It all started back in 2015 when I went on a Cosmos tour in Europe. On this trip I met many wonderful people from Australia, one of which was named Leanne. After the tour I had tried to connect with her on Facebook, but with no success. I was finally able to get in touch with her by writing her a letter, at which point she invited me to come visit her in Australia.
My trip to Australia was very different from what I’d experienced on the Cosmos tour. On this trip I was able to meet up with many friends who could give me a tour from a local’s perspective. Leanne and her friend Janet picked me up from the airport in Brisbane. We headed out of town and stayed with Ken, Leanne’s boyfriend, for the night. The next morning, Ken went to the store and we had a breakfast feast. We spent the rest of the day traveling and stayed with another friend of Leanne’s.
The two highlights of this portion of the trip were going to the Great Barrier Reef and eating dinner under the stars with the sound of the ocean.
The next day, we headed toward Mission Beach. As we were traveling, Janet (who had been doing the driving) suddenly exclaimed, “Oh my, we are on empty!” Leanne began checking on her phone where the next gas station was. Luckily we drove by a old gas pump in front of a wooden building. Leanne ran in to ask if the pump still worked and thankfully it did.
We finally reached Mission Beach and went to Lorraine’s tree house. We stayed several days with Lorraine, another woman I met on the Cosmos tour. The two highlights of this portion of the trip were going to the Great Barrier Reef and eating dinner under the stars with the sound of the ocean.
Our next destination was Cairns where went to Aboriginal Museum. Then we began the journey back to Brisbane. Along the way, we stopped to see Margaret who we also met on the Cosmos trip.
After a night's sleep in Brisbane, Leanne took me to the koala sanctuary. I got to hold a koala and pet real kangaroos.
After a night’s sleep in Brisbane, Leanne took me to the koala sanctuary. I got to hold a koala and pet real kangaroos. The next day we met some more of the people from the 2015 tour for lunch. I also rode on a motorbike with one of the ladies.
The following day we visited Surfers Paradise and later visited a couple in their home. Then it was time to catch my flight to Sydney. After arriving, I spent most of my time walking around by myself in the downtown area before meeting up with a friend for dinner. She then drove me to see the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.
After this, I headed back to Brisbane and spent a last day with my wonderful host, Leanne. The next day Leanne took me to the airport to head back to the United States. There are so many memories that I just can’t describe it all. I hope some pictures will do.
After a night's sleep in Brisbane, Leanne took me to the koala sanctuary. I got to hold a koala and pet real kangaroos.
After a night's sleep in Brisbane, Leanne took me to the koala sanctuary. I got to hold a koala and pet real kangaroos.
