Tom Hanks in Port Douglas

Unfortunately he's not staying at the YHA with us!

It's beautiful here. Ruth and I are having a wonderful time.
Last Thursday we did a 4K walk which included the Four Mile Beach. The sand is so soft here and the sea so warm and blue- bliss!
On Friday we went snorkelling at the Great Barrier Reef. It was amazing to be so close to the colourful fish and corals. We stopped at two different places with a fabulous lunch in between. A brilliant day.
Yesterday we visited Mossman Gorge. Again- beautiful rainforest. We walked the circuit through the rainforest and then cooled off in the Mossman River before enjoying our picnic. I had a swim in 'Norman's Billabong' and it was absolutely freezing.
This morning we have had a wander around the markets. This afternoon we've got to pack up our rucksacks as we return to Cairns tomorrow- just for one night before heading to Mission Beach.
Tonight we're going to the theatre.

My professional photographer is back soon so hopefully a few pictures will appear in the next few days.

Love to everyone,

Chillin' on the Four Mile Beach

Great Barrier reef

Rainforest at Mossman Gorge

L & R x

Karunda

G'day everyone!
Had a great couple of days up here in Cairns.

Yesterday we went on a day trip to the Crystal Cascades, Lake Placid and Trinity Beach. (All for only $29) It was fabulous. We swam at the waterfalls and in the lake despite the cold temperature of the water. Ruth jumped in about 3 times (mad woman!)
On the way back we spent a little bit of time on the beach- again I couldn't get Ruth out of the sea! :-)

Today (Ruth's 21st!) we went on a journey into the rainforest via Skyrail to a place called Karunda. The rainforest was beautiful- very peaceful.

We've also survived staying in a '6-dorm' room for a couple of nights....an experience not to be repeated.
Going out for dinner tonight to celebrate Ruth's b'day. Meeting up with a couple of friends from Darwin which will be nice.

The photographer that I have employed to upload our pics onto the blog is away for a week or so- but as soon as he's back they will appear!!! (Thanks 'J')

Will 'blog' again when we arrive in Port Douglas in a couple of days- our next destination......

In the Rainforest

Bat in Karunda

Barron Falls

L & R x

Cairns

Hiya,
Thanks for messages on our blog. :-)
Arrived in Cairns yesterday after a comfortable 2-hour flight from Alice. The Youth Hostel is great- swimming pool, jacuzzi, nice kitchen...etc.
Had a chilled out morning- popped to Coles to get some food and then relaxed by the pool. Have booked a Skyrail journey through the rainforest for Sunday (Ruth's birthday!). We've also managed to pre-book 5 nights in Port Douglas after our week in Cairns.

L & R x

Ayers Rock & Kings Canyon

Bonjour!
Just spent an amazing 3 days in the Red Centre.
We arrived at Ayers Rock Resort at about lunchtime on Saturday after a long 6 hour drive from Alice (collecting our fire wood on the way). Settled into our campsite and then headed to the 'Walpa Gorge' at 'Kata Tjuta'. Walked to the centre of the Gorge- taking lots of photos along the way.

That evening we got to Uluru for the sunset. It looked fabulous and it was great to see it slowly changing colour as the sun set- from bright oranges and reds to dusky purples.
A brilliant evening spent around the campfire. Enjoyed steaks, sausages, salads and toasted marshmallows!

We were up at 5am (!!!!) the following morning to go back to Uluru for the sunrise.
Some of us (including Ruth and I) then walked around the base of Uluru- about 10K- again, taking lots of photos.
Back to the camp for lunch before packing up and heading to Kings Creek.
When we arrived in Kings Creek we settled into our tents and then went for a swim in the pool before another good meal around the fire.

Monday morning- another 5am wake-up call!!! A short drive to Kings Canyon. We then hiked to the top of Kings Canyon- stopping at 'The Garden of Eden' along the way- a beautiful oasis.
Then back to camp for lunch and to pack up.

We arrived back in Alice at about 7pm- absolutely shattered with red feet and very red socks! (from all the sandy soil)
Had a nice lay-in this morning. :-) We're going to go for a bike ride this afternoon and then pack up our rucksacks ready to fly to Cairns tomorrow.

Love to everyone,

Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Campsite at Ayers Rock

Gardens of Eden, King's canyon

L & R x

Alice Springs

Hello,
We arrived here yesterday at about 11am. Youth Hostel clean and comfortable.
We walked into Alice Springs to get our bearings. Enjoyed spaghetti bolognese for dinner before going out for a drink in the evening.
We also booked a last minute tour to the Red Centre for 3 days- (Sat- Mon). Saved ourselves $160 each!
We will be visiting 'Kata Tjuta', 'Kings Canyon' and 'Uluru'. We will be staying in tents and enjoying campfire dinners so it sounds great. Will make sure we take lots of photos.

This morning, after breakfast, we walked into Alice and walked up Anzac Hill. Views overlooking Alice were brilliant.
We then made our way to the other side of town to an exhibition called 'National Pioneer Women's Hall of Fame' which was situated in the Old Gaol. It displayed information and photographs of Australian women who the the first doctors, dentists, lawyers....etc. The exhibition was fantastic and great to also walk around the gaol finding out about its history.

We had our picnic lunch in the Botanical Gardens. Weather warm and dry- not as sticky as Darwin which is nice as it makes it easier to walk around.

Tonight is movie night at the 'Y' (Youth Hostel!) and Crocodile Dundee is on so we're going to watch that!
Got to be up early as tour leaves at 5.55am!!!

Will up-date blog when we get back from the outback!
Love to everyone,

View from Anzac Hill overlooking Alice Springs

L & R x

Katherine

Hi!
Well this is an unexpected entry on our blog - we didn't realise that our Ghan train stopped for 5 hours in a place called Katherine.
Katherine is rather a one-horse town so to kill a little time we are sat in an internet cafe having a latte and a sprite and writing this note. Someone is playing a digeridoo in the background. It's 35C here and we are rapidly applying the sun tan lotion!
The Ghan train is great - clean, air conditioned and has a nice lounge car. We have also managed to blag 4 seats so have a little more room.
We should arrive in Alice (Springs!) at 9.10am tomorrow.

Being silly in Katherine

R & L x
(p.s. Thanks to 'J' for continuing to upload our pics- they look great L x)

Litchfield National Park

G'day!
Hope everyone is well.
Having a great time in Darwin. Went on a fab tour yesterday to Litchfield National Park.
On the way there we went on a cruise down Adelaide River to see the crocodiles being fed. It was amazing to see them jump out of the water.
At Litchfield Park we visited three different waterfalls- Wangi, Tolmer and Florence. We swam at two of these. After lunch we swam at the Buley Rock Holes.
On the way back we stopped at the magnetic termite mounds- taking a picture of the largest one in the world.
Darwin has been an amazing place to stay- very friendly people, lots of bars and restaurants and excellent weather.
Catching the Ghan train into Alice Springs tomorrow.
Bye for now................

Darwin Botanical Gardens

Adelaide River Crocodile

Florence Falls, Litchfield National Park

L & R x

Darwin

G'day!
We arrived safely in Darwin in the early hours of Friday morning. Found a cafe for some breakfast- vegemite on toast!
Youth Hostel accomodation in basic- especially compare to the Bali Hyatt, but we've settled in OK.
This morning we went on a walking tour around Darwin to learn about its history and culture. Very interesting.
Tomorrow we're going to make our way to the art gallery, museum, botanical gardens and night market.
We've booked a tour for Monday to spend the day at Litchfield National Park so will up-date blog after that and add a few pictures.
Love to everyone,

L & R x

Try it on the bed- I'll hold it for you.....

....the bottle of wine that is!
A very helpful young man helped Ruth and I to open a bottle of wine. What were you all thinking?!!!
Had a fantastic day yesterday on our tour.
Our first stop was the stone quarry in the 'Tegal Jadi Village'. These women carry about 15kg of stone from the quarry to their village- amazing.
We then headed to the 'Malgunung Village' and enjoyed a coffee in a Balinese family house.
Then we made our way to the middle of the rain forest- very lush, green and peaceful. We were surrounded by vast rice fields. Brilliant views. Took quite a few photos here. We enjoyed a traditional Balinese lunch accompanied by some wine and French cognac.
Finally we visited a hot spring at a village called 'Banjar Belulang'.
Arrived back at the hotel at around 5pm. A great day.
Finished off the day with an Italian........meal that is!!
Fly to Darwin tonight.
Love to everyone,

Stone Quarry at Tegal Jadi Village

Stone Quarry at Tegal Jadi Village

Cocoa Beans

L & R x

Lake Kintamani & Mount Batur

Hello from a sunny Bali. :-)
Thanks for all your comments guys- good to hear from you all and pleased that you are checking out our blog.
Had a great day on Thursday on our tour.
Visited lots of traditional Bali villages- all trying to sell us sarongs and wood carvings!
Made our way to Lake Kintamani and the volcano- Mount Batur. Despite the clouds the views were amazing. We stopped here for a traditional Balinese lunch. The volcano last erupted in 1994- so not that long ago.
Stopped at a couple of temples on the way back. Have written in my diary the correct names of them all
Hope everyone is well- especially those who go back to school on Monday- we'll be thinking of you!

Rice fields

Mount Batur

L & R x