Even on holiday, one needs a day to kick back and relax with no specific agenda other than to catch up with yourself. We left the US for Australia on Sunday, October 4 and arrived in Sydney on Tuesday, October 6 - just reckoning with the change in time (days & hours) and realizing that we were 8,975 miles from home took some mental capacity to understand.  We had made up our minds when we left home that we would find a comfortable pace to explore this new land yet not be so tired from trying to see it all that we couldn't enjoy our time. We are now closing in on our last few days here and today is a great day to sit back and reflect on this wonderful experience and attempt to share with you some of the moments that don't make it to most people's travelogues. 

 

Our Australian story started 46 years ago when Janine, our Melbourne host, was an exchange student in Tracy, MN where Bob was a teacher. They became friends and have remained friends for all these years. We've talked on the phone and exchanged emails over the years - with definitely more frequency as Bob & I became more serious about traveling to Australia. Janine had traveled to the US when we lived in Ohio so I had met her for the first time in about 1982. Neither Bob nor I had met Janine's husband Graham or her children Daniel and David, though we've talked with everyone on the phone from time to time over the past couple of years. 

 

On October 11 we arrived in Coolangatta (the Gold Coast) where, on the way to collect our bags, we walked by Jan only to be hear this voice say: "Hey Yankees"! It was great to see her again and be welcomed by her beautiful smile and fun loving spirit. We grabbed our bags and headed out to the parking lot where Graham was waiting to take us to the Beach Resort. We both immediately felt comfortable and at ease with Graham as if we had known him all our lives. As you can see from the photos on Bob's Birthday Celebration and High Country Legends posts we had a few things in common.

 

We arrived in Melbourne on October 18 where we were greeted by Graham and  their son David. Our first stop was at a neighborhood park where we road in a miniature train staffed by volunteers - a favorite family activity when Daniel and David were young. It was a great way to introduce us to the Aussie life style as we were surrounded by families enjoying their time together on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. 

We arrived at the Kirby haven and were introduced to the stables where we would be staying for the next 10 days - quite awesome accommodations - we have our own private space, a wildlife paddock, a tree to climb, a resident kangaroo, a myriad of birds that we've only seen the zoo until now, and a full wine rack and refrigerator - not to mention lovely healthy home cooked meals and lively daily discussions. 

 

In addition to their warm hospitality, the Kirby's have a great sense of humor. On day 1 at the Stables, I happened to mis-read the soap label and used the wrong soap in the dishwasher. We were certain we would be calling the dishwasher repair person as you can see from the picture the result - but another true Aussie value came to light: "no drama". We all had a good laugh - Graham had the solution and soon the soap bubbles were only fodder for a few good laughs.

 

As I'm writing today, we are beginning to talk about the trip back - so we're spending the day catching up on laundry and relaxing on a perfect Spring day at 73 degrees and light breezes in Melbourne, Victoria. A perfect day for hanging out laundry! 

 

We have only 4 more days in this beautiful land in the company of this wonderful welcoming family - we have a day trip on Thursday on the Great Ocean Road and the Kirby's have a couple more surprises planned before our departure on November 1 (where we will gain those days back that we lost in early October). 

 

I tried to sum up the Aussie life with today's photos: a great sense of humor, relax - no drama, enjoy life, keep life simple, cherish those life long friendships, and enjoy whatever comes your way whether it be bubbles, kangaroos, or sunshine! We're not the same as when we arrived on October 6.  We have seen a full Spring moon and we know that friendship and kindness can span the 8,975 miles - until we meet again...