We are Home Again!

Traveling is fun. We left Vanuatu at 7 am Sunday morning, August 3 and flew to Brisbane. Since Air Pacific canceled out flight directly from Vanuatu to Fiji we had to take the trip back to Brisbane. After the 2 hour, 50 minute flight to Brisbane and a 2 hr 55 minute layover we flew out of Brisbane, back over Vanuatu and arrived 3 hours, 20 minutes later in Nadi, Fiji. We had a 5 hour layover in Fiji. Our flight out of Fiji to Los Angeles left Sunday night at 11:45. This flight took 10 hours, 25 minutes.

Here's the funny part, since we crossed the International Date Line, we arrived in Los Angeles at 1:20 pm - Sunday afternoon - 10 hours, 25 minutes before be left Fiji.

We spent two Sundays this week in airports or in the air! When we finally arrived home, I took and long hot shower and a nice long nap! Vacations are wonderful but there is no place like home.

I'll be posting more pics of the trip to the blog but I am giving serious thought to posting the whole photo journal to a website like Flicker or PhotoBucket. I'll investigate & post here where to find all the pics. For now, I'm going to rest and relax so I can recuperate.

Last Day in Australia

Friday is our last day in Australia and Steph's last day to watch TV for awhile.








We have to be checked out of our room by 10 am - check in at the airport is around 4 pm.





























We have agreed there is plenty to see in and around the CBD in Brisbane so, once we are checked out that is where we will head. I probably won't be posting pictures again until we are back home again.




For now, I'd like to share some shots of our wonderful accomodations here at the Comfort Inn, Robertson Gardens, a suburb of Brisbane

Mt. Coot-tha Part 1 Overlook & View of Brisbane

Our visit to Mt. Coot-tha began at the look out where we had a terrific view of Brisbane. When we visited the gift shop I found the perfect souvenir mug, a bracelet made in Australia and a boomerang for Stephanie. Steve found a clock for his collection and got a free cup of coffee out of the deal too!

I hope you enjoy the pictures of our day - we enjoyed spending our day at Mt. Coot-tha

Mt. Coot-tha Part 2 - Our hike to Simpson Falls

Mt. Coot-tha is paradise just outside Brisbane city limits. As we hiked we could hear lizards scurrying away from the trail, birds calling and water gently rushing over rocks.







The waterfalls we hiked to were a bit of a disappointment (Michigan's falls probably ruined it for us)






The weather forecast was colder weather this week - thankfully the weather man was wrong - we were quite comfortable! Brisbane is wonderful.

















The walk up (and down) Mt. Coot-tha was terrific - even though I'm still wearing the wrong shoes! At least I removed the socks today.

Mt. Coot-tha Part 2 - Our hike to the waterfalls

Mt. Coot-tha Part 2 - Our hike to the waterfalls

Mt. Coot-tha Part 3 - Lunch

Before leaving the Villa this morning we packed a bag with bread, lunch meat, dressing, lettuce, tomatoes, green pepper, cheese, hummus, spinach dip and yes, some corn chips! After hiking our first trail we took a break to eat lunch. I'm including photos for my Zaar friends.

Mt. Coot-tha Part 4 Aboriginal Art Trail

Another trail we climbed/walked today lead us past some Aboriginal art. The trail wound up the mountain, rather steep in areas but the beauty of our surroundings made the trip worth it. I honestly believe Stephanie has some mountain goat in her blood as she had absolutely no problem leading the way and patiently waiting for Steve and me to huff and puff behind her. I've separated pictures of the trail into several different posts, hope you enjoy the photos.

Mt. Coot-tha Part 4 Aboriginal Art Trail