Hey Everyone

This is the 2nd attempt of writing this entry. The 1st attempt took me an hour and a half to write and then the computer crashed and lost it all !! If it happens again then i have decided to give up on computers as they drive me crazy !! Hope this entry goes well !!

Well we are in West Austrailia now, have been here nearly 3 weeks and we are loving it. Perth is a gorgeous city and we love it !! Its so chilled out and relaxed, reminds me of swansea a bit so we both really like it here !! When we arrived here three weeks ago, we orginally stayed in Perth for a week. We met up with our friends that we met in thailand, Kathryne and Mike and chilled with them for the first 3 days. Perth city is lovely, its not manic or crazily busy, like Asia, so it was a nice change. Its quite a small city but it has alot of character to it. We stayed in a nice hostel (and got to watch Neighbours which was wicked) !! We also visited the surrounding towns of perth such as Freemantle and Cottlestole. Freemantle is a gorgeous and scenic town and we loved it there. Its situated around a harbour and it is famous for its cappucinio strip. It also has a fantastic market which sold loads of different funky items. Its the best market that we have been to and we went there about 4 times as you never get bored of it. Cottelstole was also a really pretty village that had a beautiful beach. On the first day we were there, we had a beer overlooking cottelstole beach watching the sunset and watching dolphins swim and jump in the sea. It was magical and made us instantly love Perth. However what i would suggest is that, if you had one day in Perth, then spend it in Freemantle as it is so pretty and you will never be bored there. We both decided that we would love to live there !! Whilst staying in Perth we had a brilliant host named Jason who showed us all the best spots to go to. If you are reading this Jason, then me and matt want to thank you for all your hospitatility and kindness that you showed us. You were a massive help and we are eternally gratefull for everything that you did for us. Thanks for the amazings showers, your a legend, cheers x x x

Whilst in Perth, we bought a van (our new home named snoopy as it looks like a dog from the front). Its a toyoya Hiace and its a 94 model so its a nice and reliable van. We have built a bed in the back and bought all our cooking gear so we have lived in it for the last 2 weeks. We have a double bed built in the back that has loads of storage space under neath so its very practical. We have also got curtains for it so it is very cosy inside.

After a week in perth we were ready to start travelling up the west coast to see all the sights and attractions. In the last 2 wks we have driven 2500 miles, Austrailaia is MASSIVE, its nuts). We have seen some amazing sights and we have seen the most speactuclar beaches. Our first stop was to the Pinnacles which are thousands of Sandstone rocks in the middle of the dessert. They were pretty cool to look at as all the rocks are crazy shapes and sizes and they were distributed right in the middle of the dessert. Our next visist was to a national park in Kalbarri. We had a wicked time here and saw some amazing gorges and sights. We saw a massive gorge called "Z Bend" and it was wicked to look at as all you see is massive red cliiffs with water and white sand. We also saw another cool rock called natures Window. It was on the edge of the cliff and it was arched so that you see all the speactual views of the national park through the rock. The only downfall about Kalbarri and Aus is the bloody flies. They are everywhere, buzzing in your ears and eyes and mouth. It nearly drove us insane in Kalbarri as they dont leave you alone. Next time we have decided to invest in a fly hat !! in Kalbarri we slept on the edge of a clfftop in the van, overlooking the sunset and watching the waves crash into the rocks. It was so romantic and the best scenery to admire whilst making your food. That is the advantage that we have by living in the van. You never sleep in the same place twice, if you want to watch the sunset or admire the scenary, then we just drive there and sleep there.

Our next stop was to Denham which is also known as shark Bay. It was a wonderful place, that had loads of amazing things to see. Denham is a lttle town, which is surroundd by beautifull beaches and amazing countryside so it is considered a natural treasure. In the two days we were there, we went to see a lagoon which was gorgeous. It was in the middle of the land and the colours of the water was stunning. We also went to a place called Ocean park which is an outdoor aquarium which is owned by the most dedicated marine biologist i know. The park featured a massive sea like lake that was home to 6 sharks. It was so cool to see, we watched these huge sharks being fed, and they were wild. The day before we were there, the biggest shark there called the lemon shark attacked another shark and bit it into two and ate it. Would have loved to have seen that. There was a wooden hut and boardwalk that led into the middle of the lake that enabled you to watch all the sharks swim and fight. It was amazing, me and matt were there for hours, memorized by the sharks. Also at the ocean park was turtles and stingrays and sea snakes which could kill you if they bit you.

On the second day at Denham we went to a place called Monkey Mia which is a beach where the dolphins swim into the sea shore and accept food from you. The dolphins which are in their natural habitat swim in about three times a day to the shore of the beach and wait to see if they get fed. We watched two feeds and were inches away from the dolphins. Both of the dolphins that swam in (their names were suprise and nicky) were heavily pregnant so they were massive. We had a great day there as the beach was gorgeous and we just sat there watching dolphins swim in the sea !! For the nights that we stayed at Denham we camped out in a place called Eagles Bluff which was a clifftop where you could watch all the turtles and sharks swim in the sea. It was awesome as we would watch the sharks swim, then watch the sunset, followed by dinner. The last day at Denham we went to a beach called shell beach which was entirely made up of shells. There was not a sand particle in sight. The bach was glorious to look at as all the shells glistened in the sun and the sea was a gorgeous shade of blue. All of the shells were individual looking and there was millions of them, it was so cool !! During our stay in Denham, we found a secret hot spring that was told to us in secret. The spring was in the middle of acres of countryside and it was a natural spring that poured out boiling hot water at a high tempo. Both of us showered there each day. Was crazy, we were both butt naked, standing on top of a milk crate having boling hot water poured all over us. Emus were surrounding us, and anyone could have seen us but it was great fun.

After Denham we visisted the most beautiful place that is Coral Bay (population 120 people !!). We stayed there for a week and without a doubt, its the most beautiful and breathtaking beach that we have ever seen. The sea is made up of loads of different shades of blues and turquoises, its just amazing. If you walk 15 mins down the beach, you come to a shallow part of the beach. You walk into the sea at knee deep and you become surrounded by loads of black tip reef sharks. They just swim in the shallow depths and if you stand still for 10 mins, they swim around you. In all, we must have seen about a hundred of them. We went there every day and would just stand in the water waching the sharks swim and fight. Stingrays would also swim by you so it was really cool. We loved it there, there were so many sharks in the sea, its mad. I used to real fear them before i came to Aus but they are not that bad. (however they were not great whites, and of course i would crap myself if i saw one of them) !!

In Coral bay We met up with Kat and Mike and all their friends that they have met on their trip up north. The people we met were all wicked and fun loving people so we had a great 2 weeks socialising with them. In coral bay we also went quad biking in the sand dunes and on the beaches. I had to ride on the back of Matts as i do not have a drivers licence (was so gutted) but matt drove widly so it was great frun. We got up to speeds of about 50 miles per hour along beaches and on sand dunes so it was wicked. We also did allot of snorkeling and swam with turtles. Swimming with turtles is awesome as they glide so elegantly in the water without a care in the world. Sharks do not eat them, so they are not scared of anyone. The turtles we saw were massive and we swam with them for ages, we loved it. They have no care and they just look at you like they are inviting you to swim with them. The temperature in Coral bay was boiling, the heat was exhausting so we never went out at midday heat, as you will burm within a second. Because we were sleeping in the van, as soon as the sun rises the van really starts to heat up and get warm. Therfore each day me and matt get up at about 7am as you cant stay in the van any longer.

After Coral bay we were ready to move on to a place called Exmouth. During our stay in Exmouth, me matt and the freinds that we met went diving at the Ningaloo Reef which holds some of the nicest coral in the world. We did three dives in one day and saw a large leophard shark, massive stingrays and some beautiful fish and coral. The coral was absolutely stunning, it has not been damaged, unlike the great barrier reef. It is so colouful and pretty and as it is soft coral it sways with the current and moves so it is even more magical to look at. Matt took his camera down on the dives so the photos are amazing, we will put them on soon ! On the dive trip we stopped for some lunch on this island and we went swimming with turtles who were having sex everywhere because it is mating season. Was so funny, these turtles were huge and they kept chasing each other in the sea as they were humping each other !! There were loads of the turtles in the sea, and we went swimmin with them, but did not go to close just in case they thought you were a turtle and would try and start to have sex with you. Overall it was an amazing day. In Exmouth We also camped out under the stars in swags with Kat and Mike. We hired some swags, went to the natinal park and camped out under the stars. We were surrounded by kangaroos who were very intrigued by us, so that was cool. Going to sleep under the stars is amazing as you see hundreds of them. The sky is never dark enough in the UK as there are lights everywhere, but in the middle of the national park, there were no lights so you could see hundreds of stars !! As Aus is a warm climate, none of us got cold and none of us were bitten so it was a brilliant experience, proper outback style. We did lots of snorkeling in Exmouth at a place called Turquoise bay which was part of Ningloo Reef. The coral there was also beautiful and colouful (the best in the world, they reckon), its just amazing to look at. We also saw some sharks there, swimming in the shallow depths. They just shoot past you, you have no idea they are there !! We have fallen in love with the sea, theer is so much marine life here. You can look at all the fish and sharks and turtles as they swim in shallow deaphs. The west coast is so cool and we have loved the north part of it. The only downfall was that you travel for so long between each place. There is a village and then there will not be another village for about 500 miles, there is just no people, its crazy !! Showering has been fun thou, we have just run into hostels and used their showers without asking, we are such rebels. Also we have showered in hot water (that we boiled up on the stove) on the top of cliffs and beaches. We are stark naked for everyone to see, but its so much fun !! (cold thou as it gets windy on the cliff tops)

We are back in perth now and are starting back on our travels on sunday where we will travel the south part of the west coast with Kat and Mike. It looks like alot of fun and the places are situated very near to each other which is always a bonus !! There are supposed to be stunning beaches there and lots of dolphins so we are very excited !!

Asia was amazing and we loved it there but we have fallen in love with Austrailia and their way of living. Its so realxed and laid back here !! However the aboriginals cornered me one day when we were in this little village. They were all very drunk and they kept eyeing up my food and drink. I was so scared of them as mat had left me to get some wine from the liquoir store. Thy were very intimitading and they had no teeth and no shoes, they would not leave me alone !! They are crazy people !!

We Have a few funny stories to tell. In Perth a few wks ago I got my arm stuck in a bus rail. We did not know what to do as my arm was wedged in the bus handle and we were due to get off at the next stop. In the end mat just grabbed it and yanked it out. It was so painful as my whole arm had swollen up. Everyone on the bus found it hysterical but matt was not a happy chappy. I thought he was going to kill me, i think he got frightened as he thought the firemen would have to cut me out of the bus !! Poor guy, i get myself into some crazy situations !! Also last week i left the keys in the van and got us locked out. We had to wait for 4 hours for a man from the RAC to come and get the keys out. We had no money, no water, no sun screen so we had to wait in a shop on a stool for 4 hrs unitl he came. Matt was not happy with me, he did not speak to me all day !! Wooopsie !!

Also a coupe of days ago, we were on our way back to perth and the van started smoking. The engine had overheated and the van looked like it was on fire ! We stopped the van suddenly (we were in the middle of no where) and when matt looked at the engine he reaslied that the radiater hose had split practically in half. We managed to tape it up and then we half pushed the van and half drove it to the nearest roadhouse which was THANKFULLY 10K away. At the roadhouse we met an extremely nice couple who i think took pity on us and gave us their spare radiater hose which was a perfect fit. They helped us fit it and did not charge us, so we wil forever be thankful to them !! Hopefully nothing else will go wrong with Snoopy, fingers crossed !!

The weather has been stunning in the last few weeks, so we have got a great tan coming on. Howver we got to perth yesterday and it is cloudy and cold and rainy. We Forget what rain looked like, Reminds us of the UK. Hopefuly the south will be nicer weather.

Well i hope you have been entertained with this entry, me and matt are both well, and are live and kicking !! We hope that everyone back home is well !! We miss you lots and we love you all !! Take care and take it easy. Make sure you all stay in touch, we would love to hear from all of you !! All our love, matt and amy x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x