Travel Abroad

The blog-o-sphere seems to be full of people moving their families to live overseas right now. The Mister and I are working toward that goal, too, but we're still a few years out. We must finish our degrees (the Mister will be done in April, theoretically I will be done in 2013) and the Mister needs to get a couple of years experience in his new career before we'll be in a position to either get transferred overseas or move and take contracts that would allow us to work from home. Our first choice destination is London, but Sydney is not too far behind. Given the cuts to higher education that both the UK and Australia are experiencing right now, my best bet might be to take online teaching contracts with US universities. Daydreaming about living in London or Sydney has given me something fun to think about on my morning commute.

'Roo Spotting

(Part of my ongoing trip down memory lane--our trip to Australia over Christmas)

On our night in the Hunter Valley we jumped in the car to go 'roo spotting. They're much like deer in the States--they wander into people's yards, are a menace to drivers on the highway, and are most easily spotted at dusk. We saw our first 'roo within two minutes of getting in the car. These are the two best shots.

Dreamin'...

We have no budget for travel this year. None. (Well, maybe a little bit of money for a side trip for me and my BFF)! Nothing like a lack of funds to make you want to plan another trip, so here are some destinations at the top of my list:

Italy - This is a no-brainer, in my opinion. Good food, lots of wine tasting, sunshine, and long stretches of beach. I don't require anything more than that on vacation.

Brazil- I spent a summer when I was 16 and I'm desperate to go back. The Mister is not so enthusiastic. I'll keep working on him. Or maybe go without him?!?

Germany/Denmark - He's German, I'm Danish, time to go check on "our people".

Poland - I had a slight obsession with Marie Curie when I was a kid and I've always wanted to go to Poland as a result (Grandma had given us a set of Value Tales books and she was the subject of one of them).

Image found here.

To Market, To Market

(Reminiscing about our trip to Oz in Dec./Jan.)

On our first day in Tasmania we were able to spend a few hours in the Salamanca Market in Hobart. Because the Australian dollar was performing so badly (sorry, Aussies!) the prices were delightful. It was so fun to take pictures and buy trinkets for loved ones back home knowing that I was basically on the end of the earth.

Steamboat in the Winter

We went to Phippsburg/Steamboat Springs this weekend to visit Sister, BIL, and Nephew. On Sunday the Mister and I went snow shoeing and stopped at the ranch to take a few pictures.

The cows in the meadow.
This colt was born 2 weeks ago.

One of the many old cabins on the property.

The schoolhouse - BIL's mother attended school in this schoolhouse (when it was on the other side of the valley) until the 8th grade. When the district stopped using it they sold the building to the ranch. It is now storage for the oldest, most decrepit white pickup you have ever seen. It's literally held together with baling twine. Photos of that may never be posted!

Further up the canyon, from our snowshoeing adventure.

Side Trip to Tassie

We're taking a 3 1/2 day trip to Tasmania. I have a co-worker who just moved back to the States after 3 years there, so she's given me lots of recommendations. It looks like we're going to be spending most of our time in Hobart and Port Arthur. Port Arthur was one of the penal colonies, now a museum. Our day at the museum includes a 20-minute harbor cruise and a ghost tour!

One of the big draws in Hobart is the Salamanaca Market. This website has several pictures. There's also the Sydney to Hobart yacht race--our plan is to watch them depart, then fly to Hobart and maybe catch their arrival.

Less than two months to go! Mentally, I've already checked out. In a rare moment of self-preservation I ordered my swimsuits and am now awaiting their arrival.

Photo by Nathanael B

Australia Update

Everything's booked except a rental car in Hawaii (we have a layover) and purchasing a new swimsuit. Ack! I'm putting that off until the very last moment when I'll frantically order 4 on the internet because I can't find one in December in the stores. None of them will look good, but one of them won't look too bad, and that's the one I'll be self-consciously wearing on Bondi Beach.

I know myself well.

Image by Molecule Mike.

Happy Holiday Weekend!

We're off to the Twin Cities to visit the Mister's relatives and (hopefully) my cousin. Rest and relax, people!

Photo by prakope

Dreaming

The last few weeks have been insanely busy. Not much reading getting done. When life gets to be a little too much I do more research for our trip in December. We're taking a side trip to Tasmania (probably renting a car to drive to Melbourne then taking an overnight ferry), in large part because I've heard there are penguins there. Turns out we won't be there during prime viewing season, but that doesn't phase me.

Here We Come

We bought tickets to Australia last night! Our credit card is whimpering but we're so excited I can ignore that. Sister-in-Law and future Brother-in-Law live in Sydney, so we're going to visit them over Christmas. How am I going to wait 8 months? I'm not good at waiting…

Photo found here.