Stingers, Crocodiles and other things

Greetings from Cairns! Another humid, hot, overcast day. . .at least in this weather, the swelling of my fingers is kept under control and I can bend my fingers! Yesterday I called home to my mom and dad and had a good chat with them. I heard my boy barking in the background and I said that that was because he knew it was his mama on the phone, but really, he was barking at the neighbors going by outside! I don't think my mom and dad are going to want to give Horton back when I come home! One thing I have noticed down here is that absence of dogs in public. I have seen a few here and there, but nothing like what you see in North America and definately no basset hounds! My poor boy would die in this heat!

Oh the joy of stingers! Because of the stingers, otherwise known as jelly fish, I have been unable to swim in the ocean yet, unless I want to don this lovely full-body lycra suit known as a stinger suit. When I was on my SCUBA trip, everyone had to wear one - thankfully I got to wear a wet suite (not that it looks much better ;) I guess these little jelly fish pack quite the punch and if you are lucky enough to get stung by one, you are as good as dead! Serious. Although there is vinegar placed on most of the public beaches if you get stung, you pretty much don't have a hope in hell in surviving the shock and the cardiac arrest that follows. So, just to be on the safe side, I have stayed away from the beaches. . . I will go down to them but I won't even just dip my toe in. And then there are the crocodiles. . . .

Yesterday I drove northwards up the coast up to Cape Tribulation, stopping at every marked "walk" there was. I seem to have developed this liking of "walks" while I have been on this holiday. That and they are pretty much just nice little boardwalks through either the rainforest or the mangroves with interpretive panels. . .really, this is my speed! I really enjoying walking through the rainforests. The sounds and the smells and the sights are truly amazing. . .it is a walk for all of the senses.

Walking through the mangroves on the other hand, well, that is where the edge started to creep in. Everywhere up the coast are these warning signs about crocodiles and how you have to be careful about them and how they are in the rivers and close to the beaches. Well walking through the mangrove, I realized that this was prime crocodile habitat!

Then I also got thinking that why would they put a public boardwalk through crocodile habitat?! In any event, I spent the better part of that walk keeping my eyes posted for 2 beady little eyes that might be stalking me and about what my defense plan would be should one attack me. (Like I would have a hope in hell of surviving!) Then I got to thinking about how bad the pain would be and wondering that if I poked it in it's eyes whether or not it would just be more pissed off or if it would let go of me. Oh the things I think about when I am left to my own devices! In any event, I didn't see any crocodiles! (They warn you not to dangle your feet off of the dock into any rivers around here. . .they will eat you!)

Also during my time going up the coast I got to thinking about how I hadn't seen any greebly creatures yet except for a cockroach in Sydney outside the size of my thumb (which totally freaked me out!) Lo and behold, last walk of the day and I decide to stop off at the outhouse (you know me and my bathrooms) and what do I see as I am walking up there stairs but this big ass spider in it's web off to my left. And when I say big, I mean BIG. This was no Charlotte from Charlotte's web! This was one bigass spider who would give Horton a run for his money. My picture doesn't do it justice but to give you an idea of it's size, it was probably the size of my hand!

Today I am heading off to Perth to see my friend Carly. . .the reason for this holiday. I was supposed to head out this morning but my flight got changed and now instead of flying through Ayers Rock (Uluru) I am flying through Brisbane and am leaving much later in the day. This is giving me an opportunity to check out Cairns a bit since I have pretty much just flown into and driven out of here.

Last night I discovered that they too have white trailer park trash in Australia and they all eat at Sizzler. Yes - I went to Sizzler! I was craving a baked potato, ribs and some salad and I had seen some ads on TV so on my way to my hotel, I passed one and thought to myself - EUREKA! Well that was short-lived! I ended up having the salad bar (finally - some greens) but when it came to my entree time, they were all out of ribs and I really didn't want anything else. While I was there, I witnessed the carnage of buffet eating - Sizzler rivals Bonanza when it comes dining - oh yah baby! I swear, every trashy person was there with their snotty, screaming kid - and me!

One thing that this trip has reminded me, is that I don't really like travelling by myself. I don't mind it during the day but it is at night that I really seem to get bored with myself. At least when I was staying in Sydney, I had Bill to look forward to each night. Right now, all I have to look forward to is supper with my Suduko book (that is keeping me entertained in restaurants!) So here is the call out. . .I am heading to India in late August/early September. . . and am looking for a travel partner - even if for only part of it!

(PS - sorry for the formatting. . .can't seem to figure it out today!)

Finding Nemo!

(this is me and Aidan - my SCUBA instructor)

OMG - what an amazing day - I found Nemo!!!!! Today I went out to the Great Barrier Reef on the Quicksilver - a smaller snorkel/dive boat out of the Port Douglas Marina. There were about 50 people on board with the split being pretty equal snorkelers vs. divers. I decided to try my hand at SCUBA diving as they were offering an introductory sessions . . . let's just say that my first session didn't go well. I LOVE the water and I LOVE snorkeling but I am also very claustrophobic. I have no problem breathing under water and I did very well on the skills portion of my first dive. There I was, under the water about 4 metres down waiting for the next person when I started to have a panic attack (or at least what felt like one) and ended up going to the surface and gave up on that dive. I ended up snorkeling at that part of the reef and to be honest, was very disappointed by what I saw or in this case, didn't see. I felt that I had seen much better fish in both Mexico and Hawaii. I wasn't about to be defeated though. When we got to the 2nd location, I thought "f*%k it - I may only get here once so I had better suck it up and conquer this mind over matter thing" and then I prayed. I prayed A LOT. Seriously, I put turned to my faith in God and I let him guide me through this journey and what a journey it was! The world under the sea is absolutely amazing! Once again, I shed some tears in my snorkel mask (seems to be happening a lot of this trip) and counted my blessings. I am so very lucky to have been able to come down here and to experience the Great Barrier Reef. I ended up going for 2 dives and my deepest depth was 10.6m.




This is Four Mile Beach

It is currently pissing down rain here and is about 30C still. It is supposed to rain like this for a couple of more days up here. . .I guess Cyclone Helen just passed through the north end of the state and this is the reminants of here. The weather in Perth is smoking hot right now and I am so looking forward to some more sunshine. Yesterday it was somewhat overcast and my lily white skin managed to get some colour.


I have included yet another nasty fashion picture. . .this one was taken this morning when I was waiting for my bus for my trip. Gotta love the silver shoes. . .I am sure I am going to get struck down by a bolt of lightening one of these days, but at least I am going to happy when it happens!!!!!



Yesterday was market day here in Port Douglas. I guess every Sunday they set up a market down by the water where the local peddle some of their tacky tourist wares. In amongst all of the tackiness there were a few gems to be had.

I also took a quick drive up to the Mossman Gorge which is up in the Daintree National Park which happens to be a tropical rainforest. On my way there I passed through an Aborigine village. I also realized when I was there, that once again I hadn't let anyone know where I was going and all I could think about were the salt-water crocodiles that live in the rivers and thought that what if one eats me. . .how will anyone know? Will I be able to fight it off? Oh the thoughts that run through my head when I am in the bush! Here is a self portrait of me in the forest. . doesn't do it justice. . .maybe tomorrow pics will be better!
Well I gotta run. . the lady is cleaning up around me and I guessing that my time is almost up. Once again, a most fabulous day. . .probably one of my best in my life! AMAZING!!!!

Blue Mountains and Beyond

Yesterday, which is really today for all of you in Canada - I took the train out to the Blue Mountain National Park - I reckon that this is akin to going to Banff. My personal travel consultant, Bill, suggested that I go down to the Three Sisters when I got to Katoomba and that I could go for a walk aka hike. Now those of you who know me well, know that I don't "hike" - I like to think that I do, but really, I don't. So after checking out the trails at the visitor centre, I started my "walk" - OMG - I damn near died in spots! It was up and down and up and down and cliff edges and then I got to thinking that no one knew where I was going and if something happened to me, would Bill remember what I was wearing so he could tell the authorities. And then I got thinking that if something happened to me, I would try and snap a picture b4 my demise so the authorities would have a bit of a clue as to what happened to me. Well about almost 2 hours of walking I emerged from the forest unscathed and waited for the trolly to take me back to the train station for my 2 hour journey home. I could probably have spent at least 1 more if not 2 more days in the Blue Mountains walking (who would have guessed that I like hiking!)

Transit. . .oh wonderful Sydney transit. . . this city know how to run a transit system. Firstly, there are people who work at each station and can give your directions and tell you what trains to take. Secondly, it seems to move you everywhere. The other day I bought a daytripper pass for $16 and it covered all ferries, buses and trains - all of which I used that day. I have never waited more than 5 minutes for anything in this city when it comes to transit and have found it to be a very effective way to get around.

As I mentioned in a previous post today - I didn't bring a voltage adapter. So that means no hairdryer, no straightener - no iPod rechard (I brought the old iPod - new one still MIA) and the iPod only lasts about 3 hours and then it is toast. So so much for my idea of lounging by the pool listening to music! In any event, the hotel has a hairdryer (yea!) and I reckon that Carly will have one as well, so gone are the days of looking like a drowned rat!

Bill my hotelier, chef, travel consultant has been wonderful! As I mentioned before, I have never met Bill and he has never met me - we just have a mutual friend - Tylor who I think sprung my arrival on him at the last minute. I think the key to a successful trip is to either spend it with someone that you like or spend it with cool people that you meet - in this case it was the later. He has been very patient with me and my 101 questions about Australia - everything from maternity leave benefits (which he so nicely explained that he knows nothing about) to mortgages and mortgage rates to the absence of coloured people here. Every day I would come home with my Bill List (which I would keep track of in my little book that I have with me). Let's just say that I think he humoured me each day!

Well as mentioned in a previous post, I am now in Port Douglas and I have wandered into town and found a much cheaper internet place. Tomorrow is relaxation day and on Monday (which will be your Sunday) I am going diving out at the reef - should be fun!

Until then. . .have a great night!

Pictures. . Finally!

The Sydney Opera House

This is the backfat lady. . .check out the outfit. . .sorry I couldn't rotate the image. . . my technology is limited here!




This is me "walking" aka hiking in the Blue Mountains. . .watch for that blog!



The Sydney Bridge where I had my little breakdown. .






Me at the Gap -no not buying cloths!

RELAXATION!!!

Greetings from Cairns - pronounced Cans and Port Douglas!

I am behind on my posts but I don't have my little book with me that I put down little tidbits so I don't forget them when I do my blog - so you probably won't get yesterday's blog until tomorrow. I need to find an internet cafe in Port Douglas as internet is $10 for 30 minutes here at the resort.

So I have finally hit the relaxation portion of my trip but it took until 3pm to reach it. My flight left Sydney this morning at 10am. I took Virgin Blue up to Cairns. I think that they are the discount version of Virgin Atlantic - can't say that I was overly impressed. The seat spacing rivals Air Transat and you have to pay for everything and when I say everything, I mean everything. If you want a glass of water, they will give you a glass of ice and put hot water in it to melt the ice. They charge for water, pop and food. A can of pop is $2.50 - but it is all served with a smile. Thankfully I am only flying with them up to here. . . I am on Quantas for the rest and they are supposed to be much better. Let me tell you, it is a far cry from Executive First on Air Canada. . . .see. . .this princess can do economy!

I have rented a car for this portion of the trip. I seem to have this thing for industrial parks. . . I always seem to find them wherever I go. I took the wrong turn out of the airport (on the right side of the road) and instead of taking some scenic highway up the coast I wound up in an industrial area surrounded by oil tanks. I consulted my trusty little map and managed to find my way back to where I was suppose to be going. . . all the while sitting on the wrong side of the car on the wrong side of the road!!! Thankfully - I have an automatic! One thing about driving down here is that they LOVE their roundabouts aka traffic circles. Now as hard as I might try to signal properly, I only ever turn on my windshield wipers b/c my signal indicator and my wiper thing are reversed and whenever I go to signal, I hit the wipers and the chaos ensues!

It was a lovely drive up the coast (once I got going in the right direction on the wrong side of the road). It kinda reminds me of the sea to sky highway going up to Whistler. . . all of the turns and the narrow road. There are even watch out for kangaroo signs similiar to our deer signs. Still haven't seen a 'roo yet but I am keeping my eyes open.

The resort that I am staying at is nice. I keep having to remind myself that I am in a tropical place and thus resorts will have a tropical feel to them. . .and this one does. Think shell pink and mint green. . .oh yah baby. . .back in the 80s! I only hoping to finally be able to blowdry my hair while I am here, as I forgot to bring a voltage adapter and I have been going with bad hair since I have arrived. . .not a happy girl! I am telling you, I looked like a drowned rat the entire time I was in Sydney. . .I don't have hair that doesn't require doing.

Tonight I am going to head into Port Douglas for dinner. . .the thought of spending $79 on a buffet dinner is a little hard for me to swallow. . even if it is seafood and probably just check out the resort. I spent some time at the pool today but I am trying to ease my lily white skin into the sun. . . I am still terrified of frying! My reef trip is booked for Monday, so tomorrow is a full on relaxation day! Yeah!

Until I find cheaper internet. . . .H

Bridge, Bay, Bondi, Backfat & Bill

Oh what a lovely day today has been! Bill (the guy that I am staying with - more on him in a bit) helped me plan out my day today and what a great day it has been - although, I think I am a tad crispy in some areas (ie. back of my neck)

I took the train/subway across the Sydney bridge and walked back towards Circle Quay and the Sydney Opera House. While I was on the bridge, I had a good cry. Yes - a cry. In the middle of my walk across the bridge, I realized just how damn fortunate I am to be experiencing this opportunity and just how rich and full my life is. Who would have thought that a bridge could do that to a girl, but it did!

After the bridge breakdown, I wandered around an area called the Rocks - one thing I have noticed is that my feet are swollen from the heat. I don't have cankles yet - but I am sure if you give it another day, my legs will look like tree stumps! I then took the ferry across to Manly Bay - the views from the ferry of the bridge, the opera house and the Sydney harbour are amazing! I have a ton of pictures but for some reason I am having a dickens of a time uploading them onto here. . .I will keep on trying. I think it was on this ferry ride that I started to fry so when we got back to Circle Quay, I bought myself a new hat that shades my neck and it was here while I was waiting of my next ferry - I did the unthinkable - I took a picture of a lady who was wearing a truly nasty outfit!

This woman was wearing what looked like a yellow terry cloth strapless tanktop that zipped up the back with a white skirt and these silver, lace up your leg sandals. Now I know you are probably thinking that that doesn't sound that bad - but it gets better. This woman was 60+ - so in other words, not an age appropriate outfit and it accentuated her back fat! I have a pictures that I will find a way to post b/c it was bad!

Next I took the ferry out to Watson's Bay and then the bus down to Bondi Beach - OMG - the people! It is summer break for a lot of people right now and it was packed! I went into the water up to my knees - the ocean was damn cold and I didn't need to swim that badly. One thing I have noticed down here is that there isn't a lot of fat people - not like the US and a lot of men where Speedos - not a good thing! Why can't guys embrace board shorts or something?! Really, the banana hammock is not appealing. Mind you, they could all think like me (yes, I donned a bikini) and thought - hell they don't know anyone down here so why not?! There is some skin on me today that has never seen the light of day and it did today. There were a few topless people on the beach but there was no way that I was exposing the girls to the sun. . .last thing I need is for them to burn!

Lastly, I am staying with this wonderful fellow named Bill who has so graciously taken me in and doesn't seem to be a mass murderer! Seriously though, he rents my friends Tylor & Viv's terrace from them (they are now in London, England) and when I told Tylor that I was heading down this way, he offered for me to stay at their terrace - so luckly Bill - he gets a house guest! He has put up with my 101 questions and I have written down many more for him for when I get back tonight. . . .the man has the patience of a saint if he is putting up with me!

And oh yah. . . . I am in LOVE. . . . .no, not with Bill, but with Sydney! Yes - she who never wanted to come to Australia in the first place has fallen absolutely in love with the place. I have always been drawn to places by the water - it re-energizes me. This city is absolutely gorgeous and every neighborhood has it's own personality. I think I could spend a month here just getting to know all of the different areas. I am thinking that maybe Shell could open an office here and I could staff it. . .yah, that sounds like a good idea. . . .oh yah, I couldn't bring Horton though. . . so maybe not the best idea. But in any event, I love this city. . .the architecture is amazing and I surprised at how much different areas remind me of New York. . . mom and dad - I can't wait to share some tips with you for your trip here in February.

Well I am going to run. . . I am feeling grimy and have sand in places that shouldn't have sand and Bill will be home soon and he was going to cook me supper. . .maybe have a barbie!

The Bridge Bawler aka Heather

I am a Princess & Down Under Day 1

Well today you are going to get a double dose of my adventures but I have decided to post them in 2 separate blogs b/c they are distinctly different.

First off, my flight. . .my beautiful flight! I can't begin to tell you how great my trip down was. I was thankful to see that I wasn't the only one up front who took pictures and was giddy upon boarding. My understanding was that there were 25 cabin crew for this flight and I would say that at least 10 of them were dedicated to first class. The service was 2nd to none and they treated everyone like royalty. The only downside was that the bed wasn't really that comfortable. About 7 hours into the flight I found an amazingly comfortable position and spend the rest of my flight like that. Basically I felt like I was sitting in the palm of someone's hand.

Before I boarded the plane, I set my watch to Sydney time and I managed to stay awake until about 9pm Sydney time and got about 7 or so hours of sleep and arrived with NO jet lag! Yeah!
(This is the self-serve bar on the plane - there was always something to snack on and drink)

I managed to find where I was staying rather easily. I took a quick shower and then went out exploring Newtown (which is the area of Sydney that I am staying in). A few things that I have noticed - it is bloody expensive here. At the chemist aka drug store, mascara is $27!!! Crazy isn't it?! When I did finally find a Starbucks - a venti, non-fat, no-whip mocha is $6.70! That is enough to cure me of my coffee habit!

After touring around Newtown for about an hour I decided to get on a bus and see where it took me - fortunately I hoped on one that was going into downtown Sydney or the CBD (central business district) as they call it. From there, I came across an information booth and got myself and map and got oriented. The info booth happened to be in front of one of my favorite things - a church! There is some truly amazing architecture down here! From there I went to Darling Harbour and spent the better part of the afternoon just walking around - taking it all in.

The other thing about Sydney is the shopping!!!! And the shoe stores! I saw so many shoe stores and started to get really excited when I quickly learned that people here don't seem to enjoy where quality footwear. Everything is synthetic (hello foot sweat) and is made in China. In fact, all of the clothes are made in China and the chances of an XL fitting over my ta-tas is next to none! So, I have been spared from shopping at least.

I loaded up on Australian sunscreen yesterday - the strongest they sell is a 30 (at $15/bottle) but it seemed to do the trick as I didn't fry like I thought that I would - hell - I didn't even get any colour!

All in all, my first day was good - I survived and I am still having a hard time believing that I am hear!

Now on to day 2. . . .