CATAMARAN ADVENTURE WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS

Our catamaran adventure was just that – an adventure.  Laureen was loving being out on the water and all things boaty.  Me, I was packed ready to get back on shore the next morning, but we still had a day and a night to go.  There were 8 guests and 2 crew.  A lovely small group.  Four of us were over 60 and 4 of them were 2 couples in their 20s from Germany.  We had such fun together.  One of the ships that we met out and about had 26 passengers all sleeping in pods that you had to climb down into from the deck and sharing 1 bathroom.  YIKES – they even paid the same amount as we did and they had only 1 bathroom to share amongst them!  Double YIKES!!  Thank you trip advisor for helping me plan our trip properly.

Our first glimpse of the beautiful Whitsunday Islands was a stop at Whitehaven Beach.  The silica sands are so beautiful and it was a perfect day to see this most recognized beach … perhaps in the world.  It is a hike up and a hike down into the beach area through the trees, and thankfully so as it was a very hot and sunny day. 

Sleeping was a chore.  Everything is damp, the quarters are small and stuffy.  We did have little fans that helped tremendously – but they were so noisy.  Laureen and I were crammed into the larger of the two bunks.  One of the bunks was over top of the other one and if someone were to sleep up there, there would be no sitting up, no rolling over and no peeing during the night.  This would not work for us.  Laureen did get up there…but the thought of her falling on me in the middle of the night made it impossible for me to let her stay up there.  So we were both on the lower of the two, but it was a chore getting on and off it.  We laughed often and laughed hard. 

The bathroom when you close the door becomes the shower area.  So after rinsing off…can’t really call it a shower, everything must be wiped down.  We were lucky to have an “ensuite” as the others had to share.  When I booked I didn’t realize that we had such luxury.  HA!  It was sure nice to have our own though. 

The next day we tried snorkeling – Laureen and I had to get into suits to do this…no not bathing suits.  She in a stinger suit and me in a wetsuit.  Normally I would let you imagine the site, but no…there are pictures.  It took me, Laureen and another lady to get me into my wetsuit.  Don't we look so happy and ready for our adventure!

Thank God I left any vanity and dignity on shore as I clambered into the catamaran…there was none to be had onboard.  We ventured into the dinghy and out to the snorkeling spot.  Then it was getting into the water from the vessel.  So with lifejacket on, mask on, snorkel on – it was time to drop into the water. 

Down I went – up I came and white knuckled onto the rope on the side, and couldn’t let go.  All that work of getting into the gear and getting out to the reef and all I could think of was, “GET ME OUT, PLEASE!”   I didn’t even get to take a picture with my new little underwater camera.  Laureen was wanting none of this either.  She got back into the dinghy first and unfortunately I didn’t see what was in store for me.  Then it was my turn.  Matt put down the ladder.  LADDER?  It was a rope with a plastic bar that was about chest high in the water…”put your foot on it” he says…..me “are you kidding me?” 

So lying back in the water, I got my foot on it but was nowhere near getting back in the dinghy.  So keeping my foot on the bar, I grabbed onto the handle on the side and that was it.  Matt reached down and grabbed my life jacket which proceeded to come up over my head.  So then he reached down and grabbed under my arms - more bruises....and pulled me over the side.  There I was straddling the pontoons and trying to catch my breath. 

Dear Laureen was laughing so hard at the sight – how helpful and kind – course I was laughing too – it must have been a site. OH WAIT – there are pictures.  Then when Matt reached for me again, I begged him…”please don’t throw me back!” we all laughed some more.  So gracefully, not, I slid off the pontoon and down onto the bottom of the dinghy and then on my hands and knees looking over the side, a dinghy from another boat passed by and bless those young ones….”having fun are we?” they shouted their cheery greeting.  I just bobbed my head in reply – but they couldn’t see my head as it was still tucked turtle like inside my life jacket.  Thanks Laureen for the lovely photo memories. 

 

Fortunately, one of our mates on the ship had a lovely underwater camera and kindly shared his photos with us.  Had we been able to successfully snorkel, this is what we would have been lucky to see.  sigh** next time - WAIT A MINUTE - THERE WILL NEVER BE A NEXT TIME!  I will satisfy my cravings for reef adventures with a lifetime membership at the Vancouver Aquarium! 

THE PENGUINS ARE COMING!

At last our day with the Little Penguins has arrived.  The day started out with a bit of misadventure, the driver was late picking us up because of a ½ marathon that closed down road and made some of the other accesses to the city quite slow.  We were fine but I think he was very frustrated and kept apologizing for something that was quite beyond his control.  After we had picked up the last passengers, our group was 7 in total and we were off. 

Our first stop was at a winery.  In my opinion (not actually worth much) it was all bad.  Not one of them suited me.  I always thought I like shiraz – wrong at this winery.  Just for my daughter Pam, I tried the Pinot – nope that didn’t taste good either.  So I just moved over to the cheese and crackers.  They were all good!  A fruited cheese, a blue, a crumbly cheddar, a creamy herb – they were all delicious!  After the winery stop, we went to a chocolate factory.  There were samples to try and buttons to push and knobs to turn.  It was delicious and a bit kitschy but the samples made it all worthwhile – now on to the wildlife park – what a treat!!

Little Joey

Lots of Kangaroos

Me and my friend with the baby

This park on Phillip Island, has so many native animals in a very natural setting.  There were lots of geese, pee hens, kangaroos and wallabies walking about.  We were given a bag of food to carry with us, but had to keep away from the emus and the geese as they would have grabbed the bag and devoured the lot!  So off we went walking.  It is 50 hectares or something and it wasn’t long before the roos, some with little joeys, and the wallabies were hopping all around me.  Somehow in all my excitement and joy, I lost Laureen.  It was all quite a delight.  It took a bit of courage to offer some of the feed in my hand to the first ones that approached me.  I started off with the wallabies as they are so much smaller, but then the roos came and I just had to be a bit brave.  They like to hold onto your hand with their paws but they were extremely gentle.  It was great fun.  Sometimes the mother kangaroos would bend over to get some off the ground and the little joeys would pop their head out and have a munch too.  They were so cute.  I whistled to get the attention of one and he went into the pouch so fast and I never saw him poke out again!

Tas

There was a pen with two very active Tasmanian Devils that were each running a their own circuit in opposite directions.  Each time they would meet up, they would growl and each other and continue on.  This went on for as long as I stood to watch and probably are still at it.  It wasn’t always a circle – it went into their den and out to the water hole etc., but always with what sounded like a noisy grumpy greeting.  Probably saying get out of my way a**h*** I should have taken a video, but was so trying to get a good still of them, that I didn’t think of that.  It all made me laugh.  I did get a good still though...

 

Dingo

There was a good sized pack of dingoes with about 7 young.  They were interesting to watch.  I never heard the noises that they can make – I guess it starts around sundown and we weren’t going to be there that long. I really liked walking around this park.  There was so much to see.  The admittance fee here was only $10 and was included in our day’s excursion and was glad to have picked this add on.  We had about 1.5 hours here so I never felt I was rushed in seeing the animals and birds.  This was a good visit with more Aussie wildlife.



So dinner was next in Cowes at a restaurant called the Fat Seagull.  I had some calamari and Laureen had pasta and we shared some of each and enjoyed a delicious meal.  After our sumptuous repast, we were off to see the Little Penguins (not called Fairy Penguins - Little penguins is their proper term)

Rocky Beach

Waiting

The Little Penguins are the smallest of the Penguin species standing only 12 – 13 inches tall and only weighing about 1 kilo.  It was very cold and windy at the shore waiting for these little fellows who only come out of the water at dark to make their way across the beach to their dens.  Staying in to water until after the sun is well down ensures that they are safe from predator birds.  Eventually they were spotted and my goodness this penguin parade truly lives up to its name.  They start by gathering together in a group and when they feel there is the safety in their number, they lumber across the rocks and the sand and then to the grassy area to continue on to their dens.  There were some babies about so you could hear them calling to their parents from the dens while waiting for their dinner.  It was a great time.  There is lots of viewing area – and we were about 3 feet away from them on the boardwalk as the parade made its way along.  There is absolutely no photography, even without flash so there was no chance of a picture - the picture I have posted here is one I gleaned from the internet.   This memory will last forever.  

Little Penguins - picture from the Internet

 

This was such a perfect day until...we got back into the van to make our way back to the city, our driver Brian pulled over hopped out of the car grabbed the floor mat and slapped it down on the road outside.  I wasn't sure what was up and then he sputtered ... I heard the words, "bloody hell...dog shit!".  I had a giggle until he grabbed something from the back of the van and then did a lengthy continuous spray of some obnoxious room freshener and now the air in the whole van was saturated with a cloying scent I called poopouri.  I don't know what was worse - the smell of the stuff on his shoe or the mixture of that and the room freshener.  But I still laughed on and off all the way home and it was still a great day!



 
 

 



 

MELBOURNE AND THINGS I NOTICED

On our arrival in St. Kilda – it was clear that we were very close to the ocean.  It is a lovely spot to settle for a few days.  There is a street half a block away that offers walking, dining, coffee and all the baked good you could possible want to eat or even see in your lifetime.  They are practically on top of one another in the short block.  I don’t know how that all manage to stay in business.  They all sell the same goods and using grandma’s 100 year old recipe for cheesecake…didn’t even know that cheesecake was 100 years old. 

Today, Laureen and I went downtown on the tram (electric street car) and wandered around for about 5 hours.  Of course today was a day that I forgot to take my fitbit, so it looks as though I have been sitting around for the day. DRAT.  There is quite a large city area in Melbourne that has free transit.  We were able to take advantage of a couple of routes and found it so very easy to get around.  There are a lot of tram routes.  Each major street and cross street has a tram that travels the line.  Evidently Sydney used to have this system years ago and took it out and now are spending huge dollars to install and run the lines once again.

This part is for you, Kit.  Everywhere we have travelled we see quilt patterns.  The counter in a bar, pavers on the street, a restaurant wall and the floor tile in front of the elevator in our hotel.  There are many.  After some of the recognizable patterns practically hit me in the eyes while walking, I now find myself looking for them everywhere and am not disappointed very often.  It has made the adventure that much more interesting. 

Both in Sydney and Melbourne – they have strict laws to do with the heritage buildings.  The facades must be as they were when they were built.  They can have new construction in behind, but they must leave the frontage in its original state.  It makes for a very interesting contrast of old and new. 

We are still very lucky to be enjoying many sunny days.  It is a bit cooler just now in Melbourne, but if you keep in the sunshine it is comfortable to be wearing just a t-shirt.  On the shady side of the street, a jacket is more preferable.

 

 

 

DISCOVERING SYDNEY

Sydney is an enjoyable place to be – there is a very vibrant dock area with ferries coming and going constantly and keeping with a tight schedule.  It is like our seabus, but with several destination options.  The day we went to Taronga Zoo, we used a ferry.  Just had to make our way down to Circular Key, and get our return ticket and we were off.  They run every 20 minutes or so, so you never have to wait longer than that.

We are staying at the Great Southern Hotel which is across the street from the City Market, Paddy’s Market and right in Chinatown.  It is a wonderful walking area with the added convenience of being close to transit.  However…that being said, all the busses have stopped running up George Street (right in front of the hotel) and are located two blocks over because they are constructing a light rail service to run on George Street.  It has made it a bit confusing for us when trying to find the new locations for the bus stops – part of our adventure for sure!

We took a bus close to a destination I wanted to go to called Angel Place.  I read about it online and knew this was a spot I Just had to visit.  After taking a bus and wandering a bit there is was.  Amazing how few locals we stopped to ask for directions were aware of its existence.  When we rounded the corner into this little laneway, we were greeted with hundreds of hanging birdcages well above our heads.  They are decoration only and no caged birds are to be seen.  The have an audio feed of the indigenous birds of New South Wales and embedded in the stone walk we were on are tiles with the various bird names.  What a treat this was.  Thank you Pinterest for the first indication I had of Angel Place.  I spent time reading the walkway, listening to the beautiful bird sounds and taking photos in this wonderful little hideaway.

We decided to walk back to our hotel after our ramble and we were grateful when we finally saw the marquis.  It was a very long walk.  I haven’t been able to sync my fitbit while away.  I will try in earnest today so I don’t lose these 16,000 step days!

 

 

 

 

OUR DAY AT TARONGA ZOO

What a terribly wet day for our tour to Taronga Zoo.  We began by taking the ferry from Circular Quay over to the Zoo and although it was warm enough outside, we were definitely getting rained on.  When we got off the ferry on the other side, our ticket allowed us to take a gondola ride to the top where the entrance was.  That was lovely.  Once we were off, we were free to enter the zoo and take in the animals on our own.


Ring Tailed Baby Possum

Laureen and I walked from the top to the bottom and took a different path back up again.  We were certainly wet, but so happy with what we had seen, that we didn't even think of that.  At 1:15, we were set to take our small group tour of the zoo with a few visits to some areas that aren't available to a general ticket.  So we were able to go into the pen with the koalas, and see that precious little ring tailed baby possum up close and personal!  How lovely.  Our tour consisted of two volunteers and 1 other visitor - so there was no rush and plenty of time to spend with the animals.  It was very special.  I did get to see a Tasmanian devil, but I confess he was sleeping so didn't really get a good look at him.



Baby Koala

The koala's sleep 20 hours per day and eat for the other 4 so they timed our visit with their feeding time.  It was a great look.  In New South Wales, it is illegal to hold a koala and they strictly adhere to this.  I didn't mind - we were allowed to touch one and the fur feels like thick wool.  We didn't touch the little baby whose name was Baxter.  How very cute he was.  I got so many pictures of him, his mother and one other one in the enclosure. 

What can I say other than it was a most amazing day.  Laureen and I toured the park when we arrived in the morning amid the showers and sometimes torrential downpours.  That's ok - we are from BC we are made of strong stuff.  Although it was raining it wasn't cold.  What a beautiful park.  We saw so many Australian animals that I walked around with a permanent smile on my face.  I know this is the reason I wanted to come to this far away place.  Oh just looked outside and it is pouring again, but we are safe and warm inside a Starbucks!  I was able to use my Canadian Starbucks card here - so almost feels like a free beverage.  Food and drinks are expensive here, but we knew that before we arrived.

 

So without further ado I will post some of the pictures I took today.

Tree Kangaroo



Kookaburra

 

Kassowary





 







 




 

Fennec Fox (for Brian)

 









 



 

WAITOMO GLOW WORM GROTTO

Our port of call was Auckland, but we spent the day traveling to the Waitomo Glow Worm Grotto.  Although, the bus ride was very long, the driver was very interesting and it was pleasant riding through the rolling hills that makes up so much of the north island of New Zealand.  There are so many dairy farms and sheep farms and with this season being spring, so many calves and lambs.  It is lovely to see them out in the fields. 

We arrived at the Waitomo Caves and it was time for our tour to start.  We walked down several steps into the cave and saw many wondrous shapes of mineral deposits that make up the ‘mites and ‘tites in this grotto and then it was time.  There was no light as we turned the corner and after crouching down to look under the rocks, there they were hundreds of tiny lights.  The little glow worms.    Of course we weren’t allowed to take any photos inside the cave, so the visual memory will have to endure.

We were taken to a boat launch in the dark, and once seated aboard this large idea of a rowboat, we were taken around the underground lake by an overhead rope system that our guide used to steer us silently around this large space.  All above us were millions of tiny glow worms – truly, a magical fairyland.What a great experience. 

Ice Bowl for Missing ice Cream

Afterwards, we stopped at a farm house for a magnificent lunch.  The owner had cooked a most amazing meat loaf and what I’m sure was a whole joint of lamb accompanied by a kiwi and mint sauce for the lamb and a pickle for the meatloaf, rosemary roasted potatoes, salad and fresh bread.  How delicious.  For desert, there was ice cream served in a frozen bowl made of ice and surrounded by flowers from her beautiful garden.  An idea I will try to remember.  Then after a bit more picture taking it was time to leave for the ship.  The ride seemed much shorter, but I think it was cause I was sleeping most of the way.

 

 

 

 

 

WAIMANGU VOLCANIC VALLEY AND A HUGE SURPRISE!

What an exceptionally wonderful day in Tauranga…we left the ship around 10:30 to begin our tour to the Waimangu Volcanic Valley in Rotorua, New Zealand – wow what a mouthful!  We had a beautiful scenic drive from the port to our first destination.  The weather was cooperating and was positively quite hot during our trek around the geothermal area. 

 

We were treated (?) to a Maori greeting as we arrived at Waimangu.  I use the question mark, because it was quite frightening.  We were warned beforehand not to touch our laugh, touch our faces or run away during the greeting….and then it began.  There were 3 men, 2 women and 2 children and the chief, shouted and gestured and stuck his tongue out while making fierce looking eyes.  Waving spears and approaching us stamping their feet, was quite intimidating and we could imagine first visitors to the island being shown this display.  It lasted a good 10 minutes and then there was the tradition of touching noses and Laureen was chosen to participate. 

We went for a boat ride around the volcanic crater.  It was huge!  The most recent eruption was only 129 years ago and how much the area has recovered, was quite interesting to see.  We saw and heard lots of steam vents and boiling sprays of water all while breathing in the lovely sulphur odour.  The area is much like Yellowstone and forms part of the Pacific Ring of Fire – as is the area we live.

Small Mosses
 

Camburgia Web

Close up of Moss

After our small cruise, we went for a wander with our guide.  There were so many sights to see and especially for you, Brian, I got a photo of a Camburgia Spider Web and a small Sun Dew carnivorous plant.  We also came along a lovely patch of mosses and I took some close up shots of those for you also.  



Sun Dew
 

Sorry I don’t remember the names, but I did well to remember camburgia.  Our naturalist was very good and it brought back many happy memories of visiting our provincial parks with my very own naturalist brother.  After we climbed some steps up to a viewing platform, we were rewarded with the sight of the turquoise lake.   


Turquoise Lake

This lake has very high levels of acid – so although very beautiful, it is also very dangerous.  There were many other visual rewards in this unique area.  If our day had ended here, we would have ridden back to the ship content and happy…but wait – there’s more!

Preserved Kiwi for Photographs

Our next stop was Rainbow Springs and in the most beautiful environment, albeit a nocturnal habitat created for this park – WE SAW A KIWI!  This was a huge thrill for me.  Didn’t know if I would be able to see one, but there she was!  They are still endangered, but with many volunteers and the work of dedicated naturalists, this park is managing to raise chicks and reintroduce them to their native habitat. We were not allowed to take photos, had to remain very quiet and even thought in the low light she was hard to spot – what a thrill when I found her.  I had a good look at her moving about and poking around in the debris that mimicked a forest floor.  They are doing amazing work at Rainbow Springs and I for one was a very happy visitor.

Now we went wended our way back along the new highway through hills with lovely views of sheep with their lambs and milk cattle and finally back to the ship.  What a great day!

 

PICTON, NEW ZEALAND

We arrived in Picton in the morning after a stormy night.  The winds were fierce and the ship was definitely rocking!  The bridge said that the winds were in excess of 150 km.  I wasn’t about to argue the point!  It made it hard to fall asleep, but once sleep came it lasted all night. 

Around 7:00 we got up to look outside and found calm seas, sunny skies and incredibly beautiful scenery. It was much like travelling in the narrow passageways up in Alaska, however, the vegetation is so very different to our evergreens.  Here the trees look like stems of broccoli and the chorus of bird songs emanating from the forest were so full of melody.  Just being out on the deck watching and listening – it was a feast for the senses.  Before we docked, we were guided by a tug to make a 180 degree turn in a very narrow passage.  It was fascinating watching as we spun right on the spot to complete this manoeuver.  Then, we actually backed into the dock so that later when it was time to leave, the ship would be able to cast away and move forward. 

Broccoli trees

Upon arriving on shore of this small community, there were 3 wonderful Picton ladies ready to greet us and to give us a small corsage to wear for the day.  In the baskets containing these lovely gestures of welcome were orchids, freesia and small native plants – varied and beautiful blooms grown in their own gardens.  This made for a memorable beginning to a great time ashore.  We are the first ship of the season and then next arrival isn’t until November – we certainly felt special!

This town relies heavily on two important items of commerce.  One is lumber and the other is tourism.  There was a wonderful craft market set up in town for our arrival.  It was such a lovely day and I so enjoyed my walk amongst the residents displaying their handmade items.  I have to admit, I contributed heavily to 2015 tourist season being one of their most successful! I was very happy to do my part and now I have some lovely items to take back home to remember my time here.  In talking to the merchants in and around the town, I was told that last year there were 17 ships that visited this lovely little spot – this year they are expecting 44!  How wonderful for them and how lucky for any passengers to be welcomed to this New Zealand gem!