Coastal Cruising

As of noon today, Sunday, we were 180 nautical miles away from our upcoming destination, the port of Brisbane, Australia.

So far we have traveled 31,411 miles since we left Miami on December 10, 2024 and we have a long way to go on this world adventure. We have a few additional stops in Australia, before traveling to Indonesia, Philappines and then back to the Northern Hemisphere. Australia's rich history, diverse culture, unique wildlife, and stunning landscapes make it a fascinating country to explore and learn about. Australia, officially known as the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country located in Oceania and is the largest country by area in the region and the sixth-largest country in the world.

Here are some key points about Australia:

• Geography: Australia is the only country that covers an entire continent. It has diverse landscapes and climates, including deserts in the center, tropical rainforests in the northeast, tropical savannas in the north, and mountain ranges in the southeast

• People & Culture: Australia is one of the most ethnically diverse nations globally, with nearly a quarter of its population born in other countries. The country's warm climate and open spaces foster a love for outdoor activities. Australians are passionate about sports like swimming, surfing, tennis, cricket, and rugby. Yesterday, we observed some individuals engaging in a game of cricket while others were diligently training with kettlebells and freeweights for upcoming rugby matches.

• Nature: Australia's ecosystem is unique due to its remote location, leading to many animal species found exclusively in Australia. The country is home to iconic animals like kangaroos, koalas, and platypuses.

• Government: Australia is a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy comprising six states (New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Westerm Australia, South Australia, Tasmania) and ten territories. The head of state is the British monarch. The country has a highly developed market economy with a strong focus on services, mining, manufacturing, and agriculture.

• History: Aboriginal people arrived in Australia around 50,000 years ago. European exploration began with Dutch explorers in 1606, followed by British colonization starting with the establishment of New South Wales as a penal colony in 1788. The colonies federated in 1901 to form the Commonwealth of Australia.

So now we're off to Brisbane, and then to the tropical havens of Airie Beach and Cairns, as we continue our exploration of Australia. "See you" there!