Australia

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.

Well, before we get to the much anticipated Queensland holiday entries, I have one last randomish one. One day, some time ago, I don't really remember, I went on a trek and visited some somewhat famous Melbourne landmarks. Basically, some random pictures. Enjoy.

I like signs like this.

A lovely piece of art. With me underneath it.

Next I went to the MCG. I don't have a picture of it because I was too close to get much of it in my camera. It's too big. So here's someone else's picture of it. It's a lot better than mine would have been.

While there, I made friends with some former footy stars.

Next to the MCG is a bridge. Here I am on it.

Under the bridge go lots and lots and lots of trains. Here is one.

A bit outside the stadium, I ran into some blokes playing footy. They invited me to join their game. I said, "Sure!" I tried to tackle them, but they were a bit too tall.

Next I went to one of the stadiums where they trained for the Olympics when they were here in 1956. They actually held them across the road at the MCG.

Poor bus stop sign.

Next we came to Batman Ave, which I think has a cool name. I wanted a picture with the street sign, but I couldn't find one. This is the best I could do.

Finally, the Yarra River. Including cool boat people.

My final comment is that I have such long hair in all of these photos. For those not in the know, my hair now looks like this:

Hope you enjoyed. Shall be back with QLD entires (also featuring my former hair) sometime soonish! Unless I decide to study for my Health and PE exam.

Saturday October 13th was the CFA Annual Banquet, celebrating the fire brigade and how much they rock. I will now precede to tell you all about it.

Well, when I got there, I sat at our table next to my Aunt Susan. Here we are.

I was also sitting next to James.

Also at our table were Stacey, James' friend Orson, and Mark and Nicki, though they were running late and had not yet arrived.

Stacey, as it turns out, had organised the event, so they gave her lots of flowers.

James hosted the night. Here he is, hosting.

When I got there, I found out that they were having a raffle! Raffles are fun. Tickets were 3 for a dollar, but as I had only a 20 and didn't really want to buy 60 tickets, I went to the bar to break it. I returned with a raspberry vodka and 3 fives. I bought 15 tickets and sat down with my drink. And just in time! Because then we all stood up and toasted the Queen, which I thought was pretty fun. Here she is.

I didn't win any prizes after the first round of raffle giveaways, so I bought 15 more tickets. Then we had dinner. I had lamb. It was good. And then they called out more raffle winners and...Kate won! Woo-hoo! Here is my new plant and candle set.

Then James got up to resume hosting duties. He announced that his cousin had come all the way from America to the banquet and that I had made a special request. Apparently, I wanted more than anything to have my picture taken with a bunch of men in uniform. This was, of course, a fabrication on James' part, but the men in their fire uniforms all stood up and we were photographed. We're facing the official photographer, so this picture is just from the side, but hopefully I'll get a copy of the other photo sometime.

After we sat down, some guy wanted to talk to me because I was American. He was kinda annoying, so hopefully he won't read this. But he kept mocking my accent, and not in a good-natured way either. Not really the way to endear a girl. But luckily he went away after a while and I resumed my meal.

Then it was dancing time. I was enjoying talking to Mark and Sue, but then annoying guy came and yanked me out of my chair and said I had to dance with him. I didn't particularly want to dance with him, so I stood next to him while he did some weird air guitar thing. And then he went away. So that was good. But then I decided that as I was up and on the dance floor, I would dance anyway. Various people hijacked my camera and photographed this. So here I am.

The Macarena

I think the next two are from the Nutbush. I don't look like I'm having much fun in the second (though I was), but James more than makes up for this with his enthusiasm.

Myself, Mark, and James on a dance break.

At some point during the night, Mark, Stacey, and Nicki photographed themselves with my camera. Here they are.

Finally, it was time to go home. Mark and Nicki didn't want (or weren't able) to drive, so they came in our car. Except they didn't fit, so we broke the law.

But after we dropped off my Aunt Susan, we all fit. So here are myself, Mark, and Stacey in the back.

Then we went back to James and Stacey's. At about 2am our time, Mark and James decided they had to know, right then, what baseball team my dad went for. And they wouldn't believe me when I said that he really didn't follow the sport. So they decided to call my family. So that was interesting. So, family, I hope this puts that interesting call into the context of the rest of our night.

After that, I went to bed. And that was the night.

About three weeks ago, I went to James and Stacey's for the CFA Family Fun Day. CFA being the Country Fire Authority, which they are both involved in.

So, the family got in the car and drove about an hour and a half to Rochwood Winery, where much fun was had.

There was food, games for kids, and, strangely enough, lots and lots of country music. Even a performer from Nashville!

When we got there, the security people took our umbrellas, saying they were not allowed. Apparently umbrellas are a danger at large gatherings? But they later gave them back, deciding it'd be safe after all.

This was a good thing, since it rained!

But then it stopped. Hooray!

Here is a picture of Myles chilling out on my lap.

At some point in the day, I noticed that there was a giant kangaroo and giant koala wandering around. I later learnt that they were Ranger Roo and Captain Koala. I was so excited!! I wanted to have my picture taken with them. But I couldn't get close enough to them. Too many kids!

So I convinced Amity that it was actually her who really wanted her picture with the giant animals. She asked if I would please take her to be photographed with Ranger Roo and Captain Koala, and I kindly obliged.

Off we went!

Ranger Roo!!

Captain Koala!!!

Also, at some point during the day, Amity had her first try at drinking out of a big girl cup (as opposed to bottle). But she couldn't get it to work and was sad. I think she can do it now though But anyway, I thought I ought to capture the occasion, so here it is!

And that was the family fun day! Yay!

It's time for a baby post. Prepare for cuteness.

Here is me burping Amity.

Here is Myles smiling and being cute.

Phillip holding Amity.

But then she got sad, so he gave her back.

On another occasion, the twins came to visit Pippi's house! Here they are asleep on her bed.

Then Myles woke up, so we had a bit of a photo shoot. First, I held him up next to Flopsy bunny, to show how they're about the same size.

Then we did the myspace picture.

And the emospace (thanks again, Jonathan, for teaching me these terms). Myles was really cooperative and knew just where to look.

Here are the babies playing together! Note how they can hold up their heads and everything. They'll be walking in no time.

Here's Myles playing with one of the giraffes that Pippi and I gave him and his sister before they were even born!

Finally, we'll end with an Amity photo-spam. This occurred when I was trying to get a picture of her smiling, but I kept just missing it. I finally got her smiling, but with my finger in her mouth, because she wanted something to suck on.