Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Ok here goes the entry for Auz - a whistle stop tour of about 3 weeks but I've packed a lot in...
Step off the plane to Sydney, definately a little warmer maybe all of 2 degrees! Meet up with my lovely friend from work Emma who puts me up at her stunning flat in Balmain East overlooking Sydney harbour - stunning. The weather deteriorated over the week but it didn't stop me loving Sydney to bits. Enjoyed exploring, shopping , visiting the aquarium to get a taster of what was to come on the Barrier Reef. Ate LOTS of lovely food and did a day trip out to the blue mountains which were spectacular. The cloud that hangs over the valley filled with rainforest looks a bluey tinge in the right light hence the name. Also experienced the steepest train in the world back up the mountain! Did Manley and Bondi beaches and walked along the coast - all beautiful despite the rain! Loved Sydney which had all the best bits of London plus the beaches and outdoor life - perfect... Em's I might be back!
Next stop Melbourne where I met up with a friend from home and a few new friends met in NZ. Did some shopping for my Borneo trip thats coming up and did all the sights. A highlight was going to an AFL match at the cricket ground - so nice to be able to watch a major match between Melb and Sydney all for 20 bucks - not like watching the footie at home! All played on a round pitch with lots of kicking, tackling, throwing and general grabbing men in very tight shorts - a real aussie experience and very entertaining!
Next stop Cairns, so nice to hit the sun - easily 10 degrees hotter than Melbourne. Check into a lovely hostel with a pool and spend a couple of days lazing on beautiful Palm Cove beach, getting my medical sorted for my dive course and general chilling. Dive course - what can I say? I think its been the best things I've ever learnt to do and a real highlight of my trip. A very intensive 5 days with 3 on a liveaboard boat - 9 dives in total including a night dive complete with reef sharks! Saw turtles, crayfish, rays, coral and every kind of tropical fish you can imagine - ooh and lots of giant clams which are very cool. It was a real personal challenge as I hated the whole 'maskflood' thing and kept freaking out but got there in the end and am now officially addicted!
Two days later and I was back on the water on a boat called the Boomerang an ex maxi yacht race winner. Did another dive and some snorkelling a bit further south but still on the Barrier Reef. Visited the stunning Whitehaven beach with silica pure white sand spits and clear blue water - absolutely incredible and looks just like the postcards I've seen - check out my pics on facebook. Loved the sailing and helping out with the 'grinding of the sails' etc.
Next stop Rainbow beach to head out to Frazer island on a self drive camping extravaganza! More sand and sea but don't think I'll ever tire of it! Very fun driving on the soft sand and using a 4x4, exploring the island and camping on the beach. I didn't get eaten by dingoes either!
Last stop Brisbane before heading back to Sydney to fly north to Singapore. Next update will be from Asia I guess. Hope everyone is well and happy. Back end of July, look forward to a HUGE catch up xxx
- comments
Sue Hi Chrissy - just read your latest blog and viewed your photos. What a fantastic set of life experiences! Great to see you looking good too. Much love, John and Sue