Wednesday, 25 April 2007
Queensland
This is the land of the 'true' Aussie, where if you don't use the phases 'bloody O', sweet as, she'll be right and no worries at least three times in one sentence, you is a flamin' foriner. Mate.
The journey from Perth to the Whitsundays was a bit of a trek, as the flight was over night to Brisbane then a 7 hour layover , so we went and had a look around the city with a walk along the river and botanic gardens, then the flight to Airlie to catch our boat for our three day cruise.
The boat
This itself was an adventure, particularly for Andy as the accommodation on board is a bit primitive - he would have got off the boat when they said it was one 2 minute shower per day per person in the shared bathroom, but cunningly the crew had already cast off so it was too late to back out! 
Batfish seen one evening from the boat
Making the best of it....
However, the islands themselves are as stunning as ever, and the snorkling was pretty good too, although since I last went you now have to get into a wet suit every time you get in the water as stingers have become an issue in April. Still, worth it.
Whitehaven beach
Isn't he lovely?
Tuesday, 17 April 2007
Third week has been in WA - or rather, Perth, Fremantle and Margaret River (Wine Region - wonder why we chose there?!?)
Didn't really spend any time in Perth beyond the first night and a quick trip to the very good museum in the centre. Did take a bit of a walk and drive around the Kings Park area on our way to Fremantle - really beautiful botanical park, essentially right in the middle of the city.
Fremantle was a bit the same, but this time with a walk along the Esplanade, taking in a beer at the Little Creatures Brewery, a coffee on the cappuccino strip and dinner overlooking the fishing boats.
Margaret River was great, despite the fact that many of you will be very pleased to hear it rained on two of the days we were there. We did one of the wine tours, got wined out and basically spent the next 2 days doing very little indeed!
Now sitting in Brisbane waiting for flight to the Whitsundays. We're both a bit knackered as the flight from Perth was overnight but only 3.5 hours long - and we've had 7 hours to wait, which we've broken up with a quick trip to Brisbane city, a walk along it's river and botanical gardens. Looks like the photos will have to wait for the next post as our flight's about to be called!
F.
Didn't really spend any time in Perth beyond the first night and a quick trip to the very good museum in the centre. Did take a bit of a walk and drive around the Kings Park area on our way to Fremantle - really beautiful botanical park, essentially right in the middle of the city.
Fremantle was a bit the same, but this time with a walk along the Esplanade, taking in a beer at the Little Creatures Brewery, a coffee on the cappuccino strip and dinner overlooking the fishing boats.
Margaret River was great, despite the fact that many of you will be very pleased to hear it rained on two of the days we were there. We did one of the wine tours, got wined out and basically spent the next 2 days doing very little indeed!
Now sitting in Brisbane waiting for flight to the Whitsundays. We're both a bit knackered as the flight from Perth was overnight but only 3.5 hours long - and we've had 7 hours to wait, which we've broken up with a quick trip to Brisbane city, a walk along it's river and botanical gardens. Looks like the photos will have to wait for the next post as our flight's about to be called!
F.
Monday, 9 April 2007
Week two-ish
Since the last blog we've now 'done' Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi and Singapore - currently sitting in the airport lounge at Changi waiting for our flight to Perth, sipping a glass (possibly two, who knows) of champagne.
KL was smaller than I expected, but our hotel room view of the 'Twin Towers' was amazing.
Twin towers....
We did a city tour on our second day which inevitably included a 'tour' (read, please buy lots of stuff) of the local batik factory amongst other stops. Of course we fell for this and we're now the owners of a couple of bits of batik. And a rattan basket. And some wooden spoons...
Onwards to Langkawi....
Stunning tropical island, mountainous,
covered in tropical rainforest, monkeys lounging by the side of the road, fantastic hotel, you get the picture. If you don't have a look at the photos! After the travelling of the previous few days we pretty much just lounged around the pool for the three days we were there, apart from a quick trip to the cable car up one of the mountains.
Me, before the cable car ride, looking calm and relaxed. Not so, about 10 minutes later.
This was the most scary cable car I've ever been on, at one point I swear it was going almost vertically.
Vertical cable car.....
But the view from the top was awesome - and it was cool too with a breeze to die for after all the humidity of the previous couple of days. We both enjoyed the time to relax after all the miles we did on dodgy Vietnam roads in a minibus with 'firm' (!) suspension...at least our buttocks are thanking us at any rate. And it prepared us for the shopping haven that is Singapore.
Ah yes, Singapore. Still the shopping capital of the world bar none. Still, we managed to get a lot into our 2 days here. On the first afternoon, we headed to the mecca that is Holland Village and apart from shopping our hearts out, enjoyed a quick meal of dim sum before heading back to the hotel. Second day we did a big walk around the south end of Orchard, Raffles Hotel, Arab Street and Little India (Komala Villas is still going) before heading the completely renovated Clark Quay and chilli crab for dinner
. And a quick drink at Harry's bar for old times sake.
Andy and the chilli crab...
Today has been a bit more relaxed with a walk up to the botanic gardens, which are beautiful and well worth going to.
Next stop Perth. Catch ya lader....
KL was smaller than I expected, but our hotel room view of the 'Twin Towers' was amazing.
Twin towers....
We did a city tour on our second day which inevitably included a 'tour' (read, please buy lots of stuff) of the local batik factory amongst other stops. Of course we fell for this and we're now the owners of a couple of bits of batik. And a rattan basket. And some wooden spoons...
Onwards to Langkawi....
Stunning tropical island, mountainous,
covered in tropical rainforest, monkeys lounging by the side of the road, fantastic hotel, you get the picture. If you don't have a look at the photos! After the travelling of the previous few days we pretty much just lounged around the pool for the three days we were there, apart from a quick trip to the cable car up one of the mountains.
Me, before the cable car ride, looking calm and relaxed. Not so, about 10 minutes later.
This was the most scary cable car I've ever been on, at one point I swear it was going almost vertically.
Vertical cable car.....
But the view from the top was awesome - and it was cool too with a breeze to die for after all the humidity of the previous couple of days. We both enjoyed the time to relax after all the miles we did on dodgy Vietnam roads in a minibus with 'firm' (!) suspension...at least our buttocks are thanking us at any rate. And it prepared us for the shopping haven that is Singapore.
Ah yes, Singapore. Still the shopping capital of the world bar none. Still, we managed to get a lot into our 2 days here. On the first afternoon, we headed to the mecca that is Holland Village and apart from shopping our hearts out, enjoyed a quick meal of dim sum before heading back to the hotel. Second day we did a big walk around the south end of Orchard, Raffles Hotel, Arab Street and Little India (Komala Villas is still going) before heading the completely renovated Clark Quay and chilli crab for dinner
. And a quick drink at Harry's bar for old times sake.Andy and the chilli crab...
Today has been a bit more relaxed with a walk up to the botanic gardens, which are beautiful and well worth going to.
Next stop Perth. Catch ya lader....
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