We've finally arrived!

We've arrived!!!
After several months of planning and preparation and much anticipation, our team finally touched down on Australian soil. We arrived in our final destination - Melbourne, just after 4:00 p.m. local time after 20+ hours in the air and three separate flights. We were greeted immediately upon our arrival by our new Rotary friends. Geoff Gilsenan, John Renowden & Peter Lawrence along with a few other family and friends, were all smiles as they gave us a warm Aussie welcome.






Fresh off the plane, (feeling not so fresh ourselves) these photos captured our first few moments with our new friends.





We then broke up into groups and departed for the town of Mornington, which will be our home for the next several days with our host families. Dolf and I travelled with Geoff (in his wife's lovely car) and took the scenic tour home which followed the coastline, where we marvelled at the beautiful homes and ocean views while trying to accustom ourselves with the sun and warmth and general 'greenness' around us.

With very little sleep on the plane from the night before, we weren't all sure how we'd hold up for our first evening with our host families, but the adrenaline kicked in and we all found ourselves not only keeping awake, but enjoying wonderful dinners and a few bevies which left us feeling quite merry before we sailed off to sleep for the night.

So far, so very good.