4 Continents in 21 Days Part 2: Our first 5 days in Australia

		Friday, June 12, we arrived at the Sydney Airport, and were so happy to see Coté. A tearful reunion of joy began our 10 day stay in Australia.

Coté shifted her morning schedule to drive us to the physical therapy clinic where she works, and introduce us to her co-workers. Then she brought us to the train station for our 2 hour trip to Ann and Dom's house.
The physical therapy clinic front-door.		Coté driving her new (used) car (from the right-hand side).

		Her boss, John, and receptionist Berta.

Though tired from the flights (Florida to California to Tokyo to Sydney), and hungry, the snack on the train and the beautiful seaside views along the coast rejuvenated our energy in anticipation of seeing Ann and Dom for the next several days.

		Ann and Dom were "house-sitting" in the town of Minnamurra, about 2 hours south of Sydney. The views from this home were spectacular, with the Pacific Ocean sunrise out the back windows, plus wide valley expanses and sunsets out the front.

We immediately began touring their beautiful countryside. That afternoon Ann and Dom drove us up into the hills, enjoying scenic sun-struck pine trees alongside gentle flowing streams through the hillsides.

		We continued along winding roads, past farmland and beautiful pastures. Near a peak, we decided to stop and explore the challenging terrain.

Ann bravely led the way up, around and over large boulders, often covered with amazing colors and growths.

Once we got up, the views were great. We could see all the way to the ocean. However, getting down was an additional challenge, and Dom helped us find the way.

What beautiful country views! We did not know what to expect, and were thrilled with what we saw on our first day.

A tiring first day, as Margy "crashed" from vertical to horizontal.

		By Friday evening, Margy, re-energized by a nap, shared photos and items on the computer. Coté had driven down, after working all day Friday, to join us for the evening and the next day. We were even able to Skype with Coté's Mom, Mónica, in Santiago Chile, despite the 14-hour time difference.

Ann and Dom made great home-made meals for us throughout our stay. Healthy, tasty and just what we needed.

		The home they were in was not heated, and this was Australia's winter. We bundled up for many of the meals!

		Saturday morning Coté shared her "list" of life goals for the coming years. We are so proud of how mature and focused Coté is about her future, her career and her life. It was a pleasure to share this time with her as she embarks on her dreams, working to make them reality. Later that day we did more sight-seeing together.

We visited quaint little artisan shops and admired giant trees along one coastal town's main street. Meanwhile, others enjoyed a picnic lunch amidst hundreds of seagulls, or just relaxed watching the boats in the bay glide past.

One exciting spot was where the ocean waves rush up through a "blow-hole," with an explosive eruption of water, as though shot from a cannon.

We enjoyed watching the pelicans compete for the fish scraps that were being carved on the dock. It was amazing how skillfully they caught the fish, and to see how flexible the bottom beak was for opening like a catcher's mitt in baseball.

		Everywhere that Ann and Dom took us, we marveled at the beauty of the sea, hills and skies.

We had fish and chips at a seaside stand, and watched the sun set as it lit up the sky with color.

The sunset really looked this way. We did not touch up any of these photos.

Coté introduced us to an Australia cookie, and how to best enjoy it. The name is Tim-Tam, and she showed us how to bite a corner off each end, dip it into a hot drink (tea or coffee), sip the hot fluid up to your mouth (so it melts the chocolate inside) and then quickly eat the cookie. It was yummy! Really yummy! We then sampled several varieties for the full experience!

After a great day, beautiful sunset, fun new desserts, and a good night's rest, we awoke to a beautiful sunrise:

		Another coastal trip blends engineering and nature.

		This picturesque bridge provided many beautiful views of the sea below, the ocean, and sweeping panoramas. We were told that this particular road is often used for car advertisements.

At some point, two lovers started what would become a local tradition: they engraved a lock with their names, hearts, and comments, and then placed them on this bridge. We saw and read several, with remarks about locking their love forever. Celebrating our 40th anniversary here reinforced these feelings for us too.

		A great place to celebrate our 40th!

With plenty of beautiful coastline around Australia, Ann and Dom took us for yet another day-trip to a favorite spot.

		Climbing through nature trails, we reached the inlet, where colorful and strangely shaped rocks were piled. We had the beach to ourselves.

The on-again, off-again rain did not put a damper on our spirits or travels. We enjoyed every turn and new view of this beautiful place.

		We never stopped taking pictures! Everything was so beautiful.

Such beautiful places brought out the romance in all of us!

Ann and Dom were sometimes photo helpers, but more often they were the photo subjects.

		One afternoon we drove up to visit the apartment of Dom's daughter, Jay, and her baby Peyton. Peyton's father, Trav, and Jay's sister, Bri, were there too for the family photos.

		Peyton and Bri, left. Trav, Ann, Jay, Bri, Margy, Artie, Dom - family train!

Following another fun-packed day, we awoke to yet another spectacular sunrise over the Pacific Ocean.

The morning sun greeted us through our bedroom window, and our photos were taken from the back deck. Meanwhile, the other side of the house had these beautiful views of the valley and distant hillsides. We then took a neighborhood walk to explore and photograph the sights near the home that Ann and Dom were house-sitting.

Green hillsides, deep blue ocean, or even mud flats at low tide, wherever we walked the views were pleasant and colorful.

We visited a nature park to see how the mangroves protect the fragile environment between the sea and the land. These ducks were part of the beauty we saw.

Paths allowed us to see the interior of the mangrove trees, and signs (at left next to Ann) explained the micro-environments.

We wandered many scenic locations with Ann and Dom, but we never felt lost (Artie liked the saying engraved on this handrail). This next spot was especially beautiful.

		Open beaches, unique rock formations and pristine views.

		At times we felt like we were in a place like Hawaii, with the beautiful blue waters and white sandy beaches.

We wandered onto a shelf of rock along the seaside.

		We were intrigued by the strange geometric shapes of these rocks, wondering how they were formed. Straight lines, circles and pock marks created very unique topography.

		The rain back home provided special interest to the views, as we settled in for our last of 5 evenings in Minnamurra.

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