BYRON BAY

I have spent the last week here in Byron bay. Having a very lazy time to say the least. Lots of walking along the beach stopping to watch all the surfers! Many spending more time lying on their boards than surfing. I guess they are waiting for that great wave! There is a lovely walk up to the light house. It takes you along the beach and up towards the most easterly point. some great views. From the light house it's back through the forest,with some great sounds from birds along the way.

One of my days i took on another challenge hang gliding! Woh was i scared,especially when i had to run off the plank before take off. It was all worth it in the end. Lovely looking down over the sea and forest.

I went on a will life tour too. Just me and the tour guide. Saw lots of kangaroos of all verities. My favourite yet again was the koala so cute. Got up one morning at 5a.m and went to see platypus. Most Australian's have never seen this animal. They live in fresh water creeks and only appear very early in the morning. They have a duck like beek and are covered in fur, they dip and dive along the creek amazing creatures.

Byron Bay to me is a place that did not move much with time, lots of hippy like people about without a care in the world. I felt very at home! Heading off soon on the greyhound bus to Sydney where i will spend a month with some family and friends. Christmas is not quite the same here. We will be spending it on the beach with a BBQ all going well.

ite

beautiful beach. no swimming lots of sharks as sea gets deep very quickly.

FRASER ISLAND

FRAISER ISLAND

This was one of my highlights. Three days visiting great fresh water lakes and driving along the beach in our four wheel drive mini bus with our guide Kirstin. Lively walks trough forests. Then walking through sand dunes, so hot i felt i was in the Sahara. Fraser Island is the worlds largest sand island. Lake Mc Kenzie has lovely white sand and sparkling blue waters. Lake wabby is the deepest lake on the island.

"THE KIANA SAILING TRIP"

We had a three day sailing trip on our lovely boat the Kiana. good diving but alas did not get to the barrier reef as prevailing winds were against us. fourteen aboard in quite a confined space at times. Food was to die for. We got to the "whit Sundays". White Haven beach was amazing with pure white sand and turquoise coloured waters. We had to wear stinger suits at all times because of sting ray yet again.

LIFE ON MAGNETIC ISLAND.!

SURROUNDED BY BIRDS EVEN ON MY HEAD!

I AM A RAINBOW LORIKETT!

WHAT CAN I SAY I LOVE THE KOALA AND LIZARD'S TOO!

HEADING DOWN THE EAST COAST.

Bye Cairns.hello Magnetic Island. I took the Grey Hound bus down as far as Townsville. A six hour bus journey . Not much scenery but the trip passed quickly. When I got to townsville I took the ferry over to magnetic Island. I stayed in the Y.H.A hostel for two nights. I went out jet Skiing with a group of five and went all around the Island it was beautiful. I was a little nervous in the beginning but got into the swing of it quickly enough. In the afternoon i went around the santuary at bungalow bay where i was staying. I experienced all the native animals enjoyed wildlife talks with the local ranger and learned about the culture of Magnetic Island. Got to hold a Koala and hang out with snake. It was awesome!!!!!

THE GREAT BARRIER REEF

This is our view from the boat at the great barrier reef. Did not do any diving as the snorkeling was just as good.Christal clear waters!

Dantry Forest

So These are a few of my friends that i met at Port duglas national

park on the way to Dantry forest park

SYDNEY

MY NEW FRIENDS!


Here i am in beautifu Sydney. The weather has picked up at last.
When I arrived it was wet and windy. I thought I was back home.
I am staying in Y.H.A Hostel in Sydney central. Nice and clean. I had a good look around the opera house. Went to A tribute Duke alington later on. There was a 100 piece orchestra, including lots of wind instruments. It was a wonderful night.









THE BRIDGE CLIMB
.

Yes i did it, have the cert to prove it. We were not allowed take camaras along but i do have all the proof. It took three hours in all. We climbed up in between and up to the very top of Sydney Bridge. We were all clipped in . It was a wonderful experience. The view over Sydney was Awsome!!!

SAN FRANCISCO

"the ladies out for a stroll"!

my second last day in San Francisco. We took a tour to Sausalito, a little like dalkey ( on a very good day!). Sausalito is on the other side of "golden gate bridge. Plenty of nice shops and restaurants everywhere.

MORE PHOTOS OF SAN FRANCISCO

half moon bay. not just a pritty picture!

down at half moon bay where everybody

is busy picking the best pumkin for Halloween!

YOSEMITE.

THIS IS SUCH A WONDERFUL PLACE.
I stayed two nights in Yosemite. I lodged in tent like accommodation. Had to keep all toiletry's and food
locked up because of the bears!! Thank god i did not meet up with one. However i did come across a coyote and a raccoon, and plenty
of grey squirrels.

WILL I EVER GET TO THE TOP!!!
VERNAL FALLS 3000 FEET UP!

SAN FRANCISCO

WINDY HILL

Took off for a nice walk to windy hill with Sue Thursday evening. I think it was a way of keeping me awake for another few hours before i fell asleep. The windy hill preserve is in the town of Portola Valley. We took the "Hamms Gulch trail" which went up up and up and woh! did we have some view from the top known as windy hill. It was worth it all. However we did have to walk rather quickly back down as we were under a bit of pressure for time. It was all most enjoyable.


MONTEREY

Took a Trip to Monterey. It has a spectacular coastline. Its granite rocks have been cut into coves and jutting points by the ocean. There is a 17 mile drive along this coastline. There is great surf here and flora and of course the Del monte forest. There are many wealthy people living around this area in mansions to die for! also for our golfing friend there is the famous pebble beach golf course. Of course i met everybody at the 19th! We ended up for coffee in carmelo a quaint spot further on.

Catriona "The Traveller" is on the move again.

Once again I am on the move. Arrived here in Sanfransisco to beautiful blue skies. Woh! I had a ten hour flight from London with no problems thank God. It was nice to be met by my dear friend Sue and her Mum at the other end. I have just had my first tour over already which was to see the University of Stanford. It is surrounded by beautiful grounds with plenty of nice walks. All around here is known as the bay area. All very relaxed feeling very much at home ...