Okay, obviously this isn't all of them, but a few people asked to see some. So here we go.... a Gatchy travelogue... First of all... chocolate body paint (held by Ebony)!!!! Unfortunately, I had the cr*ppy camera because DH took the good one and this camera had no focus... so it's a bit blurry. Sorry guys. Next, when we arrived in Sydney for our first night, we were exhausted. It was New Year's and we were going to go see the fireworks, but the red eye flight had us beat. We took a nap, and woke up to a fabulous goodie bag that Ivory Eagle had dropped by the hotel. Immediately we tore into it, and the resulting carnage is now legend. Here are some of the remnants of the feast... Thanks Ebony for that fabulous bag of goodies when we most needed it!!!! When we returned to Sydney and actually met Ebony and Ivory (and little Swannie Girl) IRL, they immediately took us around the place, showing us some cool stuff. My Condor children of course developed an immediate interest in any gun they saw. Is this thing a part of the Solar Shifter Plan? Later on, Ebony took us to the Customs House, where they have a huge model of downtown Sydney under a plexiglass floor. Whee! I'm a mecha storming the city!!! At the Sydney Maritime Museum the next day, we toured two ships and a submarine. My little Eagle-turned-Condor reaches for the 'Fire' button on the sub. That afetrnoon we went by the Chinese Gardens and my kids got to dress up in Chinese costmes and run around the gardens. Mon son LOVED the weapons that came with his costume. I'll get you, Galactor Scum! Why is this feather shuriken so big? My little Eagle mistakes Ivory Eagle for a Galactor spy. Jumping ahead... on the cruise ship one night I ordered a whilte chocolate mousse dessert... and it shows up looking like a Swan! It was quite yummy, too! Lastly, when we were in Rotorua, New Zealand, I spotted these and dragged DH over to give me the camera so i could take a picture. Ebony Swans!

That is great. But wheres the pic of you in the bikini???

Beautiful piccies TJ, It looks like you had a great time. Love the Swan dessert,

Originally posted by Toneman That is great. But wheres the pic of you in the bikini???

Um.... that's for DH's eyes only...

Originally posted by Transmute Jun Why is this feather shuriken so big?

She looks so cute in that outfit - especially with the glasses on. She could be her own anime series in the making.

Originally posted by Transmute Jun My little Eagle mistakes Ivory Eagle for a Galactor spy.

You sure your little eagle isn't working for Galactor? Heh heh, I like the look on the Asian woman's face who is watching all of this go down.

Originally posted by Transmute Jun Ebony Swans!

Very nice. Hey Ebony, did you want this turned into an avatar? *grin*

Your son looks like he's thouroughly enjoying himself...

Oh trust me... my kids are very anti-Galactor... they're all over the Undead and Darth Vader, but mention Galactor and they scream about how they have to destroy them. As for the avatar... great idea, Tim! I have another shot that you could use too, if Ebony wants it.

We all had a great time...DH talks about the kids... They looked so cute all dressed up when we were walking around the gardens... And how thoughtful! I like the black Swans!!!! See now you know why red is my Favourite colour, look at the beaks!

The willy whistles in the background turned out OK...you must have been focusing on them!

Oh TJ, those pics are fabulous! It looks like so much fun! The kids look so cute in their costumes, too!! Little in the making...

Originally posted by Transmute Jun Oh trust me... my kids are very anti-Galactor... they're all over the Undead and Darth Vader, but mention Galactor and they scream about how they have to destroy them. As for the avatar... great idea, Tim! I have another shot that you could use too, if Ebony wants it.

LOL! Good for the kids. Wait a minute... what am I saying? I'm on the side of Galactor here. *grin* Feel free to post or email me the pics and I can see what I can come up with and then we can let Ebony decide if she wants to use them or not.

Springie, I can totally see your little Jinpei attacking everyone with the spear too! We got a very NON-PC pic of him stabbing a reclining Buddha too, but I didn't want to offend anyone by posting them. He had no idea what the statue was supposed to represent. And yes, Toneman, ANYTHING to do with weapons is a big hit with both of my kids.

Hahaha...I don't know if I would dare to give my Jinpei a spear... I know my little Swannie would have her hands on her hips trying to keep him in check...she just loves to correct him...such an annoying little sister...teehee

TJ the pics are great its easy to see that you had a wonderful time there.

Those are great pics TJ...I'm glad everyone had a good time!

Oh, TJ. The pictures are great. You and the kids must have had great fun!

We have fun wherever we go. But of course, the most fun was hanging out with Ebony!

I just hope I get to meet up with some of the aussie Gatch crowd when I am there in October

Pics look great TJ, and I'm glad to hear you had a wonderful time.

Awesome pics, TJ! Thanks so much for sharing!

Originally posted by Firebird I just hope I get to meet up with some of the aussie Gatch crowd when I am there in October

Will you be in Sydney FB??? Does this mean I have another Gatch person to look forward to meeting!

We had so much fun at the Gardens...that was such a funny moment when TJ's son pointed his spear at my DH's back! DH played along with him...LOL

I hadn't thought of Australia being that British until Tj made some comments about Sydney and other parts. Funny you don't think of those things when you live in a place...to me it's Australian. I guess the British influence left a bigger mark than I thought!

Originally posted by Ebonyswanne

Originally posted by Firebird I just hope I get to meet up with some of the aussie Gatch crowd when I am there in October

Will you be in Sydney FB??? Does this mean I have another Gatch person to look forward to meeting!

We are stopping of in a hotel in Sydney (near the airport) just after arriving and just before leaving. Most of the rest of the stay we have rented a place Bulli Beach. Would love to meet up if you are able!

Originally posted by Ebonyswanne I hadn't thought of Australia being that British until Tj made some comments about Sydney and other parts. Funny you don't think of those things when you live in a place...to me it's Australian. I guess the British influence left a bigger mark than I thought!

Also, consider that I grew up in a country with a strong British influence that waned significantly as I grew up. Then I moved to a country with almost no British influence. And I've been to the UK a few times.

Hey, FB, is it the Stamford Plaza? We quite liked that one!

No TJ its this one

Ah, a Mercure. Can't go wrong there! We love Accor hotels! (except Ibis and Motel 6 )