Funny, this travelling to different parts of the world. Funny, like 'aluminum'. We've all stumbled over the word at times, maybe even joked about its pronunciation. But did you know that down here, below that magic line that divides our world in North and South, they have a whole different pronunciation compared to what we are used too? You know why? It's a different word. Spelled completely differently - it's 'alumin-I-um'. A-loo-min-e-um. Crazy. And, we all know they drive on a different side of street but did you know that the light switches are flicked down to turn on and up to turn off? Weird. It's 'take-away', not take-out, 'chips' are fries, pannini's are 'turkish melts', Wednesday here is Tuesday at home, and of course there is no big dipper to be found anywhere! But....seriously there was nothing more strange than watching a guy dancing around in his Santa outfit on an ad on TV for the 'Raro-Mart' (Rarotonga's version of Wal-Mart)to the tune of 'Santa Clause is coming to Town" - and it being 30 degrees outside.
Having said all that, what an experience so far! The Cook Islands have disappeared for us in a long day of travel that took us to Auckland and on to Brisbane where our good friends, Todd and Leanne Abrahams, along with their kids, Jayvin and Kylie, were waiting for us at the airport. It was so great to have familiar faces greet us and to see Todd whom we hadn't seen in just about two years. In a short 24 hours here in Australia we have fallen head over heels. It is amazing here. They live south of Brisbane by about 45 minutes in a place called Elenora, just south of Surfers Paradise. We, because of some massive time change brain warps, were up early today and in the water in their local beach by 8:30 am. Simply a breath-taking spot of the world. For those of you into 'Google-Earthing'or 'Google Maps' check out Palm Beach, QLD, Australia - Wow!
The public school kids are in school for another week and a half before the summer break starts and prices on accomodations reallys start to go up. So, we are looking at renting something here for a week or so to take advantage of lower prices and then organize the next month or so after that. Brisbane, Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast area is chock full of tourist type stuff that we are going to mess around with before the break starts - Wet and Wild Park, Dream World Amusement park, WB's Movie World, and the list goes on and on.
Thanks again to all of you that have posted comments on the blog or got back to us on email. We read it all and love the posts. There is another batch of photos ready to go too. You can check them out by clicking on the following link - here.
Just click on the first photo and then scroll through the rest to view in a bigger format. Enjoy.
All the best to you, God Bless,
Jp, Marnie and Girls
ps. Anyone notice how in love with the 'comma' I am when I write?
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12 comments:
Hey, Sook passed on your blog info and I have been reading and looking at the pictures. Everything looks and sounds great so far. Keep the info coming, I can dream of the warmth while it has now hit negative degrees in the double digits.
Oops, forgot to sign my name on the first comment.
Kim Hutchinson
Comma freak! Ah well, I'll smoosh the grammar correction back (although I have red pen all over the screen now from "corrections"). Miss you guys lots but am so glad that you're having such a wonderful time. Loving the posts and pics so keep them coming.
Love you guys!
Great Pictures, do the toilets really drain the opposite way in Australia? Do people really say "Throw another shrimp on the Barbie". Have you met Elle Mcpherson yet? These are the burning questions that need to be answered.
In terms of the toilets...they have different styles of toilet - more efficient in that they can flush two ways - for #1 and more water for #2. Water pushes straight in and doesn't turn at all - it's like a mash (I checked right away on that issue, as it was a burning question for me too). We are hearing the 'shrimp on the barbie' lots - on commercials anyway. Sorry, no Elle sightings yet. We went for dinner at a Surf Club yesterday - so great (basically cause you can take your kids to the pub!) and really fun atmosphere. But, they don't have pints, you order a 'schooner', which I screwed up and called a 'schoolie' and now Todd can't stop laughing at me. We found a place to rent on the beach here and will move in today for at least a week. Two bedroom place oceanfront with a pool, workout facilities, games room, shops right there, restaurants right there and Todd and Leanne only about 5-7 minutes away. Less than HALF than what we paid in the Cooks too - ouch! Gotta run, it's moving day...and we are having Shrimp on our Barbie overlooking the water tonight. With a Toohey's in hand!
A schoolie come on man! I guess Todd is laughing at you. I hope you told people you were from Oregon or something. A schooner sounds cool, a schoolie sounds like something you got beat up for in elementary school.
Good to hear you have found a nice place. Say hello to everyone.
I going to go and pour myself a swirlie and relax.
An exciting day here in PG yesterday. We woke up to 30 cms of glorious light fluffy snow that had fallen overnight. It was awesome, the kids went off the school with this crazed look of joy on their faces. Unfortunately, it is now warmed up to plus 2 this morning and it is raining. So much for our day of sledding, what a piss off. Let me guess, still sunny and warm in Australia?
Hi Island Hopping Family,
The Cook Islands looked amazing...not too crowded hey...hardly anyone else on the beach on your pics. Hope you and Marn have unwound and left all the PG worries behind! We just had 24 hours of snow, about 35-40 cm worth. I bet you are all really missing it! I just hope it stays long enough so we can go on our annual sleigh ride at Milners.
Sam is doing well. We're homeschooling...now I know why I always said I would never do it unless I absolutely had too. Oh, well, we'll survive. The drugs tend to make him irritable and contrary...perfect for working one on one with your tween-y child! During Christmas Break I'll get Ger to take over the tutoring.
Hi to Todd and Leanne...have a wonderful day, that shouldn't be too hard.
Love to all,
Goertzen Gang
Het you guys!!
An amazing blog so far!!!
Tell me you don't miss waking up to piles of snow that you must plow through with your car,then have your neighbour push you out,only so can slide through the stop sign because your husband has not put the winters on yet!!!Such fun!! This is the part of your trip I envy the most,I would love to see Austrailia,ENJOY!!
That would be HEY not HET!!!Typist I am not.
Missing you guys. I'm not liking that we're planning the girls Christmas dinner out and you're not coming with us, Marnie! Praying for you that you are able to have some great family times together.
Love all of you!
The Nemitz's
Hey!
More snow today! It is really beautiful! You are missing such an amazing and classic white winter! (If you don't have to drive or shovel it! HA) We are having so much fun here, it is hard to remember our life when the Martins were here. It is so relaxing and beautiful....like living on a permanent holiday! I have to pinch myself every day! (OUCH! That pinch hurt. Back to reality.) Miss you guys!
Hugs to all from Jeremy!
Love Denise
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