Singapore The Chinese Quarter. 6th December 2013

Walked around the colonial district of Singapore starting at the National Museum. Looked in at Chijmes for coffee and found it to be a building site though still advertising itself for business - nothing open. Eventually coffee at a German brasserie bar amid peels of thunder.

After passing by St Andrews Cathedral, Supreme Court, and the Parliament Building whilst dodging the rain as best we could, ended up in the Chinese District with its Temples and Mosques and Hawker Food Market.

With rain becoming more persistent after lunch, visited the National Museum. The museum was a little disappointing.

Final activity was taxi to Changi airport for long flight home.

What a fabulous trip!

Sri Mariamman Temple facade in Chinatown  District

Maxwell Hawker Market eatery

Singapore's Botanical Gardens 5th December 2013

Travelled to Singapore's Botanical Gardens, about 1/2 hr from our hotel. A beautiful garden originally set up by Stamford Raffles in 1822.The gardens display a wide range of tropical trees and other plants but are best known perhaps for their Orchid collection. - fabulous displays.

Weather extremely hot and humid and we wilted by early afternoon and retreated back to the hotel to recover. Can understand how conditions here before air conditioning drove people mad!

Crane Fountain in Orchid Garden

General view of one of walkways in Botannic Garden

Singapore - Site Seeing the Marina Area 4th December 2013

Hit down town Singapore by the MRT. Unbelievable architecture - Esplanade theatre and concert hall designed like a spiny creature, the Arts and Science Museum looking like an up turned hand and the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, three huge towers with a boat on the top, you couldn’t make it up

Took pics of everything including the Merlion, walked for miles around the marina bay and signed a white ball one of 20,000 to go in the water at New Year.

Took in a photography exhibition by Karl Lagerfeld and ended up in the Gardens by the Bay - Singapores new botanical garden with two huge green houses  one for flowers the other for cloud forest.

Staggered back over the double helix bridge to end up in Raffles to ply Wendy with a Singapore Gin Sling most refreshing!

Planet Bronze  by Marc Quinn in the Garden by the Bay

Wendy enjoying a Singapore Gin Sling with peanuts at Raffles

Day of Travelling 3rd December 2013

We were sorry to leave oz today A country of great contrasts and vitality to make things happen. Caught a jet plane to Singapore.  Journey ok apart from the early start. Melbourne pretty quiet at 7:00 in morning. Mind you the toll road to the airport was pretty busy!

Arrived in Singapore in a bit of a rain storm so nice and humid it is their wet season so it rains every day. Hotels supply umbrellas to their residents to help keep the weather off.

Loads of shopping centres. We are staying near the Paragon Shopping Centre which is pretty large over about ten floors including two underground, but there must be a dozen or so nearby along Orchard Boulevard of equal size. Makes you wonder where they get the business. The Chistmas decs looked pretty good on the boulevard put Regent Street and Oxford Street to shame.

 Early morning Melbourne. Junction of Elizabeth and Burke. Melbourne built on a grid system 1 mile x 1/2 mile originally

Festive Christmas lights Orchard Boulevard Singapore

Melbourne II 2nd December 2013

Looked as though it was going to be another hot day so we took ourselves off to the Botanical Gardens about 40 minutes from hotel on foot passing Federation Square and crossing the Yarra river on way. The gardens - they were beautiful and tranquil from the noise and pace of the city. Whilst having a coffee in the garden café  a cheeky moorhen landed on the table next to us and sampled the dregs of some bodies coffee head right down into the cup.

After lunching at the Mr Tulk café a very buzzy place, we tried to get ourselves on a tour of the library but the guide and his party appear to have started early! In view of the heat etc we wandered around the building and looked in on the Ned Kelly exhibition which included his iron suit and rifle plus lots of background to the events leading up to his eventual execution.

Melbourne Botanic Gardens Beautiful range of trees and flowers

Ned Kelly's metal suit displayed in the Melbourne library

Melbourne I 1st December 2013

Took a free tour of Melbourne starting from the State Library, passing Ned Kelly’s prison and ending up at the Yarra River passing lots of wall paintings and murals on the way. Wall painting apparently legal, graffiti can lead to imprisonment.

After lunch trammed it down to St Kilda beach to see how the ozzies spend their Sundays when the weather is hot & sultry. Plenty of people on beach and in bars

Went looking for the little fairy penguin at the end of the pier. Found a couple of these apparently rare birds whilst there

Melbourne Public Library - Typical colonial building Has free wi fi!

Ned Kelly exhibition on at library This is example of Melbourne stencil street art. Lots of different street art around the city

Billimina Shelter to Melbourne 30th November 2013

Set off early to see 2 aboriginal shelters in the south of the Grampian Mountains Park. Not sign posted from the road - the reason for which was obvious when we got there. Access to the shelters was shut because of forest fires in 2012. Jumped over closure signs skooted over bridge with planks removed to the Billimina Shelter. Worth being v naughty for - mysterious figures etc painted on rock wall over hang.

Long drive Melbourne to find hotel centrally placed with rooms the size of a cupboard. Queues 3 deep at local department store to see Christmas window displays. Quick tour of central Melbourne city area on free tram.

Burnt forest at Billimina Shelter

Christmas lights in Melbourne

Gulgurn Manja Shelter to Mackenzie Falls 29th November 2013

It has stopped raining though chilly - temperature around 14C Drove along the Mount Victory Road to a couple of sites sacred to the local aboriginal peoples at Ngamadjidj and Gulgurn Manja. Rock art at the sites tell of stories and legends of the Jardwadjali peoples.
Afterwards  walked around the waterfalls and cascades at Mackenzie falls V impressive.
Lots of wild life seen - kangaroos, wallabies, stubby tailed lizards and birds of all shapes, sizes and colours

 Typical rock artwork at Gulgurn Manja













Mackenzie Water Falls in the Grampian Mountaind

Road From Port Fairy to Halls Gap 28th November 2013

 Lonely straight road to Halls Gap in the rain did not see many vehicles at all

Kangaroos boxing at Hall Gap in one of the playing fields next to the road












Travelled north from Port Fairy to Halls Gap in the Grampians National Park. Started to rain shortly after we started our journey and was persistent all the rest of the journey.
Stopped of in Dunkeld at an old fashioned bakery for excellent lunch Beef and Guiness Pie and  Fetta cheese and Spinach in a Pasty.
Once at Halls Gap needed to keep out of the rain and went to the Brambuk Cultural Centre on aboriginal life and the effects  the white people had on their way of life.

The Great Ocean Road II 27th November 2013

Wonderful drive down the rest of the ocean road. Stopped off at Cape Otway and saw lots of Koalas making growly noises and looking very sleepy. Also a family of kookkaburras perhaps!
Later stopped for coffee surrounded by parrots  at Lavers Hill.
Drove on to the 12 Apostles and saw lots of other people viewing the Apostles. Where did all these people come from. There was nobody on the road!

Stopped at Loch Ard gorge - scene of a famous ship wreck before lunching at Port Campbell with 500 or so cyclists doing a tour along the Ocean Road.

Later we stopped off at Tower Hill, a national park and the site of an extinct volcano with the hope of finding more kangaroos. Were disappointed but did see plenty of emus. We were doubly dissapointed as later we went to Griffiths Island in Port Fairy with the hope of seeing Mutton Birds (Shearwaters) coming back from a fishing trip. None to be seen but we stayed on to watch a vivid thunderstorm!

Disguntled and sleepy Koala

The 12 Apostles - we could not count 12 some must have gone missing!

Great Ocean Road 26th November 2013

Took an early flight to Melbourne from Sydney. Cannot believe how many flights there are between these two cities. At least 4 between 8:00 and 9:00 in morning.
Picked up hire car and with Wendy navigating found our way to the Great Ocean Road. Built by unemployed workers in the 1920s it is an incredible road snaking its way along the coast. We started along the road at Torquay and finished up at Apollo Bay for the night.
At Anglesea the local Info Guy told us where to find Kangaroos and Koala Bears. We succeeded in finding the Roos, Koalas tomorrow.About 400 roos live on the local golf course and don't seem to mind golf balls whizzing by them every so often. The last bit of the journey from Lorne was the most spectacular with the road hugging the coast line and its every turn.

 Memorial to workers who built the Ocean Road between Aireys Inlet and Lorne

Roos cropping grass at the 15th tee Anglesea golf club

The Australian Grand Canyon 26th November 2013

Another lovely sunny morning 1000 m up in the Blue Mountains. The scenary is stunning! Managed to get Wendy on another walk into the gorges around here. Walked down to the Grand Canyon Lovely temperate rain forest with water dripping from the cliffs tunnels and over hangs Walked behind small cascade. This time unfortuneately for Wendy no Gondola to get back up from the valley floor - just lots of steps.

In afternoon made our way back to Sydney to Ibis hotel by Sydney airport. Traffic fairly obnoxious, traffic lights hindering traffic flow at every intersection. Sydney suburban traffic just like London!

 Rain forest track in Grand Canyon nr Evans Look Out

Wendy before climb back to canyon rim!

The Giant Stairway and Federal Pass 24th November 2013

Launched ourselves down the cayon from the front door of the B&B after huge cooked breakfast. 100 steps down to the 3 Sisters Rocks and then another 901 steps down to the canyon walk way which is no where near the bottom of the valley. Views into far distance on perfect sunny day. (it is often v rainy and misty in your average temperate rain forest)
Parakeets and cockatoos and v big insects. Wendy refused to walk up 900 steps further along the valley floor and was forced to pay for a gondola trip to the top.

Toodle in car to Blackheath to see Govetts Leap Falls (Brides Veil Falls).
Now relaxing on large four poster bed eating home made cake.

 Temperate Rain Forest in Jamison Valley

Wendy at the top of the 3 Sisters

Escape from Sydney 23rd November 2013

Picked up a car for a trip to the Blue Mountains. The area very much open for business, the fires further north than the media would have you believe.
Drove over Sidney Harbour Bridge and drove west in a thunderstorm. Arrived and had lunch in picturesque Leura in hot sunshine and arrived pm in Katoomba to find room in fancy B&B. Looks out straight onto the the most amazing view at Echo Point over 3 Sisters Rocks and Jamison Valley. Even had time for a short walk along the cliff path.

Three Sisters Rocks at Echo Point Katoomba

One of the viewing platforms on the Prince Henry ridge path Katoomba

Bondi Here We Come 22nd November 2013

Took an early morning visit to the Fish Market. A little disappointing really. Lots of sea food on display but not many people / visitors. Tokyo market was a lot more interesting.
After breakfast we had a look around Darling Harbour. The maritime museum was most interesting with many outdoor exhibits including Vietnamese fishing vessels and a replica of the Endeavour as sailed by Captain Cook.

In the afternoon caught a bus to Coogee Beach and then walked up to Bondi Beach passing Clovelly, Bronte and Tamarama on the way. Bondi surf appeared quite tame in comparison with that at Tamarama. We needed to rush the walk however to get ahead of an approaching storm. The storm hit just after 17:00 - luckily we back in our appartment by then. Lightening when viewed from the 12th floor can be quite impressive

Cockle Shell Water Feature Darling Harbour

 Wendy with background of Bondi Beach

Replica of Endeavour at Darling Harbour Maritime Museum

Visit to Botanical Gardens 21st November 2013

Visited the Botanical gardens in the morning Had a free guided tour with lots of info about the trees and other plants that the aboriginals used. They providesdshelter , medicines, weaving materials, soaps and disinfectants, food , glues and most importantly water. Walked back through Finger Warf  - Russel Crowe is reputed to eat here through the Domain and Hyde Park.

After a domestic pm got into the real atmosphere of Sydney. Dinner on the quay before attending a performannce at the Sydney Opera House. .La Sylphide  by the Australian Ballet. Lovely performance in a superb and comfortable auditorium - lots of leg room. View from bar to die for being alongside the harbour and bridge.

Pre Show Dinner

Ferry Trip to Manly 20th November 2013

Awoken v early by ethereal voice saying that there was a possible fire in building. 100s of us trooped down the stairs - a lot in our case as we are on 12th floor - all in our night attire. After ½ an hour or so all trooped back to our beds. Seems that one of the residents was having a very steamy shower!

Went to Manly in the morning a half hour ferry trip across the harbour and very pleasant too. Lovely beach but surf not particularly impressive.
Managed a walk around the old quarantine station headland - one of Sydney’s national parks - the endangered penguins were in hiding!

Fabulous sea views over the pacific.

 Looking out to the Pacific Ocean from Sydney Harbour

View across Manly Beach

Sydney - Bridge Climb Day 19th November 2013

Fabulous weather, summer has come to Sydney again! So we got incredible views for our Sidney Harbour Bridge trip. Real highlight  - everyone should do this. Small groups, lots of equipment - radio headsets, thermal suits, clipped on hankies. Who knew you were only allowed to wear a tea shirt and your undies under the suit. A bit of quite exposed ladder climbing but the actual walk over the central span is just amazing. Can see to the blue mountains one way and the ocean the other. We have certificates and photographs to prove it.

Afternoon spent browsing around the Sidney Opera House area.

 Looking over Sydney Harbour Bridge from bridge pylon

Looking towards Opera House from bridge pylon

Sidney Walkabout 18th November 2013

Raining all day sometimes extremely heavily. Took free walking tour on foot through central Sidney finishing up at the bridge and harbour. Lots of local detail, really worth it despite the rain. Walked all day totally exhausted and quite damp around the edges.

Sidney harbour bridge in the rain

 Sidney Opera House in the rain

Sidney 17th November 2013

Flew down to Sidney. Flight shorter than anticipated as Sidney appears to do some weird things with its clocks being one hour ahead of Cairns even though in the same time zone.

Sidney v wet and cold being 17C cooler than Cairns. Scrabbling round for warmer clothing.

Apartment block an enormous converted warehouse?. Apartment fine, full kitchen, living room, bathroom bathroom and sun terrace, all very close to Darling Harbour. However gone for an interior chic look which bares an uncanny resemblance to the interior layout of The Mount prison.

 Prison Style floor landings in apartment block

View from apartment block over Darling Harbour

Port Douglas 16th November 2013

 Iron Bar Port Douglas  made of corrugated iron sheeting

Wendy on 4 mile beach at Port Douglas












Did the domestics, now have clean clothes. Set off to explore Port Douglas - one marina, one picturesque church popular for weddings, couple of old hotels / pubs - one specialising in cane toad racing. Beautiful four mile beach, jungle and palm tress sweeping down to a white sand bay.  Don’t get too excited if the crocodiles don’t get you then the stingers will.
Retired to spend rest of afternoon in crocodile free pool before having a delightful fishy dinner on the deck overlooking river inlet.

Port Douglas- Rain Forest 15 November 2013

North Qeensland has a tropical climate and the oldest rain forest in world - stick that Amazon! Georgeous beaches though Captain Cook probably would not agree - gouged large hole in boat on barrier reef  and put into Cape Tribulation for repairs.  Named mountains behind Mt Sorrow and Mt Misery.
Walked in rain forest with Rory - our  aboriginal guide - walked through smoke as part of welcoming ceremony and Rory demonstrated how to make aboriginal style soap - smelt a bit like TCP!
Mossman gorge beautiful forest and river, lots of nasty plants with their own version of barbed wire.
BBQ in Daintree rain forest - no electricity gas mobile phone network etc - crossed river on cable  ferry.
River cruise spotting crocodiles - only small ones seen unfortunately or fortunately depending on your point of view
Guide of robust opinion that any human eaten by a croc deserved their comeupance!

Beech at Cape Tribulation so loved by Captain Cook

Small croc on banks of Daintree river

Port Douglas 14th November 2013

Catamaran Dock at Port Douglas

 Floating Pontoon at Barrier Reef











Admired and wondered at the Barrier Reef  40km off the North Queensland coast, Surprising the diversity and amount of marine life to be seen. It was a v overcast day with thick black clouds filling the sky over the Coral Sea thus the waters not as blue as they could have been.
Spectacular corals and fish of all shapes, sizes and colours
Had a few spots of rain later in the day but nothing to bring down the temperature.

Uluru - Port Douglas 13th November 2013

Spent the morning relaxing at the Ayers Rock Resort. Watched and listened to didgeridoo playing - a man only activity in aboriginal society and admired a couple of camels from the local camel farm These camels were in a lot better condition than the ones seen in Egypt. Their handler hailed from Brighton!

In afternoon flew from Ayers Rock to Cairns and then travelled up the Captain Cook Highway to Port Douglas. The weather a lot more uncomfortable than Ayers Rock being hot and very humid.

Didgeridoo Players at Uluru

Camels from Camel Farm in Uluru

Kings Canyon 12 November 2013

Up at 4:30 to make breakfast at 5:30 and just after 6:00 walk around the rim and into Kings Canyon and the Garden of Eden before it got too hot. Wonderful views over the plain and into the canyon. Climbed down to the Garden of Eden in the Canyon to an oasis. Walking not too rough after a steep climb up {500 + steps} to the canyon rim.Walk well worth getting up early for. Returned to Ayers Rock Resort  in the afternoon

 Looking towards Garden of Eden Kings Canyon

On rim of Kings Canyon