Today is our last day in Sydney. For a last hoo-rah, Dave took us to the beach and gave Ethan a surfing lesson. Check out the video!

Day 17: 30 Jan-AU/Jan 29 -US

Today, Dave and Jenny took us on a 2 hour drive to the wineries. It was an amazing drive in. The scenery was amazing, we actually saw a heard of kangaroos hoping along in a nearby field. And the country, you can't capture it's beauty in the camera. What a great last full day in the land of Aussies.

Day 16: 29 Jan-AU/Jan 28 -US

Today we explored the Sydney zoo. Here's a photo of Ethan with his favorite animal. Wonderful views of the city and the bridge all over the zoo!

Day 15: 28 Jan-AU/Jan 27 -US

Today we arrived in Sydney. Were staying at Dave and Jenny's with their family and Sledge the dog. Didn't do much, just arrival and Aussie BBQ for dinner. Yum!

Day 14: 27 Jan-AU/Jan 26 -US

Today we went to St. Kilda beach and checked out a little bit of Luna Park and just walked the shore. There were a gillion kite surfers out, okay maybe not a gillion, but a lot. For dinner we hoped a tram and went back to Queen Victoria market for the 'night market'. Lots of food, music and drinks! Fun way to wrap up Melbourne. Sydney bound tomorrow!

Day 13: 26 Jan-AU/Jan 25-US

Today we went to Phillip Island. It was well worth the 2 hour drive, we saw koalas, 'roos and watched the penguin parade at sunset. What a great place to spend the day!

Day 12: 25 Jan-AU/Jan 24-US

Study and work. That's what we've been up to today. My online class started, so it's officially back to the books... or web for this semester. It's Sunday in the USA, so online time for Ethan!

Day 11: 24 Jan-AU/Jan 23-US

Dinner on Hardware Lane is always a good time. Several restaurant options with host/hostesses outside bartering for your business. You can usually get a free drink out of the deal... everyone knows Ethan loves a 'free' something!

Day 10: 23 Jan-AU/Jan 22-US

Today I went to the Melbourne museum. Small but had some neat stuff in it. My favorite part was the body/mind exhibits, learned some interesting stuff and reviewed some stuff I learned in CNA class.

The photo is of a blue whale skeleton. This thing was huge. *shiver*

Day 9: 22 Jan-AU/Jan 21-US

Today we went to the Docklands for some touristy shopping and so Ethan could check out the expensive yachts. It was pretty overcast today, but don't let that fool you. It was a HOT one! Tomorrow we're gonna be coolin' down a bit.

Day 8: 21 Jan-AU/Jan 20-US

Today Ethan and I walked around our temp-town, Hawthorne. Still not 100%, I'm takin' it easy tonight while Ethan plays another Satellite tourney. Tomorrow, I plan to do some touristy stuff...maybe.

Here we are enjoying some lattes in a little cafe on the main drag of Hawthorne. It's the closest thing we're going to get to a "cup-o-joe" here.

Guess there are some American things I miss. Cheers!

Day 7: 20 Jan-AU/Jan 19-US

Sorry, no day 6. Still under the weather, down under.

Today, I was feeling about 75% so I decided to take it easy and use some public transportation instead of walking. Here's a photo of Flinders Station, one of two above-ground stations in the city. You'll also notice the round sign in the foreground... that's the stop for the FREE tourist shuttle. It goes around the entire city with a small tutorial around each stop. I took full advantage today!

Day 5: 18 Jan-AU/Jan 17-US

This has been my view for the past 24 hours. Sick as a dog on holiday. Ug. Luckily, Ethan took a day off to take care of me today... well he did hit up the Sunday online tournaments, 17 hours late!

Day 4: 17 Jan-AU/Jan 16-US

Today we got to our exchange house. Cozy and convenient. More pictures to come.

Day 3: 16 Jan-AU/Jan 15-US

Today, in Australia, was my birthday. Ethan took me to a nice waterfront restaurant to celebrate.

The picture is a movie screen of the grill in the open kitchen... kinda neat watchin' your meat being cooked!

Day 2: 15 Jan-AU/Jan 14-US

Yesterday, Ethan played and I walked and walked and walked and walked around. Here's a shot taken in Queen Victoria Gardens. There are the most beautiful gardens (parks) here in Melbourne, right in the city. In the back ground you'll see the Victorian Arts Centre.

Day 1: 14 Jan-AU/Jan 13-US

Here's the first pic-of-the-day. Enjoy!

We rode the ferris wheel and enjoyed the views of downtown Melbourne. We couldn't help but notice the three-legged, two-headed creature staring at us.

Viva Australia

So we're off to Melbourne/Sydney for our second home exchange and so Ethan can play the Aussie Millions!

Stay tuned for 'pic-of-the-day'... and updates from the poker table!

This pic was taken in the rain

forest at the end of our San Juan trip.

Ringing in the New Year... Vieques style.

For New Years we were still on the island of Vieques. The Foulkes clan surprised us with breakfast in bed!

We pretty much just hung out that day, then after exchanging gifts (A: dress, bracelet, earrings & E: "O" tickets) we headed into Esperanza to a very nice restaurant. After a wonderful meal (including the best ceviche and

fois gras I've ever had) we met the rest of the fam in the "plaza" to help them ring in the New Year.

Believe it or not, lil 'ol Vieques had a blowout. Bands, bars,

dancing and fireworks!

Felicidades!