We Arrived

Finally, we are here despite a few delays and hiccups. Travelling from -25C to approximately 30C in less than 24 hours is a shock to the system but we are nevertheless here. The flight was oh so long, the humidity was higher than expected, our camera decided to stop working somewhere close to the International Date Line and morning comes early for the numerous species of birds, all of whom are colourful but very loud at 4:00 a.m.. Nevertheless we were greeted by wonderful people at Brisbane airport and Nancy was taken shopping at a local Woolies to stock up on a few supplies whereas I (Boyd - the non-teacher) stayed home and sweated.

Within a few days we unpacked (sort of), sussed out downtown Cleveland to stock up on a few more necessities, opened a bank account, replaced our camera with a new one from Harvey Norman (like our Best Buy) and otherwise supported the Australian economy.  We explored our new home which included listening and watching the nightly swooping and fighting of the huge fruit bats, cleaning up fallen palm fronds, trying to lure multicolored lorikeets and galahs to our backyard with the prospect of fresh water, etc., etc..

On New Year’s Eve we took the train to South Bank – a colorful suburb on the south bank of the Brisbane River - to watch an incredible display of fireworks and a laser light display along with thousands of other entranced celebrants.

The following day, in an effort to practice driving on the left hand side of the road, we drove to Victoria Point and proceeded to Coochiemudio Island to hike (walk) and subject our pale skin to the intense Australian sunlight on one of its many beaches. Tonight we may go to a local park to look for koalas but our energy level is quickly dissipating.....................zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.