Away to Straya
Over an ocean and under the equator, the southern hemisphere awaits
I’ve been dropping hints in comments and notes the past few weeks…where I’m going, when and why. March will be my third trip to Oz…it’s where my brother emigrated fifty years ago. Lots of family and friends there; I want to see them all again.
First, my friends, let me apologize for being off-grid awhile. I needed a break from DC dissolving. Allowed myself ten minutes to keep aware, giving likes as I read notes and posts, but little commenting as I just wanted away. I’ve been busy teaching balance classes and seeing my guy…so finding bright spots too! ☺️
🐨🦘🐨🦘🐨🦘🐨🦘🐨🦘🐨🦘🐨🦘🐨🦘🐨🦘🐨🦘🐨🦘
The first visit was in 2002 when my husband surprised me with paper tickets on Valentine’s Day! It was just months after 9/11, and folks were still a bit uneasy about flying; but he said now’s the best time to go…tightened security and awareness. My parents went every few years and I’d been wanting to go too. We were grandparents now, nowhere near retirement time. He’d booked my school’s spring break week plus one more. Highlights of that trip were days and nights in the Blue Mountains, me climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge and him visiting the site of the 2000 Olympics in Sydney’s Homebush Bay Area. We loved the harbor life…promising to come back again, stay longer, see and do more.
My brother greeting me; at the top of the bridge, Jim and I at Katoomba rail station; coffee on the jetty across from brother’s house on Brisbane Waters.
Fourteen years later, I kept that promise; traveling back on my own in 2016. Jim passed away a few years before, I’d retired, kept in touch with friends and family in Oz. In 2009 I flew to Vegas to catch up with my Aussie niece. The invites never stopped after that and when my brother called each week, he’d say it’s time to meet his grandkids, see all he’d done in renovating his home. I spent weeks at their house, riding the bus to their mall, visiting a primary school, had a girlfriend’s getaway, walked all over Sydney’s old town/The Rocks and met my high school pal as she got off her cruise ship. A whole month in paradise!
First class over was a treat; harbor nights with my brother and a morning hike to Watson’s Bay’s South Head where the harbor meets the ocean! Map of Brisbane Waters… ferry to towns or toes in the sand on the coast. Darcy the camel in Ayers Rock on an early-morning sunrise ride. Across from my Sydney hotel was the pier where I waited for her to disembark. Fireworks every night in this magical place. This is where I left my heart, where I feel at home, why I need to return.
My daughter is going with me this time…to climb the bridge, walk Uluru, snorkel the Great Barrier Reef. But mostly, to meet her cousins and feel what I feel for this amazing country. She says it’s a good idea to accompany aging me; I say it’ll be fun mother-daughter time!
I’ll be visiting the Irwin’s Australian Zoo in Queensland with my Aussie girlfriend; the Outback town of Yulara; but the biggest pull is Harbor town/old town/The Rocks section of Sydney. It’s grown since my last visit; new buildings and parks, pickleball courts and public transport. Trains and ferries from Circular Quay take you everywhere. Bondi and Manly Beach daytrips are on our list. While my girl is snorkeling, I’ll be content on my brother’s porch sharing childhood memories, mom and dad stories, oohing and aahing at his craftsmanship, sunning on the jetty as boats sail by, wishing I could stay forever.
Right now, I’m going through clothes spread all over the guest room, trying things on…winter donuts mean will they still fit? Wicking pieces, coordinating colors, extra shoes; then roll things tight to fit a checked suitcase, with my empty duffel and daypack tucked inside. Travel-size everything will go in my backpack, keeping both arms free! Bought a Peaksta purse that fits across my upper chest, keeping the important stuff safe. Not taking my laptop but I’ll be in touch when I can…you know I will!
I’ve added a few links below to stories of my previous trip. And if you follow
, she is there right now on an extended journey to just about each of the six states. Grateful to Laura for her planning spreadsheets that helped us organize our trip.
If you’re in Australia, shout it out in the comments! Near Sydney or Gold Coast? … let’s have a cuppa!
My discount code expires end of this month… maybe there’ll be another, maybe not… I don’t think paid subscriptions make me worthy; it’s your responses and feedback that’s worth so much more. 🫶💕 Love, love, love you for that! ↪↪↪ 30% off forever
Be well, be happy, be kind! Joanie/Joan
My adventures from 2016
Laura’s tips for visiting Australia:
Have a wonderful trip, Joan!! How very, very exciting!
Welcome back to Australia! However, you mentioned five states - there are six states plus two territories, so which one did you forget? It wouldn’t be the biggest one of all, would it? The one that covers the western third of the continent? I would love to see you visit my wonderful home state of Western Australia!