The Rockers

I'd like to introduce Mr. Smith's new band called The Rockers.

It's a Beautiful Day

Okay, so don't get too jealous, but this was one of those beautiful days on a tropical island that we all dream about.  The day started out gorgeous and did not disappoint.

Beautiful morning sky

This is a panoramic pic from Catseye Beach

You can't tell from the pic, but this beach is full of rocks
and it's very shallow, even way out in the distance.

There were always people kayaking in these boats that looked like they could topple over any moment.  But it was no big deal because, as I've said, the water was so shallow.  You could walk out for half a mile and the water would only be a little above your knees.

Yachts

Lots and lots of yachts

Reef World

We finally made it out to Reef World on Wednesday.  We put on our stinger suits and went snorkeling for about an hour or so.  It was wonderful.

The open ocean from the top deck of the boat

It was an absolutely gorgeous day.

The Great Barrier Reef (a very, very small portion of it, anyway)

From the top deck of the boat

This was a glass bottom boat.
We rode around looking at fishes and the Great Barrier Reef.

The Great Barrier Reef from the glass bottom boat.

This was from a viewing station on the platform.

The fish were happy to come right up to the glass and even around the divers.

It was a long day, but it ended just as wonderfully as it began.

Australian Sandwich

I feel like Australia could learn how to make a good sandwich from the US, especially NYC.

Typically sandwiches here are pre-made, so if you don't like "salad" on yours, you are out of luck. Also, if the kind of sandwich you want sells out for the day... Oh well. You just have to pick something else because they are not making any more.

Yesterday I felt like a really good sandwich. What I got was fluffy white bread with a small piece of cheese, an anorexic piece of ham and a small slice of tomato. There was also a microscopic amount of mayo.

Thankfully, the tomato was small and had a minimal number of seeds, but the sandwich was pathetic. I felt like I hadn't eaten anything.

Anyone out there feeling my pain?

Ducati-Powered Golf Carts

Mr. Smith was completely enamored by these golf carts powered by Ducati.  Every time we see one he has to stop and look again.

Rainy Days on Hamilton Island

It was raining on Sunday when we arrived and also on Monday.  There were brief times of no rain, but not much so we did rainy day activities like bowling and shopping.  Here are a couple of photos of me with Willie, the koala.

These next photos of us "bowling."  It is not bowling as we know it in the states.  The pins are all hung up with ropes and they are further apart from each other.  Also, the bowling balls are MUCH smaller then we are used to.  There are only two finger holes.  Then you have to launch the ball under a string.  It's really quite difficult to play at first.  And even if you throw a perfect ball, you can never get a "strike."  Although there are no regular games anyway.  There are cheesy things like "horse" or "snakes and ladders."

This is one of many paths that we have tread many times this week.  Very lush and tropical.  And hot.  Did I mention that it's really hot here?

See... we can act silly too.