Canberra...

Recently we had the chance to visit the capital city of Australia, Canberra. Kim has a friend she knew from traveling years back, Marianne and her husband Steve, who had recently relocated to Canberra from Darwin. They were gracious enough to put us up for the weekend and show us around. We had a fantastic time. We went to a great formal party that had some amazing food and interesting people. We also spent two days wandering around the city and went to the capital buildings, the war memorial, and the national art gallery. It was neat to see and learn the history about the Australian government and its political system. Canberra is a well laid out city that is easy to get around. It has small satellite areas that are all connected together throughout the city with a lot of surrounding trees and parklands. It has wide streets, and many walking and biking path, so many people commute by bike or walk. We spent one day driving out of the city and went bush walking out in the surrounding mountainous countryside. Canberra is very similar to Washington DC back home in the states.




Vintage cars lined up outside of the old parliment government building.



The capital building and national lawn.



Looking out across the lawn to the hill with the impressive War Memorial gallery.