Australia

After the first few days in our 5 sqm motorhome, we longed for full board and our own bathroom in our 'cruise suite'. Even if it was an interior cabin of the cheaper kind. By the way, Frederic made friends there with Emil (8 years old, raised quadrilingual, playing the violin for many years). The two negotiated the following deal: Frederic goes to the classical concert ('what is that?'), in return, Emil had to play football with him (also a premiere for Emil).

Upon arriving in Sydney, we experienced and learned the following things:

At the famous Bondi Beach, there is a warning about the 'Bluebottle'. The so-called 'Portuguese Man o' War' does not really prevent surfers and swimmers from diving into the waves.

As early as 1938, there were several direct flights between Sydney and Southampton in Britain several times a week. The journey could be completed within 9.5 days with 15 refueling stops.

In Sydney, at the beginning of the 20th century, a road was built in completely the wrong place. Although the responsible engineer gave the correct coordinates, the construction workers did not quite follow the specifications - at that time it was common to pay road workers with rum...

There is a persistent rumor that white conquerors asked the native Aborigines what kind of animal it was when they saw a hopping marsupial. 'I don't understand you', was the answer, translated as 'kangaroo'.

North of Sydney, on the way to the campsite, we saw our first 2 kangaroos. Enthusiastically watching as mother and child hop synchronously at the edge of the road. Two weeks later, the same place is full of kangaroo droppings, and the furry critters startle us in the twilight on the way to the toilet.

The bushfires have burned the trees everywhere, but new greenery is already emerging in many places. Nature has been damaged, but the forests will recover quickly. It's just sad that millions of animals couldn't flee fast enough. Many koalas are being nursed back to health at the Koala Hospital in Port Macquarie. How many are hidden in the tree photo?

The path to the beach was only suitable for 4WD. 4 wheels? We have them! The first LandCruiser, whose driver noticed our mishap, didn't have a tow rope, but quickly got help. Two sun-kissed Aussies from the Outback, who probably wrestle saltwater crocodiles, milk venomous snakes, and drive away sharks all day, arrived with a huge Nissan Patrol and quickly got our stuck bus back on track - an experience for the kids and Sabine was also delighted with the sunny boys...

We experience new things at every pitch. Goannas (giant lizards) on the site in the dunes, kangaroos grazing naturally, a highly poisonous spider on a farm, super nice people everywhere, a free live concert from a church, super waves for bodyboarding, shark-repellent fences at a public swimming pool, charming bathing coves, warning signs for snakes, and occasionally a holiday park with showers, washing machines, and children's entertainment.

Our rented motorhome was extremely spartanly furnished. Over time, we were able to complete it:

Day 1: given a tennis practice game by the neighbors

Day 3: taken board game collection with badminton rackets and other racket games from the free box

Day 4: took an abandoned folding camping table with integrated chairs

Day 5: put discarded camping chairs back into use

Day 7: received 2 beach ball games, flashlights, and card games as promotional gifts at the holiday park

Day 10 and 11: passed most games on to other camper kids

Day 13: handed over camping table to a needy camping family

In the last few days, we have been traveling together with a family from Hamburg.

They have already completed their orientation in the world and have been settled in Australia for half a year. As luck would have it, she works as a teacher at the German School in Sydney, and the youngest daughter is the same age as Frederic. Everyone has a lot to talk about and enjoys the exchange.

A few more days in the Blue Mountains and our time in Australia is over. The next report will come from Honolulu.