Outback Australia

Back in June Mark and I spent two weeks in outback Australia.  Mark's dental office has a contract with the Australian National Health Service to do dentistry out of van in remote aboriginal settlements a few times a year.  When this offer came up, Mark did not think twice and was ready for the adventure.  At 25 weeks pregnant I had to think a bit about if I really wanted to be riding around on dirt roads in the middle of nowhere.  But then I looked at my husband with that excited twinkle in his eye and could not say no!  On a sunny Saturday morning we flew to Alice Springs in the Northern Territory to meet up with our new dental assistant Linda, and an outback Dr. who would give us the lay of the land.  For the next two weeks we would explore the outback landscape and get to know two different aboriginal communities.  I could write chapters on this experience and there is definitely a lot to say about Australia and it's treatment of indigenous populations but for now I will let all the photos speak for themselves.  An amazing experience but we were glad to be home.  This first blog will be dedicated to the landscapes of outback.  The second will focus on the communities and dentistry.

hiking in the bush

sunset at Uluru

supplies for two weeks

outback roads

our Outback-mobile

Linda (our fabulous Dental Nurse and new BFF) and Mark

Linda chases camels..

there are over 2 million wild camels in the Outback

and it seemed like just as many car corpses as camels

sunrise at Uluru

the climbing path on Uluru (Ayers Rock)

the path around Ayers Rock, 10 kilometers

The Olgas

More of Sydney



Sydney Opera House



Ferry ride to Watson's Bay

Bondi to Bronte beach walk

Cold day at Bondi Beach

Bubbles, Hyde Park

 Birthday night, off to the Opera House

Winter in Sydney

Night shot of Sydney Opera House

Since I had another impending birthday we decided it was a good excuse for a little holiday in Sydney.  We flew to Sydney on a Wednesday and spent a very long weekend seeing the sights, taking in a play at the Opera House and enjoying the Vivid lights festival.  The Vivid festival is a series of art installations all occurring at night since they are light based.  One of the coolest parts was the images projected on to the Opera House sails.  Since it is winter here, the weather was freezing.  Luckily we had the warm Australian sunshine to keep us warm during the day. 

VIVID Festival of Lights

Night time Sydney

Yummy Japanese food

Treats from David Jones Food Hall

Our Greatest Adventure!!

In early October 2011 we will be finally be getting crew on Scholarship.  Our new crew will be very young and a little green   This new member of Scholarships team presents us with our newest and most challenging adventure so far, Parenthood!  We could not be more excited as we count down the days until our new little bub arrives to melt our hearts. 

All 28 tons swinging in the slings

Where she got bumped

All wrapped up

New bottom paint and shiny hull

Font-tastic new name

Back in the water

When we first heard our cherished home was at the receiving end of a run-away  fifteen ton yacht we were alarmed , shocked and fighting mad.  Now several months and one insurance payment later Scholarship is better than  new and looking quite smart.  We lived on land for over three weeks in a little cabin with a very cold air conditioner during the hottest part of Queensland summer.  Check out her new font. 

Our little wedding party, the Haleys and the Frickers

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I love the sailboat cruising by

We now have all of our wedding photos and since they are so beautiful I felt like I must share a few more before they become another part of history.  Our photographer was Jennifer Skabo from Hobart, Tasmania.  She was awesome!