Dec 2007

This will be a short entry with some random photos.

First, the hoola-hooping woman. She stood at the corner of Bourke and Swanston doing this all day, every day, for about a week or two. It was strange.

Also at that corner are three dashing businessmen. I'd been wanting to introduce myself all year long. In November, I finally worked up the courage to say hello.

Then, 6 November, Melbourne Cup Day, was also Zombie Day. When all the zombies meet in Carlton Gardens at high noon. Since I wasn't going to Melbourne Cup Day, I decided to check them out, though I stayed at a safe distance.

Later on, I was riding the tram home, looking out the window. Suddenly, out of nowhere, zombies were running at us, banging on the windows and saying something about brains. It was entertaining. So much so, that I got a t-shirt.

Photo credit for that last one goes to Chad. He's four.

Monday afternoon we were set to fly back to Melbourne, but before we left, we stopped at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary to play with Aussie animals!

First I visited some koalas.

Then some cool bird that likes to stand on one foot.

Next, I made friends with the local statues.

Then I went to play with kangaroos, wallabies, and emus.

I can't really tell the difference between smaller/baby kangaroos and wallabies. But maybe this is a wallaby, only because it's pregnant! Look at the pouch! It's harder to tell in this pic, but there were babies squirming in there. It was too cool.

I think a wallaby, looking up to say hello

Petting a wallaby

Hanging with the emus

They better be careful that kangaroo doesn't steal their baby

Next we went to visit the crocs. Here are some freshwater ones hiding beneath the muddy waters.

Then we went to visit the salt water ones - the really scary one. I was making friends with a salt water croc up above, by the way. But yeah. I don't think this picture does him justice. He was HUGE.

Here's a cute lizard or reptile of some sort who was scurrying around.

Next I found even more koalas! Here's one sleeping in a tree....with a baby!!

And here's another one, who woke up just for me. He was the only one.

Then I had a bit of a run in with an Aussie python, but don't worry, I was okay.

Last were the dingoes...but they were hiding and I couldn't get a very good picture. So I also took a picture of a nearby sign, because I found it quite interesting.

Finally, we shall end Queensland with a picture of a jacaranda tree. They were all over Queensland and I loved there. They dropped a carpet of purple petals everywhere. It was beautiful.

Sunday morning started with a trip to the Q1, the tallest all-residential tower in the world. The top floor is the observation deck: floor 77. And the elevator goes from the ground floor to 77 in just 43 seconds. That was a fun ride

Once up top I took a ton of pictures. The view was spectacular! Have a looksy for yourself.

Then there were a serious of spots that showed how many kms in that direction it was to various world locations:

Finally, there was a bug outside the window. I tried to make Bugzilla attack the city! It sort of worked.

Next we hit the main Surfer's Paradise Blvd. Here are some self-explanatory pictures.

After Surfer's, Pippi and I went shopping at Pacific Fair, which is one of her top favorite shopping centres. I thought the place we had lunch was cool, so pictures were taken. Plus, they had a really small merry-go-round.

And that was the end of that day! I hope you enjoyed that super long entry. Only one QLD entry remains! Stay tuned.

The next morning, we went to a local Gold Coast Beach: Broadbeach! Aptly named. Look at this beach. Quite broad.

I played in the surf. Here are some pictures where you can see my head and, occasionally, even more:

When I got out to have a rest, I noticed the kids next to me where building sandcastles, so I decided to get in on the action.

Yes, I know, you're probably wondering what on earth that's supposed to be. Well, I'll have you know, it's a sand pyramid. With my initials. But seriously I don't know why I even tried. Look what the kids next to me had.


After that we left the beach and went to the supermarket. The date was...October 29th. I noticed their Halloween Pumpkin section and had to laugh (and photograph).

And that's all I have photos of from Saturday, so I'm going to end it here, even though it's a short entry. Sunday's entry should be long, so.

Well, it's about time I finished off with posting the rest of my Australian adventures, starting with the must anticipated Queensland trip! Get excited, everyone.

Well, I went with my Aunt Pippi and we stayed with some friends of hers. On the way to their house from the airport, I took a picture of the car in front of ours, because I liked the plate:

That night...I think we had pizza or something. The next morning, we got up and drove an hour and a half south, back into NSW, to visit Byron Bay and the Easternmost point of Australia!

We first drove up to the Byron Bay Lighthouse. Here is it is:

Then I took some pictures of the Bay itself:

Next I began my trek to the Easternmost point. I ventured alone, as Pippi didn't fancy the walk. Here I am at the start.

Finally I reached it...so I thought...oh, but I was wrong. This was only a sign pointing out to where it was.

There was a still further trek to actually get there. It was actually all the way down there.

But still I ventured on. This really turned into quite the trek. I keep using the word trek. But it was, I think, about a 2.5km walk round trip. Up and down extremely steep stairs.

Along the way, I happened to notice a sign.

I was so excited, I hadn't realised that I was in what would be considered rainforest!!!!! So I immediately looked up and took a picture of the rainforest above me.

And then of the ocean through the rainforest.

Almost to the tip! But first, ooh, an inviting side path leading down to the beach. I had to check it out.

Here are some more pictures, including one with me, taken by a nice stranger.

Next I continued on towards the tip. Here it is, the picture taken from as close as you can get, without climbing over the fence.

It was really rocky and wavy down there. Not the guy fishing in the second picture. I've no idea how he got down there, but he was cool.

Next I walked back up all the stairs and almost died, but luckily didn't. Then Pippi and I got fish and chips and ate it on the beach. Finally, I went for a lovely swim in the bay and enjoying playing in the surf. Jumping over the waves - or under them if they were too big for me. Pippi took lots of pictures of this, I think, but I don't have any of them, so you can't see them.

Later that night, we went to the Australian Outback Spectacular, which is sort of like...dinner, plus rodeo, plus musical? It's basically a show in an arena, with lots of cool outbacky things, and you eat dinner while you watch. Well, here's a picture of people milling around before it started.

Before it started, I went to the bathroom, and I must say, I loved their toilets. I took a picture, because it was the best example I'd ever seen of this cool little feature which American toilets sorely lack.

They didn't let you take pictures during the show unfortunately. But, here is a picture of me afterwards. Yes, I know, what an awesome hat. We all got one. Good times.

And...thus shall end part 1.