Because of a harbor pilot strike we had to skip Hobart port and go to Sydney for immigrant clearance.

Louella wanted to go to port of Tasman Sea Hobart to see the famous Tasmanian Devil. (You may need to refresh the web page to see the You Tube video.)

Things are bigger in Australia than Texas

Look at the size of the shrimp Louella ordered for dinner. She almost fainted when she saw it.

Day 37 - February 9th we arrived in Sydney Australia. We took a boat ride on the bay and passed the best known landmark in Australia- Sydney Opera House

We passed under the Sydney Bridge. Tourist can climb up the arch of the bridge. You can see people on the top in the second picture. Louella said nope.

Day 38- February 11th we arrived in Phillips Island which is known for Blue Penguins. At sunset the Penguins return from eating at sea during the day and walk across the sand to their resting site. Given the logistics to get there, we decided not to go. We talked to people the next day and they saw only a few blue penguins. I have included a funny video of their sunset walk.

Geelong has a bay with large sand bars that makes it dangerous to enter / leave the port. Boats must "thread the needle" to exit the port. This picture shows the narrow channel with markers on both sides that our cruise ship had to negotiate to get to the sea.

Day 39 - February 12th we arrived at Geelong Australia. We took a bus tour where we passed by kangaroos. It was midday and the kangaroos were sitting under a tree for shade. I took the picture from a long distance.

Day 43 - February 17th - It's all happening at Sydney Wildlife Zoo

While smiling for the camera better look behind you, because the crocodile is looking for dinner.

Kangaroos and Tasmania Devil

Day 41 - February 14th Valentines Day. Pastry chefs prepared lots of good eats.

Day 48 - The Great Barrier Reef. It Stretches for 1,429 miles over an area of approximately 133,000 square miles and is the largest coral reef system in the world.

The picture to the right is taken with a flash since orange, and yellow—are absorbed within the first 50 yards of the ocean. Unfortunately many of the coral reefs are being killed by rising water temperatures.

Day 48th - Cairns Aquarium has the best display about the Coral Reef.

Is it true that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis may ban Australian Kobudai fish because it is transgender?

The first 8 years of its life it is female then it becomes a male. It is an important fish in the coral reef because it swims at the bottom eating Star fish that can destroy the reef.

We took a few short videos while in the aquarium. (These videos are hosted on You Tube and will open in a separate tab by clicking on each one)

That's it for Australia (which has 8,222 islands), we are heading to Indonesia

Louella wanted to pet the shark as if this was a petting zoo.