On Sept. 18th Dennis and I flew from Oklahoma City to Dallas Fort Worth where we boarded the Qantas flight direct to Sydney Australia.
We landed in Sydney on Sept. 20th 6:30 am due to the time changes. We caught a taxi to the hotel Holiday Inn the Rocks. Mike and Maria Huff were there waiting for us. They planned on keeping us busy to get us on the same time zone and we could not check into our room until 3 pm. We walked over to the Opera House area where we were also able to see the Sydney Harbour Bridge along with the Botanical Gardens. Then we caught a boat to take us around the harbor sightseeing.
On Sept. 21. We took the Hop and Go Bus sightseeing in town getting off at the train station and the Marine Museum to see the boats.
Sept. 22 we walked all around going up in the tower which over looks the city then walked to the Madamme Trousard Museum, the aquarium and the Zoo.
Sept. 23 we flew to Hobart Tasmania and took off driving towards Port Arthur. We found where a Best Western use to be now call Lufra and decided to go ahead and book rooms as there was stuff to see in the area. Across the street was the Tessalated pavement. Very interesting to see considering it was looked to be cut in perfect rectangles.
Sept. 24 we continued to Port Arthur to the Convict prison ruins. Very interesting to hear the stories about the area. After leaving the area we drove to the Unzoo where they had Tasmanian Devils in captivity. They explained that there is a terrible cancer that if they get exposed they only live a short time. They do not do well with other devils and feed on dead animals. What spreads the cancer is they will eat the dead Tasmanian devils and catch the cancer. Sad but true. We found a Pub called Fox and Hound that had rooms for us for the night.
Sept. 25 we drove back to the area of Lufra to the Blowhole. With the tide out we did not get to see much but while walking back a Tasmanian devil ran in front of us. From there we went to the Devil’s kitchen
The water has washed away the rocks. Not sure why it is named that.
Leaving there we drove north to Richmond where we stopped to eat in a pub for lunch. Our fish we ate was call flathead. Then on to Oakland to see the flour mill. We took a tour of the mill. From Oakland we stopped at Ross to see the wool museum. One thing about Tasmania the farms have lots of sheep. We drove on the lanceston looking for a hotel but all were full in town. I found a casino that had great rooms only problem was the restaurant was closed only had buffet to eat.
Sept 26 we drove to the town call Penguin where they have statues of penguins. The penguins use to come ashore there but they moved to an area called Burnie. There we found a Best Western for the night and in the downtown area all hotels were full. When it got dark we drove the the area to wait for the penguins. It was so cold I was ready to give up when all of a sudden one was spotted close to us then we could see them hopping up the rocks coming ashore little by little. The city had put cement areas for them to live in and lay their eggs.
Sept. 27 we drove back to Penguin to eat breakfast before continuing on the Port Sorell. At Port Sorell we stayed at an old house area called Hawley house. We got to see old friends Warren and Mary Lou Wright who took us out to lunch then drove us over to another area where we saw the wallaby in the wild and Warren showed us where penguins come ashore in that area. We did not go out to watch the penguins that night as it was cold and raining.
Sept. 28 we flew from Davenport Tasmania to Melbourne then on the Brisbane. Mike and Maria rented a car and we drove to Ipswich where her family lives and stayed at the Metro Hotel.
Sept 29 we drove to Toowoomba to see my old friend Phillippa who was there for her son’s wedding. We had a great visit with here and her sons Mike, Mark, and Christopher who we knew years ago. Philippa had a aneurysm and has not been able to get around very well but Christopher was taking good care of her.
We drove back to Ipswich and went to Maria’s brother John’s house where we ordered fish and chips. Had a great visit with John.
Sept 30 we headed north stopping at Lone Pine to see the animals there. Dennis and Mike tried feeding the kangaroos but they were just too busy resting to eat out of their hands. We stopped at Marybough to see the Mary Poppins statue and Ned Kelly statue
Looking for a hotel was very hard and it was getting late. finally in Glimpie Dennis and Maria went into a hotel that had no vacancy but she called around and found us a room at Victory Hotel. The pub had great food.
Oct. 1 we drove downtown Glimpie and found a Panini restaurant for breakfast. They had a lamp that you had to turn the crank for it to light up. From there on the Rockhampton to the Kortes hotel. We got to go see Maria’s son Lyndon and take him out to eat.
Oct. 2 we drove to Emerald where we stopped for lunch then on to Rubyvalle and Sapphire where you can dig for the stones. the problem was it was Sunday and all the mines to dig were closed. The prices were extremely high for Sapphires in the stores. We drove back to Emerald and found a hotel for the night and ate at a pub close by.
Oct. 3 we drove back to Rockhampton Kortes hotel to visit Lyndon
Oct 4 we spent in Rockhampton taking Lyndon out to eat each night.
Oct. 5 we drove to Airlie Beach to stay at the Peppers hotel.
Oct. 6 we went out on the Whitsunday Cruise to the Great Barrier Reef. 9 hours in total 3 there 3 at the reef and 3 back. Maria and I enjoyed snorkeling then took the boat with the glass bottom to see the reef with the guys.
Oct 7 going back south we stopped back at Rockhampton to see Lyndon.
Oct 8 left Rockhampton and drove to Bundaberg rum distly where we took the tour. Naturally we bought some to take home with us. We drove as far as Marybough were we found a hotel to spend the night. Being a Sunday we had to drive into downtown to a pub.
Oct 9 we drove back to Ipswich to get our extra suitcases and on to the Gold Coast where we got to see their son Evan. Eating at the Hogs Breath restaurant.
Oct. 10 we went to the mall in the area and walked all around sightseeing stopping at the Irish pub for supper
Oct. 11 we just spent sightseeing then went out to eat with Evan and his girlfriend Jina
Oct. 12 Dennis and I said goodbye to Mike and Maria and flew on to Sydney to the Ibis Hotel.
Oct. 13 Dennis and I went to the Marine museum and looked around checking on what to buy for gifts.
Oct. 14 was gift buying day we walked all over.
Oct. 15 we packed our suitcases and bought the last two gifts then walked to downtown Sydney then on the the circular Quay area where we found a Hungry Jack (Burger King) as Dennis wanted a burger with and egg. To get back to the hotel we got a cab as I was too tired to walk the 2 miles back.
Oct. 16 bright and early we headed to the airport getting there 3 hrs. early but I rather early than late. Cleared immigration and walked around looking for a breakfast place.
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