Day 28: Drive Melbourne to Sydney, Visit Canberra, Australia’s Capital City!!!

Up at 6 am. on the road by 6:30 am. traveled nearly 1,000 kilometers and found my new bed in Sydney at 10:30 pm. Long day but awesome day. Able to see a lot of the bush or outback, wine country north of Melbourne and beautiful open spaces. Quite amazing landscapes here in Australia. On the way I stopped for a few hours in the Australia Capital Territory (ACT), drove around Canberra, the Capital City, went to Parliament House and actually was able to sit in on sessions of the House and the Senate. Was present for the Senate vote to censor Defence Minister David Johnston for “insulting the men and women of the Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC) by stating he ‘wouldn’t trust them to build a canoe.’ And ever mindful of how so many people have helped to make this "Golf Journey to Australia" a success, I found the place I am staying this week in Sydney to be truly amazing. So blessed, Happy Thanksgiving today in Australia, tomorrow in America! A day of travel yesterday... back in Sydney for the Emirates Australian Open at The Australian Golf Club.... (Facebook Link, Andy Reistetter, 11/26/14) Some picture highlights:

An early morning hot air balloon in the Yarra Valley Wine Region just north of Melbourne.

I love Australia (and New York). Drove up to Parliament, parked for free, and able to sit in on both House and Senate sessions!

Outside Parliament House, the focal point of Canberra and the ACT.

A colorful friend greeted me at the Mount Ainslie Lookout.

Great view of the planned city of Canberra, Australia's Capital City, from the Mount Ainslie Lookout.

Happy Thanksgiving to you & me! The view I woke up to from the place I am staying in Sydney for the next week!