GIN GIN, ROCKHAMPTON, MAKAY, EUNGELLA N. PARK, AIRLIE BEACH, WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS, BOWEN, TOWNSVILLE, MAGNETIC ISLAND, PORT DOUGLAS / AUSTRALIA: 
"I cannot sleep with just one shit!" insisted Sandra at the reception desk of Australia's worst hostel in chilly Mission Beach... Sandra finally got what she wanted but was then told that the door didn't have a lock - no worries man - totally laid back, dreadlock, power to the greens, peace and love and dog hairs everywhere. Argh, more reasons for us to go grey?
Prior to that, we had Devonshire tea with scones, jam and cream, seved by a glove-wearing hippie in Eungella national park. We were all well impressed with the protective hygienic wear (nice contrast to dog hairs) until we saw the lady smoking a fag with the glove on. Carry on, drink the tea with little finger in the air.
Even before then, we felt thristy. Europeans drink water when that happens. Australians fart. So we passed wind, squashed a koala - in truth, we have still not seen any of these little cuddly inventions - and snorkelled the barrier reef, or rather dragged good old Linda up and down the designated area. Last out of the water, last of the boat, many fish, splendid corals, even a turtle: bril.
Finally we relaxed in style in Bowen, off the usual tourist circuit but well on the wrinklie radar screen; beautiful and full of over 70ies, some naked, others clothed.

Eungella NP rally circuit. Our 4WD came first of course.

Jolly good, it must be Dev. Tea time.

I bet they never cross the road anyway.

Thirsty? Pump.

Youngsters in Bowen.

Rainbow fish on the Great Barrier Reef.

Great Barrier Reef.

We had the Big Mango for breakfast.

Cristian in paradise again.

Lynda thinking she is about to enter paradise. A minute later she realised that nude Australians were usually sagging and wrinkled, not a pretty sight.

Horseshoes Bay in Bowen.

HERVEY BAY, FRASER ISLAND / AUSTRALIA, Day 176:
We have just made it back from the most amazing "toilet tour" of Freezer Island (aka Fraser Island). Due to the rather cold temperatures, we decided that camping on the island would result in hypothermia, amputation of several if not all limbs, if not sure death by a starving pack of dingos - Sabine's worst fear was to be taken out whilst making her way to the loo in the dark. We spared her the tension and went for the Japanese style tour instead. A refreshing change from our usual travel mode as we found ourselves on a full double decker bus. The island itself was beautiful but the main highlights revolved more around the commentary and the silica sand than around the scenary. We were thrilled to find that our tour stopped at all the toilets around the island. From Hervey Bay, to the port, to the rainforest and the lakes, we rejoiced at the idea of seeing yet another bathroom. Inspired by the whole thing, Lynda decided it was wise to brush her teeth with sand from the lake. It had such a wonderful effect on the wedding ring that it could do the teeth nothing but good. Unfortunately she subsequently noticed that the water of the lake was not as clear as planned so had to swallow the sand rather than use the water to rinse out her mouth...
We are now gladly back on the mainland with all limbs and shiny teeth.

Did i mention it was nice?

Giant tooth picks.

Now we know why Valerie was so taken up with the whole place!

KATOOMBA, NEWCASTLE, COFFS HARBOUR, BYRON BAY, BRISBANE, NOOSA:
At Katoomba we saw the Blue Mountains, said hello to the Three Sisters, and got indigestion from Hungry Jacks. At Newcastle we sat and watched the hugest group of dolphins swim around the bay at sunset, before loosing a pub quizz, reaccompanying a 90 year old man to the Youth Hostal and having cheese on toast. At Byron Bay we cried out loud as two humpback whales did backflips for us in unison, then individually - that was definitely a wow moment. During our stop in Woodburn we spotted ibis, fell off the sign and made plenty of rude comments. Finally we got Lynda back from her week in Melbourne and went from Brisbane to Noosa, where she stole the ice cream man's tractor and proceeded to drive up and down the beach singing at full volume...

The Three Sisters petrified for the ones they loved.

Before the dolphin ballet.

Byron Bay, Sabine's piece of paradise and our favorite whale spotting point.

Falling off the sign.

Flake 99' please.

BIG THINGS / AUSTRALIA:
Oh the joys of seeing such splendor! Sheep country? Outback? Barbies? NO! The Land of the BIG. I will immediately add that our voyage round the world would not have been quite the same without these architectural marvels. We are now planning our trip up the East coast around these fascinating things.
Ok, just joking, but are very much enjoying the spotting competitions and all the memorable remarks we are getting out of team as we frantically take as many pictures in the shortest possible time span.
Here you go:

The BIG ... first spotted at night, but visited several times.

The BIG ... at dusk.

The BIG ... under the sun.

Sandra trying to be a BIG turtle.

SYDNEY / AUSTRALIA, Day 164:
The most beautiful city in the world; that is what the pilot said and we are starting to think he was actually right. Sandra and Sabine arrived on the 30th and since we have been happily wandering around this amazing place. It feels like a postcard, being in front of the opera house (and in it tonight!!), walking around the harbour, botanical gardens and round Kings Cross. This town is so organised that there is nothing much to report in terms of adventure! although we did get kicked out of the hostal this morning as they managed to give the room away eventhough we were already in it... Not to worry, Cristian enjoys leading his pack of girls around town and liked relocating his hareem! Men in the street are green with envy :-)

Cristian's three favorites things in Sydney.

Beautiful Harbour bridge.

Cristian's personal paradise.