Sydney: Mar 19 - 27

Sydney, my final stop in Australia. Luckily, we took advantage of the bright and beautiful sunshine before the rain came along. On the first day, we did a walking tour that showed us all around the city and shared stories about the history. I spent a few hours on Manly Beach finishing off my tan and a day at the Sydney Zoo. It was neat to see some of the different zoo animals and the bird and seal shows were the best I've ever seen! I've included a few videos from the seal show. Leaving Australia is sad but I'm excited for the New Zealand adventures and to come back to Australia to see everything I've missed.

 

These bird cages represent the bird that became endangered or extinct due to the buildings built in Sydney. Sounds of all the birds are playing in the alleyway and their names are on stones along the road.

Back to jail I go

(notice the amazing tan!)

One of the many Rhinos decorated around the city to raise awareness for rhino killings in Africa

I couldn't resist trying to reach the sign...

Manly Beach

Snake from Sydney Zoo

(took this picture for you Mom)

Got to walk in with the lemurs!

A glimpse at the incredible seal show

 

Byron Bay: Mar 14 - 19

I'm not even sure how to describe Byron Bay! It has tied Cairns as my favourite city thus far. Such a relaxing and laid back attitude but also many things to do! Despite a few days of rough weather, I was able to relax on the beach (& tan), go scuba diving at Julian Rocks, take a surf lesson, meet some awesome people and then tan again. As my first (and only) beach stop on the trip, I took full advantage of the sunshine and have become darker than the sand! Quite an accomplishment if I do say so myself. Diving at Julian Rocks gave me a chance to see thousands of fish, sea turtles, tons of sharks, a sting ray and even a manta ray! I've uploaded a few of the many pictures and videos I took. Unfortunately, there are no pictures from surfing so you'll just have to trust me when I say I rode many waves for about a hundred meters, maybe even further! I wish I had more time to take another lesson but that's all the more reason to come back again. On the last night, a group of us ventured up to the lighthouse. It was quite the hike and would have been a gorgeous sunset... if only the clouds didn't decide to come out! Regardless, it was a nice walk. I can't wait to go back to Byron again!

 

Relaxing at the beach shortly after I arrived

 

A little visitor we had on the balcony one morning

The shark was so close it touched my dive buddy! He was shocked to turn around and see a shark instead of me poking him.

Sea turtle!

Sting ray that I almost accidentally kicked while taking pictures of sharks

 

How many sharks can you count?

 

 

The manta ray went right over top of us! Apparently they love how the bubbles from our breathing feels.

(I apologize in advance for the unsteady hand with the camera... still learning how to use it)

 

 

Finally, after an hour walk uphill (expected it to only be an easy half hour) we arrive at the lighthouse

The sunset we came to see...

 

Brisbane: Mar 12 - 14

A quick stop in Brisbane on my way down the coast but certainly worth it! Walked along the river, took a tourist ferry to see how the city looks from the water and even kayaked down the river. I also decided while here that I want to go skydiving so in preparation (and an attempt to get over my fear of heights) I went on the extremely high Skywheel and survived! Watch out for the skydiving!

 

 

The view from the water

 

The Lagoon

Lots of interesting artwork along the riverside

The Skywheel (aka Wheel of Doom!!!)

At the bottom of the Skywheel, all ready to go

The view from the top. It was very high but I survived :)

Cairns & Diving The Great Barrier Reef: Mar 2 - 12

Such a fantastic 10 days that seemed like so much longer! I spent a few days wandering around Cairns, a couple of days in Kuranda village and at the Skyail and (most importantly) 5 days learning to dive and diving! 9 dives on the Great Barrier Reef with such a wide variety of sea life. On day 1 of learning to dive, we learned the two most important rules to diving: 1. Never stop breathing (sounds logical but you would be surprised) and more importantly 2. Always look good. From that moment, I knew I would love diving! We saw everything from Nemo characters to sea turtles to sea cucumbers to sharks and all sorts of stuff in between. Words can't describe how neat it was to see so many fish living around on piece of coral. A few of the many pictures are below and at some point (when/if I have some down time) a video will follow. For now, enjoy!

 

Such big teeth...don't want to get in their way!

Nemo!!!!

Always look good, right?

 

Birdworld in Kuranda Village

 

I'm so tall I can touch the trees in the rainforest :)

Barron Falls

The bats in Cairns during the day...

...and again at sunset

(all the black things in the sky are bats, not birds)



At the top of the rainforest

Mira: Let's pretend to fall over the edge

Me: Ok

*Laughter ensues as we can't get a picture of us both pretending to fall at the same time*