We enjoyed an amazing trip to Australia for 18 days in June to celebrate Mike's 62nd birthday.
While in Melbourne (weather like Oregon winter), we had the pleasure of spending time with Mike's niece, Josie, her husband, Joel and their 2 year old fireball, Jack. They invited us for a family weekend where we met Joel's wonderful family members in Wangaretta, about 3 hours' north of Melbourne. Good times, great food, exploring the region with hiking, wine and cheese tasting on the 3 day weekend (the Queen's birthday celebration weekend).
Following our extensive experiences in Melbourne and surroundings, we flew to Queensland for scuba diving and exploring the rainforest for a week, then flew back to Victoria. We enjoyed more time with Josie's in-laws, who hosted our visit once again, with one highlight of a personal winery tour at Pfeiffer wines, through our Nakedwines.com membership. What great adventures we shared!
So many stories fill our memories. For now, a photo menagerie will need to suffice. Google's Blogger is not user-friendly to allow me to adjust photos to the correct sequence, thus the random montage of our travels. There are links on some of the pics for more info, should you wish to know more about cassowaries and other things Australian!
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Albert, our Beijing friend,
holding up his triathalon medal |
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| Albert's photo on the dive boat, with him saying- "show off your long legs!" |
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| Twelve Apostles formations were totally awesome |
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| Local cab had great messages |
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| Rainforest ants were large, translucent and industrious |
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| barrel stave chair - comfy! |
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| fruit bats at dusk, hanging around |
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Cassowary sign - they are the
life source of the rainforest |
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| Cuttlefish at the Aquarium, Mlbn |
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Daintree Rainforest ice cream -
made with local delicacies |
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It wsa baby bat season
- watch for falling bats! |
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| dive platform on the dive boat |
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| Fearless on the slippery slope, Melbourne hiking trail |
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Full moon - Pt Douglas, QLD near Daintree rainforest,
super loud gaggles of parrots in the trees until dusk |
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| Riverboat Crocodile tour - they are big, ancient and leering! |
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| Watch out for the 'roos! |
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Koala butt :-) -
hey, at least we got a pic |
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With winemaker Jen. Her tagline:
Rock it like a Redhead! |
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| Rainforest trail break - tea, with Tim Tam slam and fruit |
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| Ned Kelly, Australia's most famous outlaw, at his final shootout |
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| Ned Kelly animated historical presentation, well done! |
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| Yummm. Ned Kelly , Steak & mushroom and other pastry pies |
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| Local pelicans and shorebirds |
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| Winemaker Jen & Mike during our tour |
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| Guess there's a message here - Pfeiffer winery sign |
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| Our personal tour with Jen Pfeiffer of her family winery - nice! |
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Pool@Lazy Lizard lodge,
Pt Douglas, QLD |
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Winemaker Jen showing her wares,
Rutherglen, VIC |
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Daintree rainforest trail, 2 mosquito bands
on my wrist plus bug spray |
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| Daintree rainforest trail |
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| Daintree rainforest bounty - what an incredible place |
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Salt House restaurant & bar
Cannes, QLD |
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| SCUBA girl on our liveaboard Ocean Quest |
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| Sea dragon, Melbourne Aquarium |
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| Shark baiting at night off stern of Ocean Quest dive boat |
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| Snorkel seen on many cars - for traversing flooded roadways |
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June is sugar cane harvest time.
A cool display at Cannes Museum |
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| Windswept hillside at 12 Apostles, Great Ocean Road, VIC |
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| Super fun wine tasting with Josie's in laws and family |
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| Winter at the 12 Apostles, Great Ocean Rd, VIC |
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| Beautiful beach trail and vista in Pt Douglas, QLD |
