G'day
We left Thailand for obvious reasons, in a bit of a hurry. Arriving in Sydney on New Year's morning was not ideal. The first night we stayed in a top-end hotel in Darling harbour where Susie enjoyed the fluffy white gowns and crisp ironed cotton sheets, very pleasant, but an unaffordable long term option. After calling 20 hostels we ended up in a 4 share room with 2 nocturnal chaps from the UK, which worked out OK, a kind of modern day hot-bed system.

Sydney was fun, very expensive compared to Asia and I'm sure more expensive than the UK, but fun all the same. We spent a couple of days in the city enjoying the sights, parks and restaurants, a day on Manly beach, a day in the Blue mountains where we saw our first Kangaroos then another day (attempting) surfing in the national park.

As far as surfing goes, we both managed to stand up on the boards (in the water), as far as we're concerned we can surf. Susie started the day off well turning to me on the bus and asking "What is that noise?", trying not to laugh I replied "surfer music", perhaps we're a bit old for this sort of thing...

After Sydney we flew to Cairns, or Cans to the locals, for a rest. Booked ourselves on a 3 day sailing trip around the reefs (as in Great Barrier) to allow Susie's muscles to recover. There is something about having everything done for you along with regular snorkling / diving and baking in the sun that makes for a pleasant time, not sure what it is?

Diving / snorkling on the reef was a bit like playing the part of an extra in finding Nemo. If the reef was an aquarium you'd complain and say it was cruel and overfull. I've no clue what the names of the fish / coral / creatures we saw were, needless to say they came in all colours of the rainbow, some were tiny, others large, some scarey looking, others really graceful. Highlights included lots of nemos hiding in aneomies, soaring rays and turtles, darting tiny bright blue neon fish and lots of blue and yellow deckchair fish. Parrot fish constantly munching away at the coral ensured we had healthly appetities back on the yacht.

Vistited the rainforest north of Cairns on a 5 mile cable car, returning by rail, including a really interesting guided walk by an aboriginal ranger. We visited a Koala / wallaby / wombat etc. wildlife park, the only way to see these beasties other than in their ikea / flat-pack form by the roadside. Despite their obvious regard for their bouncing buddies they seem to take great delight in selling off body parts. I very nearly bought a key holder made from a single piece of leather, no sewing required, a pouch just about the right size to hold a couple of objects.

Earlier today we left Cairns for Alice Springs, the threat of a grade 3 cyclone put us off spending more time on the coast, we've missed one Tsunami, we're not going to tempt fate. Alice Springs was always going to be hot, its about 40 degrees. We've booked ourselves on a 4 day trip to Uluru on Thursday, so a lazy day tomorrow, BBQ tonight.

- posted by Adrian @ 8:29:00 AM