The Wedding! 27th October 2006

Lots to say about Melbourne (friendly, quirky and cool) and Sydney (Bondi Beach, the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House show me I am really in Australia now) but for now I just want to write about the wonderful experience that was our week on 'Straddie'. After arriving in Brissy and heading straight off to the Hen Do to get to know some of the aussie ladies and introduce Steve on a Stick to the town, it was soon time to pack up again and head over to North Stradbroke Island which was to be our home for the week and the location for the wedding. What an amazing place! Lots of time spent hanging out with old friends and making new friends, swimming in crystal blue waters and the brown tea tree lake, gazing at stunning views from our 'penthouse' luxury apartment for the week - The Lighthouse and getting ready for the big day. We walked The Gorge and saw loads of dolphins, whales in the distance, turtles and manta rays. If that wasn't enough we nearly ran over a couple of kangaroos a few hours later (it took me over 2 weeks in oz to finally see one and then it is two nearly stuck to the window!) but it was after our traumatic digging the yute out of the sand moment - thanks to Dav and Babs for saving the day....The big day slowly rolls closer but all is chilled. We do a bit of girly stuff and get a pedicure - a novel experience for a hippie like me but fun all the same. The Wedding itself was so perfect. We all looked fab in our dresses, especially the bride. The ceremony was so lovely, right down by the beach with everyone gathered close by. As we walked down the 'aisle' it was such a joy seeing all these colourful and smiling people, with bubbles floating around, music playing, sun shining and the turquoise sea behind. The reception was great, lots of great speeches, lovely food, silly dancing and the chase for the bouquet! We all got our special stubbie holder as a momento and the party carried on into the night. After missing the whole of the next day at lawn bowls (gutted) I then got to go diving with some of the boys. We went to Flat Rock and after the supper surge entry we descend to a beautiful dive with 15m vis. and see lotf os colorful fish, turtles, wobbegong and have a great dive. Back on the surface there are three humpback whales off on their migration and we get to see them frolicking for a while, before the dolphins come into view again, oh yes and there was the flying fish......!!! Second dive not such good vis. but a cool experience dropping straight into a bath of blue jellyfish (harmless apparently!) and saw a few small rays, more turtles and great stuff! Back to Brissy for the next stage of this great wedding adventure, we are all off to Fraser Island next for more fun.....