The Half Circle

I think the sky is bigger here--a startling blue expanse punctured with puffy, perfect clouds that seem to surround the horizon on all sides. The sun, seemingly closer, rises faster to greet the day and slinks away just as quickly when darkness falls.

Australia is amazing. Not only is the landscape breathtaking, but the towns and cities are clean, well-planned and welcoming. For a country swallowed by England as a means to empty out her jails, Australia is full of the nicest people as a whole that I have yet to come across. If they think you're lost, the pull over to see if you need help. If you are standing on a beautiful beach, they offer to take your photo before you ask. They recommend their favorite national park while waiting in line and they always greet you and leave you with warm tidings, usually including the word mate.

We have been in OZ not even ten days but have worked our way from Sydney to the Blue Mountains and up the east coast to Newcastle, Port Macquarie and Taree. In the north coast of New South Wales, we dropped into Byron Bay, Nimbin and crossed through Tweed Heads and Surfers Paradise on the southern border of Queensland, known for huge waves and an even bigger surfer culture. In the next 60 days we hope to do what is called the Half Circle and follow the coast north to Cairns and West to Darwin, south to Alice Springs and Ayres Rocks, and then follow the Great Ocean Road from Adelaide to Melbourne before returning to Sydney.