Port Douglas, Australia

Looking for a place to chill out and feel the force of nature? Well, this is it! Spend your holidays at Port Douglas, Australia. Port Douglas Hotels offer simple yet elegant accommodation whether its near the beach, the city, at the tree house, views across the green canopy and misty vales to the ocean, sunrise and moonrise from the balcony or bed. A fabulous breakfast of local organic fruit and to-die-for homemade jams.Rainforest activities or even the creek levels and the pool is great for just feeling like you are on the edge of the world.

Visiting Port Douglas was a wonderful experience. The Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree rainforest what a terrific and fantastic getaway. With an array of fine dinings, bars, shopping stores, who will not fall in love with Australia. The atmosphere and climate was so good. Food was great especially the dessert! I still cant forget the best pizza I ever tasted in my entire life.

Port Douglas Hotels offer a romantic ambiance in their rooms, spacious,luxurious yet affordable. Pools were nice and clean with a superb customer service. Staff that always have their ready smiles at all times. Amenities were fantastic! Visit them now!

We selected Synergy as the company to take us to the Great Barrier Reef from Port Douglas.  We chose them because Synergy II is a sailboat, and because they book only 12 guests on each cruise.  Synergy is not the least expensive of the tours–their brochure rate is $260/person, but our reasoning is that we may never visit the Great Barrier Reef again, and we wanted our memories to be the best possible.

We sailed from Marina Mirage at 8:30 AM, after meeting our crew,  Captain Stephan and Serena, introducing ourselves to our fellow passengers, and enjoying morning tea, coffee, and pastries on board.

The passengers consisted of a group of 3 couples from Perth, Australia, a couple from Port Douglas, and their house guests from Cognac, France who also have a home in Sydney, Australia, and Jim and me from Kansas.  The group became well acquainted during our sail to the reef and was a very congenial and fun bunch to sail with.

I was glad that our fellow sailors were Australians.  It gave us an opportunity to talk to them about their country, and get their ideas of things that we should see and do while we were there.  One of the ladies from Perth, named Nadilla, is a pastry chef, and she was a wealth of information about Australian food.  Having met a fellow “foodie”, I realized that this is the person who could teach me about Vegemite.  I knew about Vegemite, and I had been eyeing it in the restaurants, but I had not got up the nerve to try it yet!  Nadilla answered all my questions–yes, Australians really like their Vegemite;  yes, they believe that it has a health benefit.  And, according to Nadilla the best way to eat it is on buttered toast, with just a small smear of Vegemite!

The ship captain selects the snorkeling site on the Great Barrier Reef each day based on weather conditions, tides, and the snorkeling skill level of the passengers.  We went to Tongue Reef, which was about a 2-hour power sail from Port Douglas.  There was absolutely no wind that day, so sailing was not possible.  It was a beautiful, sunny day, and the boat ride itself was pleasant.

As we motored out (on Autopilot), Captain Steph and Serena outfitted us with our gear, and gave us a brief refresher in snorkeling.  Five minutes after we arrived at our site and anchored, we were in the water!!

I can’t begin to describe everything that we saw underwater:  lovely colored corals, giant clams, hundreds of brightly colored fish.  No matter which direction you turned, you saw something else remarkable.  None of us had an underwater camera, so no photos were taken undersea.

I think that one of the top experiences of the trip for all the passengers was meeting, playing with, and petting “Ruby”, a 3-foot long Napoleon fish that is Synergy’s pet fish at Tongue Reef.  Ruby is just a juvenile, and will reach a size of 10 feet when fully mature.  One remarkable feature about Napoleon fish, is that during the first 10 years of their life, they may select their gender.  Ruby is a people lover–she would swim up to you, and let you pet her!

Ruby the Napoleon Fish

After our snorkel, we had a lovely lunch grilled on board that included breads, salads, chicken, shrimp, and my new favorite fish, Spanish Mackerel–YUM!  Then dessert…

After lunch, Steph took those in the group who wanted to snorkel some more out for a special guided snorkel.  Those that went with him commented that they really enjoyed seeing the things he pointed out. Those of us who had wine with lunch, stayed on the boat and socialized.  Either way, it was a great time.

Crew Member Serena

Enjoying the Ride

Sunset at Port Douglas, Australia

It was time to leave our mooring and head back to the Marina.  Steph put the jib (sail) up to provide shade to those on the front of the boat, but we still had no wind, and had to motor back.  Much as I love sailing, I could not complain–the ocean was beautiful, the sun felt lovely, and the company was good.  What a perfect day at the Great Barrier Reef.

Tips for Travelers to Port Douglas

• Sea Temple is the major resort that is top drawer, and it has a golf course, but it is a long way from town (not walkable).  Choose it only if you have a car, or if being close to the action is not important to you.
• Be careful about the outfitter you choose to take you to the Great Barrier Reef.  Find out how many people will travel on the boat with you, where they go, if they actually go to the reef or just to a pontoon station, and if they are a “snorkel only” trip or also take divers.  The snorkel/dive trips put the divers in the water before the snorkelers can leave the boat.  Don’t select your reef trip based on price alone–the old saying, “You get what you pay for”  is so true in this case!
• The “Walk-Up” bottle shop on the main street has the best prices on wine.
• Check out the menu at the Peninsula Boutique Hotel.  Their Thursday “Seafood Night” was spectacular.  Owner Sharyn is a wonderful hostess.
• Have dinner at the “Tin Shed” (also known as the Combined Club).  It is on the water, is a great place to watch the sunset, and has live entertainment on Friday nights.  Try the Seafood Extravaganza for two, a bargain at $68.50, which includes a bottle of wine.

   

  

  Seafood Extravaganza at the Tin Shed

• Wear sunscreen at all times during daylight hours.

  Australias første europeiske innvandring var fanger fra Engelske fengsel. På denne lille sandbanken fikk en assosiasjoner til dette faktum. Vi oppholdt oss her innimellom snorkling og dykking. Det var fullt med svarte terner som lå i sanden, som i et fengsel…  Denne måken var fangevokteren og spankulerte fram og tilbake for å passe på!   Han glemte en ting, – vingene…. Hva er vel bedre enn å være fri som fuglen? Lufta ble skikkelig tett hver gang de lettet, alle på samme tid!  Solnedgangen var flott! En verdig avslutning på en opplevelsesrik dag!

So, a few moments ago I was trolling through the internet looking to see if I could see any info about my sister’s friend who was just the other day one of the luckiest people on the planet – she was an Olympic torch bearer in our home province of New Brunswick. I didn’t find anything (yet) about Christine, but I did find something that made me proud & at the same time very angry (on 2 fronts)

I found this article written by what in my estimation is some pompous jerk from Toronto, where he refered to New Brunswick as a “Have Not” province. I take real offence to that, Mr. Roy McGregor of the Globe & Mail - I bet you have never been to New Brunswick. While its residents may not be as rich as those from Toronto, have you ever given thought to why that part of the country is poorer? Historically, Upper Canada raped Atlantic Canada of its wealth to take care of itself & Atlantic Canada has paid the price ever since.

Ok, so that was part of what made me angry – the other part is that they would even think about harnessing the tides in Fundy. As the article points out, the area is incredibly diverse in marine life & anything that would upset that balance can, in my eyes at least, be seen only as a catastrophe. LEAVE FUNDY ALONE!!!

Now, what made me proud? This: “…….That reality could even get stickier if some of the people gathered here this day – Rick Flanagan included – are able to get their beloved Bay of Fundy named one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

“New7Wonders of Nature” is an international website campaign that began in 2007 and has whittled down 440 nominations to a list of 28, with final voting and decision due in 2011. (Canadians can vote by going to www.votemyfundy.com.)

The Bay of Fundy is the only Canadian entry to survive the cuts, but is up against such formidable competition as the Grand Canyon, Ayers Rock, the Amazon, the Galapagos, Mount Kilimanjaro and the Great Barrier Reef.”

How cool is that? The Bay of Fundy – the source of so many happy memories of growing up in New Brunswick, is the sole Canadian representative in the finals of the “New 7 Wonders of Nature” Sad that I sit here knowing that it probably won’t be voted one of the 7 wonders, but what an achievement to make it to the final!

So, to you my fellow Canadians, I say “GO VOTE!!” Bay of Fundy, please!

Grouper love

Great Barrier Reef, Australia – How many people have a grouper fall in love with them? How many people get to see sharks sleeping on the floor of the ocean? I did when I went diving in the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia many years ago. For the diving fanatic, there is nothing else like it!

The gentle giant fish, probably a Malabar Grouper, became obsessed with me while I was diving in the Great Barrier Reef. I found out later the Malabar Grouper is one of the largest and most common types of cod found in the Australia Reef. They can grow to be as large as 1.2m (almost four feet long!) and 150 kg (over 330 pounds!) They can even live up to forty years old. I’m not sure how old the grouper was that fell in love with me but he seemed to have experience with humans. This guy event tried to bum a ride on my shoulder!

Australian Grouper on a "Swim About"

At the time I was diving with the grouper I wore an O’Neill wetsuit. I was from California and O’Neill was the brand to wear (and still is!). I never imagined at that time that I’d ever get the chance to meet the namesake of my wetsuit but a couple of weeks ago, as a board member of the Common Wealth Club of San Francisco, I had the pleasure of meeting Jack O’Neill to invite him to accept a Spirit of California Award at his lovely home on the coast in Santa Cruz. What a treat! Mr. O’Neill will be honored at the Annual Distinguished Award Dinner in April 2010. Here’s a link to the announcement and details of the dinner:  http://www.commonwealthclub.org/annualdinner/ Come meet the wetsuit innovator and the man who made it possible for me to get so close to my underwater Australian friends.

The Big Cheese -- Jack O'Neill

I loved Australia. You can’t help but love Australia. Many people I’ve talked to want to retire there. It’s a “come back” place — a place you need to keep checking in with to see how it has changed and how much it has stayed true to itself.

I’ll be returning to Australia early in 2010 with a group organized by Casto Travel. I can’t wait to experience an Australian summer in my winter and visit my friends down under!

Next week we’ll meet in Fiji on a private island. See you then!

Great Barrier Reef Survival “Requires 25 Percent CO2 Cut

Date: 20-Nov-09
Country: AUSTRALIA
Author: Amy Pyett

SYDNEY – Australia’s Great Barrier Reef has only a 50 percent chance of survival if global CO2 emissions are not reduced at least 25 percent by 2020, a coalition of Australia’s top reef and climate scientists said on Tuesday.

The 13 scientists said even deeper cuts of up to 90 percent by 2050 would necessary if the reef was to survive future coral bleaching and coral death caused by rising ocean temperatures.

“We’ve seen the evidence with our own eyes. Climate change is already impacting the Great Barrier Reef,” Terry Hughes, director of the ARC Center of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University, said in a briefing to Australian MPs on Tuesday.

Australia, one of the world’s biggest CO2 emitters per capita, has only pledged to cut its emissions by five percent from 2000 levels by 2020.

It has said it would go further, with a 25 percent cut, if a tough international climate agreement is reached at U.N. climate talks in Copenhagen in December, but this is looking increasingly unlikely with legally binding targets now off the agenda.

“This is our Great Barrier Reef. If Australia doesn’t show leadership by reducing emissions to save the reef, who will?” asked scientist Ken Baldwin, in calling for Australia to lead the way in cutting emissions.

But the Australian government is struggling to have a hostile Senate pass its planned emission trading scheme. A final vote is expected next week.

The World Heritage-protected Great Barrier Reef sprawls for more than 345,000 square km (133,000 sq miles) off Australia’s east coast and can be seen from space.

The Australian scientists said more than 100 nations had endorsed a goal of limiting average global warming to no more than two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial temperatures, but even that rise would endanger coral reefs.

The scientists said global warming was already threatening the economic value of the Great Barrier Reef which contributes A$5.4 billion to the Australian economy each year from fishing, recreational usage and tourism.

The U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has concluded that the Great Barrier Reef could be “functionally extinct” within decades, with deadly coral bleaching likely to be an annual occurrence by 2030.

Bleaching occurs when the tiny plant-like coral organisms die, often because of higher temperatures, and leave behind only a white limestone reef skeleton.

(Editing by Michael Perry)

© Thomson Reuters 2009 All rights reserved

For the past four years my family has gone to a co-op for science. This has been a fun experience. Each year changes a little more. This year is earth science. Right now, they are all studying the 7 natural wonders of the world. 

Their teacher and fellow mom is doing a fantastic job and has lit a fire under my kids to learn more to get points so they can get a stamp in their ‘passport’ as they “travel around the world”. Some of the things they can do to earn points is: draw pictures of the different wonders, create a game to play, read/bring in a book on a wonder, calculate the distances from point A to B, and other research. My kids have really been going at it. Lovely!

J is in the process of creating a 7 wonders game based off the game Fact or Crap. Our wall map has a route from PA to the Grand Canyon, Az to Paricutin Volcano in Mexico, to the Rio de Janeiro Harbor, to Victoria Falls in Zambia/Zimbabwe, to the Aurora Borealis in the North Pole, Mount Everest in China, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, and ending with an ice cream party in Hawaii. (Dad will help with the distance calculations.) Internet searches are being made, and pictures of being drawn. Overall, this has been fun and I’m learning a lot as well.

I began thinking of the all the wonders they are studying and the fact that they are natural, not man-made. So this is what I came up with and looked in awe at the wonders God has made in children.

1. Like the Grand Canyon, children are deep and profound (thinkers) and have many layers to them. Searching out each layer takes time and gentleness. And like the river that runs south to north through the canyon, sometimes kids just have to be different and go against the flow; whether it be strong-willed, super-smart, or painfully shy.

2. Kids grow FAST! Paricutin volcano was seen growing by a farmer (b/c it began in his corn field) and then by the town a short time later. Within the first year of its life, the Paricutin volcano had reached 3/4 of its height. That’s some fast movin’! And I’m always telling my kids to stop growing (you know I wouldn’t miss watching them grow for anything in the world)! 

3. Have you tried looking at things from your child’s perspective lately?The harbor at Rio de Janeiro is said to best be seen from all the different perspectives offered in the area. Sugar Loaf mountain and Corcovado offer two unique views of the harbor.  God gave children the ability to see with eyes that we adults usually forget about. Remember the movie BIG? He made a difference in a huge toy company b/c he saw things from a child’s point of view. And like the unique views from the mountains of the harbor, kids have several ways of looking at things. I know my children WOW me on a pretty regular basis.

4. Kids are NOISY! But look at them and listen to them like you might if you were seeing Victoria Falls in Africa – awe-inspiring beauty and deafeningly loud. There have been times when I hear the kids making lots of noise for no apparent reason. But when I go to ask them to stop I listen to what is being said. There have been some awesome worship songs being sung, some prayers being sang and sweet communion going on with the Lord. A couple of times I have walked away smiling and praising God – and there may have been a tear or two – but don’t tell anyone.

5. Kids are just plain fun to watch! The Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) is fun to watch – even if it’s just on TV or the internet. To quote a website we’ve been using to get some information for school, ”The best ways to experience the aurora or northern lights is to stand in amazement and watch them dance across the sky.” The things my kids come up with in their imaginations are crazy and then to watch them put on a show for you. Maybe it’s not Broadway material, but hey, it’s free and definitely entertaining.

6. Reach for the stars! Capture the moon! Go out of this world! OR maybe it’s just to reach the summit of the highest mountain in the world – Everest. Do kids know how to dream or what?! Dream big – you could change the world – even if you fail. What are the dreams of your kids? Mine go back and forth from many things, but I am building their strengths and letting God add what he needs to. When I was in college and doing my student teaching, there was a 5th grader who wanted to be an astronaut. I don’t know if he’ll make it that far (he’d only be out of college now a couple of years), but I sure wasn’t going to discourage him that dream. A friend of mine has an autistic daughter whose dream is to be the first Christian autistic film director. I have seen some of the strengths in her that she would need to accomplish this feat – and her parents are doing what they can to cultivate this dream for her.  

7. Finally, the Great Barrier Reef. I go back to Psalm 139:14 “I am fearfully and wonderfully made”. The Reef is the largest eco-system in the world. Think of all the coral and plants and fish that can be found there. The sand bars and the deep parts. What a fantastic place to visit (one day). Scientists are still learning things about the Reef. Now, think about the complexity of the human body and how great it is. Cells and cell division, organs that work precisely at the right time in conjunction with other organs, eyes that see upside down to be turned around so we see right-side up, hair that grows, but is really dead, and so on.  Scientists are still learning about the human body and always will I imagine. Parents all over the world count fingers and toes upon the arrival of their newborn child. Isn’t He great and marvelous and awesome and mighty…?

These are the things I thought of today. My kids are wonderfully made and they have a destiny that I desire to see them walk in. I hope this has been an encouragement to many. God bless!

Overwhelming, majestic and incredible are words that scratch at the surface of diving in the reef. The saltwater tasted sweet considering our journey. Our boat sat privately docked in the sun beyond the storms tormenting the coast, no other vessel in sight. The reef visible from the deck.

Here is what I can remember seeing on one dive (35min @ 17 meters)- A Flatback and Hawksbill turtle, Black Saddled Toby, White Tip Reef Shark, Razor fish, Six Banded Angle fish, Hump Headed Wrasse, Ornate Boxfish, Blue Putler, Stars and stripes Toadfish, Gold Lined Spinefoot, Gar Fish, Gree Trigger fish, a ton of different Parrot Fish, millions of different coral, Simoe.

This is a thriving city, reef stacked like sky scrappers with 30 meter trenches surrounding them. The reef’s steep walls house millions of distractions, life living within life. A variable New York City of the sea. Fish commuting busily, homeless hermit crabs with paper bagged 40oz’ers and turtles soaring by like odd shaped slow motion dragons. Giant brain coral housed giant clams with glowing purple lips that change color. The overall effect is a giant brain with multiple mouths that move and change color when they feel water pressure change around them, as you approach they look as if they begin talking. Im sure whatever they where saying, it was very wise or very profane.

If there is one profane sea creature its the Parrot Fish. I was laughing through my regulator when I spotted some perverted Parrot Fish gliding over the reef ejaculating randomly. I later found out that they where not ejaculating but pooping on the reef. Perhaps it was the very odd but hilarious little blond mustache that decorates the upper lip of the flamboyant fish that lead me to believe that his intent was sexual. After all, they look the type of fish that would work at the Jefferson Theater in South East. The truth is that they posses massive teeth that look like Jaws from James Bond, allowing them to chomp huge chunks of the reef and then digest it into…well, sand. Yep, they poop sand and then we walk on it. You can actually hear them chomping away as if the rock solid reef where a bowl of Honey Comb.

If I hadn’t jumped in with the Grand Tarvelle (spelling/pronunciation still unknown to me), the Hump Headed Wrasse would have freaked me out. His grey earthy tones are in stark contrast to the other bright fish, along with his larger size (2ftish). He paced back and forth under me letting big fish yawns go, as if he was letting me know he could fit a good portion of my foot in his mouth. Soon, I was on to his game. Since it was reef spawning, he was probably protecting some eggs. His odd sideways swimming was to only show me his thick side, so he looked bigger. Kinda like those guys at the club that wear really tight shirts.

As we came around one bend in the reef, Simoe pointed out a dark shark sitting lazy close on the bottom. He was probably a little larger than two meters but its hard to tell because water magnifies everything, especially when its this clear. He was close enough to see his unblinking eyes.It wasn’t long before he decided to take off.

Lastly, we went through a 20 meter cave. Awesome, thats all I can say about that. On the other side we found sea cucumbers.One round, shaped like a two foot green maggot and the other about the same size but tan with distinct pyramid shaped spikes. Simoe picked up the green one and started to pass it around like a rugby ball. The Cucumber had had enough and decide to do what I did in the morning; it puked its guts out, literally. This animals defense is to puke its insides out and instantly grow new ones. It looked like jelly fish tentacles suddenly sprouted from its end, translucent and waving in the current. Perhaps it was its punk rock spikes, but the other cucumber was tougher. Letting us pick it up and hold it long enough for it to attach its self to our hands with hundreds of funny suction cups.

I apologize to any marine biologists that would like to point out that any of these species aren’t found on Hook Reef or Stepping Stones, I tried to memorize the fish then look them up. I would also like to apologize to anyone with a spell check, I dont really have time to double check fish names. I could only remember a third of what I saw, oh and the last one was our instructor who was probably the weirdest looking creature in the sea that day.

On a more depressing note, the Australian government released a statement yesterday that the reef will be the one of the first things destroyed by global warming.A rise of two degress will kill the reef and it will be destoyed in 50 years at the rate its happening at. To put it in perspective the El Nino seasons that give Portland so much rain, would just about destroy the reef. So visit while you can and ride a bike.

Morning started bent over a railing puking up breakfast, laughing because I knew that it needed to be done to get my sea legs back under me. It took three days but I finally fell to constant pull of the sea. I immediately felt better, and returned from the railing smiling. Nothing hurt but my pride.By the time I dug into my second breakfast we had reached the turquoise shield of largest living organism on the planet earth.

More “shark” whispers where on the lips of patrons peering over the oak railing, still collectively queasy and in awe of the endless clear water. First one, then three and finally five dark figures circled below the boat. Stiff dorsal fins occasionally breaching the water. Deck hands: Benny and Ecka, where quick to point out that not all huge fish with distinct dorsal fins are sharks. They where, in fact, Grand Tarvelle-a fish so mean that sharks the same size wont mess with it. “Sea wolves” is what Ecka called them in a heavy Aussie surf bro accent, “they aren’t scared of anyone…just the most gnarly look’n fish.” Then adding, “Go ahead, jump in and check out how ugly they are.” I was eager to conquer any big fish fears early on, so I wouldn’t be timid 20 meters down. I grabbed my mask and fins and ran for the back of the boat.

A small crowd was staring at me like I was a monster truck driver suspended in the air over an endless row of junked cars. I lept in, as the bubble curtin lifted I was greeted with exactly what Ecka described, one very gnarly looking fish. Gold eyes glinting unflinching in my presence. I have never been in the water with a fish literally half my size. It was bony and pitch black, only accented by grey fin tips. Somehow it was exciting and scary at the exact same time.It was clear that I was only a visitor and my visit was being expedited. The first passed close enough to touch, followed by two more. Soon, huge down turned toothy mouths where surrounding me, taking turns to circle the closest as if they had a running bet on who could get me out the fastest.

My mind could only keep track of one, maybe two at a time and the pack mentality paired with Ecka’s wolf analogy had me gasping through my narrow snorkel. I didn’t really know what else to do so I attempted my best dolphin impersonation and jumped straight out the water into the Zodiac craft. I did it so fast, its no wonder my shorts weren’t left floating in the water. My total time was probably 30, maybe 40 seconds.

The small group on the deck laughed, I laughed and the deck hands where crying. “Well, I dont see any of you down there!” was all I could gasp.

“I owe you a beer for that one Chris!” yelled Ecka through tears. Good thing I kept my shorts on.

Here are more pictures of our day at the Great Barrier Reef:

Catamaran docked at pontoon at Morse Reef

And lots of bigger fishies!

That’s all for today.  Not feeling great so off to bed.

Forbes magazine pointed out the 13 most spectacular seas, coral reefs and beaches to be explored by divers in the world in 2009. Places like Fiji, Red Sea and the Bahamas are just some of the points that should be idyllic in the list of upcoming destinations according to the vehicle.

Check out the list:

San Blas Islands, Panama
Despite being a region controlled by native peoples that destroyed part of the coral reefs are completely untouchable in the San Blas Islands. In the eastern region, tours take tourists to places completely untouched crystal clear waters. Already in the west, wreck up the landscape of Los Cayos Grullos.

Phi Phi Islands, Thailand
At other times only frequented by climbers, the islands of Phi Phi was eventually discovered by divers. The main point is Hing Klang, a reef located between the islands of Phi Phi Don and Bamboo One of the highlights is the amount of tropical fish that can be seen.

Safaga, Egypt
These shallow reefs in the Egyptian Red Sea attracts both experienced and amateurs. The dolphins, octopuses, fish, clown fish and sea lions, one of the most poisonous in the world, are just some of the illustrious inhabitants of the area. In Soma Bay is a pier that allows excellent option only diving mask. Tours also take tourists to a small sand island in the middle of the sea.

Culebra, Puerto Rico
If money is a problem, Culebra is the best choice. In a trip that will cost five dollars, you get to the beach Flamenco came from the main island of Puerto Rico. The beach is famous for camping and parties, but to walk for 20 minutes until Carlos Rosario, find one of the best dive sites in the Caribbean.

Salt Cay, Turks & Caicos, British Caribbean
As Safaga, the main attraction of Salt Cay is the marine life. Sharks and rays can be seen on tours by the corals in the region. If you visit in winter, it is likely that you will hear the song of the humpback whales and even see. There is also a disaster to be visited and several near-shore reefs.

Rurutu, French Polynesia
The best place to see whales is Rurutu. Between July and October, humpback whales migrate from Antarctica to the waters off Polynesia. If you’re lucky you can get very close to the mammal.

St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
Being almost an entire national park, St. John is almost intact. Beginners can start at Trunk Bay, where there is a “trail” that goes underwater guiding the main attractions. For the more experienced, some points can be reached from beaches like Haulover Bay and Leinster Bay

Makaha Beach Park, Oahu, Hawaii
One of the most accessible of the list, the waters of Makaha Beach Park offers a visibility of more than 30 meters. You can see sponges, fish, rays, huge turtles and dolphins, but in winter, diving may be prohibited because of waves and surfers who look after the beach.

Water Bunaken National Park, Indonesia
This environmental reserve is composed of 97% water, and Water Bunaken National Park is renowned for its diversity of corals, invertebrates and more than 2.5 thousand species of fish that inhabit the region.

Great Barrier Reef, Australia
The largest coral reef in the world can be visited on day trips out of Port Douglas, tourist town closest to the reef. The main point are the parts of the outer edge called Agincourt Reefs. Other options are the islets of Heron and Lady Elliot with his rays, turtles, nudibranchs and molluscs.

Florida Spring Holes, Florida
The only list with fresh water. In addition to region-specific fish, crocodiles give tone to the place. A good point is Silver Glen Springs, Ocala National Forest, with its vast marine life. The Blue Spring State Park is also true, but it may be discontinued if manatees are passing by.

Fiji
This complex of 330 islands is a paradise. Corals emerge from the deep ocean to shallow areas, home to sea stars, sea urchins, sharks, rays. Reefs are visited on tour or accessed by the coast itself.

Bimini Islands, Bahamas
Here grace is the mystery. A curious formation of two rectangular parallel lines, according to legend, would lead to Atlantis, the Lost City of the Atlantic Ocean. Another highlight is a boat sank during a hurricane in 1926. Dolphins also inhabit the region.

When we planned the trip, there were four main things that Tony wanted to do.  The first was to rent a car and go to the Twelve Apostles and Port Campbell.  We did that.  In Cairns, he wanted to go snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef and go to Kuranda in the rainforest.  So now that we were in Cairns, it was time to take on another of the things on his list: the Great Barrier Reef.

We left our hotel early to walk the mile to the harbor where we boarded the catamaran for our reserved trip.  It was a two hour catamaran trip out to Morse Reef where our catamaran docked at a pontoon for the day’s activities.  I cannot swim so I did not sign up for the snorkeling but there were other things to do, such as the Glass Bottom Boat and the Semi Submersible.  Tony can swim so he signed up for the snorkeling and went a step further and booked the advanced snorkeling trip during which they take a group of 4 or 5 at a time for a 40 minute adventure outside of the cordoned off area where everyone else goes snorkeling.  It was so wonderful for me to see him so excited about this activity.  This was, afterall, his trip.  I wanted to make sure that he got to do everything he wanted to do.  I didn’t want him to miss anything because I could not do it.

The water, the fish, and the coral, as seen through the glass of the semi submersible and the glass bottom boat were amazing.  I took way too many pictures to share here but I am posting a few below and will post more tomorrow.  Enjoy.  And yes, the water was really that color!

El Capitan

Today I went down to the beautiful Darling Harbour to check out the Travel mania that has swept through Sydney this weekend. My focus was on the Adventure Travel & Backpacker Expo but it was easy to get distracted with Mind Body and Spirit as well as two other festivals going on around there.

My greatest surprise of the day was to get into the Expo at around 3pm (closes at 4pm) and see that it was already time to start celebrating the success of the day. However, my sources inform me that the whole expo is like one big backpacker travel party. Good people, travel on the brain, beers and other beverages flowing and generally a great vibe throughout the whole place.

The expo is run by  http://www.myadventureexpo.com/and sponsored by Myexpotravel (http://www.myexpotravel.com/) aswell as TNT Magazine and YHA Australia. The goal of the event is for people interested in travelling in Australia and Around the World, who have a focus on Adventure and Backpacker style travel to connect and learn more about what’s on offer. And man was there a lot on show!

From overseas work to Incredible India, Bungee Jumping in New Zealand and Volunteering in schools in Africa. You had the latest in backpacker accessories, the best in accommodation and backpacking locations around Australia as well as the cream of the crop for Travel agents and guides. Throw in some competitions, live music, 1000’s of brochures, lollies and FREE giveaways and you’ve got the traveller’s dream day.

My favourite stand was definitely the crew from Cairns! They set up a bar and the tunes were pumping out all day. Win friends and influence people with FREE Beer, these guys are on to a good thing.  I was also very impressed with an up and coming group, DragonBus. www.dragonbuschina.com was launched last night and they will be offering a hop on/ hop off bus service in China. You also can’t miss the fun teams at TNT Magazine and TravelManagers for their down to earth vibe and great advice (Contact NickBowditch for all the best deals!)

I really took away from this Expo just how little I know about Australian Travel and the many wonderful places that this great country has to offer. I have been to some of the “must see” destinations in the world- Eiffel Tower in Paris, Taj Mahal in India, Pyramids of Mexico and Oktoberfest of Munich. Sadly though, I have not seen Australia’s Great Barrier Reef or Ayers Rock. I haven’t even been to some of our major cities like Hobart, Adelaide or Darwin. It was definitely a bit of home truth for me and Australia is now at the top of my travel list!

The event is on again tomorrow, 8 November 2009 at the Exhibition & Convention Centre (Darling Harbour). Grab a few mates, cool down with a beer and you can start planning your next big adventure!

For FREE ENTRY visit: http://mytraveladventure.com.au/free-sydney-expo-ticket/

These pictures illustrate our trip to The Great Barrier Reef.  Firstly we took a bus from Brisbane to 1770 (yes, the only Australian city whose name is a number) with a quick stop in Childers just to have lunch and afterwards we continued our journey to Agnes Water were we just did a quick stop and headed towards 1770 where we stayed in the Backpackers.  Next morning we had breakfast and took a boat towards Lady Musgrave Island,  a 2.5 hour shaky, tilting, bobbing trip to The Great Barrier Reef.

See the photos and enjoy this beautiful place. The only part that I did not enjoy was that it took so long to get there, and so little time to do the snorkeling… Since we arrived later than the other boats, all the good spots were taken…

The first recorded “discovery” of the reef occurred when Lieutenant James Cook crashed into it in 1770. Although Cook’s quick-thinking crew was able to repair the ship and sail on, the reef has caused many shipwrecks, which continue to be popular dive sites for the millions of tourists who explore the reef’s waters every year.

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Fabio

WARNING! THIS ITINERARY MAY CAUSE ENVY. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

2010 New Zealand-Australia Itinerary

Minneapolis to Queenstown, NZ – Saturday Jan 2 – Monday Jan 4.

United Airlines 586 – Minneapolis to Chicago – 1:30- 2:52 pm – 1.3 hrs

United Airlines 107 – Chicago to Los Angeles – 4:00 – 6:34 pm – 4.5 hrs

Air New Zealand 1 – Los Angeles to Auckland – 9:15 – 7:05 am – 12 hrs

Air New Zealand 639 – Auckland to Queenstown – 10:00 – 11:50 am – 1.7 hrs

We cross the International Date Line and lose January 3rd.  However, on the way back we experience January 29^th twice.  Look forward to the wonderful Air New Zealand service! Good meals, movies, and more hours for sleep than normal.

At noon on Monday, January 4^th we arrive in beautiful Queenstown, surrounded by mountains and the shores of Lake Wakatipu. It is the middle of summer with daylight lasting for 17 hours. Our hotel is perfectly located next to the lake in the heart of Queenstown. We have class for two hours and then take a gondola up the mountain to a spectacular overlook.   It has a restaurant, a luge run, and a platform for bungee jumpers. We spend the rest of the day recovering from jet lag, exploring Queenstown, and going to bed early.

Queenstown (January 4 to 11) Stay seven nights at the Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, Earl & Marine Parade, Queenstown, South Island, NZ.  Phone is 011-64-3-442-7469.

January 5 - Morning class from 8 to 1 p.m.  The class watches a high profile cricket game on a large screen with the assistance of a cricket expert who will answer questions.  Afterwards the class practices cricket skills and plays cricket with the assistance of coaches.

January 6 - Morning class is from 8 to 1 p.m.  The class watches high profile rugby and netball competition with the assistance of experts who will answer questions.  Afterwards the class practices rugby and netball skills and plays these sports with the assistance of coaches.

January 7 - Class departs at 8 am for a bus ride along Lake Wakatipu, through Glenorchy, and up to the head of the famous Routeburn Track.  We spend much of the day hiking into and out of the famous valley where Lord of the Rings was filmed.

January 8 - Morning class at 8 am to 10 am followed by a Kiwi Haka Maori Cultural Experience in the Queen Elizabeth Gardens.  We learn about Maori traditional culture and values and their relationship to sporting activities.    Afternoon sporting options include white water rafting. In the evening we take a cruise on the vintage steamship The TSS Earnslaw.  Enjoy the Wakatipu scenery as we cruise to the Walter Peak Station.  Enjoy a great BBQ dinner, farm displays, sheep shearing and a sing-along as we cruise back to Queenstown, arriving at 10:00 pm.

January 9 - Morning class is from 8 until 11:30 a.m.   Part of the morning is spent in the Queen Elizabeth Gardens with the local lawn bowling club participating in lawn bowling.  In the evening the class attends the Rugby 7’s tournament that is held in Queenstown.

January 10 - This is a free day with many options.  One is a bus trip to Fiordland.  We go over Kawarau Dam Bridge to Kingston, through Mossburn, and along the shores of Lake Te Anau and Cascade Creek.  Then we pass through the Homer Tunnel, enter Cleddau Canyon, and descend into spectacular Milford Sound.  We take a cruise out to the Tasman Sea past Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls.  Seals and dolphins are usually visible.  The bus returns the same evening to Queenstown.

Queenstown, NZ to Cairns, Australia- Monday, Jan. 11, 10 am to 10:15 pm

Air New Zealand 636 – Queenstown to Christchurch – 10:35 – 11:20 am – 45 min

Air New Zealand 205 – Christchurch to Brisbane – 3:40 – 4:30 pm – 4 hours

Qantas 786 – Brisbane to Cairns – 7:55 – 10:15 pm – 2.25 hours

We fly to Cairns (pronounced Cans), the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest.  We arrive in the tropics, where the days are shorter (about 12 hours) and the heat and humidity can be oppressive.  The “birds” that you hear and see at night are not birds.  They are giant fruit bats with wingspans up to four feet, feeding on fruits in the treetops.

Cairns – (January 11- 16) Stay 5 nights at the Cairns Colonial Club, 18-26 Cannon Street, Cairns, Australia.  Phone is 011- 61-74053-8834

January 12 - A coach picks us up at 7:00 am. We go by bus to the Cairns Marina where we board the Silverswift, a ship that takes us out to the Great Barrier Reef.  Travel time is used for journal entries. Snorkeling is included. Join a marine naturalist on a guided snorkel tour, learning and seeing the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef.   Scuba diving is optional and costs extra.

January 13 - Morning class is from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.  A coach picks us up at 8:45 am.  We go to the Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary near Port Douglas.  Trained wildlife experts show us unique Australian animals and birds up close on a guided lecture and tour through the facility. Afterwards we return to Cairns for optional activities.

January 14 - A coach picks us up at 8:20 a.m.  Morning class is at the Tjapukai Aboriginal Center from 8:40 am until noon.  We concentrate on the place of sports within traditional Aboriginal culture. We see a movie, listen to a lecture, and experience Aboriginal dances, native wildlife, and spear and boomerang throwing.  At noon we take a 7-mile gondola ride (longest in the world), over the canopy of the rainforest and up the side of a mountain to Kuranda, an Aboriginal town.  The afternoon includes time at a flea market that sells local clothing and crafts.  We return to the hotel by bus at 3:30 p.m.

January 15 - Morning class is from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the hotel. Optional activities are possible in the afternoon. A free shuttle bus leaves the hotel for downtown Cairns hourly.

January 16 - Morning class is from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the hotel.  We depart for Melbourne in the afternoon.

Cairns, Australia to Melbourne, Australia. Saturday Jan. 16. 12:40 to 5:05 p.m.

Qantas 703 – Cairns to Melbourne – 12:40 to 5:05 pm – 3.5 hours

We fly to Melbourne (pronounced mel-bun), and take a quick tour of the city.

Melbourne (January 16-23) Stay seven nights at the Batman’s Hill on Collins, 623 Collins St., Melbourne, Australia.  Phone is 011-61-3614-6344.

The class meets daily from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m., studying sports ethics topics that relate to both Australian and American culture.  The sites for class include Melbourne parks, gardens, shrines, and museums.  We also learn about Australian history, government, and culture, knowing that this information is important background for understanding sport ethics in Australia.  At 11 am the class moves on to the National Tennis Center, where we have tickets for the first five days of the Australian Open.  A beautiful plaza area outside the stadium is an excellent place to interview fans and gather sportsmanship questionnaire responses.

The hotel is near Melbourne’s business district and the Melbourne Convention Centre.  The Yarra River, with a beautiful promenade and footbridges, stretches for two miles from our hotel to the National Tennis Center.  We are within walking distance of the Victorian Arts Centre, the National Gallery, the Shrine of Remembrance, the King’s Domain, the Royal Botanic Gardens, the State Parliament House, Fitzroy Gardens, Captain Cook’s cottage, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Australian Gallery of Sport, and Queen Victoria Market.

January 17 - A day without class or tickets to the Australian Open creates the opportunity for a number of interesting alternatives.  Consider the Royal Melbourne Zoo, one of the finest in the world.  Or go to the National Gallery of Victoria.  The Melbourne Cricket Ground, which seats 120,000 spectators for important test matches, is located next to the National Tennis Center.  A short train ride takes us to Kooyong Stadium, the site of the Australian Open before 1988, when it was played on grass.  Another short ride on the tram goes to St. Kilda Beach.  Or we can choose trips to the Great Ocean Road or Phillip Island with its Fairy Penguins.

January 18 - Morning class is from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m.  Included is an hour at the Shrine of Remembrance.  We observe its beauty, learn about Australia’s involvement in war and their appreciation of veterans, and see the city of Melbourne from a special vantage point.  At 11 a.m. we walk to the National Tennis Center, watch the first day of matches at the Australian Open, and interview spectators.

January 19 - Morning class is from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. After is an hour at Queen Victoria’s Market, which is famous to all Australians for a wide variety of foods, clothing, and merchandise at bargain prices.  The rich and poor from a surprising number of ethnic backgrounds shop and sell here.  Afterwards the free City Circle trolley takes us to the National Tennis Center.

January 20 - Morning class from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. Included is an hour at the Victorian Parliament House.  Afterwards we take a short walk to the National Tennis Center.

January 21 - Morning class from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. After is an hour at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a beautiful Gothic structure that rivals the great cathedrals of Europe.  Started in 1850, it is the largest in Australia.  After class we stop in the Fitzroy and Treasury Gardens as we walk to the National Tennis Center.

January 22 - Morning class from 8:30 to 11:00 am after, we go to the Royal Botanic Gardens, rated as one of the finest in the world.  Within its 100 acres are 12,000 species of native and imported plants and trees.

Melbourne to Sydney- Saturday, Jan. 23 – 10:00- 11:25 am.

Qantas 422 – Melbourne to Sydney – 10 to 11:25 am. – 1.5 hours

We transfer by coach from the hotel to the airport for our flight to Sydney.  The largest Australian city is famous for its beautiful harbor, attractive surfing beaches, and the famous Sydney Opera House.  We arrive in time for the Sydney Festival, a three-week cultural celebration that ends on January 26^th, Australia’s Independence Day. The city comes alive with fireworks displays, tall ships in the harbor, Opera in the park, parades, concerts, choirs, and performing groups from all over the world.

Sydney (January 23- 29) Stay six nights at the Novotel on Darling Harbor, 100 Murray St., Sydney, Aust.  Phone is 011-61-2-9288-7174. The hotel is located next to Darling Harbor within easy walking distance of downtown Sydney.

January 23 - At 2:30 p.m., after checking in to the hotel and having lunch at one of the many restaurants that surround Darling Harbor, we take a walking tour through Sydney.  It ends at the Circular Quay (pronounced “key”); where boats, subways, busses, taxis, and an elevated rail all converge.  We will learn about daily and weekly passes that permit us to use most of Sydney’s transportation options.  It is fun to explore Sydney with a travel guide and an excellent public transportation system.  Returning to Darling Harbor by boat is the preferred way to go.

January 24 - Morning class is from 8:30 to 11 a.m.   After class we go by boat to Circular Quay and then across the Sydney Harbor to Manly, one of Sydney’s two most famous beaches.

January 25 - Morning class is from 8:30 to 11 am after; we go to the beautiful St. Mary’s Cathedral, the largest and one of the oldest churches in Sydney.  The afternoon offers opportunities for sports participation travel to Bondi beach by train, or exploration of other points of interest.

January 26 - There is no morning class. We take full advantage of all the Independence Day activities.  See the tall ships in the Harbour near the Sydney Opera House.  Listen to the free music on the streets and in the parks.  Enjoy the parades and special displays on the streets.  Eat the wide variety of foods that are being sold at numerous street stands.  Interact with Australian families who are enjoying a special day with each other and friends.  Go to the special services where new immigrants become citizens.  And do not miss the huge fireworks display in the middle of Darling Harbor, right in front of our hotel.  Some 200,000 people crowd into the plaza areas around the harbor, making it nearly impossible to walk.

January 27 - Morning class is from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.  Afterwards we go to the Art Gallery of New South Wales. We study its fine collections of Australian and Aboriginal Art, noting particularly the religious and ethical values revealed in the art that relate to sports participation.    In the evening we attend opera at the famous Sydney Opera House.  The opera is La Travolta by Verdi.  This is a love story set in Paris in 1850.  A woman sacrifices herself for her lover to allow him to fulfill his family obligations.

January 28 - Morning class is from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.  Afterwards we go to the Chinese Garden, located near Darling Harbor.  The beauty and tranquility that has been created here in the midst of a busy city is amazing.

Sydney to Auckland, NZ and Auckland to Minneapolis. Friday Jan. 29. 11:30 to 8:15 p.m.

Air New Zealand 104 – Sydney to Auckland – 11:30 to 4:35 pm – 5 hrs

Air New Zealand 6 – Auckland to Los Angeles – 7:15 to 10:15 am – 11 hrs

Northwest 2698 – Los Angeles to Minneapolis – 3:00 to 8:38 pm – 4 hrs

Students going to Minneapolis continue by plane home.  Those who choose to spend touring week in Fiji spend the evening in Auckland.

Many pictures and great stories to come.

The long and the short of it all.

In little over a month I will be heading to Irkutsk, Russia in Siberia. As I count down the days I can’t help but  feel excited but also nervous to leave everything that I have ever known behind. Having never layed foot on foreign soil, (well, there was that one time in Mexico, but that was back when you didn’t even need a passport so we won’t count that) I can honestly say that this adventure that I am about to embark on, is going to be the experience of a lifetime. I can also truly say I have no idea what to expect.

As many of you may know, I attended the Russian Language School at Middlebury College this summer. It was 9 weeks of intense Russian learning, no English and of course preparation for my actual travel to Russia, did I mention it was amazing?. In my time there, I was blessed with the one of the best professors I have ever had the pleasure of studying with. Tatiana Edyardovna, a full-time professor at Middlebury during the regular school year, and Russian native has given me everything I will need to survive these 6 months in Irkutsk and around Russia. Not to mention, with her help and watchful eye this summer, I think I now have what it takes to become a “настоящий русский ” (true Russian”) in Russia.

My friends and family have shown mixed feelings about my future travels. Some are super excited (friends) while others are seemingly dreading it (family), well, the travels to Russia anyway. I forgot to add that after my first month in Irkutsk I will be traveling to Australia and New Zealand for the entire month of January for my J-Term course at Gustavus Adolphus College. Included in this J-Term is one of the most exciting itineraries a traveler could ever wish to experience: Hiking through the mountains of New Zealand where many of the scenes from ‘Lord of the Rings’ were shot, scuba diving and/or snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef (did I mention I am scared of sharks?), 4 days at the Grand Slam of the South Pacific; the Australian Open, where I will have the opportunity to watch not only my favorite tennis players in the world sweat it out at the 2 week-long event, but Gustavus Adolphus College Alumni and former player, Eric Butorac compete in the doubles event with some of the best doubles players in the world, lessons in rugby and cricket, proper boomerang throwing, dinner with true Australian aboriginals, a week in Sydney, and so much more.

I am not entirely sure if a boomerang will come in handy in Russia but who knows? it is Russia. I return to Russia in the beginning of February for last 5 months of the school year.  That’s right, after a “quick” flight back from Australia to the US for 2-3 days I am back on a plane to Russia. Where 3 days of orientation in Moscow awaits. Our orientation is our time to get familiar with Russia (too bad I already will be, ha!), where the new students embarking on their Russian journeys with Middlebury College’s studdy abroad programs in Irkutsk, Moscow and Yaroslavl will be informed about everything from  survival on trains, to how to properly identify a skin-head. Then it is off to Irkutsk, again, for my 5  months of Siberian fun.

Think I am crazy, think I am the coolest person you know , either way I hope you will all join me on this incredible journey of new friends, new places, and a new way of thinking. I don’t know about you but I am just a little bit excited.

Stay tuned for ‘The Final Day,” on December 3, 2009.

Reef Diving – There are a wide range of dive sites along the Great Barrier Reef, there are calm, protected, shallow spots around the islands, perfect for first-timers, there are gentle reef sites, rich in fish life and corals and the deeper sites on the outer reefs for those with some experience. All sites are best reached by boat ranging from luxury cruisers to spectacular sail boats. For those visitors who have never put their head under the water, but want to see if they can enjoy snorkelling or diving, there are excellent one-day, first-time dive trips. Diving from Cairns offers a truly unique reef experience for the traveller who seeks a more personalised and relaxed approach to exploring the Great Barrier Reef by mask, snorkel and fins.

Reef diving in Australia especially on the Great Barrier Reef is an experience most divers have dreamed about, but few take the opportunity. The reef itself has long held the reputation of being one of the most popular places on the planet to dive – the rich abundance of underwater animal life and the easy access to many parts of the reef are two reasons why divers head to the area in their thousands every year.

Here are some facts about the Great Barrier Reef that will convince you to go reef diving:

•  It is the world’s largest coral reef system composed of over 2 900 individual reefs and 900 islands.
•  The Reef stretches for 2600 kilometres down the coast of Queensland.
•  CNN has included it on their list of the seven natural wonders of the world, and it was selected as a World Heritage Site in 1981.
•  Most of it is protected by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which helps reduce the impact of fishing and tourism and protect the numerous endangered species that call it home.
•  215 species of bird are attracted to the reef or nest in its islands.
•  Salt water crocodiles live in mangrove and saltmarshes on the coast near the reefs northerly reaches.
•  More than 1,500 species of fish live on the reef, including the clownfish, red bass, red-throat emperor, and several species of snapper and coral trout.
•  Four hundred species of corals, both hard corals and soft corals are found on the reef.

What to see in Southern Queensland are sandstone formations covered with hard and soft corals, numerous ledges, caves, pinnacles and gutters to explore. Depending on the site: tropical fish, crayfish, sea urchins, anemones, bat fish, mackerel, starfish, sea whips, gorgonians, turtles, stingrays, nudibranches, spanish dancers, cowries, coral trout, small groper and bottom dwelling sharks such as wobbegongs.

If you plan to go reef diving in Australia, the Great Barrier Reef is a must-see you cannot let pass.

Scuba World was established in 1979 as a small, modest dive shop in Toowong, Brisbane. Thirty years on Scuba World has grown into one of the leading dive stores in Australia.
PO Box 906, Mooloolaba, QLD 4557
Phone: (07) 5444 8595
Email: info@scubaworld.com.au
Web: http://www.scubaworld.com.au/reef-dives.php

Taken on Sept 2006  Australia / Great Barrier Reef

Experience the soothing sights and sounds of the rainforest at Silky Oaks Lodge & Healing Waters Spa, nestled on the edge of the World Heritage-listed Daintree National Park.

The Lodge blends casual and contemporary design, amongst the most tranquil surrounds. 50 Treehouses and Riverhouses each feature wide verandahs and spa baths.

Enjoy fine food and wine at the Treehouse Restaurant – one of Northern Queensland’s premier dining experiences. This unique open-sided restaurant features unobstructed rainforest and river views set above the trees. The menu showcases the freshest local produce and Australian wines.

Only 20 minutes from Port Douglas, Silky Oaks Lodge provides the perfect base for exploring the Great Barrier Reef, Atherton Tablelands, Cape Tribulation and the Daintree River.

Take a relaxing stroll along the lush riverbanks, explore the local area by bike, paddle a canoe on the Mossman River or join a guided rainforest walk. Whichever pursuit you choose, the end of vigorous activity demands rest and rejuvenation at The Healing Waters Spa.

For more details click Here

Image via Wikipedia

A 2 mesi dal guasto a un pozzo off-shore al largo dell’Australia, milioni di litri di petrolio continuano a riversarsi nel mare di Timor.

Lo rende noto la versione online del quotidiano britannico ‘The Times’, citando gli scienziati intervenuti sul posto, che parlano di un pauroso disastro ambientale paragonabile a quello causato nel 1989 dalla petroliera Exxon Valdez, che contaminò il golfo dell’Alaska con 30.000 tonnellate di greggio.

Da Saluteme la notizia qui…

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• The Great Barrier Reef: One minute wonder (telegraph.co.uk)
• Australia flies in aircraft to break up oil spill (nationalpost.com)
• RearAdmiral Sir David Haslam (telegraph.co.uk)
• GreenMonk news roundup 09/19/2009 (greenmonk.net)
• Oil spill ‘contaminating Timor Sea’ (guardian.co.uk)
• 8 Worst Man-made Environmental Disasters of All Time (treehugger.com)
• Shark Bites Shark In Half In Australia (VIDEO) (huffingtonpost.com)
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I don’t know when I’ll be back again.  No really, we don’t know when we’ll be back, but Jocelyn and I chose our return trip for August 10, 2010.  The date is subject to change, depending on where we are in Oz and what we are doing.  I hate to even call this a “plan” because we are open to anything, but if you are wondering to yourself if I have any idea what I’m going to be doing once I get there, the answer is yes.  Well, maybe.

Joce and I want to live in each place in its peak season (when it’s warm or when there is the least chance of getting stung by a box jellyfish).  When we arrive in Canberra this Friday, October 30, it will be spring going into summer.  Remember, everything is completely opposite.  From the seasons to the time change to driving on the left, it’s going to take some getting used to.  Even the toilet water flushes in the opposite direction, but I digress.

Joce and I will live in Canberra, Australian Capitol Territory, with my brother Donald through December.  We will basically get any job that we can, but probably in retail, as waitresses, etc.  We plan to make trips to Sydney, which is a three and a half hour drive north.  Sometime in January, we will take a bus or train south to Melbourne, Victoria for a few days (it would be awesome if we could time this right to make it to the Australian Open).

From Melbourne, we want to rent a Wicked Camper and drive along the coast following the Great Ocean Road to Adelaide, South Australia. The trip should take about six days, but the van is equipped with a bed, a kitchen, and more. Oh, and each van is painted with a different obnoxious picture. It’s going to be ridiculous, and we are both extremely excited about it.

P.S. Jocie you're driving this beast, not me.

During the summer months of January and February, Joce and I want to work on vineyards in the Barossa Valley northeast of Adelaide.  After Adelaide, we want to explore Tasmania, which is a small island state off the southeast coast of Australia.  It’s home of the Tasmanian Devil, and the capitol of the state, Hobart, is the birthplace of Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark (I love you, Denmark!).  Anyway, some travel guides suggest that Tasmania is the best place in Australia for backpackers to be fruit pickers.  Yes, I’m going to be a migrant worker.  Jocie briefly mentioned in an earlier post about the Harvest Trail, which is a popular way that people finance their year long trips.  There is a labor shortage for harvest workers, so employers take on a number of backpackers to harvest the produce.  From asparagus and cherries to grapes and lychees, the options are endless.  It just depends on the location and the season.

In the winter months of June, July, and August, we want to move north to Cairns, in tropical Queensland.  Here, I would love to be a “hostie” on a dive boat that takes people out to the Great Barrier Reef.  This job requires the employee to prepare food for the guests on the ship, as well as fit people to flippers and snorkels.  Supposedly, box jellyfish are only in the water in the summer, which is why we hope to be in Queensland in the winter.  Either way, I’m not looking to go swimming.

If all of our tentative plan happens, I will be very surprised.  If some of it happens, I will be very happy.  If we do something completely different, that’s great too.  Aussie is a vast country, and the distance between places can be huge.  Even in a year, we will not get to do it all.

If at all possible, we want to visit Perth and Western Australia.  Also on my “wish list” is working on a ranch in the Outback.  I love horses, and I have been riding since about the age eight.  Unfortunately, Jocelyn is allergic to horses.  I thought maybe I could slip her some Benadryl and she could sleepily roam around the farm, but apparently she gets hives.  I shall resist.  My point is that we really could do anything in Oz, and our minds are open (minus severe allergic reactions).

So, we are off tomorrow.  During our flight from LA to Sydney, we will cross the International Dateline.  We leave LA on Wednesday, October 28 and fourteen and a half hours later arrive in Sydney on Friday, October 30.  We skip a day.  We will not exist for a day. No October 29, 2009.  Where does this day go?

Last time I went Down Under I thought it would be smart to take Tylenol PM in combination with the finest Australian Shiraz Qantas Airlines was offering in order to pass the time and get some sleep.  Turns out, it wasn’t the brightest of ideas.  I was a very good passenger (I watched Lady and the Tramp three times), but I only got up from my seat twice.  When I arrived in Sydney, my legs hurt so much that I could hardly walk.  It had something to do with cabin pressure, and you need to move around and drink plenty of fluids to avoid it.  In fact, it can be pretty serious for some people.  No worries, I’ll stay hydrated and walk around this time, but no matter what I do this thirty plus hour trip is not going to be fun.