Brian and Judy cruising the Mississippi

Mission Beach There is a sky diving activity available at Mission Beach for tourists.  Here are tandem jumpers landing on the beach. And another one coming in to land A lonely boat with Dunk Island in the distance Empty beach.  Everyone is inside watching the footy! The best apartments to stay.  These are right on the beach front. Bedarra Island is just a short boat trip away Block of units on Wongaling Beach

Mission Beach Long walk along our sandy beach today, enjoying the gently lapping waves and crab holes in the firm sand. Lovely bunch of coconuts! A swim across to Dunk Island??? Boats for hire.  No licence required! Light lunch here at Mission Beach

Mission Beach  Drove out to Tully this morning and then on to Tully Heads and Hull Head to see how the fishermen were doing.  Plenty of large Barra being caught but also many small tinnies for sale most likely by disillusioned fishermen who have been not so successful. Then for a look at the sugar mill at Tully. This is how they did it in the early days.  This sign at the Golden Gumboot as recognition of the huge rainfall Tully receives each year.

Mission Beach Mission Beach, Wongaling and Mission Beach South are quite close to each other along the Cassowary Coast.  There are road signs at frequent intervals warning of possible cassowaries crossing. The terrain is quite flat, and the scenery sandy beaches, palm trees, rainforests, sugar cane fields and banana plantations. The boat ramp at Clump Point. View back towards the mainland from Clump Point. Looking towards Dunk Island from Mission Beach.

Mission Beach Today we departed Magnetic Island - first by the Fantasea ferry and then a 3 hour drive north to Mission Beach. View from our room across a pool, the sandy beach, and the ocean. Our resort for the next week. Close to the beach for a walk every morning

Magnetic Island  Last day in this idyllic place with blue skies, bright sunshine, and balmy breezes. The pool at Blue on Blue where we are staying Road through Morton Bay Figs to a beautiful sandy beach Day barge for hire by tourists More boats in the marina

Magnetic Island  Today we hired a very small "bomb" of a car to explore the island.  Unlimited kms up to 40 km without extra charge.  Petrol was included in the rental rate.  Insurance cost as much as the hire.  At least it had aircon. Picnic Point jetty View of Townsville in the background Yacht on amazingly blue water Alma Bay The tiny hire car Ferry docking at Nelly Bay.  In the background is the block of units where Reagan and Sandra and their girls stayed when on holiday

Magnetic Island.  Bus ride to Horseshoe Bay for lunch after a stroll through the Sunday Market.  Horseshoe Bay is only 7 kilometres from Nelly Bay on one of the few bitumen roads on the Island.  Many holiday homes up this end and plenty of restaurants, shops and even a brewery.  View over Horseshoe Bay Horseshoe Bay and Sunday market Coffee at Horseshoe Bay

Magnetic Island ferry terminal Boardwalk and Marina at Nelly Bay Buses for transport  on the island for sealed roads only Our restaurant set up for a wedding

Cairns to Magnetic Island  Drove from Cairns to Townsville.  This photo shows us leaving the coast at Townsville On the ferry across from the mainland Marina at Nelly Bay

Fly Las Vegas to Los Angeles to Sydney to Cairns.  A very tiring trip, although we managed some sleep on the LA to Sydney leg in our favourite plane (A380).  Qantas is always our favourite airline.  Hearing the familiar Oz accent was very welcoming, as was the first Vegemite we have tasted for many weeks.

Las Vegas Inside the Casino pyramid at the Luxor Hotel. Lights and glitz of Las Vegas.

Las Vegas  Evening show "Cirque de Soleil - Michael Jackson" at the Mandalay Bay Hotel.  This was an exceptional production by an extremely talented group.  No photos or videos allowed inside the theatre.

Arrive in Las Vegas Evening show Australian singing group "Human Nature" was performing at the Venetian Hotel.  The group gave an exhilarating performance and we were proud to have such talent emanate from our home country. Start of The Strip in Las Vegas. MGM Studio on The Strip

Monument Valley