Al and I are leaving Australia tomorrow. We're off to Cocos Keeling, 2400 miles away and about 14 days from Darwin where we are now based.
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| No place like it for the next 2 weeks and then more! |
The fridge is full to overflowing, the freezer is jam packed and Al has a new guitar which he plans to master on the way back to South Africa. Watch this space and wish me luck!
We have had a wonderful stay in Oz. The people have been marvellous..in fact I think I've said that about virtually every one of our destinations so far...people must be marvellous all over the world..probably another secret of the Universe.
The time I have left on the Internet is minimal so I'll keep this blog to the high lights of our trip down under.
The Halfway Party in Hamilton Island
What an amazing bash! A weekend full of Oyster activities.
A champagne evening at the Iconic Hamilton Island Yacht Club.
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| Best bib and tucker to do justice to the inspirational architecture of the yacht club..a building that speaks to a sailor's soul..google it! |
A race to Whitehaven Beach and back..no wind so the colourful sails were out in full force.
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| Whitehaven Beach..sand so pure they used it for the lens of the Hubble Telescope! |
A Dark and Stormy Rum picnic on the beach
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| Oyster Owners lift Mount Gay caps to celebrate their successful semi circumnavigation. |
And the piece de resistance on the final evening of the Halfway party weekend, fireworks as the evening descended and waitrons emerging out of the sea dressed in diving gear with the starter platters...crayfish and oysters of course! Oyster outdid themselves once again!
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| Seafood directly from the deep..full marks for presentation |
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| No comment! |
From Hamilton Island I left the boat for 3 weeks to help Nicole get organised for her new life in New York.
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"If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere..." Nic reckons her life should have a soundtrack!
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The two of us flew to the Big Apple and spent a week getting her settled in her dorm at the Pratt Institute of Design in Brooklyn. After her first day of lectures she was grinning from ear to ear..."what a joy to spend all day studying the things you absolutely love!"
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| Nics corner of her dorm...probably hasn't looked anything like this since I left! |
The trip involved a circumnavigation within a circumnavigation...flying from Sydney..and a wonderful evening with Puccini at the Opera house...to Cape Town to New York, to Dallas and then to Brisbane...
And then on to Cairns where Al had been waiting patiently..
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Aussie fun ..helmet was a legal requirement..not a fashion statement!
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From Cairns Legend meandered up the Barrier Reef...beautiful scenery and beaches but lots of things along the way that can kill you..sharks, jellyfish and crocodiles so not much swimming and snorkeling!
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| Aussie predators are legendary...good idea to keep your feet out of the water! |
We crossed the Gulf of Carpentaria with absolutely no wind for 5 days..
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| but good fishing... |
Once we finally got to Darwin we took a break from the boat for a few days.
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| Al surveying the Aboriginal rock art...probably just humouring me and wishing he was back on the boat! |
We hired a 4 x 4 and drove to Kakadu National Park where the scenery was a world away from the seascapes we have been enjoying for the last 8 months.
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Wallaby peering into our tent...not quite one of the big 5 but very entertaining.
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| Nice tent though! |
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| Can't keep a sailor away from the boats! |
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| But he might be tempted to lift his sights... |
Took a trip down the river to look for crocs
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| Plenty of them out there! |
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| Say no more..some Aussie wit said it all... |
No shops but a new hat anyway!
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Not quite Thumbelina!
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The Pacific Ocean is now behind us and the Indian awaits...won't be long before we're home...wonder if the guitar will make it!
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