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Just a perfect day of horseback riding at the Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort.  The Alisal is a fantastic guest ranch that offers a little of everything in the outdoors.  The staff is very knowledgable and kind, which makes for a perfect day of horseback riding, or golfing, or fishing, or swimming. The Guest Ranch is located a few minutes from Solvang. On Wednesdays during the summer the Alisal has a rodeo.  The rodeo allows participation from there guests to sign up and join in.  The rodeo is followed by a fabulous outdoor BBQ. If you are able to visit the Ranch, you too will fall under the Alisal charm.

This photo is of a wonderful walk we went on just beyond the Bondi swimming pool.  It goes on for miles, all along the spectacular coast. We arrived in Sydney mid- May so the weather was a little on the cool side.  I recommend a warm hat and jacket for the hop-on hop-off tour bus.  I highly recommend the tour bus.  We never would've been able to see as much as we did with out it. We then moved up to Cairns to tour out to the Great Barrier Reef.  The cruise tour we went on was fantastic.  Evolution down under cruise and dive was the company (downundercruiseanddive.com.au).  I am a neurotic type of individual about my purse and passport.  OMG - They have security cameras on board.  I was so happy!!  Everything was perfect - the food - the crew - the boat - the reef.  Amazing!!!  They have snorkels, fins, and stinger suits for your use. Now, I did mention it was Mid-May so the weather was a little chilly.  But the experience was breathtaking and wind doesn't matter whe

So, it has been awhile since I last posted anything.  I am back and inspired.  Three of us traveled from Los Angeles to Australia and New Zealand.  We got a fantastic price on airfare because we were willing to have a layover in Fiji.  I recommend Fiji Airlines, it was a very nice flight with very caring flight attendants.  We were able to get a fair amount of sleep on the plane, so we hit Sydney with a lot of energy. Our accommodations were also very nice but not pricey.  The Maisonette Hotel, Challis Avenue. The location of the hotel was perfect for us.  Down one short block and a flight of stairs and we were at the bayside.  Across the street from a famous Meat Pie place - Harry's Cafe de Wheels.  The other great thing about the location of the hotel was the proximity to the Hop-on Hop-off buses.  The bus stop was three short blocks up the street, very convenient.  Walking to the Hop-on Hop-off bus stop we noticed a grocery store, which as it turned out was where we p