Cairns day 1 and 2 Feb 10 and 11

 Spent most of the day in the air, landed in Cairns at about 330 and getting off the plane it was a bit of a shock to the system.  We left Adelaide and it was 23 degrees and landing in Cairns it was 33 .  Made our way to the hotel, nice room at the best western and took a walk downtown.  This is a happening town.  Definitely caters to tourists.  Cairns is very beautiful city surrounded by mountains and water.  Caught a stunning sunset down along the esplanade.  Had dinner and some beers (few too many) and back to the room by 2am.  This was a bad idea seeing we had  an early am off to the Great barrier reef.  Did manage to get up and down to the pier in time all feeling a bit under the weather but shook it off and had a very nice day.  The reef was very beautiful with plenty of colorful fish.  The funniest part of the day was we were all assigned a full body suit to protect against jelly fish and we put them under a seat while we drove to the reef.  When it came time to put the suits on rob had to pour himself into his I said Rob that is a medium and I am sure they assigned you a large anyway shortly after we were in the suits a small oriental man came up and grabbed a suit under Robs seat that was an extra large (intended for Rob) had to see this he was swimming in the suit and all we could do was laugh.  Rob never gave up the medium as it took too long to get it on.  Caitlyn even got in and experienced the reef with one arm although she ended up swimming in circles.  Unfortunately the pics do no do it justice.  Well to bed for another early am off to Kuranda

 

 

 

Barossa Valley

Today feb 9th toured the barossa valley and stopped at 6 wineries. I have never experienced this type of wine tour before. We had a great day, although a bit intoxicated very fun. At each winery they offered samples of most of their products. They were small samples but many. We stopped at some local wineries and a few known to us ie penfolds, yallombe, Jacob creek and Rockford. The countryside is beautiful....rolling hills, grape vines and olive trees. The are many ranches here with cattle, sheep and horses. Ended the day with a very nice supper, swim and sauna. Up in the am heading for Cairns.

Meningie to Adelaide

 Well the next morning we headed for our next destination.  Not too much to see  just starting too see a change in the topography.  The land is now quit flat here somewhat like the prairies.  Seeing more cattle and horse ranches. We had a long drive today and wanted to get in earlier (did see another kangaroo on the road in a field).  Drove straight into Adelaide as we wanted to visit a bit in this city and I am glad we did.  Beautiful city a lot of heritage buildings very quaint. Had a nice hotel in the city step up from what we have been at but I can't complain about any of the accommodations so far.  We were close enough to walk into the city centre and that we did.  First stop the national wine institute.  Very interesting and informative since we were taking a wine tour tomorrow in the barossa valley.  Met some wine tasters and I tried to get a job here but I guess I need a bit more experience drinking wine so I will have to keep working at this.  After this we strolled through the botanical gardens then off to a popular chocolate shop.  What more could you ask for in one day beautiful flowers, wine and chocolate......

Great Ocean Road

Up at 645 showered and got organized, breakfast then off to the IGA for a cooler, some snacks and lunch food for a picnic. Continued on the Ocean Road 1st stop Otways Rainforest, a place called Maits Nest. Took a hike through the rainforest. It was cooler there had to wear warm clothes. Very interesting vegetation thick, lush green and beautiful. Cait felt like we were on the set of Avatar. Saw the biggest trees I have ever seen i think the trees were mountain ash trees and the smell of the wet earth and greens was certainly something you could never bottle if you tried. Next we headed to the oldest light house in Australia. On the way to the light house we happened upon an area where Koalas inhabited. Lots of food and places to laze around in the gum trees. Honestly I really did not think I would ever see a Koala in the wild and they are as cute as the stuffed animals. We had worked up an appetite by this time so we found a picnic area and had a feast. At this picnic area there was also another hiking trail into a rainforest so off we went on another hike. Our next stops was to see the 12 apostles. This is another famous landmark in Australia goggle it and have a peak. They are truly an interesting natural wonder along the coastline. Here we took lots of pics of the breathtaking view and took a walk on the beach. Finished the Great Ocean Road and headed for our next over night in mount gambier in the next state of Victoria......But first......on the way Robs curiosity was peeked when he saw a sign historic pub so of course we had to stop. Had an interesting chat and a few half pints with the locals......here we even acquired a little sumpin sumpin for Josh that needs a bit of a washing but only he could appreciate it.

 

 

 

Off to Melbourne

Up early again poor Cait up most of the night with arm pain and pain pills. Off to the airport again for our flight at 9:30am. The flight was fast got into Melbourne in the state of Victoria 11:00 but a very rough landing. I sat in the middle between Rob and Cait and had to calm them both down........Collected our bags and rental car and we were off. Well bit of a rocky start driving in the wrong direction and poor Rob trying to navigate driving on the right side of car on the left side of the road....confusing.....anyways he worked it out and got on the right road and learned to stay on the left side of the road. Decided to skip the city and head to the famous Great Ocean Road, that was a great plan for those of us who love the country and like the city...we stopped along the road at several look outs to view the amazing ocean and sea side, and on the drive spotted kangaroos grazing like deer in a field and also a koala bear sleeping in a tree. While driving along i immediately started to smell the strong aroma of eucalyptus in the car the noticed gum trees and eucalyptus all along the road. Today was cooler as we are quite south now and the day ended again with rain. Stopped to eat in Lorne at a place recommended by lonely planet very good. Amazing calamari freshly caught and cut at the restaurant. The wine was excellent and company even better. Next stop Apollo Bay to our motel. Well again nothing to look at but clean sheets and bathroom for an overnight pit stop. Tried to have a night cap in the room but fell asleep before any of us could finish even 1.

Sydney day 2

So up early for today\'s adventure 1st stop for coffee. Apparently coffee is a serious matter here. So you order flat white or flat white skinny, long black, short black or a cappuccino. Coffee cost about 4.00 for reg size. What I did learn is food is very expensive here as is ETOH. So off to Sydney Harbour to take the ferry to Manly another area of Sydney. Sydney is one of the largest cities in the world but it is so spread out you would not realize it when you are here? Spent the early day at manly beach which is beautiful. Lunch here and what else but fish and chips, barra mundi was the catch of the day, I even tried it and liked it. Back to Sydney harbour to take another ferry to parmetta another district we simply took the ferry to take in the sights of Sydney from the water. The view was spectacular of the Sydney bridge , harbour and opera house. Next walking tour of Sydney CBD. Here we saw Hyde park and the stunning St Mary\'s Cathedral. Pretty impressive the only thing I was not too impressed with was the quantity and size of the bats I have never seen such large bats in my life. They are called white face fox bats I think. Tonight we indulged in burgers at Hungry Jacks AKA Burger King then hopped the train back to hotel to get a good night sleep for an early flight to Melbourne.

Jet lagged\\\".......

Well made it to Sydney New South Wales and managed to connect with Caitlyn at the airport. She flew in from the Sunshine coast just behind us. Quick trip to the hotel, not the Trash mahal but clean beds and bathroom so did the trick. 1st day pretty tired walked the city in the rain and went to the botanical gardens and Sydney Opera House Beautiful.....took the train into Sydney from the hotel was about 15 minutes and 70.00 aud for 3 of us..then supper at a german restaurant Josh dad tried some good beer acid take a pic of the bottle just can\\\'t remember right now..........then in bed early for a much needed rest.....

Well made it to Sydney 1st day pretty tired walked the city in the rain and went to the botanical gardens Beautiful.......then supper at a german restaurant in bed early ......this am up at 7am and ready for the day took the ferry to manly beach very pretty.....check out pics. Well we took the train ferry and bus around Sydney very beautiful city but ready to hit the country roads of Melbourne. Will try to post pics later have some probs with this right now catching a plane to

a glorious reunion

Nice flight slept about 15hours waits here to pick Caitlyn up then we are off coloring.....cyndisue

Sitting in Ottawa

Well just sitting at the airport and wanted to test the site........just boarding....