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Trip to Australia - October and November 2022
On October 11, 2022, I departed Portland International Airport for San Francisco, then on to Auckland, New Zealand, and Adelaide, Australia. As I recall, it was about a 12 hour flight to Auckland and another 4 hours to Adelaide. Upon arrival I was tired but excited: I'm in Australia, a half a world away from the west coast of the United States. Joe Johns, my friend and host, was at the airport to meet me with a smile that mirrored my own excitement and joy. Thus began a 5 week adventure "down under," in the beautiful Australian spring.
I should begin by saying that I met Joe (and his wife Jean) during my years as rector of Mount Angel Seminary. Joe and Jean came to Australia about 10 years ago as military chaplains. Over those years they both encouraged me to come visit them in Australia. Of course, traveling such a distance means that one should stay for a few weeks rather than a few days. Until I retired, it was hard for me to be out of the parish for that length of time. Now, however, in my retirement, I have more opportunities for travel, and I finally said yes to my hosts' invitation. 
From Adelaide, Joe and I headed south to Melbourne, a large city on the south coast of Australia. We stayed in a nice condo/apartment on an upper floor, with a great view of the city. We remained in Melbourne for a week or so, going for daily walks and exploring the city. I was struck by the diversity of the population, mostly Asian, it seemed, reflected in the number of Asian restaurants throughout the city.
At weeks end we headed north to Adelaide and then, for a few days, to the home of Joe and Jean at Clare, a small town in the wine country. Joe and Jean continue their ministry at a small chapel near Clare—"St. Peter's Sacred Space"— described as a "healing place for the wounded soul." They offer counseling and consolation to anyone in need, especially those who have been hurt in any abusive situation. 
Leaving Clare, our next destination was the Yorke Peninsula and Marion Bay, on the coast not too far from Adelaide. Here we had a beautiful rented home for the next week. At Marion Bay we had the opportunity to explore Innes National Park, a beautiful refuge of natural vegetation on the southern tip of the Yorke Peninsula.
Our next adventure was traveling to Perth on the west coast, about a 3 hour flight from Adelaide. Arriving at Perth we checked into our hotel (another nice place) and met one of Joe's military friends for dinner. We had a nice visit and a delicious meal. The next day we headed south by car to Margaret River, an upscale resort town close to beautiful beaches that are popular with surfers. We stayed in a lovely, modern rented home at Margaret River, making our stay particularly comfortable and pleasant. Soon, it was time to head back east, this time to the Jesuit Retreat Center near Joe's home at Clare. The Jesuits have been here since the mid-19th century, running a school and eventually founding one of the premier wineries in the Clare Valley. It was a restful, inspiring time living at the retreat center, though Joe and I did make day trips to explore the Clare Valley, enhancing our Ignatian experience. I might add, in gratitude, that the welcome and the hospitality of the Jesuits and the Jesuit center was outstanding.
In the end, we headed back to Adelaide where we spent one night, having dinner with Joe and Jean's son, Lorenzo. The next day, a warm goodbye, and I flew to Auckland, New Zealand for a two night visit. From there, a flight to San Francisco, and home. |
Click on the images below for a tour through Australia. Start on "Highlights" for a slideshow with captions.
Highlights of the Australia Trip
Clare and the Clare Valley
Perth and Margaret River
Jesuit Center of Ignatian Spirituality
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Melbourne
Marion Bay and the Yorke Peninsula
Adelaide
Auckland, New Zealand
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