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?