Wildlife Currumbin Sanctuary.

You can’t visit Australia without holding a koala and feeding the kangaroos, right?!  Not in my book.  We spent one afternoon at the Wildlife Currumbin Sanctuary doing just that. 

It was such a crazy feeling walking among the kangaroos.  They were everywhere - hopping, napping, playing, sleeping – just doing what roos do.  Luckily some of them were hungry and we were able to feed them out of our hands.  They reminded me of sweet Sadie, so it was fun being able to pet them and give them a little love. 

After the feeding we signed up for a rope obstacle course.  Let me just say that I’m pretty sure that in America we would have never been able to complete this course without a guide.  It was insane (so insane that I saw some tears), but that is what made it fun.  That and the fact that I went to the sanctuary in my ballet flats, not knowing that we were going to be zip lining through the air, swinging on rope swings, and climbing ladders 100 feet up in the air. 

We finished up the day with the most anticipated event of the trip – holding a koala.  The little guy was sooo cute!  I have heard that koalas can be mean, but not this guy.  He just sat there looking cute and we ate it up!

On another note, since this is my last blog post on Australia, thanks for letting me relive my adventures with you. 

Until next time, love from Japan.

Look at the little joey that was coming out while mama was eating.

This guy was so tiny.  I love this picture because look at Justin's face.  

The Gold Coast.

I promise – I’m almost done with Australia posts.  On our fifth day we flew to Brisbane to meet up with our spouses!  We were psyched.  And then we waited six hours for them to unload from the ship (one cool note is that we made the Aussie news b/c they were covering the story!)  Even with the six hours of waiting, it was hands-down the best day (and this time I mean it) because I finally got to see Matt again.  I know that it hadn’t been too long, but it was still such a sweet moment to see him again.  We then went from Brisbane to the Gold Coast where we spent the rest of our vacation with a group of our friends.

The Gold Coast was a really cool town with a laid-back vibe.  I didn't get as many pictures here because we were pretty active and I couldn't always bring my camera.  I did sneak a few shots on my phone, though. 

Here is what I was able to capture...

Waiting for the guys.

Reunited!
The funny thing about this picture is that I bought Matt a beer to greet him with and I held out from drinking it all day, but finally after the six hours I was thirsty.  So I greeted him with a half-drunken warm beer.
It's the thought that counts, right?!

We missed celebrating our 4th anniversary together by a few days.
Matt surprised me with champagne so that we could still have our 4th plus 3 days anniversary.

Love this guy so much - even with that stache!

One morning we took a jet boat tour around the bay.   It was ridiculously fun and I would recommend it to anyone.
This is our before picture...

And this is after.

We spent one afternoon paddleboarding - one of my favorite activities.

Matt and I weren't the only ones reunited - so was our duplex!  Love these guys!

Sydney Opera House.

On our fourth day in Sydney we wanted to see the Opera House, up close and personal.  We went on a Botanical Garden walk through the city that ends up at the house.  We were able to go inside, but due to a performance, we couldn’t go into the concert halls.  Even without seeing the halls, it was such a surreal moment to be there – to be standing somewhere that I have wanted to see my whole life.  Imagine the sound of the water, the sailboats gliding by, the sun reflecting off of the bright white roof, and the excited conversations of everyone taking pictures.       

I tried my best to capture these moments so that I can look back on the pictures and remember how much they meant to me.  And, of course, to share with you.

Here are a few moments from the day…

We took a ferry to Manly Beach for the afternoon.

Our little group.

The Bondi to Coogee Beach Walk.

On our third day in Sydney we did the Bondi to Coogee Beach Walk.  It is a 6-kilometer coastal walk that brings you through Bondi Beach, Tamarama Beach, Bronte Beach, Clovelly Beach, and Coogee Beach. Along the way we stopped for about a million photos, an amazing brunch with some of the best French toast that I have ever tasted (and, trust me, I have tasted my fair share of French toast), a quick dip in the ocean pool (by Brian), and to temporarily join a bocce ball club (random, but true). 

It was one of my favorite days of the trip (do I keep saying that – I just can’t choose!)  I couldn’t stop taking pictures.  I kept telling myself that I really didn’t need another picture of the horizon or the water or the ridiculous houses or the men fishing or the lifeguard stand – but my trigger happy finger won out and I was left with about 237 pictures from the day.

Here are a few of them…

These pools were amazing.  The waves would come crashing over the sides while people swam.
Brian went in one a little later in the day - but the rest of us forgot our swimsuits (darn!)

Dad, how would you like to join them?

This one is for Les - check out the council name;)

This trip will forever be known as the one where I sat on all the ledges.

The most scenic burial ground in the world.

Joined the club...

So that we could enjoy some Victoria Bitters by the water.