Day 1 in Sydney. Arrived in Sydney to bright sunshine and summer weather. Went to visit Featherdsle wildlife center. Saw kangaroos (they let you feed them) and koalas. Walked to circular quay in early evening. Harbour was busling with people having drinks as sun was going down.

Day 2 in Sydney. Started the day with the BridgeClimb over Sydney Harbor. Beautiful views and cool breezes up top. In afternoon headed to Manly Beach by ferry. Lots of surfers and sun bathing. Bellamy got in the ocean only to be stung by blue bottle jelly. Bummer. Had fun Mexican dinner by beach. Headed back to Sydney as the sun went down. Pulled into the harbor at twilight.

Day 3. I’m in love. Had the perfect beach day at Bondi. Started at Icebergs for a swim while the ocean waves poured over the side. Lunch in the terrace. Moved to the beach to watch the surfers and the beautiful people go by. \240Perfect swimming and body surfing. \240Shopped for new clothes (for Bell) and a cute bathing suit for me.

Day 4. Great trip from Sydney to Ayers Rock. We are in the interior of Australia visiting sacred aboriginal lands. Took sunset camel tour with other visitors from around the world.

Day 5. We had a big day exploring the Uluru - Kata Tjuta \240national park. A morning helicopter tour over both sites was the highlight. Bellamy got to sit up front and loved every minute. We took a guided tour of Uluru finishing with a glass of champagne while watching the sun go down. Wanted to try a restaurant called Outback BBQ. \240You bought whatever raw meat you wanted and then grilled it yourself. Enjoyed our grilled steak and a cold bar listening to a band play American favorites.

Day 7. Arrived in Melbourne. So enjoyed seeing city with out friends from DC. \240Susie and I had a nice walk through the Royal Botsmicsl Gardens. Saw Charlie snd Ben Sutherlands school, Scotch College. Went out for fun dinner at Japanese place where Bell and Charlie did the grilling! \240

Day 8. Went to Australian football game at the Melbourne Cricket Field. Bellamy says it is 10th largest stadium in world. Tried to learn the rules of footy. Susie’s parents came to drinks and told fun stories of their travels around the world.

Day 9. Arrived in Port Douglas and made our way by coastal highway to our hotel. We are situated on a mountain, in the rainforest above the coast. Great views and very deserted beaches for walking. It is rainy season here so very hot and humid. The pools are great relief.

Day 10. Not only is it rainy season but there is cyclone off of Western Australia intensifying the rain. \240I enjoyed a relatively dry morning shopping and chatting with shop keepers. \240Spent soggy afternoon at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures. Saw snake show, rode on flat bottom boat to feed crocodiles and fed the Cassowaries. Bell loved the snake house with all kinds of reptiles. Enjoyed a yummy steak dinner in Port Douglas at the Iron Bar.

Day 10. Full day of adventure in the rain on ver choppy seas. We took the Quicksilver Poseidon out to 3 spots in the reef. My very competent instructor Addy got the beginners ready. Bellamy was off on his own. We came back to the hotel for drinks and a cheese platter served with a warm baguette. We devoured it!