tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54941345402346120872024-02-07T16:13:28.550-08:00Alluring AdventuresThe trails of a professional nomad.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086907241110830noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494134540234612087.post-49768559810797092282016-11-11T16:00:00.000-08:002016-11-11T16:00:35.985-08:00Fiji Time<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Manta Ray Island was a contrast to the previous islands that I'd visited. This was certainly the most
commercialised place I visited. On arrival one of the
first things we had to do was sign a two page disclaimer for all the
things the resort wouldn't be liable for. We were then shuffled
into a huge dorm room that is divided into cubicles and reminded
me of the sleeper carriage in a train. It's a popular place
though largely because of it's proximity to where the manta
rays are known to be. The resort organises trips to swim with
the rays if they are spotted on the day. I went for a hike to
the other side of the island and missed the opportunity but I
found a beautiful secluded beach and swam there instead. I
also found the best snorkelling of my trip on this island. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-WEk5-3EfZieaJ4qwxWWxbRZoyotkfbG_fXR3dS0cLoj-5KoB-2zMUPN-wM44w0V8bWtHnsUiZA1efRFkJe8cSlzmmDDoz27K5m0CrXqCp_uNYaAKvn_RLwPbWpT9i71u3w-6bgYt5o/s1600/DSCF0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-WEk5-3EfZieaJ4qwxWWxbRZoyotkfbG_fXR3dS0cLoj-5KoB-2zMUPN-wM44w0V8bWtHnsUiZA1efRFkJe8cSlzmmDDoz27K5m0CrXqCp_uNYaAKvn_RLwPbWpT9i71u3w-6bgYt5o/s320/DSCF0020.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Building a traditional Fijian 'bure'</b></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The far islands of Nacula and Tavewa offer the opportunity to really
adjust to 'Fiji time'. This is the affectionate term given
to how relaxed the lifestyle is. Tavewa was perhaps my
favourite resort because the staff were so friendly. From this
island I did a half day trip to the Blue Lagoon made famous by the
movie starring Brooke Shields. It's the celebrity of all the
Yasawa beaches and attracts cruise boats, yachts and day visitors in
small boats. Although it's not too dissimilar to many other
lagoons in the area, the white sand is soft and the water
is beautifully lucent. It's also sheltered from the
prevailing trade winds which blow from the east.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-kSUAojwiEpkVy12H_CLuXxPxpFMa5u-oG0ttMrM42MmPT-M5iz9QGw2G6BcrduVfNhGmXdB70UaMVmb8dAolHzqtt0Ek7sSSekwgc3nWCXMTNJCwqcb5qxPYZBfDtNiRC8v8uCEpg04/s1600/DSCF0862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-kSUAojwiEpkVy12H_CLuXxPxpFMa5u-oG0ttMrM42MmPT-M5iz9QGw2G6BcrduVfNhGmXdB70UaMVmb8dAolHzqtt0Ek7sSSekwgc3nWCXMTNJCwqcb5qxPYZBfDtNiRC8v8uCEpg04/s320/DSCF0862.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Cruise ships anchored in the Blue Lagoon</b></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the best parts about going to the islands is getting to
the villages and meeting the people. It was a great way
to learn about the lifestyle and genuine Fijian culture. I
went to a little village on Waya Lailai and received an invitation
for lunch. They told me it wasn't quite ready yet but by
the time I walked down to the shore to get my intended photo it would
be. As I was walking back through the village I received a
second invitation for lunch. I thanked them kindly
but pointed out the home I was going back to. 'No problem'
she said. 'That's my sister-in-law - c'mon lets go
together!' So we all shared fresh fish, cassava (a
vegetable which tastes a bit like a parsnip) rice and a few
laughs. They really are delightful people.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZw-nY6aRwxJCbb1KWUS8ltnxw5_p3ePua7DCdEDKaiYftpTpWwxVpasSECZOL_HeteeQid0EKEbD2fn9XpePZpDin1RVxdXROcEMDCxNFcdNutm5Bwl25eZBizISsXE9rB5K9N9FL6I/s1600/DSCF0874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZw-nY6aRwxJCbb1KWUS8ltnxw5_p3ePua7DCdEDKaiYftpTpWwxVpasSECZOL_HeteeQid0EKEbD2fn9XpePZpDin1RVxdXROcEMDCxNFcdNutm5Bwl25eZBizISsXE9rB5K9N9FL6I/s320/DSCF0874.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Making new friends on Tavewa Island</span></span></b> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I think beyond all that I've seen and done my enduring memories will
be of the people I've met. It's interesting to see how the
distinct Fijian and Indian cultures live together as one. When
people knew I was from New Zealand, the conversation almost
inevitably turned to rugby. In Fiji, about half of the
population are Christian while the others practise either Hinduism or
Islam. However the one religion that seems to unite the country
beyond anything is rugby union. Soccer, netball and
volleyball are also popular but for many rugby is a passion.
So, I had many conversations about the Super rugby, the All
Blacks and Fiji's national team.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NhgYcciXGGg0w-8J0KZHlHLtlgvO91_Sv-AX0Nx-bGncnaGLKFA64ASBFLr4tQbDvVr3dT7Ia21Sv1LzkzqF-8tj9eJUrtfQF5JdoGUxlkh2ds1xoDh3RgRezBfBDdRTbguoCpHq73o/s1600/DSCF0842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NhgYcciXGGg0w-8J0KZHlHLtlgvO91_Sv-AX0Nx-bGncnaGLKFA64ASBFLr4tQbDvVr3dT7Ia21Sv1LzkzqF-8tj9eJUrtfQF5JdoGUxlkh2ds1xoDh3RgRezBfBDdRTbguoCpHq73o/s320/DSCF0842.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>'Fiji Time'</b></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fiji is a special place and I've love to be able to return one
day. The country is made up of 332 islands and I've only
been to eight. It's a place that offers its visitors the
choice to be as active or as relaxed as they choose. Either
way, its beaches, coral reefs, ocean and mountains will offer
you beautiful photos and the warmth of its people will remain in
your heart forever. </span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086907241110830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494134540234612087.post-83209386270797887692016-11-04T16:00:00.000-07:002016-11-04T16:00:02.246-07:00Yasawa Islands<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The islands off the western coast of Viti Levu are broadly divided
into the Mamanuca and Yasawa Groups. I bought a 7-day boat
pass for the Yasawa Flyer catamaran, chose six islands to visit
and spent one night on each island. The islands
I selected were Bounty (which is actually in the Mamanuca group
but a popular stopover enroute to the Yasawas), Waya, Waya Lailai
(lailai means small and is the island just south of Waya), Manta Ray,
Nacula and Tavewa.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7JqeWgMzlhxYEcCDoCtX9dAvvbxDEqwkw7OQU6FcDsafIui_mHzdSSnU6tWNO3a0ewyKUX4KoPeAXlX5uxpCeYn2HXrUj7g83dW2JUmVtm3vSgpmTwRBjFIra2PbVd4i-s0KomSqDbw/s1600/DSCF0854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7JqeWgMzlhxYEcCDoCtX9dAvvbxDEqwkw7OQU6FcDsafIui_mHzdSSnU6tWNO3a0ewyKUX4KoPeAXlX5uxpCeYn2HXrUj7g83dW2JUmVtm3vSgpmTwRBjFIra2PbVd4i-s0KomSqDbw/s320/DSCF0854.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The yellow Yasawa Flyer catamaran</b></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I wondered if some of the natural Fijian culture and traditions would
be lost in the stream of tourists visiting the islands but it was all
there in the welcome at Bounty Island. The Yasawa Flyer comes
within a few hundred metres of each island at which point tourists
are transferred onto a small boat. As it nears the shore, the
resort staff are all there with a song and big 'Bula!' to welcome
everyone to the island. We were then personally greeted with a
smile and handshake and also farewelled in the same way when we left.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CjBxS3QxIB42dQhfdoEtA3gBTp1iWZVhTsYieeljDp0BUkmY7tX5_7unx6xgrijztg3eEkfwCo7E6WPG9EBDjeerF5yYnYBBVZS_tyYKrjieSPlMgU60QQwOLTHUselfZG2wHJXMD-k/s1600/DSCF0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CjBxS3QxIB42dQhfdoEtA3gBTp1iWZVhTsYieeljDp0BUkmY7tX5_7unx6xgrijztg3eEkfwCo7E6WPG9EBDjeerF5yYnYBBVZS_tyYKrjieSPlMgU60QQwOLTHUselfZG2wHJXMD-k/s320/DSCF0019.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Traditional Fijian island welcome</span></b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I had the overall feeling that Fijians have a genuine appreciation
for tourists and want to give them an optimum experience. In
most places the staff learned my name and would often use it.
It was a nice feeling to come out for breakfast in the morning
and be greeted with 'Bula Dave'. I was a little
embarrassed on occasions when I couldn't remember their
names in return but it was a nice touch on their behalf.
</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
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</span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The resort staff were proud of and happy to share their culture
with us. This involved things like basket weaving
demonstrations, learning the Bula Dance (which is reminiscent of the
Macarena and lots of fun to do!) and trying the traditional drink
called kava. Kava is the root of a type of pepper plant that
has been dried and then crushed into a powder. It's then
mixed with water in a ratio of about one teaspoon to one
cup. The end result is a mildly narcotic drink that looks
literally like muddy water. Despite its unappealing look, it
tastes okay and after a few cups it gives the tongue a slightly furry
feeling. We learned the etiquette which involves clapping once,
saying 'Bula' (cheers) drinking the cup in one go and clapping
three times in gratification. All good fun...</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWY9-K3D1mCa2uy1NthoTcVWcgnB4aZEG3CvnvVHVqfESbwWvbYU_x2-8mJBI9ADCzuwbiyJwIofeOT7zJDF6FSUeZoix0idTNOjxyUHSnBKNzFlwlkVFqF8YwABIq5B0IrWhmy9oSxw/s1600/DSCF0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWY9-K3D1mCa2uy1NthoTcVWcgnB4aZEG3CvnvVHVqfESbwWvbYU_x2-8mJBI9ADCzuwbiyJwIofeOT7zJDF6FSUeZoix0idTNOjxyUHSnBKNzFlwlkVFqF8YwABIq5B0IrWhmy9oSxw/s320/DSCF0014.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Arriving at the tiny Bounty Island</b></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bounty Island sits just 10km from Nadi and is a 20 hectare piece
of paradise. It's lined with beach and surrounded by coral
and tropical fish. A walk around the island only takes about 20
minutes and paddling a kayak around took me about half an hour.
The Yasawa Flyer comes through at the same time each day
which gave me 24 hours on each island which was perfect for what I
wanted to do. My days were spent swimming,
snorkelling, kayaking and hiking. If there was time left
after that I could just relax on the beach or in a hammock
strung between a couple of palm trees. Most resorts organised
beach volleyball later in the day when it wasn't so hot.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSY4giJNPPqJ862bIy1S1A18HOxwqQ-80rr1s7dsQI4_1nCC4Tta5fKar4llceahpvzZCkq9ftaPx-auJ5JuARDegHrE4vKAyi2rOe_Bwr5EieurITKuxNX4brfPo4CHynhCRmPuy2_k/s1600/DSCF0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSY4giJNPPqJ862bIy1S1A18HOxwqQ-80rr1s7dsQI4_1nCC4Tta5fKar4llceahpvzZCkq9ftaPx-auJ5JuARDegHrE4vKAyi2rOe_Bwr5EieurITKuxNX4brfPo4CHynhCRmPuy2_k/s320/DSCF0033.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tidal sandbar connecting Waya and Waya Lailai</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Waya Lailai and Waya were the best islands for hiking. They
both had trails that led up to great view points where I could
see other islands and the coral reefs under amazingly
blue water. The tracks weren't always entirely easy to find and
follow but it was all part of the fun. When we arrived at
Waya, ten people disembarked and nine went to the resort on the
southern point of the island. I was the only one to get in the
boat for the other resort. When I arrived I found that I
was the only one staying there! It was great...so peaceful with
a whole bure (traditional Fijian building made from timber poles
lashed together with coconut-fibre string with woven walls and a
thatched roof) to myself. There was running water but
no power so they gave me a lantern when it got dark.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span>
</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086907241110830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494134540234612087.post-73698415046835913272016-10-28T16:00:00.000-07:002016-10-28T16:00:22.296-07:00Levuka and the Coral Coast<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I went over to the town of Levuka on island of Ovalau. Levuka
was the capital of Fiji until it was moved to Suva in 1882.
It's a delightful little place built on a flat area between
the island's eastern coast and and the hills which form an
imposing natural backdrop. Many of the building are over
100 years old and built in a colonial style. So the town has a
unique character and is probably the most picturesque in the
country. I'd love to have stayed there longer than the couple
of nights I did. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhC39sHhudKsc11LYj1xE78ruI-Sc8zLeSRq1753GLKSCh9n98mP1H2gc8_OtnZT6HxD9vQHMUOPOhbAivt2GBdQRU7S-3FR2j79ywhksU9QhcZ-1t2z588ZTnigoSNuJfYfMZ6rLVCk/s1600/DSCF0816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhC39sHhudKsc11LYj1xE78ruI-Sc8zLeSRq1753GLKSCh9n98mP1H2gc8_OtnZT6HxD9vQHMUOPOhbAivt2GBdQRU7S-3FR2j79ywhksU9QhcZ-1t2z588ZTnigoSNuJfYfMZ6rLVCk/s320/DSCF0816.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Colonial buildings of Levuka</b></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, there was plenty more to see and do. My next
destination was a village called Korolevu on the Coral Coast of Viti
Levu. This is on the southern Queens Road which is the
preferred route to traverse the island. From Korolevu, I took a
day to hike about 25km to another village called Korotogo.
It was a great day because the road follows the shore offering
beautiful views of bays, beaches, coral reefs and mountains. I
stopped for my first swim along the way and even got the snorkel
out. Unfortunately a lot of the coral was dead in
that area but there's always something to see under the
surface.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPWKRxsQnHnhn3ngpaP7zBub11bC5RcVmj72OZiffRPhQWCAtTxZqc8sgmt-_0Zz5kgGblsaec7bb7-c252Rt-edAlA12YckesgxmcPyXduQhW-5oE6HNCU2S25RZ4sBEHG_cYY46Lh4/s1600/DSCF0822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPWKRxsQnHnhn3ngpaP7zBub11bC5RcVmj72OZiffRPhQWCAtTxZqc8sgmt-_0Zz5kgGblsaec7bb7-c252Rt-edAlA12YckesgxmcPyXduQhW-5oE6HNCU2S25RZ4sBEHG_cYY46Lh4/s320/DSCF0822.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">View of Levuka from the hills of Ovalau</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That morning I met a 14 year-old girl who had just caught a little
octopus. I had a chat to her on the road and she asked
what I was doing. When I told her she was surprised and told me
it's such a long way. She then invited me back to her home for
a cup of tea and some fruit. She was so sweet and I accepted
the invitation. She had two younger brothers and I would love
to have left a gift for them. But they were just happy
with my company and we had a nice little time before I had to go.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXJ_xMc_LkS1YBlyVhfuAWvp8hbRAkrdhdbpUOmyTrmGqVvELk9PBf6A17ShenqRc0RM74DnYydtYnp0RubLvxUiOlswoq5PHEyW_yLzP0FL1MMrBDFKa4rAwVDbcUN6T0ffQxKn-OFI/s1600/DSCF0832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXJ_xMc_LkS1YBlyVhfuAWvp8hbRAkrdhdbpUOmyTrmGqVvELk9PBf6A17ShenqRc0RM74DnYydtYnp0RubLvxUiOlswoq5PHEyW_yLzP0FL1MMrBDFKa4rAwVDbcUN6T0ffQxKn-OFI/s320/DSCF0832.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Coral Coast of Viti Levu</b></span></span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From Korotogo I had another big day that eventually finished back in
Lautoka. Natadola Beach on the south-west corner of Viti Levu
is the finest on the island. To get there from the east you can
either follow the road or take the sugar cane scenic tourist
railway. I took the third option of hiking 3 hours along the
railway line. It's a pleasant walk that passes through sugar
cane fields, bush, small villages and some lovely shoreline. The
beach itself is nice and I had a swim as soon as I arrived. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3e1Lx9FJ_r9aPXcjegwPdJ-E7sqdW0neA92c-FPJdgYPp8-Ob7AltyVgxfbPQmdgK6iVyWqIXXVS4OwF1XejmueF0DO4eRKi-T4Vg5gwy1EW7CxKLQyAlA1R5WBR1QtDa260C3E-iLQ/s1600/DSCF0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3e1Lx9FJ_r9aPXcjegwPdJ-E7sqdW0neA92c-FPJdgYPp8-Ob7AltyVgxfbPQmdgK6iVyWqIXXVS4OwF1XejmueF0DO4eRKi-T4Vg5gwy1EW7CxKLQyAlA1R5WBR1QtDa260C3E-iLQ/s320/DSCF0005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Sugar cane tourist train to Natadola Beach</b></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is fairly isolated however and I had to get a taxi out to Queens
Road. I then unwittingly picked up what must be the slowest and
most indirect bus in the whole of Fiji. It departed the main
road and rumbled its way along unsealed roads, through
villages picking up school children on the way. My
original plan for the day was to get to a small place
called Abaca (pronounced Arm-bartha) to do some hiking in the
highland areas. I abandoned the plan because with no
public transport going there, it was logistically too difficult
and expensive to get to.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
So I settled on relaxing in Lautoka for a day before starting my
island hopping. This is the Fiji we all imagine and see in the
travel brochures. Small islands in the Pacific with soft sandy
beaches and turquoise colour water that is clear and warm to swim
in. There are coconut palm trees and because the islands are
volcanic, many of them offer some excellent hiking. The weather
in the islands generally ranges somewhere between beautiful and
perfect. Even though I was going on a well trodden tourist path
I was excited about the whole thing.</span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086907241110830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494134540234612087.post-27627741310894108362016-10-21T16:00:00.000-07:002016-10-21T16:00:14.727-07:00Nadi and Suva<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bula! Almost from the moment my flight touched down in Nadi airport,
I realised that this greeting of Fiji is usually offered with a wide
smile and warm handshake. It’s something that I’d enjoy time and
again with the locals over the next 16 days.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
As most international visitors do, I arrived in Nadi (pronounced
Nan-di) on the main island of Viti Levu. Unfortunately for many
tourists Nadi is little more than a transportation hub that they pass
through twice whether they like it or not. It isn't an idyllic
snapshot of Fiji and apart from the colourful Sri Siva Subramaniya
Swami (say that ten times quickly) Temple, it's only really a place
for souvenir shopping.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-wGfc5Vh-ZHdrBdjs4J7TpxR1gztYfvSLQIAB5fmpQoJSCpODWuCzD0B77Md9u32eUYroTtgrzuoUapT2HTP6GXa8GuQ-rjbOkHY2KFXwExLsOBXUBpZTEMTDNAE0KH586RHjrBiwmg/s1600/DSCF0880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-wGfc5Vh-ZHdrBdjs4J7TpxR1gztYfvSLQIAB5fmpQoJSCpODWuCzD0B77Md9u32eUYroTtgrzuoUapT2HTP6GXa8GuQ-rjbOkHY2KFXwExLsOBXUBpZTEMTDNAE0KH586RHjrBiwmg/s320/DSCF0880.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Sri Siva Subramaniya
Swami Temple</b></span></span></td></tr>
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<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had the choice of staying in Nadi or going 30 km north to Lautoka
which I decided was a better option. Lautoka is a bigger city but
with a more relaxed feel to it. According to legend, it
derives its name from a battle cry that means 'spear-hit' but the
people are friendly and the shopkeepers aren't constantly trying to
get you in to 'just take a look'.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
I stayed just a night there before taking the northern Kings Rd
around the island to Suva. Viti Levu has a dividing range
of mountains and two distinct weather patterns. In the
drier western side there were a lot of sugar cane plantations
and grassland areas but as we progressed east and over the mountains
the scenery became dominated by lush rainforest. There were
some nice ocean views along the way, especially near Viti Levu Bay on
the northern part of the island.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1a_-d1NO6XnTpMRi43MpZeykOqHu-hzJfZBZV4kuXjB0qj9laoqnryoZ6kK33b0my2rDneH3obT9STSInBThkGhDM52SUYjAV4faNd3M4R_fYWHr13ZVfkSVKg-skaC0Zr52vrKltTI/s1600/DSCF0831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1a_-d1NO6XnTpMRi43MpZeykOqHu-hzJfZBZV4kuXjB0qj9laoqnryoZ6kK33b0my2rDneH3obT9STSInBThkGhDM52SUYjAV4faNd3M4R_fYWHr13ZVfkSVKg-skaC0Zr52vrKltTI/s320/DSCF0831.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Fijian family on Viti Levu</b></span></span></td></tr>
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<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I arrived in Nadi it was pouring with rain but they assured me
at the airport information desk it wouldn't last long. Ten
minutes later as I waited for my bus a rainbow stretched across the
sky and sun broke through. I was happy that it was a mostly dry
day going to Suva because the middle part of the Kings Road is very
much a work in progress. I wondered as the bus rumbled up
unsealed clay roads what it would like in heavy rain. My
guess is that it would become an impassable slope of mud.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
The road took me through some pretty little villages and past a few
schools. The houses were all very modest and some areas
didn't even appear to have electricity. But I sensed that the
local people took pride in the place they called home. Lawns
were neatly cut with plants and flowers in the garden. Fijians
are content and happy people even if they don't have a
lot. I realised as I continued my travels that
they are happy to share whatever they do have and this was
always very endearing. </span></span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikp33FBjOZW5jfjMUb3-OUm_ehy2AvVqiG9z7XJ5eCYTJ2DgyI_CP36lbt2FNP1NQ-1kX7WNAsme8dFcS7hptYp9KFOF853e6FWrVm_R8fGjw7ig6NfT7CI7s7Tc0cKEPQIF5TiFK3Mfk/s1600/DSCF0804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikp33FBjOZW5jfjMUb3-OUm_ehy2AvVqiG9z7XJ5eCYTJ2DgyI_CP36lbt2FNP1NQ-1kX7WNAsme8dFcS7hptYp9KFOF853e6FWrVm_R8fGjw7ig6NfT7CI7s7Tc0cKEPQIF5TiFK3Mfk/s320/DSCF0804.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Government Buildings, Suva</b></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
The rain continued my first day in Suva and I was restricted to
things like the museum and an internet cafe. On my second
day I met some children next door to where I was staying. They
had a rugby ball and were very happy when I started passing and
kicking it around with them. Before long we were all down at a
local park playing a game of touch. The field was muddy from
the rain and in a small moment of madness I agreed to keep playing
when they changed to full tackle rugby. They loved it and every
time I received the ball wanted to 'tackle the big guy!'
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
I was in a rather poor state when it was finished but it
was a lot of fun seeing them running, laughing, scoring the
occasional try and following it with high fives. I loved
the children there because I could relax with them. They are
always happy and it's not in their nature to ask for
anything other than my name and where I'm from. In fact, apart
from a few exceptions in the cities it was the same whoever I
talked to. I never had to be too concerned about people
subtly trying to sell me something. They are just genuinely
warm and friendly which made every day so enjoyable.</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086907241110830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494134540234612087.post-30827941571424152942016-10-14T16:00:00.000-07:002016-10-14T16:00:00.184-07:00Bibbulmun Track<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another trip that I’ve done while living in Brisbane is back to the
southwest of Australia to hike the Bibbulmun Track. This is one of
the world's great long-distance walking trails, stretching nearly
1000km from the Kalamunda National Park near Perth down to Albany on
the southern coast of WA. It is the equivalent of walking from Paris
to Rome and completion of this epic hike earns induction into the
prestigious "End to End" club. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiH8R7GTIV9xtJO15HGtLQSQ6dSyr4egdmwJPCSDDx4tlftK9jQiL1i6h_xriaRxnex-Iy5epizNRgYSY855jjqcJB4_kUAFxB68nTeY3JymfrYGFqOXDCePI1XCmERnlz9Mc-trf4ps/s1600/DSCF0614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiH8R7GTIV9xtJO15HGtLQSQ6dSyr4egdmwJPCSDDx4tlftK9jQiL1i6h_xriaRxnex-Iy5epizNRgYSY855jjqcJB4_kUAFxB68nTeY3JymfrYGFqOXDCePI1XCmERnlz9Mc-trf4ps/s320/DSCF0614.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Day one at the Northern Terminus</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I started from Perth on a hot February day, I wondered what was
ahead of me. It would take me 48 days but the answer was an amazing
adventure that would take me through the heart of some of the most
beautiful forests and across some of the finest beaches that
Australia has to offer. It would test me both physically and
mentally but give incredible rewards.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3D9NqSbPWAo5TSKqBn_OhVQ9HYfikWBhl7Czn1VKGmAyEu7fGfK1DzFNqo4HXHiay05xlIC4lYNNDKpFjrsmFL8tDqbUV6qMmUVy5qnIZlu0Ty5Y-qmm7na48mhYv4v01x3OsDhh_eY/s1600/DSCF0621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3D9NqSbPWAo5TSKqBn_OhVQ9HYfikWBhl7Czn1VKGmAyEu7fGfK1DzFNqo4HXHiay05xlIC4lYNNDKpFjrsmFL8tDqbUV6qMmUVy5qnIZlu0Ty5Y-qmm7na48mhYv4v01x3OsDhh_eY/s320/DSCF0621.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Typical campsite on the track</span></b></span></td></tr>
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The Bibbulmun Track can be walked in either direction but it is like
a well cut jewel that shines whichever way it is approached. The
scenery through the northern section was characterised by forests of
jarrah and marri trees, granite outcrops and various native
bushes. Comfortable nights were spent at campsites with a wooden
shelter, drinking water, fireplace and the all important bush toilet. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDRqcwzcTgnmAWnv7F3VhUP2yHb4MokISeCqiNaNOibAkKhvsA4vAKpSUdEQ2qakuL3vcu6PjHz6oZPLeh29hV_aLLlRkd2FdmSmX80N-TJjc0xxmwaciMkTFDfN4csThEZw6ejBOlCY/s1600/DSCF0685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDRqcwzcTgnmAWnv7F3VhUP2yHb4MokISeCqiNaNOibAkKhvsA4vAKpSUdEQ2qakuL3vcu6PjHz6oZPLeh29hV_aLLlRkd2FdmSmX80N-TJjc0xxmwaciMkTFDfN4csThEZw6ejBOlCY/s320/DSCF0685.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Land of Giants - a huge karri tree</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The huge karri trees of southwest Australia are a highlight of the
track. I was in awe of their size and majesty. After 730km of
hiking through forests, bush, mountains and valleys I finally arrived
at the coast. The crashing waves of the Southern Ocean added a new
dimension to my adventure although the superb coastal views were
sometimes hard earned as I slogged through the sand dunes! </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjBPkD20_tFaWdK5D_0j1kd_0cm3tKdwnJqoLFNmxCWPx0j98FAJn-1WPcoddME2XjA_bgkF3gYDaCQ5iOTiz3Z0VWpZwATQllBdveqg005CxaS3rugcBNNgWrwSNxOYvR4jOWx7Ir9U/s1600/DSCF0708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjBPkD20_tFaWdK5D_0j1kd_0cm3tKdwnJqoLFNmxCWPx0j98FAJn-1WPcoddME2XjA_bgkF3gYDaCQ5iOTiz3Z0VWpZwATQllBdveqg005CxaS3rugcBNNgWrwSNxOYvR4jOWx7Ir9U/s320/DSCF0708.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Views of the Southern Ocean near Albany</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I will never forget arriving at Albany. I had made it! Along the
way I had enjoyed spectacular scenery and seen a variety of wildlife.
For seven weeks I was blessed with a serenity that is virtually
impossible in our busy lives. The beautiful environment let me
to contemplate, reflect and dream. Just like Australia itself, the Bibbulmun Track was a unique and very
special experience. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086907241110830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494134540234612087.post-65450906713198864882016-10-07T16:00:00.000-07:002016-10-07T16:00:22.353-07:00Weekend in Bundaberg<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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On a weekend away from Brisbane, I went on a road trip with a friend
to the city of Bundaberg. This old-fashioned country town is firmly
on the east coast budget travel trail because of the abundant
fruit-picking and farm work. On my travels I met many backpackers
who were doing three months of harvest work to claim a second year on
their working holiday visa. ‘Bundy’, as it is usually referred
to, is a popular destination for this reason alone but its biggest
claim to fame is the iconic Bundaberg rum that is made at the
distillery here. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijBuwtYxmcl0IJHMZ7NnX8CNiBTopxNgt2tJFX6Y4GrzumQm_EdeT-Ro9H_bdrxPnYm19A4RueQOL_HmhA601zoLO2ydtyC4T62t0jwGqdtM9bmbn7oj8g8FwQNvLvPGKL4Gqth_iJQSg/s1600/Post+Office.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijBuwtYxmcl0IJHMZ7NnX8CNiBTopxNgt2tJFX6Y4GrzumQm_EdeT-Ro9H_bdrxPnYm19A4RueQOL_HmhA601zoLO2ydtyC4T62t0jwGqdtM9bmbn7oj8g8FwQNvLvPGKL4Gqth_iJQSg/s320/Post+Office.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">War memorial and town clock</span></span></b></td></tr>
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It was a leisurely journey so we only arrived late in the day.
Enough time to visit the Botanic Gardens and take a stroll down the
wide, palm-lined main street. What we really wanted to do though was
get to the beach of Mon Repos, about 15km north of the city. There
was no rush though because we were going to see the female loggerhead
turtles that come ashore and lay their eggs in the dead of night.
What we didn’t realise though is that advanced bookings are
generally required. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAyBYX7iFRhVL01__-W-bDGFJE9E75pYGxWr7B5P3grOeYT8lfcBpwD0DOO6Yi1sa7dyIC9zPwJ7um5xAfw7fDT1HGE78-_DDlH09AJJHzkti3B6wSz8u_Els6GO7vgZEiKgPcv53Iis/s1600/Rum-4-Large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAyBYX7iFRhVL01__-W-bDGFJE9E75pYGxWr7B5P3grOeYT8lfcBpwD0DOO6Yi1sa7dyIC9zPwJ7um5xAfw7fDT1HGE78-_DDlH09AJJHzkti3B6wSz8u_Els6GO7vgZEiKgPcv53Iis/s320/Rum-4-Large.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bundaberg rum distillery</span></span></b></td></tr>
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I thought we were going to miss out but the visitor centre staff were
very obliging and included us in a group led by volunteers. We were
grateful for being able to witness one of nature’s unique events so
up close and personal. From the moment a turtle was spotted emerging
from the ocean, we followed it at a respectful distance as she
lumbered up the sand. At her chosen nesting site, we watched as she
scooped a shallow hole in the sand with her flippers and laid nearly
100 eggs. Seemingly oblivious to the attention, she then covered
them over before returning to the ocean.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptfTG_XY5cU9xXP3RHgdcfCz9XvdWv0TObFKPveyXEUs5KZW8wycIeMUDe0XeI5Rzzb38PM9ZJySAyVCgEd7sPnAnMArai95laizT0B4er8rJAOp_-BYz1sbzTpg-nPNtm0aKwXJYjPM/s1600/Turtle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptfTG_XY5cU9xXP3RHgdcfCz9XvdWv0TObFKPveyXEUs5KZW8wycIeMUDe0XeI5Rzzb38PM9ZJySAyVCgEd7sPnAnMArai95laizT0B4er8rJAOp_-BYz1sbzTpg-nPNtm0aKwXJYjPM/s320/Turtle.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Turtle at Mon Repos</span></b></span></td></tr>
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We were told that about eight weeks later the turtle hatchlings will
come out from the eggs and dig their way to the surface. Under the
same cover of darkness that they were placed there, they then emerge
en masse and scurry down the sand to the water as quickly their
little flippers will carry them. In the ocean it’s a brave life or
death struggle for survival and the few females that make it to
maturity will eventually return to exactly the same beach to continue
the cycle.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086907241110830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494134540234612087.post-76011194215882481832016-09-30T16:00:00.000-07:002016-09-30T16:00:18.168-07:00North Queensland<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
While I have been living in Brisbane, I took a job for several months
in the town of Mackay on the Whitsunday Coast on central Queensland.
It was a great opportunity because I was provided with flights home
every two weeks, accommodation, food allowance and a rental car. The
car enabled me to not only get around the city but also explore the
surrounding beaches and hinterland. I also took a weekend to go up
to Airlie Beach and get out on a boat into the Whitsunday Islands. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizuaagl0A3XsKdymbz-IG_xPluVhRYvAIoMZJix31psmeJj7alGY-0U-x0Ps7ntr4aGNTaWcWktSANt-hcf8vxyhSwaiziNaJ4mNGZWVI8gAShjeq_N-FmV_JyZUXPJF1RX11BANGQv8c/s1600/%252854%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizuaagl0A3XsKdymbz-IG_xPluVhRYvAIoMZJix31psmeJj7alGY-0U-x0Ps7ntr4aGNTaWcWktSANt-hcf8vxyhSwaiziNaJ4mNGZWVI8gAShjeq_N-FmV_JyZUXPJF1RX11BANGQv8c/s320/%252854%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The emerald beauty of Pioneer
Valley</span></span></b></td></tr>
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Mackay is essentially a town that caters for the agriculture and
mining industries but it has some attractive art deco architecture
and a pleasant setting beside the Pioneer River. The motel I stayed
at was a relatively short walk from the pretty botanical gardens
which has the river running through it. In the opposite direction
near the city centre is the artificial Bluewater Lagoon which has
lovely grassed picnic areas, fountains and a café. The town is a
good base to do various day excursions from.</span></div>
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The best of these trips is a drive west through the beautiful Pioneer
Valley. I did this trip a few times and made sure that I took time
to explore the secluded and very picturesque Finch Hatton Gorge.
There are a couple of relaxed rainforest walks here to waterfalls and
refreshing swimming holes. The highlight of the valley though is the
Eungella National Park. It contains the oldest and longest stretch
of subtropical rainforest in Australia and is serenely beautiful.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglebDwoioKqMCnCk70Ib9BpBI15la52UwqScnkkSexgLA4Qu_h1jzMuWndrQ10slKF0iRIK1hlz5tmPxAayTMbiap9pwRmx4IcGUiltH4FH8aKh5J6LVxdg9MIAv1nc-bPvf9xatS3i_Y/s1600/%252829%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglebDwoioKqMCnCk70Ib9BpBI15la52UwqScnkkSexgLA4Qu_h1jzMuWndrQ10slKF0iRIK1hlz5tmPxAayTMbiap9pwRmx4IcGUiltH4FH8aKh5J6LVxdg9MIAv1nc-bPvf9xatS3i_Y/s320/%252829%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Broken River- home of the platypus</span></b></span></td></tr>
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Aside from the rainforest and amazing views back down the valley, the
big attraction of the national park is the opportunity to spot the
reclusive but very cute platypus. Broken River is one of the few
places that you’ll ever see one in their natural habitat but it
takes some patience and luck. After hiking a trail up the river, I
returned to the viewing platform near the car park and joined a group
of others who were silently waiting. Voices were in whispers but you
could feel the anticipation. As dusk approached we were rewarded
with the appearance of several platypuses.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
I spent several happy weekends at the beaches just north of Mackay
and also made it to the Cape Hillsborough National Park. South of
the city I took a day to visit the town of Sarina which has a beach
and sugar cane museum. Not far from Sarina is the Hay Point coal
terminal. From the viewpoint, I could see huge stockpiles of coal
ready to be loaded onto huge ships that were waiting patiently off
shore.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUJg_XiOrrNGKAITGloravJfFcJc9gFYA9SHvKGvLtfY1bRMLVTY3zExDqU4y0_SbgCyFw6fdu1kXuX33fgNQ0jpq-6phKpmkGl2rfxYVv5K8vVShs7zlhZ2-gmF3JMV8sQ_oE0bO5mk/s1600/%252849%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUJg_XiOrrNGKAITGloravJfFcJc9gFYA9SHvKGvLtfY1bRMLVTY3zExDqU4y0_SbgCyFw6fdu1kXuX33fgNQ0jpq-6phKpmkGl2rfxYVv5K8vVShs7zlhZ2-gmF3JMV8sQ_oE0bO5mk/s320/%252849%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the beach at Cape Hillsborough</span></span></b></td></tr>
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Together with my friend Jen, we drove up to Airlie Beach as soon as I
finished work one Friday afternoon. This high-energy little town has
a steady stream of backpackers and other tourists who use it as a
stepping stone to the Whitsunday Islands. The following morning we
made our way along the pleasant boardwalk to Abel Point Marina to
catch the island ferry. Our chosen destination for the day would be
Long Island because it has the best of everything. Aside from the
beaches, there are also about 13km of walking tracks that lead to
some fine lookouts.
</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRy5jguvH7kkYcbYOQNrLwFV2fA_8bwQ0OQxbtCo51JogakkeCiaqTTCNZnEzGQZd-RrUTS86PZj59oPvfJT8e3nM3Rlfj5KK_g7PE4sPnxSfmbk7ZC4UYit6CmDbVKFYoftymh_DHp7Q/s1600/%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRy5jguvH7kkYcbYOQNrLwFV2fA_8bwQ0OQxbtCo51JogakkeCiaqTTCNZnEzGQZd-RrUTS86PZj59oPvfJT8e3nM3Rlfj5KK_g7PE4sPnxSfmbk7ZC4UYit6CmDbVKFYoftymh_DHp7Q/s320/%252810%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sheltered cove at Airlie Beach</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Day trippers to the island can use the resort facilities so there was
plenty for Jen to do while I went hiking. When I returned, we had a
swim in the pool before getting the ferry back to the mainland. As
the ferry arrived back into Airlie Bay I thought how I’d love to
return to one day. The aqua blue ocean, secluded bays and white sand
beaches make it the perfect playground and there are 74 islands that
make up the stunning archipelago. Somehow, getting to just one of
them doesn’t seem enough!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086907241110830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494134540234612087.post-87039871410055093622016-09-23T16:00:00.000-07:002016-09-23T20:03:48.525-07:00Northern New South Wales<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
Having been to the most westerly point of mainland Australia, the
most easterly point of Byron Bay was added to my bucket list. So
with my girlfriend and a rental car, we headed south for a long weekend.
Before crossing the New South Wales border, we passed through the
playground that is the Gold Coast beaches. At the centre of it all
is the famous Surfers Paradise where the party scene is as much an
attraction as the sand. Despite the name, the surfers are drawn to
other beaches further down the coast but lifeguards are always kept
busy with swimmers, especially on summer weekends.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tweed Heads marks the border between the two states at which point we
turned inland and headed into the northern New South Wales
hinterland. The undulating landscape down here is a blanket of lush
rainforest, pastoral lands, orchards and eucalypt trees that are
traversed by pretty winding roads. Our destination was the
elaborately named Wollumbin-Mount Warning National Park and despite a
few showers coming through the Gold Coast, our goal was to climb
Mount Warning itself. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5TaMXCXACxj3XYCMx0mWUfoj2HoJVbT5Gg3DqyBj4frCl4n8v3EVzAWepaeNrVxTAql6FKN8bxziyMrNSDcuENnvkcfsEWV5KNT1d9fw9PJNGjYP4YqIn7913oDAGBe5Pl4ZKsrpghg4/s1600/%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5TaMXCXACxj3XYCMx0mWUfoj2HoJVbT5Gg3DqyBj4frCl4n8v3EVzAWepaeNrVxTAql6FKN8bxziyMrNSDcuENnvkcfsEWV5KNT1d9fw9PJNGjYP4YqIn7913oDAGBe5Pl4ZKsrpghg4/s320/%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Doing the boulder scramble up Mount Warning</b></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Named by Captain Cook (to avoid the rocky Point Danger on the New
South Wales coastline), Mount Warning was once the central magma
chamber of a massive 4,000 sq km volcano. Today, the ancient
caldera is known as a centre of spiritual energy and is sacred to the
Aboriginal people. Much of the 4.5km hike to the summit (1157m)
rises gently through rainforest but the final 400 metres is a boulder
scramble using a chain to haul yourself to the top. We made the
return hike in only three hours, but unfortunately the magnificent
views were obscured at the top by thick cloud.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuycj9rCmss4-bidcQseFLI150YIqmSdq0FGe03pTCsGT5QNqFn6UGtPYmc5GEp-ITkKHDFaKt6uAb-1Z8kcARn-09y69CstDVjfocDRg1LLx638MsYRG4zom812EH40w32BzgqCzBis/s1600/nimbin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuycj9rCmss4-bidcQseFLI150YIqmSdq0FGe03pTCsGT5QNqFn6UGtPYmc5GEp-ITkKHDFaKt6uAb-1Z8kcARn-09y69CstDVjfocDRg1LLx638MsYRG4zom812EH40w32BzgqCzBis/s320/nimbin.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Main street of Nimbin</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While in the area, we took the opportunity to visit the strange
little town of Nimbin. Since a music festival in 1973, Nimbin has
been synonymous with hippies, marijuana and alternative lifestyle.
The brightly coloured buildings along the quiet main street add to
the unique vibe created by the people we met there. It has an
interesting art scene where creativity often through marijuana. It’s
not legal in Nimbin more than anywhere else in the country but police
tend to turn a blind eye. So we sat down with a coffee and special
cookie to enjoy the dreadlocked and tie-dyed world going around.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We stayed the night in Lismore which is the hinterland’s main
commercial centre. Sitting on the Wilson River, it has various
heritage listed and art deco buildings including a hotel that Queen
Elizabeth II once stayed at. After a look around the town we
followed the walking track along the river back to the car and set a
course for Ballina at the mouth of the Richmond River. It’s a
reasonable size town that finds itself caught halfway between being a
commercial centre and a tourist destination. Either way, it’s
renowned as the home of the Big Prawn.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_TPfe1Bu_obNJDBkhSRZklDSU9LVPyU_EAuWuv0KjSGOMumd7ueBTPmMr0GidSyNGUBPMoS5YSpQdiR6DwJrUoJmOhrRtefEEv-AchWPDwPs_q8bys-vFLtveoFky0OVYBeR1_2CTlI/s1600/%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_TPfe1Bu_obNJDBkhSRZklDSU9LVPyU_EAuWuv0KjSGOMumd7ueBTPmMr0GidSyNGUBPMoS5YSpQdiR6DwJrUoJmOhrRtefEEv-AchWPDwPs_q8bys-vFLtveoFky0OVYBeR1_2CTlI/s320/%252812%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Big Prawn, Ballina</b></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just north of Ballina, Bryon Bay doesn’t have any kind of identity
predicament. With surf breaks, beaches, dining and nightlife, it is
one of the premier travel destinations of the east coast. For even
the cynical or travel weary, it’s hard not to be enamoured here and
many find themselves staying longer than planned. Unfortunately our
stay was limited to just the afternoon but we certainly made the most
of it.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWB5R4ptvJvaCNoILSqFgEsGtodIhibdSaMj1qLWQyUVuBZ5ddRfNY0YUmCm13CMUpHHJL42r_eyeaDeqmiFulibc-Tcj23yKsnPR4FCR1to9dP2yhkSGmGpBnEvCqIxb-FbVsSMZrlDI/s1600/%252823%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWB5R4ptvJvaCNoILSqFgEsGtodIhibdSaMj1qLWQyUVuBZ5ddRfNY0YUmCm13CMUpHHJL42r_eyeaDeqmiFulibc-Tcj23yKsnPR4FCR1to9dP2yhkSGmGpBnEvCqIxb-FbVsSMZrlDI/s320/%252823%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cape Byron - t</span></span>he most easterly point of Australia</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The edge of Cape Byron is the most easterly point of Australia and we
arrived here after following the walkway that ribbons around the
headland. Towering over the cape is the historic lighthouse built in
1901. After having a look inside, we continued on the Cape Bryon
Walking Track until it led us through the State Conservation Park and
the picturesque Captain Cook Lookout. We stopped to visit a friend
in Kingscliff near the Queensland border where he proudly showed me
his ‘backyard’ of the northernmost beach in New South Wales.</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086907241110830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494134540234612087.post-11862818201756121092016-09-16T16:00:00.000-07:002016-09-16T16:00:17.810-07:00Brisbane<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A wonderful couple of weeks disappeared quickly and it was time to
head south to Brisbane. The Queensland capital shares its name with
the Brisbane River that winds through the heart of the city. It’s
an easy going place where green spaces, an artificial beach and
historic buildings are woven into a modern urban landscape. There is
a vibrant arts and sporting scene and when you add the temperate
sub-tropical climate you have a few reasons why it has since become
my home.</span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNR4jquNGC-9uQuCP560Kng00sRqQrKCqEKVTGq8qmyEWEJtSbTUN35mu1ogHyQ0dab_GbuqeW5ctrpUUPG3QbP_N7JGccc3jWbJa96sPtMxbfJIyxNGMp2smb48LmjKN4xklhcyYWMo/s1600/%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNR4jquNGC-9uQuCP560Kng00sRqQrKCqEKVTGq8qmyEWEJtSbTUN35mu1ogHyQ0dab_GbuqeW5ctrpUUPG3QbP_N7JGccc3jWbJa96sPtMxbfJIyxNGMp2smb48LmjKN4xklhcyYWMo/s320/%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">City Cat ferry on the Brisbane River </span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The jewel in the Brisbane city crown is the lovely strip of lawns,
rainforest and cultural attractions along the southern bank of the
river. Southbank Parklands is a remnant of the World Expo in 1988
and there has recently been a 60m sightseeing wheel added. Southbank
is bordered at one end by the Cultural Centre which is a sprawling
area including the State Library, Performing Arts Centre, Queensland
Museum and Art Gallery. On the other end is the Maritime Museum and
I’ve taken time to visit all these fine attractions.</span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ja_Vvu9DyFLNL1O8-gy1-TqeyqMyMybhj8vv3HkokAS7c8B2NPiE-UZIxlLaMtVXwYZrgEqNlVNLhZSKplV93kDgRdo-CxCsT5Yyy1WfwpgQWJv1L-YAzKH9wFnLL7tbboYMOQ4zFbE/s1600/%252840%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ja_Vvu9DyFLNL1O8-gy1-TqeyqMyMybhj8vv3HkokAS7c8B2NPiE-UZIxlLaMtVXwYZrgEqNlVNLhZSKplV93kDgRdo-CxCsT5Yyy1WfwpgQWJv1L-YAzKH9wFnLL7tbboYMOQ4zFbE/s320/%252840%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lagoon and beach at Southbank</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The landmark across the river is the lavish old Treasury Building
that is now the city’s casino. It marks the beginning of the Queen
St pedestrian mall and a CBD where all the streets running
north-south are English queens and those running east- west are
kings. Brisbane has two botanical gardens, one of which is beside
the river in the city and the other a short drive away at the base of
Mount Coot-tha. There is a superb lookout on top of the mountain
that offers views of the city and out to the Moreton Bay islands.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6Zw2DNx7hvlkFaTrKJCNH5UfBKq6IQzDHnS6bME7JmGwQM_aYcsWIijB9N2uR3w8WNGPC6a2-l3Bn4cdkYTHYEylL2sGUDY0ixCFB-QDATFWxxtkS1ts4iNFtNjrWkXVo2XEFfa1D5I/s1600/%252833%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6Zw2DNx7hvlkFaTrKJCNH5UfBKq6IQzDHnS6bME7JmGwQM_aYcsWIijB9N2uR3w8WNGPC6a2-l3Bn4cdkYTHYEylL2sGUDY0ixCFB-QDATFWxxtkS1ts4iNFtNjrWkXVo2XEFfa1D5I/s320/%252833%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cycle pathway around Kangaroo Point</span></b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Several significant bridges cross the Brisbane River but the most
iconic of them is the Story Bridge which has recently celebrated its
75<sup>th</sup> birthday. Although I’ve crossed the bridge
numerous times, I’ve never done the adventure climb that ascends to
its highest points 80 metres above the river. There is a large
network of cycle paths in the city including scenic routes that
follow the river but there’s nothing quite like actually getting
out on the water. Aside from the cruise boats, there is a large
fleet of city ferries gliding the river every day so no excuses!</span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKXvPPLqaA_tiLu0JdAraPyGy_mwc0-T_mId2Ht23csIOzJC09HD2mKEh-Zsx-knzfwbQtIISpmE0EX0y9mHycBIiqXLJ9KMD-W1YAruN6zMDbKc9xcikiiDJPnfn3tViXLztYtjhL2M/s1600/%252835%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKXvPPLqaA_tiLu0JdAraPyGy_mwc0-T_mId2Ht23csIOzJC09HD2mKEh-Zsx-knzfwbQtIISpmE0EX0y9mHycBIiqXLJ9KMD-W1YAruN6zMDbKc9xcikiiDJPnfn3tViXLztYtjhL2M/s320/%252835%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The iconic Brisbane City Hall
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The icon of Brisbane is the attractive 1930’s sandstone City Hall
that proudly overlooks King George Square. It was closed to the
public for a number of years because it required extensive
restoration but it is now reopened with a magnificent interior. The
observation platform up in the bell tower offers brilliant city views
and tucked away in the same building is the Museum of Brisbane which
showcases the history and cultural landscape of the city. A very
short walk away is one of the world’s largest subtropical urban
gardens, the lovely Roma St Parklands.</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086907241110830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494134540234612087.post-67864088930014288542016-09-09T16:27:00.000-07:002016-09-09T16:27:20.536-07:00The Sunshine Coast<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
When I was living in Cairns, I added the World Heritage listed Fraser
Island to my Australian bucket list. Unfortunately this largest sand
island in the world (120km by 15km) hasn’t been ticked off yet but
I can at least say I’ve seen it. On a trip north one day we
visited the Great Sandy National Park on what is known as the
Cooloola Coast. This park actually includes Fraser Island that we
could see from Rainbow Beach and there were also nice views from
Carlo Sandblow which is a huge 120m-high dune.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQT3jTxzpAOFrmRUCh3T60u8auw9ZFfoiyUxtOTRWLNK4EHKJ-GBaE4Ku0Ef-buQJ8BDtxgRr6D2dz5MNrcStKDHayxPGk27nl4lEvZJjXD2A-7RY6mtlTgcAr_wl03jNO6aXj6LH8Cs/s1600/%252852%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQT3jTxzpAOFrmRUCh3T60u8auw9ZFfoiyUxtOTRWLNK4EHKJ-GBaE4Ku0Ef-buQJ8BDtxgRr6D2dz5MNrcStKDHayxPGk27nl4lEvZJjXD2A-7RY6mtlTgcAr_wl03jNO6aXj6LH8Cs/s320/%252852%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Overlooking Fraser Island from Carlo Sandblow</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
In was in the area that I decided to walk a 7km track along the path
of an old telegraph line. It was late in the afternoon, starting to
get gloomy and I was only wearing shorts and a t-shirt. I had about
a kilometre to go when I lost the track. I tried to backtrack but
suddenly I was disorientated and lost. Being winter, it was getting
cold and I only had about 30 minutes of daylight left so I had to act
quickly. I suddenly became very aware of how easy it would be to
panic. All the trees looked the same and I couldn’t find any
landmarks that I’d passed.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRKJtz8IrZoFbxJlHKyb9r3_qLuaf04hMwb7fuAF-Q2CgzSDGv5nsuxz4H_BWEYZZsHtPmIo2G4uGG0fR2q5tgkZtEjZZCcaNkkuWlAgXqZbhbUxJkZZiydvCs2dKRylkyjZCxn3Qg-U/s1600/%252840a%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRKJtz8IrZoFbxJlHKyb9r3_qLuaf04hMwb7fuAF-Q2CgzSDGv5nsuxz4H_BWEYZZsHtPmIo2G4uGG0fR2q5tgkZtEjZZCcaNkkuWlAgXqZbhbUxJkZZiydvCs2dKRylkyjZCxn3Qg-U/s320/%252840a%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kookaburra in the Mapleton Falls National Park</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From the map in my pocket, I knew there was a road to my right but
after turning in circles I didn’t even know which way was right.
In the end I had to gamble on my instinct. I began pushing through
the bush either getting closer to the road or further from it.
Thoughts of an utterly miserable night flashed across my mind until
the bush suddenly opened out onto a rather bumpy old road. At the
car park my friend was waiting patiently in the car for me. I’m
not sure who was more pleased to see who in the end!</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbD4n4Yw_M9pwgd-ibo2V_AuIpdXYulhXM8Vu5D7oPFo7sdKOkEdFKyjXbPwh5FP9ijU9DU1KvZNgm4XgTrpRlbPClIlFw04fLE7l9CDXEhfOfUtNCIsmkUoLQl3ey5eIRseisUyitnfc/s1600/%252830%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbD4n4Yw_M9pwgd-ibo2V_AuIpdXYulhXM8Vu5D7oPFo7sdKOkEdFKyjXbPwh5FP9ijU9DU1KvZNgm4XgTrpRlbPClIlFw04fLE7l9CDXEhfOfUtNCIsmkUoLQl3ey5eIRseisUyitnfc/s320/%252830%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Climbing in the Glass House Mountains</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
For me, the highlight of the Sunshine Coast was our visit to the
Glass House Mountains. Believed by Aborigines to be a family of
mountain spirits, they are described by Lonely Planet as "13
ethereally shaped volcanic crags sticking up from the
coastal plain". Small national parks surround six of
these peaks. We visited three of them and also a lookout that offers
panoramic views of all the mountains.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMalRubmkMjNDKUCRtaraF08KYIavaApCZok8mG1dGIG5byu8GP_9p0LhZZV8Lx8CDaiMxX-rM15hIjT7xM3BtJJGZChmhQzbGbFdMxgUEMxX0W4KgMbWXi86xoKZi4SteslnEOkh17s/s1600/%252835a%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMalRubmkMjNDKUCRtaraF08KYIavaApCZok8mG1dGIG5byu8GP_9p0LhZZV8Lx8CDaiMxX-rM15hIjT7xM3BtJJGZChmhQzbGbFdMxgUEMxX0W4KgMbWXi86xoKZi4SteslnEOkh17s/s320/%252835a%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sitting on the top of Mount Beerwah</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
Standing at 556m, Mount Beerwah is the highest peak in the park.
While this elevation isn't exactly in the clouds, it’s a tough
climb! The brochure we had reads: <i>"Suitable for
experienced rock climbers only</i>. <i>Routes that lead to the
summit have steep rocky sections and irregular surfaces with loose
stones that require rock scrambling and some rock climbing skills."</i>
They weren't kidding and it’s not for the faint hearted! We
also climbed Mount Ngungun (253m) and I finished the day with a
couple of walks around Mount Tibrogargan.</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086907241110830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494134540234612087.post-78548816195325490032016-09-02T20:00:00.000-07:002016-09-02T20:00:02.725-07:00The full circle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As my flight touched down in Brisbane airport, I had a sense of
satisfaction. It had completed the circle so to speak. I’d
started over a year before on the east coast and from there had
explored the length and breadth of Australia. Obviously there were
far corners I hadn’t reached but overall I didn’t have too many
regrets. I’d travelled many thousands of kilometres across a
multitude of different landscapes. I’d experienced all kinds of
weather and met all kinds of people.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh60aiAmXTitUQF0yHcJvBAtoLwf8TTYL88XmYIOF3G26uDksSiVIzv64pd2FX3BplCbTj5OtjIFW_2X0bs7RdjEJEO5dFMlpvTdLCApDwOMXIA1UyIXkjDC5g27pIJZD_6Ts3QPETe600/s1600/%252818%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh60aiAmXTitUQF0yHcJvBAtoLwf8TTYL88XmYIOF3G26uDksSiVIzv64pd2FX3BplCbTj5OtjIFW_2X0bs7RdjEJEO5dFMlpvTdLCApDwOMXIA1UyIXkjDC5g27pIJZD_6Ts3QPETe600/s320/%252818%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Big Pineapple</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I imagined that after spending a few weeks in southeast Queensland
and northern New South Wales my journey would be complete and I’d
return to New Zealand. What I didn’t imagine was that years later,
I’d still be there and calling Brisbane my home. I simply couldn’t
resist the attractive climate and lifestyle of this beautiful part of
the country and indeed the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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</span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My arrival coincided with an invitation from a friend to help
housesit for her sister in Coolum. So for two wonderful weeks we had
a car to explore the lovely beaches and pretty hinterland areas of
the Sunshine Coast. It was nice to warm up again also. After the
cool autumnal temperatures of Adelaide, the average temperatures here
are in the low 20's and we could swim at the local beach. The other
thing I enjoyed here is Mount Coolum (208m) which offers bird’s-eye
views of the town and other beaches along the coast.</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDF5wU2r63_Ks5d9QlovMNs3Xkc8OgLTghAT4GDYYfeDNIQAxJIkS1HVhabGCbwiH_379b2r4oQHc2TQKVGo3A7wmoQbEv_91zEWBXUm_JYarI5v9htvbVJgx1ezqITrgr6IjvCO3bIkM/s1600/%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDF5wU2r63_Ks5d9QlovMNs3Xkc8OgLTghAT4GDYYfeDNIQAxJIkS1HVhabGCbwiH_379b2r4oQHc2TQKVGo3A7wmoQbEv_91zEWBXUm_JYarI5v9htvbVJgx1ezqITrgr6IjvCO3bIkM/s320/%252811%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hanging around in the hinterland</span></b></span></td></tr>
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Arguably the best of these beaches is at gorgeous Noosa. The
rainforest of the adjacent national park here seems to blend almost
seamlessly with the beautiful stretch of sand and the fashionable
boulevard of the town. It’s sophisticated and elite but at the
same time relaxed and unassuming. I enjoyed the Noosa National Park
as much as the beach. It covers the eastern headland that protects
the beach and the bushwalks take in great coastal scenery and bays
that draw surfers from far and wide.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AlEBCkjIWKEiYs0VLtAMjshhgJSnlQjdcdI3TPii6z_YRtPGzgANWLljDrFB0duqfRSz7PxWk3fJuX7YFd76BzjtMDBeA2_uaLPiv30frlk_IVGq3ymNm17l-z9gWf7ImAUjKH5N5HU/s1600/%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AlEBCkjIWKEiYs0VLtAMjshhgJSnlQjdcdI3TPii6z_YRtPGzgANWLljDrFB0duqfRSz7PxWk3fJuX7YFd76BzjtMDBeA2_uaLPiv30frlk_IVGq3ymNm17l-z9gWf7ImAUjKH5N5HU/s320/%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Noosa Beach and National Park</span></b></span></td></tr>
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Other beaches are strung along the coast down to the town of
Mooloolaba but we were also eager to get inland to enjoy the charming
towns and native bush of the hinterland. Our visit to the quaint
village of Eumundi was on a Saturday morning so we could experience
the market that draws thousands each week. The 300-plus stalls
selling a huge variety of arts, crafts, clothing, food and
alternative healing products create a relaxed vibe and I would have
been happy to stay longer if we didn’t have some bushwalking
planned for the afternoon in the rainforest of the nearby Mapleton
Falls National Park.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086907241110830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494134540234612087.post-88819025560931990732016-08-26T18:41:00.000-07:002016-08-26T18:41:50.320-07:00Kangaroo Island<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Before leaving Adelaide, there was a final bucket list item to tick
and just like when I was in Perth, it involved an island. This time,
it was the aptly named Kangaroo Island which is acknowledged to be
one of the best places in Australia to enjoy rugged coastal scenery
and some untamed wilderness that is home to a virtual zoo of
wildlife.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
Most of the first day of my three-day tour was spent on the fertile
Fleurieu Peninsula which is patterned with vineyards, olive groves
and almond plantations. We visited a couple of wineries in what
is known as the McLaren Vale Wine Region and I reacquainted myself
with the divine tasting mead. Other wines, especially some of the
reds are reputed to be superior to anything produced in the Barossa
Valley. We shared a bottle over lunch at Victor Harbor (yes, that is
the correct spelling) on what is known as the Encounter Coast.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ63e7ApIdKhHqLAUKT6iMrTAqJi_WowEmdsMrB_yLks2NYBPUShEWUWlHbUlnRwVPq97or8liLCVXa6OuWT7re6oLqY9CewR5k7rQHHTvoyKEaWq1deifn6CZrrVizDdORDHHaU0xUyI/s1600/%25281a%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ63e7ApIdKhHqLAUKT6iMrTAqJi_WowEmdsMrB_yLks2NYBPUShEWUWlHbUlnRwVPq97or8liLCVXa6OuWT7re6oLqY9CewR5k7rQHHTvoyKEaWq1deifn6CZrrVizDdORDHHaU0xUyI/s320/%25281a%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Loaded up and ready to go!</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
Just off-shore at Victor Harbor is the boulder-strewn Granite Island
which is connected to the mainland by a causeway built in 1875. A
popular tourist attraction is to ride the old horse-drawn tram out to
the island where there is a penguin colony. Tours to see the
penguins start at about the same time we were boarding the ferry from
Cape Jervis. The 13km journey across Backstairs Passage took about
30 minutes so the sun was setting as we arrived at the town of
Penneshaw on the island.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
The second day took us to Seal Bay where we got up close and personal
with some sea lions. We were under the close watch of a
ranger but still allowed within about 15 metres of them.
In the afternoon we climbed Prospect Hill which offered great views
of Pelican Lagoon and out over Pennington Bay to the south. We
finished our day a place called Little Sahara on the southern coast.
As the name suggests, the huge sand dunes here that we surfed down on
special boards offered some great fun.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzEzJyCY5F_Yops-hOLOcKxWrjvwoyazVz3ogWz3YIlfuoXT-FL8MrZMns5ospVYlb9IuZNcS8Lubww012k8aTz5QleDxfx5C1NiOcj3ed20GRXAO6dqRS2gVhrVlKM3GT4NyRBKugsY/s1600/%252822a%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzEzJyCY5F_Yops-hOLOcKxWrjvwoyazVz3ogWz3YIlfuoXT-FL8MrZMns5ospVYlb9IuZNcS8Lubww012k8aTz5QleDxfx5C1NiOcj3ed20GRXAO6dqRS2gVhrVlKM3GT4NyRBKugsY/s320/%252822a%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></b></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sea Lion pups at Seal Bay</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
The third day was the best because we explored the Flinders Chase
National Park at the western end of the island. The highlight
and most photographed place on the island is the Remarkable
Rocks. Out on an exposed promontory, these amazing rocks
have been uniquely shaped by sea and wind. We also went to
the impressive rock archway called Admiral's Arch near the remote
lighthouse on Cape du Couedic. From the boardwalk we could see a
colony of New Zealand fur seals lazing on the rocks below us.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10ANbB_PfxeezfhSoNwjKZOveIuQmUSvaHp4PLi_B5Ai2S6ABjEEv32mZdfgoH5eR4diJVHaQMZeYo_mz81GQrU_5gh2lU1Rac6yUG9noy2l3J8xEJxCroPhXwrXHNujR5TcWtkr-BZQ/s1600/%252834%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10ANbB_PfxeezfhSoNwjKZOveIuQmUSvaHp4PLi_B5Ai2S6ABjEEv32mZdfgoH5eR4diJVHaQMZeYo_mz81GQrU_5gh2lU1Rac6yUG9noy2l3J8xEJxCroPhXwrXHNujR5TcWtkr-BZQ/s320/%252834%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The aptly named Remarkable
Rocks</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
We had lunch at nearby Hansons Bay where I did a lovely bush walk
before returning for our ferry. Near the picnic area here we watched
as a koala descended one tree and then climbed another in front of
us. It was exciting because they sleep about 19 hours a day! Apart
from that, we saw at different times on the tour penguins, kangaroos,
wallabies and an echidna all in their natural habitat. There were
also various birds such as the wedge tail eagle and Cape Baron goose.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYojcjucB6GJuABLcPE3uFcQZ7W7bXJ9abNx5OvzBohWh5cqbJpNcpey1j9NOiElkzrkLhawI6Mu6prJdwstmyVme6hNHOHmUnk6WRdlIASsTR8ujYEGwfzvcQnQmtNRGaAPum6DwI8Eo/s1600/%252852%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYojcjucB6GJuABLcPE3uFcQZ7W7bXJ9abNx5OvzBohWh5cqbJpNcpey1j9NOiElkzrkLhawI6Mu6prJdwstmyVme6hNHOHmUnk6WRdlIASsTR8ujYEGwfzvcQnQmtNRGaAPum6DwI8Eo/s320/%252852%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kangaroos at Hansons Bay</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
Because it was the winter season, our accommodation for the two
nights was a hut and little farmhouse. During summer it's the
more basic camping and sleeping in swags. We still had a big
camp fire outside for cooking, making billy tea and roasting
marshmallows. Telling stories and having a laugh around the campfire
is always a memorable part of such as tour. The guide kept us amused
with all kinds of tales and his stew was delicious. Good times and
happy memories that I’d soon be taking with me to the warmer climes
Queensland.</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086907241110830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494134540234612087.post-67342017780196665322016-08-19T20:00:00.000-07:002016-08-19T20:00:01.194-07:00Barossa Valley<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Adelaide is overlooked in the east by the Mount Lofty Ranges that are
often referred to as simply the Adelaide Hills. This is the gateway
to the Barossa Valley that is Australia's premium wine growing area.
Many of the top wineries such as Jacobs Creek, Penfolds and Wolf
Blass are located there. The vineyards aside, the idyllic towns
and beautiful scenery of the valley make for a great day trip that I
did with my friend and his wife.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMy9iuW5wbePNNSA52XY_Owp91_mN2Lirxg8uv4viPinThPH_Lg_uuaWQq0W8SocK1gg0CxfCuYXOWsVh-bcyU9lWD0Z2ry8FWsda2Nh6SVFeEBVg51YdhutkgY7nE_HCFdDXMqxcm6E/s1600/%252822%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMy9iuW5wbePNNSA52XY_Owp91_mN2Lirxg8uv4viPinThPH_Lg_uuaWQq0W8SocK1gg0CxfCuYXOWsVh-bcyU9lWD0Z2ry8FWsda2Nh6SVFeEBVg51YdhutkgY7nE_HCFdDXMqxcm6E/s320/%252822%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">View from Mount Lofty</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
The summit of Mount Lofty (727m) is generally the first stop on such
a trip because if offers and had spectacular views over Adelaide, the
Fleurieu Peninsula and Gulf St Vincent. Although it was a sunny day,
it was a cold wind at the top so we were soon back in the car and
heading to the historic town of Hahndorf. It is undeniably pretty
with German flags hanging from sandstone buildings and colourful
flowers growing in half wine barrels. That aside, it has an
interesting past and the distinction of being the oldest surviving
German settlement (1839) in Australia.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The quaint German town of Hahndorf</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
A scenic drive north through the Torrens River Gorge leads to
Gumeracha. This hardy little hillside town attracts tourists in the
area because it is home to the largest rocking horse in the world.
It should just be called the largest horse because it doesn’t rock
but it is impressive and part of a toy factory selling handmade
wooden toys (and big rocking horse souvenirs!). For the record,
it stands 18.3m tall, has a length of 10.5m, weighs 25 tonnes
and yes, we climbed to the top of it.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstas5rCqStT1RAcJ1v-pdwsBOU1Spdi0JlwtCRz3MtXRUtJzq0wlLqJ19iK1GHj-K09zj76q4CxJ-dwy6nYfqyusiNuMNl-1Kcy9YKcUCBB26fYqnbb1f8Fa62XWDEIlEN6nSRlkTOQk/s1600/%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstas5rCqStT1RAcJ1v-pdwsBOU1Spdi0JlwtCRz3MtXRUtJzq0wlLqJ19iK1GHj-K09zj76q4CxJ-dwy6nYfqyusiNuMNl-1Kcy9YKcUCBB26fYqnbb1f8Fa62XWDEIlEN6nSRlkTOQk/s320/%25286%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The world's largest rocking horse in Gumeracha</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Into the Barossa Valley, we stopped at Menglers Hill Lookout for
lunch. This offered a lovely panoramic view over the floor
dotted with vineyards. We visited a few wineries including the
famous Penfolds and another one called Chateau Dorrien. It's
one of the few places that make the honey wine called mead and I
bought a bottle there. There are a few different varieties and a
couple are best to drink warm. Ideal in winter but either way,
it is oh so good!</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc55dUBSl2wUIGKwdK2dw-WGVnlXfU1zomcAe3B2ruY_qUtpu7fW4H6R7eb6_92twPhNa3iklahs8EzRvG9Ex3tdC-o6qhxVT8o_EtLD2nK2Uns14o6b0R3L2bBqPeYCPLdUSHWmWFJcc/s1600/%252816%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc55dUBSl2wUIGKwdK2dw-WGVnlXfU1zomcAe3B2ruY_qUtpu7fW4H6R7eb6_92twPhNa3iklahs8EzRvG9Ex3tdC-o6qhxVT8o_EtLD2nK2Uns14o6b0R3L2bBqPeYCPLdUSHWmWFJcc/s320/%252816%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One of the stone sculptures on Menglers Hill</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span>
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</span></span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
My mother's great-grandparents were German and settled in the
valley many years ago. I took some time out to find the
road that they named and see where their farm was. I also found
the small Lutheran cemetery where they are buried together with a few
other relatives from that side of the family. Unfortunately
after doing all that it was nearly dark and we were a bit late
to visit Jacobs Creek winery but we'd had an excellent day
anyway.</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086907241110830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494134540234612087.post-79921506648990026602016-08-12T20:00:00.000-07:002016-08-12T20:00:01.324-07:00Adelaide<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And then there were two. We still had some 1,300km to travel but our
initial stop would be the Great Australian Bight. The marine park
here is the second largest in the world after the Great Barrier Reef
and is home to migratory whales from July to August. Although it was
too early for whale watching it was worth stopping just for the great
views of the Southern Ocean, sand dunes and the towering Bunda
Cliffs. We then pushed on to the raggedy fishing town of Ceduna
which in the local Aboriginal language means ‘a place to sit down
and rest’.</span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBkyg8cHg6NkvK-UWSlNdgY1VYELzRQ3mDQZ3G8CmRHxl4uhJbMG_Tu1GcVzCiAjqMwkbjQZoJTHvB1YV3ok8GfI3BkQPL1nOA9xlzi-2an2CmKeJNHXR-q_JVs5gy5EYqNJlENZSm0c/s1600/%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBkyg8cHg6NkvK-UWSlNdgY1VYELzRQ3mDQZ3G8CmRHxl4uhJbMG_Tu1GcVzCiAjqMwkbjQZoJTHvB1YV3ok8GfI3BkQPL1nOA9xlzi-2an2CmKeJNHXR-q_JVs5gy5EYqNJlENZSm0c/s320/%252812%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Great Australian Bight</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span>
</div>
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</span></span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
We did exactly that for a while before pushing on to Port Augusta
which on the map at least, appears to be at the biggest crossroad in
Australia. From this town at the head of the Spencer Gulf, you can
treat it as the gateway to the vast outback, Flinders Ranges or Eyre
Peninsula. Highways and railways roll out toward Kalgoorlie in the
west, Alice Springs and Darwin in the north, Sydney and Melbourne in
the east and our destination of Adelaide in the south. Not a bad
position!</span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRc69na48XA5ib2gkLcsRuiCDqxwLVWsr67FRjmB3c4-noD_IDh3u6g4uaGDX_fApysM2NFibk5k13TPXOuvqZL354DwlsLPQW87FjvuP9bDrmJjBGodPu6pIHjGTYutq_JUOR3n1z_EM/s1600/Port-Augusta.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRc69na48XA5ib2gkLcsRuiCDqxwLVWsr67FRjmB3c4-noD_IDh3u6g4uaGDX_fApysM2NFibk5k13TPXOuvqZL354DwlsLPQW87FjvuP9bDrmJjBGodPu6pIHjGTYutq_JUOR3n1z_EM/s320/Port-Augusta.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Arriving in Port Augusta</b></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As we passed various road signs I thought for a moment about Lou
trying to catch a final ride to catch his flight. I’ll never know
but I somehow doubted that he made it. We stayed a final night in Port Augusta and took a walk around the
old town centre the next morning. It has some elegant buildings and
a pleasant waterfront where some locals were fishing. From there, it
was just a four hour drive to the South Australia state capital. It
had been a strange trip but I’d made it and ‘all’s well that
ends well’ as they say.</span></span></div>
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<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Adelaide has a culture and sophistication that you’d expect from
the 'City of Churches'. The largest of these is St Peters Cathedral
which majestically overlooks the Adelaide Oval. This famous old
sports arena is used for cricket in summer and Australian Rules
football in the winter. I took time to visit the excellent
museum housing personal items of cricketing legend Sir Donald
Bradman. Just across the pretty River Torrens is the lush botanic
gardens and city zoo. The river also meanders past the Adelaide Golf
Course on its scenic route out to Gulf St Vincent.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8omlEzQgZK-GDzya5hsG7Xlq4wOyEEnNdy3gqN_RKQs_WDOhHE7GXQou9EgdrNY3WLMagyrkghyGH010yQM0yge5EBNe8Mqb4TwWbNho2XOkSAr6VL4u5OMrqNLxLr6gRWEfYpkLhNc/s1600/%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8omlEzQgZK-GDzya5hsG7Xlq4wOyEEnNdy3gqN_RKQs_WDOhHE7GXQou9EgdrNY3WLMagyrkghyGH010yQM0yge5EBNe8Mqb4TwWbNho2XOkSAr6VL4u5OMrqNLxLr6gRWEfYpkLhNc/s320/%25289%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">River Torrens</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<br /></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Most of the tourist sights are within walking distance of the Rundle
St shopping mall and many are strung along North Terrace just one
block away. Aside from the Botanical Gardens, the South
Australia University, Art Gallery, Museum and Library are all here.
Both the art gallery and museum offer free tours twice a day. These
are an excellent way of taking in the highlights (including an
enormous giant squid) but I was also glad I had more time to enjoy
the exhibition on whales and renowned Antarctic explorer Sir Douglas
Mawson.</span></span></div>
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<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Central Adelaide has several attractive squares named after
people who were significant to the city's history. In the
large Victoria Square there is an impressive fountain that represents
the three rivers Adelaide sources its water from. I did a
tour of the Town Hall and the enthusiastic guide had so many
stories to tell it lasted nearly two hours. Amid the European
colonial architecture of this area are several alluring markets
selling food, art, craft, clothes and jewellery. A couple are Sunday
markets but the superb Central Market offer about 250 stalls from
Tuesday to Saturday.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bJ5QJb9lswbbRiiVrLZS_YZsoKMBli6RDJguhHm6dQp5aJZpQD4C4lK-7elp7M9LuzeEhugmcfFlcmjB-UL8lVED40-sUFZP7BnsZNBTc9DIkch2VjvchEak7xD8McMc_egTGk7YnVY/s1600/%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bJ5QJb9lswbbRiiVrLZS_YZsoKMBli6RDJguhHm6dQp5aJZpQD4C4lK-7elp7M9LuzeEhugmcfFlcmjB-UL8lVED40-sUFZP7BnsZNBTc9DIkch2VjvchEak7xD8McMc_egTGk7YnVY/s320/%25284%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The pleasant North Terrace</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I stayed with a friend out in the suburbs was had to rely on buses
every day to get to the city. The unique transport system here
makes commuter life simple. Outside the central city area, the
buses run on specially designed tracks which essentially make them
like trains. The driver told me it's a German system called
the O-Bahn. The buses are adapted with small guide wheels at
the front that enable them to run smoothly at up to 100kmh. As he
was chatting to me he sat happily with arms folded while the bus
steered itself.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086907241110830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494134540234612087.post-58084787383158769932016-08-05T20:00:00.000-07:002016-08-05T20:00:03.034-07:00Across the Nullabor<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My road trip from Perth to Adelaide was somewhat bizarre in that
three of us departed and only two arrived. There was no tragic
accident or out of control argument and no-one was murdered. It was
basically a lack of communication that led to weird misunderstanding.
It’s funny the way it goes sometimes...</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
The car belonged to Jamie and we wanted to enjoy the journey as much
as the destination. But our other travel buddy Lou was only focused
in Adelaide and seemed in a big hurry to get there. He was a nice
guy but wasn’t interested in the stark beauty of the southern
outback that we’d pass through along the way. He occupied the back
seat either sleeping or reading his book.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFYJuvE6VZD7x6B-ScoCQQn_Ts1IqBCyQZLKpixxEj_PO6omNsV4bqjQnzhHZxnqkmxmIu-GHrZRnPUxqa1uU1VarMHmOtAFz30CE_ZySkaY0Czx1bo24V2LZjlxeYusDRTISbAM2XSw/s1600/%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFYJuvE6VZD7x6B-ScoCQQn_Ts1IqBCyQZLKpixxEj_PO6omNsV4bqjQnzhHZxnqkmxmIu-GHrZRnPUxqa1uU1VarMHmOtAFz30CE_ZySkaY0Czx1bo24V2LZjlxeYusDRTISbAM2XSw/s320/%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Typical scenery near Kalgoorlie</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
After a long day on the arrived we arrived in the brash mining town
of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. It was dusk but I could sense Lou was
agitated when we decided to stay for the night. If it was up to him
we’d be driving in three shifts, day and night. I dared not
suggest that we play the world’s longest golf course on our way
east. The extraordinary Nullarbor Links stretches 1,362km south to
Norseman and all the way across to the town of Ceduna in South
Australia. The holes are scattered along the route and the only
water hazard is the risk of running out of it!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
That would have been a lot of fun but no, it wasn’t going to be
that kind of trip. We were up early the next morning and on the road
to the crossroads township of Norseman. It was here we began the
long haul east across the mighty Nullabor Plain. This is one of the
iconic Australian road trips where you simply sit back, relax and
enjoy the big empty skies and long horizons. This truly is about the
journey as much as the destination.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
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</span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsoeulv-D-8aLkZAQwVtxymwl_4_fIRUim7u5TxLSwVeohok0jZdYf4EHOAId3AoLmw8BJy79BLRhMfqEQdyGrWLwklRiqj66RM9hBX2ug7fYNCLLJDxDZsV_sq9FGFJ5oXaFjojDSR6A/s1600/%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsoeulv-D-8aLkZAQwVtxymwl_4_fIRUim7u5TxLSwVeohok0jZdYf4EHOAId3AoLmw8BJy79BLRhMfqEQdyGrWLwklRiqj66RM9hBX2ug7fYNCLLJDxDZsV_sq9FGFJ5oXaFjojDSR6A/s320/%25286%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A great Australian road trip: the Nullabor Plain</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Translated, the word ‘Nullarbor’ means treeless and that’s
exactly what the plain is. The mighty Eyre Highway runs parallel
with the Trans-Australia Railway line across the southern edge of the
Nullabor Plain. It includes Australia’s longest stretch of dead
straight road - 145km, the so called Ninety Mile Straight. The plain
is low shrubs and tussock grass for as far as the eye can see. It’s
as vast as the outback but greener and prettier. There are roadside
campsites every 250km but we pushed on to Border Town, so called for
obvious reasons.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygzGggLcnHTk-IilAVzunjm07vXvvbNKW_dOYSPerTkmjJghuYdgK36a2eSo1YPTRFrsGX0wrBFY-ByVLjBSeVVU4srwA1Qt9V_VJuElRYMMq6px3nBpn66ocLEG5dXACRCo7RmYWNoU/s1600/%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygzGggLcnHTk-IilAVzunjm07vXvvbNKW_dOYSPerTkmjJghuYdgK36a2eSo1YPTRFrsGX0wrBFY-ByVLjBSeVVU4srwA1Qt9V_VJuElRYMMq6px3nBpn66ocLEG5dXACRCo7RmYWNoU/s320/%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The beginning of 'Ninety Mile Straight'</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The following day we’d set our watches forward 90 minutes and enter
South Australia. But Lou’s discontent over our lack of progress
grew to genuine anxiety and the reason emerged. Apparently he had to
be in Adelaide by the following afternoon for a flight to Sydney! I
don’t know what he was thinking not speaking up or travelling with
us at all. The 2,700km journey across the country is similar to
going from London to Moscow!</span></span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlgnzEY31daAY7NhPu1ZFRQDcPKldaYP1GLIE9Vp_U_IPho6wlkVqF-z05lwRVBiAxo_MDdWMykU0t9fYijzKL8a2lDdgqM0u8p3tioNFzd2Nyxfbuap56tq_tKj2DmpIWFQXLLs5eS08/s1600/%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlgnzEY31daAY7NhPu1ZFRQDcPKldaYP1GLIE9Vp_U_IPho6wlkVqF-z05lwRVBiAxo_MDdWMykU0t9fYijzKL8a2lDdgqM0u8p3tioNFzd2Nyxfbuap56tq_tKj2DmpIWFQXLLs5eS08/s320/%25284%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On the Western Australian state border</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Did he really imagine that it would only take a couple of days? We
were a little bewildered by his lack of planning and awareness.
Maybe he was too shy or embarrassed to speak up earlier and I felt
bad that we’d held him up. There were no hard feelings though. He
apologised for causing problems, left us some money for fuel and
jumped on a truck that night heading for Port Augusta. I wished him
luck and had my fingers crossed he’d make it.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086907241110830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494134540234612087.post-442921412603069082016-07-29T15:00:00.000-07:002016-07-30T17:35:40.577-07:00Rottnest Island<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My time in Western Australia was almost up but there was a final item
on the bucket list that hadn’t yet been ticked off: Rottnest Island
which lies about 19km off the coast from Fremantle. It’s a popular
weekend escape for Perth families and it’s easy to see why. Cars
are prohibited and the sandy island is fringed with secluded beaches
and bays. There is also the wildlife of fur seals, sea birds and
native quokkas. Yes, ‘Rotto’ as it’s known to the locals is a
great place!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The ferry arrives at the marina in Thompson Bay on the eastern end of
the island. Rottnest is relatively small - about 11km long and
5km at its widest point. My plan was to hike the cycle pathways
around the southern coast to camp the night at Eagle Bay on the
western peninsula. In the morning I’d return via the string
of little sandy bays and rocky inlets along the northern coast.
Inland there’d be unique landscapes and historic sites to enjoy
along the way.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1k-EUy83cX6jRvs7TWE9lpyAWfqKUUffhcBffQx1yAfX3AUNUBuJAyd8C6IeE8yE8AHyEhsmtJLcblq28hMk8UBIxsVo6YoiFM0v9-6-jFvGe6bI8qR9grMb_qCixWmG50bWBDYLa16E/s1600/%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1k-EUy83cX6jRvs7TWE9lpyAWfqKUUffhcBffQx1yAfX3AUNUBuJAyd8C6IeE8yE8AHyEhsmtJLcblq28hMk8UBIxsVo6YoiFM0v9-6-jFvGe6bI8qR9grMb_qCixWmG50bWBDYLa16E/s320/%252814%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Quiet roads past the lighthouse </span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rottnest Island has an interesting history and was used as an
Aboriginal prison from 1838. An octagonal building built in 1864 was
once part of the prison block but now forms part of a hotel. In a
wooded area nearby there are hundreds of prisoners buried in unmarked
graves. In a 19<sup>th</sup> century building around the corner is a
photo exhibition that focuses on another chapter of local history:
between 1838 and 1950 the island’s salt lakes provided all of
Western Australia’s salt.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHMM_IPAMLNmhXk3FUunePbV9oBI11qAU1FuttMU2zMzobzdeUyJ9Phbzt0yk426_JI1iIPtjfOUGmL2EjcgvHFAfUrNjEOQviE5pj2KceFENCrrfLLuHsSKn_WkI1B1lp0xVBV6EGoQ/s1600/%252822%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHMM_IPAMLNmhXk3FUunePbV9oBI11qAU1FuttMU2zMzobzdeUyJ9Phbzt0yk426_JI1iIPtjfOUGmL2EjcgvHFAfUrNjEOQviE5pj2KceFENCrrfLLuHsSKn_WkI1B1lp0xVBV6EGoQ/s320/%252822%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pink algae around one of the salt lakes</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just out of the Thompson Bay settlement I visited the old Army
Barracks. Rottnest Island was used as a strategic defensive post to
protect the Port of Fremantle during World War II. A few
kilometres further along the coastline, I stopped to do some
snorkelling in the clear, sheltered waters of Salmon Bay. In the
middle of the island I detoured inland and walked up to the
lighthouse on Wadjemup Hill. Being the highest point of the island,
I was rewarded with nice views in all directions.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While having lunch, I met one of the friendly resident quokkas.
These small marsupials were originally mistaken for rodents
and that's how the island was named. (Rottnest is Dutch
for 'rats nest') Anyway, these adorable little creatures
were mostly quite tame and were happy to come right up to me.
They were mostly found around the populated areas but there was
evidence of them all over the island. I found this to be
(forgive me...) 'a quokk-a shit'.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSe4mB3xJ-xY7OuswP02cU6_2oG3NbZ11n9rb1D5JWIsTh-kACWWkyeGowO6cyJ7e6Mj5DqJB-V-yYVUxJ5oab5xYew5DrcZlfA-HAMpJucD_wznm0Hrdg6HNXmRpPmRdo1SvZQw9Jerc/s1600/%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSe4mB3xJ-xY7OuswP02cU6_2oG3NbZ11n9rb1D5JWIsTh-kACWWkyeGowO6cyJ7e6Mj5DqJB-V-yYVUxJ5oab5xYew5DrcZlfA-HAMpJucD_wznm0Hrdg6HNXmRpPmRdo1SvZQw9Jerc/s320/%25284%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A tame and very cute quokka</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After a beautiful sunset and night on the beach, I realised I had a
problem in the morning. I had a long hike back and virtually no
water. I didn’t stop to remember that the island is ‘dry’ with
no streams, rivers or lakes. I was surrounded by water everywhere
but couldn’t drink any of it. I suddenly had to put myself on very
strict rations until I found a water fountain somewhere.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The snorkelling on the north coast of the island wasn't as good as
Salmon Bay and the best part of the day was hiking up to the historic
gun battery on Oliver Hill. This 9.2 inch canon had the
capacity to fire armour piercing shells up to 28km but was never
required during the war. The top of the hill provided interesting
views of the saline lakes that fill some of the island’s interior.
It’s both a unique and pretty landscape that contrasts from the
rocky coastline.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqyL8qwdayWrDtfed66mxZp5W95_edGk4qmbKBX8pgJyHuHc2ebLat9zdNQxeaLUX2fMPb-5Y8a-ua9bp8lJHLDcR1u_8xiCdzhpRcvlbtvDLMnbfwz4kuK8vAWRvjxXp-Mmabtwmww-A/s1600/%252821%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqyL8qwdayWrDtfed66mxZp5W95_edGk4qmbKBX8pgJyHuHc2ebLat9zdNQxeaLUX2fMPb-5Y8a-ua9bp8lJHLDcR1u_8xiCdzhpRcvlbtvDLMnbfwz4kuK8vAWRvjxXp-Mmabtwmww-A/s320/%252821%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cape Vlamingh where I camped on the beach</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was relieved to find water on the road around one of the northern
bays and by mid afternoon I was back on the northeast point of the
island. I had an hour to spare before my ferry departed for Perth so
I visited Bathurst Lighthouse which was built after a ship wrecked
off the coast. Over the years, more than a dozen boats have been
wrecked on the reefs of Rottnest Island. While hiking around the
island I found several marker plaques that tell the tales of how and
when the ships sank.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">‘Rotto’ was a great way to finish the western part of my
Australian journey. Within a few days, I’d be heading across the
vast expanses of the country to the South Australian capital of
Adelaide and is if to complete the circle, eventually to back to the
east coast of Queensland.</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086907241110830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494134540234612087.post-6421602153983679562016-07-22T15:00:00.000-07:002016-07-22T15:00:00.193-07:00Cape to Cape<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the sleepy little town of Pemberton we stopped at the Bicentenial
Tree which was quite amazing. Originally used as a fire
lookout, it has 130 steps attached to it that spiral up around
the truck to a viewing platform some 70 metres above the ground!
I have to admit the palms were a little sweaty but I made it safely
and enjoyed the great view from the top. The Gloucester Tree
offered a similar experience but was slightly lower with a 60-metre
elevation.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQiBUF8KxmuweVhY1M9lvjzmDOAs2aOW_EG0Fdv2r0wyNt6mGis5l-D5azv5C0yeNeOn0XXozgTkUtnk8ID77p_teopEZmYGpGiZg8lgVZSoVVGbYqXunGgI4y2lKFw1BHpOdw8Pe_fg/s1600/%252870%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQiBUF8KxmuweVhY1M9lvjzmDOAs2aOW_EG0Fdv2r0wyNt6mGis5l-D5azv5C0yeNeOn0XXozgTkUtnk8ID77p_teopEZmYGpGiZg8lgVZSoVVGbYqXunGgI4y2lKFw1BHpOdw8Pe_fg/s320/%252870%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">About to climb the 60 metre Gloucester Tree</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our destination that afternoon should have been Augusta which is the
most south-westerly town in Australia. Unfortunately we made a
navigation error and ended up in a little place called Nannup.
So we decided just to go on to Margaret River and return to Augusta
and Cape Leeuwin the following morning. The historic lighthouse
at the south end of the cape is one of the few places in the
world where you can see where two oceans meet. Looking out from
the windswept point the Indian Ocean is on the right and the
Southern Ocean to the left.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEideDG2ddV-nBUJObSbtp2YYHKykH0YVU2M3pRDswcObWLbqBtcfsJMC8eNBbY2tNFSKxsT_qiAkj9i7Fz9oKJF-SbzpdV-PQJG5qF5l_4r_ci0dn43PJ-PKhcZ5veO6COyq6JCI88OpwA/s1600/%252879%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEideDG2ddV-nBUJObSbtp2YYHKykH0YVU2M3pRDswcObWLbqBtcfsJMC8eNBbY2tNFSKxsT_qiAkj9i7Fz9oKJF-SbzpdV-PQJG5qF5l_4r_ci0dn43PJ-PKhcZ5veO6COyq6JCI88OpwA/s320/%252879%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Cape Leeuwin where two oceans meet</span></b></span></td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The lighthouse is also the start (or finish depending on which
way you do it) of the Cape to Cape walking track. The other end
is 135km north at the Cape Naturaliste lighthouse. I walked
about 40 minutes up the track but didn't feel very inspired by it.
It didn't seem very well maintained and the scenery would probably be
similar all the way up the coast.</span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The next day was one for the girls. We went first to the
Margaret River Chocolate factory and then wine tasting around the
seemingly endless choice of wineries. I couldn't participate
too much because I was driving but I had the privilege of tasting a
1981 port that sells for $250 a bottle. We made a quick stop in
Dunsborough and then headed out to the lighthouse at Cape
Naturaliste. Unfortunately it was only accessible by a tour
which we didn’t have time to wait for. So we did a walk around the
rugged point and enjoyed some nice ocean views instead.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1HK8oUKoZns-ynuP_RXAWzRqIvQUPnxIlzNrWr0p739VgpE_iGY0klSNUgTOINo86rB4I8EECmohTu3UuIJQE_iNkrzmXcnSjZzT4txpo45Z_kPh3-YWFJDWRtE9ZRtLVMn9jDwInHo/s1600/IMG_6775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1HK8oUKoZns-ynuP_RXAWzRqIvQUPnxIlzNrWr0p739VgpE_iGY0klSNUgTOINo86rB4I8EECmohTu3UuIJQE_iNkrzmXcnSjZzT4txpo45Z_kPh3-YWFJDWRtE9ZRtLVMn9jDwInHo/s320/IMG_6775.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kangaroos on a Margaret River vineyard</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
On our way north we stopped in at Busselton to admire the famous
timber-piled jetty. Built in 1856 and stretching 1,841 metres out
into the ocean, it has the distinction of being the longest of its
kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Our destination for the final night
of our tour was Bunbury, which is the only city in the southwest
region. It doesn’t have a lot to recommend it but it’s pleasant
and we visited the art gallery housed in an old restored convent
before making our way to the local campground.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholg54TedYMS-Zwq8ZOB4yUHFqiSAKr3cTkTnHUShlWqREK2wHh8MOAY7ZJKs8IDa-dP6OUuPy6j6KD974gUdcjK1_i1FT33OyhbuIoEjdtJUeAKnaclb22wUXn7gJ3e_IH24NsKKHB7w/s1600/%252896%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholg54TedYMS-Zwq8ZOB4yUHFqiSAKr3cTkTnHUShlWqREK2wHh8MOAY7ZJKs8IDa-dP6OUuPy6j6KD974gUdcjK1_i1FT33OyhbuIoEjdtJUeAKnaclb22wUXn7gJ3e_IH24NsKKHB7w/s320/%252896%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">The famous Busselton jetty</span></b></span></td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The reason we wanted to camp in Bunbury was the bottle-nosed
dolphins. About 60 of them live in the bay year-round and their
number increase to about 260 over summer. In a similar way to
Monkey Mia, they come in almost every morning and check out who is
checking them out. It was an interesting experience because the
dolphin centre is run by friendly volunteers and it's not as tourist
oriented as Monkey Mia. A couple of dolphins came in and
swam around as we stood knee deep in the rather cold water.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And has we dried our feet and returned to the car, our tour was
complete. Ten days had disappeared quickly but we’d packed as much
as we could into the time. It’d been a great little adventure but
it was time to return to the relative comfort of a Perth hostel bed,
hot meal and a cold beer.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086907241110830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494134540234612087.post-66791061405745404212016-07-15T15:00:00.000-07:002016-07-15T15:00:08.398-07:00The great Southwest<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From our campsite at Lucky Bay and I attempted a bushwalk the next
morning over to Rossiter Bay. Unfortunately the
weather closed in on me and I didn't make it all the way. I
couldn't avoid the rain and arrived back rather wet. Back in
Esperance we drove the 30km Ocean Drive which goes along the coast,
past a wind farm and circles back around what is known as the Pink
Lake. The pink tinge it is attributed to high
concentrations of salt-tolerant algae called dunalella salina.
Unfortunately a storm a few years ago has since flushed the algae out
and the phenomenon no longer exists.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8DTwlyFdl2a6JRLg57ReNtx89qslukzY705tO4wL62hjLMFuaVPbC3rIcD3HBFnWrzXw5cosX5TIBMZTV9pxowkuPdPHim5kRnsIw6njfmnE5E2PKHihZb2QThaGLLtQNFuH2pjmGH8/s1600/Pink.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8DTwlyFdl2a6JRLg57ReNtx89qslukzY705tO4wL62hjLMFuaVPbC3rIcD3HBFnWrzXw5cosX5TIBMZTV9pxowkuPdPHim5kRnsIw6njfmnE5E2PKHihZb2QThaGLLtQNFuH2pjmGH8/s320/Pink.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pink
Lake</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
We camped that night in the Fitzgerald River National Park, which is
just out of Hopetoun on the southern coast between Esperance and
Albany. Unfortunately we had to leave early in the morning after a
short walk along Barren Beach. Driving west we went
through the Stirling Range National Park and stopped at 'The Lily'.
This delightful and fully operational Dutch windmill built almost
single-handed out of largely recycled materials by one man over six
years. An amazing achievement that today is a relaxed café.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitgcXGXC1Mrg5oJhD1fc3GSvsieBETWlKu7OiSrguox_eT8IBuIQG5yQOkp6cqquJlsSqFZdQzeXI9kFF9pRotZXSyKRcz-Py06io8_3HPYaXfS1l13E-Qfq84J1exSbs2jT7QP0CSCNw/s1600/%252833%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitgcXGXC1Mrg5oJhD1fc3GSvsieBETWlKu7OiSrguox_eT8IBuIQG5yQOkp6cqquJlsSqFZdQzeXI9kFF9pRotZXSyKRcz-Py06io8_3HPYaXfS1l13E-Qfq84J1exSbs2jT7QP0CSCNw/s320/%252833%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dutch windmill, 'The Lily'</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
The highest peak in the park is Bluff Knoll at 1073m. We drove
up to the car park which would have been about 200m. Initially
when I looked at the mountain I didn't think I'd have time to climb
it. The time on the sign indicated that it would take
about 3.5 hours return. But I love a challenge and decided that
I'd at least give it a go! So, I grabbed the running shoes and
hit the trail. Less than 40 minutes later I felt like I was
standing on top of the world. The views of the park were
magnificent and enhanced by the beautiful sunny day. And coming
down was so much fun!</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4sPfehiHp7P9kWj_d0mAs7uqWKrCybnnjWkGC2jC681IF7DpJ9Mj5aSxqBq50h3nR-K79CUbC7qnIsKy944of6v2VaiuEtYVHnwIdu6WCQiWCgoBrNFWh9It_y_sUAw3BYqVYIoixM58/s1600/%252836%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4sPfehiHp7P9kWj_d0mAs7uqWKrCybnnjWkGC2jC681IF7DpJ9Mj5aSxqBq50h3nR-K79CUbC7qnIsKy944of6v2VaiuEtYVHnwIdu6WCQiWCgoBrNFWh9It_y_sUAw3BYqVYIoixM58/s320/%252836%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the top of Bluff Knoll (1,073m)</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
Our eventual destination that day was the historic town of
Albany. Established just before Perth in 1826, it’s the
oldest European settlement in WA. We visited a couple of city
lookouts before driving down to the Torndirrup National Park. Our
first stop was the Albany Wind Farm - 12 huge wind turbines that
produce about 75% of the town's power requirements. We also
went to natural coastal rock formations of The Gap, Natural Bridge
and Blowholes. Although it’s a windswept coast, the ocean
swell wasn't quite sufficient for the blowholes to work while we were
there.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0amFHCYYOztPszJaBUn4s5u_8wV8mT6ptRVoouYXLK3nJUaCtekjc4Tf5zlcEn1iBvbc4Gt7BIQvT95zBK7aa0vt0wqSCb8tzkA6mRRiVX_5z23wLUtW4KZsp_6mgky3gEwzTJjDFx1U/s1600/%252844%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0amFHCYYOztPszJaBUn4s5u_8wV8mT6ptRVoouYXLK3nJUaCtekjc4Tf5zlcEn1iBvbc4Gt7BIQvT95zBK7aa0vt0wqSCb8tzkA6mRRiVX_5z23wLUtW4KZsp_6mgky3gEwzTJjDFx1U/s320/%252844%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">View of Albany from city lookout</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
In the afternoon we headed north to the Porongurup National
Park which features imposing granite outcrops that rise above a rich
forest. It also has some towering karri trees that the southwest of
Australia is renowned for. I dropped the girls at a vineyard/art
gallery and went bush walking up to the landmarks of Castle Rock
and Balancing Rock. Castle Rock offered great panoramic views
and Balancing Rock is a massive boulder weighing about 180 tons that
sits delicately on a flat rock which is little more than a metre
across!</span></span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpecvi8s1YryNqKrkUshgmf6FVdIvD4KjQqXFuZUb9eDdf7WKMDf1aBNZAzfn8Zh8z6DVhl4_PfKqA7JXzma0hThCtqsVcWAu8o9i9l9wDh1FLUSlKyc5KTvHvCz8Wa_2n3In5Ix4qE1c/s1600/%252859%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpecvi8s1YryNqKrkUshgmf6FVdIvD4KjQqXFuZUb9eDdf7WKMDf1aBNZAzfn8Zh8z6DVhl4_PfKqA7JXzma0hThCtqsVcWAu8o9i9l9wDh1FLUSlKyc5KTvHvCz8Wa_2n3In5Ix4qE1c/s320/%252859%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Castle Rock, </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Porongurup National
Park</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
We drove south again to Denmark and camped at Parry Beach in the
William Bay National Park. Before leaving we did one of the walking
tracks to the beautiful Greens Pool and appropriately named Elephant
Rocks. We then headed into tall trees of the Walpole-Nornalup
National Park. At popular and aptly named Valley of the Giants, the
girls did the Tree Top Walk while I hiked some of the Bibbulmun
Track. This is one of the world's epic hikes, stretching 963km from
the foothills of Perth all the way down to Albany. In less than
a year I’d return to hike the entire length.</span></span></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086907241110830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494134540234612087.post-62754927795375797892016-07-08T15:00:00.000-07:002016-07-08T15:00:07.511-07:00Wave Rock<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After exploring Perth and accumulating some money from my work at the
hostel, it was time for a ten-day trip around the south-west corner
of Australia. As I imagined, it was a magnificent area
highlighted by lovely beaches, tall trees, vineyards, wine and some
great bush walking. Unfortunately the weather didn't always
quite match the splendour of the scenery but overall it wasn't too
bad.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Together with two friends, we set a course for the small town of
Hyden, about 350km east of Perth. We didn't make it all the way
there on the first day and camped at a curious little place called
Gorge Rock. The toilet was on a concrete pad and the
walls around it had fallen down. I smiled at the sign reading 'No
Swimming and No Fires' because in the dusty dry background were a
couple of fireplaces and some firewood.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6p-ikS05bWurgRftCRSGisV8goX8ChmHC-8s4qF92oMRsi5BPDewpT34aOQls3TiBPow52E9lBZL3rtwRSVN5A0niLD4jrzbTGu7KqZfa0xHVBAkIeyZzG2b7XElkbZzw-WM4yoL094A/s1600/%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6p-ikS05bWurgRftCRSGisV8goX8ChmHC-8s4qF92oMRsi5BPDewpT34aOQls3TiBPow52E9lBZL3rtwRSVN5A0niLD4jrzbTGu7KqZfa0xHVBAkIeyZzG2b7XElkbZzw-WM4yoL094A/s320/%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The heritage listed Gorge Rock Hall</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
I smiled again at the Gorge Rock Hall. Constructed in
1920, this dilapidated old structure of wood and corrugated iron
looked shaky and nearly ready to collapse. On one of the rusty
walls it had a sign which read: "The Gorge Rock Hall is
considered to be of significant heritage value and is included on the
Municipal Inventory of heritage places. The hall is worthy
of conservation as it is a special and important place. Please
respect it."</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Hyden is in the southern wheat belt which is dotted with large
granite outcrops. The most famous of these is the perfectly shaped
cresting wave called Wave Rock. Originally called Hyden Rock, it
wasn't till 1963 when a photo of it won an international
competition that the name was changed. Initially only a
few tourists made the trip to see it but numbers soon
increased and various facilities were put in place. Today,
it is one of Western Australia's great sights.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCfpP-5eqqxSg7VTWdAqZViDoeNRhA_mP5uLuSlUya1aHrkVRnxtzn_ugM_C5uO62ighbjyTvxZOdxbyaVNCHeV_cdbwA5BzzZE3x67phtM5peVK3aQb18Dmdneo1_Rva6Jd_0DhSjEs/s1600/%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCfpP-5eqqxSg7VTWdAqZViDoeNRhA_mP5uLuSlUya1aHrkVRnxtzn_ugM_C5uO62ighbjyTvxZOdxbyaVNCHeV_cdbwA5BzzZE3x67phtM5peVK3aQb18Dmdneo1_Rva6Jd_0DhSjEs/s320/%25285%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Wave Rock</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Formed millions of years ago by weathering and erosion, Wave Rock’s
smooth lines are dramatically enhanced by streaks of colour created
by run-off from local mineral springs. I got the almost obligatory
photo of ‘surfing’ the rock before taking a walk up on top of the
wave for views of the surrounding countryside. This area features
another fascinating rock formation called Hippos Yawn. As the name
suggests, it’s a huge overhanging rock that looks like the gaping
jaw of a hippopotamus.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
From Hyden, we travelled south to coastal town of Esperance.
The town itself doesn't have a lot to recommend it so we headed
east to the Le Grand National Park. The clear turquoise water
and white-sand beaches here have been voted as among the best in
the country. There's a small mountain in the park called
Frenchman Peak so while the girls had a picnic at the beach I
hiked to the top. The sign in the car park indicated
two hours return but after really hustling, I was enjoying the
great panoramic views from the summit after only 15 minutes.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYju4PDg8AB69-MKLF8nwI0ioJrYsgfTJUueoJnqHTjmuI8V2pDZou_raHSp6GuKxCdXxfHn90HKWBUvrTyAYo3uFT8dfqbMA6jgjJsOzby3rG-X49tJeXkaXrDXpZF6LgU6lA9umpqXc/s1600/%252827%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYju4PDg8AB69-MKLF8nwI0ioJrYsgfTJUueoJnqHTjmuI8V2pDZou_raHSp6GuKxCdXxfHn90HKWBUvrTyAYo3uFT8dfqbMA6jgjJsOzby3rG-X49tJeXkaXrDXpZF6LgU6lA9umpqXc/s320/%252827%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Whale carcass, Le Grand National Park</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
I had a swim when I returned. The water was cold but not as bad as I
expected. As I emerged from the water I read a sign advising
that “A whale carcass had been washed ashore in the next bay and
sharks had been sighted in the area. Swimming is not
recommended”. We went to view the whale the following morning
and it was an extraordinary sight. It would have been about 10
metres in length and weighed several tons. Bite marks
from the sharks were clearly visible along the side and the fins were
missing.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086907241110830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494134540234612087.post-30845407881862032922016-07-01T15:00:00.000-07:002016-07-01T15:00:19.632-07:00Perth<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; direction: ltr; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 120%; widows: 2; orphans: 2; }p.western { font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; }p.cjk { font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; }p.ctl { font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; }</style>
<br />
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Nestled beside the Swan River, Perth is also the sunniest capital
city of Australia. I worked to earn my keep at a hostel in the city
which became my home for about a month. It was now autumn time so I
did plenty of my sightseeing under beautiful blue skies and pleasant
temperatures. Although it felt remote being on the far edge of
Western Australia, I enjoyed my time in Perth. It’s a
sophisticated and cosmopolitan city but the fine beaches and
hinterland bush is an integral part of the relaxed lifestyle.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5d6pxOQ-6lKwJ7QnGDwOS8HAds-M67FCcNjjirVwnVbtP-IfPhTu-m6MM1iEej9gmozXKyDJ0meD_dw9TH7U-oU7EMlFEoF-8HnuHzoshxASmulMyEwkABc_nLU-9UhqpwZBBsLK29eA/s1600/%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5d6pxOQ-6lKwJ7QnGDwOS8HAds-M67FCcNjjirVwnVbtP-IfPhTu-m6MM1iEej9gmozXKyDJ0meD_dw9TH7U-oU7EMlFEoF-8HnuHzoshxASmulMyEwkABc_nLU-9UhqpwZBBsLK29eA/s320/%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">City views from Kings Park</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
My city sightseeing began at the beautiful Kings Park Botanical
Gardens. This bush-filled expanse offers wonderful views of the
Perth skyline and in the heart of the park are the impressive
botanical gardens. In spring it includes a display of the state’s
wildflowers but there is plenty to enjoy at other times of the year.
Aside from the city, the views from the park include the Canning
River meeting the Swan River to form Matilda Bay before flowing out
to the Indian Ocean at port city of Fremantle.</span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVHlvIaEGvMvt6aQ_qzjX7RBJZmXZpmRlQblEgg2y2nxhn51xCegsO1FlhmTf7mMoyJpzXQ_RZiLr8W3NIujCaljDPToHtsZVDWWWyQmfWfB7WZ6Zs-OeLXP7ZHQCUs2EqAuiQkDRGN0/s1600/%252820%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVHlvIaEGvMvt6aQ_qzjX7RBJZmXZpmRlQblEgg2y2nxhn51xCegsO1FlhmTf7mMoyJpzXQ_RZiLr8W3NIujCaljDPToHtsZVDWWWyQmfWfB7WZ6Zs-OeLXP7ZHQCUs2EqAuiQkDRGN0/s320/%252820%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">View of Swan River from the Bell Tower</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
The paths along the Swan River make an ideal place for walking,
jogging or cycling. In fact, on of the cycling routes extends all
the way to Fremantle. I didn’t have access to a bike but I did
several walks and developed a picturesque running circuit for myself
around the river. I especially enjoyed the day I had exploring
around the south bank of the river and returning to the city using
the bridge over Heirisson Island. Later in the afternoon is a great
time to see the resident kangaroos and wallabies here.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXqli3mAULoGuzN4jLkrx1ukHYMGJ2QK4RSzwyKAzANHzMbMH9AcJYPKHzyDCxfjV4rtfbo7jHXt4ADqGETQSx0CTe7NF2zQvGuMT2k3Yxlvzp663WaTPKbCz1SnEVbKCzCzmOsp12gY/s1600/%252843%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXqli3mAULoGuzN4jLkrx1ukHYMGJ2QK4RSzwyKAzANHzMbMH9AcJYPKHzyDCxfjV4rtfbo7jHXt4ADqGETQSx0CTe7NF2zQvGuMT2k3Yxlvzp663WaTPKbCz1SnEVbKCzCzmOsp12gY/s320/%252843%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Watching cricket at the WACA </span></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Back on the north bank of the river, the cycle path goes past the
WACA which is the most important cricket ground in Western Australia.
It then comes to the famous Bell Tower which is a pointy glass spire
containing very old bells from England. The oldest of these dates
back to 1550 and there are nice views of the river from the top of
the tower. Just a few blocks away near the city centre are the
state’s museum and art gallery. Both of these are free to visit
and offer excellent displays that I spent hours admiring. The museum
complex actually includes Perth’s original jail built in 1856.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyuxh5hzVIjP5Bcw6lNWq87XcWri8lEnonEjdR_mvgtJ3-4-do6DJO6PZllC1o7_3v1FRjM6JyVx6TODPvJ1H_Yleqz28GC1E3uXYy7q419UMUZLCo_Q9jLfPd53PxEmri_5uC_vZ7EE/s1600/%252818%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyuxh5hzVIjP5Bcw6lNWq87XcWri8lEnonEjdR_mvgtJ3-4-do6DJO6PZllC1o7_3v1FRjM6JyVx6TODPvJ1H_Yleqz28GC1E3uXYy7q419UMUZLCo_Q9jLfPd53PxEmri_5uC_vZ7EE/s320/%252818%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The iconic Bell Tower</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
No visit to Perth is quite complete without a visit to the beach and
it’s hard to beat Cottesloe Beach on a sunny day. Just a few
kilometres down the coast is Fremantle where there is much to enjoy.
Aside from being a cosy home to buskers and artists, the primary
attraction is probably the old convict-era prison that is now a World
Heritage site. It was originally built by the first convicts in the
mid 19<sup>th</sup> century and used until 1991. Inside the
foreboding limestone walls there are both day and night tours that
can be done.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbl72GbU7g1ylWmbiSr6pg_x3uEzrKiNFCm8Shd8Ch7JMJ-aDjINIGAdiyxWeIR-qWSVYK2IjbX3s7W3U2N7SE0Sj8uho4r9v_XlWQHodO7UwAtT5KCCS0gEpVejbtK8F0VgFF2NoFWOU/s1600/%252849%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbl72GbU7g1ylWmbiSr6pg_x3uEzrKiNFCm8Shd8Ch7JMJ-aDjINIGAdiyxWeIR-qWSVYK2IjbX3s7W3U2N7SE0Sj8uho4r9v_XlWQHodO7UwAtT5KCCS0gEpVejbtK8F0VgFF2NoFWOU/s320/%252849%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Convict era prison, Fremantle</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span>
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</span></span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
I love maritime museums and the one at Fremantle is a fascinating
exploration of the region’s enduring relationship with the ocean.
With only limited time, I had to give this museum a miss but did
enjoy the shipwreck galleries of the nearby Western Australia Museum.
This includes a section dedicated to the famous Dutch merchant ship
Batavia that was wrecked off the coast here in 1629. Between these
two museums is the Round House, which is an odd 12-sided stone prison
that commenced in 1830 and is the oldest surviving building in WA.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlks3iS3p3xHqQJGXnq3IoNuFklZvggzXQzCEvyb2Wnw4J8lWXbqC8TgLw1SbKOQSJ4WPKeTwVOEtwGgjx8GBCUhGQzf8Z08ZuWaAtrV-a23obBKRuSOcMFK-A4MSpluxlfsmJy379_Dc/s1600/%252855%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlks3iS3p3xHqQJGXnq3IoNuFklZvggzXQzCEvyb2Wnw4J8lWXbqC8TgLw1SbKOQSJ4WPKeTwVOEtwGgjx8GBCUhGQzf8Z08ZuWaAtrV-a23obBKRuSOcMFK-A4MSpluxlfsmJy379_Dc/s320/%252855%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ship leaving </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Fremantle harbour</b></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Fremantle boomed due to a gold rush in the late 19<sup>th</sup>
century and the city retains many lovely buildings from around this
era, including a church, school and town hall. Adding further
character to the streets are the bronze sculptures, many done by a
local artist. The colourful Fremantle Markets set up on the weekend
so I made another trip back a couple of weeks later to join the
relaxed crowds browsing over the souvenirs, crafts and fresh produce.</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086907241110830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494134540234612087.post-79271517019043710162016-06-24T15:00:00.000-07:002016-06-24T15:00:12.856-07:00Best of the west<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Monkey Mia located in the heart of the Francois Peron National Park.
It is a resort, conference centre and camping ground and is
essentially there for one reason: the dolphins. They come in to the
beach every morning to be fed by the staff. We went down there
about 7.30am to find about four swimming around and they were joined
soon after by another two. Each of them had a name and was
distinguished by the shape of their fins. It was amazing being
so close to them and knowing that they felt completely comfortable
being there. We were able to stand in about a foot of
water so they were literally swimming around our feet waiting to be
fed.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio70BhK0bipWf0LXtgqrzvBc2c1Dj4ajuRkoHr3qlBUW8UvZHNdiQ_ru6jQ2zSyWpzRKDagQZDsc8h-9ltvF7WvxIT4a45jSP1B6CcdLaiq1h6KxRpftAKR9ihbDxq1mOefqB4QxUnz9I/s1600/%252892%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio70BhK0bipWf0LXtgqrzvBc2c1Dj4ajuRkoHr3qlBUW8UvZHNdiQ_ru6jQ2zSyWpzRKDagQZDsc8h-9ltvF7WvxIT4a45jSP1B6CcdLaiq1h6KxRpftAKR9ihbDxq1mOefqB4QxUnz9I/s320/%252892%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Dolphin feeding at Monkey Mia</span></b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Feeding was at 8am so for half an hour the rangers told us about the
history of Monkey Mia, its global research significance today and
also about the dolphins themselves. They only receive
about 20% of their daily food requirements so they don't become
dependent on it. After they had received a few fish each they
quickly lost interest and headed back out into the bay. They do
three feedings each morning that the dolphins routinely come back for
so we went back about 10am to see them again.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjhUqh6TnksmbjYqsHhtVYEnZ5OmPZUfGDGAmgHiIK_jln4sv1eE0XnlytvucQKhCw0zgK0ta-yO2ASeKfqouGJgNQg9rcGMn13Elbc2eqg02DaCWez1TgZwe86IJ_8OMrpeDCoGQZd8/s1600/%252881%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjhUqh6TnksmbjYqsHhtVYEnZ5OmPZUfGDGAmgHiIK_jln4sv1eE0XnlytvucQKhCw0zgK0ta-yO2ASeKfqouGJgNQg9rcGMn13Elbc2eqg02DaCWez1TgZwe86IJ_8OMrpeDCoGQZd8/s320/%252881%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The unique Shell Beach</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
On our way out of Shark Bay we stopped at Shell Beach for a quick
swim. As the name suggests, instead of sand the beach is a mass
of millions of tiny white shells and more are being washed ashore
every day. Beneath all those loose shells there would probably
be a great supply of coquina if they ever needed more. That
night we headed south and found a free camping area next to the
Murchison River. The only problem was the road into it was
flooded so we found a flat piece of ground nearby and that became our
campsite.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QXdJS75wkLHvhb2yHvrqRkuhfFuDux_eQPpZjJAE7IPjUKXH97wYs9SGiO80XpYf8jxMoVd9TeT3Sevv2N65Rga2g-ZI3-vwahQkZ-LdqBgP6fF6nhyDuFX5V_ZvZgLOfNRkil2XALk/s1600/%252867%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QXdJS75wkLHvhb2yHvrqRkuhfFuDux_eQPpZjJAE7IPjUKXH97wYs9SGiO80XpYf8jxMoVd9TeT3Sevv2N65Rga2g-ZI3-vwahQkZ-LdqBgP6fF6nhyDuFX5V_ZvZgLOfNRkil2XALk/s320/%252867%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Count the flies on my face!</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
The tent came down in absolute record time the next morning because
of a crazy swarm of flies, mosquitoes and sandflies. We were
under attack like I've never been before! We were literally
throwing things into the car to get out of there! Our
destination that morning was the Kalbarri National Park. We
were lucky in a way that the Murchison River was in flood because the
gorges we saw are usually totally dry. For anyone who's been
there, my favourite spot was the Z Bend but I loved the unique rock
formation of Natures Window also.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOC2LWIBsPVph5aNWrC1nbIgyBhMqPmU4wC7HjnGODovQVT4Novb_glkkvEYrzPtoAZi4kwk6u35ht_V_h-v0CkLzVZSnn7ptJUZhGrKNaHNS2epVfEiVVlvpnNM4v2gYXAJNEqy-V34/s1600/%252896%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOC2LWIBsPVph5aNWrC1nbIgyBhMqPmU4wC7HjnGODovQVT4Novb_glkkvEYrzPtoAZi4kwk6u35ht_V_h-v0CkLzVZSnn7ptJUZhGrKNaHNS2epVfEiVVlvpnNM4v2gYXAJNEqy-V34/s320/%252896%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Floodwaters in the Kalbarri National Park</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span>
</div>
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</span></span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Down in the township of Kalbarri we got an appreciation of the
flooding and how high the river was. There was a huge
volume of water spewing out and creating a huge brown shape
in the otherwise blue ocean. Fortunately the town had been
spared any flooding thanks to sandbagging and other precautions. The
coast south of the town had a number of lookouts that reminded me a
little of the Great Ocean Road - especially the Natural Bridge,
which is a huge arch in the rock caused by many years of erosion.</span></span></div>
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</span></span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
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</span></span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
We continued south through Geraldton and drove till it was dark;
finally making camp near a little place called Green Head. The
last place we wanted to visit on this epic journey was the
spectacular Pinnacles Desert in the Namburg National Park. The
Pinnacles are limestone pillars that rise from the sand rather like
large headstones in a cemetery. Their lime rich sand originates from
seashells that were compacted by rain and subsequently eroded.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrldEW6U5iNHcIdBChoFwJ_5GF9oFtedCAxKc1sCz55EqphUdlnHuH494lFJ8f59UQUUff8HjgKBbgUtitLWdWi_gEQCN0SfQ_I40M6LSCtJs8WqO9zgniDNMh_AHDRyOnbHtLHTtIi4/s1600/%2528111%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrldEW6U5iNHcIdBChoFwJ_5GF9oFtedCAxKc1sCz55EqphUdlnHuH494lFJ8f59UQUUff8HjgKBbgUtitLWdWi_gEQCN0SfQ_I40M6LSCtJs8WqO9zgniDNMh_AHDRyOnbHtLHTtIi4/s320/%2528111%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Pinnacles Desert </span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</span></span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span>
</div>
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</span></span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
The best time to view these is either morning or evening because
the shadows they cast make them look even more impressive. We
arrived about 7am and got some striking photos of the pillars in the
sun but with a dark grey sky behind them. After less than half an
hour the threatening skies clouded over completely and we happily set
a final course for the capital and largest city of Western
Australia, Perth.</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086907241110830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494134540234612087.post-58638283345288774872016-06-17T20:12:00.000-07:002016-06-18T06:07:59.327-07:00Cape Range National Park<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We had a couple of snorkelling sets which proved invaluable over the
next few days. The first place we used them was at
beautiful Turquoise Bay. Along this stretch, white sand gives
way to clear, warm water and of course the reef itself which was
only about 100 metres from the shore. The natural current here
runs parallel to the shore so we could walk down the beach and
snorkel back with a minimum of effort. Great when we didn't have
flippers anyway! The colours of the coral and tropical fish
were stunning and easily comparable with the Great Barrier Reef.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-mMv6Hy7bIGcUB2-3_xliYf-662mYHXsKiXwnUKjBwdzrgWruEfcINWY6c1Qk_bt-DnqDFwfIZ-uswOA8wRTUflcLMIWkJ7EFd3wu9XUcLEaTkwQW0aK_tIOpBIaWpBqQ-vU4lRxTzE/s1600/%252846%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-mMv6Hy7bIGcUB2-3_xliYf-662mYHXsKiXwnUKjBwdzrgWruEfcINWY6c1Qk_bt-DnqDFwfIZ-uswOA8wRTUflcLMIWkJ7EFd3wu9XUcLEaTkwQW0aK_tIOpBIaWpBqQ-vU4lRxTzE/s320/%252846%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The gorgeous Turquoise Bay</span></span></b> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We camped at a place called Yardie Creek which was down the southern
end of the park. In the morning we had a swim and walked the
Yardie Creek Gorge. With water flowing in the bottom it was
very picturesque and got a few nice photos. By contrast, the
Mundi Mundi Gorge was dry and although we could hike back through the
bottom, it was nothing special. The temperature during these
few days was very hot so by the time we finished the second walk we
were hanging out to go snorkelling again!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOCEQ8bZZrDU_m4IA2c0lxyDhubRzzhqf8ukCZ_ycDv3n33pNGSDlPVyvOozz4YhzD29-cmQOrp2Yk-bVS1fDVZAamml42bJPzoveuRGFqFNJ00OjRVpHgW94VuU15t8pUdIYvsLXi00/s1600/%252854%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOCEQ8bZZrDU_m4IA2c0lxyDhubRzzhqf8ukCZ_ycDv3n33pNGSDlPVyvOozz4YhzD29-cmQOrp2Yk-bVS1fDVZAamml42bJPzoveuRGFqFNJ00OjRVpHgW94VuU15t8pUdIYvsLXi00/s320/%252854%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yardie Creek Gorge</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This time we went to a place called Oyster Stacks. The fish
life was even better than the day before but the location wasn't
quite so 'user friendly'. Waves crashed onto a rocky ledge
instead of nice smooth sand but once that was negotiated, the reef
was wonderful. Cape Range National Park has a flat, barren
appearance with very few trees. After a bit of a
search we found a couple to have lunch under before heading back to
Exmouth for fuel and food.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFV8YVrOicwuMKhW0gG9SXFlVeTgPXRSezID4sMcirqqZCnCrI1YeLut7aN3kxY9_64Ij7KYX7mBHoWmu1d1hBYgNFihGxfXOBNO4kYUayh2ZYli6icFd0HhmcL3-96SSCzgLZfohIHk/s1600/%252848%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFV8YVrOicwuMKhW0gG9SXFlVeTgPXRSezID4sMcirqqZCnCrI1YeLut7aN3kxY9_64Ij7KYX7mBHoWmu1d1hBYgNFihGxfXOBNO4kYUayh2ZYli6icFd0HhmcL3-96SSCzgLZfohIHk/s320/%252848%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Barren and sandy Cape Range National Park</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our destination that afternoon was the lovely sweeping white-sand
beach of Coral Bay. As the name would suggest, there was
fantastic snorkelling and swimming in the bay. We only had time
for a short swim that evening but went for two hours the following
morning to admire the amazing coral and fish life. Just
before we left we went to watch the daily fish feeding. It
was a good fun having dozens of large snappers swimming around our
feet waiting for whatever morsels were about to drop into the water.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaab5mryWV_4dU-LS1h0EUOMcYdvC70aLiJJzaaHCjsiZ2P_e7AoZELfpnZi4jS3I8fk6EgBj_34QS_fAFMu8GSQ6xdHTLoDav0b3ZIrRGXB4ze-oN3u2LEjlnXohLgfis4fW0DAMRVbs/s1600/%252864%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaab5mryWV_4dU-LS1h0EUOMcYdvC70aLiJJzaaHCjsiZ2P_e7AoZELfpnZi4jS3I8fk6EgBj_34QS_fAFMu8GSQ6xdHTLoDav0b3ZIrRGXB4ze-oN3u2LEjlnXohLgfis4fW0DAMRVbs/s320/%252864%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></b></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The clear warm waters of Coral Bay</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We then headed south to Shark Bay World Heritage Park and, in
particular, Monkey Mia. On the way though we called into a
place called Hamelin Pool. This special place is one of the few
places in the world where examples of stromatolites can be found.
At a glance they look like rocks but they are in fact micro-organisms
that were built together millions of years ago. They have survived
in this area because the water is twice as saline as the usual ocean
water. For those that believe in evolution, they are your 'Adam
and Eve'.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisQocB8wJ8oJq10yQYSR0lfB4VfXlwtjjhZiQp6AbK4UeRb2a5G1neukf9vUCEHgJHBRX7HWe4FwPNRkpk10eQuruL7EO__PUAWZvBFCwEEyDk-wgr4yTntZH-tBYIFxG6SdiS62TEPk/s1600/%252873%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisQocB8wJ8oJq10yQYSR0lfB4VfXlwtjjhZiQp6AbK4UeRb2a5G1neukf9vUCEHgJHBRX7HWe4FwPNRkpk10eQuruL7EO__PUAWZvBFCwEEyDk-wgr4yTntZH-tBYIFxG6SdiS62TEPk/s320/%252873%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Coquina </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">quarry, </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hamelin Pool</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The other interesting part of Hamelin Pool was the coquina quarry.
Coquina is millions of small shells which have been bonded
together by mineral calcite to form a solid mass. For
conservation reasons the quarry is only used now for repair and
maintenance of historic buildings. A good example is the church in
the nearby town of Denham which has been constructed from blocks of
this unique material. The lovely little town also has the
distinction of being the westernmost in Australia.</span></span></div>
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<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086907241110830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494134540234612087.post-24849197721564945092016-06-10T15:00:00.000-07:002016-06-10T21:51:26.467-07:00Karijini National Park<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
In a happy coincidence, I met up with Johannes who was another friend
from Darwin. So I joined him and another guy for my trip to Perth.
They were good company and Johannes was a model of German efficiency
with his planning and organisation. We would often be up at 5.30am
to get the most out of each day. A contrast to the leisurely journey
I’d just had but I enjoyed it.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We wanted to camp our first night on Eighty Mile Beach on the
north coast of WA, but the road into the camp ground was closed
because of flooding. Apparently 93mm of rain fell the previous
night! So we travelled a bit further down the highway and went into
a nature reserve called Cape Keraulden. We had to
negotiate some huge puddles along the road but virtually had the
whole place to ourselves and ended up camping right on the beach.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLTt-tNBSNQs1_w0fzXB8AHVTsw0xeJGqTCpqc9AK0nd5ywzAd8aO0a7FxBnfb0UP3D7VL0tu_9rAsSfJ3UxR4zXJLtWq5PVfpy2JwPaOIl20B1-nn7syiyGzfozeaoPXu0RcosSiNL8/s1600/%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLTt-tNBSNQs1_w0fzXB8AHVTsw0xeJGqTCpqc9AK0nd5ywzAd8aO0a7FxBnfb0UP3D7VL0tu_9rAsSfJ3UxR4zXJLtWq5PVfpy2JwPaOIl20B1-nn7syiyGzfozeaoPXu0RcosSiNL8/s320/%252810%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Beach campsite at Cape Keraulden</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The following day we stopped at Port Hedland for food and fuel. In
all honesty, that’s about the only thing that most tourists do here
because it’s not the most attractive place. As the name would
suggest, it’s a huge deep water port that services the Pilbara
mining area. The harbour area is a skyline of railway yards,
iron-ore stockpiles and huge ships. Through the dry season it can
also be a dusty place and the wet season can bring with it tropical
storms and even cyclones. We pushed on towards the beautiful
Karijini National Park.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jtdnOYjownjhyKRdRBN_bqT_wJpVrZCfULumEfz8QGIREzHnnXAGNSqHAOfoyeF5ZMRgeI5hQVVd6YOReUWTMOtTar6sfH_pSZKnb8fPHaGWq9NtF2D_Feji-w0eY4Dwosx92lBid1s/s1600/%252816%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jtdnOYjownjhyKRdRBN_bqT_wJpVrZCfULumEfz8QGIREzHnnXAGNSqHAOfoyeF5ZMRgeI5hQVVd6YOReUWTMOtTar6sfH_pSZKnb8fPHaGWq9NtF2D_Feji-w0eY4Dwosx92lBid1s/s320/%252816%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lots of clear road needed to pass a road train!</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As we progressed that day, we were very concerned that the bearings
or suspension were failing. Fortunately it was only the tyre giving
up and it eventually punctured as we were entering the park.
A quick change and we still had the tent up before dark. The
tent was a huge thing that I could stand up in and best of all, it
was waterproof! I could now relax and not have to worry about how
the weather would affect my night’s sleep.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnOCJD7cqT5dptFagNDOEOEq6o1RFOCR32og74kMGHsJc6bY5YwVUrlOD32J6NIbZDXPONi3vEWoKbYW8RsIvL8NSFL2ViXzi6uTp_ORMJPEHun9jXMTJM9t6sOF3khrP-wfsUHIwq4Y/s1600/%252820%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnOCJD7cqT5dptFagNDOEOEq6o1RFOCR32og74kMGHsJc6bY5YwVUrlOD32J6NIbZDXPONi3vEWoKbYW8RsIvL8NSFL2ViXzi6uTp_ORMJPEHun9jXMTJM9t6sOF3khrP-wfsUHIwq4Y/s320/%252820%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fixing the puncture</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The whole next day was spent exploring the narrow breathtaking
gorges and sculptured pools of Karijini National Park. We were
fortunate to get a lovely day and had three swims in various places.
The water was a bit cooler we expected but it was nice. Our
favourite walk was probably Kalamina Gorge, although I loved the
view from Oxer Lookout down into Junction Pool. It's here that
four different gorges converge and it is described in my Lonely
Planet as 'one of the great sights in Australia'.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyV8HEdgEc2vAPjXhvJGLkYBS3hzCW162PUZMs1RTi-y_MrCXvfSNAh0P3XooT-TaJLl0QXUnEWBBvYqMGG-rSnJqnDE8fXKeRw9RnmhBE7NeZ6ZRX2CVjPcpa0lQWu_bn_bjarwO5_7U/s1600/%252830%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyV8HEdgEc2vAPjXhvJGLkYBS3hzCW162PUZMs1RTi-y_MrCXvfSNAh0P3XooT-TaJLl0QXUnEWBBvYqMGG-rSnJqnDE8fXKeRw9RnmhBE7NeZ6ZRX2CVjPcpa0lQWu_bn_bjarwO5_7U/s320/%252830%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Huge water monitor lizard in Kalamina Gorge</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We had a thunderstorm that night but woke to a dry morning. Our
main concern was that water already over the road had risen and
we'd be stuck in the park for a day or two but there wasn't a
problem. That day saw us complete the journey out to the coast
again and to the town of Exmouth. I imagined an idyllic place
on the end of the peninsula but it’s not really. Originally
established as a naval communication base, the town now acts largely
as a gateway to the Cape Range National Park and Ningaloo Reef which
was our next destination.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086907241110830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494134540234612087.post-49328637846295115982016-06-03T15:00:00.001-07:002016-06-06T22:49:33.476-07:00Kunnunara to Broome<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
Kelly’s Knob lookout provided us splendid views of </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kunnunara</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> town and
surrounding area before we went exploring the fascinating layered
sedimentary rock formations of the Hidden Valley National Park.
Aside from the eroded gorges and brittle red peaks, the park is also
home to Spinifex grass, boab trees and a variety of wildlife. It is
often referred to as the 'mini' Bungle Bungles after the more famous
rounded rock towers of the <span style="color: black;">Purnululu National
Park. </span>I'm happy to have visited Hidden Valley because
<span style="color: black;">Purnululu</span> <span style="color: black;">was</span>
closed for the wet season.</span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1Y7gpNSizlmD3YnnVtMWObkT21G5qmLb2H76Fl1B_NdxyeqgPHNNBa_HV0Z_wVoZ8DMA0mp2Y3IUPBouoz7mKctprz50iNgr6TdGwHhNZ8H7L5k9ejj3afe7A7J85TuKaixWUsRfJFw/s1600/%252841%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1Y7gpNSizlmD3YnnVtMWObkT21G5qmLb2H76Fl1B_NdxyeqgPHNNBa_HV0Z_wVoZ8DMA0mp2Y3IUPBouoz7mKctprz50iNgr6TdGwHhNZ8H7L5k9ejj3afe7A7J85TuKaixWUsRfJFw/s320/%252841%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rock formations of Hidden Valley</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The following day we visited the Zebra Rock Gallery. This
rock is totally unique and only found in the Kimberley region of
Australia. As the name would suggest, its appearance is
rhythmic patterns of red bands or spots that contrast with a lighter
background. In the workshop they were creating various items
that were then polished and sold in the shop. Outside, we took
some bread down to the river to feed the catfish and turtles. We
also watched as a couple of freshwater crocodiles circled around
the area.</span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFZLRZQJWz392YplZ4_13jn2ODYrRH4hmqqr6h9Khhb4MGwpF4SXMtOBis18SlsaCzRiVQ7wmb_0jUpDv3jD9TM8_Rt2HONXuOag8vUcUbjzYth6EpjyscU5EWZsdATypVkGwsAvBZV0/s1600/%252853%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFZLRZQJWz392YplZ4_13jn2ODYrRH4hmqqr6h9Khhb4MGwpF4SXMtOBis18SlsaCzRiVQ7wmb_0jUpDv3jD9TM8_Rt2HONXuOag8vUcUbjzYth6EpjyscU5EWZsdATypVkGwsAvBZV0/s320/%252853%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Zebra Rock Gallery</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On a short detour, we were able to marvel at the spectacular sight of
enormous Lake Argyle. Created in 1972, it is the result of the season
Ord River being dammed and is Australia’s second-largest reservoir.
It has the capacity to hold the equivalent of 18 Sydney harbours and
provides year round downstream irrigation. It is also now and
important wildlife habitat for migratory birds, freshwater crocodiles
and even marsupial colonies. After taking in the views from the
lookout we also drove across the dam wall.</span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLP3A7L3SEtN3OAASZ5PQ7sCYf6-9pwwtR0h3CmUwr9Uw0BduAM2iQnalQMzQPHiFKCZTeomaV5P9kYJ-7YNWVqMOTf0fN4EQusP7sQYonBIRCjFIaXK3ELyEpQ8DP1OdpooxBrghydkc/s1600/%252830%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLP3A7L3SEtN3OAASZ5PQ7sCYf6-9pwwtR0h3CmUwr9Uw0BduAM2iQnalQMzQPHiFKCZTeomaV5P9kYJ-7YNWVqMOTf0fN4EQusP7sQYonBIRCjFIaXK3ELyEpQ8DP1OdpooxBrghydkc/s320/%252830%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dam across Lake Argyle</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our next night was spent a night at Halls Creek which is an
aboriginal community that sits between the Kimberley to the north and
the Great Sandy Desert to the south. It was an adventure just
getting there after getting delayed by the Ord River being a full
metre over the road. Fortunately we only had to wait two hours
for it to drop 70cm to get through. A long line of vehicles and
people had been waiting all day for that to happen! The frustration
of waiting was too much for some and we watched in amazement as a
vehicle attempting to cross drifted slightly downstream before coming
to a rest.</span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaXqp7HXWig7ghKrAnEUnaUj498nN4vCNYhHiLCq6VfeIVqBBwUh9LXGrNkG2MXcQiff5ta2QlKdhC9vud5NjBoRmMR3y3Jo0jKUveKY3VS3JGA2GtvOwh4XPLliAPobqc7IJRYeGF_C0/s1600/%252857%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaXqp7HXWig7ghKrAnEUnaUj498nN4vCNYhHiLCq6VfeIVqBBwUh9LXGrNkG2MXcQiff5ta2QlKdhC9vud5NjBoRmMR3y3Jo0jKUveKY3VS3JGA2GtvOwh4XPLliAPobqc7IJRYeGF_C0/s320/%252857%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Trying to cross the flooded Ord River</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was a dry night dry but it started raining in the morning
again. Wet season just isn't a good time of year to be
travelling with a tent in the top end of Australia! If the rain
doesn't get you the mosquitoes probably will! We considered going to
Wolf Creek Crater Park but the risk was that the rain may bring
the river levels up to a point of being stuck there for
days. After having seen the movie, the thought didn't have much
appeal so we continued west and made camp in a rest stop near the
rugged little town of Fitzroy Crossing.</span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD5RdwQha_SDhcAQIakh6vC1Ea5y_VeZjy5kIIHbkTJHqhNhh9ZcxAlntPu_9goBqquv7rKsl0ng_J7uLxoHh03ThnL3XL_WlDh3Jl6BrJvZXW87rcHff7laEFDWvY37tywNf7ET2SYeA/s1600/%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD5RdwQha_SDhcAQIakh6vC1Ea5y_VeZjy5kIIHbkTJHqhNhh9ZcxAlntPu_9goBqquv7rKsl0ng_J7uLxoHh03ThnL3XL_WlDh3Jl6BrJvZXW87rcHff7laEFDWvY37tywNf7ET2SYeA/s320/%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Storm clouds gathering over Cable Beach</span></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The next day brought us to Broome and the beautiful Cable Beach.
Contrary to the regulations we camped right on the sand and had a
swim in the morning. I did a 16km run down the beach which was
great, even if I got rather sunburnt doing it. Broome is a nice
place although it was very quiet in March. From May to October
tourists and backpackers virtually double its 14,000 population.
The town has an interesting pearling history and learnt a lot about
it by visited the museum there.</span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086907241110830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494134540234612087.post-14839067407613266782016-05-27T15:00:00.000-07:002016-05-27T15:00:13.829-07:00Into Western Australia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was a great little phase of my life and I made some enduring
friendships but sadly I eventually had to pack up and prepare to
leave Darwin. I’d already covered a lot of miles on my Australian
travels but this would certainly be the longest leg of the journey:
three weeks and 6,000km through the Northern Territory and Western
Australia all the way to Perth. We’d be camping out along the way
and it would be a heck of an adventure…</span></span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
My travel buddy from Darwin to Broome was a friend from Germany and our
car was a red Ford Falcon called Oma, which is German for
grandmother. There was yellow duct tape holding the front
bumper in place and I added a couple of strips of grey tape to
the windscreen seals to prevent water dripping through. The
engine was sound and tyres were good though. I was glad for
that, especially when I found out we were travelling with no jack
or wrench for the wheel nuts!</span></span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
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</span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNCuTig6IrV8sgR12WlpGXV0RcDfx6f2ygIHnqJeYBX8RTb7qXrW1Vj7iegXiazFfXWVY3arFDfEcsJ4-ZJx14UlTUx37kBR8l_VVomyiiMfXBi4opYxlkHaIVhyphenhyphenHzeYs5OMOLpuQee94/s1600/%252824%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNCuTig6IrV8sgR12WlpGXV0RcDfx6f2ygIHnqJeYBX8RTb7qXrW1Vj7iegXiazFfXWVY3arFDfEcsJ4-ZJx14UlTUx37kBR8l_VVomyiiMfXBi4opYxlkHaIVhyphenhyphenHzeYs5OMOLpuQee94/s320/%252824%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Held together by duct tape - Oma </span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Our planned midday departure from Darwin was eventually about 4pm and
we arrived at Katherine Gorge after dark. Compared to when
I was there in September, the campground was virtually deserted and
it became obvious why on our second night there. After a lovely
sunny day spent walking in the national park the rain arrived. My
little tent was no match for the weather and it wasn’t too long
before we began to get swamped! Most of the sleepless night was
spent in the shelter of the camp kitchen playing cards while the rain
hammered down outside.</span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUxjOru3zyfgo7Il6_iE43px9yk1uFHFhg7iW11DF84hmv1srfDVkrvk3Ha52BKoeNsZD9KNQ0hv2gEZEJpXCATQ_dxHVPnF3TMXy-ITsuRCNZOkIvoOs2mD8E5UWeJx7MD-Y4OIf81RQ/s1600/%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUxjOru3zyfgo7Il6_iE43px9yk1uFHFhg7iW11DF84hmv1srfDVkrvk3Ha52BKoeNsZD9KNQ0hv2gEZEJpXCATQ_dxHVPnF3TMXy-ITsuRCNZOkIvoOs2mD8E5UWeJx7MD-Y4OIf81RQ/s320/%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The beautiful Katherine Gorge</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
After we dried out wet sleeping bags and in Katherine, we headed west
to the mighty Victoria River. The river had delayed our initial
departure from Darwin because it had flooded to about seven metres
over its usual flow. The sandstone cliffs where the highway crosses
the river create a dramatic setting and it was easy to imagine the
water raging under the bridge near the Victoria River Roadhouse.
This roadhouse had a sign announcing that instead of being ‘under
the management’ the owner was ‘under a new wife’!</span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcoByvbVuClLYlfa_4AnkI-YlDJ2KEhLarx0CNfB9EyXSpRlnFtbS_E2D9dX_gWaacD3nTgqwGmi-DzlTwMOdpPgMN5O4H5sxBSsqpU_-7Ams7U9LM7Bg3HbSIsEkSAlAltMBL1wY8nY/s1600/%252818%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcoByvbVuClLYlfa_4AnkI-YlDJ2KEhLarx0CNfB9EyXSpRlnFtbS_E2D9dX_gWaacD3nTgqwGmi-DzlTwMOdpPgMN5O4H5sxBSsqpU_-7Ams7U9LM7Bg3HbSIsEkSAlAltMBL1wY8nY/s320/%252818%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Victoria River Roadhouse</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
We ended up in a little place called Timber Creek – population 230
people. This is the only town between Katherine and Kunnunara. It
has an interesting history for such a small place and is on the edge
of the Gregory National Park but after our woes the previous night we
were more interested in catching up on some lost sleep!</span></span></div>
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</div>
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</span></span><div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Before arriving in Kunnunara we had to negotiate the NT/WA border
crossing. We were surprised and a little bemused how strictly this
is controlled by the quarantine inspection station which demanded
that we give up all our fruit, vegetables, nuts and honey. The irony
of it was that if we were travelling the other way there are
virtually no checks! In other words, Western Australia is paranoid
and the Territory doesn’t really care!</span></span></div>
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</span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzaWGthf396rIj1G3lsP_ignlgSE7M6zDBjh3dRcJyONhaUBI2DNHIGLXrNBYD7eaZVtxt2NHKADztE7Yx-KeA8aHcvAjkh-t97ndqU95WBz8aL2ZHzaNIXdAaAesVfVENYnq0uRX7s0/s1600/%252813%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzaWGthf396rIj1G3lsP_ignlgSE7M6zDBjh3dRcJyONhaUBI2DNHIGLXrNBYD7eaZVtxt2NHKADztE7Yx-KeA8aHcvAjkh-t97ndqU95WBz8aL2ZHzaNIXdAaAesVfVENYnq0uRX7s0/s320/%252813%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Feeding the tame wallabies</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<div class="western" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> After having eating some things, declaring others and hiding a stash
deep in the car boot we managed to nervously clear the border. After
setting our watches back 90 minutes to WA time, we soon found
ourselves in Kunnunara. It's a relaxed place set amid lush
farmland and tropical fruit plantations and we decided to spend a
couple of nights. As expected, it rained again while we were there
but lessons had been well learnt and we put the tent under some
shelter this time.</span></span></div>
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