concert on cable beach

drove to broome this past sunday for work but also for a concert held on cable beach to protest (unofficially) the gas plant that is schedule to go up soon.  such a shame.  the pigram brothers and friends were there to play for the crowds, and i got to hear some of my favorite songs by them! they were playing on a boat anchored just off shore. the media was there and so were thousands of supporters.  it was incredible. the day was beautiful and the sunset was as stunning as a wet season sunset.  it was one of those days you're even more thankful to be alive.  had a great time in broome, did a little work, a little shopping, and a lot of eating!  went out for japanese at azuki (always yummy) with friends for my bday.  had elderflower water for the first time...and bought a bunch to take home.  mom comes to visit soon!  just a week and a half to go now! i cannot wait!

gili air indonesia

after our trek we headed straight away to bangsal port to catch a boat to gili air (about 20 minutes by boat).  this turned out to be quite a difficult feat. we ended up having to charter a nearly empty boat and after much ado we finally got to gili air. what a beautiful, relaxing place.  there are no cars on the island so we took a pony drawn carriage to our hotel! the beaches were beautiful, the people lovely, the waters warm and clear, the snorkeling the best i've seen, and i got dive certified!  we loved out time here so much we stayed a week at the coconut cottages, relaxing, swimming, eating and drinking. indonesian people are incredibly polite and kind.  i hope we get to return to the islands again someday.  see more photos in this album

beaches and kings park, good friday

we had an amazing day! it was incredibly hot and beautiful out. started off the morning going to the markets in leederville.  they were incredible. there was so much fresh fruit and veggies, things i haven't seen in forever! there was also an incredibly bread bakery and a french pastry shop.  lots of other shops and eateries too.  we got a few things, and jose got to try his very first asian pear! yum!  then we went to city beach, emmett's hangout.  went swimming in the absolutely frigid, yet incredibly clean, clear water.  i had a lovely swim and jose went swimming in the ocean for the first time ever and had a ball.  then we cleaned up and went to kings park which was beautiful. walked around monuments, the botanical gardens and looked out at views of the city on the swan river.  we saw a kookaburra and rainbow lorikeet.  then drove through the fancy suburbs of perth (very posh, or shmick as they say) and then wandered around cottesloe beach.  had a snafoo with the train, wasn't running that day, and eventually got back to our place around 4pm.  had a shower, nanna nap, and then good friday dinner with emmett and his 3 brothers, and his mom.  food was incredible! his brother cooked it all b/c his chef fiance was really ill.  we had prawn risotto, salad, homemade focaccia bread and then amazing prune brownies with vanilla bean ice cream for dessert (those made from Bourke Street Bakery).  his mom kept pouring me so much wine.  what a great evening!  more photos here Perth 2011

Broome, new job, 100 degree weather, and more!

it's been a bit since we wrote last...i've been super busy getting oriented to my new and intense job in the kimberley.   Everyone here is great, super fun, nice and easy to collaborate with.  The weather here is really hot, almost 100 degrees most days, and now it's almost wet season so it'll get even hotter!  The food here has been really yummy (expensive though) and the local brewery is fantastic.  The beaches are so blue, clear, warm and fun to swim in. Luckily it is safe to swim here (until november when the jellies come out) and we are getting our fill before heading to Derby today where we can't go in the water at all because of the crocs. I drove on the left side of the road yesterday which felt super weird.  to my delight they even have a target here which i fully intend to check out today!  can't wait to see our new digs in Derby this evening.