Hello to all of you!<BR><BR>I am currently putting together a trip report for you guys but wanted to let you know that my husband and I are home in one piece and had an incredible time in OZ!!! (thanks to all of you here who have helped us plan this trip and who have given us some wonderful advice!) <BR><BR>So, just a quick break down of our trip -<BR>We stayed at the Radisson Plaza in Sydney (excellent!), the Angsana Spa &amp; Resort in Palm Cove (also excellent) and finally we stayed for one night (an unplanned but welcome diversion from out itinerary) at the Cockatoo Hill Retreat in Cape Tribulation (a tucked away piece of paradise owned by an incredible french couple, Carmen &amp; Gilles Germain). We took North Trek Safaris to Daintree, Mossman Gorge, the Sugar Mill/Pineapple plantation etc and we took Passions of Paradise out for GBR diving (they do snorkelling as well). I also planned a day trip/surprise excursion to Lizard Island for my husband's birthday. That was definitely the most fabulous part of our entire trip (booked through a wonderful company based out of cairns called &quot;daintree air&quot; - contact greg there. www.daintreeair.com.au. he'll put together a most professional and personal trip for you. i can't say enough good things about him and this company. Also, we had some excellent meals at Far horizons (the restaurant at Angsana in Palm Cove, the Spice Market (Novotel's thai influenced restaurant in Palm Cove), Neptunes (in Palm Cove - and whoever recommended that Pumkin Soup was dead on - it was the soup du jour and my husband and I enjoyed every last drop!). Finally, we had a most magnificent dinner at Silky Oaks Lodge the second night we were in Australia (we had an incredible transfer from Palm Cove up to Silky Oaks via &quot;Beaches Meet &amp; Greet&quot; which included running commentary, stops at lookouts along the way, champagne and cheese/hors d'ouevres, a stop in port douglas at the marina mirage for a coffee and then on the way back to palm cove (our driver stayed at silky oaks while we enjoyed dinner), he offered us port and chocolates. EXCELLENT! Contact Roland Vrinnson there and he'll set you up. (I will give specific websites and contact addresses later or if you request them!). Finally, we had out last meal at Level 41, Chifley Tower in Sydney. It was completely worth the price - one of the best meals I've ever had. <BR><BR>Write with any questions you might have. I would be happy to help out! - Jules

I just spelled Sydney wrong in the subject line - I'll chalk it up to Jet Lag! Sorry about that everyone!

Hey Jules. That was sounds like on gr8 holiday... How was the North Trek Safari?

Jules- I was the pumpkin soup person... glad you loved it too. Every trip, our family discovers a food that defines the trip...that soup was it for Australia!<BR>Sounds like you had a wonderful time. Thanks for the details!<BR>Lucy

tongsa,<BR><BR>I would definitely recommend North Trek Safaris! Our driver, Craig, was a fountain of knowledge and we had a most educational and fun time. Our group was a nice size, but not too big (about 10-15 people as i recall), and we fit a whole bunch of things into one day (without feeling worn out or ragged). There are so many tour operators out there, but I do not hesitate in recommending Trek North to you! Also, lunch was included in our tour cost at the &quot;Daintree Tea House&quot;. Out of all the great places we had meals (and all the barramundi my husband ate), he enjoyed THEIR barramundi (marinated in white wine) the most! (go figure!). I had the chicken (also very good), and I think steak was an option too! There was this incredible guy who worked there that taught us all about the local/indigenous fruit and vegetables in the area and gave us a sampling. Very informative! Finally, we actually saw crocodiles in the &quot;crocodile infested daintree river&quot; which was nice! Hope this helps.

Hello-<BR><BR>Sounds like you had a great trip. I am going to Aust. from Jan 10-23. Staying 4 nights in Melbourne for the Aust. Open, then off to Palm Cove for four nights, and then to Sydney for three nights. How did you like the Angsana Hotel? What company did you book through? How were the rooms? Is it worth paying the difference in money for a beachfront? Lizard Island looks beautiful but so expensive. What are your thoughts on staying over there? Any advice would be so much appreciated. Thanks so much!

Julie,<BR><BR>Finally getting to your last post. Ummm, Lizard Island was worth every penny and I wouldn't have even blinked at paying more. We were just there for the day though and snorkelled, trekked around, swam, saw a shark and goofed off in the most serene and untouched place I've been as of yet. I would absolutely recommend that you book either a day trip through Greg at www.daintreeair.com.au OR stay at the P &amp; O resort there (it looked beautiful!). The beach is idyllic and secluded and the blue lagoon on the other side of the island helped to create a beautiful Christmas card picture that we're sending out! Let me know if you have any other questions! I'm happy to help!<BR><BR>P.S. Lucy - we share the love for that pumkin soup now! so fabulous!