The Land Down Under

Sunday, March 3, 2024

Sailing to Mooloolaba, Australia

Sailing away from Sydney last night on the day of Mardi Gras. After a gay pride parade downtown, fireworks made a spectacular retreat from a fantastic three days visit. We’ve learned things that are truly Australian: gum trees, Tim Tams, fish & chips, sunnies, budgie snugglers, cozzies, prawns on the barbie, crisps, Waltzing Matilda. Pronouncing Mooloolaba correctly is moooo-laba. Our lessons are not finished, but we’re trying much to the locals’ amusement.

On a rainy Saturday at the Rocks Market.

The unofficial national anthem of Australia

Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong
Under the shade of a Coolibah tree
And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled
"You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me"

Down came a jumbuck to drink at that billabong
Up jumped the swagging and grabbed him with glee
And he sang as he stowed that jumbuck in his tucker bag
"You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me"

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me
And he sang as he stowed that jumbuck in his tucker bag
"You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me"

Down came the squatter mounted on his thorough-bred
Up came the troopers one, two, three
"Whose that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag?
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me"

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me
"Whose that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker-bag?
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me"

Up cut the swagging and jumped into the billabong
"You'll never catch me alive" said he
And his ghost may be heard if you pass by that billabong
"Who'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me?"

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me
And his ghost may be heard if you pass by that billabong
"You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me"

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me
And his ghost may be heard if you pass by that billabong
"You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me"

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Mooloolaba

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G’day Mate!