It's like homework!

Fatal mistake... I have fallen seriously behind with my blogging, passed the deadline and heading for an after school detention, help!

We left Perth and headed to Cairns where we spent a beautiful seven days in Kewarra Beach with our hosts Leigh and Yosi and their very cute dogs Coco and Mumu... didn't feed them titbits honest.

Leigh and Yosi's house where we stayed in Cairns

Kewarra Beach

Leigh and Yosi were softly spoken, at one with nature, people who lazed under the fan on a Saturday afternoon listening to soul and pottered on a Sunday morning swimming in their salt water pool listening to lazy reggae. A stunning and quirky home and less than five minutes walk to the coconut and palm tree lined paradise beach complete with crocs and killer jellyfish. See mikedevitt.blogspot.com for grizzly and daredevil tales with the full gamut of wildlife that Cairns has to offer... He's my hero lol

Mike at one with the crocs! Yes it's not the 6 metre man-eating croc tee hee

I should mention now that I don't intend to go into detail about our time in Cairns as Mike blogged daily about it. So putting the critters aside (of which there are many) after Mumu did a fine job of catching and eating them for me, I must tell you about the climate. Hot yes, averaging early 30s but that was not a problem for me in Perth. It's the fact that Cairns is in the tropical rainforest which I had never experienced before. The humidity (must add that we picked the most humid month of the year to visit - doh) and constant sweating was a challenge. Mike would probably say that I dribbled on about it, but coupled with the 5,000 sandfly bites, who can blame me? Yes, I did regularly spray myself with repellent and add the cream but it seems they liked me and 11 days on, the bites are still mildly irritating. It's the rainy season in February and March in Queensland, which just happened to be amazing for us because the 2 weeks prior to us arriving, boy did it rain. We arrive and experience 2 or 3 minor showers in the 7 days, but what we did get was the best rushing waterfalls and awesome freshwater swim holes.

Bahana Gorge... hot!!!

Bahana Gorge... yes we swam here

Having had my moan I will now contrast that with the wonderful day interacting with crocs at Hartleys (you should have seen Mike's sheer bravery), cuddling roaming kangaroos and wallabies and watching up close sleeping koalas... So special!

We packed our week full with visiting, excursions, tours, picnics, beaches, rainforest, boardwalks, waterfalls, swimming in waterholes to die for and so much more ....phew. So I will mention a few: 

The Daintree and Cape Tribulation, one of the oldest rainforests in the world which survived the ice age.

Cape Tribulation

Home to Cape Kimberlie (nod to my lovely friend in the beautiful East Malling who will be pleased to know that Aussie land is very gluten free friendly), Alexandra lookout (wow), Thorntens Beach and Alexandra Bay where lush green rainforest meets beach and surf (views to dream of) and sugar cane fields as far as the eye can see.

Palm Cove home of beer and pizza on the beach as the sun set.... Mmmmmm....

More waterfalls, gorges and surrounding beauty than I can list in the Atherton Tablelands and Kuranda

Cairns Marina and outdoor free swimming lagoon at night after a Thai meal and beer. I have to mention here that almost wherever you go there are BBQs, large stainless steel and lit by gas under canopies, for free public use. Aussies buy their meat, pitch up and throw it on the barbie... Anybody can do it, so cool!!!

Cairns swimming lagoon

Of course the extra special award goes to the Great Barrier Reef. Out at 7 in the morning from Cairns Marina on what was described as a backpacker cruise (not at all as all ages and sizes and nationalities) we headed out to the Milln reef (outer reef) via Fitzroy Island.

Fitzroy Island

On route to Barrier Reef

I have run out of adjectives to describe the beauty and experience and I will not forget a moment of the snorkelling. However, Mike and I in head to toe bright blue stinger suits and Mike with a bright pink snorkel may be one memory that fades... Alas no pictures - shame! Returning to land after a day on the reef with beer in hand on the bough of the boat with bikini clad girls and men in speedos (yes they are making a come back here) surrounding us, perfect ending.

Must mentions:

My nail varnish on my nails melted... what the!!!!!

White cars everywhere

So many people with tattoos

My Dad's birthday while in Cairns... Not the best eh Dad!

Attempting to FaceTime my son when he is ten hours behind and doesn't surface before midday aaaagggghhhh..... love you xxxx

Distance from Aus to Sam in Nottingham, Mum and John in Kent and P&P in Sussex

Distance from Aus to Tazzie boy and Dad and Dee in Cyprus

Three sightings of miniature schnauzers - miss my Tazzie boy

Birds and butterflies of every colour and size to admire (you will love it John)

Beautiful butterfly attracted to my beach towel

Netted swimming enclosures in the sea swept every hour so that you can actually swim in the beautiful Coral Sea if you are brave enough.... Not me oh no.

Our Mercedes up for sale in the UK if you are interested... Ok nothing to do with Cairns and finally all bills paid and direct debits closed in the UK... Wow they moved fast - over 2 months groan...

Intrepid explorers!

Onto Melbourne and a seven day ocean drive from Melbourne to Sydney. Really looking forward to this but we will have to be super organised (oh yes my favourite word) as it is a different hotel every night.

So having sat my detention (Mike determined the punishment), I am sure I could do better:

Grade for Michelle Devitt for effort: C (always was an average student)

Grade for Michelle Devitt for achievement : I will let you decide
Love to you all xx

"Life is better in a pair of shorts"

Coogee Beach area

As we reach the last day of our 9 days in Perth, Western Australia, a sad farewell is imminent and excitement is around the corner as we look forward to our 7 days in Cairns, Queensland. A quote from a gregarious and vivacious lady that we met sailing called Linda becomes the title of this blog... "Life is better in a pair of shorts". The story behind this is that she has sailed one of the 8 oceans and intends to sail the remaining 7, so she resigns from her job (a teacher for autistic children) which she loves, and ends her resignation letter with that quote!

I will come back to the sailing :):)

We arrived at Perth International Airport after an 11 hour flight with Emirates (oh yes, my favourite airlines and it did not disappoint) and was picked up by our Airbnb host, Peter (this is not normally part of the service, just good luck that he was in the area). Look up Airbnb on Google, it is great and we have 2 more locations in Australia through this company. He has been an amazing host (English but has lived in Australia for the last 18 years and now an Australian citizen) and we have loved staying in his home. All of the creature comforts, superb home-cooked food if we want it and so many tips and money saving suggestions we have lost count. You cannot beat local knowledge and the friendships you can make in such a short time.

So there we are on the first night having flown through the night before and Peter has invited us out for a curry at the local curry house with his partner Karen and 4 of his Australian mates. Well, what else do you do but say, absolutely yes! What a great night, with Peter being the butt of the jokes throughout the evening (affectionately known as big fat pomy bastard) and us Poms getting off lightly. We had a real laugh and were made to feel so welcome by all with their warm, positive approach to life. Beer is not cheap here and many of the restaurants allow 'bring your own' wine and charge $5 dollars a bottle corkage. The week started as as it has gone on - plenty of wine, beer and champagne! Heads hit the pillow that night in a comatose state having had little sleep in the last 48 hours.

Having left the hire of a car until we arrived (tip 1 from Peter because there was a cheap local car rental firm down the road), we hitched a ride with our host on Saturday morning to rent the car. CLOSED FOR THE WEEKEND! Oh well, the local beach for the weekend in Coogee it would be then (less than a mile from Peter's house) and what a beach! Yes, Perth is famous for it's beaches and you can very easily see why with white golden sands and beautiful waters at about 22 degrees.

Coogee Beach

See mikedevitt.blogspot.co.uk for tales of sharks, snakes and other wildlife of Australia and I will say no more. So, we swam out to the floating platform, hauled ourselves up the steps provided and jumped off. We then spent the rest of a very enjoyable afternoon at the beach. That night we were treated to a good ol' barby cooked by Peter in his yard with one eye out for the red back spiders. After Sunday on Coogee beach (factor 30 suntan lotion and higher - phew hot) with the Fremantle Doctor wind arriving in the afternoon to make bathing perfect, we headed into Fremantle late afternoon for the evening using the local bus. Fremantle has a stunning harbour and a quirky chilled out ambiance. Lots of cafes, bars and restaurants and a whole street dedicated to coffee houses called Cappuccino Strip. There was live music going on outside in the beautiful park area and we took a stroll around with ice cream in hand and watched the sun go down on the beach - WOW!

Fremantle

Monday (now driving said hire car) we headed into the Central Business District (CBD) of Perth and completed a Hop on Hop off bus tour which is totally the way to see the area. It was a very hot day, you wouldn't want to walk it!

Something to do with cricket apparently??

Perth Mint

The Bell Tower at Barracks Jetty

We started at the Barracks Jetty and circled around taking in many great sights disembarking at one of the best view points ever in Kings Park. A must see in Perth as it is the largest city park in the world and it is so pretty with spectacular views of the CBD and the crystal Swan River that flows right into the heart of Perth.

We didn't do the tree top walk in the park but I hear this comes with a recommendation. We (I really mean Mike) now had our bearings around Perth and were in full adventurous swing and use of Peter's Tom Tom sure helped :). So, we agreed that as we had driven north from Coogee to see the CBD, let's carry on up north a little further and visit the famous Cottesloe beach which was well worth the 15 minute drive. The drive to the beach snaked alongside the water's edge almost all of the way and afforded us lovely views to put a beaming smile on your face. The beach had some great waves and we had a swim to cool down although I can safely say that the average Brit would not have half of the swimming prowess that your local Aussie has, I have been often impressed this week especially with the kids. We then finished the day with fish and chips on Coogee beach at dusk.

Tuesday took us over to Rottnest Island on the Rottnest Express which was a journey of 35 minutes leaving from Fremantle harbour. If you are ever going to visit Perth do not leave this trip out. The island is a paradise with breathtaking coves and fantastic snorkeling opportunities.

Rottnest Island

We met the quokkas (look like mini kangaroos) and other wildlife... see Mike's highly poisonous snake story - I am NOT joking! We went round the island on another hop on hop off bus with wonderful drivers who fed us with many interesting facts about the island and it's wildlife. You can hire bikes, you can kayak and you can go on a tour bus around the island. It's fairly up and down dale and again very hot so the cycling choice was not for us, I cannot really comment on the kayak tours and the tour bus (90 minute stay-on bus tour) did not really appeal. Home to a sausage pasta dish left for us by Peter (he was off to band practice - music teacher for a living) and a catch up on emails, blogs and facetime where possible (8 hours ahead here).

On Wednesday, we took a drive of just under an hour out into the Swan Valley region epitomized by farming and many, many vineyards. Tours of vineyards and cream teas a plenty in this region and it was well worth the drive out to get a feel for another part of Perth but SupaGolf was on our agenda! Yes, of course Mike beat me but we had great fun playing it (over-sized clubs and balls on a 9 hole course) and we strolled around the course surrounded by palm trees, Emus, flowing water and rich green vegetation.

SupaGolf in the Swan Valley Region

Picnic lunch on Cottesloe beach, swim to cool down and then (LUCKY US) off to meet the aforementioned Linda for an twilight/evening sail in Perth harbour on a catamaran. We sailed out of Flying Squadron yacht club at 6pm with Trevor at the helm (he owned the boat), Mike, Linda and I and 7 other people sipping champagne and eating home-made sausage rolls, noodles, donuts and various nibbles and dips. Great company, easy sailing and a magnificent sunset on the water saw us arriving back at the YC at 10pm. A special night and we have made friends who we are now keeping in contact with. We left Linda with a tentative promise of an evening sail the next night but in a race!

Perth Harbour on the Catamaran "Carista Carista"

Yes, we woke to a text from Linda on Thursday to say it was on that night sailing on Jamie's boat out of Royal Perth YC (BIG WOW) but no worries Michelle, we are racing but there will still be time to sip champagne :). We had an easy morning Thursday (something to do with the alcohol consumed on the boat the night before) and then took a drive along some of the coastal route, a bit of beach and picnic, stop off at the drive through bottle shop for more alcohol and off to the YC for 5:30pm. I actually did pull a halyard, trim the jib and generally act a little more like one of the crew that night as we were 20 seconds behind the start line at the beginning of the race but Mike ( no surprise here) helmed the race. He did really well with the very light winds and I helped him by stuffing tortilla chips, cheese, dips and crackers in his mouth as he concentrated. You know Mike, he was always going to take this seriously. But OMG, if we thought we had seen a sunset the night before we were mistaken. We had seen clouds for the first time that day and they brought with it a sunset to dream of.

Sailing on Big Diamond in Perth

I managed to convince Mike to avert his eyes from what the main sail was doing and he turned and smiled a smile that melted my heart. We are so determined to try to live in the moment and not think too much about the next adventure, travel plan and what needs organizing. On the whole, I think we are doing really well and that moment is stored in my mind forever. Photos galore were taken on the iPhone and Linda told me to "rack off" out of the photo with Mike so that she could be in it with him alone... even bigger smile :):) How lucky are we!

Friday, off to Penguin Island and Seal Island on an adventure tour (less than half-price courtesy of Peter's never ending "all part of the service" help) of the islands south of Perth. Can these travels get any better I asked? Well, it keeps trying hard, I can assure you. 

Penguin and Seal Islands

We had 20 dolphins alongside our boat (almost in touching distance but of course you don't touch dolphins in the wild) playing and romancing and when we opened up the very powerful throttle and created waves in our wake they swam, leaped and played alongside us for ages surfing on the waves. I had jaw ache from smiling at the end of this adventure tour. We saw big fat male sea lions 'holing up' on the shores having been out hunting/feeding for 2 to 3 days solid, wild 'little blue penguins', an osprey and it's 2x2 metre nest and many birds as we motored around the islands accompanied by an excellent commentary from the team. With a couple of hours to explore the island on foot (easy because not that big), yet another picnic and many selfies later of us in front of yet more idyllic coves, aqua blue seas and vistas, we jumped back on the ferry to the mainland.


As we had driven south of Perth we decided to go as far south as the car rental firm would allow and took in a flying visit to Manjurah. Nice harbour, many apartments, long sandy beach, park.. the usual, but (just in my opinion) I preferred the other areas we had visited. Maybe because we were not there long we missed some hidden gems? That night we joined Peter, Karen and Carly for a pint or 2 of 'one fifty lashes' at their local surf club in Coogee (members only) and back home for a couple of Baileys. a brilliant night of conversation and debate that took us to 1 in the morning and for one (not me surprise, surprise) a hangover the next day.

Saturday morning saw us taking the car back before they closed at lunch time and back into Fremantle in the afternoon on the bus to take a good look around the massive market and local performers. Really chilled afternoon and ended with a homemade curry (actually 2) at home. We managed to facetime Sam, Dad and Dee and Mum and John which was wonderful and saw our little Tazzie boy who duly ignored us on screen :(. He is having a whale of a time, what can I say!

So, here I am Sunday morning (everybody else is still in bed), our last day in Perth. because we have no car we will spend the best part of today on Coogee beach (full circle), an evening meal with Peter who we will miss and then a taxi to Perth domestic terminal for a flight with Jetstar through the night to Cairns YUCK!I have been reliably informed that it will not be up to Emirates standard... what is a girl to do? Travelling a further 2 hours forward in time and away from the UK, I sometimes shudder just a tiny bit at how far away we are from our family and friends but the adventure continues and the Great Barrier Reef here we come :)

The Girls

Sitting by the pool on the rooftop of the Marmara Hotel in Al Barsha, Dubai on day 3, final day in Dubai. Mike is on the sunbed next to me writing away and I excitedly comment "Woo Hoo, Sam is now booked on a flight to Cyprus, we are going to see him in April (massive smiley face)" and he sort of grunts/acknowledges and carries on writing. Where are my girlie friends when I need them for a good old day long chat?

I have thought about women, relationships, mothers and my girlfriends over the last couple of days while in Dubai as the customs of this Arab Emirates have challenged me to do so. Dubai is a cosmopolitan place with women from all countries and backgrounds. I have watched European mothers with their babies and amazed at how far technology has come with regards to the gadgets of being out and about and feeding and caring for your baby in public. I have carefully marveled and admired women covered by their traditional Arabic dress who share laughter and take selfies with their girlfriends and female relatives while surfing and texting on the most modern Samsung Galaxies. I have been mildly disappointed by women who seem to disregard the request to respect the dress code and not cover their shoulders and knees. 

We sat on JBR2 (Jumeirah Beach Resort 2) on the beautiful golden sands, lovely Persian Gulf sea in front of me and a stunning high rise backdrop and I considered how almost all of the women sunbathed in bikinis and yet only 50 metres away, a woman sat covered from head to toe in black with a white towel over her head (I assume to reflect the sun). Did she believe strongly in her tradition and wear her dress with pride or did she have no choice? I will never know, but what I have discovered about my own feelings is that I have a new found respect for her and her fellow women folk that I would never have thought I would discover. There is a real strength in their comradeship, stature and togetherness which made me remember the lovely and special bonds I have with my mum and girlfriends. It is so different because we would be sipping a cool beer in our bikinis by the pool together now (if alcohol was allowed, which it isn't) seeking the golden tan and chatting away. What a contrast, but I am certain the friendships are no different.

I love Dubai and it would now be the number one recommendation on my list for winter sun. A stunning climate in February, much to see and do and if you are a girlie girl... MEGA shopping opportunities like I have never experienced before. We passed through the The Dubai Mall last night to reach the fountain viewing point in front of the Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world), and there were at least four floors culminating in what must have been literally thousands of shops. For me, the Burj Khalifa wins hands down every time, it is absolutely incredible and the fountain display to traditional Arabic music was fantastic.. a la Bellagio Las Vegas style but better. Hundreds of palm trees lit up with silver, white and gold fairy lights and gigantic screens and posters. It is well worth the Metro visit out to this business and shopping district and experience a different feel to that of the Dubai Marina area, the Palm Jumeirah and the Burj Al Arab. Talking of all that name dropping, that was all bloomin' amazing too. You wouldn't want to sightsee it all in the height of the summer though, I think the heat would spoil the enjoyment even with the air-con cafes, malls and restaurants not to mention air-con trams, metro and monorails.

The monorail journey over to the Palm Jumeirah ending at the famous Atlantis Hotel was beautiful. We arrived at the Atlantis as the sun was setting and got some great pics with our new selfie stick. I think Mike and I look really quite silly trying to master the perfect picture with this stick but it is giving us a laugh. There is a water park in the hotel which looked great if that is what you want to do, but it is one corner of Dubai that is definitely not cheap to eat, drink or partake in attractions unlike many other places in Dubai (20p for a bottle of water :)). It probably has something to do with the captured market right at the end of the archipelago and nowhere else to go! The wealth and decadence is eye opening.

The metro and tram system is fantastic in Dubai and for sure the best way to travel about the tourist sights. Cheap (22 dirhams for an all day pass hopping on and off as many times as you like - about £3.50) and we used it to the full on day two having walked for England on day one. Having bloody said that, we still managed to walk 30,000 steps (yes Mike's iPhone app) on day two! See picture of a traffic jam below on day two in Dubai... Ouch!

We have stayed in a super hotel, I want to travel with Fly Emirates wherever I go in the future and I would absolutely love to come back to Dubai with some of those girlie friends I mentioned. OK Mike, you can come too, love you really :). I have not felt threatened once and the local people are respectful, graceful and know how to provide excellent customer service... Thumbs up Dubai.

Abiding memory of Dubai is standing on the bridge that crosses to the Palm Jumeirah at sunset with Mike and thinking that New York could never be beaten for a skyline... I was wrong.

Reminder to self, pack 2 or 3 loose, summery dresses that go just below the knee and over the shoulders and all is good with the world....