Australia in 38 photos

I am not really sure how I lost a lot of photos of our  2007 Australian adventure.

So frustrating.

This is one of the main reasons why I started this blog; to be able to conserve our travel photos, as well as the memories that go with each photo. Fast forward 25 years, I can go back and reminisce our awesome time here and there and Down Under.

We loved our visit to Australia. We actually thought of moving there at some point. I really like the fact that there are beaches within 10 km radius from the famous city of Sydney. The energy and excitement of this city is palpable---such a happy city!

What's left of our photos...

The Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Visitors can climb the bridge and have the panoramic views of the city and the surroundings at the summit.

http://www.bridgeclimb.com/

 

Sydney Opera House

We were there! Sydney 2007

 

Sydney skyline

 

Alain and the bridge

Harbour scene

 

The Sydney Harbour Bridge at night.

Sydney Opera House

 

City lights

 

Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach

This was taken at Hotel Bondi where we stayed.

http://www.hotelbondi.com.au/

 

Surfing lessons near Bondi Beach.

 

Near Bondi Beach.

Bondi beach in the background.

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West of Sydney is The Blue Mountains region. It was inscribed as a World Heritage Area by UNESCO in 2000. The mountains are a major weekend destination for Sydneysiders.

 

We decided to spend time in the mountains and we were able to see the main sights in a day!



 

The Three Sisters.

 

Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains

 

One of the coolest ride ever!

The steepest incline railway car in the world.

 

 

A replica of the railway car. These kids clearly enjoyed being photographed!

 

Siesta time for the kangaroos.

 

Curious cockatoo!

 

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We spent most of our time in Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef- the reason why I wanted to go to Australia. 

 

The sun was nowhere in sight during our stay in Cairns in November 2007. Turned out to be the cyclone season...opppsss! But it did not hinder us to enjoy our time here. Despite the wind and the occasional rain, we got the most of our experience in The Great Barrier Reef.

 

Our first ever snorkelling experience was at Michaelmas Cay, a tiny part of the vast Great Barrier Reef. After a brief instruction on how to snorkel, a marine biologist offered to show us what it was like underneath. At some point, she screamed, ''Stingray!''. I was not sure if I have to panic or what but I put my head in the water and saw my first ever stingray! We only had disposable waterproof camera back then but after this unforgettable experience, I was convinced I have to have a good underwater camera for our future snorkelling tours.

 

We also explored Green Island, Great Barrier Reef. We tried a glass bottom boat tour and saw  sea turtles, batfish, giant clam, soft and hard corals.

 

Our catamaran to Green Island.

Green Island

Pose.

 

Giant clam on the glass bottom boat near Green Island

http://www.greatadventures.com.au/

 

 

Hard and soft corals.

Can you spot the turtle?

 A storm rolling in as we leave Green Island 

 

Our catamaran to Michaelmas Cay.

 

 

Alain on Passions of Paradise. On our way to Michaelmas Cay.

 



Michaelmas Cay

A unique experience on the Great Barrief Reef. There are many migratory birds nest on the island. Calm waters, excellent for those new to snorkelling like us.

 Great Barrier Reef kiss.

Spot the stringray shadow near the giant clam!

 

 Hard corals taken using a disposable water proof camera.

 First time snorkellers and we did it on the Great Barrier Reef!

 

Too sad to leave the cay. 

This may be a very tiny part of the Great Barrier Reef but made a big part of an unforgettable Australian adventure.

 

Petra: The works of men and nature.

This Jordanian ancient city of Petra is just mesmerizing!

To me, it is the works of nature and the works of men complementing each other.

Its grandeur is worthy of a spot amongst the New Seven Wonders of the World (2007) and also on the Smithsonian Magazine's list as one of the ''28 Places to See Before You Die''. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.

The city was established as the capital city of Nabateans- ancient Arabs. Petra is also called  the Rose Red City due to its buildings that are carved into the rose-red colored stone. It is also believed to have been one of the affluent cities around 6th century BC until a large earthquake destroyed much of the city around 4th century AD.

The site remained unknown to most of the world until a Swiss explorer, Johannes Burckhardt, 'rediscovered' it in 1812. After this, Petra became increasingly known as a fascinating ancient city and it began attracting visitors until today.

 

The first major monument past the visitor's center is the Obelisk tomb. The top level is the actual tomb and the lower level is a dining hall.



The square cut large rock marks out boundaries of a sacred city. There are around 20 of these around Petra.

 

 

 There are horses to take visitors but only up to the Siq entrance. A lot prefer to walk and enjoy the view on a slower pace.

 

 The Siq is a 2 kilometers long winding canyon that gives a dramatic entrance to the ancient city of Petra.

The ancient main entrance of the city is a split rock. Most part of the rock is natural and  another part was sculptured by the Nabateans.

 

The rose-red colors all along the Siq are impressive. It's amazing how water erosion gave this canyon its uniqueness.



A narrow passage along the Siq.

Water passage.

 

Nabataeans wall carvings.

 

Visitors all along the Siq.

A break along the Siq.

 

Carvings

Natural rock formations.

Wall carvings.

Unfinished carving.

 It was drizzling when we went in December of 2010.

 

Nearing the end of the Siq. The first peek of The Treasury.

 

The Treasury

 

The Treasury (Al Khazna)

There was a little boy who picked a spot and took his sweet time taking photos. He seemed in awe of the place and I asked him if he could take a picture of Alain and I.

Petra's Treasury in December of 2010.

The elaborately carved facade.

 

The purpose of the Treasury is still unclear. Some archeologists believed it to be a temple. Others believe it as a place to store documents. However, recent excavation has unearthed a graveyard beneath it.

 

Carvings at the main entrance.

 

Main entrance of the Treasury.

 

 

The view of the Siq from the Treasury entrance.

The Street of Facades is lined with tall and impressive tombs.

Rows of Nabateans tombs.

 

Along the Street of Facades

Jordanian flag.

Impressive works of nature.

 

 

Tombs.

Rock colors.

There is a theater in the ancient city of Petra.

 

Theater

 

The view of the Urn Tomb from below.

 

More tombs.

 

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The proof we were there!

 Near the Treasury.

Imposing!

The last peek.

 

Our visit to Petra is part of the itinerary I have planned and called 'Ancient Rocks'. We flew from Montréal after Christmas day of 2010 to Cairo. Our Ancient Rocks trip started in Egypt to see the Pyramids of Giza. Then took a bus and a ferry to Jordan to see the ancient city of Petra. The last destination was Stonehenge, England. 

We only spent a few hours in Jordan but it gave such magnificent impressions that will be etched in our minds for longest of time.