It is the morning of the day we fly home (Friday, I think!) and we are staying at a hotel in Melbourne called The Nunnery (it used to be one). We arrived here yesterday from Cairns, and are going to do a bit of tourist shoping at Victoria Market this morning before catching our flight home at 4.00 this afternoon.
Speak to you soon, love from P,B,H&R
Thursday, 27 August 2009
Sunday, 23 August 2009
We made it!
Now that we have reached the end of the road (literally) here at Port Douglas, the holiday is nearly over.
After our stay on Magnetic Island, we stayed a night at Mission Beach, in order to visit Dunk Island, where the snorkelling was very disappointing but the vibe was relaxed. The next day it was on up to Cairns.
We decided to stay at the same campsite as H and R’s new friends, which meant we could all celebrate Robert’s birthday at an evening BBQ on 19th. There’s not a lot to do in Cairns if you aren’t an adventure junkie, diver, or party animal so we moved on quickly to Port Douglas, after having taken the train up to Karunda in the Atherton Tablelands and then the Skytrain back down through the rainforest.
Port Douglas is a smaller more grown up version of Cairns and very close to the Daintree Rainforest, and we have been here four days now. The first day we had a guided Aborigine tour into Mossman gorge, when we learnt about all the different things you can do with the bark, leaves, and fruit of the various trees. Then we swam in the river and watched loads of fish. The second day we drove into the Daintree and went on a Crocodile watching cruise and then visited the Discovery Centre in the forest. The Daintree is the oldest rainforest in the world and is now carefully protected, including from tourists (who are of course are doing lots of damage).
Yesterday I went on a days snorkelling trip to the Outer Barrier Reef, leaving B,H and R to go to the local Sunday market with their friends. The coral (aswell as the forest) is suffering from all the tourists. Today is a lazy day in Port Douglas before we drive back to Cairns to return the camper and fly down to Melbourne.
After our stay on Magnetic Island, we stayed a night at Mission Beach, in order to visit Dunk Island, where the snorkelling was very disappointing but the vibe was relaxed. The next day it was on up to Cairns.
We decided to stay at the same campsite as H and R’s new friends, which meant we could all celebrate Robert’s birthday at an evening BBQ on 19th. There’s not a lot to do in Cairns if you aren’t an adventure junkie, diver, or party animal so we moved on quickly to Port Douglas, after having taken the train up to Karunda in the Atherton Tablelands and then the Skytrain back down through the rainforest.
Port Douglas is a smaller more grown up version of Cairns and very close to the Daintree Rainforest, and we have been here four days now. The first day we had a guided Aborigine tour into Mossman gorge, when we learnt about all the different things you can do with the bark, leaves, and fruit of the various trees. Then we swam in the river and watched loads of fish. The second day we drove into the Daintree and went on a Crocodile watching cruise and then visited the Discovery Centre in the forest. The Daintree is the oldest rainforest in the world and is now carefully protected, including from tourists (who are of course are doing lots of damage).
Yesterday I went on a days snorkelling trip to the Outer Barrier Reef, leaving B,H and R to go to the local Sunday market with their friends. The coral (aswell as the forest) is suffering from all the tourists. Today is a lazy day in Port Douglas before we drive back to Cairns to return the camper and fly down to Melbourne.
A Robbie Blog
Thank you for all my birthday comments. I had a party the evening before at the campsite. I got a digital camera, a crocodile egg, and an Australia file for school. Love from Robert.
A blog for our Dutch family
Goed, waar waren we gebleven; Magnetic eiland geloof ik, waar we 4 nachten bleven, was heerlijk daar. Op 16 augustus verder gereden naar Mission Beach. Een plaatsje van niets met een verschrikkelijke camping maar gelukkig maar voor een nachtje. De volgende ochtend vroeg naar Dunk eiland gegaan. Een piep klein eilandje waar we met een water taxi naar toe moesten. Wat bleek is dat de watertaxi is een speedboot waar nietmeer dan 24 mensen in kunnen. Om in de boot te kunnen moesten we eerst snel onze schoenen uit doen want we moesten door het water heen. Op Dunk hebben paul en Robert wat gesnorkeld en heel veel schelpen gezocht en koraal. Na Dunk, naar Cairns gereden.
We wis’s ten dat ook die nieuwe vriendjes van Hannah en Robert daar zouden zijn en dus gingen we voor de zelfde camping. Dinsdag 18 aug. naar Kuranda gegaan met een oude stoom trein door de Bergen. Een dorpje in het regenwoud in de Bergen. Daarna met een skyrail over de toppen van de Bergen terug naar beneden. Tussen door nog een korte rondleiding en wandeling met gids. De volgende dag de 18e een cadeau’tje gezocht voor rob’s verjaardag. Een camera wilde hij graag hebben en daarmee kon hij de zelfde avond foto’s maken toen we zijn verjaardag met een BBQ gingen vieren met zijn tweeling vriendjes Luke en Mathew. Heel gezellig allemaal. Paul en ik kunnen het goed vinden met Jo en Mark (de ouders van de kinders) en dus zullen we ze vast nog wel eens zien in Engeland.
Op Robert zijn verjaardag zijn we verder gereden naar Hartley’s Crocodile Farm. Daar zaten we in een klein bootje en konden we door de krokodillen varen. We zaten veilig acher een ijzeren hekje en glas dus we zijn niet op gegeten….
De zelfde dag doorgereden naar Port Douglas en daar zijn we nu nog steeds. Een bad-plaats maar, een beetje te glossy. Maar, er zijn dan ook wel weer allemaal leuke winkeltjes.
Vandaag in de Mossman gorge, dit is het hoekje van de Daintree national Park, een rondleiding gedaan door het regenwoud met een gids. Daarna zelf nog werder gewandeld tot paul water zag en daar meteen het water in ging samen met Robert. Dat er een bordje stond dat het gevaarlijk was hield mij op de rots aan de kant.
De bedoeling is dat we hier nog even blijven en van hieruit naar het einde van de weg rijden. Na cape Tribulation houdt de weg simpel weg op en dan zullen we terug gaan naar Cairns want dan zit het er echt op!! ha, gister had ik er allemaal even genoeg van. Het was heel warm,vooral in de camper en het was zo’n rotzooi in de camper met vuile was, natte handdoeken, etc dat ik het even had gehad en met een ontevreden kop buiten moest afkoelen tot ik gek werd van de muggen en vliegjes. Van daag is het een stuk koeler, vooral in de rainforest natuurlijk en na dit schrijven ga ik even een wijntje drinken en wacht op het avond eten wat paul en Hannah aan het koken zijn in de camp-kitchen. Hoop dat alles goed gaat in NL en the UK. Jan en Suus hoe was het in Egmond vond ollie het ook leuk daar? Is Rein daar nu? En Tom en Eli how was France are you back yet? Nog een paar dagen en dan zal ik het allemaal horen want dan kan ik iedereen weer bellen en/of zien!!
Lfs. Birgitta XXX
We wis’s ten dat ook die nieuwe vriendjes van Hannah en Robert daar zouden zijn en dus gingen we voor de zelfde camping. Dinsdag 18 aug. naar Kuranda gegaan met een oude stoom trein door de Bergen. Een dorpje in het regenwoud in de Bergen. Daarna met een skyrail over de toppen van de Bergen terug naar beneden. Tussen door nog een korte rondleiding en wandeling met gids. De volgende dag de 18e een cadeau’tje gezocht voor rob’s verjaardag. Een camera wilde hij graag hebben en daarmee kon hij de zelfde avond foto’s maken toen we zijn verjaardag met een BBQ gingen vieren met zijn tweeling vriendjes Luke en Mathew. Heel gezellig allemaal. Paul en ik kunnen het goed vinden met Jo en Mark (de ouders van de kinders) en dus zullen we ze vast nog wel eens zien in Engeland.
Op Robert zijn verjaardag zijn we verder gereden naar Hartley’s Crocodile Farm. Daar zaten we in een klein bootje en konden we door de krokodillen varen. We zaten veilig acher een ijzeren hekje en glas dus we zijn niet op gegeten….
De zelfde dag doorgereden naar Port Douglas en daar zijn we nu nog steeds. Een bad-plaats maar, een beetje te glossy. Maar, er zijn dan ook wel weer allemaal leuke winkeltjes.
Vandaag in de Mossman gorge, dit is het hoekje van de Daintree national Park, een rondleiding gedaan door het regenwoud met een gids. Daarna zelf nog werder gewandeld tot paul water zag en daar meteen het water in ging samen met Robert. Dat er een bordje stond dat het gevaarlijk was hield mij op de rots aan de kant.
De bedoeling is dat we hier nog even blijven en van hieruit naar het einde van de weg rijden. Na cape Tribulation houdt de weg simpel weg op en dan zullen we terug gaan naar Cairns want dan zit het er echt op!! ha, gister had ik er allemaal even genoeg van. Het was heel warm,vooral in de camper en het was zo’n rotzooi in de camper met vuile was, natte handdoeken, etc dat ik het even had gehad en met een ontevreden kop buiten moest afkoelen tot ik gek werd van de muggen en vliegjes. Van daag is het een stuk koeler, vooral in de rainforest natuurlijk en na dit schrijven ga ik even een wijntje drinken en wacht op het avond eten wat paul en Hannah aan het koken zijn in de camp-kitchen. Hoop dat alles goed gaat in NL en the UK. Jan en Suus hoe was het in Egmond vond ollie het ook leuk daar? Is Rein daar nu? En Tom en Eli how was France are you back yet? Nog een paar dagen en dan zal ik het allemaal horen want dan kan ik iedereen weer bellen en/of zien!!
Lfs. Birgitta XXX
The English have arrived...on the blog
Well done! (at last) I was starting to worry that you had all disappeared. But NO you were just in time for Robert's Birthday. Thanks for everyone's birthday wishes. When R finds time out of the pool I'll ask him to write a blog.
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Magnetic II
The next day we decided that since we had a vehicle it would be a rather better idea if we drove around the island than walked in the heat, so we took ourselves off to Arthur Bay for some snorkelling after buying the necessary kit in Horseshoe Bay. The big advantage of snorkelling in Arthur Bay is that you can do it from the beach which made it much easier for H and R. The coral and fish were not as good as at Lady Musgrave, but still great fun, and I managed to spot a stingray which was exciting. After a picnic in Arcadia (another little village on the island) we messed about on the beach there and then went back to the campsite at Horseshoe Bay before heading out for our first proper restaurant meal since the speeding fine. This was at “Barefoot”, a local restaurant and art gallery set up by a couple of big city refugees and it was excellent.
Day three on the island was, guess what…back to the beach for more snorkelling. This time to Florence Bay. Once again it was nearly empty, with white sand, clear blue water, and loads of fish, and with the added bonus of the Roberts, our new English friends. They are on the same route North with us to Cairns. In the end we didn’t want to leave but we were all getting very sunburnt, so we arranged to meet up for a drink in town later.
The next day we regretfully left the island to head North for Mission Beach, but not before watching a whale “breaching” several times in the bay as we crossed on the ferry.
On the way to Mission Beach we had decided to stop off at Wollaman Falls, which are the highest in Australia. Very impressive as they drop off a huge cliff face in the middle of the rainforest. We arrived at the Mission Beach campsite in time to cool off in the swimming pool and then have pizza in the camper watching “The Great Escape” on DVD.
Day three on the island was, guess what…back to the beach for more snorkelling. This time to Florence Bay. Once again it was nearly empty, with white sand, clear blue water, and loads of fish, and with the added bonus of the Roberts, our new English friends. They are on the same route North with us to Cairns. In the end we didn’t want to leave but we were all getting very sunburnt, so we arranged to meet up for a drink in town later.
The next day we regretfully left the island to head North for Mission Beach, but not before watching a whale “breaching” several times in the bay as we crossed on the ferry.
On the way to Mission Beach we had decided to stop off at Wollaman Falls, which are the highest in Australia. Very impressive as they drop off a huge cliff face in the middle of the rainforest. We arrived at the Mission Beach campsite in time to cool off in the swimming pool and then have pizza in the camper watching “The Great Escape” on DVD.
Thursday, 13 August 2009
Magical Magnetical Island
Here we are on Magnetic Island. It’s a sort of Australian version of the Seychelles. No Coco de Mer but lots of coconuts and Mini Mokes. Its very laid back too, so we are going to extend our stay by at least 2 days.
Gitta wrote the last blog from Airlee Beach. The next day me H and R went sailing to Hayman Island, in fact the wind was so light we had the engine on all the time and didn’t tack once. The coral and fish were great though. I had a little scuba dive as well which was fun. H and R had more fun though playing with some English children they met on the site called Luke, Mathew and Kirstie. They joined us for supper and it was a shame we were leaving the site the next day. But maybe we will bump into them again on the way North, as they are going to Cairns as well.
The next day we drove 4 hours in the baking heat to Townsville to catch a ferry here to Magnetic, which was thankfully a short and calm crossing. Here we are staying in a Koala Sanctuary ( www.bungalowbay.com.au ) which is also a YHA, and is 10 mins walk to Horseshoe Bay (the local village).
Today we walked through the bush over the headland to the next bay called Balding Bay. Of course it was baking hot (again) and now we also have to deal with mosquitoes and sandflies! These don’t come near me or Hannah but they like to feast on Gitta and Robert. So a walk to the beach now involves sun cream, DEET spray, hats, and medical supplies (the snakes here are rather unfriendly). But guess what? the beach at Balding Bay is optional nudist, so I took the opportunity to go “au naturelle”…very refreshing.
This evening it’s an Italian bush tucker supper; pasta cheese and broccoli, and tomorrow is another day on the island.
Gitta wrote the last blog from Airlee Beach. The next day me H and R went sailing to Hayman Island, in fact the wind was so light we had the engine on all the time and didn’t tack once. The coral and fish were great though. I had a little scuba dive as well which was fun. H and R had more fun though playing with some English children they met on the site called Luke, Mathew and Kirstie. They joined us for supper and it was a shame we were leaving the site the next day. But maybe we will bump into them again on the way North, as they are going to Cairns as well.
The next day we drove 4 hours in the baking heat to Townsville to catch a ferry here to Magnetic, which was thankfully a short and calm crossing. Here we are staying in a Koala Sanctuary ( www.bungalowbay.com.au ) which is also a YHA, and is 10 mins walk to Horseshoe Bay (the local village).
Today we walked through the bush over the headland to the next bay called Balding Bay. Of course it was baking hot (again) and now we also have to deal with mosquitoes and sandflies! These don’t come near me or Hannah but they like to feast on Gitta and Robert. So a walk to the beach now involves sun cream, DEET spray, hats, and medical supplies (the snakes here are rather unfriendly). But guess what? the beach at Balding Bay is optional nudist, so I took the opportunity to go “au naturelle”…very refreshing.
This evening it’s an Italian bush tucker supper; pasta cheese and broccoli, and tomorrow is another day on the island.
Sunday, 9 August 2009
Birgitta's story
Ha, ha, nu mag ik eens even wat vertellen aangezien de meeste lezers van ons blog nedersland zijn!!! Vanaf vrijdag 7 aug zaten we in Cape Hillsborough. Een camping van een national park aan het strand. Wij stonden onder de palm bomen. Robert vond een kokos noot en samen met paul open gemaakt. Was trouwens niet zo lekker, dus de mieren hebben de rest opgegeten. Tegen de avond zat het park vol met kangaroes en als je in het donker met je zaklantaarn naar de plee ging moest je oppassen dat je niet over ze heen stuikelde. De volgende dag daar een flinke wandeling gemaakt. Ik had natuurlijk m’n stevige laarzen aan,(terwijl iedere andere tourist teenslippertjes aanheeft) want ben als de dood dat ik een slang tegen kom. Deze gelukkig niet gezien maar wel enorme spinnen, en schildpadden in het water. We zijn hier twee nachten gebleven en de tweede dag een kampvuur gemaakt heel gezellig allemaal.
Voordat we naar Airlie Beach reden hebben we nog een korte wandeling gamaakt door de rainforest Eullang. Paul heeft daar nog gezwommen waar we een filmpje van hebben.
Nu zijn we in Airlie Beach, the Whitsunday islands zijn hier populair bij velen omdat je kan snorkelen en scuba diving. Morgen gaat paul met de kinders op een zeil boot naar Hayman om daar te snorkelen. Ik blijf lekker hier. Heb zo ondertussen wel genoeg gekotst op die bootjes. Ik kijk er stiekem lekker naar uit in m’n eentje te zijn na al die weken met elkaar in zo’n klein busje…..
Ik vindt het hier heerlijk hoor maar, naar een paar dagen bomen en beesten en stranden met vissen wordt het hoogtijd om op zoek te gaan naar een gezellig café om koffie te drinken en of een wijntje. Doeg XX Birgitta.
Voordat we naar Airlie Beach reden hebben we nog een korte wandeling gamaakt door de rainforest Eullang. Paul heeft daar nog gezwommen waar we een filmpje van hebben.
Nu zijn we in Airlie Beach, the Whitsunday islands zijn hier populair bij velen omdat je kan snorkelen en scuba diving. Morgen gaat paul met de kinders op een zeil boot naar Hayman om daar te snorkelen. Ik blijf lekker hier. Heb zo ondertussen wel genoeg gekotst op die bootjes. Ik kijk er stiekem lekker naar uit in m’n eentje te zijn na al die weken met elkaar in zo’n klein busje…..
Ik vindt het hier heerlijk hoor maar, naar een paar dagen bomen en beesten en stranden met vissen wordt het hoogtijd om op zoek te gaan naar een gezellig café om koffie te drinken en of een wijntje. Doeg XX Birgitta.
Robert's Blog
We’ve done loads so far and are nearly in cairns. I’m now going to tell you a little bit what I’ve done so far. First we flew half way round the world for 24 hours all the way to Australia it was a very long journey.
When we got there we stayed three nights in a hotel called hotel discovery where we got tours from a nice man called Phil.
A few days later I cuddled a koala and fed a Kangaroo with a joey in her pouch when we visited a zoo in Brisbane.
Another thing I liked doing was going snorkling on the Great Barrier Reef.
When we got there we stayed three nights in a hotel called hotel discovery where we got tours from a nice man called Phil.
A few days later I cuddled a koala and fed a Kangaroo with a joey in her pouch when we visited a zoo in Brisbane.
Another thing I liked doing was going snorkling on the Great Barrier Reef.
Friday, 7 August 2009
Alohah from the tropics
We are now North of the Tropic of Capricorn, and its deserts, palm trees, and warm see. And we still have nearly three weeks!
The campsite at 1770 was wonderful; right on the edge of the beach under palm trees and with free BBQ's. The town is on Round Hill Bay, the first part of Australia that Cook saw when he arrived in 1770, and shot a Bustard. In fact I felt like shooting a Bustard as well. The Bustard that stopped me for speeding and gave me a A$200 fine! B,H, and R just laughed and said it served me right of course.
So after a yucky A$120 meal and a A$200 fine it was rice and water in the campervan for supper that evening, which was lucky because the next day we had the boat journey from hell. We (sorry I) decided we should go snorkeling at Lady Musgrave Isl, but it required a 2hrs boat ride in the Southern Ocean. The rollercoaster at Movieworld was nothing compared to the trip. B filled about 8 sickbags, H filled 2, and R managed to hold on to the minute we arrived, and the cakes were brought out, and he sprayed the front row with a refreashment of his very own.
But it was worth it because we spent the 4 hrs walking on a fantastic coral island and snorkeling on a fantastic coral reef.
The next day it was off to Rockhampton, and 4 hours driving then lazing by the pool and an evening walking thru the old town (3 Victorian buildings), and then pasta and cheese with water for supper.
After a visit to the botanical garden the next morning (every town has one) we left for Cape Hillsborough (where we are now) just North of Mackay. The drive was 5 hrs thru semi-desert and a lunch stop in a layby (bread and cheese). We arrived at the campsite in the evening and had BBQ'd lamb. I got up at 5.30 this morning to see the kangaroos feed and play on the beach, which is just in front of the camper. Today we'll explore the local forest and coast and tomorrow we plan to visit the rainforest inland.
Keep blogging us....we love it.
The campsite at 1770 was wonderful; right on the edge of the beach under palm trees and with free BBQ's. The town is on Round Hill Bay, the first part of Australia that Cook saw when he arrived in 1770, and shot a Bustard. In fact I felt like shooting a Bustard as well. The Bustard that stopped me for speeding and gave me a A$200 fine! B,H, and R just laughed and said it served me right of course.
So after a yucky A$120 meal and a A$200 fine it was rice and water in the campervan for supper that evening, which was lucky because the next day we had the boat journey from hell. We (sorry I) decided we should go snorkeling at Lady Musgrave Isl, but it required a 2hrs boat ride in the Southern Ocean. The rollercoaster at Movieworld was nothing compared to the trip. B filled about 8 sickbags, H filled 2, and R managed to hold on to the minute we arrived, and the cakes were brought out, and he sprayed the front row with a refreashment of his very own.
But it was worth it because we spent the 4 hrs walking on a fantastic coral island and snorkeling on a fantastic coral reef.
The next day it was off to Rockhampton, and 4 hours driving then lazing by the pool and an evening walking thru the old town (3 Victorian buildings), and then pasta and cheese with water for supper.
After a visit to the botanical garden the next morning (every town has one) we left for Cape Hillsborough (where we are now) just North of Mackay. The drive was 5 hrs thru semi-desert and a lunch stop in a layby (bread and cheese). We arrived at the campsite in the evening and had BBQ'd lamb. I got up at 5.30 this morning to see the kangaroos feed and play on the beach, which is just in front of the camper. Today we'll explore the local forest and coast and tomorrow we plan to visit the rainforest inland.
Keep blogging us....we love it.
Monday, 3 August 2009
We just had our first yucky meal...
At the Pier Restaurant in Hervey Bay. So we are pissed off with the place and with the guidebooks for recommending it, because it was expensive as well. But oh well, life goes on, and next time we will stick with the takeaways.
After Movie World we went to Sea World, where the dolphin show was out of this world...6 dolphins jumping 20m into the air doing back flips in perfect time with eachother. But Hannah and I had a great time doing the jetski roller coaster...each time it just got better so we ended up doing it 4 times.
Then it was off to Brisdane the town, where we were camping in a suburb and took a bus into town, for a day visiting the Modern Art Gallery and a trip up the river to the Koala Sanctuary. In the evening we spent about an hour looking for a restaurant that had disappeared and ended up eating lovely pizza at a new restaurant that was also a supermarket.
The next day he headed off for Noosa Heads and then up to Hervey Bay and a crappy meal. Tomorrow we are off to 1770, which really is the name of a town!
After Movie World we went to Sea World, where the dolphin show was out of this world...6 dolphins jumping 20m into the air doing back flips in perfect time with eachother. But Hannah and I had a great time doing the jetski roller coaster...each time it just got better so we ended up doing it 4 times.
Then it was off to Brisdane the town, where we were camping in a suburb and took a bus into town, for a day visiting the Modern Art Gallery and a trip up the river to the Koala Sanctuary. In the evening we spent about an hour looking for a restaurant that had disappeared and ended up eating lovely pizza at a new restaurant that was also a supermarket.
The next day he headed off for Noosa Heads and then up to Hervey Bay and a crappy meal. Tomorrow we are off to 1770, which really is the name of a town!
Thursday, 30 July 2009
Greetings from Brisneyland
The campervan is getting smaller, the campsites are getting busier, but the sky is getting bigger and the weather is getting warmer....24C today, and yesterday we were swimming in the camp pool before breakfast.
We seem to have fallen into a rythme of a night or two in a national park and then a night or two in a town. So after Sydney we camped on the seafront at Port Macquarie and spent the day at a Koala Hospital. Then it was a day driving to get to the hippy capital of Australia; Byron Bay, with a stop for lunch in Grafton ( a farming town ) for the best lamb-burger i've ever had (caramilised onions, beetroots, on foccachia bread).
So we got to Byron Bay on Sunday evening just in time to meet 9,000kids who were in town for the Slendour Festival....indie music, drink, drugs, holistic life theripies (you know what I mean!). Byron Bay is a bit like Hay on Wye with sun, surf, and "cool" people walking around with no shoes on. So of course we tuned in and chilled out, spending two days looking round the shops and walking on the beach. Naturaly I platted my hair and learnt to surf (only kidding about my hair). But this kind of lifestyle is an ersatz and dangerous one; the second day we came across a funeral for a thirty-something year old who had died of a drugs overdose.
After finding our inner beings in Byron it was time to spend a couple of days in the rainforest conecting with nature at Lamington Nature Reserve.
We are now far enough North for the forests to be semi-tropical, which means BIG...100 meter trees with girths like overweight sumu wrestlers, ferns the hieght of a house. So of course we had to do a rainforest trek, which started at 9.00am and finished at 4.00pm with only a half hour stop for a packed lunch. We walked 18kms that day and it was like walking through a prehistoric landscape, apart from the enourmous trees there were fantastic waterfalls and rivers we had to jump across, and parts of the path were on the side of a mountian gorge and too narrow for more than one person. Amazing stuff and very challenging, so we promised H and R that were would go to "Movie World" in Brisbane the next day.
That is where we were yesterday, doing the rides at Movie World which is a sort of mini Disneyland. We are staying at a campsite on Main Beach and today we are going to Sea World, before moving to a campsite closer to Brisbane tonight. Thank you for all your comments we really enjoy receiving them. Hang loose man.
from, Paul the surf dude.
We seem to have fallen into a rythme of a night or two in a national park and then a night or two in a town. So after Sydney we camped on the seafront at Port Macquarie and spent the day at a Koala Hospital. Then it was a day driving to get to the hippy capital of Australia; Byron Bay, with a stop for lunch in Grafton ( a farming town ) for the best lamb-burger i've ever had (caramilised onions, beetroots, on foccachia bread).
So we got to Byron Bay on Sunday evening just in time to meet 9,000kids who were in town for the Slendour Festival....indie music, drink, drugs, holistic life theripies (you know what I mean!). Byron Bay is a bit like Hay on Wye with sun, surf, and "cool" people walking around with no shoes on. So of course we tuned in and chilled out, spending two days looking round the shops and walking on the beach. Naturaly I platted my hair and learnt to surf (only kidding about my hair). But this kind of lifestyle is an ersatz and dangerous one; the second day we came across a funeral for a thirty-something year old who had died of a drugs overdose.
After finding our inner beings in Byron it was time to spend a couple of days in the rainforest conecting with nature at Lamington Nature Reserve.
We are now far enough North for the forests to be semi-tropical, which means BIG...100 meter trees with girths like overweight sumu wrestlers, ferns the hieght of a house. So of course we had to do a rainforest trek, which started at 9.00am and finished at 4.00pm with only a half hour stop for a packed lunch. We walked 18kms that day and it was like walking through a prehistoric landscape, apart from the enourmous trees there were fantastic waterfalls and rivers we had to jump across, and parts of the path were on the side of a mountian gorge and too narrow for more than one person. Amazing stuff and very challenging, so we promised H and R that were would go to "Movie World" in Brisbane the next day.
That is where we were yesterday, doing the rides at Movie World which is a sort of mini Disneyland. We are staying at a campsite on Main Beach and today we are going to Sea World, before moving to a campsite closer to Brisbane tonight. Thank you for all your comments we really enjoy receiving them. Hang loose man.
from, Paul the surf dude.
Monday, 27 July 2009
Sunday, 26 July 2009
What we did in Sydney
lieve mensen, even in nl, na jarvis bay, zijn we op zoek gegaan naar een camping vlak bij sydney, bonderee national park.aangezien het hier om ong,17.00 uur al donker is is dat altijd even zoeken in het donker. en erg onplezierig met het lampje aan van de diesel te kort en in de regen. maar goed, het is allemaal goed gekomen. s'morgens werden we vroeg wakker en tot onze verbazing hadden we uitzicht op een meer met wel ruim 10 cockatoos. soort witte papagaai met groen onder zijn vleugels en een gele krul op zijn kop. heel bijzonder. zoals iederd ochtend staan we vroeg op, om 7.00 uur, vooral omdat het zo vroeg donker wordt en paul als vanzelfsprekend een volle agenda heeft met wat er allemaal gedaan en gezien en gereden moet worden. sydney is een prachtige stad. veel leuker dan melbourne!!vooral the opera house en luna park voor de kinders (niets aan) en veel park, cafe's, etc. sydney museum en de volgende dag pouwerhouse museum. ook gezien waar nicole kidman een huis had maar onlangs heeft verkocht. een stad om ooit naar terug te gaan en daar wat langer rond te hangen. maar goed zoals je weet moet ons doel berijkt worden om aan het einde van de vak in cairns te zijn en we zijn bijna op de helft dus ook dat komt goed. we zijn nu in byron bay en zijn onderweg gestopt in Graften voor lunch. allemaal handig met een rough guide gids, paul en tom tom. ik heb vandaag voor het eerst enven een uurtje in de bus gereden. even wennen maar het ging goed. net gegeten(soup met brood en pasta voor de kinders) en straks de bedden weer uitvouwen en opmaken. het is al een hele routine. tot snel schrijfs. dikke kus. gitta.
Saturday, 25 July 2009
Now we are in Port Macquarie
We spent one night in jervis bay. when I (robert) went for a shower at the campsite at around 7.00. On my way there I saw a wombat scuterling around behind another campervan.Suddenly he jumped out and ran up to me until he was about a meter away from me. He stood up on his hind legs and grouled at me. Iwas so sceard I ran back to our campervan screaming. After that I had a lovely shower and a lovely sleep. The first thing in the morning we all went down to the beach for fun. It wasnt a long walk there it was just outside the campsite. When we were there there were three fins sticking out of the water first we thought there was one then two and then we realised there were three.Two minutes later we saw they were sharks swimming around. Mum was sceard so she ran away hannah folowed her and dad and I were wating and watching them coming closer until they were about 20m away and then we walked to the campervan and had breakfast.
After breakfast we packed up the van and went to the Botanical Gardens. There was some rainforest there and I explained all about it to the others. I think that Hannah must have got a tick in her head while we were there because Mum found it later.
Then we went into town for fish and chips for lunch before we got on a boat to go whale watching. We were just starting to enjoy ourselves on the boat when we got to the ocean when the sea got really bumpy. Dad was at the top of the boat with his binoculars but me, H, and mum felt a bit sick so we stayed at the back of the boat all holding a sick bag! Mum was sick in her bag while we watched two whales swimming next to the boat. I then drew a picture of one of the crew called Shaun who was kind, helpful, and funny. When we got ashore we drove towards Sydney.
After breakfast we packed up the van and went to the Botanical Gardens. There was some rainforest there and I explained all about it to the others. I think that Hannah must have got a tick in her head while we were there because Mum found it later.
Then we went into town for fish and chips for lunch before we got on a boat to go whale watching. We were just starting to enjoy ourselves on the boat when we got to the ocean when the sea got really bumpy. Dad was at the top of the boat with his binoculars but me, H, and mum felt a bit sick so we stayed at the back of the boat all holding a sick bag! Mum was sick in her bag while we watched two whales swimming next to the boat. I then drew a picture of one of the crew called Shaun who was kind, helpful, and funny. When we got ashore we drove towards Sydney.
Monday, 20 July 2009
Our visit to Uncle Rob and Aunty Fanny
We are about to leave Metung to drive north after spending a wonderful two days here.
We arrived on Sunday in time for lunch and then went for a trip in the boat to Metung, and a walk on Kangaroo Island where we met lots of friendly roos. Then we had kangaroo steak for supper which was very tasty.
On Monday Rob took us out in the boat to 90 mile beach, after a breakfast BBQ! On the way we saw Pelicans, a Sea Eagle, and dolphins. After mooring the boat we went for a walk along the beach which was deserted. It is still bright sunshine and 17C. here, so not much different to Summer in the UK. In the afternoon we drove to Buchan to the limestone caves with Tig and her 2 children (Felix and Toby). Robert had a great time making Felix laugh. We came home in time for a BBQ supper.
Now we are going to have a long day in the car (7 1/2 hrs) driving to Jervis Bay, which is just south of Sydney.
We arrived on Sunday in time for lunch and then went for a trip in the boat to Metung, and a walk on Kangaroo Island where we met lots of friendly roos. Then we had kangaroo steak for supper which was very tasty.
On Monday Rob took us out in the boat to 90 mile beach, after a breakfast BBQ! On the way we saw Pelicans, a Sea Eagle, and dolphins. After mooring the boat we went for a walk along the beach which was deserted. It is still bright sunshine and 17C. here, so not much different to Summer in the UK. In the afternoon we drove to Buchan to the limestone caves with Tig and her 2 children (Felix and Toby). Robert had a great time making Felix laugh. We came home in time for a BBQ supper.
Now we are going to have a long day in the car (7 1/2 hrs) driving to Jervis Bay, which is just south of Sydney.
Sunday, 19 July 2009
We've arrived at Uncle Rob and Aunty Fanny's place
Thank you to everyone who has sent comments we love hearing that it is raining in Cambridge because here it has been bright sunshine and 15 C. everyday. I'm sorry we are not replying individually but it will take to long!
After going to Melbourne zoo and learning to play Aussie rules (see videos) we went to the Aquarium. So we have seen loads of animals in captivity: kangaroos, Wombats, Koalas, Spiders, Sharks, and crocodiles.
On Saturday we picked up the campervan, then tried to drive out of Melbourne to Phillip Island where Fairy Penguins lived. We collected the van OK but our satnav didnt work to B had to read the map. This is not her favourite activity, in fact she would rather do anything else! In fact so would would the rest of us. But we made it to Phillip island in the end and watched the penguins walk in from the sea in the evening to go to bed for the night in their burrows in the sand dunes.
We spent our first night in the campervan at a town called Kilcunda, after having a tasty supper in the local Pub. The campervan is certainly cosy, with H and R sleeping in the roof and P and B down below on the back seat. The nice thing is we have a fridge, a hob, a sink, and a DVD player, but no loo.
This morning we set off early to Metung (4 hrs drive) and arrived in time for a late lunch with Aunty F and Uncle R. We saw our first wild animal on the way, a dead kangaroo on the side of the road. This afternoon we went by boat to Metung via kangaroo island where we saw loads of living kangroos and wombat poo (but no wombats, who are nocturnal).
Now its time for supper....
After going to Melbourne zoo and learning to play Aussie rules (see videos) we went to the Aquarium. So we have seen loads of animals in captivity: kangaroos, Wombats, Koalas, Spiders, Sharks, and crocodiles.
On Saturday we picked up the campervan, then tried to drive out of Melbourne to Phillip Island where Fairy Penguins lived. We collected the van OK but our satnav didnt work to B had to read the map. This is not her favourite activity, in fact she would rather do anything else! In fact so would would the rest of us. But we made it to Phillip island in the end and watched the penguins walk in from the sea in the evening to go to bed for the night in their burrows in the sand dunes.
We spent our first night in the campervan at a town called Kilcunda, after having a tasty supper in the local Pub. The campervan is certainly cosy, with H and R sleeping in the roof and P and B down below on the back seat. The nice thing is we have a fridge, a hob, a sink, and a DVD player, but no loo.
This morning we set off early to Metung (4 hrs drive) and arrived in time for a late lunch with Aunty F and Uncle R. We saw our first wild animal on the way, a dead kangaroo on the side of the road. This afternoon we went by boat to Metung via kangaroo island where we saw loads of living kangroos and wombat poo (but no wombats, who are nocturnal).
Now its time for supper....
Thursday, 16 July 2009
Visit to the markets
Good morning, yesterday we went on a tour round the Queen Victoria Market and another little community market. We had a really nice lunch at the Queen Victoria and the tour guide, called Phil, took use on a drive round Melbourne. Then we we went to visit Peran and Helmie and their children Harvey and Theo, by train. We had a lovely time at their house and they feed us dinner aswell which was very kind.
Today we are going to learn how to play Aussie Rules Football (this might not happen if Phil does not get enough people interested in going) and then we are going to Melbourne Zoo in the afternoon.
Today we are going to learn how to play Aussie Rules Football (this might not happen if Phil does not get enough people interested in going) and then we are going to Melbourne Zoo in the afternoon.
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
We've arrived on the other side of the world!
After a 12 hour flight to Bangkok we spent 2 hrs in transit then caught another plane to Melbourne. Nine hrs later we arrived in Melbourne at 8.00pm yesterday evening. With all our bags we just had to take a taxi, although there was some talk of the bus this was quickly rejected. When we got to the hotel (hotel Discovery) it was shockingly basic...lino on the floors, fluorescent lighting everywhere, and shared showers AND LOOS! an early introduction for Robert and Hannah to backpacking holidays. But at least the beds are comfy and look (!) clean. Of course none of us wanted to go to bed when we got here (it being midday for our body clocks) so off we went sightseeing at 10pm at night. Not as bad as it sounds because we saw a different side of Melbourne life as we walked down Sawston St. looking for somewhere to have a coffee and a bite to eat. All we could find thou' were Asian joints! not quite what the family had in mind, but eventually we ran into a Starbucks. Hooray, it felt like home at last. On the walk back to the hotel at midnight I managed to get away with only being shouted at and abused once for my Pommie accent. How about that for a predictably Aussie welcome? Robert now thinks Australia is "full of weird and scary people"....maybe he has a point, I'll reserve judgement for the moment.
Thankfully we got back to the hotel in one piece, and all fell asleep quite quickly. It is now 8.30am on Thursday morning, and I am writing this in the lobby while waiting for B,H,R to wake up and show up (is there a song there somewhere?!). Today (my) plan is to visit Melbourne Museum, go on a tour of the Markets, and see the Maritime Museum. Let's see if this country changes from weird and scary to weird and wonderful. Tonight its dinner with Peran, I'll ask him what he thinks. Seeya, P
Thankfully we got back to the hotel in one piece, and all fell asleep quite quickly. It is now 8.30am on Thursday morning, and I am writing this in the lobby while waiting for B,H,R to wake up and show up (is there a song there somewhere?!). Today (my) plan is to visit Melbourne Museum, go on a tour of the Markets, and see the Maritime Museum. Let's see if this country changes from weird and scary to weird and wonderful. Tonight its dinner with Peran, I'll ask him what he thinks. Seeya, P
Monday, 13 July 2009
We leave tomorrow morning!
The bags are packed and we are ready to go. The taxi comes tomorrow at 6.45am to take us to Cambridge train station and then we are going to take the train to Kings Cross then the underground to Heathrow Airport. Hopefully it won't be too difficult in the middle of rush hour. The plane leaves at 12.20 for Bangkok where we change onto another plane to go to Melbourne. We all have lots of books and things to do on the plane, so hopefully the time will pass quickly. We are all looking forward to it! and can't wait to get to Australia! We will write our next blog as soon as we can from Melbourne.
Tuesday, 7 July 2009
Sunday, 5 July 2009
Thursday, 25 June 2009
Planning our big trip
We are flying to Melbourne via Bangkok on Tuesday 14th July and arriving at 20:00 on Wednesday 15th.
Then it is 2 days of rest until we hire a camper and start driving North on Saturday.
We will visit Aunty Fanny and Uncle Rob in Metung on Sunday 19th.
Then it is 2 days of rest until we hire a camper and start driving North on Saturday.
We will visit Aunty Fanny and Uncle Rob in Metung on Sunday 19th.
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