Ten Days in Oz With Kari!

When airfares dipped into an affordable range last spring, my niece Kari and I picked a time for her to visit the Land of Oz. Kari is in nursing school in Washington state and her free time is very limited, but she had a 10-day window right before Christmas. I was so excited to have Kari come and visit us!

The first 4 days Kari was here we went camping at Byron Bay. Susan's dear friend Monique spends the same week in Byron every year with her kids. This was Susan's third year with them, and Kari and I were invited to join. We had a great time suntanning, swimming, eating, walking, talking, visiting beautiful beaches and partaking in a little partying, too.

With Jonah's death and Kari's mother's death (my sister) just 11 months apart, Kari and I have taken each other on. It is a nice gift to have Kari in my life.

OK, some photos...

We spent one evening at the local pub in Uki to give Kari an authentic Aussie pub experience. We had a great time introducing her to some friends, drinking, and as much as I hate to admit it, doing a little dancing once the inhibitions were released with a few beers. Pool shark Susan held onto the table until she was too tired to beat anyone else!

Kari, our friend Gary and new friend Nick outside the Uki pub.

Susan and Kari enjoying (to say the least!) 80s music. (You had to be there!)

Stokers Siding friend Sonja, Susan and Melonie at the pub

The next day we visited the village of Nimbin, not far from us. Still a bit of a social experiment in the open use of marijuana, although there are police who patrol the town and things are changing there. Interesting place to visit for the morning!

Well, on the way home from Nimbin, we stopped at the local veggie market for eggs and ended up staying as there was a great tribal reggae band playing at the cafe next door. We eventually made it home three hours later!

Then on to Australian Zoo on the Sunshine Coast. The zoo is owned and run by Steve Irwin's family. It's a wonderful zoo even if you don't like zoos. The animals are the priority there and they have two workers for every animal!

Kari trying to escape the big hungry salty on the way out of the zoo. (There were many kids waiting, but the adults had to take a turn, too!)

Me and a roo... so very soft (the roo is soft)!

Our feet got really sore, so we resorted to taking the tram. YEA! We were a happy trio.

Now back to the beach! Susan and myself at Flat Rock, just south of Byron Bay. It has beautiful tide pools.

Kari talking to a "hottie surfer dude" on the beach at Tallows.

Beautiful Kari in the tide pools at Flat Rock.

The trio -- Susan, Kari and myself at Tallows. We cannot show you our topless photos, of course!

We have many more photos and stories, but just know I cannot wait until Kari returns and I know she feels the same. Who knows, maybe once she has her RN license she could work here, too?