I learned that in Australia, eucalyptus is called "Gum." Ever since, I've had that song stuck in my head:
"Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree,
Merry, merry king of the bush is he,
Laugh, Kookaburra, laugh, Kookaburra,
Gay your life must be, ha ha ha."
Here's hoping no one actually catches me singing it!
I realized later that the first Australian wildlife I encountered was likely a kookaburra. Pictures to follow.
For the most part, eucalyptus doesn't match my understanding of the plant. I'm used to the stalks we use in decorating. Here, most of the eucalyptus I've encountered has been trees. I finally smelled eucalyptus this afternoon when the rain brought out the scent.
Driving on the "wrong" side of the road isn't so bad - at least not when all you have to contend with is a motorway that has rumble strips to warn you when you're too far over! The real test will come when I drive the long and windy Great Ocean Road. . .
Oh, and taking that first drive in a major wind storm just adds to the adventure!
The Australian accent has, so far & with apologies to my extended family, been much easier to understand than the Welsh accent!
It's only the 3rd day of my trip and I've already got blisters on one foot. Of course, these blisters would be on the foot that I didn't hurt just before leaving on this trip! (On a brighter note, the bruise on the other foot is gone, even if the pain isn't!)
The savvy traveller, who packs lightly, *might* run into a situation when wearing flannel pjs underneath one's clothing is a viable alternative to the long johns that were left at home . . .
Speaking of wildlife, it's my third day here and I've yet to see a kangaroo or a koala (although I did see "crossing" signs for both!).
This could get interesting!
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