A repost of one of my favorite places. I think you can see why.
Australia. The Land Down Under. Most of you who have been following my blog for awhile know that Chris and I spent about a year living in Australia. It was a magical time and we have so many stories to tell.
We still talk about how we can’t believe that we did it but it was an amazing adventure that we were thrilled to be a part of. It is funny how life works out somehow, isn’t it?
Each day is a gift and we just never know what tomorrow will bring. I feel that way about living in Australia. Who would have thought that those “kids” who met at Ohio Northern University years ago would have the opportunity to live in a land where there are so many deadly animals?
Yes, I might have staged this picture but it was what I did almost every morning. We lived on the beach with the Coral Sea just outside our back door. With only one car I usually spent my days at home and my favorite place was sitting on the veranda with a pot of tea and a book or two.
Perhaps my love of waterfalls started in Australia? I loved all the sights and sounds that we were able to witness in our brief time there and waterfalls were a favorite thing to seek out.
Yes, we had frogs in our toilets. When we rented the house the landlord alluded to the frogs but I thought he was kidding. Nope. This guy was in one bathroom so I started to use the other one exclusively. Guess what? There was a frog in that toilet as well.
We got to see so many neat animals and of course the koalas were my favorite. Who can resist these cuddly looking guys? We did not see too many in their natural environment and these pictures were taken at a Billibong Sanctuary but aren’t they adorable?
Kangaroos and wallabies were everywhere. They are like the deer that we have in the US—they are definitely a road hazard at times. Every bird in Australia is LOUD! Including the beloved kookaburra. These big lizardy things are called goannas. We had two that lived under our house. Yes. UNDER our house. I named them Giovanni and Gabriella. They didn’t bother me too much as long as I knew where they were. The first time I saw them I must admit I was a bit startled but they became part of the landscape.
This is a brush turkey that was often outside our house. They are not like our turkeys and most likely not great eating but they were fun to watch. Flying foxes are Australia’s version of bats. This tree in Charters Towers was FILLED to the max with them.
We were often in awe at the beauty of the plants and flowers that we encountered as well.Chris’s job was overseeing the operations of 7 sugar mills. It was a pretty amazing opportunity and we learned a great deal about sugar during the time we were there. One thing that I never knew was that they actually burn the cane fields in order to burn the leafy foliage and the thick coating before harvesting it. The fires burn very hot but quickly and can be seen for miles. Want to know more? Here is a quick WikiHow article.
Did you know that sugar comes in paint can type containers?
I know that I have a life full of adventures and living in Australia was absolutely one of the best adventures. We tried to take in as much as we could in our brief time there and it was definitely a very happy time in a lot of ways. One of the best things is that my blog started then and even though it is much different today than it was when I started it way back then it was the start of doing something that I love.
Special thanks to this guy for always taking me on adventures. Maybe one day we will go back to the Land Down Under.
Don’t forget to leave me a comment and let me know what you think about today’s Travel From Your Couch edition. Each comment made on the blog this month means a 50 cent donation by Chris and myself to our Comments for a Cause – WHO Covid Solidarity Fund. You can read more about that by clicking here.
10 Comments
Leave a commentI love reading about your time in Australia. What a great opportunity that was for both of you. The pictures are wonderful. Going thorough pictures of the past is a good thing to do right now. xo
What a wonderful blog this morning. Australia is a country Chuck and I have always wanted to go. Love the pictures. I know it was a great year.
I love seeing your pictures of Australia, too. Frogs in the toilets and lizardy things under the house— I’m not sure I could be as joyful as you are at spotting things in new places.
I do remember canoeing on a chain of lakes in Florida. My friend and I would jump in to cool off and not too far away would be alligators gliding along. At 15 we were brave; now, not so much.
Still, for me the variety of animals and plants reminds me of the amazing Creator of these plants & animals! Thank you for sharing!
Wow, these pictures are absolutely beautiful. What a fun trip. Thank you for sharing!
Australia fascinates me. It seems exotic, but totally normal at the same time. I didn’t know there were frogs in toilets. Now there’s a memory!
You know I have to love these photos because we have friends who are Australian and our daughter and son-in-law spent three weeks down under last year. The photos are great — just like your experiences there!
Such a great opportunity! I would totally love doing something like that. 🙂
When I was a kid I wanted to go to Australia….found out my grandma, a woman who spent her life on the farm and never really had anything, always wanted to go there too. For a few short years we dreamed about going together, until I realized that when I was old enough to go, she would be too old. But it was a good dream.
I love your travels Beth Ann. From reading my blog you will know that I consider myself lucky in that I have visited much of our troubled world, as have you. Look forward to the next post on your travels.
Thanks, Judith! You live in one of our favorite places so it is great to read your blog as well. Someday we will travel again and it will be WONDERFUL!