Quite the Start

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G'day mates,

Well, we arrived in Cairns, Australia on February 3rd (after a luxurious air New Zealand flight!) and decided to explore the town of the Great Barrier Reef. It's a fairly big beach town with lots to see (including a very large colony of flying foxes! They're massive and hard to photograph!).

We had a day of relaxation which we spent by the wonderful pool at our hostel. We then met up with Karen's friend Matt. We went out for a nice cheap dinner and then decided to try Goon. More on that later.

Our Friday was spent on snorkling the Great Barrier Reef which was everything it is cracked up to be and more. We have a bunch of underwater camera pics but will have to get them developed at home and or when we finish the roll of film. So many tropical fish, big and small, colourful and bland. Our second snorkle sight had tonnes of jellyfish but luckily they didn't get us. This was also a day where the sea was quite angry (not really, it was likely because we had a bit too much goon the night before:S) We were both sick on the boat on the way out but eventually recovered to see some amazing things.

The plan for Saturday was basically just to relax and maybe check out the city some more.... until an encouraging message from Karen's father changed our plans. We found ourselves on a small cesna plane heading up to 14 000 feet which was working perfectly fine! Some of the people on board had the "Crazy" idea to jump out of the door that was open. So we figured, "when in Rome" and did the same! It was literally the thrill of a lifetime. So much fun.

We're heading south today as long as all goes well with our bookings.

Also, before we left NZ we got a chance to meet up with Joel's friend Jeff. Had a nice little dinner and walk through scenic Auckland.

That's all for now. The weather in Australia has been sunny (with small showers) and approx 32 plus degrees everyday. Can't complain!

Keep on rocking in the free world.

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Comments

[brad lipskie]

You're making Steve Irwin jealous....
Crikey!! So glad you enjoyed the skydiving event. Awesome view no doubt. And awesome pictures of Australia from the air. BTW, picture of the eagle is remarkable. Fierce beauty at its' best. Sorkling on the GBR, huh?? Thought you could not do this in Northern Australia because of all the jellyfish?? Maybe I misunderstood what you had said. A whole month to look forward to in Australia as you work your way towards the Southern part. PRICELESS!! Enjoy (as if), stay safe, look after each other and stay in touch. We have so much to talk about with all these pictures. -luv, pa

[Karen T]

About the baby crocs
Where is the mother croc while you two are handling its babies!!! I'm really enjoying following your travel blog and photos - so many adventures. The jump sounded extreme but you survived to tell us now didn't you!

[jacqueline hardman]

holy macaroni....
Could you guys be having any more fun!!! Sky diving!!!!!!! Good job listening to Pa...he's got some good ideas! And the baby crocs? The kids loved those pics. You guys are soooo smart to be doing this. Thinking of you often...love Jackie

[daveandlynne]

OMG....Karen...you skydived??? WOA Awsome gal!! Sound like your having an amazing time. I can't beleive you guys have been gone for over a month now. We miss you guys!! Found my daycare provider. She's great, around the corner and much cheaper then the Y. I go back to work in less then 2 months. My, where did the time go? Anyway...did I tell you I miss you? Karen, I put yours, mine and Dave's grad photo's in the three picture frame you gave me. It look awsome in the hallway! Looking foward to the next post!