THINGS I LOVE ABOUT AUSTRALIA - AND THINGS WE MISS ABOUT HOME Coming to Australia on parental leave was a big decision for us. We had to invest all our savings (also future ones) and put Thomas and Daniel through a major culture shock away from their friends. Especially I was hesitant to take the big step, but I will always thank Bryan for pushing this decision as this is turning out much more valuable than the new car I was dreaming of .... Some of the thi...

THE AUSTRALIAN SCHOOL EXPERIENCE A cultural experienceWho would have thought that Thomas and Daniel would learn the Australian National anthem before the Danish (or Canadian) one? While we learn the Danish National anthem during national football games, Thomas and Daniel stand tall and sing the Australian national anthem every Monday at school Parade. Some of the other differences that stick out are: They wear uniforms to school every day, including su...

LADY ELLIOT - A (LONG) STORY OF ADVENTURES ON THE REEF Last weekend, we went to see the Great Barrier Reef from a little Island called Lady Elliot Island. I guess both Bryan and I had some expectations of what to see and experience, but none of us had hoped for or even dreamed of the adventures and precious moments that awaited us. The only way of getting to the island is by airplane. We rented a car to drive the 250 km to the small airport of Hervey Bay ...

OCCASIONAL (AND VERY LONG) RAIN SHOWERS When enquiring about the rainy season in Queensland, I was told to expect the occasional tropical (= heavy) rain shower. But noone told me that these rain showers can last for up to 5 days! The faithful readers of our blog would have noticed that on Feb 19, in my status report of our first month in Australia, I made a remark that we had 200 mm of rain in the bank for February. I should not have challenged the weather ...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME Bright blue sky, pelicans gliding by in the still river, the sound of Thomas, Daniel and Bryan preparing breakfast on the terrace. I can hear that the boys agree that I should have the chair with arm rest and two cushions, which is a privilege only for the very lukcy - and lucky indeed I felt on this morning of my 38th birthday. And that even though I missed out on the first part of my birthday song as I had to run to the bathroom. In...