Narooma, Lakes Entrance and Mount Martha

Mo here,

On New Year's Day Cass and I woke up relatively early to make our way back towards her hometown. We drove along the highway next to the ocean nearly the whole way and stopped in Narooma, NSW the first night. We got in pretty late and had a nice Italian dinner together then went for a walk along the ocean path. In the morning we wanted to go swimming but it was too cold so we went for another walk along the ocean and saw the infamous Australia Rock (rock negative naturally in the shape of Australia).

Back on the road in the morning Cass and I drove further down the coast to Lakes Entrance, VIC. On the way we stopped in no man's land between New South Wales and Victoria. Lakes Entrance is, as the name suggests, a fishing town with a small inlet to a 400 square kilometer network of lakes. Cass and I wanted to have a nice dinner along the water but had trouble finding a place that had room for us. We ended up settling for the classic fish and chips and ate in the car. After dinner we found the local movie theater which also randomly has squash courts. We saw The Secret Life of Walter Mitty which is quite a good movie (recommended to see).

No Man's Land

After Lakes Entrance we drove to Cass's hometown Mount Martha and spent the next week and a half there with the following highlights:

Finally seeing Cass's house and meeting her family

Mount Martha beach, wish I had one in my backyard too!

Kayaking in the dangerous (awesome) waves at Mount Martha beach

Finding wild kangaroos at Mornington Peninsula National Park 

Bay at Mornington Peninsula National Park near lighthouse 

Night out at some Tea Room bar

Luna Park amusement park with Matt and Briony

The Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne


Going to top of Eureka Tower in Melbourne to the SkyDeck


View of Australia Open (Tennis) and Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from SkyDeck


Cricket Match at MCG vs. Adelaide

March of the penguins onto the beach at Phillip Island

Walking Cass's dogs - Micsha and Sandy

Meeting up with Amber and Kelly for dinner at Taco Bills in Cranbourne

Biking to Fort Nepean

Fishing with Cass's brother Davran

Sorry for the long wait in posting the last part of the blog. I had the trip of a lifetime and I can't wait for the next adventure with Cass!

Mo out.

Sydney

Mo here,

During the long Christmas Day drive to Sydney we shared our secret Santa gifts with each other. This was the only thing that happened that day that made it feel like Christmas. Being on a bus all day, the hot weather, not being with family and the two McDonalds meals we had didn’t really make it feel like Christmas.

Upon arrival in Sydney we quickly checked into the hotel and those of us that signed up for the Sydney Bridge Climb were dropped off there. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of Australia’s most well known landmarks and the world’s largest steel arch bridge. To climb the 134m bridge to the top we signed away our lives (for the 4^th time), suited up into onesies and were fitted with all sorts of gadgets: headlight, touque, radio, handkerchief, raincoat and harness.  The bridge climb started on the south side where we walked underneath the roadway to just past the main concrete pillar. There, we climbed a series of steep ladders up to the lower end of the arch. We climbed all along the arch to the top where the flags are to get an amazing panoramic view of the city. Luckily we had our rain suits because it rained all climb which made the experience more exciting and dangerous. Once at the top we crossed the bridge at the top and went down on the other side back to where we started.

After the Bridge Climb we went back to the hotel to relax and rest up. On boxing day we headed up North to Manly Beach and spent the beautiful morning and afternoon there. Quite a cool little town away from the big city. We took a ferry back from Manly Beach to Circular Quay which is right between Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. We took a little walkabout tour outside the Opera House and made our way back to the hotel walking through the Botanical Gardens and along the seawall. After freshening up we went out for our last supper with the group at a cook your own steak restaurant. The meal was bittersweet knowing we would all be leaving on our separate ways the next day.

In the morning we drove 2 hours inland to the Blue Mountains which are known for the 3 Sisters rock formations. We did a hike around there and had a nice lunch in the small town of Leura.

When we returned I had to say goodbye to most people on the tour and anxiously waited for Cass to arrive from her long roadtrip from Melbourne. When she did arrive it was so good to see her but it strangely didn’t feel like it was actually her. We had a little Christmas together, exchanged gifts, had dinner and went for a nice walk down to the harbour. Was so cool to finally be in Sydney together after talking about it and looking forward to it for so long.

The next morning we went to the famous Bondi Beach to go body boarding and hang out in the sun. Cass recognized some of the Bondi Beach TV show cast members! Later that day we drove about 3.5 hours inland to the small towns of Blayney and Orange, NSW to meet up with our friends that we met on our European tour back in May 2012. Cass let me drive her car, which was strange but easy to get used to. The hardest part was learning that the wipers are not used to signal your turn. It was so relaxing to hang out with the gang to catch up and reminisce of our previous travels. I even learned how to play cricket with an automatic bowling device. Thanks again to the Sligar and Finlayson families for taking us in for the two nights!

In the morning we all drove back into Sydney to meet up with other European Tour friends. That night on New Years Eve Eve, as a Christmas present, Cass took us on a tall ship dinner cruise in the harbour. Some of us got a little more tipsy than others and not because of the rocking of the boat. On the way back towards the wharf we watched the sun set with the bridge and opera house in the distance. Very nice Christmas present!

On New Years Eve Day we made our way to Mort Bay Park around 14:00 to set up a picnic area and wait for the New Year to be brought in. We met up with a bunch of tour friends and had one big party in the park. The 10 hour wait was a long one but well worth it for the spectacular Sydney New Year’s fireworks and celebrations. What an amazing way to bring in 2014!!

That morning [afternoon] Cass and I woke up, packed up our things, said goodbye to our friends and drove off along the coastal highway to Narooma, NSW on our way to Melbourne, VIC. Sorry for the long post, but so much has happened since Christmas Day in Coffs. Also wanted to wish a Happy New Years to everyone back home and around the world!!

Mo out.

Surfer's Paradise, Byron Bay and Coffs Harbour

Mo here,

Once arriving in Surfer's Paradise on the Gold Coast we didn't have much time to relax (again) before having to go out for dinner. Then after dinner we went out to enjoy the nightlife of the city. Some of us who were going skydiving in the morning decided to pull an all-nighter and watch the sunrise since we had to be up at 6AM to catch the bus anyway.

Canadian crew on tour: Randy, Ashley, Shyla and I

Surfer's Paradise waking up

After the sun rose I had a quick shower and left for the Gold Coast Skydive place. I signed my life away for the third time, suited up, had a small lesson, and before I knew it I was in a plane going up 14,000 feet above the beach. What an amazing view! I sat with my instructor strapped to me in the  emergency exit row seat waiting for the green light. Except this time I would actually be using the exit to leave the plane. Once the light came on I sat in the door and we pushed off the plane and fell towards the earth in a controlled spiral. We free-fell for about 30 seconds and then had about a 2 minute parachute flight to the drop zone on the beach. I have a video of the entire flight which I will upload with the bunjy jump when I get free unlimited internet somewhere.

After the skydive we headed back to the hotel. I slept for 7 hours, laid out by the pool, had some dinner and went out into town again for the night. In the morning we were up early and went to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary where we saw all kinds of aussie animals and I held a koala as well!

After the wildlife sanctuary we drove to the lighthouse at Byron Bay which is located at the most eastern point of the Australian mainland. 

Once in Byron Bay we had a pretty chill night just hanging out on our balcony overlooking the streets below.

New friends from Saskatchewan and UK

In the morning we had a decent breakfast, hung out at the beach (which is becoming more and more routine now) and left in the afternoon for Mojo's Surf Camp in Coff's Harbour for Christmas Eve Day. We dropped our bags in our rooms which were shipping containers and went for a surf lesson. We were taught how to lay on the board, paddle and get up before going into the water. Once in the water, it hit me that we were spending Christmas Eve surfing with the most amazing people in an amazing town. Oh and a pod of dolphins swam up to us to play around in the water. Merry Christmas indeed!!!

That night we had a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner and celebrated with all the people at the Surf Camp!

In the morning I woke up in my glorious shipping container and opened a card I got from my mom. Inside was a picture of my sisters and I during Christmas in 1994! Made me miss everybody back home.

Anyway now for the long drive to Sydney on Christmas Day.

Mo out.

Cattle Station, Fraser Island and Noosa

Mo here,

After the Whitsundays we drove quite far to a 26,000 acre farm in the middle of nowhere called the Cattle Station Ranch. It was a good time and refreshing to be away from the big cities. We learned how to crack a whip and had a karaoke dance night. I wasn't feeling too well, still felt like I was on a sailboat and felt woozy. Was pretty fun to watch the gang sing away.

In the morning we drove to Fraser Island which is the largest all sand island in the world. That night we had dinner by the water and watched the sunset. In the morning we went on an all day 4wd tour through the island. We went to a fresh water lake called Lake McKenzie which was also refreshing to be away from the salt water. After the swim we were supposed to drive further down the beach for a rainforest walk but our 4wd truck's steering rack broke and we were literally stranded on the island. We ended up having to walk 4.5km toward the ferry pick up in the scorching sun. Not fun but quite the adventure.

The island is also known as having the most pure breed of dingos but the population is dwindling. Just as we were leaving on the ferry we spotted one on the banks. Kind of a day saver seeing that dingo after all that walking.

Since we were late getting to the ferry we were late getting into Noosa. Just had a quick late dinner and went to sleep that night. In the morning we went to a beautiful beach with big waves to mess around in. We had a nice lunch and then went to Brisbane. Really cool city with sweet older and new buildings. Did some shopping there and then left for surfers paradise on the gold coast. Post to follow.

Mo out.