We spent the last 10 days driving up the east coast of Australia. I had no idea how big Australia was until we got out on the road and started clocking the kilometers. We drove about 1000km (600 miles) and barely made a dent on the coast line. On our way to our destination ("Surfer's Paradise) we stopped at Seal Rock and Yamba, recommendations we had from relatives. Both spots were outstanding. Seal Rock was one of the best beaches we had seen on the entire trip, and Yamba was really nice and laid back as well. We camped at both and had a great time.
In Surfers, we met Amie's grandmother's brother Laure and his wife Marge, their son Greg and his wife Angela, and their 3 kids. The hospitality we enjoyed there was incredible. Greg has a home right on a canal with views of Surfers skyline. Surfers itself feels a lot like Miami or Las Vegas, but on a beautiful beach. There are tons of sky rise condos going in and a bit of a seedy-big-city beach town feel. Because it was "school holidays" there was a lot of activity in town, and at Greg's place. He had groups of friends showing up in droves to stay at his big house. This gave us a really good feel for what Aussie's are really like. Needless to say, we had a blast and stayed longer than we planned.
Laure and Marge are in their mid 80s and are an inspiration. They are both doing very well to say the least. One night, Laure drank me under the table (way past midnight) and two of the evenings Marge made us meals that were so good we were in disbelief-aren't taste buds supposed to deteriorate as you age?
There are wild fruit bats everywhere that are as big as cats with 4-5' wingspans. I was scared for my life.
One of the best things we did while on the gold coast was our stop at Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo. We thought the zoo in Sydney was the best we had been to ever, but this was even better. It was all kind of sad because Steve Irwin really did run the place, and now that he is gone, his wife and young children continue on. They were all there and we got to see his wife feed the giant crocs, and bindi, his daughter do a song and dance routine. The highlight though were the animals, we got to pet roos and koalas, got to see crocs and wombats up close, feed an elephant, etc. Amazing, and a must for anyone coming to Australia!
While camping on the way back down the coast to Sydney, we got the resolution we were waiting for on the shipment of Yoshita. SHE IS NOW AT HOME!!!!!! After 6 weeks of 6am phone calls to Chile cursing my best in Spanish at the thieves extorting money from us, we got our bike released without paying them anything. I say that, we've paid $1700 so far for the shipment, but at least the Chileans didn't get their $2000 ransom they were vying for!
Back in Sydney we met even more relatives, the Keohns. I am amazed at how warm and kind all these people have been to us as the relationship they have to Amie and I is really quite distant. In most cases we are staying with second cousins or aunts twice removed. Regardless, they have treated us so well we are in their debt. Our time in Australia would not have been anywhere near as enjoyable if it weren't for all the great hospitality.
We had one last meal with Ian and Maree, who we came to really like and will miss very much. I helped Iain lay some sod the morning before we left, he appreciated it I think, and I was honestly happy to help. Last night we stayed with their daughter Liz and her husband Greg in downtown Sydney, and again, they wouldn't let us pay for anything, made us an amazing home cooked meal, and really, were just great people to meet and get to know.
Tomorrow we are on our own again. We've got 21 hour flight to Turkey that neither of us is looking forward to, but the adventure most go on!
The beach at Seal Rocks
Amie with Laure and Marge
Huge bat visiting us on the back deck
Too many shrimp on the barbee at Gregs
Bronte models an outfit for us
Steve Irwin's wife Terry carries on the tradition
Amie pats a Koala 
Baby wombat
Great surf near Byron Bay
Amie likes taking pictures like this
The beach at Surfer's Paradise
Burleigh Heads Beach at Surfers
That helicopter is doing shark spotting (no joke)
This is the life!
The view from Greg's deck
They start early in Australia
Teaching the Aussies to gamble (with grapes)
Cricky! We miss you Steve!
I think a room and Candy would be best mates
Crocs!
So long guys! We'll miss you! Come see us!
Keeping the regimen alive
Thats for Steve Irwin
Thats because Yosh is HOME!
Still together :-)
Maree and Iain's new place
The Keohns
Thanks Anna!
A Black tie affair at Iain's for our send off
The Blue Mosque
A secret Turkish Tea location with the best views in town
Turkish tea is much better than Turkish coffee
