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.