The Outback Experience

Well we both survived the outback experience which consisted of many different absolutely stunning views, a couple of very demanding hikes up some very rocky and steep paths and roughing it by sleeping in tents with outside bathroom facilities (Sue, no luxury tent accommodations as in Kenya which I am sure Shelly would love to have had here). Each site had very different scenery. Ayers Rock (Uluru) was very stunning as was the Olgas but my favourite was King's Canyon .. Wow!!! The drives were very long between each site we visited. Mornings were up by 5:30, quick breakfast and packing in the dark. The stars were incredible. The last night we sat by the fire (about 20 of us) and of all things roasted marshmallows (very small ones ... had to put at least two on what I would call a very sad looking stick. Would love to have seen more kangaroos (only saw a few) and saw more wild camels and brombies (wild horses). Overall we very much enjoyed our outback experience but are both very happy to be back in Sydney. Alice Springs was nothing special. Very desolate. Alcohol and drugs are a big problem with the aboriginals. In fact, we couldn't purchase any alcohol without showing photo ID which they scanned. Well one more day in Sydney and then we fly home on Tuesday a.m. The time has definitely flown and there are still so many places and things to do but they will have to wait for my next visit. I hope you have all enjoyed my blog. See you all when I am back home. Cheers!

Great Barrier Reef/Daintree Rainforest

Shelly and I are finally back in Sydney after visiting the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest and surving the Outback experience. The Great Barrier Reef was amazing with lots of beautiful fish. It took about an 1 1/2 by boat to get to the reef. It was Shelly's first time snorkelling and she absolutely loved it. I took lots of underwater photos but not sure how good they will turn out as it was a little rough. We snorkelled in three different spots of the reef. The Daintree Rainforest was very lush and interesting. We were in a 4x4 SUV with a family of 3. The driver who was very British was very knowledgeable and passionate about protecting the environment. It was a very full day of seeing many things and places. I would like to have spent more time enjoying these places but there is only so much you can do in a day. Port Douglas where we stayed was a lovely resort town an hour from Cairns. We stayed in a lovely resort not far from the main drag. Anne, the manager was very helpful and organized our airport shuttles, tours of the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest and recommended some restaurants for dinner where we enjoyed some very good meals. Would love to have stayed a little longer.

August 15 - Next Flight

Bright and early tomorrow morning Shelly and I are off to Port Douglas to experience the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Wednesday we continue on to Alice Springs to enjoy a three day outback experience tent and all. Not sure if I will have access to internet so you may not have any updates and/or pictures until we are back on Sunday evening. The days are going to fast. So many more things and places to see but running out of time. Bye for now.

Friday the 13th - Bridge Climb Success

We successfully climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge on of all days Friday the 13th. The day was perfect - blue sky and sunshine but windy. First we walked over the bridge and then we walked through The Rocks to the Bridge Climb office. There we were outfitted with a full suit, wind pants, gloves, hats, fleece jacket (if you needed them). Everything was fastened so that nothing could come loose. Watches and certain earings had to be removed. We each had our own radio set so that we could hear our guide at all times. What a great experience. IT WAS A BREEZE. The view at the top was amazing. You could see the Blue Mountains and Pacific Ocean. We started at 10:15 with an information session and then got dressed for the climb, did the climb and were back down by 2/2:15 p.m. By then we were both starved and stopped to have lunch in the sun by the harbour with the Sydney Opera House in front of us and the Sydney Harbour Bridge behind us. We had some delicious Sydney rock oysters, salt and pepper calamari and chips (as in fries) for Shelly and of course a nice white wine. After lunch we walked around the harbour passed the Opera House through part of the Royal Botanical Gardens. By now it was starting to get dark so we sat down on some rocks to watch the sunset go down behind the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Another beautiful day in paradise.

Trip to Melbourne

Well I’m back after 3 days in Melbourne. The weather is definitely better in Sydney (sunny at least and not raining). I arrived late morning in Melbourne (flew Virgin Blue), checked in to my hotel, rested a bit (dead tired as I was worried I wouldn’t wake up in time to catch my early morning shuttle to the airport so needless to say I woke up hourly) and then caught the free tram to my pickup point for my tour to Phillip Island to see the fairy penguins. Sorry no pictures – we weren’t allowed to take any as they found out that they were going blind from all the camera flashes. You did get to see them up close and they were very cute. It was very cool and windy sitting in the stands waiting for them to walk out of the crashing waves. It was a good thing that Dawn had given me a fleece blanket for my legs and I had also bought a fleece hoodie on the market the other day. The next day (The Great Ocean Road Tour) was amazing as you can see by the pictures. Overall the weather was pretty good until the end when it started to get really stormy and raining. I would love to drive this road again … maybe my next visit back. This morning I lucked out with the weather and had a couple of hours to wonder around Melbourne and check out the sites. Melbourne has some absolutely beautiful buildings. Tomorrow my friend Shelly flies in and I’m really excited. I am going to pick her up at the airport and hopefully the weather is good and we can do a hike around the harbour.

Thanks for all your comments.

Bondi Beach

Well I sure can't complain about the weather. It was too nice of a day to sit around so I met up with Dawn and we took the bus to Bondi Beach, the most famous beach in Sydney and maybe even in Australia. The waves were awesome, some areas of the beach were considered dangerous due to the strong undercurrants and other parts were okay 'surf at your own risk'. Checked out the Paddington market (clothes, jewellery, paintings, etc.) on the way back to Circular Quay. Got back to the apartment in time to see the cruise ship leave the harbour. Tomorrow I have to get ready for my trip to Melbourne.

Blue Mountains

I had an early start to the morning (up at 6 pickup around 7:30) which was good as I just happened to see a cruise ship come in to the harbour. Lucky for me I was able to catch a shuttle for the Blue Moutain tour just ten minutes from the apartment. I picked a perfect day – sunny and blue skies. It took a while before we were actually on our way around 9 a.m. (long story..). Stopped at an awesome lookout, stopped for an early lunch and then went to the Three Sisters Lookout, the start of the climb down. Only 3 of us decided to walk down and then take either the cable car, train or skytrain back up (no way was I climbing back up). It was a very very steep walk down and then we had a 45 minute bushwalk which had some ups and flat (yeah) walking. The views were incredible. You could see for miles. Unfortunately the tour did not include the Olympic Park, Aboriginal rock engravings or a river cruise. It was still a great day. It was the first day I didn’t wear shorts or sandals. It was cooler up in the mountains. Today is another beautiful day and I am going to meet up with Dawn and check out the surfers on Bondi Beach.

Scenic Train Ride to Gosford, NSW

The morning started with a beautiful sunrise. John flew off to China and I took the train to Gosford along the Central Coast via Hornsby to visit with John’s sister Dawn. Saw some beautiful scenery on the train from Hornsby to Gosford. Dawn met me at the train station and proceeded to drive around and show me some incredible views of the bays and ocean. We met her son, John for lunch and walked along the beach where we came across some fishermen who were in the process of cleaning their catch, a number of very good sized salmon which I understand from the fishermen put up quite a fight. A number of pelicans were hanging around hoping they would be fed and were but only the head and guts I think, didn’t stick around for that part. Thanks to Dawn, I had another wonderful day seeing another part of Australia. Tomorrow is an earlier start – off to view the Blue Mountains, go to a wildlife park, do a bushwalk, see the site of the 2000 Olympic Games and many more things. Tell you in my next posting.

A Beautiful Day in Bundeena

John and I made it to Bundeena before he flew off to China this morning. The day before (Tuesday) was not possible because of the high winds (ferry wasn’t running that day because of the winds) but we lucked out yesterday with absolutely perfect weather. We took the train from Milson’s Point via Town Hall on to Cronulla where we caught the ferry to Bundeena. The scenery is incredible. We walked along the beach and walked up some very steep stairs. Oh ja, I forgot to mention every day I mean every day consists a lot of walking up and down and up and down. I look forward to flat streets which seem to be almost nonexistent. Kidding .. but barely. Anyways back to Bundeena , after the stairs we made it to the house that John built. What a beautiful place with an incredible view of the bay. We opened up all the windows to let some fresh air in, had a cup of tea while sitting out on the balcony enjoying the view. We then walked down the beach and through Bundeena and stopped at the SLR (what we would call back home the legion) where we enjoyed some delicious Sydney rock oysters with lemon juice (not everyone’s cup of tea, I’m sure) as a starter and then some very tasty fish and chips and of course, a good old Aussie beer (Ha, Ha, Barb!!!). We then walked a little more, had John trying to escape the waves as we walked along the rocky shore line and then before we knew it (time flies by) we had to catch the ferry back to catch our trains back to Sydney so that John could pack and get ready for his trip to China. A very special day in Bundeena!!!

Day 8 - Sydney

Today is a rest day. It is very very windy and the sun is trying to come out. The night was pretty rough. Trees came down and I think there is a wind warning in effect on the coast. The winds were 105 km/hour in the Sydney Harbour so I am guessing there is probably no bridge climbs happening today because I'm sure you could get blown off and drag everyone with you. This picture is the Queen Victoria Building - believe it or not - a shopping mall. It is absolutely beautiful. One more day before John flies to China. Hoping to do a trip down to Bundeena tomorrow. Would be going by train and then the ferry. The ferry isn't running today because of the high winds. Thursday I am taking the train to Gosford, north of Sydney to visit John's sister Dawn and Friday I am going on a tour to the Blue Mountains. Saturday and Sunday I am free to do anything and then I fly out on Monday to Melbourne for a couple of days. Back on Wednesday just a day before my friend Shelly flies in to join me. Looking forward to sharing memorable days experiencing all that Australia has to offer. Incredible so far. LOOKING FORWARD TO SOME COMMENTS ..... ANY .. NOT SURE IF ANYONE IS OUT THERE!!!!

Manly to the Spit

I was originally going to take a break from all the walking but woke up to an absolutely gorgeous morning. So it was off to Manly by ferry which was packed as all (lots of families) were going to enjoy a beautiful day at the beach. John and I were going to hike scenic walk from Manly to the Spit (9.8 km to take approx. 4 hours). It was definitely scenic, wet in places and lots of up and down. The trail was busy with tourists from different countries. We walked it in about 4 hours and finished with a late lunch at the Spit. Took the bus back to the ferry wharf and caught the ferry back to Circular Quay and then on to Milson's Point (no more ferries going to Kiribilli), Had a nice long nap when we got back. Tomorrow is definitely a rest day.

Day 4 - Ferry to Manly

The day started off with a beautiful sunrise. Caught the ferry from Kiribilli to Circular Quay and then off to Manly. Passed the opening to the Pacific Ocean (a little rocky). Walked to the beach to check out the surfers before meeting John's friends Greg and Dawne for lunch at the Manly yacht club. It started to rain as we took the ferry back to Sydney/Kiribilli. The days are flying by. Went to the travel agency and booked a trip to Melbourne - fly there on the 9th, taking a tour to see the penguins on Phillip Island that evening; the next day I am booked on the Ocean Road Tour and then I fly back to Sydney on the 11th.

Sydney's Special Welcome

Forgot to mention that the city of Sydney has welcomed me twice with a display of awesome fireworks first on Monday night and again on Wednesday night in the pouring rain. Monday night's fireworks were from a barge in the harbour and the others from land.

Kookaburra - Cuckatoo - Lorakeet

Kiribilli to Moseman Bay

Another beautiful day and another walk on the other side of the harbour from Kiribilli to Moseman Bay where we had lunch at the Moseman Rowers Club. Lunch was a delicious grilled barramundi fish with a salad and another Aussie beer, of course! On the way we heard the laugh of the kookaburra (priceless and hard to imitate) and the cry of the crow is 'something else'. I am going to attempt to record them on my camera if I ever figure it out. Also saw the beautiful and colourful lorakeet. Took the ferry back to Circular Quay and then on to Kiribilli. Went to dinner at the Sydney Flying Squandron Restaurant (flying as in racing catamarans) where they kicked us at 9 a.m. for drinking to much wine (just kidding). Tomorrow is another day to explore all that Sydney has to offer. What may that be ....

1st Day in Sydney

Gidday, Mates,

I arrived safely in Sydney. Flights were great. The worst one was believe it or not from London to Toronto. A bit rough landing due to the thunderstorms happening in Toronto. Slept alot on both flights - Toronto - Vancouver and then Vancouver to Sydney. When we arrived in Sydney they disinfected us first (spray inside the plane and all the luggage in the above compartments) before letting us off. My luggage passed the dog-sniffing test. Spent the day with John walking along the harbour from Kiribilli, over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, through The Rocks, Circuluar Quay, passed the Sydney Opera House, Royal Botanical Gardens, Mrs. Macquires Chair to Woolloomooloo where we stopped for a lunch and a few pints of Blue Tongue (good Aussie Beer). From there we walked the Domain to Hyde Park, and then the absolutely beautiful Queen Victoria Building and from there we walked to Circuluar Quay and took the ferry back to Kiribilli. Tomorrow will be another day in paradise.

Counting the Days

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