It’s Thursday here in Sydney, although Wednesday for you. We are 19 hours later than you. We recently found out that sections of Australia vary by the half hour rather than by the hour as we are used to. That would seem really tricky for television schedules, etc.

Yesterday we took the ferry to Manly beach. That is where the rugby team plays. They are really “in the news” this week for their bad behaviors. Cold Play is here this week as is Eric Clapton and Jackson Browne. And my favorite Aussie, Russell Crowe, was spotted in a café in Surry Hills which is the neighborhood where we are staying. But I am satisfied having spotted the kangaroos actually.

We are off to Bondi Beach today, probably one of the most famous beaches in the world, although we are not exactly sure why as yet.

We are off to New Zealand tomorrow for a week of camping on the South Island. There may not be WiFi access down by Milford Sound and the fjords however. Hope all is well in Boise (and Berlin for that matter; Andy took off for his semester in Germany two days ago) and that you are enjoying the last snow.

I have attached some random photos - eels, Queen Victoria Building, sea apples (so colorful), me driving, a lighthouse, beach shots, city scapes, etc.