We are home!

Well we are home, we arrived last night at about 3am. Felt good to sleep in our own bed. We are still pretty tired and are trying our best to get over the 17hour time difference before we go back to work. Thanks to everyone who has been reading - its been fun writing!!!!

The Zimmers hit the Gay/Lesbian Martigras in Sydney

(The bridge we climbed - right to the very top)

(the view of the Opera house from a roof top pub at sunset)

(Bondi Beach this Morning!)

(Us rocking Martigras!!)

(sitting at Bondi Beach this morning - sad we are leaving)

We just spent the last few days in Sydney, Erin you are right, this is a city we could live in although we would be broke. So much to do and so many ways to spend your money. We of course hit the Harbour to see the Opera house and have a beer or two. We sat and watched the cruise ships load and depart and had fun watching the Jet boats drop off all the soaking wet tourists. After a few beer we continued touring and headed to the bridge and climbed it. It took about 3.5hrs and was amazing. That night we got dressed up and hit a lovey bar/restaurant for some cocktails and snacks. Yesterday we spent the day touring the bays, shopping, beaching etc. We were lucky enough to catch the dragon boat races in Darlin Harbour, and then we did it up straight Canadian style at the Gay/Lesbian Martigras. It was amazing and kinda gross at times. Over 100,000 people lined oxford street for one of the biggest Gay/Lesbian pride parades in the world and we were right there experiencing it, banana hammocks and drags and all. Dad you would have absolutely DIED! Anyway we had fun laughing at everyone and got some pretty interesting views, pictures, and videos. Nerine I wonder if we are going to have to compare notes about this kind of partying!! Anyway this morning we hit Bondi Beach and were sent away because it was closed due to the tsunami warnings from the earthquake in Chili but we soaked up as much as we could safely. It is currently Sunday the 28th at 3:11pm and we are in the airport waiting to board our flights home. We are in complete DENIAL that its all over but not sad - we had an AMAZING time and are so thankful that we were able to have this opportunity. Thanks to all who made it possible. See you in a few days!!!!

Feb 25th Hunter Valley

(Colin drinking/tasting his paddle of beer at the bluetongue brewery)

(YAY - the motherland!!)

(Settled right into tasing at Rosemount)

(Our last BBQ in Australia, enjoying our wine from Bluberry Hill Winery)

Today we spent the day touring wineries from the Hunter Valley Wine Region! What a lovely place! We got to go to Rosemount Estates (which for those who know me well - is my favorite wine), along with 5 other wineries. We found a few others that we LOVE but the problem is we won't be able to get them at home in Canada because many of them don't sell commercially just over the celler door - so that sucks. We also went to the Smelly Cheese Shop and ate lots of great and stinky cheese we bought some of the cheese and some olives for appetizers at supper tonight. The Olives were stuffed with almonds, blue cheese, and pesto - YUMMMMM! Anyway we then came back to our hostel and had a much needed nap, and had our last BBQ in Australia (that is if we can't find any BBQ's to use in Sydney). I can not BELIEVE that we only have 3 days left - I am trying not to think about it. So I think thats about it for now, we are off to Sydney in the morning to take in the sites of the city and hopefully some more beach time, then we fly out on Sunday! Colin is currently in bed nursing his hangover from today and I am following soon! Hope we get to blog once more at least about Sydney - if not will update it when we get back to Canada.

Byron Bay Feb 22,23 2010

(Colin going for a swim at the beach)

(Beer break after a day on the beach at Bryon Bay)

(Supper in Byron Bay)

(Debra this ones for you - the clog barn on the way to HUnter Valley)

Well guys we had a BLAST in Byron bay. The first day we spent blogging, walking around and shopping in all the millions of little shops (what fun) there may also have been a beer break or two to watch the Canada vr USA hockey game as well. We then spent the afternoon at the beach watching the surfers and body borders and apparently getting eaten alive by sand flies. They are invisible and you can't feel them when they bit but HOLY SHIT look out after a few hours, we both have a lot of VERY VERY itchy bites that are now large welts. The locals were looking at us like we were retarded and saying "why are you not wearing repellent?" ummmmm we don't know was our answer, were do we get some? "at the chemist (pharmacist) and good luck tonight with the itching" Great!!!!! Anyway that aside we still had a blast.

The next day we got up early and were off on a kayak trip with the dolphins, this company guarantees dolphin sightings so I thought this would help to cure my life long quest to actually see dolphins and whales in the ocean. 3.5 hours later and an episode of motion sickness no dolphins - damn it! It was still REALLY fun and interesting Kayaking through the giant waves that the people were surfing on. The water was so so extremely clear you could see right to the bottom and it was very different. So we did see parrot fish and small turtles etc. After the the kayaking we had to rush to our next venue which was a 3.5hr surfing lesson. HOLY MOLY surfing is HARD. The hardest part is getting the right part of the wave, we both got up several times though. Colin was far better than myself. I only walked away with a small bad rash and a little blood on one of knees. I wish I had some bad ass surfing storey for it, but I simply was walking with my surf board down the shallow water to go back out again and I got my feet tangled in my leash, then with one quick step tied the tangle right tight as though someone had tied my legs together with twine, then of course I fell and then the next wave did me in. So I am laying in the water, with my legs tied to together, my surf board over my head drowning and watching the two year old doing playing in the waves beside me with no concern. Colin my night in shinning armour who could have came to help me chose to stand laughing and pointing from the beach. I considered how the headlines would read - "ex lifeguard tourist ties her legs together with surf board leash, and drowns in shin deep water, or was saved by a two year old local"!!! Anyway I did manage to get myself out of the predicament and it ended with a LOT LOT of hysterical laughter - which was good! I promise the rest of my surfing time I was a totally cool surfer dude!! We had a blast in Byron bay. Yesterday we drove to the Hunter Valley wine region and we are currently waiting for our wine tour bus at which should pick us up in about in 50min at 10am. Thanks for all the comments.

Feb 18th + 19th sailing the Whitsundays, Feb 20th Drinking Rum, Feb 21 Driving and Relaxing!

(Feeding the elephants at the Steve Irwin zoo)

(A big pineapple - we were into hugging things this day)

(Bundaberg Rum Factory - after the taste testing!) we had to re-create your pic Debra!

(watching the scenery from the side of the boat while sailing)

(Sailing - very tippy)

(sailing)

(Happy 5th Anniversary at Whitehaven Beach)

(our room on our sail boat)

(our sail boat)

(watching it pour rain the morning we boarded our sailing trip)

(Colin looking tired after our drive to Airlie beach - watching it pour)

Well, we had an AMAZING time sailing the Whitsunday islands for our anniversary. It started off a bit wet, as moments after we arrived in Airlie Beach it absolutely poured rain all evening and night and well into the morning. It was just coming to an end as we boarded our sailing trip which we were so happy about. We settled into our TINY little room and started sunning ourselves in the deck. We are now praying for slightly overcast days because you don't totally melt in the sun, but its also warm. Infact I really burnt under the clouds, I think we are on our 3rd episode of peeling so far this trip! Our sailing trip took us to Whitehaven beach first - which was amazing - totally WHITE SUPER SOFT SAND!! Over the course of the next 48hours we snorkeled at several different locations along the Great Barrier reef - seeing all the fishies from "Nemo" AND swam with HUGE turtles. The Turtles were sooooo cool, they just sit in the coral and then come up for air - don't care at all that you are swimming right beside them. We have pictures but not that I can post. We saw lots of crazy sting rays also, and AMAZING coral. Our night on the boat was hot but fun! It was only a two man crew so they needed help with setting the sails etc which was tons of fun. Sailing is crazy cool, the boat tips soooo sideways its amazing that it does not flip right over. After our sailing trip we proceeded down the coast attempting to stay in Mackay but ended up sleeping in the car on the side of the road for $40 (its a long story and I will tell you all at home). We are now in Byron Bay which is lots of fun, we are going to try our hand at surfing tomorrow and maybe kayaking with the dolphins! On the way here we did stop at both he Steve Irwin (Australia zoo) which was cool, and the Bundaberg rum factory which was yummy! For some reason we had a serious case of the giggles after the rum factory and had to stop for a hardy meal which magically cured the giggles, which was good because we were having trouble seeing while wiping the tears away from laughing so hard!!!!!

So far an amazing trip - tons of memories - and wonderful experiences!!

A relaxing day of reptiles and marsupials

(Colin learning how to play a didgeridoo - not really easy)

(Zont the crocadile from the Tully river)

(me being very posey at the massmun gorge river)

Today we had a very relaxing day - our last day in Carin's. We picked up our car rental and headed off to Massmun Gorge and the Tropical zoo. We swam in a nice and cold fresh water river and got to hold both a koala bear and a crocodile, and feed the kangaroos - quite an experience! we also met Zont the crocodile that was pulled from the Tully river (where we rafted on the 14th). He was living in there and had eaten 30 head of cattle from a farmer that lived along the river, needless to say he was HUGE. It was already 35 degrees by 945 am this a.m. and is still 33 degrees at 10pm. This evening we sat in a local bar and watched some of the Olympics while we ate, which was nice because we both love the winter Olympics. We can see a small lightning storm in the distance and are hoping it rains to bring down the temp - although it did rain today already but did not do anything to the temp - just made it more humid!!! Anyway we are off to Airlie beach tomorrow (8hr drive) as we board our two day sailing trip to the Whitsunday's on the 18th - which is also our 5th wedding anniversary!!!

Feb 14th and 15th 2010!

Feb 15th the Great Barrier Reef!!

Today we did our reef trip out to the great barrier reef, it was amazing. It was a two hour boat ride to the reef were we stopped and both did two dives with a guide. After our dives we could snorkel to our hearts content. It was another full day as we left at 730 and finished at 5pm. we saw lots of amazing fish and coral. got to hold all kinds of wierd sticky reef things and put our hands into the GIANT snapping clams. We got to see "nemo" the clown fish and a shark!! there were dolfins in the distance but we only really saw there fins. Truly an amazing experience!!! It is currently 8:4opm and is still 30+ degrees I am sweating like crazy so I am going to finish and head to our room which is so cool - about 28degrees - it all relative I guess!!

Feb 14th Happy Valentines day

The day of the one eyed bandit - which I will explain in a min. For Valentines day Colin and I embarked on an extreme white water rafting trip through the rain forest on the Tully River. Apparently our one white water rafting trip in B.C. during the down season made us think we are extreme rafting material, why not! It was scary. . . .very scary. In the first 10 min the guide did what was called a raft surf - which basically means he puts the front of the raft under a rapid so the boat half floods while being sucked in and out of the rapid - well guess who was in the front - ME YAY!! This was exactly when my right contact was washed away and became a part of the river (see girls, should have been wearing my goggles). So I spent the rest of the day half blind while extreme rafting - which I think made it much more extreme (Ashley I think I deserve some street cred for that!). I got to see double everything - usually one very sharp image and one very fuzzy image - at least it made the boulders look a bit softer. We flipped the boat tons, did tons of body surfing down the rafts and Colin did lots of cliff jumping (I opted out of the cliff jumping as it was a bit tricky jumping from tall boulders into a raging river with only half my sight!). The other really cool thing was the guide took us one by one and dropped us into a sink hole created from a rapid. We shot down approx 20feet in about 3 sec and then came out the other end of it about 15 sec later - FREAKY but cool!!! It also poured rain for some of the day which was the first time we felt comfortable temp wise in Australia - the rest of the day was scorching hot. After we went for supper in the Chinese food court where they were still celebrating Chinese new year and the dragon dancers went though leaving a trail of screaming scared children behind them - all in a day of good entertainment!!!!!

more pics

Now that I have more Internet time this a.m. here are some more pictures!!!! (sorry they are not in order)

(Colin climbing Ularoo)

(sunset at Ularoo = sporting our very fashionable fly nets)

(sounds of the silence supper at Ularoo)

(Sounds of the silence supper at Ularoo - appetizers and champagne)

( Sounds of the silence supper at Ularoo)

(sunset over Kita Tjuta)

(Ashley - this is our hostel at Ularoo)

(the pool at Ularoo - can you see me on the stairs)

(Colin on a rock)

(the 12 apostles, for those who were here a few years ago - can you find the fallen sister)

(Loch Ard gorge)

(waterfall near Lorne)

(Loch Ard gorge)

(loch ard gorge - near the 12 apostles)

(Maits rest rain forest walk)