RubyM

Here it is - the last day of the big trip! It's been better even than I expected it would be. San Francisco has been great - need to come back here to do some more exploring. Yesterday we did the Golden gate bridge (in the fog!); Union Square; Haight street (very bohemian and hippy, right up my street...); and of course the trams! In the evening went to Alcatraz, which was fabulous - really eerie in the fog; got some great photos. Apparently, it's always foggy in the Bay area in summer - ah well, never mind. Today we drove down the coast through San Jose (do you know the way?); past silicon valley (1st silicon chip invented); to Monterey, a lovely place, made famous by John steinbeck's novels. Bought a copy of Cannery Row ... read more

My journey is going too fast now! The New Zealand bit is nearly over and I haven't been here long enough :( Yesterday went to Hobbiton and had to sign a secrecy thingy cos we saw the new set for the new Hobbit movies. So no photos can be shared.... But it was fab Today went to the glow worm caves and two other great caves - aranui and Rotarui. The stalagtites and stalagmites were absolutely amazing. It's been really sunny too since we got here - so lucky with the weather. Everyone here ways it's incredible that the weather has improved so much since last week! Only San Fransisco to go now and I will be home again - damn thing is too quick. Was cuddling little animals today too and got to see a ... read more

Here we are in Brisbane. Spent the morning in Cairns, before flying down here. A lovely sunny day again, but a little cooler here. Don't know how it will pan out next week as there is heavy snow in New Zealand - just about where we are due to go!! ah well, can't win em all.... Brisbane seems a nice city - lights are great at night! We are going whale watching tomorrow, so looking forward to that. Very tired tonight, so short blog entry - need an early night I think! will report in again tomorrow if I get the chance. G'night ... read more

Last full day in Port Douglas today :( I've absolutely loved it here - what a great place.... Yesterday we went out to the great barrier reef and I went snorkling! Which is something of an achievement for me as a non-swimmer.. It was fantastic and I loved the snorkling - must learn to swim when I get home. Got a bit too much sun though, as the factor 30 kept waching off in the sea, so I'm a bit red today! I'm just on here while I'm waiting for a bus to pick us up to go to Kuranda. I am taking the sky train up the mountain (Vikki can't do that bit!) then exploring up there and taking atrain down again. Should be some fab views. Tomorrow we fly to Brisbane - last stop ... read more

G'day guys! I am still having a ball here in Australia - can't believe I'm half-way through the trip already! I wanted to post some photos today, but the internet access here is free, but limited and they don't allow uploading stuff! Ah well... Today we went into the Daintree rainforest. We did a couple of guided walks on the forest floor, which was great. The guide pointed out all the poisoness plants, etc and I got a few shots of insects and lizards. then we had a cruise up the daintree river, where we saw some crocodiles on the bank - I got some great photos of Nelson, the big male croc, sleeping on the bank! Plus a couple of females and a little hatchling. We had lunch in a tree house in the forest, ... read more