We've made it to Port Douglas without incident. It was a long trip -- 14 hours, 1150 kilometers --but we made it in one piece, physically and emotionally. The latter was sketchy for the last stretch though.
Tomorrow we're off to the Outer Great Barrier Reef -- then up to Cape Tribulation the day after.
Unfortunately, we are unable to post pics. We seem to be having uploading issues. Any suggestions there, Scott?
Until next time, Curtis
Monday, May 26, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
surf's up and koalas for the birthday girl
Heather was the only brave soul willing to take on the cool Australian Pacific. She got off to a rough, hair-rising start but was riding out the waves by the end of her lesson. Perhaps hers is not the destiny of "Endless Summer," but she had a good time.
The day after, she got to check off a "thing to do in her lifetime" list -- holding a koala bear. Sadly, there are few left in the wild, so we went to a Koala sanctuary in Brisbane. I've posted one pic here, but another one is available on http://www.koala.net/
Coming home from Brisbane, we (that is, I) had our most major driving incident. Somehow, I turned into a bus lane (next to the motorway). We went several miles before being able to get off the lane, and we passed throuh two bus stops -- complete with people waiting for their bus as we drove through the passenger pick-up platforms. Needless to say we got some strange looks.
Today was our "relaxation" day before heading north. The waves were curling quite well today, so we watched some serious surf dudes/ettes in the wave curls. Heather and I ventured a bit far out on the rocks, where we were greeted with a crashing wave about head tall. Other than being soaked, suffering a blown-out flip-flop (where's Jimmy Buffett when you need him), and cut feet, we survived, though the crowd behind us got quite a laugh.
On to Rockhampton tomorrow -- one night in the CoffeeHouse Inn (yep, on top of yet another cafe). Then, we're off to the tropics in Port Douglas. We'll be offline for a couple of days, so we'll catch up then....
Curtis
PS -- I've tried for two hours to post pics of Heather surfing to no avail. So we'll try again later... You'll just have to wait to see the hair-raising photo.
The day after, she got to check off a "thing to do in her lifetime" list -- holding a koala bear. Sadly, there are few left in the wild, so we went to a Koala sanctuary in Brisbane. I've posted one pic here, but another one is available on http://www.koala.net/
Coming home from Brisbane, we (that is, I) had our most major driving incident. Somehow, I turned into a bus lane (next to the motorway). We went several miles before being able to get off the lane, and we passed throuh two bus stops -- complete with people waiting for their bus as we drove through the passenger pick-up platforms. Needless to say we got some strange looks.
Today was our "relaxation" day before heading north. The waves were curling quite well today, so we watched some serious surf dudes/ettes in the wave curls. Heather and I ventured a bit far out on the rocks, where we were greeted with a crashing wave about head tall. Other than being soaked, suffering a blown-out flip-flop (where's Jimmy Buffett when you need him), and cut feet, we survived, though the crowd behind us got quite a laugh.
On to Rockhampton tomorrow -- one night in the CoffeeHouse Inn (yep, on top of yet another cafe). Then, we're off to the tropics in Port Douglas. We'll be offline for a couple of days, so we'll catch up then....
Curtis
PS -- I've tried for two hours to post pics of Heather surfing to no avail. So we'll try again later... You'll just have to wait to see the hair-raising photo.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Happy Birthday Scott!
Hey, Mate. Happy birthday, OZ time. I promise we'll have a good time on your behalf today -- even though it is cold and raining.
Anyhoo, have a good day today and tomorrow. Having folks on both sides of the date line allows you to celebrate twice.
Cheers,
Curtis, Heather, Amber, Chad
Anyhoo, have a good day today and tomorrow. Having folks on both sides of the date line allows you to celebrate twice.
Cheers,
Curtis, Heather, Amber, Chad
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Vegemite, Dragon Fruit, & Tofu
Today involved running on the beach in the morning, and hitting the markets this afternoon... The run on the beach is really the best way to work out, unless you are Curtis who says that running hurts, period. BTW, for anyone wondering my digestive system is back on track...just to clear up any pending questions.
Chad's diet proves interesting for our "take home chef". Curtis has to appease many taste buds, and diets. One thing that does not appeal to any of our taste buds is vegemite, which the australians are a proud producer since 1929. Tonights menu was stir fry with tofu for Chad, and shrimp only for Heather with peanuts. Then there was dragon fruit for dessert, which needs something else with it, and we have yet to come up with the correct additive. There is not much taste, but I suppose that matches with there flowers that don't smell.
Coollangatta, has been a bit cool, but some meaningful conversation sitting in a hot tub for two hours has warmed our bodies, and exhausted our minds.
Tomorrow has yet to be decided, but Heather is headed somewhere... Now for another game of pitch (cards).
Friday, May 16, 2008
SW Rocks?
Well, maybe not. We were driving late into the night (8:30 p.m. -- it gets dark early). There were few signs and sporadic lines on the road. All that was missing in our first foray into the AUS bush was Deliverance music. Dueling banjos anyone? Anyway, we finally made it to our "bush and beach" "paradise." Pics will come later. The place was closed up when we got here -- except for a little pizza joint. Pizza in the hotel room two nights in a row. Now that's living.
Really, it's quite beautiful here in the daylight (aside from the elderly men in Speedos). A quiet place with a few cafes and a kickin' bakery. It's fairly remote here in SW. The young bakery clerk wondered how we ever found the place. So are we....
BTW -- Chad has decided to go gluten-free all of the sudden, and vegetarian, so the rest of the trip could get really interesting. And Amber needs a prune diet -- more on that later... or not.
Off to Coolongattta today -- for a week. Heather drives today and Amber navigates. Our turn to laugh at them. Heather and Amber were quite delirious last night -- laughing hysterically at just about everything.
Until next time,
Curtis
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Common Phrases
English = Aussie English
to go = take away
yield= give way
towing=clearway
elevator=lift
restroom=toilet
garbage=rubbish
americano coffee=long black
skinny coffee= skimmer
your welcome= no worries
to go = take away
yield= give way
towing=clearway
elevator=lift
restroom=toilet
garbage=rubbish
americano coffee=long black
skinny coffee= skimmer
your welcome= no worries
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Highlights
Yesterday Heather was the voice of reason that kept us in motion. Chad and I figured we traveled 24 hours with maybe 3-4 hrs. of sleep. To ensure that we would sleep at night we kept moving & this is what we saw...opera house, sydney harbour bridge, sydney harbour, the rocks, and darling harbour (where our hotel is located).
We enjoyed an evening meal overlooking darling harbour, and then hit the sack at 7pm.
Today we walked all over the city...made it to chinatown and botanical gardens, and if my legs weren't so tired, i may have more energy to put into details and creative writing.
Hope to write and have some pictures soon, but am signing off because of the low battery.
AC
We enjoyed an evening meal overlooking darling harbour, and then hit the sack at 7pm.
Today we walked all over the city...made it to chinatown and botanical gardens, and if my legs weren't so tired, i may have more energy to put into details and creative writing.
Hope to write and have some pictures soon, but am signing off because of the low battery.
AC
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Waiting for pretzels, and more...
You know on a 3 hour flight I expect free pretzels and a drink. I was trying to fight off sleep for these pretzels, so I was thrilled when they started the cart down the aisle. Much to my dismay it was only a free drink! What has happened to air travel that a three hour flight doesn't merit a free bag of pretzels...I was bummed.
Currently Chad and I are waiting for Curtis and Heather to show up in L.A. (we have an hour until they arrive), and then we will be waiting for 2 hours before we get on our plane, and lastly the great plane ride to Australia will be a lovely 14 hours of waiting on a plane. In all that waiting somehow we are skipping May 12, 2008. So those of you that do experience that day, live it up for all of us. It will not exist in our lives. Kind of a weird thought.
Other than that not much to report. Hope all you mother's had a great day!! We will be meeting the Melby's in the airport before they leave from Australia, to get a few tips.
G'day mates.
Currently Chad and I are waiting for Curtis and Heather to show up in L.A. (we have an hour until they arrive), and then we will be waiting for 2 hours before we get on our plane, and lastly the great plane ride to Australia will be a lovely 14 hours of waiting on a plane. In all that waiting somehow we are skipping May 12, 2008. So those of you that do experience that day, live it up for all of us. It will not exist in our lives. Kind of a weird thought.
Other than that not much to report. Hope all you mother's had a great day!! We will be meeting the Melby's in the airport before they leave from Australia, to get a few tips.
G'day mates.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
