Cairns with Mama Frannie, Papa Jim and Papa Ches

August 23rd through August 26th, 2010

We stayed in Palm Cove, north of Cairns.

They still like each other after all these years :)

We took a day trip to Green Island and the Great Barrier Reef. They offered a glass bottom boat to see the reef.

Fish Feeding

Abby chucking up (that kid is a jokster)

We then went on a semi submersable to see the coral and sea life up close.

Sea cucumber

Sea turtle

We were so exhausted that day, Dad and I snorkled.

The Chinese often holds their fingers this way. This means cheese or smile.

Eating at our favorite restaurant in Cairns, Barnacle Bill's.

Abby at Palm Cove beach

Beach Bums

Skyrail to Kuranda


Short and Tall

Large tree in the Rainforest

Barron Falls

Yes, that is Mr. Bill. Oh Nooooooooooooooo

We went to Hartley's Crocodile Farm.

The best part is the boat cruise in the lagoon.

Lots o crocs!

Abby is not so sure this is a good idea.

Visit from Mama Frannie and Papa Jim

My parents visited from August 19th through August 29th, 2010. They stayed for 10 days and it was so great to see them. They had not been out of the US since their honeymoon in 1972!! Thanks for making the journey!



Lunch at the Regatta Hotel.

At ease soldiers.

The HMAS Diamantina.

Papa Jim mans the guns on the Diamantina.

Abby pilots ship.

Duyfken replica from 1605.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.

Lorikeets.

This photo was right before my mother kissed the koala on the back. My mother is a nut!!!

My Dad always loved koalas, I am so happy that he got to cuddle one.

Stradbroke Island

August 7, 2010

Ches, Chris, Abby and I went to North Stradbroke Island which is about 60 km from Brisbane. The locals call it Straddie and it takes 3 hours to get there. We took a train, a bus, a ferry and then another bus to Point Lookout. We went on the North Gorge walk and it was spectacular.

Not sure if you can pick out the surfers, but it was amazing.

These dolphins were great. This pod was surfing.

This is called the Whale's blowhole because at certain time and tide the water comes through the rocks like a blowhole.

Aye-aye Captain!