28th
Chilled, swam walked through Borneo 1 (Lakeside!)
29th April
Boarded boat to Manukan Island, a beautiful island with great coral and abundant fish, lovely beach. The water here is so warm, its unbelievable, we are taking so many things as given. The coral here was like a magical underwater garden with loads and loads and loads of fish. You had to swim out a bit further than we have been swimming out but not that far and robin is getting such a good swimmer, hadn’t realized. The sun shines every day, its too hot to do much but we did have a walk around kk after we got back from the island. Went to dinner at American place and jim ended up with raw chicken! Mine and robins was lovely! Shouldn’t laugh!

24th april
Left sepilok early and got bus to river boat. Then on to one island for lunch and a swim if you wanted but too many jellies for my liking though it was very beautiful. Went for walk instead and saw how the islanders live and what a mess they make of their beaches. Saw loads of small fish jumping and one large one jumped out of the sea too. Think it was some sort of sailfish. Then back on the boat to turtle island. A beautiful island, had a look round at the hatchery and the turtle tracks on the beach, saw two turtle mating in the sea and looked at the figures of the eggs laying and hatchery. Went for a swim after arguing about our lodge (2 beds not 3 that we had paid for) Walked on coral, terrible but no other way to swim, I personally think they should shut the beach as the coral was so beautiful only a few feet out and absolutely teaming with life. Jim could see through the sea with no mask all the beautiful colours of the corals and the fish. It was fantastic. Went for another walk and saw two more turtles mating as well as monitors and various birds. Had dinner (after getting another bed!) and watched a film about the hatchery and looked in their museum. They have green turtles and hawksbill turtles return their to lay their eggs and cause they are endangered they place all the eggs in a hatchery and let them all out once they have hatched, anyway, we sat down to wait for the turtles to come. They called us to see a turtle laying her eggs and there were turtles all over the place but it was emotional seeing the turtle lay her eggs, such gentle lovely creatures. We then took the eggs (the ranger) and went and buried them in the hatchery, we then took 82 babies and let them go on the beach. Such silly things, really cute but they run over your feet back up to the beach and we had to turn them to make sure they went the right way. It was a magical night, really magical. I said to robin, I had seen puppies born when I was his age but never ever expected to see turtles laying eggs, we are all so lucky. Went to bed quite late as were overwhelmed with turtles.
25th April
3784 turtle eggs collected last night, fantastic, but only 2percent will make it to maturity. Went for another walk at 6am this morning and saw more turtles mating and the most gigantic monitor ever. Evil looking thing but quite beautiful in its own way. Obviously waiting to dig up turtle eggs. Also saw a couple of endangered chicken looking birds, felt a bit sorry for there were a couple of scientist on the island who had been looking for these chicken like birds a I bumped into three of them. Lovely morning but then we had the journey back to kk and maccy ds which was heaven after all the crappy food in the jungle and islands!! We are going to chill out, do washing and watch tv and do internet for rest of night.
26th April
Caught up with blogging, internet, washing and spent time in pool. Thailand looks like it might be good, had not fancied it much before I looked it up on net. Went for walk around their lakeside which is called borneo 1 here.
27th April
Up and out by 8am and on boat to Sepi Island. Fantastic day but got sunburned just snorkeling, it really is too hot here for me, I like warm not this heat. The island was brilliant with great coral and fish and clams and urchins and I could go on and on. You cannot really go for a walk on the island as off the beach it is straight into jungle and we have learned to be a bit careful as have come quite close to a few accidents with dangerous animals. I really don’t want robin hurt this late into our trip so will only enter this jungle here with a guide, if we go again. I don’t think help would be quick either as they haven’t learned the word quick in borneo. Anyway a fantastic day with sea and sun and animals!

4th April
Up very early, quite a struggle as have had quite a few late nights. Raining a bit but we were on the bus by 6.45 and what a day. Got the bus onto the ferry which was a feet in itself. We got off the coach on the ferry and Paulina spotted a big turtle swimming in the sea. We learned that Fraser Island got its name from when Capt Fraser and all his crew were stranded there. Unfortunately only Mrs Fraser was rescued alive hence the name. went across to ninety mile beach and the Eurong Beach Resort for some mid morning tea. This is the only rainforest on sand in the world and is quite amazing. We saw a dingo as we were driving along ninety mile beach which was awesome, the surf was indescribable and the drive in the four wheel drive coach very bumpity. We saw the colored sands and the wreck on the beach and we went for a walk along the boards at a creek while the kids swam down the creek. Was really amazing. After lunch we went for a walk with a guide in the rainforest and spotted loads of eels and a few birds but learned lots about the plant life, then we went to MacKensie Lake which has to be the most beautiful lake in the whole world. Crystal clear with white silca sand on one side and rainforest on the others it looked soooo beautiful and to swim in was cool and refreshing, everyone said it tasted like spring water but I didn’t taste any myself. Yuk!! Unfortunately after our swim we had to make tracks back and we had a bumpity trip back too and some of the coach saw another dingo but I missed it. Got to the ferry and across back to Rainbow Beach. Had been a lovely day and we finished off with Chinese. When we were on the coach jim and I had a bit of a chance to chat and he told me that the place we had been kayak surfing, the guide had said, was a breeding ground for nurse sharks and he had been warned to keep lookout although it is not the season its possible, I think he is trying to kill me!!! No evidence !!!

5th April
Went to Tin Can Bay very tired after getting up at 6.30am again. Girls were amazed by the dolphins and we all fed them and even the pink coloured female came in for a while. Then we did some fishing off the pier. Drove to Australia Zoo to check it out for tomorrow. Found place to stay. All of us in one room. Left them to watch Run Fatboy Run while I did washing etc. Went to a lovely pub for dinner in the historic town of Lansborough.
6th April
Spent the day at Australia zoo. A lovely day watching crocs, feeding kangaroos and seeing all the animals as well as exhibitions about Steve Irwin. Really interesting and educational day though it had elephants and tigers and we had thought it was just animals of Australia and thought that’s how they should have kept it. Got thrown out at 5ish so we drove to Brisbane and tried to find a hotel near Dreamworld. Ended up at Treasure Island Resort.and had a really nice stay after stressing out driving around in the dark.

7th April
We voted next morning as to where to spend the day but no vote won so we flipped a coin and Robins choice of Wet and Wild won!! Had a great day although Jim spent the day on a bench sleeping and looking after his bad elbow (again). I liked the tornado best. Fantastic very fast very wet ride. Exhillariting!! Robin thought Kamicaze was the best ride. Drove on to Ipswich when left wet and wild so as to be near to where Geoff and Sonia live. Went to the brothers social club for dinner and nearly never got in as we had no passports with us and only flip flops, it was the poshest biggest social club we have been to so far and dinner was great.
8th April
Spent morning by pool and taking pictures of the place we were staying. The girls were amazed they have such old caravan type buildings over here, but there was loads of room and it was quite quaint and cute. Went for a bbq at Sonia and geoffs and met charlotte and the baby, whom they have still not named!! Had such a great time, so lovely to see them again, Geoff has not changed at all and it was nice to get to know Sonia. Everyone had a really good time and I hope to see them all soon. What a lovely family. Jim wondered if Geoff will have finished his house before we go back again, or will he be same as rest of us.

9th April
Left Ipswich quite early so that we could make lots of stops on the way down south but because the weather was quite hard rain we just stopped when the rain stopped not at our planned stops. It was quite nice though and the scenery on the way down was quite spectacular with lots of lakes. We didn’t stop at Byron Bay cause of the rain but I had wanted to show the girls that but we must make our way down as we are running out of time now. We did stop at the macadamia nut castle that I promised robin on the way up and we are in the car at the moment making our way to Yamba where we hope to find accommodation and hopefully a surf lesson for tomorrow. Jims arm is still playing up so hopefully it wont be much longer. Paulina and robin are playing cards in the back and I wish I was there in the back playing cards too. Its so lovely having all the kids here and being a nearly complete family for a little while again!! Am looking forward to proper holidays and days out with them all when I get home and back to normal which will not be as normal used to be. Stayed in a lovely hotel right on the river bank, absolutely beautiful but jim was feeling unwell so the kids and I got fish and chips with giant prawns to start from the fish and chips shop. Paulina and libs love their seafood! Its lovely to watch them eat and even robin is peeling prawns and enjoying them now… We chucked robin in the adjoining room with the girls but we both had spectacular views of the bay. Wished we had had time to fish of their jetty. Hotel was called moby dick and I would recommend it to anyone.
10th April
Kids had a surf lesson (in the rain) first thing this morning and they all stood up on boards and surfed and they all had a great time. I was down on the beach taking photos of them, while jim was in the car chatting to a local surfer who said he had not been surfing all week because of the number of sharks about!!!
Stopped at a couple of beaches in Yamba and further along the coast. Walked in the sand but quite overcast. In the car quite a lot and made Nambucca and stayed a t the White Albatross again. The kids loved the salt water lagoon and the pontoon in the middle of the lagoon. They were jumping and diving and trying to outdo one another, really nice together after lots of bickering in the car. Went out for dinner and the two girls shared a hugh seafood platter, never seen so much food but they did it justice,
11th April
Stopped at a beach and went for a walk while robin and the girls played. then drove to a place where you can kiss the dolphins but got there too late and it was shut. Saw loads of kangaroos in the fields. Stopped at another beach and had ice cream after our swim. Whilst we were driving I said I had spotted a kaola up a tree but no one else saw it. My hero turned round and drove back so that I could prove I did see a real wild kaola. The girls did a lot of ohing and ahhing. Fantastic stuff.
Stayed at Kew as it was dark and everyone was tired, went into the pub first but rooms were very basic so we got two rooms at a local motel and put robin in with the girls again, heaven!! Had nice dinner in pub.
12th April
Lots more stops and lots more driving but we went to Elizabeth beach in forester and there was a race on, so we watched a bit but mainly we played in the surf, which was very very strong. Paulina said it w as like being in a washing machine at times when she got knocked over by the surf!! We all love the surf, great stuff. The sun was shining so the girls worked on their tans until lunchtime when we went to get a bbq at the surf club. Unfortunately we were fifteen mins too late they had stopped serving, so we had a beer and back in the car. Travelled miles and miles and stopped for Kentucky fried chicken, horrid stuff all greasy. I ate some but was sick nearly straight after, in the car park.. Went to mick and narelles, got there quite late but so nice to see them. All of us got quite drunk, apart from robin!!!! We reminisced and had a great time. Missed archie as he was in bed before we got there.
13th April
Went out with mick and narelle after nursing our hangovers. Mick got up and cooked breakfast for those that could and I must say it looked nice but I was one that couldn’t manage food that early this morning. Went out to lunch with narelles mum and dad and had a lovely lunch with lovely people. Left narelles about 6pm and got to Sydney about 8pm and considering that it s bank holiday Monday, that was surprisingly quick as everyone was trying to get home. Booked in Metro Inn in Edgecliff.
14th April
Tried to show Sydney to the girls and started off very well. First stop the Sydney Tower and we all had a great time enjoying the view, the film and bumping into Carla, our tour guide from Peru, (the nice one, not Jo the horrid one, thank god!) How small is this world, had no idea Carla would be in Sydney, she just tapped Jim on the shoulder in the Sydney Tower! It was fantastic to see her and if we had been less busy would have arranged to meet them later that night as she was leaving the next day, as it turned out it was a good job we didn’t. After leaving the Tower, we decided to take the senic walk through the botanic gardens to the opera house. Unfortunately for us there is a statue of Robbie burns on the way, just at the start of the gardens, well, libs saw it and decided to hop over the chain fence to get there quickly for a better view.. Well what a fall, it made me feel sick, she cracked her chin on the pavement and I thought she would lose her teeth. Needless to say we spent most of the rest of the day at the hospital, though I did get out and arrange for our doctors visit for our malaria tabs while jim sat with libs waiting for doctors. When she did it robin said it was very lucky as we were very close to the hospital and we did in fact walk her there but she was most not amused by robins comments. After leaving the hospital, quite late, libs was a good sport and we did all walk to the opera house and it was lovely as they got to see the sun set over the river behind the opera house. Very beautiful. We also bought tickets for the ballet the next afternoon. Had a lovely dinner at the harbor, then took libs home as she was very tired. On the walk to the taxis there was a bit of a thunderstorm and the lightening in the sky over the harbor with all the building in the background was stunning. Lightening is very pretty. Sometimes!
15th april
Had a bit of a lay in as libs was feeling a bit battered and bruised, then got up and went to darling harbor. The great Paulini became a street entertainers assistant, had to be seen to be believed. Had look round enjoying the atmosphere and then caught a water taxi/tour to the opera house. The water taxi drivers are very knowledgable and do not take the quickest way but the most interesting, I think, like most taxi drivers they like to share their knowledge and thoughts as they go along. We all enjoyed the ballet though we all enjoyed different bits for different reasons but it was definitely a magical experience for all of us. As soon as it finished we caught a taxi quick quick so we could get to Bondi Beach before dark. Paulina robin and I went for a swim until the sun went down and then joined libs and jim for dinner. Libs had taken some great photos of us in the sea so we took a few more on the beach and went up for drinks and dinner. Nicks on bondi beach was lovely, the girls had a seafood platter which they really enjoyed, its lovely to watch them eat.
16th
Took the girls to the airport, said goodbyes, sad sad time. Had to part with the bestest car I have ever had. Never mind paulini the great will be happy to see Craig and libs will be glad to be back at uni and we will be home before long. We got taxi to the imax theatre and we were watching monsters v aliens before libs and paulina saw a film on the plane!! Helped us forget a bit. Went for dinner and back to hotel. Sydney is cool in the dark.
17th april
Went for long walk this morning and to doctors, chemist and barbers, did a bit of sightseeing and sat in hyde park in the sunshine, bought books on borneo, Singapore and Thailand and went to wait for narelle in the pub near where she works. We waited from 4.30 till 6.30 then phoned mick to see if she had left a message. Poor Archie had been taken to hospital so narelle had gone home, poor archie, mick and narelle. Was sorry to miss her but feel very bad that archie was ill. Hope he gets better soon. Phoned her as soon as we got back to hotel.
18th April
Left hotel with our rucksacks on again. Felt quite strange actually carring them again. Checked in at airport and got good seats but robin had to sit behind us as they do not allow children to open the emergency exit doors!! Still robin watched tv most of the journey. Arrived safe at Singapore but could not get hotel room for night so we are still waiting. Robins getting tired too, though we all had a nice swim earlier on the roof at the airport. Robins is also sulking a bit as he really had his heart set on getting a psp here and Singapore airport is not that cheap and I did tell him Thailand and we will be there in three weeks. Am really missing England and everyone and I think both jim and robin are homesick too. Will have to get them motivated by climbing mt kimbalu or having another adventure.
19th April
Woke up stiff and uncomfortable after 4 hours of very broken sleep in the food section of Singapore airport. Boarded plane to kota kimbalu, nice flight in the sunshine. Very hot in kk, got bus to hotel and straight to pool which was refreshing with great views. Robin said are we sure we got the right hotel as we don’t usually go for something this nice, he said it right in front of everyone, quite loud too!! Is a nice hotel though, massive room and flatscreen tv in the wall. Went out exploring in the early evening and had birthday dinner at a cost of under a tenner, jim was well pleased!!
20th April
Had a lazy day catching up on internet and diarys and booking our tours to see the orangutauns etc. swimming pool was lovely and we had free lunch and breakfast in the poshest hotel so far.
21st April
Caught bus straight after breakfast and made our way up the mountains, got some awesome views of mt kinabalu, very eerie mountain with the clouds on top and then halfway down and then back up but never all over, just little puffballs of clouds, really strange.. Apparently we were lucky as the mountain is usually covered in cloud. Stopped at a war memorial and it made us cry loads. 2600 men were walked from one side of the island to the other all pows and the japs took them on the walk to finish them off and only 6 escaped and survived, all very sad an awful end, I suppose we don’t know much about it in England as the pows were mostly aussies, though there were 600 british that died on the walk. ?It was educational for robin but very emotional, too sad, I have said to jim I don’t want to visit any more war memorials. Then we went to poring hot springs and walked the canopy walk, our most dangerous canopy walk so far. Thought the knots of the bridge were going to come undone, I personally didn’t let go of the ropes always had one hand hanging on but it was a sight and we all enjoyed it on the bridge. we were only allowed two at a time but we went one at a time cause it didn’t look like it could hold two. We didn’t get a chance to dip in the hot springs as time was short. Then we wanted to see the biggest flower in the world in bloom..a rafflesia. It was fantastic to see but jim got a bit upset that we had to pay a local family to take us to see it. After he had seen it though he had a bit of a laugh trying to wind them up, but they didn’t speak English and jims humour doesn’t translate well here anyway. Jims watching me write this and says did you tell everyone we got ripped off by the local mafia. They are soooo poor here that if they find one of those rafflesias in bloom they can make money showing the tourist but the flowers bud for sixteen months and bloom for six days so they only have six days to make their money then they have to find another in their area. I thought they were lovely, all women and kids and making the most of what they have. It would have taken us weeks to look for and find a flower on our own. Mind you I didn’t enjoy walking through the jungle with flip flops on and didn’t have time to change into my boots, glad I wasn’t bitten by one of the numerous snakes!
We then went to our lodge in sepilok for the night after driving for ages. The roads here are quite bad and non existant in places. The main industry appears to be palm oil and they have cut down much of their jungles to plant these trees. However you cant blame them as they are only trying to make a living and I would imagine its very hard here. They live in shacks which are not as good as most peoples garden sheds in England but all the kids go to school now. Had a pleasant evening and an early night, cannot believe they have such comfortable beds here, especially after what we have been sleeping on but I feel a bit guilty living like this when there is so much poverty about locally.
22nd April
Had brekkie and left the sepilok lodge with Ling our guide to go to gomantong caves. What an experience! We drove for about an hour and half and had to go done a non existant road which seemed to go on forever. We arrived and started walking through a jungle track towards the caves and on the way saw monkeys (red ones with long tails) forget what they are called but they are on the endangered list and then carried on to the cave. The cave is famous for the swifts nests which are collected and sold to the Chinese to eat but before we could even enter the caves we saw an orangutan!!! How fantastic. The cave itself was awesome but very very smelly. There are over2 million bats living in the cave so as you can imagine not only is it smelly the walk is slippery and you cannot hold on to anything!! Never seen so many cockroaches in one place before, the swifts were cute and the cave itself breathtaking with light coming in from the top, eerie and broken but streaming in places, awesome. After the cave we drove to Lings lodge (our guide) and parked the bus and got on a boat to the lodge. They gave us a most awful welcome drink. Jim and robin managed theirs but I just couldn’t. We went to our very luxurious lodge and unpacked and then went out in a boat animal spotting. The first thing we saw was monkeys but less than five mins later we saw and orangutan, it was absolutely magical seeing one making a nest in the wild. We also saw on our boat ride through the jungle river, probiscus monkeys, macat moneys, monitor lizard, hornbills (2 types) kingfishers (2 types) an eagle and lots more monkeys! Jim spotted a weaver bird making a nest. When we got back to the lodge it had been so exciting that we were going for a beer in the bar first, then jim took off his sandals (you have to take off your shoes in communal areas here) so I decided that the smell was too much for me and went back to lodge to get robin and me showered hoping jim would come and wash his feet but he had such a good time in the bar he stayed and poor robin and I had to sit at the table for dinner with a very cheesy smell!! However a good night was had by all.
23rd April Up at 5am! Back in the boat for some more wildlife spotting, saw loads of monkeys and birds but sadly no orangutans. Back at lodge for breakie then into Sandakun the capital of that sadah before it was leveled during the ww2 and the capital became kota kimbalu. Got a new guide and went to a Chinese temple for a tour then a old Christian church then lunch at the poshest place jim has ever been to. Jim was made up by this restaurant, a colonial, tea on the lawn type place. It was quite a plesent setting but the food was awful. Then on to sepilok and orangutans. Blown away but all photos were not very good. It’s a bit like a zoo but they take orphaned orangutans and eventurally coax them back to the wild to live. It backs right on to the rainforest and there are no fences, except in the nursery. They also have wild Sumatran rinoserus and Indonesian elephants. Would have liked to have spent longer there but jims not really into red monkeys (his words). Back at our lodge it has started to rain, its real rain, rainforest rain and we cannot even make it to our lodge, we are still sat in dining area of reception, may try running to our lodge if it stops just a little.

22nd March
Left the boys to sleep in this morning and went and got internet connection and posted blog. Went into Cairns today for breakfast at a lovely Italian place. We then walked along the front and went swimming as it was sooo hot. They have a nice pool on the beach, cause you cannot swim in the sea cause of the crocs and jellyfish… We ended up watching some people fishing on the pier before we went to do a bit of shopping. Robin bought a boomerang then went back to the campsite and had another swim to cool down again! We then got the fishing stuff ready and drove back to the pier to fish. Angela 1 crab in 2 lost, Robin 0, Jim 1 crab lost!!!!!! Guess who is the better fisherman!!!! They just were not biting today, no one on the pier had much luck. As I was fishing, I scared everyone on the pier by a very loud, very frightening scream, a bat had flown into me, it was gigantic and furry and startled me but everyone on the pier jumped!! The things that we see that I keep forgetting to put in the blog is annoying. How could I not mention the bats they were huge and there were hundreds, robin was amazed and impressed! We also saw loads of fish, had loads of short conversations with local fishermen and saw loads of birds, stars in the sky and a different side of Cairns. I also did a good turn today, as I was walking past a bank, I noticed a machine with a credit card sticking out so I took it to the police station, I thought I would hate for someone to cut up mine if I left it in a machine, I would be lost so I went a bit further and went to the police station, felt a bit like a criminal as I had to give my name and address and details, why, I was only handing it in.
23rd March
Stayed on park swimming, playing crazy golf, basketball and more swimming. Robin also did homework. Lovely day playing and looking forward to the girls arriving tomorrow. Tried to get an early night but too excited!!
24th March
Libby phoned me from Singapore airport at 4am so I did not get a lot of sleep after that. Too excited. Finally got up at 7am and woke the boys, couldn’t help but rush them out the door so we got to the airport in time. We did get to the airport early but better that than late and of course the girls were not the first out but out they did come and I have no words to describe how it was to see them again. We all got into the car and drove to Port Douglas and got settled in camp site and had the compulsory swim. Then into town where we confirmed our reed swim for Thursday and booked fishing for the afternoon. Grabbed some lunch quick and out for a fish. Well what a fishing trip, Libs got the most bites but they are very cleaver fish out in the estuary. We saw loads of crocs caught baitfish and then started fishing for the big one. Well libs got the first fish, robin got a catfish I got a massive eel with very sharp teeth paulina and libs caught perch and paulina brought up a crab and lost it just before bring it over the side and libs caught it when it went sideways and brought it into the boat!! It landed on the floor and started running around so it was scream and laughter time and all up on the seat time till the crab was caught. It did have very big pincers which could take your fingers off so we were just being careful!! Great and funny. Think Libs and Paulina would like to go fishing again!!! Fantastic fishing experience, our guide has a tv show over here Bill Clark was his name and anyone over here should go fishing with him, he has many stories to tell!! He actually called over a sea eagle with a whistle and threw it a fish not far from the boat and we watched as the eagle came in and dived for the fish and soared up and flew away a fantastic moment that we will never see again in our lifetime absolutely great. We also watched him feed his pets *fish that live in his marina* including a giant bara it was awesome.
After getting off the boat, with our crab safely in bag, went and got some shopping and home to bbq. Had a wonderful meal, with freshly caught mudcrab which was amazing!!!! Jims bbqd lamb chops were great too. All tired but happy!!!
25th March
Out to Daintree, stopped for an Aboriginal Tour in Mossman and had a guide called Harold show us plants, trees and things the tribes did to survive in the bush. He was very interesting and the subject was interesting too. He was actually a Shaman for his people but did cures for others too, there was a little girl lost in the bush the week before and apparently when all the rescue teams could not find him, the shaman found her in 30mins. Really learned loads and if I ever had someone close to me sick I would definitely take them to the Sherman. Also had a walk around Mossman Gorge and saw the rainforest close up with fantastic scenes and lovely clear waterfalls, unfortunately did not have enough time to swim in the waterfall but it was very inviting.
Then onwards up to Daintree and across the river on a line ferry into the rainforest, stopped at a café for lunch and the guy we met there took us to see his pets. Had 2 kangaroos that he had saved, a massive croc and loads of parrots and snakes, we all loved it especially getting up close to the roos. Lunch was good too. We then went to the end of the road at cape cook. Did a couple of the broadwalks, looked at the rainforests, the last beaches and mangroves. Real great day. Drove back to Port Douglas and had proper family dinner. Fantastic.
26th March
Left bright and early to catch our boat out to the reef. Its so nice waking up with the girls and having fantastic breakfasts all together, love having a housefull. Anyway onto the boat and out to the reef, quite choppy water and then we arrived at the outer reef and started snorkeling. Amazing, the corals, the fish, the colours and the magnificence of it all. There was a marine biologist with us and kept us well informed of everything and answered all our questions. Did three different coral reef, all different and all fantastic. Robin went with Libs and the guide and had a great time, it was great for me too as I got to snorkel without worrying about robin. Fantastic. Dinner at home again. Fantastic…all together.
27th March
Up and out of campsite, drove to Karumbi to see the kaola bears. The kids all had a hold of the smell, cute creatures and we got loads of ooos and ahaaas. We then drove into Cairns and looked for an art shop we had been told was there. However, we could find no art shop so went swimming in the pool instead. Had lunch in cairns and then started the drive to mission beach. Got there quite late and finally found a place and robin and libs went in for a swim even though it was raining. We had to be here as we have to skydive at 8am tomorrow and didn’t want to have to drive too early.
28th March
After seeing roo again early this morning we went to south mission beach to skydive. Wow, what an experience, got quite nervous whilst waiting and being taught how to position body on exit and landing. Watching the girls, we decided I would go first out of the plane otherwise I would be watching them instead of enjoying my views and dive. So up we went in the small plane with the door open, but we were strapped in. the plane journey was exhilarating in itself the views absolutely fantastic, and the guys we were strapped to were all great guys, laughing and joking and trying to make us relax. Then it was time to sit on the edge, nervous but eager to go. Then out into the blue, and round and round and upside down we spun, got a bit frightened at that stage but before we knew it we were up the right way and falling. Had a good look round and we were falling through the clouds quite fast above the beautiful coral sea, could see the reef, beaches and trees. Then looked up and realized that my/our parachute was not open!!! Panic!!! Then our parachute opened and we got a bit more comfortable, relaxed and enjoyed the scenery. Saw libs coming down very quicky, had a go of the chute, wonderful how the chutes can be controlled and made me want to try kite surfing soon!! All too soon we were landing, happened sooo quickly but am glad that we did it all girls together. However, very thirsty and quite hungry so we all went for lunch in mission bay. Then off to Paronella Park and had a great time seeing the castle that the Spanish guy had built, a holiday resort before its time. Had some really good ideas there which we will maybe use in the future. Then onto Hitchenbrook and booking in to apartment for the night. Great apartment, girls happy, especially since last nights was a bit dire. Into the swimming pool the off to fish on the pier but no luck, no fish caught at all. Saw someone else catch a deadly sea snake!!!! Glad I did not catch it!! Then off to the pub for dinner! Then home to watch Pirates of the Carribean on our fantastic tv in our apartment.
29th March
Breakfast on balcony with lovely stunning view. Then to the supermarket for supplies then a swim in the lovely pool. After that we had some lunch and then went fishing. Jim caught one catfish, but only because he was the only one actually fishing. Robin picked some coconuts and we were all helping to get the husks off. Great dinner with the girls it was fantastic to see them having a sweet, forgotten how good it is to have a sweet and to watch the girls eat.
30th
In the car nearly all day, had swim first of course, wasn’t too bad in car as played cards with robin and paulina but still a very long journey. Arrived Airlie beach quite late. Had a quick swim and then left the kids at the pool while we went to supermarket, kids are stunned we still have Woolworths and big w here! Had a lovely dinner and went quite early to bed as we have to be up and out!
31th
A wonderful day. The alarm clock did not go off, but it was ok cause we were all soooo excited we were up early enough. Went down to Able Marina to catch the sailing boat. A glorious morning very sunny and hot. We were the only ones on the boat today!!! There was no wind, so we couldn’t sail, he switched the motor on and off we went, we didn’t get to sail all day but we chatted and sunbathed on the way out to the island, got our stinger suits on and jumped off the boat to go for a snorkel while the guide took our bags to the island on a dingy!! Well before we had got our fins on some one had spotted a hugh turtle and as jim was looking at it got so excited didn’t see the boom, so banged his head and bled all over the place!! Jim has quite a hole in his head so we sent him to the island on the dingy too!! Finally into the water! Well what colours, the mauves, reds,yellows, a beautiful reef and the fish there were thousands!! Kept looking for more turtles though as we wanted to swim with the turtles. Paulina got a bit freked out as the hugh great batfish took a liking to her and followed her everywhere. Saw fish to numerous to name but the ray was enormous as was the maori wrasse! Saw nemo!! And his mates! Was absolutely unforgettable!!! Then swam to the island to check on Jim. Jim was fine in fact had walked all around the island! It was a very small island! We were the only ones on the island, how spoilt are we!! Hugh skink and loads of birds, though I am sure there were other reptiles, just not showing themselves, thank god!! Had a lunch on our own island!! Great lunch!! Then back out to the reef and we got to swim with the turtles! And loads of big batfish as well as others. When we went to get back on the boat, the guide started to throw bread into the water for the batfish. Paulina tried to scream the away, so ladylike! We were all laughing at first, it was so amazing, then the fish went into a frenzy and started biting us, well I was left in the water till last! I did get a bite but only on my hand, I believe libs got a bite on her bum!! Did bleed though, my hand, don’t know about libs bum!!! What an amazing day, think this inner reef was even more colourful and had more fish than the outer reef, definitely had more turtles, which had been our aim today!! On the way home there was still no wind but gazing out over the sea we saw dolphins, flying fish and a sea snake (quite stunning glittering on the water) swimming along in the crystal clear waters of the coral sea, amazing day, fantastic. All too soon back on land, went into bar for drink and oysters then home. Had dinner and the kids so tired we all had early night. A day to remember forever.
1st April
In car most of the day, arrived at Agnes Water quite late but had lovely dinner after finding accommodation for night.
2nd april
Went bodyboarding on beach, great fun, first place for ages we have not had to wear stinger suits, great. This afternoon went out on kayaks, lovely paddle and then went surf kayaking, fantastic fun. Watched the sun go down from beach, was awesome.
3rd April
Went to the beach at 1770 first thing and had great fun in the surf but on the walk there nearly trod on a snake and screamed so loud, woke all of 1770 up. The surf was very strong and jim got soaked trying to fish but we played in the sea.
Most of day in car again but stopped at Maryborough to show the girls Mary Poppins authors birthplace. Arrived at Rainbow Beach quite late, got settled and booked tour to Frazer Island tomorrow.