Home again

We are finally back in the good old USA after some 17 hours in the air. We are here until about 8:20 pm when we leave for Little Rock. Will be good to get home. We are both pretty beat with all the time changes today. This has been a wonderful trip-lots of beautiful scenery, wonderful, friendly people, amazing animals, tasty food and great times with good friends.





We brought back a stowaway. Everyone loves Cathie's koala.


He even helped with the safety demo.


Last night in Sydney. There were fireworks but I didn't get a picture. They
really shouldn't have gone to all this trouble to send us off.



Last dinner before we leave. Taken from our room on the 29th floor.

Location:Atlanta airport

Gold Coast

Just returned from a full day of sightseeing along the Gold Coast-beaches, highrises, shops, and all the other typical tourist necessities. We ate our way down the coast and back- fresh mangoes, Moreton Bay "bugs" (similar to a small lobster), whole trout and more meat pies. The Dibbs family have been wonderful hosts and we have had a wonderful time.


Gold Coast-small section.



David and his new friend, Corinne. She works as a meter maid, putting coins into meters so tourists don't get tickets. Mostly they walk around and take photos with tourists and take donations for charities.






Gold Coast from farther away.


Kookaburra





These signs are all over. You never know when a kangaroo or koala will try to cross the highway.

Location:Brisbane and points south

Business and relaxation

Today David had his business visit with R.A. Dibbs and Sons. Brenda and Cathie had a successful shopping trip at a local mall. We then spent a nice relaxing time at the beach across from the hotel. Can't believe we only have one more full day. Tomorrow we drive to the Gold Coast, which is a popular
beach area for Australians, tourists and "schoolies"(kids that have finished year 12 and are out of school for the summer). By the way, it is the beginning of summer here. All the stores and hotels have their Christmas decorations up. Seems so strange to see them with everyone wearing shorts and bathing suits.



Business visited.













Our hotel in Brisbane.



Dinner at Deck's on South Bank.

Location:Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Australia Zoo- Made famous by Steve Irwin, the crocodile hunter

We spent an awesome day at the zoo having up close encounters with the unique animals of Australia. This zoo was amazing! Cathie fell in love with the koalas and kangaroos. We also saw some of the most beautiful coastline imaginable. The sand is like a fine powder and so white. We had a traditional Australian meat pie for lunch-yummy.






















Not a real croc, but modeled after a real one this size.


Dingo- wild dog of Australia















Giant tortoise

Location:Sunshine Coast

Leaving Bali and arriving in Brisbane

What a long night! Absolutely impossible to sleep on the plane from Bali to Sydney. Our biological clocks are totally messed up. We are 16 hours ahead of Arkansas time. David's friend/customer met us at the airport and took us sightseeing around the city. The kangaroos or "Roos" as the natives call them were all over a housing area we drove through. Tomorrow I think we get to be up close and personal with koalas and Roos.



Leaving the Laguna resort for the airport.



Rick, Brenda and Rayden Dibbs-our hosts and friends


Cute!!!!






Overlooking Brisbane


Outside our hotel in Brisbane.

Location:Bali and Brisbane

Last day in Bali

After a moonlight massage by the beach last night, we had a lazy day - relaxing on the beach, shopping for souvenirs, and swimming in the lagoon in the hotel. We have decided coming to a warm climate for a winter holiday is a great idea. We leave for the airport at 10:30 p.m. for a 1:30 a.m. departure back to Sydney and then Brisbane. Catch you later.

Location:Laguna Resort

Friday

We had a non-traditional Thanksgiving yesterday-no turkey! Today was the last day of David's meeting. Tomorrow we go shopping and spend some time on the beach.





Breakfast in Bali





This tree is in the front of the hotel.

Location:Laguna resort, Bali