AUSTRALIA PHOTO JOURNAL

WITH THE ARRIVAL OF THE SUMMER SOLSTICE, HAWAI'I HAS BEEN HEATING UP TO UNBEARABLE TEMPERATURES. AN ESCAPE TO AUSTRALIA FOR A REVERSAL OF SEASONS WAS QUITE A RELIEF. FROM THE BREEZY SHORES OF THE GOLD COAST TO THE BUSTLING CITIES OF BRISBANE AND SYDNEY, THERE IS A UNIQUENESS ABOUT THIS COUNTRY THAT INCLUDES THE LAID BACK BEACH TOWN VIBES OF MALIBU, AMIABLE LOCALS LIKE THOSE OF HAWAI'I AND A MODERN CITYSCAPE. HERE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE MOMENTS CAPTURED IN THE GOLD COAST, BRISBANE AND SYDNEY:

GOLD COAST:

A MANDATORY VISIT TO CURRUMBIN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE TRIP . THERE WE FED THE KANGAROOS AND HELD THE SWEETEST KOALAS.

BRISBANE:

THE VIBRANT PLANT LIFE AND WILD FLOWERS IN BRISBANE'S BOTANICAL GARDEN MADE IT FEEL LIKE SPRING.

THE FIRST PLACE WE VISITED IN BRISBANE WAS THE GOMA WHERE THE POPULAR MARVEL EXHIBITION TOOK PLACE.

WHAT BETTER WAY TO QUENCH YOUR THIRST WITH THIS FRESH JUICE MIXED WITH PASSION FRUIT TOPPED WITH SLICES OF WATERMELON, PINEAPPLE AND STRAWBERRY?

SYDNEY:

THE GLOW FROM THE SUNSET GLIMMERING AGAINST THE OPERA HOUSE MADE FOR A GOLDEN HOUR I'LL NEVER FORGET.

WHILE MORE THAN HALF MY CAMERA ROLL IS FILLED WITH PICTURES OF THE OPERA HOUSE, THIS (COVER PHOTO) WAS MY FAVORITE BECAUSE IT WAS CAPTURED FROM THE HARBOR BRIDGE, MAKING VISIBLE THE GRAND ARCHITECTURE OF THIS ICONIC STRUCTURE IN THE VAST OCEAN.

QUICK TRIP TO BONDI. FELT JUST LIKE HOME.

BECAUSE DOGS AREN'T NORMALLY ALLOWED INSIDE GROCERY STORES OR CAFE'S I'D PATIENTLY WAIT OUTSIDE THE STORES FOR OWNERS TO LEAVE THEIR DOGS SO I COULD PET THEM.

FEAST YOUR EYES ON THE BEST VEGAN BREAKFAST I'VE EVER EATEN. A STACK OF FLUFFY PANCAKES BATHED IN SYRUP AND TOPPED WITH FRESH FRUIT NEXT TO A "CHIA POT:" CHIA PUDDING WITH JAM, VEGAN GRANOLA AND FRESH FRUIT TOPPED WITH COCO WHIP SOFT SERVE AND MORE FRUIT!