Australia Photo Journal
The extraordinary opportunity to explore Australia was an unexpected treat for us.The locals welcomed us with broad smiles and generous invitations to be a part of their easy-going lifestyle.
Although the language was somewhat familiar, the unique and often hilarious Aussie slang astonished us each day with mystifying phrases that left us scratching our heads in puzzlement or laughing in confusion.
Australia is a land filled with bizarre and fascinating creatures. From the ubiquitous kangaroos and wallabies to the bewildering assortment of multicolored birds, huge lizards and goggle eyed tree mammals, the wildlife never ceased to entertain and enchant us.
The vast and varied scenery of the land down under includes immense gum trees, a dizzying array of wildflowers and spectacular rocky coastlines bordering the bright blue Indian and Southern Oceans. Visiting Australia was truly a wondrous adventure which often left us at a loss for words and with a longing to return again soon.
Enjoying Denmark in Western Australia
The town of Denmark in Western Australia appeals with it’s wooden boardwalks and cute shops and art galleries. There are amazing beaches and natural wonders nearby.
Broad beans aka Fava beans are tasty when you cook them right
Fava Beans, called Broad Beans in Australia take a bit of cooking for them to be tasty. With a little bit of effort, we learned to enjoy this prodigious garden bean.
Camouflaged Tree Frog in Albany, Western Australia
We came upon a large crow pecking at a tree. We soon realized that the crow was in fact attacking this large tree frog that was camouflaged on the side of the tree.
Plenty of lemons means lots of lemonade
Lemons grow year round in Western Australia. During our time visiting Australia we had lots of lemons and lots of lemonade.
Sheds Are Ubiquitous In Rural Australia
Check out the huge sheds that the folks in Western Australia have on their property. This one is large enough for a full workshop, yard maintenance equipment, a laundry, and room to play ball.
Australian Electical Outlets Are Clever
Clever Australian Electrical Outlets have small switches for turning off individual sockets right at the source.
Australian Ringneck Parrot
The beautifully colored Australian Ringneck is considered a pest by farmers in Western Australia because they decimate orchards and gardens. They call them 28’s due to their call.
Indoor Bowls With The Locals in Western Australia
In Western Australia, we learned to play “bowls” with the locals. The objective is to roll biased balls down the mat so that they stop close to a smaller ball called a “jack” or “kitty” and it is quite challenging.
Wildlife Sanctuary for Baby Roos
Two women from the wildlife sanctuary had baby kangaroos in their apron pockets and Laurie got to pet one. They rescue the orphans and raise them til they can be released into the bush.
Albany Farmers Market, Albany, WA, Australia
The Albany farmers market in Western Australia is small but we found organic vegetables that we weren’t finding in the grocery stores, free range meat, and fresh baked bread.
Laurie and Neil gave away or sold 99.9% of their possessions for a new life as international travelers. They share the secrets of how they turn limited resources into a life of unlimited fun and adventure. Read more
