Crowne Plaza Hotel Terrigal

... venom, koalas, crocs and alligators, and funnel web spiders. I got up-close video of a dangerous snake &#8211; and didn&#8217;t flinch. I figured the guy wouldn&#8217;t really let it get me, lol.<br><br>We went to the Tourist Info this time to book accommodation for tonight and have got a great &#8220;boutique&#8221; motel. Has free Wifi, which is allowing us to catch up with the blog.

... 2 hours waiting in line at customs, then for my baggage, and then at quarantines. No questions asked, I was let into the country (they will regret that later!). I then met Bec and Bec, highly unlikely names, whom both of which work at Rising Generations. We hugged, and kissed, (apparently they do that hear, I shall bring that trend back to Oregon J), and were off to the car. I got into the front seat on the LEFT side of the car. AKA I ...

... or so, we climbed back in, turned the key and Hey Presto! Everything's hunky dory again. Honk Honk get me to that pub I need a bloody drink! 13. We eventually start recognising place names on road signs and are pretty confident we're close to home when.....DUN DUN DUUUUUH!!!! A bloody great big purple V8 engined monster with flashing red and blue lights and POLICE livery is up my jacksie telling me to pull over. What had we done to deserve this? I wasn't speeding. I hadn't had ...

... any "spare" alcohol no matter how much I take. We had a really excellent spread from the barbecue accompanied by pigs in blankets and roast veggies etc. After lunch, we all opened our secret santas (not telling you what I got cos it'll probably be somebody's present when I get home) and then we all went across the road to the beach. It doesn't get much better than that! 30 of us on the beach and playing around in the sea. ON CHRISTMAS DAY?! When the sun began to settle ...

... Bridge at Circular Quay Wharf. For just $5 each way, this has got to be one of the best short cruises in the world!! We strolled along Pitt Street through Martin Place where David works to Darling Harbour. Outside the Sydney Aquarium we met Jane and John Morris, our friends from Belper in Derby!! They had cruised from Bangkok to Sydney so we had a lot of chatting up to do in a local bar. It was great fun to catch up ...

... trip to the off licence to stock up for the massive party that was maybe or maybe not gonna happen after we came out from the city, after the fireworks, at 2 in the morn! 3 cases of beer were bought, a bottle of vodka &amp; Rum and some wine. The mantra for the night being better safe than sorry/too much than too little/we'll drink it on the way up the coast anyway!. Onto the ferry then and into circular key for the fireworks. It ...

SPIDERS!!! I forgot to mention that I saw my first Hunstman the other week in Joe &amp; Justi's - kindly pointed out by Maz when I was enjoying my nice glass of port!! It was about the size of my palm, but was apparantly only a baby!! Since then I have seen more, but no huge ones yet!! There were a few in the Botanical Gardens, and yesterday I went north to Terrigal to where ...

... Avoca Beach. On our way home, we encountered a road closure because of an accident so we we're given directions by a policeman. We passed by this very narrow and winding road which is also very dark so initially thought we might have gotten lost. But at the end, it was the right way and we're glad we didn't went back. Ray cooked breakfast for everyone and we had the full-on big breakfast the following day. Vanessa ...

... us individually. So I am now a fully qualified diver! Most of the diving is done in the Terrigal haven in up to 9 meters of water. The centre is right on the waters edge. You do a short waddle to the beach past a cafe full of bemused (amused?) diners. The water is beautifully clear and every day we saw great amounts of fish, and a faithful Blue Grouper. We even caught a glimpse of a big Ray. One of the others ...