Wednesday, May 30, 2007

The One in the Whitsunday's

We had an extra day in Airlie Beach as the Whitsunday Sailing company failed to put us on a boat despite taking our money! In retrospect it worked out ok though, the weather was better, plus they upgraded us, so we set out for a 3 day trip to the Whitsundays on the Eureka II - a racing yacht.

Within an hour or so of being at sea, the skipper Shannon relinquished control to me. The smile at first was genuine, but his advice of "It's just like driving a car" was a bit misleading. For a start, you can't just aim for where you're headed, as there's the wind to think about, plus the wheel is a bit jittery, and thirdly, I for one do not drive my car at a 45 degree angle to the road.

As the racing yacht tips you have to put your foot on a raised bit in the middle of the boat to keep you level (hence looking like I'm standing on one leg!).

After well over an hour of driving this thing, Shannon takes over (and I relax!) It's starting to get dark, and we have a little rain during dinner, but as I look out of the port hole in my bunk before I go to sleep, the bright white sands of Whitehaven beach glow iridescent in the moonlight. I know tomorrow is going to be something very special!

Sure enough, after breakfast the next morning, we head to Whitehaven Beach on the boats motorised Dingy. We have Stinger suits in hand for when we fancy a dip in the water.

The beach can only be described as paradise. The sand is fine, and white as white can be and stretches for ages along the edge of the turquoise sea, with tropical looking islands popping out of the water in the distance. The lads in the group play Frisbee, the girls soak up the sun, and then looking like power rangers we head into the water for a morning dip!

Back on board the Eureka II we motor round to Turtle Bay, and head once more to dry land to a good vantage point of The Whitsundays.

The sand bank in the water is like a caramel swirl in a blue ice cream, and it contrasts with the deep greenery of the islands behind. Words just can't describe it... it just takes them away.

Back on the boat, we watch turtles swim past as we have our lunch, and then head to a third spot where we go snorkelling.

Under the water is no less impressive. A different world with coral castles, and forests of sea grass and anemones swirling to and fro in the pull of the tide. And with this backing the fish go about their business, ignoring your presence, and swimming blissfully through their world.

We then sailed to another spot, and settled in for the night, settling in to watch the sun set with a glass of goon in the hand!

Our third morning sees H and I bashfully scrubbing the decks. It turns out that spillages occur when you combine red wine and swaying boats, and we had to scrub with bleach to turn the nice deck white again!

With the pirate chores complete, we go snorkelling again, and this time is unbelievable. Imagine driving down the M25 at rush hour the wrong way... this is what swimming here felt like. You do worry a bit that the fish that are surrounding you are swimming AWAY from something, and you'll soon find yourself face to face with something a bit scary, but luckily this was not the case.

I have never seen so many fish, and what is more they were close enough to touch. Plus we got a good look at several clams. Some were really pretty colours.

Back on board it was time to head back to land. We learnt how to pull up the sails on the way!

Back on terra firma, it took me several hours to find my legs as I kept feeling like we were swaying. A fabulous trip.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

The One with Nemo

With visions of snorkeling in Turquoise waters and burning in the hot sun, our trip to the Barrier Reef couldn't have been more different. As I sat on the boat and looked out at the pouring rain, I couldn't help but feel a little bit disappointed!

It takes an hour or so to get out to the reef, and most of that time is spent getting instruction about the trial scuba dive that I'm going to take out there.

We arrive at the first spot, and Helen and i go for a snorkel. The coral comes up very close to the surface at parts, a great chance to see loads of fish, and my first sighting of Nemo (although a black and orange variety of Clown fish) hiding in the anemones.

We also see a giant Clam resting on the ocean floor.

I'm called back to the boat, and get fitted up for my scuba dive. We head to the side of the boat and head sub aqua to a trapeze like pole hanging in the water and are tested on our skills - ie clearing the water from our mask etc.

I manage to screw up the losing your regulator part once again. this time running out of air and realising wide eyed in panic that i won't be able to clear the water from the regulator. luckily the instructor just pressed a button which cleared it all for me!

Down on the ocean floor we saw a couple of stingrays, and then Nemo Proper and Marlin his dad hiding in a different anemone.

Back on the boat it's time for a sumptuous lunch before heading to a second snorkeling sight. I think i actually see more on these snorkeling outings. We see Coral off all different colours, a star fish and so many fish. I panic at times when I float accidentally over the coral and realise I have to float back off without moving or else I'll damage the coral!

It was great day, and I've seen a true wonders of the natural world.

back at Cairns we walk around int he torrential downpour, getting soaked to the skin and splashing each other in the puddles!

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

The One in the Rainforest

As we fly into Cairns, the landscape has changed yet again. Fields of Sugar cane stretch out below us, and hills covered in rainforest give the area a decidedly tropical feel which wouldn't be out of place in the Caribbean (or so I imagine).

We decide to go and see some of this rain forest by heading up to Cape Tribulation.

Our first stop is the Mossman Gorge. A wonderful walk through the forest alongside a raging river, and up to a wibbly wobbly suspended bridge! I'm very excited to see giant tree ferns!

Next up is the Daintree Wildlife Park. I'm a bit over this to be honest. We've seen these animals before and many of them in the wild, but I do get to cuddle a very cute joey called Jake, who is in a flowery makeshift pouch!

As we cross the river and head up to Cape Trib itself, we pass the famous Cassowary sign where someone has humorously doctored a road hump - a warning to motorists and Cassowaries alike!

We stop at the beach of Cape Tribulation. A shame that the weather is threatening rain at any moment as it is a beautiful white sandy beach. You're not allowed to swim here due to stingers in the water, so we settle for a hearty lunch, while keeping a watchful eye on a giant Lace Monitor Lizard who is hungrily eyeing our chicken!

In the toilets here are 2 massive Golden Orb Spiders. H nips into the gents to get a photo of one. What you have to suffer for photography!

As we get back to the bus the heavens finally open and as it's raining it seems apt to go into the rain forest itself. It's not called Rain Forest for nothing you know!

Here we see all sorts of trees and vines. Some called "Wait a While" on account of the prickles on them that catch on your clothes and keep you tied up trying to get untangled! eventually they turn into huge Tarzan Vines.

We also saw Strangulation Figs which grow over another tree, eventually killing it. One of them had the centre tree fully rotted away leaving the Fig Tree like a 3 D Curly Wurly!

Time for another Crocodile Cruise, but I was more excited by the Kingfisher and our little green tree frog stowaway on the boat!

Then back to Cairns. A whistle stop tour, But I'm glad we got the chance to experience this other side of Australian landscape. it makes such a difference after the barren landscapes of the west coast!

Monday, May 21, 2007

The One in Darwin Part 2

Back in Darwin we head to the Mindil Market on the Sunday night. It's a funky market, full of stalls, and loads of asian food (we're so close to Asia up here!). plsu it's right by the beach so with another beautiful west coast sunset, it makes for a pleasant evening of browsing and eating lots of food.

There was a 2 man drum and bass didg band. A guy on drums and another playign 4 didg's tied together like a giant set of panpipes. It was really cool!

The next day, H and i hire a care and drive out tot he Adelaide River to see the jumping crocs. These crocs get right out of the water. One of them (imaginatively namesd Stumpy) only has one leg!

I have a new found respect for crocs. No wonder they've lasted since the jurassic age, they can have a limb amputed and not bleed to death!

We also saw some Kites which swooped down to catch meat thrown to them in the air, and then feed themselves with it mid flight!

Our final night of the west coast was spent at the Deckchair cinema. An open air cinema where you sit in....?! you guessed it!. We saw Marie Antoinette. I like out- door cinemas - especially when they give you free mossie repellent and allow you to have a beer during the movie!

With the West Coast ticked off, we continue our adventure tomorrow with the start of our journey down the east coast back to Sydney.

Sunday, May 20, 2007

The One in Crocodile Dundee's Back Yard

We had barely got over our last trip, and we were back on the road to the Outback. This time we were going with Wilderness 4WD Adventures, and were heading into the unknown of Kakadu.

This is where Crocodile Dundee was filmed and on the way we got to meet one of it's stars - Charlie the Buffalo. i did the hand thing on him but he wasn't having any of it. I obviously don't have Mick Dundee's style.

As soon as we enter the park, we head for our first swim of the day in a water hole. It's beautiful with a waterfall at one end. The difference here, is that every pool comes with a crocodile warning. It's a real threat here, and lots of people have been eaten here.

It is for this reason that I always waited for our guide to go in the water first! Swimming in fresh waterholes is fabulous - and something I'd never even consider at home.


Our second swim of the day was at Gunlom. We did a walk up a steep hill, which gave us amazing views over the whole of Kakadu. It is so green here (especially as we have come at the end of the wet season), and the water holes are full, and the waterfalls in full force. A beautiful time of the year to come here.

We had our second swim at the top of the Gunlom waterfall, and sat at the top of the waterfall overlooking the park. It felt as though we were on the edge of the world! (There is a pool below us, not the massive plunge!) Then it was back down to the bottom pool - full of fish, including the Archer Fish which spit their insect prey off the branches!

With several swims under our belt, we went to watch the sun set. Nothing quite like sitting on the top a 4 by 4 melon in one hand, cold beer in the other, and watching the sun set!

On the way back to camp i had my first encounter with a snake. An Olive Python, which we unfortunately saw too late and ran over! Still, it was my first encounter of a snake in the wild!

That evening we joined two other groups round a camp fire, and tried to play the didg... it's a lot harder than it looks. The stars were out as we lay down in our swags in the open air. Bliss.

Day two and I was awoken early by a little rain, but it was time to get up anyway.

We had a culture camp this morning, and as we drove along the roads we could see a group of brumbies galloping through the mist, their manes blowing in the wind. A sight I will never forget!

At culture camp there were 3 "classes" - we could learn to play a didgeridoo, throw a spear, and weave.

I finally managed to get a noise out of the didg, although every time H came to film me I couldn't do it for very long!

The spear throwing was fun. It rests in another piece of wood and you aim it a bit like a javelin. We were aiming at cardboard cutouts of animals. I managed to hit a duck a couple of times but not spear it so I'm glad I can buy my meat in Cole's or else I'd go very hungry!

The weaving was also good. We were using strands of Pandenis Spiralis which had been dyed with natural colourants. We made bracelets.

While sitting on the floor, I saw an ant on me with a big green bottom. The aboriginals would boil a nest of these to make a tangy tea, or eat them. So after 5 minutes trying to catch the scoundrel, I clasped it gently and licked his bottom. It was very tangy like Lime. I let him go and watched him stagger off. I wonder what tales he will tell his friends of the giant who looked his bum!

Today was our culture day, and we spent the afternoon at Anbangbang gallery looking at the Aboriginal Rock Art. It's in amazing condition, and you can tell which period it was done in according to the designs.

Later that afternoon, we went to the cultural centre to watch a dvd about the wet season i n Kakadu. A combination of the dark and the air con sent nearly all our party to sleep. I managed to stay awake - just, - as it was a fascinating documentary!

Finally we headed up to Ubirr. Johnny the Aboriginal guide from this morning joined us and told us the stories behind the rock art here, and also pointed out a couple of rock wallabies. Ubirr is where Croc Dundee goes to make his "phone call", and we sat here to watch the sun set over the wet lands. Words just can't describe it.


Day 3 and we're up before the sun and heading for a walk at a place called "The Castle". Walk is a bit misleading, as it involved hands and knees scrambles and climbing, and eventually brought us out on top of some rocks overlooking Kakadu. The only sounds were the birds and the hum of the dragonflies which were the size of your fist. The early morning sun beat down, and all you could see were trees and rocky outcrops. The photos don't even come close, but take my word for it, it was paradise.

We then head for another swim at the Garden of Eden, and are joined by a water monitor lizard. Another pool we pass on the way back has a water python in it - We've seen it all on this trip.

Today is an animal type day,as we head back towards Darwin to go on a crocodile cruise. We are held up temporarily by our van breaking down but it's just a chance to enjoy a glass of sprite in the shade while we wait for the engine to cool off!

We make it to the Corroborree Billabong with seconds to spare, and cruise around searching for crocs. We see two freshwaters, and one salty. This is the freshwater, and he is huge. Freshwater's don't normally get this big! Crocs can hold their breath for up to 2 hours by slowing their hearts down to 2 beats per minute. Amazing creatures.

And then it's back to Darwin. Kakadu is one of my ultimate Australian highlights - despite having an average group, and an OK guide, the place just really sells itself!

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

The One in Darwin

The 27 hour bus ride on Greyhound was an eye opener in itself. I barely slept, but this did mean that I saw Kangaroos and Cows that crossed our path.

The Greyhound coach is also used by Australia Post, so our poor bus driver had to keep stopping at random and deserted mailboxes to drop off and collect post. Some of these were homes to aboriginal communities, and when we left Broom the majority of people on the bus were Aboriginal.

The next day the landscape has changed. We are driving through the Kimberley's, and far from the empty Bushland we'd been driving through further south, this landscape was hilly, and much more like South America. Australia is so diverse, and literally has everything - Mammals and Marsupials that are only found here, and some of the most deadly on earth, Desert, Rainforest, Mountains, Snow - you name they have it. Although I could have flown home quicker than this bus journey, I was really glad we took it!

So, I'm in Darwin, and it's stinking, hot and humid. We head out and about town, and also find that nothing is well signposted. We head to the Botanic Gardens and follow signs to the museum, which promptly stop in the middle of nowhere. Hot and disgruntled my first impression of Darwin is not a good one!

That afternoon we head to Aquascene and go to feed the fish.

At high tide the shallow waters here are full of Mullet, Catfish, Milkfish, Moonfish, and even a couple of Barramundi. You stand on steps up to your calves in the water and feed the fish stale bread. We got soaked in the process and i'm ashamed to say I squealed like a child when they mistook my knuckles for bread, but it was amazing to get so close to these fish!...

Maybe Darwin isn't so bad after all...

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

The One on Broome Time

Back at the ocean, we camp for the night at 80 Mile Beach. We roll off the bus, open the beers, and think about setting up tents. Another group are setting up their tents in regimented precision... we on the other hand put off putting our tents up, and head to the beach to enjoy the last of the sunset.

That evening we head to the beach and sit chatting, counting the shooting stars and looking for satellites.


Back on the road, and we finally reach our destination - Broome. Broome operates in its own time - Broome Time, and automatically as you reach it you chill out, and take things at a more relaxed pace.

Once more we head to Cable beach for sunset... I'm going to miss the sunsets once I go to the East Coast.

Then we headed out for a night on the town as a group. It is so hot up here. The nightclub we went to was an open air one, and there was much silliness, dancing, and silly photos taken! It's going to be hard to say goodbye to these guys.



The next day we have a free day in Broome and check out the Japanese Cemetery, and then head to Loggers, for a women's musical festival. That evening we watch one more sunset from Gantheaume Point (home to fossilised dinosaur footprints at low tide), then we went for an amazing Roast Dinner, before having to say goodbye to all our new friends.

I'd never had thought that 20 people would all get on so well. The sites we saw on this trip were memorable, but what was even more so, was the fact that we shared them with these guys.

Friday, May 11, 2007

The One with the Waterholes and the Redbacks

We arrive at Karijini late in the afternoon, and pass a dingo on the way to our camp site. We put up our tents, and cook dinner. The long drop dunny is resident to two webs with Red back Spiders looking after their eggs, plus a dead mouse in the disinfectant bucket. Plus inspection under the picnic tables includes another city of Red back spiders. We all sit very still when we eat our dinner so as not to disturb their webs!

The Sky is so clear out here and there are so many stars that it's hard to make out the constellations as there as so many stars visible in between, but I can now spot Scorpio... so I am getting better!!

We wake in the night to hear the Dingo's howling, and some people had them sniff around their tents.


Today we have a full day of hiking and swimming in waterholes. We head first to Kermit's Pool, which is reached by way of a walk through the river, and along a narrow part in the gorge known as the Spider Walk - named, not for the hundreds of spiders that live there, but for the way that we all look heading through it with arms and legs precariously lodged along the canyon walls like giants x's

I'm second in the group and do not see where Julia (in front of me) puts her feet on the slippery rock. I try.. fail, and slip down the rocks fully clothed into Kermits Pool, complete with camera and backpack!. As it's been pointed out to me, it;s a very apt place to feel a "muppet" Thankfully my camera still worked, and only my pride was dented. We all went for a swim in the chilly waters, and I walked with even greater care on the way back!

Our next stop is Handrail Pool. This walk is just as precarious as the first, and involves us using a rope to get down a small drop in the rock to the right of this waterfall. Still a bit shaken, this takes me a while, but eventually I get down and I'm rewarded with another swim in icy waters. It is so beautiful here. The red walls stretch upwards and meet the clear blue sky, while you wallow in the clear dark water and feel like you're almost hidden totally from civilisation.

The third swim of the day is at Circular Pool.
A green oasis amongst the red rocks, with the white gum trees standing as a stark juxtaposition to the terracotta walls, and green ferns that grow here.

Small waterfalls fall from the far side, and are much warmer than the water in the pool - the only warm showers we'll have during our camping trip here!

Back at the camp, we cook dinner, and are all shattered following our full days exercise, and have an early night.

Next day, we are woken by the dulcet tones of Rolf Harris singing Sunrise... and while the giggling is still dying out DJ Simon follows it with "Gotta get Up"... certainly the best wake up call I've ever had at 5.30 am in the morning. If you can wake people up with a smile on their faces at that time, you're on to a good thing!

We have one more pool to visit - Fern Pool. Most people head for a morning dip, and then we're back on the road and back to the ocean.

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

The One with the Turtles

With a day in Coral Bay, most people have some aquatic trip planned as this is the perfect place to snorkel through the Ningaloo Reef, or for a chance to see Manta Rays or the magnificent Whale Sharks.

The price of the Whale Shark trip is very expensive, and the last few days the sharks have been elusive. It's a risk that no one in our group is willing to take. Most people opt to go and see the Manta Rays, and I choose to Kayak to the coral and go for a snorkel there.

I arrive with 4 others from my group, and we're told that due to the wind that the conditions will be tough and they only want to take confident snorkelers out. I've snorkeled several times, but I wouldn't say I was confident. I would say I was more panicky... so I decide not to go out.

Instead I go for a walk along the beach with Zara, Brandon, Martin and Johanna, and up a sand dune which overlooks the turquoise curve of the bays. Beautiful. Time for a dip in the sea before lunch - a great chilled out morning.

That afternoon, we're back in the bus and on our way to Exmouth. We've sadly had to leave Zara and Brandon behind and will pick up 5 new bods at Exmouth. We're starting to pass several Road Trains now, which positively rumble down the road.

Bright and Early the next morning we head to Cape Range National Park. We have a short walk down Yardie Creek, a swim at Sandy Bay in the clear turquoise waters, and then on to Turquoise Bay itself.

Here the Ningaloo Reef is accessible only a few hundred metres out from shore, and the drift means that you can start at one end and literally float along the reef. I take it slowly with the old snorkel, and soon feel more confident. Some of our group see Reef Sharks, (I don't), but the highlight for me was swimming behind a sea turtle. His flippers go up and down like wings of a bird, and he literally flies through the water. It was something right out of Finding Nemo, and I half expected the turtle to turn around to me and go "Duuuuude"!

I see so many fish of various sizes and colours, and even a random sting ray. By the time we are reaching the sand bank which is our exit point, the drift has become quite strong and it takes a lot of effort to get back into shore. Undeterred, however, and determined to see a reef Shark, H, Merryl and I head back in again.

Unbeknownst to us the wind has picked up, making the drift even stronger. We arrive at the exit point of the beach a lot quicker than expected and have to swim with all we're worth to get back to shore - and still no Reef Shark to show for it!

We head back to camp passing a Daddy emu with 3 of his chicks on the way, and then we head for Simon's Crazy Afternoon walk, at Shothole Canyon.

The walk takes us right along a ridge, and involves steep drops on other side, and both hands free for scrambling along the rock. Despite being late in the afternoon, it's very hot, and we're soon dripping, and covered in flies. but the walk was well worth it for the views.

Tomorrow we have another early start, and a whole day of driving to take us for our 3 nights camping in Karinjini National Park.

Sunday, May 6, 2007

The One with Paradise

So, back on the road, and a 10 day trip up the west coast with 17 other people.
The first day of these bus tours is always the worst. They always begin with an early start, and everyone sits quietly trying to suss out who the annoying one is going to be, and who they reckon is going to be friend material. Luckily, and somewhat unbelievably for such a large group, all 20 odd of us get on famously, and there are no irritating people on board. This seems the perfect ingredient for a good trip.

We drive north towards Kalbarri which will be or stop this evening. Soon, we turn off the sealed road for our first taste of unsealed corrugated red dirt road, which loosens your teeth and stretches as far as the eye can see.

Our first stop of the day is at the Pinnacles Desert. A sandy area full of Limestone Pillars, which have been left, when all that surrounded them was eroded away. It's an odd landscape, which wouldn't be out if place in space, but as we headed up the hill to survey the scene, it made marvellous viewing. Out crops popping up all over the place, the blue of the sea in the distance, and apart from the birds singing, and the hum of the odd insect.... silence.

Back in the van, things had livened up, and people were at least chatting, so I started to relax a bit!

I generally fall asleep on warm afternoons in moving transport, and despite our drive Simon's commentary, I could barely keep my eyes open. At one point I jolted awake to the words... "and that's how Hangover Bay got it's name".... NOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Luckily H was awake... apparently, a ship crashed off the rocks a bit North of here, and the sailors immediately rescued their Rum, and drank it. They decided to walk south towards Perth, and this area is where they camped for the night. Hence the name reflects how they felt the next morning. We sat for lunch here, and I can think of worse places to sit off a raging headache, with the blue sea, and white sandy beaches stretching along the coast.

We sand boarded a bit further along the coast, and then carried on North. We had to introduce ourselves on the mike on the bus, so by the time we got Kalbarri we all knew each other fairly well (although it may take a few more days to capture all the names!)

The next morning we were up early and headed to Jake's Point to watch the surfers, as the sun rose, before heading into Kalbarri National Park.

At Kalbarri, we did a walk where we saw Natures Window - a hole eroded in the rock, which gives a picture perfect frame of the river below, or the sky if you look up. We also headed down the the River, in the Z Bend gorge. The sun is beating down... a welcome relief after the rain in Perth!

We drove on - we have thousands of km's to cover over the next ten days so there is a lot of driving involved, but we each take it in turns to DJ on the ipod at the front of the bus, so there's usually something to sing along to.

Next stop - Shell Beach - imaginatively titled as the whole beach is made up of shells at least 1m deep. Then the short distance to Monkey Mia.

As we headed to the beach for Sunset, the only word I could think of to describe this place is Paradise. White sandy beach, the sunsetting over the water, pelicans gliding through the reflections of the suns rays, and the water being broken occasionally by the fins of dolphins. With a glass of Red Wine (goon) in the hand, I had to ask myself... does life get much better than this?

That evening H and I went on a cultural trip with an aboriginal. We walked through white sand country to red sand country, and Campsy (our guide) pointed out Echidna tracks in the sand. At the top of the sand dune we looked out over the bay where the moon cast a brilliant glow on the water.

We sat around a camp fire, while Campsy cooked a mullet on the coals, and told us aboriginal stories about the stars, the turtle and the Thorny Backed Lizard. Sandalwood burnt on the fire, filling the air with a fabulous aroma which relaxed me. Campsy then gave us a didgeridoo demonstration and showed us how you can use the didg. to make the sounds of certain animals.
He then passed around the mullet to taste.

The evening was fascinating, I could hardly believe that we had been up there nearly two hours.
Next morning, we were up early and headed down to the beach where a crowd was already standing in the edge of the water looking at the 9 or 10 dolphins who were swimming in the shallows there. These Dolphins are fed 3 times in the morning each day, by hand by tourists, but are only fed 1/3 of their daily allowance so that they continue to hunt.

We stood and watched them, and a few of our party got to feed them. We even went to the second feeding, but sadly, neither H or I were picked to feed these beautiful creatures.
Then we were back on the road heading up to Coral Bay. H and I were DJ'ing, for what was nearly a whole day of driving.
We did stop at Hamelin Bay, home of the oldest living thing on Earth... The Stromatolites. If anyone has read Bill Bryson's down under you will know that while the concept of these living rocks that oxidised the earth is fascinating, they just look like a bunch of rocks, so aesthetically are not that exciting. That said we did see some bubbles, so they are still breathing!

We headed on, through a great expanse of nothingness, and as sunset began H and I started to pump the party tunes (we had the whole bus doing the YMCA at one point! - hoorah for having random tunes on my Ipod!)

As darkness fell we crossed the Tropic of Capricorn, and then headed to Coral Bay where we stopped for the night.

Thursday, May 3, 2007

The One with Bob the Quokka

Thankfully the weather had abated by the time we got back to Perth, and we had glorious sunshine for our day trip to Rottnest Island.

Rottnest (or Rotto as it's more affectionately known to the locals) was named by the Dutch Explorer William De Vlaming, who mistook Rottnest's inhabitant Quokkas for Rats. I can kind of see where he was coming from - they do have rat like faces but are way too big for Rats and jump like kangaroos - makes you wonder what the rats in Holland were like!

H and I got the Ferry across to Rotto, and had a much better commentary this time - in that we could actually hear and understand her, and we even saw Dolphins in the estuary at Freo. As soon as we docked in Rotto we headed to the Bike hire place and got a bike, bought a packed lunch, and headed off on a Famous Five style Island Adventure - minus the lashings of ginger beer.
We set off around the island, towards the lighthouse in the middle. We headed back and forth on one bit of road for a while as we got a bit lost! We stopped for water to admire the beautiful bays with clear turquoise seas, and bits of shipwrecks protruding from the rocks - also to recover from the many hills that everyone had failed to mention.... must get fit again.
We finally cycled up the lighthouse where we came across our first few Quokkas. One at the lighthouse itself was very inquisitive and came right up to H and I. We named him Bob and he even followed us over to where we had lunch, clambering over our feet and having a nose in my bag - He was fab!
Having spent an hour conversing with Bob, we headed back via the middle of the island which has lots of lakes which smelt rather sulphurous - either that or H was telling fibs!
Then we chilled with a cup of tea overlooking the bay, and got talking to some random people, Graham and his Mum, who were rather lovely and kept us entertained all the way back to Perth!