Ozzie "'roos"

Australia... land of kangaroos (and a lot of other wild fauna!). Now I thought spotting a "roo" here would be a matter of luck, a bit of a challenge, a result of taking a hidden path during a trek in the outback. As it turns out, spotting one is easier than seeing a dog on the streets back home! They are everywhere, and for the untrained eye, you think there are more cause the Wallabee looks exactly like a kangaroo, only smaller... the things you learn while you travel!

My time in Adelaide visiting my friends from University who live there was filled with running alcohol and animal spotting. Adelaide is at the heart of one of Australia's most important wine regions. So I cruised the hills in my friend's convertible car (like a right lady of leisure that I have become) doing wine tours and taking the occasional picture. I have crossed the sea on a horse drawn tram, and done a few treks to get me back in shape. However, the most spectacular adventure I have done so far has been the 2 day tour to Kangaroo Island. This island houses some of the most amazing varieties of wildlife, in their own wild habitat, that I have ever seen. Aside from the rather continuous 'roo spotting, I also walked through a eucalyptus plantation filled with koalas perched on branches above us. These fluffy hairballs were rather hard to spot amongst the trees cause they camouflage so well. But they are fascinating to look at! I have also seen small fairy penguins (as long as the bit of flesh from your elbow to your wrist) walk back from a day's worth of fishing. Most impressive of all, though, has been the walk on a white sandy beach observing sea lions at rest! No, not 3 or 4....but tens and tens of them, playing in the shore, sunbathing on the sand or simply suckling on their Mom's teets! I suppose this was the highlight of the tour because I never expected to see these animals up close when I first ventured out here.

I am now in Sydney, overlooking Cronulla beach, filled with black dots near the shore, also known as dedicated surfers! The beach is wild and surrounded by dunes; a real treat to walk down at low tide and with the nearing sunset. I'll be off trekking again soon and then to the outback. More to come. For now, I'll leave you with some pics.