Australia Prep

Today it's off to Costco to load up with all the stuff that can not be purchased in Australia. We will have 3  large suitcases and one overnighter. The overnighter is mine. It contains a few pair of shorts, some undies, 3 pull overs and 2 pair tennis shoes. After all, it is just for 5 weeks. We have set up an inventory staging area for clothes, non-essential gear, bacon, sunscreen, passport and essential items, like vitamin pills, medicines, toothpaste and hairbrushes. The staging ares is at Bob's home in Valencia where we spent thanksgiving.

I called my goto scuba guy, Michael Murry, he has done more than 100 dives, in Texas and asked him whether or not my heart was strong enough for scuba. He said he doubted it, but that I should try it anyway, but he suggested I do not go down deeper than 100 ft.  He asked me if I was claustrophobic. I was not sure, but replied I do not like to be in most confined spaces. Any way, I was thinking more about a 6 ft depth limit and no more than an arm's length from the boat.  Helen is excited to wall-dive and explore the dark habitats of sharks, manta rays and sea turtles. We shall see how brave she is and I will report the facts on this blog sometime after December 9th.

Kevin has set up a 5 day adventure for us on Hamilton Island. I will report on this later. It is one of the only islands in a 74 island chain that has a landing strip for planes. Then you are offloaded to golf carts for the remainder of the trip. No cars are allowed in the island. I searched Google for information on Hamilton island. It has a fascinating history and currently owned by a 5th generation Australian. He spotted the island while touring in his 160' yacht, liked the look of the island and bought it. I recently bought a golf hat in pretty much the same way.

I am envisioning golfing with the wallabies and the kangaroos, catching reef fish and grilling them on the barbie.

More later on the Aussie trip.