Day 101: Monday, March 8th, 2010 Cairns, Australia. Today was a free day and I had signed up for only one excursion, quad bike racing in the afternoon. So, I lounged around in the morning, did some swimming and got some laundry done. Then that afternoon, myself, Cam, Renne and Rod headed off to the mountains (well, maybe more "hills"). Quad bike racing is the Aussie term for 4 wheeling. I've never done it before, and it only took me the first hour to calm down enough to enjoy it. I was at the back of our pack because I didn't want to slow the guys down and I only got stuck in the river/mud a few times. It is fast and it is scary- but thrilling. And damn is it dirty- that was great! I ... read more

Day 99: Saturday, March 6th, 2010 Cape Tribulation to Cairns, Australia. Per the Contiki Brochure, "After breakfast, we return to the popular traveller’s hub of Cairns and make our way to the rainforest village of Kuranda to join the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience. Learn about Australia’s indigenous culture, have a go at throwing a boomerang and watch the highly-skilled spear throwing demonstration. Take in a traditional dance performance and listen to stories from the Dreamtime. Use your free time to explore the quaint village and local markets before our return to Cairns. With a colourful tropical setting, vibrant restaurant scene and happening nightlife, this gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and rainforests is one of Australia’s hottest destinations." Made our way back to Cairns today and later tonight we'll meet up with the rest of the Contiki ... read more

Day 97: Thursday, March 4th, 2010. Cairns to Cape Tribulation, Australia. So, today I met up with the others who were doing the Cape Tribulation part of this trip. There were only 8 of us total: Myself, Emily (Canada), Harley (England), Aoifa (Ireland), Christy (Australia), Cam (Australia), Mark (Australia) and Ed (England). Our tour guide is Shaz (Australia) and we're going to have a driver named Richard (New Zealand) for the Cape Tribulation portion but a different one for the rest of the journey. Along the way to Cape Tribulation we stopped and took pictures of various coves and I can't remember their names/stories. One was where Steve Irwin met his untimely death- not a cheerful topic, especially to Australians. We stopped at Port Douglas and saw the cutest church, St. Mary... read more

Day 85 - Day Day 92: Saturday, February 20th to Friday, February 26th, 2010. Wellington, NZ. I'm now updating this a month later, so it's going to be a picture blog for the rest of NZ and all of Australia with very little commentary (stop cheering!!!) Fly back to Wellington on Saturday, February 20th because I needed to get my Vietnamese and Chinese Visa's in order and Wellington had embassies for both. So, I spent that week sorting those out (was able to get the Vietnamese one via online so even better). While back in Wellington, I went to the Botanical Gardens and finally left a P.O.N. She's in the rose garden next to a "Flamboyance" rose. Fitting in a weird way. However, "Google" is calling me a liar that such a rose exists and therefore ... read more

Day 83: Thursday, February 18th, 2010 Milford Sound to Lake Ohau: "In the morning we'll breakfast on board before heading back to the mainland. We travel past Lake Te Anau and the Clutha River to Arrowtown for the chance to find gold. Then we head to the Southern Alps to our lodge at Lake Ohau which affords views over Australasia's tallest peak, Mt. Cook." I can't say I slept well. I'd roll over and apparently I'm a violent roller because I'd thwack my arm against the cabin wall. At least the sheets/beds were clean, so I didn't have that fear all night (not sure if I'll ever be able to try an overnight train again... thanks Egypt.) We had breakfast on the boat and it had rained last night and was still raining so suddenly we ... read more