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30th November 2006 Joe Green	Be kind to Huntsmen! - From: So Long and Thanks for all the Smoothies I love what I've read of this so far (just stumbled across it today). I entirely sympathise with your fear of Sydney Harbour Bridge. It's not something I've dared yet. As you say, St Paul's Cathedral is scary enough (the rickety iron staircase between the inner and outer domes, if it's still there). Cologne Cathedral's bell tower is not too great in places either! But I'm rambling; I really wanted to put in a plea on behalf of the poor harmless Huntsman spider. However big, hairy and scary-looking it might be, the Huntsman is your friend! It's called that because, guess what, it hunts. And what does it hunt? Other creepy-crawlies, that's what. There are some very nasty spiders in Oz but nice Mrs Huntsman isn't one of them. I'm really looking forward to reading the rest of this wonderful journal!
Esther 9th September 2006 Esclaw	Thanks - From: So Long and Thanks for all the Smoothies Hey - thanks for your comment and for reading my blog after all this time! I wish I COULD still blog, but unfortunately the only traveling I'm doing these days is from our house to the grocery store or to the playground. Just not the stuff of Travelblog! Best of luck on your trip to Oz next year! You'll have a blast.
30th August 2006 Jess - Scotland	Thanks for the laughs - From: So Long and Thanks for all the Smoothies This is the best and funniest blog I have read. I am off to Oz next year and will make a note of all the places you visited and try to see some of them. Start blogging again, we need to have a lot of laughter in our lives. All the best to you Les and Abby.
Esther 30th March 2006 Esclaw	Thanks Everyone! - From: So Long and Thanks for all the Smoothies Thanks for all the great comments everyone. And yes, Ali is brilliant :)
29th March 2006 anonymous	- From: So Long and Thanks for all the Smoothies I enjoyed reading your blogs. Too bad there aren't going to be anymore. I'm sure going to miss them. By the way this Travelblog site was started and is still maintained by Alistair Watters and goes by Ali. He's been at it since 2002 and is still travelling - - I think he's in south east Asia. He's brilliant and is always improving on something. All the best to you and your family.
17th March 2006 MMR	Welcome home - From: So Long and Thanks for all the Smoothies As a "lurker", I just wanted to say I really enjoyed reading about your year in Australia. Having visited the country for the first time this year on vacation, I stumbled across your blog during typical work procrastination web surfing. I am addicted to many blogs on this site, but yours was one of my favorites. You are a very talented writer, and I wish you the best of luck. And don't worry, it will be summer in Boston before you know it...
Deb 17th March 2006 travelingbee	One more thing... - From: So Long and Thanks for all the Smoothies I forgot to mention in my first comment: I just noticed today that I now also have 42 subscribers for my Peru trip. Coincidence? Perhaps...
Deb 17th March 2006 travelingbee	Cbo's right! - From: So Long and Thanks for all the Smoothies Just remember, S - NE may not be exotic to you, but it may be exotic to people who don't live there OR, dare I say, to people who may be thinking of traveling or even moving there and want to read about life in-and-around Boston (or Beverly or Salem...). That said, I don't think you should consider yourself "through" blogging yet...at least not QUITE yet. Just my two cents... Love you guys and glad you're back!!
16th March 2006 Andrea	ditto - From: So Long and Thanks for all the Smoothies I agree! I want the blogging to continue. It has been great fun for me to keep up with you and read about your life down under, and I'm sure in time you will find you life back in the NE just as exciting. By the way, if you need some warm weather, come see me in Savannah. It's going to be 77 and sunny for the St. Patrick's Day Parade tomorrow. Andrea
16th March 2006 Cbo	Let the Blogging continue - From: So Long and Thanks for all the Smoothies You may not be traveling, but hey, that's what things like live journal and stuff like that are for! I say keep it up! BD! Cbs
16th March 2006 Tim	It is a sad fact that all good things have to come to an end - - From: So Long and Thanks for all the Smoothies and this is one of them. Having just noticed blog no 42 (yes i was anxiously checking each day) i quickly went and made myself a warm drink as i had done before reading the previous 41. It is nice to be thought of as nice and normal and i am glad you gained the audience your blogs deserved. By the way if you want to catch up with life in Sydney every now and again SMH.com.au is an excellent site (i am sure you know anyway). Good luck with the column Esther i am sure it will go down a storm. Good health and happiness to you and your family, Tim, England (for the last time)
16th March 2006 Daisy	- From: So Long and Thanks for all the Smoothies Loved every entry, please keep on writing!! I will miss hearing about your adventures in parenting and life if you stop. Anyway, glad you are back home, safe and sound despite the flight. And don't worry, spring is right around the corner-- just think, by the time October comes you will have lived through a year and a half of summer!
16th March 2006 Nann	thanks for the memories - From: So Long and Thanks for all the Smoothies We too are sorry to see the Australia blogs end! Being able to travel Australia with you when we couldn't really get there ourselves was just the BEST. What a marvelous way to keep grandparents abreast of your adventures - although we must admit it did keep us on our knees praying for protection from the likes of spiders and duck lice And although these last few weeks of NE winter are a jolt to your systems, we must admit to being thrilled, delighted, in fact downright ecstatic, to have you back home and within easy reach. And as you have so brilliantly pointed out over and over again, life with a toddler is always an adventure - it's all in your perspective. Can't wait to read your newspaper column! Welcome home. We love you. Nann and the Bub
6th March 2006 Cbs	Glamorous World of Dairy Farming - From: Fabulous New Zealand (Second to Last Blog) HA! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
6th March 2006 Tim	- From: Fabulous New Zealand (Second to Last Blog) Esther - it has been a real pleasure reading your blogs for the last few months. I have always looked forward to the next instalment and they have really brightened up my working days. I wish you, Les and Abby health and happiness always. Tim...
5th March 2006 Em and Ken Roth	Pure New Zealand - From: Fabulous New Zealand (Second to Last Blog) Hey Es and Les - So glad you had a great trip to NZ. Reading your blog made Ken and I want to plan a 3rd trip down there...it's our most favorite destination ever. Gotta love Winnes with the bucket o' toys and wait staff that acts like they really don't hear your children screaming : ) Hope the flight goes well and we can't wait to see you all here in Boston soon!
27th February 2006 KC	Abs - From: Odds and Ends I can't believe how much your little one looks like Les! It's incredible. Can't wait to hear you're home safe and sound. Good providence.
21st February 2006 Tim	- From: Odds and Ends Esther - just a short message to wish you all well in NZ. I have thoroughly enjoyed your OzzieBlog as you know. Have fun!!! Tim....
20th February 2006 Cbolicious	Hooray - From: Odds and Ends I finally get to see the g-bread house - oh so fun! la la la!
Deb 19th February 2006 travelingbee	Well wishes... - From: Odds and Ends Have a blast in Kiwiland (try not to get bitten by a Huntsman before you leave) and then COME HOME!!! Really miss you.
10th February 2006 Amanda	so funny... - From: The Doctor Is In Esther, this is the funniest thing I've heard in a loooooong time! I think I've read it about 20 times. I'm going to print this out and make Mark and everyone else I know read it. Hats off to you for making it through your day.
9th February 2006 jen	hilarious - From: The Doctor Is In This is hilarious! RFL!!!I'm forwarding this on to the medical people in my life
Deb 9th February 2006 travelingbee	You say that now... - From: The Doctor Is In ...but let me assure you that if Oz's medical system is set up anything like the UK, then while it may be greatly efficient for getting vaccines and the like, it would NOT be such a pleasure cruise if you were to become seriously ill or need any kind of surgery. Don't...I repeat DON'T test them on that front!
2nd February 2006 KC	Too much - From: In Which My Worst Fear Is Realized S, You brighten my day too. After dealing with hormonal juniors all day it's nice to read your entries. I always need a chuckle. Thanks, KC
George Lawrence 1st February 2006 Capn George	Top Drawer - From: In Which My Worst Fear Is Realized I loved it! This was one of your best. My guess is that it all come to you as a gestalt, and you wrote it in record time. It has a certain spontneity and immediacy about it. This brightend my day considerably. Thanks. Love you, Dad
1st February 2006 Rach	The ugliest spider - From: In Which My Worst Fear Is Realized I looked it up. That is the ugliest spider I've ever seen. Except maybe the pregnant banana spider in the DR.
30th January 2006 Daisy	favorites - From: Three Bits O' News Ok Esther, As you know, I love reading about your adventures. I think it's great that you are going to be published-- I think you should get a book deal!! Anyway, three of my favorite entries are "Weekend Adventures", "Encounter with Wildlife" and "Up to your ankles in Bats" and of course the "Good, Cheap Furniture".
30th January 2006 Mama TAFT	Page from Cousin Dan's book... - From: Three Bits O' News Cousin Dan finally decorated his office and it's full of carved masks and printed cloth from his Africa trip - perhaps you could pick up some stuffed cockatoos and beach items to decorate Les' office with artifacts from his Australia trip? BD!
30th January 2006 KC	Congrats! - From: Three Bits O' News Congrats, Les. Hope all is well. Love your blogs! I def think the IKEA bus driver should be included. KC
30th January 2006 Tim	- From: Three Bits O' News Esther - good news about the Beverley Citizen, i knew someone would publish your journals. Congrats on the birth of the babe and the promotion too. Tim, England
30th January 2006 Jen	Promotion - From: Three Bits O' News Congratulations Les!! That's wonderful!
28th January 2006 MJ	congratulations! - From: Three Bits O' News So happy to hear about your promotion. Come home soon. love MJ & DR
Esther 26th January 2006 Esclaw	Car hire - From: Part 2 of 3: Kangaroo Island Zelda - both Hertz and Budget (from the Adelaid airport) let you rent a car and take it on the island. They are the only two companies and the reason is because they have locations on the island should you break down. -Esther
26th January 2006 zelda	hire to kangaroo island - From: Part 2 of 3: Kangaroo Island we would like to take similar trip which hire car company let you take your car on kangaroo island i have yet to find one would be greta ful for input
Deb 24th January 2006 travelingbee	So are you cured?? - From: Climbing The Sydney Harbor Bridge You said that they told you that many people afraid of heights are cured by the Harbor Bridge - were you? Your fear of heights has always made me want to laugh - not b/c it's particularly funny that you burst into tears and fear plummeting to your death. I don't think that at all. What I find humorous is that you've always been the person I could count on to be crazily adventuresome with and up-for-anything, and yet there's this one thing that you just freak out about. So, if you and I were to ever enter "The Amazing Race" and got stuck with either taking 6 hours to get somewhere, or take a shortcut that included bungee jumping off of a bridge, I guess we'd have to take the 6-hour route and risk losing, huh? :)
23rd January 2006 Cbs	You see - From: Climbing The Sydney Harbor Bridge That is EXACTLY how I feel about boats - they freak me out so much and I HATE being on them - not like planes that just make me throw up (but are not scary) I can calm the fear and take yoga breaths and fool everyone for an afternoon out on the water that I'm fine, but still, I just do not like being in boats. It's like being in prison with a chance of drowning. (and yes, I do know how to swim)
11th January 2006 Tim	You are a natural writer. - From: Part 3 of 3: The Barossa Valley (wine country) I have so enjoyed reading these last 3 blogs. Watch out Bill Bryson is all i can say. Your blogs are as entertaining and informative as any travel book i have read. I look forward to the next post. Have fun in the sun!! Tim, England
Diana 7th January 2006 SA hiker	Galahs - From: Part 1 of 3: Flinders Ranges Hi Esther, Enjoying your blogs about SA. Just a small point, the "Majestic Cockatoos (Rosellas)" are galahs. Cheers, Diana (aka SA-hiker)
4th January 2006 Daisy	- From: Part 1 of 3: Flinders Ranges Esther, you have a wonderful way with words. It is very entertaining to read your blogs, and I can't wait for part 2!!
1st January 2006 Nann	Glad you're back!!! - From: Back and Baking Can't wait for the blogs. We're trying our best to be patient here in chilly philly. Wish we could send you some of our cool New Year air. Kiss AJ for us.
29th December 2005 Lisa E.	Happy New Year! - From: Of Arrivals and Riots Hey Es, Love your journal and the photos. I have been negligent in reading this until Andrea told me how she was laughing until she cried, while she read some of your entries. I'm glad that you're parents got to visit for the holidays. Take good care!
20th December 2005 KCL	hello - From: Of Arrivals and Riots Hey Es, Loved the pics of your parents. They look great. Tell them I said hello. Wanted to let you know that I'm expecting another in July. Hope all is well.
Camo 19th December 2005 The Nomad	Sydney Olympic Park is not always a ghost town - From: Of Arrivals and Riots Glad to hear your enjoying Sydney, It's my home town and I, like a lot of Sydney-siders, are very proud of our city. Just to clear up your comment on Sydney Olympic Park. Since the olympics, that park has played host to a myriad of sporting events, concerts and other events. In 2003, Stadium Australia (or Telstra Stadium as it is now known) was the main site of the Rugby Union World Cup, the largest sporting event in the world that year. There is also many sporting events that take place there like the State Of Origin, Rugby League Grand Final, AFL and the Socceroos beat Uruguay to secure a place in the Soccer World Cup there. Next to Stadium Australia is The Superdome. Many huge bands have played concerts there such as Kiss, Korn, Eminem, 50 Cent etc... Plus there has been The WWE and The Crusty Demons perform many shows there, not to mention all the other sporting events that are there throughout the year. Everytime the Big Day Out (Australia's largest music festival) is in town, Sydney Olympic Park is the venue and has been since 1999. Every year it is the venue of the Sydney Royal Easter Show that sees hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over Sydney, Australia and the world. In and around the park are many restaurants, bars and clubs that have a steady flow of customers, myself included. To name everything that happens there would take up too much room (I think I have taken up too much already :)) It's a vital part of Sydney's entertainment industry and I couldn't imagine Sydney without it. Anyways just thought you'd like to know. Enjoy the rest of our country. Sorry about the certain idiots who like to riot for no real reason.
George Lawrence 14th December 2005 Capn George	Your sartorial slur - From: Update on Riots In my methodical way I have considered all the varied enviroments I will encounter in Oz -- beach, desert, bush, around town, around the house, and even dinner at a nice restaurant. I will come with all clothing necessary to decent and comfortable living in those environments. So, dear and excited daughter, far from wearing the same outfit for three weeks, I intend to dazzle you with a veritable peacock display of sartorial splendor with only the carefully selected clothes that fit into the tiny space in my roll-a-board that is not devoted to gifts for Abby. See you in a few days. I love you, Dad
14th December 2005 cia	- From: Update on Riots have a crazy, fun holiday with your mom and dad-enjoy the family time immensely. i'm sure they can't wait to see abby:) xo a blessed christmas to you and yours!
7th December 2005 Joanna	'eating'? - From: Kookaburra Sits on the TV Antenna Abby looks like she's about to fling some of that food right at you, catapult style. v. cute.
7th December 2005 GJJ	Snow - From: Kookaburra Sits on the TV Antenna It snowed in Philadelphia last night. Most of it is gone now, though. I wish it were in the 90s here. Well, maybe not. The thought of sweaty Santas is too much to bear.
1st December 2005 Cbo	Touch of pink - so mod- so fun! - From: A Touch of Pink Es - Les' office party sounds like a blast - love the lovely mod look - so fun! You will have to tell us all about it and post pics when you post your lollyhouse. Cbo
George Lawrence 1st December 2005 Capn George	Just what I need - From: A Touch of Pink I can't wait to get to Sydney. What I really need today is a smoothy with a shot of something to handle a 30+ page spread sheet chock full of four-line long boolean formulas. Instead, all I've got is coffee.
29th November 2005 grama	knew you could do it - From: Happy Birthday Mom!! You re a lawrence also and my grand daurgher so you realy have thata talen hidden in side LET IT OUT GIRL love you nknow who
28th November 2005 Daisy	- From: Chutes and Ladders wow, the more I read of your journal, the more I wish Ed could get a 6 month stint in Australia!! It sounds beautiful and amazing.
28th November 2005 Cbo	Unbelievable - From: Happy Birthday Mom!! Es - Cannot believe you had to go to make a g-bread house but am v. proud of you for stepping outside your box and making friends - yay! So question - why is the pic of the lolly house not posted? We must see! Cbs
24th November 2005 Lisa	Gingerbread Lattes - From: Sculpture By The Sea Hey guys- Finally have a few days off and am able to do some "catch up" on those little things I've been meaning to do for months.... like checking out your journal. It is such a great way to learn about somewhere I've never been, so thanks for doing this! I hope all is well with the three of you. Enjoy your holidays- and more importantly- get as many gingerbread lattes in as you can- the countdown is on until they go away for another ten months!!! I sure am!! Lots of love- Lisa (PS- Aaron just came in and says hello!)
23rd November 2005 Daisy	- From: Sculpture By The Sea Hi Esther!! I just bumped into Stacy this morning in Genuardi's and she told me about your blog, so I came to check it out. It's great!! I always wanted to visit Australia, and now I can through your blog!!
20th November 2005 great grand parents	what a day - From: Beware the Jabberwock EsandLesand abigail What a fun dy youy hd and what a pleasure to see you all. Its hard to believe our little girl is gotten to be a little girl and do longer a baby,what a beautiful family..so nice that you think of us..Its a real treat to see yoou what a beautiful familly a repeat LOve Grama and grandaddy xxxxoooo ,
12th November 2005 anonymous	- From: A Brief Discussion On Processed Food Down Under you I guess age is no excuse
11th November 2005 Cbo	Laughing SO hard! - From: A Brief Discussion On Processed Food Down Under Hey there - am laughing SO HARD at this - b/c I know your dislike of raw meat and tendencies towards boiling it. If the raw stuff has oven directions that's nearly as easy - just start it up a bit earlier. Oh wait - this is your summer - right? Nevermind then, b/c the oven would make things hot. Maybe you can cook them in a frying pan?
Deb 10th November 2005 travelingbee	Food, glorious food! - From: A Brief Discussion On Processed Food Down Under Hey Es. So sorry to hear of the food woes there! I am, however, wondering if perhaps they carry some of the same items that I used to pick up in the UK (as the countries seem to be quite similar in certain ways). If so, there was a sort of meat-substitute I really liked which I know sounds gross, but it was actually quite good and didn't need anything more than to be heated up. I'm totally blanking on the name right now though. I'll think about it and let you know if I can remember it. Also, if you're looking for additional read-to-eat items, there were these INCREDIBLE yoghurts made by a company called Muller (with the little double dot over the 'u'). Loved 'em - and they were a nice quick easy snack. Look for them - my favorites were something called "Muller Crumble Corners". Bless them!
10th November 2005 Bellybum	Your Blogs - From: A Brief Discussion On Processed Food Down Under Hello to you all. I just want to say that i am really enjoying your blogs as they are written in such a way as to be both amusing and true to life. I would also add how envious i am of you as i love Sydney and long to go back. Till the next blog.... Tim, England
5th November 2005 your grama	just let you know - From: Up To Your Ankles in Ducks and Other Animal Adventures I wrote a whole lot of stuff and all of asudden it was gone so I,m trying again just to let you know I enjoyed the latest blog.to late now to start the long stuff again maybe tomorrow. it,s 11 pm here,, and Ive had a full long day..YOUr mom will know what i mean, love grama
26th October 2005 Noah	- From: A Word on Words and an Exciting Purchase Your tales of triumph and adversity bring a tear to my eye. All that talk about vocab reminds me of the time back he-ah when I went to the fay-ah and saw the hoss-pulling show. It's wicked pretty this time of ye-ah in the arear around the Nah-th Shaw, so it was even nice-ah.
26th October 2005 Joanna	Eftpos Cards - From: A Word on Words and an Exciting Purchase Hey Esther...I can relate a little about the strange terms for things...I live in the South now. HA. I just wanted to relay some bank knowledge for you...the debit card abbreviation stands for Electronic Funds Transfer Point Of Sale. Some banks in the US call them POS transactions when you use your card at Acme and others call automatic payments set up by you as EFT on your bank statement. Strange that they would clump them together like that, though.
25th October 2005 Erin	ex-babysitter - From: No Cuppa For You! Aww you finally found a babysitter. Somehow I feel a little bit replaced! :( I miss babysitting Abby so much. Glad you're all doing well in Australia though. Give her a hug from her first babysitter ever :)
24th October 2005 anonymous	- From: Dangerous When Wet I think they are the same jellyfish. This government website says they are - still, probably not deadly (though serious to children). http://faunanet.gov.au/wos/factfile.cfm?Fact_ID=11
24th October 2005 Nicky	- From: Dangerous When Wet As far as I know, Portugese Man-of-Wars are much bigger and potentially deadly. I've been stung by bluebottles many times. It hurts a bit and gives you a red bump, but is not really dangerous. Never fear!
22nd October 2005 Gisele	- From: No Cuppa For You! Good story Esther! I'm glad to know you and Les got out for a while. Let's see, Accenture is having a new event tomorrow. They have rented out the "House of Blues", "Bin 36 Winery/Restaurant", "10 Pins Bowling" (former Marina City), and "Smith & Worshorsky Steakhouse" from noon til 5:00. We can hop from place to place, sampling food and eating special foods they plan to have for us. We get two free drinks at each place and all the food we want. Then, at the "House of Blues" we get to listen to an imitation U2 band play music (what's the word for a copy cat band? I forgot). I'm looking forward to it. Well, going to bed now...Keep enjoying the adventure! Gisele
18th October 2005 KC	thanks - From: No Cuppa For You! Thanks, Es. I needed a good laugh this morning before I began teaching my juniors. Coy's favorite words are "Oh snit" for another word of course...thanks to the many times I've or someone has dropped something. At least in church he only calls out, "Amen" at random times. I am only waiting for the other to happen. :-)Tehee!
13th October 2005 Capn George	- From: Inside the Travelblog Control Room I've been doing all sorts of things trying to get my school's web site to pop up near the top of Google with only the most modest success. Without even trying you have hit the jackpot. When I repeated your test, you not only came out on top, but you were the first of 6,680,000 hits that Google found. I agree with Noah. Take a picture. Congratualtions for hitting the big time!
13th October 2005 Noah	Congratulations, you're famous - From: Inside the Travelblog Control Room I too ran the experiment and found your result was number one. That's amazing. You should take a picture of that and hang it up next to your diploma as one of your great achievements in life. Just think, I actually know someone who is number 1 in a Google search... amazing!
Deb 11th October 2005 travelingbee	I feel your .1 pain... - From: A Word On Conversions Just so you know you're not alone, I still have nightmares about the metric system in the UK. I won't go into all the details, but suffice it to say that 2 of the fixed items in my kitchen while I was there was a conversion sheet put together by the Junior League and a calculator. I've never used a calculator so much in my life... Where it got even more confusing was in cooking b/c not only was I dealing with liters, but even the British "cup" wasn't the same as ours. As most everyone knows, an American cup is equal to 8oz. However, the British cup is approx 10oz. Well, you can just imagine how the first few things I made using British recipes with my American measuring cups turned out...
11th October 2005 Rach	celebrating metrics - From: A Word On Conversions To add insult to injury, Dave is having a Metric System party on Saturday. It's ok if you don't want to like him anymore because of it. :)
6th October 2005 evaneck	My first comment to the blog - From: Birthday, Baby and Bono: Three Quick 'shoutouts" U2 is way overrated. What's up with those glasses bono always wears. Would much rather see Jimmy Buffett.
6th October 2005 cia	birthday, baby poo & beautiful men - From: Birthday, Baby and Bono: Three Quick 'shoutouts" hey there! happy b-day to les! and to your credit i have had my boys' poo sneak out the leghole of the "swimmie" diaper at the most opportune moments (aren't they always?). and bono, didn't get to see them this year...but-let's all breathe a collective sigh in his favor;)
6th October 2005 Cbs	Happy Birthday Old Bean - From: Birthday, Baby and Bono: Three Quick 'shoutouts" Hey there - I am looking v. closely at the bday sign, I think it is perfect except that it is missing a superfluous paisely (parsley, ha ha) Mama Bo
Deb 6th October 2005 travelingbee	Bono sends his love - From: Birthday, Baby and Bono: Three Quick 'shoutouts" Trust me, I am still tremendously upset about you not being able to join me, but when Australia calls... As it is, Jo is coming up from Atlanta to help me pack and, as an added bonus, go to the concert with me. However, I'm sure Bono would be just as disappointed as I am and surely would send his love.
6th October 2005 gb	this friday! - From: The Kangy Angy Indeed! Hey Esther. Looks like an amazing trip! I was just thinking of you because the boys arrive in town on Friday...looks like you are having a great time. Say howdie to Les and Abby. I'll say howdie to the boys for you.
David Simms 5th October 2005 Guvincanada	- From: The Kangy Angy Indeed! A Brumby is an Australian wild horse, found in outlying bush areas.
5th October 2005 Rach	- From: The Kangy Angy Indeed! perhaps the best laugh i've had in a while. thank you :)
30th September 2005 Flying Penguin	Bus pass - From: Good, Cheap Furniture Hey, Esther! I just thought buying a bus pass could be a really neat idea, since your area is well-connected by bus routes. If you ride the bus every day, you could generally travel the second half of the month for free. At least that's the way it works here in Vancouver. Furthermore, it encourages people to take the bus more often, and you save again and again. So it's something worth considering. Then you guys could perhaps explore Northern Beaches, such as Curl Curl and Dee Why. I've heard they're pretty cool.
30th September 2005 Rach	can't argue w/ good cheap furniture - From: Good, Cheap Furniture but all I want to know is: how much was the bus fare home?
29th September 2005 Flying Penguin	Please keep blogging - From: Good, Cheap Furniture Hello from Vancouver, Canada! Here it's pouring rain but your first days in sunny Sydney make me smile. Looking forward to more of your entries. Best of luck to you guys!!!
28th September 2005 GJJ	IKEA - From: Good, Cheap Furniture Oh yeah. The GLIS is great. The KRISTER is cool. And the MORGON...magnificent! But, frankly, the SNILLE is a bit silly.
28th September 2005 Joanna	Battle of Ikea - From: Good, Cheap Furniture "My friend had grabbed a leather sofa only to have to give it up to a man who threatened her with a wooden mallet." Esther...check out this link to this article. I guess a lot of people find Ikea 'fantastic'. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/02/11/nikea11.xml
22nd September 2005 Norma Jean	Heights! - From: Weekend Adventures OOOps, i wasn't finished before i sent that. I would be right there freaking out with you - but WOW! what a view! It is great to see that you are having a wonderful time there. Enjoy!
22nd September 2005 Norma Jean	Heights! Ugh! - From: Weekend Adventures
Deb 22nd September 2005 travelingbee	You're not alone... - From: Weekend Adventures Hey guys. Just to make Les feel better and encourage Es to give him a break, I did almost the same thing the first time I drove on the left side of the road. I had rented a car in the UK and was going down a narrow English lane when I bent the sideview mirror back on my car when I accidentially clipped another car's mirror. No damage at all, and I never did it again. I'm now quite skilled at driving on the other side of the road - just ask the people who drove with me in Thailand. :)
20th September 2005 Les	Clarification - From: Weekend Adventures I did not "run" or "crash" into a car. I gently bent back the mirror by slightly clipping a parked car, which (though Esther neglected to mention this) was abandoned and up on cinder blocks. No harm, no foul. A piece of advice to anyone wanting to trying driving on the left side of the road - don't bring Esther with you on your first trip unless you are planning on only driving across the outback or the salt flats. Anything with more traffic will cause you to have hearing loss for at least two weeks.
19th September 2005 laura pb	- From: An Encounter With The Wildlife Oh my gosh, Esther, I am still laughing because we are identical in our appreciation for spiders. So...here are some suggested coping skills prior to dialing 911. 1) Spiders eat mosquitoes and will prevent you and the family from getting bitten up...that is if there are mosquitoes there. 2) What if you name the spider, maybe Fluffy, or Mimi, something "cute". Maybe it'll seem more friendly, sort of like a house cat or something 3) keep the windows open and pray that a cat or something crawls in. Then somehow intro the cat to the spider, sort-of like a cat toy. That may work. 4) Invest in some strong smelling perfume, something that will "stink out" the spider. As you can tell, I really, really can relate and have in fact used all these tips - including namin the spiders that seem to continually hang out my my windows. Good Luck!!
17th September 2005 Stacie	- From: An Encounter With The Wildlife Okay, those things are huge and gross. Time to buy an air conditioner and keep your windows closed for the duration!
16th September 2005 Jen	backpacks - From: Chutes and Ladders Abraham loves the backpack, although haven't used it for long duration yet. Cannot imagine doing that walk with a stroller! Looks like so much fun though!
16th September 2005 laurapb	what a travel guide - From: Chutes and Ladders Esther, you're amazing! Your plate is full yet you find time to enter these amazing recaps of your journey! It's wonderful. By the time your finished, you'll have a book that certainly over rides and current travel guide - one that's certainly much more entertaining! I'll look to send a personal update via comcast soon. I'm thrilled to be part of this special group watching your life from the sidelines.
16th September 2005 Gary J.	Lorikeets - From: Down and Under and Bird Lesson I'm enjoying your humorous travelogue, and am glad you are all having a good time. There was a Lorikeet exhibit at the Philadelphia Zoo a couple of years ago. You could buy some food, walk into a large caged area, and the lorikeets would flock to you -- landing on your arms and shoulders to devour the sweet stuff you were carrying. You just hoped that they would not poop on your head in the process. So what's the story with Australian beer? I understand that great quantities are consumed, and it keeps the marsupials hopping. Is it good, or just something to use to stay hydrated? GJJ
15th September 2005 President Bush	Don't joke about rocket launchers, young lady - From: Down and Under and Bird Lesson Dear A's mom - I understand that you made a joke about airport security. Well, that won't do, I'll tell you that for nothing. You and your little terrist (pronounced in one syllable) in-training can just STAY down under. Especially if you vote Democrat. Say...I always wondered, does all the blood rush to your head since you're walking around on the upside down part of the planet?
8th September 2005 Em	Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo? - From: Few observations Check out the link below and see if this is your bird.... http://www2.abc.net.au/science/birds/asp/query.asp?Action=Bigger&value=45&id=68
8th September 2005 Jen	mom's group - From: Few observations If I know you, Es, you will have turned those mom's groups upside down within a month and they'll love you for it!
8th September 2005 Jen	flight - From: The Flight so the car seat didn't fit, eh? but sounds like it went as well as could be expected or better. you must have been exhausted from trying to keep A quiet and contained. Can't imagine!
8th September 2005 Laura PB	It took 5 years and a move to Aus - From: Few observations Esther - wow, what a wild ride - and your daugher Abby is up and about, geez, she was just born the last I heard! Thx much for looping me in on your travels. Ironically, I'm back in the airline world at United. Unfortunately, I can't join you out there for a "holiday" but one never knows - stranger things have happened. My Ariel is 5 and just started Kindergarten. Go figure. Much love! Will be watching for your blog alerts.
7th September 2005 Stacie	Churchatbondibeach.com.doesnotwork.au - From: Few observations Es, Hate to tell you but the link you put in your last entry doesn't work...at least not for me. Do you want to email me your address and I'll ship you some hazelnut creamer? I'm sipping some in my coffee right now...mmmmm. :) Stacie
7th September 2005 Deb	Churches - From: Few observations Hey... So you probably know this already, but that Bondi Beach church link doesn't work. I did go through and search a little online to see what I could find and there are some reformed churches in NSW, but I don't know how far they are from you. I'll send you their info if you want... I can also ask my mom over at MTW what missionaries they have in Sydney and where they go to church as that might be a good place to start as well. Just a thought...
7th September 2005 Nann	Bondi Church at the Beach - From: Few observations Your wild birds sound wonderful!!! I looked up your church link but it didn't come up. Google came up with the above named church and the following info Modern, Relevent Church PO BOX 7339 Bondi Beach NSW 2026. Tel: 91301 299. Church at the Beach meets 8.30am, 10.30am and 6pm every Sunday in the Reef Rooms, Swiss Grand Hotel Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach. The only review calls it a great place to be because of it's lively feel...... Can you substitute hazelnut coffee and plain creamer? Miss you all much but love hearing your adventures! Kiss A for us.
7th September 2005 Capn George	Church at Bondi - From: Few observations I found this info on the Church at the Beach. The URL you listed didn't work. Use this one http://www.churchatthebeach.com Church at the Beach meets 8.30am, 10.30am and 6pm every Sunday in the Reef Rooms, Swiss Grand Hotel Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach. Modern, Relevent Church PO BOX 7339 Bondi Beach NSW 2026. Tel: 91301 299 Looks like it is run by a husband and wife team, Mark and Joy Horan.
6th September 2005 CTM	Welcome! - From: First Few Days Congratulations on your safe arrival and the first few days of figuring out the most basic stuff. These are the tasks that make expat experiences fascinating and exhausting. Trivial tasks that you take for granted at home eat up a lot of mental and physical energy in new countries. At least you have the lanugage on your side, or mostly on your side! In terms of car seats, we recently read Freakeconomics which proves quite solidly that the thing that matters most about saving kids in car accidents is putting them in the back seat with some sort of restraint. Elaborate car seats once they are no longer infants actually make little difference. The key is to have the kid in the back with a basic restraint. Sounds like Australia has already figured this one out. Pictures look great - what a beautiful day! Thanks for sending these adventure tales - we love to live your experience vicariously.
6th September 2005 Amanda	Glad you made it! - From: A few photos Hey guys! I love the pictures, that's so exciting! We are so glad you made it safely and look forward to hearing more about your adventures.
31st August 2005 Em	long haul flights with wee ones - From: Will pom poms work on the plane? hey es - play dough was a life saver for us on our 3 flights from NY to Christchurch, NZ - they sell them in fabulous colors now (silver and hot pink even!) and in a "party favor size". We put 3 in E's bag at a time and when they got gross and he was asleep we secretly replaced them from my bag. When he woke up it was so exciting to see what new colors would be there. As long as A is not still istantly putting everything in her mouth, you might try it. Oh, also, he loved his little travel size "doodle pro" - you remember, magnetic drawing? Anyways...good luck.
31st August 2005 Karen	what is going on? - From: Getting Ready To Go As I get older, time is speeding up or maybe it just feels that way. When did A start walking ( or squatting)? I thought she was still 2 months old. Now, why are you going to Austraila? And why don't you know where you're going to live when you get there?