Travelog for: Miche

After we got battered in the waves a bit (they looked calmer than they were lol) we went to Hyams Beach, which is another beach that my temporary family won't visit during the touristy time of the year... just because it is known for what it is - and therefore VERY popular.. this is the whitest sand beach in the world... the photos don't give it justice... it's beautiful!

The waves here were pretty rough as well it seemed and had a lot of pull... so when standing you had to use a lot of effort to even make any move into the water at all... and Sara's husband even broke his body board in one of the waves... crazy! But we got some photos, we had to be dug into the sand a bit so we didn't blow away as it was quite windy... but none the less - pretty neat seeing the whitest sand beach in the world!

Since visiting here, Sara has started some voluntary work experience at a local travel agency - so she has been very busy and told us to say she's very sorry about not updating regularly... but will get back into it now that the cooler weather is here and she has a bit more time in between working... but I'm safe and sound and I'll write again very soon! <3

Today was a very special day! We decided to take a trip down the coast and see a very special beach... known for one specific thing... kangaroos! Unlike most people think, there aren't many beaches that have kangaroos that reside on them - but Pebbly Beach is one of the places where almost all of the time there are kangaroos... if you look hard enough... this time we were lucky and one was out in the open - some others were visible... but behind some bush.

They're quite tame and you are allowed to get near them and give them a pat or a scratch behind the ear... and they are very inquisitive... however you do have to remember - they aren't tame, they are wild animals... so you have to respect if they don't want you near them... not to get near them... it was pretty neat though getting up close and personal...

On close inspection of this little roo, he looked like he had a cattle tick on his ear... we attempted to get him off - but couldn't fully get it off. We twisted it though so hopefully it'll drop off in the next few days... pretty nasty none the less! I hope you enjoyed the photos - more updates coming very soon!

Following the theme of Iconic Australia... we took a trip up farther north this time... to the top of the Illawarra where there is a now famous landmark called the Sea Cliff Bridge. It's only one of 7 of these type of bridges in the world... and on a nice day with calm seas, it's absolutely beautiful... honestly the pictures don't give it justice... the sea was very blue, and near the rocks straight down it was a very light blue colour - which you can only just see if you look hard enough in the photos...

Our host only visited this bridge once before and absolutely loved it - so this time she thought bringing the little TV's with would add something new to their travel logs... this bridge was actually featured in a commercial that was shown around the world which can be seen if you click here at about 40 seconds in.... on a more wet day obviously... which Wollongong is quite known for... people come to the bridge as it's a very big tourist destination in Wollongong and they walk along the length - which isn't that long actually... but it is very picturesque that's for sure!

Last stop for the day was the Kiama Blowhole which is another popular tourist destination for people visiting the South Coast/Illawarra region. It is really good on days where it's very stormy out as the blowhole absolutely "goes off" and will make quite the show for people that are willing to get close, or get wet... so probably better to visit on warmer Summer days... it's been cooling right down even though it's still Summer like weather with the clear blue skies and little to no rain...

They had to make a platform for people to stand on with the blowhole, as many many people have died here because they get too close to the blowhole and then get either sucked into the ocean or fall into the hole and get beaten up quite badly on the sharp rocks by the ocean... or whatever reason. None the less it's quite sad - but it just goes to show the power of the ocean... if you come here at the right time you can see whales or dolphins off of the blowhole... as the humpback whales migrate right past the blowhole... it's pretty neat!

Sara got two videos while at the blow hole... one of the blowhole itself which you can see if you click here and another around the side of the blowhole... where you can see a bit of Kiama the town itself... and of course the gorgeous Norfolk Island pine trees... and that you can see if you click here... the sun comes down a lot earlier now that Winter is coming... so much less of the day to enjoy yourself! Oh well! I hope you enjoyed my day out and I'll post again very soon!

Hi Mum!

Last stop for me in Australia... I'm about to head off to the post office now and I'm quite excited for my new journey ahead! I'm not exactly sure where I'm going as of yet - Sara says she'll keep it a secret - but says I'll really like it... as she's been there many times previously! So many neat things to see... she also says that I'm going up to Spring/Summer weather... pretty good since it's been yucky and rainy here the last few days!

I'm not scared though - I'm quite excited for my next stop! Write again when I'm back in the Northern Hemisphere Mum! Love you!

PS. I'm now at the post office - sealed up snuggly in a padded bag waiting for my flight out

Hi!!!
I’ve arrived safely and I went on my first adventure! It wasn’t a big adventure but it was so much fun with my new friends!!!

Today was a special day…..it was Chloe’s brother in law’s birthday dinner! We went to their place to grill and have a great time! They had tons of food including steaks and burgers then there was cherry and blueberry pies for dessert! I met a couple cute puppies and just had a blast! =)








Wonder what adventure is next!!
Much Love!!!
Miche

Hop, Sargent Froggo and I went on a trip to Como Zoo. It was so much fun! My favorite was the Polar bears!
















Wonder what’s next…..Much Love!! ~Miche

We took an exciting trip! Sorry it took me so long to get it posted but we had so much fun it’s hard to explain! We took a trip to Michigan, with Chloe’s cousin Jillienne and her awesome TV’s! It was so much fun. It was a nice trip up to Michigan driving through Wisconsin and parts of Michigan. =)
Ready….Set….Let’s go!!




Nap Time!! This was a long boring road so we decided to try to take a nap…..


Bullseye, Juulia, Mr. Scrapes , Mister Spike, ME, Kitsune and Hop loved taking pictures in the car!





Next is Sauna night and movie night! Whohoo!!! =)

I got to go lots of Antique stores with amazing stuff. It was like a warehouse full of awesome junk! =)



















Next we get to go take a Sauna at Chloe’s aunt and uncle’s house! Pretty fun trip so far! =)
Much Love,
Miche

We got the honor of going to Sauna night at Chloe’s aunt and uncles place in Humboldt, Michigan.
A sauna (SOW-na) is a room with a hot stove or coals that are heated by water to create a nice hot steamy room. It is a Finnish tradition to have saunas. It was very interesting and quite warm!
Hop, Mister Spike, Kitsune, Mr. Scrapes, Bullseye, Juulia and I had a blast taking in the sauna. =)





We got to watch The Great and Powerful Oz with Chloe's aunt!



We will be heading back to Minnesota tomorrow….it’s been a fun trip! =)
Much Love,
Miche

On our way home to Minnesota!!!! =) We had such a fun trip! We went through Duluth, Minnesota this time….going over a big long bridge that goes over Lake Superior! We also played with this toy we found in Chloe’s car…..it’s a Tiki doll! Haha














Much Love,
Miche

Downtown Minneapolis is filled with big buildings, lots of people and noise!!!













This is the Minneapolis City Hall. It occupies an entire city block and has about 680,000 gross square feet. The building is an architectural treasure listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was designed by Long and Keys Architects. The building also features a 15-bell chime and is the only American made set that can play the "Star Spangled Banner" in the original key. Every hour, quarter, and half-hour you will hear the bells of the tower. The bells were manufactured in New York and weigh from 300 to 7,300 pounds each -- over 14 tons total.











This building is the Hennepin County Court House. Little bit of information about it! It was pretty cool. The Hennepin County Courthouse, located in the Hennepin County Government Center, was completed in 1974. It was designed by John Carl Warnecke and Associates of San Francisco, with Peterson, Clark and Associates of Minneapolis. The masonry is the same carnelian red granite from Ortonville, MN, that was used in building the Minneapolis City Hall, where the courthouse used to be located. The diagonal braces of the modern building are steel sprayed with a fireproofing material to which a cream-colored porcelain-type material was fused. The building's total cost was about $50 million, with $1.6 million more spent after completion on making necessary window changes, fitting an additional floor for courtrooms, and installing glass walls on atrium floors and walkways.








This is the Public Safety building. It's a jail!! Here's some information Chloe09 told us about it! The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office operates the largest pre-trial adult detention facility (commonly called the jail) in the State of Minnesota. Jail facilities are located in two different buildings in downtown Minneapolis, but are treated as one facility:
    The Public Safety Facility (PSF) has 330 beds for arrestees.
    The City Hall (ADC) has 509 beds for arrestees.
On average each year, there are approximately 40,000 bookings at the jail. The jail is currently staffed for a capacity of 703 beds, and the average population in 2009 was 694. The jail has consistently earned the distinction of being accredited by the American Correctional Association for maintaining the highest standards of inmate custody and care.





This is the United States District Courthouse. The history of the judicial system in Minnesota begins in 1849 when the first territorial court term was held in Stillwater, Minnesota. The U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota was not established until nine years later when Minnesota became a State in 1858.





Minneapolis Central Library, located at 300 Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis, is the largest library of the Hennepin County Library public library system. It’s got 4 full floors of books, music and fun!! There is a coffee shop in there along with a little shop to buy books that the library no longer uses.














Such a fun trip downtown!!! =) I hear I may be heading to a new adventure!!

Much Love,
Miche

Today was a sad day that I had to say goodbye to all of my good friends…..but I must keep my journey going! I’ve had a wonderful time here in Minneapolis! =)



I'm off to New York, United States of America!!!