Oz 2008

About this blog

We arrived in Sydney where Myrna and Gord met us for our first week downunder. We stayed at our condo at 99 Jones St., Ultimo, Sydney. We did all of the usual touristy things, wine tours, the Darling Harbour, Bondi Beach, the Opera House, etc. Week 2 saw us fly up to Cairns in time to join the rest of the group and board the Mike Ball dive boat, Spoilsport. Cliff, Al and Wendy, Steve and Sandra, and Gord and Myrna were as pumped as we were. Al and Wendy had already had 3 weeks of diving under their best so regaled us with stories of what to expect. We headed out to the Coral Sea for 7 days of the most amazing diving we have ever had. So many fabulous dives, meals and new friends. Week 3 we rented a home in Holloway Beach. Luxury living to be sure.Bill and Michelle joined our happy little group at this point and The Ross's got a motor home and wandered out to the outback. From home base we toured the Daintree Rainforest, Cape Kimberly and Cape Tribulation. No diving that week......we were into eating, drinking and being merry. Week 4 Cliff, Myrna, Gord and Claudio and I drove down to Townsville and stayed at the Yongala Lodge (youth hostel style). We took a large Zodiak style boat out to the Wreck of the Yongalla for 2 dives daily on 2 consecutive days. Strong currents and tons of critters. We then drive back up to Cairns where we boarded the Taka boat for more diving on the Ribbon Reefs. We had been spoiled by the Mike Ball experience so this was much less luxurious but unfortunately it was also much less proffessional. The diving was great none the less, but we will not be recommending the Taka to anyone. Next, claudio and rented a car and drove down the coast to the Whitsundays to spend a day out on the water. Too windy to beach at Whitehaven Beach, but it was very beautiful. From there we flew to Brisbane, caught a train to Surfer's Paradise and caught up with Myrna and Gord again. One last week doing more sightseeing before heading back to Sydney, spending one last night in King's Cross and then board the big bird to return to a snowed-in Vancouver.