The Kindness of Australians

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BY JUSTINO

To lead this nation onward and to glorify and grace the land.
Its voices echo down the years -the voices of the pioneers.

In my experience, the spirit of Australians hasn't changed much since E.J. Brady described it in the 1800's. Like the United States, Australia is a country of pioneers and community building was required for survival. Sometimes it feels like we've lost that spirit in the U.S., especially in our large cities. In Australia, a country larger than the U.S. if you don't count Alaska, but with a population of 21 million compared to our 300 million, there is an incredible spirit of generosity.

We're visiting Australia in extraordinary times. There are the worst fires ever in the south and the worst floods ever in the north. The news each night tells stories of destruction and loss, but also of Australians coming together, taking each other into their homes, raising money, and rebuilding their communities. We've experienced similar generosity. Our trip up to the barrier reef began in Coff's Harbor where our new friend Ziggy took us into her home. We visited the big banana, played with penguins, drank red wine, and Zack got to hang out with her two kittens. Then we headed up to the barrier reef and stayed with Ziggy's friends Ron, Nancy, and Leanne in their incredible place on Hamilton Island. Ron took us out on his boat, Nancy fed us, Zack played with Koala's, and we got to spend time underwater in one of the most amazing places on earth.

The barrier reef cannot be described, nor do photographs do it justice. Some of the most beautiful places in the world are underwater--and the barrier reef is one of them. I was very proud of Heidi. Even with her fear of sharks, and an aversion to putting her face in water even in the shower, she dove in and even took off on her own.

The highlight of the trip was Zack's presentation at the Hamilton Island School at their weekly assembly. Zack told all of the kids about life in San Diego as an American teenager and got rousing applause.

If you come to Australia, ignore the people who tell you not to drive up the east coast because the road is long, single laned, and some people think boring. It's a spectacular drive, right up there with the drive from San Simeon to Santa Cruz and Kaneohe to the North Shore. Make sure you stop at the pubs along the way, shoot some pool, and eat some toasted cheese fingers.

We've missed our Santa Cruz boys on this trip. Skype has kept us in touch, but it's not the same. Fortunately Spring Break is in a few weeks and we'll be seeing them in New Zealand...G'day. jb

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Photos

Lost in the Flood
Trees Struggling to Survive

That's my Girl!
Riding the sled at the Big Banana!

Zack's Presentation
He is now the most famous american teenager on Hamilton Island

Zack Holding a Very Cute Koala
...don't let Bob see this picture or he'll get jealous

Swimming in the Whitsundays
with Nancy and Leanne

Playing Darts
with a cricket in a pub off the Bruce Highway on a rainy day...

Scuba Diver Zack
ready to conquer the deep

The Boys We Left Behind
...enjoying dorm room cuisine

Comments

[richard]

It is always fun to see the blogs....................try and do them more often