http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Onions/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Onions en-us Fri, 25 Dec 2009 13:53:11 +0000 Fri, 25 Dec 2009 13:53:11 +0000 We got up at 3am and loaded the car with the assistance of a cup of tea thanks Anne. Then off to the airport for 4am to check in before the 6am flight. Cath got randomly chosen to be screened for explosives. Cath Can't think why they thought I was potentially explosive LOL. .The plane was luckily fairly empty and we could move around and even use 4 middle seats as a bed. The flight did http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/United-Arab-Emirates/Dubai/blog-427002.html Our last full day in Australia How quickly the time seems to have passed.We started with a trip to the shops with Anne to stock up on some food for them and to see what it was like. We had the help of Simon driving the trolley which was a little bit of a mixed blessing.After that we went onto the university and looked around the small animal centre with Anne seeing all the various rooms and http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Western-Australia/Perth/blog-426673.html Today we started at a more normal time and went down to Fremantle to the Maritime Museum which included a tour of a dieselelectric submarine. We were accompanied around the submarine by a volunteer exsubmariner who told us all about life on board. We saw the torpedo room the cramped bunks a very small kitchen the control room and the engine room. It all looked quite claustrophobic and was a http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Western-Australia/Perth/blog-426668.html Another slow start and then a trip to nearby wireless park with some good views of Perth.Then after some lunch Anne took us out into the bush to see a reservoir and the dam that we could walk across. We tried dropping some gum nuts into it and the water level seemed quite low. Then we had a walk around and then suddenly we saw some kangaroos bound by. They were wild kangaroos and we saw a number http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Western-Australia/Perth/blog-426387.html Another slow start to the day. After a lazy breakfast we headed off to Kings Park in Perth city. Its quite a large park with lots of little places to stop and do things. We started with an aerial walkway through the trees with some great views of down town Perth. Then on to a dinosaur themed playground and then after a quick snack for lunch at the cafe we went on to the DNA tower where we climbe http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Western-Australia/Perth/Perth-City/blog-425829.html We were going to sleep in this morning but the children had other ideas.Anyway we had a very lazy morning doing not much after Anne went to work. We went out to the shops to get a few bits and pieces and had lunch. Then Anne was back from her duties and we all set off for Fremantle and the beach.We looked around some of the historic bits on the coast which included a jail house where Simon go http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Western-Australia/Fremantle/blog-425716.html This time it was a 700am start as we needed to get to the airport. So that was the time we had to get up to get packed get breakfast and get to the airport in time to book in. We got a taxi back to the airfield in the middle of nowhere and got sorted with the luggage. There was free wifi at the airport but we didn't have too long before the flight so we only managed a few quick email checks http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Western-Australia/Perth/blog-425309.html So 430am very dark reasonably cold and very sleepy we all got up for breakfast. The hand powered lights didn't give off much in the way of illumination so finding all your belongings in the tent was tricky at such a time. Then we packed up the bus jumped aboard and set off for kings canyon about 45 mins away.When we arrived it was still quite dark although sunrise was only a few minutes http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/King-s-Canyon/blog-425151.html So 515am came and Liz knocked on all our tents to get us to wake up. We then ate breakfast got together a few things it was still dark and set off for the Olgas. The Olgas are a set of mountainhillocks which were formed at the same time as Uluru but are made with all the big bits of erosion. So they appear like a huge form of concrete when inspected closely. A conglomerate of huge stones an http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Uluru/blog-425138.html So 600 am came and we had managed to just check out of the hotel when the bus turned up. I say bus but it was actually a lorry chassis with a sort of bus thing stuck on the back. That was the first surprise. Anyway Liz our tour guide introduced herself we loaded the small amount of luggage and then got onto the bus.We then spent the next few minutes creeping around the suburbs of Alice Spring http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Uluru/blog-424796.html So we packed up an left our villa in Cairns and went to the airport arriving a bit later than intended but still in enough time to get on the plane.It was a 3 hour flight from Cairns to Alice Springs. We got some good views of the reef as we took off and circled over the sea. Then inland over a very empty country with dry river beds and other things visible.Then we came into land at what looked http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Alice-Springs/blog-424793.html We went on a cable car above yet another rain forest to a village and came back.OK. Cath here now. Methinks Julian has now seen enough rain forest To be fair we are all a bit tired today after our long day yesterday. Jolly miffed to have got sunburnt but at least it shows I managed to do some snorkelling Although still surprising as it seemed pretty overcast most of the day except when it http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Kuranda/blog-423323.html Today starts early as we have to drive to Cairns to catch the boat to Green Island and the Great Barrier Reef well some of it anywayWe were well stocked with water crisps sun lotion and swimming kit. We boarded the catameran that was to take us out to Green Island about an hours journey. It was smooth sailing most of the way until we got clear of the headland and then it got a bit choppy bu http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Great-Barrier-Reef/blog-422969.html Wet started the day early with a quick trip out to the beach. Then some breakfast and a swim in the pool. Rachel taught mum how to use a snorkel.Then we had a snack and went out to a crocodile farm and park. There they raise crocodiles a little like we raise cows or pigs for the leather and meat trade. We arrived just in time for a tour of the farm part and so saw the various ponds where they rais http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Palm-Cove/blog-422537.html Out of the jungle and back into the more developed world. Well that's where we headed today.After another full breakfast which was nearly but not quite great there were a load of ants in the sugar bowl and the cooked breakfast was nearly there we packed up and headed back south.We stopped just before the ferry to visit the Daintree forest discovery centre. Here you could walk through the jun http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Palm-Cove/blog-422313.html We got up and headed down to the breakfast provided it was raining on the way which is apparently unusual at this time of year. After Simon had tried everything and we were all pretty full we went out onto the beach using the umbrellas provided. There were a few breaks in the clouds and the rain came in short sharp bursts. It was still tshirt weather though despite the rain.We booked in for an http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Cape-Tribulation/blog-422196.html We packed up all our things at Port Douglas and drove round to find an ATM as we were down to our last 10 of Australian money. We were going to have to use a ferry as part of the next stage of the journey so we needed some cash.We drove north towards the Daintree river where we were hoping to get a cruise. On the way we passed field after field of sugar cane. Then we came to the Daintree river c http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Cape-Tribulation/blog-422186.html A full day in Port Douglas and its time to hit the beach.We walked across the road and explored the local suburbs as the beach was very near we just weren't quite sure exactly where it was. Eventually we found the beach path and came out onto a tropical beach complete with coconuts.The braver amongst us ventured out for a swim it was pretty hot and the forecast was for 29C.Certainly things dri http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Port-Douglas/blog-421351.html So here we are back in Australia.It was an early start to get to Auckland airport for 7am but we made it ok. Then a 5 hour flight to Cairns. We arrived and admitted to the immigration that we'd stayed on a farm and after a few questions they took our shoes away and cleaned them for us We also had to wait a while for the hire car to arrive but it was upgraded to a van. At least the luggage wa http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Port-Douglas/blog-421042.html Tomorrow we leave for Cairns and the great barrier reef so today we went around some local places.After breakfast we headed out to New Zealand guide dogs breeding and training centre where Cath had made contact and they agreed to show us around. There were a lot of similarities to how puppy walking is done in the UK. We got to see 10 6 week old puppies and even a couple of 11 day old ones.Then b http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Auckland/South-Auckland/blog-420543.html