We're not in Michigan anymore!: Watson Family Visit-Day 2

Grandpa was up early the next morning, so he took the big girls or a walk around the block…with all of their cameras in tow.

Alaina pointing out a red P plate. The driver’s training program is SO different here in Australia. Once kids turn 16 and they pass their Driver Knowledge Test, they get their ‘L’ plates. They have to log 120 hours of driving time with their supervising driver over the next 12 or so months. They also have a lot of rules to follow, such as driving with a fully licensed driver, driving at lower speed limits, displaying the L Plates on the front & back of their car, 0 blood alcohol level, etc. Once they’ve logged their hours and have turned 17, they can take the driving test for the P1 Plate, which is the red P. Most of the same restrictions of the L Plates apply, but you can now drive without a supervisor. They are not allowed to use mobile devices at all, only when parked. If they receive ANY speeding offenses, their license is suspended for 3 months. They cannot have more than 1 passenger under 21 with them between 11pm & 5am. There are a lot of additional details, but that’s the gist of the P1 Plate. Once they’ve had their P1 plate for at least 12 months, they can apply for the P2 Plate (the green P). To obtain this, they have to pass a Hazard Perception Test. P2 Platers have similar rules with a few changes-a little higher max speed, some use of their mobile phones, and passenger rules lifted. Once they’ve held the P2 Plate for 24 months, they can apply for a full license, which includes passing the Driver Qualification Test. So, while in the States, you can have your full license by age 16, here in Australia, you don’t get it until you’re 20! So funny how different they are, especially when the legal drinking age here is 18 vs. 21 in the States.

Here’s a typical home sale sign. This is a small one and not that impressive compared to some of the huge, fancy ones. Basically you pay a bunch of money for an agent to list your house and they do this bit of marketing. Most places just display one picture to represent their home. This house across the street from us has been on the market for 5 months.

Breakfast time…the girls love their passion fruit!

Grandpa thought our cereal names were funny.

The girls reading the cookie recipe and checking out the cookie molds and decorations that Kim brought along.

Making the dough so it can be refrigerated while we’re out and about.

Alaina’s strapped in and ready to go. Heading into the city over the ANZAC Bridge.

China Town

Shopping in Paddy’s Market…great shirts for a great price, along with some rather crude shirts Smile

We grabbed lunch in Darling Harbour and then went to check out their fun Christmas decorations.

From Darling Harbour, we headed back toward Hyde Park where all but myself and Hallie went to check out the ANZAC Memorial. Hallie and I went to the Australia Museum as we had planned to visit there but ran out of time for our parking and I had to get our parking validated at the museum.

We spent a few minutes checking out the museum.

Once back at home, we went right to work on our Christmas cookies.

After the cookies were out of the oven, we decided to go check out a couple streets that I had heard had great Christmas light displays. For those of us that know our how much I like to decorate for Christmas, you wouldn’t believe how little we do here…mostly because I don’t want to buy a bunch of lights that I won’t be able to use once we move back. So for now…just one strand of outdoor lights to show our Christmas spirit!

These houses were beautifully decorated and there were SO many people out checking them out as well. Animations, music, large character displays, etc. were so fun!