An email to Raymond James

Well I took the time to write all this up to send to co-workers and haven't had much time to write lately so I figure I might post it here too for all your reading pleasure :) I hope it's not too redundant!

My favorite California highlights included:

I saw the 5th tallest tree in the world in the redwood national park. (They keep it a secret where the tallest one is within the park so as to prevent foot traffic at its base which would effectively kill the top of the tree via root damage).  I LOVED spending an afternoon looking after my niece (1 year old now!!) in Pacific Grove.  I enjoyed a nap in the Californian sun at Big Sur (and got the sun burn to prove it!).  I enjoyed driving the most beautiful part of the coast between Bixby Canyon Bridge and San Simeon - looked like the Mediterranean Coast and almost as treacherous with unexpectedly sharp curves - and spotted handfuls of whales migrating north along the way.  I saw a favorite music group in concert in L.A.  (the naked and famous.. Actually from new Zealand!)  I enjoyed spending a morning surfing in San Diego and another afternoon in the meditation gardens at Encinitas' Paramahansa Yogananda's self realization center.  And of course, reuniting with old friends and meeting some amazing new ones!!

 Highlights from Down Under so far include:

The 13 hour flight from LAX to Auckland was my favorite flight ever.  I would prefer 13 hour flights with Air New Zealand over 2.5 hour flights with AirTran or Delta any day of the week!  So smooth, such comfortable seats, and I slept nearly the entire time.  Absolutely no jet lag!  I'm actually really looking forward to my flight home in May although I understand how that could be more cause for jet lag flying west to east.

Wandering around the CBD my first afternoon falling in love with how cosmopolitan, diverse, and alive Melbourne feels.  I don't think I'll ever remember the route I took exactly, but over the course of the next 12 days as I kept finding myself back in the CBD nearly every day, the same feelings from the first day came back to me as I realized over and over again that I recognized that very corner, that very bridge, that building, that view, or that smell.  Instant awe and joy.  

Seeing penguins at nighttime in the wild in Port Phillip Bay along St Kilda beach!

Spending a weekend in awesome company at the vacation destination of Philip Island for the Tough Mudder race!

The weather.  I have continually been told that I am very fortunate to be experiencing Melbourne like this.  Temps these past 10 days have been between 62 and 80 each day.  And even I was surprised as I was expecting 50s -60s per my prior research.  I have been told that melbourne commonly experiences all 4 seasons in one day too!  The first 8 days were also blue sky and sun with only the last two days being a bit more overcast.  Only one night of rain so far too, and that became more of a delight than anything.  Orhan (a new friend) and I were caught running from overhang to overhang to stay dry along the Yarra River as we made our way to watch the fire show at the Crown Casino.  Walking around Southbank after the rain stopped was so beautiful that I couldn't even bring myself to stop and rummage for my camera as the water just shimmered with so many reflections.  I didn't want to miss a moment.

Driving the Great Ocean Road.  I found two locals (well one was from Britain, but he has been doing one year of his residency here) planning to make the scenic drive last week and got to hit the road with them for two days.  Beautiful drive and an awesome getaway into the Otway National Forest for an overnight too complete with an australian BBQ (I found a veggie burger to cook!)

Staying with an amazing chef (only 27 years old!)  who knew all the places to eat in a city known for its multitude of amazing cuisines.  I've eaten Indonesian, middle eastern, Thai, Japanese, and always the best!  And as he's Turkish he tends to only eat meat once or twice a week and no pork (Muslim)  so he knew all the best vegetarian dishes to order at every place too!   (best veggie burger ever was made with spicy beans and pumpkin!! So good!)  I have been in heaven with the amazing cuisine options!!

Taking a group bike tour put on by a local couch surfer.  I was in heaven again cruising down the tree lined streets of Melbourne.  Biggest highlight was falling behind the pack at one point and cruising down one path not far from the river and unexpectedly inhaling the strongest smell of eucalyptus you could ever imagine.  About 300m of the path was lined with eucalyptus and the smell was so intoxicating and beautiful that it actually brought tears to my eyes.  Can I grow eucalyptus like that in the US?

Spending an afternoon at Melbourne's Botanical Gardens and Shrine of Rememberance.  Beautiful scenery and stunning views of the city.  Very quiet and peaceful.  Decidedly my favorite place in the city.

Tim Tams.  These cookies are unbelievable.  I am going to start writing to the manufacturer to distribute them in the US.  Simply amazing.  Cannot be described.  Must just be eaten.  And must really be eaten the proper way by biting off the ends and using the cookie as a straw in hot chocolate, tea, or coffee if that's your thing.

Non-highlights include:

Mila and I losing our rental car key in Monterey only to find it the next morning right where we left it still  in the lock in the door of the car!  (so actually kind of a highlight!... Safest neighborhood in the country!)

Paying $8 on one of my first days for pretty much the worst milkshake on the planet :) I take my ice cream seriously and Melbourne is expensive!!

Seeing my first kangaroo... In road kill form :(    Apparently Kangaroos are more of a nuisance here... They cause car accidents and what not.  Sort of the Australian equivalent of deer :(

Ok will post again soon!  I have wifi at this host so I'll be more in touch.  Two days without wifi was much tougher than expected!

Love you all!