Solar Eclipse Marathon & Half Marathon Tour
           November 2012

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SOLAR ECLIPSE
Marathon/Half-Marathon Tour
with Kathy Loper
Thursday, Nov 08 – Friday, Nov 23, 2012

Join me for another INCREDIBLE DOWN UNDER EXPERIENCE including tours of the Great Barrier Reef, Great Rainforest Habitat Wildlife, Daintree Rainforest and Sydney

Thu Nov 08

20:00 Check-in at LAX Terminal 4 (American Airlines Terminal) Qantas Check-in counter.

22:25 Leave Los Angeles LAX, Terminal 4 (American Airlines Terminal) on QANTAS AIRWAYS QF/12, Boeing 747-400, non-stop!

Late night dinner and breakfast served aloft. Flying time 14hrs 35min.

Fri Nov 09 Cross the International Dateline - lose one calendar day.

Sat Nov 10

08:20 Arrive Sydney, transfer to Qantas for flight to Cairns.

10:40 Depart on flight to Cairns.

12:45 Arrive Cairns. Collect your luggage, proceed through Immigration and Customs. Upon arrival at Cairns International airport the Solar Eclipse Marathon/Half coaches will be awaiting you to drive you along the spectacular Captain Cook Drive northwards to Port Douglas. This 45 minute drive hugs the amazing Far North Queensland coastline and will give you your first taste of what the next week will have to offer.

Your hotel: TreeTops Resort. After checking into your hotel, you will have the rest of the afternoon to explore the tropical paradise that is Port Douglas.

In the evening, we will make our way to the five-star Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas for a fully catered Meet and Greet function. This will be your first chance to mingle with all the other runners and spectators, share your stories and generally get to know your fellow Solar Eclipse Marathoners. Perfectly poised on Four Mile Beach and nestled within 130 hectares of lush tropical gardens between the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas is an oasis of luxury.

Sun Nov 11

Day Tours

• Tour A: Great Barrier Reef Tour
• Tour B: Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary & Daintree Rainforest Tour
• Optional Evening Run

Today will be a day of exploration. Port Douglas is one of the only places on the planet that is surrounded by two different World Heritage Listed national parks – The Daintree Rain Forest and the Great Barrier Reef. Today you will be discovering one of these jewels.

Tour A is a private Solar Eclipse Marathon excursion to the largest coral reef in the world – The Great Barrier Reef. This full-day excursion takes you to the reef itself and will allow you to go diving, snorkeling and generally explore this amazing marine park. Your trip will include lunch so all you will need is your sense of wonder and your camera.

Tour B has two components – The Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary and the Mossman Gorge Daintree Rainforest experience. Depending on your departure time, you will have either breakfast or lunch with the animals at the Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary. Set on eight acres of land, you can wander through three different and unique environments that depict a wide variety of animals of the surrounding rainforest, wetlands and grasslands., including crocodiles, emu, kangaroos and, of course, koalas.

The second part of your Daintree experience is a trip to Mossman Gorge, located approximately 45 minutes north of Port Douglas. Here the Mossman river winds its way through this tropical paradise, giving you the opportunity to get up close and personal with the actual rainforest itself. Don't forget your camera!

For those that still have some energy left, or for those that simply want to stretch out their legs, we will be taking a leisurely jog along Four Mile Beach in the evening and you are, of course, more than welcome to join us. Led by four-time Olympian and Australian running icon Steve Moneghetti, this will be a great opportunity to literally "run with a legend".

Mon Nov 12

Day tours

• Tour A: Great Barrier Reef Tour
• Tour B: Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary & Daintree Rainforest Tour
• Optional Evening Run

Today will take on the same format as yesterday, only this time your tour will be reversed. For those that explored the Great Barrier Reef on Sunday, today will give you the opportunity to visit the Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary and take the Daintree Rainforest Tour, whilst for those that have already been to the rainforest today will see you explore the Great Barrier Reef.

Once again you are welcome to take a leisurely run with Steve Moneghetti along Four Mile Beach in the early evening.

Tue Nov 13

• Free day
• Pasta Party

Today is a free day in Port Douglas for you to explore all that this tropical paradise has to offer. Take a tour, visit the wedding chapel, browse through the many boutique shops or simply relax on the beach, the choice is yours. Port Douglas has a multitude of things to entice you so today is the perfect opportunity to meet new friends and explore.

In the evening we will all head to the Port Douglas Marina for our exclusive Solar Eclipse Pasta Party. Catered by Lure Restaurant, one of Port Douglas's finest restaurants tonight will be all about making sure that you are well fueled for tomorrow's Marathon/Half. There will be music playing and plenty of food so you will be able to relax and simply enjoy yourself.

Wed Nov 14

Solar Eclipse Marathon & Half Marathon
Today is the day we have all been waiting for – the Solar Eclipse Marathon and Half-Marathon.

Starting well before dawn, our private coaches will pick you up from your hotel (if you are not within walking distance) and take you to our exclusive viewing area at the end of Four Mile Beach. A light breakfast will be provided for all participants, runners and spectators.

The Eclipse itself will commence at approximately 5:51 am and the totality will occur at approximately 6:38 am (2 minutes & 4 seconds later).

The first rays of the sun will reappear from behind the moon and this will mark the start of the Marathon and Half – the world's first ever intergalactic starting gun!

For details on the marathon route please go to The Marathon. Half Marathon route will be available in mid-November

The end of the Marathon & Half will see you heading back towards Port Douglas, with a little side trip along the beach, before the spectacular finish in Rex Smeal Park. Jutting out into the ocean and surrounded by palm trees, the finishing line will feel all the more special knowing that you have truly arrived in paradise.

At the finish area, there will be plenty of food and drinks available for all participants and you will be encouraged to hang around to cheer home all of the runners. For those wanting an early exit, shuttle busses will be ready to bring you back to your hotel.

In the evening, come and join your fellow runners and the Solar Eclipse Marathon/Half team for a celebration drink or two in the centre of town – we would love to see you and don't forget to bring your medal!

Thu Nov 15

• Relaxation day
• Celebration dinner

After a well-earned day off, you will be transported to the Solar Eclipse Celebration Dinner Located in Rex Smeal Park where you finished the Marathon/Half on the day before, the park will be transformed into an outdoor banquet hall, complete with marquee, stage and dance floor.
The venue will have food stalls for you to browse, images of your triumphs from the day before and video of the race – don't forget to smile as you run! With roving entertainers and a full band playing this will truly be a night to remember. All food and drinks are included tonight and the evening will be topped off with numerous prizes. Transport will once again be provided for those who are not within walking distance of the park.

Fri Nov 16

Port Douglas-Cairns-Ayers Rock

• Breakfast at our Hotel
• Transfer to Cairns Airport

You will be picked up at your hotel for your transfer back to Cairns and your onward journey to Ayers Rock.

10:35 Leave Cairns Domestic Terminal on QANTAS AIRWAYS QF/1859, Boeing 717, non-stop. Flying time 2hrs 55min.

12:50 Arrive at Ayers Rock and transfer to your hotel, Sails in the Desert Resort, 5-star hotel in central location with swimming pool and its own lookouts to the surrounding desert.

Afternoon at leisure.

Evening "Sounds of Silence Dinner" tour, an award-winning dining experience under the stars. Tour includes transfers, canapés, gourmet barbecue buffet, scrumptious dessert, beer, wine, tea, coffee, port, star talk and star gazing.

Following dinner, the table lamps will be turned off and, in the total darkness of the outback, an astronomer will speak about the various constellations of the Southern Hemisphere.

At the Sounds of Silence experience you can dine under the canopy of the desert night, while your very own storyteller shares tales as told in the stars – starting with a drive into the desert. Canapés: your journey begins on a lone sand dune. A path takes you to an uninterrupted, three hundred and sixty degree view of this vast landscape. In front of you is the fabled Uluru; behind you are the domes of Kata Tjuta and, possibly the most spectacular sunset you have ever seen. Here you enjoy sparkling wine and a selection of delectable canapés. Dining under the sparkling outback sky: as the sun sets, you feast on a BBQ buffet of authentic Australian delicacies examples include barramundi, kangaroo and crocodile, bush salads and classic desserts, complemented by Australian wines. Stargazing: Attention then turns to some of the world's best stargazing, as our star talker takes you on a tour of the spectacular southern night sky. As you wind down after dinner, you are offered a choice of tea, coffee or port.

Sat Nov 17 Ayers Rock

Leave the hotel for Ayers Rock "sunrise viewing" including breakfast.
Rise early this morning to travel to the Uluru sunrise viewing area. Watch the first rays of dawn set the Red Centre alight whilst enjoying a warming cup of tea or coffee and biscuits. For those with good level of fitness there is the opportunity to climb Uluru. If you choose not to climb Uluru, after watching the sunrise you will travel by coach to the Mutitjulu waterhole. View Aboriginal rock paintings and learn about the area as your driver points out some native flora and explains the Aboriginal and European history of Uluru. Visit the Uluru - Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre where you can learn about Aboriginal culture and see Aboriginal arts and crafts before returning to your hotel. Breakfast at the Initi Café at the Cultural Centre.

PM private coach Kata Tjuta (Olgas) tour including Ayers Rock sunset viewing. Travel to the mystical 36 domes of the Kata Tjuta. On the way stop at a lookout for a panoramic view of the southern side of Kata Tjuta. Continue and arrive at the base of Walpa Gorge. Spend some time exploring the gorge and the unusual conglomerate rock formations. Then walk the trail through Walpa Gorge following the natural creek between two of the tallest domes of Kata Tjuta. In the late afternoon travel to the Uluru sunset viewing area. Witness and photograph the striking colour changes of Uluru at sunset while enjoying nibbles and a glass of wine.

Sun Nov 18 Ayers Rock-Sydney

Full breakfast at hotel included. Transfer to airport

12:30 Leave Ayers Rock on QANTAS AIRWAYS QF/729, Boeing 737-800, non-stop. Flying time 2 hours 50 minutes.

17:50 Arrive SYDNEY Domestic Terminal 3.

On Arrival Sydney, collect your luggage. Roll your luggage to the awaiting van where we will be transferred to hotel:

HOLIDAY INN OLD SYDNEY

Mon Nov 19 Sydney

Breakfast at the hotel.

Sydney Bridge Climb Optional - something everyone wants to experience! Guided slow catwalk to the pylon and then across the arch on your way to the summit 134 meters above the water for a spectacular 360 degree view of one of the greatest harbors. http://www.bridgeclimb.com

Afternoon private coach tour of city and eastern suburbs including Bondi Beach. Tour through the historic Rocks area and take in views of the Opera House, Hyde Park, St Mary's Cathedral, Parliament House and the Art Gallery. Stop at Mrs Macquarie's Chair for magnificent views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Visit The Gap and enjoy stunning views. Stop at the world-famous Bondi Beach and enjoy the spectacular scenery. Join the coach for your return to Sydney, traveling through Paddington and the exclusive Eastern suburbs.

Dinner on own.

Optional: Evening at the Opera House performance.

The Opera House has not yet released their programme for 2012 – performance details will be available mid-December 2011.

Tues Nov 20th OPTIONAL Day Tour to BLUE MOUNTAINS.

Breakfast at the hotel. Discover the spectacular Blue Mountains and see native wildlife whilst you explore World Heritage- listed Blue Mountains National Park. This rugged and beautiful region forms part of the Great Dividing Range, linking tropical north to temperate south, while dividing coastal cities from the vast Outback. Discover Leura village, a delightful blend of groomed gardens and quaint shops, enjoy free time to wander the streets of Leura. Next, we stop at Echo Point and see the famous Three Sisters rock formation and hear the ancient Aboriginal legends of this impressive rock formation. Arrive at Scenic World and join the optional Blue Mountain rides - Scenic Railway, Cableway or Skyway (own expense). These rides are a great way to see the steep valleys, canyons and Three Sisters rock formation. Enjoy a short stop at Narrowneck and Cahill Lookouts for impressive mountain scenery. Next we enjoy an afternoon encounter at Featherdale Park and have your photo taken with a cuddly koala, see kangaroos, wombats, dingoes and cute little fairy penguins. Drop off at the hotel at the end of the tour. Lunch at Echoes Restaurant, set against the magnificent backdrop of Echo Point in the Blue Mountains with fabulous views of the Jamison Valley, surrounding cliff drops and lush rainforest valleys stretching all the way to the Mittagong, 80 kms away. The fresh air, myriad sounds of the bush and marvelous views are a feast for your senses whilst delighting in the creative cuisine. High quality boutique Australian wines available, own expense. Arrive back in Sydney around 5:30pm.

Dinner on own.

Free Day to explore Sydney on your own if not going on the tour.

Lunch and Dinner on own.

Wed Nov 21 Optional Hunter Valley

Wine full day tour Breakfast at the hotel. Arguably Australia's best-known wine regions, the Hunter enjoys a warm to hot sub-tropical climate not normally suited to producing quality table wine – cooling afternoon sea breezes are the region's savior. Originally making its name for long-living chardonnay, semillon and shiraz, the Hunter Valley also produces a substantial amount of the trendier chardonnay and sauvignon blanc varieties. Cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Hawkesbury Ranges. Enjoy a stop in the morning at the historic town of Wollombi then continue to world-famous Lindeman's for a wine tasting then walk next door to Rosemount Estate for further tasting. Visit the Hunter Resort and learn about the history of wine in the Hunter region. Enjoy a tasting platter lunch offering a range of local produce. Visit the home of Bluetongue Beer and enjoy a tasting paddle of the available varieties – the Ginger Beer is a must! At the quaint village of Hunter Valley Gardens stroll through the boutique shops before reboarding your coach for the return transfer to your hotel. Arrive back at the hotel around 6:30PM.

Dinner on own.

Free Day to explore Sydney if not joining the tour.

Lunch & Dinner on own.

Thu Nov 22

Sydney Breakfast at the hotel, morning at leisure.

Afternoon Sydney Harbour Cruise, Captain Cook Cruise, which shows you all the main attractions including the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Fort Denison. Explore the magnificent upper reaches of middle Harbour with its natural parklands, inner harbour beaches, marinas and palatial waterfront homes. (Transfers to and from the pier not included as within walking distance of the hotel.)

18:30 Farewell Dinner at the Waterfront Restaurant, seafood Captain's Menu including tea/coffee (no other beverages). The restaurant is within walking distance of the hotel.

Fri Nov 23 Sydney – USA.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the nearby Departure Terminal 1.

15:10 Leave Sydney's Kingsford International, Terminal 1 on QANTAS AIRWAYS QF/11, Boeing 747- 400, Lunch and breakfast served aloft, non-stop! Flying time 13hrs 20min.

Cross the International Dateline - gain one calendar day.

Fri Nov 23

09:45 Arrive Los Angeles LAX Terminal 4 (American Airlines Terminal).

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