So sorry I haven't been posting!

I apologize for not posting since the very beginning of this amazing journey.  There simply has been no time to update the blog!  It will have to wait until I return home in late April.  In the meantime, if you are a member of Facebook and we're not already FB friends, please feel send me a friend request.  I am listed under "Jane Clifton del Pino".  I try to post a few photos there everyday, and since most of the Aussies Kathy and I are visiting are FB members, that's the most convenient way to keep everybody updated.   

DAY 3 - Sunday, 2 March, 2014: Puffing Billy, William Ricketts Sanctuary & The Penguin Parade!

Amazingly, fitting three major events into one day went exceedingly well!  Gail got us off to a great start by arranging a ride on Puffing Billy, a century-old steam train that continues to run on its original mountain track from Belgrave to Gembrook in the Dandenong Ranges 40kms east of Melbourne.

 

 

For more information on Puffing Billy, click here:  http://www.puffingbilly.com.au/

 

Later in the day, Gail took us to the William Ricketts Sanctuary.  "Situated in a ferny glade in the Dandenongs, William Ricketts Sanctuary is a place of beauty and tranquillity, due both to the natural setting and the mystical sculptures half hidden among ferns along the pathways. It is a place for quiet reflection and for contemplation of the essence of the vision of William Ricketts. Many travel across the world to visit this place time and time again." (quoted from the website:  http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/william-ricketts-sanctuary-gardens-of-the-dandenongs )

 



 

 

 



 

Following our visit to the William Rickett's Sanctuary, we headed back to Gail's for a rest before our next adventure.  This respite gave me an opportunity to take a photo of the famous (infamous) "Sudoku Stairway".  Fortunately, the stairway had been rebuilt before our arrival.  Apparently, previous Sudoku gatherings with accompanying photo sessions on the stairway had taken their toll.  I am happy to report that no Sudokuists were harmed in the taking of this photo:

 

 

 

Next on the agenda was meeting up with Liz (daughter of Chonyi - aka Dino) at San Remo for a dinner of fish and chips and then a visit to the Penguin Parade on Phillip Island.  Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take photos, so I am pasting a link to their website here.  http://www.penguins.org.au/attractions/penguin-parade/

Afterwards, we bade a fond farewell to Gail, and Liz took us to Chonyi's home at Sandy Point where we would stay for the next two days.

DAY 2 - Saturday, 1 March, 2014: Koalas and Wallabies and Platypuses, oh my!

After a leisurely breakfast and fantastic coffee, Gail whisks Kathy and me off to the Healesville Sanctuary to view Australian wildlife, including Kay and Judy and Rob who join us there for the day.  Here's a picture (taken by Rob) of Judy, Gail, Kathy, me and Kay.

As excited as a little kid, I spend some koala-ty time with Bennie.

Although we did see a platypus, the lighting was too dim to take a photo, so this statue will have to do for now!

Here are a few more photos taken at Healesville.

Another group shot (Gail, Jane, Judy, Rob and Kay)

DAY 1 - Friday, 28 February, 2014: WE HAVE ARRIVED!

Finally, after about 30 hours of traveling, Kathy and I arrive in Melbourne. Dear friend Jaz was waiting for us (and took this photo). Not only did she meet us at the airport and take us to meet up with Gail (at whose home Kathy and I would be staying the next two nights), she also purchased cell phones for us to use while in Australia! We’ll be seeing Jaz again when we return to the city in a few days.

 

After picking us up at the airport, Jaz took us to meet Gail for lunch.

After lunch, we transferred our luggage to Gail's car and proceeded to Gail and Scott's lovely home in Cockatoo, with a stops along the way, first and foremost being an ATM!  Next, Gail took us to Grant's Picnic Ground at the Dandenong Ranges National Park to do a little bird watching.  This is a crimson rosella.

 

I was extremely impressed with the towering mountain ash gum trees (a type of eucalyptus).

 

 

 

Our hosts Gail and Scott's home, nestled in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges outside Melbourne in the village of Cockatoo is gorgeous. Gail is an avid gardener, and she and Scott have created a woodland fairyland.  They are also great cooks.  For our first dinner in Oz, Gail and Scott and daughter Hannah prepared a feast for us! 

 

  

 

 

 

DAY 0 - 26 February, 2014: Cheers!

After a full day of traveling, Kathy and I ended up in Los Angeles to catch our flight to Melbourne. We had a lovely dinner at Vino Volo, After our wine sampling, we figured we wouldn’t have any trouble sleeping on the next 15 1/2 hour leg of our journey.