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Down under with no plunder:
We meet again my waning following, how nice of you all to join me on this fine evening, and welcome to Australia, home of many animals, fish, insects and other things which want to kill me and anyone in their way. As you may have guessed from reading this I am still currently alive, but there is still all to play for.
But more on my death later, if something befalls me I'm sure you will all be informed in due course and I cant help but fell Greg Barron will be to blame for it. Anyhu,...
We arrived in Cairns many a night ago. We really hadn't planned out OZ particularly. We arrived at middayish in cairns, without any idea where we were even staying that night, and not a single thing solidly planned or confirmed to do. Luckily we quickly found a hostel after a less than helpful info clerk reluctantly pointed us in the direction of a hostel. The next few days we spent doing admin, planning things out and getting things booked including a few tours and a campervan. In cairns we did at least spend a few afternoons by the lagoon and the dsay before we left we went on a boat day trip out to the out great barrier reef (upola reef or something the section was called). We had seen reef in the cook islands but not on the same magnitude, s***s everywhere. All very impressive and weird, plus, naturally along with the reef comes a lot of marine life. The highlights of this included several very large sea turtles, massive colourful fish, purple starfish, etc etc. Also, I quickly found out that the sea in OZ in winter is somewhat freezing, since this time I have not entered it with out a wetsuit with some minor exceptions.
One of the unexpected highlights of this trip was that it is currently whale watching season, we have seen humpback whales at a distance in pretty much all sea faring adventures we have had since being in OZ. Generally you just see them on the horizon, blowholes firing and then you see some splashes as they dive etc, not this time. One cane within 2 meters of our boat giving a rather decent view as it dived, they're big, I will give them that.
Moving on. After leaving cairns we headed west beiflky to the tablelands. Lots of pretty waterfalls here set amoungst rainforest etc. Apparently peter Andre filmed a video in one and lots of shampoo people use another in their adverts.all look nice and can swim in most.
Heading back south we stopped at mission beach, a nice enough beach to kill a few hours, and brefiely stopped at wall a man falls, again impressive. Next up was arlise beach and the Whitsunday islands. We went on a rafting day tour here. Saw wales again on the way out, then did some snorkeling around the islands and reef areas here (somewhat inner barrier reef). The reef here was less impressive but the amount of fish was immense, billions of the b*****s. Plus got an afternoon on Whitehaven beach, one of the whitest beaches in the world or something,and some other bits here. All very nice and relaxed.
We did eungella national park, stopped in Gladstone and Mackay. I'm sure we did something here but currently I'm drawing a blank. The one thing I do remember was when we stopped in Rockhampton along here it is apparently the beef capital of OZ so we got a steak. Along with the usual assortments was one called the challenge and consisted of a 1 killogram steak along with sides etc. We were unable to pass this up and in a proud moment I got through and won against the restaurant, the waitress seemed surprised.
Next up was one of the big ones, Fraser island. This is the worlds largest sand island, whole things is comprised npurely of sand with rainforest on it. We were on a 2 day off road self drive tour. 2 4x4 land rovers And each person on the tour took turns driving it, luckily a few people were more scared leaving the likes of me Paul with more driving time. On the note of driving, i would like to say I am an excellent driver and have also now proved my prowess in the offloading field. In reality I can closest of every one to crashing. On the plus though I did not at any point get stuck, unlike another on the tour who then meant we had to all dig the car out. I merely hit a sand drift, on a hard corner, whilst going to fast, in the wrong gear, and nearly hit a tree, but isaaved it so I think I proved myself all the more. Anyhu,,
Highlights of Fraser: 1st day we drove across, went up north on the island, stopping at a creek to swim, champagne lakes at the top of the island, the shipwreck of the xxxx on the way back down, then camped the night in a shack and drank a lot of beer and then playing with fire stick, seemed a good idea. The following day we to a big sand blow, then lake wabby which is a Hugh sand dune falling into a lake, then lake Mackenzie which has sand so pure it can be used as a hair conditioner, and I did and my hair did feel better. All this was impressive, lots of swimming, beaches, driving in sand etc.
Brisbane is a nice enough city. Sent time wandering around here. Despite being so close to the sea its a river city, with lots of nice architecture etc. Didn't really do much except walk around, went up the bellntower on the town hall, lazed by the river a while, lots of pleasant easy stuff.
From here havbinbg spent several days by the beach thoiughgt we would try and get back to our old hiking roots. Nearby was the glass house mountains so decided to do a few treks round here. These mountains would probably be laughed at as barely a hill in new Zealand, highest was 564 ft or something. Managed to climb 4 peaks on different mountains in an afternoon, including one the man in the info centre seemed oddly specific we should not climb without specialised climbing gear etc. It was steep and all bare rock but nothing beyond us and we made it.
To the gold coast. This was a lot more than I had thought would be. Having not researched in the slightest I assumed this would be another beach town with a few bungalows by the sea, in fact its a rather nice and impressive city with many a high rise, electricity running water and everything, who would have guessed. Imagine it would be a very nice place to live if you were a prolific Beach/surfer person. Since we were in a section called surfers paradise we decided it was time we learnt to surf. Naturally I mastered it in an afternoon and no one can prove otherwise.
Following here we explored lamington nation park and natural bridge. More waterfalls and rainforest etc, all very nice once again. Moving south we ended up at bryonbay and put our new found surfing skills to the test, going out on own without instructor and surrounded by partial pros. Its not so difficult and I could probably get to my feet at least 50% of the time which seemed decent enough for a guy with only 4 hours surf time under his belt at the end. However, you do spend a lot of time falling in and then subsequently getting hit by your own surfboard or getting demolished by a massive wave, I was rather tender by the end of each session, but as I say, now I'm professional.
From here we continued south again. There were some stops in coffs harbour and port Macquarie but not much to talk about for these. Since we were coming back to Sydney we avoided it for now and headed west around the edge. Here took us into the blue mountains, a nice mountain range with some big cliffs and interesting scenery. Managed to get a few walks in around this area. Continuing we headed to Canberra. This is very much like a mini DC. Lots of museums and flags and things of the sort. We went round the war memorial, the capital building, the mint, the national art gallery and various other bits. All interesting, a bit too much like DC (we've already done that and no need to do it again, plus my brain is now rather strained with museums), but none the less a worthwhile venture.
Next we ventured west again and amazingly found snow, possibly Australia's only proper snow mountains. Sadly we had no time or lucrative funding to finance a skiing venture, and if we did wouldnt do it in OZ, so quickly moved on since there was a lot of snow on its way. Sadly because of this many roads were closed and strangely out of all the places we've been OZ is the only one where we have had to make major detours because of snow. It wasn't so bad but they issue on the spot fines for not carrying snow chains which naturally we didn't have.
Melbourne next. Here went up the skydeck, saw some bridges, went round the Olympic park, saw the war memorial, wandered the shops, and more. All good though parking is ridiculously expensive. The first park we used we were getting charged 19 dollars an hour. But Melbourne is a nice city and plenty to do/see.
This now lead to a sprint back to Sydney. Drove for about 12 hours, with only a few minor stops along the coast for views, to get back to Sydney. Due to a slight miscalculation about what the date was we still ended up handing the van back a day late.
Finishing in sydney.the city itself is a bit samey. Pleasant enough but after Melbourne seems slightly less interesting. We went up the skydeck and just wasn't much to see from here. The highlights though of course are the opera house and the budge. Did a tour of true opera hjouse, the inside is pretty much like any theatre, but the outside is a great sight. We also did a 3 hour tour of the Sydney budge, scaling the top of the birdge arc. Much better views here than the skydeck and all very interesting. After a bit of admin that brings to a close our Australia tour. We survived all the spiders, sharks, jellyfish and suchlike. I have petted a kangaroo and surfed like a pro. Next the rather difficult part, Asia, where I speak none of the language, not particularly fond of the food, and pretty much have no idea what I'm doing, kings to me.
Until next time, much lave all
- comments
Stuart Ennals Absolutely brilliant. Give us an idea of your next trips. I think it's Hong Kong next, then Thailand and Vietnam, but give us some idea. Have looked at pictures of places you mention, although some I think you've spelled wrong so can't find them! Much love from all
Roger and Glenys Fascinating blog - Bill Bryson watch out - a new author is about. Enjoy Asia. Look forward to next instalment!