A fantastic day of diving on the Great Barrier Reef from the Quicksilver boat Silversonic. We did three dives around the Agincourt reef, seeing bright coral, a 2m White Tipped Shark, a couple of large Stingrays and many other usual suspects.
Once again i'm out of internet time before adding photos on the last few updates.
Just booked two more dives for tomorrow, the SS Yongala.
Wednesday, 30 July 2008
Thursday, 24 July 2008
Frankie the Ford Falcon goes for an early bath in the Daintree
From Port Douglas we took the ferry across the River Daintree to the Tropical Rainforest of the Daintree and Cape Tribulation.
It had been raining hard and some of the creeks had flooded the fords that cross the road. We backed away from one because it was 400mm high, only to come back later when it was a little lower but still off putting. 4x4's crossed with ease, then little hire cars splashed their way through. So we changed our minds and gave it a go. Our car is twice the size of those little hire cars anyway.
We got half way. Then we stalled. Jo jumped out of the upstream side of the car and the water jumped in over the door sill. Oh no! We pushed the car out and after a few tries and a little tinkering under the bonnet with loo roll and the spark plugs the car roared into life.
We 'splashed out' on an on-suite and nice meal in the evening. It was our second wedding anniversary after all!
The next day was a fantastic blue sky day, crocs and wildlife to be spotted.
It had been raining hard and some of the creeks had flooded the fords that cross the road. We backed away from one because it was 400mm high, only to come back later when it was a little lower but still off putting. 4x4's crossed with ease, then little hire cars splashed their way through. So we changed our minds and gave it a go. Our car is twice the size of those little hire cars anyway.
We got half way. Then we stalled. Jo jumped out of the upstream side of the car and the water jumped in over the door sill. Oh no! We pushed the car out and after a few tries and a little tinkering under the bonnet with loo roll and the spark plugs the car roared into life.
We 'splashed out' on an on-suite and nice meal in the evening. It was our second wedding anniversary after all!
The next day was a fantastic blue sky day, crocs and wildlife to be spotted.
Sunday, 20 July 2008
The Whitsundays
We are just back from a three day, two night sail around the Whitsundays and out to the Great Barrier Reef. Although most of the time we were under power due to a lack of wind we had a good time and were pleased we choose a slightly more expensive boat with 14 on board and not the 28+ person option.
We stopped off a Whitehaven Beach one of the top ten beaches of the world. We played games on the squeaky sand and wore our stinger suits to go swimming.
(photo)
We stopped for the night at a small bay on Hook Island. Here the next morning we dived, seeing a Blue Spotted Stingray as well as other fish life and coral.
On the way out to the Great Barrier Reef we saw many Humped Back Wales splashing around, trying to impress each other (sex on their minds).
We Dived again in the afternoon, a fast drift dive past an impressive reef wall and Jo saw a turtle.
After many snorkels and lots of relaxing we headed back to the mainland, under sail, and passed the Greenpeace ship protesting in the harbour.
I am still bobbing up and down now.
We stopped off a Whitehaven Beach one of the top ten beaches of the world. We played games on the squeaky sand and wore our stinger suits to go swimming.
(photo)
We stopped for the night at a small bay on Hook Island. Here the next morning we dived, seeing a Blue Spotted Stingray as well as other fish life and coral.
On the way out to the Great Barrier Reef we saw many Humped Back Wales splashing around, trying to impress each other (sex on their minds).
We Dived again in the afternoon, a fast drift dive past an impressive reef wall and Jo saw a turtle.
After many snorkels and lots of relaxing we headed back to the mainland, under sail, and passed the Greenpeace ship protesting in the harbour.
I am still bobbing up and down now.
Sunday, 13 July 2008
Fraiser Island
Having met up with Jim we escaped Childers and made our way to Hervey Bay. After a spot more fishing we hired a four wheel drive Ute and spent two days on the Island.
We all had excellent fun driving in the sand either along the beach or the very bumpy inland tracks. The views from the beach and of the lakes were fantastic.
We all had excellent fun driving in the sand either along the beach or the very bumpy inland tracks. The views from the beach and of the lakes were fantastic.
Mandarins and Fish
So, after an afternoon of planting mature grape vines we landed a 2-3 week job picking mandarins. Good pay at $50 per huge 1.5x1.5x1m bin and we managed 8 to 10 bins a day going flat out. However we worked too well and after three days we were given two days off for the packers to catch up, then a few more days off, then rain and so on. We were eventually able to leave after a week of sitting around.
So, good pay when we worked but over all not great.
So, good pay when we worked but over all not great.
On our days off we bought a cheap fishing rod and when to the local Woodgate Beach. From here we caught Flathead, Sole, Bream and numerous other fish that needed to grow up before ending up on the dinner plate.
Glasshouse Mountains and Australia Zoo
Quick update:
Went climbing at Tibro, did a few short sports climbs. Kind of similar to Peak district limestone (the Embankment). Will hopefully go back for a longer climb or two.
Did a day at Australia Zoo. Photos may be added later.
Went climbing at Tibro, did a few short sports climbs. Kind of similar to Peak district limestone (the Embankment). Will hopefully go back for a longer climb or two.
Did a day at Australia Zoo. Photos may be added later.
UPDATED 20/8/08:
Photos as promised: 
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