Back in the USA

Nice to be back in the USA! We forgot some toiletries and thought we'd hit the local Giant store. All the Listerine mouthwash bottles came in 2.5 liter bottles or however big they were, and they were a fraction of what we pay for them in Australia. Also interesting to note that the shaving gel, in the regular and the travel size are both the same price; $2.63. I then noticed most travel versions are the same price as the regular sized ones. I still bought a travel size one. The shop assistant tells me ever since the new airline security measures wrt liquids this has been the case.
Energy bars are half the price too, not that I need them with my full on party diet here! K and I try to run/walk daily. Something else I found in the shop is a KEFIR drink!! The only kefir they had was in a strawberry drink of sorts, but hey, DILAIIGAF!

I also notice the huge trucks on the road, at RMA for Hastings graduation I saw a Hummer parked there looking like the more modestly sized vehicle amongst the Fords and Chevies there.



The Amex is accepted almost anywhere and often without as much as a signature. After my experience in Europe this is almost a highlight of the trip!

Well, the highlight is Hastings graduation at RMA. Here is a panorama of the graduation from my N95 phone-camera.

Hastings Graduation

Today was the big pass-out parade for Hastings Foote!

Watch the slide-show <here>

Family Abroad

Astrolab waiting for me!

Katherine sighted in her parents kitchen...

Jim tending the roses

Faith blowing kisses

What a huge flight that was! It took FIVE flights, each with a 3-4 hour wait on the ground in between. The fresh air and stretch in between each sector was good for me, but we were seriously sleep deprived by the time we finally arrived about 35 hours after leaving. The biggest downer was the no frill flights (we did it very cheap indeed!) which meant no food and alcohol on the flights, and even blankets were $8 or so to rent on the Jetstar segment!

Cataract Gorge

K and I went to the CF Mini Conference in Launceston today and I spoke for almost an hour. The 15 minute teaser went down really well, people there loved it! We went for our usual walk in the Cataract Gorge, to the Duck Reach Power station etc. Good walk, came back in the dark.

Photos taken with the phone and merged on Photoshop CS3!

More Mount Wellington

Mount Wellington

I know, we look tough, well prepared,... but, we drove up. Darn cold at dusk, I tell ya! Snow and ice.



And there always has to be someone!

(although this one was legit, it was a working dog in training).

Panorama shots of Crater Lake

To really appreciate these shots you will have to double click them...

From the Crater Lake Boathouse.

Phototrip with Wayne

The turning of the phagus was so nice I went back with Wayne in a photo expedition.