Kangaroos, Crocodiles, Snakes, and a Surf Competition

How to fit a lot into one days adventure…

Today we all got up at 5:30 am and we were off to Currumbin Wild Life Sanctuary. Great place to go with our son! Here we were able to see all sorts of animals, but the highlights were large salt-water crocs, petting kangaroos and emus, then close up encounters with snakes and other wild life.

Afterward we took the bus down to Kirra to watch The 2012 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships (I am sure all the Aussie’s would be unhappy to hear this but the closet thing I can think of to say for the East Cost USA folks is imagine a huge Bay Watch competition). It was lots of fun to watch.

But we had a good learning lesson: don’t head off for the day in a beach area without a daypack and bathing suits.

After returning to our hotel in Surfers Paradise we changed into suits and headed to the beach for a little evening wave action.

At night Surfers Paradise looks a lot like the Vegas Strip freaks and all!

38 hours without real sleep!

It’s been almost 37+ hours since we woke up Wednesday morning to leave on our trip. We arrived in Brisbane around 6am Friday local time. Or about 4 pm on Thursday US time. The 14-hour flight over wasn’t as bad as I had imagined. We were all able to sleep a tad bit.

Upon arrival, we headed out for some food, beer, and sun! In just 9 hours we’ve met 3 men who’s sons are named Ethan and one boy on the beach named Ethan. Seems to be a VERY popular name here.

We’ve also confirmed that Surfers Paradise has sand crabs to Ethan’s delight. The ocean water here is much warmer than the Outer Banks. After a very nice swim in the ocean we’ve decided a catnap will do us all good.

Hope everyone at home is doing well!

And we are off……

After finishing up work this morning, and a few minor last minute packing items, we are finally off on our adventure.

Our trek will take over 26 hours of taxis, airports, and planes. The trip has started out well. Even though we booked the flight to LA separately using our air miles, we were able to check our bags at united all the way to Brisbane via Qantas Airlines. (Knock on wood that they arrive!)

Flying these days is so different than when I was young. All the kids and the adults too are linked into their electronics. Case in point I’m writing this section of today’s blog from my seat on our first flight. Ethan has moved on to some good old fashion fun thanks to a friend, he’s building miniature airplanes that came much like a box of cards. I highly recommend them: Zcardz

Arrived in LA no problems. Decided to have a beer with dinner. Wow $8 for a Blue Moon. Hanging out for 5 hours and leaving here at 11:30 pm on 3/28. We will skip 3/29 all together and land on 3/30 in Brisbane. Already tired!

Our Adventure Begins, Packing

A quick hello to our friends and family.

We are getting ready for our 1st big trip since the birth of our son Ethan, and so much has changed in technology!  This time we thought it would be fun to share our adventure on a blog with all our friends and family.

Today is dedicated to packing!  What to bring, what not to bring, and of course shopping for Ethan, who seems to have outgrown all his summer clothing from last year!

We’ll be visiting Surfers Paradise , Cairns, and Sydney!  The weather is going to vary a bit from perfect beach, to hot and rainy, then fall-like in Sydney.  Making our packing a bit challenging.

Off to pack, hope you will join us on our 1st adventure in over 7 years!