In the last 6 weeks we've finished our South East Asia experience and are back in the western world - Australia!

After relaxing for near on a month on Thailand's islands, we headed for our adventures in Borneo. First stop was Kota Kinabalu, then the next morning we got the bus across to Sandakan as there is more to do that side. Went to see the famous orangutans at Sepilok - only 3 came out to play (!) - after struggling to get the local bus there. Everyone we asked said something different! Got there in the end though. Then we went on an overnight trip to the jungle on the Kinabatgan River, it rained the whole time! We stayed in wooden huts with wild pigs and monkeys running around. We did see ellies which was cool, lots of monkeys, crocs, lizards etc. We were glad to get back to Sandakan and the warmth of the hotel room. Unfortunately we had to cancel our trip to Turtle Island due to the weather so we'll have to go back to Borneo to see them! The main reason we went to Borneo was to climb Mount Kinabula, which we got to do and it was incredible. The women at the briefing told us it was an easy mountain to climb, well she's a liar. It's a 2 day climb, do 6km the 1st day, then up the next day for the rest 2.5km at 2.30am in time to reach the summit for sunrise. We got there a little early so were slighty freezing at the top! The descent was hard and the rain came down which only made us move faster! But well worth it, what an achievement and the views from the top were out of this world. Back to Kota Kinabalu to catch our flight to Kuala Lumpur where we spent the day watching the Tour De Langawi! We could hardly move though, the pain after the climb hit us after 2 days! And on to Australia...

First stop was Melbourne (after making our flight with 2 mins to go in Singapore!). Stayed with friends here (thanks so much Samara, Rich & Chelsea!) and spent the 1st 3/4 days looking at campervans. After a long winded process we decided to hire one - Manny the Mazda! So then we had time to see Melbourne and we loved it. Saw some cricket at The MCG with the tassie devils Toddy & Brodie - Australia v Sri Lanka, was good before the rain hit! Went to Melbourne Aquarium, river cruise on the Yarra, St Kilda, Ballarat, shopping in town and lots more! Was great to see people we met in Africa too so there were a few messy nights. We even had our very own farm stay in Ballarat with Chelsea's folks and that was awesome :o).

We left Melbourne for our journey up the coast and decided to head straight for Sydney - which is one long drive! Stayed at Bondi Beach which is awesome, saw the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, The Rocks, Botanical Gardens and the rest! Went to Manly for a day, wow. And also spent a night in the Blue Mountains which was wicked, the views there are amazing.

After that we headed up the coast stopping at Smiths Lakes, Coffs Harbour, Corindi Beach, Byron Bay, Tweed Heads, Coolongata, Surfers Paradise and Paradise Point. It's great to drive and stop where we want when we want. We mostly stay right near the beach, just park up as there as usually showers and toilets right there etc. We've been told to move onlt once - in Byron a ranger knocked on the door at 7am telling us to shift - at least he let us sleep that long! There are so many campervans there though that they must drive around knocking on everyone's door! We've done lots of body boarding on the way up too as bought a couple of boards which has been fun and no sharks have got us just yet. Went horseriding through the bush in Coffs, brilliant and nice calm horses thank god. This stretch of road had been great fun and the weather good too, which maybe we've been lucky with as hear it's raining further up the coast. Anyway...

We're now in Brisbane which has been fricking sweet. We have been staying with Luke, Amelia and Womble but leave today :o(. Have been doing lots of catching up, eating and drinking! Spent a day in the city which was good to see, we both like it here a lot - not as busy as Sydney and much more relaxed. Saw the usual tourist things and had lunch down on the South Bank by the fake beach! Went to Australia Zoo, which was ok but not as good as we had hoped for. Saw crocs, roos, kaolos and other aussie animals. Went to Mooloolaba in the arvo and had lunch at a real surf club! Had the best prawns for dinner (so fresh) but steered clear of the crab! Caught up with a Uni friend Sam and his wife and had a roast lamb dinner which delicious - great to see them. Spent a day at Dreamworld on crazy rides and made ourselves feel sick. Tower of Terror is worse that a bungy jump! So all those that do that ride should have no worries jumping off a bridge with a bit of elasic attached to them. Anyway...also saw animals here which was prob better than Australia zoo!

Brisbane has been excellent, well so far Australia has been excellent and we love it! Next stop in Noosa, then Fraser Island for Easter, then up the coast some more to meet Clare's Mum and brother for the Whitsundays up to Cairns, yah!

Hope you've enjoyed reading this, sorry if it's been a bit long!

Clare and Joel xxx