From Sydney to Townsville we had planned a completely different flight route. It should have lead, actually, on the east coast of Australia past Brisbane and Rockhampton to Townsville. A strong autumn low-pressure system to the south of Sydney crosses this plan entirely. The air masses turn (differently than on the northern hemisphere) around the low pressure system to the right. Therefore we would have begun the flight on the original route with only a light tail wind component – then winds would pick up significantly on the way from Rockhampton to Townsville so that we had to calculate up to 85 KTS headwinds. Hence, we have decided to take the direct way from Sydney to Townsville, particularly as the coast is hidden mainly under clouds on this Sunday.

Now in Townsville the second check has to be performed on our aircraft: the 100 hours inspection. With 99:45 since the last 100 hours we are right on spot. Thanks to the approval, which kindly was granted by the German Civil Aviation Authority especially for our earth rounding, we can carry out the check in Australia at the Steven Hegarty wharf, a “CESSNA authorized service company”. Steven has come out to the airfield on Sunday specially to welcome us in Townsville. He has a friendly team of experienced service engineers in his company. Up to now our D-ESAY coped with the tour very well and the release to operation can be given. Thanks to Steven and his team the work is done in time without any problem.

Although technology and organization are standing in the foreground this time, however, Townsville is also the gate to the Great Barrier Reef. In „only 3 hours“, we reach to the Wheeler Reef by boat. This 6000 year-old reef houses a hardly conceivable biodiversity: gigantic, up to 2-metre-Venus's shells, corals and fish in colors and forms, as one could not invent them more brightly and more happily. A paradise for divers apart from the fire jellyfish, as Hans-Jürgen must ascertain painfully at the scuba dive. The shark, which suddenly appears in front of Wilma under water, provides an undesired special thrill.

Rather, much more of our sympathy deserves an "original Australia frog". He quietly sits in the centre of the swarm of mosquitoes – together with us on the garden bench.

To find a free-living koala, is a bit more difficult. While hiking on Magnetic Iceland we finally succeed.

Unfortunately, like so many time before you don’t have a camera at hand if the situation is really funny: the „cockatoo bar“ has opened on the golf course right under the mango tree. Approx. 20 birds “refresh” themselves with the fermented fruits. Certain vices aren’t any different in the animal world.