Home.

Still June 22-

The first day of summer is known as the longest day of the year.  This year it was literally the longest day of the year for our family.  After 29 hours of travel, we arrived across the world on the opposite side of the equator and it was still Monday, June 22... but we were home!

Our time in Australia was very full and rich with experiences that we hope the boys will continue to reflect upon in the years to come.  It was a true blessing for our family to explore part of the world in the southern hemisphere and meet lovely "Aussies" who seem to really live out their expression "No worries, Mate."

Thank you to all of you who helped make it possible, followed along on the blog and encouraged & prayed us through our journey!!!

Now we can rest...

Happy puppy!

Sydney Once Again- Our Final Days in Oz

June 20-22

We've come full circle and are "finishing where we started" here in Sydney. This city has much to offer.  During our last 3 days in "Oz", we revisited a couple of places, tried to see some new things and once again enjoyed a wonderful dinner night out with Leigh & Simon. (I think we kept them out late but it was hard to leave such good company!)

This is a huge complex with markets and restaurants open 7 days a week-
the smell was a little overwhelming for the boys so we walked to Darling Harbour for lunch instead

How do you decide?!?

Darling Harbour-
*when we were here in April it was raining- this time we enjoyed a delicious lunch outside*

Sydney's Central Station

Our first time to take the train in the city-
it is a double decker & the boys insisted in sitting on the top deck

We took in an AFL game at Spotless Stadium in Sydney Olympic Park-
 Greater Western Sydney Giants vs. North Melbourne Kangaroos

After the game, fans were invited onto the oval for Kick to Kick-
the boys couldn't believe it!

Even Matt got in on the post game action-

The boys are now even more fervent fans!

It seems that your visit to Sydney is not complete with a visit to the zoo...
plus you get to ferry across the harbour and take a gondola ride to reach the entrance

Many of the animal exhibits over looked the harbour

This colorful guy who did not live in a cage, flew down to join us for lunch

Sailboat regatta

We ferried back to Manly Beach on  Father's Day-
The boys had lots of space to try out their new AFL ball gifted to them by Leigh & Epic Journeys

Look at all the surfers!

Sundown at Manly

Last night in Australia-
photo taken while on the ferry headed back to Circular Quay

Off to the airport-
"Goodbye Oz!"

KI- Day 3

On our final day of touring Kangaroo Island, we headed to the eastern peninsula to see some early landmarks, more of the rugged coast, sheep & wine country, the American river and to climb to the top of southern Australia's first built lighthouse.

Prospect Hill-
named by Captain Matthew Flinders who climbed this hill expecting to see the middle of the island and saw the ocean on the other side of this narrow eastern peninsula
*There are 512 steps to the top!*

The same view Matthew Flinders found at the top of Prospect Hill-
ocean on both sides

Beautiful panorama

Cape Willoughby Lighthouse-
built in  1852 complete with whale bones in the foreground

Two boys inside the light

View of Backstairs passage from the top of the lighthouse

Time to stretch those legs!!
Scott let the boys borrow his Australian rules football and we took them to two different ovals to try out their kicking skills.  This game is played on a big field and the odd shaped ball is harder to kick than it looks...it was great fun!

Rainbow over the field

I liked this sign

Lunch at the American River

View from the Dudley Winery-
what looks like a cloud in the right corner is actually the Australian mainland (Cape Jervis)

Our last beautiful rocky beach time on KI-
the boy ran up & down the sandy hill (to their right in this photo)until their shoes were filled with sand!

Good bye Kangaroo Island

KI- Day 2

Today we drove along the southwestern coast of the island to Flinders Chase National Park.

Locals made their own mailboxes and placed them at the end of the long rural road to make it easier for  the "posty" when he makes his one time weekly delivery.  

This iconic granite KI landscape feature is known as Remarkable Rocks-
the boys wanted to climb every one!

You must look closely at this photo...
there are more than 20 New Zealand Fur Seals on the rocks...

Two little pups- so cute!

Another amazing rock formation- Admiral's Arch

It is difficult to tell but there are both NZ fur seals and the AU sea lion resting on this rocky slab

Cape du Coudic Lighthouse on the most south westerly point of the island-
built by hand in the early 1900's

A visit to the local bee farm-
complete with honey tasting...

and homemade honey icecream!

Every day at 5pm these pelicans get a tasty snack from the locals-
it is a loud affair.

"KI"-Kangaroo Island

June 16-19

KI is Southern Australia's oldest settlement, established in 1836.  Today almost two-thirds of the island is national park reserve and its 4500 residents are hugely outnumbered by the wildlife.  It has been called "Australia's Galapagos" because of its unique species of flora and fauna and is also known for its thriving food and wine industry. We were very fortunate to be guided by a native islander, Scott, who was very passionate about his part of the country and immensely kind to the boys.  After our three days, Scott's passion was catching & we found KI to be spectacular.


DAY 1:

Nepean Bay in Kingscote, right outside our inn-
On our first morning we crossed the street and happened upon a pod of dolphins playing & a fur seal fishing

Kangaroo Island turkeys-
Matt was wishing for his bow

Our first stop was the Seal Bay Conservation Park for up close observation of the rare Australian Sea Lion.  It was pretty fascinating to be able to walk on the beach just meters away.

This large male weighed about 1 ton-
in the photo above you can see how close he was to our path... we did not try to venture further past him!

We learned that sea lions are not lazy creatures.
They go out to sea  three days at a time, making over 1100 dives for fish and come back to the beach exhausted.

This pup is glad his mom is home!

"Surfing" back in from feeding

These two juvenile males in the foreground are testing out their fighting skills.

We did not have to visit special conservation areas to see wildlife while exploring the island. There was so much roadside vegetation that we saw many (or I could say most) animals as we drove along.

Koala in eucalyptus tree

Rare boy species in tree

Picnic lunch on a sheep farm

Watching the sheep being herded

Ready to trek to Bales Beach

The tide was high so the only way to the view was over the rocks!

Worth the climb!

Kangaroo Island kangaroos-
Shortly after this photo was taken we watched two 'roos boxing!

Tammar Wallabies
(unique to KI)

This little joey could reach to eat without getting out of the pouch

In mid-hop...

The elusive echidna!
Matt patiently waited for him to show his long nosed face but he burrowed right in...