Australia 2006
October 1, 2006, our son (James' son and Penny's stepson), Chief Petty Officer James Matthew Paddock, United States Navy, was to receive his Naval Commission at a ceremony in Sydney, Australia where he had been stationed for two years. Needless to say, we had to be there, so after some 20+ hours in the air plus plane changes from Helena, Montana, we landed at Sydney airport to begin a fantastic three weeks. Given a chance we'd do it again, and again, and again...

The pictures don't begin to describe the experience, from the beautiful Manly Beach where we stayed, to the Australian Naval cruise through Sydney Harbor, to Matt's commissioning in the United States Navy, to the beautiful city of Sydney, to the southern coastline of Australia, to the Blue Mountains and then to top it off, scuba/snorkle diving on the Great Barrier Reef.
Matt with Dad on Sydney HarborManly Beach near hotelManly Beach near hotelSydney Harbour BridgeMatt with his dad before commissioningBird of ParadiseUnknown birdKoalaJames with KoalaKoalaPeacock PlumePenny with KaolaUnknown FlowerJervis BayPenny feeding KangarooEntering Sydney HarborMale KangarooKangaroo with babyChimpsEchindnaGreen SnakeTree KangarooUnknown birdAchicourt ReefsLiliesCrocidile feedingGreen ParrotKangaroo Sign
Sydney HarborSunrise over Manly BeachSydney HarborNina and Dad putting shoulder insignias on Ensign Matt Paddock during commissioning ceremonyMatt and Nina after commissioningStarfishUnknown birdCroc up close in AustraliaJames with KangarooKoalaPenquinsTawn FrogmouthSouthern Coast of AustraliaJervis BayPenny with AborginieBlue MountainsBlue MountainsLyrabirdWaterfall in Blue MountainsCoonDingo and pupsKamoto DragonBoardwalk in Rain ForestTortoiseKocaburaCrockidile feedingJames with baby CrocEmu Sign
Sydney Opera HouseSunrise over Manly BeachSydney SlylineA boat in Sydney HarborEmuCock up very closeJames with KockaburraGrebeRingtail KangarooJervis BayAboriginiesJervis BaySea EagleThree Sisters in Blue MountainsWaterfall in Blue MountainsAntelopeCraneBronze FrogLionKoalaPort Douglas BeachTigerCockatooCroc handler with CrocPenny with baby crocBandicoots crossing sign