In Ozzie Land

Heya, in wintry Brisbane now! Temp in day is in low 20s and in evening, drops to abt 12-15, think later night, it'd be under 10. Yipee! I lurve it.

Well, have to admit, this is turning out better than expected. The 7hr flight to brisbane city was smooth, the ferry journey to straddie (north stradbroke) island was enjoyable, the 15 kiddos behaved enthusiastically and appreciatively well, the weather is cool and dry, the pace here refreshingly slow and scenery here absolutely wonderful - the sun sets right in front of you, and bright stars twinkle right above you.

Only thing is we are all nearing hibernation mode - survived with only abt 3hrs zzz on plane, and once touched down, it's green light till now. Luckily, today's just simple island orientation and safety briefing. The real wet-dirty-backbreaking scientific activities will start tomorrow. Accomodation and food met expectation too. Had a yummy aussie bbq polished off with a freshly-baked apple crumble topped with freezer-cold vanilla ice-cream. Can't beat that (though I have a feeling many of us are going to miss our "orh-lua" and laksa come the next few days).

The rest has gone to star-gaze (mi gosh, they have powerful binoculars here, can see the "pock marks" on missy moon's surface). I'm going to join them liao.

There is hope on Earth. Never underestimate the power of kiddos' innocence and unbridled zest for life. You go kids!

I'm definitely going to put on many a kilos this trip. The weather's so nice and cold, it doesn't feel like a sin to eat like a pig. Heck. Live to work to eat. Don't you think?