We are in Australia!!

Sorry that it has been so long since I have written.  It really has been kind of a whirlwind.  I meant to post one more time prior to leaving for Sydney, but it felt like every moment of every day was filled up.  We did manage to do a couple of fun things.  We got to celebrate Carter’s birthday a little early with Sean’s parents by going to Science City at Union Station.  We all had a good time and we had to pull the kids away after 3 hours (the adults were all tired).

Carter and Aubrey playing music at Science City.

Carter and Aubrey "flying" a helicopter at Science City.

The rest of the week was spent packing and cleaning and saying goodbye to friends and family.  It definitely had its hard moments, but everyone’s well wishes helped to calm our anxieties. 

We were jamming things into stuffed suitcases right up until it was time to leave.  Of course, things never go exactly the way you plan, especially with kids around.  We thought the kids could color while we were finishing up the packing. Things got a bit out of hand and this is what Aubrey looked like about 30 minutes prior to when we were supposed to leave for the airport.

Carter said Aubrey got "blue bombed" by a permanent marker.

Aubrey and Carter ready to leave for airport (after Aubrey got cleaned up).

Then, we had the trip……I looked forward to the flight about as much as having my wisdom teeth out.  I knew it was just something we had to get through.  We originally thought we had a direct flight to LAX.  Then, we found out we had to land in Denver, but we thought "no big deal" because we got to stay on the same plane.  When we got to Denver we realized that once again we were wrong.  Not only did we need to switch planes, but it was going to be a mad dash across the airport to catch the flight to LAX.  (Not sure how we missed that.) Luckily, it all worked out fine, but there were a couple of stressful moments. Aubrey slept a little on the flight to LAX.  When we got to LAX, we found out the rumors are true, it is NOT a nice airport at all.  It is very antiquated with few signs and nothing to do but eat dinner.  I will admit that I had high hopes for such a large airport with cool shops since we had a 6 hour layover. Thankfully, the 6 hours actually passed quicker than I thought it would.  The Qantas flight left at 10:20 West Coast time (12:20 Central Time).  Carter did finally give in and fall asleep within 30 minutes of getting on the Qantas flight.  I think he slept walked onto the plane. 

Getting ready to get onto the Qantas flight out of LAX.

What to say about that Qantas flight…….The plane itself was very nice, the crew was very nice, we loved the individual tv monitors with the great selection of movies, and overall the kids did great.  Aubrey did amazingly well.  As soon as she was ready to fall asleep she took off her headphones, turned the tv off, and closed her eyes.  I know we are spoiled.  But, even with all these conveniences, that is a LONG flight.  I am very prone to motion sickness.  I did pretty well except for a couple of times when I had to help Aubrey to the bathroom.  The only “episode” we had was when Aubrey threw up after she woke up.  She is her mother’s daughter and she got a little motion sick with an empty stomach.  Luckily, it wasn’t much since she had nothing in her stomach and was fine once she ate something.  Now, we know for next time to get food in her ASAP after she sleeps. The kids slept pretty well.  Sean did okay, he said he got about 6 hours.  I slept about 4-5 interrupted hours.  I watched “The Descendants”, which is a great movie.  I also watched“New Years Eve”, which was not so good, but filled some time.

Sean and Carter posing on the Qantas airplane.

Aubrey sleeping on the plane.  She had a neck pillow on and looked very comfy.

We arrived in Sydney at 7:20 on Saturday morning.  Everything went smoothly at the airport.     All our luggage made it and going through customs was easy.  It was comforting to see our driver standing there as soon as we came out of the secure area.  I got my first glimpse of Sydney on a crisp, sunny Saturday morning.  Sydney is the most naturally beautiful city that I have ever seen.  It is not like a lot of cities in the States where the architecture of the buildings is what makes it so amazing.  Yes, you have the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. But, what makes the city so beautiful is how all the buildings are built into the natural environment.  Even downtown you don't feel like you are in a world of concrete.  There is greenery everywhere you look.

View from the bedroom window in our temporary apartment.

Our temporary apartment in Bondi Junction is very nice.  It has plenty of space for us to stretch out. You can’t really beat the view and, like many buildings in Sydney, it has many large windows and balconies facing the harbour.  Part of what makes this apartment so nice is that it is directly on top of a train station and across from a huge mall.  The mall has EVERYTHING you could want.  One difference from the States is it even has several grocery stores located in the mall.  It is kind of odd to see people walking through the mall with their grocery carts.  We also love that the Apple Store is less than a block from the apartment.  We've had some difficulty getting fully set up with a wireless connection.  The environment in the Apple Store is awesome and I have already used them twice in 3 days for their free wireless.  Considering my husband's addiction to Apple products though, I don't really feel guilty.  Plus, I have a Mac computer, so I blend in.

Kitchen in temporary apartment

Enclosed patio off of living room in temporary apartment

Love all the real trees in the Apple Store!

I do have to take a moment to talk about Target.  I LOVE my Target at home.  I had been warned that Targets in Australia are nothing like Targets in the States.  But, REALLY, it is horrible.  I went in there last night to get a hairdryer, flat iron, and fabric softener. All I got was the flat iron.  They do not even CARRY hairdryers or fabric softener.  I am not sure that I have ever walked out of a Target with only one item before in my life. Like I said, I had been warned, but it one of those things that I had to see with my own eyes to truly believe. 

Anyway, back to Saturday….When we got to the apartment we cleaned up and headed out on the town.  Sean and I got flat whites (similar to a latte) and caught a bus to Bondi Beach.  All I can say is WOW!!!  The only beach I have personally seen to rival it is Kaanapali Beach in Maui.  It was a beautiful 72 degrees Fahrenheit day.  It was very warm in the sun, but a touch chilly in the shade.

Aubrey, Carter, and Sean posing at Bondi Beach (the sun was pretty bright).

Bondi Beach

We just walked around and took in the sights.  The word of the day was "absorption".  We were just trying to absorb everything we could.  Everything here has a slight feeling of familiarity.  We blend in somewhat; I’ve even had people ask me directions in the past couple of days, like I look like I know where I am going.  But yet, reality all feels kind of tweaked.  When I asked for more washcloths at the front desk of the building, one girl looked at another girl for help.  The other girl said “Oh, do you mean for the dishes?”  So, we had to describe what washcloths were used for since in Australia they call them "facecloths".  Thank goodness we all speak English!!! 

The first night we tried to stay up as late as we could to help adjust. The kids made it to 6:30 pm (2:30 am Central Time).  Sean and I made it to 8:00 pm (4:00 am Central Time).  We all got up Sunday morning at 4:30 am Sydney time.  For the first time in my life, I am a morning person!!! I know this is going to be short lived until I am adjusted to Sydney time.  I've always wanted to be a morning person.  But, my internal body clock has not ever really allowed me to be up, fully awake, and happy at sunrise.  There are some advantages to being jet lagged!

We did have one funny surprise Sunday morning.  Sean and I thought it was odd that our 3 bedroom apartment only had one toilet and one shower (in 2 different rooms).  But, we just went with it.  So, after we had been in the apartment 24 hours, I closed the master bedroom door for the first time to change clothes.  When I did that, I looked over expecting to see the wall. Instead, I saw another bathtub! There was an entire bathroom (complete with toilet, tub, and shower) off of the master bedroom that we had no clue of! It was just hidden behind the door when it was swung open. We felt so silly that we had not noticed that before.

What doorway looked like with our master room door swung open.

What I saw when I closed our master bedroom door.

There's a whole bathroom in there!!

Sunday we went to downtown Sydney and found a Starbucks so Sean could get some drip coffee.  We took a train to the Circular Quay and then hopped on a ferry to Manly Beach. Finally, the kids got their feet wet in the ocean.  Carter ended up getting more than his feet wet, but luckily he had shorts on that would dry quickly.  We hung out at Manly Beach for the rest of the morning and had lunch at the Whale Ale Brewery overlooking the beach.  The fish and chips were very, very good.  I loved the décor of the restaurant. 

Carter and Sean at Starbucks

Waiting to take a train to Circular Quay

Pics of the Opera House from the ferry to Manly

Aubrey and Carter showing off their new hats (Aubrey's hat sports a kangaroo and Carter's shows the Australian flag).

Carter getting his feet wet at Manly Beach

Sean at the Whale Ale Brewery at Manly Beach

The view from inside the Whale Ale Brewery (it was open to the air overlooking Manly Beach)

It took us quite awhile Sunday afternoon to travel back to our apartment using the bus system.  We were all getting pretty tired and cranky.  The downside of jet lag was setting in.  We definitely felt like weary travelers when we finally made it back to the apartment. Our evenings are passed with eating snacks and fighting fatigue while trying to get ourselves and the kids ready for bed.  The kids are so tired at night; they don’t even fight bedtime. They just go in and fall asleep.  I went to bed Sunday night watching Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.  I usually don’t watch much of the Housewives, but it is nice to see something familiar.  Especially when you are exhausted and a little part of you just wants to be home, in your own bed, watching some trashy, brainless tv.