Greetings and Highlights from the Land Down Under

Greetings and highlights from the Land Down Under!

Sterling and I have had a wonderful time in Palm Cove! Although it’s winter here in Australia, it’s been a very pleasant 26 degrees Celsius with overcast skies—perfect for walking along the sandy beaches and dining outside overlooking the ocean.

Wednesday evening, after arriving and taking a little snoozer, everyone joined us for a welcome barbeque dinner—fabulous food! We have 25 achievers this year compared to last year’s eight and many more spouses too. Afterward, we all donned “jersey shirts” with team colors (like Bravo Burgundy—our team) printed on the back and played Lawn Bowls—a popular game here in Australia. I tried to get photos, but my camera wouldn’t cooperate.

Yesterday we all journeyed by train up to a little village named Kuranda. We shopped and ate traditional Aussie food, held an adorable little Koala, and fed and petted baby kangaroos—my first time ever!  By the way, did you know that Koalas sleep 20 hours a day. Wouldn’t that be the life?

We then headed down the mountain by way of Skyrail, stopping along the way and learning about the wonders of the rain forest—fascinating stuff!

Today and tomorrow are free days, aside from this morning’s swapping and Make & Take time. Here are two of the three projects we made. I was too busy taking photos to make the third project—a gift box.

The swaps were unique and beautiful. One particularly caught my attention—I'll bet that you can figure out why! (Shoes and chocolate—a perfect combination.)

 

Finally, here’s a photo of a very happy group of demonstrators after two hours of swapping and stamping with a brand new set!  

I don’t plan on doing more than visiting and maybe a massage before our final group event on Saturday night. Then Sterling and I get up at 3:00 am to travel home. So, I’ll finish highlighting our Australian adventure when I return.

In the meantime—g’day mate! (Is that how you write it? Well, you know how it’s said!)

Comments

[Sue Farrant]

G'day Shelli!
I bet you are having a ball..Australia is wonderful isn't it? Isn't the food amazing there?
Have a safe journey home!
Sue

[Sara Douglass]

Such a nature gal!!! Love Dad's facial expression on the Skyrail! hehe
It looks like you are having a great time...Say hello to everyone for me.

[Linda]

Yes Shelli, that's exactly how you write "G'Day". Glad you're enjoying beautiful Far North Qld...isn't winter perfect up there:-))...what Winter?? Safe flight home!

[Marelle Taylor]

How exciting to see myself on Shelli's blog!(that's me on Shelli's right).
It was so wonderful to share a special 4 days with you and Stirling in Queensland. I am so grateful for the awesome holiday provided by an amazing company. I feel totally pampered! Thankyou!

[Zarna]

Don't be fooled by those cute looking kangaroos! I got attacked by one that tried to eat my straw hat when I was 4!!!
But I have had quite civil encounters with them since - I just leave the straw at home! hahaha
My in-laws had one sitting in their driveway (they live out of town) the other morning when they woke up and she had a little joey in her pouch! The photos were so cute I wish I'd seen it in person, my sister-in-law moved to the US 2 years ago and her friends don't believe her that stuff like that really used to happen to her.

[Jayne Mercer]

Thank you Shelli for an amazing week and for making 25 demonstrators feel very special. I'm guessing that you probably haven't made it home yet but can't wait to hear all about Phoebe when you do get home.

[Ngaire Anderson]

Hi Shelli and Sterling and welcome home! Thanks again for a truly wonderful trip to Palm Cove, Donald and I feel so very blessed and thankful to have been treated so grandly. We have many wonderful memories and I keep giggling and remembering things here as I unpack our suit cases. Congratulations Jon and Shalae on the arrival of Phoebe - we were all very excited to hear your news!

[Sarah Klass]

G'day right back at you Shelli! Thanks to you, Stirling and Stampin' Up! for hosting us very lucky Aussie and NZ girls in Palm Cove. A truly memorable time - THANKS!!

[Jean]

Oh Shelli, I wish you could see my Australia pictures. We have such similar pictures. Wasn't the koala preserve and the kangaroo preserve just wonderful! I'm so glad you had a good time. It's an awesome place to visit.

[Alexandra]

These pictures are wonderful!!!

[Marie]

I love the Koala and that shoe! I would love to get my hands on the pattern for that. Do you think the created would be willing to share? I just love it and I know some stampin’ girls in the US who would enjoy making them. Especially filled with Chocolate. What a wonderful idea! Thank you so much for sharing. Enjoy your trip and have a safe return.

[Maureen Stivala]

Thanks so much for sharing...I have stamping sistahs from around the world - but the best are the ones who are our SU sistahs!!
And congrats on Phoebe!! Tell the kids we are all excited for the happy family!
((()))reen

[Kim]

That's amazing.........I've been there to Kuranda, took the train, Skyrail, and ate at Frog's Restaurant. My husband and I honeymooned in nearby Cairns back in 1997! What a amazing place!! The shopping up there is great too!!

[Dale]

Thank you for sharing your photos while in Australia.
How adorable and fun to hold a Koala; did the little guy enjoy being held?
Congratulations on your new grand baby.

[Dawn McVey (dawnsing)]

Hi Shelli! LOVE the photos of you with the koala and the kangaroos! SO cool!

Glad you're having a great trip!

[Heidi Davnport]

Shelli,
It truly looks as if you had an amazing and inspirational trip! The picture of you with the koala has to be one of the cutest ever! Thank you for always being so inspiring! Hugs from New York City, Heidi :)

[Kristy Young]

Sounds like you had a awesome time in Australia! Congrats on the new grandbaby too, cant wait to see pics

[Stephanie]

Congratualtions on the birth of your new grand daughter, Phoebe. I'm hoping you have arrived home safely and are enjoying a cuddle.It was such a pleasure to spend the last few days with you both. Thanks so much to yourselves and Stampin' Up! for such a fantastic holiday.
Steph X

[Ros Oakes]

Shelli, I have some close up pictures of the lions that I will e-mail you as you asked. I just need an e-mail address.

Cheers,
Ros

P.S. I hope you are getting in lots of cuddles in with Phoebe!

[Tiffany Miller]

Looks like you are having a wonderful time! What a neat place to visit. The koala you are holding in the first picture is adorable. They look so cuddly!

Enjoy the rest of your visit and God bless!

Tiffany

[Sandi]

Gosh Shelli, I just had to jump in here to say "Hi" and how wonderful it is that you have your own Blog. You were born to do this girl -- you have the blog language down pat. Also wanted to say sorry for acting like a dork at Convention when I ran into you trying to go into a door on opening day. It was just such a total shock, and yes, I did do a double take look. Can you believe a 60-yr.-old grannie acting like a teeny bopper? You and I would get along great, as we like the same styles and both love living for our family. Thank you for just being who you are, and I love being part of the team. Finally, don't even think about retiring in the next 10 years!! God Bless, Sandi

[Makeesha Byl]

Well I truly had such a wonderful time on the Incentive Trip with you and Sterling, and am ever so grateful for having been so spoilt! It was wonderful to spend more time with you, and I did manage to get some wonderful photos of you and Sterling in the Skycar that I will get to you. All the best with getting over your flu. Thinking of you.
Makeesha x

[Staci Miserlian]

Oh! You are just the luckiest person to get to hold a koala! My Mom has, too, and she said they are quite heavy. They are my fave animal ever.
Glad you had a good time.
Happy about the new grandbaby.
Sorry you are sick! Hope you get well soon!!

[Anna-Marie Still]

Oh my goodness! My Aedan will be so jealous when he sees the photo of you with the koala! He collects koalas and has always had a love for Australia. At 8 years of age, we don't know where it came from, but it is so sweet.

[Robyn and Vern Lawton]

Thanks for another fabulous holiday, who would have thought anything could have been as good as the last. Vern and I had an amazing time, we were just so spoilt. Congratulations on the safe arrival of phoebe and hope you are getting lots of cuddles. Can't wait to see some photo's.

xx Rob

P.S this is just too funny so I had to share. Vern said to me the other night "what's going on,I've just spent 2 hrs on the internet and all i've been doing is checking out everyone's stampin' Up! sites... sound familiar.