KJ30s Blog on RealTravel

Kakadu National Park journal: Kakadu Day 3

Fri, 16 May 2008 09:29:47 GMT

None of us wake up till 7am .. we all slept well in our tent, this should be our final day in Kakadu & no-one wants to leave. Everyones a bit groggy from the beer but we all up and on our way soon enough. We're going to the otherside of Nourlangie rock this time. We get on our way and Cam rings his boss to see if we can stay out an extra day as he's got a day off. Unfortunately they need the truck back so we gotta go today - boo! Everyone gutted.

We start the drive anyway and the truck goes a bit a-wry, at first it smells like the clutch but it turns out to be someat wrong with the ...

Kakadu National Park journal: Kakadu Day 2

Fri, 16 May 2008 09:26:20 GMT

At about 6am a huge flock of cockatoos fly over making the most noise ever shortly followed by a by a big crow squawking. Thats our wake up call and we're all up having brekkie in a hurry to get to Gunlom Waterfall before anyone else wakes up.

We start the big climb up to the top of Gunlom at 8am and have the whole place to ourselves. Its so beautiful, we swim here for a while then climb upto the next fall and keep going til we can go no more. Cam finds a huge cane toad in the pool and throws it by its leg down the pool at everyone, lots of screaming thinking its a snake or someat. After ...

Kakadu National Park journal: Kakadu Day 1

Fri, 16 May 2008 09:22:30 GMT

First day of Kakadu Dreams trip, collected everyone from hostels in Darwin and have a really good group, everyones great & we get on straight away. Lea, Florien, Christin, Miranda & Clive who has glass smashed in his foot but is gonna come anyway.

We first go to the Spectacular Jumping crocodile cruise, this is the same as the one i did on Litchfield trip but there's heaps of people & we go out in the bigger boat with windows, its nowhere near as good as the small boat. Clive & Florien take the pee outta the captain for the whole hour, as there's not many crocs jumping he keeps ...

Litchfield National Park journal: Litchfield National Park

Fri, 09 May 2008 12:07:48 GMT

Another early start, up at 6am for 7am pickup fro Kakadu Dreams to go to Lithfield Natonal Park. Meet the driver Joe & the tour group, 9 of us again & same truck as in Kimberleys.

I get chatting to Joe about the Kimberleys & he says I'll stroll through Litchfield & Kakadu as Kimberlerys 9 day is extreme & only for hardcores. I feel well chuffed I got through it and had the time of my life too. He does say not to comapre them though cos I'll be dissapointed, I head in with an open mind.

Joe takes us first to the Wetlands visitor centre to look out over the ...

Katherine journal: Kimberleys Day 9

Fri, 09 May 2008 12:01:02 GMT

We wake up in the dark and just roll the swags n bags up, throw them on the truck and head off, its a long driving day and we want a lot of time to play at Katherine. We get to stop for brekkie about 8 then carry on driving getting into Katherine about late morning.

We do a hike up the top of the falls to a plunge pool where we get our final swim of the trip, its a gorgeous place to end. Very busy though compared to the seclusion we're now used to.

There's loads of jumping places and I dive straight in and swim to the waterfall. A few of us do some dives off the falls then climb ...

Kununurra journal: Kimberleys Day 8

Fri, 09 May 2008 11:58:55 GMT

Dan and Mick take us on a short walk to Middle Springs through some more prickly grass to see some aboriginal artwork on the rock walls. we are the first tour group taken here and its Dan's first visit too. We must have made a good impression on Mick.

There is some spirit heads again and feet & hands sprayed on by chewing red bark and spitting around the body part on the wall. They are quite fascinating to see and hear Micks stories.

Mick lets Anne, Dave & me ride out in his truck & offers us a chance to offroad drive, I jump at the chance and am soon bumping around in a big ...

Purnululu journal: Kimberleys Day 7

Fri, 09 May 2008 11:55:59 GMT

It was the coldest night ever, everyones tired this morning due to not sleeping. The sun soon comes up and its roasting hot & our blood is circulating again.

Our first hike is to Cathedral Gorge in The Bungle Bungles. Its a very rocky path through palms and greenery, very tropical looking. At the end is a small pool of water & a rounded opening of high cliffs, the echo goes on and on bouncing round the arc.

Next hike is down to Echidna Chasm, its a similar walk through palm trees to a canyon about 3ft wide which we walk through to the end where the rocks join, there are a ...

Kununurra journal: Kimberleys Day 6

Fri, 09 May 2008 11:54:03 GMT

Dan goes into Kununnurra to get a new tyre and some groceries as we all running out of supplies now. We get to go on a trip with Mick who takes us in a truck which looks like a cattle wagon to Wuggubun Gorge. Its a nice hike through forest and more spiky long grass, our legs are ripped to shreds now & so bloody & bruised. After a while we get to a pool with waterfall surrounded by palm trees. I take some pictures of the frogs & wasps around everywhere. While some of the group jump off the waterfall into about 2ft of deep water space between rocks.

On the way back we see a ...

El Questro journal: Kimberleys Day 5

Fri, 09 May 2008 11:51:16 GMT

A nice warm nights sleep and we're all up at sunrise ready for a big ol hike.

Its a 10km return hike to Champagne Springs. Sounds lovely lets hope it is!

The hike isn't too hard, its quite flat but so hot, Gemma & me are pouring with sweat our t-shirts are soaked through its nasty. The boys have a bet of $5 to see who can get to the top of the hill in under 5 mins, us girls stand in the shade & watch them struggle up the hill, to the top in under 6mins though not bad at all.

We carry on the hike at quite a fast pace over rocks and through long spiky grass, about ...

El Questro journal: Kimberleys Day 4

Fri, 09 May 2008 11:47:48 GMT

Dan gets us up early and cooks us pancakes for breakfast, we wash in the river and head back on the road. There's a lot of driving today and we go through many deep rivers which run accross the road. We get out for a paddle in Durack River Crossing & take pictures of the van coming through.

We got into El Questro about lunchtime so ate then went on a gorge walk. Its nothing like the scenery we've been used to and its a big tourist spot in the Kimberleys. The whole group can't wait to get back on the track to our secret spots & away from tourism. The pool at the end was shallow & ...

Barnett River Gorge journal: Kimberleys Day 3

Fri, 09 May 2008 11:45:54 GMT

Bit of a chilly one last night so no-ones too active this morning, we do our morning routines in the bushes then get in the truck & head to Galvans Gorge.

Its a walk through long spiky grass up to our heads & the lil spiky bits resemble needles which like to stick in every item of clothing. Just by the side of the pool at the end is a rock face which has aboriginal paintings on it, a snake & a spirit which is overlooking the pool to ensure no-one swims in the foot of the waterfall as this is supposedly where the serpents live & they are sacred & should not be disturbed.

Windjana Gorge National Park journal: Kimberleys Day 2

Fri, 09 May 2008 11:43:17 GMT

After a great nights sleep Dan wakes us up at sunrise, about 6.30 & this is the plan for the next 7 days too... joy! We have brekkie around the fire, pack up the truck & head off to Lennard Gorge.

The trek down to the waterfall is pretty hard going, its almost a rock climb, we clamber down to the bottom and then hang onto the rocks as we edge around the corner to our lil spot. the place is gorgeous, the fall is so high and crashing down, makes so much noice its awesome. We all jump straight in and swim up to the waterfall bottom. The current is well strong near the base & its fun ...

Derby journal: Kimberleys Day 1

Fri, 09 May 2008 11:39:24 GMT

Hostel pickup for Kimberleys trip is 6am all our excess luggage is sent on the Greyhound, by the look of the organisation they'll never be seen again hehe!

Everyone in the group is cool, there's 9 of us Richie & Jo, Gemma & Nikki, Anne, Nicole, Laura, Dave & me plus Dan the tour guide. We all hit it off straight away and have a lotta fun, which is great cos we spending 9 days knocking knees!

In Derby pronounced (Durby) we visit the Prison Boab Tree which is a naturally hollowed out tree with a small crack in one side which was used to imprison aborigines on route to ...

Broome journal: Broome

Fri, 09 May 2008 11:34:28 GMT

Totally hungover and its about 38c.... feel like err... dying! Manage to shower and get onto the bus Donna & me are in desperate need of coke & chocolate.. the bus is so hot & i concentrate on respiration to ease the sickness feeling!

We get to 80 Mile Beach and quickly buy some junk food then wander down to the beach, its so long... about 80 miles I'd say hehe! White sand & milky aqua sea, there's loads of shells & jellyfish on the beach, also Sand Dollar shells like in CA. We get back on the bus and drive drive drive drive drive... til Broome.

We get into ...

Exmouth journal: Karajini National Park

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:06:03 GMT

A 6.30am start today, bit of a gutter having a nice clean hostel with good A/C and only getting to spend 8 hours there but hey ho!

Its pretty much all driving today, hours & hours of straight roads and roadhouses as the only civiliastion, if you can call them civilised.

Finally get to Karajini about 6.30pm thats 12 hours solid driving we're all very tired hot and ratty from still having no A/C in the bus. We all go to check in and the woman behind the counter is completely power tripping and gives us right attitude. the driver Graham has a few words then one of the group start ...

Exmouth journal: Turquoise Bay

Sat, 12 Apr 2008 14:50:49 GMT

I say my farewells & leave Coral Bay at 10am on the Easyrider bus with Graham my new guide. We have a bit of a drive first up to Exmouth and pick up our snorkelling gear for the afternoon.

We get to Turquoise Bay and have a safety briefing on the rip current. We have to walk along the beach, swim out 100m to the reef then let the current take you down over the reef. Making sure that when you see the corner of the beach with the sign on it you're swimming frantically into shore & not out to sea, cos if you get caught in the rip you'll need a passport ... thats if you're not eaten by ...

Coral Bay journal: Manta Ray

Sat, 12 Apr 2008 14:48:17 GMT

Spent a few days in Coral Bay now snorkelling off the beach, a big storm came on Saturday night so there's no access into Coral Bay now cos the road is flooded. The water is clearing a little but still extremely cloudy unless diving down to view the fish.

Alice found bed bugs so we had to move rooms, this is a bonus as we now get rid of the Flash coming in at 5am drunk & gettin in the wrong bed upsetting the Danish & also the young Dutch couple who have sex in top bunk squeaking away everynight. Poor Alice doesn't see this upside at the moment though she's covered head to toe in itchy ...

Coral Bay journal: Whale Sharks

Sat, 12 Apr 2008 14:43:33 GMT

I've been in Coral Bay a couple o days snorkelling off the beach, the Coral Spawning has made the sea really cloudy though (and smelly) I can't do my PADI because i need 5 people to do a course, this is bit annoying as I'm supposed to be here for 3wks to do diving, everything change!

I'm now here for 1 week and today is Whale Shark tour day... woohoo! I have barely slept all night cos I'm so excited. I get on the boat about 9ish and we head out to Ningaloo Reef for a snorkel to test everyones equipment & ability in the water, it all goes well and we're back on the boat waiting for the ...

Monkey Mia Resort journal: Monkey Mia & Shark Bay

Sat, 12 Apr 2008 14:39:18 GMT

After being rained in in Denham doing nothng but drink watch movies and play volleyball its certainly good to be out!

The weather is still real cloudy but its dry, we go to Monkey Mia at 8am to see the dolphin feed, ah my god its horrid, there's about 100 people all lined up 3 thick along the sea shore which is quite choppy & loaded with seaweed. Everyone has to stand upto their knees in the weed watching for the dolphins coming past. After half hour, the bucket is empty & the dolphins are gone. Its back on the bus now, we return to Denham (ah please let me outta here!) to pick up the ...

Denham journal: Kalbarri National Park

Sat, 05 Apr 2008 12:51:46 GMT

Up early again and on the bus for 7am... been up all night & feel crap!

We grab some food for the day from a bakery in town and head for Kalbarri National Park. Again we drop the trailer at the gate before we go 'offroad' its a long ol gravel track and the bus rattles like an old bag o bolts.

The first hike we do is 4km to Z bend Gorge, as soon as we get out the bus we are completely covered in little flies, they are constantly crawling over my face, my arms, my back and its horrid. Again my fly net is in the trailer completely forgot it - gutted!

We walk for about ...

Margaret River journal: Margaret River

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 20:59:27 GMT

We wake up well early because birds eat whatever it is in the tree above us and drop the seed pods onto the van roof from 6am... lots of people are leaving site now too.

We enjoy a hot shower and brekkie on site. Then head up Margaret River to begin our wine tour.

The first winery is Howard Park and Madfish, its got a gorgeous Merlot, so i buy a bottle and pray they don't all taste this good! The next along is Woodlands, hich is not good at all, theres a small office with paperwork everywhere and thats where they do the tasting. We try the whites forst which are ok, then try the ...

Rockingham journal: Penguin Island

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 20:39:38 GMT

Today is Labour Day - Bank Holiday Monday... about 38c & not a cloud in the sky!

We slept in Rockingham last night on the seafront so no travelling this morning. We go straight to Penguin Island, after finding a parking space for the van.. bank holiday traffic! Its about quarter mile i'd guess to walk over to the island on a sandbar submerged in the sea, it takes about 20 mins to wade over withe sea at its highest being me chest. There's kids being dragged over on there bodyboards and one baby is sailing over in his bath its so cute.

When we get over its so hot... i've left me ...

Bunbury journal: Swimming with Dolphins

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 20:13:35 GMT

We are up at 7.30 and to the dolphin centre by 8.30. I look around the centre and learn some dolphin facts and other oceany things, then go out to the interaction zone, this is an area in the ocean where the dolphins come reguarly and interact with humans, there's only one dolphin swimmind about in the harbour but he's not a regular here and doesn't stop.

We sign up for the dolphin swim trip and it for the boat to come in at 12, we've got wetsuits to wear cos you can be in the sea for a while with them.

The boat takes us to a point where the water runs off the land into the sea and ...

Yallingup journal: Cape Naturaliste - Bunbury

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:33:09 GMT

I had Apricot yogurt & fruit for brekkie which made a nice change from peanut butter and honey sarnies. Still nasty cheap coffee though...

We drove out to Cape Naturaliste and went on a short hike to a lookout point, it reminded me alot of Lands End here, before it got 'commercialised'.

Just along the road was Bunkers Bay, we sat on the beach here for a while and i took some 'wave shots'. We tried to have coffee and cake from the 'cafe' but it was more like a restaurant and was charging $8 a slice... so we moved on and had noodles in a picnic spot instead.. much better!? We ...

Perth City journal: Kings Park - Made it this time!

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:11:26 GMT

We meet Claire and Jess from The Deen night out at Billabong in reception and head to Kings Park for the day. We take the energetic approach anf climb up the steps called Jacobs Ladder to get to park, the views from the top are amazing, looking right over Swan River and City.

We all go on a self guided tour around the Park, on the glass bridge and to war memerial, we end up at a nature trail which leads to the DNA tower, which is a metal scaffold steps with not that great a view.

Jess and Claire head into the city and I have some lunch in the park (cheap marmite from the free food ...

Augusta journal: Augusta

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:52:23 GMT

After the hottest night ever and no showers we all humming a bit! We have a quick brekkie then head onto Geographe Peninsula. Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse is first stop then theres an old waterwheel thats limed up from the water over the years.

We then go to Jewel Cave, its very pretty and has the longest straw ( stalegtite thingy) in all of Australia...but most importantly its 16c ahhh its nice down there. The Carbon Dioxide levels are extremely high in the cave due to the hot weather so its quite hard to breathe down there.

We make a quick call into Hamlyn Bay the sea is very calm & ...

Pemberton journal: Gloucester Tree

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:44:24 GMT

Ah a hot shower such simple pleasures!

We go straight to the Gloucester tree before brekkie to avoid the crowds, theres loads of exotic birds about, really tame too.

Harriet and Jenny climb the tree, its 60m high with big pegs for you to climb up right to the top... I take photos theres no way i going up there! It takes them about an hour to go up and down, and they look pretty knackered now.

We have brekkie then go on a tourist drive upto Beedulup Falls they are vitually running dry though so not to spectacular. We then go on Heartbreak Trail which has little lookouts along ...

Denmark journal: Denmark

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:23:41 GMT

Had brekkie, the usual overlooking the ocean watching some blokes learn to surf on the white water. Tried out soya milk to save cheesey fresh milk as have no fridge... its cack... white bit floatin in my coffee & it tastes of nuts!

We get a map of Denmark & Walpole, we have to scrub the National Park cos its 4X4 again... we do the tourist drive instead though which is good. It goes arund some wineries & ice cream factorys then leads to Green Bay.... NOW this is THE most beautiful beach ever... and i mean it this time... nowhere can beat this surely... its like heaven... the sea is ...

Albany journal: Torndirrup NP

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 00:55:15 GMT

Before brekkie at Cosy Corner, we all go down for a swim in the sea, its quiite choppy and the waves are strong we swim for about 20 mins then eat and head into Albany for free showers.

First visit is Torndirrup N Park, and The Gap. A big piece of rock which is from where Antarctica split from Australia millions of years ago. Is pretty fantastic to see and there's lots of warning everywhere about sudden ocean surges that have killed people in the past. Just over the cliff is Natural Bridge, this ios beautiful and we run around taking in turns to have photos on it. Not that u can see cos ...

Albany journal: Albany

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:22:17 GMT

Had Peanut Butter & Honey sarnie again for brekkie then drove into Albany. First stop off was Bald Island/Cheyne Beach. We couldn't see the island and there wasn't much to do so we carries on. Next turn was unsealed road again... not going down there. Next turn to Two Peoples Bay is again unsealed so we end up at Nannerup.

There's a big lake surrounded by driftwood looking wiggly trees and lots of birdlife inc a strange thing with a huge beak. The sea is just to the left we have a wander round there's a few surfers out but not much about.

Albany town centre is really nice, its ...

Albany journal: Fitzgerald River NP

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:00:31 GMT

Again had to make a quick start to the loo, this time noticing showers at BP for $3, wish i'd noticed that yesterday...damn Munglinup ants!

We got to Fitzgerald River NP about lunchtime, it was off-road though! Banned by the campervan people, there had been major fires here do pretty much everything was burnt out. The road did seem ok driving through until we took the side road off to Ann Point. This was the bumpiest most horrid road ever and was only 18km, seeming like 90km! when we got ther though the views were amazing and it was definately woth the unpleasant journey. We have lunch ...

Esperance journal: Esperance

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 19:45:48 GMT

The layby we stopped in last night was called Overshot Hill Nature Reserve, I have to drive off and find some loos asap cos busting! 10km later we find a toilet but no shower so quick stop off and carry on to Esperance. After a while and loads more dead kangaroos and road trains we find Munglinup. This place is 'Outback' thats for sure. They have a shower though $2 each. I go first and the shower is a Giant Ant nest, they are everywhere, I try and drown lots so i can stand in there without getting bitten, and place my clothes on my shoes in a puddle of water so they can't get in them. I feel a ...

Hyden journal: Wave Rock

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 19:31:21 GMT

We got our campervan from Wicked after waiting about 2hours cos the computers were down. Our home for the next 12 days is Darth Vader, i drive the 350km to Wave Rock stopping off for some lunch on route in a lil layby. We finally get there at about 7 and the place is pretty much empty apart from the campers. The Wave is empty we completely alone here and the sun is about to set at 8ish. Its a pretty magnificent rock, think it would be better colours with the sun on it though.

We were going to camp here tonight originally but since we got here so late and have donw the rock Harriet and me ...

Fremantle journal: Fremantle - Day 2

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 20:12:28 GMT

Feed up on the free brekkie at YHA and head into Freo for the big 'discovery tour' armed with map and camera I wander ound in 36c heat for 6hrs, started off around town the buildings are mostly built from the gold rush so they're very elaborate. Bathers Bay is the only beach, its tiny but gorgeous. Walk upto the Roundhouse which was used to store the abo's years ago before shipping them off to Rottnest.

apparently the sunset over indian ocean here is postcard material so must get down here one evening. Went round the Shipwreck Maritime museum which was quite interesting then headed out ...

Fremantle journal: Rottnest Island

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 19:51:26 GMT

Up at 6.30 for 7.30 ferry to Rottnest, its tricky waking and getting ready in a dorm of 10 making no noise. As we had a full day here we hired bikes for $17 to cycle round the 22km island, this would've been easy if it weren't 37c, a million flies in my face and of course the Fremantle Doctor(a really strong wind) blowing against me.

First spider sighting about 9am its huuuuuuuuge about the size of my hand and the body the size of my thumb, very very carefully approach with as much zoom as my camera will do and snap it, before cycling off quickly. Next is some little Quokkas eating in ...

Cottesloe journal: Cottesloe - Day 2

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:46:20 GMT

Late wake up (again hehe) its so hot I just can't get going.

We walk upto Cottesloe centre to try and get some brekkie, there's this excellent market hall called The Boatshed has everything, get a nice fruit salad and iced coffee and find a tiny piece of shade to eat in. Liquorland is just over the road so head there to get some vino before heading back down to seafront, we go a bit wrong and end up in a golf club which is very funny trying to leg it accross the green without being spotted by wealthy folk, when we get accross it looks like course is fenced off too, just as i'm about to ...

Scarborough Beach journal: Scarborough

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:44:01 GMT

the rain has stopped now so heading off to Scarborough beach for the morning. Spend a few hours there have a swim in the sea, get pounded cos its..well not england...Big Waves, Big Currents, Weak me!

After beach trip, where I seem to have burnt my back... major creaming oversight there dam it! We go round to Liquor Land to pick up wine and beer, its $10 for 2L carton of wine...and there's a huge walk in chiller where the beer is stored... Dad would love it here!

After shepherds pie for dinner... yummy! We go on a bike ride round the area past the kangaroo field and they're actually ...

Fremantle journal: Fremantle - Day 1

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:43:12 GMT

Up and outta Cottesloe on a couple a buses to Fremantle (Freo). Get to YHA and sign up for membership to get loadsa discounts hoorah! 4 nights $88 very nice!

There's a lot of little coffe shops and cafes around here, it looks quite a modern trendy place to live, we go Gino's for lunch, try and eat so much i can skip dinner haha cheapskate! Had a look round Freo centre all afty, got an extra T-shirt at last but can't find any long sleeved anywhere.

Met a couple of ppl in my dorm who seem nice, 10 girls and 2 fans tho its gonna be hot! Got trip to Rottnest Island booked up for ...

Perth City journal: Kings Park - or not!

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:02:18 GMT

Its been hammering it down since about 5.30am, first rain in about 6months!

Meet Jenny in City figuring it cant possibly rain all day and we can go to Kings Park, after lunch and drinks its still chucking it down proper! Decide to knock the Kings Park idea on the head & get a road map to organise some travelling plans. Go to nearest bar, Bobby Dazzlers, maps and travel guides everywhere, spot the tourist! After a few hours we have a road trip of the South planned (Perth - Wave Rock - Albany - Bunbury - Perth) due to a severe lack of accomodation in that area we have booked a Wicked ...

Perth City journal: Mullaloo

Sun, 10 Feb 2008 23:54:21 GMT

Didn't wake up til 10.30 proper lagging, went out for a drive with Perry got bank account sorted no dramas, thats what we like. Had a Boost, a fruity concoction to energise, just what i need. Went down to local beach which is Mullaloo, its gorgeous, free parking, uncrowded sea and beach...its heaven, stay here in a daydream for a while the head back to Perry's for first Aussie BBQ, marinated steak for $1 and salad...'ansome!

Sarah took me to Yanchup NP at the ene of the road where the Kangaroos come at sunrise and sunset... after four visits they definately not putting in an appearance ...

Perth City journal: Woodvale - De lagging!

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 19:40:31 GMT

Arrived in Perth Int airport at 2.40am and its 27c... the airport is tiny, which i'm very glad of cos I aint that switched on anymore, about ready to drop... where did monday go?

Flew thru customs and baggage reclaim, no questions or owt just a nice big PERTH stamo in my passport.... Woohoo let the adventure begin!

I met a nice lay on the plane called Chris, who gave me a lift to Perry's as she lives in the next street, bonus. Have lost a pound in sweat since landing i swear!

Meet Perry and have a chat til my coma sets in and get to bed about 5am, slept thru til 10.30 and ...

Dubai journal: Connection Flight

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 19:30:43 GMT

Arrived in Dubai airport after a nice 6 hour flight from Heathrow, the connection was easy enough even though the signs were all in Arabic!

Had an hour to wander round the airport and admire the gold everywhere. Its a very posh airport, managed to buy some drinks for the flight and had a big wad of money in change which is only about £3 - no coin tho bonus! My flight leaves for Perth on time .... 11 hours to go!

San Diego journal: Pacific Beach

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 07:44:12 GMT

Spent the day in San Diego with friends, and went to Pacific Beach to do some surfing there, it was quite foggy too and sea only 17c its almost like UK!

Picked up some Mexican food and headed back to the Holiday Inn, Hotel Circle. Returned back to the Gaslamp district for a quick ride around, then headed out to Navy Pier to see the huge aircraft carrier in dock. After wandering around for a bit and viewing the Bob Hope Memorial we headed onto Seaport Village for some dinner and drinks. Had a wander round the shops and picked up a couple o souvenirs then back to the hotel, ready for ...

United States journal: Pacific Coast Highway

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 07:38:20 GMT

San Diego - San Francisco on the coast road!

Grand Cayman journal: 2 Weeks of Snorkelling

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 07:37:01 GMT

Flew in with a 1hr stopover in Nassau, definately glad i had a window seat the views over The Bahamas were amazing, the sea was beautiful, when we landed in Cayman it was tiny... the plane turns at the end to park & there's no runway left just ocean!

On the first morning we have arranged a champagne buffet breakfast at the nearby hotel, i've never seen so much shellfish and gorgeus food, i eat until I can't eat no more and guzzle down the champagne, it doesn't take long to realise this is going to be a great holiday.

The next few days we relax on the beach near the house, ...

Cayman Islands journal: Cayman Islands

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 09:54:31 GMT

Snorkelling - Snorkelling - Snorkelling

Cairo journal: Pyramids & Sphinx

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 09:48:09 GMT

Got up at 1.20am to get a coach tour into Cairo from Hurghada, this is miles and miles and hours and hours... Firstly we go round all the hotels and pickup other guests then head out to the edge of the desert where we about anothere 100 tour buses all meet up and head off accross the desert in one huge convoy. The meetup takes forever and its geting on in the day before we even start.

The coach journey takes 9 hrs and we finally get to The Pyramids after a long drive and messing about picking up the tour guide and changing drivers etc in Cairo itself. As we congregate atthe front of the ...

Luxor journal: Luxor Temples

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 08:59:41 GMT

Visited Luxor on a coach trip from Hurghada, started early and headed first to The Temple of Amenhotep III. this is two great big statues out in the desert, they were pretty magnificent, especially the size of them. All of the statues in Egypt are very damaged from the many wars that have been in Egypt over the decades.

Next stop was Valley of the Kings, the heat here is so intense and the place is bright white, sunglasses and a hat are a must! There is about 17 tombs here including Rameses, Amenhotep and Tutankhamun, the boy king. All the treasures & coffin have been removed from the ...

Hurghada journal: Red Sea

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 08:30:41 GMT

Stayed in the Hilton for 2 weeks in Hurghada, this hotel is right on the beach, so you can have your breakfast then wander out the door into thr Red Sea.

We went on about 3 boat trips from here, one to a beach somewhere with straw umbrellas and snorkelling equipment all laid out. This was the hottest place i'd ever been, the sealife was amazing thoughm it took my breath away, there is a lot of tour boats come here, but the beach is plenty big enough for everyone, and the sea doesn't get crowded. A very enjoyable, yet tiring excursion!

The boat trip just went out from the pier to do ...

Egypt journal: Egypt 2005

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 10:28:13 GMT

Red Sea, Hurghada - Luxor - Cairo

San Francisco Bay Area journal: Pier 39 & Alcatraz

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 10:26:11 GMT

After a lond drive up the 5 arrived late and crashed at friends house.

Nice early start heading over the Golden Gate Bridge which is covered in Fog, down to Pier 39 for some brekkie then over on the Blue & Gold liner to Alcatraz, took the 'headset tour' which is fantastic, its eerie walking thru the cells hearing how it was as an inmate all them years ago, saw Al Capones & Birdmans cells which was was pretty cool, then headed out into the yard, great views that look back over San Francisco Bay, steep hills and high risers. Walking round the prison you can go into solitary confinement ...

Las Vegas journal: Las Vegas

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 10:25:27 GMT

Arrived in Las Vegas just at Sunset, booked into one of the thousand hotels and grabbed some dinner before heading 'down the strip'.

Drove up and down the strip, admiring the bright lights and hotels here, the Stratosphere, looks terrifying, a rollercoaster on top of am already massive hotel, its wild here. Theres lions and mud wrestling and sooo much money!

Stopped and watched the water fountain at The Bellagio for a while, the water to music is great to watch and quite relaxing in the madness of Vegas.

We went in Luxor and I played some blackjack for a couple o hours, had a ...

Hoover Dam journal: Hoover Dam

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 10:24:40 GMT

Hoover dam is HOT... its white concrete as far as the eye can see, the history behind the building of the dam is very interesting and worth reading, the dam itself is very impressive. Its bigger than you can possibly imagine.

The water held back by the dam leaves you in awe, you can only imagine how much water is there... the dam is so tall it makes ya dizzy.

Page journal: Lake Powell

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 10:23:45 GMT

Heading out of Utah now stopping at Lake Powell on route to Hoover dam.

The Lake is Huuuge, theres a hundred watersports you can do including guided boat tours around the lake, we took one of these upto Antelope Canyon, where you can carry on but you need a kayak because the canyon is so narrow. Planet of the Apes was filmed here and its spectacular, the markings in rock face are all different shades of red. We then carried on round the lake to Glen Canyon Dam, which was very impressive, quite nice as far as dams go.

In the summer it is possible to bring picnics/bbq's here, just ...

Zion National Park journal: Zion NP

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 10:23:03 GMT

Zion is beautiful, totally in contrast to Bryce Canyon, its lush and green and teaming with nature, saw many Butterflies, Lizards, Fish and Eagles.

There's a hike up the edge of the mountain which leads to Angels landing, its extremley high up though and you need to hang onto a chain because the path is so narrow and close to the edge. The views from up there must be amazing tho!

We took a bus tour along the river stopping off at various points to take photos and explore a bit, there's some lovely waterfalls. At the very end of the valley' if you have the correct footwear, ie: ...

Bryce Canyon journal: Parry's Lodge, Kanab

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 10:22:29 GMT

This is a great place to stay in Utah, its like old style motel with old movie stars naming each room. There's a pool and a great breakfast, including bacon and eggs!

Bryce Canyon journal: Bryce Canyon

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 10:22:29 GMT

Another day at a canyon... but what a canyon. This place is totally different to Grand Canyon, the rock sculptures and formations are amazing, the altitude is high having beautiful views accross the canyon. The Natural Arch is spectacular.

Most of the canyon can be viewed by viewpoints in the car, but there is a few hikes if your not breathless from the altitude already. These have great views and one walks round through a little wooded area and out onto the canyon rim where a dead tree balances precariously routed to the edge.

Yosemite National Park journal: Yosemite NP

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 10:19:52 GMT

Yosemite is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited, there's huge rocky faces which the waterfall should run down, unfortunately its dry but you can't win em all! Theres a river that runs through and forests full of deer, the views and wildlife here are amazing, you could easily spend a week here camping and still not do it all, the place is huge.

Must definately return here one day to spend longer, with a good pair of binoculars!

Grand Canyon National Park journal: Grand Canyon NP

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 09:33:06 GMT

Arrived late the night before and stopped in a hotel in the National Park, this meant more expensive lodgings, butt he buffet breakfast was worth it.

Got an early start on the Canyon and took the bus along the rim stopping at all of the view points. I walked up to the edge of the canyon on the first point and looked out, the place is breath taking, my heart actually skipped a beat it was such an amazing site to see. Just stood there for about 10 mins soaking up the views.

At one of the view points you can see right down to the Colorado river, it normally runs like a blue vein ...

Joshua Tree National Park journal: Joshua Tree NP

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 09:24:52 GMT

Arrived mid morning at Joshua Tree, bought a Annual Pass for all the National Parks which was only $50, thought that was incredibly cheap, especially the amount of parks we visiting on this trip, definately a better option than paying single park entry.

The trees are beautiful and make great photos against the brigth blue sky, saw hundreds of lizards running around and a couple of desert rats. think it ws too hot to see alot though, its right in the middle of Palm Desert and is roasting.

Its very easy to drive through the park and pick your viewing spots from the entry leaflet, i ...

San Francisco journal: Muir Woods

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 09:10:15 GMT

Had breakfast at friends lodgings then headed up into the mountains to visit the Giant Californian Redwoods in Muir Woods. Named after John Muir.

The views on the way are breathtaking and the road is pretty hair raising on the bends, the Woods are beautiful and the Sequioas amazing , never seen such huge trees in all my life. They make the 4x4 look like a toy car! There's one huge Sequoia which has fallen down and the roots are the size of a small house.

Finishing up in San Fran today so back to friends for a big farewell dinner and some famous Californian wine...Perfect!

San Diego journal: Gaslamp District & Seaport Village

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 08:46:36 GMT

Arrived here at night for a flying visit to meet my brother before heading upto San Fran, We wandered round the Gaslamp District which is beautiful after dark, theres loads of shops and restaurants here if your hungry.

Headed to the Navy Pier which has huge aircraft carriers in dock, there's a lovely memorial to Bob Hope and a Sailor kissing his girl goodbye statue, very nicely lit. Then went to Seaport Village and wandered round the gift shops, then had a bite to eat in a cafe there, must remember everything seems to come with sour dough or sweet bread!

Back to the hotel for a ...