Spikers Down Unders Blog on RealTravel

Whitsunday Islands journal: Paradise!

Wed, 20 Sep 2006 15:58:27 GMT

Here we are in paradise where we are awakened every morning at sunrise by the strangest bird calls. There are cockatoos lining the balcony of our suite and we have to be careful that they don't get in the suite if we leave the doors and windows open. We are staying in rooms on the top floor of the Reef View Hotel on Hamilton Island.

The water is an incredible shade of turquoise and quite warm. The Island is very hilly and the views from the heights are breathtaking....wide sweeps of light sandy beaches, beautiful tropical blue-green water, palm trees and colourful birds ...

Sydney journal: Welcome to Australia...and isn't she beautiful!

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 04:05:53 GMT

Landed in Sydney at 6:30 a.m.....warm (25 C) and beautifully sunny - not a cloud in the sky. On landing the flight attendant announced "Welcome to Australia....and isn't she beautiful!" She wasn't kidding!

After connecting with Wayne's brother and his wife we toured Manly and saw some of their amazing beaches. The water is such a different blue and ever so much warmer than at home. Even though it is still technically winter here the beach had lots of sunbathers and surfers. Had breakfast at a cafe on the beach...tried a bit of vegamite on my toast....very different. They tell me it's an ...

Australia journal: Getting ready

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 04:05:53 GMT

Fifteen days and counting down to our trip of a lifetime to Australia. Have been planning to go for over 30 years and finally decided we're not getting any younger and had better go while we can still enjoy it. Planning to spend just over three weeks visiting with brother and family and touring as much of the country as we can squeeze in. Destinations include Hamilton Island, Cairns, Alice Springs, Ayers Rock, Melbourne, and Sydney....not to mention a couple of days in San Francisco as a rest stop on the way there.