First Day Down Under
After a completely full—but smooth—flight on Qantas from L.A., Gauss and I arrived in Brisbane, Australia. Immigration and customs went quickly, although all U.S. passport holders were screened by contraband-sniffing dogs. I noted that unlike American K-9 units, which always seem to employ German Shepherds that could rip your leg off, the Australian drug dogs were sweet little beagles that we all wanted to cuddle.
Gauss's old classmate, Rod Campbell, met us at the airport. It had been nearly 44 years since Gauss had seen him last, and it was an emotional moment.
Once out in the daylight, I tried to wrap my head around the idea that the midday sun would be shining from the north, casting shadows on the south sides of trees and hills. I wondered if it would mess with my built-in sense of direction. But there have been many bush fires in the area, and the sky was hazy—I didn't really get the chance to find out.
On our way back to his house, Rod wound around Brisbane and took a scenic side trip to show us the Glass House mountains. These are volcanic cores, much like Devil's Tower in Wyoming, that jut abruptly from the surrounding plain.
Gauss and Rod at the Glass House Mountains lookout
We circled around a few more of the peaks and stopped at the base of one to watch some climbers. Up close, the basalt column structure of the mountain was visible.
After another 20 minutes of so of driving, we arrived at Rod's house, where we met his wife, Penny. The four of us had tea and then took a dip in their pool while little parrots screeched in the trees above our heads.
Their house is well-designed, with substantial overhangs, ceiling fans, and large, screened windows. It remained cool inside despite the heat outdoors. Rod and Penny installed solar panels on one part of the roof. They heat the water for their pool on another part of the roof, and they have a large cistern to collect rainwater that's used to fill the pool.
Gauss and I showered and napped, and then Rod took us out for a walk through his neighborhood. We stopped to see Rainbow Lorikeets squabbling over grub at a bird feeder. Comical, noisy and social, birds are aptly named, cloaked in brilliant plumage of indigo, orange, purple, green, yellow and red.
We walked all around the canal at the center of the neighborhood, enjoying plants, birds, and a sunset enhanced by the smoky atmosphere.
Gauss's old classmate, Rod Campbell, met us at the airport. It had been nearly 44 years since Gauss had seen him last, and it was an emotional moment.
Once out in the daylight, I tried to wrap my head around the idea that the midday sun would be shining from the north, casting shadows on the south sides of trees and hills. I wondered if it would mess with my built-in sense of direction. But there have been many bush fires in the area, and the sky was hazy—I didn't really get the chance to find out.
On our way back to his house, Rod wound around Brisbane and took a scenic side trip to show us the Glass House mountains. These are volcanic cores, much like Devil's Tower in Wyoming, that jut abruptly from the surrounding plain.
The trees in the foreground are macadamias. I didn't realize that they are a major crop here. Rod told us that later in the day, they often see wallabies taking a rest in the shade of the trees.
Close up of Macadamias on the tree
We circled around a few more of the peaks and stopped at the base of one to watch some climbers. Up close, the basalt column structure of the mountain was visible.
After another 20 minutes of so of driving, we arrived at Rod's house, where we met his wife, Penny. The four of us had tea and then took a dip in their pool while little parrots screeched in the trees above our heads.
Their house is well-designed, with substantial overhangs, ceiling fans, and large, screened windows. It remained cool inside despite the heat outdoors. Rod and Penny installed solar panels on one part of the roof. They heat the water for their pool on another part of the roof, and they have a large cistern to collect rainwater that's used to fill the pool.
Gauss and I showered and napped, and then Rod took us out for a walk through his neighborhood. We stopped to see Rainbow Lorikeets squabbling over grub at a bird feeder. Comical, noisy and social, birds are aptly named, cloaked in brilliant plumage of indigo, orange, purple, green, yellow and red.
The birds were really tame. I kept getting closer and closer.
We walked all around the canal at the center of the neighborhood, enjoying plants, birds, and a sunset enhanced by the smoky atmosphere.
If you look across the town from a high vantage point, the cityscape is punctuated by airy purple clouds of blooming jacarandas.
A type of mangrove—notice the buttress roots.
I just know I would never see a flower like this in Minnesota.
Magpie looking natty
A small heron on the hunt for minnows. A moment later, he plunged his beak into the water and came up with a little snack.
The sun sets on a long day. It's wonderful to be in Australia!
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