Getting Ready for Down Under

2016's big adventure- Australia!  A friend studied abroad there in college and since I've known her she's wanted to go back.  Those are dangerous words to say to me, because my response is "when are we going??" This was pre-Italy last year, so summer of 2016 was decided for three of us to adventure down under.  I love traveling with other teachers who have long summer vacations like me!

This is our plan:

 Fly to Sydney, spend a few days there exploring the city and a few day trips.  I'm hoping to do a harbor cruise tour, see the zoo, explore the harbor regions, and check out the beaches.  Too bad it will be too cold to swim or surf!  Though the forecast is promising 60s and I just might be tempted...   Maybe.  Side trips are scheduled for the Hunter Valley wine region and the Blue Mountains.

Then it's on to Melbourne!  We'll explore my friend's home-away-from-home city for several days, taking one jaunt down to Phillip Island to see the Penguin Parade and an overnight excursion across the Great Ocean Road.  I am SO SO SO very hoping to see whales.  I love whales.   Have I mentioned on this blog that my childhood dream was to be a marine biologist? It was dashed by a tendency toward sea sickness.  Alas.

From Melbourne, we're airborne to Cairns, then a drive north to Port Douglas, our launch point for tropical adventures.  I'm still torn between scuba or snorkeling on the reef.  Despite the devastating coral bleaching, I'm excited to see this natural wonder.  I'm so excited for all of the tropical fruit that grows in the region, and hoping to get to Daintree Rainforest for some adventures too.

Our last big stop is Uluru, aka Ayers Rock, in the Outback.  We fly out SUPER early in the morning for a few days in the center of the country.  I'm really looking forward to the stars (weather, you'd better cooperate!) and seeing the GIANT ROCK.

Finally, we return to Sydney for the flight home.  We're flying Air New Zealand, and I might be crossing my fingers for an oversold flight so I can volunteer to be bumped for a day in Auckland!

It's going to be a little hard for packing on this one.  It's winter there, but not cold winter like New England!  We're also going north so we'll be in the warmer climates for a few days.  It's require a lot of creative layers- more on that later.

This will be continent number six for me, which seems so crazy.  Antarctica is already in the works for 2020... But first I'll be saying "G'day, Australia!"