Beautiful Uluru

After our few days in Port Douglas, we headed to Alice Springs for a 3 day trek in the outback. We had been told it was over 40 degrees so we were all trying to prepare ourselves for the intense heat, dust and flies, even buying fly nets for our heads! (after 8 weeks away looking good is the least of our worries!) Luckily when we got there the temperature had dropped by 5 degrees and there was a slight breeze so we could at least breathe! The first night we met up with Julie's old boss Steph and her husband who were on holiday for a lovely meal, and we spent the evening listening to the many tales Julie had to tell from her time in India!

The next morning we got up at 5am to get picked up and head out to the outback, our tour guide, Spud, was brilliant from the start, such a nice change from the idiot we had up the east coast! Our first stop was at a camel farm where Katie and Debbie went for a ride! it was hilarious! Very bumpy! We then headed out to Kata Tjuta (Valley of the Winds) for a 3 hr walk. It had got really hot at this point so we were all loaded up with water, sunscreen and everyone had a hat on! The walk was stunning, lots of climbing but well worth it when we got to the top, the views were amazing. Spud was full of interesting facts which Stacey loved, so when we get home you can ask her all about the geology of the place!

We then went to Uluru (Ayres Rock) to watch the sunset....wow....we got there and there were loads of tour buses with people gathered round eating and drinking! Spud then got out the champayne and cheese and biscuits and we sat around watching the beautiful colour changes of the big rock as the sun set. A real highlight of our trip.

That night we slept in these cute canvas tents, we were safaring in style!

The next morning we got up at 4am to watch the sunrise over Uluru, it wasnt as impressive as the sunset but still worth getting up for. we then went on the base walk around Uluru (the climb was closed due to high winds, but they dont like you to climb it anyway out of respect) it was a 9.4km walk, all flat but very hot, and it took us about 3 hours, but we were rewarded with cake when we got back to the bus so all good! We then spent an hour at the cultural centre, reading about aboriginal culture and having a quick power nap! we then went for a swim at a campsite and had a well needed shower! That night we stayed in a much more remote campsite where Debbie and Stacey decided they were going to sleep outside in swag bags! The other girls thought they were mad but it was actually really comfortable and cosy, sleeping under the stars with the 1000's of insects and dingos that also lived there!!

On our final day we headed to Kings Canyon for another 3.5 hr walk! again it was a stunning walk with views to die for! More useful facts were learnt and many photos taken, to to proove we were there!
We then headed back to Alice springs, visiting a singing Dingo on the way!

It was such a great 3 days, something really special to see and experience, but we were glad to get out of the heat and dust! So the thought of 8 days of home comforts with Auntie Pauline and Uncle Neil was very inviting! Clean clothes here we come!!

SNAKE!!!!

On the last day of our East Coast Tour we went to a crocodile farm. It had crocs that had been rescued in the local community, as well as crocs they were farming for their meat and skins (imagine battery hens, but replace the hens with crocs!!) At the end of the tour they got a baby croc out for people to hold. We were all very brave and had a hold of the baby croc and it was very well behaved, however when it was Kate's turn it started thrashing and scared the life out of her. They then brought a snake out for people to hold. At this point I just need to add that Kate has a phobia of snakes. The man came up behind Deb's without her knowing and dumped it on her shoulders, making her jump. She was very brave though and even posed for photos. There was no way Kate was going to hold it so kept her distance and even took pics of Deb's holding it. Well we were all about to get on the bus and Kate turns round and the guy is standing right next to her with the snake, she freaked and ran and he thinks this is really funny so chases Kate with it. She ran to the bus, turned around and he's still coming, so she jumps on the bus and runs to the back to hide behind Deb's and then he gets on the bus with it. Kate running to the bus also caused mass panic amongst the German's on our bus. It was like a stampede of wilder beast ! Kate was freaking out, trapped at the back of the bus, she couldn't breathe. Deb's shouted at the man and he finally got off, but it was too late, poor Kate just burst into tears. We can all laugh about it now but at the time it was awful.

Jungle Surfing!

On Tuesday morning Debbie decides to take her own life in her hands and make a decision for the whole group whilst they are sleeping!!! Risky we know, but she for some reason was feeling forceful!! So after a quick chat with reception she books 4 people (Stacey decided to chill out for the day) on to Jungle Surfing in the Daintree Rainforest! What she didnt realise was they would have to drive there themselves and it was nearly 2 hours away! So not only did she book jungle surfing she also booked a hire car and had 30 mins to wake everyone up and get them pumped for some adrenalin fuled fun!

Luckily the rest of the girls were up for it so they headed up the coast in the groovy litte honda, Kate drove there and Debs drove back. Once there they were all kitted up in lovely helmets, each with their own cartoon character on there. Debbie - King Kong, Julie - Rocky, Katie - ET and Jen was somethign like Roger Rarrbit who we didnt know so she became Roger rabbit!!

The next 3 hours involved them jumping off ledges many feet up and flying through the rainforest at top speed! many of the wires were dont in pairs, and the first person had to just hang there whilst the other person was getting ready! So when Julie got a bit scared all Jen could do was wait patiently before Jules came hurtling towards her!!

The last wire was the best, we had to hang upside down like a bat and fling ourselves through the trees dangling down! Kate got the shock of her life when the instructor told her to mind the man eating python who could jump 10 metres in the air!! Katie and Debbie also licked a green ant!! Just like a very sharp lemon!! Something is making me want to shout....'I'm a celebrity.....'!

It was a fun day and we got great views over Cape Tribulation as well so managed to see a bit! The drive was also very pleasant with a little stop for ice cream on the way back! The guy at the car hire man found us all slightly amusing commenting on our tans by calling Debbie a native and jenny Casper the friendly ghost!!

That night the girls decided it was time they lived the high life and all put on their dresses and had oysters and champayne!! lovely!! Who says you cant back pack in style!!

Port Douglas & Gt. Barrier Reef

After only a night in Cairns we headed up to Port Douglas which is a beautiful Marina town. The town is very quaint and had the loveliest shops which Katie and Stacey found entertained their time, they just had to remember that its all got to fit in there backpack.....although that's what the postal service is for right??

Our Hostel was nice and really centrally located with friendly laid back staff. One of the main attractions of Port Douglas is the Great Barrier Reef, so we booked ourselves on a snorkeling trip. We were a little disappointed that we wouldn't be able to go scuba diving but due to the time of our flight the next day the pressure wouldn't be any good on our body and we decided that you would all rather have us back as one piece!

We weren't sure what the weather would be like out on the reef due to the Cyclone that was near by and a number of the trips had been cancelled that week but by the time that we went out the weather was a bit better but the boat ride was very choppy. Our first stop off was at a reef called the Playground and the variety of fish were amazing and there was some spectacular purple coral. It was quite hard work snorkeling with the current as it kept pushing us further out but we still managed to see a great deal. The second stop was at a reef named Halloween and if we thought the variety of fish had been spectacular at the first stop then we were in for a nice surprise as they got even better and the water had also calmed down so was much easier to swim around and see them all.

Our final stop was at a reef called Swallow and for this snorkel we had our a reef guide who was excellent, he would dive down and collect different types of fish and coral for us to hold. Unfortunately we don't have any photos so you can all do your homework and find pictures online. The first was a sea cucumber and a pineapple sea cucumber they were strange to touch and when you held them you could feel them pulsate. We also held a mushroom coral which had a harder texture and when lifted out of water and into sunlight it would produce its own natural sunscreen. I think personally that one of the best underwater creatures that we got to hold was the Purple star fish that was bigger than your hands and being able to hold it was fantastic.

A good day was had in the water and if was definitely the best variety of fish that we had ever seen. Our only disappointment was that we never got to find Nemo, just his cousin a black clown fish, so the search continues.

I hope you have enjoyed your underwater experience!

Love you all lots xx

Can we have a yacht please?

Well after leaving Kroomit we headed further in land to a place called Carnarvon Gorge which was inside a national park and we stayed in some really sweet canvas cabins. It was back to basics for the kitchen which didn't help as we were cooking for both our bus and the south bound bus, a total of 34 people and our stupid bus driver didn't have a clue - just as well us girls knew how to cook! We managed to feed everyone so we all had lots of energy the next morning for our 15km walk through the national park. We saw our first snake in the bush - a yellow bellied snake - that was apparently poisonous, we didn't hand around that long to find out.

After leaving Carnarvon we had a nice twelve hours on the bus to Airlie beach and to get ready to sail around the Whitsundays. Our accommodation was probably the worst that we had stayed in and the mouse droppings in the bathroom and frogs in the shower didn't help! Sue G you would have been there with your bottle of dettol before you let us sleep there, so we decided that a few beers wouldn't make us worry as much and it seemed to work.

We headed out the next morning to the Marina to board our new home Boomerang and meet our crew, Kane, Max and Trevor. The weather wasn't great but we were all quite excited about the trip, so once we had found our seat on the side of the boat with our tasteful yellow rain macs on we were ready to set sail. We managed to do a lot of snorkeling in different areas of the Whitsundays and managed to see some beautiful fish (lets just hope the underwater camera worked). We moored up the first night and there is something quite beautiful about sitting in the middle of the sea with all your friends a good dinner and some wine/beer - life is pretty good. We managed to all get in bed without hitting ourselves, if you could imagine small beds and then turn that in to a bunk fitted in to the boat and then imagine two people sleeping in them you have got our luxury suites. Jen and Stacey were top and tailing in one and Debbie and Katie in the other with Julie having five star treatment of her own single.

When we had breakfast the next morning you again had that reality check and this time the sun was also out - I wish every breakfast could be like this. We headed out to white haven beach which was just beautiful and how I imaigned all of Australia to look like. The sea was beautiful shades of blue and the sand was purest white (98% silica - i think that's how its spelt) we managed to get a little time lazying in the sun until the rain came but it didn't spoil the fun that we were having. We also got a chance to steer the boat (without crashing) and to help with the ropes and sails and to be honest i think the crew wanted us to stay for the entertainment value (YMCA on the dance floor we made) and our sailing expertise.

All in all it was an excellent three days and now we would like a yacht so that we could do this on a more regular basis.

Lots of love

The girls xx

Hey up-up-up-up-up....

After the adventures of Fraser Island we all headed to Kroombit Cattle Station. It was exactly as it sounds! In the middle of nowhere, basically just a collection of shacks and a few roaming animals. We were greated by some guys and gals in their cowboy boots and stetsons, brandishing whips! What have we let ourselves in for we thought!! It ended up to be a brilliant 2 days, full of the most bizarre but excelltn activities. The first night was taken up by a cross dressing party, the guys from our tour loved this a little too much and allowed us to plaster their faces with makeup. We of course went the whole hog and had fake tashs and beards, and a superb array of mens clothes - Katie went as a bull fighter, Debbie went as her alter ego Tony the gay Italien (but had a very good likeness to Timmy Mallett) Jules was a Genie in her Indian trousers, Stace was a Ozzy Copper and Jenny got far to into it if you ask me!! It was very amusing especially when we all had a go at cracking a whip, i think we all got quite good at it so watch out at home!! We then all took a turnon the mechanical bull! this was hilerous! Katie vaulted over the bull completley landing on the other side, Jenny was an expert and stayed in the longest, apparently Debbie lookedlike she was giving birth and the others took longer to get on it then they were actually on it for!!

The next day we went for a walk with our guide, and we had a go at the didgeredoo, much harder then it looks!!! then we had a go at throwing a boomerang. Debbie managed to take out the guide by hitting him on the ankle which apparenlty is where the aboriginies aimed for at war, I think he got the hint that Debbie really doesnt like him after that!!

We then all went for a goat muster on horse back!! After a leisurely horse trek we all had to round up the goats and herd them into a pen shouting Hey up-up-up-up! It was great fun (although Staceys horse trod on one of the goats legs and it cried and limped off! poor little thing) We then did a goat rodeo!! We hadto pair up and take it in turns to wrestle a goat to the floor and brand it!! Jen went with our new english friend Michelle, and they did a pretty good job. Kate and Debbie were next up and Debbie took charge of the goat, whilst Kate stood there ready with the branding iron!! After a quick wrestle Debbie managed to get the goat to the floor and branded in 25 seconds, the second fastest time! So they are now rethinking their careers!!

We then had a go at Clay pidgeon shooting where Jen and Stace proved a good shot (yet again Debbie got another bruise from holding the gun wrong!).

The last activity involved us all standing in a circle holding hands and being stunned by a cattle prod! After much persuasion they did it, Jules opted out of holding the cattle prod and got one of the boys to do it!! It was a very wierd sensation - but good fun.

The evening was then spent with some practice on the mechanical bull. Katie and Debbie managed to improve their bucks from 2 to 4 and Jen did something silly like 12!!

It was a really good couple of days, and we are all now walking like John Wayne, saying Howdie to everyone we meet!

Next stop Carnavon Gorge, but will let someone else fill you in....

Love to all

xxx

Fraser Island

Apologies for the delay but we have been without internet and mobile reception for the last few days and we have tried to workout how we used to cope.

So Fraser Island, this was one of the highlights we had been looking foward too and the only disappointment was the weather, although on the morning we woke up we had bright sunshine which naturally pleased us. We met our tour guide that would be looking after us for the two days and to our great relief it was the guide that we had from Adventure tours (as he is useless and is driving us all mad). We headed out on the ferry for a short ride to Fraser island which is the largest sand island in the world so rather strange that all driving rules apply when your on a beach. Our first stop was at Wabby lake and after the 2.5k trek we arrived and werent disppapointed by the view, the sand was really white the sjy blue, sunshine and a warm lake who could ask for more.

The weather unfortunately deteriated and the afternoon was a little gloomy but no worries the waterproof macs were with us but the flip flops werent great for climing up the rocks on Indian head. The food was good in the resort and the apartments were fine, although Jen was put in a different room. We all saw a Dingo and after all the warning we just froze in our groups but lucky for us it decided not to eat us for dinner.

After an early night we woke again to rain and it was such a shame as lake Mckensie was stunning and the water was so clear so we just had to visualise the sunshine. All in all a good trip it was just a shame that we didnt have great weather.

The following morning we were back on the mainland and we all got up at 6.30am for Sea kayaking, our instructor Bryon was definately worth the wait - if you know what i mean.....we didnt mind if we saw dolphins or not our eyes were already fixed on a spectaular object!! This was great fun and we almost survived the trip with out all getting soaked until Debbie and Katie got taken out by a wave and capised.

The next parts of the trips are to follow but we only have fifteen minutes until the internet closes and these stories are worth the wait.

Lots of love xx

Our arms will feel like they have been cut off!!

Hi fans

Just to let you know we are going to be without internet for the next five days so we wont have an updated blog and we still havent had a chance to update you on Fraser Island. We are constantly off doing one thing or another and todays we were in the ocean for 7am to Sea Kayak.

Anyway i am now late for the bus so love to you all and watch this space.

xxx

Wipe Out......

We started our East coast tour on Sunday and the first stop was at Mojo surf camp in a tiny place (whoops forgot the name begins with an A - will fill in later). We got there late evening so just had time for dinner (Fajitas - yum) before sitting round the camp fire. It was a really nice relaxed evening and time for us to bond with our new bus which is a mixture of German, French, Italian and of course us girlies. The camp fire soon moved to the beach, which was stunning with all the stars and one of the instructors brought along his guitar, although apart from Oasis - Wonder wall, Im not sure he knew anymore - Graz we needed you.

We were woken up at 6.30 am (nice), to have breakfast and put on those very flattering wetsuits. Once we were all ready we headed down to the beach to let the fun begin. We all had a brilliant time and we all managed to stand up (well Jules almost did, that will serve her right for taking the mick out of Stacey and saying she would be laughing at her trying to surf- in your face Burnett!). We swallowed half the ocean between us but all had so much fun, there are a few wounds from it though. Katie's finger bent back and looks slightly swollen now, Debbie stubbed her toe and Jenny smacked the board in her face and now has a red mark, but hey ho all in the life of surfer chicks.

We have now made our way up the coast and are in a city called Brisbane, we haven't ventured out yet but i'm sure the stories will follow.

Lots of love from the Surf Dudettes xx

Blueback Mountains

Well they were actually just called Blue Mountains but Stacey got it in to her head that they were called Blueback mountains so they have now been offically renamed. We headed out on an arranged day tour and our drive/guide was called Bill, the funniest man, the best part of these tours is going with people that know the areas so well that they show you the greatest spots for seeing birds (in this case the liar bird) or best photo opportunities. The mountains in Oz were very different from what we had seen in New Zealand, they were alot dryer and not so green but still very beautiful. The exercise helped us all but we have decided that we are not at our peak of fitness as we were all huffing and puffing when we reached the top.

After lunch we had a little art session, paper being the bark from the trees and colouring equipment being, coloured rocks with water to make the paint and twigs for the paint brush. We had to draw a story using symbols that he had shown us to represent people, animals etc. Once we had finished we had to explain the story to the group and Katie won so claimed her prize of an ice cream - yum.

In the afternoon we headed out for another walk where we got to see the three sisters and echo falls, it was 1896 steps to the bottom so we were rather relieved when he said we were getting the railway back up.....that was until we saw the railway, it was a vertical steep hill and a little scary but needless to say we made it to the top.

It was a tiring day but we made it out for a few drinks and to meet Julies friend Richard.

Friday was a bit of a wipe out as the weather wasnt great and Stacey was really ill so in bed all day so just a pottering day. In the evening everyone (except Stace) headed to the Karoke bar and hardcore Jules and Wendy didnt get in until 5.30am - i think they are feeling it today.

Today (Saturday) the weather isnt great but we headed over the Kings cross area for breakfast and met up with Stacey's friend Sara (Ramage - for those that know her) and we had the best breakfast and a good catch up. We are now taking it easy until our bridge climb this afternoon, so hopefully we will give an additional update tonight.

Love to you all xxx

George!!!!

As promised here are the photos of us on the bus with the driver George!!

Champagne and Cocktails

After drinking whatever the special was in the hostel bar, tonight we were going from rags to riches. Stacey had kindly been brought a gift voucher for a bar/restaurant called Iceberg on Bondi beach, so tonight was the night that the dresses were coming out.

In true backpacking style we had dinner (a pot noodle) and headed in our mode of transport (number 380 bus). We had asked George our bus driver to let us know when we got to the destination as none of us had been to Bondi so had no clue where we were going and a bus isnt quite the same as ablack cab. We made our way to the back of the bus and after we had been on the bus for a while we started to head down residential streets, then the bus stopped and the engine switched off and suddenly George looked round and remembered that he had forgotten to tell us to get off the bus. To begin with we werent sure if he was just joking, but oh no he wasnt and we know had to sit there for ten minutes while he took his break, so he kept us amused and let Debbie sit in the drivers chair, after the ten minutes were up he dropped us close to the bar (classy - im sure that we were the only guests that used that type of transport).

We arrived inside and the place was beautiful and definately the sort of back packing lifestyle that we would like. The champagne and cocktails were flowing, as were the oysters and cheese board and a good night was had by all. So thanks again for the present it was much needed.

The pictures of us on the bus and George are still to be uploaded.

xx

Sydney

After a short flight from Christchurch, we arrived in Sydney airport to beautiful sunshine and the excitment of meeting up with Julie Boo. Stacey had a really funny thought flying into Sydney that Jenny would be waiting at the airport. After all saying how nice that would be we got our bags and walked through to the arrival hall to nobody waiting, so we carried on to the hostel. It took us away to find Julie but i think the hostel knew when we had, it had all felt so familar and natural even though it had been weeks. We decided that tonight should be a quiet night so the three of us, Julie and a girl Julie had met called Wendy headed out for an Italian. On returning back to the hostel Jules went up stairs and the three of us headed to the hostel internet (because we are obsessed) and then we here the words "what do you have to do to get a hug around here" and in walked Jenny. If the hostel thought it was loud enough when we met Julie they really didnt know what had hit them, we all sat there in shock, Debbie falling off her chair and Katie asking "where she had come from" it was the best surprise that we had ever had and when you see the videos you wont stop laughing.....especially at the bit where Jenny finds Julie - Classic.

So we have gone from a three to five and now adding Wendy to the group we have become six, our very own tour guide. We have been very busy in Sydney and trying to fit in as much as possible, on the Tuesday we arrived we went on a free tour of the city (which was laid on by the hostel) and have seen a number of the sight, including eating lunch on the steps on the opera house overlooking the sunshine and harbour bridge - magical. That evening we met up with Graz's friend David (or Gutsey) who took us out for a few drinks and he certainly knew the way to a group of ladies hearts and took us to China town where we all looked liked we hadnt been fed for months - yum.

Wednesday we headed to the Zoo which was a great laugh and in the evening we went out for a dressed up night, but i will write a seperate post on that.

I have attached a few more photos and hope you enjoy them. Apologies to Sue G for not updating this sooner, we know your our number one fan - especially with Jenny here.

Love to you all xx