“Australia 🇦🇺 ~We Went Down Under”

• April 10, 2016
• By Pen
• 0 Comment

Before Daryl and I had even met, he had purchased a trip to Australia with friends of his; the same friends he was with when he and I met in Thailand; quite randomly when we both were traveling with friends.

In Thailand at the Phuket Airport. We only knew each other for a week in this photo!

Long story short, I bought a last minute plane ticket to Australia, to join Daryl and his (now, our) friends. Last-minute tickets to Oceania are not cheap! But hey, I had just moved to California to marry Daryl, so it would have been quite strange for him to go to Australia and leave me behind! I had just moved to be with him. Love is like that and all.
It would not be a long trip, as I was the only one retired at the time, but we packed a lot in, to the time we had. We all met new friends in Sydney and had a blast, seeing all the places which are must-sees in Sydney!

From Thailand to California, to Las Vegas to Australia. What?

The longer story, starts here. This would be Daryls and my first plane ride together. I am a big fan of the Global Entry/Trusted Traveler Program, which saves so much time at the airport, when doing international trips. We needed to get Daryl signed up, and it requires an interview with Immigration. We chose the Las Vegas Airport to do the interview and worked in a little Las Vegas time, too! Living in California, we can drive to Las Vegas, and we love road trips. I mean, any excuse to go someplace and have fun!

Las Vegas 
Off on another adventure. The appointment in Vegas tomorrow for Global Entry/Trusted Traveler program, so decided last minute to slip in a show (Zumanity).
By the way, Happy Easter!

Done with obligatory Immigration interview at Vegas airport. Fingerprinting information in 12 hours from when the system is back up and running! Ha! No worries, Daryl can use the program (with me) for next week’s Australia bound journey.  THAT IS THE BEST PART!

Now, treating ourselves to a much deserved, lovely breakfast in “Paris,” in Vegas, and dream of one day traveling to the real Paris, one day. (which we did a few years later)!

California
Leaving for an international trip, and timing it right, is way different when one lives so far away from the main airport. (3 hours, give or take, due to traffic issues from Victorville). I got use to living 20 minutes away from the International airport in Texas for many years; Colorado before that, also really easy.  Up until now, I always flew “through” LAX.  Flying “out of” LAX is a whole new monster for this girl. I’m learning to be a California girl, now.

Daryl is cooooool as a cucumber about the long drive in, and he’s got this. I’m the one who is jittery. I don’t want to miss da plane!

We made it! Whew, with Plenty of time to spare. Thanks to Andy and Jane for letting us leave our truck at their cute house at the beach, and for the drop off and pick up at LAX. Now, meeting up with our friends Gary and Tammy Rice, and Bill and Monica Carr in the LAX airport. We all came from different directions in the states, to fly the same international plane to Australia.

Thats the international plane in the background. We are excited!

We finally get wheels up, and in the air. We are finally nearing Australia. We got some sleep, and then, some breakfast.  I have to say what a delight it is to be with this man I adore. Traveling together is a dream come true for this Bunny. That being said, we are ready to get off this tin can!

Australia
We made it! Here we are!
It’s 4AM here in Australia; 11AM at home (a day earlier). Ain’t jet lag the best? NOPE!

Yesterday we did 15,000 steps walking Sydney, after a 14 hour plane ride, plus six hours of “getting to” and “being at” airports! Whew!  I’ve done these long plane flights so many times, and it’s what really was, in part, behind my hatching a plan to live full-time over seas, and NO longer flying back and forth on these Kong flights, to see the world. I planned on this, being a solo traveler, then unexpectedly met my soulmate, whilst traveling! I was half-way packed up at home in Texas, to move to Thailand (for starters). What were the chances, my soon-to-be-husband would be on board with my dream? Come to find out, it was his dream too! Of course I had to put my dreams on hold for a few years, while Daryl got two new knee replacements, and also got retired. He happens to be worth it, but boy, was I itching to go!

I Love traveling with my very tall, and handsome Daryl. He makes it all so much more pleasant, and fun. I’m excited to have met my traveling man, and we plan to keep traveling together, till the end of our dayzzzz.

Meet the gang! We have made several trips together. This was my second trip with them.

Left to Right:
Me, Daryl (CA), Monica, Bill (LV), Tammy, and Gary (FL).  We so love our Traveling gang!  Here we are at The Opera House, on day one!  Beautiful weather and evening, on, and around the water!

We had another day of fun, and this day in the Blue Mountain town of Katoomba, to visit the “Three Sisters,” and then back to Sydney at night. We are driving around Australia with our new, very special friend Jeza. (Jeremy is a local).

Day three Down Under, we visited “Featherdale Wildlife Park.” We all enjoyed our encounter with Koalas the best! We got to see many species of indigenous critters.  Our friend, and tour guide, “Jeza” continues to amaze us with his knowledge, humor, and his selfless time. We found a Great spot for lunch, and back to Circular Quay wharf to travel the Ferry to Cockatoo Island. (One of many interesting little islands).

We decided to do a cover album photo, you know, like we were rock stars.

Up early, power-walking to China Town for bakery goods, and breakfast of Hum Bow (bar-b-q pork inside hot roll)   Race ready for the day!

On this trip, we met Jeremy and we all spent time together, traveling around Sydney. He became an honorary member of the gang! We also met his wife and family, too; and even had “Shrimp on the Barb-bee,” at their home.

We went to Hillsong Church for service

We knew this time would come. Today is the day we have to leave South Wales, Australia.  We made some wonderful memories here, and had a fabulous time with old friends, as well as new.  A trip to rememb-ah “by crocky!”

Click on this link to see all our travel photos of our time in Sydney:

https://picsbypen.smugmug.com/Places/OceanicLife/AustraliaLife/Sydney-