A Day of Firsts

Our last day and a half of our holiday was a day of firsts. My first Mother's Day brought warm sunny weather so we spent our morning at the salt pool where Meyli had her first dip in the pool. It was still a little chilly so we eased her in a bit at a time. Anthony wasn't so gentle with the new Mum and after some name calling, I jumped in.

Cold! Her hat was still a little big for her so we slipped it over a little bonnet hat that Grandma Kuo had bought for her. Worked great!

Help me Daddy!

After a very invigorating dip, we relaxed by the pool while Meyli conked out after a feed. Anthony pointed out I seemed to have lost some inhibition when it comes to whipping the boob out in public nowadays. I think he did more to cover me up than I did for myself. I figure, whatever Meyli wants, Meyli gets!

The sun faded behind some clouds so we headed back to the hotel where Anthony took up the challenge to run up the highest point on the island. I later found out it was more like a crawl. But looks like it was worth it for the view.

Can see our hotel on the left there.

Private beaches. If we had time we would have tried to venture out to check out some of these.

Good thing Meyli and I didn't tag along, we wouldn't have made it up very far!

Meyli chill'n beachside while Anthony cools off in the ocean after his 2.5 hr trek.

Meyli must have known our holiday was coming to an end as she woke up a couple time our last night there. But thanks to Meyli, we also cause a most peaceful sunrise.

Before heading to the airport, we had breakfast surrounded by 3 sleepy koalas. A year and a half of being in Australia and this was my first time seeing one in person. I felt a little sorry for them though, to be woken up and moved into these tree trunks for the viewing pleasure of noisy people. The one we sat next to kept climbing down to stand in front of the door of its enclosure because it wanted to leave. I tried not to take offense.

Whatcha look'n at?

The only decent picture out of 6 shots! The koala was the only one that turned out good in every picture.

Let me out....please??



Whatever Momma.

I'm just proud we walked in and out through the 20 feet long gift shop (the only way in and out of course) where we were surrounded by all sorts of cute stuffed animals and we didn't buy anything!

Bye bye hotel.

Airport stroller. While waiting by the gate holding Meyli, an airport worker brought the stroller to us out of the blue. So nice!

da plane, da plane!

Meyli thinks we're nuts for standing in the wind and rain.

- julie

Heave Ho!

As part of our holiday package we also picked a day to go out to the Great Barrier Reef. For those that may remember 2 1/2 years ago when we got married we never went on our honeymoon. We had planned on going to the Great Barrier Reef then 6 months later we found out we would be moving to Australia. So better late than never we finally made the trip out there. I say lucky Anthony since in one holiday trip he was able to check off my birthday, first Mother's Day, and a belated honeymoon.

Although the weather for Mother's Day was the best with warm weather and light wind, we opted to go the day before. Since they were offering for mothers to go for free on Mother's Day, we figured it would be crowded with people trying to save that $255 ticket for mum. And we couldn't have been more glad we chose the day before. Very few people went and it also meant there was more elbow room for when I started to upchuck my entire breakfast when the large pontoon hit the choppy ocean waves 45 minutes into the ride to the reef.

The boat coming into dock to drop off others and pick us up.

Just got on the  boat, pre-barf mode.

Fortunately Meyli did superb on the boat.

Apparently it's very common because once the pontoon took off, they came by with stacks of barf bags for everyone on board. They mentioned they sold motion sickness pills but they failed to mention you had to take it within the first 10 minutes of the ride. We had planned to get it anyways just to make sure we didn't feel like crap at the reef but by the time Anthony went up to get it they said it was too late. I later found out I wouldn't have been able to take the pills anyways because I'm still breastfeeding so my only option would have been the ginseng tablets they had.

I think on the way there I was the only one actually full on sick. Once we got to their ReefWorld, the purpose built platform stationed at the Hardy Reef area, I still wasn't 100%. the wind was really ripping so Meyli and I mainly stayed on the backside where the wind was blocked.

After some coaxing I got Anthony to jump in on the opportunity to scuba dive while we were there. Even if I didn't have Meyli to watch, I don't think after the boat ride I would have been able to stomach going for a dive. So why have Anthony miss out on the chance right?

Anthony getting ready to get in the water. The blue suit underneath the wet suit are stinger suits.

While Anthony was on his dive Meyli and I walked around a little and went down below deck where we could see some of the fish and even caught a glimpse of Anthony scuba diving. Being enclosed must have helped with my sea sickness too as I finally felt more grounded.

The tail end of Anthony's diving trip. You can make out the divers in the distance. We just happened to walk downstairs so good timing on our part!

Divers coming back in. Anthony's the second person in view.

Could spot Anthony with his shaved head!

Scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef, check!

Lunch time! Needless to say I ate it but couldn't really taste it.

We walked around the platform area for a bit just to take in the sight of being there.

Below deck.

Goofy fish that wanted to get up close and personal.

About 45 minutes before they call in all swimming/snorkeling, Anthony persuaded me to get in and snorkel or risk regretting not having gone while we were out the Great Barrier Reef. So I braved the sunless, windy, and cold water and got in to snorkel. The sting suits they made us wear helped with some warmth and in the end I was glad I went in.

Ready!

Cold!

Meyli wasn't impressed.

Apparently I was the last one out the water, ooops! But when I got out the drizzling stopped briefly, the sun peeked out and a rainbow across the reef illuminated the sky.

Nothing to really share about the boat rid back as I was too busy losing all my lunch and then some. The water was really choppy because of the storm and was tossing us up off our seat. This time around though I wasn't the only one turning the color of moss. The cabin crew was mighty busy collecting "used" sick bags and handing out ice chips.

Meyli picked up a new friend from the reef.

Great experience but if I'm going back out to the reef I'm taking the helicopter!

- julie

Slower Pace For a Change

Our first two days were spent just leisurely walking around some of the island. It was pretty hilly and not very stroller friendly when it came to ramps or curbs but fortunately Meyli and her trusty new stroller were light and easy to lift up and down stairs or curbs.

Along the path around one of the pools next to the beach.

Catseye Beach

Pool bar!

Only a centimeter big but oh so deadly!

Meyli can't wait until she's old enough to go 4 wheeling!

Meyli checking out  the ocean while the tide was out.

We picked up a couple items at the overpriced General Store and a hat for me which proved to be useless because it was fairly windy the majority of the time we were there. So note to self to buy a sun hat with a chin strap. We fortunately stuffed several snack foods in our luggage so we got away with snacking instead of having to spend money on lunch.

Anthony braved the slightly chilly ocean water and went kayaking and stand up paddling. We watched the lifeguard go out in their inflated motorized raft to rescue a couple that got way too far from the beach on the stand up paddles and minus any life vests. It was a pretty windy day so they much have had a hard time coming back in.

Smart man, wore his hat.

I kept waiting for him to fall over but he never did.

What Meyli was doing while Anthony was out on the water.

But like all her naps, she woke up not too long after with a sweet smile.

We did have a momentous moment when we put Meyli in a high chair for the first time. She took to it rather easily.

- julie