We flew for around eight hours and stopped at Hong Kong airport briefly. I was hoping to get a souvenir from Hong Kong but it was 6am on Sunday local time and everywhere was shut.
We arrived back at Heathrow an hour late. Due to the wet weather conditions all the planes had to delay their landing and so we spent an hour flying round in circles waiting to land.
After collecting our luggage I said goodbye to my sister and the kids at the airport and caught an underground train to Kings Cross. Due to the delay in landing I had to rush over to St Pancras and was just in time to catch the train back. The train was overfull and I had to stand for the entire journey.
When I got off the train there were no taxis at the station and, together with half a dozen others, had to ring a few taxi firms to see if anyone could come and pick me up. Eventually a few taxis arrived and I headed home.
I loved the time I spent in Australia and very much hope to return one day.
Monday
Final day in Australia
Back in the centre of Melbourne I had a final look around the city.
before meeting up with my sister and the kids.
It was the last but one day of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and we watched one of the street performances.
then had a walk around Federation Square.
It was getting close to the time when we needed to leave so we headed back towards Flinders Street station
and had a final ride on the tourist tram.
back to the hotel.
It was then back onto the Skybus shuttle and back to Tullamarine Airport to wait for the Qantas flight home.
before meeting up with my sister and the kids.
It was the last but one day of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and we watched one of the street performances.
then had a walk around Federation Square.
It was getting close to the time when we needed to leave so we headed back towards Flinders Street station
and had a final ride on the tourist tram.
back to the hotel.
It was then back onto the Skybus shuttle and back to Tullamarine Airport to wait for the Qantas flight home.
Albert Park
Saturday 12 April, our final day in Australia.
We started by heading to Flinders Street station as my sister and the kids wanted to go to Melbourne Zoo. I wanted to have a look at Albert Park so we parted company. They caught a train while I crossed the road and caught a tram.
I headed back to St Kilda Road and got off outside our previous hotel the Albert Park Manor, from here it was a short walk to Albert Park.
I walked round the full circumference of the lake in the middle of the park.
and passed the ground of South Melbourne FC.
It was a beautiful warm day.
I then headed to the McDonalds next door to the Albert Park Manor for something to eat. Afterwards I caught a tram back to Flinders Street station.
We started by heading to Flinders Street station as my sister and the kids wanted to go to Melbourne Zoo. I wanted to have a look at Albert Park so we parted company. They caught a train while I crossed the road and caught a tram.
I headed back to St Kilda Road and got off outside our previous hotel the Albert Park Manor, from here it was a short walk to Albert Park.
I walked round the full circumference of the lake in the middle of the park.
and passed the ground of South Melbourne FC.
It was a beautiful warm day.
I then headed to the McDonalds next door to the Albert Park Manor for something to eat. Afterwards I caught a tram back to Flinders Street station.
Back to Melbourne
On Friday 11 April we went for breakfast at the Bough House Restaurant at the Outback Pioneer Hotel. Another superb meal and one of of the best breakfasts we had in Australia.
At 10.30 we caught the complimentary bus back to Ayres Rock Airport and boarded a Qantas flight back to Tullamarine Airport in Melbourne.
This time we knew our way round a little better. We left the airport and caught a Skybus shuttle to Southern Cross station on Spencer Street. It was then a short walk to the Kingsgate Hotel.
My room.
That night I had a walk into Melbourne city centre and got a meal at KFC and then headed back to the hotel.
At 10.30 we caught the complimentary bus back to Ayres Rock Airport and boarded a Qantas flight back to Tullamarine Airport in Melbourne.
This time we knew our way round a little better. We left the airport and caught a Skybus shuttle to Southern Cross station on Spencer Street. It was then a short walk to the Kingsgate Hotel.
My room.
That night I had a walk into Melbourne city centre and got a meal at KFC and then headed back to the hotel.
Rock climb
Later that day I caught the Uluru Express bus back to Ayres Rock (Uluru). I started with the Mala Walk to Kantju Gorge.
Back in front of the Mala car park I decided to have a go at climbing Ayres Rock.
The full climb takes 2-3 hours and I only had 45 minutes before the bus would arrive to take me back to the resort.
The view from the rock is magnificent.
A self portrait taken midway up Ayres Rock. The sun was shining straight into my eyes!
The Olgas (Kaja Tjuata) in the distance.
It's a very strenuous climb and although I only did a part of it my legs still ached the following day.
It was then back onto the bus and back to the resort to join my sister and the kids for dinner at the Bough House Restaurant at the hotel. This was one of the best restaurants I went to while in Australia.
Back in front of the Mala car park I decided to have a go at climbing Ayres Rock.
The full climb takes 2-3 hours and I only had 45 minutes before the bus would arrive to take me back to the resort.
The view from the rock is magnificent.
A self portrait taken midway up Ayres Rock. The sun was shining straight into my eyes!
The Olgas (Kaja Tjuata) in the distance.
It's a very strenuous climb and although I only did a part of it my legs still ached the following day.
It was then back onto the bus and back to the resort to join my sister and the kids for dinner at the Bough House Restaurant at the hotel. This was one of the best restaurants I went to while in Australia.
Saturday
Sunrise Camel Tour
We were up early on Thursday April 10 as we were being picked up by Uluru Camel Tours for a sunrise ride out to Ayres Rock.
We could also see The Olgas.
Back at the camel farm we gave our camel a pat and headed inside for complimentary billy tea and freshly baked beer bread.
The camel ride was definitely one of the highlights of the trip.
When we arrived back at the resort we waited for the resort shuttle and went to have a look at the shopping centre.
We could also see The Olgas.
Back at the camel farm we gave our camel a pat and headed inside for complimentary billy tea and freshly baked beer bread.
When we arrived back at the resort we waited for the resort shuttle and went to have a look at the shopping centre.
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