Aboard Ship!

We boarded the ship about 8:00 last evening after spending the night in Cairns.  Bus made the trip ok but it took 3 hrs instead of the previous 1 by coast road.  Over the mountains through Kuranda again then down to Cairns.  Nice to have a chance to see the town and have dinner along the esplanade.  We did see rock slides and high water along the road but were able to pass.

 

Ship nice and room great!  We bought three bottles of wine in the airport and  brought them aboard and then received one from agent.  That should hold us for a few cocktails on the veranda.  Lovely!  Blankets here for use on veranda as it is getting cooler and cooler as we travel south.  Pool not looking inviting to me at all although there is a cover if necessary.  Sun is out today...a nice change from the rain of two days.  Tomorrow we see Rotoura and Hells Gate area.  Several tour days in a row now.

 

Dale and Dennis up early to exercise but lazy Buelows slept in today!!

 

		Hole in the wall & Mercury Island VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL This album has 2 photos and will be available on SkyDrive until 6/26/2012.

Off to Kuranda!

5:30 rise and shine for trip on old railway to mountain village of Kuranda.  Visiting a rainforest station, kuranda trails over gorges and forest.  Sky tram back down the mountail...'''

It's fun to read comments from Joanne!  We read emails so ok to write. More later today...much later!!

Port Douglas

Arrived in Port Douglas yesterday on  a beautiful day.  Lucky for us as there had been storms, tornados and rock slides the week before.  Our hotel is great..Shantara, with mini kitchen for  quick meals as we like.  Walked up town for a meal as we missed lunch and were forced to have drinks and tappas while we waited for restaurants to open again.  Don't we look sad!!    Today we set off on a huge catamaran of stainless steel looking like a space ship and off to the reef.  Beautiful day and water was warm as we slipped into the sea with flippers and masks to view the coral and fish.  Lycra suits prevented jellyfish stings and we were glad of that...underwater camera recorded the sights.  Finished the day with cocktails and bites on the beach side...wonderful end to a wonderful day.  Hard to imagine we are half way around the world from you all!

 

		Port Douglas tappas time! VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL This album has 6 photos and will be available on SkyDrive until 6/22/2012.

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Today we had another early start to take a road trip.  Up to Bell's Beach, surfer paradise, Apollo Bay, and rock formations along the way.  Beautiful scenery of Aussie countryside.  Many sheep and cattle and two koala in the eucalyptus trees..spotted a kangaroo hopping along too!!  Tomorrow we fly to Cairns and then to Port Douglas for four days.  There it is hot and muggy.  Sat is Barrier Reef.  We are looking forward to a little poolside time and time to organize a bit.  All of us are enjoying everything and are doing great now that we have had some sleep!!  Feet hurt though.  Love to all...

 

		Great ocean road, "twelve apostles" plus one! VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL This album has 4 photos and will be available on SkyDrive until 6/20/2012.

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Melbourne!!

 

 

 

We arrived yesterday and spent the day walking around the city until we could walk no more.  Queen Victoria Market, Eureka Tower, Federation Square and the city...all beautiful.  Everyone is young, thin, and dressed in black, suits on men look great.  All rush around with places to be and things to do.  What do they do with the seniors???  Rain today in the morning but we walked the city again and then to St. Kilda beach town.  Cake shop was fantastic.  Tram home to Ibis to get ready for great ocean road tour tomorrow then fly to Cairins & Port Douglas.  Hoping for sun but rain predicted.  Internet is unpredictable but will try to get photos up next time.

Dont forget to feed the dogs.

Dogs will eat a lot while we are gone so be sure to feed them their usual.  Big dogs need a lot of excercise as well.

Melbourne here we come!!

 

Fly day is finally here....next stop Melbourne, Australia on Tuesday morning.  Bags are at capacity of either weight or their space..note to self..bigger garment bag!!!

 

We will think of you all....