i read a book

Last weekend we decided to go on an adventure looking for a book store! We ended up taking a bus to a big mall about 15 minutes from our neighborhood. We were going to take pictures for documentation, but were soon very overwhelmed by the large crowds of people in every direction. In this mall there was a Target, Big W, K mart, Myer and a million other small stores. And a book store. I found a good book that I read and loved.  "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas", by John Boyne was a captivating read! Tyler is now reading and loving this book as well. 

back in sydney

So we are back in Sydney. Not much had happened since we returned. I did lots of laundry, when grocery shopping, rearranged the apartment, and cleaned the bathroom. Tyler has been working hard juggling a few different projects so he has had a lot on his mind. The "school holidays" are over, so campus is completely full with people. I hope summer is going well for everyone, and miss you all so much! 

Cairns in general

Overall it was a fabulous week away from the city. I felt the way I do when I go to the cabin for  a week in the summer. I ate PB&J or Raman noodles for lunch, I wore my swimsuit everyday, I was lazy and took afternoon naps, I watched fireworks (it just so happens that Cairns was celebrating itself that week), and swam a lot. It was nice pretending that I was somewhere close to home. We experienced things this week that we may never experience again, and for that I am more than thankful! 

Green Island and the Great Barrier Reef

We took a fast catamaran boat from Cairns to Green Island. It took about 45 min to take us to this Great Barrier Reef destination. 

Once we got to the island we boarded a glass bottom boat and took a tour around the island. The pictures do not show the beauty.... or the two turtles or lots of the small colorful fish that we saw.

Once we were done with the boat tour we spent the rest of the day exploring this small island. It took about 45 minutes to walk around the entire thing. I wanted to go swimming but the water was really shallow for a long way out. 

Right before we departed the wind picked up and it started to rain. Let's just say that the ride home was not a pleasant one. We did everything we could not to toss our Tim-Tams! 

Hot Air Ballooning!

This was one of the coolest things we have ever done!!! 

this was at 3:30 am... too early... but still very excited!

They picked us up at 4:05 am and took us out to this field

They loaded us up in the dark... it was very cold

we took off right at sunrise

there were two other balloons also

the view was spectacular

we were floating above the Atherton Tablelands

this is the view of the inside of our balloon

we rode in the biggest balloon in Australia 

our pilot was from South Africa, his name was Sam

one of the balloons about to land

the view after we landed...

the sun rising over the apricot trees

i tried to catch the sun

the balloons taking off again

it was so much fun!!! We loved every minute of it!

Afterwards they took us to a hot breakfast with a champagne toast at a bush camp! When they dropped us off at our hotel it was only 10:30... so we went back to bed. 

Cairns Tropical Zoo (feeding the pelicans)!!!

I volunteered to help feed the pelicans! It was pretty cool! This is my kind of zoo! 

Cairns Tropical Zoo (holding a koala)!!!

I have been looking forward to this day for a long time. It was so exciting and when my turn was up I had a cry, I was so happy! 

holding a koala

youngster with his mom

all koalas have unique spots and fingerprints!

a baby snuggling his mum

this dude is just chillin' out