Well I see Kayla left off on the reef trip. Wow have we been through a lot since then.

The day after the reef trip was a trip out to the Rainforest village of Kuranda.. this would have been April 8. We took the SkyCable(or SkyRail, can't remember) to Kuranda and then the Scenic Railway back. Don't have time to upload too many pics, but here is one to tide you over..



Amazing scenery.

The day after that, we flew into Sydney (to arrive at 5 AM , actually) and went straight to the hostel I had booked known as "Wake Up". Great hostel, except the people in our dorm really had no morals. The last night was messy. The funnest night was definitely Saturday, when I met up with my old bud form high school (Blake Veitch) and he took us out for a night on the town. It started out around Darling Harbour and finished in Kings Cross, with about 5 bars in between. The best part of the night was probably rocking the World Bar's Teapots, which we were subsequently cut off of after about 12 of the things. I am amazed they let us keep buying em that long, it was a mess! I love it. Also in Sydney, we went around for a day trip on an explorer bus. Damn was it cold. We did however get to see all the sights - Botanical Gardens, Opera House, Bondi Beach. I saw the Royal Sydney Golf Course, and all I can say is OMFG as it had the most perfect fariways that I have ever seen. My guess is about $400 for a round, if you were lucky enough to get on as a non-member.

Did i mention yet that it rained damn near every day so far in New South Wales ? Ridiculous. It rained like 4 days in Perth.

After sydney we started our surf camp.. I will continue with that topic next time as my battery is almost dead. Take care all.

Melbourne and Cairns

Well, after the game on Friday night in Malbourne we took it easy, seeing as we were going out on Saturday. Saturday we couldn't find the club we were planning to go to but that didn't really stop us seeing as we were downtown Melbourne and there's at least 3 pubs/clubs on every street. We eventually did find the place but there was a line of about 100 so there was no way we were going to wait in that. So we went to a pub and then asked around for a really good dance club. We went to CQ until 4 then waited for a cab for like an hour. Stupid things! They pick and chose who they take and won't take you if you live close because they think it's not worth their time. Meanwhile we flagged down at least 20 cabs and it took forever to find one that was nice enough. Really annoying.

Monday: drove down to the Mornington Peninsula to do some wine tasting and exploring. It was beautiful with really lush rolling hills and Eucalyptus trees. We wine tasted at 2 places and then went to an Enchanted Maze/ garden. Later, we went back toMelbourne and went to the casino / entertainment complex. It was huge and had everything in it imaginable. Really we needed way more time in it. John won a bit of money at blackjack. I was impressed, the night didn't cost a thing hahaha.
Tuesday: return the Wicked van and hang around the city until our flight at 9:30 that night

Wednesday: We arrived in Cairns at about 1:00 am and transfered to our hostel. We stayed at Calypso Inn which was so nice! It wasn't like a hostel at all. For a really cheap price we got our own room and the first night free because we were getting there so late. They were really accommodating. It had a tropical/Jamaican theme, there was a pool, kitchen everything you really need and one of the best happy hour deals and dinner buffet's that I've seen at hostels so far. After some much needed rest we walked around the tiny city and swam in the lagoon. You can't swim in the ocean in Northern Australia at this time of year because box jellyfish/ "stingers" occupy the water and they're the worst kind. Their sting can kill you. Oh yeah and the crocodiles occupy those waters too.

Thursday: was the best day. One of the highlights of my life actually. By far the best time that I've ever had swimming. This day made me want to come back and spend more time in this backpacker haven, even John who doesn't like swimming had a great time. Although he doesn't quite share my passion about it. Of course, we went to the reef this day. Our trip included the 2 hour trip out there on a sailing catamaran, snorkelling at Michelmas Cay and Paradise sea, a buffet lunch, photos (if you want to buy them), morning and afternoon tea, a free 10 min lesson on diving( which John and i missed cause we were to busy already snorkelling) and then a sail back. At Michelmas cay there was sea turtles, reef sharks, a few 100 year old clams(SO BIG) and fish of every colour. HUGE fish. One the size of a dolphin really. At Paradise Sea there were more fish but no turtles. It has shelf coral so if you're diving, you actually go really deep and then there's coral up to about 1 meter below the surface. It's really neat and the coral is amazing. Everyone should visit it! Amazingly John and I didn't get burnt at all after then entire day outside. hahaha.

Melbourne

Alright! Melbourne +area was a blast. We took off from perth on the 31st at night. No sleep on the flight over. We arrived at 5:30 am and had to wait around unil 9:30 when we could go pick up our Wicked camper van that we rented. The van has a Rolling Stones theme and the huge logo on the side of it. It was pretty pimp haha. We met Richelle that day at about 12. She's my second cousin, but we've never met before. She was amazing letting us stay there the whole week (when we weren't touring the coast in our van). Spent the first night just chilling out and getting to knwo Richelle and all the good places to go in Melbourne.

Day#2: we head off to The Great Ocean Road. It was a beautiful drive even with the blistering winds that were blowing down trees all over the highway and shaking our van left and right. Then the rain. A good 3 days straight of it.... hahaha... and they say this area's in a drought. Well it is. On our way back from Bells Beach we had to stop as there was an entire tree in our way. Managed to get it moved, with the help of 3 more people. Make it to Lorne and spend the night in a camper area. A very cold night! haha..

Day3: We head off to do a waterall walk that's in the area. Beautiful but has nothing on the waterfalls in Thailand. See some really great scenery, the biggest waves I've ever seen, and went to the most famous part of the drive where all the rock formations are uniquely beautiful. With all the stop on the way, a short tip took all of 2 days.

Day 4 : drive back to melbourne in time to go see an Aussie Rules Footy game. I can definetly see the appeal of these. It's a great game.