Blue Mountains and Beyond
Trip Start
Feb 13, 2008
1
4
19
Trip End
Apr 05, 2008
Cairns,
Australia
Sunday, February 24, 2008
After a tearful farewell to Andrew and Sarah (mine not theirs) Chris and I returned to Manley Beach and had one of their famour fish suppers. It was lovely to see A and S again looking fit healthy and very happy. Last Sunday we hired a car and ventured out to the Blue Mountains - about two hours from Sydney. We saw the famous Three Sisters Rocks, the Katoomba falls and the pretty town of Leura. The scenery reminded us of the Grand Canyon but with trees. The mountains are so called because of the blue haze given off by the eucalyptus trees. We spent the Monday looking at the rather sweet Koalas at Featherdale Wild Park, Odd little creatures, asleep most of the time in very uncomfortable positions in the trees.
We flew to Cairns three days ago and are off to Christchurch tomorrow, but in between we have really enjoyed our stay on the Sunshine Coast. It is incredibly hot and humid but as it is their rainy season, I think we have got off pretty lightly with sunstroke. They have a lovely municpial pool called the Lagoon and we had a swim in the bathwater temperature waters yesterday. It was the best pool we have ever been in with beautiful views all round us. Our hotel room looks out on The Esplanade and there are many restaurants to chose from with good food as well as a night market and food court.
Today has been highlight of our visit - a day trip to Green Island with beautiful white beaches and a mini rain forest with a boardwalk through it and then on to the Outer Barrier Reef where Chris was able to snorkle and see all the amazing fish. I'm afraid I bottled it (in common parlance) and stayed on the pontoon, but we did venture in the mini submarine for 25 minutes whilst it hovered over the corals and I was able to see what I was missing. Chris will now tell you of his adventures. Hi - we took a 3 storey catamaran out to the reef which was 26 miles off shore. (Ted - its top speed was 30 knots, and they refused to recognise an English admiral so i did not get on the bridge!). Water was very warm and there was plenty to see on the reef although I didn't see Wally the Wrasse despite their promises.
Ok thats all for now
Chris & Margaret
