The world’s largest sand island – Fraser Island.� We did a day tour of the island with a company that organized everything.� I think the only minus this tour and tours in general is that you cannot decide how long you want to be in one spot, it is all decided for you.� Meaning at times you feel a bit rushed.� There was lots to see, so maybe it was good someone was keeping us on the move.� The waters are crystal clear in the lakes and streams. They are also cold since it is winter time.� Some people made a plunge into Lake McKenzie, even though it was only maybe 12’C. I decided to admire the blues of the water and the whites of the sand.� Lunch was included, buffet style with salads, some meats and a selection of warm dishes.� Then the 4 wheel drive bus drove along the beach.� It made stops by a ship wreck, steam that you could walk along and further down colourful sands.� Indeed this is paradise (that too many people know about).

Today we went out to see the Hardy Reef and the Whitsunday Islands (named by Captain Cook during Easter time – see the link) with a tour operator called FantaSea.� First we got bused from Airlie Beach to Shute Harbour.� � � The islands reminded me of northern Ontario landscape.� When I looked up at the hills on the islands I saw forests that looked like they were made up of deciduous trees and some pines, with rocks closer to shore.� The difference here is that occasionally there are palms and some islands hold beautiful beaches of fine white sands.

The cruise boat took us to a platform AHH reef called Reefworld that floats in the ocean right by Hardy Reef. We got our gear ready for snorkeling and put on body suits for the water was rather on the cold side.� Maybe for whales it is warmer, they migrate to have their young this time of year and we actually spotted some as they were swimming farther out by the boat.� Back to the reef…it was magnificent.� I got so occupied looking at the various crevices, corals and fish I did not notice how cold I got, being in the water for about an hour.� I came out with blue lips and my body was shacking for a while after.� Then again, when will I come back to the reef?� � A reef of many reefs that stretches 2500km (you can see it from space!).� The corals have colours of blue, yellow, purple, white, the fish are also very colourful and have many patterns on their bodies. � This tour also included: lunch, complimentary tea and cakes. There was also a ride in a semi-submerged submarine and a viewing window where a 3 meter groper swam about.� For the price we paid (which seemed pricy at first), it was all worth it for this whole day excursion.

I travelled on the Indian Pacific, a train that travels right across Australia (Perth-Adelaide-Sydney). I just did the Perth-Adelaide route, which is two nights on the train. It was a great experience. You get to see lots of the outback country and the Nullarbor Plains (this is where the longest straightest stretch of rail in the world is located at 478km). Sleeping on the trains was not too bad. I was in economy class or Red Kangaroo where I had one relining seat allotted. The carriage that I was in was not full, so most people had two seats to take a snooze on. It also helps having good company on board. I had two gentlemen to talk with, a journalist from Italy and a guy from France that will be studying at the same uni as I in the Netherlands. Small world!

Currently, I am in Adelaide. This city is more alive the Perth was, that is the downtown area does not die down after 8pm. The planning of the city is interesting as well. There is a clear grid pattern for the streets, incorporated with green park squares and the city is bordered with more parks. Yesterday I walked the city, went to the South Australia Art Gallery (which has lots of lovely Aussie paintings) and saw many nice classical and Victorian buildings. PLUS this is the meeting point for Jakub and I. I will see him tonight, he should be on the road right now.

I travelled north with a group of� 4 Europeans (Swiss, French and German).� I hooked up with this shared ride though a free classifieds called GumTree� (it is avaliable for different Aussie cities). I also used this site to advertise my bike� for sale and offered my services for swimming lessons (both were successful).

With the group I travelled with, we� talked a mix of� French, German and English.� I sometimes threw in a Polish word here and there.� We saw all the places that I mentioned in my other posting.� It was a great time with beautiful views.�

My last stop was Monkey Mia (pronounced as� my-ha), while the rest of the group travelled further north.� I spent 6 heavenly days at Monkey Mia.� Usually people spent half a day or a day at this place to see the dolphins.� Beening there longer was great though.� I learned a lot about marine life by walking, siting at the beach, watching documentaries (which included information about local research at Shark Bay) and I listened to stories of the rangers.� I also� fed a fish to� one of the� dolphins that swim� up� very close to the shore.� It is� quite� amazing to be looking eye to eye with these wonderful creatures of the great oceans.� Among other things,� at low tide I saw a dead turtle (it was huge) and a seahorse.� These waters are very rich in biodiversity, therefore this is a� World Heritage site.�

Currently, I am back in Perth.� The weather has changed for the worst (not like at Monkey Mia).� � It� rains outside, while I� use the� computer at the� State Library.� I have a few more days to explore the city and Fremantle (which is� 20km outside Perth).� Then I have a long train trip to Adelaide, a full� 2 days.� I am looking forward to the experience.� I will have two days to explore Adelaide before Jakub gets there.� See you� there!�

As you already know (from Jakub’s post), I am in Perth.� The weather is a lot nicer here than in Melbourne: sunny and warmer.� This is my second full day in the city.� I have been exploring it with Renee (from the Netherlands-I get some Dutch lessons now and then).� Today we were� at Kings Park, which is up on a hill, overlooking the city.� I did take a photo of the nice� view, but� it will be posted when I am back with Jakub.� The rest of the park� offered palm trees and parrots, and many people out for picnics.� � Last night, Renee and I cooked dinner together at her hostel, tonight we are cooking at my hostel (the hostel she is� staying at is booked for the weekend, therefore I am elsewhere).�

Tomorrow,� I am off� to explore Western Australia.� I� am sharing a car� ride with two other people - French and Swiss, girl and boy, around my� age.� We met on Saturday to think about where we� want to stop at:� The Pinnacles at Namburg National Park,� Kalbarri National Park, Geraldton and Monkey Mia.� Monkey Mia will be my last stop, while they continue north to Darwin.� I� will take a bus/car ride back to Perth (see how it works out).� Then� it will be a train ride from Perth to Adelaide, takes 3 days!� � � � � I am looking forward to the experience.� � � � � � �

I did a solo trip to Philip Island.� This is a place 140km south of Melbourne.� Once I crossed the bridge onto the island it was about time to have some lunch.� After a few photos of the pelicans, I sat at the jetty and ate my home-made sandwich and salad.� The water from the open ocean was floating in quickly past me.� There were people fishing there and sadly one of them caught a bird by accident.� I was very sad for the bird.� I think the hook was in its throat, meaning it will come to a slow death due to starvation.

I had to put it out of my mind and decide how to spend my time on this island.� I bought a pass for three of the attractions: Churchill Island (a much smaller island with a farm and historic house), Koala Sanctuary and Penguin Parade.� It between the attractions, I also admired the views of the shoreline, overlooking the open ocean.� The main attraction of the island are “the little penguins”.� They are the smallest penguins in the world.� Again (in reference to the bird mentioned above), I left sorry for the penguins.� There are huge amounts of tourists walking around these 20-30cm creatures.� � The rangers asked for people to respect the habitat of the penguin, but people still left garbage and made lots of noise.� I admired the penguins for their beauty and funny ways, but was disgusted with people there.

I volunteered with Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) on two separate days: June 4 at Friends of Toolern Creek (Melton)� and June 5 at Moomba Park (Fawkner).� � Both of these projects consisted of planting native plants and shrubs at the parks.� It is rehabilitation work to bring back plants that use to grow there 1000s of years ago, in hopes to bring some of the native animals back to the area as well.� � It is great fun to volunteer. There are many different opportunities to suit your interests (just search through the web).� For me CVA was the number one choice because I like the outdoors and the physical work (I really felt it in my muscles afterwards, but it is a good feeling).� Plus it is a great way to meet the locals.

A fourth generation lady by the name of Lois Airs, an islander of French Island, gives tours and advice to those that visit. Some stay for longer, others are here for only a day. All of them she greets, even the shy ones. She recommended a 30 km bike route that we could take. On this route, we spotted koalas in trees taking their time, sleeping or eating. We continued down the road that is very bumpy, at times sandy (careful breaking!). Close to 12pm – LUNCH TIME, we stopped at the farm lands that belong to Lois’ great grandfather. Lois showed us the kitchen, where we can make some tea/coffee and help ourselves to scones. One drops in the money for these goodies into a koala bank. We sat and chatted with Daniel, a Swede working in Melbourne, which has also come out for a bike ride on the island. We ended up biking the rest of the route together, through the fields and hills we went. We explored the Blue Gum Forest very closely indeed (we kind of got sidetracked because we could not find the road that was marked on the map). What a lovely sunshiny day. Back on the ferry to mainland and then the Toyota back to Melbourne (lots of traffic, could have been due to Mother’s Day).

Mornington Peninsula.� First off a coffee in Flinders – I got a Baby Cino.� I didn’t know what it was before ordering, but it’s frothed milk in a small glass (would have ordered something else if I knew – ask ahead).� I drank it with a double chocolate brownie.� On we went to see view on the south and north side of the peninsula and rode our bikes to the tip called Point Nepean.� There are old batteries located throughout the point and the army still trains here.

Red Hill is a town on the peninsula.� Here we treated ourselves to delicious handmade cheese (first tired a platter to choose what we like, all we so good).� AND Jakub bought a six-pack of Red Hill micro-brews.� In the evening we settled down to a nice ‘retreat’ place where we camped, ate our goodies (named above) and relaxed by a fire in the lounge.

Happy One Year! � After work, Jakub and I met up downtown on Lonsdale in the Greek District.� The restaurant we had intended to go to was closed, but we wandered around the area to find many more.� We landed on a fairly fancy one with good food and a weird slogan on the receipt “keep coming back until you get sick of us” (wtf?).� Then it was off to the opera.� We had been very excited about going to see this opera named Rusalka.� Rusalka is a Czech Opera by Dvorak off a water nymph wanting to be human to have emotions and be able to love.� The witch (Jezibaba)� grants her a human body under the conditions that she is mute.� Rusalka accepts…

PS our official one year is on May 9^th.� On this night, we had some candle-light dinner at home.� I made French-onion soup and goulash, since I finished my work day earlier.