Trains, Planes and Automobiles, with an Addition of Boats and Buses, and Lots and Lots of Walking

I had originally intended for the theme of Blaise's visit to be something such as: summer, down under, beach, or harbour time. However, reflecting on her visit I now see a very clear theme: transportation. While she was here we used nearly ever mode of transportation known to man and on more than two wheels. First there was a taxi to get her from the airport, James drove us one day, the subway, then there were the non-stop buses every single day. So many that it became a joke and Blaise even felt the need to capture a photo of us on the bus:

We took ferrys and boats, of course I had to imitate the joke Saturday Night Live song, "I am on a boat," if you have not seen it, YouTube it. So I was showing off my flippy floppys on a boat

We took a plane to cairns, but failed to document that. However, once we were there we took an old fashioned train ride through the beautiful rainforest to this little hippie town called Kurunda. As you can see we entertained ourselves on the ride back down by taking photos:

And then there was the walking, oh the great amount of walking. by the time Blaise left we both had blisters on our feet. I bet that in the ten days she was here we walked about 50 miles or more. Don't get me wrong we were always on our way to do something fun and exciting, but we got tired occasionally, resulting in loopy photos such as:

"I am so tired, I think I will just take a nap right here"

...and this...

"I don't need a nap I swear, I always act like this."

We had an absolutely fantastic time and experienced so many great things, so I do not mean to seem like I am complaining, but boy oh boy, I never realised what work it is to transport oneself, without a car.

Head, Shoulders, Finger Toes, Finger Toes

Blaise has always teased me about my long toes, or as she refers to them "finger toes." I must admit that my my toes are quite long, and when I put my foot next to Blaise's foot our feet are the same size, but mine are only that big on account of my toes. However, I still was a bit in denial about my finger toes, until Blaise decided to prove it to me on her recent trip to the land down under:

So fine, I guess I do. I am officially coming out of the finger toe closet, there is now photographic evidence, and I can no longer hide.

Bats A Plenty

If anyone has a bat phobia, I recommend that you do not visit Australia, or at least don't go out at night. Those little buggers are everywhere. Here is an example, in the middle of the beautiful Sydney botanical gardens there is a colony of them living in the trees. As you can tell they are just taking a snooze in the tree tops since it is day time.

When Blaise was here she at first freaked out about one bat, but had to become accustomed to it quite quickly after she saw masses of them. I thought that there were quite a few in Sydney...but boy oh boy were we in for a surprise when we visited Cairns. One day after a long sun filled snorkeling excursion, Blaise and I stopped by the Night Markets. Once we finished we were both starving, tired, and grumpy....such a good combination I know... We stopped and got Subway, we didn't think we would make it all the way back to our hotel before consuming it, so we went to stop at a nice quiet bench in front of the Library. We noticed the mass of bats flying above head. Didn't really think twice about it because we were so tired and hungry. So we sat down, and before I could even get my sandwich out a bat dropped a hard seed on my head. I like to think that it just dropped, it, I avoid thinking that it pooped it on my head, for obvious reasons. As Blaise pulled her sandwich out a bat swooped a little too close for comfort. Needless to say we grabbed our sandwiches and practically sprinted out of the area. Even though we were starving we opted to wait for our quiet little mom and pop hotel's courtyard which we knew was a bat free zone.

Screens are for Wussys but I am a Wussy...

In Australia screens seem to be overrated. No one I know has screens on their windows, including me. This lack of screenage however, leads to an abundance of insect wildlife. As many of you know I am not fond of spiders, and this allows them in. The spiders are not the biggest problem currently. It has been very hot in Sydney, so hot that even with my fan blowing "cool" air in from my open window at night, I still cannot sleep. The open window at night also allows one of my favourite creatures into my room....mosquitos, or as they call them here mozzies. I am not even sure how many bites I have after a couple of these nights trying to sleep. I have found out that Tea Tree Oil is quite good for the itching, but at this point I may as well take a bath in it...if only I had a bath tub. The moral of the story is that, even though in Australia screens may be for wimps, I am a wimp and I am going to fashion myself a good 'ol U.S. of A. screen for my window.

Wish me luck!