The Warmest January, Ever.

We finished up our time in Melbourne a few weeks ago. We spent our last weekend exploring the city, and going to the Moonlight Sanctuary to see/cuddle some aussie animals. It was so nice to get to spend some last little time with our aussie family. Plus, we successfully watched season four of Sherlock. Ugh, to die for. We also got to hang out with some friends from home on our last day in Melbourne. That same day, last day for us, only a few days in for them, was the same day of the car rampage in Melbourne. We actually happened to be crossing the road when he came flying up by Flinders Street station, we only stopped because he was blowing his car horn while flying up the tram lane. There was a helicopters, cop cars everywhere... it is crazy to think what happened when he went down the next street. We felt terribly for the city of Melbourne and those families, it's such a lovely place. I guess there's crazy people everywhere.

Next we flew from Melbourne to Cairns. We met up with a contiki tour in Cairns and went down the east coast with them all the way to Surfer's Paradise. It was such a blast. Such an awesome group of people, and so many amazing sights, and beautiful (super hot) weather. We started in Cairns, where Ian & I spent most of our time in the pool and at the lagoon, also where we tried kangaroo. Next we went on to the beautiful whitsundays - like holy smokes. Just gorgeous water, beautiful weather... and oddly enough, the nicest hotel I've ever stayed in, and will probably ever stay in. We spent a whole day out sailing with our crew, visiting Whitehaven Beach, and having some boat wine. Quite the perfect day if you ask me.

We went on to a cattle station in the aussie bush after that. With the intense heat Australia has, I'm all about spending my time as near to, or in the ocean, as I can get (except in Cairns where they have everything that can and will kill you). But this place really blew me away. 26,000 acres of beautiful farmland, horses, cows, whip cracking lessons, karaoke (Ian actually got up - I have a video - it's epic), and potentially most importantly, it has beautiful sunsets and stars. I just love the kind of peace you get out in the country.

From there we went on to Noosa via a winery - explored Fraser Island - but I adored Noosa. It was also Australia day - we got festive. Ian and I tested paddle boarding (I'm a champ - in one direction, can't turn well), we went in the ocean, got gelato, had dinner at the surf club with the crew, everything summery and beauty you can dream of in this place. After Noosa we went on down to a quick stop in Brisbane, and then to Surfer's Paradise, Gold Coast. Nice quaint little name? Yes. Nice quaint little town? No. We were prepared for the skyscrapers on the beach type look, but Ian & I ended up enjoying our time there more than we expected. Lots of things to explore and see, a gorgeous massive beach to chill out on, and we even went to a club and partied like we're not an old, boring married couple. Go us! There was also a rather epic flip cup game between the U.K. & the rest of us. Because the entirety of the UK was on our contiki (just kidding - and I love them all). We were so sad to say bye to all our new friends, a lot of them were going onward to Sydney - but we were also super excited to finally board that plane and be heading to New Zealand. It's funny, every time I've long term traveled I've really missed Canada. I've missed Halifax, I've had a heartache for home, but not this time. This time, home is with me. And I want to stay forever. And it's not because I dislike home - I love it - but I don't want to go back to it. The only thing I miss about that city - is the few people like you, who care enough about me to be reading this. So, onward to Middle Earth!