It's 1770. The HMS Endeavour is cruising around the south pacific, when crew on board, including Lieutenant James Cook, suddenly notice a continent 32 times bigger than the United Kingdom. Good on ya boys!
(pretend it's an older ship and instead of the Opera House, the background is filled with wild shrubbery)Shortly after they excercised their great skills of continental observation, they sail to shore. Without consorting the native aboriginal peoples, they claim the land for Britain. After their departure they have a few battles with unmoving coral reefs, and eventually return to jolly old England to deliver the news. And what did the British Empire decide to do with a large and lush tropical land? "By jove! What a perfect place to put all our convicts! Not to mention the practical distance. Let's ship them over there quick as a bunny!"
Fast forward at a moderately slow pace to January 26, 1788. When a bloke called Captain Arthur Phillip cruised into what is now Sydney with eleven convict ships. He raised the mighty Union Jack and ta-da! A reason to celebrate January 26th as Australia Day was born. Travel to Australia today, 222 years later, and you'll find a very different-yet-thriving, beautiful, multicultural country.
Bob and I weren't sure how to celebrate Australia Day, so we went to Sydney Harbour to view a few festivities before heading to the beach. Mainly, we watched Sydney's cute ferries - bedecked and spectated to the max- race eachother for honors to the Harbour Bridge.
I took a few candid photos of drunk Australia Day Man, then Bob and I went to the beach and snorkeled with an octopus.
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