purple sailboats and the Whitsundays

So... the weather is less than ideal today, which means I have been patient enough to upload all of the photos from my holiday. In this episode, we travelled in an old rickety bus from Cairns to the Whitsundays. Trying to squeeze in all the attractions that Queensland has to offer, we figured it would be perfect to hop on a bus at 12 midnight (to avoid paying for a night of accommodation) and take an eleven hour bus ride to the Whitsundays. Being cheap is a costly event for our bodies. I am not the spring chicken I once was. It may have been a combination of the crammed bus and lack of air conditioning which lead to the problem I encountered, "Kankles". This is when there is no distinction between the knees and the ankles. I suffer from this whenever I fly from Australia to the U.S. or vice versa. This trip I had a bit of empathy from my partner in crime(she swelled up just as much as me). Regardless of the pain we encountered, once we made it to the ocean we were happy little fishies.

Our boat captian mulitasking. He had to keep an eye on the belligerant group of individuals (to make sure they didn't dive into the water again while the boat was moving) who decided to make our day of diving into a booze cruise
Here we are, miserable(I'm sure most of you have no sympathy for us, but we were about to jump out of the window in this picture).

THe infamous Kankles.

Yay, we are happy again! But not in the ocean, just a pool. Stinger season is such a bummer.

Lana thinks that my haircut matches these sunnies. These are the things that we do when we can't swim in the ocean.

Snorkel smile, with the purple sailboat in the background.

Lana, check out my super cool stinger suit and my cool fins.

Whitehaven beach, fitting name I think.

Lana, doing what she does best...taking photos and posing in the perfect position to capture the beautiful purple sailboat in the background. We weren't supposed to swim on this beach either, but I couldn't handle it any longer and jumped in.

This was the island we stayed at, Long Island.

Complete relaxation, if you want it.

Again super cool wetsuits in the warm water.

Lana had the best hairdo, I couldn't resist capturing it.

more reef

Tortuga!!

Our last night on vacation and at this resort. This resort catered to the most upscale of people. We were excluded from this group. Our rooms were located the furthest from the beach(and not considered part of the resort). We decided to live it up on our last night and splurge for mojitos and pretend we were high rollers.

As always...I hope you are all well! Coming up next...a day at the races, Australia style. Love to all!

vacation take two- Cape Tribulation

Our next stop after the Great Barrier Reef...Cape Tribulation. While we journeyed along to the world heritage rainforest (well known to the botanists and plant lovers due to the fact that the rainforest grows into the ocean) we took a few scenic stops along the way. The photos aren't in order, but it won't make anyone too worried I suppose.

A brave little butterfly. A freshwater river, Mossman Gorge. Free of crocodiles, which was a huge relief.
Champion diver, my grandpa Ed would be so proud.
Lana, a world class cliff jumper

Scrabble, a way to pass the time when you can't swim in the crocodile infested waters. I almost went crazy here (not in the game of scrabble, but being stuck on land with the ocean only 10 feet away) Luckily there was a salt water pool to keep me from drying up.

The beach, Cape Tribulation.

Keeping a close eye on Lana (you always have to be on the lookout for something lurking in the bush)

Here she is, the crocodile we were worried about. Yikes.

On the river looking for crocs.

At the wildlife sanctuary. A view of some beautiful bats (or flying foxes). We were told to keep walking and avoid standing under the trees with bats in them(they were all filled with bats). I dodged a few droppings, but stopped to take a photo and got nailed in the head. I took refuge in the bird exhibit where I was hit on the back with a treat, right after being dive bombed by a lorikeet. I thought I would try my luck and take photos of the kangaroos. However, an emu (similar to an ostrich) decided to take interest in me and started trotting towards me at an uncomfortable speed. I stood still, turned my head away from the large beak moving towards my eyes. Thinking I was headed for the front page news (girl attacked by emu), I was saved by the zookeeper who happened to be walking by with a wheelbarrow full of food. Wildlife sanctuary, more like a nightmare for me. But...I did get a few cute pictures...

Two of my favourite animals, the Koala and this cute little owl.

Yawn...I feel sort of like this owl....Christmas has worn me out, so until I get a second wind, that is all. Coming up in the next issue.....The Whitsundays and a day at the races. Take care and I hope all feel full and happy in this holiday season. X

The great Barrier Reef

Schools out and my pal Lana is here visiting, so....... I went on vacation. First stop was Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef. We arrived in Cairns during stinger season (the infamous box jellyfish and some other pesky/painful little buggers), so swimming is only available out in the middle of the ocean (which made the fish in me a little grumpy). So, we hopped on a dive boat and were escorted out to two beautiful reefs (unfortunately I can't remember the names, I think one was called broken reef). Lana and I took advantage of every minute at the reef and came back to the boat a bit pruney. Here are some photos.

This photo is side ways, but you get the idea.
Little fishy

The only time we were out of the water.

Another little fishy.

The Giant Clam! Getting too close to this clam is frightening.

Yes, the little fishy likes to be photographed underwater. Maybe the only place she likes to be photographed:)

Exploring terra amata

The fish face stuck after being shaped by a snorkel and mask. Don't worry, it has returned to normal. More adventures coming up (it takes forever to upload photos). Have a merry holiday and a fantastic new year!

my little gavino

My nephew Gavin got a new pool and new teeth. I got a new camera and a couple of photos. What a perfect afternoon!

This one is my favourite!

I got a thumbs up from Gavin on this shot. The other day my mom and I taught him how to snap his fingers. He's smart as a whip that Gav-o and has the funniest personality.

November- My 28th Year

Just a note: This entry starts from the most recent events to previous events that have occurred throughout the month of November.

I love the month of November.  Here are some reasons why:

1. It's my birthday (yes, I don't mind getting older, bring on my late 20s)

2. About 20 other people I know have birthdays in this month (and I'd rather celebrate them than celebrate mine).

3. The seasons are changing(usually it means santa ana winds, fun surf, pumpkin pie which is my favourite, and tons of family, but this year it means warmer weather, some surf and graduating from school with a teaching credential-my mom told me to mention that:))

4. It means that Christmas is almost here, followed by the new year (which means a new beginning).

5. Lots of food, I love food (pumpkin pie especially).

6. Lots of friends and family around (this year I am blessed to have my buddy Lana out in Australia for a visit, more adventure photos to follow and entice you to book your ticket over here).

Here are some photos of my favourite month of the year (as mentioned before, they start from newest and go back to older shots).  Enjoy!

It takes a lot of patience to capture lightning. Luck was on my side. But why are there three 9's in the middle of the picture, bizarre (or maybe they are just upside-down 6's, yikes).  This photo was taken after I barely escaped from my soccer game unscathed from the surrounding lightning.  It looked like the world was about to end.  Did you all know that when it rains here, it pours.  Not like California's drizzle.

My roommates gave me the most beautiful pink waratah flower.  I think it is my new favourite flower.  So...I took some pictures of it.  No it doesn't grow on this tree, I was just trying to be artistic.

Me posing with my birthday flower. I look like I am a bridesmaid.  What a goof ball. 

I've been lucky to know these two girls for the past 8 plus years, who knew I would finally be neighbours with them.  This was my pre-birthday dinner.  I can't believe how much I look like my mom in this photo.    

Alberto (a friend on my indoor soccer team who is married to a friend on my outdoor team, in case you were thinking otherwise) shares the same birthday month as me, so...he made a paella (he is from Spain, yay someone to speak spanish with) with rabbit in it.  uh... I ate the vegetarian version:)

This is the view from the hillside near my house in Byron Bay.  It looked so much more amazing in person, but I think this is a pretty great indication of the beauty surrounding my home (and hopefully it makes you want to come visit me)

The beaches near my parents house in Australia.  

I hope that you are all happy and well.  They don't celebrate Thanksgiving here, but that only means that I must remember to be thankful every day of the year.  I miss you all and hope you have a wonderful holiday season.  I feel so blessed to have all of you in my life wherever the world has taken you!!!   Until next month.....