The Shire

Gary and Adele are house-sitting for friends in Caringbah, a community 50 minutes by train south of the city center. We would call it a suburb…the Australians call it part of “The Shire.”

Yesterday we had a “Big Breakkie” in Cronulla, strolled past the shops and hung out on the beaches, enjoying one of the first really lovely warm days of the season….even though the leaves on the trees are just beginning to come out!
It was fun to return to this pretty seaside community, having stayed here with Pam and Jeff Joyce back in the Christmas season of 2005!



The first “sun-bakers” were “laying out” out on the beach, and the esplanade was busy with kids on the beginning of a school break, joggers and families. In the water, boys boogie boarded in the surf near shore. Some wet-suited surfers showed off on some small waves off a bit of a point, while the Surf Rescue teams trained in boats and bombed around the bays on zodiacs. Nothing like a Saturday in the Shire!

Taronga Zoo

Taronga Zoo is really impressive! It houses lots of Australian animals and many animals from Asia and Africa. There were Kangaroos, Koalas, Emus,Echidnas...and a Platypus!! (they are smaller than I thought, and they move REALLY fast, so it was too tough to get a photo.)

Saltwater crocs are one of Australia’s many deadly animals. They are mostly found in the North, and can grow up to 7 metres long! Just looking at the dents they leave in the sand gives you the creepy-crawlies!



Talking about creepy crawlies...the zoo had an extensive collection of snakes and lizards. I was happy to be able to identify the snakes common to the state of Victoria that aren't particular "threats to humans", but the lethal Brown snake was hiding just out of view. Damn.

Sydney!

My good friend, Lizabee Wickett met me at the airport when I arrived in Sydney, Australia, and I stayed overnight with her at International House on campus of the University of New South Wales.
The following morning, we went downtown to see two of the most iconic sights of Australia: The Harbour Bridge and The Sydney Opera House.



It’s really great to have such a soft landing into my new country! Lizabee and I have had a ton of laughs and giggles remembering stuff from elementary and high school. It’s also cool to be able to connect as colleagues, (Lizabee teaches History at Pacific Academy in Surrey), and also as Canadians living in a foreign land!



We met her parents, Gary and Adele at Circular Quay and caught a little ferry to Taronga Zoo. We spent a warm day wandering around the zoo, enjoying the both the animals and the fantastic views over the city.

The Garden of the Sleeping Giant

At my own pace, I enjoyed some of the sights around the town of Nadi.
Nadi's business is mostly for the tourists that pass through on their way to South Pacific Islands, New Zealand or Australia.

There's not a lot to do, but one morning I wandered through The Garden of the Sleeping Giant.
Nestled in the hills on Viti Levu, about 5 km. outside of Nadi, Raymond Burr (of Perry Mason fame!) began a humble little garden to house his orchid collection...it has grown to include thousands of varieties of orchids and a couple really pleasant tropical forest/jungle walks. These are a few of my favourite plants.

FIJI TIME

This little guy greeted me on the approach to my room at the Beachside Resort in FIJI!
It sounds crazy to me, but it's true...here I am, towards the end of September, enjoying 3 days in Fiji...

The people are friendly and the country is gorgeous!

I enjoyed hot weather, with a couple of tropical rain showers.
No one rushes here...and while the Fijians do drive fast, I think it's more to create some natural air conditioning than the need to rush from Point A to Point B.
The resort I stayed at was off the beaten track, and had a great pool and restaurant. The downside: a bastard rooster who lived at the farm next door and welcomed the breaking of the day every morning at 3:30 a.m!
My poolside view.