Cairns, Australia

Happy New Years!!!

I amin sunny Queensland with my sister Mercia, and am having a fabulous time. Our first day here we spent a day on the Great Barrier Reef. We got a sailing boat over to Green Island, and I snorkelled and Mercia did a scuba dive off the island. We then relaxed for the rest of the afternoon on the island before sailing abck to Cairns with complimentary white wine, cheese and biscuits!

We went to the Woolshed (dinner included with our hostel!) and had a slap up dinner before consuming too much beer with some lads from melbourne we had met earlier that day.

Much to my remorse, we were up early the next day (very bad hangover!) and spent the day on Uncle Brians Tour. We had a fabulius day in the rainforests walking around, swimming in water holes and volcanic craters etc. We met lots of amazing people from all over the world, and Mercia celebrated her birthday.

Today has been much slower with relaxing by the lagoon on the waterfront, reading my book and generally chilling out before tonight! Then heading to sydney tomorrow morning :-)

So wishing you all a merry New Year!

Ngaira

Townsville, Australia

Merry Christmas!

I flew to Townsville on Xmas Eve to join my family for the festive season. We were treated to an amazing meal cooked outside in the Webber BBQ. Handy because it is sooo hot here, but also because my sisters oven blew up last week during an electrical storm.

We caught a ferry over to Magnetic Island on Boxing Day, and I managed to get some much needed sun and swimming in!

My sister, Mercia, and I are catching a train to Cairns tomorrow and will be celebrating New Years there. We have booked into a backpackers, so hopefully we will find lots of things to do and people to drink with.

Best run

Ngaira

Canberra, Australia

Hi,

Well lots has changed since my last post. I arrived safely in Canberra just after a massive electrical storm. I spent my first week in town with my family and my Grandpa. After being around for less than a week I then was offered a casual job as an OT at Calvary Hospital. I started work this week on the 12th December, and am so far really enjoying it.

I have managed to catch up with lots of old mates, and even went to a Carols by Candlelight tonight on the lawns of the War Memorial.

My Grandpa passed away today, peacefully at the local hospice. I wanted to take this opportunity to thankyou all for your kind thoughts and support over the last couple of weeks. His funeral will be held in Canberra on Monday 19th December. I have had to change my Christmas plans, and will now be flying up to Townsville on Christmas eve. Apologies to those who I was going to visit on my way north.

I hope everyone is having a great leadup to Christmas, and enjoying the indulgence!
Merry Christmas!

Ngaira
xx

Airport, Kuala Lumpar

Hi guys,

Well there has been a change of plan and I have had to cut short the asian leg of my trip. My Grandpa has become very ill in Canberra, so I am on my way home. I was enjoying Ko Phi Phi Island when I got the email, and jumped on the next ferry to Phuket. Grabbed a last night flight to Bangkok, then a flight to KL this morning. I have a 5 hour stop here before boarding my flight to Sydney. Currently am arriving at 8am on the 3/12/05. Either will hire a car and drive to Canberra or go by QANTAS (I swore I would never fly them again - especially in cases of emergency - but it might be the best option).

I managed to get some late night shopping in last night in Bangkok, and hopefully have enough repsents for every one back in aus! Fingers crossed.

So for those of you that are in Australia - I will see you soon. I will be in Canberra but you can call me whenever (I have my old sim card) on my mobile or try me at Mum and Dad's.

Thankyou to everyone for their thoughts and messages, it has been a real source of strength.

Ngaira
xx