Will and Loulou's travel diary

Sunday, 30 October 2011

(29/10/11) Very little sleep on night bus so quite tired
Went on a rib boat out to Julian rocks out from Byron Bay to go snorkelling – I was quite scared as everyone else was diving so we were by ourselves snorkelling and they were all talking about how many sharks they had seen that morning! The swell around the rock was also quite big but, after an initial freak out, I jumped in and it was really cool. We saw sea turtles they are so amazing – the way they swim is so peaceful to watch. They look like they know the secret to eternal happiness! Similar to when we did dolphin swimming and whale watching, the turtles leave you wanting to see more glimpses of their amazingness. We also saw lots of cool fish like huge puffa fish and also Woobygong sharks sitting on the ocean floor. When we got out Will took off his mask and he had a crab in his ear!
(30/10/11) Walked up to the lighthouse and the most Easterly point in mainland Australia – very warm, saw some dolphins
Spent lots of money on tours for further up the coast.
Went bodyboarding.
Now sitting watching an impressive lighting storm

Chilled out in Copacabana. Took Dolly for a walk on the beach – she went mad running in circles
Looked at the rock pools – funny coral or sponge squirting water in the air!
Phil got back from work and we went (+ Dolly) out on their speed boat along the water ways it was really cool. We tried water skiing it was awesome fun and much easier than I thought it would be. Went to Terrigal for dinner with Phil.
Went for a lovely brunch in Avoca with Sally and Dolly. Chilled out in the afternoon (Phil and Sally at work) watched Downton Abbey on dvd. Had pizza then took the night bus from Gosford to Byron Bay.

Lunch in Sydney fish market
Visited Sydney Maritime museum
Said goodbye to mum and dad
Train to Gosford. We're staying with Phil and Sally - friends of Mel and Gaz - for a few days.

Weather rainy today after 4 days of glorious sunshine.
Caught the bus to spit bridge and walked / picnicked along the Manly scenic walkway in the drizzle.
Very nice dinner at the Opium Den in Kings Cross with mum and dad.

Met up with mum and dad early at Darling Harbour (they arrived in Oz last night).
Walked around Darling Harbour, the Rocks, Circular Quay and the Botanical gardens.
Enjoyed a champagne picnic in the botanical gardens.
Dinner in Darling Harbour then caught the ferry under the bridge to circular key – spectacular night view of the harbour.

Took the ferry to Manly - walked past Mel and Gaz's old flat and went for a surf on Manly beach.