We are back from a fantastic overnight in Yamba with Andrew and Bella.  Population of just over 5000 and  right on the ocean.   About 3 1/2 hours drive south of Brisbane, it is not in Queensland, but in New South Wales.  This is a province to the south of Queensland. We stayed at a Rainforest Resort, in a 2 bedroom cabin.  It really was too bad we were only there for one night, I don't think we did it justice.  When we arrived, there were THOUSANDS of huge fruit bats flying around.  They flew this circuit, always the same path over and over again.  Sometimes they would land in a tree, or they'd be bumping into each other.  And noisy!!! It truly was awesome to see!  If you look closely, you can see them in this picture.

After unpacking, we were able to enjoy the steam shower and the spa. We had both to ourselves!!!  Best steam shower I've ever been in!!!  The night, the spa, supper, a bottle of delicious red wine, and a continental breaky cost Jerry and I $180. Oz!!!!  Off season here!  After breaky, we went for a walk in the ocean.  We were quite happy just to walk in the water, and as we weren't wearing our togs, our pants/shorts got quite wet from the waves.  The sun was HOT, the water was warm (for us), but there was hardly anyone on the beach or in the water.   Only the surfers, but they were in a different area!  Some of them are awesome to watch.  They make it look soooooo easy, but Andrew and Bella assured us, it is actually very hard work!!  We stopped at a farmer's market on the way down yesterday morning, and I bought myself a hat.  The sun is very intense here.  We also bought some VERY tasty Australian oranges.

Between Brisbane and Yamba we saw fields and fields of sugar cane (I'm standing in front of some), some banana plantations, macadamia tree orchards and quite a bit of cattle.  Traffic home was bumper to bumper, 3 lanes, and all going between 100 - 120 kmh.  A little stressful for the old parents, but Andrew seemed pretty relaxed about it all.

Now, we're back home, have had supper, and Jerry and I are packing up again.  Tomorrow morning we fly off to Sydney for four nights.  We're about to have a trumpet - that's what we'd call a drumstick in ice cream lingo.