Category Archives: Australia

Aus Approaches

Australia is fast approaching. Don’t know how up to date we are with the blog but our son, M, and daughter-in-law, D, have moved to Australia and we are about to encroach into their space and visit. D has a … Continue reading

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Controlled Vanity

I have been struggling with what clothes to take to Australia. This is not our typical trip. It is a combination of dive, car travel and exploring, visiting family and friends and city trip. Our dive trips usually require just shorts, tees … Continue reading

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Almost Ready…..

We are mostly packed, only the last minute stuff to organize. The checked suitcase is packed, zipped closed and ready to go. The “To Do Before Leaving” list has a few items crossed out, but most of the list has … Continue reading

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Aus

Arrived and safely too. It was a long haul from Vancouver to Brisbane. 14 hours. It was one of our better Air Canada experiences. The planes were on time, the ground staff was nice and helpful, and the in-flight crew … Continue reading

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Urban Aus

It is a day about town. Gold Coast has grown since I was here last in 1986. It has turned into a real city with big malls, urban sprawl and traffic to rival any western world city. Pacific Fair,  the … Continue reading

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Gold Coast to Cairns

We leave M&D today and fly to Cairns. D is studying for and then writing her end of term exams. We did not want to interfere with her studying, so we planned a scuba dive trip on a live aboard … Continue reading

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Diving with the Spirit of Freedom

We board the Spirit of Freedom today with 24 other divers. This is the first time on a dive boat with more than 16 divers. First impressions-it is crowded, too crowded. More later. There is a lot of talk when … Continue reading

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4 dive day

6.30 wake up. We’re up anyway but there is a knock on the door. Quick breakfast. Cereal. Wet suits are still wet and there is no warm weather to warm them. Cold and slimmy. Geesh what a way to wake … Continue reading

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Minke Whale Day

Today our first two dives are at Lighthouse Bommie on Ribbon Reef #10. It is a known Minke whale stopping point, so there is some anticipation. During the first dive, the whale spotter does spot three Minke whales. By the … Continue reading

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Diving the Great Barrier Reef

Thursday we wake up at Lizard Island. It is change over day. The 3 day guests depart and the 4 day guests embark. We 7 day divers just continue on. To fill the time while the crew cleans the Spirit … Continue reading

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