The day started with lunch at Bundy Sushi owned by Ross’ friends Dave and Toby. I ordered about every Vegetarian Sushi dish on the menu. It was delicious. March 24th is my son Andy’s 32nd birthday, the day we would go to “Red Lobster,” to celebrate. He would order the most expensive item on the menu. Today I am celebrating in “OZ”, keeping his memory alive.
From lunch in Bundaberg we went to the town of Apple Tree Creek and walked through a mesh enclosed open air bird sanctuary. Greeted immediately by a friendly blue Quaker parrot that flew to our shoulders, called the terrorist bird, he escorted us on our tour. I so enjoyed his company as we walked around chatting with the assortment of colorful tropical birds. We left the enclosed bird area to visit with kangaroos as we finished up our trip. I love roos, they are the cutest guys with curly eyelashes and big brown eyes.
Spending the day touring around the country side we came upon Cordalba, an off-beat town located in the midst of a sugar cane grove. The main street housed the only business being a pub. It has been in existence for 120 years. Your typical Aussie bar, with a hotel upstairs it felt like stepping back into time when cowboys clamored into the saloon looking for your typical “Miss Kitty” gals. The owner and his friend showed us around talking in a thick Aussie dialect, causing you to strain your ears to understand what was being said. He loved telling jokes and rambling about his life, loves and business. We realized much of chatter was true Aussie bull-shit. We laughed, drank our XXXX Gold beer and photographed the local four bikers out front.
Driving back to Bundy I couldn’t but smile thinking Andy would have loved the day ‘down under’ with his mom as she continues to see the world.
Love you Andy and Happy Birthday!
