Saturday 25 Jun 2016

Made it to Airlie Beach. Got a nice motel room with a view of the harbor.beach. Booked a harbor tour on a duck boat, a one day cruise of the inner reef and a flight over the outer reef.

Won’t go into a lot of detail here but had some serious fun, sight seeing and met several Aussie’s on holiday. Great bunch of people and learning much from them.  

Went for a Duck Boat tour; noisy, eye catching and fun for both riders and pedestrians. After driving around in the harbor we drove through the city center making a lot of noise and attracting a lot gazers. Took a lot of pictures in the harbor. All sailboats and mostly catamarans.

 Pictures

1, Where I'm at

2, Artist on the beach

3, The Duck boat

4 View from our room

Sunday 26 June 2016

Went on an all day cruise aboard a huge Catamaran. Guessing it holds 100 people, we were about 35. Toured some islands and anchored at Hook Island. Many went snorkeling, some of us went coral viewing in the glass bottom boat.

This area is known as the Inner reef. Hundreds of islands, some privately owned and a lot of coral. Unfortunately it was cloudy and the colors didn’t come through. So you get lucky; no vacation pictures!  Maybe a couple!

Went to an island where there are some beautiful white sand beaches. Small problem is the beach is on other side of Island requiring a walk over the top. An easy walk once you get the directions correctly. Seems everyone else got them.

Absolutely beautiful, breathtaking! The small ponds that form when the tide is out is home for baby Lemon sharks. You can walk in among them but they won’t let you get close. The sand is like powder and comfortable to walk on. Tomorrow I’ll view this beach from 2000 feet.

Pictures

1, How we got to shore

2, What we saw

3,  A privatesailing vessel

4, & 5 More of what we saw

6, Another Private sailing boat

The day cruise ends with a stop on Daydream Island. Somebody spent some serious Shekels building this place. Everything you would ever like to have at a vacation spot. I’ll let the pictures do the talking. One exception: Walking around I met up with a kangaroo coming down the pathway. He stopped to look at me, I grabbed a leaf from a nearby bush, it came over, smelled it and proceeded to the grass for a snack. The little guys are cute as can be. If US Customs would allow it I’d bring one home.

This is another area of Earth Chae Sun would have loved.

Did I mention the Cockatoos; they are all over and make a devilish screech. I’ve seen gatherings of these birds of a hundred in a single tree. Seeing flocks of twenty + is common. They start with the sunrise, alarm clock free zone. Picture is across the street from my room.

Monday 27 June 2016

Went for a plane ride today to the Outer reef. It's out near the continental shelf takes awhile to get there even by plane . Got lucky again. Got to sit in the co-pilots seat. Best place to take pictures. Appears my chubbiness played a role in the seating arrangement.

First we looked from above at the white sand beaches visited yesterday and then a spectacular viewing of the Great Barrier Reef. The pictures can do the talking.

Leaving the East coast and it’s beaches reminds me of another notable feature of Australia; bikini size. They are spectacularly small. 

Tuesday 28 June 2016

Mad it to Townsville yesterday afternoon and decided to head west. Got to Charters Towers just after dusk. Noticed a little speed related growl as I drove into town. Found a Toyota dealer in town that would look at it. Right front wheel bearing was shot. Couldn’t turn the wheel freehand. No wonder it felt like the emergency brake was on.

That is where this day will be spent.       

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Pictures that didn't get posted on last Blog
1st, Helen Lui and me
2nd, Abobriginal Art on Kangaroo hide
3rd, 30 Mile Beach
4th, People climbing the dune.
5th, Sand Buggy
6th, My wheels
7th, My digs
Blog follows the pictures.

June 23 Saturday

Did some serious driving today; from Gladstone, Queensland (QLD) to Proserpine, QLD. About 600 km.

I can feel it getting warmer and see it in the crops sold along the way; Bananas, Avocados and fields of Sugar Cane.

My goal was Airlie Beach. Huge tourist spot for viewing the Great Barrier Reef but was tired and stopped a few km short in Proserpine at the Reef Garden Motel.

Got lucky again; they were having a Bar B Q. Four guys that were in town for minature pig racing had a mixed grill going and invited me to join them and the proprietor. Something like "never had a Bar B Q with a Yank" was said. Soon another car pulled in a couple with 4 Children and the parents joined us. 

Two of these new aquaintances were musicians and singers and soon were playing and singing popular tunes and ones they wrote themselves. The Gentleman; Neil Duddy Has a beautiful voice and does some entertainment jobs.The young lady; Jenine Vaughan won Australias equivilent of the VOICE TV show in 1996. Think she is busy being wife and Mother but can sing up a storm. I certainly was impressed. Both were very good and provided a night I will treasure for years to come.

Left to Right:Niel Duddy, Julie the proprietor, Me, Ray Crawford, Jenine Vaughan, Paul, and the cook Bernie Faulkner.

What a great time I had. Thanks to  the folks in the picture.

Hi again   June 23, 2016

Not sure where I left off but one thing is for sure; if I don’t make better time I may have to stay here for 6 months instead of 4 to make It around the continent.

Saturday and Sunday spent the days test driving my vehicle. Everything works and I’m satisfied and ready to hit the road. Picked up some sushi and brought it back to the B & B I have been staying at. To share with my new Chinese friends; Helen Liu and her Son. Especially nice people. Will stay in contact with them and stay with them upon my return to Sydney in September. Her son is studying medicine and Helen runs the families Guest house, B & B, in North Ryde, a suburb near Sydney.

Monday: Officially bought the car, insured, warrantied and blessed by a high priestest associated with   Western Theological Fraternity (WTF) orthodox organization of the used car salesman of Australia.

Enough of my sick humor. Facts are my dealer took very good care of me. Did everything I asked and things that I didn’t realize need fixing. His name is Nima Samandi has a lovely wife that helps him with his business A Trustworthy gentleman running an unorthodox car business that benefits the customer as well as the dealer. I would recommend him to anyone traveling to Australia for an extended time.

Left the B&B and headed for Nelson Bay where I had discussed the purchase of a car top carrier with Andrew. Arrived after dark and the neighbors noticed a strange vehicle acting strangely and called the family I was looking for. As the gate opened and I knew the correct connections were made. Andrew met me, introduced himself, and proceeded to install the carrier. What a break, I’d have fumbled with it for hours. Andrew is a teacher, sharp guy and travels the world teaching things that are important.

Andrews wife; Rebecca, who is from Western Australia had much knowledge of the Aboriginals. A culture I would like to know more about. Something they call Dreamtime. Rebecca told a number of stories that included her father’s work with Aboriginals. Will think of those stories as I travel towards and in the Northern and Western Territories of Australia. Will look for a replication of an unusual piece of Aboriginal art observed at Andrew and Rebecca’s home. A representation of family on a piece of kangaroo hide. Left Andrew and Rebecca’s home and stayed at a nice motel on Nelson Bay. Left Nelson Bay and headed for Brisbane, about 760 km. Didn’t make it. Andrew and Rebecca suggested a stop at Brubi Point. Dunes, a sand beach as big as you have ever seen and Humpback whales is the temptation. Sand boarding is also popular. I watched as many people slid down the sloops on boards.

In my stupidity I climbed the sand boarding hill. Thought about calling the organization I contracted with to rescue me from anywhere in the world. Caught my breath after a moment or two. OK and ready for the next old fart challenge.

Headed for Brisbane; made it another 150 km to an area called Bulahdelah. Tried a camping place until I laid down on my newly acquired self-inflating mattress. Quickly drove to a motel about 1 km away, checked in and took a shower, An amenity not available in the tent community vacated.

That’s it for now. Heading for Brisbane tomorrow. See what happens.

My camera is being difficult; pictures next time I find some wifi

Pat      

Hello
Saturday, 18 June here.
Still in Sydney area snooping around. Mostly because some of the things I wanted done to my vehicle didn't get done. Not upset about it as I have thier courtesy car, not paying car rental fees and they are paying my hotel fees. Yesterday they moved me to a Bed and Breakfast. About half the price but very nice. Quiet residentail area, very clean, private bath and a homey atmosphere.
There is plenty to do around here. Spend some time picking stuff up I think will be needed in my travels.
Took a scenic drive through the Blue mountians saw several sheep farms and many dead animals along the road. Kangaroos and Dingos I was told by a farmer I stopped and talked to. The reason I stopped was he was in his driveway and there were dogs hanging on his fence. Apparently the Dingos kill many of his sheep, especially newborns. He shoots or traps them and hangs them on his fence in an effort to get government help in controling Dingos and Hybrids. Hybrids are ferral dogs that have breeded with Dingos and now out number the Dingos.
Visited a town, Lithgow, New South Wales, About 150 km from Sydney. It's claim to fame; a small arms factory and museum. They made many of the rifles and machine guns used in WW1 and WW2 and other less noticeable conflicts. Everything from 5mm to 20mm. Had a large hand gun collection also.
A popular tourist attraction, 3 tourist buses and a lot of people. The Aussies are a great bunch and the further I get away from Sydnet the better it gets.
Most Aussies speak with a British accent. some with an Aussie dialect. Kind of goes like this:
"what color are your harbors" sounds like; "what culas ah ya abas". After a bit you catch on.
Hope to leave this area today or tomorrow.
Until next time

Still in Sydney

Monday, 13 June 2016

After driving to some popular tourist spots and finding no parking I had to figure out public transportation here in Sydney  . The buses go every where and run often. For greater distances there is light rail.
Sydney area is very hilly resulting in few straight roads and some Gran Prix drivers. Took a practice drive yesterday on Australias freeway. Controlled access as in US but on and off ramps are suited to right hand drive vehicles traveling on left side of road. Not bad just need to get use to overtaking on the right instead of passing on the left.
Using newly acquired skills with public transportation I finally got a tour of Sydney Harbor yesterday. Sydney harbor is huge. Got on a; hop on / hop off ferry that stops at 4 or 5 attractions within the harbor. My visits: TarongaZoo, Watsons Bay and Darling harbor where I stopped at the Wildlife Zoo and Sealife Aquarium.
Hope to get my wheels tomorrow and get on my way to Cairns to see the Great Barrier Reef.
Pictures:
Echidna
Sydney from Watson's Point (Entrance to Sydney Harbor)
Someones front yard
Rock Wallaby
Wombat
Cassowary
Grey Kangaroo

Hi
 It's June 10th and I went on an interesting hike. It's called the Bridge Climb. It's the bridge across Sydney Harbor.
You hike up the iron of the bridge to it's highest point. 1334 steps brings you to 144 meters above the water. About 450 feet. A new Rule one: Hang on tight! Especially when the wind is blowing.
Not allowed to take anything including a drink. All participants  are breathalyzed including the guide. They provide everything you need jump suit, hat. gloves even a handkerchief. I suggested they rename the Jump suit to Coveralls.
Everyone wears a safety belt that is attached to a cable that runs the entire course. It did little to abate my fears of falling off.  I did consider turning back but got use to it and decided if I made it all the way I could have an extra beer. A calorie consideration.

Thought I might be one of the older participants at 72 but the guide set me straight on that. A lady 84 was there earlier in the day.

Attached a couple of pictures; hope I did it right

Always heard that the USA was a melting pot of nationalities  I don't think we can hold a candle to Australia. Walking around Sydney you see a lot of people of obvious different races. I've been here a week and I bought a car from a Iranian, Subway shop is run by an Asian Indian, Motel is owned by an Armenian,  employs a guy from Nepal and a young lady ( a Kiwi) from New Zealand. The lady next to me on the flight over, an Australian immigrated from Poland.
Several ethnic restaurants.