No no, I may have made it sound like the whole state sees snow. It's a very rare event and only the northernmost area, very briefly when it does happen.
Mom grew up in Brisbane and she says this is the same temperature climate, but more humid here. It can be like living in a swamp. My uncle recently visited a few months ago and found himself sweating more than he was used to, he was surprised... We spent more of his visit inside in the AC than we planned on.
The water bodies, rain, and humidity help keep wildfires on the small side here.
Whereas in California they are so dry (and have more pine trees which are extra flammable) and they have more wind, so they get the terrible fires like you guys do.
Mom actually used to work as a chef on a barge that ferried people to Green Island!
She didn't enjoy dealing with the people very much though. It's interesting that you pointed out the bad service on the island itself because she tried their restaurant on one of her nights off and was blown away by how mean they were. "Wipe it off, that's how the dish comes" level.
Anyway, sorry for the confusion above... But I get to report Mom is very happy her Christmas pudding has arrived!
She has tried to make it herself in the past but the ingredients are challenging to find in smaller quantities without spending a fortune... So another Aussie lady over here makes a lot of them to sell, but they are still pricey.
I'm going to take a picture when she cuts into it, to share for my fellow Americans here. It will be a couple days yet, depending how strongly she can resist.
