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 A Much-Too-Brief Summary of My Trip Overseas I have a lot to say about my four-month trip to the Cook Islands, New Zealand and Australia. However, because of my limitations as a writer I'm sure I'll fail to adequately describe it. But here goes:
Overall, and despite some snags, my overseas trip went really well and I had a great time. I loved the Cook Islands. The main island, Rarotonga, was more populated than I'd envisioned but I greatly enjoyed my stay there. Even better than Rarotonga, though, was the outer island of Aitutaki. Aitutaki encapsulated every dream that I've had about what a tropical south Pacific island would be, and should be like. It was paradise and I hope to go back someday, and hopefully before it becomes "discovered."
I greatly enjoyed visiting Australia and New Zealand, of course, having spent four months there. Most people I've talked to who have visited both countries generally prefer New Zealand, especially because of its scenic diversity. But I liked Australia more than New Zealand and mainly because of the wide open spaces there. Australia reminded me a lot of my favorite place, the American West. I liked both countries and for different reasons, but what impressed me the most about both Australia and New Zealand (other than cricket and fish & chips) was how incredibly friendly and courteous everyone was.
Speaking of that, coming back to the U.S. was a big shock for me, and after I got back, I felt like I was on another planet at times. Were Americans really this rude, violent, crass, and obnoxious when I left in December? I always thought of the U.S. as a great country, but my smugness took a hit because Kiwis and Aussies are, in general, much more pleasant than Americans. I'm not criticizing America but after my experience overseas, I think we Americans can do a lot better.
My Favorite Memories of the Cook Islands 
Above left: Landing in Rarotonga on the flight from Los Angeles. Tropical weather and a islander greeting us while playing a ukulele. Talk about culture shock (but I loved it). Above center: Muri beach is the nicest beach on Rarotonga, and it was only a few yards from my room. Above right: Vaikoa on Aitutaki offered very basic lodging for very basic rates. For me, it was perfect.
Above left: The all-day lagoon cruise, complete with BBQ chicken lunch, on Aitutaki was something I'll always remember. If you've watched "Survivor," you'll recognize this little island called One-foot. Above center: A view of Rapota Motu from One-foot Island during the lagoon cruise. Above right: Heading back home on the cruise. And yes, the water really is that color. New Zealand What can I say about New Zealand? Well, it's a wonderful country with lots of scenic diversity. Imagine scrunching all 50 states into a country the size of Colorado and you’ll get the idea. However, it rained a LOT when I was there, the roads are incredibly winding, and it was very crowded just about everywhere I went. Take a tip from me – never visit New Zealand during December or January without having reservations. The next time I go, it'll be in November, February or March, and I think I'll have a much better time because... well... it really is a nice country.
In terms of culture, climate, topography, vegetation, and just about anything else you can imagine, New Zealand is like a combination of Oregon and Hawaii. Those are two of my favorite states, so it’s no wonder that I enjoyed New Zealand so much. I hope to return some day.
My Favorite Memories of New Zealand 
Above left: The vibrant and cosmopolitan city of Auckland. Above center: As a geologist-wanna-be, Volcanic White Island was one of the most fascinating places I've ever been. Above right: South Island scenery. The scenic diversity here, in such a small package, blew me away.
Above left: Cruising on misty Milford Sound Above center: I loved the small family-run motels in New Zealand. Above right: And I also fell in love with New Zealand's national dish, fish and chips.
Above left: Mt. Cook on the South Island. Above center: Heading back to the North Island on the three-hour ferry ride. The skies finally cleared after three weeks of rain and I'd have (mostly) sunny skies for the rest of my trip overseas. Above right: The beautiful view from Cape Reinga, the northernmost point of New Zealand. Australia Now for Australia, which is a lot different from New Zealand – although not as different as either Kiwis or Aussies would like to believe. Frankly, Australia isn't as interesting as New Zealand or America from a physical point of view (I still think that America, with its stunning landscapes, is the most interesting country in the world). While there are some places in Australia that are incredibly beautiful, such as the Great Dividing Range, there are also large stretches of Australia that I found pretty boring – and this coming from a person who enjoys long, tedious drives.
BUT... from a cultural perspective, I think Australia is tops. Aussies are a lot more courteous than Americans, they obey the speed limits, they don’t have the pushy, “in-your-face” attitude that unfortunately is becoming so common here in the U.S., and for the most part, they’re really cheerful. I can’t count the number of times that I walked into a restaurant, gas station or motel – whether in downtown Sydney or in the Outback – and got a big smile and a cheerful, “G’day!” (always pronounced "gudday," not "good day"). Like I say, coming back to the loud, pushy, violent, in-your-face U.S. after spending four months in polite and tranquil New Zealand and Australia has been a major cultural shock for me.
Here are some more accolades for Australia: Most of the cities and towns there are a lot more interesting and vibrant than those in America, Aussies generally take more pride in their homes and businesses than Americans, the media there is more intelligent and not nearly as obnoxious, there’s a lot less crime and violence (due largely to more rigid gun control legislation – take the hint, America), and there's an attitude of optimism that's refreshing. In a single word, I’d say that Australia is much more “civilized” than America. Americans, including myself, could learn a lot from Aussies.
The cultural idiosyncrasies in Australia were also refreshing. I liked Vegemite, I loved Arnott's Farmbake Chocolate Chip Cookies, Aussie music is great, and I wanted to marry any of the women on the Outback television show, "McLeod's Daughters" (except for Tess, who's too prissy).
Yeah, I did miss America while I was over there, especially its physical beauty, and I'd never want to live anywhere else. However, now that I’m back in the U.S., I miss Australia a lot, too. So if you ever get a chance to visit Australia, definitely go. And even if you don’t really get a chance, go anyway. For more of my thoughts, check out My Impressions of Australia.
My Favorite Memories of Australia 
Above left: The Blue Mountains west of Sydney. Above center: Riding a 1800's-era riverboat on the Murray River in Echuca. Above right: "Hey mate, got a cookie?"
Above left: Taking a tour of a working gold mine, 300 feet underground in Bendigo. Above center: The 12 Apostles along the Great Ocean Road, one of the most scenic highways in the world. Above right: And Adelaide, one of the most wonderful cities I've ever visited.
Above left: Driving across the seemingly-endless Outback. Above center: The Pink Roadhouse in Oodnadatta, one of the most remote villages in Australia. Above right: Having a beer with good mates in the pub in William Creek (population: 2).
Above left: Ayers Rock, also known as Uluru, was so much larger (and fascinating) than I ever imagined. Above center: Listening to "Waltzing Matilda" at the Combo waterhole in Queensland, where the song was written. Above right: Swimming in the Great Barrier Reef was, well, "Great."
Above left: Playing a didgeridoo (or in my case, a didgeridon't) in Airlie Beach on Easter weekend. Above center: The idyllic Whitsunday Islands, a tropical paradise. Above right: Updating my website in Brisbane. This is how I spent roughly half of my two months in Australia, but I think it was worth it. I think!
Above left: Feeding hungry crocs at Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo near Brisbane. Above center: Feeding hungry Aussies near Newcastle. I'm having pizza here with my new friends, Peter and Helen. Above right: Visiting Sydney (and having too little time to do it) on the day before I flew back to America.
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