Posts Tagged With: Australia

Fraser Island (a World Heritage Site)

Posted on January 9, 2012 by annhoran

Greetings from Kingfisher Bay Resort, Fraser Island.  I now know that Fraser Island is a giant sand dune, 150km long and between 15 and 22 kilometres wide.  In the middle of the island, there are fresh water lakes and creeks and the whole island is held together by a network of trees, plants and grass.  Since 1992, this Island is a designated World Heritage Site.  My colleague, Liann, was right – it is a beautiful place.

I gleaned all of this information on this morning’s 4 wheel drive bus tour.  “Sit back, buckle up and prepare for a bumpy ride”, ordered our driver.  He wasn’t kidding.  The “roads” are all made of sand and they are bumpy.  When you get to the far side of the Island, to 75 Mile Beach you are on the highway, which is also the beach and yes, it is 75 miles long.

There were 40 of us on the island tour and they were a very friendly group, helped by having a good bus driver, Paul.  Paul worked in retail up until 4 months ago and he is now a driver and tour guide in this lovely resort.  So my idea of the day is for Stephen.  How about getting a HGV licence and becoming a tour guide?  It’s a great job.

Ann x

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Day 22: A Town Like Alice

Posted on January 7, 2012 by annhoran

This morning’s tour was to the Western McDonnell mountain range, where we enjoyed walks at Simpson’s Gap and Standley Chasm. The tour finished with a picnic lunch and a cup of bush tea. These are lovely spots and perfect photo opportunities. It was a very pleasant morning.

Then in the afternoon, I finally made it to Alice Springs. We had a wonderful guide, John, who brought us on a captivating tour of the town itself, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the School of the Air (remote schooling for children living in the outback), the site of the original Alice Springs and the old telegraph office. Alice Springs is a fascinating place. The history of this little town in the middle of nowhere and the early innovations (e.g. the telegraph service and the Flying Doctor Service), make Alice a really interesting place to visit.

The first thing that strikes on arriving in Alice is the presence of large numbers of Aboriginal people, approximately 25% of the population of 28,000. They live uneasily side by side with the Australians. Having spent a day in Alice, listening and observing, I believe that the Australians are genuine in their efforts to solve this problem. It is a problem and I am not sure how you can ever integrate two such different cultures.

Ann x

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Sounds of Silence Dinner

Posted on January 6, 2012 by annhoran

 

Last night we dined under the stars at an elevated site half way between Uluru and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). The Sounds of Silence Dinner began with a sparkling wine reception where we listened to the haunting sounds of a talented didgeridoo player and watched the sun set over the Rocks. My table companions were two couples and a student from Uruguay whom we “kidnapped” to make up the numbers for the table.

One couple, I had already encountered that morning on the sun rise walk. I guessed that they were Scandinavian, a bit standoffish and I took an unreasonable dislike to them. They were actually Spanish, very friendly and interesting and on their honeymoon. How often we make false initial judgements. The 2nd couple were in their 60’s, in a second and very happy relationship and were also great company. We enjoyed a gourmet meal, a fascinating presentation on the night sky and a generally lovely evening.

Another early start (4am) to travel to King’s Canyon. There we had the choice of two walks, a tough 3.5 hour walk up to the rim of the Canyon or an easier walk to explore the rock strewn canyon floor. On the basis of the weather forecast for a hot 40 degrees, I chose the easier walk.

Ann x

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Sunset, Sunrise and Survival

Posted on January 5, 2012 by annhoran

Photos courtesy of Snapfish

http://www3.snapfish.ie/snapfishie/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=6248033006/a=82828258_82828258/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/

Sunset:  imagine sitting side by side with hundreds of people on campstools, sipping wine and watching the sun set at Uluru.  As it sets, the Rock starts to change colour and the sky turns orange and purple.  It was beautiful.  I sat with my new friends, Cathy and Daryl and we toasted the New Year and life.

Sunrise:  not many hours later, we are up again for our sunrise tour.  I set my alarm for 3.30am.  Back at Uluru, we take polystyrene cups of coffee and head to the viewing point to gaze again at Uluru as it changes appearance with the rising sun.  Afterwards, we did a fascinating guided cultural walk around the base of the Rock.  The stories were magical and made a long walk very enjoyable.

Survival:  the Red Centre tour is not for the faint hearted.  It involves basic accommodation, early rising, long days, tough enough walks in sweltering heat and little provision for meals.  We are up too early for breakfast and home tired and too late for dinner.  Don’t worry, I wouldn’t change a thing.  The experience is well worth it.

Dinner under the stars at Uluru tonight.

Ann x

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Journey to the Red Centre

Posted on January 4, 2012 by annhoran

 

In the end, I had a lovely relaxing day at the Heavitree Gap Outback Lodge.  After posting my blog, I went for a swim and then lounged by the pool.  Dinner in the campsite café was a delicious beef steak with mushroom sauce and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc (I hope it was beef and not camel, as suggested by our driver today).

The luxury coach picked us up at 6.40am for our drive to Uluru (Ayers Rock).  Our group today was a family of 5, which included two grandmothers, a couple and myself.  “Sit back, relax and let the world go by” said our driver and we did.  The journey was 460km through some of the most beautiful and unforgiving landscape on earth.  This 460km consisted mainly of just 8 cattle ranches, with in excess of 1 million acres of land each.  The land was originally developed by white settlers in the 1800’s with the assistance of camels, which were subsequently let loose.  There are now more than 1 million wild camels in Central Australia.

I will spend 3 days and 2 nights in this area, staying at the Pioneer Outback Lodge in the Ayers Rock Resort.  My adventures begin this evening with a tour to watch the sun set over Uluru.

Ann x

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Day 18: Alice Springs

Posted on January 3, 2012 by annhoran

 

Well the girl with the romantic dreams has arrived in Alice Springs.  Will I meet my Bush Ranger and live happily ever after?  Probably not 🙂   But I think I am going to enjoy Alice every bit as much as Perth, Melbourne and Cairns.

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Right, I have been here half an hour or so.  When I say “here”, I mean the Heavitree Gap Outback Lodge.  I mentioned that this would be the budget part of my trip.  It’s basic and hot – very, very hot.  It could be worse.  The room has air conditioning and there is a café that opens for dinner and a supermarket.  I headed for the supermarket as soon as I arrived and stocked up on water and other basics.  I thought I might find it too hot to walk there again.  I may need to revisit my plans of finding romance in the outback 🙂

I don’t know where Alice Springs is.  I haven’t seen it yet.  My companion on the plane, a gold miner, warned me to be careful of the locals.  So I might just wait for my tour tomorrow and enjoy the campsite pool, feeding the wallabies and the Wi-Fi.  All of life’s little luxuries.

My first 2 day tour starts at 6.40am tomorrow.

Ann x

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New Year Resolutions

Posted on December 31, 2011 by annhoran

 

I don’t make New Year resolutions. My belief is that anytime of year is the right time for resolving to make changes. As it happens, 2011 wasn’t my all-time favourite year. Things happened in the early months which were upsetting to me and cast a shadow over much of the year. It was in an effort to regain control of my life that I started planning this wonderful holiday. So at midnight tonight, I will bid farewell to the old year and raise my glass to 2012. I will be on the beach front in Cairns enjoying a real Australian firework display. Way to go!

Today’s trip to Cape Tribulation and Daintree National Park was taken with a friendly group of backpackers and others. We started with a tour of the award winning Wildlife Habitat where I was particularly taken with the birdlife – parrots, emu, cockatoos and the rare cassowary. Next stop was a cruise down the Daintree River on the lookout for crocodiles. Our search was rewarded with a sighting of the king of the river. We didn’t stay in his patch too long. Our picnic lunch was followed by a leisurely walk through the Rainforest ending up at the beautiful Myall Beach. As always, the scenery was lovely and the company most enjoyable.

Ann x

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Day 14: Port Douglas

Posted on December 30, 2011 by annhoran

I am having such fun with my pink laptop, writing the blog, checking emails and keeping in touch.  In Kuranda, my American friends drew my attention to a market stall where the vendor was selling natural spa products.  The scent from the stall was “to die for”.  I bought a small tub of body scrub which left my skin feeling incredibly soft and healthy since.  Pre-Internet days, I would have had to fill my suitcase with a lifetime supply of these lovely Australian products.  Instead, I took the website address and will order online.  Before you ask, I left the web address with the other half of my luggage in Cairns but I will share it when I am reunited with my belongings.

Today was a free day to explore Port Douglas, a lovely sea side town at the start of the beautiful Four Mile Beach.  The town was busy with Australians on holiday.  A more remote part of Four Mile Beach was closer to my hotel.  It was accessed via a 5 minute pathway through a forest.  The path was rather spooky; not sure if I was more worried about human or animal predators, snakes or coconuts falling on my head.  I didn’t hang about long.  The beach itself was stunning and well worth the risks.

Ann x

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Packing and Unpacking

Posted on December 29, 2011 by annhoran

This holiday involves a lot of packing and unpacking, as I move from location to location.   I remembered a story told to me by my friend Colette, of a work colleague, Joan who packed her holiday wardrobe in labelled plastic bags, a separate bag for each type: tops, shorts, underwear etc.  Great tip, it works.

Today we cruised out to the Great Barrier Reef.  That created an additional packing challenge due to luggage restrictions.  I had to divide my luggage in two and leave one half behind to be collected in 3 days’ time.  Now I know how little luggage I really needed.

The Great Barrier Reef lived up to expectations.  I went out in a glass bottom boat (twice), a semi-submersible boat and enjoyed the beautiful fish and coral through an observatory window.  Then when my fellow travellers put on their wet suits, snorkels and air tanks, I headed for my deckchair and relaxed in the sun.  Water is just not my thing 🙂

Arrived in Port Douglas tonight.  Amazing hotel but more on that tomorrow.

Ann x

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Kuranda (a village in the Rainforest)

Posted on December 28, 2011 by annhoran

This morning, while waiting for my pickup from the hotel, I met a really nice American Mum (science teacher) and daughter (flies jet planes for the US Navy). These were my travel companions for the day.

We were part of a large group who took the scenic train ride into the mountains above Cairns to the Kuranda Rainforest. On the way we gazed at the scenery and listened to the amazing story of the hardships endured by the navvies (many Irish, English, American and Italian) who built the railway in the late 1800’s. Upon reaching Kuranda, we were handed our schedules for the day: shopping, BBQ lunch, guided tour of the wildlife park, display of Aboriginal sports and exhibition of Aboriginal dancing, a trip through the rainforest in an Army Duck and finally journey back by Skyrail (apparently the longest cable car ride in the world).

Highlights were the Army Duck through the awesome (word borrowed from my kids) rainforest and the Skyrail trip over the tops of the trees right back to Cairns. The forest was dramatic, nature at its rawest and most beautiful. I took a lot of photos – hopefully they give some sense of the amazing scenery.

Ann x

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