Hey guys!!

Our posts keep coming through a little late... we seem to be on the move so much... we need to get better at sitting and writing these things!

Anyway, we want to write about our roadtrip across what we thought was a lot of Australia (it wasn't, the country is HUGE!), and our shark dive which we all managed to survive!

So, 5 days, 2,000 miles, 3 brits, no maps, lots of trivia and lots of talk about conspiracy theories, politics, religion, careers and god knows what else - yes we are some fine acamedic fellows you know! But seriously, 5 days and 2,000 miles across some of the most beautiful country we have all ever seen despite being shattered at the end of each day (not too shattered to play wrestling in the hotel room..) with an INCREDIBLE shark dive wedged in, and that gives you a feel for this part of our trip.

First leg of our journey took us from Melbourne to Adelaide via the great ocean road. Everyone told us it would take 2 days, 3 days, a week. We did it in 15 hours. We didn't stop much, but none the less the great ocean road is, well, pretty great. Stunning coastline of long white beaches, short rocky beaches, high cliffs, big rips, the Twelve Apostles and plenty of winding road... it really is a stunning drive. Its only 250km long but takes a good 3 to 4 hours, and there are times when you simply have to stop to admire the view. 950km in one day, and we didnt even get lost. Check us out.

Adelaide to Port Lincoln the next day. More miles, more worldly discussion, more music, and more Australian countryside. Passing through a number of tiny towns and through long outback roads with stunning red earth, green Oz outback bush and vast open spaces, on a backdrop of mountains in the searing heat can give you a feel for how stunning this leg of the drive was. The towns gave us a real feel for the more authentic of Australia, and it was so hot that the cars in the distance looked as though they were floating in the sky. We also passed copious salt flats which were just stunning. Only drawback was Cam's constant need to go to the toilet...bladder of a tiny child, that man. We arrived to our Port Lincoln hotel at around 8pm and in and amongst what we didnt realise at the time were the height of Australia day celebrations.

So, to the shark dive..... wow!!

Picked up at 6am from our hotel, we boarded with around 40 other keen shark cage dives and set off for our day. A 3 hour boat ride out into the ocean, through high waves and many sick bags (not us, we managed to just about hold it together!), we arrived at our dive site around 10.30am. Signing a waver to 'accidental death' gave us the added excitement (nerves) that we needed and we were well up for the day ahead! We clocked our first great white within minutes, and at around 4 metres it was an absolute beast.

We were in group 2, so strapped up and were ready to go by 12pm. We were fed into the cage (choice word) and before we knew it all 3 of us were under the boat, in a metal cage held on by rope (rope!), bashing around in shark infested waters just trying to remember to breathe through our mouths, GoPro's at the ready of course! We saw our first shark within seconds, the same one as earlier... it must have passed no more than 1ft from the outside of the cage. No warning, no noise, it was just there.. in our faces, looking for food. The guys running the show throw chump in (blood and fish guts) to lure the sharks, and so thats what they are there for (at least, thats what they told us :P). Its an incredible sight.. the sharks are so silent and almost lethargic in their movements, but when they see their dinner... BANG. They speed up like lightening, and all of a sudden you can almost feel the power as they go for their food. It's an amazing sight.

We spent 45 minutes all just locked on the 5 sharks that we saw, all swimming around: left, right, up, down... from every angle, looking past all the little annoying fish that are too small to interest the shark but which block of views. And before we knew it, the time was up. What an experience it was. We spent the rest of the afternoon talking about it, lying around on the boat and talking to everyone aboard and sharing our experiences. No one wimped out, everyone loved it, and it was all around an amazing day out. We sailed back at 4.30pm and were back in our hotel by 8pm saying 'boys, we actually just did that'!

The following two days were further driving through the Australia countryside. More road, more outback.. but suprisingly, no bugs, no snakes, no kangaroos. We stopped and explored around and spent some time in some of the other towns we'd passed along the way. We arrived back in Melbourne, said goodbye to Cam, and took our flight to Brisbane to prepare for Vietnam.

After spending a brief day in Brisbane, where i accidentally got a hair cut that pretty much shaved my head (Bruce laughed at me alot, yeah cheers mate), we set our sights on Vietnam.

A month in Australia turned out to be slightly too long for us, but none the less we had some amazing experiences, a lot of laughs, and did something not many people we know have or probably will ever do. Throw in a visit from our good friend Cammy, the Australia Open and cricket and the MCG, a few hap hazard c*** ups and that pretty much sums it up.

We kept this one brief as we are moving on again soon, and need to post about our first few days here in Vietnam, so we hope you enjoy it and it gives you a flavour for our road trip and the dive. We would recommend anyone visiting to do it - it's such a good way to see other parts of Australia and it felt great to be on the open road.

We hope everyone continues to be well and safe, and that you are all keeping warm from the chill. I risk a firm slap down for saying a day in the cold would be quite nice as we have been in constant hot for a while now... i know i know, typical Brit thing to say!

Take care guys and check in with you all very soon.

Big love

Bruce and Ash x