Saturday, April 7, 2012

Happy Easter from Australia

Happy Easter Everybody, and especially Cassie and Georgia.
We just had a month of "Family time" in March, they won't mind so much that we are away over this important holiday (maybe!).
 
It was seriously nice to be in Calgary for March. The weather was more inclined to spring than winter and facing the crisp days at home was rather refreshing after some of the wilting hot days we have been experiencing on the boat. But most importantly we got to spend a lot of time with our daughters and the two pesky dogs.
 
We've finally broken away from the dock at Sanctuary Cove, not to return again until late August. Our destination this season is not too far away, but just as exotic as any of our previously visited tropical islands - The Great Barrier Reef. We'll take our time to get there over the next month and a bit, stopping in along the east Aussie coast as we head north. Currently, we are in Manly Harbour for a day or two, we had hoped to catch Eric, Anne and Bear from Oso Blanco here, but they are out on anchor for the weekend, returning at the same time as we head out for the next stop at Mooloolaba. They will be following behind us soon though, so we'll catch up along the way. The weather is a bit cooler in this area now as it is becoming their winter season, but it is still pretty warm for we Canadian Hot Bloods. I did however have to pull out a pair of jeans for an evening walk last night - shocking! This is why we are heading north, that and the siren call of fantastic diving.
 
Our flights to and from Calgary land us in Sydney, so we spent a few days exploring this vibrant Australian city. It has enough going on to please just about any traveler. Darling Harbour, the Sydney Aquarium, great restaurants, historical architecture and on and on. Sake restaurant in the Rocks has the best sushi ever and Manta is another great place to eat. Maybe it was the charming servers at both places, but no the food in both places was outstanding. Sydney has a gorgeous central botanical garden/park that takes a full day to wander through with plants from every corner of the world. There is definitely something to be said for a great climate, I do envy them the ability to grow anything, especially when I think of all the little plants struggling to poke their heads out of the cold ground at our home.
 
Anyway, long story - short, we are happy to be on the move again.

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