Typical Aussie Sunday

Seeing as it is back to school this week, and the temperature broke 40 on Saturday, it seems proper to imitate the local Aussies and flock to a beach for Sunday.

This time we tried South Beach in Fremantle, a high end beach enclave just South of Perth.
It is a good thing we chose this one, the beachs North of Perth were closed due to a huge surf caused by Cyclone Bianca.  Yes, we have traded hurricane season for cyclone season.  However, like home, it is usually the outskirts of the storm.  But back to our beach.  I had my first beach run down under. 12 minutes out and 12 minutes back in 38 degree weather and then straight into the ocean.  We then broke out snorkelling equipment and then as usual here the waves kicked up after lunch.

Whatever warnings you received about the power of the sun here, they are not enough.  Slip, slap and slop and then continuously repeat.  I have never been one to worry overtly about burning, but after wearing a rash guard all day and then swimming for 20 minutes without it, I noticed my shoulders crisping up.  Cover up, wear sunscreen and then put on more.  And just in case, but a jug of aloe gel and put it in the fridge.
Next stop- school and unis for the kids.

Australia Day down Australia Way

We took the kids to the Western Australian museum where you can touch the (barbless) Rays, and walk underwater.  They have aquatic life from all around their coast and the museum is pressed up right on the Ocean.  It is just north of Perth at a harbour called Hillarys.  They have two beaches, countless shops and a water slide, high ropes centre.  As it was Australia Day everyone was decked out in full National pride.
Okay, everything is completely inverted here.  Yes we are down under, yes the water circles the other way, yes they drive on the other side of the road.  Christmas is in summer, But their National Holiday is smack dab in the middle of summer- just like us.  Only instead of Maple leafs everywhere - almost everyone is dressed in something that says Australia, temporary tatoos for Australia, writing in Zinc sun screen about Australia.  And they have a cool cheer:
"Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi,Oi,Oi!"  Still do not know what it means, but I like it.

In the evening they had a huge fireworks display over the Swan River.  Just like home - only six months opposite.  It also signifies the unofficial end to their summer holidays, back to school for the kids next week.
And that means back to school for me as well.

The Indian Ocean

Canada is bordered by three of the world's Oceans, but the the fourth one, the Indian is the one we were swimming in today.  The winds are apparently always blowing in Perth and by the early afternoon the waves were rolling in.  This was Cottlesloe Beach on the North Side of Perth.  Parking is free and you get a view looking down the coast and out across the ocean.  The grass tiers behind the kids were filled with sunbathers by lunch time.  There was a group of kids at "lifeguarding Camp" and a boathouse filled with surf kayaks ( think Magnum PI).  Liam ordered calamari for lunch fully aware it meant squid.  They do not have ketchup here, only tomato sauce, in these squeeze and squirt containers that has wound up on both Meg and Diana's shoulders.   Malt vinegar comes in spray mist bottles, interesting spin.  After a second dose of the beach, with the waves really crashing in, we called it a day.  Tomorrow is Australia Day- its Canada Day only Down Under, with Australian Flags flying everywhere and a massive fireworks display tomorrow.

Roos and Koalas

Okay, when I think of Australia, I think of Kangaroos and Koalas.  At Caversham Wildlife Park, you get to walk about with the Kangeroos ( no boxing permitted) and pet the Koalas.

A couple of notes, the albino kangeroos ( the one the kids are petting) are bred in captivity, the red kangeroos are the ones found in the wild along with grey ones.
Koalas sleep 20 hours a day and eat the other four ( think teenagers).  In captivity, their food source is provided and their predators are non-existent.  Their lifespan doubles to triples! I would say they have  a good set up going.  The koala in the pictures is Barney.
Great field trip to start things out.

Operation Australia Begins

After all the planning and anticipation our Australian campaign has begun.  There is no other way to describe the flight to Perth as other than Looong!  Meaghan and Liam were champion flyers though, making it through the 31 hours worth of travel time without one conflict of interest.
Once we arrived in Australia, we were out of the airport within 30 minutes of arriving- very efficient.
First thing to note about Perth- its hot!  Over 30*C.  Our exchangees left us a jug of sunscreen.
I successfully remembered how to drive standard, however, I tried to get into both vehicles from the wrong side.  The curbs in our subdivision are low and angled- very important as there is half a car to my left I am not used to.  No one has had to honk yet for me driving on the wrong side- one way streets in Hamilton are just as difficult to figure out.
We made a foray to the supermarket and prices are somewhat higher, but not on everything.  We found all the usual foods and bypassed the vegamite without a thought.  Much to Liam's satisfaction they have pizza and bacon.
Last note from our first day- currency.  If the US thinks we have monopoly money, the Aussies have the most vibrant colours for bills anywhere.  No pennies, things are rounded up when paying cash.  The $2 coin is smaller than a dime and the 50cent piece is the size of a poker chip. 
It will take another couple of days to get in sync with the time change.  Meaghan and Liam slept from 1:30 to 10:30PM and were up all night.  First day's plan- Koalas!