Zach Down Under: January 2009

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Sizzler!

We escaped to the mountains in search of cooler temperatures today. We have had five straight days of temperatures over 105 degrees--record-breaking heat, even for Australia! Even worse is the prediction of seven more days of 100+ degree heat to come! It literally feels like a brick oven outside. Today's high was 110! It was only 95 in the mountains today. So much for cooler temps...

Good thing we were at a beer festival today. Brett wasn't very impressed with the beer but at least it was cold!

Zach preferred his water. We were all wishing we could be back in the Indian Ocean about now...

Hard to believe it was only two weeks ago we were cooling off in the crystal blue waters.

Zach absolutely loved the ocean.

Ah. Life was a beach. Now it's a furnace!

It's so hot you could fry an emu egg on the pavement!!

For now we'll just have to settle for cooling off with popsicles (the flies love popsicles, too), taking in a dip in our friends' pool once the sun goes down, and swimming lessons, which start up again in three days.

Friday, January 30, 2009

You should see my dad

Mum agrees.

(Bib courtesy of Grandma and Grandpa Loge)

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Under Water World

We didn't have a chance to go snorkeling while in Western Australia (Zach needs to learn how to swim before learning how to snorkel) so instead we went to the aquarium in Perth. It was fantastic. It showed wonderful examples of the reefs of Australia.

With amazing colors.

And beautiful fish.

Anna was fascinated by the jelly fish exhibit and was very happy to have them behind a glass window. Jelly fish are known as "stingers" down here because they can sting you; some can be fatal!

Dad liked the sting rays. They usually don't sting but (rarely) can be fatal!

Zach tried his hardest to catch a fish with his bare hands, but they were too quick, and the glass kept getting in the way.

This was one fish Zach wasn't as anxious to catch.

He did enjoy the sea turtle and was surprised by how much bigger it was than his stuffed animal turtle or the cute turtles on his bibs.

Mum and Zach were in awe of all the different fish on display. Almost like snorkeling, without getting wet or feeling claustrophobic!

It was so exciting that as soon as we were back in the car Zach started dreaming about fish. (Notice the turtle on his bib.)

Sandman 2

Friday, January 23, 2009

Sandman

Zach's first full day on Rottnest Island started early (4AM) with the draw of the ocean outside our window. Even though he couldn't see the ocean he could smell the salty air.

He had to stand at the window for an hour before the sunrise convinced Mum and Dad to get out of bed. By 10AM it was hot and we couldn't wait to get to the beach!

First, Zach had to get his toes wet to cool off from the 40+ (C) degree weather.

Then he had to study the sand....Let's see, its soft and warm. I wonder how it tastes?

He only tasted it once and quickly learned that sand is fun as long as it is not in your mouth. Yes, that is Zach's mischievous, slightly amused look.

Sand is fun to throw.

He got to use his new birthday present to build a sand castle.

Dad had to help him a bit. He is only one after all.

He also had some close encounters with the sand. As Zach looked for sea shells Dad told him he could hear the ocean in them if he put them up to his ear. Zach must have misunderstood him and put his head up to the sea shells in the sand. Oops! Sand sticks to sunscreen on a bald head.

After a long day of playing in the sand it was time to cool off with drinks and cookies with his mates. What a life!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Bike Trip

Rottnest Island is a small island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Perth. There are no private motor vehicles on the island. The most popular way of getting around is by bike. So we spent one of the cooler days (only reached a high of 85 degrees) taking a nice 18km ride around the island seeing the beautiful coastline. Zach had a fantastic time riding in the baby trailer. Mom and Dad were pretty sure they hadn't ridden a bike that far since they got their drivers licenses! They tried to take some inspiration from the fact that Lance Armstrong is currently competing in the Tour Down Under down here.

Zach came prepared with his water bottle and bike helmet...

....and cookies.

The turquoise bays were filled with gorgeous yachts.

And some really, really nice boats.

And even the remains of some ship wrecks.

After the long bike ride it was time for Dad and Zach to take a dip in the ocean and cool off. Yes, that's the ocean, not a swimming pool.

Ah, much better!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Happy Birthday Zachary!

Zach woke up bright and early on his first birthday. Somehow he knew it would be a great day full of exciting adventures.

He started off the day in Fremantle, Western Australia, where he caught a ferry with Mum and Dad to Rottnest Island, which lies 10 miles off the coast near Perth.

There he got to swim in the Inidan Ocean for the first time. Although it took a little coaxing to get him in the water, he soon learned to enjoy the sand and waves.

He also got to meet the quokkas, furry little friendly creatures that populate the island. Zach is getting a lot of experience petting marsupials. At this point he could probably point to a kangaroo in a book but wouldn't have a clue what a cat was!

After dinner (he ate yummy beef curry!) he got to open his presents. He has new books, a bucket to make sand castles, a beach cricket set, and...

A quokka!

A real quokka wanted to join in the festivities. Zach wasn't too sure what to think!

And then the chocolate cake arrived. Oh boy!

Oh yeah!

Mm, mm, mm. Oh my!

Oh mess!

Here's what the birthday boy had to say about his day.

(Notice the background conversation Brett is having about cricket; he's turning into a real Aussie bloke!)

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Retrospective

As the anniversary of Zach's birth approached, we took a photographic trip down memory lane and picked our favorite photos of the babe from each month of his life. Enjoy!