Kitefest 2008

We traveled to Redcliffe, north of Brisbane, for their annual Kitefest event.

Just a few interesting tidbits about Redcliffe . . . It is the site of the first European settlement in what was to become the state of Queensland and is a peninsula that sits right on the ocean and looks out onto Moreton Island and to the open sea. In the early 1900s "holidaymakers" came to Redcliffe by steamboat because there wasn't a road/highway easily accessible from the mainland. We were able to travel easily over to Redcliffe on a looong bridge.

We enjoyed yet another new town and adventure but the day was actually so windy that we didn't get to see alot of kites up in the air. Can you believe that? Too windy to fly a kite!!

I added some additional interesting pictures to the slide show. One is of the Bee Gees' house in Redcliffe. Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb lived in Redcliffe from 1958 to the 1960s and their old house still stands much as it did then. We have also discovered a unique way that Australians "add-on" to their homes. There isn't alot of room to expand homes on the ground level, because most houses are built too close together. But, instead of adding to the top of the house and adding a level upstairs, it seems that most will raise the house up on stilts/beams and build a level underneath.

This past weekend Bryan and I were also able to have our first date night since moving to Australia (can you believe that!?) Well, it will also be our last date night while in Australia! (See our Australia education below to understand why!!)

Australian Education:
OK . . . this may not exactly be "education" but it was a BIG eye-opener for us!!
Here is the pricing low-down for our "date night":
Dinner (semi-casual restaurant): $138.00
Movie: $28.80 ($14.40/ticket)
Parking for the Car: $12
Gas to get downtown: $10
Babysitting: $75 ($15/hour) . . . Don't get any ideas Kaitlyn!!! :)
GRAND TOTAL: $263.80
Now you understand why "date-nights" are few and far between when living in Australia!