Adventures Down Under (Australia)

The first leg of our journey Down Under (see previous post) was a wonderful (but somewhat scattered) week of work at Hugh Possingham's Ecology Centre at the University of Queensland. It was scattered because I gave two talks, because I had a couple of pressing deadlines to meet from back home, and because Ljuba and the girls all came down with a stomach bug that had them projecting from both ends. Yes, I spared you graphics of these excitements; besides, my hands were full!

After that week, Kai's Dad arrived and we all six went to North Stradbroke Island, a gorgeous spot to hang out for a week. Not only were the beaches beautiful and calm, the waters warm, the apartment was super, and courtesy of Nanna and Grandpa. Here's Taya loving the sand. It took a bit more trying before she was ready to love being in the ocean itself (more than a week), but we'll keep working at it!



It's hard to pick pictures to show from an experience like that. The skies were deep blue, the ocean turquoise, and everyone was having fun most of the time. There's a load of them on the Webshots album--if you like, you can start with this image (click to view) and this one too of Tivona and Taya and go from there. Here's one of Grandpa, whom Tivona really fell in love with (Nanna too), mostly during this visit I think (many nights, even months after, she'd say "Gampa, gampa, gampa. Nanna, nanna, gampa!" falling asleep).



We had lots of fun with Nanna and Grandpa, getting out more than we would otherwise have been able to. They helped carry the girls and the ever-accompanying stuff, helped shop when we needed groceries, Nanna did most of the cooking, Grandpa cut most of the fruit, etc. But we weren't only out and about, we also had some chill time, especially while Tiva napped (there were her last days of two naps a day).



Because the weather was so perfect, and the apartment so well designed, and we had N&G to help, we also got to eat outside often. As you can see below, that was a pleasure for our two lovers of the outdoors ('Tivona' actually means 'lover of nature').



Straddie had beautiful vegetation too. I really enjoyed these she oaks (also this image).



And these beautiful grasses, with the ocean in the background.



The gorge below (and this image) was breathtaking, with sea turtles clearly visible from where we were (but not this particular image).



Another thing that was possible thanks to Nanna and Grandpa were some family pics; here's one with Nanna at Point Lookout.



Tivona has become an entertainer, just like her sister. In the 40s special-moment video below, she plays up to her crowd.



Tiva's (and Taya's) dinnertime antics, clapping, etc.

Nanna really wanted to bring us out to see some rock pools with loads of fish. I was psyched about this, too--I fell in love with coasts and oceans thanks to tide pools. It was more than a kilometre along the beach, where the stroller was no help. With me carrying Tivona, Taya had to walk in the midday heat. It would have taken her an hour to do the back and forth if Nanna hadn't carried her much of the way. One might see it as 'spoiling' her, how much she got carried when she walks so much with us, but what a great kind of spoiling their grandparents indulge in (rather than sweets and gifts).



The photo below isn't flattering of either Tivona or I, but when I look at it, I feel that strong ocean breeze, and I'm transported back to the moment--Tivona snacking (as so often), just hanging out in my arms (there's also this image).



In contrast, here's a sweet photo of Ljuba, Taya, and Tivona (see also this image, although less flattering of Taya).



Look what Mama caught on the shore!



Tivona just loves the sand. It's hard to get her to look up, she gets so immersed in things.



But here's her face!



You'll see more of this, but Tivona just loves playing with these laundry clips that Ljuba brought along to hold up their black-out curtains (which saved us many an hour of sleep). Little did we know this functional item would be such a great toy!



That little wild animal Mama caught on the shore, here it is, bundled up (see also this image).



And here's our other little bundle.



And more of Tivona playing in the sand.



I got to play on the beach too! Oh, I relished that.



I took the girls in to jump in the waves too. You can tell that Tivona enjoyed it! (There's a closer photo here.)



On the way back, after saying goodbye to Nanna & Grandpa for a while, we had fun on the ferry. In this 42s must-see video, Tivona gets very excited about a dog.



Getting excited about a dog (on the Straddie ferry)

From Straddie we drove down to Burleigh Heads, our last major stop in Australia. More sun and beaches!

This photo of my three girls always makes me smile. They have fun together! And look at how coy Tivona is, popping just like her big sister and Mama, and apparently understanding fully what's going on. (Here's another, of Tivona popping on her own.)



Back to those laundry-clips. Watch this 54s must-see video and see Tiva's body control as she lifts her toe-clipped leg up and waves it around from a sit, without a wobble. Pilates instructors would be proud! And check out Taya laundry-clip hands cuddling her bear.



Tiva wants clips on her toes while Taya laundry-clip hands cuddles Little Bear

We also drove inland and went to a national park in the rainforest (Springbrook). Here's Ljuba and Taya walking together there (and this 48s everyday-life video shows Tiva dancing and Taya talking about a kookaburra going potty).



And here's one of the many beautiful sights at Springbrook NP, a waterfall (see also this tree-fern in a little waterfall).



We promised Taya and Tivona they'd get to see Aussie animals. Well, they don't just come around the beach, and we didn't spend much time in the bush. So we had to go to see them elsewhere. Most of the animal parks were exorbitant and a bit too entertainment-oriented, so we sought out the David Fleahy Wildlife Park (part of the national park system), which was super. Our first attempt got aborted when we started walking there and discovered just how pedestrian unfriendly rural Australia can be. Our second got aborted when the trunk light (left on when we got the car, but unnoticed) burned through our battery. Third time lucky!



Before we knew it, it was time for us to pack up from Burleigh Heads. We hated packing up! What with all the food, the crib-tent, the black-out curtains, all the toys and other things that mysteriously got stashed in every drawer, nook, and cranny, packing up was always a multi-hour task with Tiva fastidiously unpacking every bag she could get her hands on. We finally made it out and drove up to Southport where we spent a wonderful midday swimming and picnicking before heading up to an airport hotel for our final Aussie night. Here are my three girls, smiling together on that gorgeous Southport kids' beach.



Here's Tivona, learning to walk there.



Here's Taya, playing at that super playground.



And here's Tiva and I together.



They had this super bike-train, that both Taya and I got a huge kick out of.



What a wonderful way to end our Australia trip. Next stop, New Zealand!