truk Rambles - Read truk's Blog! RSS Feed The Spirit is In the Land 2009-01-08 21:38:49 I'm finding it hard to leave. I feel like I just got to Australia and gotten back into the groove of life at La Perouse, and I'm being ripped away, back to a life of work, responsibility, and (this time of year, at least) cold weather. It will be good to see my friends and family again, but I feel that it is only taking place as a trade for other friends and family. The last few days have been a buzz of activities, occasionally interrupted but the creeping sadness of good-byes. We explored the southern head of the entrance to Sydney Harbor, made a huge gumbo pot using some file powder I brought from home (there is no file powder in Australia, or decent BBQ sauce, for that matter), enjoyed a wonderful send-off feed at Auntie Lois's, and tip-toed through tearful good-byes on our way to the airport today. Just when I thought I could put the sadness behind me for a little while, I came across an art installation bridge in my airport terminal, featuring a traditional farewell in the Dhurawal language, done by some folks from the local Aboriginal community, where we've been spending most of our time. Now, I'm enjoying a $6 VB, looking out at a 747, and wondering about the meaning of it all. See you on the other side of the pond. View more truk blog entries Little Bay to Maroubra Beach 2009-01-06 16:17:41 Yesterday, I walked from Little Bay to Maroubra Beach, along Sydney's south coast. I didn't bring a camera or phone with me, so no pictures, but I did see some amazing sights, and I was able to travel through some areas I'd never been through before when I lived here. Along the way, I counted 5 rusting engine blocks that had been dumped into the sea and were resting on rocks below the cliffs, including one very old-looking straight 6. Hopping the rocks south of Malabar, I came across a collection of petrafied shells being revealed from their sandstone encasement. In my "I really don't have a deathwish" part of this trip, I actually (and accidentally) walked behind the target area of a live target range just south of Maroubra. I was a little lost in the scrub when I heard some pops and emerged to see the red flags at the corners of the rifle range. I ducked back in the scrub and found another way north. Maroubra Beach, one of my favorites in Sydney, was pretty full when I strolled onto the sand, and the surfers were out in force, with some decent summer waves and a gentle off-shore breeze. View more truk blog entries Circular Quey to Parramatta and Back 2009-01-05 16:10:50 Larry and I headed into the center of Sydney yesterday, looking for some enlightenment and adventure. The first stop was the Australian Museum, beside historic Hyde Park, in downtown Sydney. There, we saw very cool skeleton exhibits, some interesting 1920s movies and photography from New Guinea, and a relatively out-dated look at Aboriginal Australians. Among the artifacts on display was a boomerang made in La Perouse marked "Artist Unknown," even though a 20-minute bus trip with the artifact to talk to the local community here would likely positively identify it as a Timbery-made tourist item. We then hopped the ferry to Parramatta, which is upstream on the Parramatta River and the furthest place you can go by ferry from Circular Quey. The trip was similar to what I remember from 7 years ago, except the ferry was much hotter when we left Sydney Harbor, and there was no breeze. The trip back to the city on the air-conditioned train was a relief. View more truk blog entries The Rambling Continues: Read All truk Blog Entries Here

2007 - Memphis February Snowboarding in Tahoe May Memorial Day at the Parker's Lakehouse June Larry and Michelle's Wedding on Shelter Island, NY July Hawaii (Oahu | Big Island (plus kayaking at Captain Cook) | Kauai text 1 and text 2 | Hawaii (Mostly Budget) Accommodation Review) 2006 - Memphis January Las Vegas April Jacob Born July Douglas Visit in Rhode Island September Iowa Visit October Urban Wolf River Trip November and December Costa Rica (Volcan Arenal | Monteverde | Montezuma | Uvita | Porto Jimenez | Corcovado | Aerial Photos) 2005 - Memphis January New Years at Dave and Christina's May Kath's PhD Graduation from Duke University June Kath's PhD Graduation Party at the Shack-Up Inn December New Zealand and Australia (Tahiti and Wellington | Marlborough and Kaikoura | Abel Tasman and the West | Manapouri and Milford Sound | The Catlins | Dunedin and Christchurch | Sydney) 2004 - Memphis January Jeni's Baby Shower | Birth of Emmett February Snowboarding in Park City May Memorial Day at the Parker's Lakehouse July Yucatan Movie [QT 7] (Isla Mujeres, Tulum, Chichen Itza, Valladolid, Merida, Celestun) | Paris October Visiting the Douglas's in Boston 2003 - Memphis January New Years February Aaron's Snowboarding Bachelor Party June Jaymie's Bachelor Party October Dave & Christina Wedding Shower September Dave's Bachelor Party October Dave & Christina's Wedding 2002 - Australia - Memphis January Tasmania - Port Arthur [1st] | Tasmania - East Coast [2nd] April Queensland [1st to 15th] June Sydney Opera House [11th] | Broken Hill [15th] | South Australia [20th] | Western Australia [26th] July Darwin, Litchfield, Katherine Gorge [16th] | Arnham Land [19th] | Kakadu National Park September Prague Wedding Reception, People, More People, Buildings | Croatia Mainland, Vis November Kath's Surprise Birthday Party | Thanksgiving December Christmas 2001 - Australia September Peyton's Baptism [2nd] | Apartment [9th] | Cliffwalk [18th] | Footy Final [23rd] October Koori Knockout [1st] | Vigoro [20th] | North Sydney Beaches [30th] November Sports Awards [9th] December Tasmania - Cataract Gorge [30th] | Tasmania - Cradle Mountain [30th] | Tasmania - West and South [31st] 1999 - Southern Africa Cape Town | Garden Route | Jo'berg | Victoria Falls | Stellenbosch 1998 - Peru Lima | Huancayo | Ayacucho | Cuzco | Machu Picchu/Puno | Lake Titicaca | La Paz | Arequipa | Colca Canyon | Nazca/Pisco/Lima 1997 - Prague, Greece, Turkey Prague | Cesky Krumlov | Romania | Alexandropolis | Samothraki | Ruins | Prague 1996 - Australia Sydney 1995 - Asia, Silk Route Turkmenistan | Kyrgyzstan | Kashi/Urumqi | Iron Rooster | Beijing | Great Wall | Hong Kong | Philippines 1994-1995 - Prague Other Trips - Greers Ferry Lake (2001) Arkansas Expats A collection of friends Peebo.net Jeff Parker's blog Knurd.com Stephen Espy's blog Issafly Brad Sim's blog Jim's Astrophotography Page My uncle's cool collection of pics from around the galaxy truk.com truk and kath's website The Tackle Box by Matt The Adventures of Pete Big Bear Follow the adventures of Pete Big Bear while he roams around the US Crotchfish A witty (and true) look at all things library, political, and trivial. A Foolish Consistency CinemaApprentice's blog; great advice on movies and books From a Place Near a River Lady Di is online and loving it Dave and Christina Dave and Christina are building their own house! Life Beyond Expection Kath's CF blog dodo.com Travel Community Place to meet other travelers and post your travel stories Jethro Williams Travel Blog A man from England, working his way around the world