First Few Days in Australia

Mom got to town this past Friday so I will let her act as my guest writer for now. Enjoy her view of Canberra.

I left for Australia on March 30 and arrived on April 1.  It only took a six hour plane ride to San Francisco, a four hour wait at the airport, a sixteen hour flight to Sydney, a two hour wait for the bus and lastly a three and a half hour bus ride to Canberra.  And just like that Sarah and Andrew were meeting me as I entered the bus lobby.  What great timing!  

We went over to Andrew’s parents’ house for dinner.  They were celebrating Andrew’s birthday earlier in the week and his sister’s Kate’s birthday that day.  We had some wonderful wine, Australian of course.  They ordered a Turkish banquet take-out which was delicious.  Sarah had baked several desserts to top off the meal.  They got me home at a reasonable hour so I could get a real nights sleep.

Yummy chocolate mudcakes for Andrew's birthday

Sarah and I went for a run in the morning with Coopa.  Then I had a leisurely time watching Sarah baking again, this time for a formal tea party to celebrate Kate’s 25^th birthday at Paul and Judy’s.  Judy had brought out all her beautiful china and teapots.  There were several kinds of tea to choose from though we started off with champagne and strawberries.  It was a very nice time and I think it would be a lot of fun to have one when I get home.  Just another great way to have a party!

sausage roll in the shape of a caterpillar

Judy's house ready to serve tea

Kate preparing appetizers

Sarah's baked caterpillar

Champagne anyone?

The Birthday Girl and Judy

Sunday morning we all hiked up Mount Taylor to see the view of Canberra and to see the kangaroos. 

View from the top

Magpie

Kangaroo's jumping away

Mother Kangaroo and her Joey

Coopa helping to carry the water down hill

Monday Paul offered to play tourist guide.  We drove up to the Black Mountain Tower where there is a beautiful 360 view of Canberra.  Canberra has 300,000 people.  It was designed by an American architect Walter Burley Griffen in 1912.  He had originally planned for a city of 25,000 to grow to a max of 75,000. Geometric shapes were Incorporated into the design as well as large areas of natural vegetation.  The center of the design is around significant landmarks and governmental buildings.   It reminds me of The Woodlands.  It has lots of trees and separate suburbs, each with their own shopping areas. 

We drove around the different suburbs and the national museums.  We stopped for coffee and tea out on the deck of the National Library of Australia.  It was fun to see the area. The pictures I took are on Paul's camera since I couldn't find mine that day.

Today I had a wonderful day today biking all around the area.  Paul tired me out but it was fun.  We rode for almost 2 hours.  Canberra is really pretty and has hundreds of bike paths that wind around the homes, lakes and bush area

One of many water areas in Canberra along the bike path

Paul, my wonderful tour guide

 Here are some pictures of Sarah and Andrew's house.

Coopa keeping an eye on things

Andrew and Sarah's house

Hanging out on the deck

The dog door Sarah had to fit through when we were locked out!

 

 

Andrew's garden

 

 

 

 The weather has been clear and sunny in the 70's.  I am enjoying exploring Canberra.  It's great to spend the evenings with Sarah and Andrew.   I have had plenty of time to relax and read.  I continue exploring the area with Paul as my guide.