA1lv8FNrdh9CgK7TcuXx5dFIlgyfOb-zbmSFWk6cmMALtRPhnH-4arCzd4SVyWW0KslcNdtyxkYzJF_MIFb92sRKj7VvSVdgyNose2vyPI/s1600/boogie+boarding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpMRD-8m49ndEkmlHIYZaePke_wT-WeMSIA1lv8FNrdh9CgK7TcuXx5dFIlgyfOb-zbmSFWk6cmMALtRPhnH-4arCzd4SVyWW0KslcNdtyxkYzJF_MIFb92sRKj7VvSVdgyNose2vyPI/s400/boogie+boarding.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boogie boarding Serenna and Jason</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFjlZ_rsDNFDNqmPmjFXQzK-MDq-IzUrD6AP9zlt4WokVGXjLESqhcgsnDFuCFxyS_JlCGTDaf897KWBVifxkqCRPCWnJbuo7v_GsjyhuPE3Uv9mDqg49zPeotWKC9-L0QNpZZ-o9Ab8/s1600/momma+boogie+boarder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFjlZ_rsDNFDNqmPmjFXQzK-MDq-IzUrD6AP9zlt4WokVGXjLESqhcgsnDFuCFxyS_JlCGTDaf897KWBVifxkqCRPCWnJbuo7v_GsjyhuPE3Uv9mDqg49zPeotWKC9-L0QNpZZ-o9Ab8/s320/momma+boogie+boarder.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boogie boarding momma<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCMWf7PFax8W4LV3YIdqq3lRE2A1hzja0-kKpkXhZfse0NlFMMcKg9uNwHETfnfM4OhkqmP6I8sqDmDI6_KnTwtFUThyHHdMedlGnfQLBm4wvCLIpCeW72oOWU9kN1dXbARuLfGul_tY/s1600/boogie+boarding+daddies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCMWf7PFax8W4LV3YIdqq3lRE2A1hzja0-kKpkXhZfse0NlFMMcKg9uNwHETfnfM4OhkqmP6I8sqDmDI6_KnTwtFUThyHHdMedlGnfQLBm4wvCLIpCeW72oOWU9kN1dXbARuLfGul_tY/s400/boogie+boarding+daddies.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boogie Boarding Daddies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzLW44lnDE_ze1gBCF1ib1gOOQQ57GKZyu-eOAKRO46mePYnRuW5dHjd2QjS5iLpPOb77kHTjR-QQtx6cjsHjCOSk6edc10oC18aViTk4Y1y6w1aA4-0zgb_Gu8dcALq31R0YKbnhCI8/s1600/jason+boogie+boarding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzLW44lnDE_ze1gBCF1ib1gOOQQ57GKZyu-eOAKRO46mePYnRuW5dHjd2QjS5iLpPOb77kHTjR-QQtx6cjsHjCOSk6edc10oC18aViTk4Y1y6w1aA4-0zgb_Gu8dcALq31R0YKbnhCI8/s400/jason+boogie+boarding.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jas catches a good one!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
When at the ocean we always try and swim between the flags that indicate
that area is patrolled by lifesavers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have to say that they have the funniest uniforms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All `lifesaver` (volunteers or paid) wear
these silly looking beanie hats of yellow and red that tie up under their neck.
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuyGI3ddk-rqfqpHikKUwGueVk69bWUAgzILlfN_zVZ_m5KCd8I-4eN7V4dMD6t5ns3HFxEeq7LyrsT610f3Hf2d6YvwT2MCXgW6Ktg3oqKxrnBiV8KH1XX9Kl-3zA3tu_UjEePrA_h4/s1600/lifesavers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuyGI3ddk-rqfqpHikKUwGueVk69bWUAgzILlfN_zVZ_m5KCd8I-4eN7V4dMD6t5ns3HFxEeq7LyrsT610f3Hf2d6YvwT2MCXgW6Ktg3oqKxrnBiV8KH1XX9Kl-3zA3tu_UjEePrA_h4/s400/lifesavers.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volunteer lifesavers with their silly beanies.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Yes, it makes them easy to spot, but they offer no sun protection and they
look so dorky. It kinda ruins the cool, sexy lifeguard image and makes them a
bit hard to take seriously. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None the
less, Gabreille still had a picture taken with them!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAFOQ2nNwxXnHcpPMWco91gwRsBwfxb6cFaDF30HqkKhiJcUFt_JTR1M5_OzmLicrCShyphenhyphencWqdeFP0N3hGoJqUKbMR1tTe8mkEV_kIjNz0u4zm1dI2Z5Bqbqj02Z63r_WDRO8YZjqcwV0/s1600/lifesavers+and+gabrielle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAFOQ2nNwxXnHcpPMWco91gwRsBwfxb6cFaDF30HqkKhiJcUFt_JTR1M5_OzmLicrCShyphenhyphencWqdeFP0N3hGoJqUKbMR1tTe8mkEV_kIjNz0u4zm1dI2Z5Bqbqj02Z63r_WDRO8YZjqcwV0/s400/lifesavers+and+gabrielle.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gabrielle with a couple of Aussie lifesavers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAopAVCVbkVyGyfVzz7HPmxsjnVmK10aa8cQjkCwCYJ6K5EhN_mNZaPJA9y-08GhqqGRrE9_V_1MPvlzoPcr1DkLebzLE5dHYHoC5M5N4PTbj_vlm3T3fbvV-zWvIJUMW2uCFi_iSAavY/s1600/para+surfing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAopAVCVbkVyGyfVzz7HPmxsjnVmK10aa8cQjkCwCYJ6K5EhN_mNZaPJA9y-08GhqqGRrE9_V_1MPvlzoPcr1DkLebzLE5dHYHoC5M5N4PTbj_vlm3T3fbvV-zWvIJUMW2uCFi_iSAavY/s400/para+surfing.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These sails are attached to people on surfboards. Looks wicked!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<o:p></o:p>Too soon it was time to pack up, shower the salt water off and find some
food for hungry tired kids and wine for their parents. We had very yummy pizza
on a patio that encouraged BYO wine with no corkage fee. I do love that. Then
we all drove back to Brisbane. <br />
<br />
<o:p>D</o:p>enis gave a talk at the University of Queensland on Monday and Gabrielle
and the kids cuddled some Koalas at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Our kids had a
regular day of school but were happy to see the kids at our flat that evening
for dinner and some more play time. We look forward to visiting them in Sydney
in a few weeks. <br />Penni-Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820617437770240047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579453281805932960.post-2884292982280956882011-11-22T01:42:00.001-08:002011-11-22T15:53:19.912-08:00Wet 'N Wild on the Gold Coast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJx9JK5tRkqmNrVSn8tuqsFFzZtldBao3W3oTXGb0aw08OZZrJ4eQM3qMbQpt356f_6iH4wi3qpXeQOXY9MNnNKUp0UrYyQq8anEY8Jd8wU4Kd55iWK7JsENK1ttqTvSLRKAtxXgxcnKw/s1600/birthday+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJx9JK5tRkqmNrVSn8tuqsFFzZtldBao3W3oTXGb0aw08OZZrJ4eQM3qMbQpt356f_6iH4wi3qpXeQOXY9MNnNKUp0UrYyQq8anEY8Jd8wU4Kd55iWK7JsENK1ttqTvSLRKAtxXgxcnKw/s320/birthday+cake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><br />
Serenna turned 11 years old on November 10.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeum0dpoWzCVzsinLBLTjEcTcCCJZXblMmZlgID1apQUmGISnIXvax27fQn7FmtpjqhUQfLhkfrBH1uzepypU_pCtmHF33wMReUST8OQyArC5xo_Mc7SbjcTmAEW98Y7GtnaZzgJJmkRE/s1600/birthday+girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeum0dpoWzCVzsinLBLTjEcTcCCJZXblMmZlgID1apQUmGISnIXvax27fQn7FmtpjqhUQfLhkfrBH1uzepypU_pCtmHF33wMReUST8OQyArC5xo_Mc7SbjcTmAEW98Y7GtnaZzgJJmkRE/s400/birthday+girl.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday Girl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /> She did not have a birthday party but instead opted for a day at Wet 'N Wild Water Park. The Gold Coast (an area about an hour or so south of Brisbane), where Surfer's Paradise is located, is full of amusement parks. It was tough to choose which one to spend the day at but a water park on a sunny hot day won out in the end. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjem1QiOnMmagNs66SC9yheGOf4IPWE-5_WknNQBghVcf45cS26cqHUBsdTk94DMA8Y9jbVNXz0NBaa4eTqD314Fo7YpTkT_OQtWUbpYJy37pxbUn9tfwT-n5j7W5UmaEIi8frCEK_0MQM/s1600/wet+and+wild+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjem1QiOnMmagNs66SC9yheGOf4IPWE-5_WknNQBghVcf45cS26cqHUBsdTk94DMA8Y9jbVNXz0NBaa4eTqD314Fo7YpTkT_OQtWUbpYJy37pxbUn9tfwT-n5j7W5UmaEIi8frCEK_0MQM/s400/wet+and+wild+sign.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
They had some amazing water slides and rides. Many of them we could do as a family. My favourite was a huge water slide that we went down in a four person raft. It is great that Zac has had a growth spurt because he was tall enough to go on almost every ride. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSlNH_oLMPPetBTcqLfGTa6Y57PH5rg_bwRRzranZsC4erQVyh0hK2ERmSis7KR8TOWPn4q70K06KqMkiYzXQIfYwWSv9ymjX3necZzKCtIjy5oFnsESXHyPkEy2rVDylv4rsWbDrML2E/s1600/scary+slide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSlNH_oLMPPetBTcqLfGTa6Y57PH5rg_bwRRzranZsC4erQVyh0hK2ERmSis7KR8TOWPn4q70K06KqMkiYzXQIfYwWSv9ymjX3necZzKCtIjy5oFnsESXHyPkEy2rVDylv4rsWbDrML2E/s400/scary+slide.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">how to become a human missile</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br />On this ride below called the Kamikaze I was really scared. The first slope down was at a crazy angle. It felt like we could easily tip over. After the initial insane dip we zoomed up the other hill (which you cannot see in the picture) with only a small boarder to prevent us from flying right off. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrX7OPHKBOurhaoGzI_nzZoMe-ZhD2rFBV-1_KgmHhXlkO9ML3D9vPCSQBxk1twHUOAnE2ca5VGxDYpKREiqQkFbaOyVHG1pFJoCk9cpX-7e1J7KKPVlIf9jUKKqqbt5soRXliMmZUlE/s1600/kamakazi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrX7OPHKBOurhaoGzI_nzZoMe-ZhD2rFBV-1_KgmHhXlkO9ML3D9vPCSQBxk1twHUOAnE2ca5VGxDYpKREiqQkFbaOyVHG1pFJoCk9cpX-7e1J7KKPVlIf9jUKKqqbt5soRXliMmZUlE/s400/kamakazi.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zac and Jason </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Serenna is incredibly brave on these rides. She even talked me into joining her on a non-water slide ride that was fast and high and spinny and made roller coasters look like toddler play. That U shaped track in the background of the picture below was part of the insane ride. Jason and Zac would not even consider joining us, opting instead for extra time in the huge wave pool.</div>
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<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eYuSTzrD0kMSMa87JMlkiJser9-5xzyYTb7oOSPyedWqfa6-8GA6zmeA40a67P_c3ycU9gPMuYxuHYpc7JEm4NvW2IOM1wgA0GmDM7uWrXR9UWJ_cptWgQ_5LP8mHj9yxbwh_0BUog0/s1600/family+in+wave+pool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eYuSTzrD0kMSMa87JMlkiJser9-5xzyYTb7oOSPyedWqfa6-8GA6zmeA40a67P_c3ycU9gPMuYxuHYpc7JEm4NvW2IOM1wgA0GmDM7uWrXR9UWJ_cptWgQ_5LP8mHj9yxbwh_0BUog0/s400/family+in+wave+pool.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here are a couple of more pics. of our day. Serenna is actually on the left most slide in this shot. Jason managed to get slide burns on his shoulder blades and wear two holes through his "rashie" (sun shirt) going down these slides.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQ95sEAv-gz4cIhXGnauPSTIRnCPnoRrOSqQd8vrTaCljlvOjsHNcu8LbUJiyBwhK9enZdZaN8D0RyLjTI5BuqIITSntNU5ov-PRzyfZQWFZ7cG152nIdmaFTIrBQCCi2FjUNsWJ98r4/s1600/Serenna+on+waterslide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQ95sEAv-gz4cIhXGnauPSTIRnCPnoRrOSqQd8vrTaCljlvOjsHNcu8LbUJiyBwhK9enZdZaN8D0RyLjTI5BuqIITSntNU5ov-PRzyfZQWFZ7cG152nIdmaFTIrBQCCi2FjUNsWJ98r4/s400/Serenna+on+waterslide.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holy crap this is steep!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let's do that again!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elaborate Splash Pad</td></tr>
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The day flew by too quickly and suddenly it was 5 pm and the park was closing. We drove further south down the coast and had some dinner at Red Rooster (fast food chicken chain) and then continued on to our cabin near Byron Bay. Looking for a cabin in the woods in the dark was really creepy. We drove down this dirt path and would come upon a dark cabin and then I would get out and sneak up to the cabin to try and see if it was the right one, or if it was occupied by someone else. I kept thinking of all the deadly things that exist in Australia - snakes, spiders,.. as tromped about in flip flops. Just when I was about to protest at this reverse gender roll and sent Jason out into the dark, I found the right one. By then the kids were all creeped out and Jason had to spend half an hour killing any mosquito, spider, bug, or piece of dirt that they spotted, before they would settle down for the night. </div>
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Our neighbours recommended a day at Byron Bay and what is not to love about a beach side town and more ocean time.</div>
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<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01pAKl73mbZv1g-FAxfL3I3SfjZwFpbqPTRz5uhRiBB1aPkurkX2tzKJKRoBQuP6OoCl25JSuw7lAiOGRgQbKQBYbKRqolfOUF5ioo5EaYSSA6Km1eEOu7WTSk-dgdUc5mAWGMvpfyzg/s400/Byron+Bay+sign.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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As we walked over a small hill to get to the beach we were welcomed by this awesome sand dragon. A middle aged well tanned surfer beach dude makes his money creating these amazing sand sculptures in the early morning and then sits by his creation all day with a bucket out for your spare change and appreciation of his work. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Byron Bay Beach, Gold Coast, Australia</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is that you Puff?</td></tr>
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After a day of rugby on the beach (Zac's new fav. sport) and endless wave jumping and crashing, we had to drive the two hours back to Brisbane. There is nothing like a day in salt water and sun to zap your energy and leave you thirsty! Zac found this manic water fountain in town. Each time he pressed the handle the spray would shoot about 8 feet out, hitting passers by. Trying to get a shot into his mouth was hilarious and risky,</div>
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It was another fabulous weekend. Back to the regular grind through the week. </div>
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Until next time,</div>
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xox Penni-Sue</div>Penni-Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820617437770240047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579453281805932960.post-48442167079440280292011-11-14T16:31:00.001-08:002011-11-14T20:15:30.763-08:00A Sunday afternoon in Brisbane<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxu4MbALsium2uDxORPsjPyH8AjGkRUDjSNhKFJpgO36OsLI4V-drM7_Cj452ldMg380lkmpl_ccrcP8zlIV3vJ-qWZYqOXnDwhEJQmcD6I2N3JbZNjLi-TaWAr87J2saQN-ALkNsGrbM/s1600/Ibis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxu4MbALsium2uDxORPsjPyH8AjGkRUDjSNhKFJpgO36OsLI4V-drM7_Cj452ldMg380lkmpl_ccrcP8zlIV3vJ-qWZYqOXnDwhEJQmcD6I2N3JbZNjLi-TaWAr87J2saQN-ALkNsGrbM/s400/Ibis.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is an Ibis. They are like pigeons looking for picnic scraps.</td></tr>
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When we are not doing great little weekend trips we have a pretty normal daily routine. School days we are all up around 6:45 am (Jas and I even earlier because of the noisy birds - by 5am it is bright daylight). We leave for school and work by 8 am. Instead of mitts and scarves, we have to remember Tilly hat and sunscreen before we step outside. School starts at 8:40am and we have that hilly walk to get there. The weather is really getting hot (about 30 degrees) and humid. By 8am it is toasty and sweat is soon rolling down from everywhere! My new style of dress is work out clothes most days as they dry faster. I do the errands and groceries, clean up our wee flat and then spend time on line either blogging, emailing, sorting 100s of pictures, or finding accommodations for upcoming trips. I go work out at the university around lunch time. Jason continues to join me for Pump and Step class a few days a week. (I am still really impressed). By 2:30 pm, I've showered, had lunch and am walking up the hill to collect Zac and Serenna. Mon, Tues., and Wed., nights are really heavy on the homework. We usually come home and get down to it until 6pm when we have dinner (if Jas isn't running late!) When we are too hot from the walk home we have a quick dip in the pool before starting the homework.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitGMKPVJ6cC2JSe24Ad756A20gmf5aPLBPG4-MLc6oveQyPRkui_cl42oNO2q3DnnWgirClJAlCcpvsQf9rMGEWjLltuCh_SZGUJ0C4KL1FnCKuWnaGXMSmUAx-OLNvQ780oUvGww7Gy4/s1600/pool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitGMKPVJ6cC2JSe24Ad756A20gmf5aPLBPG4-MLc6oveQyPRkui_cl42oNO2q3DnnWgirClJAlCcpvsQf9rMGEWjLltuCh_SZGUJ0C4KL1FnCKuWnaGXMSmUAx-OLNvQ780oUvGww7Gy4/s400/pool.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our apartment pool.</td></tr>
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After dinner and clean up we usually play a game, balloon volleyball is a favourite just now. Then it is time family reading, Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix just now. Then 15 to 30 min. of personal reading time before bed. <br />
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On weekends, if we stay in Brisbane, we usually go to the market on Sat. mornings to get our fruit and veg... This past weekend on Sunday we went to Southbank (an area in the heart of Brisbane) to cool off at the splash pad and man made beach located there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KkwH83cx5XYYrwI5Eb17yQmVWXV3vy-ys8xR4I7V2SAuLMoILIAedup9fLOUJJFrBTvfdNWXGgmd-Y0Z-v4JzujRIn_v8X5JKRhLPJl6F3nnq1WI6nMs0Pq_h4WwdID8xLQp9Gu-Rg4/s1600/southbank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KkwH83cx5XYYrwI5Eb17yQmVWXV3vy-ys8xR4I7V2SAuLMoILIAedup9fLOUJJFrBTvfdNWXGgmd-Y0Z-v4JzujRIn_v8X5JKRhLPJl6F3nnq1WI6nMs0Pq_h4WwdID8xLQp9Gu-Rg4/s400/southbank.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southbank Splash Pad, notice the flowers along wires in the background.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIUCZzZzZGcFkLHr3nWPXlasm6P0P4V6qd_hcXsIJvICz583RD1godR2YQsI6l4qp-rybVKpSGAyr48Hn33-4RS1tf9S3cNM9hyuxxl8TIR7xdxmc2SrlyuEgnB8eLU2oc4YjGN0PuPE/s1600/zac+in+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIUCZzZzZGcFkLHr3nWPXlasm6P0P4V6qd_hcXsIJvICz583RD1godR2YQsI6l4qp-rybVKpSGAyr48Hn33-4RS1tf9S3cNM9hyuxxl8TIR7xdxmc2SrlyuEgnB8eLU2oc4YjGN0PuPE/s400/zac+in+water.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zac getting soaked!</td></tr>
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Southbank is a big public park located right along the Brisbane River. It is always busy with locals and tourists. As I said there is a man made sand beach, non-sand swim area, splash pad, swimable river, play parks, picnic areas, public barbies, a weekend market, restaurants and bars, a theatre, the GOMA (Gallery of Modern Art) and a beautiful flower-walled walk . It is a really nice area of Brisbane.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVmhXLp0y-lryTewS8YmWFsVDM_-Pfi99I1VVjJ5NdDrHogqsIIgcVXCr1VNDKudt1yQK9sKl1yKHN4dVhU-s7M9T2l5MsYKsE4OWy9l-OWLtOsura8MMZL0I2orcpxhat-LHbLrrYL4/s1600/southbank+waterpark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVmhXLp0y-lryTewS8YmWFsVDM_-Pfi99I1VVjJ5NdDrHogqsIIgcVXCr1VNDKudt1yQK9sKl1yKHN4dVhU-s7M9T2l5MsYKsE4OWy9l-OWLtOsura8MMZL0I2orcpxhat-LHbLrrYL4/s400/southbank+waterpark.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">River and splash pad at Southbank.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yxGPhAeB1wWmQeypgP71TZL-6QS0VyJRhs3YW70bTIxJDvPBpVUDFcvkFT6YU7c5rNEtnAX8GnmcTHBXgbV30ypkPiMErMlXPyhGwO6PmCvjLtCLr7CDyqDz5ubDDcnxq24ZgW49ACY/s1600/pool+at+southbank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yxGPhAeB1wWmQeypgP71TZL-6QS0VyJRhs3YW70bTIxJDvPBpVUDFcvkFT6YU7c5rNEtnAX8GnmcTHBXgbV30ypkPiMErMlXPyhGwO6PmCvjLtCLr7CDyqDz5ubDDcnxq24ZgW49ACY/s400/pool+at+southbank.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Non-sand swimming lagoon at Southbank.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZwQbsoexf-nRMEuoqctVZiK1gxibGSqjrQ4fTf62xZbsYgNWg8mlhRwvbojX0eoRgzQxvXKooLYfQAF67yEzlGy7ZyC_ebhl0u66-Sq8dRyOmIPHdzMAwojHzo3KalHRtlVlZeIv7Jk/s1600/wrapped+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZwQbsoexf-nRMEuoqctVZiK1gxibGSqjrQ4fTf62xZbsYgNWg8mlhRwvbojX0eoRgzQxvXKooLYfQAF67yEzlGy7ZyC_ebhl0u66-Sq8dRyOmIPHdzMAwojHzo3KalHRtlVlZeIv7Jk/s400/wrapped+up.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time to warm up. Susan, do you recognize your old shower curtain?</td></tr>
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For us it is only 4 City Cat stops away so it is convenient to get too and spend a couple of hours out. In fact, tonight Serenna and I are going to Southbank tonight see a play: Pygmalion (the George Bernard Shaw play that My Fair Lady is based on). Zac and Jason are looking forward to playing rugby!<br />
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Blog with you more soon,<br />
xox Penni-SuePenni-Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820617437770240047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579453281805932960.post-18785134443884455072011-11-11T00:01:00.001-08:002011-11-11T00:02:33.548-08:00Moreton Island : A Piece of Paradise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well if you have been following my blog and your beginning to get a little bit tired of 'being happy for us', then I suggest you just skip this one... <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moreton Island, QLD, Australia</td></tr>
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....unless you can't resist seeing a few pictures of Paradise.<br />
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On Friday, Nov. 4 we played hooky from school and work and headed to Moreton Island. We stayed one night on the island and returned Sat. afternoon. It is Australia's third largest all sand island. It is a 75 min. boat ride from Brisbane Harbour. We were on our way by 6:30 am!! Really not a problem here as the sun rises around 4:20am.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our ferry.</td></tr>
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As we approached the island we could see that it was all sand with some shrubs and a few palm trees growing in the sand. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moreton Island, Queensland</td></tr>
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The island it self is almost uninhabited except for a handful of privately owned houses and the Tangalooma Eco Resort that is located there. One of the main attractions to come here, besides, sun, sand and snorkeling, is to see the wild dolphins that come into shore every evening to be hand fed fish. But more about that later.<br />
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First we wanted to get into that lovely ocean and walk the silky sand beach.<br />
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We rented some snorkeling equipment and then headed down the beach about half an hour to a coral reef that has grown over 7 sunken ships.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sunken ships are behind us in the distance.</td></tr>
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Along the way we found some star fish being tossed about the in the surf. Jas turned one upside down so we could have a look underneath and watch its little tentacle like feelers come out.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living star fish, can you see the little suction cups underneath?</td></tr>
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The kids have never snorkeled before and perhaps we should have given them a chance to try it out in the pool first. But we didn't and they handled it really well. It can be a bit scary in the ocean with waves knocking you about, looking at rusty, creepy old shipwrecks, with fish all around you. It was really cool too. <br />
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When the kids first saw the schools of fish they were a bit startled, especially because the mask and water make everything look bigger and closer underwater. Once they relaxed into it, we all had a great experience. <br />
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Unfortunately the kids got cold too quickly (yeah for my extra insulation!!) and we needed to head back to shore to warm up. Once we were no longer blue, Jas and I headed back to the wrecks for another look while the kids played on shore.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jason snorkeling around partially sunken ship.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fish feeding over coral encrusted ship wreck.</td></tr>
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After snorkeling we had our picnic on the beach before heading back to the resort. On our walk back we saw a dolphin swimming along the shore line about 20 meters out. It was fantastic! We ran along the beach to keep up with her until she headed out into deeper water. We learned later that we had spotted Bella, a very old dolphin of 40 or so years. Her territory is along the coast on that side of the island. Apparently she sticks close to home these days as her vision is not so good and she has lost alot of teeth so she stay doesn't go out to deep water for fear of shark attack. <br />
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We checked into our room and then made good use of the pool.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzoPiyruATSoRbTzHaJVXjec44I-D0koNms91Uz9CMAOVRRrzdIWjbYgGSqqnCpHrB0iSYKKDkzN90ZIAM_TOdHWcZy01FZVlsLajZT4Zz-V728PuQGiEDJqI67_udFndy0NyMVP-aQ0/s1600/pool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzoPiyruATSoRbTzHaJVXjec44I-D0koNms91Uz9CMAOVRRrzdIWjbYgGSqqnCpHrB0iSYKKDkzN90ZIAM_TOdHWcZy01FZVlsLajZT4Zz-V728PuQGiEDJqI67_udFndy0NyMVP-aQ0/s400/pool.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tangalooma Resort Pool.</td></tr>
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As the sun began to set we returned to our resort room for a before dolphin feeding drink. We had a beautiful sunset to enjoy.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset over Moreton Island.</td></tr>
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Then it was time to head down to the jetty and check out the eight or so dolphins who were already gathering waiting for some fish. The conservation staff know all the dolphins by site, the shape of the dorsal fin is original to each dolphin. They also have individual markings and scars which help to identify them. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching the dolphins play while waiting for their snack.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The feeding is about to begin.</td></tr>
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This dolphin feeding started years ago when a injured dolphin was fed by some islanders. She recovered and kept returning at sunset for a visit and some food. Eventually she brought a friend and in time her pup. Over the years the conservation staff has mapped out a family tree of the dolphins that come into feed. They are not all from the same pod, because after 3 years of staying with their mom, male dolphins go off to find an all male pod to hang out with. Some keep returning though and some even introduce new dolphins to the sunset rendezvous.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zachary and Jason feel the dolphin.</td></tr>
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Because these are wild dolphins the resort only allows them to receive 10 to 20% of their daily needs. They also have to make sure that no diseases could be passed along to the dolphins so we had to clean our hands in a bucket of cleaner before taking a fish from another bucket. We walked into the water and got close to the dolphins. To feed the dolphin, we put our hand under the water and held out the fish to them: very gently the dolphin took the fish between his teeth and swallowed it. Unfortunately we were not allowed to touch or pet the dolphins, but it was very cool to be so close to them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNnOovK8-Eh7vyecBxIcGn7LQZ_e3LPecumhSzCuVFeso4mUrY0_PdBrqFdVPlZLSwGQS0FcKk0D9dOO-mG_LO2y5_-tZlQ_EhRZ4I3z9IizED-HIDDwZQnaLHsvmDskwqI8NXDJ7pdDk/s1600/Ser+and+P-S+feed+dolphin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNnOovK8-Eh7vyecBxIcGn7LQZ_e3LPecumhSzCuVFeso4mUrY0_PdBrqFdVPlZLSwGQS0FcKk0D9dOO-mG_LO2y5_-tZlQ_EhRZ4I3z9IizED-HIDDwZQnaLHsvmDskwqI8NXDJ7pdDk/s400/Ser+and+P-S+feed+dolphin.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is 19 year old Rana.</td></tr>
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The next day we were up and playing early. By 8:30 am it was Beach Volleyball time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD89vWcPUMl8-wUNc00KNBFjF4CZb-4QLx8gEetBQ7gYmAvTil1BHKASK3WttPTOJRZwkjkDkjqpw1TuA1YJXPYXZG0ZrxK2dd-E9yaTzk878pJIiMpZyFA__BH7GV58YhzT5yrtN5mFQ/s1600/Beach+volleyball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD89vWcPUMl8-wUNc00KNBFjF4CZb-4QLx8gEetBQ7gYmAvTil1BHKASK3WttPTOJRZwkjkDkjqpw1TuA1YJXPYXZG0ZrxK2dd-E9yaTzk878pJIiMpZyFA__BH7GV58YhzT5yrtN5mFQ/s400/Beach+volleyball.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WWcI-HQehapcZNKFzEugBLoAxqU8ZLaAoOLYIdg_KkLeZhTXdj7_RLQO8jfksj3av_Nt-0xJWXZDa3GL5WtymLrxnsidJV66LpeyA708htUnKnqpQAVmp1X3-JnQgC7Ca0ZFNDRj67U/s1600/Zac+beach+volleyball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WWcI-HQehapcZNKFzEugBLoAxqU8ZLaAoOLYIdg_KkLeZhTXdj7_RLQO8jfksj3av_Nt-0xJWXZDa3GL5WtymLrxnsidJV66LpeyA708htUnKnqpQAVmp1X3-JnQgC7Ca0ZFNDRj67U/s400/Zac+beach+volleyball.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good bump Zac.</td></tr>
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At 10:30am it was tennis!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those tennis lessons are paying off!</td></tr>
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Then some more ocean and pool time. And a well earned refreshment! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes I am in Paradise!</td></tr>
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All too soon we had to head back to Brisbane. It was a fun ferry ride though.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLY3Ni551Dcw9yuwTHLL2Nj2YbOTJABXsqwamLBScUtUXS2QBBbb_MRNz2ML-izKlHdHwxE1bZMDW3ff5j7CLlvwyICv1aS62N3V3OD3BXTIeJra_LynRq398VCzDx8UCzUCZO-utputM/s1600/ferry+home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLY3Ni551Dcw9yuwTHLL2Nj2YbOTJABXsqwamLBScUtUXS2QBBbb_MRNz2ML-izKlHdHwxE1bZMDW3ff5j7CLlvwyICv1aS62N3V3OD3BXTIeJra_LynRq398VCzDx8UCzUCZO-utputM/s400/ferry+home.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this kid</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZ-_IbXsiUqPzNm1bzvz8zRZv9aYu4B0fZm1LDhB-73kUPuQYn-FxVxFVZQH1pFuMpMvjTgeUmzS4TTm22v0BEYtn0YN8emn16kAXJjpVb3yO-ZjpaJKqKiYlJ72XEj2szVhfFrtMSZw/s1600/Serenna+on+boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZ-_IbXsiUqPzNm1bzvz8zRZv9aYu4B0fZm1LDhB-73kUPuQYn-FxVxFVZQH1pFuMpMvjTgeUmzS4TTm22v0BEYtn0YN8emn16kAXJjpVb3yO-ZjpaJKqKiYlJ72XEj2szVhfFrtMSZw/s400/Serenna+on+boat.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Serenna.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fabulous trip! Second only to the whale watching in Hervey Bay. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bye-bye Moreton Island.<br />
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To save taxi fare on the way home we took the City Cat from one end of the river to our stop at the other end. Somehow Serenna and Zac still had energy to dance on the boat home.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSMZjI4usantcPu3CrizAgPYjHE47cOsNyJEa5mOZidFRoyijW4Xl4PYjcaYHTiwSHBqG9dfL7kTyBizAuRGR5pUteBPxbNWjb66LSObjUfe1ayxKVAz1ye7gEzRkDXv9ew2alpWF1EM/s1600/Dancing+on+the+City+Cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSMZjI4usantcPu3CrizAgPYjHE47cOsNyJEa5mOZidFRoyijW4Xl4PYjcaYHTiwSHBqG9dfL7kTyBizAuRGR5pUteBPxbNWjb66LSObjUfe1ayxKVAz1ye7gEzRkDXv9ew2alpWF1EM/s400/Dancing+on+the+City+Cat.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still enjoying our fabulous weekend.</td></tr>
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This weekend, we head to the Gold Coast again to go to Wet 'n Wild Waterpark to celebrate Serenna's Birthday. <br />
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Until next time...<br />
xox Penni-SuePenni-Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820617437770240047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579453281805932960.post-46173226156801658832011-11-01T18:30:00.000-07:002011-11-02T05:17:06.758-07:00Brisbane Duck RaceA fabulous storm rolled in one night this week. It was amazing to watch the dark clouds suddenly take over the sky within a few minutes. This was taken from our 8th floor balcony.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquSr5r_H2poM_-bsmJkWqSm3xeNzzj_ilX_rk9KW94lSiCvLtTE3xm3hH3emO2uDD2DON7_QpgM39Kxz5xtu60Xio31YKfQrvFnGrLJV3_BoC_0q8dk_Ue7DqchkVr_flI3tki6Up8iI/s1600/storm+cloud+overhead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquSr5r_H2poM_-bsmJkWqSm3xeNzzj_ilX_rk9KW94lSiCvLtTE3xm3hH3emO2uDD2DON7_QpgM39Kxz5xtu60Xio31YKfQrvFnGrLJV3_BoC_0q8dk_Ue7DqchkVr_flI3tki6Up8iI/s400/storm+cloud+overhead.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Storm clouds rolling in.</td></tr>
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So the bad news is that they do not really celebrate Halloween in Australia. There are a few private parties, or a few kids may knock on a known neighbour's door but nothing like the traditional North American Halloween. The kids were pretty bummed about that, especially when we heard about the awesome plans for "Halloween in the Village"in London. To ease the disappointment, I gave them 20 dollars to blow. They worked together comparing sweety prices to get the most for their money. It was a very serious but fun undertaking!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proud shoppers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMyN-EfiQ5EFflJ0juM73J0kQ9eZVmRngt77PZvY5cl3xgMQOatqO8_BeqHpFeI-9zo6LGE5uXf57yWqf2nUMbJVeQqFEGs_NlzeFpjXAKbzSnCoAOBwTwDAg-X7ymTWIj7_FpDi6HnA/s1600/Zac+treats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMyN-EfiQ5EFflJ0juM73J0kQ9eZVmRngt77PZvY5cl3xgMQOatqO8_BeqHpFeI-9zo6LGE5uXf57yWqf2nUMbJVeQqFEGs_NlzeFpjXAKbzSnCoAOBwTwDAg-X7ymTWIj7_FpDi6HnA/s400/Zac+treats.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Zac</td></tr>
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Although we did not have Halloween, we did have the Great Brisbane Duck Race this past weekend. It is a city wide fundraising event for Cancer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4atnB3HjkSR7K6QWtGfEYh34YQcfOr47xSc8DOMNXOhyxf4aA08dATUzR5mVAgLSAbLHzYnEp9tBhEJgcISYNB9-7QsADDBEWGiHCKH2wh1Ske1FJvsmpSF_uYkL8IGE-6Ho_I49Qkc/s1600/duck+race+poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4atnB3HjkSR7K6QWtGfEYh34YQcfOr47xSc8DOMNXOhyxf4aA08dATUzR5mVAgLSAbLHzYnEp9tBhEJgcISYNB9-7QsADDBEWGiHCKH2wh1Ske1FJvsmpSF_uYkL8IGE-6Ho_I49Qkc/s320/duck+race+poster.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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On line we bought a family of 5 rubber duckies. Then on Saturday we went to the rivers edge for the festivities and the race. There was fair like atmosphere with food stalls, face painting, a petting zoo, lots of picnickers and of course the duck races. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDx-kBmF_2tpn_Fgj3mCZSex7oQbeYhM_9SUo_mPBnJPvu4esX2ZNi0dnN2iCnmgxIl9uD0RyiWUByyO6u9KDNWtoIAQCEWH74Fkza8-dz_zfd6sXh5tsxsvoiC_-LzOioMAoWa0fO2eU/s1600/face+painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDx-kBmF_2tpn_Fgj3mCZSex7oQbeYhM_9SUo_mPBnJPvu4esX2ZNi0dnN2iCnmgxIl9uD0RyiWUByyO6u9KDNWtoIAQCEWH74Fkza8-dz_zfd6sXh5tsxsvoiC_-LzOioMAoWa0fO2eU/s400/face+painting.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jacaranda flowers everywhere</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtqO4VGbS5UUOTo7kcvW_SDk5wfUlpOh5ziqMpza3dy70tQ8ZM3wlTkvICqcAaXhSIAYc2oMVRDfDgMRL-U3CJhTY4jI0EZRAdS0bt3nUVjmJomckDu1nk7FcZwYJXKlkgGqI8aVE6Hg/s1600/Zac+holds+a+duck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtqO4VGbS5UUOTo7kcvW_SDk5wfUlpOh5ziqMpza3dy70tQ8ZM3wlTkvICqcAaXhSIAYc2oMVRDfDgMRL-U3CJhTY4jI0EZRAdS0bt3nUVjmJomckDu1nk7FcZwYJXKlkgGqI8aVE6Hg/s400/Zac+holds+a+duck.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zac holds a really squirmy duck</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zmnkWTmSiqebPrVSfvliW6gPLVBbsjjzIPg1vmrFkYwgCMR0ALOAQtfWVjkK26YRVnNrQo-hL6c5EaGKYNB750ey8L6IxYV2GsPJrzTI2U_BSrHX21lYq5s1M1wrMXYPfU-_Ykf_9GI/s1600/Zac+feeds+the+goats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zmnkWTmSiqebPrVSfvliW6gPLVBbsjjzIPg1vmrFkYwgCMR0ALOAQtfWVjkK26YRVnNrQo-hL6c5EaGKYNB750ey8L6IxYV2GsPJrzTI2U_BSrHX21lYq5s1M1wrMXYPfU-_Ykf_9GI/s400/Zac+feeds+the+goats.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zac feeds the goats</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When the time for the races began, people lined up along the river. First they raced the individual entries of motorized duck boats. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRe-MOTtAMMSCGYG5iFt_lokGh6U0AU6y5_GrUbwRoyfRcbvNs7s7WZ0FHyg-ztcqJTWhmikVZIIfZf9PqZV0ezoO0zG5NFu9XjNjDtcYvqxE5F7pNIzb3L_WVuR08ytV19MMXo-Dvxpo/s1600/duck+motor+boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRe-MOTtAMMSCGYG5iFt_lokGh6U0AU6y5_GrUbwRoyfRcbvNs7s7WZ0FHyg-ztcqJTWhmikVZIIfZf9PqZV0ezoO0zG5NFu9XjNjDtcYvqxE5F7pNIzb3L_WVuR08ytV19MMXo-Dvxpo/s320/duck+motor+boat.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Motorized Duck Boat contestant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7S5BVNWVLR5I2tRpHuhlWSGBGHfUwyzPHVN-srkxT8D8uIWQZu8Y_uSIb3VZvnYgAKV0jpEK0uJCaIH7CcCR-EqtcVuQJtofrqjzhavRu6rRgBGCIlRqfjjWo6QSduVFMCaTfP6Nqfk/s1600/motorized+duck+race.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7S5BVNWVLR5I2tRpHuhlWSGBGHfUwyzPHVN-srkxT8D8uIWQZu8Y_uSIb3VZvnYgAKV0jpEK0uJCaIH7CcCR-EqtcVuQJtofrqjzhavRu6rRgBGCIlRqfjjWo6QSduVFMCaTfP6Nqfk/s400/motorized+duck+race.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready, Set, ...</td></tr>
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At last it was time for the big Rubber Ducky Race. On a barge on the river was a huge container filled with over 30 000 ducks. Come on duckies 28093, 28094, and 28095! Give it up for 28096 and 28097!!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmE1jKDBMOH1L9DaQFYla73u5VMb0IB_I9BpxQpMUe7esc0_h9RGGEj3P3JpkSeeZnTXioPOpc9c8ovQwg1q2Bg0HJcOAOA1eIKIwFq8VTq8KOaHqu6IUjx3s_0CRDtIj2Pdd7LrzCK8/s1600/duck+bin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmE1jKDBMOH1L9DaQFYla73u5VMb0IB_I9BpxQpMUe7esc0_h9RGGEj3P3JpkSeeZnTXioPOpc9c8ovQwg1q2Bg0HJcOAOA1eIKIwFq8VTq8KOaHqu6IUjx3s_0CRDtIj2Pdd7LrzCK8/s400/duck+bin.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">30 000 ducks about to be dumped into the river.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAd-saz_NNKS0fxXFj7dNOJAj-ZDu9U9Uh3fe5vfBIQ6nEOVZKSuk6IONIPZL3zpkp5TgwDE9ChALyR2xrt-i68hKWVHH6EF2mNiqHqOI2flpwYJuvlWoEuAialaFyd2O87L-h9VhzWP0/s1600/duck+race.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAd-saz_NNKS0fxXFj7dNOJAj-ZDu9U9Uh3fe5vfBIQ6nEOVZKSuk6IONIPZL3zpkp5TgwDE9ChALyR2xrt-i68hKWVHH6EF2mNiqHqOI2flpwYJuvlWoEuAialaFyd2O87L-h9VhzWP0/s400/duck+race.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ducks racing between the floating lanes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Gepg8ekJzIxH-IbLoXDCkFhURQ784UrCe0SYbUI44tnP6Jqq8ZdVGNBxDg0l_zNuCUYDXrUY2cMIlj5uv8cNP7qjleZBIfA9khNA1Yo0jYITMbuWYUnalzyZ_xcFvXbW6CmgF85_4bQ/s1600/duck+close+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Gepg8ekJzIxH-IbLoXDCkFhURQ784UrCe0SYbUI44tnP6Jqq8ZdVGNBxDg0l_zNuCUYDXrUY2cMIlj5uv8cNP7qjleZBIfA9khNA1Yo0jYITMbuWYUnalzyZ_xcFvXbW6CmgF85_4bQ/s400/duck+close+up.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Which one is ours???<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Alas our ducks did not win the new car but we did help raise money for a good cause. <br />
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On Sunday we went to the market for some vegetables. Then we decided on a cruise! For less than four dollars (2 dollars for kids) we traveled from one end of the Brisbane River to the other on the City Cat. It was a lovely hot, sunny day and a lovely cooling breeze could be found traveling the river. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizuMsSsl5_6qJkXkWJrix8eHkHowoi6Qnww8Hr3SoSKGHYymmpG39zlPD66cIn5_-BCvcah944vJANC0w6eUhKyYUbExoMeVJCTkalK5TsNmSjZhaDyMi9GB8hc5b7qSFbHLNiS2kmmDI/s1600/city+cat+cooling+wind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizuMsSsl5_6qJkXkWJrix8eHkHowoi6Qnww8Hr3SoSKGHYymmpG39zlPD66cIn5_-BCvcah944vJANC0w6eUhKyYUbExoMeVJCTkalK5TsNmSjZhaDyMi9GB8hc5b7qSFbHLNiS2kmmDI/s400/city+cat+cooling+wind.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It takes about an hour to travel down river from the closest City Cat stop from out flat. Our trip took us from St. Lucia (the neighbourhood we live in) into the city centre, around Kangaroo Point (where Serenna and Jason do rock climbing) and north past some nice looking residential areas.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCeGdEPJakMdizhE-O8UfpSPnztyp-pHa_z-3UypshpNu0vcqyupcr17VCfjxB23FfwPG6JEolO8yct_BVSirht3lAfm8TXxVQAZXu95QMFsVAhNL7gHNasA4kEtiRrPMAT_je34U2ow/s1600/City+from+river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCeGdEPJakMdizhE-O8UfpSPnztyp-pHa_z-3UypshpNu0vcqyupcr17VCfjxB23FfwPG6JEolO8yct_BVSirht3lAfm8TXxVQAZXu95QMFsVAhNL7gHNasA4kEtiRrPMAT_je34U2ow/s400/City+from+river.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brisbane City Centre<br />
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</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_kr8IPzj7j-1ZHGFcU6xB7KlP1tMKzcK7IkR3NyjRGaszylAoQRk2GNc8YNdztf1Y2RgEaIp5e-cms35ir2jCik_4lKpkQE1wZKyd8CLE3r62bGnNzO5D3VGpXRm8B-846LP1TXcHi4/s1600/Brisbane+architecture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_kr8IPzj7j-1ZHGFcU6xB7KlP1tMKzcK7IkR3NyjRGaszylAoQRk2GNc8YNdztf1Y2RgEaIp5e-cms35ir2jCik_4lKpkQE1wZKyd8CLE3r62bGnNzO5D3VGpXRm8B-846LP1TXcHi4/s320/Brisbane+architecture.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up balcony details of that middle building</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjEcn6Qst7hvaCo9YRHsHJT3XpsvUEDQ4dZJICbTybGzXZKY_GNkYKw2E1RErnatCfvtVCfdaGjhY2Y5d6l98sUICzh96GGQI03Rt4MaqeqUHg3Hp2z2DSKsuti2S8tr1TfGBlsgL3UTA/s1600/pedestrian+birdge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjEcn6Qst7hvaCo9YRHsHJT3XpsvUEDQ4dZJICbTybGzXZKY_GNkYKw2E1RErnatCfvtVCfdaGjhY2Y5d6l98sUICzh96GGQI03Rt4MaqeqUHg3Hp2z2DSKsuti2S8tr1TfGBlsgL3UTA/s400/pedestrian+birdge.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pedestrian bridge complete with solar paneled roof shade.<br />
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</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJJhn0XBUqOjh-n8I1eGJcvbfQYVbo575MCgAEaIheKQRwgLhmuS9RlFJIS-TWs5Nsl0xj57_5SK6Sqp3LTNL3H6SAqIcJppZJqZlBWLuhxgBtRzkcFZHolrHtCtLv9KMYx8wC5z-A5A/s1600/City+Ferrie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJJhn0XBUqOjh-n8I1eGJcvbfQYVbo575MCgAEaIheKQRwgLhmuS9RlFJIS-TWs5Nsl0xj57_5SK6Sqp3LTNL3H6SAqIcJppZJqZlBWLuhxgBtRzkcFZHolrHtCtLv9KMYx8wC5z-A5A/s400/City+Ferrie.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">City Ferry (as apposed to the larger sleeker City Cat) for quick trips across the river in the down town core.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqf1vx4MlHKK_eh_k5u9XMe48AmEv5t3poefqIsylQ_u1GQvyxh1bubtMePE0ZQGfW8ov-20CTTe-Ex4Hzev_LQb_mBrZIYSyS_s75exdIy2wTe03V0KRAq17JjvdlatvCB_jhFmTG5UE/s1600/city+cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqf1vx4MlHKK_eh_k5u9XMe48AmEv5t3poefqIsylQ_u1GQvyxh1bubtMePE0ZQGfW8ov-20CTTe-Ex4Hzev_LQb_mBrZIYSyS_s75exdIy2wTe03V0KRAq17JjvdlatvCB_jhFmTG5UE/s400/city+cat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHMkOzGIqhyv2PSyww128ULu_VvdTUr2Cn_4jzOtUTtFLPtSB6tiLm9VHlr7K2lCGCT2THqRTe6Mzf7wAWsb5Udvyysgp52_sEVg5UZC2UIrPpiZDc-pY0ASWYZlP1vKePllGBSZWDrc/s1600/City+cat+tourists.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHMkOzGIqhyv2PSyww128ULu_VvdTUr2Cn_4jzOtUTtFLPtSB6tiLm9VHlr7K2lCGCT2THqRTe6Mzf7wAWsb5Udvyysgp52_sEVg5UZC2UIrPpiZDc-pY0ASWYZlP1vKePllGBSZWDrc/s400/City+cat+tourists.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitting outside on the City Cat (having a cheap tour).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4RN5o_pfTPy6siWFm_pqEjPzJ2HkYwJwASUGiCDdDt2Vx_ySWpp4KsYnsit556CIU_0vqMugQ4I6WIGmBmjo02AZG6fKhk-b6QH7SmJ17uYjr_XbV7fYPgW_lvGep3vqltJqaGo1GwI/s1600/city+cat+kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4RN5o_pfTPy6siWFm_pqEjPzJ2HkYwJwASUGiCDdDt2Vx_ySWpp4KsYnsit556CIU_0vqMugQ4I6WIGmBmjo02AZG6fKhk-b6QH7SmJ17uYjr_XbV7fYPgW_lvGep3vqltJqaGo1GwI/s400/city+cat+kids.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TBAhDBJZTIQTUmul51cj5yfGZ1X_0KSetMu-9H3hV2JbfbJ3BhRlBlufczfejYkqAKW9GxOB3UrT3rQDq3DuhngqqgTA8vdLhVgu5NaRBSKmIFjTaeb3Kj6Pn_tTvCUFzKAhC1XHJWI/s1600/city+waterfront+cafes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TBAhDBJZTIQTUmul51cj5yfGZ1X_0KSetMu-9H3hV2JbfbJ3BhRlBlufczfejYkqAKW9GxOB3UrT3rQDq3DuhngqqgTA8vdLhVgu5NaRBSKmIFjTaeb3Kj6Pn_tTvCUFzKAhC1XHJWI/s400/city+waterfront+cafes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riverside Cafes and restaurants with a weekend market.<br />
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</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ZECzwAc9NvAEVJyh2tf3JTS4wcSqta37OM3ts-ETbG5pk9SYfwG348YiHXFEZZs0ujDc0ITmZ9coIF5hqPXTHB989nh7zxC_-VYlcg2noX9MPBJvXx5-6iXipr0-KHO7-XzrwSy8pQk/s1600/riverside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ZECzwAc9NvAEVJyh2tf3JTS4wcSqta37OM3ts-ETbG5pk9SYfwG348YiHXFEZZs0ujDc0ITmZ9coIF5hqPXTHB989nh7zxC_-VYlcg2noX9MPBJvXx5-6iXipr0-KHO7-XzrwSy8pQk/s400/riverside.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kangaroo Point is a quiet area along the river. Great for rock climbing the cliff wall.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPdItYjKzinRFEJ2VomkrDusAIw53c0GPU-Rrb_zj_uQmdxi5OViKcQzLjBsGJu4pRVfk3drUIORmW6-mhH_9CxuCvEIELhCSosd9iv0kT5D7xhax83AdjAaLzkpC_mJIxO6TMCz2hVU/s1600/river+tour+North+end.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPdItYjKzinRFEJ2VomkrDusAIw53c0GPU-Rrb_zj_uQmdxi5OViKcQzLjBsGJu4pRVfk3drUIORmW6-mhH_9CxuCvEIELhCSosd9iv0kT5D7xhax83AdjAaLzkpC_mJIxO6TMCz2hVU/s400/river+tour+North+end.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North End of Brisbane River <br />
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Serenna and Jason made sushi for dinner. There is a huge Asian influence here. So everything we needed for sushi and miso soup was readily available at the corner store.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwS8TeLxVlIH6Nq_h2gpb156W8jA9P1jA_DwV-1sRyat5FfqfY5kcdfqqsNY1O4BpOhhUn5g2eaOSKzHfHWOMwGeaKXSz4H_0obAPww2LRTOcFqoGLycA0WegdW2I87ICvnLTi2dvQMg/s1600/Sushi+dinner+by+Serenna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwS8TeLxVlIH6Nq_h2gpb156W8jA9P1jA_DwV-1sRyat5FfqfY5kcdfqqsNY1O4BpOhhUn5g2eaOSKzHfHWOMwGeaKXSz4H_0obAPww2LRTOcFqoGLycA0WegdW2I87ICvnLTi2dvQMg/s320/Sushi+dinner+by+Serenna.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sushi a la Serenna.<br />
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Lots of pictures but not too much news. We are into our work, school, gym, housework routine so daily life is not so different. We have some very nice weekend trips planned for November. Serenna's birthday makes an excellent excuse to do some more travelling.<br />
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Talk to you again soon,<br />
xox Penni-SuePenni-Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820617437770240047noreply@blogger.com1Brisbane QLD, Australia-27.4709331 153.0235024-27.4850216 153.0037614 -27.4568446 153.04324340000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579453281805932960.post-42186297243720885082011-10-27T21:45:00.000-07:002011-10-27T21:45:39.930-07:00A Weekend on the Gold Coast<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkaTg2IzdbKZxhwDynZAH23OVyiWUjnYc-Z7_rVM-elaGT0G_3uQNaVZYmdQ-lzSu3TOBCHwvoBdIAWlNMmTIDaT0pdn2tPZymj4ZI1P3KQTYvGwirarZPCq2p5wfJfkj9JBHtwu5ELM/s1600/Surfer%2527s+Paradise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkaTg2IzdbKZxhwDynZAH23OVyiWUjnYc-Z7_rVM-elaGT0G_3uQNaVZYmdQ-lzSu3TOBCHwvoBdIAWlNMmTIDaT0pdn2tPZymj4ZI1P3KQTYvGwirarZPCq2p5wfJfkj9JBHtwu5ELM/s400/Surfer%2527s+Paradise.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miami Beach with Surfer's Paradise in the distance</td></tr>
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A friend from Kingston, Ontario inspired our weekend trip down the coast to Burliegh Heads/Miami Beach (a section of beach between the Gold Coast and Surfer's Paradise). Dave and part of his family were going to be staying there to attend a family wedding. His partner Nat was a bridesmaid in her sister's wedding. <br />
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We decided not to rent a car, and try the train instead. It actually took a short bus ride, a short train ride, a longer train ride, and a second bus to get their. Then it turns off we got off at furthest spot from our hotel so we had to walk the last kilometre or so. But we did get their just in time to see the second half of the Australia vs.Wales World Cup Rugby game. It was an exciting game, with Australia taking 3rd place in the World Cup finals. The final game was played on Sunday - New Zealand vs. France. That game was way more exciting than expected as New Zealand had dominated the tournament previously but in the final game France kept it very close. The All Blacks won but only by a point! But I digress...<br />
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Unfortunately our accommodations were not so great. The space was generous with a small kitchen and living room and 2 bedrooms, but it was dirty. It made us not want to open any drawers for fear of what we might find. Before eating we re-washed the dishes. We did not spend a lot of time in our room however as we met up with Dave and Nat at their lovely hotel with a huge and I mean HUGE heated pool.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5tvXZXBfn2K8JUmBpE_94cNTAweaHBB8pMy_fmoV6ZMAGvdrC6pEsPg2veU7XfEe0tyZe8aW5soRfL6od8nIVdHkkmVfO0wrIIKFqZH1e2mR52T4wORAOXQ8wMPgcWHhGS0GN8CobxQ/s1600/pool+waterfalls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5tvXZXBfn2K8JUmBpE_94cNTAweaHBB8pMy_fmoV6ZMAGvdrC6pEsPg2veU7XfEe0tyZe8aW5soRfL6od8nIVdHkkmVfO0wrIIKFqZH1e2mR52T4wORAOXQ8wMPgcWHhGS0GN8CobxQ/s400/pool+waterfalls.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We spend most of Sat. morning their and then we had lunch at Piccolo a restaurant across the road from the ocean. Then it was an afternoon at the ocean! Oh I do love the ocean. It makes me so happy. We spent hours just jumping in the waves trying to body surf.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9GwWFiPRMJEHezJAgO16iwWdpETeLNOcvpIZ-eY8CyzQNedOYxF_eBHZwqFpq4W4XODeoo44ZMWMyi3W_VSVpVBL8hAy7gp9ugATZYgbmLONd7_tW0c0XrSFa7-tcMSQ7oLl4UPUNQ9w/s1600/buried+feet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9GwWFiPRMJEHezJAgO16iwWdpETeLNOcvpIZ-eY8CyzQNedOYxF_eBHZwqFpq4W4XODeoo44ZMWMyi3W_VSVpVBL8hAy7gp9ugATZYgbmLONd7_tW0c0XrSFa7-tcMSQ7oLl4UPUNQ9w/s400/buried+feet.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">getting buried by the tide</td></tr>
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We hung out at the beach long enough to see the wedding party setting up for the wedding on the beach. We took a couple of pictures of the wedding ensemble from the cliff top on our way back to our hotel. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhARyXAvY5405_gfGzi7zXAfeS3RVpY9tDtai2MDtBJG7G_lpB947Enfh-QfrXSTsVNyRJYNkb89bz2YJG66Bbr9D-b03xGNM2INVPGy6d7kLY9fgTt4TaESw06TWi5_7rMcx6i4F0dvcs/s1600/Rach+and+Tate+beach+wedding7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhARyXAvY5405_gfGzi7zXAfeS3RVpY9tDtai2MDtBJG7G_lpB947Enfh-QfrXSTsVNyRJYNkb89bz2YJG66Bbr9D-b03xGNM2INVPGy6d7kLY9fgTt4TaESw06TWi5_7rMcx6i4F0dvcs/s400/Rach+and+Tate+beach+wedding7.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nat and Tate's Beach Wedding</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3I5xf0-KcZ05EhOZpHeYo3VPqYIBJu13uLDzsfsjdsRxl_nGi2MvZgYdeFfqEMaeR2jNwpAP6Kne3DRAnPn3kbiMXxytrSGCJ0DDrYjKuDvTquheuo-PqHEoOGTEoE4A_KmZphlDCNA/s1600/Beach+wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3I5xf0-KcZ05EhOZpHeYo3VPqYIBJu13uLDzsfsjdsRxl_nGi2MvZgYdeFfqEMaeR2jNwpAP6Kne3DRAnPn3kbiMXxytrSGCJ0DDrYjKuDvTquheuo-PqHEoOGTEoE4A_KmZphlDCNA/s400/Beach+wedding.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dramatic setting for the wedding</td></tr>
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The kids were very excited to go to "Sushi Train" for dinner. It is the type of Japanese restaurant where you sit at the counter and little plates of various sushi roll by on a conveyor belt. You just take what you want until your belly is full. Each plate costs between 3 and 5 dollars. The plates are colour coded to the price, so at the end of the meal the cashier just totals up your plates.<br />
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After dinner, Dave and Nat invited us to 'crash' their sister's wedding - so we did. It was good fun. The kids were zonked though after a day of sun and water so we were back to the hotel well before midnight.<br />
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The next day it was back to the ocean for more sand and salt water.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicBlAl12fOeTG8ZNgICsAT2TxQEB96hWBivDWMXblgoQNqarScl6yk1CuByTPfenLHj1KkFenzqj5g5ZEcGHz3Tk1YRrkcWTlJ5Q8r9ImV1lTeNaxAlOQ9EyimAMzCfomla232n6BeSlw/s1600/beach+families.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicBlAl12fOeTG8ZNgICsAT2TxQEB96hWBivDWMXblgoQNqarScl6yk1CuByTPfenLHj1KkFenzqj5g5ZEcGHz3Tk1YRrkcWTlJ5Q8r9ImV1lTeNaxAlOQ9EyimAMzCfomla232n6BeSlw/s400/beach+families.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nat, Xavier, Dave, Serenna, P-S, and Zac</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44HBcaGZBqb7nkWmAQfqNG0LA5BCvie-yJF_6TKzLxcLt0YGyor9EZeSszFuxgFT3_UglomeXdmy0QhnOBvVDBmDVVMxgOFyyd3gGqULXr93JWjwTe1E_iKstnuOzy5f6YLr7nSzbliA/s1600/Serenna+makes+a+splash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44HBcaGZBqb7nkWmAQfqNG0LA5BCvie-yJF_6TKzLxcLt0YGyor9EZeSszFuxgFT3_UglomeXdmy0QhnOBvVDBmDVVMxgOFyyd3gGqULXr93JWjwTe1E_iKstnuOzy5f6YLr7nSzbliA/s400/Serenna+makes+a+splash.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serenna makes a splash!</td></tr>
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Nat, who is Australian gave us a quick lesson on some of the things in the ocean that can kill or at least sting us. Fortunately, there are not meant to be many 'stinger' this far South. They are more prominent in the North near the Great Barrier Reef. Nat did however find a few 'blue bottles' stingers on the shore to show us. I wish I had had my camera - they were a pretty blue transparent jellyfish.<br />
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<a href="http://www.digital-photo.com.au/v/Animals+Fauna/fish/Blue-Bottle-Jellyfish_MG_3868-Edit.jpg.html">A link to another photographers image of a Blue Bottle</a><br />
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Apparently they have barbs at the end of their tentacles that dig in making them hard to get off. If a friend/parent tries to pull it off they will get stung too. So her advice was use a towel to get it off and then treat the nasty sting with vinegar. I will definitely be adding vinegar to our swim bags just in case! <br />
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One little creature that vinegar treatment will not help with is the blue ringed octopus. Nat told us about this one as a serious precaution. Zac has also read about the blue-ringed octopus in his Animals of Australia book. It lives in tide pools. At rest it is a yellow brown colour but when threatened it gets blue rings on it when it is angry. If it stings you, it can stop your heart! Yet it is quite pretty. Have a look here:<br />
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<a href="http://www.itsnature.org/sea/other/dangerous-blue-ring-octopus/">http://www.itsnature.org/sea/other/dangerous-blue-ring-octopus/</a><br />
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It is a wee tiny octopus that is deadly! <span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">The blue-ringed octopus is the size of a golf ball but its poison is powerful enough to kill an adult human in minutes. There's no known antidote. The only treatment is hours of heart massage and artificial respiration until the poison has worked its way out of your system. Nat told us a story that with CPR the person can remain conscious and know what is happening to them but their heart cannot beat on it s own. Lesson learned - never poke at anything in a tidal pool with your curious little fingers, right Zac?!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1VjkyNqopDow8xrdPvU1mbwpFYqYiC_SkTm1jCrSatiUOxh2YefLYB8Pv8BqA1h8AFuP5U9wkeWYBROOjnTuaiaG5sa9Na8u9T4dTbvO-yysvnxtz-o5nHbLA1v6lUzNOXdZ2J_oHFU/s1600/serenna+underwater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1VjkyNqopDow8xrdPvU1mbwpFYqYiC_SkTm1jCrSatiUOxh2YefLYB8Pv8BqA1h8AFuP5U9wkeWYBROOjnTuaiaG5sa9Na8u9T4dTbvO-yysvnxtz-o5nHbLA1v6lUzNOXdZ2J_oHFU/s400/serenna+underwater.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We had lunch with Dave and Nat and their two boys, had another swim in their pool and then took a bus, train and city cat back home to Brisbane - just in time for that rugby game.<br />
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Sending my love, until next time..... xoxPenni-Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820617437770240047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579453281805932960.post-79656063164202665652011-10-25T02:07:00.000-07:002011-10-25T02:07:46.279-07:00Weekend in Lamington National Park: Rainforest Hikes<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwPPaeUz4ZmKHWZoXX1IsBqROnNHLOZ3IvsUdzbxPa8BPb0oXu1RTdsIOkLev_3vTeS6LA0tpRO_Oo-qnCm7nOxeYwWC54YeKQKCoVE4JNVQ122bwcV1THvy5gcTuf-hrZP_UUFGWT3e0/s1600/family+in+tree+root.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwPPaeUz4ZmKHWZoXX1IsBqROnNHLOZ3IvsUdzbxPa8BPb0oXu1RTdsIOkLev_3vTeS6LA0tpRO_Oo-qnCm7nOxeYwWC54YeKQKCoVE4JNVQ122bwcV1THvy5gcTuf-hrZP_UUFGWT3e0/s400/family+in+tree+root.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are sitting in the moss covered tree roots of a fallen tree.</td></tr>
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I always seem to be a week or so behind with my blogs but eventually I get there. This blog is about our trip to Lamington National Park (Oct. 9-10). It is just under a two hour drive southwest from Brisbane, within 15 km of the state of New South Wales. Lamington National Park is a World Heritage Site rainforest with several waterfalls, rivers, and a staggering number of plants, animals and birds! Serious bird watchers would be in Heaven here.<br />
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On Saturday morning we planned to leave very early but we woke up to a torrential downpour. We checked the weather and it was not to let up until afternoon. So we slowly made our way to the park. We arrived after lunch as the sun was coming out. <br />
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We checked into our Chalet and the owner greeted us with a basket of homemade muffins - yum!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOr2q0L3SUVsu950JNj7TWCN920Fi8xIo-N9rMOXS0kCvDscKXksolo1XR-5pICQf4lbjhyphenhyphensxC_l4wjpG5p9tsMSD3C83-G82UkEEDppx-g9LecUIG6ieC9T-nKpFFdL1hBhXjImAiOY/s1600/Chalet+%25232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOr2q0L3SUVsu950JNj7TWCN920Fi8xIo-N9rMOXS0kCvDscKXksolo1XR-5pICQf4lbjhyphenhyphensxC_l4wjpG5p9tsMSD3C83-G82UkEEDppx-g9LecUIG6ieC9T-nKpFFdL1hBhXjImAiOY/s400/Chalet+%25232.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Chalet, about 20 min. outside of Lamington Nat. Park</td></tr>
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We decided to do a short hike (2 hours) part of which included a Tree Top Walk at O'Rielly's Rainforest Retreat. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FspJ4mWWHQR9jyZfFmjsSu99zjymx4HU7E8JXuaxrh9UgpHML-AQ7g39gkUwFpdJlDuWeSbeSMJVy5rKbL0wDPM0R0DEXPzE7NmnXsgo5C8NRQGlSBvF7vjyk6JRPDfQUV4XY4TVZ7s/s1600/treetop+walk+picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FspJ4mWWHQR9jyZfFmjsSu99zjymx4HU7E8JXuaxrh9UgpHML-AQ7g39gkUwFpdJlDuWeSbeSMJVy5rKbL0wDPM0R0DEXPzE7NmnXsgo5C8NRQGlSBvF7vjyk6JRPDfQUV4XY4TVZ7s/s400/treetop+walk+picture.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree top walk diagram</td></tr>
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We popped into the visitor centre there to get some hiking maps and we had a great chat with a guide there. He gave the kids a bird spotting booklet, and even left the visitor centre unattended to take us a short way down a path to point out the nesting area of the Blue Bower bird. The Blue Bower likes decorating his nest with blue trash like bottle tops and bread bag tabs - anything blue and therefore pretty. <br />
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He showed us one other very cool thing - a HUGE snake skin. It was at least 8ft long! The park staff discovered the shed skin on the steps of their sleeping lodge one morning this spring. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHA0XLnsernK8rmJ14uML1d4D-O8jI3SZj7nd7t3GjUp59n27A9ZP_xGhsKVBBdo3SuhJdnshWIIF1rkYxnpIT_Y-Ja1clMFQdHyMZDTt21jMJ3B_UGxPYncy42_-QjGdT1RqLBHP727Q/s1600/snake+skin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHA0XLnsernK8rmJ14uML1d4D-O8jI3SZj7nd7t3GjUp59n27A9ZP_xGhsKVBBdo3SuhJdnshWIIF1rkYxnpIT_Y-Ja1clMFQdHyMZDTt21jMJ3B_UGxPYncy42_-QjGdT1RqLBHP727Q/s400/snake+skin.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out the length of this snake skin unrolled on the counter.</td></tr>
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The tree top walk was very fun. We were up pretty high on connecting tree top bridges.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSDsnTKXds8_a9ArhGcMINrODACyIpQEkbGSSedpGv6JHnwoRfm_f2OibRfuzSohBMPKP5XQjCVotleKb6zZbJQtqQyWCxPvUD3MmcuU_mr118xTndEyu7vpfKnzS1yiO4AugcXXZOas/s1600/treetop+walk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSDsnTKXds8_a9ArhGcMINrODACyIpQEkbGSSedpGv6JHnwoRfm_f2OibRfuzSohBMPKP5XQjCVotleKb6zZbJQtqQyWCxPvUD3MmcuU_mr118xTndEyu7vpfKnzS1yiO4AugcXXZOas/s400/treetop+walk.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jas, Serenna and zac on Tree Top Walk, taken from a lower walkway.</td></tr>
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There was also a spot where you could climb a ladder up a tall tree to a small viewing platform about 20 metres up. The brave could then continue up yet another ladder and climb to 30 metres above ground for spectacular views. Not for the vertically phobic.<br />
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At O'Rielly's Resort Shop, they sell bird feed so you can get up close and personal with the birds. That is an understatement. These birds were so overwhelming. Five or six would swoop down and try and get the food from you.<br />
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We had a couple on our head, another two or three on our arms. Zac - who really loves birds - got freaked out and just dropped his food. Serenna and I struggled to take some pictures while being swarmed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjwfT9BANvwUABwWM1XgPOwrrOZeuhWvCneJTyqp5bqLY4dMP0D5TjnFQwxltJy0BnXq8lFRYN2lc1I-ONaeSY-_65rEBYPZ5FCpYNy9ZYvmFY_7T0y3a31BN9GNv-7foUHSJBTVOB_4/s1600/friendly+bird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjwfT9BANvwUABwWM1XgPOwrrOZeuhWvCneJTyqp5bqLY4dMP0D5TjnFQwxltJy0BnXq8lFRYN2lc1I-ONaeSY-_65rEBYPZ5FCpYNy9ZYvmFY_7T0y3a31BN9GNv-7foUHSJBTVOB_4/s400/friendly+bird.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This shot was taken, with two birds on my arm, one on my head, and one on the camera.</td></tr>
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Then it was back to our chalet for some exploring around the property - a wallaby was spotted. The views were fantastic. Then Zac and Jas went up the hill to BBQ our sausages. They watched a storm roll in and narrowly escaped a soaking. We enjoyed the thunder and lightening while indoors by the fireplace playing a game of scrabble. <br />
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The next morning, Zac, our own early bird, was up taking pictures of his mates on the balcony of our chalet.<br />
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On Sunday we wanted to do a longer hike of about 12 kms before driving back to Brisbane. With all our stops for snacks, pictures, tree climbing, lunch, rock clambering, etc. it took about 5 hours! <br />
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It was absolutely stunning though. Nice and cool in the rainforest. We saw some of the most enormous trees!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHiuzsFgqHmLQ8bG7Gb1BfehHVrAa0dk9ckLcwespBZc4IK-UUYBqznUejEAOLSyo_qi0BprCyFglI3xEhgrUyxLMPTZ13-wkqAQdgS2jwot3B66oyW7qR-i-T07bgsLbSXFTknKJIebo/s1600/Jas%252C+Zac%252C+Ser+in+a+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHiuzsFgqHmLQ8bG7Gb1BfehHVrAa0dk9ckLcwespBZc4IK-UUYBqznUejEAOLSyo_qi0BprCyFglI3xEhgrUyxLMPTZ13-wkqAQdgS2jwot3B66oyW7qR-i-T07bgsLbSXFTknKJIebo/s320/Jas%252C+Zac%252C+Ser+in+a+tree.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jas, Serenna and Zac inside a tree.</td></tr>
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It was really jungle like, with twisting vines and tall tall trees. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXzz9eL-MvGYQ8yzxAWijLE7cSpfkSqejSAWNuitk4LnV-8LF1k6yMJK3hAzJ5-Q1KarWtmu508isheIkcGSQoq1E9bnXVwVeXC_QcU230LFjr2EmLtaczRTy1kgZqSTqz_e0MqhxUYE/s1600/huge+tree+lamington.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXzz9eL-MvGYQ8yzxAWijLE7cSpfkSqejSAWNuitk4LnV-8LF1k6yMJK3hAzJ5-Q1KarWtmu508isheIkcGSQoq1E9bnXVwVeXC_QcU230LFjr2EmLtaczRTy1kgZqSTqz_e0MqhxUYE/s400/huge+tree+lamington.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out the diameter of this tree trunk!</td></tr>
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The whole inspiration for this weekend trip was a beautiful picture of a waterfall in our Australia guidebook. So here is a look at a couple of the waterfalls we saw on our hike.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJLDzqWhdvhrVa1i1EEkYeQoBZKow_kzV6evegHISBxx_nTkIOmqLgLVVLrA40EBk0Klq5rP4EUdF3PgXOGkKMyV2PwM1IRrRxnq3bbmzHhm0ixlKQabFdrmUg6V7pAn-CX6LLi6SbDs/s1600/waterfall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJLDzqWhdvhrVa1i1EEkYeQoBZKow_kzV6evegHISBxx_nTkIOmqLgLVVLrA40EBk0Klq5rP4EUdF3PgXOGkKMyV2PwM1IRrRxnq3bbmzHhm0ixlKQabFdrmUg6V7pAn-CX6LLi6SbDs/s400/waterfall.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfalls at Lamington National Park</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TxCWKSPVs5Ocp_yw7BODxn_LZgqSK0yydAkP-9TRv57M_L42ZOYu55FUpnV5K18a0lSuHCn7OwpV_a8Vjz_4mT3ya1mOXPWFw5qmulqJ_SOiNr4q9A1nggjOdXHUZNpPUG2-aEL7vDI/s1600/rainforest+and+falls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TxCWKSPVs5Ocp_yw7BODxn_LZgqSK0yydAkP-9TRv57M_L42ZOYu55FUpnV5K18a0lSuHCn7OwpV_a8Vjz_4mT3ya1mOXPWFw5qmulqJ_SOiNr4q9A1nggjOdXHUZNpPUG2-aEL7vDI/s320/rainforest+and+falls.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Next blog... we need some Ocean time. But until then here is one last look at these AMAZING trees.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOv8zfp7OtQwTV9Z2DKlwoFYuppDQgGc5ts5Q6m6tAlzt2WQb3Xr0xpsVdu_DqyWsY-fOE5dLfnNz5upjVVj4zIhRS0bm5ukrKaRVHeiYu4iSHNC0_Cwd2G9R-B-GsfLn9eO40R-PP5c/s1600/huge+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOv8zfp7OtQwTV9Z2DKlwoFYuppDQgGc5ts5Q6m6tAlzt2WQb3Xr0xpsVdu_DqyWsY-fOE5dLfnNz5upjVVj4zIhRS0bm5ukrKaRVHeiYu4iSHNC0_Cwd2G9R-B-GsfLn9eO40R-PP5c/s400/huge+tree.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is one tree trunk we are clambering over!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Penni-Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820617437770240047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579453281805932960.post-24991327262570874242011-10-18T05:49:00.000-07:002011-10-18T05:49:44.440-07:00Koala Cuddles and Kangaroos<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GzvM19zJTRJ-5fiUbCyKgkuN1RciYpEuGICY_ZPLZ1AuF7fVd3zwbAZacEniQDHD-OoA-VfLtVXvVmt0g6wEVLBigIqeCdRtfFT6a0FMTwvQwaPMXwlg38E5332eO7S-qyWnV3zSvHk/s1600/Koala+at+Lone+Pine%252C+Brisbane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GzvM19zJTRJ-5fiUbCyKgkuN1RciYpEuGICY_ZPLZ1AuF7fVd3zwbAZacEniQDHD-OoA-VfLtVXvVmt0g6wEVLBigIqeCdRtfFT6a0FMTwvQwaPMXwlg38E5332eO7S-qyWnV3zSvHk/s320/Koala+at+Lone+Pine%252C+Brisbane.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello there! How you going?</td></tr>
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Well Happy Belated Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is not an Australian holiday and we were away for the weekend (more on that next blog) so we did not celebrate with Turkey. In fact we gave thanks for our Chinese noodles and lamb sausages that night! I do however see turkeys wandering the streets everyday. Seriously! On the walk to school we see at least 3 daily. They are the strangest looking things (as turkeys are), they are Australian Brush Turkeys and they just wander about scavenging things to eat. They are kinda of like squirrels in London - plentiful, harmless, and no one pays much attention to them.<br />
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What I want to share with you today is our trip to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary which is located just outside of Brisbane. <br />
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As I have mentioned before we are choosing to live without a car because in the city the bus and City Cat (river boat) are clean, convenient and well used. Unfortunately, getting out to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary would have been rather complicated with connecting buses etc. so we decided it was a beautiful day for a bike ride. This is the day we learned just how hilly Brisbane is. What should have been an hour and a half bike ride (quite an ambitious undertaking with two kids) turned into an almost 3 hour bike ride!!! We had to walk our bikes up so many damn hills! In fact, most of the time I walked my bike and Zac's bike as it was too hard for him to get up without help. To all our credit we remained in good spirits despite the heat, the hills and the distance to our goal. A wee break for an ice cream cone helped too. Eventually we made it!! What a sense of accomplishment, what a sore bottom, what dread for the trip home....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weary cyclists arrive at destination at last.</td></tr>
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We were well rewarded with so many (over 100) koalas to admire. <br />
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Serenna and Zac also had their photo taken with a couple of koalas and got to hold and cuddle them for a bit. I had a wee cuddle too but my koala was more interested in climbing on me than cuddling.<br />
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There were many kangaroos to feed and watch and have a chat with. I particularly liked this guy - <br />
you can see why when you get a look at his pecs. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is one muscular kangaroo.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having an a chat.</td></tr>
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We even spotted some kangaroos and wallabies with joeys in their pouch. Check out the feet and tail sticking out of this pouch.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big joey feet sticking out that pouch.</td></tr>
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Serenna actually had the opportunity to feed a joey while it was resting in the pouch!<br />
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Again the position of this joey mystified me. How is she so folded up that the head and hind legs <br />
stick out?<br />
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Here is the joey a moment after crawling out of the pouch. I think she is getting a bit big for it!<br />
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Jason and Zac also spent some time at the water trough with a very thirsty kangaroo - she did not come up for air for like 5 minutes- and a very pretty Emu.<br />
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There were also a couple of Wombats to look in on. This guy was having a nap.<br />
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Fortunately this little guy was more active. We learned that wombats are also marsupials.<br />
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That's all for now. I mainly wanted to share all these animal pictures with you. <br />
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Kids are doing well in school and coping with the 2 hour a night homework load. They are taking tennis lessons on Wed. after school from a tennis coach who uses the tennis courts right on the school property. Jason has some big due dates so we did not go anywhere this weekend. On Sat. we got some fruit and veg. at the West End market (after a sweaty bike ride where the kids moaned more in the 30 min. ride than in the entire 3 hour journey last weekend!!)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finding some shade on the way to the West End market.</td></tr>
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We listened to the live music while having our picnic. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMxXcadMOSYHSOqRvFsNQPDyH0cne0gXEB_hRyjN1CIfaRzYq_l2aMSf2xYwmTqQYxyAFlRUILlSSMhNOaoA_fvZcoK0tYc_Rmq2F63dZFRiqtBMuaRGUMH1I4AOKUbm-kM46Z-5nrIKo/s1600/West+End+market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMxXcadMOSYHSOqRvFsNQPDyH0cne0gXEB_hRyjN1CIfaRzYq_l2aMSf2xYwmTqQYxyAFlRUILlSSMhNOaoA_fvZcoK0tYc_Rmq2F63dZFRiqtBMuaRGUMH1I4AOKUbm-kM46Z-5nrIKo/s320/West+End+market.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Live music at the West End market.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The kids and parents swapped roles on Sunday. Serenna and Zac made strawberry pancakes for our breakfast and salad and boiled eggs for lunch. We went to a pub for dinner to watch the World Cup Rugby semi finals. I had to ask permission to have a drink! It was the New Zealand "All Blacks" vs. the Australian "Wallabies". Australia lost but that was not a huge surprise the NZ 'All Blacks' are amazing. They are the only team not to lose a single game. They play France in the finals next weekend. Yes, we have all turned into rugby fans. Canada and Scotland were sadly out of the competition much earlier.<br />
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Until next time... here is a picture of my new favourite tree. It is a Jacaranda tree (I think). They bloom in the spring and will be the back drop of many a wedding photo.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKHSiwnMXTNYfr5BwyXHY57uypRJ7ZN4kceW8Gc91Jp3dIHDkkNIgHJbuVHPcBM8Loyaxce7pdxwT1Gij0WmlIGYwhYIuAppsODErO61dhNs7jtkDay0GSCsHukXA7933y-jbsGcBNc8/s1600/Jacaranda+trees+in+bloom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKHSiwnMXTNYfr5BwyXHY57uypRJ7ZN4kceW8Gc91Jp3dIHDkkNIgHJbuVHPcBM8Loyaxce7pdxwT1Gij0WmlIGYwhYIuAppsODErO61dhNs7jtkDay0GSCsHukXA7933y-jbsGcBNc8/s320/Jacaranda+trees+in+bloom.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Sending our love...Penni-Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820617437770240047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579453281805932960.post-26937106300832384272011-10-10T06:55:00.000-07:002011-10-10T16:13:32.078-07:00New Flat, New School<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_rxu7A9G1fs7Iep30-hxRbecII9Y8ukkGxLqB0OO_QllEpkfSA9F6N-cx7sYnnOEwRqIuTKFleOiAK4R4I9pCALJ5VWnlcrLZnh47LkVh-nvVTjDFO16e1ZULKFE0lIUNPS0CwNney4/s1600/family+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_rxu7A9G1fs7Iep30-hxRbecII9Y8ukkGxLqB0OO_QllEpkfSA9F6N-cx7sYnnOEwRqIuTKFleOiAK4R4I9pCALJ5VWnlcrLZnh47LkVh-nvVTjDFO16e1ZULKFE0lIUNPS0CwNney4/s320/family+tree.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Family Tree</td></tr>
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If you have been reading some earlier blogs, you will know that our first accommodation at St. Lucia Gardens Hotel was not a long term solution for us. It was a one bedroom, very small, short stay hotel room with a kitchenette. It was a great base until we found our new flat.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRA26Tiiz0LANKASuLzWQKdOojqoFrDD0lX_fbNhfWwkcWQMfAQYL-LXjtsOaiGc2qgCcdtdddJQLswLrNjVKyrGGSx1GQC8qQR_ESdFSY5TRIKD5dQU3S4JFOOXV1wkaHZc3BiVRW0Vo/s1600/livingroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRA26Tiiz0LANKASuLzWQKdOojqoFrDD0lX_fbNhfWwkcWQMfAQYL-LXjtsOaiGc2qgCcdtdddJQLswLrNjVKyrGGSx1GQC8qQR_ESdFSY5TRIKD5dQU3S4JFOOXV1wkaHZc3BiVRW0Vo/s320/livingroom.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our living room/kitchen area</td></tr>
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We are 10 minutes from the University of Queensland where Jason is working and about 25 minutes walk from the kids school. The school is not too far from us but it is 2 big hills away. It feels like living in San Frasisco! Originally we thought we would bike to school but the hills are seriously steep. We would only be able to walk the bike up the hills with a 30 second bike ride down. It is just not worth it, so we walk instead. Some days it feels more like dragging to kids up the hill. <br />
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Our new flat is also just a one bedroom but we have so much more living space. There is a wee laundry room, a walk in closet, a full bathroom, a lovely kitchen/living room, an alcove for our bed, and the BEST view of the river out the huge window / sliding door and balcony. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxDTOhzaELlad_pzgIfEtLrMcpybVFfKisafq6UFn5jl7GRwzHx8Au009_Y6YD5B6kHQdHntF29vseTrwy36RfVilKMLa4-AMuR5jykJ7tEI4WNY1zNxt_JEnlWP6HsDOsIvRnzQdOes/s1600/balcony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxDTOhzaELlad_pzgIfEtLrMcpybVFfKisafq6UFn5jl7GRwzHx8Au009_Y6YD5B6kHQdHntF29vseTrwy36RfVilKMLa4-AMuR5jykJ7tEI4WNY1zNxt_JEnlWP6HsDOsIvRnzQdOes/s320/balcony.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our balcony</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTvMWoZThc4sPZLQLubGH5YjezXdQDzuX69DWxpPlaUlUi74rRSlKTDsGvgNDVUWvxHlY03LXhDv5ePuyWmTyVMzFNe2G_DQ2QgsS7obKkSLZN8FAD37NIqyHidRKB-ZXeA1owFJTqwQ/s1600/balcony+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTvMWoZThc4sPZLQLubGH5YjezXdQDzuX69DWxpPlaUlUi74rRSlKTDsGvgNDVUWvxHlY03LXhDv5ePuyWmTyVMzFNe2G_DQ2QgsS7obKkSLZN8FAD37NIqyHidRKB-ZXeA1owFJTqwQ/s320/balcony+view.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brisbane River outside our apartment.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQ1GwWBwVe0S99peboIPR7RJ_kMlvem3OWpCVtLZf9qsvjOUbhWXn0Zl24ythL-wixIkYk9E5eg62dGzCYwprNud61XMvBvH1FkuyVx5z9b4UcNVV6kTfBC079wrxnZ8OTMkmpjVw9OI/s1600/Zac+home+schooling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQ1GwWBwVe0S99peboIPR7RJ_kMlvem3OWpCVtLZf9qsvjOUbhWXn0Zl24ythL-wixIkYk9E5eg62dGzCYwprNud61XMvBvH1FkuyVx5z9b4UcNVV6kTfBC079wrxnZ8OTMkmpjVw9OI/s320/Zac+home+schooling.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A good spot to do homework!</td></tr>
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We are located right on the Brisbane River in a 12 storey apartment building, we are one of 3 flats on the 8th floor. There is a secure private garage for our bikes, and a pool.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinqbMYpuSFJUKSKlMYDNpztc8gt-vZMVrccavFHKuTzTijs3UgqcXoYc887ZvQ28EPy6g7JrJg6MlLJoTaRutrTnSpxVlzdUX8YFGEZQ36D93XjpuY7xXoCjGYlDx8qv1bfhun3D6bGcQ/s1600/our+apartment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinqbMYpuSFJUKSKlMYDNpztc8gt-vZMVrccavFHKuTzTijs3UgqcXoYc887ZvQ28EPy6g7JrJg6MlLJoTaRutrTnSpxVlzdUX8YFGEZQ36D93XjpuY7xXoCjGYlDx8qv1bfhun3D6bGcQ/s320/our+apartment.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">72 Macquarie St. (Home Sweet Home)</td></tr>
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Unfortunately the pool is not heated or covered so it remains quite cold. Saying that we still jump in, we just don't stay in very long!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2EVqnK_NHGr-bIGvwntF5TUNze7RvwvDKbRwYPG4Xj2yVv4ZC_0YJRWPP2y3nl3DA2viaAwYELNNaDQJPCEqrpWlzZCeakKMgA9YuNMgnoWcC6a1UgbaJp0NT6MCBBSEGd3ibJPzuAI/s1600/pool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2EVqnK_NHGr-bIGvwntF5TUNze7RvwvDKbRwYPG4Xj2yVv4ZC_0YJRWPP2y3nl3DA2viaAwYELNNaDQJPCEqrpWlzZCeakKMgA9YuNMgnoWcC6a1UgbaJp0NT6MCBBSEGd3ibJPzuAI/s320/pool.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is a peek at the kids shared bedroom and the bathroom.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnm_slGI2KDjYDNkA15Rmoi_7OwW1zhag6RSSVQEN2m2tb0T0KScFGMl41VgY1GpuvqleR3o5dhmSbK7l7dYb9xK1NS6g7rboa1rcNK4zTkZW2JNMNceT-DIzTohCWRK5hIj6esBNIww/s1600/kids+bedroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnm_slGI2KDjYDNkA15Rmoi_7OwW1zhag6RSSVQEN2m2tb0T0KScFGMl41VgY1GpuvqleR3o5dhmSbK7l7dYb9xK1NS6g7rboa1rcNK4zTkZW2JNMNceT-DIzTohCWRK5hIj6esBNIww/s320/kids+bedroom.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">kids room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXTn3iK8xPvCqp3xzSY1deasMBzxEoG1bMro0qbT1JwfNPv_lk6bt9eeDQaKv3HNovTe5EJJZSufTbJxyh7l4pCajRgf1_rkzvtkuk3I2ZoezEsNW-s2Fsmw5O8xb3jbga7ohr96NgGI/s1600/bathroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXTn3iK8xPvCqp3xzSY1deasMBzxEoG1bMro0qbT1JwfNPv_lk6bt9eeDQaKv3HNovTe5EJJZSufTbJxyh7l4pCajRgf1_rkzvtkuk3I2ZoezEsNW-s2Fsmw5O8xb3jbga7ohr96NgGI/s320/bathroom.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nice bathroom (Zac loves the jet bath)</td></tr>
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On Monday October 3, the kids started school at Ironside State School. It is a huge primary school with 835 students. There are multiple buildings and it was quite daunting at first trying to find our way around. There is an outdoor heated swimming pool, and a couple of tennis courts. The kids have to wear uniforms - school shirt and shorts (or culottes for girls) and the mandatory Tilly style hat. If they forget or loose their hats, no going out for recess. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBNCGqVdd8XM2OG7AbCwRWSvhJQ8lhpax_ZHHWM5qFuQmI1qvGok8MKFrbdC5U05QYVVzIE4u87YOSk10xRQBw5SxnMRX7iTU9XFV1UWVdREBppoofLpdlqD1-eojf3BF9ac0cX13NAU/s1600/Ironside+State+School.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBNCGqVdd8XM2OG7AbCwRWSvhJQ8lhpax_ZHHWM5qFuQmI1qvGok8MKFrbdC5U05QYVVzIE4u87YOSk10xRQBw5SxnMRX7iTU9XFV1UWVdREBppoofLpdlqD1-eojf3BF9ac0cX13NAU/s320/Ironside+State+School.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The popular recess activity is handball/four-square. The kids played four-square at Wortley too but here they play with a handball not a big ball. The playground equipment areas are coverd with suspended cloth for shade.<br />
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The Australian school year begins in Jan. so Zac and Serenna are actually catching the last term of the year here. Serenna is in grade 6 and apparently has a very strict teacher (the opposite of Monsieur K from Switzerland in every way!). Actually, from the stories I am hearing, she is not just strict but angry, a lot of the time. Serenna is just trying to keep up with the work and stay under the radar.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-DFjcSPDbe8vNFW3UZRkwt4dJScsJK4OdtIUgFoYHOXcX5LUVz-psHhpxTgUqrAjxbSuKgojdnDuvuSNMloA9CiNiHe2zzh4aH3c3J1e3Ex38WG1wUNiJLQuRVOOeqbOXwexx7Jw5p0/s1600/Ironside+front+doors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-DFjcSPDbe8vNFW3UZRkwt4dJScsJK4OdtIUgFoYHOXcX5LUVz-psHhpxTgUqrAjxbSuKgojdnDuvuSNMloA9CiNiHe2zzh4aH3c3J1e3Ex38WG1wUNiJLQuRVOOeqbOXwexx7Jw5p0/s320/Ironside+front+doors.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front doors of Ironside State School</td></tr>
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Zac, after one week, is ready to switch back to homeschooling! I have to say the homework load seems rather heavy for grade 2 and that is getting him down. After a full school day he doesn't want to do another hour or two of work! They have both made some friends and are finding things easier to adapt to than Lausanne as everyone speaks English!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1QjLWqY0vNw97OWKPXJrZmbL56DqQXtiHhvTDILvhZuc_ZZ5aUOaLs87s2waXIu7NQCcaX-_M9ZFFTiqWCf4JJF1JorU_0boWQG8vhPYKnqqfGg5c0NzlWRY6PL3Jw-G6H-6Zhd30Jlw/s1600/homework.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1QjLWqY0vNw97OWKPXJrZmbL56DqQXtiHhvTDILvhZuc_ZZ5aUOaLs87s2waXIu7NQCcaX-_M9ZFFTiqWCf4JJF1JorU_0boWQG8vhPYKnqqfGg5c0NzlWRY6PL3Jw-G6H-6Zhd30Jlw/s320/homework.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homework time.</td></tr>
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Okay one last picture because I think they look so cute!! <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZkSBh9kkhhEEfETY80ov3jsB4xJ1S9a9KVPA3B756FLxKyDiP42Qn56tKuxQkg8HrgJtOwxV0kiYOWPXsZr9YoKHgqG4yapf0HGR4mLNuXW37DbGDwcxgeiDibJmY7OT8gcJ5SHTsp8/s1600/uniforms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZkSBh9kkhhEEfETY80ov3jsB4xJ1S9a9KVPA3B756FLxKyDiP42Qn56tKuxQkg8HrgJtOwxV0kiYOWPXsZr9YoKHgqG4yapf0HGR4mLNuXW37DbGDwcxgeiDibJmY7OT8gcJ5SHTsp8/s320/uniforms.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zac and Serenna in Brisbane, QLD</td></tr>
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Next blog - lots more Koalas and some amazing rainforest trees....Penni-Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820617437770240047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579453281805932960.post-87711829186159438482011-10-10T01:53:00.000-07:002011-10-10T01:53:21.984-07:00Weekend Play in Brisbane<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpySFjHk-srnw5cHJynXQA4R4ZggDmEo9W9s5BlLEa7ffxU0rpLmywcCauxrtOAyM6fQIg-YbV8FQdo4LpciUUcieJdMt2KT9ZofhHII6vkjrRQeAX-WYYNkmS1IzzinqY8ykzY4Uf4Wg/s1600/city+centre+Brisbane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpySFjHk-srnw5cHJynXQA4R4ZggDmEo9W9s5BlLEa7ffxU0rpLmywcCauxrtOAyM6fQIg-YbV8FQdo4LpciUUcieJdMt2KT9ZofhHII6vkjrRQeAX-WYYNkmS1IzzinqY8ykzY4Uf4Wg/s320/city+centre+Brisbane.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brisbane City Centre</td></tr>
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We have been in Brisbane for a month now. Time is flying! We have had a few weekends here now and when in town have developed a nice routine. We bought bicycles for the family a few weeks ago so we can explore a little easier without relying on buses or the city cat (river bus). This is what Zac did to his face on our 'test drive'. <br />
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Apparently he got a spider on him while we were biking. He was behind me, so all I heard was a scream and then the crash and then some more screams. He was pretty bruised for about a week but he is fine now. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7xWfVrXwLgCVMAiHsjh8Nh5OmxtsK_6LQWsymba9mWspTWEpGmK8KT5lU-rMwh5VCKaWHgY1T7X4A5fhyphenhyphenK2VzzKBSA_B0HjSEm6qU5AkayUBvKor5TzKPHjIrQdyy6w37a9Msz0Snec/s1600/early+birds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7xWfVrXwLgCVMAiHsjh8Nh5OmxtsK_6LQWsymba9mWspTWEpGmK8KT5lU-rMwh5VCKaWHgY1T7X4A5fhyphenhyphenK2VzzKBSA_B0HjSEm6qU5AkayUBvKor5TzKPHjIrQdyy6w37a9Msz0Snec/s320/early+birds.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Zac and Jason are the early risers in the family. They usually get up and Jason gets some work done and the laptop, Zac reads and then plays his DS. <br />
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Serenna and I are up within the hour. Serenna could read for a few hours but we drag her out for breakfast and then we hop on our bikes, or the city cat, or the bikes on the city cat and head into the city. <br />
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There are a couple of markets that we have discovered. One is full of jewelry, hand crafted stuff, clothes, and souvenirs. The kids have spent some of their allowance there. The other market is full of fruits, veg. meats, breads, cheeses, olives... and some trinkets. It is a great place to find some cheaper produce, and then spread out the picnic blanket and buy lunch from a vendor and have lunch while watching the live music. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_4L3B7AYF-EMiswOS3UvCHNtp2gOnMauMN50WWZ6222QkD6huN8aaXPRcDxGbUwLaIfd6GU2XW1S6fP-ZbkoiT0HRHW-ZjruMZGwzdGSMeKuvgaFTOJyQQXEooy4taUd2nKx5Z6uuzo/s1600/West+End+market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_4L3B7AYF-EMiswOS3UvCHNtp2gOnMauMN50WWZ6222QkD6huN8aaXPRcDxGbUwLaIfd6GU2XW1S6fP-ZbkoiT0HRHW-ZjruMZGwzdGSMeKuvgaFTOJyQQXEooy4taUd2nKx5Z6uuzo/s320/West+End+market.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yummy lunch items at the West End market</td></tr>
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On the way home there is always a tree or two to climb. They really do have the best climbing trees here. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AuEcn-jxu13uPQXk6OHOc2mpU4hN48En9k__d1s2DAFuO87Gz7o8F3j9-RQNaTfeFtzTPRTTchyphenhyphenVRtQ0YDZvIOBbhevf3zJVNyCSA0xS_vGUMZyxsKIv1Ub9pxdTE-3tKZKE_pJKKKQ/s1600/climbing+trees+everywhere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AuEcn-jxu13uPQXk6OHOc2mpU4hN48En9k__d1s2DAFuO87Gz7o8F3j9-RQNaTfeFtzTPRTTchyphenhyphenVRtQ0YDZvIOBbhevf3zJVNyCSA0xS_vGUMZyxsKIv1Ub9pxdTE-3tKZKE_pJKKKQ/s320/climbing+trees+everywhere.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great climbing trees in Brisbane</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fTF07fQIQeinXy4vbx6_ZgWvMTJfSDOzz_CO0hNaJLTmHl44n2xsKGKqRpe7ovYDyCrvrfh9cSE33yF35B3PsKn-kSJkQ1M6J-9dZP_e5w36a5exieHqkAMtYjbREMfYzhb9hCpjsq4/s1600/another+climbing+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fTF07fQIQeinXy4vbx6_ZgWvMTJfSDOzz_CO0hNaJLTmHl44n2xsKGKqRpe7ovYDyCrvrfh9cSE33yF35B3PsKn-kSJkQ1M6J-9dZP_e5w36a5exieHqkAMtYjbREMfYzhb9hCpjsq4/s320/another+climbing+tree.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yet another climbing tree!</td></tr>
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At a play park on South Bank there is the most amazing tree. It has these roots coming down from the branches all the way to the ground. They are great for getting up and sliding down. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ks4LK9c6AFnVjG2N68SoiHmsbxC0V-LgjJb7lkKwZ5BpcEA9dZVqEK61hzxMvCnMLFgyRsQ2Z0Ib0MkjOn4SlhY02NAnQmEO37jOSyhtroWwusjLVv36A_NUQRHrs_8fZVwA4lwr9Kc/s1600/climbing+tree+in+Southbank+park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ks4LK9c6AFnVjG2N68SoiHmsbxC0V-LgjJb7lkKwZ5BpcEA9dZVqEK61hzxMvCnMLFgyRsQ2Z0Ib0MkjOn4SlhY02NAnQmEO37jOSyhtroWwusjLVv36A_NUQRHrs_8fZVwA4lwr9Kc/s320/climbing+tree+in+Southbank+park.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The coolest tree at South Bank play park</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2hlo-Ls7i3mpsmtg9FhuSnCh_G1i05mMMunW4prufaim0C4W5wJj5AuZetIJHj6gOdmyS4_cVITqjhjr8Qjj06jZcZk4MHCJ3T62JtrfuFUtQluRGTtipAd6kEPPPn-GoOAhnneHGwI/s1600/serenna+fire+poles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2hlo-Ls7i3mpsmtg9FhuSnCh_G1i05mMMunW4prufaim0C4W5wJj5AuZetIJHj6gOdmyS4_cVITqjhjr8Qjj06jZcZk4MHCJ3T62JtrfuFUtQluRGTtipAd6kEPPPn-GoOAhnneHGwI/s320/serenna+fire+poles.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serenna - jungle girl</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS10PXYMsa_ff4LMDCJO0KNyZ3m81DFzYhv08v4ENVHikvbwucaQYkdKR5Uo6kV9b8qqJGIw1lvXxPWsi_P5Gx_WL3sbKjuhOjstR_sO0jvhodZALpHHl3RQHiJeBVUu2hvwZM-ouGdqA/s1600/Zac+firepoles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS10PXYMsa_ff4LMDCJO0KNyZ3m81DFzYhv08v4ENVHikvbwucaQYkdKR5Uo6kV9b8qqJGIw1lvXxPWsi_P5Gx_WL3sbKjuhOjstR_sO0jvhodZALpHHl3RQHiJeBVUu2hvwZM-ouGdqA/s320/Zac+firepoles.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zac - future fireman?</td></tr>
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Besides the great play tree, and the man-made beach, and splash pad all available at South Bank, there is this lovely flowered walk way. They have these beautiful pink flowers growing on horizontal wires all along a metal framed walkway. The effect is like you are walking through a flower tunnel. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFoltBYHr2AWF3h7r98kmje7N79J1mWiQOZvJWm8Ac5AfxOvyXwKwVqkQ4vyGGjnD7dqnyvLWbSWpbu4DlnAFRZhE-0ptPfC4pdvSefXvDDr1CgOpmb44q0I4cEYnZmoZLY0WJEvQsDg/s1600/flowered+walk+of+Southbank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFoltBYHr2AWF3h7r98kmje7N79J1mWiQOZvJWm8Ac5AfxOvyXwKwVqkQ4vyGGjnD7dqnyvLWbSWpbu4DlnAFRZhE-0ptPfC4pdvSefXvDDr1CgOpmb44q0I4cEYnZmoZLY0WJEvQsDg/s320/flowered+walk+of+Southbank.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flowered walkway at Southbank, Brisbane</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA85lDfwBmjjlM7Cw20M7pQ1B9mWUDsHsQIZupi0Br1k8kSa3jqLbCJElyQtcz96ryqw1vTsGfsGx6yt0OQcbJZ4kzWCPMjs8zIqjh2hydr7cnGdAnxTPphiIAEr7wnvDfIXlDx8nnQgA/s1600/family+southbank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA85lDfwBmjjlM7Cw20M7pQ1B9mWUDsHsQIZupi0Br1k8kSa3jqLbCJElyQtcz96ryqw1vTsGfsGx6yt0OQcbJZ4kzWCPMjs8zIqjh2hydr7cnGdAnxTPphiIAEr7wnvDfIXlDx8nnQgA/s320/family+southbank.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southbank flowered walkway</td></tr>
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For our Anniversary (Sept. 28) we went to Le Grand Cirque - "Adrenalin" with the kids. It was a good show with some amazing, death defying stunts. Afterwards we celebrated with dinner out. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZXSk6jZe6BmMyFuR9UfLafIkbaLw7ZEvt-8bPVIZwCi-XgpFjw5mhY2M1h0CPygyInunrE3w6U6Vihb8bQ_jVIYbGxXPcvWWjToZHIYuQnVubHEOlSk_t0obSOetIo_0ve-DTvP5tuk/s1600/anniversary+dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZXSk6jZe6BmMyFuR9UfLafIkbaLw7ZEvt-8bPVIZwCi-XgpFjw5mhY2M1h0CPygyInunrE3w6U6Vihb8bQ_jVIYbGxXPcvWWjToZHIYuQnVubHEOlSk_t0obSOetIo_0ve-DTvP5tuk/s320/anniversary+dinner.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy 14th Anniversary</td></tr>
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That's all for now. Lots more to share next post - more about our fab. flat and starting school...Penni-Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820617437770240047noreply@blogger.com0Brisbane QLD, Australia-27.453911 153.026505-28.355746500000002 151.76307749999998 -26.5520755 154.2899325tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579453281805932960.post-10041151679977208522011-10-03T21:34:00.000-07:002011-10-03T21:35:01.041-07:00Exploring Fraser Island<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The last two days of our road trip were spent on Fraser Island, the world's largest all sand island (approx. 120 km long and 22 km wide). It is an amazing and diverse place. Check it out with this link.<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fraser_Island">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fraser_Island</a><br />
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There are two options for exploring the island - go on a guided tour in a crazy 4WD bus or rent your own 4WD truck and take on the BUMPY sand 'roads' (I use that term loosely). Jason wanted to drive and plan our own day so we went for the second option. Before they even let you near the truck, we had to watch an 45 minute long video on all the ways we could kill and or injure ourselves or the vehicle. Apparently it is quite easy to get stuck in the sand, lose control driving along the beach, and roll the the truck on the interior routes. Clearly we survived. It was quite fun actually and Jason had a blast driving and the kids loved bouncing around in the back. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crazy sand roads of Fraser Island</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driving on the sea shore at Fraser Island</td></tr>
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Having the freedom to travel around this huge island meant we could go into the interior and visit some of the impressive features. We drove as far as we could and then hiked the rest of the way to Wabby Lake. It is the deepest of several inland lakes at 11.4 m. Before getting to the lake we had to hike across some sand dunes called a sand blow, created by sand blowing up from the sea shore and being deposited in the interior behind some rain forest. It was quite bizarre to see this mini dessert beside a lake and rain forest. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Wabby, a 'sand blow', and the ocean beyond</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Wabby, Fraser Island<br />
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</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The shore of this lake was very steep, even though the picture doesn't show it. We had fun running down and later rolling down the steep incline right into the water. The water was quite tinted at Lake Wabby and we swam with some very curious Cat Fish (at least they looked like Cat fish to me).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serenna cools off in Lake Wabby</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After a swim and picnic we hiked back in the 4WD and drove to another part of the island to check out Lake McKenzie. This is an absolutely beautiful, pristine lake of turquoise blue and white sand of pure silica. It is purely a rain fed lake so the acid level in the lake is higher than others. It is fine to swim in, but not hospitable to fish or plant life. Absolutely stunning place. We learned later that some couples have even been married on the shore. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset at Lake McKenzie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As we returned to the truck to head back to our accommodations, a wild dingo was sniffing around. He didn't seem to bothered by us, but we kept a respectable distance just the same as there are signs around the island reminding people not to leave children unattended. Apparently a few years ago a child was killed. To us it just looked like a skinny street dog. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dingo on Fraser Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Some other wildlife we saw all over the place were these lizards.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvU_Jd0K4E0jLFVUZ7FoHKC7qJ4ARsxURBllj5V2xWBkrEGJce9svRyXvmjlZtfIrlaFX_AdL-tBBU4RDgRLXcekyO_qA2CASXy1Z-Uw_zD9jVvTdjvgcLsGLZdYPEw2L4NOBfdO_998/s1600/lizard+on+Fraser+Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvU_Jd0K4E0jLFVUZ7FoHKC7qJ4ARsxURBllj5V2xWBkrEGJce9svRyXvmjlZtfIrlaFX_AdL-tBBU4RDgRLXcekyO_qA2CASXy1Z-Uw_zD9jVvTdjvgcLsGLZdYPEw2L4NOBfdO_998/s320/lizard+on+Fraser+Island.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And who can resist a beautiful butterfly.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKJh6Q4E6cl0VQJVyhrI_9-lBOCv2pVu-2S_fGhAzJA-6CkWnm_Oqg5EmR27biqUsEY1ksPeLDJ-CZoXvXmzQc-GyX9FgYG24L3RHx4JKDSs8FLp-Pa8sQ-OICy9MXDHa78NPYEHNsBY/s1600/butterfly+on+Fraser+Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKJh6Q4E6cl0VQJVyhrI_9-lBOCv2pVu-2S_fGhAzJA-6CkWnm_Oqg5EmR27biqUsEY1ksPeLDJ-CZoXvXmzQc-GyX9FgYG24L3RHx4JKDSs8FLp-Pa8sQ-OICy9MXDHa78NPYEHNsBY/s320/butterfly+on+Fraser+Island.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Since Fraser Island is a World Heritage site it is wonderfully undeveloped. One of the few places to stay on the Island is King Fisher Bay Resort. It is actually quite a luxurious option with three restaurants, a pool and tennis courts. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOQ8Jvs0KWdRN8TF21m08Q7GqAV-eQnoOSSVWs9rcwmLKNtJzPX9GicBo3HPmti3LTYW7_UIaCGAY04eUB6J4vGjifrGLAk6-maLoKoD-Oyl8Ay1IMbYLfs7LujZ3XDIeSijy4EsFY_4/s1600/Fraser+Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOQ8Jvs0KWdRN8TF21m08Q7GqAV-eQnoOSSVWs9rcwmLKNtJzPX9GicBo3HPmti3LTYW7_UIaCGAY04eUB6J4vGjifrGLAk6-maLoKoD-Oyl8Ay1IMbYLfs7LujZ3XDIeSijy4EsFY_4/s320/Fraser+Island.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifk20adqSeesaQlcLT87heuHwM6N6cidoGL5JuRbb_Wt_yy49IkC4svTcMaL3pmA6xXO_DW5ydQgK0QwrGfDNfFO2jpbw5o0QY2Pd7Qcs66FOXiMoulaJS0f-k-TRZkM0X4ZY9IwhHex8/s1600/King+Fisher+Bay+Resort+on+Fraser+Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifk20adqSeesaQlcLT87heuHwM6N6cidoGL5JuRbb_Wt_yy49IkC4svTcMaL3pmA6xXO_DW5ydQgK0QwrGfDNfFO2jpbw5o0QY2Pd7Qcs66FOXiMoulaJS0f-k-TRZkM0X4ZY9IwhHex8/s320/King+Fisher+Bay+Resort+on+Fraser+Island.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">King Fisher Bay Resort, Fraser Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As a side note, I heard on the Australian news last night that bush fires were raging out of control on the island. News images showed the air over the island was thick with smoke and visitors coming in on the ferry from the mainland were turning back. Guests from the resort had to be evacuated as the fire came within 800 metres of the accommodations. A few fishermen had to be airlifted to safety as they were caught between the bush fire and crocodile infested river! SO grateful we visited a couple of weeks ago now.<br />
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The next morning we swam in the pool and then walked along the see shore.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKu1sDrYNAnQiILHRXl1eTEh7CSa1-ZQtXHUtmupyUpP3koPFjPjeAbPB9SNki5e__JJbOljIvVzhqndfZjJiXrr5xxz2mi83MkU1MyXwlhR6eKb1BIXSkGvx4IERCh_trM6e90cNSBVU/s1600/underwater+family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKu1sDrYNAnQiILHRXl1eTEh7CSa1-ZQtXHUtmupyUpP3koPFjPjeAbPB9SNki5e__JJbOljIvVzhqndfZjJiXrr5xxz2mi83MkU1MyXwlhR6eKb1BIXSkGvx4IERCh_trM6e90cNSBVU/s320/underwater+family.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
We were fascinated with the tiny crabs that lived along the shore. There were 1000s of them, and as we approached they would all scuttle away en mass like a flock of birds in the sky. If we got too close for comfort they would quickly bury themselves in the sand. With in seconds 1000s of crabs just seemed to disappear. They left the coolest evidence of their existence however...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWHEMeGMDgEAbK5-uZPNmySk6K-f9x-WIA8WnIqdzqWMqNMys1temE8v44I5dI46QcHRTjLNT4rn6pGbqY1TuWF-r5IJdkGYufKOHel93jDrmzRfVH-qedQQwZnegmycWkb91n2R0n3o/s1600/sand+crabs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWHEMeGMDgEAbK5-uZPNmySk6K-f9x-WIA8WnIqdzqWMqNMys1temE8v44I5dI46QcHRTjLNT4rn6pGbqY1TuWF-r5IJdkGYufKOHel93jDrmzRfVH-qedQQwZnegmycWkb91n2R0n3o/s320/sand+crabs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiny sand crabs on Fraser Island shores</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLEhK6ZHc2mqjT4A1aXtUsiD31CiR6U3tHQn04b1WiaPwalKCQLIVIS4pddAMpDEUrn9WN6yaviJT4Xq5AV1_2-VhLmgmbmpRlaYyjBgXNpYdNzT4BYd8KNSd6d9sxWgWpmLxjQpk9H4k/s1600/Hundreds+of+sand+crabs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLEhK6ZHc2mqjT4A1aXtUsiD31CiR6U3tHQn04b1WiaPwalKCQLIVIS4pddAMpDEUrn9WN6yaviJT4Xq5AV1_2-VhLmgmbmpRlaYyjBgXNpYdNzT4BYd8KNSd6d9sxWgWpmLxjQpk9H4k/s320/Hundreds+of+sand+crabs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dark line is 1000s of tiny sand crabs running away</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
In places where the shore was not too wet we could see the wee sand balls that the crabs left behind as they burrowed into the sand. I thought they made beautiful art. This photo shows just one crabs work, try to imagine a shore line full of 100s of them.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-mUPkfCeiiDxzu6FJlMTtXjcn4WAGB_QMJDNqElHFSfIvp1gTD0QrPzTtOCaH5v0hyphenhyphenYf4GJq73RtCv6S7cyiYomE3xLF2iapXMPT5aIb4Z5tuEt_E_gTVAZNvvIHuYY0-wwQEC1oPoQ/s1600/sand+crab+artwork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-mUPkfCeiiDxzu6FJlMTtXjcn4WAGB_QMJDNqElHFSfIvp1gTD0QrPzTtOCaH5v0hyphenhyphenYf4GJq73RtCv6S7cyiYomE3xLF2iapXMPT5aIb4Z5tuEt_E_gTVAZNvvIHuYY0-wwQEC1oPoQ/s320/sand+crab+artwork.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crab sand art</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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By 6pm it was time to head back to the mainland, Hervey Bay for the night. The ferry ride to the mainland is about an hour. We drank some wine (from the bottle - no cups available) and had our picnic dinner while the sunset.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93MdaeXnHLH8_jOk9f8MwpBFTiTQCZpIeecMjo0KMksCy84ul6MppokRZV-Uh40DNJhCiJarQbnUVPl8tR5iJjGtWakJ1EbMQtYXRsu2lYdcIO-kkxoBQfYjvdQOKEmtM2Ch2-AzgF5A/s1600/suset+leaving+Fraser+Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93MdaeXnHLH8_jOk9f8MwpBFTiTQCZpIeecMjo0KMksCy84ul6MppokRZV-Uh40DNJhCiJarQbnUVPl8tR5iJjGtWakJ1EbMQtYXRsu2lYdcIO-kkxoBQfYjvdQOKEmtM2Ch2-AzgF5A/s320/suset+leaving+Fraser+Island.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset over Fraser Island, Australia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Penni-Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820617437770240047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579453281805932960.post-45993714023053755512011-09-26T16:13:00.000-07:002011-09-26T16:13:14.748-07:00Dolphins, Tires, and Whales<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My last blog left off with us finding Rossmount B&B in
the pitch dark.<span> </span>By day light we could
see it was a lovely (albeit remote) spot.<span>
</span>Breakfast was served out of doors in a two walled, ceiling-ed room.<span> </span>It was very pretty but cold!!<span> </span>It was also 6:30 am and the sun was not
terribly strong yet.<span> </span></div>
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We wanted to get such an early start because down the road
45 min. at the coast was wild dolphin feeding.<span>
</span>Apparently a number of years ago a dolphin was rescued<span> </span>from a fishing net by a few volunteers.<span> </span>After being rescued, the dolphin continued to
come back to Tin Can Bay and the volunteers would feed her.<span> </span>This connection turned into a long lasting
routine and she eventually brought her mate with her and after some time, their
son.<span> </span><span> </span>Now a days it has become a more organized
experience.<span> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-DEXYfXSwevaf4f3n4u9VmDvfWI_yf4bQCONzOPVqp7OjVKV6uLeFSxb5Xzh8Tb8l0lReQzwyqaZav2ENyBkxyFWMBbzI1S8siImv0Qmm3WJh6BImCrs_ZFjLvHwSueo_C4VfNkaUTU/s1600/wild+dolphins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-DEXYfXSwevaf4f3n4u9VmDvfWI_yf4bQCONzOPVqp7OjVKV6uLeFSxb5Xzh8Tb8l0lReQzwyqaZav2ENyBkxyFWMBbzI1S8siImv0Qmm3WJh6BImCrs_ZFjLvHwSueo_C4VfNkaUTU/s320/wild+dolphins.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volunteers with wild dolphins waiting for breakfast</td></tr>
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<span> </span></div>
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<span> </span>For $5 you can buy a pail
with a few fish in it, and cue up by the water.<span>
</span>The dolphins are wild, so the organizing volunteers are careful to make
sure that only about an eighth of their daily food requirement is given to them
each morning.<span> </span></div>
<br />
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<span> </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Penni-Sue feeds a dolphin</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serenna feeding a dolphin</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zac feeding a wild dolphin</td></tr>
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<span> The volunteers are always the last ones to feed the dolphins so they know when breakfast is over. Then the dolphins swim away until the next morning....</span></div>
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It was time to drive to Hervey Bay for some whale
watching.<span> </span><span> </span>We knew we needed to be there by noon to
arrange our afternoon trip.<span> </span>What should
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No phone reception, no towns for at least 30 km, nothing but
forest and one lonely long road.<span> </span>Really,
it felt like the drive between North Bay and New Liskeard only with much less
traffic (only saw a handful of other vehicles) and no impressive Canadian Shield
. <span> </span>Fortunately we had a spare tire and a
handy daddy to get the job done!<span> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRBQETK6kTPucDD13k5U71j-HBqaIEgaGnC7cCgngJ1cW8-qFGh0Bs8grEazgHvKGoIitjVQwkysoAd7QYpMwvoCGQBzfhLZsZvX_S7pCn19QiOnUUqk8rpNPhilunIs4ooIAK9B4g2A/s1600/stranded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRBQETK6kTPucDD13k5U71j-HBqaIEgaGnC7cCgngJ1cW8-qFGh0Bs8grEazgHvKGoIitjVQwkysoAd7QYpMwvoCGQBzfhLZsZvX_S7pCn19QiOnUUqk8rpNPhilunIs4ooIAK9B4g2A/s320/stranded.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Temporarily stranded by the roadside</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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At the next town we called the car rental company and were
informed that we were responsible for replacing the tire.<span> </span>Nice!<span>
</span>So, not wanting to risk driving any further without a spare (cell phone
reception across Australia is very patching – Big country, little population)
we had to find a garage and wait for a new tire to be put on the rim.<span> </span>It was a very good thing that we started the
day at 5:30am as<span> </span>we actually made it to
Hervey Bay in time to go Whale watching. </div>
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<span> </span>If I could give each of
you a gift of a day out, it would be to Hervey Bay in Sept. to see the whales
here.<span> </span>It was amazing.<span> </span>I truly wish I could fill the boat with
family and friends just so<span> </span>you could see
first hand how BIG, playful, curious, and awe inspiring the whales were.<span> </span>Sadly my pictures do not do it justice but I
hope I can convey a small sense of how amazing these whales were.<span> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJNU-IRQxfKcNJIa_ffYUvmKlA-uL5z0tc9W3Wa9WCbTVq9EJOPk4c74qMZQm8X546M-nlKaQkXj9BiYfCr3ArCzdCDLK7ChpO54Hy-QuFqkf_rUjFAgM6vRG76_IgFUVue-3a9U5l20/s1600/humpback+whale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJNU-IRQxfKcNJIa_ffYUvmKlA-uL5z0tc9W3Wa9WCbTVq9EJOPk4c74qMZQm8X546M-nlKaQkXj9BiYfCr3ArCzdCDLK7ChpO54Hy-QuFqkf_rUjFAgM6vRG76_IgFUVue-3a9U5l20/s320/humpback+whale.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is only the back half of the whale</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72rOfBztZdbn75BS81FOffEAv5gs8TYARaKVsJhcDZPujirfF7RnyGGh5yOItrJghY7zK1i5Iavt-O8VMK5nh-esugfMoHNb3xKgNXDPON_-b5WhFo7KfkHjgAQ99PN7bLs8O1KidJV4/s1600/spy+hop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72rOfBztZdbn75BS81FOffEAv5gs8TYARaKVsJhcDZPujirfF7RnyGGh5yOItrJghY7zK1i5Iavt-O8VMK5nh-esugfMoHNb3xKgNXDPON_-b5WhFo7KfkHjgAQ99PN7bLs8O1KidJV4/s320/spy+hop.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Spy Hop": taking a look above the surface</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKaz2_dmJGqGMYXmluC9UoENC7O5otpI2pOeQKS3HLTj1modT77kkg6l7jga1woXQOEwSagkFCm8IU50NdeEWLuLDeBmChudPLX2tWEFlic083XUkvzB3RQug0DxrUXyE-NxbGCRu-Scs/s1600/three+whales.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKaz2_dmJGqGMYXmluC9UoENC7O5otpI2pOeQKS3HLTj1modT77kkg6l7jga1woXQOEwSagkFCm8IU50NdeEWLuLDeBmChudPLX2tWEFlic083XUkvzB3RQug0DxrUXyE-NxbGCRu-Scs/s320/three+whales.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three whales, one is a calf approx. 6 months</td></tr>
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These are Humpback Whales and every year on their migration from the Antarctic to the warmer water of the tropics,
between Aug. <span>a</span>nd Oct., they come
into Hervey Bay where there is a huge body of water between the mainland and
the world’s largest sand Island (Fraser Island).<span> </span>Here the humpbacks rest up and play and feed
for a few weeks, giving their calves time to strengthen up before continuing
their migration.<span> </span>Apparently it is a hot
spot for whale research and scientist are able to identify individual whales and their whale songs
and track their migrations.<span></span> Our boat Captain
lowered a microphone into the water and we could hear the whales singing – very
cool.<span> </span></div>
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We learned that they have some behaviour patterns to watch
for.<span> </span>This post shows each of them.</div>
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<br /></div>
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When we first spotted the whales it was from a distance but
it was still very exciting.<span> </span>There are
rules that boats cannot drive right up to the whales and bother them.<span> </span>So each time a new pod of whales was spotted
the Captain would get with in the allowed limit and then we would wait and see
if the whales were interested in us.<span> </span>If so,
they would swim over to the boat and check us out!<span> </span>Our guide assured us that the whales were
very curious and they would stick around longer if we waved and talked to
them.<span> </span>We had some VERY close
encounters.<span> </span><span> </span>A whale came so close to the water level viewing
platform that Jason could have touched it.<span>
</span>Their skin has all sorts of muscles and sea crustaceans attached to them.<span> </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Humpback whale about to swim under boat</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whale tale (notice Zac front and center)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whale blowing bubbles beside the boat</td></tr>
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We had about 3 hours with the whales (- imagine the number
of photos our 3 cameras took!) and about an hour of travel time each way. <span> </span>Near the end of our afternoon we came upon
yet another pod of three whales that were pec. slapping and breeching.<span> </span>Just when we thought the day could not get
any better, they swam closer to us and pec. slapped at the side of the boat.<span> </span>We could feel the mist when the blew out
their blow holes.<span> </span>We learned that
Humpback whales have two blow holes and they have a baleen instead of
teeth.<span> </span>They feed on krill, not fish (or people), making Humpbacks the gentle giants of the ocean.<span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Humpback Whale breeching</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Humpback Whale Pec. Slapping</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Pec. Slapping beside the boat</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 whales, including mother and calf</td></tr>
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We headed back to shore as the sun was setting and as one
last treat a lone dolphin decided to swim along side the boat for few
minutes!<span> </span>Awesome experience.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qtAw4PWtNBbPzIPrDYwVlWI4HVJz5SnqvbsaI7LOBJL1-6OfAGPsluEvlGmypi2el7QXlgygDPlEKY87UQ6z-CGncHOIcHeSk5QzIWrNiuDtn1Flb0hyyssPqfSh8eZQVnD6dycKYto/s1600/dolphin+racing+the+boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qtAw4PWtNBbPzIPrDYwVlWI4HVJz5SnqvbsaI7LOBJL1-6OfAGPsluEvlGmypi2el7QXlgygDPlEKY87UQ6z-CGncHOIcHeSk5QzIWrNiuDtn1Flb0hyyssPqfSh8eZQVnD6dycKYto/s320/dolphin+racing+the+boat.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dolphin racing with our boat</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A memorable day!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One last 'spy hop' because they are so cool!!</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Penni-Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820617437770240047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579453281805932960.post-67107867528881872332011-09-21T19:25:00.000-07:002011-09-21T19:25:55.103-07:00Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6IFAbeu0qcDIsR0sggpfLyWo46vLPCawUnjJ0r36_98Ju1TdMqRDCcUCD150eyM-3Y9WnW2mENpF9Qxk2or20TBRF_4yAKkTmyUEw_7-5TWmXO-P9gUkBLr3F30a9U0y8rFKmknNy4ck/s1600/kangaroo+close+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSi5t_U1yAwjsJ_OtD90Q7y4lrvYPXOiLse0PR_AR00wbDt7rnN-tuYR7oo43Nn3dTPzeK4-YcSIgeBz5ytTRoDqram1zsRSosSUFd7z3Ngk79uBr8Y3faIb_dUwpWGs6lYLY-6KUHno/s1600/Zac+and+Serenna+on+Croc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSi5t_U1yAwjsJ_OtD90Q7y4lrvYPXOiLse0PR_AR00wbDt7rnN-tuYR7oo43Nn3dTPzeK4-YcSIgeBz5ytTRoDqram1zsRSosSUFd7z3Ngk79uBr8Y3faIb_dUwpWGs6lYLY-6KUHno/s320/Zac+and+Serenna+on+Croc.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serenna and Zac on life size model of one big croc.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7EwOcRChrVwAjeDNkqOozymQSYm_ZaX0_piZgdklRmRhyphenhyphenqYd-ppwzhIJ4Xr0VIAINQpm49_0rltMOgV4MPtCFO63Q7PLUMA0aqia98LGHuPdxQcB4wy09mSqKsOhyphenhyphenqon0dRvHuH1kBvk/s1600/P-S+and+the+kangaroo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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Day One of our Road Trip up the East coast of Australia began with a day spent at the Zoo.<br />
The late Steve Irwin, 'the crocodile hunter', is an Australian treasure. He has made loads of TV shows wrestling crocodiles and snakes and getting way too up close and personal with dangerous wild animals. They really LOVE this guy and after spending a day at the zoo that he and his family have created I can see why. The Australian Zoo rocks!<br />
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The animals are well kept, the staff are amazing and knowledgeable and really send out a message of wildlife preservation at all of their featured talks and shows. And we got up close and personal with Kangaroos, Koalas,and elephants. Here are just a few of the hundreds of pictures we have ( now that both kids have cameras, there are truly hundreds of pics. to sift through - especially when it comes to animals!)<br />
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We were thrilled to be able to feed, touch, pet and hang out with a few dozen kangaroos and wallabies. The were pretty relaxed and didn't mind being hand fed.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hanging out with my new aussie mate</td></tr>
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Speaking of being handfed. We also got to feed three Elephants their morning snack of fruit and veg, We enjoyed that so much we went back and fed them their afternoon snack too!<br />
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At the Crocoseum, we saw a crocodile trainer, with two weeks experience, almost lose an arm to a crocodile. He was feeding a crocodile a dead chicken and dropped it before the croc. got it. Without thinking the trainer quickly reached out to pick it up just as the crocodile was lunging for it. CRIKEY! It was tense for a moment. Fortunately the trainer got to the meat first and then quickly tossed it to the hungry crocodile.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYK-85-IusczBUJfdk0sqOJFrd78DPJDynJ_ksFa_AnzkFoHcala6kE5D_8x3z6IMSqNVTI_yF1XSM2RxBeYkQXI76kNq5Qj06EsI8uJSy21PxMzjpJFB7HkaMbjzXQpSqXwZZjAX69YA/s1600/crocodile+close+call.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYK-85-IusczBUJfdk0sqOJFrd78DPJDynJ_ksFa_AnzkFoHcala6kE5D_8x3z6IMSqNVTI_yF1XSM2RxBeYkQXI76kNq5Qj06EsI8uJSy21PxMzjpJFB7HkaMbjzXQpSqXwZZjAX69YA/s320/crocodile+close+call.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">that is real fear you smell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwKMA3sqdRZU6C7uURUbUtTCl0ehdOVJqm8UiIQEDpQgxqy9fTsEu3GAmncEAcK4scZYZ0h0x-Wwh_7fZ6uhnUxYG80X0D_IX-i4-SH3d0eaZXuzu1LFBi3_5vfFjvENy28Cm96OvKJg/s1600/lizards+on+croc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwKMA3sqdRZU6C7uURUbUtTCl0ehdOVJqm8UiIQEDpQgxqy9fTsEu3GAmncEAcK4scZYZ0h0x-Wwh_7fZ6uhnUxYG80X0D_IX-i4-SH3d0eaZXuzu1LFBi3_5vfFjvENy28Cm96OvKJg/s320/lizards+on+croc.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I loved these little lizards resting on the crocs. tail.</td></tr>
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Jason was even part of the 'Birds of Prey' show! The trainer chose him as a volunteer. He asked him to take out a $5 bill and roll it up and place it between his fingers. Then this huge bird swooped over and landed on Jason's arm and took the $5 in it's beak and then flew back to his trainer with the money,<br />
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The crowd all had a good laugh at this pick pocket scheme. Then the trainer had the bird return the money! It was very cool. Jas was even on the huge screen for all to see.<br />
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We all loved spending time with the koalas. They are just so cute! We were allowed to pet them on the bottom, where they do not mind being touched. We learned a lot about the Koalas from their caretakers. They eat only eucalyptus leaves which to other animals would be poisonous, but the koalas are able to digest them. Since this is their only food intake they eat for many hours a day. Eucalyptus does not provide a lot of calories so they move slowly and nap often preserving their energy. They are covered in lovely dense fur despite the warm Australian climate because they have next to no body fat to keep them warm. The fur also protects their skin from the sun. <br />
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Koalas are marsupials, meaning the baby spends many months in the mother's pouch growing before it emerges from the pouch. When a baby koala is born it is about the size of a jellybean! It then has to make the long journey up the mother's tummy (guided by a scent trail she licks onto her fur) and crawl into the pouch, where it latches on for dear life!<br />
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After about six months of being milk fed, they crawl out of the pouch and start learning to climb. The tender digestion of the baby is not able to handle the eucalyptus leaves so the mommy feeds the baby a special kind of poop she makes, that gently introduces the baby to eucalyptus. I am not kidding...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sleepy joey</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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On a sad note, there is an animal hospital located next to the zoo where they take in sick zoo animals and injured wild animals that people find. Some are injured by run ins with cars (many kangaroos) and some (many koalas) are injured by pet dogs that attack these nearly defenseless animals. The staff at the animal hospital were also amazing, telling us the background stories of some of their injured koalas. Every animal is named. At the time of our visit they had about 30 koalas recuperating. The surgery was all open and we could see the animals being treated through a huge glass wall. When one unconscious koala was done being treated, the vet brought it over to for us to have a look at.<br />
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Zac studied Australia when he was 5 yrs. old in Montessori. For 2 years he has been singing the "Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree, Merry merry king of the bush is he......" Now we have all met a real live Kookaburra. Here he/she is...<br />
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Another thing I really liked about this zoo is the signage. The write ups about each animal were entertaining and personal. Each alligator had a name and a message about his/her personality. For example Daisy apparently had beautiful Betty Davis eyes, and Alison was a real grump in the morning. Here is what Steve Irwin had to say about the python.<br />
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Here is one last picture of the red panda that Serenna wanted to bring home with her.<br />
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After the zoo we drove to the Rossmount B&B about 2 hours away. The sun sets here by 6 pm so much of the drive was in the dark. When making the booking this B&B didn't look very far from the town of Gympie, but it turns out it was in the middle of no where! We were following our GPS down crazy paths (cannot call it a road) in the pitch dark over stream bridges that did not look like they could support the weight of a car. Since we could not physically turn around, we had no choice but to continue on. Fortunately we ended up at the right spot. The stars were amazing (recognized nothing however) as no light pollution interfered with our view. The next morning we could see how beautiful the countryside was but that night we were really wondering where the hell we were going to end up.<br />
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More amazing animal encounters next blog.....<br />
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Penni-Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820617437770240047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579453281805932960.post-15347421504258635672011-09-21T06:42:00.000-07:002011-09-21T06:42:17.279-07:00A Walk Around Brisbane Brisbane is the capital city of Queensland, the state we live in. The population is about 2 million. Brisbane actually has a Scottish connection as it is named after a Scotsman Sir Thomas Brisbane in 1821 he was a Governor here. Like Canada, Australia is a relatively new country so it feels very similar to home in so many ways. There is the feeling of lots of space with highways, modern buildings, and one or two story detached homes is the norm. One of the obvious differences however is that they drive on the left, just like in Britain. We have been there and done that so we didn't imagine we wouldt have too much trouble over on the wrong side of the road. But one difference that has given us the giggles is that the windshield wipers' switch is located where us Canadians would normally find the turning signal switch. The result is that every time we go to switch lanes, or turn the corner, the windshield wipers start going! But I am getting ahead of myself- more about our road trip in the next blog. For now lets just have a look at Brisbane.<br />
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Brisbane is called the 'river city' as there is a large river of the same name that twists through the city. This means transportation by boat is the best way to get around. They have river buses - which are actually these super cool boats that stop at various terminals all along both sides of the river. It is so much fun to ride the City Cat.<br />
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Every Sat. and Sun. there are various markets around the city to buy fruit. veg. baked goods and trinkets. The kids have got there next few allowances planned already. There are also lots of gardens, play parks and little ponds through out the city. We met a few interesting creatures on our walks. Zac is counting and trying to photograph every new bird species he find. He thinks he has seen about 23 new types of birds. <br />
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This lovely lady is an Ibis. They are pretty much the pigeons of Australia as far as I can tell. They seem to be walking around everywhere looking for some food. They are not very timid, but seem harmless. Its the magpies we need to watch out for just now!<span id="goog_418136372"></span><span id="goog_418136373"></span><br />
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Some of the trees are unbelievable. The roots can grow down from the branches! They are super fun to climb. We are also always on the look out for lizards, water dragons and snakes. So far no snakes or other deadly things, thankfully. But is it quite common to spot a few lizards.<br />
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Lots more pics. and adventures to tell about soon. Just now the internet in our flat is rather dismal so getting anything done online is challenging. That should improve by next week, in the mean time, I'll keep trying to stay connected and I do mean that literally and figuratively. <br />
<br />Penni-Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820617437770240047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579453281805932960.post-56068888209372470022011-09-12T13:53:00.000-07:002011-09-12T13:53:06.334-07:00Early days in Brisbane<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We have successfully arrived in Brisbane. All children, suitcases and sanity intact. The flights were actually fine: 5 hours to L.A., a three hour stop over, and then 15 hours to Brisbane. Serenna was able to sleep for 7 hours of the second flight and Zac for 5 hours. Us parents not so much but Jas got some work done and I watched 5 movies! Besides feeling like a sardine (gotta love the middle seats), it was good. Zac even had a visit to the cockpit to chat with the pilots and try on a hat!<br />
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Our "two bedroom" hotel apartment that we had arranged from Canada turned out to be a one bedroom/"two room" very small accommodation (as I suspected) despite their assurances that it was a two bedroom. Jas and I have been sleeping inthe kitchen/dining room/livingroom area and the kids have the beddroom/bathroom/laundry cuboard. No dresser or shelf to unpack into. Generally we are climbing over each other and suitcases. At first I though we can make this work.... it will be good for us to be less pampered and priveleged. Well, that commitment lasted about 3 days. We have found a new flat to move into on Sunday. It is in a 12 story building, also just a one bedroom (for the bargin price of 700/week, yes that is per week!!) but it is bright and beautiful and on the river with amazing views. Soon the pool will be opened and there is also a communal BBq area and a bit of outdoor space to play in. It is actually only 25 dollars more a week than what we are paying here, so we felt is was well worth it.<br />
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I have so much more to share but I have to go as we are headed out on a 5 day road trip in search of kangaroos, koalas, crocodiles and whales! <br />
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Penni-Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820617437770240047noreply@blogger.com2