The Perry's Australian Adventure: It's Raining, It's Pouring

Brisbane has had TONS of rain in the past month and when it rains we have to find alternative places to go that don't involved the outdoors . . . and this is difficult in Australia!! So, we decided to take Evan to the Science Centre in downtown Brisbane last weekend when our plans for visiting another rainforest fell through. Evan enjoyed running from exhibit to exhibit at the Science Centre but really didn't understand any of the "science" behind each unique station. Bryan and I, on the other hand, would have loved to have spent time reading each science station and completing all of the experiments and projects they had available . . . but, another day I guess!

Bryan also spent part of his work week in Sydney to attend and present at a John Deere meeting. He would have loved to get to explore Sydney a little more but didn't have alot of extra time planned into the trip. The entire John Deere group did get to complete the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb which turned out to be quite the experience for Bryan. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of three bridges in the world that you can actually climb (while harnessed to a cable.) The Bridge Climb takes you along catwalks, up ladders, and steadily to the summit of the bridge. Bryan completed the "night" climb with 11 others . . . in the rain . . . with 30mph winds. Not the greatest scenario for getting to complete this awesome experience but you manage what you are dealt! Bryan enjoyed the experience and getting to see the Sydney night lights from the top of the bridge but overall was just pretty impressed with the cable system that each person was latched to and how it worked and was created.

Here are some interesting facts that Bryan picked up while on his climb:
- It is a 1.7km climb up and down the bridge = 1.06 miles
- There are 1,437 total steps.
- The Sydney Harbour Bridge is the widest long-span, steel-arch bridge in the world.
- The Harbour Bridge contains 8 lanes of traffic, 2 train lines, 1 cycle path, and 1 foot path.
- The bridge is not completely stationary and can rise or fall 18cm due to heating and cooling.
- Paul Hogan (Croc. Dundee) was once employed as a painter on the Harbour Bridge.

One of the pictures in the slide show is of Bryan and Grant, another John Deere expat here in Australia. The picture shows them soaking wet in Sydney. They went out in pursuit of a Taco Bell that they "heard" was in Sydney and soon found that it had closed down. This was to be the ONLY Taco Bell in Australia . . . darn, we'll have to wait for Taco Bell until our return to America! Another eye opener . . . Bryan bought me a Krispy Kreme donut at the Sydney airport (you don't find Krispy Kreme around here) and he paid $2.50 for ONE donut! Enjoy those .80 Krispy Kremes in America!!

Australian Education:
In one of my previous Australian Education lessons I forgot one additional road sign that we have come across recently . . . the echidna. The echidna is one of the world's only monotremes, or egg-laying mammals and feasts primarily on termites. A smaller species of this animal can be found in southern Australia.

More Australian Education: Creatures Found Around the Perry Household - YUCK!

This is a Golden Orb-Weaver and is still hanging between two bushes in our front yard. When it is full-size it will be as big as your hand. It is primarily found in Eastern Australia. It creates a strong orb web strung between trees. We have had it in front of our house for several weeks now but haven't knocked it down yet because so many people like to come by and look at it and take pictures of it. Even through all of this rain the spider and web have survived.