Adventure. What is adventure? Why is falling from a plane an adventure for some and sheer lunacy to others. Why, or why isn't, walking on a mountain track to a waterfall considered adventure? I’m not much of a philosopher but it seems to me that adventure can be so subjective. Our grand ‘adventure’ started as just getting our act together enough to get out of Prince George. That, thankfully, has since changed for us and adventure includes a definition that will be changed forever in the eyes of our children, and us. Some of the things we have done in the last while will definitely live on in the memories of Ayden Jane and Sophie. It has been the utmost of grand adventure!
In and around our time at Myella (the Farmstay – see the blog entry below) we have participated in a wide variety of activities that will, yet again, define our trip to Australia.
Perhaps the highlight of all was going to a very special place in the world called Mon Repos. It is a turtle rookery that allows a set number of people each night for 4 months to witness an incredible event. We sat up late into the evening waiting our turn to get our guide to take us onto the starlit beach. When our turn finally came we were fortunate enough to be part of both the emergent turtle hatchlings making their scared dash across the beach to the safety of the water but then also to watch a female LoggerHead turtle come quietly up from the water to build her nest and lay over 170 eggs. The girls were amazed, Marnie and I were in awe. We felt so fortunate to part of this awesome cycle of life. Our pics just don’t do the event justice, but they are there for the viewing.
Our adventures have also included finding fresh water creek pools with incredible waterfalls tumbling from above (we even did some rock jumping!), we saw Goana’s (bigger than 1m) wrestling for territory, climbed around limestone caves, played with 1000’s of soldier crabs, we actually hand fed wild dolphins, saw wild rays, turtles and dolphins in the shallow waters crashing around the most Eastern point of land in Oz, climbed out on skywalks above the rainforest, …..and, whew, more.
Another highlight event we participated in was that we hiked up a small mountain and, as the sun dropped, watched more than 100,000 Bent-winged bats fly around us as they exited their 40m deep cave – all the while dodging pythons who were there to feast on the bats as we watched. Check out the snake behind Marnie’s leg in the photos! This is one of the only places in the entire world that these maternity dens exist – so it was incredible to see this in person.
We had the very good fortune to spend Australia Day here in Oz with the Abrahams. What a great blessing to be with them, especially Todd, to share in the pride of his country. Yes, we had shrimp on the Barbie as part of our celebrations that day. Sadly, we have left the Gold Coast area and headed deeper South, leaving Queensland for New South Wales and parts beyond. With leaving there we leave of course, the A’s. We just cannot tell you all enough how much we have enjoyed our time with them. They were such a blessing to the four of us; guiding, sharing, encouraging and just being there with us on this Aussie adventure. For those of you that know Todd and Leanne and kids, we can honestly tell you that it seems like Australia is the perfect fit for them. Yes, it is far from all of us in Canada, but they are happy, healthy and really working towards a life that fits their ‘blood’! We feel so honoured to have shared so much with them while being here and are so thankful for all their help. Thank-you so much A’s.
As always we have photos – and this posting there are a bunch. I just couldn't trim them down much more so it may take a while to get through them all. Hope you all enjoy. The photos can be viewed HERE.
Take care everyone, hope you are all well.
Jp, Marnie, Ayden-Jane and Sophie
4 comments:
It sounds like things just keep getting better. It is awesome to hear that you are all not only having a great time but also getting to epxperience so many once in a lifetime opportunities. I can really relate to the concept of educational by experience. It only took me one time, OK, many two, to learn things like tongues stick to metal in the cold and not to pee into the wind.
Great post. I think you are doing an awesome thing for your kids. This is the kinda stuff that has a lasting impact on the type of people they will turn out to be. Anyway, I'm feeling envious again reading of your adventures and checking out the pics.
Wow, I had some catching up to do on your blog and it is amazing all the things you've seen, done, and people you have met. How fun to spend all that time with Todd and Leanne and have the kids hangin together. Ayden must have been in girlfriend heaven!
So sorry to hear you needed a "vacation from your vacation!"...our heartfelt sympathies are with you all.
Perhaps Sam and I should have done the home schooling thing the way you guys are doing it...like your way infinately better than mine and your curriculum is seemingly more interesting than ours. Needless to say we are both looking forward to when Sam can re-enter real school, real life, and find his "new normal."
Looks like your having way too much fun and we are all just way too jealous and envious.
Hugs to you all,
Debbie
Wow! I look at some pictures, thinking I would just love that...and then others, yikes! Snakes, spiders, frogs in toilets! Marnie, imagine my OCD there!!! Love the pics. Miss you guys. Take care on the next adventures!
Love,
Janice N.
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