Grandparents Vacation: Part II

Tasmania

Flew into Hobart, Tasmania’s largest town, toured the town and stayed the night. In the morning we went to the city’s market and also looked in a few artist galleries. We moved on to Port Arthur, this is where prisoners were held until around the 1860s. So we toured the prison and then headed north to Launceston. We traveled up the east coast, and stopped in a small town called Bicheno. Here we saw the native penguins as they waddled up from the shore, to their burrows. In Launceston, we went to a gorge and dined at the harbor. Tasmania ended up being a very scenic place, and quite comparable to New Zealand, with vast forests and a ton of sheep. My favorite part was the coastline, from cliffs to great beaches Tasmania had it all.

Coast of Taz 

Coast of Taz 

Blue Mountains

We landed in Sydney, picked up our rental car, and took the two hour drive to the Blue Mountains. These mountains are Australia’s equivalent to the Grand Canyon. We stayed here for 2 nights and toured the different lookout points. Rode a gondola and also the world’s steepest railway car, at 50˚. This was a great place to take photos, as I got a few of the mountains and some of the waterfalls.

Blue Mountains (Three Sisters) 

Blue Mountains (Laure Cascades)

Sydney

In Sydney we spent four nights, a good amount given that I had already been there. Stayed right on Darling Harbor, and had a great view of the Harbor Christmas Parade and firework show. The Maritime Museum was a highlight, having an exhibition on Ansel Adams, a famous landscape photographer. Pat and I went to see a Shakespeare play in the Sydney Opera house! This was something that I have always wanted to do. We also went to the famous Bondi Beach, along with Manly beach, both suburbs of Sydney. I had to pick up a piece of art while I was in Australia, so we went to multiple Aboriginal art galleries, finally settled on an abstract, depicting sandstorms.

Fiji

Fiji was a great way to end the trip. Our hotel was right on the water and had three great days of relaxation. With temperatures around 90˚ during the day, the short afternoon rains were a great relief. The only standout moment of the trip was getting Nan, on the paddle board! I also learned the sport of lawn bowling, pretty fun actually, and played some beach volleyball as well.

Next photos were taken from outside of our resort

By the end of the trip we were all at each other’s necks, and were quite ready to get home. But all in all, it was an amazing experience, and I’m so glad I could travel and spend all this time with my Grandparents.

Ryan

Latest from AU

Brisbane:

We took a boat ride from the Brisbane harbor down the river to the Koala sanctuary. Here I got to hold a Koala named Barnacle. Aussie law says that, Koalas can only be held for 30 minutes each day, and they get the fourth day off, pretty easy life I’d say. The sanctuary also had kangaroos running around to feed. Other native animals lived here too and I made sure to take a few photos (edits to come).

We toured the Parkland Gardens and also City Hall. And of course walked through some art galleries.

The past semester I have been cooking about 95% of the meals that I eat, so needless to say, when my grandparents came to retrieve me, I ate like a king! Eating at great places perched on the rivers edge, and indulging in many seafood courses.

Airlie:

We flew up to Airlie Beach for a few nights in the hope that I could dive the Great Barrier Reef. Of course nothing goes as planned and the dive company cancelled on me twice in a row and all the other dive shops in Airlie were full booked. Luckily we were hooked up with a company 2 ½ hours north to Ayr. Woke up at 4:30 and drove the Yolangala dive shop. The S.S. Yolangala was a Steam Ship that sank in 1903 and killed everyone on it. The ship was 109 meters long and sat at the bottom of the ocean for 50 years before it was discovered.

The ship lies in 30 meters of water and is a safe haven for many species of fish. Pulling myself down the line to descend, I saw an Eagle Ray right away. Other notable sightings included a couple of Sea Turtles, Barracuda, and school of  12-15 Eagle Rays. There were the typical reef fish down there as well, but these ones looked like they were on steroids. Tropical fish bigger than anything I have ever seen before, and vast amounts of them.

We also toured the small towns and local beaches around Airlie. Though it was stinger season, we found an enclosed spot to swim and was quite surprised on how warm the water was.

Currently writing this from the Sydney airport on the way to Tasmania, where we will spend 5 days on the island.

Cheers

Ryan

Trip to Southeast Asia

So here's a short breakdown of my 3 stop trip to Southeast Asia.

Thailand:
Started my trip by flying to Phuket Thailand. Airport to Hotel then right to bed. Took the morning ferry to Koh Phi Phi Island. 2 hour boat ride to the Island, snorkeling and Thai buffet after.

The second day in Phi Phi I went scuba diving at Koh Bida Nok and Palaya North, two islands near Phi Phi. Saw a Lion fish and a shark, along with all the other various coral fish. This was the first time I did scuba in an ocean.

Hungout on the beach the next day and took the ferry back to Phuket, then straight to the airport.
Had a layover in Singapore, where I spent the night in their airport movie theater.

View from Hotel Room 

Kayak at sunset 

Phi Phi Lookout

Bali: 
Morning flight to Bali, checked in hotel then walk the streets, streets are lined with stands and people selling stuff. Sat by the pool and studied for the rest of the day.

Next day I took a tour up to the Volcano of Kintamani, stoping at wood carving, batik sewing, and painting shops. Also looked around a rice field, which was fascinating.

Next 2 days were spent photographing and going between the beach and the pool with some friends that I go to school with.

Bali Religious Dance 

Rice Terrace  

Bali Sunset

Taking full advantage of the hotel 

Locals wanted a photo with me

Singapore:
Landed in Singapore late on Friday. City tour and wandering around with my camera on Saturday. Sunday I studied all day for my upcoming exam, then I had a redeye flight back to Gold Coast.

 Merlion Fountain

Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Art Museum 

 Chinese Temple

 Mall with huge food market and ice rink

Laser light show on harbor

Gardens by the Bay

Photo of the trip, panoramic of Singapore

Look for a post of edits, from this trip, coming out soon.

Ryan