Farewell to our Friendship Force Friends and to Australia

Diane and Joanne on the Tweed

All our Friendship Force friends cruised down the Tweed River on our last day here.  It was fun seeing the area from our favorite view - aboard a boat!  The Captain peppered the journey with interesting facts and stories about the area.  When we disembarked at the Village of Tumbulgum, we enjoyed a farewell lunch with the group. 

We didn't want the day to end, so Jim drove us to the Art Gallery to check out the local works.  It was sad to say "good-bye" to our Charlotte friends - but it helped that we agreed to stay in touch.  We returned to the Larkins for a fun evening BBQ of roast kangaroo, lamb chops and sausages.  It was their grand-daughter, Miranda's, 7th Birthday.  We got a taste of what it is to be a grand-parent - there was lots of birthday excitement opening the presents (Miranda got a drum set!!) - wow, that noise got our attention - and it was fun trying on her fake hair!  

This morning Helen & Jim drove us to the airport.  We had tears in our eyes hugging them goodbye.  We hope they will visit us in Florida - if not, we will try to see them when we return to Australia.  We've decided we have to come back.  There is more to see!  We'd like to take the train from Adelaide to Darwin with stops at Alice Springs and Ayer's Rock - and also visit Perth and the quaint town of Broome. 

We are in Syndey tonight and our plane leaves tomorrow afternoon.  We have a 14-hour flight to Los Angeles, a 3-hour layover, and then a flight across the country to Newark.  We'll spend the night there and then head off to Ft Myers where Bill will pick us up on Monday afternoon.

This adventure was just wonderful.  We highly recommend visiting Australia.  The people are THE BEST and adding the 2-week Friendship Force "home exchange" experience made it so special.  We'll never forget the kindness of the Casterton and Tweed Valley Groups.

We'd like to conclude our adventure with this Friendship Force Pledge that says it all about international travel:

As a member of Friendship Force, I recognize that I can make a difference.


I recognize that I have a mission.  That mission is to be a friend to the people of the world.


As I embark upon this adventure, I know that through my example to my own fellow citizens and the people of other nations, the course of Friendship, Love and Peace will be furthered.


I Can Make A Difference!

Friendship Force International

See you back in Florida....