Dreamworld

Dora, Airah and Aubree
Bailey, Peter and the Wiggles dog (what is his name?)
Sean and his girls. He is such a great Dad.
Katie Koala, Aubree and Airah

The girls really wanted to go to a water park and amusement park. Dreamworld was just the ticket, right next door is the water park which Sean took the girls to today while we went to the Sunshine Coast (North of Brisbane). The Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise and various amusements are South of Brisbane on the coast. Dreamworld is Australia's answer to Disneyland. I think that in the aboriginal culture the dreamworld refers to remembering the creation of the earth, plants, animals and man. I suppose that is why it was named Dreamworld. I don't know if the aboriginies are upset about the commeralization of their religion. Anyway, we had fun. Sean, Peter, Bailey and Abrey rode rollercoasters and various other scary stomach turning rides. We all rode on tamer rides and just generally had a great time.

Day trippin into Brisbane

We took the train from Indooroopilly to the river where we then took the city cat into the city. The city cats are fun transportation on the Brisbane River. They leave about every 1/2 hour and get you from place to place pretty quickly. The Brisbane River is wider than our biggest rivers (such as the Colorado) in Arizona. To me it seems about as wide as the Mississipi.
This is a school group going to a museum in the city. Note that all the kids are wearing those sun protection hats like we are thinking of allowing the kids at #1 to wear. All the school groups wear these hats in their school colours and names.
Mum and Uncle Laurie looking good!
Start of a rain forest walk next to the river.
I almost got run over by a speeding bicyclist taking this picture. I was stradling the line, a little confused about walking on the left instead of right and he was passing someone. He yelled and I quickly jumped out of the way or would have been a flat on my butt. I love the light reflections on the river.

Poohs and Roos

I've just been hanging around
Would you like to come over to tea?
Mum and Friend
Lorikeet's and Bailey enjoy each others company. They all flew off in a sudden swarm of colorful wings. We looked up and saw a bird of prey overhead. They were back eating dinner in a few minutes.
These boats are on the Brisbane River. It is a beautiful river which winds like a snake through town.

We visit the Koalas and Kangaroos

This is the same koala 49 years later, or maybe the same human 49 years later.

Joey and Mum enjoying a nibble of grass

Flight and Relies

This is our plane. We flew on Quantas. They take really good care of you. We had dinner and breakfast, snacks etc. they even came around with a warm washcloth in the morning.
These are cribs for babies. Airah and Auby each were small enough to curl up and sleep in one. They were so comfortable that they each slept for 12 hours straight!

This is us with our Brisbane relies. My Uncle, cousins, Geoff, Annie, Margaret and Peter. We are at Geoff and Annie's house which is an old restored Queensland home, raised (parking underneath), open windows and doors in abundance so the cool breezes can flow and a covered varanda with potted plants around 3 sides.
This is the traveling seven. My Mum, sister Jacki, my nephew Sean and the girls Bailey, Auby and Airah.
The end of a long 24 hours. Sean and the girls came all the way from Alaska!

Australia Day One

This is Uncle Laurie who will turn 90 in a few days and Auby who is 6. Celebrating his birthday is what got us going on this holiday. Seven of us traveled from various parts of the U.S. Sean and the girls from Alaska, my sis Jacki from Arkansas, Mum and I from Phoenix. Today is my birthday, we go over to Margaret's in a few minutes to celebrate my birthday. We left the U.S. on June 7, arrived in Australia June 9.

My 1882 upright piano goes to be rebuilt

This Knabe Upright was made in 1882. Isn't it a beauty? It will get its action rebuilt with new Helmut Abel Upright Hammers and all loose or broken action parts repaired or replaced. This has been a long process happening over many years. Glen invented special drill bits to drill the hammers at the proper angle so they fit just perfectly. I am excited that soon after I return from Australia, the piano will be back better than it has ever been since I got it 1970 or so.