Whitsundays And The Great Barrier Reef

Once the Darwin experience was over, and we had had a goodbye drink with Annalise we took a shuttle bus to the airport. Our flight was at around 4 in the morning, so we decided to just get there at around 12am, then sleep in some chairs till we were due on the flight. I had just purchased a brilliant invention known as an eye mask which came in very handy under all the florescent lighting. I wish I had bought some earlier frankly, they came in very handy.
Our flight took us to Cairns on the east coast, at around 9am, and we had booked a bus for about 12am that night to take us to Airlies Beach, so we had a full day of hanging around in Cairns. We put our big rucksacks in some lockers, then managed to wyle away the hours by sneaking into a big swanky hostel called Gilligans that had an outdoor pool and an Internet room that we could use. Then in the evening we went and saw The Chronicles Of Narnia...Brilliant!

Once we arrived in Airlies Beach the next day, we again straight away headed for the next destination, Hook Island Resort, which was one of the Whitsunday Islands, about an hours boat trip from the mainland.
Now unfortunately the pictures that you get on the Internet are a very different story from what the reality is. When we where doing the research, we were very excited to find this place. All we could think of was snorkeling on beautiful beaches, romantic dinners, sun, and a nice relaxed atmosphere for our last few days. When we had booked with them we said that we would probably stay for 5 days.
Then we got there and the place looked like a dilapidated Butlins. O.K I have to admit, it was cheap, and you were still in the Whitsundays, plus the weather was windy and overcast, so everything does look better when there is a golden sheet of sunshine on it, but honestly, there was peeling paint everywhere, one cafe with just 5 or 6 meals, all including wedges and some other deep fried rubbish, extinct water features that look like they haven't been used for 10 years, and the pies ta resistance, about 2 other guests.
We just couldn't believe it. There wasn't even any snorkeling to do because the knots were too high. So all the sea bed was swooshed up, which causes terrible visibility. So we were so disappointed.
There was about 5 people working at this resort, all with a very laid back, don't care that much attitude. For instance, the workers all eat their dinner together in the restaurant like a family. This night they cooked a big stir fry, and its a option for the guests too. So we sat down, as they where serving up, and the guy that seemed to be the general manager, big fat bellied hairy Australian guy, came up to us and just blurted out "Are happy having what we are having or do you want something else ?" Wooooo, great customer service !!!.
I asked for some sea food as that's what I fancied and we both felt like we shouldn't be guilt tripped into just taking what he was offering, so Jamie asked for the Curry. Well of course you would think that would mean a curry, but actually it meant a stir fry ! He just spooned out a plate of what they were having !, and also gave Jamie's meal at a completely different time as when my meal finally arrived, which was completely cooked through in a deep fat fryer, with you guessed it wedges on the side, mmmmmm, cholesterol.
So from the idea of staying for 5 days we actually got up the next day went straight to the other lady that ran the place and booked a boat out that day. And this is what she actually said to us "oh well, Ill have to admit, your not the first, and I'm sure you wont be the last". Gobsmacked!

We only made that decision because we had very little time left. I'm sure if we had some nice hot sunshine, we would of stuck it out for a few more days to see if it got any better, but we were anxious and at least on the mainland there where a few more options of things to do and people around to have a good time with.

So off we went and in actual fact in the end we both agreed it was a good choice as we had a lovely last few days cooking ourselves lovely meals, looking around the shops, sunning ourselves and reading our books around the artificial lagoon (very dangerous jellyfish in the real waters, plus its more of a harbour town than a beach town) that had sand around it and pebbles and grass, and also going for a long days journey out to an area of the great barrier reef, for snorkeling and scuba diving.

That was a great day. We decided on one final treat before going home, and it certainly was a treat. The company itself supplied free tea and coffee all day, included was a great big buffet, breakfast and afternoon nibbles, all equipment free use for the snorkeling, and plus the people were really friendly, and we got to see "Finding Nemo" on the way home.

To get to the reefs we went to, we had about a two hour boat journey. The company had this permanent structure called a pontoon out were we went, right by the reefs the look after. As you can see on the picture bellow, it really was in the middle of nowhere, literally right next to the continental shelf where all the reef dropped down to the far depths of the ocean.


















The veiw from Hook Island.


























































Ghost Island more like.




















































Can you see the over whelming enthusiasm on my face.

















The locals. Look at his legs!!!

















The Veiw as we were leaving. Bit sad really. It did have so much potential, but it was ran from a head office miles away, that, really, I dont think cared very much for it. Very little money spent on it.
































The boat we travelled on to the great Barrier.












The Pontoon, Look it even had a flume!!










































His name was Wallie. Apparently he hangs around this particular area of reef all the time and knows all the staff. really friendly. We where just swimming along and he just appeared from nowhere. you cant really tell here but he was about 2 metres long. Huge! And felt so soft.





















































kookaburra sitting on the electric wire,
Jumping up and down with his pants on fire,
laugh 'a' kookaburra, laugh 'a' kookaburra,
how gay your life must be.

Darwin Region

After another 24 hour train journey we arrived in Darwin. If you look on a world map, you will see that Darwin is closer to Papua New Guinea than it is to Adelaide, so the degree of change in the weather was enormous. Suddenly, we where in shorts and vest tops again, soaking up the rays!
The biggest attraction in this area is the well known Kakadu National Park. One of the largest in the world, with a rich background in Aboriginal culture. What they don't tell you is that its bloody expensive to get there and have any sort of adventure. So what a lot of people do, is visit a much closer National Park called Lichfield. The cost difference was in the 100's so this is where we decided to go.
After doing a little research, we discovered it cost around the same price to hire a car for two days + share accommodation, than it was to get a seat on a one day rushed around tour. We also managed to get another person involved in sharing the cost. We met a lovely french girl called Annalise, who we met on the Ghan on the way up to Alice Springs, who in turn, ended up catching the next train up to Darwin on exactly the same day as well. So we ended up chatting alot with her, due to seeing her around here and there in Alice, then also on our journeys.
So after a few days in Darwin (including a trip to the cinema to satisfy a very exicited annoying squeaking Emily to see Indiana Jones !!, and then also a trip to a massive Market to do some shop..shop..shopping!!!!!) we set of on a little independent adventure in our own car.

Litchfield National Park was really easy to get to, with only an hour and a half drive to get there. obviously with the extra time added for the beer crate stop over. We dropped all of our stuff off at the place we where staying for the night, which so happened to be a MAHOOSIVE house all to ourselves. It slept about 18 people, and it was gorgeous, with all the mod cons and cherries on top, which I happened to procure for around 100 dollars less than what they should of charged us, due to a newbie receptionist that quoted me the wrong price over the phone.
We started early so there was plenty of the day left to explore. We had a little talk with the people that owned the place we where staying at, and discovered that the real attraction of Litchfield was the many wonderful watering holes for swimming. There where 3 main ones that you could swim in without any worry of Freshwater Crocs, so that day we decided to get our togs on and go for the furthest one away, which turned out to be the most secluded and prettiest.

Now what you must understand is that we originally wanted to do some really good treks, but when we got we suddenly realised that it was impossible. The Heat of this place was like nothing I have ever encountered in all the countries we have been to, it was ridiculous. We had to walk for maybe 40 minutes to get to this first pool, and I felt more tired and drained than any of the long 5, 6 hour walks that we did in New Zealand. When we got to the cool flowing waters of this amazing place we couldn't wait to strip down and jump in.
After we had done this, the beauty of this tranquil, spiritual area took your breath away. The pool you see us soaking in below, was at the top of a waterfall so you had all the views of the surrounding area in front of you, but the place was still so private, due to the fact that it was in the middle of nowhere. I think that because this particular one was a hike to get too, where as the others we visited the next day, had great big bloody car parks only less than 200 metres away, so all the crowds of the...shall I presume to say "older generation" that arrive in the coaches and hired caravans, can hop in and out with no problems, it turned alot of people off.

That night we had an amazing BBQ with Kangaroo Steaks and Kumara Salad, with lots of beers and plenty of games of shit head (which we taught to Annalise, and she loved it).
The next morning we packed the car up and got straight on the road to explore the rest of what we had planned, including two more amazing swimming pools with waterfalls, and another hours walk in between. I really cant explain how lovely these little oasis's where. Found in amongst all the harsh scorched Australian bush that we trampled through. so Ill let the photos tell you.

By the end of the day we where exhausted, but we had one more stop before we got back to Darwin. The Crocodile Farm. We made it just in time to feed them some Chicken Heads! Amazing, they just jump out of the water with their heads snapping away. Really powerful animals. Then we got to hold a baby croc, Which as you can see has had its mouth taped up below, which I wasn't really 100% sure I was comfortable with, but I must admit was over that quite quickly as I was just awed by the fact I was holding a croc ! COR BLIMEY MATE !!

This wonderful picture was snapped by Jamie at the Market we went to in Darwin. Its always held in the late afternoon, as its right next to the beach, so at dusk everyone gets what they want for dinner from the many different food stalls, and sits on the beach to watch the sun go to bed, wrapped up in its many sheets of oranges, blues, purples and reds.

It was quite an occasion, the beach was full of people all appreciating this amazing spectacle. Everyone smiling and eating.

You really felt in the air just how happy everyone was to share the moment. I love to see the special places in the world that inspire complete strangers to smile and talk to each other, to forget ourselves in these moments and to feel unafraid about the people around you is a great feeling. Its amazing how much magic there is in a natural phenomenon.

The Biggest Termite Mounds I think I will ever see in my entire life! Unbelievable!!

This was the Rock pool on the first day. The most peaceful place to my memory, and I shared it with some amazingly wonderful people too. What more can you ask for.....A beer I hear you say ? We had them too!

AGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!

Rock Pools No.2, with Jamie diving in. Even though they where only small, they seriously where that deep, you could not see the bottom.

Rock Pools no. 3. Action Shot, Go Jamie!!!!

This is the view of Rock Pool no.3 from afar. Big ain't it !

Our Little car, "She's a Beaut!"

SNAP !!!

Ayers Rock - The Mulga Bus Tour

The Outback was best experienced with someone who knew what they where talking about. We had both decided long before we where in Alice Springs that we wanted to do a camping tour of all the amazingly wonderfull Abarigional Areas that is in Central Australia.
We did some research and found the cheapest company to go with, without sacrafising the quality. It was all with young 20 something backpackers, (sounds awfull doesnt it, but it really wasnt)all of whom where easy going, up for a laugh kind of people, which made the three days so much fun, and all the endless hours on the bus not at all tedious.
Our Guide was the real mother hen of the group too, very chatty and fun, and was popular with everyone. It was a great 3 days (minus the 5am starts) and we learnt alot about the area. Day one consisted of leaving Alice Springs and driving to Ayres Rock. Jamie and I both dedcided that we didnt want to climb up to the top due to the fact that we had spent the whole of our travels with a determination to be respectfull of other peoples belifes and practices, and this was not any different, so we did the walk round the base instead, which was about 9 kilometres.
Funnily enough, up close its actually a pretty repetative walk, with a few interesting bits at the begginning, like wall paintings, but then after is dry desolate desert with a big rock on your right hand side. Im not saying it was boring in any way, as thr real magic happened a few kilometres away at a look out point when the sun went down, which is what we did next.

After camping under the stars that evening, and another 5 am sart, we drove back to the same spot and watched sunrise over Uluru (ayres). Then onto another More spectacular collection of Rocks called Kata Juta. Which can you belive is connected underground to ayres rock, even though their about an hours drive away.
Then after another amazing walk, we drove onto our campsite, and had another wicked camping session under the stars.
The next day (5am AGAIN) we then went onto a place called kings Canyon had another walk around what looked like a scene from a Jurassic movie.

On the way round we learnt of a type of bush that still grows in the area. Its actually was from the jurassic period, and the fruit is one of the most poisenous plants in the world. To even hold it, you would be dead within 6 hours, and to eat a tiny bit of it, you would be dead within 3 minutes, apparently a very painful 3 minutes too.

We then took the long road home, with about a 5 hour drive ahead of us, but it went really quickley due to the music quizzes, Bus Bowling, Pictionary on the windows, dry Weetabix time trails and riddles.










































Ayers Rock.















Camping in the Bush Under the Stars.












Kata Juta.
















Collecting the biggest load of fire wood I have ever seen.















Me in my swag, under the stars by the firelight. We spent both nights drinking tons of beer and goon with everyone, playing stupid funny games! great fun.












































Kings Canyon
















All of us on the way back. Im there next to Jamie but his big arms got in the way!!





















We stopped off at a Camel Farm, and for just 3 dollars you could have a go and support a local buisness so I thought "what the hay!" "YEE HA!!".





















After we got back, we all met up again in the evening to have a good old knees up, and one last drinking game. CHEERS!




















Who ever was last on the bus had to sing in front of everyone this little song (with everyone joining in too!) I think its been burnt on our brains forever now. We went on singing it on our own around the rest of Australia too !!

"Give me a home amongst the Gum Trees,
With lots of Plum Trees,
A Sheep or two and a Kangaroo,
And a clothes line at the back,
Veranda at the front,
And an old Rocking Chair."

Adelaide To Alice Springs

Once we took a few days out of the travelling ring with Mel, who we borrowed the car from, we made our way up to Adelaide.
It was unfortunate, as we had changed our plans with very little short notice, our friend Jay, who we met in India, had only enough time to see us for one afternoon. I was happy for the time with him, but I must admit I had a few tears after he left. He was part of our travelling family, we had many a night with this guy giggling our little hearts out and will always have a special place in mine and Jamie's heart. It just wasn't enough time, but hay ho, thus is the way of the traveller every now and again. You make friends and fall in love with some of the most amazing people on the other side of the world, and then go through the heart break of losing their faces from your view for years on end. And its hard.
We have met some people along our journeys that have touched the deepest part of my soul and changed me from the inside out. You know who you are. Every single lovely person that we ever spent anytime with, laughing or crying, I miss you all.















After a good nights sleep, Jamie and I packed the bags once again, and booked a shuttle bus for the train station. We had decided to travel up to Alice Springs in as much style as we could afford...ie not a bus, but a train.
Luckily due to us being in OZ out of season there was some amazing deals with the Great Southern Railway company on all their long distance trains. We bought a ticket on the "Ghan" all the way up to Darwin with a 7 day stop halfway up in Alice Springs (base town out towards Ayres Rock and surrounding areas).
the shuttle bus was on time, with about 45 min till we absolutely had to be on the train, which was plenty due to the fact we where only about a 10 min drive away.
The driver checked us on the bus, took our tickets, put our bags on the trailer and away we went. We then waited, and waited, and then waited some more. there was only another two people with us so we where just a little puzzled when it got to 10 past, 20 Min's to go, and ended up at the airport with the driver not only taking the other peoples luggage of but OURS aswell!!! AGGHHH! This was when we started to panic. Jamie ran off the bus and talked to the driver, then his face dropped, the driver had mistook our booking (which we organised the day before!) thought we where going to the airport, which was 15 Min's away from the train station. Of course he never thought to even glance on our tickets we gave him, which had Train Station written on in bright red letters !!!
I'm sure many of the people reading this will understand what happens in moments like these, your face is a picture, your heart rate goes up, and you end up on the edge of your seat. See the problem wasn't like your usual train, where there is another along the way in the next hour, no, this train only leaves Adelaide twice or three times a week! If you miss it, you miss it.
So on we get, the bus driver panicking just as much as we are, due to the fact on that particular day, was extremely heavy traffic because of a lorry and truck charity rally along the main road leading all the way up where we needed to go, Bloody Perfect!
In the end the bus driver got on the radio to the office and asked them to contact the train station to hold the train for as long as they could.
My god that journey lasted an eternity, as soon as we got there dead on half past, when the train was suppose to be departing, we got our bags and I shouted "RIGHT, CHEESE IT!!!" and legged it down the empty platform with everyone watching us from inside the train, more than likely laughing at the dirty travellers looking ridiculous trying to ran down a platform, panic stricken with big rucksacks.

Anyway we made it, and very much enjoyed the journey. Train itself was comprised up of loads of carriages, but we where only allowed in 3 of them. Bit of a class system when it comes to the amount your willing to spend. All the cheap bastards where at the back.
We had the seated Red tickets, which gave us the carriage with the main train seats were, plus the toilets and showers. Then the next carriage along was the lounge, where we spent most of the time, then next along was the cafe.
The journey up to Alice was just over 24 hours, leaving 1.30pm, arriving about 2pm the next day.

MORNING!