Vacation 2009 - Quest For The West

Another year, another Adventure by Disney. This time we went “down under” for an Australian adventure. Couldn’t go to Australia and not dive The Great Barrier Reef, so we showed up 3 days early, and dedicated all of that extra time to diving.

Each day has a journal entry written by Amber.

Day 7 – The Sails of Sydney

The afternoon is spent flying to Sydney, where we visit Domain Park for a view of the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Bridge, followed by dinner at the Summit Restaurant. The restaurant is near the top of a tower with a 360 degree view of Sydney, the restaurant itself rotates.

Word of the Day: “Coathanger” an affectionate nickname for the Sydney Harbor Bridge.

Day 8 – Quay to the City

In the morning we get into the Taronga Zoo before opening. This was the first time I’ve visited a zoo since I was a child, it was a lot of fun. Then we took a jet boat around Sydney harbor. After lunch on the East Bank, we took a bicycle tour of The Rocks District. That ended our Disney part of our day, so we skipped on over to the Sydney Opera House and got tickets to The Pirates of Penzance. It was fun seeing an opera in the Sydney Opera House.

Word of the Day: “Joey” is a baby kangaroo or other marsupial pup.

Day 9 – Sheepish Grins

On our own in the morning we went and visited the Sydney Barracks, where the prisoners were kept back when Australia was a prison colony. In the evening we went to the Tobruk Sheep Ranch for a sheep herding demonstration, sheep shearing (where I even partially sheared a sheep), and our farewell dinner.

Word of the Day: “Jumbuck” is Aussie slang for sheep.
(The photos and journal for this day are actually day 9 & 10, we only had 2 photos for 10, so they were combined.)

Day 10 – Good On Ya Mates!

Our adventure guides met us to say farewell before we board the plane and return to “real life”.

Word of the Day: “Cobber” is a close friend, pal or mate.
(The photos from this day are actually the guide photos from random days throughout the trip, these photos were all taken by Heidi and Christy.)

Vacation 2010 - Discovery Down Under Another year, another Adventure by Disney. This time we went “down under” for an Australian adventure. Couldn’t go to Australia and not dive The Great Barrier Reef, so we showed up 3 days early, and dedicated all of that extra time to diving. Each day has a journal entry written by Amber.
	Dive Day 1 Our first foray into The Great Barrier Reef. (This above link will open a new window on our dive journal, close window to return, clicking the preview will open in same window.)
	Dive Day 2 Diving The Great Barrier Reef, our first cave dive, and our first drift dive. (This above link will open a new window on our dive journal, close window to return, clicking the preview will open in same window.)
	Dive Day 3 Our final day at The Great Barrier Reef, later this evening the Adventure by Disney begins, but the morning and afternoon belong to the reef. (This above link will open a new window on our dive journal, close window to return, clicking the preview will open in same window.)
	Day 1 – G’Day Mates! Our Adventure by Disney begins with a welcome dinner and meeting our co-adventurers and our adventure guides. The photos for this day also include all the pre-adventure days that weren’t underwater. Word of the Day: “Fair dinkum” means that something is true, authentic or genuine.
	Day 2 – The Rainforest Rules! Nature hike at Mossman Gorge rainforest, followed by a nature hike at Riverbank Silky Oaks Lodge. Dinner at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures. Word of the Day: “Barbie” is slang for barbecue.
	Day 3 – Aboriginal Spirit A visit to the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park where we learn to throw spears and boomerangs, and watch the aboriginals play the didgeridoo and show us traditional aboriginal dances. Word of the Day: “Corroboree” is a celbratory aboriginal dance ceremony or meeting.
	Day 4 – Reef Adventure We take a catamaran out to the low isles to snorkel amongst The Great Barrier Reef. Word of the Day: “Coral” is a collection of small marine animals, when they reproduce their offspring create communities that form the reefs.
	Day 5 – Uluru Power! Most of the day was occupied flying to Uluru (also known as Ayers Rock), upon arrival we visit the Ayers Rock Cultural Center. After dinner we go star gazing with an astronomer. Word of the Day: “Tjukurpa” is the name of the belief system of the Uluru area Aboriginal people.
	Day 6 – Outback Adventure Spend the morning on a walk Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) in the Walpa Gorge, in the afternoon we walk around Uluru itself. Word of the Day: “Kata Tjuta” which means “many heads” in the local aboriginal language, an apt description of the 36 domes that make up the rock formations.
	Day 7 – The Sails of Sydney The afternoon is spent flying to Sydney, where we visit Domain Park for a view of the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Bridge, followed by dinner at the Summit Restaurant. The restaurant is near the top of a tower with a 360 degree view of Sydney, the restaurant itself rotates. Word of the Day: “Coathanger” an affectionate nickname for the Sydney Harbor Bridge.
	Day 8 – Quay to the City In the morning we get into the Taronga Zoo before opening. This was the first time I’ve visited a zoo since I was a child, it was a lot of fun. Then we took a jet boat around Sydney harbor. After lunch on the East Bank, we took a bicycle tour of The Rocks District. That ended our Disney part of our day, so we skipped on over to the Sydney Opera House and got tickets to The Pirates of Penzance. It was fun seeing an opera in the Sydney Opera House. Word of the Day: “Joey” is a baby kangaroo or other marsupial pup.
	Day 9 – Sheepish Grins On our own in the morning we went and visited the Sydney Barracks, where the prisoners were kept back when Australia was a prison colony. In the evening we went to the Tobruk Sheep Ranch for a sheep herding demonstration, sheep shearing (where I even partially sheared a sheep), and our farewell dinner. Word of the Day: “Jumbuck” is Aussie slang for sheep. (The photos and journal for this day are actually day 9 & 10, we only had 2 photos for 10, so they were combined.)
	Day 10 – Good On Ya Mates! Our adventure guides met us to say farewell before we board the plane and return to “real life”. Word of the Day: “Cobber” is a close friend, pal or mate. (The photos from this day are actually the guide photos from random days throughout the trip, these photos were all taken by Heidi and Christy.)

Vacation 2010 - Discovery Down Under