Crickey! It's been a while!

Wow!! It's feels like forever since I have updated you on my travels, so let's get caught up!! On Jan 14- 19 we took a road trip along the Great Ocean Road which was spectacular!! As you came upon the first part of the road you left the Otway Mt Range and saw the beautiful crystal blue water in front of you. This incredible coastline is one that pictures do not do justice for- the natural erosion and curving road alongside it all is just amazing. The road was actually built by the servicemen coming back from WW1- they needed work for these men, and they had them built one of the most incredible stretches of highway. This trip is also where we really started to get into all of the favorite australian foods... so it only seemed fitting to have a meat pie on our way to Apollo Bay, where we camped for the next two nights. Camping, what the Aussie's like to call caravanning, was amazing along the side of the ocean. We literally would fall asleep and wake up to the sound of the ocean. Of course, there was also the Kookaburras- seriously the loudest bird I have ever heard. They like to make this loud laughing sort of sound at about 6:00 in the morning- talk about a wake up call!! Apollo Bay was nice, most of the towns have similar feel to the small communities in Cape Cod. It all feels so comfortable, easy going, friendly- maybe it's because I was so used to NYC but the people here are so accomidating and relaxed. We went for hikes, watched stars, took walks along the ocean, and kept warm around a- oh wait- thats right NO Campfires!! This was definately a weird concept for us... if your camping a campfire is required. However here there are no fires allowed because of the drought and the bush fires. After a few days we headed to Warrnambol. The second part of the drive for me was just amazing. Sights included the 12 Apostles, London Bridge, The Grotto, and Loch Ard. All of these are natural formations along the coastline that are just breathtaking. Waves crashing upon shore continue the natural erosion that first created these sights, remind you that they are always evolving and changing, which is really interesting. We had a great road trip and time camping in Victoria, despite the slightly colder temperatures of approx. 60 at night and about 80 during the day.

On Jan 20th we left Victoria for Queensland and the Sunshine Coast. Our first stop was in Noosa, a beach town with a beautiful National Park just along the ocean. We had a great time here going to the Australia Zoo one day, hiking the next, and pre celebrating Kris's birthday. The Zoo is home of the Crocodile Hunter, the late Steve Irwin. We were lucky enough to see his two children and wife at the Crocoseum and Wildlife Warriors show. It was incredible with elephants, birds flying everywhere, a few snakes, and then the highlight watching a croc enjoy a bit of a meal. Such incredibly huge and fierce creatures, it was a suprising favorite of mine! Another highlight was being able to pet & take pictures with Koalas & Kangaroos. The zoo was really well done & a fun day. After our time in Noosa we took a three day adventure camping trip on Frasers Island, the largest sand island in the world. It is home to over 100 freshwater lakes, tons of dingo's (sort of like a mix between a fox and dog... can be dangerous), incredible beaches and lookouts. My favorite part of Frasers Island was just driving on the beach, our guide Wes drove a 4 X 4 along the ocean for literally 2 hours and we were lucky enough to be in the front seat to see it all! Fraser is beautiful and we had the best time seeing all we could, even getting to have a campfire one evening. Missing marshmallow's it was still a hit.
After Fraser Island we have spent the last few days making our way down the coast, the first stop in Brisbane, your basic city- and third largest in Australia behind Sydney and Melbourne. It did have a great deal of art throughout the city which was great to see- and we were there on Australia Day... so it was nice to see people celebrating their country's day. After Brisbane we spent a day in Surfers Paradise, the Miami of the Gold Coast. It was nice to see- but you only needed one day to see how it differs from the other city's around it. We had a great time there- and then it was off to Byron Bay... a personal favorite again. First planning to stay 2 days we added on another just to see & enjoy all this smaller but great beach city had to offer. It is the easternmost point in Australia, with a beautiful park & coastal walk to the lighthouse & point. We were lucky enough to see dolphins & a manta ray while walking along the coast- so that was pretty amazing. We also took a day trip to the Nightcap National Park, home of Australia's oldest rainforest region and Nimbin, a small hippie village that makes you feel as if you have entered the 70's all over again. This morning, our last day in Byron we did a morning surf class that was so much fun. I'm extremely tired but it was worth all of it- three hours in the ocean trying to figure out how to stand on that perfect wave!! I'm hoping I can try again on my travels, it's not easy but very addicting! Tonight we take a bus to Sydney & I'll do my best to keep you all updated!! Cheers!

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