better late than never..

So keeping up with writing the blog proved a little more difficult than expected. In the past few months since the last entry, we have traveled back and forth across Australia, flown to Thailand, and finally returned home to Canada.

We flew to Bangkok from Perth, with a stopover in Singapore. Thailand was an amazing country, and our 10 day stay there was too short. In that time, we were able to explore Bangkok and travel down to the island of Koh Tao for three days of diving and lounging on the beaches. As well, we took full advantage of the many street food vendors everywhere we went. So much delicious pad thai for so little. We were then fortunate to leave Thailand just before any of the demonstrations and riots began.

Back in Australia, we toured through the vineyards and giant forests of southern Western Australia for a few days before driving back east across the Nullarbor highway. While passing through South Australia, we went out on a charter to go cage diving with great white sharks. Sadly, the sharks did not want to swim with us that day, though we had a consolation prize of snorkelling with sea lions.

We continued on to Melbourne, stopping to attend an AFL (aussie rules) football game before taking the ferry south to Tasmania. We toured around the island for two weeks, stopping to hike and enjoy the natural splendor. Then it was back to the mainland for a last visit with Jodi's family in Merimbula. We also said goodbye there to our car, Wally, as we were leaving it for Jodi's parents to use in their upcoming trip to Australia.

After a few last days in Sydney, we were on a long flight back across the Pacific. Thus ended our eight month long trip of a lifetime.

Heading West

On return to Melbourne, we had visits with old friends and new ones, watched the SuperBowl, and decided we needed to go see AC/DC at the Etihad Stadium, along with 60 000 others. It was a great show, and good way to leave for the road again.
Carried on to the Great Ocean Road which quickly turned us into geology enthusiasts. There were the Twelve Apostles, arches, grottos, blowholes, along with many other sights, and they were all impressive. After so long of not being on the road, we were perhaps a little too eager to turn in anywhere that said "scenic lookout" or "photo opportunity."
Next up was Kangaroo Island, and it was equally geologically spectacular. We went deep into the Kelly Hill Caves, even having to wriggle through some very tight fits on our bellies, sandboarding in the Little Sahara sand dunes, and found the Remarkable Rocks. As for wildlife, we hit the jackpot. In only four days, we found koalas, goannas, kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, seals, sea lions, stingrays, and every type of bird imaginable, all in the wild.
Adelaide was our next stop, where we were able to stay with an old friend of Jodi's. We visited the Adelaide Fringe Festival, and saw two comedy shows. Spent some time in the Garden of Unearthly Delights, and area like Old Market Square but much bigger, with food, drinks, shops, rides, and several tents set up for shows.
We finally pulled ourselves away from watching the Olympics on TV - very surprised that Channel 9 broadcast the entire Canada vs. US hockey game - and got back on the road again. We're making our way out to Perth across the Nullarbor highway. Australians consider the crossing of this flat, treeless stretch of road quite a feat, but it hasn't seemed too unusual to Canadians accustomed to long drives across the prairies. Chris is breaking up the drive by playing the world's longest golf course. The Nullarbor Links goes from Ceduna, SA, to Kalgoorlie, WA, and is 1365 kms long, with a hole at each roadhouse or town along the way. So far, we've encountered an emu and a dingo while playing, and are just waiting for the camel to show up next.

South Island Adventures

After a good night out in the capital city of Wellington, we had an early morning to catch the ferry to the south island. After a three hour trip we arrived to the first clear skies and sun we had seen in days. Finding our new bus and driver, we made a stop at a vineyard in the Marlborough valley for some wine tasting before continuing on to Abel Tasman National Park. There, we rode the water taxi, viewed fur seals, hiked along the shore, had a swim, and taught our friends a new card game.
Down to Hanmer Springs where the thermal activity creates beautiful hot pools for a terrific evening soak. Next to Kaikoura where we had the opportunity to swim in the ocean with a pod of around 200 wild Dusky Dolphins. It was surreal to have these creatures circling you, trying to work out what you were, all while you tried to make squeaky noises to keep their attention. Sometimes, you'd have 10 go rushing past a few feet underneath, and other times, you'd be making close eye contact with a curious one for 30 seconds. It was an amazing experience.

From Kaikoura, down to Christchurch for the night and to pick up new people. Not much happens in Christchurch on a Wednesday night. Across the mountains then to the west coast and on to the Franz Josef Glacier, where we went for a day hike up, around, and through the glacier wearing truly entertaining crampons. We both loved the freedom of not worrying about slipping on the ice, and seeing what kind of manoeuvers we could pull with our grippy feet. The guided hike took us through narrow crevasses and caves, and up and down many steep slopes.
Had a day of various hikes and walks through the area, a night of ridiculous karaoke - including Chris's creative rendition of "I'm Sorry Ms. Jackson" - then carried on to Queenstown. Knowing that Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand and home of the bungy jump, we had already planned on taking the plunge, so to speak. Unable to decide though on which of the available jumps to do, we compromised by doing two of them. And so we did a 43 m tandem jump off the Kawarau bridge, the site of the original jump, and followed it up the next day by each doing the 134 m jump off the Nevis platform. With 8 seconds of freefall, the Nevis jump was truly incredible, and life looked a little different when hanging upside down, suspended by your ankles, after just throwing yourself off a perfectly safe and fine platform. Been there, done that, got the free t-shirt. Also tried out the lugeing, driving a gravity powered kart down a track on the side of a hill, only inches above the track. At that height, everything seemed really fast, and a good jump would rattle your head inside your helmet. But like little kids, after a speedy run down the track, almost flipping over on more than one corner, we'd run to the ski lift to the top, almost shouting "again!! again!!"
From there, on to our cruise through Doubtful Sound. This place seemed to look like mountains rising out of the water and up to the sky. This glacial fjord, formed millions of years ago, is home to some of the most beautiful scenery we've seen in New Zealand. Waterfalls were falling all around you, giant sea birds flew around, and fur seals played in the water. At one point, when the boat cut all of it's engines, all you could do was listen to the birds, hear the water flowing, and look around you and be in awe of the power of nature.
After a night on the town in Te Anau, including closing the bar down with some Norweigans and a South African from our tour, and getting a ride back to camp with the mullet-sporting bartender, we drove through the south western highlands, developed during gold rushes of the mid-19th century. We got a chance to play a game of curling, and felt at home on the ice. Chris wore his best curling shorts, and we had fun playing with a group of people who had never played before.
On our last tour morning, we went on a 32km bike ride through some canyon areas on an abandoned rail line. Rode through dark tunnels, dodged a herd of sheep that went running across our path, and took in some more amazing scenery. Then back up to Christchurch, where another night out was a good way to say goodbye to some great new friends.
In our two days in Christchurch, we came face to face with two kiwi birds at a wildlife park, got lost on a mountain top hike, bought tacky souvenirs, and enjoyed being on our own schedule again. A 3:45 am wake up came all too early, but we caught our flight back to Melbourne, were reunited with Wally, watched the Saints win the Super Bowl, and started to think about how we will ever fit everything we want to do into our last two months in Australia.

Better than Old Zealand...

Arrived in Auckland on the afternoon of the15th after a short flight over from Melbourne. Due to a sinus cold, Chris' ears failed to pop after the descent thus leaving him partly deaf for the rest of the day. Made the customs experience a little challenging but he was allowed in to the country. We wandered the central Auckland area and enjoyed a traditional New Zealand meal of Wendy's hamburgers. The next three days were spent visiting the Auckland Museum, Art Gallery, and taking the ferry across to the north shore. From there got a great view of the city and its surrounding volcanoes.
Early Tuesday morning we boarded our tour bus and met our fellow travellers. Climbed Mt. Eden before leaving the city and heading to the Coromandel Peninsula. Did a short hike to a beach with caves and towers of rock in the blue waters, and had our first swim since last year. On to Hot Water Beach, where, no surprise, hot water seeps up through the sand, and people dug holes in the sand to sit in their own personal spa. That is, until a wave of cold ocean water rushed in and flooded their pool. Were lucky enough to spend the night in our own personal caravan in the local campground.
Traveled on to the city of Rotorua, known for its geothermal activity and accompanying strong sulfur scent. We visited a Maori village built on and around a series of geysers and mud pools. Later on we went whitewater rafting over a series of waterfalls including a 7 meter drop.
Started the next day with a soak in some hot springs before kayaking down a whitewater river through beautiful, towering rainforest canyons. Made it through most of the rapids fine, until Jodi and a rock got to know each other quite well. And to make it even better, it was raining just about the entire 8 kms down the river. Stayed in a remote farmhouse surrounded by hills and sheep.
Unfortunately, the rain kept on and we were unable to walk the Tongariro Crossing, known as NZ's best one day walk. Instead, Chris went mountain biking through the mud and Jodi did a walk to a waterfall with some new Norwegian and German friends. Spent the rest of the day in the hot tub and hanging about the lodge. Our new Irish friend has fortunately perpetuated every Irish stereotype we have ever had. It's good to meet such people.
On our way to Wellington today, then aboard the ferry to the South Island tomorrow. Here's hoping this rain finally stops.

On to Victoria..

In awaiting our January 15th flight out to New Zealand, we have spent the last week seeing the sights of Melbourne, the capital of the state of Victoria and second largest city in the country.


On our way along the coast, we spent New Years Eve in the resort town of Lakes Entrance. We saw an impressive fireworks show out over the waterfront, along with the sounds of an 80's cover band known as 'Rockin Chair'. We then hiked around Wilson's Promontory National Park for a few days, taking in its natural beauty and trying unsuccessfully to spot a wombat in the wild. However, we did see an echidna, and are pretty sure that we heard a wombat or two nosing around outside the tent one night.


The hikes included a few short dayhikes as well as a 36 km overnighter that took us to the far side of the peninsula and back. On the far side we were in awe to find pristine white sand beaches and turquiose waters with not another soul in sight.
Had a stop in Warragul to stay with some of Jodi's family from her Dad's side, who are mostly known of but still unfamiliar to her due purely to distance. From there, down to Philip Island where the big tourist draw is the Penguin Parade. At dusk, hundreds of tiny fairy penguins return from the sea, cross the beach and find their homes, and sometimes offspring, in the grassy fields. We joined the crowds in the bleachers set up for this occasion, and marvelled at their beauty and laughed as the announcer said to be on the watch for "the fat chicks."
On to Melbourne where we've been subjected to 43 degree heat in a hostel with neither air conditioning nor room fan. Other than that, it's been great with lots of walking around the city, delicious meals in very large ethnic neighbourhoods, more free art galleries and various exhibits. Hopped a tram to St. Kilda on our first night, and saw a surprisingly good Japanese funk band, 'Mountain Mocha Kilimanjaro', at a well known hotel bar, the Espy.
Onward now to New Zealand!

Happy New Year and on to part two..

Since last write, we've had a lot of time and not a lot of stops. We spent a few days in the Hunter Valley wine region, and had fun biking between wineries for tours and tastings. Only trouble was that neither of us was used to uphills on bicycles, and the generous servings of wine didn't make it any easier.
Spent 8 nights in Sydney, shared between Jodi's cousin in central Sydney on the harbour, and her parent's friends' beachhouse just north of Manly Beach. Days were spent wandering around in the sun, buying last minute Christmas presents, snorkelling with schools of squid, eating delicious kebabs, getting some serious haircuts, and exiting beach waters at the announcement of a shark sighting.
With a few days to spare, we headed down to Canberra, the nation's capital. Most memorable was the showcase at the art gallery of French Impressionists work on loan from the Musee d'Orsay in France. Saw Picasso, Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir, and many other works by amazing artists. They certainly look more incredible in person. Also toured the city, parliament house, national museum, and the war memorial.
Finally back down to Merimbula to spend Christmas with Jodi's family. It was very relaxing to sit and talk with relatives, eat more than our share of delicious food, take the kids to the wildlife park, and not be constantly re-setting up the tent. Did more snorkelling, played cricket, lots of swimming - even on cloudy Christmas Day - and some hiking. It was certainly a change from the past months on the road.
We're now on our way down to Melbourne to take a holiday from our vacation, and go to New Zealand for three weeks. Have finally worked out plan for rest of our trip. Will go across Victoria via Great Ocean Road, then out to Perth. From there, we fly to Thailand for ten days, then back across the miles of nothingness, and down to Tasmania for two weeks. That should put us at the beginning of April, and we'll have to face the reality of eventually going home.

South Queensland

It has been almost a month since the last blog entry, so we'll have to summarize. After touring Fraser island, we continued south and spent a few days camping in the Great Sandy National Park. With all roads in the campground being deep sand, we had to leave the car out on the side of the highway and walk everything in through the treeline rather than risk getting stuck. Then on to Noosa, where we had a trip booked to spend 3 days canoeing the Noosa river, with accomodations in a bushcamp. We realized we may be getting old when we didn't join the other 20 year old travellers in their nightly drinking games with cheap boxed wine (only $9 for 4 L). After returning to civilization, we decided to go for surf lessons. Amazingly, we both managed to get upright at the end of the 2 hour lesson.

Next up, no trip along the Sunshine Coast would be complete without a stop at the Australian icon, 'the Big Pineapple'.

Essentially what you would imagine, a 50 ft pineapple accompanied by gift shop, restaurant, pineapple farm tours and petting zoo. So we took our photos, learned all we cared to know about how pineapples are grown and processed, then back in the car and onward to the Australia Zoo. The zoo is known for being run by the late Steve Irwin and being home to the 5000 seat 'Crocoseum' and its twice daily crocodile feeding and wildlife shows. We were also able to feed elephants and kangaroos and pet a koala.

Next stop was Brisbane, capital of Queensland and third largest city in Australia. We managed find some delicious meals, some great live music in an underground club, and see a pro soccer game, the Brisbane Roar vs the Melbourne Victory. We did lots of walking along the beautiful Southbank riverfront, and visited the Queensland Museum and Art Gallery, both free.

Down then to Surfers' Paradise, one of many towns on a 35 km stretch of high-rise beachfront hotels known as the Gold Coast. We opted to visit the Dreamworld and WhiteWaterworld amusement parks. Our pass allowed us to go between the two adjoining parks, so we spent the morning on coasters and other rides and the afternoon at the waterpark. Best was the hydrocoaster, just like a rollercoaster with its ups and downs, but you're in an innertube on a waterslide.
Took a few days to go in to Lamington National Park, and did a couple of rainforest hikes. Both offered excellent views from the top of mountain ranges, and we were even treated to a nuber of waterfalls along the way.

There was plenty of wildlife in the campground, with wallabies feeding in the clearing at dusk, possums in the trees at night, king parrots and crimson rosellas attempting to steal our breakfast, and the bush turkey that managed to eat half a mango in the back of our car.

Spent the day after relaxing on the beach in the hot spring sun before driving down to visit some friends whom we'd met on our drive trip, and were spoiled to stay in a house with a real bed and a hot tub. Living out of your car makes you realize just how much of a luxury a real bed is, and a bathroom where you can leave your toothbrush there overnight, and not have to carry it back and forth across a campground each time. Hiked up Mount Warning, known as the place that gets the first sun in Australia each morning. Only 4.4 kms up, but it still took almost two hours of non stop climbing to reach the top.

Next stops were Byron Bay for some good beach lounging and a kayak trip to see wildlife. Only managed to spot three dolphins, but we did manage to tip our kayak after surfing a wave, and had a fun time trying to climb back in again, Chris with only one contact lens left, amongst all the big waves. Finally on to Coffs Harbour, home of the Big Banana. did a dive trip out to the Solitary Islands, and swam with many grey nurse sharks. We even managed to get within 10 feet of some of these big creatures. It was an incredible dive.

Now we continue down to Sydney to stay with some friends before heading to Merimbula again for Christmas with Jodi's family.