Norma Huitt

Monday, June 30 - We drove on the Captain Cook Highway to Innisfail (yes, there is another one in Australia) and went to Paronella Park. It was sunny and hot yesterday, but pouring today.

Sunday, June 29 - Cairns is a beautiful vacation spot - lots of fun activities and an average winter temperature in the twenties! We're really enjoying all the sightseeing activities with the girls. We went to the Sunday market in the nearby town of Port Douglas.

The girls got up early and went for a run on the beach. They came back and cooled down in the pool where we're staying - Villa Marine.

During the first two week break from teaching, Max and I planned a trip south to Tasmania.

Saturday, April 4: While camping at Windamere Dam, we took some time to explore the nearby town of Mudgee.

Friday April 3: Good Friday - Our neighbors , the Martins, invited us to go camping with them and friends to the Windamere Dam. Max was excited because we would get to sleep in a 'swag' - a tent, sleeping bag and mattress all rolled up into one

Thursday, April 2: I went on a school excursion (known as a fieldtrip in Canada) to the Royal Easter Show in Sydney with some grade 11 and 12 students. Max was invited too - I think it was one of the largest fairs that we've ever been to.

Liz and Paul Gerow came to visit and stayed for a week. It was nice to have visitors from home. Anybody else?

February 21: After spending the day getting welcomed to NSW at the teacher exchange conference in Sydney, Max and I did some sight seeing.

February 15: Animals in the zoo. . .

February 15: Because I have to go to a teacher exchange conference next Friday, Max and I decided to take a trial run to Sydney by train. We bought pass cards called Opal because it would be much cheaper - we could ride any bus, train, or ferry in the Sydney area for only 2.50 . . . and we did! Our goal for the day was the Taronga Zoo.

February 7th: We plugged in our Navman and travelled to Cabarita Park near where the Paramatta River meets Sydney Harbour. The Exchange Teacher's League was putting on a picnic for new arrivals and recently returned teachers. It was very busy on the roads and we put in 'no toll roads' on our Navman for economy, but it made for some convoluted route.

February 8 Did some local sightseeing. We made a large loop starting from our place in Kurrajong Heights to Wentworth Falls and the Three Sisters in Katoomba. We visited some local farmers markets and Pie in the Sky for some Austrialian pies to eat for supper. Lovely day in the high 30's!

Saturday 24: Our neighbors took us on a boat ride in Sydney Harbour. I was amazing, 30+ weather, terrific scenery, and good company.

January 14: Janet Mahboub is my community sponsor. She and her husband Dennis live on an acreage several miles up the road. He is a carpenter specializing in restoring old homes to their original appearance. Their home dates back to the 1800's. They also collect all kinds of antiques.

January 23: I went to Cranebrook High School today and yesterday to start getting acquainted with the school and the materials. This week end is a long weekend because Monday is Australia Day. On Tuesday the teachers have an organizational day. On Wedesday, the grade 7's and grade 12's begin because both have a very important year ahead. Thursday is classes for everyone.

No dryers here (well, hardly ever) - this is the first time I have used a clothes line in over 30 years.

January 22: Driving on the opposite side of the roads is challenging enough, but there are other trials as well: one often is driving along the tops of ridges, with steep drop-offs on both sides, a sign that says 80 km and then less than 100 meters up the road you have to slow to 45 for tight corners, steep roads with 's' turns and hairpin curves, and drivers who all hug that center line. See the pictorial support below. . .

January 22: Since I have to go to work tomorrow, Max and I did one last touristy thing today - the Jenolan Caves. They are about an hour and a half drive away, but the last few kilometers were really scary. We got to the end of the site and were amazed to drive through a large cave/arch and found an historically preserved hotel, scenic walks, guided tours, and fantastic scenery.

Jenolan Caves

January 11: We went for a drive to Lithgow which is about an hour and a half past us on the way to the interior. We stopped at a few scenic sights along the way. Although we did not do the complete tour, this loop is called "the Blue Mountain grand circular tourist drive". We have not seen any dangerous creepy crawlies - other than a few skinks.

January 6th - Finally in Australia

January 3rd: After leaving Auckland, we travelled to Hamilton. It was on the way to Hobbiton, but after practicing our ( I mean Max, my job was to remind and encourage - left, left, left, side of the road)new driving skills this seemed like a good time to take a break. The friendly people that we met recommended the Hamilton Gardens before we left town. So, after planning just a quick stop, we set the Navman and took a look. I strongly recommend this for any New Zealand tourists!

We drove back to Auckland in the afternoon of the 5th after seeing Rororua. I took some pictures of the unique countryside. Max has really got the hang of driving on the left side of the road. The first picture is of a Pohutukawa tree - the New Zealand Christmas tree because it has beautiful red flowers in December/January.

January 5: In Rotorua, the touristy thing to do is see the mud pits and geysers - since it is located within the Pacific Rim of Fireim, there is lots of geothermal action. Max and I visited Te Puia - lots of strong sulphur smells and plop-plopping.

The Hobbiton tour is only about two hours and we ended it by going to the Green Dragon Inn and having a complementary beverage - Max had some stout and I had an apple cider .Picture 1 is of Bilbo's house (with the fake tree above); picture 2 shows Max imagining Bilbo jumping over the fence as he races to catch up with the dwarves; picture 3 is a distance view of The Green Dragon Inn; picture 4 is a close-up of the inn, and picture 5 is a copy of the sign-in book with some famous signatures (ie: Martin Freeman)

We stayed in Matamata and took a day trip to Hobbiton. I expected a little more of the movie experience (like mountainous settings, elves and dwarves), but it was just Hobbiton - pretty neat anyway! In the first picture I am standing beside a fence with fake lichen with Bilbo's home above me in the background - the tree above his house was fake as well. When I am opening the door of another Hobbit house, there is just a coffin like box behind me (as seen in the next photo) All the insides of Hobbit houses were done in a studio. Max is beside a Hobbit hole created on a smaller scale - different sizes can make characters appear to be different sizes. The tree Max is under is supposedly why -after months of searching - Peter Jackson choose this location to set up Hobbiton.

Fourteen hours later - we're in Auckland - I posed with the moose in front of a statue from the movie set of The Hobbit - Max cut the head off, but it was impressive.

Arrived in Auckland after a 14 hour flight - that and the fact that they are 20 hours ahead of us in time means that we have lost a day - it's New Year's Eve day.

We drove to Hamilton (north) yesterday - one step closer to Hobbiton. Beautiful weather; not as hot as Australia will be. Weird driving on the wrong side of the road - Max has been doing all the driving so far and I've been navigating especially as we lost our Navman (GPS) at the first pitstop - the screen just blanked out and wouldn't come back. NZ money is 93 cents to our dollar - it's expensive here, but that helps. My computer still says it is the 2nd, but it is the 3rd. It refuses to come down under all the way with me. Got to remember to catch the plane on the right day. Really nice people have been giving us lots of advice - am not noticing the accents as much. Max and I keep getting up so early and nothing is open at 5 in the morning - off exploring for breakfast. . .