Good times! part 2

"Just come on over and visit us in Australia!" we say, as if it were that easy. Despite extended invitations over the last year and a half, we take no offense that our friends and family back home have not just hopped on over to see us. We understand there's a few hurdles to overcome when considering a trip Down Under. I mean, we are on the OTHER SIDE of the planet, and EVERYTHING over here is poisonous or dangerous or might kill you, and that small fortune you were saving could be spent on the plane tickets ALONE. 

In addition, the trip takes more time, more money, and more stamina than one would think. For instance, your body-clock might get all wonky from spending an entire day of your life in an airplane. (Don't even get me started on the coping mechanisms needed for flying 13+ hours over water.) Upon arrival (or what I like to call that glorious feeling of landing and getting off the plane), you may experience sleep deprivation, disorientation, and sub-standard cognitive skills when dealing with the general public for the first 48 hours or so, but so what, you're in 'Stralyah now, mate! 
Since you probably only have a total of 14 days vacation (minus the 2 days spent getting here and back) you will most likely want to really SEE and EXPERIENCE as much of Australia as humanly possible. Trouble is, Australia is a big country. 

Sure, we will take you around our beloved capital city to check out the Australian War Memorial, the Botanic Gardens, the Old Parliament House, walk around Lake Burley Griffin, go on hikes to see kangaroos up close and maybe a platypus from afar, and of course, let you experience driving on the right side of the car on the left side of the road. However, I'm betting that Canberra is not your top destination spot and you will want to check out the more prominent features of Australia.... like... the gorgeous beaches, the big cities, and the National Parks. Perhaps you fancy a 4WD adventure in the outback, snorkel or dive the Great Barrier Reef, cuddle a koala, witness a crocodile from a safe distance, spot a dingo, wallaby, emu, echidna, etc. etc. etc. Inevitably all that fabulous stuff requires HEAPS more traveling around, which requires more money, more time, and more stamina. Think you got it in you? Then jetlag schmetlag, your new motto will be "sleep is for the weak!" 

Now that I've given such an enticing endorsement, hopefully some of you will continue saving up and making plans to come visit us in Australia. No worries though, the rest of you can continue living vicariously through my blog. :)

The prestigious award for actually getting their ass over here first goes to ..... (drum roll please) ... 
our wonderful friend Deb! 

She flew back with us from our stateside holiday in January to embark on a 2 week adventure of the Eastern side of Oz. She saved up her moolah, picked a reasonable section of the country to travel around, and kept to a healthy eating/exercise regiment. A fair amount of bourbon was consumed too, but so what, she was in 'Stralyah now, mate!

We all had an amazing time. Here's a few photos and highlights from that trip:

We snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef, spent 2 nights in a tree house in the Daintree rainforest, and hiked to amazing waterfalls along the Cassowary Coast. 

We sampled tasty beverages at Mango wineries in the Atherton Tablelands, strolled the beachside boardwalk in Cains, shopped at the markets in Melbourne, and visited the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

oh, and K rode a cassowary....

I said it before and I'll say it again, we had an amazing time! Check out more pictures of our trip with Deb by clicking on THIS.

Next up........ we are moving house again (in Canberra)!