Wedding Photos!

Hey Everyone.

Just in case you would like to see some photos from The Big Day in February, here is an album by Simon, our photographer on the day. They are a bit out of order thanks to our haphazard uploading, but the photos themselves are ace.

Cheers!

Wedding

Ascoli Piceno

Lella took us up to Ascoli Piceno (sorry J!) which is such a picturesque town, up in the hills behind the coast - just beautiful. We had the obligatory caffe con panna (coffee with fresh cream) at Meletti's - an historic cafe, took in the sights and checked out the medieval village nearby. Unfortunately the pizzeria that we HAD to go to was closed. Made do with another one. Tough life here. Also had to eat the local specialty, stuffed olives in breadcrumbs. These treats converted Saya to eating olives!




Spot Paul...

Lella telling us the story of how the Judas tree is named.

Olive grove scenes on the way home.

Graziella's!!

17th April: Arrive in Rome! Graziella met us there (very kind at 7:30am) and we zoomed back to her place in Cento Buchi (Adriatic Coast) with her cousin.

Here are the views from her apartment balcony:





Views from our bedroom balcony:




Janardan the Travelling Monkey was buggered after the trip.

Farewell

15th April: Well, after literally months of goodbyes, we are really leaving the country - one night stopover in Perth on the way.
We stayed near the cbd, and went out for our last Aussie meal - Greek as it happened...

Back at the hotel and finally getting to sleep after last minute repacking, we were disturbed by people shouting in the hallway. Grizzly Paul opened the door to give them a piece of his mind only to be met by cries of "fire", and our fellow-residents grabbing baggage and running down the hallway in their undies. Main exit blocked by fire shutter and fire exit locked with a keypad. No alarms going off, but a bit of a smokey smell.

We eventually made it out to the street with plenty of other people and three fire engines. Turned out in the end that it was only a burst water main in a higher floor, and there was no danger, but all the alarms had gone off (except our floor's, which started half an hour later).

Outside, after the firemen had everything worked out, the group of Russian tourists (now with more clothes) decided to help themselves to the hotel's downstairs bar - they grabbed some bottles, chairs and tables and and drove up their hire car with the doors open and stereo blasting Aqua or something. Determined to have a good night.

Finally allowed back inside nearly 3am, after the 12:30 evacuation. Up again at 4:30 for the flight. Good jetlag preparation.
Rest of the flights were fine - no problems!

Photos here are from the plane Exmouth-Perth - incredible scenery.

Exmouth Flora

Some of Paul's beautiful images from around Scott & Kitty's house - Ringneck Parrot in the backyard, spiky plant, sunset, seed pods, desert rose, wattle that smelt soooo good. And some others that we don't know any names for...








Thanks again for looking after us during our time there - it was such a relaxing time and we were so glad to spend a couple of weeks with you before we set off.

Yardie Creek Gorge

9th April: Yardie Creek is down the western coast, open to the ocean, and is especially amazing as it's a salt water gorge, no fresh water exceptt for rain. Freaky seeing oysters living along the tide line. The road that continues south from there was washed out after the floods, so the water was nice and high for kayaking. We saw plenty of graceful birds - herons and falcons (maybe?) and a shy rock wallaby (in 2nd piccie) doing a mediocre job of hiding. Saya was intent on spotting one.
Was a great trip, so calm and quiet, noone else on the water.

Kitty's Birthday Extravaganza!

12th April: Scott and Kitty hosted an Indian Banquet for birthday celebrations!
Here's their gorgeous house nestled in palm trees, frangipani, plenty of gardens and space.
Scottie whipped up 3 curries from scratch, menu was samosas (Scott&Kitty team effort), pakoras (Kitty), dahl, veggie curry, beef korma (Scottie), chockie mousse (our mini contribution!). Kitty's mum Colleen also arrived as a birthday surprise (it was a big surprise!) and worked wonders creating the Indian scene. We spent the day preparing, setting up, smelling the awesome curries, folding serviettes (shown here), sampling punch and gettin in the groove with some bollywood tunes. http://bennylava.com/2007/10/04/benny-lava-video-on-youtube/ (house favourite).
It was a beautiful night, all the guests loved it - so did we. Birthday continued to the 15th - Happy Birthday again Kitty - it was so special to be there with you. Loved spending time with you guys and Col.

Charles Knife Gorge

10th April: Scottie took us on a spectacular trip to Charles Knife Canyon - stunning view from Cape Range out to the Gulf, and such a clear day. We walked most of the way out along a razorback in the middle of these ancient seeming landscapes. Amazing too how much life there is on such dry terrain. Also featured here is the renowned Lorback haute couture.

Jen's Birthday & Wildlife

4-5th April: Much excitement as Saya's cousin Jen & her husband Dave visit for the weekend from Karratha. Early birthday celebrations! Thanks for making the trip guys, really appreciated, was awesome to see you n catch up. Also had a beautiful swim n attempt at a beach bbq... Thanks to Kitty for the yummy cheesecake too!
Also here is the python (seen earlier in the kitchen) staking out a bird's nest next to the house - hours of suspense!

Retraction

Saya points out that in paragraph 2 of the post titled "The Blog Begins Again" I erred in stating that we hadn't had internet on tap until now.

We did in Exmouth, but were having too much fun in the non-cyber world to get around to writing any updates.

Sorry.

Exmouth continued...

Kayaking in the Gulf in search of dugongs









Found dugongs! This is the best shot that we got. Really, it is a dugong. Elusive critters.



Paul n Scott cleverly looking unharried by one meellion sandflies. Gorgeous Bundegi beach.



Vacationing emus.























Swimming off Ningaloo Reef with whale sharks. An unbelievable wedding gift from Scott and Kitty (they wouldn't let us take it home though...)
It was a phenomenally beautiful experience to swim with such amazing creatures.