Well, 2 more sleeps and we’ll be headed to Australia again.  Who would have imagined that when we made our first trip 7 years ago (to the day!  We left on April 12 then too).

We are flying Air Canada this time – hopefully the bargain price isn’t reflected in the service we’ll receive.  The Air Canada flight was extremely attractive for more than the price – we get to fly direct from Vancouver to Sydney, Australia.  We are not fans of the LA airport system, even when we don’t have to clear customs there.

Our flight leaves at 11:40 p.m., making it easy to have a sleep during the 15 hours we are in the air (hopefully).  Arrival in Sydney is about 8 a.m. and then we clear immigration and quarantine – we will be carefully trying NOT to be featured on the Australian version of Border Security by declaring everything, although the frying pan in my suitcase might be cause for concern!

Our itinerary:

• Sydney – staying at Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific Sydney for four nights.  No firm plans for what we are doing while we are there – we’re thinking of the Blue Mountains daytrip and will definitely ride the commuter ferries one day to get a view from the water.
• On Saturday, we fly to Cairns and have 3 nights accommodation booked at Wyndham Vacation Resorts Port Douglas.  While there we have booked a tour with Daintree Wonder Tours for Monday (Sunday at home).
• Once we leave Port Douglas, we will travel through the Atherton Tablelands (an area where a lot of food is grown).  We booked 2 nights at Chambers Wildlife Rainforest Lodges.  With luck, we will see some nocturnal animals while we are there.
• The next 5 nights will be at Cascade Gardens, a self-contained apartment in Cairns.  While in Cairns, we will do another snorkeling trip to the Great Barrier Reef and a trip on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway that John won in a facebook contest.
• After 10 days in Tropical North Queensland, we fly to Brisbane and drive a little north to Worldmark South Pacific Club by Wyndham Golden Beach for 7 days.  Of course, we will visit the Fraser Island Adventure Tours, the same company we toured with in 2008 but a different itinerary this time.
• On May 5 (in Australia), we fly back to Sydney to catch our flight home on May 6.

Thanks to Erik, Lizz and Mathew for watching the house and the dogs while we are away.

Looking forward to our new adventure – guess I should pack my suitcase soon 🙂