ANZAC DAY IN BRISBANE

April 25 is ANZAC Day in Australia. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps although now it honors all who have served. We started the day at a 4:30 AM service in Brisbane. It was very touching. Afterwards, we went back to the hotel and watched the sunrise with Story Bridge reflected in the river down below. Later I went out to watch the Parade. I was amazed how long it lasted and how there were people representing seemingly every conflict since World War I. Later the day we walked along Queen Street and went to the Treasury Casino. I was fascinated with the building. At one time is was actually a treasury, with the vault room and offices turned now housing Pokies. I wonder … might the US treasury just as well turn into a casino too, since lately, the economy seems to be pretty much a crap shoot?

We ended the day at Bretts Warf for a super fantastic dinner. Alicia and Zac certainly showed us a great time in Brisbane starting with a rollicking Broncos Rugby game on Friday, Anzac day on Saturday, and carting some very tired folks back to the Gold Coast on Sunday. WHEW!

Pelicans Can Can

I met Danielle from Blue Dog Photography and Amy, a photography and Facebook pro for lunch at Charis Seafood in Labrador. Every day at 1:30 they feed the pelican bits of fish heads and other delightful tidbits. It is quite a sight. The watchers as much as the pelicans! The pelicans were quite polite. The man who fed them really seemed to know and like them. He spotted some more flying in and waited for them to arrive so he could feed them too. I think their eyes are awesome! The pelicans rise their heads in unison when he tosses fish to them … a choreographed ripple.

A doggone great Easter

On Easter Sunday, we took a quick trip to Port Stevens. We met the Easter Doggie who very politely posed for us. We saw a wonderful tranquil beach with families enjoying the weather and the Easter Holiday. Gaileen and Alicia had lots of catching up to do. They are both so much fun! It was nice to spend time in Newcastle and meet Alicia's delightful "Aussie" extended family. We also got a great tour of the University of Newcastle where Alicia finished her political science degree a few years ago.

Catholics and convicts … tasty!

Easter week-end we went to Newcastle. We met Alicia and Zac at the Brisbane Airport, but we had to take a bus and then a train to get there. The bus ride went just fine … no one was up at 8:00am on Good Friday. We made to the train station with just a few minutes to spare … since we are persons of a certain age… we made a quick pit stop. We then ran down the stairs and jumped aboard the train before it took off. We made it!

Emmanuel then asked the woman sitting next to us what train we were on. We found out we were going the wrong direction. We eventually made it on the right train.

My motto when traveling is, “you should spend at least 25% of your time lost … you’ll never know what you will find!”

In Hunter Valley we found wonderful wineries. Our favorite is a Shiraz called Convicts and Catholics. Zac and his Dad were fantastic tour guides and his sister Cass drove us. We were treated so well! We will never forget the beauty of Hunter Valley.

Do your thang in Byron Bay

This week-end we had a short drive to New South Wales and Byron Bay. Ever since we arrived in Australia people would say, “You really must go to Byron Bay. You’ll love it because there are a lot of hippies there.” Now, I am not sure if they think we might be (old) hippies or if they think hippies are an interesting, endangered species. No matter. Byron Bay is a wonderfully relaxed and beautiful area. Its quite on the other end of the spectrum from the chaos here on Surfers Paradise.

We had drinks at Beach Hotel.

We stood on the most eastern point of Australia. Hailed by the Cape Byron Lighthouse, this is the point that offers special significance for contemplating the Age of Aquarius and heralding in the New Year. Just to round things out a fantastic blues festival is held on Easter week-end.