Refreshed. Relaxed. Home.

First of all....HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope that 2009 is all that you wish for, and holds lots of wonderful surprises too :)

We have spent the year so far on holidays (doesn't that sound fabulous LOL) at Monkey Mia, and exploring the Shark Bay World Heritage Area.

I can't even begin to describe the beauty and wonder that is Monkey Mia. Interacting with wild dolphins every day was nothing short of magical, and an experience that I will never forget. Watching them, learning about them, and being in the water with them was awesome.

Even though these dolphins visit Monkey Mia almost every day, you can't help but feel blessed that these wild animals have chosen to share a part of their day with you. Every morning we would walk to the beach, and every morning it was a thrill to see which dolphins had come to visit, and which had chosen to stay away. I think I could do it every morning of my life, and still be excited each and every day.

We went on a wildlife cruise, and were so lucky to see dugongs in the wild, feeding on the sea grasses and teaching their young to survive. We watched sharks and rays swimming just below us from a hilltop lookout, went on a tour of a black pearl farm, which I found absoulutely fascinating...

...walked amongst stromatolites which are thousands of years old, and snorkelled in clear, calm waters amongst dozens of fish.

Can you see the dolphin fin in the background? How cool.

We also spent plenty of time in the resort pool...the kids made lots of new friends (who they had a hard time leaving), we had dinner in the restaurant, drinks at the famous "Monkey Bar", and just many many hours of fun times together.

And now we're home :(

Home to a little more routine, and loads of washing, and bathroom scales that are not being AT ALL kind, and the start of New Years resolutions and life in general, which all seems so very far removed from our daily visits with the dolphins.

Spending so many hours travelling gives you lots of time to reflect on your life, and what you want to focus on in the new year, and what goals you want to achieve. I have also been giving lots of thought to my one little word for 2009. I think it's going to be a great year!

TTFN xxx