The end

Thank you everyone for reading this blog.  I apologize that I did not post as quickly, nor with every single detail of this incredible experience.  There are plenty of extra stories, and talk to me in person for those stories. 
Now, for the best of the best of the trip:
Fox Glacier:

Queenstown:

 Wellington:

Melbourne:

Sydney, with some field trips:

 Cairns (Great Barrier Reef too):

Gilligan’s and Cairns

If one could imagine a college spring break, Gilligan’s would have been a perfect example.  This place was party central.  Local bands would come in six days a week; the partying would last until 5 the next morning, alcoholic drink specials galore, a pool with volleyball net, a sandy beach next to the pool, and even a waterfall going into the pool.  This place was an excellent spot to unwind for a few days.  Even for one who does not drink, there was much to do in Cairns.

During my final day in Cairns (really, Australia) I walked around and saw the beauty of Cairns.  My sightseeing included the Cairns Botanical Gardens, hiking the red and blue arrow circuits (it is supposed to take 5-6 hours, but I did it in 2.5 hours), and the Cairns Esplanade walkway.  The sights were excellent, from hiking through forests through seeing a beach looking out into the Great Barrier Reef.  

 

 

What surprised me about Cairns was the historical importance of the city.  During World War II, Cairns was a base for Allied forces before going into Japanese-occupied territory.  Along the Esplanade walkway, memorials and plaques were dedicated to those in the service from a few Allied countries.  The countries included Australia, USA, and even New Zealand.  Many of the buildings from the WWII era still stand today.