Home Again

I've been home a few days now. It's nice to be in my own room and have my toys and games. I've been catching up with my family and can't wait to see my friends.

Thank you for coming along on my big trip with me. I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have.

PS. A. Bear says to say Hi. He's relaxing and planning his next adventure (just like my Dad).

The way home

Last Saturday we drove back to Melbourne to catch the ferry to come home. The cabin was hot and stuffy but it wasn't a rough trip. The next day it was a quiet morning in Devonport, nothing like Melbourne at all. A quick stop for breakfast and we start the last bit to home.

Down the coast - the home stretch

We're on the last bit now before we take the ferry back to Tasmania. We've packed away the tent and are staying in cabins. Just as well because it's been raining a bit. I've been enjoying comfy couches, bubbly spas, playgrounds and views of the beach (with quick trips to play in the sand).

Sydney

We took a bus to Manly and went by ferry to Circular Quay and then walked to the Opera House then caught the ferry back to Manly. I saw my cousins while we were in Sydney - we had fun and nice fish and chips - Hi Nelson and Lilian!

Coffs Harbour

I took the yellow bear to visit the big yellow fruit.

Woolgoolga

We have been having a lovely time at Woolgoolga. As you can see I've
been doing all the work and A. Bear has been really relaxed.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Ballina

We had a great time at Ballina. We stayed near a lake and there was a pool, mini-golf (I went easy on Mum and Dad) and a games room. Lots of people were surfing at the beach and we watched the fishing boats going out of the harbour. The dolphins were swimming with the boats and the surfers.

Questions and Answers 5

Hi Prep/1 M and Mr Marsh

Thank you for your questions.

Q: Are you going to be visiting Nature World or have you already been?
A: I'm sorry, I haven't heard of Nature World but I did go to Australia
Zoo and Sea World and saw lots of different animals there. I've seen heaps of nature on my trip.

Q: Are you having a fantastic time and are you happy?
A: Yes and Yes! Time flies when you're having fun and I can't believe I'll be home soon.

Q: We would like to know if the Batman in the picture with you is real?
A: Yes, he was real. He asked me and my Dad our names and where we are from and said that he liked my Batman T-shirt (maybe that's why he gave me the icecream).

Bye for now

Finn

Questions and Answers 4

Hi Prep/1M and Mr Marsh

Thank you for your questions:

Q: We would like to know if anyone has been bitten by a shark on Fraser Island?
A: I'm sorry, I don't know, a Ranger told us there were sharks that come in close to the shore to get the fish. The water was very rough and not good for swimming on that beach. We saw a humpback whale in the distance as we drove along. Some people get bitten by dingos on Fraser Island and food has to be locked away so that dingos aren't attracted. We didn't see any dingos.

Q: We are interested to know how the ship became a ship wreck? Was it bitten by a shark, perhaps?
A: The ship is called the SS Maheno. It was a hospital ship during World War I and after that took cargo between Australia and New Zealand. In 1935 it was being towed to Japan to be melted down for its metal, when a cyclone came and broke the towline. Its big brass propeller had already been sold and taken away so it couldn't save itself and was washed onto the beach.

Bye for now

Finn

Ashmore Palms

The place we stayed at on the Gold Coast had lots of birds. They have
the largest collection of South American Macaws in Australia. Some of
the birds talked to me and I fed them almonds.

Sea World

We went to Sea World and saw all sorts of sea creatures. We watched a funny seal show and the dolphins were amazing. Mum and I went on the Viking's Revenge (she screamed again). The Polar bears were huge. Mum finally found a ride she was happy on.

Movie World

I had a great time at Movie World on the Gold Coast. I met Scooby and the gang, Shrek and Batman. I went on lots of rides. I did the Wild West Falls ride with my Dad - we got really wet. I went on the Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster twice with my Mum - she didn't scream quite so much the second time. The Road Runner Rollercoaster was good too. The Shrek 4D movie was lots of fun, and the Hollywood Stunt drivers were very clever. At the end of the parade Batman came over and gave me an icecream.