On Sunday the rain stopped. It was a good opportunity to head out to Canberra to visit Karen's Uncle Chris (Karen's Moms' younger brother).
Uncle Chris' lemon tree
The capital of Australia is a relatively new city and completely planned (designed by an American architect Walter Burley Griffin from Chicago in 1912). The population of the nation's capital is only 325,000, but it is the largest Australian inland city. The streets are wide and empty (I REALLY should have practiced driving the stick shift!!) and Canberra is also the capital of round-abouts! Similar to our capitals, Victoria and Ottawa (I would imagine), it is quiet, clean, full of government workers, galleries, museums, and attractions but without a soul.
Despite this, we had a brilliant time in Canberra. My Uncle Chris has been in Australia for over 40 years and is full of information and he is a FANTASTIC tour guide!! He took us everywhere and fed us well. Two days later, I am still full from the crab and prawns at Ruby's Chinese Restaurant!! We got to meet my cousin Phil and his partner Kalie for a few dinners, at Rubys and also at the Hellenic Club. Unfortunately we missed my cousin Andy. We will have to catch up the next time!!
Fiona didn't want to be in the photo!
Additionally, we paid a surprise visit to Dani who owns A Bite To Eat in Chifley. We met Dani through Uncle Chris back in Vancouver te years ago. At that time, Dani was in Canada on a working holiday; she worked at Tomatoes on Cambie and lived down the street from us in the West End. She also made our splendid wedding cake (two layer chocolate with lemon/vanilla icing); it was really GREAT to see her!! The food at her cafe/bar was delicious!! It's a very popular and funky place. Fergus had the Eat a Horse (what a great name!! -- bacon, sausage, tomatoes, potatoes, eggs, fried bread, mushrooms), Uncle Chris had the smoked salmon and I had the breakfast (sudjuk sausage (I had chorizo instead as they ran out of the sudjuk), eggs, rocket on flatbread). Yummmmmy!! Great coffees, and cakes too. They make everything from scratch there. If you're ever in Canberra, definitely check it out!!
As for the sights, we visited Red Hill lookout and Mt. Ainsley for glorious views of the city; the National Museum of Australia for some history and culture; and the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve in search of some kangaroos (we saw lots) and koalas (no luck); and around Lake Burley Griffin for playparks, black swans and cockatoos.
We had many sightings of kangaroos in their natural environment. The ones we saw throughout Canberra looked so much healthier than the ones at Featherdale (apart from the dead ones we saw off the road!). They are such unusual creatures with large feet and funny postures. They look like body builders when they stand upright, striking a pose.
I like the reflection of the clouds in this shot.
The gang at the National Museum of Australia.
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