July 15 & 16, 1992--Townsville's Aquarium and A Goodbye

Rob's drom at JCU

[Sending your kids off to college is difficult enough but having to let Rob go halfway around the world shortly after was even more nerve-wracking. At least this trip with him made me feel better about where he was and how he was doing. My kids will soon begin to understand the feeling as their children begin to spread their wings.]

Wednesday, July 15, 1992

               The Townsville aquarium is world famous. A huge facility. We explore the small tanks on exhibit and then enter the large acrylic tube that divides the huge tank of sharks from the tank of smaller reef fish. As awesome as the aquarium is, the colors are still diminished from those we saw when snorkeling and diving on the reef. But it is thrilling to have the sharks swim up to you at eye level as you pass by the tank.

              Sadly, it is time to leave Rob at James Cook University and drive back through the sugar cane fields to Cairns.

Sunset from above the clouds

Thursday, July 16, 1992 

          Usually after a long vacation, it feels good to be going home. This is the first time I truly feel sad. There is so much more of Australia to explore. We comfort each other with a promise to return to the Land Down Under. Australia will be a special part of our lives forever.

[And return we have. Several times as a stopover to Papua New Guinea for diving, another long trip around the country and out to the west coast and several stops during cruises. Always a favorite part of our world.]