Hello world!

Well you can call off the search party as we are still alive, having spent the last 3 weeks travelling up the east coast of Australia from Sydney up to Cape Tribulation. We have intended to update the blog many times only to decide it was too expensive, too slow, too short a time window or just too hot to think but here we are in beautiful Port Douglas with an hour credit and air conditioning...

We've had a fun 3 weeks, with a number of novel experiences unusual experiences. Its not everyday you snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, get attacked by giant grasshoppers (Phil), get flashed at by a man at the side of the road, go platypus spotting before lunch, croc spotting over lunch, cruise the Whitsunday Islands in a flash sailing boat or traverse the huge sand castle that is Fraser Island in a 4WD, see such amazing mullets in their natural environment or hear people say Fair Dinkum for real... And of course, its not everyday that Phil becomes a proud uncle to baby Benjamin born 20.01.09.

So to try and summarise life after Melbourne...

Sydney Tuesday 30th Dec 2008 to Sunday 4th Jan 2009

Our trip to Sydney began with a 12 hour overnight train journey, with the 30th being a very hot, busy blur. Our decision to treat ourselves to an apartment at the Oaks Goldsborough apartments paid of, with a free upgrade to a flash one bedroom apartment, a lovely pool/spa and a prime location in Darling Habour. New Year's Eve was spent sunbathing in 30c degrees on the stunning Manly Beach, a huge stretch of soft sand against a backdrop of green fir trees. In the early evening we made our way to our ticketed area of the Botanical Gardens to view the fireworks, feeling very lucky that we hadnt had to camp for 24 hours in the blistering heat as most people seemed to be doing around the city. Our area was called Lawn with a View and the view was absolutely incredible - about 50 metres behind the Opera House with full view of both this and the Harbour Bridge. We had a complementary picnic and everyone viewed the fireworks from the comfort of their picnic blankets. Needless to say the fireworks were pretty special - hopefully you saw them on the news? New Year's day we visited Taronga Zoo and climbed the Harbour Bridge pylon to enjoy the views across Sydney. Over the next 3 days we visited the Aquarium to see the Dugongs, sharks and huge manta rays, enjoyed a coastal walk from Bondi Beach to Coogee via Bronte and Tamarama beaches, took a tour inside the Opera House and treated ourselves to one night out in Darling Harbour.

Blue Mountains Sunday 4th - Tuesday 6th January

We collected our hot new wheels... a brand new but naff looking apple green Hyundai Getz and headed to the beautiful, densely forested Blue Mountains so called because of the 'blue' haze coming up from the Eucalyptus trees. Here we walked in the rainforest, accessed via the steepest railway in the world (on average 50 degree angle) and visited the 3 sisters peaks, waterfalls and the exclusive little village of Leura. We stayed in Katoomba, a seemingly sleepy village... However, we left seriously deprived after a manic 2nd night involving the police throwing people out of the hostel and a drunk driver ploughing into a car right outside our window (and promptly getting arrested) at 4am in the morning. Was pretty cool to hear an aussie soap happening right outside the window though "have you ever been in the trouble we the cops before?" "no I just got in with a bad crowd!" etc haha

Hunter Valley Tues 6th - Thursday 8th January

Possibly the hottest two days of our lives, tipping 40 degrees in the vinyards. Needless to say we didnt do much other than enjoy the scenery of the Hunter Valley region, complete a wine education class and wallow in the pool at the hostel, a wood cabin surrounded by fields and wildlife.

Nambucca Heads Thurs 8th - Friday 9th January

A real find, part of our cunning plot to stay in locations slightly off the tourist trail to avoid the mass exodus from Sydney after new year. On route we stopped for a picnic at Forster-Tuncury, an aussie holiday spot and Port McQuarie. In Nambucca Heads Phil spent his first night in a holiday park caravan, bridging the great North/South divide in our relationship :) In the morning we walked along the coastal route and felt very lucky to have stumbled across such a lovely place - very green with waterways and beaches.

Yamba Friday 9th - Sat 10th January

Pushing on towards Brisbane whilst remainig off-route, we enjoyed a relaxing day exploring real Australia; a small rural village called Bellingen, the endless beach at Mylestom and calling in briefly at Coffs Harbour. We stayed overnight in Yamba, a real surpise to us - a modern version of Nabucca Heads with pristine beaches and waterways. From here on up, the scenery has been stunning, lush, mountainous and green, lined with green sugar cane fields against clear blue skies and traditional Queenslander homes raised up on stilts to let the hot air circulate.

Brisbane Saturday 10th - Monday 12th January

A scenic tour to Brisbane via as many beaches as we could squeeze in, including Lennox Head, Byron Bay (the best fish and chips ever followed by a spot of sunbathing) and Surfers Paradise (briefly... a built up, sweaty, pulsating place). On Sunday we explored Brisbane, browsing the markets and spending time by the man-made lagoon - with beach, swimming water and waterpark for families - sophia and julen would have loved it.

Noosa Monday 12th-Tuesday 13th January

Left Brisbane early to visit Australia Zoo (Steve Irwin's zoo) where we enjoyed the famous crocodile show in the Crocoseum (hosted by Steve's widow Terri and their two children Bindi and Bob) and watching the keepers play with the tigers they had reared. The zoo was very focused on animal protection and care, with huge enclosures for the animals which had been rescued and cared for, we were really impressed. Afterwards we vistited the Glasshouse mountains area on the way to Noosa, an exclusive resort, suprisingly mediterranean in style.

Hervey Bay & Fraser Island Tuesday 13th-Friday 16th January

We stayed in Hervey Bay Tues and Thurs night in order to get the ferry to Fraser Island for a 2 day trip on Weds-Thurs. Essentially, for those who havent been, Fraser Island is a large island made completely of sand, where the main beach('70 mile beach') is the main highway (with 100km/hr speed limit) and there are wild dingoes etc. We spent 48 hours bouncing around in a tour 4WD, dodging incoming waves along the beach and visiting the various natural attractions - the endless 70 mile beach, the rainforest, Lake Wabby and the huge Lake MacKenzie, a stunning blue lake against white sand. Perhaps best of all, we enjoyed 4 all-you-can-eat buffets in 24 hours at our accomodation, the Eurong Resort on 70 mile beach. We can safely safe we left the island carrying a few extra pounds than when we arrived and we dont mean the sand in our shoes...

Rockhampton Friday 16th-Saturday 17th January

Rockhampton, Phil and I's 'dirty little scret', never to be mentioned again on our travels due to the 24 hour financial rampage we went on there; eating steaks (nb. Rockhampton is the Beef capital of Oz), drinking, clubbing with the aussies and shopping (Liz) for unnecessary things like bikinis and sunglasses... We Saturday we spent some time working on the content of mum's birthday card - hope you receive it in time mum?

Mackay Saturday 17th-Sunday 18th January

A long drive and stopover on route up to Airle Beach. The pancakes with strawberries, ice cream and maple syrup for breakdfast and Eugenella national park are probably worth a mention though...

Airle Beach and Whitsunday islands Sunday 18th-Weds 21st January

We stayed in Airlie Beach Sunday and Tues night so we could do a cruise round the whitsunday islands for two days mon-tues. We really enjoyed our two days sailing on the very flash 'Iceberg', paying a little extra for a small tour (only 12 people, mostly couples) and a private room the crew termed the 'presidential suite' although I think this is perhaps a little grand for a tiny little cabin! We sailed for two days, using the sails rather than the motor whenever possible, stopping off for snorkelling breaks, a visit to the stunning Whitehaven beach and an overnight stop in a sheltered cove. We certainly got our money's worth - encountering all weather from brilliant sunshine (and sunburn) to huge waves and torrential rain. The boat was immaculate, crewed by just two men meaning Phil and the other men on board could flex their muscles and get involved in raising and lowering the sails etc. Their were many highlights but an unexpected one was simply the view on deck in the evening - the sheer volume and density of the stars - we have never seen anything like it in our lives. Check out our boat www.icebergsailing.com

Mission Beach Weds 21st - Thursday 22nd January

Another long drive and stopover, calling in at Townville along the way. We stayed overnight in 'the treehouse', a YHA hostel in the rainforest which sounds rather quaint and lovely but was the site of some of the largest giant insects we have ever seen. To get the laundry I braved huge toads, spiders, beetles and moths, whilst a giant green grasshopper (perhaps 8 inches in length?) took a liking to phil. It was both the most hysterical and terrifying experience of my life - with phil trying to prise it off him and me cowering unhelpfully in the corner... We left early the next morning....

Port Douglas Thursday 22nd-Sunday 25th today

An extra stop factored in on the recommendation of James and Renee and one we wouldn't have missed. On Friday we drove up to Cape Tribulation through most amazing rainforest/beach scenery and yesterday we snorkelled two sites along the (outer) Great Barrier reef - wow. Plus we got a free upgarde on our room again, which means we've enjoyed 3 days in our own en suite room, luxury after 3 weeks of moving!

So here we are in Port Douglas, heading to Cairns this afternoon. Tomorrow we fly to Alice Springs to visit Ayers Rock/Uluru, Kings Canyon etc this week before catching up with Christine and Hayden in Adelaide for a few days next weekend... We are really looking forward to seeing them and also James, Renee and baby Ben when we arrive in Melbourne early Feb.

Hope everyone is well and happy. Take a look at the new Australia photos we have added today.

lots of love

Liz and phil x

PS. Happy 60th birthday to my mum for the 27th January - I will do everything humanly possible to find a phone on Tuesday but it may be tricky at Ayers rock! If I don't speak to you be sure I am thinking of you and I will call asap. Love you x