For Lucie

So, this evening I received an email from someone I met nearly a year ago in Darwin, asking how I was doing.  Although I have responded personally, I thought it would be a good idea to tell the story in pictures as well.

Lucie, this is for you.

Two pretty French ladies

Katherine Gorge.  I spent the night here after leaving Darwin.

At the service station in Camooweal, just as you cross into Queensland on the Barkly Highway

German backpackers working the pub at Mt. Garnet, Queensland

The guy on the right runs the pub at Mt. Garnet

My friend Robert (German) and I in the Whitsundays.
I first met him when we went and saw the Nelson Twins perform at the Comedy Lounge in Melbourne.
I drove from Cairns to Brisbane in a campervan with him and Christina (pictured below).

My friend Christina (German) and I in the Whitsundays.

Fraser Island

My friends Drew (USA) and Dyana (Canada), in Brisbane.  We reconnected in Sydney and Melbourne.
Drew has gone home to Texas, but Dyana is working here now.  I met up with her last weekend.

A house I helped to build while I was in Brisbane.  Not pictured is Hannes (Germany).

The Sydney Opera House, just so I can say I've been there

Me with Aldo (Switzerland), Angela (New Zealand), and Michaela (Switzerland).
These were my house mates when I moved back to Melbourne.
Aldo and Michaela have returned to Switzerland, but Angela is still here.  I just saw her a couple of weeks ago.
Not pictured is Marielle (France) who took the photo

Zombie Shuffle in Melbourne

Clockwise from left: Audrey (New Caledonia), Marielle (France), Angela (NZ), Robin (Sweden), Ismael (Turkey), and Michaela (Switzerland).
Having dinner after our hike along the George Bass Coastal Walk.

Lysterfield Lake in Victoria

Grampians National Park in Victoria

Mountain pygmy-possum at Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria

Sculptures at Rickett's Sanctuary in the Dandenongs, Victoria

Marielle (France) on Mornington Peninsula in Victoria

Hannes  (Germany) and Janelle (Germany) on Phillip Island
I met Hannes in Brisbane with Drew and Dyana.  He and I helped build a house.

Sunset at Mt. Buller, Victoria

Albert Park, Victoria.
Angela thought it was hilarious that we all tried to push the car over that hump with the handbrake still on.

Dr. Luis (USA) helping Angela (NZ) understand the X-rays of her knee after she fell off a horse.
Also watching is Michael (AU).

Joy (Australia) and her famous tuna casserole.
I lived in her house for about 6 months when I moved back to Melbourne.
We still keep in touch, and my barbecue smoker is still there.

Kookaburra at Mt. Dandenong

The Giant's Chair at Mt. Dandenong.
Left to right: Lisi (USA), myself, and Michaela (Switzerland)

Black Caviar
(fastest horse in the world)

The General
I bought it in February 2013

The General, in its natural element.
Mount Baw Baw in Victoria

Masa (Japan) and myself, just before our first AFL game
(North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Geelong Cats)

Monica (Italy) and her famous pizza

View from my new apartment in Port Melbourne

Mmmm, s'mores!

Razoo... classic Australian board game

Frederico (Brazil) spinning for "two up".
It's only legal to play this on ANZAC Day.  Seriously.

Clockwise from left: Tom (AU), Patricia (AU), Monica (Italy), Natsune (Japan), Frederico (Brazil), and Masa (Japan) at Mt. Dandenong

Melbourne at  night

Steve (England/Australia) and myself with our day's catch of flatheads in Port Phillip Bay.
Not pictured is Marcel (Switzerland/Australia), who took the picture.
I work with both of these guys.