Hey. Well, guess what? I did it. . . I flew and major cliche alert but it was one of the best things I have ever done. Can not explain what it feels like floating up there above it all. It is so peaceful. The beach, Woolongong, where i did it was amazing. The views were gorgeous as I came down from 14000 ft!!!. Dan, my instructor, said he had only done a dive in one place prettier (and he has dived everywhere) and guess where the prettiest is? Cairns. Ouch! But I...

Hi! Got to Sydney ok. Have not seen a lot yet but have had a quick peek at the Harbour bridge and Opera House. Impressive and that is when it hit me, that I am on the other side of the world! The Opera House is not as white- more a dirty white- or as big as I thought- though it probably seemed smaller because of the gigantic cruise liner parked to the side of it. The lifeboats were the size of small ferries. Later in the week, I am hoping to do a bridge climb w...

Hey Cairns is much more "Australia" then I thought. I thought been a big city like melbourne etc, it would be quite cosmopolitan and commercialised. However, the shopping facilities are moderate and all of the buildings etc are quite australian-like. I am on Trinity beach which is not exactly like the one above (which is my neighbour). It reminds me more of the Lake District here although the harbour is a big thing. Not too commercialised here. however...

Hi everybody! Having a good time in Melbourne. Forgot to tell you last time that I almost did not get here, got pulled up in customs because I had been to rural Japan recently. I think they were going to go through my luggage and things for soil but in the end, they let me go. They are quite strict on that sort of thing here, I have seen some tv ads warning about fines and things since I have been here. Well I am in Oz so of course have spent a little time on t...

Gday! I am in Australia! I am off to Ramsey Street tomorrow, you've just got to see it, haven't you?! Wednesday, I am flying up to Cairns. Rainforest and Tropics. Have something planned for there but more about that when it is done! The weather is really good at the moment, warm but comfortable. Went to the Docklands area yesterday. I always try and choose a boat when I go to these places but impossible here, they were all pretty coo'! It is a g...