Amazing wonders

Let me be clear on one thing.  I LOVE being American, and more importantly, a TEXAN.  Those things help to define me.  I am descendant of American patriots.  But the longer Im here in Australia, the more I grow to appreciate the beautiful sights that are not available anywhere else.  Last night was a case in point.

I left work after a long day and had a couple of errands to run.  While I was out I decided to try a new place to eat in Queenbeyan (a little town just outside of Canberra).  This is outside of my normal route but I figured I was out that far already why not do something different.  I was driving to Queenbeyan which is out in the bush, and saw the moon rising just over a hill.  It was so close I felt I could reach out and touch it.  I could even see some of the topography with my naked eye.  It nearly took my breath away.  Unfortunately I did not have my camera.

As if that was not beautiful enough, when I pointed my little car back homeward, the sun was setting.  The sky was illuminated with brilliant pinks, oranges and blues.  It was a pastel tie-dye being chased by the moon.  Blue faded to orange (admittedly NOT my favorite color combo....) and disappeared behind the hills.  Couple with the stark landscape of the bush, and it was a gentle reminder of the beauty that exists in this world.  I needed a reminder that life is not just about going to work and doing your job, but the small pleasures that often go ignored.  Thats another thing the Aussies have right.  They do not live to work as we do, but they work to live and experience life.  I am humbled to learn these lessons

All hail the King! (Part one....)

So, much has been made recently about the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's recent visit to Australia.  They are possibly part of the most widely recognized and popular monarchy in the world.  But, dear readers, there are many, many more!  One such kingdom is that of the Netherlands.  Perhaps you saw on page 10 of your morning news paper a couple years ago the *retirement*/ abdication of the beloved Queen Beatrix allowed her son to ascend the throne to be the first king since 1890. The entire country of the Netherlands turns orange in honor of the King's birthday and since this is his first year as monarch, the King's Day celebration is grand.  Now you may be asking yourself, but Tracey, arent you living in Australia?  Why are you talking about a European country when you are in the middle of the South Pacific??  Well, lets just say Ive got friends!

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands hosted a party in honor of the King's birthday on April 28 (his birthday is actually the 27th but since it is a weekend, they moved it).  And you will never guess who got invited....

Thats right...ME.  Chillin Dutch style.

The Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Australia and another fella (I didnt catch his name/title) toasting to the people of Australia and the Netherlands

The Ambassador delivers remarks while the singer who performed both national anthems waits in the background

Our police liaisons.  Check out those police inspired wooden shoes.  They are decorated as the police cars in the Netherlands.

 It was VERY crowded but we were able to see their new building which boasts of 26 solar panels and a water tank used to recycle rain water for irrigation and non-potable water in the building.  It was a lovely evening to be followed by another fun filled day on Saturday.  So, Happy birthday King Wilhelm-Alexander!!

Thats not a knife......THATS A KNIFE.

I used to think that Crocodile Dundee was pretty much what Australians were like.  Now that I have lived here for a year and a half almost, I have come to realize that while there are pockets of Crocodile Dundee-s all over this country, that it was a gross underestimate.  Aussies are just like us.  They enjoy sports and good food, they don't take crap off anybody and they will give you the shirt off their back if you needed it.  One other thing we share with the Aussies is the love of all things ridiculous.  I have been reading "Down Under" by Bill Bryson lately and he describes his visit to the Big Lobster.  It is exactly what it sounds like.  Apparently, all across Australia there are these "Big" items which dot the landscape.  The Big Mango, Big Lobster, Big Banana and so many more.  On Thursday, work took me to the little city of Goulburn which is on the Federal Highway on the way to Sydney.  Goulburn is famous for one reason-The Big Merino.

I had heard tales of this "Big Merino" and thought nothing of it really.  So what?  Its a big sheep.  Big deal.  Until I saw it for myself....  This Big Merino almost appears to stand watch over the city of Goulburn.  As you enter the city, his regal nature greets you with a smug little smile.  I had to stop and see this for myself.  Once I took care of the reason I was in Goulburn in the first place, I pulled into the rather empty parking lot in the shadow of the Big Merino.  I was originally going to just pop into the gift shop quickly and see if there was anything I couldn't live without.  I took a turn around the gift shop and after little purchases discovered that you can actually go inside the Big Merino.  It provides a history of the wool industry in the area.  I didn't have time to explore this, but it was interesting anyway.

I could not resist the opportunity to have my picture made with the beast.  Primarily because I didn't not think many people would believe that I actually saw it.  That and the fact that it was not a figment of my imagination.  So, I present to you...The Big Merino.

That tiny blue speck in the front is ME!

Yes, Im looking down my nose at you.

Does this statue make my butt look big?

Take me out to the ballgame!!!

Australians are starting to come around on baseball.  I have noticed a steady increase in interest and that makes me happy.  Our office provided some assistance in preparation so we were able to get some passes.  So at the last minute, I threw some stuff in a bag and headed to Sydney.  (What baseball girl can pass that up!?!?)  I was not sorry.  Though neither was my team, it sure was great to see a game I understand, with logos I recognize, and the usual antics between innings.  Instead of the traditional dot race, they had a "yacht" race, but it is all the same.

There was one significant difference.  In addition to charging obscene prices for drinks and food, they had a seemingly new invention.  The super jumbo dog.  This hot dog, or rather FOUR hot dogs comes covered in chili and cheese with its own carrying case all for the low price of $40.  Yes, you read this right, FORTY DOLLARS.  Needless to say, I did not have this particular fare.  Nor did I have what they called "nachos" as they did not resemble actual nachos.  There were also NO helmet sundaes but they did put the faux nachos in a helmet so thats something hey?

Little rain delay

The line-ups

Qantas choir

The cutest little Aussie T-ballers.  They had the time of their lives!

I have ACCESS!!  But even access has its limits.

Adam Goodes, Sydney Swans star (AFL) throws out the first pitch

Game 2 on Sunday...only caught the first inning because I had to get the bus back.

All the way to the top! (Top end that is....)

So, I've been here one whole year and I have only JUST been able to take a work trip.  Not that I usually travel all that much for work, but compared to my co-workers, I'm practically a stone statue.

This particular trip took me back to the Northern Territory.  Darwin is the capital of the NT and is actually closer to Bali, Indonesia than it is to Sydney (or Canberra for that matter).  Because of its location, Darwin has a wet season and a dry season and often suffers from cyclones.  I happen to take this trip during the wet season.  By wet season, I don't mean rain....I mean HUMIDITY.  I got off the plane and went out to catch a taxi and felt as if I passed under a shower head on my way out the door. My glasses constantly fogged up.  It was insane.

Regardless, I don't let a little humidity keep me down so once I landed and got to the hotel, I contacted some of my local contacts and off we went.  I did some recon work before I took off so I had a plan in place.  Our first stop was the Darwin Military Museum.

Most people (and by most, sadly, I mean Americans) don't know that Darwin was the site of some vicious attacks during World War II.  Just two short months after the Japanese obliterated Pearl Harbor, they turned their sights to the south and flattened Darwin on February 19, 1942.  President Obama was recently in Darwin for the 70th anniversary of the bombings and called it "Australia's Pearl Harbor".  However, like the Americans, Australians are a very resilient bunch and didn't allow this series of attacks to crush them.  The Darwin museum has done a wonderful job at highlighting the cooperation between the Aussies and the US.  As a matter of fact, there were several US ships in port during the Japanese attacks...but more on that in a minute.

This museum is actually built in a re-purposed outpost that was used during WWII.  Some of the buildings are marked as to what their original purpose was.

A copy of the Instrument of Surrender signed by the Japanese forces on board the USS Missouri (AUTHOR'S NOTE: Signed by Chester A. Nimitz.....my FAV Admiral evah.)

This truck was a mobile workshop.  You can see the work benches and if you look closely you can see tool drawers.

Outside of the tool truck

A segment of the memorial wall dedicated to US forces

Because of the climate and the exposure on the Harbor, a lot of stuff was built into the side of the hills and mountain.  There are some fuel stores out in town (near the wharf) that are housed in old mine shafts.

Some of the oldest inhabitants of the Top End are 4-legged.  When I arrived, my mate told me not to go swimming in the harbor, even though it was very close to my hotel.  The reason?  CROCS.  Thats right, crocs.  These beasts are WILD up in the top end and as long as you stay clear of them, you should be cool.  So what did I do?  I went to Crocosaurs Cove to see these fellas up close (or as close as I felt comfortable with).  These pictures dont really do them justice as they are enormous!

This pair is called "William and Kate".

These are the "babies" which they keep in one tank till they get too big.

I felt it important that they have some gauge for what separates me from the angry beasts who think I look super tasty.

ANNNNND then I realized that the acrylic was only the width of my hand.  As a matter of fact, my middle finger is longer than the width of the glass.

 I also went to the USS Peary memorial.  The Peary was docked in Darwin Harbor when the Japanese attacked.  The ship and most of her crew rest at the bottom of the harbor today.  The 4-inch gun seen below is located on the Esplanade and points to the final resting place of the Peary.

A 4-inch gun recovered from the USS Peary shipwreck.  It now points to the location of the ship.

Darwin Harbor

Australian naval ships docked at Darwin Harbor

So my trip was completely short and there was tons more to do.  Guess I will have to go back.  Of course there were a couple fur people who missed me.  Franklin decided to ensure that I not forget him on my next trip by sleeping in my suitcase. 

I'm helping you correct a terrible over site in packing...you forgot ME!

So Darwin survived the second coming of Cyclone Tracey with far less damage than the last time.  In 1974, Darwin was once again flattened, this time by Cyclone Tracy (spelled different, but no less powerful!).  I do have to say that no individuals were harmed during the visit and there was zero damage.  :D I really enjoyed Darwin and hope to get to go back soon (well, at least during DRY season this time....)

Enlighten

Canberra, being the nation's capital, always has SOMETHING going on.  I love that about Canberra.  The offer this past week was Enlighten.  Enlighten is a huge outdoor festival where art is projected on the outsides of major museums like Old Parliament House,  Questacon science museum, the National Portrait Gallery and even the High Court of Australia.  The coolest thing about this is that it is such a social event as there are folks walking around EVERYWHERE.

We saw a performance called Fiers a Cheval which was a French production where 3 performers are wearing large, illuminated horse costumes.  It was very elegant.