Every step of the Journey is the journey

The living Ocean contains 97% of Earth's water, provides home for 97% of Earth's life,
shapes climate and weather; govern's temperature and planetary chemistry, generates
oxygen, absorbs carbon dioxide and otherwise makes this planet a hospitable place for
mankind. We should explore and take care of the Ocean as if our very lives depended on
it. Because they do! Dr. Sylvia A. Earle, Oceanographer.

Since we arrived in OZ, we have twice witnessed on the news the Ocean Rescue teams (mostly volunteers) go out and rescue Whales entangled in Sharks nets (nets placed along the coast
to keep the sharks from nibbling the tourists). Their dedication is most inspiring!

Broadbeach Presents Opera in the Park

On Saturday evening, September 26,

2009 the local advertisements suggested I bring my blanket and enjoy free live entertainment under the stars! An evening of Popera, presented by the Broadbeach Alliance in Kurrawa Park. That in itself sounded lovely, but did not serve as a clue to the Aussie idea of bringing a "blanket"!

For most, "bringning a blanket" also included the table, chairs, picnic basket with a full dinner or finger snacks, table cloth, Wine or champagne bottle, stemware, silverware, etc...the spreads were actually so impressive that Regent, bless his heart!, insisted on going back to the apartment to get me a chair and a lovely cup of tea to insure my comfort, before heading off with Doug to the nearest Pub for a guy chat(of course!). The performers presented songs from the Musical Theatre (Phantom of the Opera, Rent, All that Jazz, Moulin Rouge, etc...) as well as Classics such as Finiculi, Funicula that everyone was encouraged to sign along to. There were musicians (violinists) and dancers. It was such a lovely evening. As an encore, the group presented a collection of Abba hits that we got to walk all the way home to just as another Dust storm hit the area. The show was a great hit and appreciated by all! The next such evening is in December and I'm searching the internet for a local caterer. My intent is to blend in with the locals the next time!

Our first visitor

We had our first guest at Ocean Royale, namely Regent's friend from Air Canada, Doug. He stayed with us over the week
end and we got to show him the sights
of Surfer's Paradise and Broadbeach.
How I survived all that "guy talk" (i.e. cars, motorcycles, computers, sports, etc...)
I dont know!!! Thank God for Ipods!

Armageddon

This is a view of Brisbane's famous Story Bridge at midday on Wednesday September 23rd 2009.

At breakfast we heard on the radio that Sydney was under siege of a Dust Storm. Air traffic was effected, but there was no indication that it would go any farther. Within a few hours, the storm had travelled over a thousand kilometres to hit Brisbane and the Gold Coast as well! There was a coat of red dust on absolutly everything! The stuff gets in through the tiniest cracks!

Holy Red Dust Batman!!!!

Wabi Sabi

Wabi Sabi : The art of Imperfect beauty

A basic concept of Japanese aesthetics stressing unpretentiousness, plainness, earthyness and satisfaction with imperfection.

A mama whale when ready to deliver her little one travels from the Antartic to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia to deliver her baby as the waters in Antartica would be too cold for the newborn. Once in Australia, she must protect her new baby from the Sharks that share the waters with them. Once the little one is strong enough to make the long voyage back to Antartica (usually around November) mom and baby as well as an entourage of male whales and dolphins head back to Antartica where their food source is. Mom does not eat over the many months in Australia and must nurse the little one ... now there's a great mom!

Koala

We had to get our picture taken holding a Koala! They are just so cute and calm! I guess we would be calm as well if we slept most of the day...all they consume is Eucaliptus leaves, so they have very low energy! They just hang on a tree rolled into a ball all day and snooze! Thank you Stephan!

Tree

These trees with the exposed roots are all over the place here in Brisbane. This one was huge! We asked someone to take a picture of us and then as often happens a line formed with people taking pictures by this tree! We just naturally attract a lot of attention! Do you like my hat?

Gabriele and her friend Skippy

We had just watched a documentary the night before on television about the series on TV called Skippy and how it put Australia on the map! However they interviewed kids form all over the world and most thought the show was filmed in their own country(like France or Germany!) or in the USA, including Regent who remembers watching the show in Quebec when he was a kid and thinking it came from the USA. The show was a great hit!

Sunday at Currumbin Sanctuary

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary in Currumbin Queensland lays claim to the largest collection of native Australian animals in the world. Over 27 hectares of landscaped bushland catering for over 1400 mammals, birds and reptiles. A unique, natural experience where you can get up close and personal with kangaroos and Koalas (not a bear, but a marsupial). Imagine our surprise at seeing a wombat!

Here comes the sun

There is nothing but good things to say about the weather in Brisbane! Even compared to other areas in Australia, it is ideal. The big decision to make everyday is between a short sleeved or no sleeved t-shirt and which thongs should I wear?...such a dilemma! It is nice and hot during the day, not much humidity, but once the

Sun starts to set (around 16:30), it really cools down and the nights are nice and cool. Highly enjoyable!

Spicy Chorizo & Vegetable Casserole

This picture is of us in Sydney on the first day we arrived in Australia. Regent was dissapointed that I have not posted it yet, so all though the picture has nothing to do with my post today, this ones for you dahling! There is the Sydney bridge and the opera house to the right of the picture. To our left is Luna Park (amusement park with Big Mouth entrance!).

I thought I would share my first Australian dinner creation!
This recipe comes from Margaret of Sunshine, Victoria in Australia. My first Australian dinner. Quick, easy and tasty! And only uses one pot! No worries mate!

Serves 4 Prep 15 minutes Cook 25 minutes. I served it on a bed of couscous.

1 tbsp olive oil
500g chorizo, cut into 3cm pieces ( a spicy sausage)
1 onion, finely sliced
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tsp sweet or smoked paprika
2 cups (500ml) chicken stock
3 cups chopped vegetables, such as potato, celery, peas, green beans or carrots
400g can chopped tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped flat leaf parsley
crusty bread, to serve(optional)

1. Heat olive oil in a large heavy based saucepan on high. Cook chorizo for 1-2 minutes each side, until lightly browned. Remove from pan and drain on paper towel.
2. Cook onion and garlic in same pan on medium heat for 5 minutes, until softened. Add paprika to pan and cook stirring for 1 minute. Add chicken stock, mixed vegetables and canned tomato. Bring to boil.
3. Return chorizo to pan. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10-15 mins, until vegetables are cooked. Stir through parsley and serve with crusty bread, if you like. Bon appetit!
I bought a celery to make this recipe...the celery was 3 feet long and one foot accross! Normal sized celery here it appears! Anyone have a recipe for celery soup?!!!

Ocean Royale - Home sweet home

This is a view of our front door at the Ocean Royale, our home away from Canada for now. We are on the third floor wich is great as we see over all the vegetation and other rooftops for a clear view of the ocean. When Regent is home we go together for a walk along the beach at around 10:00 to 11:00. Lots of time to unwind and completely clear our minds of all the usual stuff rummaging around in there...it's closer to meditation that I have ever gotten to even when deliberately trying to meditate!
This is my own personal lifeguard goofing off! Nice to see him with the ability to that when not on duty...what a little R and R will do for a guys stress level!!!

Last Sunday we walked along the beach road as far as we could and walked all the way past Mermaid Beach and to Burleigh Heads ! We found the most amazing neighborhoods built right on the Beach, the most amazing houses I have ever seen in my life! Next time we will be sure to bring the C-A-M-E-R-A...duh....!

Here comes the Sun

Very unstable conditions today!

So, I guess surfing is not an option today! ...Darn, just what I had planned for today!

Regent brought over some good old, truly Canadian Roots gifts ( cell phone holders, caps and such...) to share with his co-workers here yesterday, which they got quite a kick out of as Roots, Rooter and other derivatives of this word have an Xrated meaning in Australia!
Regent is having great fun learning the "lingo" here from his co-workers which he is sharing with me. This is giving us kind of a gist of the Aussie sense of humour ...

Aussie colloquialisms for your enjoyment:

Being Liberachied: being rearended in a car( so, you really have to know who Liberachi was! ;

Ankle biter/tin lid: a small child (actually somewhat appropriate);
Bastard: term of endearment (?, ok then!);
Aussie wave: swatting away the flies with the hand (that's coming with the summer, we will then be perfecting the Aussie wave!);
Bizzo: business, as in mind your own bizzo, you bastard!...can you see my dilemma here?
Banana bender: someone from Queensland (now that correspondence is still a mystery to me);
Kiwi: someone from New Zealand (the Aussies have other names for New Zealanders and for people from Tazmania, but I will not be repeating them here!!!Inappropriate...need I say more?);
Ute: truck, as in Utility Vehicle, of course!;
Capsicum: peppers (red, green, yellow): knowing this was very useful at the local Subway sandwich store!
Budgie smugglers: mens tight swimming trunks (speedos...looks like an international distaste!);
Chuck a sickie: take a day off work when you are perfectly healthy (now who would do that?); Piece of piss: not a problem - easy task (I dont get it!);
Stickybeak: nosy person ( again...I just dont get it!);
Thongs: flip flops (clarification on the Aussie meaning of this narrowly averted a most uncomfortable situation during a conversation Regent had at work concerning his friend Anthony's thongs! The mental picture alone...lets just move on!);
Trackie daks: tracksuit pants (I dare you to say trackie daks three times fast while being Liberachied in your Ute, wearing your buggie smugglers you bastard Mate!!! It certainly is not a piece of piss!!!
Bottle Shop: Liquor store (...oh the Australian wine! I may have to do a whole post just on that subject!!!).
Never never: The outback, centre of Australia (Most of the population lives on the coastal areas of Australia, the centre of the Continent (not an island, not a country, but rather referred to as a continent , ok I get it!) is inhabited by Aborigines only;
Walkabout: a walk in the outback by Aborigines that last for an indefinite amount of time...hey that reminds me, it's just about time for my walkabout to the bottle shop!
Hooroo Mates! Goodbye friends!

How can you differenciate the Australian drivers from the tourists? The ones who put on their wipers on every corner they need to turn on are the tourists!!! Not a habit that's easy to break, except when it is raining!!! Cheers!

Amusement Park in Sydney

Scary sight isnt it? This is the entrance gate to an amusement Park in Sydney. I dont know if as a kid I would have happily walked into this big, open mouth...kids today I suppose need bigger and better thrills than I did!!!

I have spent the morning reading and writing emails as my connection to the internet has been great!

Perhaps the air was cleared by the spectacular storm here last evening, it felt like mother nature was suffering through an impressive bout of PMS. Regent and I closed all the lights and marvelled at the spectacle of thunder, lightning and rain like a rushing waterfall, it felt like a ride on an old fashioned wooden rollercoaster ... and once it was done, it was done. Today is a beautiful day and expecting a beautiful week! Today will be a day to go out and do some solitary exploration!

Our one week anniversary!

On this throne sits the Queen of Quite-a-Lot in Surfers Paradise. Quite an interesting place shock full of all kinds of personalities and many restaurants and bars... Great for people watching :)

This was our saturday walk along the Beach to Surfers Paradise ... this called for a little trip to the Hogs Breath Cafe for a perfect steak and a flat white.

Yesterday, Sunday we took a little treck to the Carrara Markets which operates on the weekends. We bought a used BoomBox for the apartment which Regent risked his life for because the little Asian fellow whose booth it was did not wish to be haggled with! Regent still got his price and one that was satisfactory to the vender as once the money was handed over he appeared quite pleased! Gives a whole new meaning to driving a hard bargain!!!

Our first visitors

Bernard and Bernadette paid us a little visit on our porch but were to shy to come in! Not the usual Aussie inhabitant, Australians love it when you open the door to a conversation and will keep it up for as long as you are willing!!!...they did however enjoy having their picture taken and waited for us to take a second shot to insure we got a great pose...

Life's a beach!

I'm afraid that Regent is ruining me for any other lifestyle than this life of the rich and famous in Australia! Hearing the sounds of the surf all day has a way of touching me deep into my soul... I may have been a mermaid in a former life!

I have spent my days this week walking the beach, reading on the beach, writing on the beach, having lunch in my kitchen overlooking the beach (I sense a pattern emerging here...) and the days have just flown, without televison and without the radio, and without newspapers...I am living in blissful ignorence of current affairs and loving every precious moment in the company of my new lover, silence! ...not quite true, sometimes I like to listen to Amy Whinehouse on my IPOD while sitting on the beach...

Regent drives into Brisbane three days a week to work in the office. This gives him a 1.5 hour commute in relatively heavy traffic, however one of his coworkers at Virgin Blue is commuting with him. They will drive on alternate weeks, which makes the commute less boring (as he needs all his Spidy senses alert to understand the Aussy accent and I'm sure his coworker has much the same challenge understanding Regent's French Canadian English accent! Well, that is the spice of life...

Spring began here on the 1st of September so the days are quite warm, but the nights are downright chilly even for us. I get up at 05:30 with Regent and watch the Sun rise over the Ocean and thrill at the spectacle every morning!