Glorious Sydney, Australia!!

Upon arriving to Sydney, we were treated to an opera at the famous Sydney Opera House.  We got to see "The Magic Flute" and it was spectacular!  The next day we took  a City Tour and we headed to The Rocks (historic area of Sydney), the suburbs (we saw Nicole Kidman's house), and the Royal Botanic Gardens.  After the city tour we headed back to the Opera House for a backstage guided tour.  Finally we visited Koala Park, where we were able to pet koalas, kangaroos and wallabies.  We also visited the National Opal Collection.  Opals are Australia's national gemstone.  We ended the night doing a Pub Crawl in the Rocks district.  :)

Hanging with the band at the Orient Hotel
Sydney Opera House & Sydney Harbour Bridge
Brad and the kangaroo
Cute koalas!!
We are petting Matilda the wallaby

Cairns

On our last day in Cairns we took the Skyrail through the rainforest.  We saw beautiful Barron Falls and had some great views!

Barron Falls
Silly tourists!!

View from Skyrail

Cairns

Brad was amazed by the fruit bats that were located a few blocks down from our hotel.  They were pretty big!!

Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef!  We were so excited to get here and see the reef.  We had to take a 2-hour catamaran trip out to the reef.  The snorkeling was absolutely amazing!  The coral and fish were absolutely beautiful.  Clown fish, yellow tangs, fish of all colors!  We took a semi-submersible boat trip for and up-close look at the coral and fish.  Then we went back snorkeling and saw a SHARK!!  We were definitely scared, but it didn't bother us!  The water temperature was perfect and it was sunny all day.  We went to dinner with a couple from our tour group to "The Raw Prawn."  It was located on the Esplanade in Cairns (right on the ocean).  Brad loved his tuna steak and I loved my tempura prawns.  After dinner we walked to the Night Market (only open at night because it is too hot during the day) and got a 20 minute leg/foot massage for $6!!!  It was an awesome day in Aussie land!

Ayers Rock/Uluru

Sipping champagne and watching the sunset on Ayers Rock
Ayers Rock

The flies were so bad that we had to wear fly nets!
Before our hike through the Olgas

We took a 5-hour bus trip from Alice Springs to Ayers Rock (or Uluru, in Aboriginal terms).  Between Alice Springs and Ayers Rock there is one gas station and absolutely nothing else.  Just lots of land!!

We were able to hike through The Olgas and watch the sunset at Ayers Rock.

Alice Springs--The Outback

Purchasing our artwork from Marjorie
Sunrise
The wide open Outback

Riding a camel to dinner

This morning we took a sunrise hot air balloon trip across the Outback.  It was beautiful and so peaceful!  We didn't see any kangaroos, but we did see some cows, horses and camels.  Afterward, the ballooning company provided us with breakfast and mimosas.  From there we went back out into the bush to meet with Aboriginal painters.  We purchased an original by Marjorie. :)  This evening we took a camel to dinner and I ate barramundi fish and Brad tasted camel and kangaroo!!

Alice Springs--The Outback

Conn making us "spotted dog" dessert in the bush.

Aboriginal girls playing the drums

Overlooking the town of Alice Springs

Old Telegraph Station

School of the Air

Today we flew from Melbourne to Alice Springs.  We did a sightseeing tour of the Old Telegraph Station, Anzac Hill, and School of the Air.  We met Aboriginal girls and they performed on the drums for us.  They were cute girls and spoke 5 different languages.  They even invited me to dance with them! Then we had dinner in the bush complete with musical entertainment and the didgeridoo.

Melbourne

Wild wallabies on the way to Philip Island


Shrine of Rememberance


Today we met with our tour group, who we will be with throughout Australia and New Zealand.  We were definitely the youngest by about 40 years!!!  Oh well, we had tons of fun!!  First, we stopped by Fitzroy Gardens and then the Shrine of Rememberance.  We also spent some time at Queen Victoria's Market, a huge flea market with lots of Melbourne goodies.  This evening we went over to Philip Island, off the coast of Melbourne to see the Penguin Parade.  We were not allowed to take pictures during the parade, but it was an awesome sight to see.  Each night the Little Penguins come in from the ocean and into their homes on the beach.  :)