Care Packages

One of the things that makes deployment go by quicker are care packages. I enjoy putting them together and I know Nic is happy once they actually make it to the ship.  While I can't control how long it takes to get there -- and right now my latest box is taking an eternity -- I can amuse myself while I put it together.

I have a few friends who have put themed boxes, others who throw stuff in a box, and some who just do whatever feels best that day.  Spending an evening with some wine and my craft supplies is one of my happy places, so I do whatever I can do.

My latest box made me super happy and gave me a great chuckle while I was creating it. I find the idea on a quick Google and changed a few parts of it to better fit us and my patience.  My mom gifted me with a Cricut for Christmas and I've finally put it to good use. If you're interested in making a similar box, the font style I used is the Cricut Craft Room Basic font, and the fish are Create a Critter - 20.

The first few boxes deserve a few shout outs too. I sent Nic off with an Easter "basket". And somehow Nic didn't think of bringing cold weather clothes with him when he left so his first two boxes were full of winter clothes. I'm unbelievably grateful that my husband understands and appreciates a box with a Bring It On quote on it.  His birthday box had blown up balloons in it, but I forgot to take a picture once they were blown up.  That one came straight from Pinterest. They've gotten better as time goes on, now just to think what the next one will be!

Kangaroos

We love kangaroos!  All we wanted to do while we were in Australia was see a koala and a kangaroo. Maybe hold a koala and pet or feed a kangaroo.  On Saturday I was able to see a wild kangaroo while at a ship hail and farewell. I was enjoying my pear cider and staring at the beautiful scenery when I see a critter bouncing along with a some alpacas. Mind you the fact that there were alpacas was weird enough. . but it definitely took a few seconds to realize that I was seeing a kangaroo. The next day we ventured to the park and I was smitten.

Caversham Wildlife Park sadly didn't let us hold a koala, but we were able to meander with and feed the kangaroos which was a decent trade off. Once we got there we could have spent hours in the kangaroo enclosure. They were such lackadaisical critters that I just couldn't help but fall in love with them. They also loved to cuddle with one another.  We came across a few groups where the lackadaisical critters were all just snuggled on one another.

I apologize for how picture heavy this post is, they were just adorable!

Caversham Wildlife Sanctuary

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The only thing we truly wanted to experience on my trip was to be able to pet a kangaroo and koala (realistically it was to also hold a koala). We found a wildlife reserve not too far from Perth that allows you to hold a koala, but getting to it without a car just proved a bit to difficult. Enter Cavershams Wildlife Park. I have to say, we couldn't have spent our last day together in a better place.

I have a love hate relationship with zoos. I love animals. If I could do anything I would work with animals but that job and this crazy Navy lifestyle just isn't too realistic. That being said going to a zoo truly lets you see all of the flora and fauna of the area you may be visiting without chancing it to Mother Nature being on your side. On the other end of that, I hate how small the enclosures are. I understand the space, but gosh does it make me sad.  Cavershams wasn't too bad. I didn't have my typical zoo breakdown for the animals, so that was a good sign.

Australia is full of many different wonderful creatures. We took our time walking around the park and were there for a few hours. I learned while black swans are beautiful creatures, they're also feisty devils as one nearly took my camera out. They're not on the top of my favorite list.

Caversham has hours during the day when you're able to meet the koalas. While you can't hold them you are still able to get up close and personal and pet them on their back while they slumber the days away. We were able to pet Brody who was a little cutie pie.

While adorable, I must say I was slightly disappointed in their fur! Unlike the kangaroos which were silky soft the koala was a coarser type of fluff. Nic and I had the conversation and if we could take one animal home I would want a kangaroo because of its fur, but practicality and the sweet sleepy cuddles make the koala win.

Thanks to Nic's sharp eye we were even able to see a little joey hand coming out of one of the koalas in a smaller enclosure.

We were also able to see an Australian possum (which is adorable especially compared to ours), beautiful owls, and get a picture with a wombat who is apparently quite ticklish.  If you're ever in the Fremantle/Perth area, it's worth the day trip. 

A Port Call

As soon as we found out Nic would be a SWO we started discussing the possibility of a port call as soon as the big "D" word came around.

I've been told countless times how you must go on a port call if you're able to. The stories that people tell, and the happiness and passion behind those stories, are enough to push you to save up as much money as you can to make it a reality.

We were lucky enough to have Australia on our port list and I am lucky enough to be part of an active wardroom with other wives were also planning on visiting at some point. A few months after they left and we were on our way to Western Australia. Four of us on the same flight meant no sitting by strangers, being able to split taxis and hotel rooms, and having someone to commiserate with once they left again.

This Navy life is crazy, and sometimes a bit depressing, but for all of those depressing times there are adventures awaiting. And wine.  If you would have told me upon Nic's commissioning that I would have been able to visit him in Australia with good friends, I would have laughed at you. Even if you told me a year ago I would have laughed at you.  But here I am, writing about a wonderful trip.