http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Andra/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Andra en-us Thu, 31 Dec 2009 21:38:18 +0000 Thu, 31 Dec 2009 21:38:18 +0000 It's true what they say. Aussies really do go the beach on Christmas day. We could get used to Christmas like this.We were fortunate to be spending the Christmas holiday in Moonee Beach near Coffs Harbour with Chris's sisters inlaws the hosts with the most Jim and Pauline.What a fantastic spot and what fantastic hosts.As happens with many people on Christmas eve we had to make that last ma http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Coffs-Harbour/blog-375992.html Our last big excursion out of Cairns takes us to the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation. This natureinspired outing promises to be goodThe day starts with a hiccup however. Andra has left her camera on the shuttle that took us from Cairns to Port Douglas where we catch the tour. Not to worry....Chris has his...so we still get lots of pictures.We are a small tour lead by a Swisstranspla http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Daintree/blog-371673.html And now we visit one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. The Great Barrier Reef is visible from space...but we opted for the cheaper viewing option Snorkeling.The underwater camera case was put to very good use. Who knew underwater photography would be so much funOur day starts early. The boat leaves the dock at 830AM. First stop is Green Island a small coral cay. As we're walkin http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Cairns/blog-361620.html Welcome to Cairns One of Australia's most 'touristy' destinations in the tropical north. Home of the Daintree Rainforest The Great Barrier Reef Crocodile country and eternal bad hair days. Cairns is HOT and STEAMYOur first outing in Cairns took us to Kuranda...a little village up in the rainforest. The best way to get there is on the skyrail. Skyrail takes you over the rainforests canopy http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Cairns/blog-359889.html A visit to Sydney should include a trip to the beach or two. They have lots of them and they are spectacular. We took in the 2 most famous Bondi Beach and Manly Beach. They are easily accessible by transit land and water and surpisingly quick to get to.Our visit to Bondi was late in the day but the beach was still packed. We took the coastal walk from Bondi to Bronte beach passing Tamar http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Sydney/blog-358465.html Australia is known for its deadly critters so we decided we better familiarize ourselves with the terrors that call this continental island home. Our first investigative journey took us to the Sydney Aquarium in Darling Harbour. We learned the monsters of the seas and rivers are not only deadly they are often majestic and sometimes down right cute. We must have spent 45 minutes trying to capt http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Sydney/blog-355965.html How ya goin We have arrived down under. The travel went pretty much without incident. We were hoping for a celebrity sighting in the Los Angeles airport and the stars did not let us down. Who should walk right past us but Marilyn Manson and his gargantuan girlfriend. Andra was hoping for George Clooneyhellipbut alas Marilyn had to do.We arrive in Sydney at the lunch hour dropped our bags http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Sydney/blog-355004.html Hola AgainThe link to our second Puerto Vallarta EntrySecond Entry Hola Amigos httpwww.travelblog.orgNorthAmericaMexicoPuertoVallartablog27870.html http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Mexico/Jalisco/Puerto-Vallarta/blog-27875.html The last post post from our Mexican adventure.EnjoyHere's the linkhttpwww.travelblog.orgNorthAmericaMexicoPuertoVallartablog28600.html http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Mexico/Jalisco/Puerto-Vallarta/blog-28609.html We have arrived Early departure from Montreal on a very cramped charter air plane but we arrived no worse for wear. Quick shuttle to the hotel ordered 2 cervezas and put our pedicured toes in the Pacific. Ahhhhhhh.Our first few days were filled with hot sunny weather during the day and warm moist evenings. Hair styling has been a challenge. But long beach filled days margaritas daquiris http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Mexico/Jalisco/Puerto-Vallarta/blog-27867.html Been there done that got the TShirt Thatrsquos right friends. I went to the U2 concert in Gelsenkirchen. Ever heard of it Me either but apparently 60 000 other people know where it is cuz they were all there too. Irsquove never been in a stadium that big in my life. That in itself was an experience. One thing that was different from the stadium shows Irsquove been to back home http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Germany/North-Rhine-Westphalia/D-sseldorf/blog-11048.html Hello Happy PeopleHere I am in Vienna the last stop on my big holiday. By this point in the trip the cold I had woken up with back in Prague is taking itsrsquo toll and I'm really not feeling well. I'm certain I did not get as much out of my Vienna stop as I would have if I had been feeling better. All things considered I think I got a taste of the city.Dinner in the Vienna Woods where we http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Austria/Vienna-State/Vienna/blog-10624.html Irsquove been accused of sounding like Rick Steves in my blogs so Irsquom attempting to find a new writing voice. Bear with mehellip.This is absolutely my favourite stop Budapest just feels good. And Irsquom so sorry I didnrsquot havemake time for one of the bath houses that it is so famous for. Then again visiting one of those may have ruined me for the other spa I frequent. May http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Hungary/Central-Hungary/Budapest/blog-10479.html Hello FriendsJust the trip from Berlin to Prague was an eventful one. We made a lunch stop in the beautiful city of Dresden before heading for the Czech Republic boarder crossing. Upon arrival at the boarder we heard that an accident just on the other side had closed the highway. Rather than wait we turned the bus around and headed for another boarder crossing. This ride took us through narro http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Czech-Republic/Prague/blog-10190.html So I made it through security with minimal sniveling on the security people. One lady was very nicehellipthe guys just pretended not to notice. Hopped the 15 minute flight to Montreal and now I sit in the lounge chatting with my friend Gil from home Nova Scotia whilst sharing a beer over the internet. Where were we before the internet Irsquom thankful for the distraction as I wait http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Germany/Baden-W-rttemberg/Heidelberg/blog-3023.html Finally I take a real vacation And what better way to spend it than on a bus load of new friends. First stop Berlin. I arrive by train shortly after lunch. I have a few hours to fill before I meet my group so of course I go shopping. First purchase of the trip...orange shoes. After dinner with my group we take a night time tour of the city that included a stop at Checkpoint Charlie.The http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Germany/District-of-Berlin/Berlin/blog-9983.html My latest travel adventure takes me to Lucerne Switzerland .I seem to be destined to see all of Europe in the clouds and rain. This weekend was no different. But despite the weather Lucerne still gets high marks.And since tourist season has finally started in Europe there are lots more interesting people to meet along the way. I made friends from Canada Australia and Dubai.Lucerne is surround http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Switzerland/North-West/Lucerne/blog-8856.html 1 hour until I leave for the airport. I managed to get it all in to 2 suitcases and a carryon but I still think I'm taking too much.I'm exicited and nervous and on the verge of a minor meltdown but I'm sure I'll be ok once I'm at the airport and through security. http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Germany/Baden-W-rttemberg/Heidelberg/blog-3018.html YeshellipI have arrived. Only 4 nights in Deutschland and I think I know which way is up. The first few days where a little rough as I adjusted to the time zone a new city a new country and a new office. And yes I have been a little lonely but Irsquom starting to feel comfortable.Since I did not go in to the office on my first day I spent the day wandering Heidelberg experimenting with http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Germany/Baden-W-rttemberg/Heidelberg/blog-3147.html Hello AgainAfter my last post I had a lot of questions and a request for more pictures. So here they are.Yes I have laundry. It's a combined washerdryer unit which I still haven't figured out how to use right in my bathroom yes...I have a bathroom too. http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Germany/Baden-W-rttemberg/Heidelberg/blog-3285.html