Australia is a beautiful country (nick named the down under) and i have been able to see a bit more of it in the last few days. Nothing too special has occurred, but here are some pics. Feel free to skip the words and look at the pics.

The Rainforest

Where I was up in Cairns is a world heritage rainforest area. I hung out with some Servas friends the other day and their house is literally in the rainforest. Their backyard is more like a jungle than anything. You can also hear a grand waterfall from their house. Which i also got to see. I also went on a rainforest walk in Victoria, which is where i am now. We saw some 2000 year old trees, i took a pic in the trunk of one.

The Great Open Road

The Great Open Road is Australia’s answer to the Pacific Coast Highway in California. The figured they had a better coastline and wanted to show it off.  Its a 240 kilometer stretch of road the boarder southern Victoria (the state Melbourne is in). I took a drive along it yesterday and visited some beaches, gorges and the 12 Apostles. This area reminds me of Capetown and the Garden Route in South Africa. Similar rock formations,crashing waves and vacation appeal. Similarly, SA has 12 Apostles, but there are actually 17 of those and Aus actually has only 8. Why people like to name rock formations the 12 Apostles, I am not sure.

Wildlife

I saw a Koala yesterday, couldn’t get a good pic though. It was too far up in the Eucalyptus tree. Not as cute as they look in pics and they are not actually bears, its closest cousin in the Kangaroo.

I am staying in the Funky/Trendy area of St. Kilda in Melbourne and at sunset you can walk to the end of the pier see penquins wabbling around. I must say that the sun setting never gets less magnificent. Penquins are ok too.

Things Australians Like: Vegemite, to travel, beer, avocado’s on sandwiches, smoothies, to be friendly and meet new people, to say “no worries”, eating asian food and uggs books (they make them, but iam not sure why they need sheepskin books in a country that doesnt have a real winter, things that mak you go hhmmmmmmmmm)…..(i’ll add more later)

I’LL BE HOME NEXT WEEK!!!

This country is expensive. A can of coke cost 2.50 to 3.50. And of course the dollar is in the dumps so its slightly less than the Aussie dollar.

Bucolic Chorus

Standing here on the edge of noon

The earth is playing a spring tone

In the key of color

Live in concert. Lovely and lavish perform on this lush landscape

Blades of grass wave in a tide of green sea

Words whisper in the wind from emerald leaves

Bushes bloom with beats booming evergreen

Forest Foliage stands up intone

with Teas, Peas, Limes, Olives, Pears and Mint

Rise, Dance, Frolic and Prance

Eating Pollen

Drinking Rain

Inhaling the smell of sweet sap and mossy terrain

Giving the sun a standing ovation

For the blessing of variation

Rejoicing in the sound of this scene that resonates in a chorus of green