Tag Archives: Chaput foot prints

Australia

Snorkeling Adventure Near Moreton Island: A Perfect Day in the Coral Sea

We decided to treated ourselves to a day of snorkeling in the Coral Sea.  We headed out to the stunning waters near Moreton Island for an adventure we won’t soon forget. From the moment we boarded the boat, we knew the day was going to be something special.

Shelley and Ray getting ready for the snorkeling adventure.

As we cruised toward the famous Tangalooma shipwrecks, the Coral Sea was nice and smooth and the water crystal clear. It was the perfect weather,  warm, clear, and calm. We were excited to explore one of Queensland’s most iconic underwater playgrounds.  While on our way we spotted whales breaching in the distance.  It was an incredible feeling watching those huge whales rise from the water. 

swimming towards the shipwrecks in Tangalooma Bay.

Once we arrived at Tangalooma Bay, we took one last selfie before we slipped into the crystal-clear water, grabbed our handheld power jets, and set off.

The jets made gliding through the sea effortless and incredibly fun, giving us the chance to explore even more than we expected.

individual water jet system for Snorkeling

Swimming around the shipwrecks felt like stepping into a dreamscape. The wrecks were now transformed into thriving marine havens. Corals of all colours clung to the old steel, and schools of fish darted in and out of the crevices. Everywhere we looked, there were fish of every colour.  


We snorkeled through and around several of the wrecks. It was surreal and felt like a different world. The clarity of the water was unbelievable, it was like we were swimming in an aquarium. 
We spent an hour or so exploring the wrecks before heading back to the boat for the trip back to shore.  Tired but content we sat in the boat smiling at this fun day.

 

It was a magical day for us, it felt like we had experienced something truly rare, a day where everything aligned perfectly: weather, wildlife, water, and wonder.

“G’day, mate!”

Australia

Sydney Australia Part 3

On our final full day in Sydney we decided to venture out and take the ferry to Manly Island. It turned out to be one of the highlights of our time in Sydney, and the moment we stepped off the ferry, we knew we were in for something special. The ride over was unforgettable in its own way. We had the perfect weather and the ferry ride was smooth and enjoyable.

 

As we left the harbour we watched the skyline stretch across the horizon. We could see Opera House from the water and from that angle. It was impressive. The sails of the opera house were shinning against the blue of the water.

Sydney Skyline from the Ferry

It was one of those views that seemed surreal and photos do not do it justice. 

Once we arrived in Manly, we wandered along the main street, taking our time as we browsed through the local shops, each with its own unique charm.

We saw surf boutiques, handmade crafts, cozy cafés and bars. The whole area was buzzing with energy but had this laid-back, beach-town feel.

We took our time and explored the shops and eventually, we found our way to a rooftop restaurant overlooking the beach. We enjoyed a nice meal and we were lucky enough to get a table with an incredible view of the beach.

View of Manly Beach

After exploring Manly Island we headed back to Sydney on the ferry. Once again we watched the breathtaking harbour views. But our day wasn’t over yet. After getting off the ferry we made our way to Darling Harbour for dinner.  We were in luck because it was the last evening for this dramatic Drone show in Darling Harbour. 

Ray and Shelley at Darling Harbour Sydney

We managed to find an excellent restaurant that had a great table for us to watch the drone show event. 

Our Table at Darling Harbour

This turned out to be one of the best nights of our time in Sydney.  As we ate, a drone light show lit up the sky, The drones dancing over the water in perfect formation. It was impressive and mesmerizing to watch, It was a blend of technology and artistry that left us smiling.

Dinner itself was unforgettable too. We decided to be adventurous and try kangaroo, and to our surprise, it was absolutely delicious. 

We had it paired with a beautiful bottle of Australian wine, it felt like the perfect way to celebrate our last full day in Sydney. 

Kangaroo meal in Sydney

We walked back to our room and the city lights were reflecting across the harbour, we couldn’t help but feel grateful for every moment. Manly had given us sun and seaside charm, and Sydney had given us magic after dark. It was a day a great day.

Tomorrow we are off to a new adventure.

“See you later Mate!”

Australia

Sydney Australia Part 2

We decided to spend the day exploring one of Sydney’s most fascinating attractions, the Sydney Sea Life Aquarium.  From the moment we stepped inside, we were surrounded by an incredible underwater world.

There were huge tanks with schools of tropical fish, some were uniquely different and other with bright colours.

We walked along the tanks looking at these fish and then at one point we felt like maybe we were the ones on exhibit because the fish were looking at us.

Of course, the sharks were impressive. Walking through the glass tunnels with these magnificent creatures gliding silently overhead was both thrilling and humbling.

It’s hard not to feel a sense of awe seeing such powerful animals so close.

We spent time in the tunnels watching the different sharks and stingrays swimming calmly all around us.

It was truly impressive and a little humbling watching these amazing creatures.

We even saw some dugongs which was a first for us. They are truly a unique and different looking creature. The dugong is largely dependent on seagrass for subsistence and lives near coastal seagrass areas. The northern waters of Australia between Shark Bay and Moreton Bay are believed to be the dugong’s main area of these amazing mammals. 

A dulong swimming in the aquarium.

We came to the penguin exhibit, which was curious to us. We watched those adorable little creatures waddle about and dive into the water. They looked so happy sliding across the ice and swimming effortlessly. They made us laugh at how clumsy on Land they are but graceful in the water.


We saw different jellyfish, they were on display in long glass tubes filled with different types. It was almost hypnotic watching them with their softly glowing colour and gently pulsing through the water. These creatures that looked like something from another world.

Towards the end of our day we came to an area which permitted us to literally pet some of the sea creatures, such as starfish.

Ray touching a live starfish

This was amazing experience, they are soft and quite smooth feeling. We even got to touch and feel Shark eggs.

Ray holding a shark egg

Spending the day at the Sea Life in Sydney was truly a fantastic day. We saw and experienced some amazing things. What an adventure!

Australia

Sydney Australia Part 1

We knew it would be an adventure visiting Sydney, but we didn’t realize just how much the city would capture our hearts.

We began our first day by  taking a stroll through the lush Botanical Garden of Sydney which is located in the heart of the city. We were surrounded by an array of beautiful unique flowers and vegetation.

The sound of birds singing from the trees was everywhere and as we strolled we came across a few of the local residents of the Gardens.

We walked along the winding paths of the Gardens working our way towards the Opera house. Eventually we could see the iconic white sails of the Sydney Opera House in the distance. 

We continued walking until we turned a corner of the Gardens and found ourselves in the heart of the Sydney Bay. What an amazing sight, there were restaurants and activity everywhere. Our first stop was to check out the Iconic Opera House.

The Sydney Opera House was one of the top things we wanted to see and it did not disappoint.  Seeing it in person was something special and photos just don’t do it justice. We took a guided tour and learned about the building’s fascinating history. We were able to walk through the interior of it and enjoyed seeing the amazing architectural design. 

When we were up close, the tile design is even more incredible. The tiles are made from ceramic created by the Swedish company. They have a self-cleaning glaze, which helps them stay bright despite the weather.  There are two main types of tiles, a glossy white and matte cream which are arranged in a chevron pattern. This gives the shells their shimmering appearance. There are approximately 1,056,006 tiles that cover the roof.

The inside of the Opera house is spectacular with glass walls, pink granite floor tiles, white birch plywood and brush box timber. (an Australian hardwood).

After exploring the Opera House we strolled along the waterfront admiring the views.  

That evening, we dined on a rooftop restaurant overlooking the Opera House, and honestly, it felt like something out of a dream.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the harbour turned gold and the lights of the city began to twinkle. We enjoyed our meal and celebrated our first day in Sydney. What an adventure it was.

“Cheers Mate”

Spain

Moraira Spain

Sun, Sea, and Spanish Delights with Good Friends

This past weekend, we escaped to the sun-soaked coastal town of Moraira, Spain. It is a true gem on the Costa Blanca.

Tucked between mountains and the sparkling Mediterranean, this charming town welcomed us with its laid-back vibe, friendly locals, and postcard-perfect views.

Fernando, Leti, Shelley and Ray

We went with our friends Leti and Fernando, which made the whole experience even more special. Traveling with good friends always adds that extra layer of laughter, shared moments, and unforgettable memories.

We stayed at a resort-style complex that was perched just above the town, complete with an infinity pool that provided the ultimate view.  Mornings were spent sipping coffee with panoramic views stretching from the hills to the horizon, and in the evenings ended at the poolside, enjoying drinks, laughs and watching the sky melt into brilliant shades of pink, blues and gold. 

Sunset from our resort style apartment

One of the highlights of the trip was a day at the Cala Granadella, just a short drive from Moraira. We started early in order to beat the crowds, knowing how popular this spot is, especially on a sunny weekend.  Even so, we ended up driving partway up the mountain road to find a parking spot, then walking down the winding road to the cove.

Ray, Fernando, Leti and Shelley walking down to the beach

But the effort was more than worth it.

Cars parked along the roadside and heading to the beach
View from our parking spot

Granadella greeted us with crystal-clear turquoise waters, dramatic rocky cliffs, and that tranquil Mediterranean charm.

View from our spot on the beach of Granadella

We found a nice stop on the beach, swam and let time drift by. 

Ray in the water at Granadella Beach

Fernando and Ray found a bar and we enjoyed some refreshments while longing on the beach with the sound of the waves in the background. We relaxed and just took it all in. A great day!

Back in Moraira, we explored the Feria, a lively street fair full of color, music, and the irresistible scent of Spanish street food. We wandered through stalls of handmade crafts and local goods, tried some samples including horse meat, cheeses and a very large donut. 

On one of the afternoons, we took a scenic drive out to Cap de la Nau, one of the easternmost points on Spain’s mainland. The winding road led us through hills and coastal landscapes until we reached the cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Standing at the edge, the cliffside view was absolutely breathtaking—jagged rocks plunging into deep blue water, with nothing but sea and sky stretching endlessly ahead.

view from the top of Nau Cape
View from Nau Cape

We took our time walking along the path, snapping photos and just soaking in the peacefulness of the place. It felt like we were standing on the edge of the world.

Shelley enjoying one of the beautiful views in the area of Moraira, Spain

It was great weekend crammed full of activities, laughter and fun. We returned home tired but feeling relaxed and grateful for the sunshine, the laughter, the peaceful views, and above all, the time shared with friends. Moraira is one of those towns that makes you slow down, breathe deeply, and savor every little moment and that’s exactly what we did.

“vive cada día con alegria”