I just returned from a fabulous trip down under to Australia (my first time) to visit my dear friend, Chris. We taught together in Mongolia from 2009 to 2011 and haven't seen each other since then! It was a wonderful reunion...and I got to meet her daughter, Kate and we really ended up being The Three Amigos. Chris lives in Trinity Beach which is in tropical North Queensland about 20 minutes north of Cairns. We got together in Sydney, spent a few days there and then flew on to Cairns, and then to TB.
So much to share and write about, but I'll say it in photos. Enjoy!!!
St. Mary's Cathedral in Sydney at Hyde Park. Chris's grandfather (she's sitting on the bench) used to play the organ. The inside is just as spectacular!
So many pictures of the Opera House, but I like this one because of the sky and clouds:)
We were really fortunate that the weather was so great! On our way to Watsons Bay for lunch.
And you want to know what we had for lunch. An Australian fish called Barramundi. I needed protein to stay awake after a 15 hour plane ride.
An Australian White Ibis going for a walk at the famous Bondi Beach!
We're inside the Opera House enjoying Australian Ballet's Verve. Ballet and modern dance...we both loved it!
 |
The Australian Cockatoos are everywhere. At Trinity Beach we saw a group of about 20 or so making lots of racket! |
While walking around the Royal Botanic Garden, I almost stepped on this Blue Tongue lizard! Everything grows big down under!
| An area of Sydney called the Rocks. Hence see the rock wall in the background. It was market day and a fun place to browse and have breakfast. |
| |
Trinity Beach is where Chris lives. Every morning I'd walk this walk...so peaceful and quiet and then I'd go for a coffee:)
You don't see these signs in So. CA!!!
Swimmers are strongly advised to stay between the nets--not for the crocs, but for the jellyfish which according to the lifeguard is the deadliest creature on earth--can kill you in 90 seconds!!! Did I also mention that I saw bats as big as hawks? Fascinating!!!
Beautiful sunrise:)
And yes, those are wallabies running free!
 |
| We were 2 hrs. out from land on the outer Barrier Reef. I was a little anxious, but once I got out there and saw all the fish and colorful coral, I loved it! |
 |
| Our fearless spotter making sure all is okay!!! |
Okay, you have to watch this very, very short video to get a perspective of a salt water crocodile! We were visiting a wildlife sanctuary and went out on this boat. I think we needed a bigger boat. I learned that Australia also has fresh water crocs and that all these crocs have jaws more powerful than a lion or a great white!!!
 |
| More my speed:) |
 |
| Rex Point |
Mossman Gorge. Couldn't get into store because a snake was loose...yikes LOL but true!
Silky Oak Lodge in the rainforest where we had a spa day:)
 |
| Looking good ladies:) |
Trying to catch a 5 ft. shark at Port Douglas! It got away! Maybe he needed a bigger boat.
Mangroves at sunset.
On my last day we took the Skyrail into Kuranda Rainforest.
Up and away...………...
I did say everything is bigger and more colorful:)
We took the train down from the top of the Rainforest. Construction for the railway began in 1886 and many men lost their lives.
As we were going around the bend (previous photo), the waterfall was on our right!
Chris, Diane and Kate on my last night having dinner at Blue Moon with a delicious port knuckle. Thanks to these ladies for making my time memorable:) I did get to see the Southern Cross and a wallaby running free right outside their complex:)
