ANZAC DAY

...Lest we forget

First, I just wanted to state how thankful and fortunate we were that none of our friends or family were hurt during the Marathon bombings and manhunt in Watertown. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by these tragic events. It was insane following the events online from so far away, and I couldn't imagine how scary it was for everyone to live through back home. It sounds kind of weird, but we have not been more homesick than we were last week. Something about the need to be back home and around friends and family during a time of crisis. Boston Strong

Thursday April 25th was ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corp) day, which commemorates all Aussies and Kiwis who have served in died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. While I didn't have to go into the office, I had to work remotely to cover the US, so we were unable to head to a pub to play 2 Up. 2 Up is a gambling game where one throws 2 or 3 coins in the air and people bet on whether it will land heads or tails. This game is illegal every day except on ANZAC day. So, while I missed out on 2 Up, I was able to hang out with 2 of my favorites over here, as we have been dog sitting for our friends for the past couple of days:

 The Dynamic Duo! Still up in the air on who sleeps more during the day

We've also been enjoying a nice Staycation the past couple of days as our friends have let us stay at their house while watching Dixie. They live in Balgowlah Heights, a suburb about 5-10 minutes from where we live in Manly Beach.

Balgowlah Heights is the purple shaded region on the left, Manly is directly across the Harbor just above the Map Key.

It's been nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of the beach/tourists. Plus this view from the dog park is pretty sweet

We've also been able to practice our driving a little more, and as a plus, I think I've convinced Mere on getting an SUV at some point when we get back (though probably not a BMW)

Let's try to forget the fact that it took Mere 3 drives to figure out the MPH (miles per hour) was not the KPH (kilometers per hour) and that I was totally justified in freaking out in the passenger seat as she was speeding

POINT BREAK

A couple of weeks ago, the world's most famous surfer - American, Kelly Slater, dropped by Manly Beach as part of the fundraiser Surfers Against Suicide. (Not Surfers FOR Suicide as I had been mistakenly calling it. That would be a terrible charity). I had gone surfing in the morning and overheard Slater was flying in to surf, so I came back down to the beach to get some photos and watch him in action.

Slater making his way through the crowd to get into the water

Wish I could take credit for this photo - taken by a friend of a friend

That's probably the best action photo I was able to get...should have brought the bigger zoom

The next day, my mate Steve and I headed out to do our best Slater impressions

Steve is significantly better than me, so I left out pictures of him ripping it as I didn't want to get shown up. This is my blog so I can do what I want

I'm keeping my hopes up for a small role in Point Break 2 (yes, they are actually making this!). I will waive my No Swayze, No Ways-ie policy once this movie comes out. I will, however, keep it in place for Dirty Dancing 2: Havanna Nights

What's on Tap

Next week I hope to get my RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) license in time for volunteering at the Great Australian Beer Spectapular at the end of May in Melbourne. I'm going with a buddy from work and Mere surprisingly turned down the opportunity to spend 3 days beer-geeking it out - http://gabsfestival.com.au/ 

Mere and I booked a trip for the 2nd weekend in May up to Cairns in Queensland to Scuba-dive the outer Great Barrier Reef, so we hope to get some sweet pictures from that.

Here's to a chill rest of the weekend:

Happy Birthday Jax!

Just want to wish a happy birthday to Jax. Can't believe that f*cker is already 3 years old. I still remember picking him up from the shelter at 8 weeks and 13lbs (and no behavior issues).

 This was a sign of things to come.....

 We've been getting our dog fix from our friends whom we met on the wine tasting tour during our vacation. They live about 5 minutes by bus from us in Bowgolah Heights and have a 120lb Leonberger (Newfoundland/St. Bernard/Bernese Mountain Dog mix) named Dixie. He's no replacement for Jax, but he'll do for now:

On another note, Mere worked Friday and Saturday of this week, bringing her grand total of employment contribution to a whopping 4 days! And, on Friday, she saw a pod of dolphins during her commute on the ferry. I've been on the ferry every day to work since October and haven't seen any dolphins. All I get is a delay due to the birthing of the cruise ships in the harbor - (when the tugboats push the cruise ship against the docks. This creates a delay as the ferry has a single bolt propeller and can't handle the whirlpool in the wharf created by the tugboats). The other day the tugboats completely botched the birhting, so we sat on the ferry in the harbor for 40 mins. Guess the tugboats didn't read the baby books!

Luckily, no birthing issues with the GreenPeace ship. With a boat like that though, maybe they will stop bugging me for $ on the street

Due to daylight savings in Australia last week (fall back) there is now a 12 hour difference b/w Sydney and Boston, meaning I am on the early work shift starting at 6:30am. To balance this, the plan is for me to leave the office early at about 3-330. Unfortunately I haven't left before 5pm yet, but next week looks promising. One good thing The only good thing to come of this, is that I am able to see the sun rise and set during my commute. 

Sun rising over the north head

Sun setting behind the harbor bridge

I'll leave y'all with another sun rise

More posts to come (and more frequent, this time we mean it)

Scuba Peeps

Hey Gang


We decided to skip church and the easter egg hunt this year and instead go hunting for some sharks. We booked a scuba dive on Saturday up at Magic Point to swim with some Grey Nurse Sharks. They were once considered man-eaters, but its been proven that they rarely attack humans and if they do, its only if provoked or attacked. We made sure to check this information before booking the dive and I made sure Mere was on her best behavior under water.

This is me giving the it's all good sign before the dive. Basically the opposite of how my March Madness Bracket turned out. First time ever going 0-4 in picking the Final Four.  Thanks Australia!

Magic Point is a coastal headland in Marouba - about 10km South of center city Sydney and has a large Grey Nurse population. We took a boat from Little Manly Cove out past Bondi Beach to the dive site, about a half hour ride. I use the term 'boat' loosely as it was more of an aluminum bath tub with a motor packed with 10 divers and all of our gear.

We dove down to 22 meters (about 66ft) and sat at the bottom to watch the colony of sharks swimming about. Grey Nurse Sharks can get up to 3 meters (9ft) but I'd say most we saw were around 5-8 ft.

Yes, even though they were no danger, the Jaws theme song still plays in your head as they swim around you.

After being under for 30 minutes, we surfaced and got on the boat for a break before our 2nd dive. Now, I've never been sea sick in my life, but the swells were pretty big and sitting in heap of crap didn't do much for me as I thought it would be a good idea to 'feed the fish' (puke) before the 2nd dive. Luckily for me, I somehow channelled college Mark and was able to rally and go on the 2nd dive. Also luckily for me, it wasn't the college Mark that puked on Meredith freshman year. I would probably still be in the ocean.

 During the 2nd dive, we returned to the shark site and got some pictures swimming above the sharks

In regard to that sardine can we arrived on, we're definitely going to need a bigger boat! And I need to finally learn how to spell definitely! Took me about 8 attempts. 

Here is a Wobbegong Shark, which are bottom dwellers that look like they are wearing Desert Storm camo. They were kind of upstaged by the Grey Nurse.

Here is Nigel, the massive Blue Groper who had a personal relationship with our dive master Sharkey. He let's people pet him as long as they hold up some sea urchins for him to open and eat.

A black polka-dotted nudibranch

American Moorish Idol - way better than Adam Lambert

We also saw a Sea Dragon, but didn't get a photo of it as the rest of our dive group got their asian tourist on and crowded around it snapping pictures until it swam away, but below is what they look like.

Next time, I'll have to figure out if the Grey Nurse sharks like Peeps. Happy Easter!