Hi all
Before I left the sunny climes of Brisbane I got to go Dolphin spotting, it was the best day! We left from Redcliffe over to Moreton bay, the 3rd largest Sand island in the world. on the way we saw 4 dolphins. They turned the boat around to be nearer them and got the dolphins to 'surf' they swim just in front of the boat, almost under it. it was AMAZING so much better to see these animals in the wild! after that we saw 3 or 4 more and because the water is so clear you could see scratches on them etc.I took a film of them which is breathtaking!
We came into Moretod bay to look for Dungongs - weird looking animals, sea cows I think they are also call and turtles. We didn't see any dugongs but we saw at least 20 turtles, and again so clearly seen through the water, plus one or two came to the surface. We also saw lots of starfish on the bottom of the sea. just gorgeous. We had an hour on Moreton bay and it took about that long to get to the top of this MASSIVE sand hill. the view was amazing and after I had a well deserved dip in the sea!
Back on the boat we went snorkelling around the wrecks. it was stunning, we got to feed them and one fish nearly had my finger!!! so many colours and shapes, one with bright pink fins and others that looked v scary! so so good! I was such a great time!!
Before I left I also got to hang out with Amanda from NFA and her sister Katie, we went to see genuine rainforest, it was incredible how tall and wide these trees were and we saw a pademelon (its amazing how many names the Australians have for what is basically a kangaroon just big or small)
We saw the amazing glass mountains and had lunch overlooking the view and visited a little village and the curiosity shops!
I arrived at the airport about 4 hours before I flew as I could get a lift, my Mun would have been proud! I was able to drop my bags at 3, (2 hours before flying) and discovered my flight was delayed for 1 1/2 hrs!! Doh. Following Jo and Kev's advice i skipped off to the local outlet store on the courtesy bus and shopped for a bit. I couldn't buy much but got a few lovely little bits!
Sydney was interesting from the out start, the hostel wasn't sure they could pick me up due to the delay and i got the last shuttle bus, that was so full one guy was on the floor! had some Japanese tourist take my photo on the bus (!)and got to the backpackers which to put no finer point on it was a DIVE!! the girls in my dorm were lovely but i could have cried! I had a great day Sunday, went for a tour of the opera house and round the botanical gardens, then went to church with Louise and Mark Halling (from Southampton Uni days) Yesterday I hit the tourist info shop and have a huge list of things to do! I started with the powerhouse museum.
I got back to my digs and settled into my room for the nite feeling a little wobbly and down about the place I'd booked to stay! when one room mate mentioned these 'religious' types that come in every Monday and serve sausage sandwhiches! hmm i thought and popped down to ask where they were from, Hillsong Church they said! ah ah! I spent the next 2 hours chatting to them about why I was here, what I was hoping to get out of it and I'm going for coffee with one of the girls Tash on Wed and going to an event of theirs on Wed. It turns out this is the only backpackers they visit in Sydney! what are the chances!!
Today i move to a better backpackers, more central and hygienic! and get to hang out with Louise and go up the coast!!
