We spent today in a place called Scenic World in the Blue Mountains. I'll let the photos do the talking.

Spent a lazy day in a beautiful, vacation house called Mountaintop Villa in Katoomba. There is a reason for the name. This house is literally built in several different levels on the side of a mountain. We were fogged in until late afternoon so I only managed to get a couple of pictures. More tomorrow.

No pictures today. I was too afraid. Bobby and I rented a car in bustling downtown Sydney and headed out for a 1 1/2 hour drive to the Blue Mountains following friends in their rented car. The trip took about four hours. We faced every obstacle a driver could face: rain, traffic, unfamiliar roads, pedestrians, narrow lanes, a stupid GPS, a screwy map, fog, darkness, road construction, AND to top it off, they drive on the left side of the road here. I don't know how Bobby did it. But we're here safely. Can't wait to see what the mountains look like in daylight tomorrow.

Last day of the conference was the most rewarding for me. After a scenic bus ride to Sydney Olympic Park, I attended a hands-on service project where 200+ Rotations packed more than 7,000 meals in one hour. These, on top of meals packed earlier at the conference, totaled more than 35,000! The "Stop Hunger Now" food will stay in Australia and feed Aborigines in need. I was overwhelmed to be a small part of this phenomenal event.

It was called a Wine Tour, but that's not accurate. This was a day of relearning how and WHY I drink the delicious, fermented grape. We paid this guy handsomely, and he delivered. "Wine Country Tours" sole proprietor and guide, Richard Everett, is also an oenologist. That's a fancy word for "wine maker." But what Richard does best is profess the art and skill of selecting, tasting, discerning, analysing, and appreciating each sip of wine that goes in your mouth.  He has forever changed our wine consumption habits. From now on we won't just drink wine; we will EXPERIENCE it.

Looking for Keith Urban in all the right places. Posh party hosted by Chuck and Becky Mason in the Presidential Suite atop the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Sydney. Where are you, Keith?!!!

Why we're here. 2014 Rotary International Convention, Sydney Olympic Park. The city lit the Olympic Flame just for us: 18,000 people from 180 countries around the world!  It's a spectacular event around a magnificent structure looming in the middle of the complex that combines a waterfall AND fire. I realize I am part of a beautiful, worldwide organization that leaves politics and religion behind and has one singular goal: SERVICE ABOVE SELF. I was moved.