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.
Porongurup Tea Rooms in the Porongurup Range
The Porongurup Tasting Room is the only restaurant inside the Porongurup National Park where we visited to see the abundant and magnificent wildflowers.
Wildflowers in Porongurup National Park
The Southern Cross Wildflowers in Porongurup National Park in Australia were tiny but gorgeous. The whole of the Porongurup Range is filled with a dizzying array of magnificent wildflowers.
Mowing a Twelve Acre Orchard Can Be Fun
The wonderful 12-acre orchard where we are house sitting in Kendenup, Western Australia has grass that needs mowing every few weeks. Thankfully, the homeowners purchased a brand new riding lawnmower.
Coffee and Cake at Gilberts Winery near Kendenup
We met some of our new friends for coffee in the garden at the Gilbert’s Winery, just down the road from where we are house sitting in Kendenup, Western Australia.
Jack Russell Terrier Playing Soccer With a Basketball
Want to watch an amazing Australian dog dribble a ball? Chienne can dribble a large ball on both sides, like a professional soccer (futbol) player! She talks while she dribbles too.
Canola fields in Western Australia
Laurie and I had never seen Canola growing before. Canola oil is evidently a popular product in Western Australia, at least judging by the yellow fields that border the roads.
Driving On the Left Side of the Road At 110 Kilometers Per Hour
The roads are quite narrow in Western Australia-just one lane in each direction, and in places the speed limit is 110 km per hour, about 70 mph. It can get a little harrowing when the big trucks zoom by.
Futurama Public Toilet in Perth, Australia
This public restroom in a public park on the Swan River in Perth Australia reminded us of something from Futurama. A mechanical voice said that I had a maximum of, I think it was ten minutes.
Chienne, Jack Russell Terrier Has Energy To Spare
In Western Australia, we enjoyed the antics of an extremely energetic Jack Russell Terrier named Chienne. She is quick as a fox and effortlessly jumps three feet in the air.
Our New Home in Western Australia For Six Months
After a ten minute conversation with the homeowners, we took our first flight to the other side of the world on August 1, 2013, to house and pet sit in a town of about 1300 Australians called Kendenup.
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
