The trip up to Cairns was pretty sweet on Virgin Blue. I got some really great shots of Brisbane from my seat. I'll have to upload them when I make it back home since they were captured on my iPhone. I will say that Qantas is the best airline that I have ever flown on.... it's pretty sick... even for Domestic flights!
Arrival into Cairns headed to Port Douglas on 17 November 2010:
Pure Sugar Canes
Beaches are Beautiful and Warm!
It took approximately 2 hours to get to Port Douglas from Cairns. The first day was absolutely beautiful and started to rain non-stop after the seond day. I guess I really can't complain since it is a tropical rainforest. I spent the first day wondering around the town, which took approximately 3 hours :) It's a small place, but I like it.
Arrival in Port Douglas:
Four Mile Beach
Limited Swimming on Four Mile Beach after the Rain.
Still Beautiful
St. Mary's by the Sea...
Wanna Get Married??? Well, I hope you hold off for the two year waiting list!
Afternoon cocktail at "The Inlet"
Time to feed George at the Inlet 5:15pm every day.
There's George the Giant Grouper having dinner!
I spent the second day running on Four Mile Beach and swimming in the limited swimming area later that afternoon. You can only swim in the permitted area because of all of the rain... Jelly fish and Sting Rays:( The limited area is surrounded by huge nets. But if you speak with the locals, they advise you not to swim in the limited area since there are smaller jelly fish that can get through the nets... I found out from one of the bartenders later that night.
The Inlet was pretty cool. I met several people there and we chatted it up for about 4 hours :) People are pretty friendly and I found out that a lot of Australians and New Zealanders vacation in Cairns and Port Douglas.
I also had several great meals there... Brent... Salsa was yummy! I had Yabi's (sp). The bartenders also got me drunk of leftover frozen cocktails from other guests. Mango, Strawberry, Kiwi... drinks!
Lots of fresh fish eaten by me over the past two weeks... I don't know the name of some of the fish that I ate. All of it was great and I reconfirmed that I don't like oysters... ugh!
Getting ready to gear up!
Beautiful
Beautiful
Did I mention how Beautiful it is?
Beautiful
I can't describe in words how beautiful the GBR is... I am very thankful for the opportunity to swim in it! Glad I was able to do this in my lifetime!
Swimming with the Fishes :) I promise there will be more pictures of the reef as soon as I get the water proof camera developed.
This is a real picture of me hugging a fish!
I wanted to take him home!
Headed to Katoomba in the Blue Mountains:
Sydney Central Station
Heading into the Blue Mountains
The trains could use an upgrade :)
Arrived at Sydney Central Train Station on November 21, 2010. It took approximately 2 hours to get to Katoomba. It is a lot cooler in the Mountains... but I have to say it was one of the best parts of my trip so far. I fell in love with the small towns and the fresh air. There's absolutely nothing to do there after 8pm. I was in bed by 9pm every night! People hike, mountain bike and camp... it's awesome!!!!!!
Arriving in Katoomba:
Another Destination :)
My stay in the Old School Guest House... I can't wait to share all of my lodging accomodations with you guys... you have to wait for the final blog.... You'll see the extremes in places where I stayed. I actually loved the Metropole... it smelled like wood and old leather! It even had a heated blanket on the bed and a heat lamp in the room... awesome!!!
Katoomba:
The Metropole
Town of Katoomba
Katoomba
The Best Cafe in Town... I ate here everyday!
I love this town!
Hiking the Blue Mountains:
Echo Point... And it starts... Full Day Hike (6-7hours) roundtrip
8am... near "The Three Sisters"... Pants turned into shorts by the end of the hike.
Katoomba Falls
Three Sisters
Three Sisters overlooking Jamison Valley
Bottom of Leura Falls
More Waterfalls
Jamison Valley
About 30 minutes into the hike.
1 Hour into the hike
Witches Leap Waterfall
Lots of Waterfall pictures
2 hours into the hike... almost in the Valley on Federal Pass
Small Waterfall... didn't want to get too close to the cliff.
Yeah... I'm gonna pass on sitting under a rock cliff....
Waterfalls
Waterfalls
Now I'm on the other side of the "Three Sisters"
Almost at the bottom
Waterfalls
Everyone needs to hike the Blue Mountains at some point!
Pretty Quiet down here...
At the bottom of the Waterfall
Heading down Fuber Steps
Almost int he Valley
I've hiked below the "Three Sisters" in Jamison Valley... 3 hours into the hike!
Looking up at the "Three Sisters"
Federal Pass
This was really cool!
Heading back up.
Just a little road block!
And there were steps, steps and more steps.
Over 900 steps going back up from Leura Falls
I would have screamed if I saw this creepy crawly on the hike!
Unique Birds on the hike
To sum up the Blue Mountains... Gorgeous... Scary... Peaceful. They remind me of the Grand Caynon, but more lush. Parts of the Blue Mountains are known as cool climate rainforest. There are lots of birds.... White Cockatoos... Black Cockatoos... Birds that I've never seen before. They make the scariest noises that I have ever heard... like a prehistoric bird!
I'll admit that hiking the Mountain alone was pretty scary at first. I did feel safe with the knife that "E" gave me (thanks so much) and my hiking sticks. Hiking sticks were key in this hike. The last part of the hike was pretty brutal. I don't know what I was more afraid of... snakes, leeches, crazy people on the trails or breaking a leg. I felt more comfortable when I walked past some fellow hikers on the trail. I went through 3 liters of water easily! I will make it back here one day!
Time for a little Chocolate after the hike:
$11.00 it was worth it.
I just finished this brownie today
Heaven!!!
One word about the Katoomba Blue Mountains Chocolate Company.... "YUMMY"
Day trip to Leura:
Reminded me of Livia's Costume. It's wild... Found this fellow while walking to Sublime Point.
Beautiful!
The Everglades Garden
Everglades
Sublime Point
Sublime Point Overlook
Sublime Point Overlook
Last day in Katoomba:
Maybe Prince Charming will take me here one day
Beautiful.
Ok... I think I'm blogged out for the day! I will post again when I make it to New Zealand! Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! See you in 2-3 weeks.
Hi Sam! Looks like you're having an amazing time! Can't wait to hear more about the trip. The photos are beautiful! Love from Colorado - Maren
ReplyDeleteWow the pictures are breath taking!!! I'm so thrilled you are having a wonderful time. I knew you would. I absolutely love the pictures of you swimming and hugging the fish. Can't wait to see more. Love ya!
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