Australia Recap

We've been back for over a week now, and most of our pictures are already on facebook. . . but I decided that I'd be sad in years to come, if I look back through our blog and have no record that we had an amazing vacation in Australia with wonderful friends. Facebook is handy for a good photo dump, but our blog will hopefully hold more details and be a good stroll down memory lane in the future {that's my hope at least, and what motivates me to keep sharing and writing}.

SO. Here's a short recap of what we did in the three different cities we visited, and then pictures of course!

Sydney [ stayed in an apartment at a seminary college campus ]

- Saw the Opera House (of course!)

- took the ferry to Manly Island 

- Sydney Aquarium

- explored The Rocks

- took a train to the Blue Mountains in Katoomba, and hiked to a waterfall

- watched the Seahawks using NFL Game pass and mall internet

- became experienced (kind of) subway travelers

Melbourne [ stayed with Amanda's family's friends from years past ]

- toured the city on foot, explored the quaint alley ways - full of the cutest coffee shops, cafes, and plenty of culture

- Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary

- Aussi BBQ with the Stafford family

- watched the cutest Little Penguins come in from the sea to find and feed their babies on Phillip Island

- ate fish and chips of course!

- traveled the Great Ocean Road, which was beautiful!

Adelaide [ stayed with the Cheesman family, who taught at SPH with us last year ]

- walked the beach at night (just several miles away from the Cheesman's house!)

- enjoyed the company of the whole Cheesman family (Sam, Heather, Jack (11), and Bella (13)

- toured the city and saw where Sam and Heather have taught in past years, and where they're at now

- went to a Christmas morning church service
- had two wonderful Christmas dinners, getting to meet their family on both sides

- lots of quality hang out and chill time (playing games, reading, water fights, etc.

- saw the Hobbit on Boxing Day

- the boys went to a cricket match

-the girls went to a moonlight movie in the park - Grease Sing-a-long

- went to Victor Harbor for the day (with another couple from SPH at home in Adelaide for Christmas)

- went to another animal sanctuary where we got to feed and pet koalas and kangaroos!

- swimming at Port Wilunga - a Cheesman family favorite spot

- saw the twinkling Adelaide lights at night

- said our sad good-byes, but more like "see ya laters" (since we expect them to visit us in Oregon :)

Some recap pictures in order: 

                 

                                       

                  

                  

                  

                  

                  

                  

                  

                                  

                   

                                   

                  

                                     

                    

                    

                    

                    

                    

                    

                    

                    

                    

                    

                   
                                      

                                      

                     

                     

                     

                                     

                     

                                      

                                                

                      

                      

                     
                      

                      

                      

Sooo, maybe this turned into a photo dump too, but I just couldn't help it! Too many good things! 

I also want to take the time to say how unbelievably blessed we were to have such amazing hosts! Both the Staffords in Melbourne, and the Cheesmans in Adelaide welcomed us with such generosity into their homes, fed us, and took time away from their work/daily lives to show us their beautiful country! We couldn't have taken a trip like this if it wasn't for them. After being so taken care of, Chris and I hope that someday we can be the kind of couple/family that graciously hosts others as they did for us.

Cheers!