AUSTRALIA

Once again our flight was delayed for hours from LA to Brisbane, finally leaving well after 1am. The security at the airport was intrusive, rude and completely non professional. We were shocked to witness people in uniform openly laughing at Asian travellers who could not understand the system. My assumption is that they are there to help as well as keep the planes and country as safe as possible but when pre scan staff give you different information than post scan staff then a worrying element comes into play. As the saying goes……the right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing and that opens up a grey area through which anything can get. The problem seemed that no one truly cared, no one smiled, no one made eye contact……belligerence was rife. By the end of our security saga Gary was ropeable and needed the spare time to calm down.

Arriving in Brisbane we picked up our usual rental car from Apex and headed to Crystal Creek, Murwillumbah trying to avoid the toll motorways. We thought we were doing quite well but no……..ping, ping, ping…………they get us every time.

Waiting to welcome us in “our little red car” were Eleni and a very excited Maya. She was going to be 3 in a few days and a birthday party was in the offing. She is delightful. Adrian was just finishing a trip and would be home later.

We spent a delightful 3 weeks with the family sometimes taking Maya to the beach, to preschool etc and we watched her grow enormously – not only in stature, she seemed to get taller in front of our eyes - but in language and confidence and understanding as well. She definitely knows what she wants and at this tender age seems to have so much empathy. She likes being a “natural Dr” and when Gary fell off the back of a stationary ute and ripped his leg she insisted on inspecting it, touching it and asking if it hurt and then bandaging it. She did a jolly good job of it too.

Her birthday day was a treat and came together in the nick of time…….nothing like a last minute dash to the supermarket, which in this case is a good 3/4hr away, and a birthday cake flop x2 on the morning of……….but the slippy slide was popular even though it was on quite a steep slope, the children planted little flowers in terracotta pots and painted rocks from the river and the cake, the 3^rd attempt having been iced and well chilled, finally made its entrance covered in M&Ms and looking very bright and appealing. All in all a good day was had by all.

We were able to spend time with Carrie and Stefan as well. They took us to see their “new house plot and plan” which when built will be perfect for them. We are very happy that they will finally be on the house owning ladder so to speak.

We were also fortunate to catch up with Stefan’s parents and brother which is always a delight and have a nice meal with them. Sorry Lynn we were not there for your birthday but we know Mario gave you a good time!!!!!!!

Adrian’s business seems to be doing nicely and Eleni’s kinesiology practice is making a good start so all in all our trip to Australia was very positive.

We will be back in mid to late January for a few days and another catch up but our next stop is Myanmar and we have no idea what to expect there.

Saying difficult farewells – never gets easier – we head back in our rental car to Brisbane once again determined to beat the tolls. Did a little better this time but still got caught………next time!!!!!!!