We spent 2 weeks in Bundaberg, "Bundy", catching up on maintenance issues like bottom paint, engine work, etc. CYAN was in the yard
for 10 days while we lived uncomfortably aboard in a mess of work in progress. We'd stripped and redone the teak [not our favorite job]
and had also reoiled all the interior teak, another huge job, while in delayed in our journey north from Sydney. There seemed to be
time for scotch tasting in Manly with old friends between jobs. We needed to get well prepared to go into the Third World for a
long period. After all the various systems were checked and fixed we headed out for some fun again, sailing to the Whitsunday Islands and
beyond. There we got to meet up with all sorts of cruiser friends we'd not seen in a while. We were all headed toward Darwin and the Indonesian
Yacht Rally. This takes place in July. About 120 boats are planning to set out together this year.
We found the Whitsundays quite rolly due to heavy swell, and not clear enough to snorkle, so we zipped thru them quickly. Thomas Island was
our favorite when we were anchored alone with the wildlife and got to kayak around. We decided to stop for a while in Townsville to pick
up some mailed items and fix a few pop up jobs. There is no shortage of those on a boat. After Townsville and a stop at Magnetic Island nearby,
we sailed to Cairns. We rented a car for a week to see Cooktown and Cape Tribulation. Cooktown is a small town started by by Capt Cook and hasn't changed
much...like a town in the 1800's but worth a visit. Cape Trib is impressive for the rainforest walks and wildlife to look for all around.
The lushness of the forest was quite lovely and bugfree, to our surprise. Next we took a 5 day dive boat trip to the Great Barrier Reef and
the photos are on the next page.
 CYAN on lift |
 Chuck & Ray scotch tasting |
 Pearl Cove Anchorage |
 Our kayac on beach |
 Island walk Lady Musgrave |
 Turtle welcome Thomas Island |
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 Thomas Island |
 Rocks at Thomas Isl |
 Collecting shells |
 Magnetic Island |
 Feeding Wallabies |
 Rock Wallaby |
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 Townsville Gardens |
 Lorikeet |
 Townsville Mountain |
 Gardens |
 Croc warnings |
 Gold miner |
 Daintree River |
 Croc in the wild |
 Another croc |
 Hike to falls |
 Bandicoot at our cabin door |
 First roo was sighted here |
 What kind of Lasagne? |
 Cooktown lighthouse |
To go on to the Next Page: Great Barrier Reef Dive
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To go on to the Next Page: Indonesia, The Exotic East
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To return to the Journey Log page
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To Go back to the first Australia Page
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