Tuesday 19^th June, 2012

In the morning we first cleaned our camper. After we started to drive towards Darwin. We wanted to go to several Billabongs, but unfortunately the hiking tracks were closed. At Fogg Dam we had more luck and made two walks through the Nature Reserve. We got accompanied by some butterflies and birds. After we ate our last food Konrad wanted to cross the dam to a bird observation tower. It was noon and I thought this is a bad idea as it was very hot in the sun. We then crossed the dam with the camper and saw, that it was closed for walking due to crocodiles. But we still managed to enjoy the many water birds from the observation platform. In Darwin we went back to Apollo to ask where there is a car wash nearby. They explained us we only need to wash it if it is very dirty. As this was not the case, everything went very fast. A kind taxi driver drove us to the airport. At 35 °C we entered the airplane and at cool 4 °C we left it in Melbourne. We booked in the same motel when we arrived and thus we fast were again in the warm.

Wednesday 29^th February, 2012

Exactly at 8.45pm I was at the bus stop. In a few minutes the shuttle bus should arrive. The minutes passed and I waited and waited. After 25 minutes the bus appeared. The traffic should be the reason and some more stops are required. I thought: “Come on, that will run short on the airport”. Everybody around me was nervous as they have to do the check-in even earlier than I. On the airport the idea was to as fast as possible get the backpack and get to the counter. I got there just on time and should go immediately to the plane. At the gate they said the plane arrived late and thus boarding will be in 15 minutes. OK, somehow everything is a bit late today. After a bit more than an hour we landed in Melbourne. Here I had 40 minutes to change flight. The nice lady next to me said I should take the backpack. So I was the first leaving the plane and I could have a breather before getting into the next plane. Another three hours of flight were ahead. Shortly before landing there were many air holes and slowly I got a bit sick. No wonder as I did not eat anything except crisps and two cookies. Unfortunately I did not find anything without wheat in the hurry. In Perth I could again wait for half an hour for the shuttle bus. The first one said that my destination is not on his tour and I should take the next one in a few minutes. Around 4 o'clock I arrived at the hostel. It took a while until they found my reservation. Tired from travelling I put my luggage into the room. I just wanted to check where I will get the car tomorrow. I started walking equipped with the city map. I soon found the office of Hertz. As it was not yet late I went to the Kings Park. That was a good idea. There is a beautiful view about the northern part of Perth. While walking in the park, I saw three wedding couples. OK, the date is very special. A couple had its ceremony in the park with view to the city. I sat down in the grass, watched them and remembered me of my own wedding. As it is 3 hour later as in Tasmania I was now very hungry. Around the corner I saw a Japanese and as I love sushi, I went there. I was a bit overstrained by the big assortment they offered. A kind Japanese recommended a sushi with chicken and avocado served with a sweet-and-sour plum sauce. Lovely! Then I went tired back to the hostel.

Sunday, 5^th February, 2012

I flew to Sydney after Petra and I had to depart in the airport of Melbourne. Once arrived I got into the city by train and then by taxi to my new home in Woollahra. That is half way between center and Bondi Beach. Thomas welcomed me as he was on duty. After lunch Andreas joined us. He slept in. In the afternoon he guided me to downtown. I learned that I have to take bus 389 which stops just in front of our house. I bought a big city map to be able to orientate myself. With the ferry we departed between Harbour Bridge and the opera house, heading towards Watsons Bay. On the way we saw the house where Petra and I will live after beginning of April. OK, we did not know exactly which one was it, but it must be one on the west side of Double Bay. After we left the ferry we went walking. From the South Head we enjoyed the view back to downtown and out into the Tasmanian Sea. The bus brought us back via the crowded Bondi Beach. And tomorrow I have to start working.

Saturday 4^th February, 2012

After we packed everything in the backpack, we visited the rest of Melbourne. We passed the library and went to see China town. Next stop was St. Patricks Cathedral, the catholic one. We enjoyed the chill in Lord's house, as it was warm outside and already in the morning the sun was burning on the skin. On the way to the aquarium we saw here and there a wedding and our one returned to mind. In the aquarium we marvelled at many foreign fishes. Here we also found the crocodile from Maru Koala Park which was on holiday here. It will go back when its new home will be finished. To get a bit distance to the city we walked in the Fitzroy Gardens. There we visited Cooks Cottage. This is the house where the explorer James Cook was born. It was moved to Australia. It is a small English cottage and they show how the people lived back then and told about the voyages of the sailor. In the park we could everywhere read that we should not feed possums as they then multiply and damage the trees. In the evening we had again an appointment with Zoe and went into a Japanese restaurant. It reminded more at a beach bar than at a restaurant, but was very cosy. Despite the full stomach we decided to have a dessert in the Italian barrier. Brunetti had a big assortment of culinary delights which we immediately tested. We gladly accepted the suggestion of Zoe to drive us to the hotel at the airport.

Friday 3^rd February 2012

Somehow I did not master yet the Australian washing-machines and tumble-dryers. Yesterday evening I washed the clothes and then realized that there is still washing powder on the cloth. I tried to wash it out by hand, but not very successfully. Also with the dryer: according to the hostel crew 30 minutes should be enough for drying. But also here the dryers are not faster than at home First we brought the car back as Melbourne is easier to get around with walking. First we visited the nearby Queen Victoria Market. On this huge market you may buy everything from food to souvenirs. We bought some fresh but expensive fruits. As the summer was bad here, the prize for fruits and vegetables is higher. But generally speaking Australia is as expensive as Switzerland. There is a free tram line circling around downtown. To explore the city we rode about half of the tour. I realized how much the area of the dockland developed. When I was here last time, there was very little. Now there are many new buildings and a new stadium. At the Federation Square in the center of Melbourne we dropped off. We visited the Pauls Cathedral. As we like to walk we went to the Royal Botanic Garden. It is huge and makes the impression of a local recreation area. After a nap in the park we wanted to see Melbourne with eagle eyes. The elevator took us to floor 88 of Eureka Tower. At nearly 300 m the city is very impressive to look at. In the evening we met Zoe, a friend of Konrad from his Dublin times. As she had to work longer it was quite late when we met. So we had to look for something to eat. We found a Korean restaurant. We ordered meat for the table grill. Konrad took beef tongue, Zoe and I two different kind of chicken. One was tender and lovely. The other tasted like a chewing gum and was not really edible.