The countdown is officially on. I got a free app for my phone that counts down the days to an event. I am able to put pictures on the days I am looking forward to and see pictures of what I have planned to do.

The event that has me so distracted is my trip to Australia. I just had to post because I am so excited. My son and I are going in March and as far away as it seems I know it will be here in no time. I had mentioned the trip before a few months ago when it was in the planning stages and had expressed an interest in meeting up with some of our Australian online friends. If anyone would like to take me up on the offer I would love to meet you. I can hardly wait to visit your country.

I am really excited that my son and I are doing this together. When your kids get grown (he will be 27 in a couple of weeks) that is another great and different time in your lives together.

In 121 days we will be in Melbourne. Lots of exciting things planned there. This is the part of the trip that I mostly look forward to and these are the plans I made for this city. Colonial Tramcar, Puffing Billy to Healesville Sanctuary and last but not least is the Penguin Parade on Philip Island.

In 125 days we will be in Uluru. This is the part of the trip that my son wanted to plan. Sounds of Silence Dinner the first night there. A trip to Ayers Rock the next morning and on to Kata Tjuta in the afternoon. A camel ride at sunrise the next morning and then that afternoon on to........

Day 127 and Cairns. We both were excited about this city and worked together to come up with this part of the trip. Diving on the Great Barrier Reef on day 128. More fun taking the Kuranda Skyway to Tpakukai with a trip back to Cairns on another railway. Next day is a day of leisure followed by a trip to Daintree the next.

Day 132 is traveling to Sydney in the morning with a free afternoon and evening. Diving with the sharks at the aquarium the next day and of course a trip to the Opera House is in order since we are there. Another day is spent going to the Blue Mountains and the Wildlife Park.

Sadly on the 135th it will be time to head home. I am sure we will have some wonderful memories of your country to take home with me. My boss is worried I might want to stay and says if he gets a call for job references he will tell them I am the worst employee he ever had.

I really hope to meet some of you Aussies along the way. If I am missing a must see in any of these places please let me know.

G'day.
And if you are still reading this, thanks for listening to my rambling. I am sure everyone I know is sick of listening to it. lol


P.S. And this is very important. What is the best beer to drink while we are there? I really like beer. I would start a poll but I do not have a clue what the choices would be. I guess I should ask about tea choices also as you Aussies seem to have a fondness for it based on the itinerary the travel agent sent. We tweeked his suggestions but tea it is if that is part of the experience.

All I have to say is I am so jealous. Haha.

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Originally posted by fadedrainbows

All I have to say is I am so jealous. Haha.

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Try this!
http://www.australianbeers.com/

You should try to actually see a show at the Opera House. We saw some crazy circus in one of the smaller theaters. That building is incredible close up. I expect TONS and TONS of pics!!!!

We went whale watching there too! My hubby did the Bridge Climb with a friend and said it was really nerve-wracking but incredibly cool. His friend's wife and I walked around the harbor. Manly Beach was a great place too-I actually enjoyed being there more than Sydney and it's just a ferry ride away.

Your not coming to South Australia

I am super jealous too! I have always wanted to go there.

Lucky duck! Always been at the top of my list for ultimate places to visit

awe and I am soooooo jealous also! Well I will just have to make my own trip that's all! :) lol

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Originally posted by Rach

Your not coming to South Australia

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Melbourne is south isnt it. Or is this dumb American confused?

Oh and I noticed you were in Costa Rica in 2008! :) I get to visit there in March and study Tropical Ecology (The only time college is fun!)

Make sure you take tons of pics!!!

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Originally posted by kyro298

Try this!
http://www.australianbeers.com/

You should try to actually see a show at the Opera House. We saw some crazy circus in one of the smaller theaters. That building is incredible close up. I expect TONS and TONS of pics!!!!

We went whale watching there too! My hubby did the Bridge Climb with a friend and said it was really nerve-wracking but incredibly cool. His friend's wife and I walked around the harbor. Manly Beach was a great place too-I actually enjoyed being there more than Sydney and it's just a ferry ride away.

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That looks like a fun website. I am going to look at it more tomorrow. I am getting a little tired tonight. Thanks for the advise. I havent researched the opera house much but figured I had to go since I was there but I need to see what is going on at the time I will be there. That building is awesome. My thing is seeing the animals and the nature stuff there. Maybe even see gliders. Like I dont see 7 of them every night. lol. Thats the only thing bad about it is missing those babies for 2 weeks but I have a good friend that will keep a good eye on them.

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Originally posted by LovingLife123

Oh and I noticed you were in Costa Rica in 2008! :) I get to visit there in March and study Tropical Ecology (The only time college is fun!)

Make sure you take tons of pics!!!

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Costa Rica was great. Lots of critters there to study. Where are you going? I stayed in Tamarindo.

sorry I just left work and had to drive home! :)
We are actually visiting all different types of habitats and environments while we are there. Osa Peninsula, the cloud forest on Cerro de la Muerte and the dry forest of Guanacaste. We are landing in san jose and from there we will be shuttled via bus, plane and boat to the various field sites within the country. I am very excited! We get to go river rafting, zip lining, study the ant community, stream biology: migration of gastropods, gap analysis (tropical deforestation), edge effects and check out the intertidal zones. There is alot more but this is a sum up.

Tamarindo is in Guanacaste. I did go to Rincon rain forest and volcano when I was there. It was pretty cool. I thought I was going to Arenal volcano but it turned out they have more than one volcano. lol. I guess I didn't do enough research on the country. Guess I will have to go back again sometime and see that one.

No Melbourne is in the state of Victoria Adelaide is in the state of South Australia

Melbourne seemed south . But Adeladie is a ways away. I didn't know where you were. Bummer I would have liked to meet up with you. Anybody here in Melbourne, Cairns or Sydney?

I think Ko and/or Jett is in Melbourne?

Jett and I are both in Melbourne. Just message me Belinda for contact details :) Im sure both of us would be happy to at least meet up!

I would love to meet you too. I will send you a message with details and you can let me know if that fits your schedule. Looking forward to it.

Yep count me in too Ko. Pehaps we could all go to the sanctary together. I know someone who is working at the nocturnal house at the moement. Will see if I can get some behind the scene tours while you are here.

That would be great Jett.

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Originally posted by Jett

Yep count me in too Ko. Pehaps we could all go to the sanctary together. I know someone who is working at the nocturnal house at the moement. Will see if I can get some behind the scene tours while you are here.

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The countdown is 12 days. My time anyway. I hope to be able to meet up with you if only for a cup of coffee. I am getting there on a Monday morning and will be there for a few days. It might be tough for you to make it during a week day. I will email my itinerary for my stay in Melbourne. Hopefully you can fit it in.

I'm so excited for you, Belinda!

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Originally posted by Belinda

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Originally posted by Jett

Yep count me in too Ko. Pehaps we could all go to the sanctary together. I know someone who is working at the nocturnal house at the moement. Will see if I can get some behind the scene tours while you are here.

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The countdown is 12 days. My time anyway. I hope to be able to meet up with you if only for a cup of coffee. I am getting there on a Monday morning and will be there for a few days. It might be tough for you to make it during a week day. I will email my itinerary for my stay in Melbourne. Hopefully you can fit it in.

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I work but I should be able to meet up in the evening if you have one spare! Shame it wasn't this coming Monday...it is a public holiday and a day off. If you need anything you want to take back with you...let me know now and I can source things for you.

Cheers Ko

Belinda,

I am so jealous and excited for you at the same time!! I hope I can visit Australia someday. I actually did a research paper/speech of Healesville Sanctuary in college a few semesters ago. I REALLY want to visit that sanctuary!!

Take lots of pics (as I'm sure you will). Have a safe and fun trip with your son!!!