Wine and the 12 Apostles

Bay of Islands
Originally uploaded by katelljentreau.

Can't be long - time to check out for the very last time.

The last 5 days have been hectic, rushing from stop to stop in South Australia and Victoria in order to get to Melbourne in time to return the car (we didn't make it!).

On the way, we visited Clare valley wineries and samples their wares, passed about 100 Kangaroo warning signs, and 0 (live) kangaroos, drove at beakneck pace along the Great Ocean Road to see the stunning sights (it was heartbreaking to pass all that water and not get in).

When we finally reached Melbourne (late), we crossed the bay on the car ferry and dropped in on John, a former Bristolian and friend of my uncle Tony (Boris), to have some local fun.

Pictures later!

Christmas in Sydney (2)

A swim before Chrismas dinner
Originally uploaded by katteljentreau.

OK, this is the actual thing, presents and phonecalls and everything! We're sitting in Clare and Thurain's apartment eating Prawns and carpaccio Salmon for Christmas dinner.

We went to Bondai beach to pick up Joe today, it's large and wavy, but populous.

Next, we're flying to Adelaide, and touring to Melbourne.

Giant Spiders and Oases

Indian Head
Originally uploaded by katelljentreau.

Wow! Fraser island was great. I really had no idea how three days was going to be filled, but it certainly was - with rainforests, white sandy beaches on clear blue lakes, shark watching from cliff edges, shipwrecks, and submerged treasure.

CoolDingo and Kingfisher tours, personified by Graham the Ranger took us and 20 other 20-something nature watchers on a hectic and very bumpy 4wd tour of the beauty spots on the island. By night, we stayed in rather nice lodges overlooking a rather nicer hotel, and took to the local bar for cheap filling food and silly entertainments.

Highlights: Zoe went for a flight over the island in a tiny plane that took off and landed on the beach -- where the rest of us were swimming in a freshwater creek (the sea was off limits for any number of horrible reasons). Alex was attacked by a giant green insect, and later found a (probably enchanted) silver ring at the bottom of a lake. Katell spotted a giant turtle, and luxuriated in the 25 degree freshwater lakes.

Go to flickr immediately! and take a look at the pictures.

Leaving Cairns

That's it for Cairns - we did everything and now have to move on. Our final trip was the "Catcha Crab" fishing tour (Alex Katell & Joe), which took us out into the Bayoux to pick up some crab nets for lunch, and then line fishing off the side of the little barge.

Alex caught a gigantic fish the size of a dinner plate (pictures later), which we ate, sashimi style, on a dinner plate.

Next stop is Fraser island, where we will most likely be eaten by wild dingoes.

I have added more photos to Katell's Flickr Account and organised them - you can now click on photosets for Singapore, or the Great Barrier Reef.

Koalas and River Boats

It smells so *nice*
Originally uploaded by katelljentreau.

It's the third day in Australia now, and it seems like a week!

Today we ventured high into the tablelands of the Great Dividing Range, to visit Karanda village. Everyone except me cuddled a koala bear, and there were crocodiles and kagaroos. Especially good was a guided river tour, where we learned about conservation from a crusty australian.

Orchids & rain forests

It's Sunday, and this time we got up early enough to beat the rush to Singapore's botanical gardens.

The hot, wet climate here seems to suit plant life - the park is packed with plump, shiny plants, large & small.

The orchid garden is particularly interesting - and delightfully fragrant.

Tapirs & Bush Babies

Singapore is an exciting combination of western & eastern traditions - British red post boxes next to intricate Chinese temples.

We slept through the zoo opening hours by accident, so went to see the excellent night safari instead.

I'm trying very hard not to take advantage of the great prices of consumer electronics. So tempting!

Itinerary

This is a quick note about where we are going to be, when, so we can meet up with people.

• Singapore: 8-11th


• Cairns: 12-18th


• Brisbane: 18th-22nd


• Sydney: 22nd-26th


• Melbourne: ?-31st