HI ALL, WE ARE IN CAIRNES AUSTRALIA, WE STAYED 3 NITES IN SYDNEY, WHAT A CITY, WATER FERRIES EVERYWHERE AND WHAT A GOOD THING BECAUSE IF WE HAD TO DRIVE IT WE WOULD HAVE BEEN UP A CREEKIN THE CITY, THEY DRIVE ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD.
WE RENTED A CAR AND OFF WE GO UP NORTH. FROM SYDNEY WE DROVE ALONG THE COAST TOWARDS BRISBANE (650 MI). STOPPED ALONG THE WAY, THE BEST WE FOUND WAS AN INEXPENSIVE MOTEL RIGHT ON THE WAY IN A LITTLE TOWN CALLED SWANSEA. LOTS OF FISH & CHIPS AND MEAT PIES. THE CRUST IS MADE OF PHILLO DOUGH, YUMMY! IT TOOK US FIVE DAYS TO GET TO BRISBANE. GOT THOROUGHLY LOST IN THE BIG CITY OF BRISBANE. DAN'S NERVES ARE SHOT TRYING TO DRIVE ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE CAR, ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD. FLEW FROM BRISBANE TO CAIRNES (GREAT BARRIER REEF). CAIRNES IS TROPICAL, HOT, HUMID AND BEAUTIFUL. GOT THE SLOWEST, OLDEST, CHEAPEST BOAT IN THE FLEET OUT TO THE REEF. DAN LOVED IT. TOO MANY JELLY FISH AND OPEN OCEAN FOR ME. I JUST TRIED TO KEEP MY EYE ON HIS BOBBING HEAD. NOT AS MANY COLORFUL FISH AS WE HAVE IN HAWAII. AND OUT OF CAIRNES THE REEFS ARE NOT AS COLORFUL DUE TO THE POLUTION FROM THE CITY. WILL DRIVE NORTH TO PORT DOUGLAS WHERE APPARENTLY THERE IS LESS POLUTION AND THE REEFS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE MUCH BETTER. WE ARE STAYING AT THE NOVOTEL PALM COVE RESORT UNTIL THE 18TH. IT FEELS GOOD TO BE IN ONE PLACE FOR A FEW DAYS. HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! LOVE AND TAKE CARE. JOYCE & DAN
