Home sweet home!

Back in Sweden again after nearly 5 weeks "down under". Seams lika a dream - did we really spend all that time travelling around from town to town, meeting all these terrific aussies, seeing all these beautiful places? It all went so quickly and now we´re back having to deal with reality of working life again. We have to take care of ourselves again after having been looked after by others for so long - you do get used to it!

David, Helena and myself went straight back to Sweden and had to endure a 35 hours long journey home. Håkan and Jennie stayed behind in Sydney - Håkan for a few days and Jennie for two weeks.

I miss my Viking Dream Team and I miss the beautiful scenery, the warm weather and all the friends we made. It´s been great - an experience we´ll never forget. Thanks to each an everyone that have made our 5 weeks such an adventure, thanks to all our hostfamilies for having taken us into your homes, thanks to Bruce and all the local GSE coordinators. Thanks Queensland and Northern Territory, district 9550 as well as district 2350 for making it all possible!!!!!!

We´ll meet again!

Time to say goodbye

Well, this is it. Time to go to the Airport and say goodbye to everyone here in Cairns.

The last couple of days have been great. On Friday we went to the RFDS (Royal Flying Doctor Service) museum. I was a bit disappointed that no one from the TV-series was there ... No, seriously, what I enjoyed most was going into one of their planes. So small! I can't believe they actually managed to get sick people in there on a stretcher!

But even more interesting was the visit to Queensland School of Distant Education. Obviously a good way to teach kids in the Outback to read and write. But an expensive way, too.

And I think we all enjoyed Saturday. I spent most of the day in the city of Cairns, drinking coffee, reading my book, shopping. David, Kari and Jennie took one more trip to the Reef. When they came back they said it was even better than last time. Helena's day had two ingredients: A beach and a book. That's all you need, really.

Later that night, after a nice BBQ, my host Peter and I went to see the latest (last?) Star Wars-movie. A good one, but I still think the story in the three new ones is a it thin.

Today, the last day, we all went to the beach for brunch. Then it was time to pack. I hope all the bubblewrap and clothes I've put around my newly bought didjeridoo will protect it all the way back home. And that my neighbors won't my me practising when I get back home.

To all the people we have met on this trip I just have one thing to say. One thing, two words:

Thank you!

Yummy green ants!

Yarrabah a beautiful piece of land along the coast. Our guide Alfred showed us around and told us about the aboriginal community and how to survive in the forest. That is without any camping gear, food or water. Very interesting! Just do like Baloo. Pick fruit, zap to catch birds with and do not forget the green ants. Sour, sour sour! Just like the Swedish lolly coca cola bottles, my favorite candy.

Tonight we are having croc, kangaroo, emu and some Australian wine! (And maybe a pav for dessert!) I think we are starting to get used to the Aussie lifestyle and it is not bad.

Cairns

Wonderful Cairns here we are! Yesterday we did our last presentation. Sad but true. This fantastic trip is soon coming to an end but we will never forget it that is for sure! I think the snaps (Absolut citron/lemon) was very appreciated last night.

We were treated as royalties when we visited the Carins City Council. A very interesting day when we had the opportunity meet politicians, HR, IT, HR and we took part of the ceremony when new Aussies are welcomed. The afternoon we spent at the Carins Advance.

Today we are going the visit the Yarrabah Community for arts, rainforests and a wonderful view!

Port Douglas and Mossman

Now we are in Cairns waiting for our new host families to pick us up. We have had a great time in Port Douglas and Mossman. Yesterday we were introduced to Mossamn falls and the old aboriginal way of living in the rainforsts. They certainly know a lot about nature. I washed my hands with leafs that turned in to soap, we tasted wild pepper and listened to the digerdo. As a matter of fact we have all bougt some CDs with the digerdo. We also went for a swim in the river, refreshing but absolutely fantastic!!

In the afternoon we visited a orchid and a pineapple farm. Very interessting! Ron who owns the pineapple farm still loves his job after 50! That i s a wonderful rawmodel.

The presentation was good! We even sang two snaps songs.

Beach, more beach and even more beach

Yesterday was vocational day. We had a business lunch up in the Tablelands west of Innisfail. Silvio had brought a nice italian picnic buffe to Echon lake and Rob was telling us all about his investments ... in vineyards. Of course we needed to test the quality of his investment. I can assure you they met the highest of standards!

At the evening we went back to Mission Beach (yes, we really missed you guys!) to attend their 20th anniversary party (the Rotary Club of Mission Beach, that is). Good food, more good wine. That made it the fourth Rotary meeting this week. Yes, it truly is an exhausting life, but someone's gotta do the job, ay!

Today we once again said goodbye to our 'families' and set of to Port Douglas and Mossman. Two small towns situated right next to the beautiful long beaches. I spent half an hour watching the water turn from blue to pink as the sun set in the evening, listening to the slow rythm of the waves. Priceless!

Fruits of Innisfail

Did you know that they grow bananas, papayas, cactus and dragon fruit in Innisfail? Well I did not but I ll tell you this they taste delicous.

Yesterday was busy. Visits to sugar museum, banana and croc farm. We met the real crocodile dundee, Frank. He walked it to the crocs and fed them. Luckily enough none of them bit me!

Today we spend some time at a barramundi fish farm. Very impressive! They harvest all year around just as they do with the bananas. I got to hold one. Beautiful fish but I prefer them with lots of lemon for tea. (-:

Tonight is presentation time. A combined meeting with 50 people.

Now it is time for latte. 56% of the people in Innisfail are italians = great coffee.

Mission beach - a piece of paradise

Wow! What at place. Golden beaches, rain forests, wonderful islands (without any people) and beautiful houses. Yesterday we had a crisp Caesar salad with garlic prawns at a resort and went for a walk on the beach. Not a bad welcome reception.

The presentation for Tully and Mission beach Rotary clubs was fun. About 50 people and we did not have to use a microphone, lovely! I got fined by the sergeant.....

Today we have been out on the see all day! Terrific! Did some snorkeling and spotted purple and red corals and of course colorful fish. I was the skipper on the way back (for about 5 min).

Tonight bbq with my "parents"! Not bad, ey!