AUSTRALIA DAY ~ Jan 26, 2013

The national day of Australia, commemorating the arrival of the first British fleet in Sydney Cove, NSW in 1788.

Brisbane did the usual large number of family activities in South Bank ~ face painting, petting zoo, fireworks, live music and entertainment in the Piazza. Unfortunately it also coincided with the #BIG WET and was a slightly subdued and rain soaked affair. However, we were very lucky compared to some areas up the coast like Bundaberg and Rockhampton.

Here is the site for QLD gov relief if you are so inclined.

Copper Python off our balcony ~ getting out of the rain and flooding

Sydney NSW

SYDNEY NSW for the week before Christmas 2013

We were able to see some of this pretty neat city - Bondi Beach above, the Opera House, the Rocks, Kings Cross, Oxford Street, Botanical Gardens, NSW Art Gallery, Australia Museum, way too much time on Pitt Street (Ella knows of all the lollie shops).

However, it was good to get back to the tropics of Brisbane for Xmas under the "hot Australian sun."

 Ella at KinderBallet Graduation

 

 This was pretty enjoyable. Wonderful old church in Paddignton and a pretty much full house of parents and their technology filming the graduate day ceremonies. All the girls - no males for some reason (possibly as they were playing footie) did really well and it is fascinating to watch these folks learn to move and control their bodies as well as feel comfortable and confident to perform in front of a large group. I saw this as well at her school for the Seasonal celebrations.

Not sure what is next on the agenda for Ella and her experiences with Michelle in Australia but will try to keep you posted and up to date. We are off to Sydney next week so might try to get some shots up here of Australia in the near future.

 TREE

This is the second largest solar powered (at least the lights are solar powred) Xmas tree in the world (largest in Australia). I would bet the largest is in Dubai or China but then again it might be more a nation that contains a majority of Christians?

Anyway. After we saw the one in King George Square on Friday Ell and I decided to put up our own. It is not quite so large; however, should be ok. I will post some photos when we get it up and decorated.

Spring in the City

 Went to the GOMA (Gallery of Modern Art) this weekend - pretty amazing what Brisbane has in terms of culture and environment. They (important people in positions of power) make the South side of the River in the downtown core really pedestrian and family friendly.

 
We do not get to see or run around in much grass here - different from back home so this proved a pretty enjoyable experience for all.

We should replicate this space back home. Not this silly blog but the physical built environment.

A Few Pictures of Recent

I should probably do a course in both how to taker good photos as well as to encourage me to actually take a few photos. Here are a few of the Pool in Cairns, Koala holding, the summers rains in BrisVegas as well as the Jacaranda trees - a pretty vibrant bloom this year (or so I have been told).

Byron Bay NSW

Google Map to Byron Bay

We took a road - actually interstate - trip this past week to Byron Bay. It is the most easterly location in Australia and only 2 hrs drive or less south from Brisbane. It was great. Wonderful Beach community - lots of combi's - good places to explore, nice food, friendly people and relaxation and respite (not that we need it too much as we do live in Queensland).

Ella and Michelle had a good time - they ate lots of ice-cream (and coconuts).