Australia

Australia was our first western country since leaving home which brought with it a slightly different mindset, one less focussed on the culture and history (of which we all know there is none) and one more on the beauty, experiences and lifestyle it has to offer. Australia was also the place that we had arranged to meet Dan's parent to celebrate his 30th birthday which we had been excited about for a long time. What we didn't know though was that our parents had plotted a surprise visit by Susie's Mum and Dad as well.

After a brief stay in Brisbane, we headed up the Sunshine Coast on the comically named Bruce Highway, making straight for Australia Zoo to pay homage to the late Steve Irwin. Crikey. As well as seeing an impressive array of crocs, koalas and other indigenous wildlife, Susie managed to sweep up an award for best animal impersonation in the 5,000 seater crocoseum. A couple of nights in Noosa gave us time to explore the eucalyptus and tea tree filled coastal national park as well as engage in Australia's flat white culture, a cross between a cappuccino and a latte for those not in the know. At Rainbow Beach further up the coast, we did a days kayaking on the ocean in search of dolphins with an impressive multi-coloured sand dune back drop, as well as visit an unusual tanin-coloured lake. Next we flew to the idyllic coral cay eco-island 80 km offshore called Lady Elliot for four days of some of the best diving we've done. Alongside seeing all the giant turtles, sharks, rays, wrecks, coral reef and beautifully coloured fish, it gave us the chance to obtain our advanced diving qualification.

We had one more night back in Brisbane where we went to an aptly named world music gig called 'From Tibet 2 Timbuktu', and then we flew to the Whitsunday Islands where we were greeted to our amazement by not just Dan's parents but Susie's as well. After a frantic first couple of hours of overexcitement and us all trying to catch up with each other, an incredibly relaxing five days ensued in a beautiful resort on Hamilton Island. Our days were spent doing morning family yoga (yes even our dads joined in), endless hours of eating and drinking, sailing hobie cats and a flight over the Great Barrier Reef on Dan's birthday.

After a decadent start to our time together, our private plunge pools were swapped for the open ocean as we sailed around the Whitsundays on a 41 foot catamaran called Stargazer for five days. Some strong winds made for some great sailing in the sun through turquoise waters past pure white sand beaches and deserted islands with barely another vessel in sight. Each evening we anchored in a bay even more beautiful than the last with the opportunity for some great snorkeling on the reef and nights sleeping on the trampoline under the millions of southern hemisphere stars.

Finally we all flew to Sydney and after cruising Bondi, the harbour, the restaurants, the gardens, a night at the opera house and Watsons Bay, it was an emotional farewell. We had the pleasure of staying with friends Dave and Dawn in Sydney and had a lovely time with them including a trip to the Blue Mountains for a days canyoning. Perhaps just slightly out of our depth given our non-existent experience, we had one of the most adventurous days we've ever had abseiling down waterfalls, squeezing through rocks and jumping off cliffs into near-freezing water, all in a stunning setting with the feel that time had stood still for millions of years. The only downer, the attack of the leeches.

Australia clearly has a lot to offer from what relatively little we saw and the draw to migrate is very apparent. Australia for us though will always be remembered by the most memorable time we shared with our parents after eight months apart.

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas from New Zealand!

Click on the album cover below to see some more of our pictures.

Australia

Love Susie and Dan xx