Life on the Boat Part 2

Every stop on our sailing adventure had some neat moments. Cockatoos came to visit us on several occasions. They certainly were not timid. We continously encountered gigantic sea turtles although they were always at a distance. We saw three humpback whales while heading to Whitehaven Beach. They are enormous.

Mary sitting up front on the sail boat with a glass of wine. We were passing a neat place that had an underwater observation platform.

A cold beer always tasted great as the day wound down.

Jules cranking up the haliyard line. The line brought up the main sail.

Back to Airlie Beach

The last day of our sailing adventure started out very early. We were under sail from Cid Harbour to Airlie Harbour by 6 am. We anchored up just in front of Airlie Beach at 8:30 am and waited for our docking instructions. Cumberland Charters got us processed quickly and then we decided to hit the shops for an hour. Karen had to go to Lea's Book Exchange and I had a load of laughs just looking at the signs on the main street.

I wonder how strong their coffee is?

None of us made an appointment.

Bob and Karen just outside of Airlie Harbour.

Mark and Mary just outside of Airlie Beach

Mark and Glen bringing us in to Airlie Harbour

Off to Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday Islands

Hi Everybody!

It's Friday morning and it's only 26C here. Just perfect. We heard that the weather is perfect football weather (6C and rain/snow mix near Red Deer). Today we start our long journey to catch our 25 foot catamaran. We have to drive from Brisbane to Airlie Beach. After a 4 hour briefing, we'll be sailing. We will be out of internet range for about a week, then we'll be back to Brisbane.  We will have lots of pictures I am sure.

We loved talking to some of you on Skype this morning. It's easy to get on the internet and it's free.

Surfers Paradise Part 2 (Part 1 is below this post!)

Here are some images from Surfer's Paradise that you might enjoy.

Karen almost bought a t-shirt from the Hard Rock Cafe in Surfer's Paradise. I took a photo and saved $40. Grin.

These golden clad girls are called Meter Maids. These girls walk around and ask for coins which they use to plug the parking meters of people whose time has run out. The Meter Maids have been around Paradise Beach since the 1960's.

Tourists!!!!!!

I thought this was pretty funny!

Here is a company I have not seen before.

Surfers' Paradise

Today Mark had business down the coast and he asked Karen and I if we wanted to go to the beach. Well, the beach Mark had in mind happened to be Surfer's Paradise. I knew that we could keep ourselves entertained there for the day. It was a blast to say the least. Surfer's Paradise has been rated one of the top beaches in the world. The beach was white sand and surf as far as we could see. The beach was clean and not a rock in sight. September holidays start tomorrow here in Australia (something like Spring break in Alberta) so the beach was getting busy. The surfers were indeed out. Point Danger had excellent waves and there must have been 75 surfers riding the surf. I thought of Jay's son Sam all day. I am sure he would never leave this place.

Today was a day of lots of firsts for Karen. She saw whales, dolphins, and lots of hot surfers. Karen and I loved swimming in the ocean. The waves were big.

Tomorrow we are heading north to get our sailboat and then we have a week cruising the Whitsunday Islands. It's going to be lots of fun!

Karen says she likes the comments you have sent along. Keep'em coming.

Bob and Karen

How can Surfers Paradise and Labrador be on the same sign on the M1 in Australia? Confusing for a Canadian.

The Australian Grand Prix occurs on the streets right behind the beach in about 4 weeks. I was getting ready.

Karen enjoying the 25C weather.


Surf is up. Time for some fun.



This picture is at Point Danger today. The dolphins were cruising amongst the surfers and humpback whales were a bit further out.

Expert surf boarders!

Off to Explore the Coast Today

Well we are off to see some of the coast today. Mark has business down the coast today so we are riding on his shirt tail. Time for some exploring along the ocean. YAHOO!

Exploring on Foot

Good morning everyone! We have managed a turn around and slept through our first Australian night. We had a great day yesterday. Brisbane is beautiful. Right across the road from Mark and Mary's house there is a university called Griffith's. We walked across the road and around the campus. Guess what? University students look just the same everywhere. As an aside, crossing streets is very different. I keep looking the wrong direction for oncoming vehicles. They are opposite of our directions and it is very disconcerting. I now have my head on a swivel!!!!

We saw these beautiful flowers on our walk. It is officially spring here, but early. There are so many gorgeous flowers and interesting birds.

Mark and Mary live very near the Commonwealth Stadium from the Brisbane Games in 1982. There was a full high school track meet at the adjacent track which we watched for a while. It was great to see.

These birds of paradise grow in gardens around the city. They are huge and gorgeous.

Here are Kia and Katelyn in their new Canada Olympic t-shirts. Don't they look great?

We are going for a run this morning and looking forward to our day. The sun is shining and the pool is beckoning.