February 14, 2013, Ryland, Kentucky, U.S.A.

We couldn't have better hosts...we love you, Barb and Brad!

Coming home on a 747

This is our 2^nd day back in America and I wanted to write some of my special thoughts about Australia.

The thing that has always impressed me during the 4 times that we have traveled to Australia is that I feel so good about being in Australia because they really like Americans.  Australians care about America; they know tons of stuff about America and they want to talk about America. I feel a real kinship with the Australian people because they want to know as much about us as we want to know about them

Traveling to Australia gives you a whole new perspective about America.  We are comfortable with the way things are done in America but when you spend time in Australia you can see that there is another way to do things…and the other way works…it works for Australia.  I find myself constantly reflecting on the way Australians do things and pressing that up against how it is done in the US.

I like the fact that the people are so genuine and friendly. While in Australia, I walked with Barb every day and there would always be lots of Australians who were walking and they always seem to be smiling  and saying hello…sometimes even ”G-day…How you goin” which is a pretty typical way that Australians say hello.

We are still trying to catch our breath from all the activities we were involved in.  We found that there is an abundance of things to do in Australia whether you want to experience all kinds of outdoor adventures, enjoy a laidback beach culture or just sample some great food and wine.

We are already planning our return trip.  We may not be going for two months but one thing we can always be assured of, we will love Australia no matter what amount of time we get to spend there.

This is my final blog.  I hope you have enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing.  Mike Hall

February 11, 2013, Mt. Tamborine, QLD, Australia

Adult Candy Store

Tamborine Mountains

Bradley and the Fan Tail Pigeon

Have you ever been to a candy store for “adults only”?  We went, we saw, we tasted…and it was different.  It was in reality a distillery that makes liqueurs and schnapps that the locals call “adult candy”.  It had over 80 varieties of liqueurs set in a European Village setting.  (No!  We did not taste them all.)  It was located in a huge park called Mt. Tamborine.  The park had stunning views of the rain forest and coast plus tons of things to do, lots of eateries and a big artist colony.

February 12, 3013

Today is our last day in Australia.  Tomorrow we fly out of Brisbane to L.A. at 11:30 AM.  It will be February 13^th when we take off and when we arrive home after a 26 hour day, it will still be February 13^th as we lose a day when we cross the International Date Line.  When we get home, I am going to conclude “the blog” with some reflections on the great country and people of Australia.

February 10, 2013, Burleigh Heads, QLD, Australia

The crowd at Breaka Burleigh

Surfers Paradise in background

Good looking spectators.

Oops!

Today we saw the finals of the “Breaka Burleigh Pro Surfboard Championships”.  The sun was out and the crowds were there to watch some of the world’s best surfers.  It was a perfect stage to watch really good surf boarders.  This was an event for men and women.  I wore my surfer shirt, surfer trunks and my “Rip Curl” hat hoping that people would think that here is a guy that knows surfing.  In other words, I dressed the part but that is as far as it goes.

February 9, 2013, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

The Wheel

Brisbane River and the Treasury Building

South Bank Park

We were in Brisbane for the day to antique shop, sight-see  lunch and ride The Wheel.  The Wheel is a giant observation Ferris wheel that gives a 360 degree view of Brisbane.  It is located in a huge downtown city park.  There were lots of activities going on in the park including a market on weekends, swimming, sun bathing, music and plenty of eating choices.  The Wheel was fun.  It is 60 meters high.  We were told that the one in London is 120 meters high.  The ride was scary when we got to the top so I can imagine that the London Wheel would be twice the thrill.

February 8, 2013, Chevron Island, Gold Coast, Australia

"Afternoon Tea"

"High Tea" or "Low Tea"?

Last Saturday we signed up for “High Tea” at an upscale hotel on Chevron Island, Australia.  The picture shows that at 3 PM we started with “Bubbly”…finished with coffee and in-between we had finger sandwiches, scones and small cakes.  (They call it “Bubbly” in Australia because only the Champagne region in France that produces Champagne is allowed to use the term “Champagne”.)  When I looked up “High Tea” on the internet, I found out what we had was technically called “Low Tea” which is served in the early afternoon.  “High Tea” is actually served between 5 PM and 7 PM and includes meat and a dessert.  What we had is also called “Afternoon Tea”.  Whatever…It was a treat and it was all good.  What I learned is that “High Tea” is a term often used in countries outside of England to indicate a snack between 4 PM and 6 PM…which, of course, includes tea or coffee.

February 7, 2013, Currumbin Alley, QLD, Australia

"Surfer Dudes"...we are up

Barb, the "Surf Queen"

Mouth open technique

Everything starts early in the land “down under”.  Today I woke up at 5:30 AM and when I looked out the front window, 24 stand-up paddle boarders were coming back down the river on the return trip to their home base.  My daughter Barb and I walk at about 6:30 AM and always we will see “tons” of surf boarders at the beach before work or school.  After work, in the early afternoon, the beaches are crowded once again with surf boarders.  Yesterday, Barb and I joined the afternoon crowd for our 2^nd surf board lesson.  My instructor said that if I keep it up, “think how good you will be when you are 75”. At the time, I was sucking for air so hard I wondered if there will be a 75.

February 3, 2013, Springbrook Park, QLD, Australia

Rain forest

Natural Bridge

I've been told that 70% of the “Gold Coast” is park land.  We spent today in Springbrook Park, a World Heritage rain forest with spectacular waterfalls, mountain streams and breathtaking views.  World Heritage status is confirmed by the UN’s UNISCO organization for unique geology plus outstanding conservation practices.  Because of the excessive rainfall of the past week, we saw lots of water coming over the falls.  Deep in the valley there is a very unique rock bridge and a plunging waterfall that is famous and spectacular.  At night, the underside of the rock bridge is illuminated by thousands of glow-worms tiny green lights.  We did not wait around to see the green lights but we heard about the “light show”.  Bradley was particularly thrilled with today’s events as he got to stay home and he did not have to entertain his in-laws.

February 1, 2013, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Australia

Australia's largest flying bird: the eagle

Ann feeding the Lorikeets

Sheep Shearing

Mob of Kangaroos

We visited the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary located in the same town where Barb and Brad live.  It is a unique place; world renowned for its feeding of huge flocks of wild Rainbow Lorikeets.  Lots of great things to see: eagles and falcons flying; sheep shearing; mob of kangaroos at feeding time; feeding of the Lorikeets; and of course, Koala Bears.  Lots of kangaroos and one of the things we learned about them was startling.  Imagine being pregnant for the rest of your life!  Get this, once a female kangaroo mates, they are pregnant for the rest of their life.  They can give birth every 21 – 28 days.  It doesn't sound like much fun to me.