travelZaustralia: November 2014

November 12 - 14, 2014 - Airlie Beach, Queensland -View from our balcony and our flight over the Great Barrier Reef and a few islands.

At the airport for our flight to the reef

Taking off.

Heading out to the reef.

An island stop on the way to the reef.

On the way to the reef

The Great Barrier Reef.

Heart Reef

On the way back from the reef.

More from the reef.

Guess who is in the front passenger seat?

November 14 - 21, 2014 - Drove over 400 miles north to Trinity Beach, Queensland, which is just north of Cairns. We are now at the northernmost drivable point on the east coast of the continent without going on questionable dirt roads, i.e., the outback. Checked into our apartment that we have for a week. When we got there they gave us a 2 bedroom 2 bath apartment on the top floor (4th floor), facing the ocean - or as it is called here the coral sea. We have a huge apartment that is easily twice the size of our previous apartments that we had in Arizona. It has a large balcony that faces the ocean, although it is not an unobstructed view as there is quite a bit of greenery around here. The weather is set to be around 85 degrees all this week. This is a very quiet small town that has very secluded beaches and a very small town feel. We are only about 10 miles from Cairns, which is a large town.

End of the road on the north east coast

Trinity Beach town

Our apartment in Trinity beach

Main street by the beach

We drove north about 60 miles to the end of the road just to see what was there. A VERY small town. Had lunch up there before returning to Trinity Beach.

Enjoyed walking on the beach and around town as well as the views.

On the 19th went out to the Great Barrier Reef, but about 500 miles north of where we were previously. The last time we flew over it. This time, we took a boat out to the reef where we spent the day. I did 2 scuba dives and saw the Great Barrier Reef up close. Great coral and many species of fish. Saw 2 sharks and a huge turtle swimming at about 60 feet below the surface. Came face to face with a fish that was about 4 feet long and probably weighed in at 200 pounds. Actually got to touch him. Lori went out on a glass bottom boat and a semi-submersible sub for viewing. Met a great person from San Diego named Tucker. He was travelling around the world on a somewhat hectic schedule as he had tours planned in various countries and expected to complete it in about 2 months. Back on the boat to return to the continent after a long and very tiring day. Ready to get back to the apartment and relax.

Looking down into the water at the reef The color looks washed out from above the water.

Bunch of snorkelers at the reef

Through the window of the semisubmersible sub

November 21 - 24, 2014 - Left the north part of the continent and began a very long road trip south down to Melbourne, Victoria. It is over 2,000 miles. We went inland through the "outback" for the trip which we did at a rather hectic pace of 4 days. Mainly because there are not many towns that we could stop at for the night and there is nothing to see out there. Just a lot of land, farms and ranches and nothing. Did have an Emu cross the road in front of us and we had to come to almost a complete stop. Saw a lot of road kill kangaroos on the trip, but none were viewed live as most are not active during the day as it is too hot. Glad to arrive in Melbourne.

November 24 - 29, 2014 - Stayed in Melbourne this week and explored this big city. The city has more than 4,000,000 people and a really nice place. The weather is a bit cooler. Have had to wear jeans instead of the shorts that we have worn over the last few months. Lot of great sidewalk cafes and great food. Did tours of town by free tram and walking. Lots of walking. One of the most interesting was the tour of parliament. Interesting exposure to a different form of government. Will be heading out of town tomorrow and heading west on the great ocean road.