Seaplane10

Sorry, I'm a little behind on the blog.  As Nick has told you, we are in Coomera right now.  Thursday we had our vocational day.  I met up with a builder named Gordon who was kind enough to show me around a hospital renovation.  We went into new construction and also we were able to get into a few furnished areas.  Their procedures are very close to ours.  I do like the fact that almost every business recycles their rain water!  I have some great awning ideas for Chico back at Marathon!  They are starting to transition their health environments into welcoming areas with great colors and a warming feel.  It was a great vocational day and it was really nice to talk to Gordon.  I wish I could dive into it more but I'm exhausted and want to get the rest of the blog finished.  I have my personal journal filled in and would be more than happy to discuss it when I get back.

After vocational morning, we had our second presentation.  This club is so down to earth and young!  They wanted to the full presentation with no corners cut. It was nice not to be rushed like the first one.  I thought we all did a fantastic job on the presentation and everyone seemed to be pleased.  They are a small club but good things come in small packages!  They gave us gift bags with all kinds of AU stuff.  A full flag, DVD of their anthem, information of Parliment, and a peace stone.  I really enjoyed talking to Barb during lunch and I think she will be a wonderful president when she takes over!

Today we met up with Hyden(might be spelled wrong), who is the President of Coomera.  My Mum, Deb and I drove to his dock to meet the team.  Jenny, Sharon, Barb, Neil, and Hyden all joined us for a day on the Coomera River.  What a day it was!  We started out talking back and forth and switching positions on the boat so we could talk to everyone.  Hyden anchored us in a open area and took off on his dingy.  When he returned 10 minutes later, he had 22lbs of fresh prawn and mud bugs!  They were just caught last night!  The mud bug they have is a mix between a fat lobster and a crawfish.  That is the best way I know how to describe it!  WOW, this is the freshest seafood ever!  It was simply boiled in saltwater and served.  From there we headed over to a island where they had a meal set up for us.  We ate family style and they had everything from Fresh fish to steak.  While eating, Peter, the seaplane operator landed and came up.  Coomera Rotary had arranged for us to go up in a seaplane!!!!!!!  Joe, Nick and I took the first round.  Peter took us up to down the Gold coast.  If you said you were comfortable, he would slam the wheel left or right really hard, Great times!  The view from up there was amazing!  Perfect day on the coast.  While flying, Joe took over the controls and drove us for a while.  Peter asked Joe if he liked us or not????  What does that mean?  Well Joe pulled up on the controls and then pushed them down causing the roller coaster experience.  After eating all day, that was not the most pleasant feeling.  After landing, he took the rest of the crew up for their own personal experience.  Each flight lasted about 30 minutes, we cannot thank Peter enough for taking time out of his day and business to show us the sky.  After the flight we started home on a slow cruise up the northern finger of the Coomera.  Perfect ending to a perfect day!

We came home and showered before heading out to the Coomera Waterfront tavern.  The rotary club walks around with a meat tray.  The tray consist of lamb, bacon, steak, and chicken.  They sell raffle tickets to people around the pub.  From what I understand, they had a good night.  Joe was in their Rotary gear helping Hyden collect money.  It was a great way to wrap up the night and continue the fellowship we started on the water.

It will be a very sad day today when I have to leave Deb and Stu.  They have been great host!  I didn't know this when I came but they have a boy from Youth Exchange staying here.  Vianney is truly my little brother now!  He is 16 years old and I will miss his companionship!  We had a wonderful time together and I know that we will stay in touch for many years to come!  I have to also say goodbye to Noodle and Jasper, the dogs:)