If you don't live in Australia, you might still have an idea of the disastrous flooding that's happening in the northeast part of the country. Queensland has been getting torrential rain for weeks. Parts of the state started flooding around Christmas. The rain stopped, and it seemed like it was all over. It came back, however, with fury. There was flash flooding yesterday in the southern part of the state that was described as an "inland tsunami". At least 9 people died, and about 70 are reported missing. Queensland's capital city of Brisbane is now in jeopardy, with people evacuating and the city more or less shut down.
Queensland is used to getting flooding, but this is a whole new category. We don't even know when the rain is going to stop. It's very, very scary. While I live in a very different part of the country, this seems to be affecting everybody. We're all talking about it and watching the coverage nonstop on TV. All of these people are in our thoughts, and they will continue to be for a while.
Queensland is used to getting flooding, but this is a whole new category. We don't even know when the rain is going to stop. It's very, very scary. While I live in a very different part of the country, this seems to be affecting everybody. We're all talking about it and watching the coverage nonstop on TV. All of these people are in our thoughts, and they will continue to be for a while.
Healesville Sanctuary
I almost don't want to continue blogging today about happier times. There are so many people who are suffering right now. I realize that people suffer everywhere, every day. It's just hitting closer to home right now. Anyway, I will continue on, because this holiday recap stuff makes me happy.
While we were still in Melbourne, we borrowed Grumpy and Gramps' car and drove an hour to Healesville Sanctuary in the hills. I expected it to be like Cleland Wildlife Park in the Adelaide Hills. All of the animals were the same, but I almost cried when we got to the kangaroo enclosure. You have to line up to pet them, and they weren't even letting people in when we got there! At Cleland, there are huge free-range grassy areas where everybody can pet and feed the 'roos. I had a good time at the park, but I didn't have nearly as much fun as the other place.
A dingo up close
An echidna
A koala sleeping awkwardly in a tree (and then my camera died)
I actually stole most of these photos from my mom
I actually stole most of these photos from my mom
Al, Dad, me, Jon in front of the pelican sanctuary. This was our first hot day in Melbourne!
Me, Mom, Jon
On the way back, we stopped at a winery in Yarra Valley. This was the most beautiful place, surrounded by small lakes and hills. There was also a winery golden retriever, which just made my day. Jon got a bottle of wine for 50% off, because the place is owned by Foster's. Good work, Al!
Back to recent days
Unfortunately, we didn't get our posh city apartment that we wanted (refer to my previous post). I have to pass it every morning on the bus, and it makes me very sad. You know what makes me happy, though? Cricket! I can't believe I'm saying this, but I had a really good time at the twenty20 (meaning it lasts about three hours instead of all day for five days) cricket match on Saturday night.
In the middle of the game (what do you call that? Half time?), a very happy piece of chocolate-covered fruit ran around the field.
It was the Fruchoc man! We weren't sitting close enough to the field to get any free Fruchocs.
Night games are fun.
Hello Shona, Kosal and Rob!
I'm not saying that I'm on the cricket bandwagon or anything, but I actually paid attention to the game, understood the majority and had a very good time. We might go to another game next week!
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