Cairns continued...

After Green Island we went back to the mainland and spent the afternoon white water rafting on the Barron River - this was probably my favourite part of the trip. It was so much fun. It was a Grade 3 on a scale of 1-6. Our guide, Roddy (the guy at the back of the raft in the photo below), was hilarious and made the experience really funny. He described Grade 1 as a 'fart in the bath' and Grade 6 as 'you will probably hurt yourself badly'. There were 3 guides and Roddy chose me and James to go into his raft along with ladies who were sisters aged between 50 and 60, all grand mothers. These ladies were good old Aussie 'sheilas' who loved turning everything into a dirty joke, and boy did they enjoy having James to include in these jokes. It was so funny, every possible opportunity they were making comments about needing mouth to mouth (after being knocked into the river by Roddy) 'Ohhhh Jaaaaaames, doctoorrrr, I need the kiss of life!!' One of the manoeuvres we had to learn was the honeymoon shuffle (rocking your hips back and forth when the raft gets stuck on a rock), when ever this move was used the ladies went wild - it really was so funny! James was at the front blushing away and paddling furiously to compensate for their lack of paddling - they were too busy joking around to help much. Anyways, it was really fun and having these characters with us made the experience all the more memorable. 

Rafting on the Barron River

James and his ladies

The next day we took a 12 hour tour up to the Daintree forest and Cape Tribulation. It was a day full of beautiful natural scenery, only slightly tarnished by some very annoying Spaniards with long lens cameras, snapping constantly at everything. The worst was on the Daintree river when we were on a boat looking for crocodiles, it clearly said 'do not lean over board, crocs can jump!' However this group of snap happy chappies were hanging off the edge of the boat at every opportunity, even invading my personal space by almost resting on my head to steady the camera, it was ridiculous. The evil part of me was hoping a croc would jump up and know that ridiculous lens out of his hand!

The only one on the trip to get into the cold lake!

In he goes...!

Cape Tribulation

Little Wallaby

Befriending the blind one that no one else wanted to feed

Baby crocodile

Big croc

The following day we had a 4am pick from the hotel to go on a sunrise hot air balloon ride. Although setting your alarm for 3 something is horrible it was worth it. We arrived at the farm land at about 5am and watched the balloons inflate and take off with the first group, then it was back into the bus to 'chase the ballons' and then finally get in for our 30 minutes, just after sunrise. It looks like it would be scary but you barely feel the movement and the landing was so soft. It's as close to flying as I've got (I haven't been sky diving like James!).

4am hot air ballon start

There comes the sun...

Posing like our fellow Asian tourists - it's never too early for a peace sign

xoxo

Green Island

Hello!

It's been a while since my last blog post and I finally have some stories to tell!

 Last week James and I took a five night trip up north to Cairns. The first few days we stayed on Green Island - about a 40 minute boat trip from Cairns.  There are lots of day trippers to the Island between 10am and 5pm but outside of those hours it's very quiet as there is only one resort on the Island with less than 50 rooms. It's usually really expensive to stay at the resort but James found a good deal so we had two nights there. Included in the price was snorkeling, kayaking, fish feeding, sunset cocktails and a glass bottom boat trip.
 
During the daytime the main beach was full of Japanese tourist in the water so it make the snorkeling really murky. But when we went early in the mornings it was just us there and the water was perfectly clear (and cold!) so we saw loads of fish and few turtles.

The fish feeding was at 5pm each afternoon in the same spot so the fish knew to congregate ready for their feed (what happened to 3 second memories?). So there we were on the first afternoon, post snorkel, looking at all these fish swarming around when I see a fin, then another fin. James says the look on my face as I realised I had just been swimming in sharky waters was priceless! They are only black tipped reef shark but still! A shark is a shark in my mind!

The next morning when we were snorkeling on our own we were lucky enough to swim along with a turtles for a while. We also came close to one of those sharks, I was just thinking to myself I bet one is nearby when I spotted it's black tip. My first thought was to try and get a photo (we have a new underwater camera) then I quickly decided no, I'll just get out of here!

For a winter holiday it was a warm 26 degrees, nice and warm without the sweatiness of summertime! It's a really beautiful island, especially if you walk around to the deserted areas and avoid the long-lens snapping of the tourists (I have a new found hatred for SLR cameras - more on that later). James' latest obsession (along with fishing) appears to be sun rises and sun sets (also more on that later), and I have to admit we saw some beautiful sunsets from the beach each night, with a glass of Champagne in hand!

This part of the trip was very relaxing, shark sightings aside, James had just finished night shifts so we had early nights and early mornings but that suited island life! The rest of the trip was a bit more action packed... but first here are some Green Island photos...

Suit wearing tourist

The main beach

Our quiet beach

Sunset drinks

My new backpack

Loving life

My turtle

Kayaking off the island

My favourite big fish

Glass bottom boat

Green Island

I read The Help on our trip

Sunset picnic on the beach

James' fav photo - he likes the 'lines'

A whale!

May time news

I’ve been awful again with updating this blog, I keep putting it on my to-do list and not quite crossing it off! So I’ve just to updated you on the past month, Sydney for my birthday, Gold Coast hinterland (Mount Tambourine) and Gold Coast.

Outside of our gallivanting James and I are continuing to make friends and love life here.

I’m really lucky to be working in a really friendly restaurant and now have a group of close girlfriends (and Mitch – don’t want to leave out the lone guy in our social group!) The girls are from all over the world and each has hosted at least one lunch or dinner where they cook the most amazing food, usually from their home country. We sit and eat and drink and chat for hours – great fun! I’m actually the only one not to have hosted such an event so my turn will be soon – I promise! I really should have been taken photos to share, will try to start now! 

It is winter now, around 20 degrees in the daytime but chillier in the morning and at night time. I think we must be totally acclimatised as it feels cold! We came straight from British summertime to Australian summertime so it’s weird to feel a chill. James and I want to take a 2/3 week trip in July, either up to North Queensland or down to Victoria and Tasmania. Everyone keeps warning us how cold it is down South though, and I’m not sure if I can handle it now! 

Other than lots of yummy breakfasts/lunches/dinners with my work friends (food seems to be a bonding common ground for us!) I have actually had quite a quiet few weeks as I hurt my back and spend a week inside recovering. Turns out I have a problem with a disk in my lower back, it was really painful and I couldn’t really sit, walk or stand for 5 days. I’ve had problems since I was 17 and used to see an Osteopath but over here the doctor sent me straight for a CT and Xray – that would never happen in the UK! So at least I know what the problem is now. I spent hours lying on the living room floor watching TV, I got through a lot of Kardashians (started back at the beginning) and got bored of that so started on Hart of Dixie, which I love (as does James!) – thanks Steph and Wray for the hint! James took good care of me and even bought me a Netbook to cheer me up and keep me entertained! I haven’t been back to the gym yet but once the twinges go I’ll ease back into some Yoga and Body Balance, think I’ll have to lay off Pump and running. 

I’ve booked to come home to the UK in September and I can’t wait to see my family and friends. I won’t have much time but have a lot to fit in! I’m going to have a vintage tea party and can’t want to see all my home girls. I also need to fit in lots of time with my godson Luca – who turns 1 this Friday! I am also very excited to go shopping – during my horizontal time I spent many hours on shopping sights planning my buys (Australian shopping is rubbish). I am also excited to drive my Ladybird and go for a pub roast. I will also be trying on my bridesmaid dress for my friend Nikki's wedding (fingers crossed it arrives) - so much to do, so little time!

Yesterday James bought a fishing rod and tackle box and I bought the 2^nd and 3^rd instalments of the ‘Fifty Shades’ trilogy. Today we went fishing (reading for me)! I only lasted a hour or so (it was early and cold) but James stayed out and persevered, eventually catching a fish, a bream I think. There is talk of another go tomorrow morning… This is James’ latest chapter in how to be an Australian male. Camping, BBQing, off road driving and surfing have all been conquered (attempted).

Be back soon (well I’ll try!)

xoxo

How the other half live... The Gold Coast

After our cute country night in the Hinterland we drove the 30 minutes to the high rises of Surfers Paradise. James decided that if he was going to do it (stay at Surfers), he was going to do it right! So he booked the most amazing suite at Peppers, one of the really tall ones. It was super luxurious.

After checking in we walked around Surfers and decided we were happy we opted for Peppers over the Hilton - the Hilton is located smack bang in the middle of the strip clubs - and we were also happy that we ended up living on the Sunshine Coast rather than the Gold Coast. Although the Goldy is fun for a stay we really couldn't imagine living anywhere other than our safe and clean and unspoilt Sunny Coast!

But we made the most of our stay, eating our cheese and wine from the Hinterland on our balcony and watching the sun set, visiting the local casino and (at James' insistence) getting up to watch the sun rise.

Here's some snaps of our stay...

Peeping Tom...

Our pad

The view - we're not on the Sunny Coast now!

How big is this beach? This big!

Still the Cheese and Wine President (UEA memories)

Sunset

 

Sunrise

Just about worth waking up early for!

Surfers Paradise from across the bay

Getaway to Mount Tambourine

The week after Sydney, James and I took advantage of his 4 days on, 3 days off work schedule and set off to the Gold Coast. We started with a night in the Hinterland, at Mount Tambourine. We visited SkyWalk where you can walk on a suspended walkway through the rain forest - pretty amazing.

There is so much to do in this area, we went wine tasting, cheese tasting, liquor tasting, watched the sunset and ate at some gorgeous places. I would recommend visiting Mount Tambourine to anyone, it's so beautiful, friendly and fun. The next day we headed down to the Gold Coast and the very different world of Surfers Paradise...

The spoils from our wine tasting

Our cabin for the night

The Old Church restaurant

Buying Lemocello

Turning 25 in Sydney

This is a very long overdue post!!!!

In May I turned 25 - a quarter of a century. The last few years I have had a BBQ at home in Saffron Walden with all my friends and my Dad and Sister. James is always there, manning the BBQ. This year James suggested we go down to Sydney and stay with my Uncle Ed. He lives in Darling Harbour which is close to everything.

We did all the usual sightseeing and went to the Powerhouse Museum and National History Museum. To be honest, the second museum was more of James' thing, for me the highlight was taking a nap in front of a video about cloning a cub. I am a very talented sleeper. I think next time I would prefer to go to the Art museum.

The best part was definitely having a glass of bubbly at the Opera House Bar on my birthday! We flew home that evening and waiting for me was a beautiful bouquet of flowers from my friends Lisa and Jo. Made my smile a lot! 

That evening I met up with my friends at Lot 104 - the only nice bar in Mooloolaba for cocktails and food. Friends mean so much to me and I'm so happy to have found some lovely ones here.

James was a bit naughty and forgot that I am a princess about my birthday and didn't get me a card or any candles to blow out (you have to have your birthday wish)! So the next day he bought me a Boston Bun cake because it was still my birthday in American time!! Little things like that are why I love James, even though I pouted about not having a cake or card on the day, somehow that silly Boston Bun is so cute and will stick in my memory more than a normal cake would have!

Here are some photos of our few days in Sydney...

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Love Lace exhibition - Powerhouse Museum

Birthday Champagne at the Opera Bar - 11am 2nd May!

Beautiful flowers from Lisa and Jo xxx

My Boston Bun cake