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I just realised that I never wrote an entry about Australia. I guess I never took the time as I was enjoying myself so much! Australia was different to all the places I traveled to during this trip. Australia was filled with meeting friends. In other words...I loved it! It already started off meeting Nynke in Brisbane who had the brilliant idea of going to Stradbrooke Island. What a relaxed place! I guess it was what we both needed, a nice place to relax, catch-up, go to lovely beaches, feed dolphines, nice walks... I was completely nackered after 3 days traveling from Mendoza to Brisbane via LA (do not ask me why). Nynke was about to go to South Africa. After four relaxing days in our own little holiday house (5 seconds away from the beach) we headed back to Brisbane to spend last night a a beautiful old hotel called Franklin Villa.
After Nynke left I made a quick decision (new thing I learned on my trip!) and booked a ticket for that afternoon to the the Whit Sundays. One of the things I still wanted to do in Australia was a sailing trip on the Whit Sundays. As it turned out...it was huricane season. So a lot of rain! Luckily Airle Beach is a nicer place then I remember. Met some really nice people (including local coal miners!) and booked the sailing trip on the Kiana eventhough the weather still did not look too good. It turned out to be an excellent trip despite the weather. Great people, great food, nice diving and I guess the fish were also happy that I fed them ones in a while! ;-) Back in Airle Beach, I flew back to Brisbane from where I would go to Byron Bay.
Byron Bay is not the same as it was 11 years ago. Or maybe it is better to say...I am not the same as I was 11 years ago. Too many people there getting drunk every evening without a purpose. The place has also become too commercial. But... I discovered the Art Factory which had excellent life entertainment and great food. Met some nice Australians there. I think what made Byron Bay really worth it was the dive at Julian Rocks. I can say it was probably one of the best dives on the trip (and I even went diving in Zanzibar!). The whole experience going to the rock was already worth a trip on its own! With a dingy cutting through the waves while the surfers waited for us. Then having to drop in the water while a shark is spotted...great! I have never seen so many fish together, sharks lying on the floor (Leopard Sharks!) and the diving through several shallow caves was amazing. Including the walk to the light house, I actually enjoyed my time in Byron Bay in the end. But...it is not the hippy town it used to be!
After Byron Bay, went back to Brisbane where I spend one night meeting up with several Irish girls I had met before. Never to smart to do that the day before you have a flight. We ended up having an excellent night out...so I decided it would be better not to sleep then miss my flight. I was heading for Alice Springs via Sydney and almost missed the second hall of the flight because I feel a sleep at the gate a missed the last call. Anyway...Uluru, the Olgas and Kings Canyon were also still on my list so I booked a 4 day trip to visit these highlights. It was excellent! Loved the hiking and the magnificient sites! The area is so much greener then I imagened! The sleeping in a swag under the open stars was also a new experience.
From Alice Springs I flew to Melbourne to meet Nic, Nat and the kids. It was very relaxing! Nic took me all over the place to see the "other" Melbourne which included the Yarra Wine valley. It was nice to spend time with the family after a busy travelling schedule. Just having a nice lunch, or a good coffee somewhere...I felt like real Melbourne! Also nice surprise was the meet a school friend from TAS there, Robyn. Small world I tell you! After these relaxing days met up with Laura (old Canon colleague) in St Kilda before meeting Mireille, Rene and Joost for the ferry to Tasmania.
Tasmania is really different to the rest of Australia. Little bit more rough. Nice driving there! Really liked the camping...except for the fact that I got scared away by kangaroo and ended up sleeping in the car. It was excellent spending time with Mireille, Rene and Joost. Hiking part of the Cradle mountain trail was beautiful. Using Joost his 4WD on the beach...now I get all the fuss! ;-) It was abit too short time for such a nice island...so I will have to come back. Hobart was definitely also one of the highlights. Beautiful place...felt a bit Scandinavic...lots of nice restaurant...modern architecture but warm. Had a very nice fish and chips before I headed off to Sydney.
Sydney was nice as always! Was great to see Pauline, Evert and the kids. Just the perfect place to relax with beaches around the corner. Was really glad I had 5 days. Just enjoying Coogee Beach, nice lunch with Pauline, picking up the kids from school, having dinner... all great!
So Australia was a nice break from the real tough travelling!
- comments
Ann Hi Sas - it sounds absolutely great! I can't wait to hear more about all the exciting places you've been to, the people you've met and to see you again :) speak soon when you're back in town. Big hugs, Ann x
Jane Sounds wonderful. Only wish Id still been in Oz to catch up on the northern beaches again! Ah well, we'll hop over to NL soon enough! xx Jane
Janne Heeeeejjj lieve Sas, Jemig wat een geweldige trip heb jij gemaakt!!! Sas, de lente breekt hier weer aan, schandalig lang heb je niets van me gehoord. Wanneer kom je terug? Ik maak het (hopelijk) goed met geweldige wijn op een uitermate lekker terras.....;-) Hele dikke zoen en ik ga de rest van je blog ook nog lezen... XJanne
Saskia See you guys all soon! Hope to be back in Amsterdam the 23 April...1 week delay!