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

Bali Tour on Wednesday

We left around 9 a.m. and didn't get back until after 7 p.m. We were very tired. We visited two Hindu temples, a butterfly farm (where we got caught in the midday monsoon), had lunch in a restaurant in the middle of a terraced rice field, visited another beautiful rice paddy and finally a monkey farm. A full day!










Rules for those permitted to enter temple.








Getting buggy at the butterfly farm.






Trekking through the rice paddy. We got really muddy by the time we finished. It was a really neat experience.



Temple celebration.






The flowers- so beautiful.





Monkey family and the biggest bat I've ever seen



Our guide/driver for the day- Wayan Susana

Location:All over the island

Flowers, flowers, flowers

I took lots of flower pics today and got in some serious beach time. Too bad David has to sit in boring meetings. Enjoy the flowers.









Don't understand all the skirts on the statues!








Here we are-eating again. Going on a tour of the island today (Wednesday). David is free to go, too.


That is a US helicopter carrier in the background.

Location:Laguna Resort,Bali