Back to Australia

End of Uni year:- time for a trip to the land of Aus. We left on a jet plane and had a few days in Shanghai, Zhou Zhuang & Suzhou before taking separate flights to Sydney. I went via KL and Carla departed a few hours later on a direct flight. We meet up in Sydney and then immediately took another flight to Melbourne. Elsa & Toby met us and drove us to their place only an hour or so away for a few days of lazying around. Log fires were the standard as it was rather chilly - July in Melb is mid winter. Picked up a small Renault hire car and took off for Geelong to see Helen and then Matte & Toni. Later that day we crossed 'Port Philip' bay in the car ferry and stayed with Doug and Sylvia in Rosebud. Busy playing golf and talking the next couple of days. Onto Melb to meet up with Eric & Jacqueline and also see my favourite team the 'Bombers' beat the Brisbane Lions at Telstra Dome with fellow travellers and ardent Essendon supporters; Brian & Chris. Another day another nice drive into the Dandenong Ranges at Emerald to see Robert, Janet & Family. A few days later we took the Renault to Harkaway to have a few drinks with Jannie plus a round of golf. On the way out of Melb (suburbs) we stopped for coffee and gossip at Jill's; then off North to the border town of Echuca and into the NSW town of Moama.. It was great to see my old mate Martin who put up with us (and put us up) for a few days - plenty of talking & drinking here also. Back on the road again through Deniliquin & Jerilderee into the wine city of Griffith to see Vanessa, Wayne and grandkids. Next we visited the country's capital - Canberra; to see Eric & AiPing. Leaving the ACT we headed to Sydney and Central Coast (Terrigal) to have coffee and a chat with Max an old school mate from Leeton. After coffee we headed for Tamworth on the New England Highway and stayed in a small motel by ourselves this time with a bottle of red or two. Crossed into Qld and stayed with Andrew & Di for a few days; they have a few acres not far from Warwick. To Brisbane next and into a nice apartment on the Brisbane river where Zac joined us for a day or so - before we all jetted off further North to Mackay, leaving the hire car at the airport. Met by Peter and grand kids, while Deborah stayed home to organise dinner. Talked for a few days and also drove further North to Airlie Beach - more family and friends.
Almost two months on the road driving and flying - seeing family and friends the experience was both fantastic and tiring; time to depart and head back to China for another year. A few days in the hustle of Hong Kong shopping and renewing visas ( do it at home it is easier) and then off to our new teaching venture in Wuhan.