Mission Beach

We've moved up North now to Mission Beach (about 2 hours South of Cairns). Mission Beach was in the path of Cyclone Larry about 6 weeks ago, and is still in recovery mode. Nonetheless we've found ourselves a great place to stay -www.licualalodge.com.au .

Since we've been here, we've visited a crocodile farm, walked through rainforest, seen some spectacular waterfalls, gone snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, been to the beach and we even had some time to relax by the pool.
Our highlight has been diving in the Reef. while we were down there we saw turtles, sharks, Clown Fish (think Finding Nemo), sea snakes, plenty of fish and of course enormous amounts of coral.

This photo is typical of what we saw but stolen from /www.reefteach.com.au since we didn't have an underwater camera.

It was Elena's first time snorkelling - and both our first time out on the Reef, so we've still got smiles from ear to ear. Seeing photos and videos is one thing, but there is nothing like being there - so close you can touch everything happening in front of you.

We got a shock the first time we saw the sharks down there, but they are of a type mostly harmless to humans.

The day before we also saw some spectacular waterfalls both at Milaa Milaa as well as Little Millstream. Our favorite was Little Millstream, being in the middle of a crater and a very typical Australian bush setting with lots of wildflowers.

Bushwalking

Today we went walking in the bush just near Airlie Beach. It was about 6km of tracks leading up to a lookout over the Whitsunday Islands (see view above).



But the most "exciting" part was the spider which I almost walked into blocking our path on the way down. Thankfully Elena saw it.

We've also attached some other photos of the region here. One of the view from our Hotel room - one of the local market, and one of Elena walking at "Dingo Beach" which is about 40 minutes from here. We cruised down there yesterday afternoon.

Arrival in Sydney

We have now arrived. After all these months of planning, waiting, nervousness and too many goodbyes - we have a new beginning!

We were picked up at the airport by Kurt and Sarah. Such wonderful human beings they are!

We stayed in Sydney for 2 nights (one day). In Sydney we looked at an apartment with a fabulous view over the city, but it was not really "the" Duncan and Elena apartment.


Additionally we had a great lunch with Kurt at the Town Hall Hotel (see photo for the picture of it). We sat on the porch in 30 degrees, and only moved in the end because we had to go to the bank before it closed. If this is the pressure we will be facing from now on - then I'm a happy man.

We have then flown 3 hours North to Townsville. Where we caught the raining edges of another cyclone which came through recently. So we've gone South to Airlie Beach to relax for a few days, before we go North again.

Come back in a few days and you may find some photos... If you are really luck (!?!?) we may even have a video.

We are staying at a really nice hotel with a great view and super pool. This morning we sat down and needed to make a decision. What a horrible experience it was! I haven't done this for weeks. So in the meantime we are practising the age old art of procrastinating (for those still studying English, goto en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procrastinating.

Our big decision is whether we go snorkeling tomorrow or whether we go to Whitehaven Beach (see photo attached from www.ericlindsay.com - not from me [yet]). Alternatively we could take a two day cruise and do both...

So we will keep you updated as we progress through this horrible process.

In the meantime, we hope you are all well - and thanks for the great mails.

The Star of The Show

Theo told me I could only stay longer if I published a photo specifically of him.

Theo's House

The last few days we've been staying with Theo. Josch and Karin have been here too! This photo was taken at a wine cellar near the parents of Josch in Spitz - just off the Danube River. Today we are visiting some museums and sitting around doing not much.

Apartment is gone

We've both been working hard...

After 3 and a half years, today we gave the keys to our apartment back. Sad in a sense, since we really had some goodtimes and enjoyed ourselves there. Now we are homeless forthe next 3 months. Fortunately we are enjoying a relxing time with Josch and Karin (and Theo) right now.
... are we emotional... too right we are. But we're also looking forward to just going to Sydney to get started on a new life.

One Week On

I`ve now been jobless for a week. Jobless, but not without work... Cleaning the apartment and moving has been the sort of experience one would rather forget in a hurry!
Everything is on rote to Sydney via Hamburg now. It´s difficult to work out what you will need for 3 months. No doubt we´ve forgotten something.
I am still not sure whether I look for a job with someone else, or start my own company. I guess it will become more apparent when I get to Sydney.
Our first week will be spent up in Townsville - so you can expect to see lots of nice beaches. Stay tuned...
We are staying with Markus and Pilar who are very hospitable. We strongly recommend stopping by for a glass of whisky with them if you are in the neighbourhood. Thanks guys!
(This photo is of Markus & Pilar with us in their living room while they were hosting us)