Meet my Mates in Cairns <2009.07.18>

After 2 weeks continual driving up north – 4.800km since we left Melbourne – we finally reached Cairns, the hub to the Great Barrier Reef.



On the way there we stopped at Townsville with its nice oceanfront side & the funny buildings around – e.g. sugar dispenser or the scary stick-villas.









Today we pick up our friends Nong & Thanthep from the airport with whom we will spend one week together here in the up-country.

Our first highlight is KURANDA – an historical tourist village in the mountains of Cairns, famous for its countless markets or the impressive Barron Waterfalls close by.









Next morning we had to the close Crystal Cascades Waterfalls, a world heritage site with beautiful falls and inviting swim holes for a quick dip on a hot day!





Finally Summer, Sun & Beach!
So what we are waiting for, let`s go for a swim!!!
But my friends didn`t looked convinced from the water temperatures, so they need a bit of motivation before we jumped in ;-)









You can even swim in harbor of Cairns as they made an artificial pool close to the pier which is – surprisingly – free to everyone!





But let`s be honest, it can`t compete with those beaches close by so we quickly returned to the ocean front and found ourselves relaxing on the beach…





Sweet Life

I HAD A DREAM … <2009.7.16>

… Where I found myself on this beautiful beach with my friends.

The only thing you can hear is the sea – waves smoothly brushing in & the leaves of the palm trees dancing in the wind.





Everything looks new but on the other side I feel like at home. This feeling of safeguard and comfort - I never felt before.
My friends just lying around like me – so far with no worries and undisturbed by anything.



But suddenly there are those huge, hairless, tall creatures …



What do they call them – humans? Tourists? Can I trust them?
Here I live for many years isolated – in peace and intact nature:



But now things changing – brothers fight for their land and the fire is in the backyards.











Separated by the fight of my bros – here I sit in my backyard, studying about what left of this piece of heaven and looking down of this gem of Mother Nature…





Then I woke up!
Right from paradise – what was real? What was fiction? Can this place really exist?
Where animals rules the place and people are the one who are observed?
Yes – this place exist!



It is in Cape Hillsborough – north of Mackay, but shhhhhh – this is a secret … or maybe just a dream?!

Yours Skippy

Endless Beaches & the Most Easterly Point of Oz <2009.7.13>

Leaving the big cities behind us we are now on the way up to Cairns in the top north of the east coast.



On the have way you leave New South Wales and enter Queensland – the Sunshine State.
Queensland is the typical tourist dream: All year round warm weather, countless beaches, sleepy towns, national parks and most along the coast the Great barrier Reef.



Here the day starts with bright blue sky and breakfasts with splendid views over the beaches and ends with a spectacular sunset with a firework of colors.










Short before the border is Hervey Bay – featuring the most easterly point of the mainland Australia.
Here you find the most powerful light house along the coast, which is the start of the hike down to the landmark.







During this months from June to October, you also can spot humpback whales along the cost migrating to Hervey bay for calving. Today`s sea was to rough for spotting some from here, but instead offered a spectacular scenery along the cllifs.





Heading further along the famous sunshine coasts – the perfect summer retreats & heaven for surfers – we explored the small historical towns and chilled out along the endless beaches…











The Beginning of The Summer

The Capital of Australia <2009.07.08>

Next stop - the capital of Australia!

You guess what - SYDNEY .... no sorry, it is actually Canberra - situated in its own state called ACT.

Canberra is build from scratch in the middle of nowhere, just to overcome the dispute who will become the capital between Melbourne & Sydney x-)



The main attraction is the goverment area, which offers great views from the new parlament house of its surroundings. A few hours walk can easily bring you around all sights in this area which you can find below. To overcome the long distances, a car is a must...










If you are one of those who thought SYDNEY - than here we are!
The inoffical capital - at least in the hearts of the locals and tourists. The contrast to Canberra can`t be bigger: Its a green, buzzling and lively city.

The sights are countless and world known - The Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Darling Harbour ... name it!

It was just great beeing back again ...
















Lucky timing it is my birthday today - the 10th of July.
So what to do best as to celebrate in Sydney`s best Seafood Restaurant - the Doyles in Watson Bay.

THIS is the place for Seafood Lovers - nothing is missed on menu and will come along an extensive wine selection as well.

There we are nibbling on our BBQ King Prawns, sipping on the exclusive wines from Hunter Valley and starring out on the Skyline of Sydney...







Happy Birthday to me