Our December vacation started with a flight to Sydney and a quick 2 hour drive to the Blue Mountains.
We had a few issues checking in to our hotel, but we eventually settled in. The next morning, Kevin went for a run around the area. He found a playground that had picnic tables inside caves looking out over the mountains. So we went to the bakery and got some yummies to take to the playground. It was a very memorable and enjoyable breakfast! We spent the rest of the day exploring the mountains. First we went for a long downhill climb to the Leura Cascades. There is where we learned 'Robbie size steps' and 'adult size steps.' The waterfall was beautiful and worth the walk.
The rest of the day was spent at Scenic World, the ultimate tourist center. There was a train that went straight down the mountain to a rain forest. We walked around and saw some info on the old coal mines that used to operate in the area. Then we took a gondola back up the mountain. The last ride was a glass-bottom cable car. Check out the picture where Robbie is pointing to the valley below his feet.
The final day in he Blue Mountains was on the Zig Zag Railway. This was a big hit with the kids. Everyone had to get out of the train on several occasions while the train changed tracks. Robbie loved watching the train from so close. Haley loved picking out new seats every time we got back on.
Part 2 of our vacation was in Sydney. We actually met up with some fellow Michiganders :Melanie, her fiancee, Shawn, Adam and his family in Sydney. We had a big group dinner for Xmas Eve in Darling Harbour. The next day was Christmas so not many things were open. We took a ferry ride across the harbour to go to Taronga Zoo. The ferry ride was where we got some great pics of the Opera House and the Bridge. The zoo was wonderful too. There was a cable car that takes you over the animals and to the top of the zoo. Then you walk downhill all the way to the bottom.
Our last day in Sydney we walked across the Sydney Harbour Bridge with the Kline family. We found a terrific playground and relaxed the rest of the day. We wanted to have dinner in the Sydney Tower which overlooks the whole city. There was a 2hour wait to get down from the tower though!!!! So, went back to Darling Harbour and had another relaxing evening.
We had a few issues checking in to our hotel, but we eventually settled in. The next morning, Kevin went for a run around the area. He found a playground that had picnic tables inside caves looking out over the mountains. So we went to the bakery and got some yummies to take to the playground. It was a very memorable and enjoyable breakfast! We spent the rest of the day exploring the mountains. First we went for a long downhill climb to the Leura Cascades. There is where we learned 'Robbie size steps' and 'adult size steps.' The waterfall was beautiful and worth the walk.
The rest of the day was spent at Scenic World, the ultimate tourist center. There was a train that went straight down the mountain to a rain forest. We walked around and saw some info on the old coal mines that used to operate in the area. Then we took a gondola back up the mountain. The last ride was a glass-bottom cable car. Check out the picture where Robbie is pointing to the valley below his feet.
The final day in he Blue Mountains was on the Zig Zag Railway. This was a big hit with the kids. Everyone had to get out of the train on several occasions while the train changed tracks. Robbie loved watching the train from so close. Haley loved picking out new seats every time we got back on.
Part 2 of our vacation was in Sydney. We actually met up with some fellow Michiganders :Melanie, her fiancee, Shawn, Adam and his family in Sydney. We had a big group dinner for Xmas Eve in Darling Harbour. The next day was Christmas so not many things were open. We took a ferry ride across the harbour to go to Taronga Zoo. The ferry ride was where we got some great pics of the Opera House and the Bridge. The zoo was wonderful too. There was a cable car that takes you over the animals and to the top of the zoo. Then you walk downhill all the way to the bottom.
Our last day in Sydney we walked across the Sydney Harbour Bridge with the Kline family. We found a terrific playground and relaxed the rest of the day. We wanted to have dinner in the Sydney Tower which overlooks the whole city. There was a 2hour wait to get down from the tower though!!!! So, went back to Darling Harbour and had another relaxing evening.
Part 3 of the vacation was further up the coast in the Gold Coast. It is like Orlando in Daytona - lots of theme parks in a touristy beach city. We went to DreamWorld first. There was a Wiggles World which the kids enjoyed very much. We also saw a Tiger show and a crocodile show. It was fun, but no Disney World. The second day was a beach day. We spent the whole day there and had a wonderful time. The kids were jumping waves, building sand castles, and digging out their own swimming pools in the beach. Kevin and Stacey took turns body surfing and playing with the kids. It was a blast! The adults got very burnt though!!!! Fortunately, the kids did not. So, the beach was not a good option for our very last day of vacation. We went to Sea World. It was just like the one in Florida minus the killer whales. The dolphins were all over the park. They had all sorts of experiences you could for to be in the water with them. We opted out of it this time, but Stacey was ready to jump in the water.
We returned to Melbourne just in time for New Years Eve. We watched 2007 come in at our friend Cindy's apartment. It is a 5 minute walk from our apartment but she has a much better view of the waterfront and the fireworks were shot off right in front of her porch. It was fabulous! Haley and Robbie stayed awake for all of it. They felt so 'grown-up' after being up that late.
Well, here are the pictures so you can see how much fun we had:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?Uc=6yrt5im.65sr9s5i&Uy=-rq2m1i&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0&mode=fromshare&conn_speed=1
The album should work now if you copy both lines
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