tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73724227064365746542024-02-06T21:07:34.212-08:00We'reOnTheWay"If your mind can imagine it,
and your heart can believe it...
you can do it."
WhatIF.....http://www.blogger.com/profile/16161621431144355091noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372422706436574654.post-35202715084768153512013-05-08T11:43:00.002-07:002013-05-08T11:48:58.034-07:00Koh Samui and Koh Phanghan 19th - 27th April<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Wanting to get moving from ''A La Phuket'' and to one of the islands
we opted for a bus to take us from Patong to Surat Thani then a ferry
across to Ko Samui. During our bus trip we met a fantastic couple that
were on a two week
break from Oz, I am only going to use there discussions as a prime
example as the other nationalities are similar!<br />
We got discussing
how long we had been in Phuket and we said too long but explained we
were waiting for some suits to be made. Their response to Patong was
that it was fantastic,best place ever and it had everything they
wanted!! Really!? We didn't quite know what to make of this, everything
you want? Maybe for a Stag or Hen night where you want to re-in act the
Hangover - it has everything? Ladyboys, cheap beers and drinks, girls
that play ping pong others that want to hang around with a European guy
for a night or maybe its the other way round....it has everything.<br />
<br />
During
our road trip we finally figured what this couple really liked about
Phuket or at least we think we do. After being on a bus trip that we
were all told would be 4hrs but turned out to be 10hrs....this got some
people whinging. When we stopped the guys comment nailed it, "He said
you would think that they would stop somewhere were we could have some
decent European food!"<br />
We're not kidding! Those were his exact
words...so what do people want when they go to Phuket, I think they want
the beach the weather the shops and most importantly the luxury but at a
minuscule price compared to what they would have to pay back home!<br />
Read this article to see how Phuket is becoming this just not as cheap as everyone wants!<br />
<a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/asia/barefoot-luxury-lives-on-in-phuket-8535786.html" target="_blank">The independent.co.uk and how barefoot-luxury-lives-on-in-phuket</a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQC1oxyEEl7X4zfV18RWVlOJ4VXmIsRp0C-7f9HlVNNbKswOJ8EMk1-sbtRSs9loT1e19JYn-lzd5kpgLdH9DxwVhC8epPvMJiJ42HLLwt1XPxAiXnr-uWZJtDape3d0oP6RkVojsn7Fnn/s1600/DSC_0635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQC1oxyEEl7X4zfV18RWVlOJ4VXmIsRp0C-7f9HlVNNbKswOJ8EMk1-sbtRSs9loT1e19JYn-lzd5kpgLdH9DxwVhC8epPvMJiJ42HLLwt1XPxAiXnr-uWZJtDape3d0oP6RkVojsn7Fnn/s400/DSC_0635.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A glimpse of the tacky interior of the Thai buses. This little girl wanted to play the whole trip, she was seriously bored!</span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<u><b>Koh Samui - April 19th - 23rd</b></u><br />
Koh Life! Koh meaning island and island life is definitely what we were after.<br />
<br />
We finally arrived to catch our ferry. Had we known there was an airport at Surat Thani we seriously would have flown from Phuket! (Yes we were naive!) What was interesting was the surf board. Having already paid 300baht to get it onto the bus from Phuket and being told we would not have to pay again, the port staff now wanted 500baht from us. The surf board is light, under 5kg with the board bag, wax etc and given that everyone's luggage was being weighed (max 20kg allowed) and knowing combined between the both of us that our luggage just tipped 25kg between the both of us they still would not treat the surf board as ''extra weight allowed''. So after some arguing and another guy on our bus also stepping in on the argument for us we still ended up paying for the board to go on the boat. We realised then that this would not be the end of the surf board saga!<br />
<br />
Surf board aside and a few odd looks from other backpackers (there is no surf in Thailand) we made it to Koh Samui. We decided on World Resort due to its location to transfer to Koh Phanghan easily. The place was alright, only thing keeping this place going is the great food and a beach front location. Staff were not at all helpful or friendly. Another disappointment - here we were hoping the hospitality would get better on the islands or maybe we just simply chose the wrong place to stay. <br />
<br />
It was here in Koh Samui that we were indeed beach bums for a few days, lounging in the sun, swimming in the turquoise blue water, sipped cocktails on the beach. Locals would paddle up and down out in kayaks selling fresh fruit and corn on the cob, cooked from a coal fire bbq on the kayak. Everyone seemed to wait till one of these boats went by to grab some fruit or corn for lunch. We rented a scooter as you do in this part of the world and ventured to other parts of the island mainly in search of yoga classes for Shev to do. We checked out the Big Buddah overlooking the ocean at sunset and other interesting temples and gods. So for the next few days Shev did yoga, I went to the gym, we went for a run on the beach. Feels good to do some exercise again.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0Pw3YYwaanwlZIcer1qqPmKSRd90RXS7CcjtN5PFfrZdwlhSIWMxyngKSXsdsy9DvqxXRCHrsDyQ2VWxTBSZ9K3t4DVAfHkcHWo3EqTqrssKW_WWfIc2Kf1iSby5tLpdr3iltpnjpWVv/s1600/DSCF5436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0Pw3YYwaanwlZIcer1qqPmKSRd90RXS7CcjtN5PFfrZdwlhSIWMxyngKSXsdsy9DvqxXRCHrsDyQ2VWxTBSZ9K3t4DVAfHkcHWo3EqTqrssKW_WWfIc2Kf1iSby5tLpdr3iltpnjpWVv/s400/DSCF5436.JPG" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very cool statue near Big Buddah.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYfFmkNeGYussl2p5GXnzfUyB60I5JmqhTtN_xVSpuf3gmUy-sJ97F_9mrh3_Sn-J-8EiWZppyC3rBCdyESCa34fnFrgYmI_hZwDKQfrTxkcdHEj2oCB2McYvALXzzN5ZcyxS1DAeL4NA/s1600/IMG_0495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYfFmkNeGYussl2p5GXnzfUyB60I5JmqhTtN_xVSpuf3gmUy-sJ97F_9mrh3_Sn-J-8EiWZppyC3rBCdyESCa34fnFrgYmI_hZwDKQfrTxkcdHEj2oCB2McYvALXzzN5ZcyxS1DAeL4NA/s640/IMG_0495.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fruit for lunch every day! Yum!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6g_AlTBoEABiVWnybgOiEO68SMth0gEdJiX3AcGA58SlTl1F3JEGfYW1ULDwGmdecnY19U6nypRPbf-16E5IUXpkVaVpyH3KjnkUbJHKV4ZTOEcgPC-FGFAVRQkRPrZHyFIV7DmVFgT8N/s1600/DSCF5448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6g_AlTBoEABiVWnybgOiEO68SMth0gEdJiX3AcGA58SlTl1F3JEGfYW1ULDwGmdecnY19U6nypRPbf-16E5IUXpkVaVpyH3KjnkUbJHKV4ZTOEcgPC-FGFAVRQkRPrZHyFIV7DmVFgT8N/s640/DSCF5448.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Buddah.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7U3Ox56cuOiODlbFRPjJmbju2RmIa8kzgvzhsWxMKP9hZ-WddzFAkZIeVdQE26bM5Us5U8PjrtBvg1TfTUACDu7eC3SJ4PTl9s1gr8p1cjBEwpOtFbr9K4FAsFxeU1RJJm344Hmd_E6c/s1600/DSC_0637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7U3Ox56cuOiODlbFRPjJmbju2RmIa8kzgvzhsWxMKP9hZ-WddzFAkZIeVdQE26bM5Us5U8PjrtBvg1TfTUACDu7eC3SJ4PTl9s1gr8p1cjBEwpOtFbr9K4FAsFxeU1RJJm344Hmd_E6c/s640/DSC_0637.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chaweng Beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_pliYzGTxMycXxUefHWqKdBKNX9OndDNzN7e7bnLsTukwvRmNpS6-yGJCzY7WWqfU-rqRYK0q-zrnNfATMjPPCAC_Lla9z4RkuB6zrQPlfnxOEXzbavyB2jbiSJPW2zn8-3-uEp-FvQ/s1600/DSC_0639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_pliYzGTxMycXxUefHWqKdBKNX9OndDNzN7e7bnLsTukwvRmNpS6-yGJCzY7WWqfU-rqRYK0q-zrnNfATMjPPCAC_Lla9z4RkuB6zrQPlfnxOEXzbavyB2jbiSJPW2zn8-3-uEp-FvQ/s400/DSC_0639.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chaweng Beach<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0z_PJ4fLn_9xNOBkXxPSmDwN4vloEaVNFpI2oadPD0GeGSzWKPwWhzGwYsuL5XmWIpJbgwuCdYbZurS8KgBatDXJyIUY4KwnCqBXxoOFXTfhQ0dofd9qJJGNnGudQAVK9oqeDGQw-nMYY/s1600/DSCF5440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0z_PJ4fLn_9xNOBkXxPSmDwN4vloEaVNFpI2oadPD0GeGSzWKPwWhzGwYsuL5XmWIpJbgwuCdYbZurS8KgBatDXJyIUY4KwnCqBXxoOFXTfhQ0dofd9qJJGNnGudQAVK9oqeDGQw-nMYY/s640/DSCF5440.JPG" width="452" /></a></div>
Sun setting over Koh Phanghan in the distance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
We were recommended by one of the locals we spoke with at Big Buddah to check out a restaurant called Llilay for some traditional Thai dishes. We did manage to find the place and were rewarded with some pretty good cheap Thai food. One of the best dishes we had on the island was at a place called Banana Fan Resort located on Chaweng Beach. We both opted for a Thai green curry, original we hear you say, but we opted for this as it came served in a coconut. Spooning the sides of the coconut flesh to mix into the curry was simply the best Thai green curry ever! Banana Fan organise a buffet bbq on the beach every Monday with Polynesian dance entertainment. The Polynesian dancers pretty much did various traditional island style dances or warrior dances from around the world, from Hawaii to Samoa to New Zealand.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXimx1hQtNXTCV6pYgTuhPysW3VRGfuCpXlNwygLOTzh9A8fO310JT1lsbCBeDVCxvvrjW7fu7zftyp4NdIVaDMBrmUs51oa7Ml0HjFmQujKIhOIQFt7G8XydCHbZG1RHp-X7GAkXPRDMv/s1600/DSCF5398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXimx1hQtNXTCV6pYgTuhPysW3VRGfuCpXlNwygLOTzh9A8fO310JT1lsbCBeDVCxvvrjW7fu7zftyp4NdIVaDMBrmUs51oa7Ml0HjFmQujKIhOIQFt7G8XydCHbZG1RHp-X7GAkXPRDMv/s640/DSCF5398.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBDaBUp5y_CIxLbJmx2Io-z30fMN4Z0iPLnVZB6c8l-FCirqNVWnoEadLvQQ3LtQvp_Fc5rv6NQz2OG7E1c4YKaG-dEGrFANwx_crSuLjIkXvSDikia9CQGmw-2ELaHqC6_HaDhq2-TH4/s1600/DSCF5431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBDaBUp5y_CIxLbJmx2Io-z30fMN4Z0iPLnVZB6c8l-FCirqNVWnoEadLvQQ3LtQvp_Fc5rv6NQz2OG7E1c4YKaG-dEGrFANwx_crSuLjIkXvSDikia9CQGmw-2ELaHqC6_HaDhq2-TH4/s640/DSCF5431.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9jOqQxjFTsHbv8-U0WCPHPkCQwXKbtNcnhw4RHOsVe1X52iA-9_FaQok70TYxhYRPF395OQDBh6DgmwJqqX5D16jjJyJqaWTQ_lHn1zHSBajeQKJzlac0SPJq66c0NNpaPYSfvExe30A/s1600/DSCF5435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9jOqQxjFTsHbv8-U0WCPHPkCQwXKbtNcnhw4RHOsVe1X52iA-9_FaQok70TYxhYRPF395OQDBh6DgmwJqqX5D16jjJyJqaWTQ_lHn1zHSBajeQKJzlac0SPJq66c0NNpaPYSfvExe30A/s320/DSCF5435.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rather direct image but yes we get the message.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6R54UehdLc2bsRR2fHSg_VGfm4uA2-TUsf1WylXW3x4mlvrQp9dcRcAOPnCgB-OkYO_lysbEVj7BTdRBZehjK5vsiJwJwu7Oc-jUveAc75q6QrpHPgTmFS2dYRwveZU-xW2xozzhgf8/s1600/DSC_0643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6R54UehdLc2bsRR2fHSg_VGfm4uA2-TUsf1WylXW3x4mlvrQp9dcRcAOPnCgB-OkYO_lysbEVj7BTdRBZehjK5vsiJwJwu7Oc-jUveAc75q6QrpHPgTmFS2dYRwveZU-xW2xozzhgf8/s640/DSC_0643.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Banana Fan Resort - Coconut Thai Green Curry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUw5e3k0zE6rIq9Kw9jqgjElaiyBv8CNRiquvTvPcFWY-MEfxstrHPxC8Jxr6ZDcRJS2TzrXEP7MRveCciHtgvTfGk5gMMr7XrpTVGXbcrsw0C3AoC6D9Lflv7AwBdF87LATUF8IeTRkw/s1600/DSC_0647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUw5e3k0zE6rIq9Kw9jqgjElaiyBv8CNRiquvTvPcFWY-MEfxstrHPxC8Jxr6ZDcRJS2TzrXEP7MRveCciHtgvTfGk5gMMr7XrpTVGXbcrsw0C3AoC6D9Lflv7AwBdF87LATUF8IeTRkw/s400/DSC_0647.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Chaweng Beach at night.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlVYvIsV72vM3tfzeSRmYMcppxylhQTz6CcXEwfcmsgEijZUqzkotv3DO_xqboaISV-zri63LR_drAow74UEoRyr4m6V6Frv1NGZC0UpjqsTtvXBTKfJda3wPFCBwxl45Mzn_-4T2nTw/s1600/DSC_0664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlVYvIsV72vM3tfzeSRmYMcppxylhQTz6CcXEwfcmsgEijZUqzkotv3DO_xqboaISV-zri63LR_drAow74UEoRyr4m6V6Frv1NGZC0UpjqsTtvXBTKfJda3wPFCBwxl45Mzn_-4T2nTw/s640/DSC_0664.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Polynesian Dancers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwrMskW0RzPm8VEH-QzFzIFTocHJQACIGiosKiyNxOU4F7kxMyDeOK44jDRs9c1It-1Bhq4_lvbejRhzRIuYXCM29kU2hgisM5MFIpGYynqwcbC1uR9m2v3x2S2YHQfzWimXmUf9oHxc/s1600/DSC_0713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwrMskW0RzPm8VEH-QzFzIFTocHJQACIGiosKiyNxOU4F7kxMyDeOK44jDRs9c1It-1Bhq4_lvbejRhzRIuYXCM29kU2hgisM5MFIpGYynqwcbC1uR9m2v3x2S2YHQfzWimXmUf9oHxc/s400/DSC_0713.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Either Fuji or Samoa warrior dance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonQYlIYf3NbhK5OV380T6IFwoQAVg2BP5LPzRKZAah37Eizhe168d6-iQ5Nr8D4sBjGovIHzw804nDkzKWf30nVD3qOktKtVWVzcGr5oPDpJNWNisYBSLzhwTtDmqVv8bg9tulwf27bo/s1600/DSC_0746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonQYlIYf3NbhK5OV380T6IFwoQAVg2BP5LPzRKZAah37Eizhe168d6-iQ5Nr8D4sBjGovIHzw804nDkzKWf30nVD3qOktKtVWVzcGr5oPDpJNWNisYBSLzhwTtDmqVv8bg9tulwf27bo/s640/DSC_0746.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Polynesian Dancers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Another cool thing to check out not necessarily on Koh Samui but probably Thailand in general is the Thai boxing. I was expecting something out of WWE wrestling but I was completely wrong. We arrived a little after the Thai boxing had started and watched the last few minutes of a women's Thai boxing, an Ozzie girl vs a Thai girl although looking at the Thai we were seriously questioning if it was indeed a girl! The Ozzie girl won! The next few matches were all mens and it was normally a Thai vs a foreigner. There was one match however that was two Thais against each other. This was probably the most exciting match. The one guy was pulling some insane in-the-air-somersault-twist-and-kick moves that got the crowd cheering. Seriously if you blinked you would have missed it. In the betting corner you could see the local Thais were here only for this match and pretty much all of them were rooting for this guy. The match was neck and neck the whole way through, however the impressive Thai with all the in-the-air-moves wore out quickly and eventually lost to the other Thai but not without a finale showdown of slamming the Thai into the floor from behind him, thus pretty much doing some major damage to his collar bone. Wowzers! <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4u-9rgre66QCokHfXxmDVFa9YPnWmntojg2GQG9mdYbZiJmyqAaq1dCz3LbVz0YndMKtNazJFDqXF1f7RhbVyzvKz12lkw3pFpmeX_CdbDML_NCVBP-jiKNe_qOK929IF-I4-5Qb72kPl/s1600/DSCF5392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4u-9rgre66QCokHfXxmDVFa9YPnWmntojg2GQG9mdYbZiJmyqAaq1dCz3LbVz0YndMKtNazJFDqXF1f7RhbVyzvKz12lkw3pFpmeX_CdbDML_NCVBP-jiKNe_qOK929IF-I4-5Qb72kPl/s400/DSCF5392.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pancakes from the stall holders are delish! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9fn41OE7-arLm2Q2bl4yhWAV2nj6nNn3EgVpmp7_x0boGUefnEP5RJt3ytWvINa8Q7-V4_EO_zk8gbnpuvYPk4WHtk5kyYOK3eJczqeQzIgc5OQY6RlBs3zluCRJtz8VHrrU2mE4U0w/s1600/DSC_0778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9fn41OE7-arLm2Q2bl4yhWAV2nj6nNn3EgVpmp7_x0boGUefnEP5RJt3ytWvINa8Q7-V4_EO_zk8gbnpuvYPk4WHtk5kyYOK3eJczqeQzIgc5OQY6RlBs3zluCRJtz8VHrrU2mE4U0w/s400/DSC_0778.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got to admit the marketing to save water is good.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSThFryTKvw7YRUSihZahFkcdUu7AC6ArwqbdzXOTKulMSSUrXogZDyE-hksKz7DVQOn13Cc4OIlBTM9clZ3ab6omT6H4Bumaq_jHWymKJE65X1kGey8fc5fSISAyCI2N8qPjcrexfsA0/s1600/DSC_0783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSThFryTKvw7YRUSihZahFkcdUu7AC6ArwqbdzXOTKulMSSUrXogZDyE-hksKz7DVQOn13Cc4OIlBTM9clZ3ab6omT6H4Bumaq_jHWymKJE65X1kGey8fc5fSISAyCI2N8qPjcrexfsA0/s400/DSC_0783.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> One of the Thai vs foreigner matches.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EwQkdRYPitXjtckFkqUGI1Q_zT0bgklmOKwIo2YIx4zfz5OqaLH6sDmf9LuUB94pqlsiZ-HeumuySYTsjTVC6Aa73UiiBh32kBckfz3ApRXW7ZcFt3zyOlO6UiZAoVORwXQHVpJuJCo/s1600/DSC_0825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EwQkdRYPitXjtckFkqUGI1Q_zT0bgklmOKwIo2YIx4zfz5OqaLH6sDmf9LuUB94pqlsiZ-HeumuySYTsjTVC6Aa73UiiBh32kBckfz3ApRXW7ZcFt3zyOlO6UiZAoVORwXQHVpJuJCo/s400/DSC_0825.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the in-the-air-kick-and-twist match we watched. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u><b>Koh Phanghan - April 23rd - 27th</b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And the surf board saga continues. Got to the port to transfer to Koh Phanghan aka Full Moon Party Beach to be told we would have to pay another 500baht for the surf board. After a friendly persuasive chat with a Thai lady that had fairly good English and understood our dilemma of having to pay for the surfboard on every ferry, minivan, taxi and bus she agreed to send the board back to Surat Thani port where we would pick it up once we arrived back from the islands. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbN_a18Y8iQg9jzuEm5kGkwvM8cBxplDbDZUfmlZC7Bcz6msDEC0-wpICaN7Q_9vOD0XJ75K8O_tmDOTS1g69arhH4ILiSWaU-o9VfLGaIcKA_etjLHYDqfBhUa2Tgpks6PT-PmfMWRq4/s1600/DSC_0899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbN_a18Y8iQg9jzuEm5kGkwvM8cBxplDbDZUfmlZC7Bcz6msDEC0-wpICaN7Q_9vOD0XJ75K8O_tmDOTS1g69arhH4ILiSWaU-o9VfLGaIcKA_etjLHYDqfBhUa2Tgpks6PT-PmfMWRq4/s640/DSC_0899.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> The ferry awaits.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The port was backpacker central! Everyone getting over to Koh Phanghan for the full moon party on the 25th. After boarding the boat we noticed a group of late 20 somethings that were all clearly backpackers, the hippy baggy trousers and tousled up hair-dos but the one girl was carrying a baby probably about 6months-ish. First thing that went through our minds was you need to have some serious organisational skills and extreme patience backpacking with a small baby. I am sure this happens and there must be a few people who have done it - we salute you because its something most people won't have the guts to do! We certainly wouldn't. Holidaying and backpacking with a baby is a different thing altogether. On closer inspection we came up with another theory, that the late 20 somethings group are still probably die-hard party-goers and one of the guys is probably a DJ for the full moon party and that this is a one off trip every month? Who knows but still high fives for going with a massive backpack and baby in tow. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ13KcSyipRL7qHNe0ssz-OsuvzClQnLiWqLfqg0LHpmP7ec-5w6Z62PB_TGjz-P9voJH_upZEWOnSyhoDl7NWXchxkWY5FUgXkYNPQwphM_43Syl0Rs57zENDzjTqkwKFntIk171VQyk/s1600/DSC_0893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ13KcSyipRL7qHNe0ssz-OsuvzClQnLiWqLfqg0LHpmP7ec-5w6Z62PB_TGjz-P9voJH_upZEWOnSyhoDl7NWXchxkWY5FUgXkYNPQwphM_43Syl0Rs57zENDzjTqkwKFntIk171VQyk/s400/DSC_0893.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Starting to look like a backpacker.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIEPREdUcXebwSnGQxoJH_HLVJBa5ni-fExHcjian1tWaCghrwnXaayktUcHDIfpSy1CCo-SgvCvJk-x31zBsXKDgec66S5ZW4dFlWI2jQIHwJS-I2fhtzaplGt4KrzCHKnte04si21M/s1600/DSC_0895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIEPREdUcXebwSnGQxoJH_HLVJBa5ni-fExHcjian1tWaCghrwnXaayktUcHDIfpSy1CCo-SgvCvJk-x31zBsXKDgec66S5ZW4dFlWI2jQIHwJS-I2fhtzaplGt4KrzCHKnte04si21M/s400/DSC_0895.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for the ferry at backpacker-port-central </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Getting to Koh Phanghan from Koh Samui was easy enough, the ferry was a mere 45 minute trip. At the port everyone scrambled to grab their backpacks, pushing and shoving as if there was only one taxi available for transfer to their accommodation. Dave and I took our sweet merry time and thank goodness we did. The result of rushing to grab the first available taxi was one hell of a sight See pic below! At least we managed to get an air conditioned mini van with enough space to swing a cat! The joys of not rushing to be first in the line...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1YnS_LbhvfXC15iLzhrWhA5gx7bNtVYCDgFzeiFAdQyhx0f2B7qhKSymT1a6DCPZX1yabFTJ8K3ujtctn7rR9L1xyPgVfBn1AcmyncwmwDyYyV97xKIfcab1VewPNLM7PQwbcdANA9Q/s1600/DSC_0910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1YnS_LbhvfXC15iLzhrWhA5gx7bNtVYCDgFzeiFAdQyhx0f2B7qhKSymT1a6DCPZX1yabFTJ8K3ujtctn7rR9L1xyPgVfBn1AcmyncwmwDyYyV97xKIfcab1VewPNLM7PQwbcdANA9Q/s640/DSC_0910.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The caption for this would be ''Mate this is the only taxi can you move down a bit, we could fit one more''</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fMB8OcWAjXkDtddmTuaBb_-RUjRlk2EtOikViTnR3ll82O7U0tp_Mpr-84Y1K7h6sDasdjCAWFZ657yYEr6di23MpcqZYsZLrOwy7FC0ogSfsFrWkOUvgZtrCY9JgBoEUwzo52BFt24/s1600/DSC_0905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fMB8OcWAjXkDtddmTuaBb_-RUjRlk2EtOikViTnR3ll82O7U0tp_Mpr-84Y1K7h6sDasdjCAWFZ657yYEr6di23MpcqZYsZLrOwy7FC0ogSfsFrWkOUvgZtrCY9JgBoEUwzo52BFt24/s640/DSC_0905.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bamboo lobster nets.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We could have stayed elsewhere on the island in a nicer location but we decided we didn't want the hastle of getting a tuk tuk to and from the full moon party so opted to stay within easy reach of the <span class="st">Haad Rin beach where it all began some time ago. We also figured tuk tuks would be charging a fair bit too. The beach during the day is filled with backpackers lying in the sun, its quiet and the water is like a warm bath but beautifully clear and shallow for at least 10 meters out. We see now why this place was chosen -you are able to watch the moon rise over the ocean. The beach changed come sunset. Locals setting up their bucket stalls, other larger pubs setting up larger bars on the beach with dance floors and benches to sit on. The stalls by the locals was great fun, as you walk past they all shout wanting business from you while holding up cards saying ''Free Hug'' or ''Love You Long Time'' or ''Free Shot''. Once you choose one they had you a marker for you to write your name on their stall board. Some stalls were even selling laughing gas! First night in Koh Phanghan</span><span class="st"> was like a mini full moon party kicking off 2nights before the actual full moon party. We met some nice people mostly British, Dutch and</span><span class="st"> Americans. We decided to sample a bucket, one bucket, two buckets, 4 buckets - MORE buckets! Oh dear - lets just say we felt a bit rough the next day. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNELB3FTJDXslmA6NhjBO5kpFkNwHMPjdXDkng9n5LThgixNNWNi2IDtWuzesib_3iLRNgy9PcfHjJLvJe5Tey-A1dtqpIeHtJxYS4A9W2HyThjA1YdcEbszHyY30FAcIGfyziPEK90ts/s1600/DSC_0919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNELB3FTJDXslmA6NhjBO5kpFkNwHMPjdXDkng9n5LThgixNNWNi2IDtWuzesib_3iLRNgy9PcfHjJLvJe5Tey-A1dtqpIeHtJxYS4A9W2HyThjA1YdcEbszHyY30FAcIGfyziPEK90ts/s400/DSC_0919.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Almost a full moon! </div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMfzRqjRET-wmffPco0pX2IayTOOsjv4o2p533Ief5V28_oTJTeu8tTdm-qSj9F02RFCut4iSE_vEOuLcrccJ8mipcm2pKC_gUbjq0jtjbaRdnv0n8nzKHwtfDHZ1J-H845rwUl3uTvQ/s1600/DSC_0930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMfzRqjRET-wmffPco0pX2IayTOOsjv4o2p533Ief5V28_oTJTeu8tTdm-qSj9F02RFCut4iSE_vEOuLcrccJ8mipcm2pKC_gUbjq0jtjbaRdnv0n8nzKHwtfDHZ1J-H845rwUl3uTvQ/s400/DSC_0930.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="st">Rock Bar - where it all began. The food here was super cheap and amazing! </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQwK2-wjaEiRidk7wcbFnHonPKufPSDMQRbOs3cOZ0WQyL79YIup23dpRigrF6QUXXQUIQbfHvQfCQDTS8nSpVOOu3_deW-HhJNO96CfdplPGPBSWM1cVFbcY2PyZWAq935PjbsFv78Y/s1600/DSC_0937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQwK2-wjaEiRidk7wcbFnHonPKufPSDMQRbOs3cOZ0WQyL79YIup23dpRigrF6QUXXQUIQbfHvQfCQDTS8nSpVOOu3_deW-HhJNO96CfdplPGPBSWM1cVFbcY2PyZWAq935PjbsFv78Y/s400/DSC_0937.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Laughing gas in case you are not having a good time! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCTyv4n7AE7fOfySy2bRmYJZ3PxGi-1_mfnyD4ebMEfTEyPIGNK3F7uVPs8YuKP5ZctOTEdUO1MaC8FWqshHAs51T-xk7QnKMePir0oQ0psKiNHvA_ra7RTISjXUhBFHpDmPjwaaTuno/s1600/DSC_0940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCTyv4n7AE7fOfySy2bRmYJZ3PxGi-1_mfnyD4ebMEfTEyPIGNK3F7uVPs8YuKP5ZctOTEdUO1MaC8FWqshHAs51T-xk7QnKMePir0oQ0psKiNHvA_ra7RTISjXUhBFHpDmPjwaaTuno/s640/DSC_0940.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Dave selects a stall called David - The Best Bucket!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Oa-SHFshAJu_cx3L23hUnncPDkqUuC2f7CnQ2-BiPjL-LJkA1WCmO648cOERg9r8XVq6sMqZac9jkn51ocJaO7oIi9JlfF8g1hHfmsJePYaFhb-PHeZUFrnfnGcSjHhA6dg1Ojkfcn4/s1600/DSC_0944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Oa-SHFshAJu_cx3L23hUnncPDkqUuC2f7CnQ2-BiPjL-LJkA1WCmO648cOERg9r8XVq6sMqZac9jkn51ocJaO7oIi9JlfF8g1hHfmsJePYaFhb-PHeZUFrnfnGcSjHhA6dg1Ojkfcn4/s400/DSC_0944.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPgXKI_q6MueGeL0qjWYtw-TBH9gb7xs8z-4L4rS0_WB0aFt-bQz4WIlJ1zr8K-_5cdf70FcdZdhSSG-lE7q1f35knnGKGMoN38X7dZ8IPTWo7MZrSjEr6a_iYlJD4u4g-5Do4FGvcGQ/s1600/DSC_0954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPgXKI_q6MueGeL0qjWYtw-TBH9gb7xs8z-4L4rS0_WB0aFt-bQz4WIlJ1zr8K-_5cdf70FcdZdhSSG-lE7q1f35knnGKGMoN38X7dZ8IPTWo7MZrSjEr6a_iYlJD4u4g-5Do4FGvcGQ/s400/DSC_0954.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="st">One of the cards offering a free hug if you buy a bucket from this guy.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="st"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgt8gSLgtQKOYUcvge_kVn4klmkgcX3pkSYmIUaHuJwSyB48qyEJEEMK0-KXe88cJjKIhmvC8GmZEAT6AhSNxacXepWVuvrTS34FkZRV38ujacej9wx1xqZezD_155pExTiWaDfbW0ql8/s1600/DSC_0956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgt8gSLgtQKOYUcvge_kVn4klmkgcX3pkSYmIUaHuJwSyB48qyEJEEMK0-KXe88cJjKIhmvC8GmZEAT6AhSNxacXepWVuvrTS34FkZRV38ujacej9wx1xqZezD_155pExTiWaDfbW0ql8/s400/DSC_0956.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tough choice to choose! Are you wanting the free hug or free shot...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="st"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="st">Having heard that some hotels/hostels get raided on the night of the full moon party, we ensured all valuables were safely locked in a safe. We certainly did not want to come back to find everything gone. The day of the full moon party and by 12pm there are party-goers already hitting the buckets. Not sure how long they will last but by 8pm we did see a few people already passed out. Light weights! Local stalls started being set up earlier in the afternoon and the different sounds systems dotted along the beach started to pump out music. It would have been better if all the sound systems were all synced to play the same beat. Dressed in our florescent tops we made our way to the party. Already kicking off at 6pm, their was about the same amount of people from our first night's ''mini full moon party'' but this was not the party. We got florescent paintings done and we now looked the part! At about 11pm the whole entire beach was packed full of florescent coloured people, all with their buckets, dancing on tables, the beach and in the water. Fire dancers everywhere plus a water slide from the roof of a bar down to the beach sand. It was crazy insane-ness! They averaged between 10,000 to 30,000 people were there. It didn't seem that much but when you walked to the road behind the beach there were street parties kicking off down there too. We were approached twice by a few local men and all they said were ''You want some?'' Clearly knowing what they were asking we told them no and quickly walked away somewhere else also ensuring we were checking our pockets to make sure nothing had been slipped in them without our knowledge. We had already seen some police patrolling around and there's nothing worse than being set up in a country where any dealings in drugs carries the death penalty. Some might read this as being to vigilant but we did not want to take any chances. Not wanting a bad hangover the next day as we have already experienced the cheap Thai vodka hangover, we mixed our own buckets. We bought some Arak in Bali before we left and we concocted our own bucket. We got this idea as we saw two guys with a 5litre bucket each that they mixed themselves. As the night went on so did the increase in the price of buckets. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvFr4jJoUx7I4rsoI4NhBpwCgCGmtvtl6zrziCbrEyYl_PqtfpUYJytAVeYsNlO8ymJ1p8qW34RuXoyD6AiBTy35RXKSQwTxBEEUZF8Z5D389CG52MgXLdbNzVZTpvEgp0aSd5A34FW0M/s1600/DSCF5489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvFr4jJoUx7I4rsoI4NhBpwCgCGmtvtl6zrziCbrEyYl_PqtfpUYJytAVeYsNlO8ymJ1p8qW34RuXoyD6AiBTy35RXKSQwTxBEEUZF8Z5D389CG52MgXLdbNzVZTpvEgp0aSd5A34FW0M/s400/DSCF5489.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let's Party! This is only 10pm. It got even busier as the night went on.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXP2Q0lGlzoUlu6u44H66dNcJ5tgDiQzOu-H7odTIePVeg6V1q7Dh3sdrpaixnqMgWCOLNZaz99fQnTt8owSo0fAHU9K_XYTlyKSNTSWDSUGOfI2mzAkIe6uNjb-SdkEULCaKwFdwZM4f/s1600/DSCF5494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXP2Q0lGlzoUlu6u44H66dNcJ5tgDiQzOu-H7odTIePVeg6V1q7Dh3sdrpaixnqMgWCOLNZaz99fQnTt8owSo0fAHU9K_XYTlyKSNTSWDSUGOfI2mzAkIe6uNjb-SdkEULCaKwFdwZM4f/s400/DSCF5494.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The roof top water slide.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2n4h7cqihf91fc7VWJyfsfTV_G1fu5QfwAW9fwEhryaUER1q9lorZf-4MUYhr4kFzIS8hYcQxbsqnn0JYUW2bulvtGkVaSO2MEhIT5CGsf3Gs11FLxneNUkW3f2Rt-bfR7uej8pT5R2w/s1600/DSCF5496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2n4h7cqihf91fc7VWJyfsfTV_G1fu5QfwAW9fwEhryaUER1q9lorZf-4MUYhr4kFzIS8hYcQxbsqnn0JYUW2bulvtGkVaSO2MEhIT5CGsf3Gs11FLxneNUkW3f2Rt-bfR7uej8pT5R2w/s400/DSCF5496.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleep area available for anyone who feels tired. Believe me there were a few people already snoozing before midnight.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<span class="st">One thing we have noticed a lot since we arrived in SE Asia is the matching his and her outfits, more particularly with the Chinese people although we have seen some Europeans too. Is this the new fashion trend for couples?? Or is this the result of Thai-syndrome with the saying ''Same Same - but Different'' In Phuket we saw a couple in bright green matching shorts, his longer to the knees, hers obviously shorter and both wearing luminous orange polo tops. The same in Koh Phanghan at the full moon party, there were plenty of couples in matching his and her outfits. Now where ever we go and we spot this Dave and I look at each other and both laugh and say '' Same Same - but Different'' I think the photo below explains all.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy47xFnxPs8ThfALH1G77UpG_kmxfDfroVnhG2X08SEFYil9OSE_gAfx9kon03qTQnY3loN9zW4afKuBT0SL6GnxjVDN3hKu_DO1qOUbymKv9wU3eKIBpvpUPNxc0CioNAl4j3fSkVA0JV/s1600/DSCF5518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy47xFnxPs8ThfALH1G77UpG_kmxfDfroVnhG2X08SEFYil9OSE_gAfx9kon03qTQnY3loN9zW4afKuBT0SL6GnxjVDN3hKu_DO1qOUbymKv9wU3eKIBpvpUPNxc0CioNAl4j3fSkVA0JV/s400/DSCF5518.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same Same - but Different!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<span class="st">All in all we had a fantastic time, we danced the night away, saw some interesting sights of European men getting a lap dances from a cute Thai girls, to meeting some really fun people. We must say the hangover the next day was not as bad. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="st"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoeK18Blx_ee1RniyEU5ZAjDdW4EzxPVS2OhJD5fMg9B3DQk8YASKVe4swDWwjzLS1VSZUvmOrXlopHR8r83qKFTEL_dO6iMMkRohMYyxSjrvvheMoD2RGqBnPBo1ylagSJI2ccv9_oEY/s1600/DSC_1016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoeK18Blx_ee1RniyEU5ZAjDdW4EzxPVS2OhJD5fMg9B3DQk8YASKVe4swDWwjzLS1VSZUvmOrXlopHR8r83qKFTEL_dO6iMMkRohMYyxSjrvvheMoD2RGqBnPBo1ylagSJI2ccv9_oEY/s400/DSC_1016.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Koh Phanghan sunset.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2ZsS4uEMW83vHTnaX5f_tuPFemyUjPPCUh0rdcdY_h4TfLQ0qLCqRo2nheU08d8nx_Gxz0yd46oGDFGosZwgX8SIfLdHcxbrdnOlXBLEWh_8Irr6AksT8mMyan1TPSMCz7Oyidvb1gE/s1600/DSC_1022-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2ZsS4uEMW83vHTnaX5f_tuPFemyUjPPCUh0rdcdY_h4TfLQ0qLCqRo2nheU08d8nx_Gxz0yd46oGDFGosZwgX8SIfLdHcxbrdnOlXBLEWh_8Irr6AksT8mMyan1TPSMCz7Oyidvb1gE/s400/DSC_1022-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full moon rising - Seriously it was this orange! It almost looked like the sun.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh931ef-HEh1yGY2UmIoS4C4b1XKFXT4RV77OgBDM35j24QKToLo3Hjv2jKLBBLWpzflzAYOZSejIa-ZVE3jZeQaATwETpkxwkzMjQN3gBMuauu7o8a0c_4CrfWS7EYtZBFdOa8wvfMF6A/s1600/DSC_1039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh931ef-HEh1yGY2UmIoS4C4b1XKFXT4RV77OgBDM35j24QKToLo3Hjv2jKLBBLWpzflzAYOZSejIa-ZVE3jZeQaATwETpkxwkzMjQN3gBMuauu7o8a0c_4CrfWS7EYtZBFdOa8wvfMF6A/s640/DSC_1039.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full moon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKU1wpTxg8wloZUR8clo1arjN8x9KGERLiYzIIb3ihmioeznY9Atf7gvwR1MESc_SMPkYmtLkKrflYeh9KIDtN7odD4D94JrD67mw1PTl34aGJbqdmaFT6z1KZi-rVODhdZQG2HRSPB4/s1600/CSC_1054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKU1wpTxg8wloZUR8clo1arjN8x9KGERLiYzIIb3ihmioeznY9Atf7gvwR1MESc_SMPkYmtLkKrflYeh9KIDtN7odD4D94JrD67mw1PTl34aGJbqdmaFT6z1KZi-rVODhdZQG2HRSPB4/s400/CSC_1054.JPG" width="341" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full moon! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="st"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgIbZ-N3rXrSgKqbz7VxB9C4SW6hDappuVW8mWR38e7jimIQ9pBhYN_DKp1fB0PwlsS9lnRhf7fv58w0jmu8ScO-V97fPxviVXzpR_2YsV-cbS9peTLQsgLl-MsnuYQx__MA89TPLfFo5/s1600/DSCF5521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgIbZ-N3rXrSgKqbz7VxB9C4SW6hDappuVW8mWR38e7jimIQ9pBhYN_DKp1fB0PwlsS9lnRhf7fv58w0jmu8ScO-V97fPxviVXzpR_2YsV-cbS9peTLQsgLl-MsnuYQx__MA89TPLfFo5/s640/DSCF5521.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A packed ferry of backpackers leaving Koh Phanghan.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="st"><i></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="st"><i></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
WhatIF.....http://www.blogger.com/profile/16161621431144355091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372422706436574654.post-13504212488612598012013-05-06T03:36:00.000-07:002013-05-06T03:46:17.635-07:00Phuket 13 - 19th April<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Patong in Phuket is a fun but crazy place in our opinion! We have often discussed this and would ask ourselves just how and why does this place exist as it is today and what draws people here!! Our intentions were to stay for 3 days before making our way to the
islands, however we ended up here for 3 days longer than intended while
waiting for suits to be made! Phuket is definitely a market place.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5R8gaCdNa7IpYruRnO7oztMyT3ILnTYWtF-l877tYje7QY3WCLpeS8Tyr2BfWIITTq1s5DbhrAncWQldqJo_N2MFc5MwoFjk8yb-hryfJzZAAxj04sZTbhu2GMbGGMhXXTjdiR6NWPQ/s1600/DSC_0559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5R8gaCdNa7IpYruRnO7oztMyT3ILnTYWtF-l877tYje7QY3WCLpeS8Tyr2BfWIITTq1s5DbhrAncWQldqJo_N2MFc5MwoFjk8yb-hryfJzZAAxj04sZTbhu2GMbGGMhXXTjdiR6NWPQ/s400/DSC_0559.JPG" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suit fitting! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Patong can be described as a beach town with a market that has grown enormously selling cheap factory made fake products of designer brands. Each stall is a replica of the last stall the T-Shirts even tell you they are printed with SAME SAME - But Different.<br />
The area is filled with tuk tuks vying for business and tourists scooting around on scooters. Crossing the road takes some skill as drivers only slow down, stopping would result in an accident even at a padestrian crossing. Walking around Patong you will find plenty of salons most with a ladyboy or two sitting outside offering massages, we used to try and guess which ones were as we walked past without making it to obvious. You cannot go 50m down the road without hearing at least one of these - '' You want tuk tuk?'' ''Massage??'' ''Sir, You want suit?'' There is a T -Shirt for this as well stating that you dont want any of these things! <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw7sPUyGLW61rnfTdjDVSp2GtyUO5SHtXIAk06PwuUaWjsa7QXwZdVTUL9p-YTlpBYaM9kijZjWUJh1Ccy34Pv6WhGMu6PsZHtW5E2J2jJ8qQPGFTkJXY0F4_LZsK3Jeum2rfNKhyC0e_P/s1600/DSC_0562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw7sPUyGLW61rnfTdjDVSp2GtyUO5SHtXIAk06PwuUaWjsa7QXwZdVTUL9p-YTlpBYaM9kijZjWUJh1Ccy34Pv6WhGMu6PsZHtW5E2J2jJ8qQPGFTkJXY0F4_LZsK3Jeum2rfNKhyC0e_P/s400/DSC_0562.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T-Shirt says it all!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGUBH1P9F9DvrzQuyaG6Xk4tkjbFvGSTR2cl9YlYM2pGvA8INNclNY_zo-rWIVQcnFklYG5oj8kwUKTt-Et9j5QfPmhmKZOoP9iiJk2RD51xMKq0aBnB15WlXbek2AhVhLtRiYxRHwF4/s1600/DSC_0601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGUBH1P9F9DvrzQuyaG6Xk4tkjbFvGSTR2cl9YlYM2pGvA8INNclNY_zo-rWIVQcnFklYG5oj8kwUKTt-Et9j5QfPmhmKZOoP9iiJk2RD51xMKq0aBnB15WlXbek2AhVhLtRiYxRHwF4/s640/DSC_0601.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Patong Beach, Phuket - this place is a massive market. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPx6UMxhGsIsuyMf5BIijexcMmeeHZd7RZ0n5ipbU6tCYbN3rknG_eg-ehj-aSF3rm9zX58R_WGb1PuBDfciLopECyL1tdcaIEN3Q-mp04gLVtdyGN3pUIpooZAxkj6VMhNsHTqitXwA/s1600/DSC_0606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPx6UMxhGsIsuyMf5BIijexcMmeeHZd7RZ0n5ipbU6tCYbN3rknG_eg-ehj-aSF3rm9zX58R_WGb1PuBDfciLopECyL1tdcaIEN3Q-mp04gLVtdyGN3pUIpooZAxkj6VMhNsHTqitXwA/s400/DSC_0606.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had to laugh at the honesty with this salesman.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvUVe3aFwsaLo3L8WIV8RmEefzPteDL9JtHMLSLR41007Eh9qCpmOAVtvIemRe60xEj88vopN8vLcV5aJ9xzwvE0MOTcbJ3IR0RsOHaboVpeaVlDLlbsZsMqirm71VFEBfDDnSQvNZ8w/s1600/DSC_0628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvUVe3aFwsaLo3L8WIV8RmEefzPteDL9JtHMLSLR41007Eh9qCpmOAVtvIemRe60xEj88vopN8vLcV5aJ9xzwvE0MOTcbJ3IR0RsOHaboVpeaVlDLlbsZsMqirm71VFEBfDDnSQvNZ8w/s400/DSC_0628.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good to know! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmDNactvE7Vq9ytE7lPgPe-iGnHp9lpdycSBkmzPiJ0ZDe2qvDC9aZiFMTQdBzZd7Jlz7h6g_AHURkCVlQYvnF1jaie5VkRh6tSY8bXmTdqf4dMTiQxmJdSYPY6iK_RENGB2eaMkW8ZI/s1600/DSC_0626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmDNactvE7Vq9ytE7lPgPe-iGnHp9lpdycSBkmzPiJ0ZDe2qvDC9aZiFMTQdBzZd7Jlz7h6g_AHURkCVlQYvnF1jaie5VkRh6tSY8bXmTdqf4dMTiQxmJdSYPY6iK_RENGB2eaMkW8ZI/s640/DSC_0626.JPG" width="364" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">
How not to get your feet wet!</div>
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What we did like was the weather it's hot and not too humid. We even
managed to get a run in one morning without passing out from the heat!
Its also a beautiful place when its not covered in litter and oily 4 cyclinder
long boats, which by the way I think are ingenious how well they work.<br />
<br />
We stayed in Patong at a place that had a French influence it was
called B-Bossa it was a great place as it was comfortable, safe and the
staff were friendly. After being in Singapore it maybe felt like
we had arrived in the underworld from being on public transport where
eating a chewing gum is illegal to now walking on streets with no
sidewalk and being offered a beer or Marijauna while sitting on the
beach!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggtmD7FndiLLGYnyq5YjoO9OsanuEnGBNJxCP-XW3kat8KCIwYcEoUGCG-8XjlH4T9LbgxUVd30Qz0z6fosaB4dxToHKPp3VlvhFWD3iBVFw_x_zMqQ29SOP4xvMCSKnk1wycxEqojlo/s1600/DSC_0573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggtmD7FndiLLGYnyq5YjoO9OsanuEnGBNJxCP-XW3kat8KCIwYcEoUGCG-8XjlH4T9LbgxUVd30Qz0z6fosaB4dxToHKPp3VlvhFWD3iBVFw_x_zMqQ29SOP4xvMCSKnk1wycxEqojlo/s400/DSC_0573.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Patong Beach - not the best.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJ7ClufQ83KTcLSXSjKwz6-q5pe0NIj75_8UyiPVdCICGy-47rrhSHBBnThWgTlxOW1FgkkG82BT04W3cG6-sQFhWg21wgZvia2iXB6djA1wM78xd-x6Yr1JHHpGv0Bey-rK7o2yw6mo/s1600/DSC_0581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJ7ClufQ83KTcLSXSjKwz6-q5pe0NIj75_8UyiPVdCICGy-47rrhSHBBnThWgTlxOW1FgkkG82BT04W3cG6-sQFhWg21wgZvia2iXB6djA1wM78xd-x6Yr1JHHpGv0Bey-rK7o2yw6mo/s640/DSC_0581.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sunsets were spectacular.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhocfBPEKyvfEyBYvhyD3Y_DZdt0uRVxa_oWuADufu_HCGXiTs5Ia2ChMGJrgBXij2xXpknUJgwMsiHUgQCI3fxUFQGc2KnLJu0fST0l0LAER-ro2A6FA3sE45dANY3AhFVHP1k69CK4/s1600/DSC_0575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhocfBPEKyvfEyBYvhyD3Y_DZdt0uRVxa_oWuADufu_HCGXiTs5Ia2ChMGJrgBXij2xXpknUJgwMsiHUgQCI3fxUFQGc2KnLJu0fST0l0LAER-ro2A6FA3sE45dANY3AhFVHP1k69CK4/s400/DSC_0575.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sundowners on the beach.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqA_D0LeGPlWrj-XetB-SNNCJXs9Rkhb2b0bowJFqpFv_-7E8g_j81jij2GzlMZG-p69AVIf1o1gybcX73eBfJfBlwPHWKmTEJodMiTh7ded-9OZsNfQVJ9JjYX3xBbKeOlGEj3s4tosk/s1600/DSC_0598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqA_D0LeGPlWrj-XetB-SNNCJXs9Rkhb2b0bowJFqpFv_-7E8g_j81jij2GzlMZG-p69AVIf1o1gybcX73eBfJfBlwPHWKmTEJodMiTh7ded-9OZsNfQVJ9JjYX3xBbKeOlGEj3s4tosk/s400/DSC_0598.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Locals selling lanterns and fireworks to light on the beach.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
We did find in the local 7 Eleven that they stock toasted sandwiches. They will toast them for you in the store. Genious - the UK should come up with these! And they don't taste too bad either.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6VdlIvA2Zedd0QVXwK21wZG-oc9RHoQB9LWXr20SBWJjxQ8PdxqqTfABno5wBfaVmw1Pbd8QVq7tJTYI2fAjMCsbjtwdtt0wGpJQZVPeoGm5A72R8X8cIkZDWvW7OwIlw9b41Zf_pBA/s1600/DSCF5184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6VdlIvA2Zedd0QVXwK21wZG-oc9RHoQB9LWXr20SBWJjxQ8PdxqqTfABno5wBfaVmw1Pbd8QVq7tJTYI2fAjMCsbjtwdtt0wGpJQZVPeoGm5A72R8X8cIkZDWvW7OwIlw9b41Zf_pBA/s320/DSCF5184.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toasties are available at the local 7 eleven</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
</div>
<br />
<u><b>Fishing Trip</b></u><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQNkFCnkNn49bh4CAldOrwvPg9CuKD4R82Vg1eKDQY8KbzWWdbcO6-bZUgNbojgtuy_RyOuXYIwyB4ZYic42cI9TqMvcd-BaFX83Q3MMIdEHtI89yV77xeNQHD-Q3av4TJCy6Xg7pbpo/s1600/DSCF5181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="46" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQNkFCnkNn49bh4CAldOrwvPg9CuKD4R82Vg1eKDQY8KbzWWdbcO6-bZUgNbojgtuy_RyOuXYIwyB4ZYic42cI9TqMvcd-BaFX83Q3MMIdEHtI89yV77xeNQHD-Q3av4TJCy6Xg7pbpo/s640/DSCF5181.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We had two days out of Patong on a full day fishing trip and a visit to James Bond Island. The fishing trip was cheap 1000BHT each and included lunch and all drinks. There was a Russian couple on the boat and he said he was a great fisherman. Its not often you meet people from Russia on your travels. When it came to fishing he didn't catch a thing, maybe because it was the hand lines we were all using and this was new to him? He did seem slightly frustrated. We caught a few fish but nothing to really big enough to boast about. The lunch was a local fish soup, called Tom Yum made from some of the fish caught during the day. For 1000BHT for the whole day we were not complaining for a day out on the water.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIypPPFZXI2JQD94OekAyXW6VYfvDvK2zv8lWi7hRv1ok4U6m4EDwIo8CpTV-o73gXyR6LF-sx7bxucshxp0a3ALk2zQJQEzDEZxQWE4TUN-nFNkodWtBcqFDAL4bvVymD9szihb-31Xo/s1600/DSCF5134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIypPPFZXI2JQD94OekAyXW6VYfvDvK2zv8lWi7hRv1ok4U6m4EDwIo8CpTV-o73gXyR6LF-sx7bxucshxp0a3ALk2zQJQEzDEZxQWE4TUN-nFNkodWtBcqFDAL4bvVymD9szihb-31Xo/s400/DSCF5134.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR8ZJYg_3RRSk641tjjHPL4Ov6zDNeN_fGYcPEdmWbhWIpNTOtalBHwD4lGEPrYSKUnFr05nqyQkzvCTRVpMkFUXCqkiZvEmno1MB-WCngYc_lcMveCGopDifY4kZFMo6lWJ251Fq1Z1g/s1600/DSCF5140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR8ZJYg_3RRSk641tjjHPL4Ov6zDNeN_fGYcPEdmWbhWIpNTOtalBHwD4lGEPrYSKUnFr05nqyQkzvCTRVpMkFUXCqkiZvEmno1MB-WCngYc_lcMveCGopDifY4kZFMo6lWJ251Fq1Z1g/s400/DSCF5140.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First fish of the day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggAkXRR4oyjWkxyn86-YIOtk3CQgTwfDmRZRScVMB0Up25eRvr6AX5vnfzghzf2I5RPIM6HA2bTghf_zsNj8shYHaPg93FHSdpM_aGI8yMV1FtoAZpGLnGaffXVQ_AplXcLA2TSGx8Eq8/s1600/DSCF5142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggAkXRR4oyjWkxyn86-YIOtk3CQgTwfDmRZRScVMB0Up25eRvr6AX5vnfzghzf2I5RPIM6HA2bTghf_zsNj8shYHaPg93FHSdpM_aGI8yMV1FtoAZpGLnGaffXVQ_AplXcLA2TSGx8Eq8/s400/DSCF5142.JPG" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second fish of the day.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3C_EGw-U6pwYgB7d4uxfMyOTFgkTgycXqhf-bQfEIKvOtb9lImWiI_Jco9xP-YnOb9BI1ISODqrvWiWIKAX1-lrccf4X_ba-fzrcunGmemIWLz_JA9IIx57upyaPN6jOiVUtknf-pp4k/s1600/DSCF5146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3C_EGw-U6pwYgB7d4uxfMyOTFgkTgycXqhf-bQfEIKvOtb9lImWiI_Jco9xP-YnOb9BI1ISODqrvWiWIKAX1-lrccf4X_ba-fzrcunGmemIWLz_JA9IIx57upyaPN6jOiVUtknf-pp4k/s400/DSCF5146.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talking to one of the guys to find out what exactly is going into the Tom Yam soup. No prawns for me!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNELtXOCYZ4Pv58h3gOm47_LYdEPMuJVnYRy8vjrpc4zkPayNhq6EaSABEINSwtOLkl0RD-tj_wRYSD_wZG-CJfIi_kWU_am2qWfgyC7UuyXRKkWStpmfWhuDl6SSmDWWn7IwI_PdGG4/s1600/DSCF5177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNELtXOCYZ4Pv58h3gOm47_LYdEPMuJVnYRy8vjrpc4zkPayNhq6EaSABEINSwtOLkl0RD-tj_wRYSD_wZG-CJfIi_kWU_am2qWfgyC7UuyXRKkWStpmfWhuDl6SSmDWWn7IwI_PdGG4/s400/DSCF5177.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fishing lures.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvSZIT2hbHNV60wYACkYo-pBFHNulcz_D_CidFA7D_vF13bMresoaNlz1iaY7iz-5WbkYCO_APvwTcP8yHFFlR8Qshar2JLovAl3BLPSbPfDyj8kDeuVX96_AelPE7Bvn8pNLL80ZJwU/s1600/DSCF5171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvSZIT2hbHNV60wYACkYo-pBFHNulcz_D_CidFA7D_vF13bMresoaNlz1iaY7iz-5WbkYCO_APvwTcP8yHFFlR8Qshar2JLovAl3BLPSbPfDyj8kDeuVX96_AelPE7Bvn8pNLL80ZJwU/s400/DSCF5171.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many fishing boats we passed. We were not on one of these thankfully.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQem4-GxvM_AAtxYWt0YdNVHUl0RhyW9QhF9VpZnUGlmPoTAFe4AEUODFO71X5eHXnyZmxD2_BaL2o9M_YYebRoLg90F_LVq2Ks54qgmdqrnxiR6KCyaQAwKcAQQqvqsOY0Jo_RvklOM/s1600/DSCF5173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQem4-GxvM_AAtxYWt0YdNVHUl0RhyW9QhF9VpZnUGlmPoTAFe4AEUODFO71X5eHXnyZmxD2_BaL2o9M_YYebRoLg90F_LVq2Ks54qgmdqrnxiR6KCyaQAwKcAQQqvqsOY0Jo_RvklOM/s640/DSCF5173.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b><u>James Bond Island</u></b><br />
<br />
We took a days trip to James Bond Island, where some of the movie for Golden Finger were shot. <a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/goldfinger/" target="_blank">goldfinger movie review </a>Part of the tour included kayaking through some caves which meant we needed to lie down in the kayak to pass the small gap between the water and cave entrance. The caves were smelly and dark, bit of an airey feel to them. Bats flapped their wings above us, disrupted from camera flashes going off. This is the Thailand I was expecting, the rugged and sheer steep limestone mountains forming the landscape over the ocean. It truly is beautiful. We transferred from our big boat to smaller boats with motors to go to James Bond Island. The small island was over crowded with other tours and was a bit frustrating getting some decent images without your pictures being photo-bombed! It was still interesting to see none the less and a great day out of Patong beach.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_794274944"></span><span id="goog_794274945"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXe5pom_V8q04WGq5U1LPbpEPAbjW5PJ1JgvDSC1ZaHpXKT9zMCOEqnQcm1d5cR9yeTGdPvFd3VXQa9G759ErjZSag9ugxj8PwKnC2lfDTMVhHTwtDWgAAcI-qfkELGt9Qy9R50u4TDE/s1600/DSCF5186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXe5pom_V8q04WGq5U1LPbpEPAbjW5PJ1JgvDSC1ZaHpXKT9zMCOEqnQcm1d5cR9yeTGdPvFd3VXQa9G759ErjZSag9ugxj8PwKnC2lfDTMVhHTwtDWgAAcI-qfkELGt9Qy9R50u4TDE/s640/DSCF5186.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The outboard motors! They are ingenious how well they work.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRK-wvG3padbtadodusG_AFL8tkE0CWyksT0jNt9EVAHlSRHljb3-Zf5GN4aW1VL05kJluatzZteHlGegJtSdIkjDeZUT450GyWI_4WoVfTg-3Df6oimh3UeaB-IZO-wqsEgRXeX7lkI0/s1600/DSCF5200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRK-wvG3padbtadodusG_AFL8tkE0CWyksT0jNt9EVAHlSRHljb3-Zf5GN4aW1VL05kJluatzZteHlGegJtSdIkjDeZUT450GyWI_4WoVfTg-3Df6oimh3UeaB-IZO-wqsEgRXeX7lkI0/s400/DSCF5200.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDws4jsz1MY_LED8mUThctquDf4PIH6P_FkY5wNmwhulrJrVDbsJDWihmyXhhyphenhyphenLVx61onH58JveJ9Z3deJ70uLZeTJ9PCTlTUw14tPO5-609wD5Nww0jFntM4uAB7aS9WD0LoJLTGL0k/s1600/DSCF5231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDws4jsz1MY_LED8mUThctquDf4PIH6P_FkY5wNmwhulrJrVDbsJDWihmyXhhyphenhyphenLVx61onH58JveJ9Z3deJ70uLZeTJ9PCTlTUw14tPO5-609wD5Nww0jFntM4uAB7aS9WD0LoJLTGL0k/s640/DSCF5231.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea kayaking.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8KmN8Qsa3459kb5TOX6VOARedTQTGx2pgyQ8_Qc-9TB784vBdjBNRYS8wTRLjqfa1UDhAh_QxlR7unijze5S4ZO4l0GhtUA1KItKT0I8rxZdbTMrCBsaYPKhQ9XK3CTUxWWkMX8VeQ0/s1600/DSCF5239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8KmN8Qsa3459kb5TOX6VOARedTQTGx2pgyQ8_Qc-9TB784vBdjBNRYS8wTRLjqfa1UDhAh_QxlR7unijze5S4ZO4l0GhtUA1KItKT0I8rxZdbTMrCBsaYPKhQ9XK3CTUxWWkMX8VeQ0/s320/DSCF5239.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9Oe0WozJa_W_7VaXgaxTcHa7ZLT8lcr8gj-19zFwVZplUBUIAn58IHGF7h7W3may4M1xREm0k533HT4a1VT2IyGAy9nTH6DNFO5timp07Va5IpAaGiWB0zj2U8XdCq5We45Xg6inAvA/s1600/DSCF5244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9Oe0WozJa_W_7VaXgaxTcHa7ZLT8lcr8gj-19zFwVZplUBUIAn58IHGF7h7W3may4M1xREm0k533HT4a1VT2IyGAy9nTH6DNFO5timp07Va5IpAaGiWB0zj2U8XdCq5We45Xg6inAvA/s320/DSCF5244.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The monkeys at the cave's entrance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIieBrSXRZ_4PcRaPxxIHPZWHpgvDqh2v0OndJXQj5asukAGdXonvEV7Q4mmOGd9diRzFCLX8Rx7VSZIn9OVTqW5hmeYVYlLL01JEm_dwYfE_YEZGueTIFoeTa115BdHSz_rqn5OJK28/s1600/DSCF5265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIieBrSXRZ_4PcRaPxxIHPZWHpgvDqh2v0OndJXQj5asukAGdXonvEV7Q4mmOGd9diRzFCLX8Rx7VSZIn9OVTqW5hmeYVYlLL01JEm_dwYfE_YEZGueTIFoeTa115BdHSz_rqn5OJK28/s400/DSCF5265.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The small cave opening to fit through.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMOpzFfDXfInOI29UyMcDCxWyZtxFxdnCsa95h1u6if9jz_xymSkEhoV1zinqyk4ff_ip67o2SME_RBg4wvi0Y2vK0yRvjRzprTalKN1PBw_jgqIf7k92tEeLVWw__BuJMDiDAGzHd60/s1600/DSCF5308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMOpzFfDXfInOI29UyMcDCxWyZtxFxdnCsa95h1u6if9jz_xymSkEhoV1zinqyk4ff_ip67o2SME_RBg4wvi0Y2vK0yRvjRzprTalKN1PBw_jgqIf7k92tEeLVWw__BuJMDiDAGzHd60/s400/DSCF5308.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKA76pEcBsFyQp3sIkgrhAo1DCBGcROWw48BDQeNoNeZ-bVpupumj-J-62ZgJ8YM7c6OxA8hUq9W9WQjoYCfqNq19pUku9ka-jvMXOU-9_Qz8W5vazIt-u9WnXya4pi0P42l0vC3WxoU/s1600/DSCF5328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKA76pEcBsFyQp3sIkgrhAo1DCBGcROWw48BDQeNoNeZ-bVpupumj-J-62ZgJ8YM7c6OxA8hUq9W9WQjoYCfqNq19pUku9ka-jvMXOU-9_Qz8W5vazIt-u9WnXya4pi0P42l0vC3WxoU/s640/DSCF5328.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifO5Ba6dce7mkYHlrpuSs8QF_-WCsjmYb23Uvg3wtxY7gjrUIUAluga7g7B9QzaF6ZMXFNIlPkALIicyajsm6JsO-9p9XFwqcPGIWFRCF5TwQ_wASWJ_jaMXl0iR-Llq7zCb-MB-GtKH8/s1600/DSCF5289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifO5Ba6dce7mkYHlrpuSs8QF_-WCsjmYb23Uvg3wtxY7gjrUIUAluga7g7B9QzaF6ZMXFNIlPkALIicyajsm6JsO-9p9XFwqcPGIWFRCF5TwQ_wASWJ_jaMXl0iR-Llq7zCb-MB-GtKH8/s400/DSCF5289.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the cave.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKZv2YUGVpI_UtYlkg9aSb5cdP5Ah7lyY9JVSuamQZpxuA02jRAkemXLMGyUmvH_CBIPbXol8eM5Xi0MJ2zWdbed4JuvR47hbe_mkM90rp_eTc-hfhiAmAddpa-x3RfWonJdEE9Q5Gkw/s1600/IMG_0378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKZv2YUGVpI_UtYlkg9aSb5cdP5Ah7lyY9JVSuamQZpxuA02jRAkemXLMGyUmvH_CBIPbXol8eM5Xi0MJ2zWdbed4JuvR47hbe_mkM90rp_eTc-hfhiAmAddpa-x3RfWonJdEE9Q5Gkw/s640/IMG_0378.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boat to James Bond Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJaunmceMN13nqBAVoZ7YhWUAGS0CfRciJlOTbOahyP0BGIUGd3K7bo424bo6wEWdWja57CCOqwWPZhv-4umVL3ILphAMLh02dvXYLB-U_BxO-JVnkmPlMjnBI-CCwiqATzPfpk2Jntz4/s1600/IMG_0383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJaunmceMN13nqBAVoZ7YhWUAGS0CfRciJlOTbOahyP0BGIUGd3K7bo424bo6wEWdWja57CCOqwWPZhv-4umVL3ILphAMLh02dvXYLB-U_BxO-JVnkmPlMjnBI-CCwiqATzPfpk2Jntz4/s400/IMG_0383.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outboard motor.4 cyclinder water cooled direct from the sea!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-mFIMse16PnckbRaC3Nt1O_Nzth39_pRorPee7CJzv2zEIijoLWOUA0zzMpDafLmmUYG8r9cmF-DHI3hrTH794CYJRobNWs3Oh1PWPkU3NPbSeUtOWLDwu-KM5lr95utrV9dtwdz_bqw/s1600/IMG_0385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-mFIMse16PnckbRaC3Nt1O_Nzth39_pRorPee7CJzv2zEIijoLWOUA0zzMpDafLmmUYG8r9cmF-DHI3hrTH794CYJRobNWs3Oh1PWPkU3NPbSeUtOWLDwu-KM5lr95utrV9dtwdz_bqw/s640/IMG_0385.JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKVxKBuPHSpjTwsveeBt0gfApzNdN6wa2i4a6KcuqOjlYHiD_zZtDAdjPrkHROZKZG3_pZLv9fWfoKQNL6w7W9DAqw8biygsycG5-QUhtTFJTJh3CREGAD2b9VhGDBJ8FyXY8rtL8K2s/s1600/IMG_0400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKVxKBuPHSpjTwsveeBt0gfApzNdN6wa2i4a6KcuqOjlYHiD_zZtDAdjPrkHROZKZG3_pZLv9fWfoKQNL6w7W9DAqw8biygsycG5-QUhtTFJTJh3CREGAD2b9VhGDBJ8FyXY8rtL8K2s/s640/IMG_0400.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James Bond Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNADcejngRrBtuohRTtqqoC1JguSZfiwTQ0rItyPxdHmmAMJKa0S5EhOSgZnmspBQ4rjDEF-LD0F5azIbsXVe8kg1gKr7cBoixNDtuUEaUH2V3OPUjAK4j40mbRXiFIaDpBF0M2wJRCY/s1600/IMG_0425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNADcejngRrBtuohRTtqqoC1JguSZfiwTQ0rItyPxdHmmAMJKa0S5EhOSgZnmspBQ4rjDEF-LD0F5azIbsXVe8kg1gKr7cBoixNDtuUEaUH2V3OPUjAK4j40mbRXiFIaDpBF0M2wJRCY/s640/IMG_0425.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not bad for an iphone photo. Camera battery died. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtw6P8khtfGzLd3KAPfM2SmgbXE_E0eGMtQQUr82bGghPlHakb9ErmSoSdzekoS2vJ4fvXfc5HSWR2uuc7wsEpGR1qMRfMEsO_xCfHI1BtHCo7iV8lXoNNOvjxiuoxmkYJH7DKStOyrQ/s1600/IMG_0428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtw6P8khtfGzLd3KAPfM2SmgbXE_E0eGMtQQUr82bGghPlHakb9ErmSoSdzekoS2vJ4fvXfc5HSWR2uuc7wsEpGR1qMRfMEsO_xCfHI1BtHCo7iV8lXoNNOvjxiuoxmkYJH7DKStOyrQ/s400/IMG_0428.JPG" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dried squid anyone??</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />WhatIF.....http://www.blogger.com/profile/16161621431144355091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372422706436574654.post-81125177530281343942013-04-21T08:30:00.000-07:002013-04-22T02:24:07.240-07:00The Lion City - Singapore 10 - 13th AprilFlying into Singapore we noticed the amount of cargo ships moored off the coast, not tens not twenties but over a hundred at the very least. We landed in one of the best Airports in the world Changi, we walked for ages through what looked more like a massive shopping mall filled with beautifully decorated gardens of orchids, than an airport. We were also convinced after walking for what felt like more than 10min that we had missed the baggage reclaim sign!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzCmNcwHEwq46yRdSYCcMfpFkuBD75V5y79gu-pAn7rJ4L9qZpfo5SFHq1ss9MnsvfY9RzMoOtyo99HwMFtxcFs7jGjw3TaNvDvzNx7jzP2iT-sMfTZb26cch_uuV-uJOuQJLJwSlM48/s1600/DSCF5051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzCmNcwHEwq46yRdSYCcMfpFkuBD75V5y79gu-pAn7rJ4L9qZpfo5SFHq1ss9MnsvfY9RzMoOtyo99HwMFtxcFs7jGjw3TaNvDvzNx7jzP2iT-sMfTZb26cch_uuV-uJOuQJLJwSlM48/s640/DSCF5051.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A look out the plane window just before landing</div>
<br />
Our first impressions on Singapore was over the top clinically clean, first world concrete jungle in a tropical environment. There is a diverse mix of cultures from around the world living and working here. Walking around places like the famous Orchard Road is a bit like Regent Street in London, although that's hardly a comparison, the culture is so diverse its just some of the same branded shop fronts jump out at you. We were awe struck by how affluent Singapore is. We decided to only spend 3 days here as we knew this would put a bit of a dent in the travel budget.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNy8vAYbh7N_WYAXhaVUCTLknUj761wvXZj2gjOCK9-YAB__2QD_0ExJuIcnnpH-drGS66mW3bHdYiO6-BBhhtl51ObuaG0obAcYVmzU8bMyVYlcbFFaGcpZFkwWCpMwqqXGAaZyUVtrI/s1600/DSCF5055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNy8vAYbh7N_WYAXhaVUCTLknUj761wvXZj2gjOCK9-YAB__2QD_0ExJuIcnnpH-drGS66mW3bHdYiO6-BBhhtl51ObuaG0obAcYVmzU8bMyVYlcbFFaGcpZFkwWCpMwqqXGAaZyUVtrI/s400/DSCF5055.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Landing at Changi Blue Sky's and hot!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ70Z8JYuUMrLPjvXsmc6rsgswtPy3D30CjoNcLZ1LwhRwI3-aQpihpPt7kD0W1ejyqwf2ddmWIeQgy7kg1WIOuOKZM0e3OxnMMtBwij666CXq7R8vpeIZvP_gO1FShJUNJ3n-i0A43Xo/s1600/DSCF5058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ70Z8JYuUMrLPjvXsmc6rsgswtPy3D30CjoNcLZ1LwhRwI3-aQpihpPt7kD0W1ejyqwf2ddmWIeQgy7kg1WIOuOKZM0e3OxnMMtBwij666CXq7R8vpeIZvP_gO1FShJUNJ3n-i0A43Xo/s640/DSCF5058.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Endless entertainment in the Airport!<br />
These globes move up and down independently on a cable which moves them around like waves or shapes a little like a graphic equalizer.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwGukAf0wYakg49WnDqtXutS6Ob1gNWQ7H0ac5JcisrogmruAt4C0Uo5GbhmWw5ru7dB9iC-3X5fuDemfM3jg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3oYuqtgplNztrFYISyFeXY4cKMjabp0O3A5WnWLsgdxPAvnJGvVIaiO8ATOHzzxox7HecNUP1LWSm2aJT3VS_MRyMb-2sZ6BKMcwuOQa5r7rnbRfrcMb-F1Y8JZKIi04f26jl4wa5pO8/s1600/DSC_0502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3oYuqtgplNztrFYISyFeXY4cKMjabp0O3A5WnWLsgdxPAvnJGvVIaiO8ATOHzzxox7HecNUP1LWSm2aJT3VS_MRyMb-2sZ6BKMcwuOQa5r7rnbRfrcMb-F1Y8JZKIi04f26jl4wa5pO8/s640/DSC_0502.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
So what to do in Singapore, when you only have 3 days? There is plenty to see and do, but again it depends on what you truly want out of this place, a shopping spree, that is if you have the bucks to splash the cash or be a typical tourist and do some of the touristy things and eating out cheaply at some of the hawker stands.<br />
<br />
Hotels are tricky to find under US$60 per night that have good reviews, bearing in mind we are not going the whole hostel route which would have been a whole lot cheaper. We managed to find a hotel for US$65 per night in Balestier Road. Reading review after review of hotels in Singapore we decided on The Fragrance Hotel Balestier. Don't expect big rooms or big bathrooms in Singapore. For us the hotel was sufficient, a place to leave our luggage, sleep and have a shower. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPnY0QOguBrz4etnVs-JQdYP3SKh7TTMW4kOk5B-GMHEOXjvLGdS46zi4vUMxXSw7jPQUqcbb6wWXIe348MAgFWD8LFP6wtxcgehNzsHGd0s50iy8Rnwtt_exd4tzLT6p2oHGDgOjOQw/s1600/DSCF5060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPnY0QOguBrz4etnVs-JQdYP3SKh7TTMW4kOk5B-GMHEOXjvLGdS46zi4vUMxXSw7jPQUqcbb6wWXIe348MAgFWD8LFP6wtxcgehNzsHGd0s50iy8Rnwtt_exd4tzLT6p2oHGDgOjOQw/s640/DSCF5060.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3KMjBeljE8oAt91_N_hDlH2DiPDHs62gpE-66M_BoK-kusebdGcGAEkaGLF8GEiRW2Ov7WuaycUUYuqFiaif2WVIo5qMErmoolhncd1IeoADG54vbuZLYLGOo42USGeCj6wHa8MvqnM/s1600/DSCF5073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3KMjBeljE8oAt91_N_hDlH2DiPDHs62gpE-66M_BoK-kusebdGcGAEkaGLF8GEiRW2Ov7WuaycUUYuqFiaif2WVIo5qMErmoolhncd1IeoADG54vbuZLYLGOo42USGeCj6wHa8MvqnM/s320/DSCF5073.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Transport is fantastic just dont eat or drink anything!</div>
<h4>
<u><b>Eating out! </b></u><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">The food was fantastic in Singapore and if you love hot spicy seafood
this is the place, not to mention that compared to London's food prices
with the exchange rate you're 60% cheaper! </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Depending on what you are after Singapore offer a medley of Chinese, Malay and Indian foods. </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Some of the places we found down Balestier Road had some interesting items on the menu such as pigs trotters to marinated frog soup. Here is a list of some of the places we ate at while in Singapore.</span></h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></h4>
<b>1. Whampoa Keng Fishead Steamboat, 556 Ballesteir Rd<a href="http://www.whampoakeng.com.sg/" target="_blank">Whampoa Restaurant & Menu</a></b><br />
<br />
How
to get here: Catch the MRT to Novena Rd and catch the 124 or 21 bus down
Ballesteir Rd. There are alot of light fitting shops down the road so you need to watch out for all the restaurants. They are around Irrawady Rd if you
want to ask the driver! <br />
<br />
The Calamari Hot Plate Nyona
Sotong is recomended but not the Sambal Sotong, make sure you try the
fishhead steamboat though its the best! You will see that is what everyone orders here and is a must try in Singapore! We did try a Chinese black herbal jelly for dessert, a bit of a sour/bitter taste and not quite to our liking. It was similar to a cold herbal tea! <br />
<br />
For 2 people this cost 75SGD and included a large Tiger beer so not quite as cheap as you thought Asia might be?<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>2. Din Tai Fung, 313 Orchard Road, Somerset mall</b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://www.dintaifungusa.com/" target="_blank">Din Tai Fung Retaurant & Menu</a></b><br />
<br />
How
to get here: Catch the MRT to Orchard rd and take a stroll along
Orchard Avenue if you want to shop this is the place so allow plenty of
time. The resuarant is in the Somerset mall.<br />
<br />
We ordered alot of food here. The Hot Sour Soup on the menu was fantastic! The pork dumplings were out of this world, they had a small amount of soup in them. Once you dipped the dumpling into a mix of vinegar and freshly sliced ginger and popped this in your mouth, the soup inside the dumpling burst and the flavour was amazing. The prawn bread and the mushrooms with noodles were equally delicious. You can watch the chefs making the dumplings in the kitchen. This is a well known food chain in Singapore.<br />
<br />
For 3 People 150SGD<br />
<br />
<b>3. China Town Foodmarket</b><br />
<br />
How to get here: Catch the
MRT to China Town and you will walk straight into the chaos of Chineese
food market, electronics and clothes. This is the traditional Chinese quarters of town. Some of China Town has been done up to meet tourist standards, if this is not what you are after head away from this area and you will find the small family run food stalls that have a small seating area outside. The popular food stalls seems to be the ones where you choose the ingredients you want in a bowl and tell them how you want it done. <br />
<br />
We chose the
Hot Pot, also a place where you can choose your own ingredients from mushrooms, to meat, to veggies and spices.We opted for a Spicy Pepper Beef which was fantastic with ginger, garlic and
lots of pepper kernels. We also tried the spicy squid. <br />
<br />
For 2 People 25SGD.<br />
<br />
<b>Little India</b> is also meant to be just as cheap to eat out at too, unfortunately we did not make it there. <br />
<br />
We constructed a typical comparisson of prices compared to London rates. Yes Singapore is an expensive city but we found some things cheaper than London.<br />
<br />
A price comparison between London and Singapore with minimum salaries the two cities both have a high standard of living and the lowest working class compare about the same here with food costs and earnings.<br />
<br />
Base salary: 1370GBP London vs 600GBP per month<br />
<br />
Exchange rate: 1 British Pound GBP = 1.90 Singaporean dollar SGD<br />
London vs Singapore <br />
Pint Kronnenburg 1664: 4.20GBP Tiger 2GBP <br />
<br />
Plate of Fish & Chips 15 GBP Grouper 3.6GBP <br />
<br />
Salt n Pepper Squid 7 GBP Salt n Pepper Squid 3GBP <br />
<br />
Cocktails 15 - 30 GBP Singapore Sling 12GBP<br />
Nightclub AnonAnon Picadilly Raffles, Sky 57 bar. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLU5f21HmPL0GQXN3JkfAKsaK_tdVchBVwwonJ8bts3yDqf5miuIlVmy6Q5tvdTlUw6-a0R50GFt4cyOkplWML1Pct0fVvlg0IF3997-vfNNmBVYugRMe5I6JUYTaWzbZNo5Wsb9SUpM/s1600/DSCF5062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLU5f21HmPL0GQXN3JkfAKsaK_tdVchBVwwonJ8bts3yDqf5miuIlVmy6Q5tvdTlUw6-a0R50GFt4cyOkplWML1Pct0fVvlg0IF3997-vfNNmBVYugRMe5I6JUYTaWzbZNo5Wsb9SUpM/s400/DSCF5062.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Breakfast we ate every morning at this place.... Fruit skewers and Avocado shakes!</div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Places to Visit!</b><br />
<br />
<b>Mt Faber</b> - Get the MRT to Harbour Front. Mt Faber is a tropical environment, thick tropical bushes and trees. A few spiders too! The walk is easy although the walk way is either concrete steps or made of wooden walkways and steps. Best to go early morning or late afternoon or you will get to the top and look like you have just climbed out a swimming pool. Hard to beleive that such a thick tropical ''jungle'' is in the middle of a concrete jungle. We really enjoyed the walk and also some of the amazing views at the top.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqi_0lcyUPnNvKnz9DvL2inZwDD6pXxOK2ZOJinVHCpzLSip-f1p1lnQMAVbXgnUd_dX44Yolgy8HO0PjaDLYANqTLkINdH5zALC_m2oPI_8CGSkhR42PpnZd7zG2e5gKOiIfk8FHxaMo/s1600/DSC_0220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqi_0lcyUPnNvKnz9DvL2inZwDD6pXxOK2ZOJinVHCpzLSip-f1p1lnQMAVbXgnUd_dX44Yolgy8HO0PjaDLYANqTLkINdH5zALC_m2oPI_8CGSkhR42PpnZd7zG2e5gKOiIfk8FHxaMo/s400/DSC_0220.JPG" width="186" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A sign before walking Mt Faber!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2paGNriV7ym2rRriehmv445Fmq6Wro1ZTpURIb8GnB4Zqm6oDZX19hYPFGIQm3tNp8KTU8ow6r09eRi5B65jHWdgjH5Z5urxE09CvUvFfzX4oPB9l_5tJE_lFPvPjOJkrXTQI50QATM/s1600/DSC_0221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2paGNriV7ym2rRriehmv445Fmq6Wro1ZTpURIb8GnB4Zqm6oDZX19hYPFGIQm3tNp8KTU8ow6r09eRi5B65jHWdgjH5Z5urxE09CvUvFfzX4oPB9l_5tJE_lFPvPjOJkrXTQI50QATM/s640/DSC_0221.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The start of Mt Faber</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5u_TBluY68MaG7UZ7Xuj9SvaGAF0A0wGUQyLsYViVqE_MPsaPiWXVQ5oTpol8snLvePoZCMPn9WSMu6vftmidYpbFaDHC_fFeqmr6HhudjqUh9yI1YiT6P-JUnpqOlBTADmftUzampcE/s1600/DSC_0226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5u_TBluY68MaG7UZ7Xuj9SvaGAF0A0wGUQyLsYViVqE_MPsaPiWXVQ5oTpol8snLvePoZCMPn9WSMu6vftmidYpbFaDHC_fFeqmr6HhudjqUh9yI1YiT6P-JUnpqOlBTADmftUzampcE/s400/DSC_0226.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21t2Nrz081_RzuND9lG1CDkYSLqSb-zdio5OG9dx-9fc0LpaGxQZGJtEta9RS8v4XtruThBOpDapG34XpEqr-dXaGol_GxVJ_QiVoBEXskA7TYWA-awzdQv9X76bzCR8hYxk52W0Oe-0/s1600/DSC_0229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21t2Nrz081_RzuND9lG1CDkYSLqSb-zdio5OG9dx-9fc0LpaGxQZGJtEta9RS8v4XtruThBOpDapG34XpEqr-dXaGol_GxVJ_QiVoBEXskA7TYWA-awzdQv9X76bzCR8hYxk52W0Oe-0/s400/DSC_0229.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mt Faber walkways.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1iXERPVjK68xvypn3NOGdbHzQa3SVou4kuFoEdaj4La4OlFPbYt7yupZivpyV62_gq8rxe6Q4eV6rMZy6LyYLoYhVxJcOjhYrx2D_NxvGwZuxuKwln5FvjHoj9qDvGcFuG7wudH70q-o/s1600/DSC_0238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1iXERPVjK68xvypn3NOGdbHzQa3SVou4kuFoEdaj4La4OlFPbYt7yupZivpyV62_gq8rxe6Q4eV6rMZy6LyYLoYhVxJcOjhYrx2D_NxvGwZuxuKwln5FvjHoj9qDvGcFuG7wudH70q-o/s640/DSC_0238.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One view that struck us was the dockyard! Huge does not describe it.</div>
<br />
<b>Raffles Hotel - </b>This was recommended by a freind of ours so we decided to check this place out and to sample the famous Singapore Sling! Raffles Hotel has a colonial cosmopolitan charm about it. We were finally seated at the Long Bar after a short wait and were given a wooden box full of monkey nuts, looking around the floor was covered with cracked nut shells. So we followed suit, cracked the nuts and dropped the empty shells on the floor under our feet. The original Singapore Sling is simply to die for. This is definitely the place to try a Singapore Sling!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3bgu2_fe11U-LOZtddbxsm98C1kyHRABWw47C-EdRFVmoyRSwQTQA-A797DYtagwmZO16e-YNQWJabRgAkVK1R_TKem4BE-ALYy8xcKHAXCIjoVT1OW0KXcxfJ_YVTpyghuDb4TW1VM/s1600/DSC_0531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3bgu2_fe11U-LOZtddbxsm98C1kyHRABWw47C-EdRFVmoyRSwQTQA-A797DYtagwmZO16e-YNQWJabRgAkVK1R_TKem4BE-ALYy8xcKHAXCIjoVT1OW0KXcxfJ_YVTpyghuDb4TW1VM/s400/DSC_0531.JPG" width="326" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Nutshells on the floor.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NxzsgppwpozDPCFZlF_FCGUSCtuq3PGgEFXb4uiP7PkGy23wwMTjhZdwzgrD9Qsa4aluXvhcQBWaoxepBskGhr85x1n3A2ge7QF6C0ONf8kwK8QgMuNFl6coA6FwPxaNQgw5ryNVlCw/s1600/DSC_0540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NxzsgppwpozDPCFZlF_FCGUSCtuq3PGgEFXb4uiP7PkGy23wwMTjhZdwzgrD9Qsa4aluXvhcQBWaoxepBskGhr85x1n3A2ge7QF6C0ONf8kwK8QgMuNFl6coA6FwPxaNQgw5ryNVlCw/s640/DSC_0540.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The original Sling!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUewz1Tock1_DansRlHktl2UcgABamYT3j5l2kqCG8KWijptTKhHB8Cv8iOe7iHaRSAl_2xdsKOwHHi-ZDw7Ue9zPLLIPyFfvH3rwGaoTC9tYawRjtKnCh1p-vBp6yoNGeCDsZpnJSz4/s1600/DSC_0543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUewz1Tock1_DansRlHktl2UcgABamYT3j5l2kqCG8KWijptTKhHB8Cv8iOe7iHaRSAl_2xdsKOwHHi-ZDw7Ue9zPLLIPyFfvH3rwGaoTC9tYawRjtKnCh1p-vBp6yoNGeCDsZpnJSz4/s400/DSC_0543.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The queue at the end of the bar of people wanting to try out the famous Sling.</div>
<br />
<b>Sky 57, Dragonfly Bridge - </b>Located near Gardens by the Bay, is a three towered building connected by a long ledge at the top. Sky 57 bar is the only bar at the top of tower 1 open to the general public. The views at the top are incredible, from looking out over Gardens by the Bay, the ocean and then the towering sky scrapers of Singapore. You even get to check out the hotel's swimming pool next to the bar, a 150m long Infinitely pool that is only available to guests of the hotel. It would have been quite something to have been able to swim 57 stories up in a pool that looked like the water is flowing over the edge. We had another Singapore Sling here, but not as good as the original Singapore Sling at Raffles Hotel. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rmwleEmcGoN9hor0kAGLVPVVWp9JbBR0KeLDKs7sA8qO0S-zzbyvsjNeBJb7F9ZDrbYHzoJ68n9euADizgTfF3q05Nc9GhkOGsSmjbQg7VaZEOe9czjj_VGvE0dbC1Or6k-D_A09Jjo/s1600/DSC_0513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rmwleEmcGoN9hor0kAGLVPVVWp9JbBR0KeLDKs7sA8qO0S-zzbyvsjNeBJb7F9ZDrbYHzoJ68n9euADizgTfF3q05Nc9GhkOGsSmjbQg7VaZEOe9czjj_VGvE0dbC1Or6k-D_A09Jjo/s640/DSC_0513.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To take a swim in this pool would have been incredible!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVk4uzUJQI0HFaRuF0dYbG1N2NaXBfXiZGep3FvaSpsHXVoCE530h41URIG1-zJy5uFaFmBfs7J0I7ByxVSgzwe1P40kzLyhtLV0Bs2u5zq7yLoyApp0Ai3e5b-RgCFJSqb7C3X3NlUEw/s1600/DSC_0521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVk4uzUJQI0HFaRuF0dYbG1N2NaXBfXiZGep3FvaSpsHXVoCE530h41URIG1-zJy5uFaFmBfs7J0I7ByxVSgzwe1P40kzLyhtLV0Bs2u5zq7yLoyApp0Ai3e5b-RgCFJSqb7C3X3NlUEw/s640/DSC_0521.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Infinity pool 57 stories up.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLegBr4Z677neKivfO0tQffGc2HEfLmov76zr_xRhWrWzp4mlyx7gbRgtevwPFvnWPsVDLZQrkmIMro6WIwrw0AKutWNOT2AjzBbidUEC7CLe86ZcRs2S7fDcpOZVP59-AEiJnu-vn2WU/s1600/DSC_0483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLegBr4Z677neKivfO0tQffGc2HEfLmov76zr_xRhWrWzp4mlyx7gbRgtevwPFvnWPsVDLZQrkmIMro6WIwrw0AKutWNOT2AjzBbidUEC7CLe86ZcRs2S7fDcpOZVP59-AEiJnu-vn2WU/s400/DSC_0483.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sky 57 Towers</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSi1pygbIrucNdHOK9wYXucDhDtOqWgeLsD9Ho6qxYuAYqaTj8OBZJdMvBfLG-tHKkPi1oAvKs67JIAo3BXQCYlbatYqDXzj1h1aPwkGbEWvGyz93S6sqd2G37uY5r2-J5SWh7hwdeKc/s1600/DSC_0486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSi1pygbIrucNdHOK9wYXucDhDtOqWgeLsD9Ho6qxYuAYqaTj8OBZJdMvBfLG-tHKkPi1oAvKs67JIAo3BXQCYlbatYqDXzj1h1aPwkGbEWvGyz93S6sqd2G37uY5r2-J5SWh7hwdeKc/s640/DSC_0486.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
View from the top.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGwCiEsR2b1-wI0gsf6FPoj67BTxNxQ7fEd-9oykd4xNEpUQqsVAzdtl5giBL0GiRjPGUugoC1ay-V6qBIHIhcl7V9pnE1WNObsGg1Xgp1vIfWpPNJZickrhFtJLnvBRawWkHZXIazFQ/s1600/DSC_0488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGwCiEsR2b1-wI0gsf6FPoj67BTxNxQ7fEd-9oykd4xNEpUQqsVAzdtl5giBL0GiRjPGUugoC1ay-V6qBIHIhcl7V9pnE1WNObsGg1Xgp1vIfWpPNJZickrhFtJLnvBRawWkHZXIazFQ/s640/DSC_0488.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
View from the top.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zVvU4mWCts10dLQWWv_h72atyFX4li1pbiSYGIrJt2JznvpDaMJWuHDnnS0hzulgKVdwzeAGABH96pckOswbfZvrr2bx37i9rKCkshSbsUWuHoxiopy_FZEJz3Gfnm83waFJXN9kOa4/s1600/DSC_0510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zVvU4mWCts10dLQWWv_h72atyFX4li1pbiSYGIrJt2JznvpDaMJWuHDnnS0hzulgKVdwzeAGABH96pckOswbfZvrr2bx37i9rKCkshSbsUWuHoxiopy_FZEJz3Gfnm83waFJXN9kOa4/s640/DSC_0510.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Merlion from Sky 57</div>
<br />
<b>Sentosa Island & Aquarium- </b>Also known as the activity island. It offers anything from water parks, to aquariums, standing waves, wake boarding, maritime museum, theme park rides, Universal Studios etc. There are a few different ways to get to the island, there is a monorail, you can walk across a brdige or you can get the cable car from Mt Faber. We got the cable car since we were already up Mt Faber. Basically a fun day out for all ages. The new aquarium opened 6 months ago and it is rated the world's biggest oceanarium. It was the biggest aquarium we have been to and very well presented and designed. Also on the island is the most southern point of continental Asia!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5M2kr0TZ3htVh4tNXbXq-gZXR1b6qndGhWnDQvScUrMi6PkcbTSbNx16oTgdpIQHHqMqXoyqgX-MrUUzuJK1V8NS9vmkKQwu4nhIo5eXPNiSKlIr_Xdytm3SaD8wGUb8vtj_qZG9Tf70/s1600/DSC_0243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5M2kr0TZ3htVh4tNXbXq-gZXR1b6qndGhWnDQvScUrMi6PkcbTSbNx16oTgdpIQHHqMqXoyqgX-MrUUzuJK1V8NS9vmkKQwu4nhIo5eXPNiSKlIr_Xdytm3SaD8wGUb8vtj_qZG9Tf70/s400/DSC_0243.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cable car from Mt Faber to Sentosa Island.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGQVLGqDAvp2uSYxU1XPXbFjJXwEl-VQrzLYsF11Y6Zr9FbQSj0VcfalhyphenhyphenDjSFeB1UrAwFcRYY3hr16bu5u6qzbXO1m4lHp9ydvqBuEuMhahVhDCYQUfmEvCd2FBe3lwrwDqTLzBUC3g/s1600/DSCF5202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGQVLGqDAvp2uSYxU1XPXbFjJXwEl-VQrzLYsF11Y6Zr9FbQSj0VcfalhyphenhyphenDjSFeB1UrAwFcRYY3hr16bu5u6qzbXO1m4lHp9ydvqBuEuMhahVhDCYQUfmEvCd2FBe3lwrwDqTLzBUC3g/s400/DSCF5202.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSL731D1SJ8W-Uef7mOpwUwmgw4vXPIRjxN8iQpvFJoUWEXflRH9iySQZWmC3fXMhgYrVCp6vg4pfCt-DD-GtTvG3NaynPAqR5xEh7AbMiEIdEIWDqmC5fULaRp-DDKoYp2K6eR59z05Y/s1600/DSCF5211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSL731D1SJ8W-Uef7mOpwUwmgw4vXPIRjxN8iQpvFJoUWEXflRH9iySQZWmC3fXMhgYrVCp6vg4pfCt-DD-GtTvG3NaynPAqR5xEh7AbMiEIdEIWDqmC5fULaRp-DDKoYp2K6eR59z05Y/s640/DSCF5211.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Looking around this what you can see..<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmKIdZn0tfU03vd0Wk8GNrIlmd5fXZawvmzLoEBXKIf0ymyV5dKpg0IVBlbGqIVUNAU_tGCKstTnNLm_hmaFUXKgfg-ffLCIzloj0_Bdn9dmg9EcfeybRpnL_O8uUhsbrwxjevLmiUYQ/s1600/DSCF5213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmKIdZn0tfU03vd0Wk8GNrIlmd5fXZawvmzLoEBXKIf0ymyV5dKpg0IVBlbGqIVUNAU_tGCKstTnNLm_hmaFUXKgfg-ffLCIzloj0_Bdn9dmg9EcfeybRpnL_O8uUhsbrwxjevLmiUYQ/s640/DSCF5213.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
The Merlion</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0nW2tm1IJ0xwE63OHZhNRHbOdIreomRXK4REFt83W7q9F39DUCklAA-qPgMZAnCeYXjTITQCJSSw1CuB8hCBBCEUgOa87HNfPLIHu07ZWJFWdLMDrALJxNvR0bLhIHfrLJy-idLxWRkg/s1600/DSC_0296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0nW2tm1IJ0xwE63OHZhNRHbOdIreomRXK4REFt83W7q9F39DUCklAA-qPgMZAnCeYXjTITQCJSSw1CuB8hCBBCEUgOa87HNfPLIHu07ZWJFWdLMDrALJxNvR0bLhIHfrLJy-idLxWRkg/s400/DSC_0296.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiepNLSmNuJ8Xdh46UKBHkELO0Uqp6dOKxeRdTamoZXPAEC2L6LuC7q3aB0FO_KBBYAOaYR2hJRys5MAIMSH4xkBkRpZIYNN1RQ4c2olm3i3kgTGfSINEXLq1r5_c2HAfMl2JwcG-ksLCE/s1600/DSC_0315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiepNLSmNuJ8Xdh46UKBHkELO0Uqp6dOKxeRdTamoZXPAEC2L6LuC7q3aB0FO_KBBYAOaYR2hJRys5MAIMSH4xkBkRpZIYNN1RQ4c2olm3i3kgTGfSINEXLq1r5_c2HAfMl2JwcG-ksLCE/s640/DSC_0315.JPG" width="401" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYTnumaxW-eE1ffZyDKnNvyYTz6h15XQyEa6h8p-vZ_oKp7YfNeSK8IiuRrH1irFQ6HjARLb9UtzUm_SXjl9v7NnHasxeL42j7oeppsZnhvvoLSAHv24gmk9FJSPI19URNGwhrnBEaMI/s1600/DSC_0316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYTnumaxW-eE1ffZyDKnNvyYTz6h15XQyEa6h8p-vZ_oKp7YfNeSK8IiuRrH1irFQ6HjARLb9UtzUm_SXjl9v7NnHasxeL42j7oeppsZnhvvoLSAHv24gmk9FJSPI19URNGwhrnBEaMI/s640/DSC_0316.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VzlHcZVwdflSoqpizHWKnq2YeY4wT0-jDEC-CvBMY3YqLT06Xc-5sQ4ds0CyiKGxzY7gAqIop78rpAhkD1U-1w9A5y1GFR1YNqK8CllJKpfAaCJka8ptwyZAANzkf7uw7FSx-zBmnHg/s1600/DSC_0330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VzlHcZVwdflSoqpizHWKnq2YeY4wT0-jDEC-CvBMY3YqLT06Xc-5sQ4ds0CyiKGxzY7gAqIop78rpAhkD1U-1w9A5y1GFR1YNqK8CllJKpfAaCJka8ptwyZAANzkf7uw7FSx-zBmnHg/s400/DSC_0330.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Massive tropical fish tank.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeg7nE1Z6JpWrWKJOq_vRGQYjoioiG_hT1FuA8n4WfKtGDrBLE_fzydF_uXRtdhyXIQ2zsIOkGRZJWDs1iy_4vuWG4sxC7yvoJLwThgHMtRcjbKh2Gn1Qob0qu4P5NCA4qepF5OpvQT40/s1600/DSC_0452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeg7nE1Z6JpWrWKJOq_vRGQYjoioiG_hT1FuA8n4WfKtGDrBLE_fzydF_uXRtdhyXIQ2zsIOkGRZJWDs1iy_4vuWG4sxC7yvoJLwThgHMtRcjbKh2Gn1Qob0qu4P5NCA4qepF5OpvQT40/s400/DSC_0452.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The biggest tank - filled with massive mantra rays, sting rays and reef sharks.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-FTGIgxZaXFiSv5gKNqbkyz1weLTlHrVuh45Alorj_mGF_14W6sYRmL0BAommPd-AoVLo742sfdQECXKg0ashXULWc7MMssoV89g3YuAeCo59kFTHlbchgnvIfOH1Ecl5wYqTDlS3e8/s1600/DSC_0461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-FTGIgxZaXFiSv5gKNqbkyz1weLTlHrVuh45Alorj_mGF_14W6sYRmL0BAommPd-AoVLo742sfdQECXKg0ashXULWc7MMssoV89g3YuAeCo59kFTHlbchgnvIfOH1Ecl5wYqTDlS3e8/s400/DSC_0461.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sardine Blender...................... I mean fish tank run.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyCg-p-2KdppEKIII3S8tn5a-EQuu87eCg2jewiArQ0RfgbuyzomgD2TCcNRpnR-lK7MjnA9uQpgSqAVhlLYagEkQnp-eabqxzvUMzx3M7mcDCFv3fUgKZXniVmxvD2_oReu_raX66Co/s1600/DSC_0464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyCg-p-2KdppEKIII3S8tn5a-EQuu87eCg2jewiArQ0RfgbuyzomgD2TCcNRpnR-lK7MjnA9uQpgSqAVhlLYagEkQnp-eabqxzvUMzx3M7mcDCFv3fUgKZXniVmxvD2_oReu_raX66Co/s400/DSC_0464.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZt4XqnGZ5ELR2kpKEu4qnaCO9ICxN0QEubNl_U4FKX0piw2IWXvHhvPLhdfUJ6JAa8hbRiOkVDrpHD96DJwYiNSmynT6w-oAo2rIZxMyt8hV8VLVCAYwpBR_vjij9MZp-qPosvHc_p8/s1600/DSC_0465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZt4XqnGZ5ELR2kpKEu4qnaCO9ICxN0QEubNl_U4FKX0piw2IWXvHhvPLhdfUJ6JAa8hbRiOkVDrpHD96DJwYiNSmynT6w-oAo2rIZxMyt8hV8VLVCAYwpBR_vjij9MZp-qPosvHc_p8/s400/DSC_0465.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This guy looked funny.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UNILibTZq3apjePtUsz8xRDO6OVUSMO7TqP5qEXL6zzEVZacl7Z5QwzznS__5W6WZ33ooeCFfFImUkD49uV1ICDKzAwj7uGK3Z-UOTjlDfH0p5Jbq0kgNH8dYYYhMyHfM8V61Vb1n9w/s1600/DSCF5246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpo9IAkgI0SV0SRbDn-HgOVddAu4ngTsIYPrCHl5qe9iEKtSCoTAeOgBXWxTYYq-wwPmyuT5ejmmwY2pPu0xYPjYrLFGqeo1zwN1nv5vOdVW-wmdTGaYTmwDGL7o7ANctsRfGLCs1ZSvI/s1600/DSCF5249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpo9IAkgI0SV0SRbDn-HgOVddAu4ngTsIYPrCHl5qe9iEKtSCoTAeOgBXWxTYYq-wwPmyuT5ejmmwY2pPu0xYPjYrLFGqeo1zwN1nv5vOdVW-wmdTGaYTmwDGL7o7ANctsRfGLCs1ZSvI/s640/DSCF5249.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Someone left the tractor beam on again!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8b9dDMUQqOq4Lo_cjjUh_TJtYU10t6H733Kt7hmj2agiIPrSogzCIWx40Bl-GzX5UtNXyZ2sz8uUMO41DLom43yxvG4G8r9xpK5U-Xro2rZu7yqISL9Z6C-NigJhRNY3FYcrOxCsFVRA/s1600/DSCF5253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8b9dDMUQqOq4Lo_cjjUh_TJtYU10t6H733Kt7hmj2agiIPrSogzCIWx40Bl-GzX5UtNXyZ2sz8uUMO41DLom43yxvG4G8r9xpK5U-Xro2rZu7yqISL9Z6C-NigJhRNY3FYcrOxCsFVRA/s640/DSCF5253.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Underwater space exploration in the Marina Trench is going well!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_pkJZJQBiMTTiQPRA8eQJLyNCCFaXTMqPkVMx7pi5TD-mMqY5UqOthzlxy8YuGjaAn3NS5y_mgUZa6jLWIxjDtEb7snDpGoxOlQpx9wBx9RcqbhHAw-siZ4V6KmWNdTzkZI2ikeHCKY/s1600/DSCF5247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_pkJZJQBiMTTiQPRA8eQJLyNCCFaXTMqPkVMx7pi5TD-mMqY5UqOthzlxy8YuGjaAn3NS5y_mgUZa6jLWIxjDtEb7snDpGoxOlQpx9wBx9RcqbhHAw-siZ4V6KmWNdTzkZI2ikeHCKY/s640/DSCF5247.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
The tunnel was fun!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwVvxfVkM6ISngG0tJPOgBaLzLFnDGr4IVLD2q2BZCDUIWueZxLLSgIgbg6iyN4wK2xj938QdYlKlzKXa2ZQpX-fDf-7flVsirfndAY30uFl8Gybd4Bfv2tkO6ofjmTxbTk4CeKpUgbs/s1600/DSCF5256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwVvxfVkM6ISngG0tJPOgBaLzLFnDGr4IVLD2q2BZCDUIWueZxLLSgIgbg6iyN4wK2xj938QdYlKlzKXa2ZQpX-fDf-7flVsirfndAY30uFl8Gybd4Bfv2tkO6ofjmTxbTk4CeKpUgbs/s640/DSCF5256.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Have you ever seen a Nautilus?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkhPPmWPzN-5f9Wv_QbpsQr4wQRzMCdqCVd9jOkygsXSjz3qXsFw3em9D6GBX7hdM2zyM5a_1QMXiBh23HOfV-TBd9UkC_z3cnkECMBOCLeQT11QNI1U0tmk9WlO4KsMdleIigJgswjQ/s1600/DSCF5268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkhPPmWPzN-5f9Wv_QbpsQr4wQRzMCdqCVd9jOkygsXSjz3qXsFw3em9D6GBX7hdM2zyM5a_1QMXiBh23HOfV-TBd9UkC_z3cnkECMBOCLeQT11QNI1U0tmk9WlO4KsMdleIigJgswjQ/s400/DSCF5268.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Smiles all round with the Manta Ray<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84ffaZcg064ker6m1RBkcR3f0ToVXOQKrOeMKAL0sPw0H2j1XcJyUd7PSSfomdrM8oe1DJrUcXuwnHmbrHfZuCW7CTtbyregWL7mjrWLFfTdrri9hNHQPRRLqkJ80P3Ne6HIe2RKxpZo/s1600/DSCF5270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84ffaZcg064ker6m1RBkcR3f0ToVXOQKrOeMKAL0sPw0H2j1XcJyUd7PSSfomdrM8oe1DJrUcXuwnHmbrHfZuCW7CTtbyregWL7mjrWLFfTdrri9hNHQPRRLqkJ80P3Ne6HIe2RKxpZo/s400/DSCF5270.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Sun shark!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAk2EKcWXWrZ50ugw8pCTQVkCZto_WC9sZKYcwo5vY4hOTPsXDMIxVjqVb42BmSr6tswhUPtZ6RFA9f7vi4d7HtIDySig4Jx7gOBVeteIn84vgYaFOxVVoTHpZ1BoWtE29KTSAE-U7BFE/s1600/DSCF5300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAk2EKcWXWrZ50ugw8pCTQVkCZto_WC9sZKYcwo5vY4hOTPsXDMIxVjqVb42BmSr6tswhUPtZ6RFA9f7vi4d7HtIDySig4Jx7gOBVeteIn84vgYaFOxVVoTHpZ1BoWtE29KTSAE-U7BFE/s640/DSCF5300.JPG" width="598" /></a></div>
I believe I can fly!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7-FmZ_u3E12CcwW5wWaX7qA64646tiKD0jx0hwAWSG-nrhH8Nxi9XaHf-nWVngPdxiqx7Y5s52TefwKWlwPM_2fgDMGZvCgu0xsTKAX3CoFEnX18-9W19IEUg7Cq8HTv6qVZewb4E-g/s1600/DSCF5291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7-FmZ_u3E12CcwW5wWaX7qA64646tiKD0jx0hwAWSG-nrhH8Nxi9XaHf-nWVngPdxiqx7Y5s52TefwKWlwPM_2fgDMGZvCgu0xsTKAX3CoFEnX18-9W19IEUg7Cq8HTv6qVZewb4E-g/s400/DSCF5291.JPG" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4-H0Hml2fidAR_9IZ31Ly1yJvxsYv4bJ5hKAwE_Ptl3J4-yBukGF71W23iNyMrJSnt5isSP9Xh0d27fDhykT7A6PQMlJXzncB7xRDK_0ReP2OTO3OkmM9eAou2Lmebn1y1e6ETaNzI8/s1600/DSCF5282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4-H0Hml2fidAR_9IZ31Ly1yJvxsYv4bJ5hKAwE_Ptl3J4-yBukGF71W23iNyMrJSnt5isSP9Xh0d27fDhykT7A6PQMlJXzncB7xRDK_0ReP2OTO3OkmM9eAou2Lmebn1y1e6ETaNzI8/s400/DSCF5282.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
This fish sat listening to the tank next door all day!</div>
<br />
<b>Singapore Zoo - </b>The zoo is a great day out. There are 3 optional tickets, the zoo itself, the river safari and the night safari. Originally we opted for just the zoo but we were informed after purchasing tickets that the Pandas are located in the river safari section, so we ended up with the zoo ticket and the river safari ticket. The night safari is apparently really good, however being in the Serengeti and Masai Mara not to long ago and doing quite a few game drives in Africa the night safari at the zoo would not top what we have already seen and done in Africa, so we gave that a miss. Seeing the pandas Kai Kai and Jai Jai were a first experience for the both of us however the one was in a private den while the other was just sleeping the whole time. Slight disappointment but at least we saw a panda. We did not get to see everything at the main zoo, partly because we wanted to see animals we have never seen before like the Komodo Dragon or the White Benegal Tiger. We did manage to watch the tiger feeding and got some amazing pictures.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2i_umM2vm3zS71XDVG3Jnsd7s9a3ojSPEDUrjpuKN32DaZ3rOK6fg30hH8LGWrz8wlOFzc866wRwD0-Vj9D4wTnrhtlNfLi5NhjWZ6lF0nfaf5gAVLuen1dLjDiNj_5CjN7mFNFYJ-o/s1600/Singapore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2i_umM2vm3zS71XDVG3Jnsd7s9a3ojSPEDUrjpuKN32DaZ3rOK6fg30hH8LGWrz8wlOFzc866wRwD0-Vj9D4wTnrhtlNfLi5NhjWZ6lF0nfaf5gAVLuen1dLjDiNj_5CjN7mFNFYJ-o/s640/Singapore.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some of the sequence shots of the white tiger feeding time. This one is great, the tiger managed to catch the meat in its paw and slam it into its mouth.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipHQaIUmOI2n59pn09DDdElyaLcsuP8fbWKtYjKzppBHKXnzO6Z9rMEkjkoLU8BDXH4B9bQcaRJACRFPtRqwAf85yWbEh0x_ukhOWa8MdcEMWQxOzGsxsqVyV8UtRmNYIc9c9lTck-Nc/s1600/Singapore1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipHQaIUmOI2n59pn09DDdElyaLcsuP8fbWKtYjKzppBHKXnzO6Z9rMEkjkoLU8BDXH4B9bQcaRJACRFPtRqwAf85yWbEh0x_ukhOWa8MdcEMWQxOzGsxsqVyV8UtRmNYIc9c9lTck-Nc/s640/Singapore1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pause for applause!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_lvB87ZzkbjkvpQjBZBIAsLJ67REQ0UGdZr50iAbENpZLhEFwJaWOjUTuFrZuzrLSJlyJlNKJCgNYnGjkwENxFLM9JyuF9t0uVtMSVAWzg_yu8fYD1Od9GWfq9c6zfFHm2CPBz_pIGc/s1600/Singapore2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_lvB87ZzkbjkvpQjBZBIAsLJ67REQ0UGdZr50iAbENpZLhEFwJaWOjUTuFrZuzrLSJlyJlNKJCgNYnGjkwENxFLM9JyuF9t0uVtMSVAWzg_yu8fYD1Od9GWfq9c6zfFHm2CPBz_pIGc/s640/Singapore2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5Mx73n0BzhOE63LqkWx284oCUHthhcOY4EkBWUpxC-b63eYbM1-h5q5i8gSngLCgW3_i18RqZINzXayYw0CKR9Da0rUO45aGxCpvWKz9_fk9bSTanghlYj3hdeiUc5IYG9IlGcBtZEU/s1600/DSC_0060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5Mx73n0BzhOE63LqkWx284oCUHthhcOY4EkBWUpxC-b63eYbM1-h5q5i8gSngLCgW3_i18RqZINzXayYw0CKR9Da0rUO45aGxCpvWKz9_fk9bSTanghlYj3hdeiUc5IYG9IlGcBtZEU/s640/DSC_0060.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I see you!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprqlB1NxT1pMLRFWe82o7rqaMDffS47Iv-3NPa9Gef4ccbQGMnJrpxf78kp8cdpZSV7IrUngerQSXz5jVIH3M82KBsqFcB4a2YYE0cMAsrtwWaEXcQ-H-ZmDEwV2Id2qp5R1MS-R12GM/s1600/DSC_0218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprqlB1NxT1pMLRFWe82o7rqaMDffS47Iv-3NPa9Gef4ccbQGMnJrpxf78kp8cdpZSV7IrUngerQSXz5jVIH3M82KBsqFcB4a2YYE0cMAsrtwWaEXcQ-H-ZmDEwV2Id2qp5R1MS-R12GM/s640/DSC_0218.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Kai Kai fast asleep. Jai Jai was in her private quarters apparently shy and hiding away.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxn13us7_zoRiDY4mfgubtEWsjT0eEe73_XdmExtoCUz6AR1R2BqRHKDNBjMvH7Ib2FlwkK_s3wVfrCj4LF5ZyNCIGgZ2SiqroFmBiwwnTjsu3zYQR1YkxvtzwCJhsWqwNzVSCPvtRx8/s1600/DSCF5102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxn13us7_zoRiDY4mfgubtEWsjT0eEe73_XdmExtoCUz6AR1R2BqRHKDNBjMvH7Ib2FlwkK_s3wVfrCj4LF5ZyNCIGgZ2SiqroFmBiwwnTjsu3zYQR1YkxvtzwCJhsWqwNzVSCPvtRx8/s400/DSCF5102.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Rhino Beatles</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfazzIEn5k_WIrQzH46dUZfhiDx-cFdacL4nAxo-UlSEM5dO5p4BMJkOE25VKwNZrg9xVlK-hZuXPmq5M3cCAiwazRWQsMW07wSTU4S_tCp4dJdlrqbn0HGl7PTb9LKs5iRvBKlCb3hZU/s1600/DSCF5107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfazzIEn5k_WIrQzH46dUZfhiDx-cFdacL4nAxo-UlSEM5dO5p4BMJkOE25VKwNZrg9xVlK-hZuXPmq5M3cCAiwazRWQsMW07wSTU4S_tCp4dJdlrqbn0HGl7PTb9LKs5iRvBKlCb3hZU/s400/DSCF5107.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Frogs</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBw3aHQTvjjyqN20xtDX9QG-eZqBdBCwKZ7d7kaLacytNSXyzs70zSLajCS1IkM7brAUH5mx4qoX2J7ghhRIdXA_CxAgwughfgsZhLJ43jDDNLBahgChqsH4_K78TwhjoV3TXlyNK_qdw/s1600/DSCF5116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBw3aHQTvjjyqN20xtDX9QG-eZqBdBCwKZ7d7kaLacytNSXyzs70zSLajCS1IkM7brAUH5mx4qoX2J7ghhRIdXA_CxAgwughfgsZhLJ43jDDNLBahgChqsH4_K78TwhjoV3TXlyNK_qdw/s400/DSCF5116.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Got a closeup of this Butterfly!</div>
<b>Orchard Rd - </b>The famous shopping strip in Singapore. Anything from Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Armani to Marks and Spencer, Gap and H&M, basically every store is here. People with cash to splash walking around with bags and bags of shopping. Nothing in Singapore is open before 11am, you'll be lucky to find a few coffee shops open before 9am as almost everything (except bars and restuarants) close at 9.30/10pm at night, and Fridays and Saturdays are open till 11pm. It was lovely to window shop here, the only purchase made was a spare camera battery as I had left my spare one in a hired car in Australia. <br />
<br />
<b>Gardens By the bay - </b>We didn't really have enough time to actually check out Gardens by the Bay, but we did see the design and it looked impressive. Something to definitely check out if we ever end up in Singapore again. The aim is to raise the quality of life by enhancing greenery and flora in the city. After reading a bit more on this place we assume this is similar to a botanical garden of sorts or a permanent designer garden show similar to the Kew Garden show in London.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNQeXRjx_oiGl1F2uFB6U5C_Q681y314EXyF-2KfsUwFI633fvf5I8tMrertYKd1U5_fl1IDbGMetxdhfc27LB4yWesKObTukwCnzeOHmm-QWX3mzwil60BxhCrOISI-M8V2uwaVwDw0/s1600/DSC_0475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNQeXRjx_oiGl1F2uFB6U5C_Q681y314EXyF-2KfsUwFI633fvf5I8tMrertYKd1U5_fl1IDbGMetxdhfc27LB4yWesKObTukwCnzeOHmm-QWX3mzwil60BxhCrOISI-M8V2uwaVwDw0/s640/DSC_0475.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dragonflies at Garden by The Bay</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr97hczo1J0RrZnQFL1vxYUR2tEvA55AfaVC98QQUDVzEPOxiIDvlonPre4PKw_LcWWvZGpmI16FpmqmWCWEa2KuSax9uGpvUNw0WFts9O6qaJ1ZEyO1C37NdLJ2gpHNEczefLfJVrfek/s1600/DSCF5313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr97hczo1J0RrZnQFL1vxYUR2tEvA55AfaVC98QQUDVzEPOxiIDvlonPre4PKw_LcWWvZGpmI16FpmqmWCWEa2KuSax9uGpvUNw0WFts9O6qaJ1ZEyO1C37NdLJ2gpHNEczefLfJVrfek/s320/DSCF5313.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Universal Studios Singapore!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUjYavXdTkJOdCH6FFwWts8-d-9sxCpRBGtJgd1QwKDjX_dB8iXjp419MBrB75knWWevbMQmOsG45j1ZgqF3VKuHKLbvsw-AUh-CabDwj7XbFdJNooDWfduRMJ6pnETpoSlyDU-vzsg0/s1600/DSCF5318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUjYavXdTkJOdCH6FFwWts8-d-9sxCpRBGtJgd1QwKDjX_dB8iXjp419MBrB75knWWevbMQmOsG45j1ZgqF3VKuHKLbvsw-AUh-CabDwj7XbFdJNooDWfduRMJ6pnETpoSlyDU-vzsg0/s320/DSCF5318.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shevy on the rope bridge!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNFcvh4s1DaJU8qAPmdNBXaYRiA04Ii3VDmVctO_tb4JCHgM2vStHpMqiNDGktT7CuyA2TD97xQTjuswxhmT21BLNSQh9nOSxGd2686IW-t8VE-6Q7JZIjD58Q9WTK2Me0scyF8xLzUc/s1600/DSCF5324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNFcvh4s1DaJU8qAPmdNBXaYRiA04Ii3VDmVctO_tb4JCHgM2vStHpMqiNDGktT7CuyA2TD97xQTjuswxhmT21BLNSQh9nOSxGd2686IW-t8VE-6Q7JZIjD58Q9WTK2Me0scyF8xLzUc/s640/DSCF5324.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We made it to the Southern Most point of Continental Asia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0XITOybOvJd_EPDacgLl6wIYgncfi9w4U9TEN6S7cS6iRD7eTeHGE9cbzVB9t81tJ8Cc6cWFYjrSA2h_84uEHrEdR4t5dn-Ee24dtXSPDDqc5fQ3UHEML3oH750h26_TdWBm6kbp-iQk/s1600/DSCF5325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0XITOybOvJd_EPDacgLl6wIYgncfi9w4U9TEN6S7cS6iRD7eTeHGE9cbzVB9t81tJ8Cc6cWFYjrSA2h_84uEHrEdR4t5dn-Ee24dtXSPDDqc5fQ3UHEML3oH750h26_TdWBm6kbp-iQk/s640/DSCF5325.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunsets are always great</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeSvg73kligH11gBAP-4SuDUeKv-F7RRak5Lbie-X79z64ygMQ2uBWa-P4zCGnp_gXsPpnHLO4-ZypNxIjPHAsGtVBMcSORNw_D_8lZ994cGbcX_RfMIn_XEF9wWXxLRYkR1BQkpg0D0/s1600/DSCF5343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeSvg73kligH11gBAP-4SuDUeKv-F7RRak5Lbie-X79z64ygMQ2uBWa-P4zCGnp_gXsPpnHLO4-ZypNxIjPHAsGtVBMcSORNw_D_8lZ994cGbcX_RfMIn_XEF9wWXxLRYkR1BQkpg0D0/s640/DSCF5343.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The refinery and fuelling station!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwC_U97Tz2iJUt2Lw8AcJmJacVCujP_xfMVZ6N2no3cG5v-iBO4KYJ80_lAM6HcXbyuz_vOfylT5WZdmFuTBA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />WhatIF.....http://www.blogger.com/profile/16161621431144355091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372422706436574654.post-89323255264201331602013-04-17T01:21:00.000-07:002013-04-17T07:56:20.434-07:00Bali Surfing Trip - 23rd March to 9th April<u>Bali </u><br />
In amongst all the green jungle and really laid back happy Balinese locals you will find some of the most picture perfect sceneries along with the best waves in the world!<br />
The water is warm and clear so you can see the fish swimming beneath you along with the reef while you surf which keeps the heart rate up and that line just that little tighter on every wave.Catch a good wave and make a barrel or a few good cut backs and the locals will give you some inspiration :)<br />
In general one item you want to take with you at low tide in Bali are Booties, I have a few holes in my feet and that was from surfing before dead low tide!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfuNMCNIslWkxVr4KW7jbpK6874E9nUmuwxK9gQHKwykdVNqRmO-fxLqF4eIUMwUb4SE0zF2kF8LLT33qan80pHmqNWt_PHQEUqvgE-ZBQAt7tAJh2A5u7D0ZvzTdVIsf8lrZ65FV0i8/s1600/DSC_0006-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfuNMCNIslWkxVr4KW7jbpK6874E9nUmuwxK9gQHKwykdVNqRmO-fxLqF4eIUMwUb4SE0zF2kF8LLT33qan80pHmqNWt_PHQEUqvgE-ZBQAt7tAJh2A5u7D0ZvzTdVIsf8lrZ65FV0i8/s400/DSC_0006-002.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Getting around with the J-Bay surf board.</div>
<br />
<br />
<u>Uluwatu </u><br />
Having read many articles on this phenomenon of a wave I could not wait to go surf this wave and I was nervous after hearing about the reef the size of the waves and especially the part about swimming in and out of a cave to go surf! Sometimes you really do want a few of your mates with you!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3aX_TCEqExyUjmsJvLyotoc9-ruCVGEwIRNC1YHVwKEBBHVxphlPsH1eG1zHMD_6tgO7yNZ6o4ctziD1qD0KxAwsSnHz1xO2RcZgZgBPr9KRPFqb9HKj-b5w3w33UuSoXohS6E7ZtabA/s1600/DSC_0736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3aX_TCEqExyUjmsJvLyotoc9-ruCVGEwIRNC1YHVwKEBBHVxphlPsH1eG1zHMD_6tgO7yNZ6o4ctziD1qD0KxAwsSnHz1xO2RcZgZgBPr9KRPFqb9HKj-b5w3w33UuSoXohS6E7ZtabA/s640/DSC_0736.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
High tide at the cave Uluwatu. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijk3aeMjkijOopoS4jupsM3v73bJJQ9laDJ6Nkz6wRvgkq4hQnSMk0qehdZ_hqH2NT8UXzhQdN0PcD78I2bk7z6mWYQldkXKLQMyNhHcDlrhr76jT-sSdiozVddmPnmwwvbclyDdXl2z0/s1600/DSC_0747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijk3aeMjkijOopoS4jupsM3v73bJJQ9laDJ6Nkz6wRvgkq4hQnSMk0qehdZ_hqH2NT8UXzhQdN0PcD78I2bk7z6mWYQldkXKLQMyNhHcDlrhr76jT-sSdiozVddmPnmwwvbclyDdXl2z0/s400/DSC_0747.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Checking out the waves on one of the smaller swell days.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpOhf_4t1zsqBtrsWZ-6dZGIj5sS1yy2ZuCgtgds9b0hXR9jR-okSKW-Kx2alLTCqgxJL2hnxDLKF8c4rIbPyZFLjk2NZF2PUPKwxxJ1sa2kS1QEHYDGAVmf_PnBROw_AURQA-ZcV1us/s1600/DSC_0748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpOhf_4t1zsqBtrsWZ-6dZGIj5sS1yy2ZuCgtgds9b0hXR9jR-okSKW-Kx2alLTCqgxJL2hnxDLKF8c4rIbPyZFLjk2NZF2PUPKwxxJ1sa2kS1QEHYDGAVmf_PnBROw_AURQA-ZcV1us/s640/DSC_0748.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Uluwatu waves!</div>
<br />
We arrived at the cave and local Warung (cafe/resturant in Indonesian) called Delpi with a balcony high above the surf that lets you view all the breaks from Temples to Racetrack. In the mornings you will often find a few devoted partners having breakfast or taking pictures of their other halves in the water below. (Thanks for the photos Shev!)<br />
Its a crowded spot and the group is made up of the experienced along with a few intermediates.<br />
You need to paddle hard to get a wave and when you do look out for others as you will have to carve around a few. The wave is a left and quite open at the start which is great for take off, but make sure you get moving fast as it will tube and its great to make it out, cut back and you ride white water if you're lucky...before getting back on the face of the wave. Bigger days you will have to hang on to a rail backhand, as the take off is crazy and you need all the speed you can get to make the first section. If you don't its a long paddle around the set and with all the surfers out you dont want to be in the contact zone.. If left is your favourite and you really enjoy big powerful waves this is your spot!<br />
<br />
The locals won't drop in on you but sometimes the others will have a go and you need to shout and chase them else they will ride your wave (seems others think that since they flew all the way out here they deserve the wave). The locals are some of the best surfers out here and at all ages including the groms. After surfing here for 4 days in a row and this is an ultra consistent break and its never been less than 4ft while I was here. Its the tides you need to watch for, at low tide be sure to have booties as the reef is pretty sharp and walking barefoot even with my leather feet was a slow task walking back in when there was only a foot of water over the reef. At high tide get ready for a paddle, the rip is strong coming back in and you need to paddle hard to the right of the restaurant next to the cave - too far left and you're better off doing another circuit round out and back again or swim in at teh next beach Padang Padang! One of the guys surfing with us crunched his board up pretty good in the cave.<br />
After surfing there's some steep stairs to climb either back to the car park or the Warung and once you haul yourself back up there if you got a few good waves and the local camera guys snapped a few pictures they will call you in to have a look and see if you're interested its about 200,000Rp for 10 or 5,000Rp each if you only buy one that's pretty much 5$ - 2$ each! depending on your bargaining skills and how many pictures you buy. Remember to keep 3,000Rp for the car guards.(I had missed these guys since SA!!) <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://magicseaweed.com/Uluwatu-Surf-Guide/565/">Stormriders have some great guides read here on Magicseaweed</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHamrjiswuGSChYjmbVoNJDB11yP9pseLSK6QiI6kHt-z21i6jST0ZbT-hPhBXDldQq4rPVmYMOSOfZg968Z1lcFOJagmkH0fkDsvDIDcVNfQ9FvoJjp8G5_YRl4VhSFHRL0qxF3sF13M/s1600/DSC_0804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHamrjiswuGSChYjmbVoNJDB11yP9pseLSK6QiI6kHt-z21i6jST0ZbT-hPhBXDldQq4rPVmYMOSOfZg968Z1lcFOJagmkH0fkDsvDIDcVNfQ9FvoJjp8G5_YRl4VhSFHRL0qxF3sF13M/s640/DSC_0804.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Surfing a wave on the way back in at Uluwatu</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZfkAMfX-ebXMh5WxWe-KcWX4wxi5bfihVtpxWPM2NcB-WZ28VOLyVUOgR1wgz1HssacmVwNcIJFsZ4m3bC_IaGuqG-7FjJRgxLfp0365zhhKqceXACZjiCmi882e_OmTBJsmhYeezbE8/s1600/DSC_0813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZfkAMfX-ebXMh5WxWe-KcWX4wxi5bfihVtpxWPM2NcB-WZ28VOLyVUOgR1wgz1HssacmVwNcIJFsZ4m3bC_IaGuqG-7FjJRgxLfp0365zhhKqceXACZjiCmi882e_OmTBJsmhYeezbE8/s640/DSC_0813.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Surfing Uluwatu</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhQAuQYiHS3sqYw9Bf25JipFVw7I9wbnXNNfqHTbn0zg4aAvK20o7N1-6PdueZB2Myran-eg0Ouje4rFc41DuxaIVhTp7MwdN-Xszi1I4nblNvfzQ1GqCQe3Za3g4cUbuRL9Mug-0h0w/s1600/DSC_0881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhQAuQYiHS3sqYw9Bf25JipFVw7I9wbnXNNfqHTbn0zg4aAvK20o7N1-6PdueZB2Myran-eg0Ouje4rFc41DuxaIVhTp7MwdN-Xszi1I4nblNvfzQ1GqCQe3Za3g4cUbuRL9Mug-0h0w/s640/DSC_0881.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Surfing Uluwatu</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vLCGvxzfDV0iVt7HwaFuKrS3X75Zwx1vJHTMTXhIdG2VEEkkiS9MA_nBZs-1opdYRaHmLi3kA6ZNbfW18RYlit8221lAqMCjqgNdCUFCP4-kQQA3bRKoVnpVBowJBkXYlyY5E7fyULk/s1600/_MG_8402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vLCGvxzfDV0iVt7HwaFuKrS3X75Zwx1vJHTMTXhIdG2VEEkkiS9MA_nBZs-1opdYRaHmLi3kA6ZNbfW18RYlit8221lAqMCjqgNdCUFCP4-kQQA3bRKoVnpVBowJBkXYlyY5E7fyULk/s640/_MG_8402.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnWoJ5TMqjHVaiS1GGgZUe3YabA-uSzJ3J_nWhyphenhyphen5tT7qpL7T6r-5onVfBRK-ftzbkeoZy5dP144AElNPSPB60-mX9zpadfnleSMzwhpY0vzdlMSKkeUP6aQM_mFTSwTU_vosYQsW80VA/s1600/_MG_8403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnWoJ5TMqjHVaiS1GGgZUe3YabA-uSzJ3J_nWhyphenhyphen5tT7qpL7T6r-5onVfBRK-ftzbkeoZy5dP144AElNPSPB60-mX9zpadfnleSMzwhpY0vzdlMSKkeUP6aQM_mFTSwTU_vosYQsW80VA/s640/_MG_8403.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes you have to trust each other!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYpWfOTUvQWGQomDblwsliU9Kp5PLFi6_1ShBu85sHsvcEbrtGlpaFIUGt8P8HDE3ZEpynOp5eKd_0C7iUzNvw-mIq2jWDi3ZV8bVxLAdggfU60C6pIpQ4vx5l6QjuQJ4IkCDJB5HXbcI/s1600/_MG_8404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYpWfOTUvQWGQomDblwsliU9Kp5PLFi6_1ShBu85sHsvcEbrtGlpaFIUGt8P8HDE3ZEpynOp5eKd_0C7iUzNvw-mIq2jWDi3ZV8bVxLAdggfU60C6pIpQ4vx5l6QjuQJ4IkCDJB5HXbcI/s640/_MG_8404.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Gearing up for the lip!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFiQfSranDC2ol2B7n6I4vIg7IopVH7oKWF6PUTTxmvfDDWjhD5Wc40kglKMperhJ4Y1oDsLuOA4RMpd2Nr0E3NbdYxaBph7M9wlaT9cGfTv2hXRIzbE1yLotOnFKNopKKPv-Div3XoD0/s1600/_MG_8406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFiQfSranDC2ol2B7n6I4vIg7IopVH7oKWF6PUTTxmvfDDWjhD5Wc40kglKMperhJ4Y1oDsLuOA4RMpd2Nr0E3NbdYxaBph7M9wlaT9cGfTv2hXRIzbE1yLotOnFKNopKKPv-Div3XoD0/s640/_MG_8406.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLR9rgehmJrR8GlKR-vqT8atpFe1Kn03tdJJ4EWKV9Ov_AY2ALSjWggVDQUOYWf8zQbJPWMBx-fNf8fUQtUez3xwQnaanhO06es-1bbgRGPsA1-CwDjXBSxblmoNGM9RfwACZo1zvkx_c/s1600/_MG_8407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLR9rgehmJrR8GlKR-vqT8atpFe1Kn03tdJJ4EWKV9Ov_AY2ALSjWggVDQUOYWf8zQbJPWMBx-fNf8fUQtUez3xwQnaanhO06es-1bbgRGPsA1-CwDjXBSxblmoNGM9RfwACZo1zvkx_c/s640/_MG_8407.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHX9-EnqQXfV_8sZkP84-aD3qjA3bgga3xEVbYsrMxASXfZ3Jt4zVhib8zrj6XJrDpAg3bljHCJxN0LczTNq38bBfNIi6ZMKsnHOlyWZML510UjoxaGeQzyLQOKEPJc9ZBA7A27M4gEc/s1600/_MG_8408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHX9-EnqQXfV_8sZkP84-aD3qjA3bgga3xEVbYsrMxASXfZ3Jt4zVhib8zrj6XJrDpAg3bljHCJxN0LczTNq38bBfNIi6ZMKsnHOlyWZML510UjoxaGeQzyLQOKEPJc9ZBA7A27M4gEc/s640/_MG_8408.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is my favourite photo I think I finally got my backhand cut back down! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXUWrPxlZ-_AJKKO9MkmIVg6dnLcjdgRsXno4oooXbgaHAsaWR3D0hyphenhyphen2x6cFfOPcbtQ5mQfKTbDRwe2kRpTGK4OnKG_mk7a7Cr_0yxZdbJljP5rKS_FG-VKj6P6F0ElOdnG6Qr32o81I/s1600/_MG_8410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXUWrPxlZ-_AJKKO9MkmIVg6dnLcjdgRsXno4oooXbgaHAsaWR3D0hyphenhyphen2x6cFfOPcbtQ5mQfKTbDRwe2kRpTGK4OnKG_mk7a7Cr_0yxZdbJljP5rKS_FG-VKj6P6F0ElOdnG6Qr32o81I/s640/_MG_8410.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOESPPd-nYMIgRA0A8isEPzsXg93syCYdC3qeoRbvXFvBfvliLhNg8M1Goj9BTXzrZZqm_jqXa3by4oaACjNfHgtlkIsmZ9rVJmUabnluDGaXNb2jNc_eX9bl3krTPno5h-u5xkotvSw/s1600/_MG_8765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOESPPd-nYMIgRA0A8isEPzsXg93syCYdC3qeoRbvXFvBfvliLhNg8M1Goj9BTXzrZZqm_jqXa3by4oaACjNfHgtlkIsmZ9rVJmUabnluDGaXNb2jNc_eX9bl3krTPno5h-u5xkotvSw/s640/_MG_8765.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaweHgNen0h_PgUEbbn_maidIbhTfY-gB67bTesqIymxwr00Ec_uEjlObRevPR8FetOCNc41iLOFCR3-Nci0ICft5UUkffy0yKu_Msb8PaJdoVDaZV3yvYPMQZAaHWeNubNoK-JCSAgrE/s1600/_MG_8766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaweHgNen0h_PgUEbbn_maidIbhTfY-gB67bTesqIymxwr00Ec_uEjlObRevPR8FetOCNc41iLOFCR3-Nci0ICft5UUkffy0yKu_Msb8PaJdoVDaZV3yvYPMQZAaHWeNubNoK-JCSAgrE/s640/_MG_8766.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSz9Mr9kfKVDQLa8ZS-bbOAWUwwsZjOyI_haG_msOR-qOQ8cSC1cS4cn9mfsWTTFrxWGqc65vsY13QTsEUnxmnmRM37jEYe4UczGDUEk9o_Hqh3omvxL1wmvq60Hoy5wle22nwrlYo6Js/s1600/_MG_8778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSz9Mr9kfKVDQLa8ZS-bbOAWUwwsZjOyI_haG_msOR-qOQ8cSC1cS4cn9mfsWTTFrxWGqc65vsY13QTsEUnxmnmRM37jEYe4UczGDUEk9o_Hqh3omvxL1wmvq60Hoy5wle22nwrlYo6Js/s640/_MG_8778.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<u>Padang - Padang</u><br />
<br />
Surfing here at the end of March its was a fun left and more of a long boarders wave, I am still hoping to catch this spot working as its apparently a great barrelling left. The beach is a small secluded bay and reminded me of Clifton, SA. Its a steep walk down and you will be rewarded with a small sandy beach that even has some shade from the surrounding cliffs later in the day if you need a break from the intense heat. Its a popular beach so it does fill up quickly.<br />
<br />
Mid April I surfed this at 4ft plus and its a non stop barrel and almost impossible to make the wave you need to be able to pump speed right from the get go the locals have the hang of it and make it look easy especially at low tide but don't be fooled I saw at least three tourists come out bleeding from the reef! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWvIi1isDy3zH557een1jBYNmd9e6fELzssHptv72vXSEyp1Sz1crpTinMgvG6NR_3O_0Kn79Fst6RmiiUcoDK5TOo0t-OC1elrKTTQh-qOSG1b4noDIyt8Qq_VfpRy9n5-BseJ6TPZU/s1600/DSCF4591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWvIi1isDy3zH557een1jBYNmd9e6fELzssHptv72vXSEyp1Sz1crpTinMgvG6NR_3O_0Kn79Fst6RmiiUcoDK5TOo0t-OC1elrKTTQh-qOSG1b4noDIyt8Qq_VfpRy9n5-BseJ6TPZU/s400/DSCF4591.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The two of us surfer and photographer at Padang padang 2-4ft</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhloTJNYru9bGNnna1AP5QKMxgBUWXdBytHFmraa-DdY79t7Q9bK2CvU-HLXJf70WAPclmIcRxApKjaU0aWYU9K2Tfz1kNSoOZOdMmNsXbz5voJvnkJj3UE8jyGrvLAL0oFTjrnf4vfMeo/s1600/DSCF4598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhloTJNYru9bGNnna1AP5QKMxgBUWXdBytHFmraa-DdY79t7Q9bK2CvU-HLXJf70WAPclmIcRxApKjaU0aWYU9K2Tfz1kNSoOZOdMmNsXbz5voJvnkJj3UE8jyGrvLAL0oFTjrnf4vfMeo/s400/DSCF4598.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Padang padang have aussie style lifeguards- with the between the flags style in red and yellow</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEvaebQZzrItV4YJZ-NZmpov5d7xC2TbSv-4lAHxRnDFH02PAKlNYqyH10s47vROYBejRR3KyNW6PqrGn1x6k-RL7kXrhAbH0utdwrTkUaKHf5Blq73JXx8dgYI-4gRH-4jBKwr5r3YA/s1600/DSCF4601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEvaebQZzrItV4YJZ-NZmpov5d7xC2TbSv-4lAHxRnDFH02PAKlNYqyH10s47vROYBejRR3KyNW6PqrGn1x6k-RL7kXrhAbH0utdwrTkUaKHf5Blq73JXx8dgYI-4gRH-4jBKwr5r3YA/s400/DSCF4601.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Padang padang is good for a swim as well, see above and below.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyIdr38qGVO3VOpK3fmyLcCCdMqKiiNH3dfIr2Ar__eqAQF0gPbr8ODDaraAH6tpplZmRRTQeYcYpmDl7OTsYFU62Hr3ScVNCnuLf2k9l4gV4Hk4q8aoXv9BqFn5dnXKTfJJwVrAEa8zk/s1600/DSCF4607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyIdr38qGVO3VOpK3fmyLcCCdMqKiiNH3dfIr2Ar__eqAQF0gPbr8ODDaraAH6tpplZmRRTQeYcYpmDl7OTsYFU62Hr3ScVNCnuLf2k9l4gV4Hk4q8aoXv9BqFn5dnXKTfJJwVrAEa8zk/s640/DSCF4607.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Unfortunately no pictures of me surfing at Padang Padang :( Shev was too busy sun tanning.</div>
<br />
<u>Balangan</u><br />
Nicest beach we have been to so far and Atli came along with us so it was good to have someone else to surf with. The break here is a left built for Speedy Gonzales just imagine the cheese at the end of the tube! Its fast and its on a razor sharp reef, for me it was fun and great to get barrels but the chances of making them were slim..<br />
<br />
The other spots have been good to see and hear about so much to do so little time, however the guys tell me Nyang Nyang is a bigger wave this time of the year but I am not complaining as Ulu's has been around 6 -8ft and glassy. <br />
<br />
Next I am looking forward to Nusa Lembongan, Playgrounds, Shipwreck and Lacerations all aptly named I'm told.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSwFCbGRPngEQBb1B_8fCTCP8q1nKlt2dy1-xWWQHJ1f1h0-TjCT-_LD3jVe8PsvWbDNOXP4Vv6TlOiuAPK_O-j4hw_SsmPS0DcZGUhre7b8uKiWXUA7oNtW_RBZKIIi9X57vXx6tGrM/s1600/DSCF4271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSwFCbGRPngEQBb1B_8fCTCP8q1nKlt2dy1-xWWQHJ1f1h0-TjCT-_LD3jVe8PsvWbDNOXP4Vv6TlOiuAPK_O-j4hw_SsmPS0DcZGUhre7b8uKiWXUA7oNtW_RBZKIIi9X57vXx6tGrM/s640/DSCF4271.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sunset surf at Balangan. Dave is there somewhere, not that many surfers out at Balangan that day.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1kez1hX55LxRBW6jzR9dZXmxKD4NI7AbhNVSg0C4QNdruW6evQWHQwDPJMPFvzO9GHfT82cRa4_GDijsvdUuWDve6agLUdCDECw0NHXwxluBJMcLZVm3wyO3G3iI4pwO6edbov8Hx20/s1600/DSCF4288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1kez1hX55LxRBW6jzR9dZXmxKD4NI7AbhNVSg0C4QNdruW6evQWHQwDPJMPFvzO9GHfT82cRa4_GDijsvdUuWDve6agLUdCDECw0NHXwxluBJMcLZVm3wyO3G3iI4pwO6edbov8Hx20/s640/DSCF4288.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sunset at Balangan was spectacular that day.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDGffQ-t2DztrWGeXrjPlARshWL2VfGJEwRDf54B6CyOfS4bbs0zaYiMsGV-Ldk8t63H0TfV06ulu1P0m82jIZo_CNe1bwSLJm9UfwKuqmi47xayyb24fpwvbJhkwW6pIzfHA2m5vtyck/s1600/DSCF4306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDGffQ-t2DztrWGeXrjPlARshWL2VfGJEwRDf54B6CyOfS4bbs0zaYiMsGV-Ldk8t63H0TfV06ulu1P0m82jIZo_CNe1bwSLJm9UfwKuqmi47xayyb24fpwvbJhkwW6pIzfHA2m5vtyck/s640/DSCF4306.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<u>Nusa Lembongan </u><br />
<br />
Arriving at Nusa Lembongan was great we couldnt have planned it better our ferry dropped us off right outside Tarcis and the Shipwreck break!<br />
There are three main breaks here Playgrounds,Razors and Shipwrecks and I only really saw the last two working surf was in the 4 - 6ft range with a few small days as well.<br />
Its a long right and my favorite wave In Indonesia so far! The take off can be steep but the slight offshore holds it up perfectly and the water pushing over the reef means you always have enough speed. I didn't have any issues with the reef here even though it is sharp its just not as much force pulling you down as around Bali! It felt like you could try anything here and land without a worry :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih3pZGvI86LIWL_dyzmdatWBLoHCU0xAYKgriAH_HTWKai-pwsOLqGNyJUp3_Pn3DJ3oHvsWlub51izZ3vYpVibtDXpJk5QLMeVK4hD4lckG2KMIZAIjwEtUPOtGq6aS7B3vHPfBBfzOA/s1600/DSC_0258-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih3pZGvI86LIWL_dyzmdatWBLoHCU0xAYKgriAH_HTWKai-pwsOLqGNyJUp3_Pn3DJ3oHvsWlub51izZ3vYpVibtDXpJk5QLMeVK4hD4lckG2KMIZAIjwEtUPOtGq6aS7B3vHPfBBfzOA/s640/DSC_0258-002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dave surfing Shipwrecks at Nusa Lembongan. Wish I had a bigger zoom!</div>
<br />
<u>Nusa Dua</u><br />
The East coast wave of Bali, a bit of a walk out on the reef, make sure you wear booties. I scored some good waves here at Temples, Chickens was working as well according to the beach watchers when I got back but we couldn't see it from where we were further south at temples. The current here pulls you from South to North along the coast and it gets big swell from deep water so the waves are large rolling walls that suddenly jump up a foot near the reef. It was 6 - 8ft and great, you just need to paddle like crazy. Coming back in at dusk was a long paddle I caught a wave the reformed as I glided over the shallow reef and then paddled over the lagoon home to or the sun loungers!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHzFyB3Dhcw6SgGbPAZyio_4VMFh0e7ynnPMVh03LY2mqpja3nIBsVqDBQXDRtqU6ugNaA_BlxDR0AFzeWGgGO-gW4qcw6XfQ5Qsq99o5fh7NvyAUY1bSanS7E3_N6r7T2S0Fag_BGRQ/s1600/DSC_0010-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHzFyB3Dhcw6SgGbPAZyio_4VMFh0e7ynnPMVh03LY2mqpja3nIBsVqDBQXDRtqU6ugNaA_BlxDR0AFzeWGgGO-gW4qcw6XfQ5Qsq99o5fh7NvyAUY1bSanS7E3_N6r7T2S0Fag_BGRQ/s400/DSC_0010-002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Walking on the reef to get out to the waves. Booties are needed, reef is sharp.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjms6SU2PZSMk5nAatL18lX5RPCFQZt3Upb8Wm6qNzrnBCv4-VIMx7pFidLeeMqOt7BpnpT7FHxYx0d0Z8udfknRjLYSHtmtUiDdglOSrd0oa7erfFy-RmT6HK8U6U68NQv714h0dXWvWE/s1600/DSC_0025-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjms6SU2PZSMk5nAatL18lX5RPCFQZt3Upb8Wm6qNzrnBCv4-VIMx7pFidLeeMqOt7BpnpT7FHxYx0d0Z8udfknRjLYSHtmtUiDdglOSrd0oa7erfFy-RmT6HK8U6U68NQv714h0dXWvWE/s640/DSC_0025-002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A perfect right hander.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisULJCb0g4o2bgXcCLON13kk3xhOiCnU2eREez_taNhgtYaSqY7S_jj6gE5I3tKyBXHBgUSdx6bpzERt4tJSFBzirAFKix2j2hTNc0ng3Az1aM5vwPGw-hy5EByz_0-e1CH6Sjl9hQ9Q4/s1600/DSC_0026-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisULJCb0g4o2bgXcCLON13kk3xhOiCnU2eREez_taNhgtYaSqY7S_jj6gE5I3tKyBXHBgUSdx6bpzERt4tJSFBzirAFKix2j2hTNc0ng3Az1aM5vwPGw-hy5EByz_0-e1CH6Sjl9hQ9Q4/s640/DSC_0026-002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Another perfect right hander.</div>
WhatIF.....http://www.blogger.com/profile/16161621431144355091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372422706436574654.post-85871864094171502212013-04-09T02:39:00.000-07:002013-04-13T22:26:18.239-07:00Nusa Lembongan 2nd - 7th AprilNusa Lembongan is small island 8km sqaure with a population of approx 5000South East of the coast of Bali almost directly East from Sanur where we headed to catch our ferry. <br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nusa_Lembongan" target="_blank">Nusa Lembongan on Wikki</a><br />
We arrived at the port in Bali Sanur to catch the public boat and we were not the only travellers with the idea of saving cash by catching this service at Rp80,000 each one way as opposed to Rp160,000 - Rp300,000 each on the fast boat!<br />
<br />
First we needed to top on funds as we heard the ATM on the island rarely has any cash. See below photo - makes you feel wealthy at the cash machine! Yipeee we are millionaires!! Yes?! Yeah right in our dreams!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFCi56otM0XxrylfctWSNbe4kxRk00eY_C-0VX-PD5F8soBQBwZOxjFUqdnDPvavbYbLiYvz_ptAnCm5e_YcmzVONGTcl3pN4JI2yiiEKkBKbHNHxeX1xSQ7gGjk4MYjyYtY4Xmf0_bs/s1600/DSCF4740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFCi56otM0XxrylfctWSNbe4kxRk00eY_C-0VX-PD5F8soBQBwZOxjFUqdnDPvavbYbLiYvz_ptAnCm5e_YcmzVONGTcl3pN4JI2yiiEKkBKbHNHxeX1xSQ7gGjk4MYjyYtY4Xmf0_bs/s400/DSCF4740.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The boat was loaded up with cooking equipment for a kitchen and plenty of gas bottles. There were also a few travellers on board, some French and a Singaporean couple, the rest were local Balinese or Nusa's.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8cowhFwN-kjo87Q75PtMSDR7otfo74bXZZrRKHsHaSNava1rushC8gr-qTd9wXzGP4kXX3DVUUGX9X51mYL_RLJQahslSe_W_OA6SDYzmk9aYe4a8xC9eeOhnrMToXxCBLAL7lG09Nc/s1600/DSCF5118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8cowhFwN-kjo87Q75PtMSDR7otfo74bXZZrRKHsHaSNava1rushC8gr-qTd9wXzGP4kXX3DVUUGX9X51mYL_RLJQahslSe_W_OA6SDYzmk9aYe4a8xC9eeOhnrMToXxCBLAL7lG09Nc/s1600/DSCF5118.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our ferry to Nusa Lenbongan the other side of the channel was amazing watching how they offload gas canisters, I mean most things float right!</div>
<br />
The boat ride was fairly straightforward except there was no jetty and ramp so you pass your bags on to the guys on the boat and if you time the swell right you jump on at the back near the outboards without getting wet.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzP4JiDxqPaQVg_gRv-tIezEwXnpS0fHg34k-uNDg2_6CjvU59L-KM-AVR3ZOPuit8gGW9KFUyMFwJrlVklpA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
<br />
A small video put together of the public slow boat boat ride across. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdp-F0DSHzz5G07Rdl4ZYQp0rKNgJxyqwxb86StYu9bHs6ylaVsjQPTgEFUk64LF7sUB-McdgWj9as9uN_L8h14ttFx2iROUEHikyK-GpRr-PZuFTTO9wWFkKQob7wGg67JlLpkg8zkc/s1600/DSCF4845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdp-F0DSHzz5G07Rdl4ZYQp0rKNgJxyqwxb86StYu9bHs6ylaVsjQPTgEFUk64LF7sUB-McdgWj9as9uN_L8h14ttFx2iROUEHikyK-GpRr-PZuFTTO9wWFkKQob7wGg67JlLpkg8zkc/s1600/DSCF4845.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Was nervous and excited for the boat trip, boat was made of wooden planks that if you stood on the sides you might just fall below!</div>
<br />
The water was incredibly blue and clear when we came close to the beach. We haven't seen anything as crystal clear before. Maybe in Whitsundays in Oz but we weren't lucky with visibility when we were there. Coming into Nusa Lembongan there were a few other larger cruise boats that were moored with jettys and some even looked like floating casinos with bars and huge waterslides on the one end! What an enterprising idea, look in the video carefully and you will spot them!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHWaBRAouKToGsBDmtbq-kJQi-vMCq6K2ax2B6stQS-zew1xhd7ULyIwLzhjibnin9TkA81htD0-TmUdhLBezOiTkF1IUXdsHZdIIWtK-Azl3MRBb3hT5ltPWz2-YvS10YrvEnpcyQvk/s1600/DSC_0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHWaBRAouKToGsBDmtbq-kJQi-vMCq6K2ax2B6stQS-zew1xhd7ULyIwLzhjibnin9TkA81htD0-TmUdhLBezOiTkF1IUXdsHZdIIWtK-Azl3MRBb3hT5ltPWz2-YvS10YrvEnpcyQvk/s640/DSC_0069.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
An idea if how crystal clear the water was. This was probably 4m deep.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span id="goog_1491245396"></span><span id="goog_1491245397"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The boat ride was about an hour and a half. Finally we ''docked'' or should we say beached at Nusa Lambongan. We jumped off the boat and were welcomed by a few of the locals already there to trade and help you with your bag, we soon realised they wanted to be our taxi or to help find accomodation for us if we hadn't booked any. No problem really as we just pointed 20m to Tarci's where we were staying which changed the atmosphere a little and they were quite keen to return our bags. Gee thanks and here we thought our bags would be carried for us. What we really like about the Balines/Nusa people is they were nice about everything even when they realised that we weren't cash cows!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span id="goog_1644714482"></span><span id="goog_1644714483"></span><br /></div>
After stomping through some wet and loose sand with all our belongings to our new accommodation you could see the slight look of why are we carrying our own bags!! Our new pad was on the beach with a small pool and a few happy people lounging around, perfect!<br />
<br />
In the afternoon after resting a little and enjoying some aircon, we went walkabout on the beach, you know to get some exercise and see our surroundings. Well that was short lived our hotel is on a breakwater wall that gets splashed on at high tide and so with the tide coming in the beach was diminishing fast, we also haven't seen any roads to walk around on and rumor has it there are no cars on this island. While walking around I could see the Shipwrecks break starting to get better and better with a few more surfers every time I looked out past the waves. It wasn't long and I was on a boat heading out for a surf! I have never taken a boat anywhere for a surf so this was quite a thrilling concept, imagine not having to paddle out through waves and surfers and just jump on the boat and cruise to the best waves, I really am enjoying the Nusa culture. While negotiating prices the guy Euric also said that he does snorkelling and fishing trips so I got a free surf ferry and a good price of Rp400,000 for the next day as the water here looked perfect along with the great dive stories we had been told about the place.<br />
<br />
The food is fantastic at Tarcis and what a way to end a great surf! We splashed out a bit and shared a bottle of light fruity red wine for the first time since we were in Oz! Dinner was Calamari and Marlin steak with some sautéed veggies.<br />
<br />
Our first morning on the Island was bright and sunny (like most mornings). We are going snorkelling and the humidity and temperature have not quite peaked yet. Our captian and local guru tour guide Euric was waiting for us along with another couple that eventually joined us from Germany.<br />
<br />
Our first stop was was 25min after travelling SSE towards Cennigan Island and after crossing the channel between Cennigan Island and the larger Nusa Lembongan we arrived at our first snorkel site where a few others were all looking at Manta Ray. It took me longer to locate as I was looking for a white object similar to the stingrays, this was the first time I had seen a Manta Ray and it was huge. They are diamond shaped black on top, white underneath with gills and a jet intake in the front through which they eat plankton or "zooplankton" as this article states in the link below. While snorkelling the manta ray moved around the corner and so our boat did, leaving us near a cove. Swimming against the current to go round the corner was tiresome but we eventually made it. Shev looked up and saw our guide on the boat calling us to the boat and pointing to the water near the rock. When she looked to see what he was pointing at Shev panicked turned to look at me and gave me the shark fin sign and turned to head back to the boat. She soon realised that it was not a shark and indeed was the manta ray on the surface with one of its wings out the water and at first glance she thought it was a shark fin. She explained later that it was the way our guide was calling us that gave her reason to be alarmed. <br />
<br />
Swimming with manta ray was something else we have never experienced. A rush of excitement, nerves (thinking about Steve Irwin) and sheer awe at seeing these graceful creatures up close. Wow! There were about 4 Manta Rays in total.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manta_ray">Manta Ray wiki website</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-eUZiF254FaVUcvIjtqN05rLzdYdPH8yYMUy-oNPl6MrDD0GBiloxtXm7QHcpHGo_5CKkfIeWuGbDpeaTZf6B9-EYLVT8V5PYxbScIB0W-S-uJNFg_m5BrEcLDJn4MV3tauWMic4n2s/s1600/DSCF4881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-eUZiF254FaVUcvIjtqN05rLzdYdPH8yYMUy-oNPl6MrDD0GBiloxtXm7QHcpHGo_5CKkfIeWuGbDpeaTZf6B9-EYLVT8V5PYxbScIB0W-S-uJNFg_m5BrEcLDJn4MV3tauWMic4n2s/s640/DSCF4881.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Manta Ray #1 (<i>Manta birostra</i>,)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrXGhqcDgRJNgtN1HcCl0i01YrEONODyDLQfsPHOSjce-BBFhxnYA1hZKKhq3JilBUtvuAcGpFGWQ1hqQR-7U_CAQHNt7Jj2RyHID1qpbsdrAum2ZpHPM-F7I4wWr1M1rg6kkdAhv8AU/s1600/DSCF4882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrXGhqcDgRJNgtN1HcCl0i01YrEONODyDLQfsPHOSjce-BBFhxnYA1hZKKhq3JilBUtvuAcGpFGWQ1hqQR-7U_CAQHNt7Jj2RyHID1qpbsdrAum2ZpHPM-F7I4wWr1M1rg6kkdAhv8AU/s640/DSCF4882.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Manta Ray #2<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28FWhtcOXOWkXcTfgfLjRlnRTmoBmeGfEz6i1vUlAU7rdP39fuqg8ldL40Q4jNunxOkj-uEJLn5UtgmcYBYqsb01ePVOWpgDvvn8k91fUm-WVkfxRrrtUjqBn6IeGk4uCjZuhKbz7LAE/s1600/DSCF4923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28FWhtcOXOWkXcTfgfLjRlnRTmoBmeGfEz6i1vUlAU7rdP39fuqg8ldL40Q4jNunxOkj-uEJLn5UtgmcYBYqsb01ePVOWpgDvvn8k91fUm-WVkfxRrrtUjqBn6IeGk4uCjZuhKbz7LAE/s640/DSCF4923.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Snowflake Moray (<i>Echidna nebulosa</i>)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWe44MrCSV3SZywUirkUkQZ3A_I8b0W74nbjBojTCD5BHdZ6GNIbeSfgEFJBELTJvQUsQujhwHonvzBJwSBS9HrsCw9t7ohebccRQ6_qC8nno6P0PjaJqxMeil_X5lW-BYexUdY-ZhHw/s1600/DSCF4873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWe44MrCSV3SZywUirkUkQZ3A_I8b0W74nbjBojTCD5BHdZ6GNIbeSfgEFJBELTJvQUsQujhwHonvzBJwSBS9HrsCw9t7ohebccRQ6_qC8nno6P0PjaJqxMeil_X5lW-BYexUdY-ZhHw/s320/DSCF4873.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgCyLhh9LJKsUhCFme3EtenlGsGPwtMFiPllqYt2R-K0QPJli6GF3JBP2SyH3o2X81QBZU51q4qOnXtJgJuVbPBhClsn4qh7cNmAtPWX7jKsbZQOzoPGHLuO2vRn_I2nHUh1ao7lRG2Y/s1600/DSCF4884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgCyLhh9LJKsUhCFme3EtenlGsGPwtMFiPllqYt2R-K0QPJli6GF3JBP2SyH3o2X81QBZU51q4qOnXtJgJuVbPBhClsn4qh7cNmAtPWX7jKsbZQOzoPGHLuO2vRn_I2nHUh1ao7lRG2Y/s320/DSCF4884.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some divers while we were snorkelling.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxQgcM2M1G9mPqZXAxyuhJ-yMD5dXA5832O8H8sEOr5K90PKu4t5FVngzqUZpV5C8EYPlZ1NEbdWtZeFKyAm8ZJZcedDjuUGCGOuG5gdiUg5ZA9NG1RhxhobJAWUDgDfejzm7U8kccN4/s1600/DSCF4898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxQgcM2M1G9mPqZXAxyuhJ-yMD5dXA5832O8H8sEOr5K90PKu4t5FVngzqUZpV5C8EYPlZ1NEbdWtZeFKyAm8ZJZcedDjuUGCGOuG5gdiUg5ZA9NG1RhxhobJAWUDgDfejzm7U8kccN4/s640/DSCF4898.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2NjYRlfPwsIGr_0-TVkQJJtk6WB5WoHIlfhsKVqsaCKZtX28v4Tx6bncLJsyxk42f4k7GDG2h0Ojwcadoa-Y5om0pYdWv-lA9ZK8v1LMlqxvXwLslNHWbrvzCaGSYcKo2Jf9dN0fKbw/s1600/DSCF4993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2NjYRlfPwsIGr_0-TVkQJJtk6WB5WoHIlfhsKVqsaCKZtX28v4Tx6bncLJsyxk42f4k7GDG2h0Ojwcadoa-Y5om0pYdWv-lA9ZK8v1LMlqxvXwLslNHWbrvzCaGSYcKo2Jf9dN0fKbw/s640/DSCF4993.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Striped Monocle (<i>Scolopsis lineata)</i> <i> - </i>There were not too many of these guys around and they stuck together.<i><br /></i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YbnzcPC2vmOcMjx9bmsXVAQBu6spkC5nWaZCfjWqTVMTArwscc3kOdNkqgQvL7M47raaDLOS3jc1lLOgH6Xzezm8Zn9hPQhc9atCZwsOsIsFBs7IB6ha1Ud9mJ0fS0LbS-GpE5NdW_g/s1600/DSCF4929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YbnzcPC2vmOcMjx9bmsXVAQBu6spkC5nWaZCfjWqTVMTArwscc3kOdNkqgQvL7M47raaDLOS3jc1lLOgH6Xzezm8Zn9hPQhc9atCZwsOsIsFBs7IB6ha1Ud9mJ0fS0LbS-GpE5NdW_g/s640/DSCF4929.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Chevron butterflyfish (<i>Chaetodon trifascialis</i>)<br />
<i></i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkF775aB13t_DsN1KYllzEd0GWdKntvi9gFsN6Su7SAyd4lS4k8Zt0NW8Wp29QtCHYwpI91LdSeyJX2oEhAZ9VO-7RCsS9ukDG8bRYECEfP0uaRnXrpltCDmjf0ocF2dF1D4a7-DK9VU/s1600/DSCF4908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkF775aB13t_DsN1KYllzEd0GWdKntvi9gFsN6Su7SAyd4lS4k8Zt0NW8Wp29QtCHYwpI91LdSeyJX2oEhAZ9VO-7RCsS9ukDG8bRYECEfP0uaRnXrpltCDmjf0ocF2dF1D4a7-DK9VU/s400/DSCF4908.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Pennant Coralfish (<i>Heniochus acuminatus) or </i>Moorish Idol<i><br /></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxA8WxjpGdXvZq3-lxC83Mpz397r9uDXhrewRIWq6feaPfdBFFLDgwDYXSpE6Paq4yoUo59YR8KOv2JB2c6ZKkM5NeIUyVf7KYP-mbg6Zz7hxI2CX4C_s9xR6R2DDgGkRrz8PRw_hS3c/s1600/DSCF4939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxA8WxjpGdXvZq3-lxC83Mpz397r9uDXhrewRIWq6feaPfdBFFLDgwDYXSpE6Paq4yoUo59YR8KOv2JB2c6ZKkM5NeIUyVf7KYP-mbg6Zz7hxI2CX4C_s9xR6R2DDgGkRrz8PRw_hS3c/s640/DSCF4939.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
The channel between Cennigan Island on the right and Nusa Lembongaan on the left.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YeT89874cnJKVUFVfW1zFt37DlHgPTWsKJrdIwnjIZEVuVIqk4ki9TA2zJnh-2LituEr4bppZ21yBl77cDyZRFTjMXbKP1Uzou2A-P-IA9a2egf87Rq8fEyvYHPPbRXXcNH4isGpHv8/s1600/DSCF4911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YeT89874cnJKVUFVfW1zFt37DlHgPTWsKJrdIwnjIZEVuVIqk4ki9TA2zJnh-2LituEr4bppZ21yBl77cDyZRFTjMXbKP1Uzou2A-P-IA9a2egf87Rq8fEyvYHPPbRXXcNH4isGpHv8/s640/DSCF4911.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Blue Damsel Fish ?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySrAQprMbDET4MkN1z-ZKXQAixLmtxPsaAveg8MLWDGg89v5vwhfyDBG1lmOXj4jsFWk0V7Au8-BnmFSlJmUPkF6y6B1eJ3iTFigxcWSmllH9WydS03KTWIL5Z9kTGyqY9c6PwTP9m8I/s1600/DSCF4966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySrAQprMbDET4MkN1z-ZKXQAixLmtxPsaAveg8MLWDGg89v5vwhfyDBG1lmOXj4jsFWk0V7Au8-BnmFSlJmUPkF6y6B1eJ3iTFigxcWSmllH9WydS03KTWIL5Z9kTGyqY9c6PwTP9m8I/s640/DSCF4966.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Moorish Idol<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeN07qXxF8EGsnteGELE-JWAKD4N70_5kPhIo1HjOtKKi1ZbSx1zfGVqb2n26w5YMNl84rHMjVFwnSgUg_s-RWDeI1QzJR7MC2ptbAZYIm4Qkuo2GecAgt8zl7r76AODpGCZ_BtHjqF3Y/s1600/DSCF5003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeN07qXxF8EGsnteGELE-JWAKD4N70_5kPhIo1HjOtKKi1ZbSx1zfGVqb2n26w5YMNl84rHMjVFwnSgUg_s-RWDeI1QzJR7MC2ptbAZYIm4Qkuo2GecAgt8zl7r76AODpGCZ_BtHjqF3Y/s640/DSCF5003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Surf Parrotfish (<i>Scarus rivulatus)</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOacJRLqYxK6HVjMoj8WqCLQBFSQY2o2pytU9TxZR5jMmuFOrl98m3lEMS2_bgeC5m6DmxrEfiy-REpvKag__GNfj3eKoBbyirFoAd3Y0JN_QePHvO-qd8njQKNG_108EVxjErCplAYE/s1600/DSCF4970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOacJRLqYxK6HVjMoj8WqCLQBFSQY2o2pytU9TxZR5jMmuFOrl98m3lEMS2_bgeC5m6DmxrEfiy-REpvKag__GNfj3eKoBbyirFoAd3Y0JN_QePHvO-qd8njQKNG_108EVxjErCplAYE/s640/DSCF4970.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Surge Wrasse?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgss3xgGzGvs_ofy2-z11VsgH5YLYHUpbJQLJ2wRDJnkWrBmmRzbMO4OAHfh3TqBOMaTVtZbSS21YXlvUk_07BW7E9dqM5Vi7NwZNHfVknZcCMDzxJeaLmTuhE5_uMoPGz_H8Bul8wB4/s1600/DSCF5008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgss3xgGzGvs_ofy2-z11VsgH5YLYHUpbJQLJ2wRDJnkWrBmmRzbMO4OAHfh3TqBOMaTVtZbSS21YXlvUk_07BW7E9dqM5Vi7NwZNHfVknZcCMDzxJeaLmTuhE5_uMoPGz_H8Bul8wB4/s320/DSCF5008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Blueline Surgeonfish (<i>Acanthurus lineatus)</i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBuDm8U2TJNeMuGdLPTGPjwX-SkXXRpb3t9hRPWLiI6yaFx0h7WB5sFHSMFJ4Y-A0C1V3ZOMSPVJ-Q_dae3E7AOKWWJwXngBv205woYnhFPM51f9SIfpNtLDrD5bJmuBXRsGFUV_-2PM/s1600/Nusa+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBuDm8U2TJNeMuGdLPTGPjwX-SkXXRpb3t9hRPWLiI6yaFx0h7WB5sFHSMFJ4Y-A0C1V3ZOMSPVJ-Q_dae3E7AOKWWJwXngBv205woYnhFPM51f9SIfpNtLDrD5bJmuBXRsGFUV_-2PM/s640/Nusa+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
See the fish link pages here: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moorish_idol" target="_blank">Moorish_idol</a> and <a href="http://www.hallofreun.de/fish.html" target="_blank">Fishes of Bali</a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is a video showing our snorkelling with the Manta Rays! :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span id="goog_1073445820"></span><span id="goog_1073445821"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzyzrlgqR9SJvyqM1ZDXk6RDP8kIe7uR1Rwm5T8s0itcR_Mq8luBy-YapvLWCFTzhEQI1-g_6j05fTrU6LzqA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
We had such a great day and our local guide was very friendly along with the German couple on the boat with us. You will see him in the video where the Manta Ray swims really close to him.<br />
<br />
After we returned looking through our photos and reading more about our Manta Ray friends, did you know they acutally breach out the water? They don't know why they do this. We had a nice relaxing day at Tarci's, some more excellent food at 3$ a plate and freshly made fruit juices for 1.50$! Not to mention the service and you can chat to others around you about travels and where else to go see and do things around the Island.<br />
<a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://wikitravel.org/upload/shared//thumb/5/50/Bali-NusaLembongan-Map.png/600px-Bali-NusaLembongan-Map.png&imgrefurl=http://wikitravel.org/en/Nusa_Lembongan&h=341&w=600&sz=222&tbnid=GSLXjvEEaZ9XNM:&tbnh=63&tbnw=110&zoom=1&usg=__A3UQ0g4PPBDDOoK2_uBXP2TMONw=&docid=_v77d1olDkVQ6M&sa=X&ei=7lRhUajKBsvNrQepyIHYAw&ved=0CEsQ9QEwBA&dur=2583" target="_blank">Bali-NusaLembongan-Map</a><br />
<br />
A day later after going for a run to the North East of the island from Jungut Batu beach to Mangrove Forest where we stayed, which turned out to be more like running at full speed on a treadmill in a sauna! However apart from the fitness attempt we did meet a local that would take us fishing for a more reasonable Rp400,000 as apposed to 2Million that we were offered where we stayed but that was with the full kit and a nice boat. Turns out sometimes you get what you pay for as we didnt get any fish but had lots of bites! We trawled for Tuna and tried catching some smaller bottom dweller fish as well as Bream back in the Mangrove jungle at the river when we got back. No fish but we enjoyed the peace and tranquility as well as watching the sun rise! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrODifRpCuOMzmx2_kcIZxCltqBDhC950iAdakfvVeOND-7PNFjDOVB5Sg_rn_ZxqqOORYpIW-AdCU-K38AdRwHhzI6ksGabix4pt21z3mn-9KvlT3PLOaf5przCn8WfdcJT7Abq0wYg/s1600/DSC_0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrODifRpCuOMzmx2_kcIZxCltqBDhC950iAdakfvVeOND-7PNFjDOVB5Sg_rn_ZxqqOORYpIW-AdCU-K38AdRwHhzI6ksGabix4pt21z3mn-9KvlT3PLOaf5przCn8WfdcJT7Abq0wYg/s400/DSC_0034.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sunrise fishing! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPBnn_3D60IqHnb2ORUC07ej2FQJNJ4VcHQ78-h_VQlc7vdHAWwla070S2BdeVTNoxzCKlEdOI-9PFNyASjBPbU94fxsCGbjx7LbGhaaErTvsY42TxDzvWp9XtSB5mFx_Xwje5bniVo4/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPBnn_3D60IqHnb2ORUC07ej2FQJNJ4VcHQ78-h_VQlc7vdHAWwla070S2BdeVTNoxzCKlEdOI-9PFNyASjBPbU94fxsCGbjx7LbGhaaErTvsY42TxDzvWp9XtSB5mFx_Xwje5bniVo4/s640/DSC_0017.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sunrise near Mangrove forest.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZiVxg7wov-wvhDSR_EldzxsBnyMzKMXVzIqJ71NDzd8u-cQgzetM0FoXpN7q4mlLV5EW3Mf2U8IvAfMGRq4P4qZP5MkG408j7nlxIHR07V4CVTW2rUa-GmDUbLK4j05dI9ACrjPx4SU/s1600/DSC_0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZiVxg7wov-wvhDSR_EldzxsBnyMzKMXVzIqJ71NDzd8u-cQgzetM0FoXpN7q4mlLV5EW3Mf2U8IvAfMGRq4P4qZP5MkG408j7nlxIHR07V4CVTW2rUa-GmDUbLK4j05dI9ACrjPx4SU/s400/DSC_0027.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mangrove Forest.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsMy_jNOwDXMYuffwFgKagEDzGmgWCnu78KE-qVL8joipE8DsxlC6YJzs61-NgQFS4jM9BQVCYfEjmZMQB2rGNyfPi5nBOA8b_FlknNMn_Al-kqVtAbwbycZfjKNPe8YxuIy7KjET8Fo/s1600/DSC_0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsMy_jNOwDXMYuffwFgKagEDzGmgWCnu78KE-qVL8joipE8DsxlC6YJzs61-NgQFS4jM9BQVCYfEjmZMQB2rGNyfPi5nBOA8b_FlknNMn_Al-kqVtAbwbycZfjKNPe8YxuIy7KjET8Fo/s640/DSC_0038.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
More sunrise.</div>
<br />
We did get to try some scooters out and where surprised to see that we were some of the few westerners sporting helmets, we like our heads too much...especially since Shev had had a bicycle wipe out a few days earlier. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpXqD-42x87qH_LMaQ39ypi8XOs8YfAvTxtiKeThuURkJVlxewQXC8lCc8ecFkVN_OKKwz3NhLEOcd5C7lZObGfVpdIniUZWmnkB2FygGqorGGNQZMtXJ3xZ7L3EY97gEIjWGX88xeKI/s1600/DSCF4727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpXqD-42x87qH_LMaQ39ypi8XOs8YfAvTxtiKeThuURkJVlxewQXC8lCc8ecFkVN_OKKwz3NhLEOcd5C7lZObGfVpdIniUZWmnkB2FygGqorGGNQZMtXJ3xZ7L3EY97gEIjWGX88xeKI/s400/DSCF4727.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6gFDsBr0kxknDdbJdAxl2cVbBa12f8HNYPEDNtPYcrtFtahdpvOBAsxAjylfaNokIn_yw-1daXYrMAdzn3uhHRWw0BRAicZK7FsPj_OIrWHg4SU-AazhQKBKhgnJIRmVNQoXv4E6lVY/s1600/DSCF4730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6gFDsBr0kxknDdbJdAxl2cVbBa12f8HNYPEDNtPYcrtFtahdpvOBAsxAjylfaNokIn_yw-1daXYrMAdzn3uhHRWw0BRAicZK7FsPj_OIrWHg4SU-AazhQKBKhgnJIRmVNQoXv4E6lVY/s400/DSCF4730.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We drove around the island in about 2hr30. The roads are terrible on the island, potholes everywhere and in some parts no road at all and it looks like a motocross track! However on our journey we discovered the best beach on the entire Island and it has a name that explains everything, Dream Beach!<br />
<br />
After seeing this beach and the accommodation we decided to splurge for one night, still cheaper than most parts of the world but expensive in Bali we booked a night at Dream Beach with the endless pool and its fantastic views!! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FROOEpi9tWmCdvLFH2THb5twgfbZqH9XJIoSWG_rlcWWe7es-O-VTYEGM2t53RuopK8G4i1J_6fzY8txmCDojjr6Wbg0mDt8spgiFAsGjPmE-sMaxaWesbDWH0TlCBP1M9XowFpcKbA/s1600/DSCF5194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FROOEpi9tWmCdvLFH2THb5twgfbZqH9XJIoSWG_rlcWWe7es-O-VTYEGM2t53RuopK8G4i1J_6fzY8txmCDojjr6Wbg0mDt8spgiFAsGjPmE-sMaxaWesbDWH0TlCBP1M9XowFpcKbA/s640/DSCF5194.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dream Beach Huts accomodation. Pool looks like its part of the ocean. Best splurge we have had.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gp7OgdSO8f0zACf5WeMEGChFPmLsRynT_VYwwgd2DY9MTFe5j79mC-cD-zldLUnsnZQMoPnSJHUmoRPgAeLnltYOtALFXni7z03wlctJAY6p6MOrHia1ZwEv2fF2SZGaQ_RNwaUZvh4/s1600/DSC_0225-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gp7OgdSO8f0zACf5WeMEGChFPmLsRynT_VYwwgd2DY9MTFe5j79mC-cD-zldLUnsnZQMoPnSJHUmoRPgAeLnltYOtALFXni7z03wlctJAY6p6MOrHia1ZwEv2fF2SZGaQ_RNwaUZvh4/s640/DSC_0225-002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAmiXrmDO_PDHJAYDJ97nCsjgCz2X-rKC_xDi82x1d8VQy9S3obBIUDkdJBBEeYvTivFaWXj2iQJufUOupTqwZ6jrTQZ3oPuB3HzLLBVRXSuBZeR0iqVO5KoRQQjNjgL3KbS9ujmhEFQc/s1600/DSC_0232-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAmiXrmDO_PDHJAYDJ97nCsjgCz2X-rKC_xDi82x1d8VQy9S3obBIUDkdJBBEeYvTivFaWXj2iQJufUOupTqwZ6jrTQZ3oPuB3HzLLBVRXSuBZeR0iqVO5KoRQQjNjgL3KbS9ujmhEFQc/s320/DSC_0232-002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cocktails by the pool.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXbmAZN3xyk3yMtITDHFYuHkwrxuEeO_34QNASMMkpmpZ4HqUOMObJ8UYnXROW131MAIGeWy7KxmhdP-XsC5vbd_BpHqz6JVs1e9rT1e-xca7ZLRPGHZ7WF_CDyY6WFEQGThNp3fsyWe4/s1600/DSC_0231-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXbmAZN3xyk3yMtITDHFYuHkwrxuEeO_34QNASMMkpmpZ4HqUOMObJ8UYnXROW131MAIGeWy7KxmhdP-XsC5vbd_BpHqz6JVs1e9rT1e-xca7ZLRPGHZ7WF_CDyY6WFEQGThNp3fsyWe4/s400/DSC_0231-002.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Relaxing evening in the pool with Shevy! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvZ1XOtGNcKveHC6PjGr6Kfp2kqeDK8Il7CVP-OtBWJKs_yYmkQiKDVSxtATK7OJhuVgyvdiAwGQyPDbfeoKxHg6xtrA4qAzhoS9c7KhJKpLYQeqdwbJjZP5I5NpWCX9Da5Y62axk6Sc/s1600/DSC_0157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvZ1XOtGNcKveHC6PjGr6Kfp2kqeDK8Il7CVP-OtBWJKs_yYmkQiKDVSxtATK7OJhuVgyvdiAwGQyPDbfeoKxHg6xtrA4qAzhoS9c7KhJKpLYQeqdwbJjZP5I5NpWCX9Da5Y62axk6Sc/s640/DSC_0157.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We went for a walk to see the Devil's Tear. Watched the swell come in and crash against the rocks. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5kgDuZ3BY_0JBAtUQgPRtG2dXRdxUsWu6xvBuxxk5h9XE_Q1sEUYkpfaQmf277aLE3YHz_ZFOxfxqU4fAp4S9lde6q5i5mbQiS5t5J2COKZaUkXuq1olzJLtwJlamJAPc0AM-nA4IMo/s1600/DSC_0240-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5kgDuZ3BY_0JBAtUQgPRtG2dXRdxUsWu6xvBuxxk5h9XE_Q1sEUYkpfaQmf277aLE3YHz_ZFOxfxqU4fAp4S9lde6q5i5mbQiS5t5J2COKZaUkXuq1olzJLtwJlamJAPc0AM-nA4IMo/s400/DSC_0240-001.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our outdoor shower! </div>
<br />
<br />WhatIF.....http://www.blogger.com/profile/16161621431144355091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372422706436574654.post-52559181070695424372013-04-06T05:15:00.000-07:002013-04-06T05:15:08.621-07:00Ubud, Lovina & Sanur 28th March - 1st AprilThe day started with a surf early in the morning at Uluwatu! We got packed again and we have managed to collect a few curios to post home!<br />
<br />
We headed up to Ubud ( pronounced Ooh-bood) again, this time we planned on staying 2/3 nights there. Ketut took us to see Batik material and paintings being made. Some beautiful designs! Of course we could'nt buy everything as we would'nt have enough cash for the rest of our trip. After a lunch stop overlooking more rice paddies we arrived in Ubud.<br />
We decided to check out the Monkey Forest. Once the entrance tickets were purchased we bought some bananas to feed the monkeys. Dave handed me the bananas while he was putting his wallet away. Next thing I got a massive fright as I had a mokey trying to climb up my leg to get to the bananas!!<br />
I ended up throwing all 4 bananas on the floor and the chuffed monkey ran off with 2 of them. Thing is we could see other toursits ahead of us with all the monkeys and some climbing them for bananas however I hadn't seen this cheeky monkey right next to us. Dave picked up the other 2 bananas shaking his head at me for throwing all 4 bananas away, and he put the bananas in his pocket. A few moments later we came across a monkey and the monkey was very very interested in Dave's pocket and was following trying to figure out what had happened to the bannanas, monkesy are not as stupid as they look and eventualy Dave took out the banana and gave it to the monkey. Monkey Forest is a place worth visiting, you can watch the monkeys play in lush greenery and in amongst the temples.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMtn-4rD1S3bk6CODJZLC21yjMvz5YWrI0vNW6uzExs-_-38mED-cVuDTiQN5_YkgCIFFUjBwise3ya4P1spkpLa9sewLNfvGZZYe4DiGdskpTaLLEAijtrPpUEBEeBFfjqfdafMjjh0/s1600/DSC_1011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMtn-4rD1S3bk6CODJZLC21yjMvz5YWrI0vNW6uzExs-_-38mED-cVuDTiQN5_YkgCIFFUjBwise3ya4P1spkpLa9sewLNfvGZZYe4DiGdskpTaLLEAijtrPpUEBEeBFfjqfdafMjjh0/s1600/DSC_1011.JPG" height="232" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Monkey Forest - Ubud</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8kk3rhCYqGXbp5d_20XPdOA_1jAGpIcc5JUd7MWDTiMTZ0ansYMf2hOz4Ugz7qS7qFR3VGGJ-rZqjpgJ4KLljWhQRzuJhFR6A7YPqg1d8p0LYa_qJWLn9V7wVror77zBk5JYfbXrsFM/s1600/DSC_1013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8kk3rhCYqGXbp5d_20XPdOA_1jAGpIcc5JUd7MWDTiMTZ0ansYMf2hOz4Ugz7qS7qFR3VGGJ-rZqjpgJ4KLljWhQRzuJhFR6A7YPqg1d8p0LYa_qJWLn9V7wVror77zBk5JYfbXrsFM/s1600/DSC_1013.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cheeky monkey stuffing his face with a banana.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1We1ge0lfpBYo17hlph603VdFV-6MzIV95oj81aD-ZHGpSvN6gGOoOTjJjGnjArOCqW38t42uZbiPszSGmEiq7hMst8NogSqKw-AjQSRoO0ZJRaE8c_x_2nde1Oc64F7_O9tScGh3OM4/s1600/DSC_0038-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1We1ge0lfpBYo17hlph603VdFV-6MzIV95oj81aD-ZHGpSvN6gGOoOTjJjGnjArOCqW38t42uZbiPszSGmEiq7hMst8NogSqKw-AjQSRoO0ZJRaE8c_x_2nde1Oc64F7_O9tScGh3OM4/s1600/DSC_0038-001.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Monkey Forest - bridge to another small temple.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4CaI-Omx48HTJ014gmpACf_f0iSTPh_giL7wyYLsaPVfSZzjAJrE6fTO91XRZezFgzPKgN_O5oQsRnJQJmuf1FLIw2dbqRvYyJ1gEQdUJnd-Mtg8jInwq1-iIzMrtqyyOs0-jm80Lf0/s1600/DSC_0035-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4CaI-Omx48HTJ014gmpACf_f0iSTPh_giL7wyYLsaPVfSZzjAJrE6fTO91XRZezFgzPKgN_O5oQsRnJQJmuf1FLIw2dbqRvYyJ1gEQdUJnd-Mtg8jInwq1-iIzMrtqyyOs0-jm80Lf0/s1600/DSC_0035-001.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRl4C8FGr5AICfYQAIO0Ey3_JY5PrRfw-jelLGy983n6gfDdFZn9wOjPZiBEvl4kOfvNq3jPCRJqdVG5G731lRl3ttR_PLBhalA82ZgGI1C2AG2qGDySuZm4ozonRvm-n4Y7aZQawtWA/s1600/DSC_0047-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRl4C8FGr5AICfYQAIO0Ey3_JY5PrRfw-jelLGy983n6gfDdFZn9wOjPZiBEvl4kOfvNq3jPCRJqdVG5G731lRl3ttR_PLBhalA82ZgGI1C2AG2qGDySuZm4ozonRvm-n4Y7aZQawtWA/s1600/DSC_0047-001.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvwR5KJecZAQwMgdMXf7GG9vodw2uWli-L9b8RNbgp754AaB3j4omdY0Nh0BiwdLZmrCYFYDON7TovVetZrjM2sUCYKzBylZgnh7m4o43J4S24Iw2TvinXYqwFeQ9V4sJplikCnJF8S8/s1600/DSC_1040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvwR5KJecZAQwMgdMXf7GG9vodw2uWli-L9b8RNbgp754AaB3j4omdY0Nh0BiwdLZmrCYFYDON7TovVetZrjM2sUCYKzBylZgnh7m4o43J4S24Iw2TvinXYqwFeQ9V4sJplikCnJF8S8/s1600/DSC_1040.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivC2CG8DUE8syXUJWvgRO101cgJBZS6PyNR9Lj6sasGnv7vzQiWaYH1N1-2AXG2UvoDqU2U50vO40ZFcevt9Qvc90X6Wqco4QMRJk1L11Xc6GntpMvfC24BNQbaZBeHaFUb5lddBVBKoU/s1600/DSC_1027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivC2CG8DUE8syXUJWvgRO101cgJBZS6PyNR9Lj6sasGnv7vzQiWaYH1N1-2AXG2UvoDqU2U50vO40ZFcevt9Qvc90X6Wqco4QMRJk1L11Xc6GntpMvfC24BNQbaZBeHaFUb5lddBVBKoU/s1600/DSC_1027.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=217927373237231628269.0004d6ed9fd409cd55752&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=12.555972%2C18.505893&spn=77.81694%2C37.519464&source=embed#.UVQkGps87pw.blogger">See where we were: Monkey Temple, Ubud, Bali,Indonesia - Google Maps</a><br />
<br />
We checked out the Ubud Palace (<span class="st">Puri Saren Palace</span>) before checking into our new accomodation in Ubud. Located not too far from the Monkey Forest, like most royal palaces only a certain area is open to public. It had lovely stone sculptures, ornate doors decorated in gold and beautifully manicured gardens. Our visit to the palace was very quick, mainly due to the limited area open to the public. It's worth vistiting if you are staying in Ubud or generally in the area near the Monkey Forest but not worth going out of your way to visit.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQWqwA044RzeD64MtSna5B6-qIxfXmKDZF14ZR1XFIQ8nuj2MOhuuMeTUO3reTYJxyAtGUa1-vM-xvl5shHW2Qa1IbCTA0SwFM5N3ThfS8ZarQ6DRd4WO31bDbA9U4vCfVWX2whsQiGA/s1600/DSC_0112-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQWqwA044RzeD64MtSna5B6-qIxfXmKDZF14ZR1XFIQ8nuj2MOhuuMeTUO3reTYJxyAtGUa1-vM-xvl5shHW2Qa1IbCTA0SwFM5N3ThfS8ZarQ6DRd4WO31bDbA9U4vCfVWX2whsQiGA/s1600/DSC_0112-001.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ubud Palace</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtPwKmekoikXfOswVIssimtsVYGnZZWCqJV5UrxSIodRAMHQAvpbTumMvfq-hBuraOd-DzAw6EjsCMY20RBNVnfnBnQyHkAqqtf5uQR99ncwOpbKn36lmYBAZHilUtX4z2xfuVxcudP8/s1600/DSC_0082-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtPwKmekoikXfOswVIssimtsVYGnZZWCqJV5UrxSIodRAMHQAvpbTumMvfq-hBuraOd-DzAw6EjsCMY20RBNVnfnBnQyHkAqqtf5uQR99ncwOpbKn36lmYBAZHilUtX4z2xfuVxcudP8/s1600/DSC_0082-001.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ubud Palace</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-sbxjDGfzPbo_msWsdN1wYRHt9SxcCFjnB1x8_snJNloBcvcjFb3shdrq2-Q_Ac3Pjp9gtrSD8ifBzdB7HBcQVtNQ0NjQUDACn8lADtQBZf4RbJE5-8kZNlx2U6c7CW3W5n2IY4BV5c/s1600/DSC_0078-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-sbxjDGfzPbo_msWsdN1wYRHt9SxcCFjnB1x8_snJNloBcvcjFb3shdrq2-Q_Ac3Pjp9gtrSD8ifBzdB7HBcQVtNQ0NjQUDACn8lADtQBZf4RbJE5-8kZNlx2U6c7CW3W5n2IY4BV5c/s1600/DSC_0078-001.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ubud Palace</div>
<br />
<table bgcolor="#ffffff" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1364977272030_2768"><tbody id="yui_3_7_2_1_1364977272030_2767">
<tr id="yui_3_7_2_1_1364977272030_2766"><td class="yiv1194763243pleft" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1364977272030_2765"><span class="yiv1194763243black" id="yiv1194763243lbl_HotelName"></span>
</td>
<td id="yui_3_7_2_1_1364977272030_2781"><span class="yiv1194763243gray" id="yiv1194763243lbl_HotelName_Data"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We chose to stay at Gunung Merta Bungalows in Ubud, initially for 2 nights but we extended for an extra night as we wanted to do a cycling tour which was a full day. We chose this place based on the great reviews of the place. To be honest we could not fault this place, however we felt the owner was trying to make the place a bit too westernised.The staff were at the door every 5min its seemed if not to offer to clean the room then to offer the breakfast menu for the following day. The place is an extension of his family's compound and some interesting architecture can be seen, the grandparents house is elevated above all the others as a sign of respect and there is a temple in the middle for ceremonies. The staff were very friendly but it didn't feel genuine to us, as though they had been told how to behave. We had a great room overlooking rice paddies, the room was clean, pool was very inviting and the whole place well kept with beautiful gardens. We just felt we were able to relax a bit more at The Gong than here. <br />
<br />
The first full day in Ubud we wondered around the local market, checked out some more art galleries, had some great food and had 2 hours at the spa, myself opting for a facial and Dave a foot and back massage. Probably the best facial I have ever had! Our first night we wondered the side of the road looking for somewhere to eat. If you have been to Bali you will know that pretty much most of the pavements have gaping cracks and in some places missing full concrete slabs and under the pavement is the sewer. We stopped suddenly as I had noticed a movement from one of the cracks and initially thought it was a leaf but on closer inspection it was a snake! It was small, maybe a meter in length but its shape of its head is what got Dave and I alarmed. The head was triangular, and immediately we thought it was an adder of some sort. It watched us, aware we were there coiling its head in a warning/striking pose and Dave and I cautious not to make any sudden movements. Eventually he slid back under the crack of the pavement out of sight. We hate snakes and definitely gave us goosebumps. Everytime we saw a crack or hole in the pavement we walked out into the road to go around it. With the local's understanding of english not that great it was hard to establish what snake it was although one guy did say it might have been a water snake.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-m9AqFPmrMNrglKi4wrkZFqiDgHmHgt4NblhJ6fvPs320mR6Pv5Qbun3GPziLlDoSiaJyun-Tzh2GiWLZm5p1bVr8tvmlSrymZiR0yJKOOFTgcji_Est-C6HVcUs9_wf1uah6QUa6GMM/s1600/DSC_0137-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-m9AqFPmrMNrglKi4wrkZFqiDgHmHgt4NblhJ6fvPs320mR6Pv5Qbun3GPziLlDoSiaJyun-Tzh2GiWLZm5p1bVr8tvmlSrymZiR0yJKOOFTgcji_Est-C6HVcUs9_wf1uah6QUa6GMM/s1600/DSC_0137-001.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Wondering aroung Ubud.</div>
<br />
We booked our cycling tour through Eco Cylcing tour. It's a tour through rural Bali - exactly what we wanted. We were picked up from our B&B and transported to breakfast at Mt Batur and crater lake. This volcano is still an active volcano so you could cook breakfast there as well!<br />
<br />
The breakfast was good and we got to try something new, black rice pudding for breakfast with coconut milk - interesting flavour but maybe needs more sugar. Back in the van we headed off to try some of the Balinese coffees and teas, which we had already done. The other people on our tour really liked it. Soon after we were dropped off to pick up our bikes and go through a safety brief. We were quickly on our way way for a 26km bike ride, mostly downhill. Most of the route we took were small rural side roads with hardly any traffic and us being the only westerners around. We stopped at a local Balinese compound, having stayed in some homestays already we sort of knew the layout but we learnt a fair bit on this tour too. Each compound has a small family temple at the back or front of the compound for their offerings on a daily basis. Their is one building that is significantly higher than the rest, this is where the parents/grandparents live and it is higher as a sign of respect for them. In the Balinese tradition the youngest son is the one who inherits the family compound, the one who gets a nice house etc. In the African culture its the opposite, its the eldest son that gets everything.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUUZB3mTAaKfSYYcTbKmKZ_u9W0lZNF7a6VpAVpF1F2oFNwniYouRFlwT2XSys138GMTnSypOvxlpHPLV6Dqv8HiDEqmOY7GGGYKcX8qNAn-lvbIO5i_mmff51mQOKIJil0y_B9X6uR4/s1600/DSC_0147-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUUZB3mTAaKfSYYcTbKmKZ_u9W0lZNF7a6VpAVpF1F2oFNwniYouRFlwT2XSys138GMTnSypOvxlpHPLV6Dqv8HiDEqmOY7GGGYKcX8qNAn-lvbIO5i_mmff51mQOKIJil0y_B9X6uR4/s1600/DSC_0147-001.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Terraced Rice Paddy</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSbFgfL-C6V50Gyf4CpvTUzpVF_FQRD7M8Pb9GyT62jyfGI6ZvdlyxWR2xlvYMmR9FLJ5jM1SZckNtWHd4-2B4su0mYQ18XMX8yH0Lw-d7BEisAbMS4dnV4br-1aJnAWXYvknsCE1tAQ/s1600/DSC_0151-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSbFgfL-C6V50Gyf4CpvTUzpVF_FQRD7M8Pb9GyT62jyfGI6ZvdlyxWR2xlvYMmR9FLJ5jM1SZckNtWHd4-2B4su0mYQ18XMX8yH0Lw-d7BEisAbMS4dnV4br-1aJnAWXYvknsCE1tAQ/s1600/DSC_0151-001.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Before the cycle tour begins.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNo3q9Tj6Gh8uLODuPce9xjToi2BsyFLShwv6WND1oARkT2rBEsJqrGxRrx6_DEYpXfdzucoWsGj_a7_WFKYH5qUCysL8DbRdkyGWgG8HGPjgkLS2uH2-rDN3pMIuGw1T7QwCWgqWA958/s1600/DSC_0175-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNo3q9Tj6Gh8uLODuPce9xjToi2BsyFLShwv6WND1oARkT2rBEsJqrGxRrx6_DEYpXfdzucoWsGj_a7_WFKYH5qUCysL8DbRdkyGWgG8HGPjgkLS2uH2-rDN3pMIuGw1T7QwCWgqWA958/s1600/DSC_0175-001.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Breakfast with a view of Mt Batur.</div>
<br />
<br />
We learnt that the Balinese beleive in sins ~ kama (lust), loba (greed), krodha (anger), mada (drunkeness), moha (confusion), matsarya (jealousy) ~ and they have 6 of their teeth filed represeting each sin in the belief that it reduces the influence of these 6 sins to live a better life and this behaviour will ensure reincarnation into a better future life.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQGqSiG92DrH2FAkKAXGMuW585ZHWRjPdKVrrfMm9s6iNrEd6Bso19yP66lafOuiEiYzH5BwPfraL669BA2CnSJNpxTuzBMRaY-bk353pnpTZJXBFeIC5wyguiqimx1kt826btI2c1SM/s1600/DSC_0195-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQGqSiG92DrH2FAkKAXGMuW585ZHWRjPdKVrrfMm9s6iNrEd6Bso19yP66lafOuiEiYzH5BwPfraL669BA2CnSJNpxTuzBMRaY-bk353pnpTZJXBFeIC5wyguiqimx1kt826btI2c1SM/s1600/DSC_0195-001.JPG" height="400" width="273" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
82 year old lady in the compound we visited.</div>
<br />
Another interesting fact with their burial rituals too is that there are 2 types of cremation, direct and mass. Direct is for the wealthy class as this is a single cremation but costs 60million Rupiah = US$6000! The mass cremation is for the not so wealthy that only occurs when a certain number of people have died in a district, normally can take up to 5 years. In the mean time they bury the deceased and then resume the body when it is time for cremation, this will then cost the family 2million Rupiah! Ashes we understood are scattered by the ocean. When someone dies the body is laid on a bed outside under a beautifully carved wooden cover, normally for everyday prayer and people in the community come and pay their respects and bring their offerings to the gods. The body can lay here for up to one month.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmoF3Vtyq5WjjxgYxwBOA-HiqGsSji8upzsLdvaRhOM8FWq_qSPNutIU6GU1wsSPA5W-QlAZYTGVl3qB_t5C98qLfyCmJl8DajN0DhuwFs9AEYuq-F7C3msTo_ulSKOrKFGirS4uAzXA/s1600/DSC_0205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmoF3Vtyq5WjjxgYxwBOA-HiqGsSji8upzsLdvaRhOM8FWq_qSPNutIU6GU1wsSPA5W-QlAZYTGVl3qB_t5C98qLfyCmJl8DajN0DhuwFs9AEYuq-F7C3msTo_ulSKOrKFGirS4uAzXA/s1600/DSC_0205.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is a picture of what some of the roads we cycled on looked like. The Balinese have recently been celebrating a 10 day festival called Galungan, Bali's major feast and is held throughout the island, an annual event. Every home is decorated with bamboo poles with brightly coloured cloth and/decorations made from either paper, straw, dried palm leaves or strips of bamboo.</div>
<br />
There are only 4 names in the Balinese culture given to both girls and boys. They are named in order that they are born followed by their family name. The first born, boy or girl, is Wayan, second born is Made
(ma-day), third born is Nyoman and the 4th born is
Ketut. No wonder we have met so many with the name Ketut! To distinguish between male and female the women have 'Ni' before their name, eg: Ni Wayan. And the men have 'I' before their name eg: I Wayan. In westernised terms you could say Miss/Mrs/Mr. If a family has a 5th child, I'm sure the question has already popped into your head reading this, then the names revert back to that of the first born and will continue to do so even if there are 12 children. We had some insight to this while staying at The Gong, but we learnt a bit more on our cycle tour.<br />
<br />
Our cycle tour continued through to rice paddies where we managed to walk in the paddies too. Bali grow 3 types of rice, white, red and black and all grow at varying lengths of time. We watched some women harvesting the rice. They cut the bundles and then they bash them against a cloth and all the seeds aka rice falls from the leaves.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0KI7O_0rLb3sm-LMkvJoxWZwhfZ1rQaWmuCb3RlENW7-_TYbtOzJtEizgeSxPdP6L0QBxThcrkprp62UDjfPl8RMiS6Mvn7_U2dftBM4zd2LNIHOAgNSYNsAEGo1_PuyTQ14zrU6x7g/s1600/DSC_0209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0KI7O_0rLb3sm-LMkvJoxWZwhfZ1rQaWmuCb3RlENW7-_TYbtOzJtEizgeSxPdP6L0QBxThcrkprp62UDjfPl8RMiS6Mvn7_U2dftBM4zd2LNIHOAgNSYNsAEGo1_PuyTQ14zrU6x7g/s1600/DSC_0209.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Walk through Rice paddy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZC-cCQGpOOPnDhN0Pry67_nHTonwV7PAzh1YH2OpOBxTq_XEP23kkHij1Pn9qazkyI8h4d6DSdIW-vurIZdN-6fh7aoTLAJuL37VLHA7UaCpc4Swe3GGy950kfnhenLuDbPI6U6VrNI/s1600/DSC_0219-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZC-cCQGpOOPnDhN0Pry67_nHTonwV7PAzh1YH2OpOBxTq_XEP23kkHij1Pn9qazkyI8h4d6DSdIW-vurIZdN-6fh7aoTLAJuL37VLHA7UaCpc4Swe3GGy950kfnhenLuDbPI6U6VrNI/s1600/DSC_0219-001.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hard at work.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5eGgzxAfJjhd5cexBvMM_aDF_6cVDcrj1-gq3tu3S_PQZ-uZ3ZDQ886du-YEdEjrWl40-g_2jOvSBcshMOl8mXxc9HLANCJPt8Di4MvLcJrq5OMYkVZlBCTLYqEAoggY2M9A0kuUbAtk/s1600/DSC_0229-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5eGgzxAfJjhd5cexBvMM_aDF_6cVDcrj1-gq3tu3S_PQZ-uZ3ZDQ886du-YEdEjrWl40-g_2jOvSBcshMOl8mXxc9HLANCJPt8Di4MvLcJrq5OMYkVZlBCTLYqEAoggY2M9A0kuUbAtk/s1600/DSC_0229-001.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Harvesting the rice.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Just before ending the cycle tour I some how managed to fall off my bike. I'm good but hit my head and shoulder pretty darn hard on the road. Thank God for helmets! I ended up with lots of bruises and scrapes. All pretty sore - Dave has had great pleasure applying chineese medicine (Betadine) to my open wounds which have stung like hell to put it politely. Oh well I guess on a 2/3 month trip through Asia something is bound to happen. Let's pray this is the first and last! <br />
<br />
Lunch was a big buffet of Indonesian food. Yum! Dave has quite liked Mei Goreng, which is fried noodles , chicken and egg. We were lucky to get to try Bebek! This is duck in Indonesian. Most restaurants in Bali request that you order Bebek 2 days!! in advance as they cook the duck slowly. The same applies if you want to order suckling pig.<br />
<br />
We would highly recommend if you stay in Ubud to do the Eco Cycle tour. It has been one of the best tours we have been on and what a better way to get out and see rural Bali than on a bike where you can stop and take pictures, interact with the locals in the rice paddies, learn about Balinese traditions and see a different side of Bali, the true Bali. (Just please practise cycling first!)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.baliecocycling.com/cycling-tour/">Eco cycling tour we went on</a><br />
<br />
After feeling battered and bruised from the cycle tour yesterday, Ketut has picked us up to take us to Lovina, which is North of the island. We started the day off with a visit to <span class="st">Taman Ayun<i></i></span> Temple, a world heritage site. It situated next to a royal palace. The place has impeccably landscaped gardens before you reach the temple. The temple is simply beautiful especially with all the water lillys surrounding the temple. The temple has a small wall built around it and we walked along the path around and saw inside to the temple. The temple is only used for ceremonies and the doors remain shut. No need to spend longer than 20 mins here.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMA4eKu_kPFRIkCftC4EteApwqYqvXvn8hHMEl19ncV5fpCyi_kEWPJW4kZGMTtr0FxoEDSJYEV8m9gf9RKXRf9A-_5hEpPcoahTZEqT6CEpqbmny3PNv0zBOPO4EShnGFsWai0HgX5Q/s1600/DSC_0249-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMA4eKu_kPFRIkCftC4EteApwqYqvXvn8hHMEl19ncV5fpCyi_kEWPJW4kZGMTtr0FxoEDSJYEV8m9gf9RKXRf9A-_5hEpPcoahTZEqT6CEpqbmny3PNv0zBOPO4EShnGFsWai0HgX5Q/s1600/DSC_0249-001.JPG" height="175" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The offerings that appear like magic located everywhere throughout Bali.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJpDapPvNEUHLUfI1n7Hklt5BbSuyGuplDp8GLrtXH8AtVuwbZLoV3J6IuepefDDWajmMbwS4ewkfTb9p1f6ZMKKT1GhgqGUdcEWBwpFTFVJkNfXBUkPbFAxpZJBH6469cmT4g1V9CCQ/s1600/DSC_0262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJpDapPvNEUHLUfI1n7Hklt5BbSuyGuplDp8GLrtXH8AtVuwbZLoV3J6IuepefDDWajmMbwS4ewkfTb9p1f6ZMKKT1GhgqGUdcEWBwpFTFVJkNfXBUkPbFAxpZJBH6469cmT4g1V9CCQ/s1600/DSC_0262.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Temple doors.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeO_EfmIoHz4GzIkOC4vcCtD6LS0wwNR_rKhtiq3Z_uXw1N7kG9uL0Nw52eIqbERRcZkmXNxAlZnLp4dcSDh_AgxjZGlOoLIL2LMJkPv7cXVF3ClmTsgmT9Ghbp_MlBsIxeLlNyB_8vgc/s1600/DSC_0268-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeO_EfmIoHz4GzIkOC4vcCtD6LS0wwNR_rKhtiq3Z_uXw1N7kG9uL0Nw52eIqbERRcZkmXNxAlZnLp4dcSDh_AgxjZGlOoLIL2LMJkPv7cXVF3ClmTsgmT9Ghbp_MlBsIxeLlNyB_8vgc/s1600/DSC_0268-001.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
View inside the temple.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOdZsWMaycJ6SsQpTvuGA3BEu7Tb88GB_9Pp8xZ5OlGXEORiF9KeRg8iZ-Yqm2J8j00repYHwKUB-JvxSAhbU_lYcvo6vnb581AsGquwREYJkehRUDINUkK6sTbEdLek2Bk7Vdb48t8J0/s1600/DSC_0277-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOdZsWMaycJ6SsQpTvuGA3BEu7Tb88GB_9Pp8xZ5OlGXEORiF9KeRg8iZ-Yqm2J8j00repYHwKUB-JvxSAhbU_lYcvo6vnb581AsGquwREYJkehRUDINUkK6sTbEdLek2Bk7Vdb48t8J0/s1600/DSC_0277-001.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
View of the temple.</div>
<br />
We checked out <span class="st">Jatiluwih Rice Terraces</span>, famous for its rolling hills of terraced rice paddies for miles as the eye can see. Again also another world heritage site. Being more out of the way, Jatiluwih is less commercial and crowded. We stopped here for a lovely buffet lunch overlooking the rice terraces. It was simpy a breath taking view. We could have stayed longer here, however we were pressed for time to get to Lovina. I understand from a few reviews on the area that there is plenty other things to see and do around Jatiluwih. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7sSA4vmHz_QPiEWBVsZzvvcc3eneR7YcrCZ_m1PyMUzq7Lv6RLFnjU2ObmMwrAeQv1BwIUdR2yWOur3n74zo-cM5W3vcyjmqwwqBam_0aS95eAw_G9KTVdAowErhiV5jyMAmnpIklvcE/s1600/DSC_0317-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7sSA4vmHz_QPiEWBVsZzvvcc3eneR7YcrCZ_m1PyMUzq7Lv6RLFnjU2ObmMwrAeQv1BwIUdR2yWOur3n74zo-cM5W3vcyjmqwwqBam_0aS95eAw_G9KTVdAowErhiV5jyMAmnpIklvcE/s1600/DSC_0317-001.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsSRF5EuKSW-O8uQCok5Pbe5coyoWECvt72IpdedvQDv7YBxEGAYAiREAU2XRlFfPcvhD0y_zAcpq5MuOPqGyJLr5Fy_79YW6mHja8E7nygDQ70Ajo2aY6iSmW02LKH20bqWmIOV3_nw/s1600/DSC_0326-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsSRF5EuKSW-O8uQCok5Pbe5coyoWECvt72IpdedvQDv7YBxEGAYAiREAU2XRlFfPcvhD0y_zAcpq5MuOPqGyJLr5Fy_79YW6mHja8E7nygDQ70Ajo2aY6iSmW02LKH20bqWmIOV3_nw/s1600/DSC_0326-001.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxTNS1875eSkMklSc6AbZkjbxex1_N3Pb1lv_f-hAt-r_XdJZz9sZVkeUbZqoRE7qrOwkhpwfmuzey75w_NEfWMxPvfAVaf_yRVVmrGieTa0gv4n-v_ui1j7PRKSScszptEE8cFveAj8/s1600/DSC_0366-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxTNS1875eSkMklSc6AbZkjbxex1_N3Pb1lv_f-hAt-r_XdJZz9sZVkeUbZqoRE7qrOwkhpwfmuzey75w_NEfWMxPvfAVaf_yRVVmrGieTa0gv4n-v_ui1j7PRKSScszptEE8cFveAj8/s1600/DSC_0366-001.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces - workers working hard.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThFdp8mxNhZ3-UsomRDplw6tvuqYH_Y4B4PEPU3vjMvNUNR-3FILMXn35aV5Linu_FCqxJRUo3AcT8gx8JItgmaOe8j9Fj30z8W2sNWSQmd3DBIgX7dQITNYcGA1sZ0fzuBkTys82emU/s1600/DSC_0337-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThFdp8mxNhZ3-UsomRDplw6tvuqYH_Y4B4PEPU3vjMvNUNR-3FILMXn35aV5Linu_FCqxJRUo3AcT8gx8JItgmaOe8j9Fj30z8W2sNWSQmd3DBIgX7dQITNYcGA1sZ0fzuBkTys82emU/s1600/DSC_0337-001.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces - workers working hard.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_eCe17qGfOBDS4-NWkJ5VAoTZvs-T4H80DDSlURykwmn8HTdhlcfnkkMc6vU7X1Yw7TVnfVO3cWsu0Jx-U02-g_J9jy9Xa0uYaTLd82w9yljg0VBAWJdhnSxk0cPS_4tVZ4Ts421DyE/s1600/DSC_0454-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_eCe17qGfOBDS4-NWkJ5VAoTZvs-T4H80DDSlURykwmn8HTdhlcfnkkMc6vU7X1Yw7TVnfVO3cWsu0Jx-U02-g_J9jy9Xa0uYaTLd82w9yljg0VBAWJdhnSxk0cPS_4tVZ4Ts421DyE/s1600/DSC_0454-001.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
Close up of rice growing.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
On our way up to Lovina we stopped at a lookout point to view volcanic lakes. As we were taking pictures we heard a guy asking if we wanted to experience Bali animals as he called it. Wondering over the guy had the biggest fruit bats we have ever seen. Normally we have seen the small little ones flapping about but these were huge and interesting to be able to view them up close too. In our opinion the fruit bat looked like a luwak with wings. Luwak being the creature that eats the coffee beans that we mentioned in an earlier post on Bali. Next thing we knew the guy got one of the bats, hung two of its feet onto Dave's pockets at his hips, grabbed the wings of the bat to stretch them out and gave the other feet of the bat's to grasp onto Dave's hands. Wow! Another first on our trip of seeing and experiencing something new and unexpected. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXMdyxit8t5o3U0_JLxRyzecnDwlOJK5JrMucYMuSc34oYDrsR7ZoQ1ZvSVcgRuc7-GIfuTZy_pLPM-JZVdIp20G233EK64GiF2r5f5zwdoXlWZo2PM_5YGJoDcdYpfqFszmJo7mHPxM/s1600/DSC_0403-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXMdyxit8t5o3U0_JLxRyzecnDwlOJK5JrMucYMuSc34oYDrsR7ZoQ1ZvSVcgRuc7-GIfuTZy_pLPM-JZVdIp20G233EK64GiF2r5f5zwdoXlWZo2PM_5YGJoDcdYpfqFszmJo7mHPxM/s1600/DSC_0403-001.JPG" height="400" width="276" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dave with the fruit bat.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosGq5GjlwbZ_b-Xi94R_rqLYy2_ZqEoxBqW73Ylg8wdlI8zLpIdzgT_YtcInc3zrhrO9vIMPAnVl2ef1pIWU6pYILCtw055-Hq1E1ohlYHeXhTUENJMVojt3rL4eGxGyjQ6vc2LTgKvc/s1600/DSC_0406-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosGq5GjlwbZ_b-Xi94R_rqLYy2_ZqEoxBqW73Ylg8wdlI8zLpIdzgT_YtcInc3zrhrO9vIMPAnVl2ef1pIWU6pYILCtw055-Hq1E1ohlYHeXhTUENJMVojt3rL4eGxGyjQ6vc2LTgKvc/s1600/DSC_0406-001.JPG" height="293" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Holding another ''Bali animal''</div>
</div>
<br />
Soon after getting all fascinated with fruit bats we arrived at the hot springs about half hour from Lovina. Unfortunately Shev did not venture into the hot spring as she was unsure how dirty the water was given her war wounds and the fact the hot springs was filled with locals everywhere. The water was lovely and warm. Hopefully we will come across more hot springs on our travels for her to try them out and maybe with fewer people. <span id="goog_1298183927"></span><span id="goog_1298183928"></span>Note: do not go there over a weekend, we heard its quieter during the week.<br />
<br />
On arrival in Lovina after a long day of driving, we arrived at our resport Aneka Lovina Bungalows & Spa. It looked beautiful, like a resort. We chose this place based on reviews and wanted a bit of a splurge after going budget for a while. The beach in Lovina is not fantastic. Due to the proximity of the resort to the volcanic mountains, the beach was black and dirty with rubbish everywhere. Not exactly a beach to relax on or even to swim at either. Needless we were quite disappointed. We saw review of the beach not being nice but no one had actually elaborated as to why which would have helped in us deciding not to waste our time going all the way to Lovina. Lovina is well known only to do dolphin tours only and to stay in resort luxury. In our opinion we didn't like our stay here, food was overpriced and hardly even worth eating. <br />
<br />
That is the one disappointing thing we found so far in Bali, there is
rubbish everywhere and some beaches that are not developed yet are just ruined by the litter. We are assuming its a cultural thing or lack of education, we are not sure but the Balinese people just throw litter out their car windows, on the pavements as they walk. Bali is truly beautiful and there is so much to offer and we don't quite understand why the locals are not taking more pride in such a beautiful place.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYpJiC_rdOjLhH3Iq8KaKtu8xQ3bIsealBYEkAnJ5XunIp7IW8_BjKG9BmLSvNzAyLvfKgoRPdjs6W1sm7to2lZ1Ay1vK40JKyRawjH10iQYnfujEbtQrgQNO_Oc9jJvx867MqqqTpOww/s1600/DSC_0444-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYpJiC_rdOjLhH3Iq8KaKtu8xQ3bIsealBYEkAnJ5XunIp7IW8_BjKG9BmLSvNzAyLvfKgoRPdjs6W1sm7to2lZ1Ay1vK40JKyRawjH10iQYnfujEbtQrgQNO_Oc9jJvx867MqqqTpOww/s1600/DSC_0444-001.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lovina Beach. Tried to get a decent picture without all the rubbish on the beach or floating in the sea.</div>
<br />
<br />
After a rather restful time in Lovina we even watched TV for the first time in ages,shocking I know but we enjoyed the Harry Potter movie none the less. Who knows we might be able to adapt to UK life again..<br />
We met up with Ketut the next morning and started to make our way back to the south of Bali to Sanur, an upmarket tourist place for one night. We had to catch our ferry from Sanur to Nusa Lembongan early the next morning. Ketut had kindly arranged our accomodation for the night in Sanur, no doubt a friend he knows. We stopped off to see Gitgit waterfall not far from Lovina. We had a knowledgeable guide with us as we walked to the waterfall who showed us various fruit trees and cofee plants along the way. It was pretty to see, Dave went for a quick swim under the waterfall. Can't keep him out the water anywhere we go! LOL. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnb48VScBWa3yhLZPk1eWIEqEE2i17zvT90TNPHhSfZbztvgX9zhNGvuFNorBUdWlk7otORaYdTSfl_adOUm-vsM69YMJJmiD9aih24t9qsuq8NO0sSmOAEUp-0CGwcHZw_yMilTdjKRk/s1600/DSC_0470-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnb48VScBWa3yhLZPk1eWIEqEE2i17zvT90TNPHhSfZbztvgX9zhNGvuFNorBUdWlk7otORaYdTSfl_adOUm-vsM69YMJJmiD9aih24t9qsuq8NO0sSmOAEUp-0CGwcHZw_yMilTdjKRk/s1600/DSC_0470-001.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Gitgit Waterfall.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWM3hqJ6G1gjPLJgs2wSrTHcXpd72VYdt1oA1_nf9rl8q8dQzoCpvF0BXbME2qIl-0NreWB7T9s6H9r808R80hfYDDVDN2vGKY0CmvwuEAHBd5cHWfZBeOMK1mBqsR5lPbMISn119Ay9k/s1600/DSC_0479-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWM3hqJ6G1gjPLJgs2wSrTHcXpd72VYdt1oA1_nf9rl8q8dQzoCpvF0BXbME2qIl-0NreWB7T9s6H9r808R80hfYDDVDN2vGKY0CmvwuEAHBd5cHWfZBeOMK1mBqsR5lPbMISn119Ay9k/s1600/DSC_0479-001.JPG" height="640" width="398" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmUHjM5Ff-dz4sAR0kPlPb6_SK3Oy82051eXdnPuBD6yElrQCuZk-5K95gYlyjReGinouhMdk7k1vNXx0Sa9Y0xAdz99B8c7Ge1keq04cHOknnaZKpfY1Thp2-gn64zwsgmDaG0Ps938/s1600/DSC_0483-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmUHjM5Ff-dz4sAR0kPlPb6_SK3Oy82051eXdnPuBD6yElrQCuZk-5K95gYlyjReGinouhMdk7k1vNXx0Sa9Y0xAdz99B8c7Ge1keq04cHOknnaZKpfY1Thp2-gn64zwsgmDaG0Ps938/s1600/DSC_0483-001.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Playing around with slow shutter speeds.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSzF5vlhOjamM05TN-tptq4YOPQH2X7tM-F2bZl4FU0_vk33cOQFgFi7BNbVcU8OT0qBX1zltgdHhAmiCRnLe8xRecGYq4iuKOjSz4Xo40XwHOqJmmDY3R8ruBqXRxvf-M_2JdKl19FU/s1600/DSC_0488-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSzF5vlhOjamM05TN-tptq4YOPQH2X7tM-F2bZl4FU0_vk33cOQFgFi7BNbVcU8OT0qBX1zltgdHhAmiCRnLe8xRecGYq4iuKOjSz4Xo40XwHOqJmmDY3R8ruBqXRxvf-M_2JdKl19FU/s1600/DSC_0488-001.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dave about to go for a swim under the waterfall.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97oMABlAcMICq8Qbvvr4me517RkOWExx8Rq87Qd5bFCKnQetLD5zLzVVUWV3F6M5U8fTHrwV19kcjaqA3CG0IENc58OLg-XdyNHdSUlCSuJvLbk86JH5kJG_3A5emabx1nvXzkDN83Os/s1600/DSC_0491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97oMABlAcMICq8Qbvvr4me517RkOWExx8Rq87Qd5bFCKnQetLD5zLzVVUWV3F6M5U8fTHrwV19kcjaqA3CG0IENc58OLg-XdyNHdSUlCSuJvLbk86JH5kJG_3A5emabx1nvXzkDN83Os/s1600/DSC_0491.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is probably the best picture yet! Thank goodness Dave stayed still that bit longer for this perfect shot of the water.</div>
<br />
We got Ketut to stop at the post office for us to post some of the items we managed to accumulate in Bali. It will be like Christmas when we arrive back home with all the parcels we are sending. The post office was the slowest experience we have encountered. We got a ticket for the queque and we were then told to go out the building to the back of the post office where our goods would be wrapped for us. Off we went and we found a guy already boxing and sealing a rather large painting. He wrapped our stuff up for us, tapped it and when we thought he was done he pulled out a white plastic potato sack and then proceeded to wrap the box in this. No taping the plastic sack, instead he pulled out a ''needle'' and some plastic twine and started to sew up the package. WOW! What a service and probably packaged better than what we would have done ourselves too! We had been gone just over half an hour and we assumed we would need to get another ticket for the queque but we were suprised that our number had still not been called. We were still 20 places away from being called. After another half hour wait we eventually got called, and to our annoyance of not checking before packaging the items we were told no liquids allowed. Oh boy we bought some local alcohol Arak in a rather cute bottle. So we stood there unwrapping our parcel to remove this item. All in all a rather slow process at the local post office.<br />
<br />
Ketut arranged for us to stay at Coco Homestay. Not that great in all honesty, the bathroom smelled awefull and it was a door that had to stay shut on all accounts but it was within our price range for the area of Sanur and only for one night. We found the lady to be rather abrupt and a bit rude to be honest and this should have been our warning sign and the fact there were no other guests staying. Oh well we live and learn. After catching up with families over skype etc we headed out to find some dinner. The lady at Coco's recommended a lovely place not far from where we were staying called Little Bird. It was a cute, small, acoutsic place run by some Balinese boys. And wow what great food and service we received. The atmosphere was relaxing too. If you are in Sanur check this place out for food. We decided to call it a night and head to bed early.<br />
<br />
The next morning we got packed and ready to get to our ferry. While packing and after discussing how much cash each of us had as there are no ATM's on Nusa Lembongan I realised that some money that I withdrew just before arriving at Coco's was missing. Not just a small amount either - more like US$90! Needless I was fuming and a little angry at myself for having let my guard slip while we went out to dinner. Our room price we paid included breakfast, although we didn't want to eat I would have at least thought the lady was going to ask if we were going to have breakfast and I would have enjoyed the pleasure of why I am saying no. We didn't get a chance to say anything to the family running the place
but I'm certain they could hear the fury and frustration I was venting
upstairs. There was a very different attitude when we handed over the
key, no thank you for staying and hoped you enjoyed your stay, the lady
just turned her back and disappeared once the key was handed over. <br />
<br />
We focused on getting to the ferry and enjoying our next leg of our trip in Bali.<br />
<br />
<br />WhatIF.....http://www.blogger.com/profile/16161621431144355091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372422706436574654.post-58678885397187360952013-04-02T05:55:00.000-07:002013-04-02T22:44:02.453-07:00Uluwatu ~ The Gong ~ 23rd to 28th March<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
After checking
out of Hawaii Bali a hotel in Kuta that was not too far away from the Airport, so we had chosen this as our first stop as we had a late night flight traveling to Bali.<br />
We had heard from a lady at the airport that hiring a driver was the way to go and after seeing the traffic we had decided that this was an easier way to get used to the new traffic culture! Our driver Ketut is waiting for us with our backpacks and
surfboard in tow. Before taking us to The Gong in Uluwatu, the next
place we are staying at and less than 2km from Uluwatu beach, we are
heading North to Ubud.<br />
<br />
We asked Ketut to show us Kuta - Poppies 1 and Poppies 2 area as well as Ground Zero memorial for the bombings that happened in Bali a few years ago. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsEkXwePDMwHMljvnsA2UOo1b0NZI9rFlxHeSG9YNAdky7N2wUogiKxEv1-APf2_iKH90opTOxn6ko2L1_6Lwh6HykIlz3NpvER9JSMEwIQx4kLUqevXSWGos69GL9gFpI1jTrXz1is8/s1600/DSC_0468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsEkXwePDMwHMljvnsA2UOo1b0NZI9rFlxHeSG9YNAdky7N2wUogiKxEv1-APf2_iKH90opTOxn6ko2L1_6Lwh6HykIlz3NpvER9JSMEwIQx4kLUqevXSWGos69GL9gFpI1jTrXz1is8/s1600/DSC_0468.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Scooters at Kuta Beach.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieCInDF6rq8sHJ796hWiYg-BLMT2YaS7njEJhTYZGMvj8BalMwAHgm4zbo89FQq1sxodBhnD1ucpvt9DSYmzrTOSNId5MIOZmH6VRUu0Fu4Z0QEE_uHH8G7G5qmnp5pGdoWmGc4N3ryTM/s1600/DSC_0475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieCInDF6rq8sHJ796hWiYg-BLMT2YaS7njEJhTYZGMvj8BalMwAHgm4zbo89FQq1sxodBhnD1ucpvt9DSYmzrTOSNId5MIOZmH6VRUu0Fu4Z0QEE_uHH8G7G5qmnp5pGdoWmGc4N3ryTM/s1600/DSC_0475.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Kuta beach!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpvzGj5j8mEYaM9LgNQ3yr7OGUgm1AJlglECRWGrcFoWS_6Okvdw1k2R0_OCEDzQsW3Haqrxy8lfi6kDbbpoDZ7xPBsROASgHOY1XCkr_n-GAL5O14WG72AQHsX9LdMO4ic47TJy5lrY/s1600/DSC_0485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpvzGj5j8mEYaM9LgNQ3yr7OGUgm1AJlglECRWGrcFoWS_6Okvdw1k2R0_OCEDzQsW3Haqrxy8lfi6kDbbpoDZ7xPBsROASgHOY1XCkr_n-GAL5O14WG72AQHsX9LdMO4ic47TJy5lrY/s1600/DSC_0485.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ground Zero Memorial.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uR-wTAnlOgy7zgm3viM0VafU-GTSJsmpzHatqICp9KlnZzcdY53gDDrBNktYQStS35EvPyw4-xwRXDjmAKLag4FR3IkrVfWEODIXJ43J3hOED_TtUM8knbWeCunqCmLNMcgvOQXoHFg/s1600/DSC_0492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uR-wTAnlOgy7zgm3viM0VafU-GTSJsmpzHatqICp9KlnZzcdY53gDDrBNktYQStS35EvPyw4-xwRXDjmAKLag4FR3IkrVfWEODIXJ43J3hOED_TtUM8knbWeCunqCmLNMcgvOQXoHFg/s1600/DSC_0492.JPG" height="288" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Typical Balinese family of 4 on the scooter.</div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
Ketut
took us to see some of the handicrafts that many Balinese take up. We visited jewellery making, painting and wood carvings. We can say it is
some of the best wood carvings we have seen, better than the Malawians
and Zimababweans wood carvings. Such delicate and intricate detail that
took months and in some instances more than a year to create. In all
three places the person showing us around and explaining how the
jewellery was made or how the paintings were done were very friendly and
we were always offered water when we arrived.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXgUMDhUE5sVfj_12WRDhibNULN5_auHQuP4LZvxBw59mf2_Z84GGt8hkhMzwgYuRy_Nt-KFDnQvAFZ7Tbwjzg1q_ikpQKdG5bqIxJXmT3kT88sAJvfS_HzwVj5Wn82HCzhzI7E9MQfo/s1600/DSC_0498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXgUMDhUE5sVfj_12WRDhibNULN5_auHQuP4LZvxBw59mf2_Z84GGt8hkhMzwgYuRy_Nt-KFDnQvAFZ7Tbwjzg1q_ikpQKdG5bqIxJXmT3kT88sAJvfS_HzwVj5Wn82HCzhzI7E9MQfo/s1600/DSC_0498.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRdKkhbfGvm12tav417YdkUG3YCz10z8WjbBP58JGb_DfMTc_61VpZqOu6aFHhiFONp75TNap1GhkXnssMpc4W6QEmZeJy3-tTjA1mUHgeIy2Ml3hflX219eSIEhqq_4lZr9jGd9x5kU/s1600/DSC_0504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRdKkhbfGvm12tav417YdkUG3YCz10z8WjbBP58JGb_DfMTc_61VpZqOu6aFHhiFONp75TNap1GhkXnssMpc4W6QEmZeJy3-tTjA1mUHgeIy2Ml3hflX219eSIEhqq_4lZr9jGd9x5kU/s1600/DSC_0504.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
Ubud
is another place we were keen to visit. Unlike the south Ubud has the
most ancient temples in Bali and is where the true Balinese culture
exists. Its a busy little town that is famous for its art, crafts and
music. We stopped off for lunch which had an amazing verandah view of
rice fields and delicious Balinese food and cheaper than the seafood
restaurant the day before. It was the first time for us to see rice
fields.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5o8aXKZBX3DkxhbyQ734tv6lU_iO14RN64ozVRNEkRo-pIYfdHAShVFC_a91YqRnbxeCogQhyphenhyphenj3hMUbTd8lBR5DBcuyjM4kEZdfxbeTG79MBIQ9RhIWIbOLZmnYeJlH406e9CQ923rc4/s1600/DSC_0512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5o8aXKZBX3DkxhbyQ734tv6lU_iO14RN64ozVRNEkRo-pIYfdHAShVFC_a91YqRnbxeCogQhyphenhyphenj3hMUbTd8lBR5DBcuyjM4kEZdfxbeTG79MBIQ9RhIWIbOLZmnYeJlH406e9CQ923rc4/s1600/DSC_0512.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Rice fields.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWcEJ9WzRIQVEW83aDIlPVxZMH7KH35PHjoSEf4HKV71Vdsv_xv8mbgpRr0K4pP_O_18iYg9EXMdZtkyqirVQ7VmS5PZhZb0UPcoETa1gOZcen7uN8cXtM4Tbk-Z9AX3lUU1uDINsUf-g/s1600/DSC_0532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWcEJ9WzRIQVEW83aDIlPVxZMH7KH35PHjoSEf4HKV71Vdsv_xv8mbgpRr0K4pP_O_18iYg9EXMdZtkyqirVQ7VmS5PZhZb0UPcoETa1gOZcen7uN8cXtM4Tbk-Z9AX3lUU1uDINsUf-g/s1600/DSC_0532.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lunch with a view.</div>
<br />
After lunch we stopped off at one of the many temples Goa Gajah
or Elephant Cave. There are local kiosks before you go to the temple all
selling various items. Ketut is from Ubud and his family have a kiosk
here. He lets us meet his family and we feel kind of obliged to buy
something, so we found something small. At all temples in Bali everyone
has to wear a brightly coloured sarong around their waist and one is
provided for you at the entrance before entering. The cave is carved
into a rock face and you enter through the mouth of a carved demon.
Inside the cave are two gods, one being the elephant headed god. Both
with offerings of flowers, rice and money. Outside the temple are steps
leading to holy water pouring out of vases from stone sculptures women
with fish swimming in the pools. We walked to where there had once been a
massive budda that was carved into a rock face. This is no longer there
as it was destroyed in an earthquake some years ago. The area however
was surrounded by a tropical jungle with mini waterfalls flowing down
the slope. We ventured further and came across a shrine with an old
Balinese guy. He ushered us to the shrine, we bowed our heads in a
praying motion while he splashes holy water on us. We thought it was
quite a novel thing until he asked for money. Typical! We carried on our
walk through the jungle as we had seen signs posted for the temple in
the jungle. It was very hot and humid, we were drenched with sweat again
and this time we had no water with us. So we stopped and turned around
to head back. Pity we were not prepared but next temple we visit we aim
to be more prepared for the impromptu jungle walk.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOa6Vf84H-WnYYl1-cIgieL9G9KPpLp9ejSIqMcnwspOmwAQBrN8pu_VQ04qMrwpbbUlmNptlDEXdNXUNzTZ4wzzJLxMvPgghOcN7zvAN-puAEdFAsHuz3ITLyIWjRW2dWmnubnAeo-Y/s1600/DSC_0573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOa6Vf84H-WnYYl1-cIgieL9G9KPpLp9ejSIqMcnwspOmwAQBrN8pu_VQ04qMrwpbbUlmNptlDEXdNXUNzTZ4wzzJLxMvPgghOcN7zvAN-puAEdFAsHuz3ITLyIWjRW2dWmnubnAeo-Y/s1600/DSC_0573.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Elephant Cave temple.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCKxv-gTwUX9qtFyynVwdQLaIgr8plPCoqMu__BVRefmWiYmT_pLyRWioByzUxfemlVi5UoLcTyEuCpFJTuHCRoNu_nDLdsj5iNTAHdpHlidK7VmrRX0RjUC0eWaQVkPOCOSdt97lAdQ/s1600/DSC_0586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCKxv-gTwUX9qtFyynVwdQLaIgr8plPCoqMu__BVRefmWiYmT_pLyRWioByzUxfemlVi5UoLcTyEuCpFJTuHCRoNu_nDLdsj5iNTAHdpHlidK7VmrRX0RjUC0eWaQVkPOCOSdt97lAdQ/s1600/DSC_0586.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Entrance to Cave.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayuGHai1OWVAUIg9IeiSm-3KoQnwybJn32ml4ZNfYi3Qu571ltlCDfQmxY19kAAL1-V4UDMUeEISz-nNBXI74I4JDcw_mWKdByn51BxtiJ4jLcJsnoTL4ipCAmS9pPCrXFQIHYixIn-w/s1600/DSC_0596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayuGHai1OWVAUIg9IeiSm-3KoQnwybJn32ml4ZNfYi3Qu571ltlCDfQmxY19kAAL1-V4UDMUeEISz-nNBXI74I4JDcw_mWKdByn51BxtiJ4jLcJsnoTL4ipCAmS9pPCrXFQIHYixIn-w/s1600/DSC_0596.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Steps to the forest walk.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7hNlvjEWyFCR6u83sLnmJvmTBaRCsAGT4xXNeZ0fSmDh1pd1MbJH-yRBitls3eXM12LcVkVapc0-BQ1mjFf7FIL8xnJ1emmtfUSoQg75YeoVda-nyNnH59HxIUXJUpZhpSWtz0_uN6k/s1600/DSC_0604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7hNlvjEWyFCR6u83sLnmJvmTBaRCsAGT4xXNeZ0fSmDh1pd1MbJH-yRBitls3eXM12LcVkVapc0-BQ1mjFf7FIL8xnJ1emmtfUSoQg75YeoVda-nyNnH59HxIUXJUpZhpSWtz0_uN6k/s1600/DSC_0604.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMkV3iUFM2Re9A_QdJ1O-R541cv9abGr1tWhW9cmTHdOKAsYicB4L1DXl8RcNI5-H5ADncbthnb9XfIKCHLEUDLqXm1aihlcVBq7FAJLrltmgtuX_fC3FEgZYJ3FkahOevJiHeCOZ0BPY/s1600/DSC_0606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMkV3iUFM2Re9A_QdJ1O-R541cv9abGr1tWhW9cmTHdOKAsYicB4L1DXl8RcNI5-H5ADncbthnb9XfIKCHLEUDLqXm1aihlcVBq7FAJLrltmgtuX_fC3FEgZYJ3FkahOevJiHeCOZ0BPY/s1600/DSC_0606.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKsXxubHJ6GzUOTAQZsbb_3UPUOvF7uPVeNphlPxpOCmw0u3dlqhBXFt-gcTwHyOLIj4A_PlU1ro3wBt9MuEOqirGVcujspL5QuR5532tzFY7Cew1mMGaRaqkrKilCXTO74Hrv_hqZNQ/s1600/DSC_0610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKsXxubHJ6GzUOTAQZsbb_3UPUOvF7uPVeNphlPxpOCmw0u3dlqhBXFt-gcTwHyOLIj4A_PlU1ro3wBt9MuEOqirGVcujspL5QuR5532tzFY7Cew1mMGaRaqkrKilCXTO74Hrv_hqZNQ/s1600/DSC_0610.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is an old Bayan tree. Love this pic - old Balinese man, old tree.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dYowOUsKaaqthRAJDc1U04xAjWkOFWVlgeVZdHB7R6boUA_nIlAxU3swTqgbxwDwUpL2yljad5nFFf2VfLHffeVs9AD1nRonGTWQiqHaYQ91kjmgi-56r0hyc3TLIYB6JicH8LlDZKc/s1600/DSC_0614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dYowOUsKaaqthRAJDc1U04xAjWkOFWVlgeVZdHB7R6boUA_nIlAxU3swTqgbxwDwUpL2yljad5nFFf2VfLHffeVs9AD1nRonGTWQiqHaYQ91kjmgi-56r0hyc3TLIYB6JicH8LlDZKc/s1600/DSC_0614.JPG" height="333" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwSRRHjMvwSCI5RgWDyi6-22t423xwovTQ_61wvI46fOrCrZogMlxlW9pQFA3-gh_QGIPVgboICAFLKbXqrsnwFLJcp4NfjRmN8JlBgXS-6ilzaCCXG-UXh6NsGOa89tujwyUPSHmvfM/s1600/DSC_0618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwSRRHjMvwSCI5RgWDyi6-22t423xwovTQ_61wvI46fOrCrZogMlxlW9pQFA3-gh_QGIPVgboICAFLKbXqrsnwFLJcp4NfjRmN8JlBgXS-6ilzaCCXG-UXh6NsGOa89tujwyUPSHmvfM/s1600/DSC_0618.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Steps to the holy water.</div>
<br />
<br />
Ketut then took us to
a coffee plantation. It reminded us of being in Zanzibar on the spice
tour. Every spice you can think of was being grown there. We sat down at
a table while a Balinese women showed us a menu of the various coffees
and teas we could try for free. Think of it as similar to wine tasting.
We opted to try everything on the menu. Why not! They had the famous
Luwak coffee. We tried some and oh my goodness, good tasting strong
coffee. There was even home made chocolate to taste too and probably the
best chocolate we have ever had. We left the coffee plantation with
some goodies we bought.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZi8BVDqVZ7IEff6_h3I3YBrLr6nuEwDFDu-wSZxQnn4zxONL6ymKaB8f72AD7RXrnhCdQgVqsDsSlwdEpcjFN2P0iKR2yiJxs1p7D_HWux-ArHAGRb7XpEX05iftEBKrfOz1TfKInzgU/s1600/DSC_0630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZi8BVDqVZ7IEff6_h3I3YBrLr6nuEwDFDu-wSZxQnn4zxONL6ymKaB8f72AD7RXrnhCdQgVqsDsSlwdEpcjFN2P0iKR2yiJxs1p7D_HWux-ArHAGRb7XpEX05iftEBKrfOz1TfKInzgU/s1600/DSC_0630.JPG" height="376" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-HYrZrNtskG1-CnRf-T3KhYriZfqEN6pw5GuDvbyFoDgRbbKkEUBLriPqdrc_Ori5qPH-HgpfMay6rz655UN3USvT8Xh-P8xIoSOY6Z_jROSkTMkUZunm5Orw-00g0skci1OsU7hwTzs/s1600/DSC_0631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-HYrZrNtskG1-CnRf-T3KhYriZfqEN6pw5GuDvbyFoDgRbbKkEUBLriPqdrc_Ori5qPH-HgpfMay6rz655UN3USvT8Xh-P8xIoSOY6Z_jROSkTMkUZunm5Orw-00g0skci1OsU7hwTzs/s1600/DSC_0631.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Selection of coffee and teas to try.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWN-qimCYjzgVSt1HLPUOS06qY7K1CXDiRmWiRcPczRcc356Ewj3BfqC_FH4JOz_wA7BvsEXf4TTk_CFnfBj4RMK0CN85iyKcIZBXRCvz3cZvjm1pRyFoVwInNtwmlfJGjJIK-omTC0I/s1600/DSC_0632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWN-qimCYjzgVSt1HLPUOS06qY7K1CXDiRmWiRcPczRcc356Ewj3BfqC_FH4JOz_wA7BvsEXf4TTk_CFnfBj4RMK0CN85iyKcIZBXRCvz3cZvjm1pRyFoVwInNtwmlfJGjJIK-omTC0I/s1600/DSC_0632.JPG" height="400" width="373" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Balinese man finished harvesting for the day.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vI0M4DzvmH48h9G5LluuWhXpoLi5xm2DIiyWBaYPRF0SYB0vrx8pNj0buBn8iCa8MBXIMejoelafmyutGAx4Ruhyfpy35lO4OdUb7XHERd-A1Bo6kICw2NG8oA9VwEPWc7w9mpZIeAI/s1600/DSC_0633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vI0M4DzvmH48h9G5LluuWhXpoLi5xm2DIiyWBaYPRF0SYB0vrx8pNj0buBn8iCa8MBXIMejoelafmyutGAx4Ruhyfpy35lO4OdUb7XHERd-A1Bo6kICw2NG8oA9VwEPWc7w9mpZIeAI/s1600/DSC_0633.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">
Balinese girl at the coffee plantation.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
Its
a long slow drive back to Uluwatu but we arrive at The Gong at 9pm
after Ketut got a little lost. The homestay we are at is run by a lovely
Balinese family. They were very welcoming and offered us water when we arrived. Even though
they were closing the kitchen they still gave us a table and a menu but after having a rather large and very filling
Balinese lunch we opted for a fruit platter.<br />
The Gong is situated 2km
from Uluwatu beach. There are only 8 rooms at The Gong, but the family
have done a really good job maintaining the place and ensuring the rooms
are cleaned on a daily basis. They have a lovely pool, but again its 25
degrees in the pool, hardly anything to cool you off but it beats
sitting in the shade sweating. Tomorrow we plan on walking to Uluwatu
for a look at the beach and surf.<br />
<br />
The walk to Uluwatu is literally less than 10 mins from where we are staying. We walk the first day all eager, but we are dripping wet in sweat by the time we get there for a surf. Fortunately the tide was low on the first day and there wasn't much of a paddle through the cave for Dave. I wander up the steps to a lovely little local cafe overlooking the Uluwatu waves. Most days when we came here I either sat and waited with my zoom lense for pics of Dave on the waves or a read my kindle.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVKDPBbYo-Q5-RfcwllqefExjCo6NyEzIlmjMajjsXtw23urk-R9oOA5n-adR0dPNhz7MzjUtxVH9gQ-rX9Lhht9OgWcK9R9nQodkTxBDVoUxyKFi50gKPWXwSKZs_ufymWojjabUB34/s1600/DSCF4558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVKDPBbYo-Q5-RfcwllqefExjCo6NyEzIlmjMajjsXtw23urk-R9oOA5n-adR0dPNhz7MzjUtxVH9gQ-rX9Lhht9OgWcK9R9nQodkTxBDVoUxyKFi50gKPWXwSKZs_ufymWojjabUB34/s640/DSCF4558.JPG" height="80" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
View from the cafe at Uluwatu.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMj7UtWLcpguoF6yI6CiF2eV0H17wPCbg5608QqVlPV2WECDet3mXRYhCP5heGfsRlTCFSSPj5XCCyqrbQEGVm78U0PpRru6t4I2rLgwZbbceCQgFOAFwXY5L9goe_UnITQwNFdZxFeW8/s1600/DSCF4560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMj7UtWLcpguoF6yI6CiF2eV0H17wPCbg5608QqVlPV2WECDet3mXRYhCP5heGfsRlTCFSSPj5XCCyqrbQEGVm78U0PpRru6t4I2rLgwZbbceCQgFOAFwXY5L9goe_UnITQwNFdZxFeW8/s640/DSCF4560.JPG" height="640" width="252" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
More Uluwatu</div>
<br />
The novelty of walking to Uluwatu soon wore off and we ended up renting a scooter from the place we were staying at for 50,000 Rupiah for 24hrs. Good price. Saves us sweating and practically melting in the heat. The scooter was great fun, although Shev was constantly asking to slow down and we were only going 30km! I guess its the fear of not having metal surrounding her in a car. We took the scooter to Balangan for a late afternoon surf along with Atli, a guy from Iceland also staying at The Gong that we had become aquainted with. Who thought you would meet a surfer from Iceland but apparently there is some good surf in Iceland - bladdy cold though! It was a bit scary hitting roads slightly busier than the Uluwatua and Padang Padang beach areas. On our way back after sunset we needed to make a right turn at an intersection and the traffic was something else. Scooters left, right and centre again all going various speeds. We had probably been waiting for amout 5 mins when a local on a scooter pulls up next to us and starts having a casual where are you from conversation, where have you been today and then he asked if we needed help crossing the road. Of course we did! So he edged his scooter slowing into the middle of the intersection and all traffic came to a halt. With that all the scooters and cars stuck turning right all made a mad dash to join traffic. Phew!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zTCQIBRCJV-Ihl7w-4rO0nXv-eYBlFGhvLAhmx2o6_Rb0r8m5QYXAUSqYmUL3kV6doEtbLqPjf9TxVmN_7QZefVAada-_Tb__NpgA17O1Goz8Dcd5Rv4fNzp_rMbOaIAd3rTeR6EA1Y/s1600/DSCF4588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zTCQIBRCJV-Ihl7w-4rO0nXv-eYBlFGhvLAhmx2o6_Rb0r8m5QYXAUSqYmUL3kV6doEtbLqPjf9TxVmN_7QZefVAada-_Tb__NpgA17O1Goz8Dcd5Rv4fNzp_rMbOaIAd3rTeR6EA1Y/s640/DSCF4588.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sunset at Balangan.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NcyiP_OkrwYHfsHSfozANP9L12VBN2QCkJboxTVfRz6v9mCWxwvNMKzoqqgreDg-SEH-1cmKNK1Nv2T1YeK11osqg9vKDQRrqgLobmzJ2xBt01k_u8SrKrihvWck7yMcIHSqKPLHLzw/s1600/DSCF4607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NcyiP_OkrwYHfsHSfozANP9L12VBN2QCkJboxTVfRz6v9mCWxwvNMKzoqqgreDg-SEH-1cmKNK1Nv2T1YeK11osqg9vKDQRrqgLobmzJ2xBt01k_u8SrKrihvWck7yMcIHSqKPLHLzw/s640/DSCF4607.JPG" height="84" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Padang Padang beach<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMwYM46_RbfCTJdUGXSJmuhTD8FarRr2zoRfPja9F_m4mB4fngqr8imPOUc5FpHKmd6CUfBSvstlN46roig-ZwnvdpSs6mtIpx7B3LH5lHi_nTrH414lbrO13bJrt88ANsVhQbXDCsxY/s1600/DSC_0693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMwYM46_RbfCTJdUGXSJmuhTD8FarRr2zoRfPja9F_m4mB4fngqr8imPOUc5FpHKmd6CUfBSvstlN46roig-ZwnvdpSs6mtIpx7B3LH5lHi_nTrH414lbrO13bJrt88ANsVhQbXDCsxY/s1600/DSC_0693.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
Padang Padang at sunset.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1edyTRIeXokZJFa-PmlFawTXh-zo8oC1Hecd7pgjaTaPy2yGSePy6p3UCMaf9pZ2uERYj68wDLQbcdjbGeFGMC1nAbx92C4u6SIVabN0uTLaeo7jTZj1rWOUQlbr0uI9n4PVpawCcTM/s1600/DSC_0709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1edyTRIeXokZJFa-PmlFawTXh-zo8oC1Hecd7pgjaTaPy2yGSePy6p3UCMaf9pZ2uERYj68wDLQbcdjbGeFGMC1nAbx92C4u6SIVabN0uTLaeo7jTZj1rWOUQlbr0uI9n4PVpawCcTM/s1600/DSC_0709.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
Local fisherman at Padang Padang.</div>
<br />
The next few days was a combination of surfing, chilling at Padang Padang for sunset, sunset dinner at Uluwatu, lazing about at the pool where we stayed, taking the scooter for a spin and just generally relaxing. The Balinese family at the Gong were preparing for a festival and they gave us free fruit platters and rice cakes. They have made our stay very comfortable.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_I8qLq0UvGDcZjmjx1ztV_kaBbrIKjX44Fhd5-ABAYk4HhPB56yJ9XacvO7YZ60wHXHys82QCcHXBJK2uGPnLoE7MnNchIibctTxvOnh5AZYFBsz8ImA1K5AtVIaZvWO8kfC2MJ-k0To/s1600/DSC_0947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_I8qLq0UvGDcZjmjx1ztV_kaBbrIKjX44Fhd5-ABAYk4HhPB56yJ9XacvO7YZ60wHXHys82QCcHXBJK2uGPnLoE7MnNchIibctTxvOnh5AZYFBsz8ImA1K5AtVIaZvWO8kfC2MJ-k0To/s1600/DSC_0947.JPG" height="240" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Uluwatu sunset drinks </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEwVXbdqYshNoRYkEV9HEPK6qTiSfOMkxSkIVFIWAUxaSMeN2dWgXFSlimsi31YtCjaJln0mRAiFy8Yb-wCLeV44x5OLffnUtGTvy0uj7w9ctje_q9DDiv2hFlJl5vjRzERt2gmMZivM/s1600/DSC_0951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEwVXbdqYshNoRYkEV9HEPK6qTiSfOMkxSkIVFIWAUxaSMeN2dWgXFSlimsi31YtCjaJln0mRAiFy8Yb-wCLeV44x5OLffnUtGTvy0uj7w9ctje_q9DDiv2hFlJl5vjRzERt2gmMZivM/s1600/DSC_0951.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Uluwatu sunset drinks</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2zm2XFvlsY5CouaJ0KAD-tBE4bpAfQ_cx6DOkJZvSmJka4h-0Jgfzq_HLw2z1cOG7HBIFE10hU2Q_Pr2RBECEzewfYDHjbO2vDvxRBC-HGOJO0gdLv_4QBlpfJ3YsJb3Hb5oDLsW734/s1600/DSC_0969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2zm2XFvlsY5CouaJ0KAD-tBE4bpAfQ_cx6DOkJZvSmJka4h-0Jgfzq_HLw2z1cOG7HBIFE10hU2Q_Pr2RBECEzewfYDHjbO2vDvxRBC-HGOJO0gdLv_4QBlpfJ3YsJb3Hb5oDLsW734/s1600/DSC_0969.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Uluwatu sunset dinner</div>
<br />
Dave has been in his element surfing for 5 days in a row at Uluwatu mostly, some in Padang Padang and once in Balangan.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs92olfQtxLsgWLxvqXf7xlOuhL0QnSQW26GA5wzW3uKGM4pIQKPweWJO1srmRQcO0nSu96Ai_cEQRf9midzDdDQn9wQKq1BTZ3MZQ1WJURdNM7i_1idnHVfeQbuVd4NmOHaS3GdYLQao/s1600/DSC_0652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs92olfQtxLsgWLxvqXf7xlOuhL0QnSQW26GA5wzW3uKGM4pIQKPweWJO1srmRQcO0nSu96Ai_cEQRf9midzDdDQn9wQKq1BTZ3MZQ1WJURdNM7i_1idnHVfeQbuVd4NmOHaS3GdYLQao/s1600/DSC_0652.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Gong - Uluwatu</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiClY27Nv1bRmWt8RCBHdKZ5iH2omoKn4J2XUrRY3WzknTBtKU5SreHB9WIhH4uDI_uCYws4i8OCBgjEcEojSpPXA1SI258UEJ6S13VdtZkjvMwPq9T61eoPhsKz1LmvmMxMU5XIeuD67M/s1600/DSC_0653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiClY27Nv1bRmWt8RCBHdKZ5iH2omoKn4J2XUrRY3WzknTBtKU5SreHB9WIhH4uDI_uCYws4i8OCBgjEcEojSpPXA1SI258UEJ6S13VdtZkjvMwPq9T61eoPhsKz1LmvmMxMU5XIeuD67M/s1600/DSC_0653.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Gong - Uluwatu</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIleKeP_UYqDqqjHmpkp7l0lQ484ami2VhId5LqErlVWx2LD2ePPsc9NYMpRx-N-g-cmY0hMIt0AXwp9tYdLwtYjLDIY212Px_1wkCT9J-2BcGThQR-2Y72KD2GaE9Wd0bF9w-lOpfzlg/s1600/DSC_0941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIleKeP_UYqDqqjHmpkp7l0lQ484ami2VhId5LqErlVWx2LD2ePPsc9NYMpRx-N-g-cmY0hMIt0AXwp9tYdLwtYjLDIY212Px_1wkCT9J-2BcGThQR-2Y72KD2GaE9Wd0bF9w-lOpfzlg/s1600/DSC_0941.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Staying at the Gong has been a very relaxing experience. The Balinese family running the place are very friendly and always up for a good laugh. Most of them speak good english. They were nothing but helpful, the food was great and for a good price too (US$3-5 a plate), rooms were clean, 2km from Uluwatu beach. They rent scooters as well. There is a laundry facility 3km up the road called Surf Laundry - probably the best launder service we have ever had. We highly recommend staying here. </div>
</div>
WhatIF.....http://www.blogger.com/profile/16161621431144355091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372422706436574654.post-24821924614097630982013-03-27T07:28:00.000-07:002013-03-28T02:57:52.024-07:00Bali ~ Indonesia ~ the start ~ 23rd to 28th March<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
A popular destination
with all tourists alike, Bali is known as the Island of Gods. To give
you an idea of our impressions on Bali so far we would say it is a
bustling island always on the move. From temple ceremonies to rice
terraces, women with frangipani flowers in their hair, pulse-pounding
surf at Uluwatu, Padang Padang or The Incredibles, enchanting Kecak
dance performances at Uluwatu temple at sunset, stumbling on tiny
offerings that appear from nowhere filled with rice or fruit, bright
frangipanis and the smell of beautifully scented incence to the
shrines in every rice field, next to sacred old trees, in every
corner of all local businesses, overlooking intersections and
dangerous curves in the roads.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We are not denying it,
Bali is commercialised and we reckon in 10-20 years time Bali is
going to be even more westernised that it is today. We are trying
very hard to ignore the commercialisation and concentrate more on the
true Bali. We spoke to a lady who visited Bali 20 years ago and this
was her first time back. She said some parts she could hardly
recognise due to the rapid changes that have taken place. With
Macdonald's, KFC, Burger King, designer stores and the like popping
up. It was a bit disappointing to see scores and scores of westerners
eating here rather than trying out some of the traditional Balinese
food. Most Balinese menus are not in English but for 10,000 rupiah =
US$1 you can get a local sim card and use the Google translate app.
Some Balinese can speak and understand English but most don't and you
will need patience when conversing with those that have trouble
understanding – you will eventually manage to communicate with
them. Most tourists end up staying in fancy resorts or in Poppies 1
or Poppies 2 in popular Kuta away from the true flare that Bali has
to offer. Its almost like they can't be too far away from their home
comforts.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We read a lot of blogs,
lonely planet and spoke to a few people on Bali. The best way to get
around Bali is either on scooters, as there are thousands everywhere,
or your own driver. We have heard and read about some horror stories
on the scooters so we opted for a driver. Bali is small in size so
you could drive around the entire coast in one day, it is possible.
For US$50 you can get a driver for 10 hours to drive you where you
want to go in Bali. Our driver is Ketut, a very popular name in Bali
and one you will hear frequently. We found out that there are certain
names you give to your first born, second born, third born etc..
Ketut is the forth born, however there are 3 other names that can be
given to a forth born, Ketut is the most popular.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<u>Kuta</u>
- 21<sup>st</sup> to 23<sup>rd</sup> March</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
We
stayed in Kuta at Hawaii Bali for the first two nights. Location was
not great as it was on a busy highway but after arriving in Bali
after 10.30pm and hearing how bad the traffic can get we wanted
somewhere close by. The Hotel is currently undergoing renovation and
some extensions which is probably why we got a good price, however
this never once distrupted our stay here. Probably not somewhere I
would want to stay long term, one night is enough. We could not fault
the staff who were friendly. The hotel was decorated well and clean.
The swimming pool was a lovely 25 degrees, perfect in the evenings
but not during the day when you want to cool off. We experienced our
first taste of an Asian breakfast, which consisted of a choice of egg
fried rice, brown rice, omelette, stir fried veggies and noodles and
a Balinese style chicken soup with a boiled egg in it. We must say it
was not our type of breakfast, we much prefer a platter of fruit or
cold milk and weetabix but it was interesting to try it at least.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
After seeing some of the driving and hearing the stories about scooters we opted for the safer option of a driver with a car, this may sound like you're losing some of the options to go see and do what you want but its great and the drivers are happy to talk to you and discuss different places to visit. Who knows we may end up getting a scooter where the roads are not quite busy as the ones around Kuta.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
While
waiting for our driver to pick us up we decided to walk around the
area. Crossing the two way highway was rather scary to be honest.
There are more scooters and motorbikes than there are cars and you
constantly had to watch for scooters and motorbikes weaving in and
out of each other and the few suddenly appearing from side allies or
mounting pavements to join the main highway. All of them going at
various speeds. Must have taken us at least 15 mins to cross the 4
lanes in total!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwsZdT6FEaaRC1gD1pgx2O8S6K5qJJE_GwdTQVazk_2UTtarHSvoiNZevl5jwDB9SD621VeaXRcAkHSaG4HF-4jcrHN5xV9ANKZThcuF3x3OD9VGXLpclfsdJrl_2OU9gDF40c0HuiaGo/s1600/DSCF4667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwsZdT6FEaaRC1gD1pgx2O8S6K5qJJE_GwdTQVazk_2UTtarHSvoiNZevl5jwDB9SD621VeaXRcAkHSaG4HF-4jcrHN5xV9ANKZThcuF3x3OD9VGXLpclfsdJrl_2OU9gDF40c0HuiaGo/s320/DSCF4667.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Wondering around we knew we weren't near the tourist
area of Kuta, more like the local markets of Kuta. We only saw 4
other tourists wondering around. We came across a local store that
had Absolute Vodka bottles lined up with petrol for the scooters in
them. Later we understood through our driver that the petrol stations
are not located close together so the locals sell the petrol for
scooters in reused vodka bottles. We both laughed as its something we
thought you only see in Africa. Most of the locals have their
businesses on their scooters, either a small fast food box varying to
selling live gold fish, other types of fish and even small lobsters
in bags of water. Its amazing the lobsters haven't figured out to cut
their way out. On our wonder is where we noticed the small shrines at
every business and at every corner with small offerings made out of
woven leaves with fruit, rice and bright flowers. Some left in the
middle of the pavement as though magically appearing from nowhere. We
learnt that these offerings are done 3 times a day usually before
meals.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD45_nGHkjoObXkiCf58jCgp78D15jmvFN2FL2QaXLp53o6sXgrd41s-YLsdPj4VxL2c3Fp1YT1Uan1s-1JxNyqGyRi-ex-ZvA6lHwhxOi-dopj6Hzuxjx8z9XG6hJkzf8Vy6K_FXPQls/s1600/Bali+%257E+Indonesia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD45_nGHkjoObXkiCf58jCgp78D15jmvFN2FL2QaXLp53o6sXgrd41s-YLsdPj4VxL2c3Fp1YT1Uan1s-1JxNyqGyRi-ex-ZvA6lHwhxOi-dopj6Hzuxjx8z9XG6hJkzf8Vy6K_FXPQls/s1600/Bali+%257E+Indonesia.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pet fish and lobster for sale on the back of a scooter.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJUgOh6vYsgRV8gM1Zt5sOtJ5eM-wFzktzsbjUhoCoUHabRkLL4zc-A-niSi2W8bmCsylBSUGIDHQiidZYGyJTEb4U9NBB8KgVChaREbWNaIpzAw2X0z0-84uYnAQHlKYzQsDWNCeBiA/s1600/DSC_0172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJUgOh6vYsgRV8gM1Zt5sOtJ5eM-wFzktzsbjUhoCoUHabRkLL4zc-A-niSi2W8bmCsylBSUGIDHQiidZYGyJTEb4U9NBB8KgVChaREbWNaIpzAw2X0z0-84uYnAQHlKYzQsDWNCeBiA/s1600/DSC_0172.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Scooter petrol station - no its not vodka!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFyoDOxR5s5kJxAWK5GL9PNJXo8RVWtYm4qchrjKdoC0Nr3zS6lgOAXQqHbMrlVhB4jmb4ZWMmB0VUc8fX84SfWFPjM7ZxszNNecrWJXbYcAc295kto0VueSPsopEqTjEm5c9ovOVTLk/s1600/DSC_0181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFyoDOxR5s5kJxAWK5GL9PNJXo8RVWtYm4qchrjKdoC0Nr3zS6lgOAXQqHbMrlVhB4jmb4ZWMmB0VUc8fX84SfWFPjM7ZxszNNecrWJXbYcAc295kto0VueSPsopEqTjEm5c9ovOVTLk/s1600/DSC_0181.JPG" width="285" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Salak fruit - skin is like the texture of a snake skin. Fruit needs to be boiled, then cooled. It tastes just like a poached pear. Texture of the flesh is different from a pear. Quite tastey.<br />
Read about more interesting fruits here: http://www.2indonesia.com/fruits.htm</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8io8qxfBGZnOu6PtNtMpvKENKVqIEg9SPBeV2CJn2Ps1RumaHChbGZ9Ebca9gfBFEZQWGylF1D1fWLFjsAt_hslCFSa_n3fnz46-6JmwhXBYPBpeACxU0c08aMoUXGJ3UxbDyuwCqBk/s1600/DSC_0183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8io8qxfBGZnOu6PtNtMpvKENKVqIEg9SPBeV2CJn2Ps1RumaHChbGZ9Ebca9gfBFEZQWGylF1D1fWLFjsAt_hslCFSa_n3fnz46-6JmwhXBYPBpeACxU0c08aMoUXGJ3UxbDyuwCqBk/s1600/DSC_0183.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One of the many many shrines on the corners of the street or at every business. This is a slightly larger one.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQinFxQW6CwOCJCry3rYtTu9dUFQ-wYTkvxT6eAv2MypZ08pLvd1PggpyWd4oRzGqtRYQytXQ6rW2xuqniFA_V9WtxN5KdltpBfkRnSz96VGGjXvnpuupi8KEWH-WP2c8BZzcphCWz-Hs/s1600/DSC_0226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQinFxQW6CwOCJCry3rYtTu9dUFQ-wYTkvxT6eAv2MypZ08pLvd1PggpyWd4oRzGqtRYQytXQ6rW2xuqniFA_V9WtxN5KdltpBfkRnSz96VGGjXvnpuupi8KEWH-WP2c8BZzcphCWz-Hs/s1600/DSC_0226.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
More local business on the backs of scooters.</div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
After
sweating our asses off in the humid heat from a 2 hour wonder and
now looking like we had just got out a swimming pool, we returned to
the hotel to cool off in the air conditioned room before Ketut picks
us up.Once
cooled off and Ketut has picked us up he takes us to a seafood
restaurant for lunch. (Ketut seems to be a common name here in Southern Bali, it also means child number 4) </div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Entrance to Kampoeng Seafood Restaurant</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjU4V_XVkQVAQ35wpr-y_E1SlNS_-cNZF4rNDHuJx_3wWXsWfshN0ZGo4I8W9MItcVel_Wmkg_NtfoTRu04aYQO5PTvEIxMO0npeRhnXEUgxXa4mbk7kSMmDi9EVD5UefSM624xENhMwY/s1600/DSCF4576.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjU4V_XVkQVAQ35wpr-y_E1SlNS_-cNZF4rNDHuJx_3wWXsWfshN0ZGo4I8W9MItcVel_Wmkg_NtfoTRu04aYQO5PTvEIxMO0npeRhnXEUgxXa4mbk7kSMmDi9EVD5UefSM624xENhMwY/s320/DSCF4576.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELQG9NdzO-wj2lpyZ1w66qi8Xrc8AgDo7QaoZW6BCovzQbqRWByFi0NMnpncb7xWTJC-vz-BdU78rdcTBp5jPXtBmIGFEhSeal1Ef6nMJVM5-bRt5eRjLtH1r1rUevDMSibrJfjo0lss/s1600/DSCF4559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELQG9NdzO-wj2lpyZ1w66qi8Xrc8AgDo7QaoZW6BCovzQbqRWByFi0NMnpncb7xWTJC-vz-BdU78rdcTBp5jPXtBmIGFEhSeal1Ef6nMJVM5-bRt5eRjLtH1r1rUevDMSibrJfjo0lss/s320/DSCF4559.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
We pick our seafood fresh as they are still alive but the cost is quite a bit more for items of the live menu! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVG0bbKcoGb4GMK6bz6T-mKolkCye_kp6FnT1pob-r0pFvF5oOBftTViA6zgYmwS2JmqYT0U-TpHOLYYSh_pmzthdtR1uBMlC5rAw5TATx1zYXHG7_559k9AjNNRIx9NorVSQEayu3kj8/s1600/export1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="451" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVG0bbKcoGb4GMK6bz6T-mKolkCye_kp6FnT1pob-r0pFvF5oOBftTViA6zgYmwS2JmqYT0U-TpHOLYYSh_pmzthdtR1uBMlC5rAw5TATx1zYXHG7_559k9AjNNRIx9NorVSQEayu3kj8/s640/export1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
You order from the kitchen master who will help you order everything off the menu for a price!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBaQcT4LpzP_mOQdwqWmQMBNfYx98Jps4_fNU9Ew3RxlcD0kWpV28fPt01s2kpBFBgWS1QLWE1o4jgTMOgpmque3HnWoJXhEArsNEs8TIqm5Fn2XbuGW-miQbcMtxhJIWVjYZUf5iT3zU/s1600/DSCF4585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBaQcT4LpzP_mOQdwqWmQMBNfYx98Jps4_fNU9Ew3RxlcD0kWpV28fPt01s2kpBFBgWS1QLWE1o4jgTMOgpmque3HnWoJXhEArsNEs8TIqm5Fn2XbuGW-miQbcMtxhJIWVjYZUf5iT3zU/s640/DSCF4585.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The jumbo prawns were fantastic</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HmJ5Y5wZbUT64UHMW2_3d3HHjofGgGkEAVUJPcby0g7SrWiC3pvbOvKoZGI67mWXLCsLKxVLr2bya0aC29J9qmavJkiKayxwN9TSRr6etTCj2ozdg_xSJ8KPBCmxdvV61JJ6jnxQXII/s1600/DSCF4584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HmJ5Y5wZbUT64UHMW2_3d3HHjofGgGkEAVUJPcby0g7SrWiC3pvbOvKoZGI67mWXLCsLKxVLr2bya0aC29J9qmavJkiKayxwN9TSRr6etTCj2ozdg_xSJ8KPBCmxdvV61JJ6jnxQXII/s640/DSCF4584.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Grilled White snapper with a spicy sauce!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
We paid 400,000 rupiah in total
including drinks. We thought that was cheap but in all honesty it was
pretty expensive considering you can easily have lunch for less than
100,000 rupiah. We were serenaded by some locals who were really
good. They asked where we were from and when we said South Africa the
one says to us '' Ah wakaka wakaka'' from the football world cup.
Ketut drove us around the south of Bali stopping off at Padang Padang
for a quick swim before taking us to Uluwatu for the Kecak dance at
sunset.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Bf4BZuVidJ07Bk-otXw29CGetXlcQRCN9P2MAViznhrAoMTKQY26WbpDOhv7oM5QktNrJY3y5UR-hRi_kw85q1qCJKbfuyFJZcJlFq23XSgSwpnKifIxQl4grECATy5pdQt65QcsN_A/s1600/DSC_0227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Bf4BZuVidJ07Bk-otXw29CGetXlcQRCN9P2MAViznhrAoMTKQY26WbpDOhv7oM5QktNrJY3y5UR-hRi_kw85q1qCJKbfuyFJZcJlFq23XSgSwpnKifIxQl4grECATy5pdQt65QcsN_A/s1600/DSC_0227.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Padang Padang beach.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tz0GCJ-jbq8EoUBUXnG4GoLbJFNlFIgAQR0ShseWCs5TbFRhyphenhyphenDcfW8ev2vKaDEAFb3QoZWaZMIX8mwy2rytvfoo-sTTrJh3_8Q7feylvCWPGueduhvEBnC4l00H38RMJMDQV5RRKFOE/s1600/DSC_0236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tz0GCJ-jbq8EoUBUXnG4GoLbJFNlFIgAQR0ShseWCs5TbFRhyphenhyphenDcfW8ev2vKaDEAFb3QoZWaZMIX8mwy2rytvfoo-sTTrJh3_8Q7feylvCWPGueduhvEBnC4l00H38RMJMDQV5RRKFOE/s1600/DSC_0236.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
More Padang Padang</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJS52K_X7u6AQEVo5vojimeIK4rab9enOyhu4W6Zsmwyd2QV0c73H_qFSGSkh08wD14ymyvQDIBZkR0weGSp1VoUrui6RncGnTUrbzhdJa0dSzNu4ZHRImm6-7i0dN1PI2KXQ3PwVqFDw/s1600/DSC_0246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJS52K_X7u6AQEVo5vojimeIK4rab9enOyhu4W6Zsmwyd2QV0c73H_qFSGSkh08wD14ymyvQDIBZkR0weGSp1VoUrui6RncGnTUrbzhdJa0dSzNu4ZHRImm6-7i0dN1PI2KXQ3PwVqFDw/s1600/DSC_0246.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pandang Padang again.</div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<u>Kecak Dance at Pura
Luhur Ulu Watu </u>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
The
temple (Pura in Balinese) is set atop sheer cliffs that drop straight
into the surf below. The temple is for the spirit of the sea. We
arrived just before sunset to see the Kecak dance that is performed
here daily. We were given brightly coloured sarongs or sashes to
wear.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
The
Kecak dance is regarded as one of the best known dances of Bali. The
dance is not accompanied by musical instruments, instead a chorus of
men sit in a circle and imitate the ''cak-cak'' sound effects to the
dance while dancers perform an adaptation of an ancient ritual
ceremony called Sanghyang that was held to purify a village during
and epidemic. The Kecak tells the tale of the quest of hero Rama who
came to earth to defeat the evil demon Ravana who had captured his
wife Sita. With the help of Anoman, the white monkey and his army
they search for his wife. Anoman destroys some of Ravana's palace but
he is captured, his hands tied and the people of Alengka try to burn
Anoman with a ring of fire but his magic power protects him. He
manages to destroy the entire palace and Sita is saved.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
Throughout
the Kecak dance, the circle of men, all bare chested and wearing
checked cloth around their waists, provide a non stop accompaniment,
rising to a crescendo as they play the monkey army and the fight out
between Anoman and Ravana.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
The
dance was quite something leaving us mesmorised. The chorus of the
chanting men was brilliantly done. We can highly recommend the Kecak
dance at Uluwatu.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw5Bw-E5Ilxo72fBzqzh_1FM9_mxOw1pCGX_X1xzt7O4oOLoqdsdaVzJ7sYKv_4ihs1KRqJ37eKRAM27uG_hg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhpLKyVr6IJ7G3YsFzvJ3UOSlU5uwuNh6HwDfjwKKsLTZ-qFOodnpT47h9kqZGG2iD8ZZSmkOKR770LFCvZDCiiMJ8w5g_LHQF9eZxdR5jnacos65xC_q1n7p4pdqU1jhcFGh46gvyjQ/s1600/DSC_0306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhpLKyVr6IJ7G3YsFzvJ3UOSlU5uwuNh6HwDfjwKKsLTZ-qFOodnpT47h9kqZGG2iD8ZZSmkOKR770LFCvZDCiiMJ8w5g_LHQF9eZxdR5jnacos65xC_q1n7p4pdqU1jhcFGh46gvyjQ/s1600/DSC_0306.JPG" width="464" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Kecak Dance.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOD-YgGU3J1cPljoj_OoI48tq_ezg3VHN2e83x2iNQxizfTGh131wWrzJWDvMrhZlYfa_taqVaZ03xSZqF3HdAnd6ev5jBU-W-_XJUGqifBCsXKYq6MFbp52ztjTWkAjaJEvcTe3_CSq4/s1600/DSC_0371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOD-YgGU3J1cPljoj_OoI48tq_ezg3VHN2e83x2iNQxizfTGh131wWrzJWDvMrhZlYfa_taqVaZ03xSZqF3HdAnd6ev5jBU-W-_XJUGqifBCsXKYq6MFbp52ztjTWkAjaJEvcTe3_CSq4/s1600/DSC_0371.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Kecak Dance.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqA0O8fzK2hkjlpA-zmRSf7S0bfwBE_d2hl6-cBmQeRW-3PigJ0col2Ojmw11zM0CrGQkSgpAfiTRUMdP50515_jAUGmpZ6U73gOA7jrjqJy4JreRSXfB54115bYzVZUgjSmBQn2MKLd8/s1600/DSC_0375-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqA0O8fzK2hkjlpA-zmRSf7S0bfwBE_d2hl6-cBmQeRW-3PigJ0col2Ojmw11zM0CrGQkSgpAfiTRUMdP50515_jAUGmpZ6U73gOA7jrjqJy4JreRSXfB54115bYzVZUgjSmBQn2MKLd8/s1600/DSC_0375-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Kecak Dance at sunset.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDlo2RIoxiKCICF4JdCF9us-H5iMrC6cGs3oODKM9zlTUaER8uSW46eTdrBOYHTxOK2pXOPXo0PawXgHk8OAwrhZOom08xkY5cDadbdFlpeNRZXu4VB_xaNAe8Bk_US6FrYTUec20xlw/s1600/DSC_0395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDlo2RIoxiKCICF4JdCF9us-H5iMrC6cGs3oODKM9zlTUaER8uSW46eTdrBOYHTxOK2pXOPXo0PawXgHk8OAwrhZOom08xkY5cDadbdFlpeNRZXu4VB_xaNAe8Bk_US6FrYTUec20xlw/s1600/DSC_0395.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBt-_d9WbjksLSoMxR5u0aS53R9H_U65BAMKGY_q0OCMsVsGbuhCZbZWmg222Au2EI6Xzge9irj1CJBhr6hul4MqM-4hGeJV6G8_3WagYOZoh_CQMtphHkRt_8z_4JcRZyYw5MVXNYsnI/s1600/DSC_0455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBt-_d9WbjksLSoMxR5u0aS53R9H_U65BAMKGY_q0OCMsVsGbuhCZbZWmg222Au2EI6Xzge9irj1CJBhr6hul4MqM-4hGeJV6G8_3WagYOZoh_CQMtphHkRt_8z_4JcRZyYw5MVXNYsnI/s1600/DSC_0455.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The white monkey is captured.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjTteGyiW02pyjNQu5g7N2UxSSENK7wbOO3mcDRLGF8gS8lqYiifim6rzzurQ5yEvyLnUv_50glAhRxBq14mMyS8grR_fC8hLFkUt9KYYdNjJyXSZAoCtxt1V9sQtBt1AXViY3Ly6zec4/s1600/DSC_0458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjTteGyiW02pyjNQu5g7N2UxSSENK7wbOO3mcDRLGF8gS8lqYiifim6rzzurQ5yEvyLnUv_50glAhRxBq14mMyS8grR_fC8hLFkUt9KYYdNjJyXSZAoCtxt1V9sQtBt1AXViY3Ly6zec4/s1600/DSC_0458.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMukHHthgw6ggRB2OMvNiTSfqnP2e1RNcZsdkxii3i8O88a1cQ0xYlLnqytvuCKLUzUUIb2cCUDhO7yO3kXD6VLOb2MDM1fEp_AEUEVvY2fFFBkuZO-MutsbgSWLiZrKAnjVQWwC-bs6Q/s1600/DSC_0418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMukHHthgw6ggRB2OMvNiTSfqnP2e1RNcZsdkxii3i8O88a1cQ0xYlLnqytvuCKLUzUUIb2cCUDhO7yO3kXD6VLOb2MDM1fEp_AEUEVvY2fFFBkuZO-MutsbgSWLiZrKAnjVQWwC-bs6Q/s1600/DSC_0418.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Uluwatu temple at sunset. </div>
</div>
WhatIF.....http://www.blogger.com/profile/16161621431144355091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372422706436574654.post-42768532542538262122013-03-25T08:05:00.000-07:002013-03-25T08:21:44.167-07:00The Encore of Oz 18th - 22nd March<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
18<sup>th</sup> - 21<sup>st</sup>
March Airlie Beach to Brisbane Drive</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We wished we could have
rescheduled St Paddys day, as the day after we were getting ready for
the next road trip back to Brisbane more for lack of being able to
have a good shindig and a bit of craic! (This means good fun in Irish
and if you dont believe me well pog my thoin)</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
After collecting beast
our 5 person berth 1990s campervan that needed to be relocated to
Brisbane we headed off for Rockhampton. Back on the Bruce Highway
named after “Henry Adam Bruce” who was the state minister for
works you can clearly see this when driving as they are always
working on this road! Any trip on this road needs an extra hour for
every three as the recent floods and trucks have taken their toll on
the road, not to mention the works to widen and add bypasses etc.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Lunch we stopped in
Mackay on the harbour wall southern breakwater road which stretches
right out into the ocean, the area in general is very industrial and
looks to booming as construction works were everywhere.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEazAf8SDcUUPrmkFFLqxcNiqZg3VU1NLf0Y3iQeb6QkN8qG5ntmUl9A9SCTGRK8ifblERWiYrKCkI3Mf4PVW2X7dZCJ6aWyrlW96umth3SAtEoBtlvXGhkUa1Ln7eN5lP5R-5rozmDU/s1600/DSC_0018-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEazAf8SDcUUPrmkFFLqxcNiqZg3VU1NLf0Y3iQeb6QkN8qG5ntmUl9A9SCTGRK8ifblERWiYrKCkI3Mf4PVW2X7dZCJ6aWyrlW96umth3SAtEoBtlvXGhkUa1Ln7eN5lP5R-5rozmDU/s1600/DSC_0018-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our Campervan!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjVapYThUvGaq7lkSj8qmjy8LkqbG4kXgyJr8wbIOw5xFIZ8S-1hpmdL9q-dWJFjXp-2DV4vYMLSdY94_r66PkrZGoMnBhyphenhyphenFKkYnt_8pq_F7rcrtiSE9-v3mKVByl88cQA09npJQSSRQ/s1600/DSC_0016-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjVapYThUvGaq7lkSj8qmjy8LkqbG4kXgyJr8wbIOw5xFIZ8S-1hpmdL9q-dWJFjXp-2DV4vYMLSdY94_r66PkrZGoMnBhyphenhyphenFKkYnt_8pq_F7rcrtiSE9-v3mKVByl88cQA09npJQSSRQ/s1600/DSC_0016-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mackay Harbour for lunch</div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It was getting late,
traffic and weather conditions along with various speed limits meant
we were not going to make the national parks close to Rockhampton. We
filled up for the last time close to Marlborourgh and after filling
up with gas the low oil light, low coolant and battery light came on.
We checked everything topped up the oil and headed off, as we had left
the lights on while parked at the gas station so perhaps the battery
was just a little drained? We drove on thinking the battery would
charge however closer to Marlborough after flipping the lights to
high beam we almost cut out, we pulled over to see what was going on
now and thought about going back to the gas station however it wasn’t
long and the engine started idling erraticly! After switching off we
were now stuck as the engine wouldn’t start... This was now our
worst nightmare 404km into day one and we were now stuck with a flat
battery obviously the alternator had gone? We rolled back well off
the side of the road as me pushing and Shev only using the handbrake to stop almost meant we ended up well into the trees, it was a bit of an incline. After a sigh of relief that we were well off the road we called for assistance.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We put out a lantern on
the side of the road some 20m before the rest area we managed to pull
into in case truck didn’t see us as they were all hurtling down
into the dip where we were which actually improved our visibility
thankfully.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
After talking to the
tow truck crew we had an ETA thank goodness as even though we had two
batteries we didn’t have the tools to swap them out only a jack and
tyre spanner.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Eventually after what
seemed ages we had some crackers and cheese for dinner and the tow
truck arrived, we spent the night in Rockhampton after all in the
auto shops parking lot! Free camping and saved on fuel what a
bargain!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUWQKf-zpzK81JJlvywCRA0Yply24AN13FphFLO_QundZe-JDZNDDzvoqhjyhmxtV4dJzQZPqSsNw1FynkDjuTEvPdlVI2TjWMCNTIEmlJgu50uVe-uqILegrDrH2N6v_7HFh9i8X5Y0/s1600/DSC_0072-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUWQKf-zpzK81JJlvywCRA0Yply24AN13FphFLO_QundZe-JDZNDDzvoqhjyhmxtV4dJzQZPqSsNw1FynkDjuTEvPdlVI2TjWMCNTIEmlJgu50uVe-uqILegrDrH2N6v_7HFh9i8X5Y0/s1600/DSC_0072-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tow truck finally arrived.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQ6RiBX25eKQsPh3f56hdaHHfqSKBMrXzJ4A1LCCls8g-AQriCuZaJYYSNjY1DR5t016LAVVu0QkahyTbQIiNTiVHNkPNBYzCH65ONKkpAoqCoNv8xYPrh4NSULXBkmtxMg5opYzj7yY/s1600/DSC_0077-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQ6RiBX25eKQsPh3f56hdaHHfqSKBMrXzJ4A1LCCls8g-AQriCuZaJYYSNjY1DR5t016LAVVu0QkahyTbQIiNTiVHNkPNBYzCH65ONKkpAoqCoNv8xYPrh4NSULXBkmtxMg5opYzj7yY/s1600/DSC_0077-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Made it to Rockhampton by 11.30pm - we were knackered! Home for the night was at the service station.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bZ29qATOIVK2o5aML68aYdvd7PoJYZDPGwMXJuS4GQ1HRBW7mH6adqqbpWWpgXu2gVneTnUmkK2M550hZoDV_ZfizMjM-5ngQKgWw-7IOe5_zJgc-9rY-X3BxhIi155WkZsZaozxlJQ/s1600/Oz+road+trip+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bZ29qATOIVK2o5aML68aYdvd7PoJYZDPGwMXJuS4GQ1HRBW7mH6adqqbpWWpgXu2gVneTnUmkK2M550hZoDV_ZfizMjM-5ngQKgWw-7IOe5_zJgc-9rY-X3BxhIi155WkZsZaozxlJQ/s1600/Oz+road+trip+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sign posts we saw enroute to Rockhampton before breaking down.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspbMziezHoHgREtJphrEhQi3lyTps5vWxJFE9BOoBzQ2jaxpNNnXjcD6NPmuCuRRto1kFUyCqrMXhKi9Yb8uXiAcxCoMmFdKXA2W9-L4hwEiNja1Ny_bK7A4uRcNFxP0OSikb1fv5wA0/s1600/Oz+road+trip+21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspbMziezHoHgREtJphrEhQi3lyTps5vWxJFE9BOoBzQ2jaxpNNnXjcD6NPmuCuRRto1kFUyCqrMXhKi9Yb8uXiAcxCoMmFdKXA2W9-L4hwEiNja1Ny_bK7A4uRcNFxP0OSikb1fv5wA0/s1600/Oz+road+trip+21.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some of the houses along the east coast.</div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It was lunch time the
following day till our rental company and the auto mechanic settled
on who was trying to overcharge and be a smart ass etc.. Amazing
really as we had the politest conversations with both parties
ourselves. Turned out that the alternator was fine the battery
however had completely died and one off the cells had a dead short so
it was never going to charge again.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We were ever so
thankful for the repair and set off again for Hervey Bay!</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Arriving at Hervey Bay
no without any dramas was a relief except we had arrived late and now
all the camping spots seemed closed we drove around the whale
roundabout and the campsites a few times we called and got a spot
that even had a jacuzzi...winner!</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Hervey bay (pronounced
Har – Vey Bay if you say Her – Vey nobody knows where that is in
Oz!!)</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Its a bit of a sleepy
seaside resort without the beaches mind you as its all rocky not even
pebbles for a beach,its great but best for a whale cruise or long
relaxing weekend away.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGuZLwBb7NkQgKCa6gTqWOs-4gxRJXcmjC8XT2RjK3MXtBMPki1CXJS1hXnlCfLxxAAeX7Q0ZhYnNbjBj5HE9M1kgeHpsM3PStaiflSWSdpI8rVImRXi6uIy5xuDLtHy4AaNnsJlVb14/s1600/DSC_0090-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGuZLwBb7NkQgKCa6gTqWOs-4gxRJXcmjC8XT2RjK3MXtBMPki1CXJS1hXnlCfLxxAAeX7Q0ZhYnNbjBj5HE9M1kgeHpsM3PStaiflSWSdpI8rVImRXi6uIy5xuDLtHy4AaNnsJlVb14/s1600/DSC_0090-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hervey Bay</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3eSh_trV8dXB_lqaouLFEocexZ0V9mR4EcvFst0iHJtinEVJSOzw7BUI7z2o2br9KNXGcPAfuz9XzTQ-CoF1a_sz5SBq4dakni3mUhShznOALlLzRpuHZZu4z8I6YxNPZDigaYvncwI/s1600/DSC_0098-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3eSh_trV8dXB_lqaouLFEocexZ0V9mR4EcvFst0iHJtinEVJSOzw7BUI7z2o2br9KNXGcPAfuz9XzTQ-CoF1a_sz5SBq4dakni3mUhShznOALlLzRpuHZZu4z8I6YxNPZDigaYvncwI/s1600/DSC_0098-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hervey Bay- Whales all year round!</div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Next stop was Brisbane
and we needed to drop of the beast as well so we were quite eager to
keep up the pace so we really only stopped for short pit stops along
the way which was just as well as the rain pelted us along the way!</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We made it to Brisbane
with time to spare and off loaded at Chill Backpackers a friendly
central location.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
21<sup>st</sup> March A
few things to do in Brisbane</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We stayed at a very
central backpackers with our own private room which was great to
recharge after all our driving recently. Chill is located on Upper
Roma street great if you want to get to meet a few other travellers
and just spend a short time near the centre of Brisbane and the
Southbank. For more than two nights I would want a better place maybe
a pool and near the coast, perhaps we had been spoilt for choice
being in the Whitsunday's and on the Gold Coast.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Once you start to walk
around the Southbank the Botanical Gardens along with a few man made
beach pools are great to walk around or have a picnic.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72P984_MtHVmnq_Bmt-JVeVglcI7RYLmsb__9uiZYdacwLS8abW2SGVV1EU1pVuva_HqBdPlHujU6QCz_MtwgqL2wZaEPdhEm9vuZYflOVWI_iYF90WT7K7FX-iYGrhumO1B08fs_Cyc/s1600/DSC_0155-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72P984_MtHVmnq_Bmt-JVeVglcI7RYLmsb__9uiZYdacwLS8abW2SGVV1EU1pVuva_HqBdPlHujU6QCz_MtwgqL2wZaEPdhEm9vuZYflOVWI_iYF90WT7K7FX-iYGrhumO1B08fs_Cyc/s1600/DSC_0155-001.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynZ0wtR3HRDm3TWzqj7kH2cCNzctfLUZlTXW6nin3EJM_RwZiWdJksY1kYJO_mRwh6Y0-Hk1MloIzKw9oOfGzKDyyb1EfYG9s1I5ny8ITQnzBIlSah59GI_xZOzjlefcishpHeUO5tgk/s1600/DSC_0160-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynZ0wtR3HRDm3TWzqj7kH2cCNzctfLUZlTXW6nin3EJM_RwZiWdJksY1kYJO_mRwh6Y0-Hk1MloIzKw9oOfGzKDyyb1EfYG9s1I5ny8ITQnzBIlSah59GI_xZOzjlefcishpHeUO5tgk/s1600/DSC_0160-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Brisbane man made beach in Southbank.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-NgeTx0exmtMqpopabBJxq33CHnZ1iE4m4zOXccvG8qyyVx4HUPFhUmHGgkdgNizQ6cv9ikJkDvHjF3wDcPl4QGgDuTpcaOx_Flw_59vr_0jmB4nDy5NoE4ZZgsGIbQy_jz8F0hEVJc/s1600/DSC_0163-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-NgeTx0exmtMqpopabBJxq33CHnZ1iE4m4zOXccvG8qyyVx4HUPFhUmHGgkdgNizQ6cv9ikJkDvHjF3wDcPl4QGgDuTpcaOx_Flw_59vr_0jmB4nDy5NoE4ZZgsGIbQy_jz8F0hEVJc/s1600/DSC_0163-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BMrBxpK7JyM3QHDkEuGUq0HR4fr_gqwv3Tkt9z21A5Uv_Z3jn9bzOOcQ1gBtLB4LwJ2Lk0oyveK7chsoemdT9YumbQXnXbQyLNU4pDxKk74YLX8hKB67QJ8yuA5AWidfe4DB-o6j8Zo/s1600/DSC_0165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BMrBxpK7JyM3QHDkEuGUq0HR4fr_gqwv3Tkt9z21A5Uv_Z3jn9bzOOcQ1gBtLB4LwJ2Lk0oyveK7chsoemdT9YumbQXnXbQyLNU4pDxKk74YLX8hKB67QJ8yuA5AWidfe4DB-o6j8Zo/s1600/DSC_0165.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4r7N3PHsaHxPSTIe8DC0C9y3zdcFA6HID9LrR7fN2BQqRql4iGip6ddNDKUJh35EDORalpVTz610yxejq6f904PAYYrvQiRQUfa3Qv3SOChpRgfwaLga76cq2n1k8urAk7vvrtvDZeRM/s1600/DSC_0166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4r7N3PHsaHxPSTIe8DC0C9y3zdcFA6HID9LrR7fN2BQqRql4iGip6ddNDKUJh35EDORalpVTz610yxejq6f904PAYYrvQiRQUfa3Qv3SOChpRgfwaLga76cq2n1k8urAk7vvrtvDZeRM/s1600/DSC_0166.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Nuts n Bolts kangaroos in Brisbane!</div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
22<sup>nd</sup> Airport</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Our endless searching
for where to begin in Asia took many nights and a few Airlines come
up tops for this terrific part of the world if you're travelling from
Oz. AirAsia, Tiger, JetStar and Scoot Airways surprisingly Virgin
Airways put the best tender in for Brisbane to Bali one way. Now you
can go cheaper if you fly Gold Coast to Singapore and Singapore to
Bali however when you take into account the time and extra costs for
accommodation, transport and extras its hard to beat a direct flight.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
At our final check in
the lady asks have you got a return flight? We answer no we do not?
The lady pauses and says well I cant let you fly without a return
flight...</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It was time to do my best ever John McEnroe..You cannot be serious??(if only I had had a tennis racquet to vent anger with as well)
She then starts to explain that if we get deported back it will be to
our last port of exit so Brsibane Australia all expenses paid
courtesy of Virgin wow who knew you didn’t have to pay for a
return??</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
So after much
delegation of how its not a legal requirement we can get a visa in
Indonesia and why didn’t Virgin have this information on their
website when they offered us such a great flight deal we couldn’t
refuse??</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Eventually after
explaining to the lady at check inn that we were not just some
travellers that will get stuck in Bali or deported and that we had
funds to support ourselves, she decided to let us travel!
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Well we were elated at
the news as missing the flight would have really put a spanner in the
works.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We were a little sad to
be leaving Oz the people are fantastic and we had made some really
great friends in the 5 months of being there. We have been fortunate
enough to have been able to travel around Oz and see some incredible
sights. Australians you are one lucky bunch to offer such diverse
outdoor lifesytles and its right We also really enjoyed staying with
Shev's cousins and it has been an emotional roller-coaster for her
after being reacquainted after so many years.
</div>
WhatIF.....http://www.blogger.com/profile/16161621431144355091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372422706436574654.post-28230155986043575012013-03-24T08:29:00.000-07:002013-03-27T01:04:05.464-07:00Airlie Beach & Whitsundays 12th – 18th March<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Our first glimpse of
the ''Whitsundays'' was as we came over a hill top from the small
town Prosepine. Crystal blue waters, tropical islands in the
distance, bright clear blue sky and recent shipwrecks from the bad
weather a month ago. All that escaped our minds was WOW! Nothing
could prepare us for the sheer tropical humidity either. We were
sweating by the time we walked from the bus stop to Magnums, our
accommodation. Airlie Beach is a small town but extremely busy for
the size of it. A town this small anywhere else in Oz would be
considered a one horse town but here it is a different story. The
first impression of Airlie Beach is it is backpackers central and
super super chilled out. Everyone is friendly and helpful. It is
merely a stepping stone to the Whitsunday Islands and should
definitely be a stop off for anyone travelling in Oz.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Magnums is a little
gem. It is set in a tropical back yard off the main strip and
amazingly quiet. The rooms are very basic but that is all you need
especially when you have the sunny weather and natural beauty
outdoors. For once we planned it right and we were here to experience
the Whitsundays at the right time when it was not cyclonic weather,
which is what it has been for the last month according to the locals!
Excellent!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53qoUAsIkQgrIz4uvC3S2C9VUelrLugxqY3pXSXjQTzcfoirdTSken1507GJ22vrfLGxLQTgfOLzgfP4Pla8QbZ5TzvlS7-Hp22duK5wizVZerZ-dfH53XG9trWUHO2gRb43C6TLv9AI/s1600/DSC_0335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53qoUAsIkQgrIz4uvC3S2C9VUelrLugxqY3pXSXjQTzcfoirdTSken1507GJ22vrfLGxLQTgfOLzgfP4Pla8QbZ5TzvlS7-Hp22duK5wizVZerZ-dfH53XG9trWUHO2gRb43C6TLv9AI/s1600/DSC_0335.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Airlie Beach</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWzNTQtCTz4B__VWWwobFEZinPqHiz8OD1EzxMqAdHSJF-EJ4X-YG9VvDzg3yeD1uqqK0TUH7YepiOOkjMtYQNEfmntaN_0ABIZ-qxlXtiWe0gRi9PNHDz4RdGHXqoT2_6TiVdaHDj6I/s1600/DSC_0337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWzNTQtCTz4B__VWWwobFEZinPqHiz8OD1EzxMqAdHSJF-EJ4X-YG9VvDzg3yeD1uqqK0TUH7YepiOOkjMtYQNEfmntaN_0ABIZ-qxlXtiWe0gRi9PNHDz4RdGHXqoT2_6TiVdaHDj6I/s1600/DSC_0337.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Airlie Beach</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Sn7GeJLICjFbopHq7AyAcTOdzKmffY9dkRuIvKOcVJgglwe5VMNf9RQob6nDY3katSZcDohnlwaNtoivRT51RFgoOSKGRsG070TECnb3K2tNK1xJfOuhRmQShv3r1wLXi4hGRwmeBTk/s1600/DSC_0363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Sn7GeJLICjFbopHq7AyAcTOdzKmffY9dkRuIvKOcVJgglwe5VMNf9RQob6nDY3katSZcDohnlwaNtoivRT51RFgoOSKGRsG070TECnb3K2tNK1xJfOuhRmQShv3r1wLXi4hGRwmeBTk/s1600/DSC_0363.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Airlie Beach</div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
For the first 2 days we
decided to chill out as we have 6 days here. It was meant to be 3
but somehow our relocation camper van we were driving back to
Brisbane was allocated to someone else. Long story short we managed
to get another relocation deal after a painful negotiation but the
camper van would only be available 3 days later, thus giving us 6
days in Airlie beach. We lazed about at the lovely artificial lagoon
most afternoons. Water being cool and inviting under the hot sun.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We decided we wanted to
check out the islands so we took a wonder down the small strip,
mainly all tourism companies with their best day trips and overnight
sailing deals to the Islands. We can say their so called deals are
outright expensive. Day trip for one person was coming in at a
minimum of $120 while the cheapest overnight sailing trip was closing
in at $310 each! Most of the touring companies we went into to ask
about the island trips went straight for the expensive in our case
but a deal in theirs! Most were very unaccommodating for budget
travellers and pretty much had that expression of '' that is the
price – take it or leave it''.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
After being bombarded
with all the different options and ridiculously priced packages we
decided to find something else that would be cheaper that these
touring companies were not telling us. And we did! At one of the
touring companies while standing and looking at loads of brochures we
found one right at the bottom for camping on the islands. The
transfer to the island is per person and ranges from $60 to $120.
The amount of time you spend camping on the island does not matter,
you just need to pay national parks fees of $5 per person per night.
If you don't have any camping gear, gear is provided, everything from
a tent, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, cutlery, gas burner, free water
(as much as!) and snorkelling gear for $40 for the first night, then
$20 per night there after. Stinger suits are hired separately ($5 per
day). Cheap deal in our opinion! So that was it we were going
camping. Upon booking we heard the skipper of the boat was not
taking his boat too far due to the tail end of a cyclone going to hit
the islands soon. He claimed he was more concerned about the waters
and wind. But we got the impression that they perhaps did not want to
take us out further. Oh well so we decided to get to South Molle
Island to a place called Sandy Beach for $60 return each. So that was
it we were all booked and looking forward to a bit of camping on the
islands.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The day arrived for our
camping. We managed to move one nights accommodation to our last
night so we could fit in 2 days camping on the island. Armed with our
backpack and a small cooler bag of food for 2 days we caught the bus
to Shute Harbour. We were met by a chilled out guy called Phil, who
was taking us out to our island and still in the process of obtaining
his skipper's licence. They had been delayed taking another lot of
people out to another island for camping. We got started on our
journey with Phil our Kiwi guide and the Ozzie skipper. Finally we
got onto the boat with all our stuff and camping gear. The boat ride
was not long at all and soon we were on our own island, deserted
beach with Mount Jeffreys overlooking our little bay.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-OAOXgvJAX6NS4pInu8qYOoA1LE0ZW6d8JmCmeUiDF1Ff51qdKTjE9atUhDPFC5An8_aG0XgfSlC_AP6bbIcLshd-yDCL983oVV5M6zbyjQUdjrVx9IHMPKHBmgxgCPw5UJhTOAfiHY/s1600/DSC_0389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-OAOXgvJAX6NS4pInu8qYOoA1LE0ZW6d8JmCmeUiDF1Ff51qdKTjE9atUhDPFC5An8_aG0XgfSlC_AP6bbIcLshd-yDCL983oVV5M6zbyjQUdjrVx9IHMPKHBmgxgCPw5UJhTOAfiHY/s1600/DSC_0389.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Shute Harbour</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8OYYJFjpiAEBI0HYVZnnRe3jZP_MK_3sgVv-Fj-anAzlRbeCfwzmMIr3NV2o7vX_OBfg3yhyphenhyphen6RHa8G44Rl6PG_Ji8ykq6TfwlE4ac1-XM0ASdq5aKdvCfzKo2ZmDiaW1Khnb9oVml2rE/s1600/DSC_0390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8OYYJFjpiAEBI0HYVZnnRe3jZP_MK_3sgVv-Fj-anAzlRbeCfwzmMIr3NV2o7vX_OBfg3yhyphenhyphen6RHa8G44Rl6PG_Ji8ykq6TfwlE4ac1-XM0ASdq5aKdvCfzKo2ZmDiaW1Khnb9oVml2rE/s1600/DSC_0390.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnqdlJ6lqFR_BuL1yq-u_C9c_O9B2xl51iiskzLUj3wBVocYAwMKlF2L3DkIa1twg7Gn1urTb8Ybzxq7Rtg45DUMIyBjVF6j8wlj85P0A2cBUybnMqu6rcggR8F8fM-aMY4X4eL7HL8Q/s1600/DSC_0398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnqdlJ6lqFR_BuL1yq-u_C9c_O9B2xl51iiskzLUj3wBVocYAwMKlF2L3DkIa1twg7Gn1urTb8Ybzxq7Rtg45DUMIyBjVF6j8wlj85P0A2cBUybnMqu6rcggR8F8fM-aMY4X4eL7HL8Q/s1600/DSC_0398.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Just been dropped off on the beach! Waving good-bye to our boat...</div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Sandy Bay as the name
suggests is not sandy. 70% of it is coral washed up on shore. It
should be renamed Coral Bay. The sand appeared only when the tide
went right down. We pitched our tent and set up camp. No showers, no
surprise there but plenty of ocean :) We took a walk to the end of
the beach where there were some rocks to try out some snorkelling. We
got on our stinger suits – our onesies! It was quite funny. Stinger
suits are required due to the box jelly fish in the waters. The signs
of warning are everywhere. See the pic for the interesting facts!
Snorkel gear on and we ventured into the water. Unfortunately there
was zero visibility! We still had a paddle and swim about. A bit
disappointing for the snorkel but we lazed on the beach in the sun
for a bit.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyj5NlAp6IEiKhwz2yunfYX7SU_qZOEWac0F-GFuZTN-_PbtpRAFeUf2SXFmJJYSHVonSFmzwMGMCZiLL2z9xDkzEwcv2-S9E2GNDvLWRnw2bSOdbmYtp-oldksBg3fDudeJKV3hhCxQ/s1600/DSC_0399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyj5NlAp6IEiKhwz2yunfYX7SU_qZOEWac0F-GFuZTN-_PbtpRAFeUf2SXFmJJYSHVonSFmzwMGMCZiLL2z9xDkzEwcv2-S9E2GNDvLWRnw2bSOdbmYtp-oldksBg3fDudeJKV3hhCxQ/s1600/DSC_0399.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Camping gear...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUaHMXmVUyg0cFKfgBET01I45pe71NNVUXBn1-izjrYuVQuO8Ug6h7viQp5GGzPvXSxUer4N_ZGOxpXixASuTP7KyOOJ5nGeiqUMd38tfpjDSv_dJV8ChxyAFPXS75T1O6tKp88ceKtU/s1600/DSC_0400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUaHMXmVUyg0cFKfgBET01I45pe71NNVUXBn1-izjrYuVQuO8Ug6h7viQp5GGzPvXSxUer4N_ZGOxpXixASuTP7KyOOJ5nGeiqUMd38tfpjDSv_dJV8ChxyAFPXS75T1O6tKp88ceKtU/s1600/DSC_0400.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Camping spot! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjbFB-jWK2eHA75NKaxvqUmOFw5xvbX6514NmlhAiDlhVV2pUYKE-i8_4OvXZBWHZ-efrYmWGIDxlXySa5e2WFdMzgnaVJndxlUiJm4EAZLXP1tY-4NtzhxV2Tlo1BP6Ot5BvPKLdReUE/s1600/DSC_0405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjbFB-jWK2eHA75NKaxvqUmOFw5xvbX6514NmlhAiDlhVV2pUYKE-i8_4OvXZBWHZ-efrYmWGIDxlXySa5e2WFdMzgnaVJndxlUiJm4EAZLXP1tY-4NtzhxV2Tlo1BP6Ot5BvPKLdReUE/s1600/DSC_0405.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sandy Bay! South Molle Island</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDEFA2y4UqgKEecKV0s4zdcyZWaLg2ezQZvDuo6E-200buT3Jv0UXCw17QRF_PQJaMndcYRPWOqBxCM4Cycn4X4p6hXxSSBXtedoVqPk0mlr3hb4XB1DdKTBOI7z2icVLYyPEsHfoU5q0/s1600/DSC_0407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDEFA2y4UqgKEecKV0s4zdcyZWaLg2ezQZvDuo6E-200buT3Jv0UXCw17QRF_PQJaMndcYRPWOqBxCM4Cycn4X4p6hXxSSBXtedoVqPk0mlr3hb4XB1DdKTBOI7z2icVLYyPEsHfoU5q0/s1600/DSC_0407.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDi-BN0b-4y6XtkdQJ3ZCgpqxKv-7vYWbHT7iR0qyi-iyThdHAF1PypEVOkIdPVlkh3RXe5iQG0X1xd8NW6lcO7VdAKBAVD-2vKXBuhPOUTotaFGRr1-Cbj0Gmm4xoNYeggPuG-RUNvQ/s1600/DSC_0408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDi-BN0b-4y6XtkdQJ3ZCgpqxKv-7vYWbHT7iR0qyi-iyThdHAF1PypEVOkIdPVlkh3RXe5iQG0X1xd8NW6lcO7VdAKBAVD-2vKXBuhPOUTotaFGRr1-Cbj0Gmm4xoNYeggPuG-RUNvQ/s1600/DSC_0408.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyqNPn_uxuz4NxJHlWgMFu-i-y2R9utCrtbLj5a_JI_RZVHKxTN4RfKgQSWe9FUeduBdfjdTEfIzoeu8bOW6Vd_VdagMt5wLHhZeJe5CkthS_4JAaDmG53NFkMPGtyqJQy_5QfWjLfqE/s1600/DSCF4196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyqNPn_uxuz4NxJHlWgMFu-i-y2R9utCrtbLj5a_JI_RZVHKxTN4RfKgQSWe9FUeduBdfjdTEfIzoeu8bOW6Vd_VdagMt5wLHhZeJe5CkthS_4JAaDmG53NFkMPGtyqJQy_5QfWjLfqE/s1600/DSCF4196.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Our stinger suit onesies!</div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We had been told that
South Molle island has some amazing walking tracks that provide some
breath taking views. We set off at about 5pm for a 8.5km return walk
to Spion Kop. Clearly the path has not been walked on in ages as not
even 300m on the track we came across this massive spider web right
across our path. No spider, but we figured there would be more spider
webs. Dave found a long stick and cleared the first web out of our
way. Less than 10 meters and another spider web, not as big as the
first but still in our way. We certainly weren't going to take any
chances of just walking through them as we all know Australia has the
biggest this, the most poisonous that, most deadliest this etc
etc.... So Dave walked ahead of me waving his long stick or in this
case we joked about it being his ''wand'' like something out of Harry
Potter or my knight in shining armour! The walk up the mountain was
easy going, the path had been cleared in such a way that it was not a
too difficult walk – only the spider webs were our obstacles and
definitely not for those that suffer from arachnophobia! It was
amazing how the vegetation on the island changed as we walked. Apart
form the small incline at the start with the trees and spiders, the
first 1.5km was tall waist-high green grass, blowing about in the
strong gusts of wind, and hundreds and hundreds of Cyclades dotted
everywhere. The views across the other side of the islands looking
directly at Whitehaven Islands was as described to us
''breathtaking''! Once we reached the highest point we started to
descend into pretty much a humid tropical jungle, small streams
flowing down the mountain, tropical plants, beautiful colourful
butterflies, even more spider webs some with small spiders that had
yellow and black stripes (getting goosebumps typing this out) and
plenty yellow crested cockatoos! Can't seem to go anywhere in Oz
without finding them squawking in the tree tops. What a complete
scenery change! As we made our way through the jungle and out towards
our final 1.5km to Spion Kop the sun was starting to set but we were
met with a full rainbow over Whitehaven Island. We don't want to
leave this place ever – we started talking about starting our own
camping touring company too just so we could stay in this tropical
paradise! The sunset itself was spectacular, brilliant oranges and
pinks illuminated the few clouds in the sky with the odd blue sky
poking out in the background. It was a moment that will be remembered
forever for the both of us. I don't think we will ever forget the
view of a full rainbow on one side of the island and the sunset on
the other. This is what made Whitsundays so magical for us. We love
this place!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuHIBGHlfLe8tkiRmlElqJU9Z1iuAYzQnUW__1aHwx_1R2iVh4WkF3h60HCM-rba9Zf0-YvCNGP4aonP9DGgoRaLR_TABgNX48dG_cxa2LsxqQT6Apst8HWQB1a71euB7faE-5i73U1o/s1600/DSC_0444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuHIBGHlfLe8tkiRmlElqJU9Z1iuAYzQnUW__1aHwx_1R2iVh4WkF3h60HCM-rba9Zf0-YvCNGP4aonP9DGgoRaLR_TABgNX48dG_cxa2LsxqQT6Apst8HWQB1a71euB7faE-5i73U1o/s1600/DSC_0444.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
South Molle walk - view was amazing</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfk7MmKVRGmhlyc3qefGUiL_HrMm0D_luBcmXE07KUXB_9hepeIYkQvfJlxBucBOGgNBVM7VAVw_2PhjCzlDH4X3WHeVEgm3JWbl9OXGPQVeYNCG4FUe_RnWCdOaKPUPbEK1tAqeKfzw/s1600/DSC_0462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfk7MmKVRGmhlyc3qefGUiL_HrMm0D_luBcmXE07KUXB_9hepeIYkQvfJlxBucBOGgNBVM7VAVw_2PhjCzlDH4X3WHeVEgm3JWbl9OXGPQVeYNCG4FUe_RnWCdOaKPUPbEK1tAqeKfzw/s1600/DSC_0462.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One of the spider webs.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9jt9cwe3JTa7WPOPjy2TYNoXJDDzgRpNHCKEaJfolHhVUy2hiaio_87FmdOp0r_8m5fkp_6RlwWZ3BZOz4z-Eqj6ZE89KIesBQvm9HWnndDNtoo3FGYaOTWYHYfluZtqobBltkDJGo0/s1600/DSC_0482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9jt9cwe3JTa7WPOPjy2TYNoXJDDzgRpNHCKEaJfolHhVUy2hiaio_87FmdOp0r_8m5fkp_6RlwWZ3BZOz4z-Eqj6ZE89KIesBQvm9HWnndDNtoo3FGYaOTWYHYfluZtqobBltkDJGo0/s1600/DSC_0482.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Love this motion shot - it was incredibly windy on the one side of the island. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-N278NuyLxxn995jgle-BWtRIycRbCHE5PWqc8ZfXo2urI6MBl82nfi-tUnIW0a22SE-NxopAyQ1q6KfMaRrnLP9NaIM8Kz8FzDpq6y7ESLq2C74IU_5FknmIKi49iZ83HmOstyZII8/s1600/DSC_0490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-N278NuyLxxn995jgle-BWtRIycRbCHE5PWqc8ZfXo2urI6MBl82nfi-tUnIW0a22SE-NxopAyQ1q6KfMaRrnLP9NaIM8Kz8FzDpq6y7ESLq2C74IU_5FknmIKi49iZ83HmOstyZII8/s1600/DSC_0490.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The view towards the other side of the island.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcv3qi6-EqSELuh96XMmHH5oiigdTB4jJ2PJqKnDhWAolY1MPBE3mhz5pDVfoB-pW3uSbB9IdOxHN0GM305RUkdklcH_R44Cnb9ahGgJyGPmB9q2ycaQvLgJlZ1zxQRhmuQbJ_TH83pY/s1600/DSC_0508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcv3qi6-EqSELuh96XMmHH5oiigdTB4jJ2PJqKnDhWAolY1MPBE3mhz5pDVfoB-pW3uSbB9IdOxHN0GM305RUkdklcH_R44Cnb9ahGgJyGPmB9q2ycaQvLgJlZ1zxQRhmuQbJ_TH83pY/s1600/DSC_0508.JPG" width="291" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some of the variety of spiders we found enroute!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggU5PgM7nzcPTmcat57NA78zhlKVcUEWd5V_RnI69cZrR6U6AFY0vpuogbH2v77xbf2xblQmggkeiahMa7-EbXDGFopeu67P_r0y1lRYEe7IHPHrM8V8sTqIB5CqzIFyxYgcnNMH6luU/s1600/DSC_0514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggU5PgM7nzcPTmcat57NA78zhlKVcUEWd5V_RnI69cZrR6U6AFY0vpuogbH2v77xbf2xblQmggkeiahMa7-EbXDGFopeu67P_r0y1lRYEe7IHPHrM8V8sTqIB5CqzIFyxYgcnNMH6luU/s1600/DSC_0514.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hmmm bright colours are not good - right?</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfASMwgWcPxh4B_QSlxfZ1mMKMJqciaMNt5KM_kI9UPgg34D0W_WLYzkStyib7Jng37ltal01dNLmHjeWm7mBg-HvYsRb2T74rclwqLzQAVXHHysyXuo-g_kDOiYJnXH-zRUy9S6DheI/s1600/DSC_0520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfASMwgWcPxh4B_QSlxfZ1mMKMJqciaMNt5KM_kI9UPgg34D0W_WLYzkStyib7Jng37ltal01dNLmHjeWm7mBg-HvYsRb2T74rclwqLzQAVXHHysyXuo-g_kDOiYJnXH-zRUy9S6DheI/s1600/DSC_0520.JPG" width="378" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHQDTNaRubnk4_rKiiNwwbd9JTYxbR9tVb5-Ti9Uddkkmnh5kyl91W8nGfcoEiRpcCxyc6wXirWCWPWzVEUJmjepCstObG1PMgBerjguzu5Cv7RrVh_N25ugZy896rKyC50-pGun_Wyk/s1600/DSC_0531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHQDTNaRubnk4_rKiiNwwbd9JTYxbR9tVb5-Ti9Uddkkmnh5kyl91W8nGfcoEiRpcCxyc6wXirWCWPWzVEUJmjepCstObG1PMgBerjguzu5Cv7RrVh_N25ugZy896rKyC50-pGun_Wyk/s1600/DSC_0531.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The faces we come up with after a few attempts of smile..smile no no and look at the lens! :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF383TGBm3TBovxuLLAwnIFRZpNn03Jj0fSShROgzg4j9AhiN8eZjSORKGzpWePewyNFpgRcIJ-YWh95QimnZRDelhwWfO4OtF8fooy5x1X-jVs7DUs0xoPsUJbaCg2sxcMZStbpufbac/s1600/DSC_0540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF383TGBm3TBovxuLLAwnIFRZpNn03Jj0fSShROgzg4j9AhiN8eZjSORKGzpWePewyNFpgRcIJ-YWh95QimnZRDelhwWfO4OtF8fooy5x1X-jVs7DUs0xoPsUJbaCg2sxcMZStbpufbac/s1600/DSC_0540.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAdFr5K7JELQgKa5xYPfgYhKnqnkN5wFZTZVYd4QadRUQtaiqO2hA6plZS-Ze10dyuofyc1pHADC14Je-8NU7HO7pCDxLTu8qYCA-y4-xTJlVeKbq8s6H6zGbMUxcYX907g0GEemGOIg/s1600/DSC_0557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAdFr5K7JELQgKa5xYPfgYhKnqnkN5wFZTZVYd4QadRUQtaiqO2hA6plZS-Ze10dyuofyc1pHADC14Je-8NU7HO7pCDxLTu8qYCA-y4-xTJlVeKbq8s6H6zGbMUxcYX907g0GEemGOIg/s1600/DSC_0557.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZP17gQl981I8KnH1f5JpeBB1rbwQIi8pqR-BHUWyj2ib-Jb_nJ1-NKdVPYdwTA_M55gbAEBlLraSDTfi-ApbDJYzFqqBwoZPta4HC5bwbIgM6dZH467FSe_OfwxeitjVJryQe1eYa2c/s1600/DSC_0565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZP17gQl981I8KnH1f5JpeBB1rbwQIi8pqR-BHUWyj2ib-Jb_nJ1-NKdVPYdwTA_M55gbAEBlLraSDTfi-ApbDJYzFqqBwoZPta4HC5bwbIgM6dZH467FSe_OfwxeitjVJryQe1eYa2c/s1600/DSC_0565.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbHRamItgl5zyPYVsqE068PnhFfFanPBVEbRqcSPbV16fHDoX_3oSBbaQYpBVJrHJ72M-0NqEq8KjL2C_oHfgYQG9mkH9wuwlWsqaIIOaLFUhl7wQ9EYpUpqGgK5F5sQyyTN9vyUvE1c/s1600/DSC_0568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbHRamItgl5zyPYVsqE068PnhFfFanPBVEbRqcSPbV16fHDoX_3oSBbaQYpBVJrHJ72M-0NqEq8KjL2C_oHfgYQG9mkH9wuwlWsqaIIOaLFUhl7wQ9EYpUpqGgK5F5sQyyTN9vyUvE1c/s1600/DSC_0568.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkczXWZ1fYsLIEHES_SeQY1u-Cf5cTeYwfU6ckFkwGrGTHbrPc8DWFRxySpfiz5nzOtMQWXR_nxMC8EKbCIRLXPO59Rk5fVP8iIFP_yMX2VgX6bHe0AorK9ZGjmWsyZBoeRBR12Ze6-g/s1600/DSC_0578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkczXWZ1fYsLIEHES_SeQY1u-Cf5cTeYwfU6ckFkwGrGTHbrPc8DWFRxySpfiz5nzOtMQWXR_nxMC8EKbCIRLXPO59Rk5fVP8iIFP_yMX2VgX6bHe0AorK9ZGjmWsyZBoeRBR12Ze6-g/s1600/DSC_0578.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizm0aH5Bpuj742lZC5lTtUZalFNj1LjDkTFoY0LaLW1OKP5wgGgU7W6N_GfFYnrWe74OhxbAilg_d0yIPyHDr-aEDGGI0FQ0hTZYMDnN8CZlFG3rwYTYFMrrbixkGJMRksWnBhLI4MzLk/s1600/DSC_0582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizm0aH5Bpuj742lZC5lTtUZalFNj1LjDkTFoY0LaLW1OKP5wgGgU7W6N_GfFYnrWe74OhxbAilg_d0yIPyHDr-aEDGGI0FQ0hTZYMDnN8CZlFG3rwYTYFMrrbixkGJMRksWnBhLI4MzLk/s1600/DSC_0582.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sunset near Spion Kop.</div>
<br />
The sun disappeared pretty quickly and soon darkness was
creeping in a bit too fast for our liking and we still needed to get
back to camp which was 4.2km away! Out came the headlamps and torches
and we set off into the dark jungle... We were so glad we cleared the
spider webs out the way as it made the walk back that much quicker
and then round the next few curves and in the dense trees we heard a
huge squuaaawk squuaaawk yes you may have a guessed birds a huge
flock of Sulphur Crested Cockatoos, we really think these birds
represent the voice of birds for Oz as most places we have been if
you hear the Squuuuaaawk its a big white and sulphur crested cockatoo
in a tree probably biting the branches off!</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Next we were dodging
some huge frogs on our path. There must have been at least one frog
every 2 meters and dead centre in the middle of the path looking at
you and only when you nudged them did they even think of moving. Dave
was expecting one to jump into me while walking and probably hoping
for me to squeal something terrible! It would have been funny but
there was no way those frogs were coming anywhere near me –
remember the whole Australia has the biggest, deadliest, most
poisonous – yeah that made me ensure a frog was not going to jump
into me! At the end of our dark jungle trek before heading out into
the open grass our lights caught a glimpse of another massive spider
web just off our path, with the most ugliest, deadliest, nasty
looking spider EVER! It almost had the skeleton shape shell like a
crab with a few markings. Urrgh! Dave urged me to take a picture,
with me trembling going what if it can jump... We eventually got a
photo and we keep looking at it only to have the hairs on the backs
of our necks stand on end and tingles go through our spines. Check
the photo – maybe you might get a similar sensation??<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYD-A9h624_UrNEekTa_3uLMBGs03yFYPu9JZDdh6vpgLo-Sh2D4sXzhkhEO3i_tpvwnUfwEBe2ebGBOVqLb6kpXpQ48_R8NweIRptvRQSuy8TCo0kG43xg-xzmU5sHSh7_bHHnR92zTY/s1600/DSC_0611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYD-A9h624_UrNEekTa_3uLMBGs03yFYPu9JZDdh6vpgLo-Sh2D4sXzhkhEO3i_tpvwnUfwEBe2ebGBOVqLb6kpXpQ48_R8NweIRptvRQSuy8TCo0kG43xg-xzmU5sHSh7_bHHnR92zTY/s1600/DSC_0611.JPG" width="380" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is the spider we were talking about! Still raises the hairs on the backs of our necks! We checked it out and we seem to think its an Orb-Weaving spider and is described as low
risk and non-aggressive. Only thing there is 109 different species of the Orb. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzhNLFgxx7TciYy-lXq1v33QJK0NVVdLuN5xjrx56Z6NHMVG5weEQOjCHsXYL4TdCEdfrcK0ETtIkKP7Kcn-dBR-VQFjwVwhFQDg2wIU85aQhIw-XOrmlc0XHPYwhaEu1rITYlnCa0f0/s1600/DSC_0602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzhNLFgxx7TciYy-lXq1v33QJK0NVVdLuN5xjrx56Z6NHMVG5weEQOjCHsXYL4TdCEdfrcK0ETtIkKP7Kcn-dBR-VQFjwVwhFQDg2wIU85aQhIw-XOrmlc0XHPYwhaEu1rITYlnCa0f0/s1600/DSC_0602.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Massive frogs!</div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
At last we made it back
to our camp at about 8pm it was pitch dark but warm and it felt good
to be back looking at lights in the distance of boats made us feel as
if we were not completely alone . Great walk – interesting in the
dark too! After a much needed steak and some red wine we headed for
bed as the wind was starting to pick up a bit. We were woken at 1 or
2 in the morning to the wind, our tent cover flapping wildly and
pretty much almost half the tent being lifted by the wind. Any
stronger and we would have been blown away with the tent. The rest of
the night we listened to the howling wind. The next morning the wind
was still blowing strong so we decided to go back to the mainland and
arrange a snorkelling tour to part of the Great Barrier Reef. Yes we
decided to cough up the cash for the tour but we figured that this
was a once in a liftime opportunity and why the hell not.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We opted for an Ocean
Rafting tour, $120 each for a full day tour, two snorkels near Hook
Island and lunch on Whithaven beach. The tour was the best day out.
The Ocean Rafting guys were fun and full of humour. It was almost as
if they were experiencing the tour for the first time. They spun the
boat round in circles, hitting their own wake from the outboard motor
managing to get most of us airborn off our seats and in a combination
of laughter and thrilled screams.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYxy-RL6FKVgLRa7XAWa0SAgdQEIm9G8t9KSwq8QgZeBo6tvbYjZxI8oEJ8rwADdqLWmbF4gRFImbmlKlhetNqQ5VZxQA7RUB9aC2w6Zun4-k8CI0lNyCA2ezgqJygDq6HLzhe-vu4UI/s1600/DSCF4413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYxy-RL6FKVgLRa7XAWa0SAgdQEIm9G8t9KSwq8QgZeBo6tvbYjZxI8oEJ8rwADdqLWmbF4gRFImbmlKlhetNqQ5VZxQA7RUB9aC2w6Zun4-k8CI0lNyCA2ezgqJygDq6HLzhe-vu4UI/s1600/DSCF4413.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The snorkelling was
fantastic, plenty of fish and some huge 50odd kg ones swimming round
us. The biggest highlight for the both of us was swimming with a
turtle, something that we both wanted to experience. Such graceful
creatures.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlaMceCHL36GwZBcWGVGwc8bh3s_uM1A6gHVbZ7CroIctNUQ42bIIFmfcdkXTqGsQHWQWcQlZAhbDIwYGa0wz_jH17pA97bYeZv8DZ5ocPhsh0B_D1Z-iliF3sNbcKMGMMrtQ4qZcCuc/s1600/JamminHIRES+%252867+of+199%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlaMceCHL36GwZBcWGVGwc8bh3s_uM1A6gHVbZ7CroIctNUQ42bIIFmfcdkXTqGsQHWQWcQlZAhbDIwYGa0wz_jH17pA97bYeZv8DZ5ocPhsh0B_D1Z-iliF3sNbcKMGMMrtQ4qZcCuc/s1600/JamminHIRES+%252867+of+199%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTjrdTjgf8ThInwo-j6V4m9gau2_eS7_uea_GVlP1sVhWG9ybWihPQJaJuAgIwwRmAINVUiqJNHdVRyC5n4XYVoATZCcfr2Qu5cseE9XPL-jLkI84_OpKbe7V9r4wCD7atgXgJbG5qvUs/s1600/blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTjrdTjgf8ThInwo-j6V4m9gau2_eS7_uea_GVlP1sVhWG9ybWihPQJaJuAgIwwRmAINVUiqJNHdVRyC5n4XYVoATZCcfr2Qu5cseE9XPL-jLkI84_OpKbe7V9r4wCD7atgXgJbG5qvUs/s1600/blog.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhAgQfXwE8m1tPlqiksbX56GZI8DnwYf9vXUXH1yq2F5YBxWlZx83zJ8pYhqepexT6f1twe8AHV1BuZx6g-z2WpyaKWhgLwWJyHYzzeQhn65xSNU-sBp3aq926lymgRnDmfrQ0s7unW0/s1600/DSCF4456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhAgQfXwE8m1tPlqiksbX56GZI8DnwYf9vXUXH1yq2F5YBxWlZx83zJ8pYhqepexT6f1twe8AHV1BuZx6g-z2WpyaKWhgLwWJyHYzzeQhn65xSNU-sBp3aq926lymgRnDmfrQ0s7unW0/s1600/DSCF4456.JPG" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUVe-Sbe1NduSQUChvGadUOQmQ5GdePwv8QG9n2IjPKpiYs36pq1xF5mK-3bvhyphenhyphen_G5uAU78MGEvSrfe2L0JI6JL5PL10otZ9tstvW5N57MllDJaYPI4wqqFbKlC8oe5FltwQa3ySjLv0/s1600/DSCF4464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUVe-Sbe1NduSQUChvGadUOQmQ5GdePwv8QG9n2IjPKpiYs36pq1xF5mK-3bvhyphenhyphen_G5uAU78MGEvSrfe2L0JI6JL5PL10otZ9tstvW5N57MllDJaYPI4wqqFbKlC8oe5FltwQa3ySjLv0/s1600/DSCF4464.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nWPH2QsSOdEQCB7PyT9CzrDa_TVTaXP62_XRTE_f7sQDq0HKkJxT71xTOOZtYpjU27itD5HEMqQ_Q6bKT9Tgt2QX4jMasmJFJfX-vzTWdDNlrMpc95rxG_Aj9cPUNh_sle9L9iD8bg4/s1600/DSCF4472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nWPH2QsSOdEQCB7PyT9CzrDa_TVTaXP62_XRTE_f7sQDq0HKkJxT71xTOOZtYpjU27itD5HEMqQ_Q6bKT9Tgt2QX4jMasmJFJfX-vzTWdDNlrMpc95rxG_Aj9cPUNh_sle9L9iD8bg4/s1600/DSCF4472.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggi1JoPopEScAVtw_diR9F691mHi33lvkEiXDSEaYYnjN-ZBrxsOepbYztcT_bFOzns8Lnf_ZyTOwIdmoqN0QTUWmSfcTqMIvkAekruwB0Ndfat-JbFk0mSoqYdoa8stWmC8wB2EgiM1E/s1600/DSCF4473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggi1JoPopEScAVtw_diR9F691mHi33lvkEiXDSEaYYnjN-ZBrxsOepbYztcT_bFOzns8Lnf_ZyTOwIdmoqN0QTUWmSfcTqMIvkAekruwB0Ndfat-JbFk0mSoqYdoa8stWmC8wB2EgiM1E/s1600/DSCF4473.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2QBBNdtY6dlrxYCQGT28nfUfX8KF7j5UCXst-tqBuMKTUAELMKkmxYiab9x0-_tL8Sjdgd8Y3PfTYe1I4crdJilCxgtxd-A3PmaI9-DKS-pwY7oK5eB2W61vUOO22_RYFvGWz4p7kzM/s1600/Collages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2QBBNdtY6dlrxYCQGT28nfUfX8KF7j5UCXst-tqBuMKTUAELMKkmxYiab9x0-_tL8Sjdgd8Y3PfTYe1I4crdJilCxgtxd-A3PmaI9-DKS-pwY7oK5eB2W61vUOO22_RYFvGWz4p7kzM/s1600/Collages.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Shev underwater poses!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRTNPb0bAGZrrNP0h6JP9S7NLF1pmmv1RlPRRsTF7XRwLygluosqqys1XRwHOIjEA1iMIEsnzSUdgdguKwNskqYpw8XG4Ar0gDvjUGs_ReQNwJlbfmqcdubi3xF-wB_V940M1Yr0KRj8/s1600/blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRTNPb0bAGZrrNP0h6JP9S7NLF1pmmv1RlPRRsTF7XRwLygluosqqys1XRwHOIjEA1iMIEsnzSUdgdguKwNskqYpw8XG4Ar0gDvjUGs_ReQNwJlbfmqcdubi3xF-wB_V940M1Yr0KRj8/s1600/blog1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dave underwater poses!</div>
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
There was one guy who
was just high on life itself always making sure everyone was smiling
and having fun and basically a big kid himself. When we got to Hills
Inlet to view the Whithaven tidal sands he told of us ''you got a
headache you take a pill, you got a cold you take a pill, you give
the doctor your mind and money and you take a pill, me I'm from New Zealand I've never taken a pill, maybe the recreational ones hahaha''.
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Hills Inlet was
something else, beautiful crystal blue and turquoise water with white
sands swirling in the water. Just simply natural beauty. We had lunch
at Whithaven beach while trying to chase off the somewhat brave
seagulls diving down boldly in an attempt to get food off your plate.
Some people managed to loose some of their lunch too! What a
fantastic day out.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7qMb8dw_Ch-svR4HDR9ikCYVmAfcX4Ha08XBCTKTSyAQZy7zLRSZQnpBo6HWlczxA8Uot9-I9XeKAYkWuLBz0mztt1OuWqV4ICSqMvbtXFKP1F09tOetngLtV0kuGvM2mcstQ8L9NnU/s1600/JamminHIRES+%2528109+of+199%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7qMb8dw_Ch-svR4HDR9ikCYVmAfcX4Ha08XBCTKTSyAQZy7zLRSZQnpBo6HWlczxA8Uot9-I9XeKAYkWuLBz0mztt1OuWqV4ICSqMvbtXFKP1F09tOetngLtV0kuGvM2mcstQ8L9NnU/s1600/JamminHIRES+%2528109+of+199%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-hcqEgErmI_scVLCDeZjNedfXTMLYWXR8K0hZDxEmBttRSt8l_qODG6AycRg_rZUSNGN4jZHtociuDsU26fkM2H-Tsym08V7Z9PuOQp134sqTFLEVPsQuo8Mjet9eK6XOrQoLAOrij4/s1600/DSC_0642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-hcqEgErmI_scVLCDeZjNedfXTMLYWXR8K0hZDxEmBttRSt8l_qODG6AycRg_rZUSNGN4jZHtociuDsU26fkM2H-Tsym08V7Z9PuOQp134sqTFLEVPsQuo8Mjet9eK6XOrQoLAOrij4/s1600/DSC_0642.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0E_0RHzwcIk7yaj-wvVa0DwDvkhHijV9AtACQ7NjKAD-oGku2GFQvITDewAsGHd2Swa8kipNKE-V1gbrgkCXVxXrpZA91N6Eg7AYwMKqg4c7Wi7gu7YAZGclSG49VJCOdANEobCImxI/s1600/DSC_0659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0E_0RHzwcIk7yaj-wvVa0DwDvkhHijV9AtACQ7NjKAD-oGku2GFQvITDewAsGHd2Swa8kipNKE-V1gbrgkCXVxXrpZA91N6Eg7AYwMKqg4c7Wi7gu7YAZGclSG49VJCOdANEobCImxI/s1600/DSC_0659.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hills Inlet - Swirling tides and sands </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4mLr90FFc8W-kF31KgD1puMK-Hl77ybQGHqwqKmryS_VqaChBcH6_A7UoNQu5Ianf8ekaOnb-QcKPmgcjZfF-qzfWzxybHiLjY5_dHrGJm4Subl1w-CCo0WqJzf4F1W_JbQMAfRpCww/s1600/DSC_0666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4mLr90FFc8W-kF31KgD1puMK-Hl77ybQGHqwqKmryS_VqaChBcH6_A7UoNQu5Ianf8ekaOnb-QcKPmgcjZfF-qzfWzxybHiLjY5_dHrGJm4Subl1w-CCo0WqJzf4F1W_JbQMAfRpCww/s1600/DSC_0666.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDI7jcJWWV5XMCI-3m63Pp1A9Ku-rNtNac96wgndIBw8EtXuHszeMO_90Mrm3YTDXYuMI_Y0yDVXZhRHh2VY3M4kjuca0Z1FwqD_tQ-E6JVIWbfEIcLQAvOCSShlmlzKo007-386axp4/s1600/DSCF4547-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDI7jcJWWV5XMCI-3m63Pp1A9Ku-rNtNac96wgndIBw8EtXuHszeMO_90Mrm3YTDXYuMI_Y0yDVXZhRHh2VY3M4kjuca0Z1FwqD_tQ-E6JVIWbfEIcLQAvOCSShlmlzKo007-386axp4/s1600/DSCF4547-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-vZoa4P45FMeCbvgfYAao3mL8btRLO0dJnqYgUVRUK7JLlAZOPtC1rkyQsgf9xdEt914KFB3yr_l9p7WZrL3wLn0gpCd43wsil7u678Gx6SM1Sm5KlAtvIsoGKVUa7-1olOo3PA2TJ8/s1600/DSC_0687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-vZoa4P45FMeCbvgfYAao3mL8btRLO0dJnqYgUVRUK7JLlAZOPtC1rkyQsgf9xdEt914KFB3yr_l9p7WZrL3wLn0gpCd43wsil7u678Gx6SM1Sm5KlAtvIsoGKVUa7-1olOo3PA2TJ8/s1600/DSC_0687.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutFfrmyqN63eQeVx2iJ2dMnhl-r3y3uNIH_jlOTSZacD6jlP-0ou_GNSFCkRsb-8dRqh5m56ly8izDvrFUfpaBXnZwYRLNp6W8SrOuv8uNTfZU__MUuyjyb9L60ijCtaH6K3c-Of3pkA/s1600/DSC_0677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutFfrmyqN63eQeVx2iJ2dMnhl-r3y3uNIH_jlOTSZacD6jlP-0ou_GNSFCkRsb-8dRqh5m56ly8izDvrFUfpaBXnZwYRLNp6W8SrOuv8uNTfZU__MUuyjyb9L60ijCtaH6K3c-Of3pkA/s1600/DSC_0677.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtEweVTpafdNkcwJz-ULfEPIcDzRU-K3d1Zk3si5PCp7Mu-1nT4U79o9y5JeHfE5kcVAFgKprTqKtNO80hO0kz6twJ6v-isvXAu-KDOb1I0PIIUakZqT4iXxUXBQsYGCvVnvFHyDA-xaM/s1600/DSC_0702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtEweVTpafdNkcwJz-ULfEPIcDzRU-K3d1Zk3si5PCp7Mu-1nT4U79o9y5JeHfE5kcVAFgKprTqKtNO80hO0kz6twJ6v-isvXAu-KDOb1I0PIIUakZqT4iXxUXBQsYGCvVnvFHyDA-xaM/s1600/DSC_0702.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGetQesu44pNQRbGFFnTzpUrig9hDxF8e1d9FN_QBI_moGTws8N0-6mumLLl23lu4IYlIXhbQWi-kT4voDyFrh4Yvq9tEjrnxTD3DXH3Jk694ZwjWP1jtbMmo8EKZmFr0MICQO8M_CSI/s1600/DSC_0703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGetQesu44pNQRbGFFnTzpUrig9hDxF8e1d9FN_QBI_moGTws8N0-6mumLLl23lu4IYlIXhbQWi-kT4voDyFrh4Yvq9tEjrnxTD3DXH3Jk694ZwjWP1jtbMmo8EKZmFr0MICQO8M_CSI/s1600/DSC_0703.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dave and the guy high on life trying to get in close to a small shark.</div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It turned out our last
night in Airlie Beach happened to be St Paddy's day. There were a few
people donning the St Paddy's day outfits and hats. We had a few
drinks at Magnums bar while a live band was pumping out some great
tunes. We wanted to have a party but since we had 450km to drive to
Rockhampton the next day we called it an early night.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Whitsundays was one of
the best places we have been to in Oz. What an amazing bit of magical
paradise! Ozzies you are one lucky bunch to have something so
spectacular at your doorstep.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
Here is one of the highlights of our trip we hope to get a few more great videos like this one! It is with OceanRafting in Airlie Beach a great day out with a good crowd.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxtbdoDhl7hYi-xNI1QHrJloRkOatl9cWhtM_NrsDH6RHDZGbN3knHlSyDnRNVOy8XREflQ9ZX7WhMHhEVJuQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
WhatIF.....http://www.blogger.com/profile/16161621431144355091noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372422706436574654.post-35568941953535237162013-03-12T21:34:00.003-07:002013-03-14T04:34:49.377-07:00Byron Bay Eastern most point of Australia 11th March<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Arrived at Byron Bay after one hell of a storm on the road. A few big riggs going faster than us , overtaking in conditions where you could barely even see 4 meters in front of you!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjL3GtGVULSSay4XZGzwRNn_RChl2dQImVmhJ0bgFgcRj-DVF0lviCHeVR1O3xVm2jC-HeW6Vdf3XKWATup2VLcJqiScClu1-rmVKgyc7zGDa7wnabyM9HObeibWcDD8ZuFauuQyOgejY/s1600/DSC_0184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjL3GtGVULSSay4XZGzwRNn_RChl2dQImVmhJ0bgFgcRj-DVF0lviCHeVR1O3xVm2jC-HeW6Vdf3XKWATup2VLcJqiScClu1-rmVKgyc7zGDa7wnabyM9HObeibWcDD8ZuFauuQyOgejY/s400/DSC_0184.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Before we hit the storm!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-uKq7utrUxTtkF2WXnLxLc6F1mqdBRQkISeGBE4uelsdEBVkT7Fmz9VAvmMnenVVAiT9-RTDQgnNN2p5HZq_c3XRCkGsoVDCBNlHBvApGTN_vDc4bLmpRMaSZbtp0m8EiKiJa5nQqPQY/s1600/DSC_0187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-uKq7utrUxTtkF2WXnLxLc6F1mqdBRQkISeGBE4uelsdEBVkT7Fmz9VAvmMnenVVAiT9-RTDQgnNN2p5HZq_c3XRCkGsoVDCBNlHBvApGTN_vDc4bLmpRMaSZbtp0m8EiKiJa5nQqPQY/s400/DSC_0187.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Coming out the storm. It was a unique picture with just a small lining of the sunset!</div>
<br />
We are staying at Byron Bay
Beach Hotel, it was only meant to be for one night but the french girl convinced us to stay one more night as there was a restaurant next door called the Tree House reopening after a fire had burnt it down a year ago and apparently the place is famous for its pizzas in Byron. So we ended up there an extra nightinstead of driving to the Gold Coast for a night. We knew that we would be getting up at sparrows to drive to Brisbane airport to get our flight to Whitsundays at 9.15am! We went into town for dinner. Wow talk about such a hippie town. So many travellers but most end up staying here longer and finding work. Such a laid back place and if you asked someone for directions or help it was a matter of thinking long and hard of what you said/asked before you were given and answer like ''ah I don't know'' or '' uh I think you take the next (long pause) left mate''. <br />
<br />
We took a drive out to see Broken Head Nature reserve and surf
point however the surf wasn’t very good as there had been some stormy weather the last few days and the beach break was foam with foam mounds being deposited on the sand.<br />
<br />
Looking for an explanation I found <i>"<b>Sea foam</b>, <b>ocean foam</b>, <b>beach foam</b>, or <b>spume</b> is a type of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foam" title="Foam">foam</a> created by the agitation of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seawater" title="Seawater">seawater</a>, particularly when it contains higher concentrations of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dissolved_organic_carbon" title="Dissolved organic carbon">dissolved organic matter</a> (including <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protein" title="Protein">proteins</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lignin" title="Lignin">lignins</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipid" title="Lipid">lipids</a>)<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Acker_1-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_foam#cite_note-Acker-1">[1]</a></sup> derived from sources such as the offshore breakdown of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algal_bloom" title="Algal bloom">algal blooms</a>. These compounds can act as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfactant" title="Surfactant">surfactants</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foaming_agent" title="Foaming agent">foaming agents</a>. As the seawater is churned by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breaking_wave" title="Breaking wave">breaking waves</a>
in the surf zone adjacent to the shore, the presence of these
surfactants under these turbulent conditions traps air, forming
persistent <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid_bubble" title="Liquid bubble">bubbles</a> that stick to each other through <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_tension" title="Surface tension">surface tension</a>." Ref http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_foam</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZjk8qIZOwpoqFggV0sx_6dTtmAB7Xdg_wUpedHuVWa7gX5D5P36rECGdIcci2js16ZInyvOlnNJGFDZLwV3PbhyphenhyphenpJQ_9R1bo6HiMmCMsja3QM6SFPvyp-2ZUUtZbg8Ojl3YT0P8Kd1A/s1600/DSC_0244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZjk8qIZOwpoqFggV0sx_6dTtmAB7Xdg_wUpedHuVWa7gX5D5P36rECGdIcci2js16ZInyvOlnNJGFDZLwV3PbhyphenhyphenpJQ_9R1bo6HiMmCMsja3QM6SFPvyp-2ZUUtZbg8Ojl3YT0P8Kd1A/s400/DSC_0244.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<i> </i>As soon as we got to
the beach we noticed some crabs scurrying along however they would
suddenly disappear right in front of you, after watching a little
closer the white coloured crabs would actually dig perfectly round
holes and disappear in them!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6NrTYLYgHQ54qaWC2AUGMH3TuZb7vQJ79n3aIJxezokV7vXIIUsknqde9IEOZ-rRMu9I67lE8rbz0m163WFk6Mvet_EbcJvVcspmSXztdG8LGzTHCrYryO9Gs3_AUNmfP8hxMSnP-yM/s1600/DSC_0206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6NrTYLYgHQ54qaWC2AUGMH3TuZb7vQJ79n3aIJxezokV7vXIIUsknqde9IEOZ-rRMu9I67lE8rbz0m163WFk6Mvet_EbcJvVcspmSXztdG8LGzTHCrYryO9Gs3_AUNmfP8hxMSnP-yM/s400/DSC_0206.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwlZtCF3pRs1Wv5KWIPLOv7ieLlMGwnBHBBujPPIqwnH1hseq6chXJ9jRRHsWcG5xRyKhApaJr8fTR1fqTA20Fnkcr-IQMdOkZAUlBeukyvIw1-9iTnrPh4BSOdgfgYT2kMUt2wcyabc/s1600/DSC_0236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwlZtCF3pRs1Wv5KWIPLOv7ieLlMGwnBHBBujPPIqwnH1hseq6chXJ9jRRHsWcG5xRyKhApaJr8fTR1fqTA20Fnkcr-IQMdOkZAUlBeukyvIw1-9iTnrPh4BSOdgfgYT2kMUt2wcyabc/s400/DSC_0236.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Dave and I love to annoy the hell out of the sea gulls that are lying on the beach. Because when you run up to them and they flap and fly up all over the place they make a noise and get their feathers all fluffed up in a huff about being disturbed. Its funny!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_ZOLSEyAOcxihR377AV7pmopZBQFWm0UaKeBlXw8d0uVQcd2NjTKspGq1IzUSku7KoxxCxFzKi2hzf6pTlauxC7_JgeADDCQt6j9wXz-6ndc80zOoUOtCXVQCqfXh1fhu7NFrgNj4N4/s1600/DSC_0207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_ZOLSEyAOcxihR377AV7pmopZBQFWm0UaKeBlXw8d0uVQcd2NjTKspGq1IzUSku7KoxxCxFzKi2hzf6pTlauxC7_JgeADDCQt6j9wXz-6ndc80zOoUOtCXVQCqfXh1fhu7NFrgNj4N4/s400/DSC_0207.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRN5AkSO1FlyrI1fBbxSrbsAoqDc83WqEn6jRr1emkv23Wbhoc3I2JnULQVD9MHkQFt07A0VAjs5g1zcSYXC4lPuEYBWMKOub3YOaDDcqMg_c4GBnfQZZ_kfPeD38Leu7nYgulruvXn8/s1600/DSC_0213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRN5AkSO1FlyrI1fBbxSrbsAoqDc83WqEn6jRr1emkv23Wbhoc3I2JnULQVD9MHkQFt07A0VAjs5g1zcSYXC4lPuEYBWMKOub3YOaDDcqMg_c4GBnfQZZ_kfPeD38Leu7nYgulruvXn8/s400/DSC_0213.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
After some walking on the beach we decided to head to the other side of the lighthouse as we
would be a little more sheltered from the wind that was starting to pick up.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9aDZPaNNmu8ECtagC1DSKzgJG07fD9JCZ5qjG2Ehx1z6if5nkPnfqdv2eQLfsbZ0UOg7gz0zCmxZZnW9Ooz4iiCsR-O4WMVgzgDQAfa4BG-c3aNZQBXMsqBAZbHLexEoQHpQqduVvY5c/s1600/DSCF4188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9aDZPaNNmu8ECtagC1DSKzgJG07fD9JCZ5qjG2Ehx1z6if5nkPnfqdv2eQLfsbZ0UOg7gz0zCmxZZnW9Ooz4iiCsR-O4WMVgzgDQAfa4BG-c3aNZQBXMsqBAZbHLexEoQHpQqduVvY5c/s640/DSCF4188.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
After our beach walk we took a drive round to the light house this is what we saw above. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NyR0Tbs6n2KPyqNYK7xW9xzVfR6nq4JLMlPVCcTzsok4gK7zb5SxSwO2BgLyTDDzTBxz6qp1m1N8wXYrtiQgV2WtB_BpTUILrJ2PZs0o8VaCcBmfxxYQSgzzpW8XBnZQ7MOgZF3iR2Q/s1600/DSCF4193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NyR0Tbs6n2KPyqNYK7xW9xzVfR6nq4JLMlPVCcTzsok4gK7zb5SxSwO2BgLyTDDzTBxz6qp1m1N8wXYrtiQgV2WtB_BpTUILrJ2PZs0o8VaCcBmfxxYQSgzzpW8XBnZQ7MOgZF3iR2Q/s640/DSCF4193.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7DYyx_eJaOV679Kv_LvPk0y7kz3PlG6inLShjO5YEFx60oMt5AFlgy1wWQgMc-aOzIU2hDwbcRcIEFu7JV7sgI1FnKC1X3X-4t5vmlhowcmsUMwW5-RKBKzB6YWxrGADnewGBScRV8s/s1600/DSC_0262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7DYyx_eJaOV679Kv_LvPk0y7kz3PlG6inLShjO5YEFx60oMt5AFlgy1wWQgMc-aOzIU2hDwbcRcIEFu7JV7sgI1FnKC1X3X-4t5vmlhowcmsUMwW5-RKBKzB6YWxrGADnewGBScRV8s/s400/DSC_0262.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Another storm brewing back in Byron Bay! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-fjFWnUF4ia4m9VKds0dW7lMN0JJIExfqjxIgOQAfpzO-w2-DWaBJEcDbG6AmoIiKD_gLlPiqz-_rvFKXgjAghGnqGlu9UpkOpteETGwq8t8kzLqZ9Kn9yuWFA6mNglcW6knKifr1wU/s1600/DSCF4205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-fjFWnUF4ia4m9VKds0dW7lMN0JJIExfqjxIgOQAfpzO-w2-DWaBJEcDbG6AmoIiKD_gLlPiqz-_rvFKXgjAghGnqGlu9UpkOpteETGwq8t8kzLqZ9Kn9yuWFA6mNglcW6knKifr1wU/s640/DSCF4205.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Every litre of fuel saved cuts Greenhouse gasses by 2.8kg!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jZ_jKeyvIzz3GLPZNPi7mYfGx32qVE_X0pvn8QCwfHpNv0tEPhK5gOWRsgp9rSEFtTHM3BmflovFWHwQsn14amNNgdjcQEbgMA4sipvuygqmTwj63Z5ccwulAy3Ty-AT7B_UO-WVfxI/s1600/DSCF4206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jZ_jKeyvIzz3GLPZNPi7mYfGx32qVE_X0pvn8QCwfHpNv0tEPhK5gOWRsgp9rSEFtTHM3BmflovFWHwQsn14amNNgdjcQEbgMA4sipvuygqmTwj63Z5ccwulAy3Ty-AT7B_UO-WVfxI/s640/DSCF4206.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One of the surfers still out after the wind and tides changed still the biggest paddle ever and if you notice the sand bank below is about to take effect!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKoOXG6S5IkOpRylhyphenhyphenDMgg2cJkxSjjirUvaQ01M5MwYS3lZbUmsELVbEhL5OxvE-625omNug33U4W_ihce0lKSZ2dLzYyvrEZfInfoX2bkfMsAzirUw5EXis7F3u7uUmzVBAywMVY9eto/s1600/DSCF4211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKoOXG6S5IkOpRylhyphenhyphenDMgg2cJkxSjjirUvaQ01M5MwYS3lZbUmsELVbEhL5OxvE-625omNug33U4W_ihce0lKSZ2dLzYyvrEZfInfoX2bkfMsAzirUw5EXis7F3u7uUmzVBAywMVY9eto/s640/DSCF4211.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDbzRgxImc_LryzU60KWl0QS0GFrYPjZBMNw8ZFgGwPTDGPMRjOupgrEGltdanQEIqfoo5zuHDVRjp6KaIFhyTHHT0m35OQvu6tLfBriemtcahOk_X8J9xuw9e3jiHc6vlJEteYtDTVk/s1600/DSCF4190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDbzRgxImc_LryzU60KWl0QS0GFrYPjZBMNw8ZFgGwPTDGPMRjOupgrEGltdanQEIqfoo5zuHDVRjp6KaIFhyTHHT0m35OQvu6tLfBriemtcahOk_X8J9xuw9e3jiHc6vlJEteYtDTVk/s400/DSCF4190.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvw8sswVwQZgOEy6x19GL8tsDwz0gG4AfZxHCbE4IN7hrRQtijTqVAdmglvX2Aw0o9Bp31Q9YJp3WkwN3mC8NzC09Fgi_PVt4R1OvIM0bHc09y_v-OLKPhO3dqcdBUN5gj-5Nv8n-r7oA/s1600/DSCF4207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BJ1y_zmXvMBu7ggcOP9UeLDghc7UYlHu7jrkMbfjZaJajOcLcf9fTG2FQbqd27_hJJsfc_PZ3x8KKSvfr4JW18pMK04DswgxCTUXY9In_NPE5iFNeQ7sSOXdInTSVuSV4Aiy31982sU/s1600/DSCF4189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BJ1y_zmXvMBu7ggcOP9UeLDghc7UYlHu7jrkMbfjZaJajOcLcf9fTG2FQbqd27_hJJsfc_PZ3x8KKSvfr4JW18pMK04DswgxCTUXY9In_NPE5iFNeQ7sSOXdInTSVuSV4Aiy31982sU/s400/DSCF4189.JPG" width="400" /></a><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvw8sswVwQZgOEy6x19GL8tsDwz0gG4AfZxHCbE4IN7hrRQtijTqVAdmglvX2Aw0o9Bp31Q9YJp3WkwN3mC8NzC09Fgi_PVt4R1OvIM0bHc09y_v-OLKPhO3dqcdBUN5gj-5Nv8n-r7oA/s1600/DSCF4207.JPG" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeZf2PiT1OhlUPMdLneD9ZQB7jO65MoP5PfRL5VLlZT4mzlyj2UTruS28-W0iPgC-sXO6b45h4WKL2lrVGP_Bg3n3DYFVAM3KbaZSZ-7ZWJCQuFnS39-OgICSBAV5sg__WuIQW_ZcOOM/s1600/DSC_0272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeZf2PiT1OhlUPMdLneD9ZQB7jO65MoP5PfRL5VLlZT4mzlyj2UTruS28-W0iPgC-sXO6b45h4WKL2lrVGP_Bg3n3DYFVAM3KbaZSZ-7ZWJCQuFnS39-OgICSBAV5sg__WuIQW_ZcOOM/s400/DSC_0272.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmQxhsVGrhM5CLPiAwWxAdwqsWM0dO7xTyENYluERHtdxkAtSS5cf8_V_rLj0L8OG2uT4CRqErDHUKPxNndPzqKy32gNsGNkUvWZBEpQpI5tyz874RA6XEttZpVK8iRo0IttbSk5VsFw/s1600/DSC_0289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmQxhsVGrhM5CLPiAwWxAdwqsWM0dO7xTyENYluERHtdxkAtSS5cf8_V_rLj0L8OG2uT4CRqErDHUKPxNndPzqKy32gNsGNkUvWZBEpQpI5tyz874RA6XEttZpVK8iRo0IttbSk5VsFw/s640/DSC_0289.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We made it to the
Eastern most point of Australia! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpc2dn3ooZhXBplQ8q-mLN6g5oXvcSDV7mydEvht8IOFhGqDGDlCVjChqFlYf0CCNrjSxQV7jDH74QDyqQmeye7Z4nbwsCowOFWsZuYiSUviKkVG_QKL1VMyP0UHDrnq2eNUPu3oZ3v8/s1600/DSC_0295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpc2dn3ooZhXBplQ8q-mLN6g5oXvcSDV7mydEvht8IOFhGqDGDlCVjChqFlYf0CCNrjSxQV7jDH74QDyqQmeye7Z4nbwsCowOFWsZuYiSUviKkVG_QKL1VMyP0UHDrnq2eNUPu3oZ3v8/s640/DSC_0295.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGL-JO3d4p3r_wgugwitpx8I020E5fC_gxdx5Ey1yAG3Ugx1-to7O-pjHuZiq35vAtDn9LS5Hwe-GBhFwM4XTefwaBvXKcuZZ_B9aC36L323CN8AsxPZuNTXeZnznPjNQRKUAwSWj_es/s1600/DSC_0303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGL-JO3d4p3r_wgugwitpx8I020E5fC_gxdx5Ey1yAG3Ugx1-to7O-pjHuZiq35vAtDn9LS5Hwe-GBhFwM4XTefwaBvXKcuZZ_B9aC36L323CN8AsxPZuNTXeZnznPjNQRKUAwSWj_es/s400/DSC_0303.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7lZbLtG1Q2f-1yjJBuadS5TDvsAAAlxOzaqgRjl6JGK2AGPT0YuklxT08IA4Hr8MS6uwLrzC_tiHfmGgmuj85istvDRwitsRLiAjDQmKLkTm-Ix7fq8lWhII_rn6HICqtlTRRuTPxRyE/s1600/DSC_0304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7lZbLtG1Q2f-1yjJBuadS5TDvsAAAlxOzaqgRjl6JGK2AGPT0YuklxT08IA4Hr8MS6uwLrzC_tiHfmGgmuj85istvDRwitsRLiAjDQmKLkTm-Ix7fq8lWhII_rn6HICqtlTRRuTPxRyE/s640/DSC_0304.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
WhatIF.....http://www.blogger.com/profile/16161621431144355091noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372422706436574654.post-73853657759195342982013-03-12T21:33:00.004-07:002013-03-14T04:37:23.298-07:00Coffs Harbour great surf in Mutton Bird bay<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We woke up at Hoey
Moey's feeling a little worse for the wear and the lyrics you're a
Rockstar playing through the back of our minds! To add a little drama
the blue police were outside again...absolutely fantastic! Some of the conversation went as
follow:
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
Police:“ So were you
drinking last night?”</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Lady: “Of
course I was”</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Police “Ok so you
were both drinking last night”</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Lady “Yes
but!”</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Police “Look we need
to go through your statement again please”</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Lady: “Ok”</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Police “So you assulted him
first? That is you headbutted him?”</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Lady: “ Yes but he's
never done this and its got to stop!”</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Police “Ok well he's very
sorry and we have brought him back, so now that you're both sober do
you think you two can sort this out ?”</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Lady: Possibly (what a
lucky guy!)</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Last I know when we
left they seemed to be talking and back to being a normal Brit
couple - can't hardly wait till next happy hour!</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I do need to add that the entire stay was actually very good and our neighbours didn't even look like the type to cause an issue from what we could see they could have checked in anywhere!<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We headed out for brekkie at Aquas and what a feast I would recomend this to anyone in Coffs harbour looking for a bite to eat as the rest of the menu looked great as well!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqJnnQSLMuolM8_FfOuuXYTSA5aR7WHtQ430zocRbyoWLckCQ_J1bb27_-tYuSJSAJpkW81YpW540IQnI3NTVM_WysDvPfQOv-WoRaHlWWaN64LAaIJH2bOe6Q6bjJTFwkbuePGIXHWw/s1600/DSC_0107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqJnnQSLMuolM8_FfOuuXYTSA5aR7WHtQ430zocRbyoWLckCQ_J1bb27_-tYuSJSAJpkW81YpW540IQnI3NTVM_WysDvPfQOv-WoRaHlWWaN64LAaIJH2bOe6Q6bjJTFwkbuePGIXHWw/s400/DSC_0107.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Beach view near where we stayed.</div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
We headed into town to go and check out Coffs Harbour. It was buzzing with people for the Sunday market! We met a white Aussie that made Didgeridoos and had even recently flown
all the way to a mining indaba in Cape Town to play for all the guests, I
was blown away by this and even more so that I could now buy a didge
that had already been to Cape Town. BTW we are still considering buying that didge! <br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjkkbIwuJRNbiQOtvMZ-3AdEEPPatk4r4Dsg9MIZ7AQF_0HVp-PiUoZodhZIPC3Ibe_Oxj10Gl5dlNm0SpnsFHZTLuUlL3j35EemZOocxGXXeK9hlklD1W-vjD9lAKp8KR5pEZSB_DmwI/s1600/DSC_0123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjkkbIwuJRNbiQOtvMZ-3AdEEPPatk4r4Dsg9MIZ7AQF_0HVp-PiUoZodhZIPC3Ibe_Oxj10Gl5dlNm0SpnsFHZTLuUlL3j35EemZOocxGXXeK9hlklD1W-vjD9lAKp8KR5pEZSB_DmwI/s640/DSC_0123.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNY59GKMYpIQqVZfDCtzCOx6sFiIlelOy5IYWudiK1o0fIR6ikaSZ5hQI34gOIVqPRb6enzXPDAp_h7PbhNHtrdsxJD7n0Qui6vhhchTKSFXGKqcD8WI_s97dVnpQbPfXtFDueYFnNDuc/s1600/DSC_0125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNY59GKMYpIQqVZfDCtzCOx6sFiIlelOy5IYWudiK1o0fIR6ikaSZ5hQI34gOIVqPRb6enzXPDAp_h7PbhNHtrdsxJD7n0Qui6vhhchTKSFXGKqcD8WI_s97dVnpQbPfXtFDueYFnNDuc/s400/DSC_0125.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL30NEsOCM7_Hnml5GoR_9JlwrF7OTPDwX4clZGhJrF92BBkYvLRZ5T-XSgZnP_lPUdKe1hnSXoDZk_wfkfRYj3HtNNBEjxU4AicAX9yEBaEwOa9FtsAihATcYvqDNVbNOolI-jLrmQAs/s1600/DSC_0132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL30NEsOCM7_Hnml5GoR_9JlwrF7OTPDwX4clZGhJrF92BBkYvLRZ5T-XSgZnP_lPUdKe1hnSXoDZk_wfkfRYj3HtNNBEjxU4AicAX9yEBaEwOa9FtsAihATcYvqDNVbNOolI-jLrmQAs/s400/DSC_0132.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHlEU7nC-T-JZoz8UbiO3_SkgMCmytrC3f4_EXCgCOwSwQRMZwIOFiaMzADBdabKymijlTuF5r4Zk09Wdx29q2rYlim0SCNUxd8_4_ldOThhIrpfctBS13AkaDVFROWEpiSAXbMrhQNM/s1600/DSC_0117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHlEU7nC-T-JZoz8UbiO3_SkgMCmytrC3f4_EXCgCOwSwQRMZwIOFiaMzADBdabKymijlTuF5r4Zk09Wdx29q2rYlim0SCNUxd8_4_ldOThhIrpfctBS13AkaDVFROWEpiSAXbMrhQNM/s400/DSC_0117.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We have noticed boats strapped to the tops of 4x4s during our trips through Oz. Some even pulling a caravan behind as well! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
We walked along the harbour wall and we saw there was a really green hill at the end of the harbour and could see people walking up it. We soon learnt that this was called Mutton Bird Island. One thing we were slightly annoyed about when asking some of the locals what there is to see and do in Coffs Harbour that they didn't even mention the island! It has a lovely view of the Harbour. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy25ys9ImhogzIR8yXeOv29hF0wIYiXsnAVQf2ZoxczVgxRPNk8VU3Kd_qsOiaMmxVY58GJbnZWbWnBtfu0RVCZ03lZ7tLr-GOxMRgMra66mAWjQualRTnzq4-c6W58c2JOisOSif0w_o/s1600/DSC_0146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy25ys9ImhogzIR8yXeOv29hF0wIYiXsnAVQf2ZoxczVgxRPNk8VU3Kd_qsOiaMmxVY58GJbnZWbWnBtfu0RVCZ03lZ7tLr-GOxMRgMra66mAWjQualRTnzq4-c6W58c2JOisOSif0w_o/s640/DSC_0146.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVWopAqmcktb1_N8FLgdLRS5tbG0J75PEZJ9EOUhlzDctZELyXTG1UiWnsI9BYKFFVR3wFJWteZkiP8SpkGOjRoO2aV-KUQDkZg6oxvzsbGAKzLJPQy9cXoWnZjqXXTp8NerLVz3eKQ8/s1600/DSC_0156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVWopAqmcktb1_N8FLgdLRS5tbG0J75PEZJ9EOUhlzDctZELyXTG1UiWnsI9BYKFFVR3wFJWteZkiP8SpkGOjRoO2aV-KUQDkZg6oxvzsbGAKzLJPQy9cXoWnZjqXXTp8NerLVz3eKQ8/s640/DSC_0156.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
After a quick steep climb up Mutton Bird Island Dave couldn't resist a quick surf in the bay. The surf was 4-6ft and hollow with a few surfers out but quite a few more sponges, I think due to the hollowness of the waves.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3muR2hC42LkKqwUbvU9-b_X5KcY-_jHXp2b0Qwl5sxiedIMASSh3xWbiqdnUMcvQTLltHIPDI65yzR4MBPoI3DG_BfPZbXiY_qFnjXkmjUzHmDS7hKtVsbw5mDlGmzpPehRU-TD0sxhc/s1600/DSCF4182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3muR2hC42LkKqwUbvU9-b_X5KcY-_jHXp2b0Qwl5sxiedIMASSh3xWbiqdnUMcvQTLltHIPDI65yzR4MBPoI3DG_BfPZbXiY_qFnjXkmjUzHmDS7hKtVsbw5mDlGmzpPehRU-TD0sxhc/s1600/DSCF4182.JPG" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
After the surf we hit the road for Byron Bay. Overtaking in Oz is
fantastic this is how it goes when they overtake you...speed limit
for this scenario is 100km/hr.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Overtaking car creeps
right up onto your rear bumper for maximum wind draft and to get some
extra speed or stealth position as now you have idea as to how close
they are really as looking back you can see there rear seats only
(Ozzies feel free to explain to me why this is?)</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Next right indicator
goes on and they are creeping up along side you as you are doing 99.5
– 100.5km/hr only. They are now doing 100 – 101km/hr, you need to
be patient as they will be overtaking for a while which may seem like
forever compared to driving in any other country in the world!</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
After a few minutes of
waiting they will be almost 1m ahead in the fast lane, indicator
flashes on the left hand side to re enter the slow lane!!! You’re
kidding right?? 1m ahead and now I must slow down and let you in
front of me? Its not overtaking at all its some kind of slow other
drivers down tactic cruise past them as slow as possible and then cut
in front of them so if they don’t slow down below the speed limit
they will crash into you!! Why oh why would anyone who knows how to
drive do this??(Ozzies I want an answer)!!</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
As we left Coffs Harbour we came across the Big Banana that everyone has been raving about to see in Coffs Harbour. To be honest its just a big banana but its there as a symbol as Coffs grows bananas and my word one of the best tasting bananas we have had in a very very long time!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4i-SmC35iJvoi1Z2xUJ96qyujJZpxVQ_eMqvH2p1f19IXeXulvSfLmEmnWEWp0MJ6Q3s0IQZmSnpDXURy9ovJf4ItVDUpsFtqKzzrG6E40IPmtyDO8kpm4ru-QCGau0xcElsA7pKF2l8/s1600/DSC_0161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4i-SmC35iJvoi1Z2xUJ96qyujJZpxVQ_eMqvH2p1f19IXeXulvSfLmEmnWEWp0MJ6Q3s0IQZmSnpDXURy9ovJf4ItVDUpsFtqKzzrG6E40IPmtyDO8kpm4ru-QCGau0xcElsA7pKF2l8/s640/DSC_0161.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
WhatIF.....http://www.blogger.com/profile/16161621431144355091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372422706436574654.post-64769633207607566082013-03-12T21:24:00.001-07:002013-03-14T03:27:59.159-07:00Beach Hotel or Motel?<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
9 March</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
After stopping by Jay and Michelles to say a final goodbye - we arrived at Beach
Hotel Motel and it looked a little different to what had been
described and there was a nice older mid 40s couple in front of us in
check in. There was only one guy at the desk so after a 10min wait we
were up. Conversation went a bit like this:<br />
<br />
''Hello, do you have a reservation for Mackenzie?''<br />
Answer was a
flat NO, as in No and thats it nothing else said!!!<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
My response after
thinking this guy doesnt like the fact that we look like a younger
travelling couple well we booked through Wotif let me give you the
ref number.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Guy at the desk finally
says well what is the place called as this is called the Beach Motel,
after some searching I show the guy the ref. He didnt cheer up one
bit the response was ''You guys are staying just down the road, you goout turn left and its the place right there. You can't miss it, its the
place with all the music!''<br />
<br />
Well that explains the curt NO repsonse and the sheer attitude we got from this guy. Clearly the place we are staying at does not have a good reputation in the area. Oh well you live and learn I guess. </div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I can just imagine making a complaint to this guy or trying to get
something sorted? I said thanks and sorry for the mishap however as a
tourist you have almost the same names and are right next to each
other?</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Our new place was
closer to the beach and had a much younger crowd!<br />
<br />
Arriving it was very much like the motel scenes from the movies. Quite funny actually. Upon checking in we realised that Smashmouths were playing live that very night. Yes ''the''
band we may have heard in high school not the biggest but most people
know of at least 3 of their songs ~ I'm a believer ~ Rockstar and Walking on
the Sun. The concert was actually pretty good for a band that we remembered from high school! Two things were realy funny about the band one that the lead singer kept asking for shots from the bar and you not allowed straight shots in Oz or doubles and the pianist was going all out and wanted to be seen as doing more like a drummer going crazy on a solo... Overall the band got the crowd going, but man they looked old - made us feel even older! </div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
After the gig ended we headed to our room
which was a 5min stroll from the bar and the parking lot has two
police vans which we thought were maybe for security with the gig and all going on as a precaution but as we approached closer there were officers knocking on the door of the room next to ours, and a girl in the prking lot with other officers going completely nuts and the police trying to calm her down. Turns out after Shevvy being a ''Mrs Mangle'' with her ear to our door once we were inside it was an Aberdeen couple having a major dispute..</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
Just great! I do feel
sorry for people in domestic disputes but calling the cops??</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Sure enough cops go in
and out comes football top lad looking very white possibly due to more
than not seeing the sun enough and in the police van he goes.<br />
<br />
The conversations for the next 2 hours between the woman and the police gave us more insight into what was going on. One conversation right out our door went like this:<br />
<br />
Police ''So Miss, I have two witnesses here that have said that you assulted the man first. Is this correct?''<br />
Lady ''Why do I feel like you are not listening to the victim here. I am the victim.''<br />
Police '' Sorry you feel that way but I need to try to determine what has happened here tonight. So did you assult the man first?''<br />
Lady '' Yes I headbutted him first but....''<br />
Police '' Sorry you headbutted him?''<br />
Lady '' Yes I did''<br />
<br />
Great - just great! Our heads went under the pillow to block out the conversations and eventually managed some sleep.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
WhatIF.....http://www.blogger.com/profile/16161621431144355091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372422706436574654.post-88622275212792755332013-03-12T20:52:00.003-07:002013-03-14T03:08:52.453-07:00March Madness 1st - 8thWalking around Bondi Beach and it seems that we have returned to
another city theres a gale of a wind and theres not many people out and
about its a bit like a horror where the city becomes deserted. Amazing what a difference the weather makes to a place at least it wasn't too cold (still 20C+) or snowing! But locals are in Katmandu Mt Everest gear!<br />
Friday Waking up at our beach flat and its been great sleeping in a bedroom again listening to the sea at night we will miss Australia, apart from a few nuisances one of them being driving! I will write about this later ;)<br />
<br />
Returning the camper van was really easy and the staff were cheerful asking about our adventures and where we had been Lucy also told me about their own blog http://www.jucy.com.au/about/jucy-blog.aspx check it out its interesting to see what others have been up to. I checked our accounts and asked them to remove a $50 fine for not paying a toll road fee which is a nuisance as we had travelled through one toll in Sydney and had paid it late so technically our rental company didn't have to pay or sort out anything? <br />
Told them about the radiator and how she needed to be topped up and they said thanks for the info we will sort it out before the next rental, they also tried to convince me to do another trip saying the east coast is great or what about NZ ??<br />
Bused it back and it seemed Bondi was alive again with the bus getting slightly more crammed every stop closer to the beach. The bus fills up with more holidaymakers and a general happy bunch of people trying to locate themselves on smart phones while looking out the windows, interesting thing is how nobody exits until they get the feeling that this is where everyone else is getting off and then its a mad rush with one or two not quite making it screaming open the door!<br />
<br />
Saturday<br />
Made it out for a super early surf and theres a few locals plus some super happy looking travellers, the water's warm and crystal clear - great for long boarding on small 3-4ft waves its more about being out for a paddle to be honest but good.<br />
<br />
Back in Bondi after some packing and repacking as we had to ship goods back to the UK I was constantly surprised at how after 6 months we had accumulated more than just the backpack and suitcase we brought over with us! After much packing and sorting we realised some of the items just aren't worth shipping. We got a box from a travel company but couldn't believe they wanted $1000+ for 20kg to be shipped to the UK as air freight? Also shipping with them by sea would take 2mths+ and then we would have the pleasure of fetching goods at the port miles from London!<br />
<br />
The good old posty one in the end and along with sponsorship of boxes from the local IGA nad we were ready to ship weetabix 10kg, organic cobbs cereal 10kg and the removal box 20kg. It sounds like a lot but we were now down to backpacks only and this way we can make around Asia. I recommend the post office any day just check weights and dimensions on-line first. <br />
<br />
While looking for lunch and box sponsors we found this hidden gem a gallery dedicated almost entirely to Bondi but definitely to beaches!<br />
http://www.aquabumps.com/ UGE takes some good photos!<br />
Another really good place in Sydney is the walk around from Bondi to Coogee Beach. It is a 7km round trip and its great if you have time to have a swim along the way and there's plenty of bbq spots along the way. This has been our daily running track as well and the locals are out in full force so you wont be running alone and slower than 6min a km and they will all be cruising past you seems the ironman/woman fitness pros all live out here!<br />
<br />
Monday - Saturday 8th <br />
Almost starting to get packed - vacuum packed bags really do make a difference once packed you have loads of space but you wont have any idea what is packed in there when you come back later...i like to recheck things so as I didn't make a list the vacuum bags and I meant re packing and getting the Dyson(who uses hoover any more?) out again...<br />
<br />
Finally we have transport again we got a relocation deal definitely the way to go if you have time and can wait for dates that suit the rental companies.<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
12:30pm Picked up our relocation car a mean metallic greenmachine i20 Hyundai all I could
think was how does a board fit in this??</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It went really well
however brakes were soft and the clutch was all the way at the bottom, after a few stalls and some getting used to being a nippy little car compared to a slow automatic 2.8l campervan i was ok again.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
WhatIF.....http://www.blogger.com/profile/16161621431144355091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372422706436574654.post-8007463743441955202013-03-03T00:48:00.001-08:002013-03-06T17:03:27.830-08:0028th Feb, Arriving back in Sydney<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Along the Hume highway
we also hit torrential rain and the car almost overheated what a
combo there we were with bucket pouring rain and a car that was in
the red, after pouring some water on the outside of the water
container and waiting 10min I tried opening the cap slowly and
standing well away so that if the steam blew out after shooting the
cap off I would be ok. A little steam came out, the water level had
been fine before it must have just leaked while we were driving and
in the rain I couldn’t check for any drips now. We filled up again
and after idling and checking that all was good we were off again
80km/hr was the max we could go in what appered to be looking like a
flash flood ahead of us.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
As we got closer to
Sydney we could sense it traffic became stop start with people
changing lanes and nobody thanking anyone or letting anyone in.
Weather looked dismall with wind and rain. The idea of being back in
the beach flat with tea and a warm shower sounded great though!</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
Here's some of the roadsigns we saw along the way and when you see a duplicated name in Oz like Wagga Wagga no its not a team chant its plural as in many of whatever the first word is in Aboriginal language in this case many crows!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0WbUPEw4hABvB4e5479kEQ0x_fu_JlbOxEvEH3YNkX51lhHhJqPbyHGXNU03kSWRDw1O4SLp4uJPAhj32uImYHc9Yv7-t9Ro2kuBAebcrcGAXlaS_8WsjEz5dMivm0zZF2-rQyGWm4U/s1600/100D51002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0WbUPEw4hABvB4e5479kEQ0x_fu_JlbOxEvEH3YNkX51lhHhJqPbyHGXNU03kSWRDw1O4SLp4uJPAhj32uImYHc9Yv7-t9Ro2kuBAebcrcGAXlaS_8WsjEz5dMivm0zZF2-rQyGWm4U/s640/100D51002.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
1<sup>st</sup> March,
We said goodbye to our Jucy van and started planning everything for
the East coast up North and Asia for our trip back to London.<br />
<br /></div>
WhatIF.....http://www.blogger.com/profile/16161621431144355091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372422706436574654.post-35559083264522083142013-03-03T00:47:00.001-08:002013-03-06T17:06:59.883-08:0027th Boathaven Holiday Park – Hume Highway Victoria<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We arrived at around
6:30pm and everything as usual was shut but the signs keep telling
you don't rush for a deadline arrive alive! When arriving we saw a
great looking speedboat in what appeared to be a dried up lake which
had us laughing it really looked like a floating toy at the bottom of
the bath tub!</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The camp site also had a gigantic jumping castle a bit more like a huge inflatable pillow buried in the ground and I wasn't the only adult that thought this was a good bit of fun :) </div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
All in all this is a great long term camping spot if you're a family and you even want your own out house or en-suite depending if you want to sound posh!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
WhatIF.....http://www.blogger.com/profile/16161621431144355091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372422706436574654.post-1885390829016321682013-03-03T00:44:00.005-08:002013-03-06T17:16:30.901-08:0026th Grampians camped at Lake View.<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We decided after
realising we should have stayed near the dam that we will saty
another night in the Grampians. We followed the road to Mackenzie
Falls and sightseeing some of the Grampians look out points. There
was a 6km hiking trail from Mackenzie Falls that we were keen on
doing but unfortunately it was closed due to maintenance. We got to
explore the falls and Dave even went behind them! Grampians is a climbers and hikers paradise. Amazing rock formations! We were lucky to have been able to stay. The prior week the south part of the Grampians was on fire and with the recent extreme temperatures and high winds we were worried that the park would be closed to the public. Thank goodness for rain before we arrived! </div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gdya3x_uipRvVXhHuMWt-WRmAg97XJA9FkIWZeTr-hpZjvoP5NyxpPWbTNUcnDkRKHJjg7zqAGiYsjTVvyTJD9TY8rgWnayEWHPDUf0uvZHFyzt9F0Zv0dnYA2iD-WKblnaoK6GFlEc/s1600/DSC_0152-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gdya3x_uipRvVXhHuMWt-WRmAg97XJA9FkIWZeTr-hpZjvoP5NyxpPWbTNUcnDkRKHJjg7zqAGiYsjTVvyTJD9TY8rgWnayEWHPDUf0uvZHFyzt9F0Zv0dnYA2iD-WKblnaoK6GFlEc/s1600/DSC_0152-001.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOuBc0XL7Zidg44Umr6B0-6SXjHYZ_1BA0ZUraI3T1HDKb2xbW5WD69GnqkwSa_B41Dmlnbh447nM5fOyZhTlNe-Xp4zKa6rhkhdhl7o5241bivyRaL4_KvOXRCEWBx0wDSCqz-moQN4/s1600/DSC_0149-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOuBc0XL7Zidg44Umr6B0-6SXjHYZ_1BA0ZUraI3T1HDKb2xbW5WD69GnqkwSa_B41Dmlnbh447nM5fOyZhTlNe-Xp4zKa6rhkhdhl7o5241bivyRaL4_KvOXRCEWBx0wDSCqz-moQN4/s1600/DSC_0149-001.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgImEJ99dcC0aUVB6yHO7Ry4rPyb3eIWqiBjcAormkP45CGHwfsdUY4CYuuEj-cRlAbKDvqHmTHbcmjf1KsVN8pYvaGjWRfZGJccm8cP9jEfgDfj3iwgtyE8zps3eqPQEtRCentvg6YlZI/s1600/DSC_0137-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgImEJ99dcC0aUVB6yHO7Ry4rPyb3eIWqiBjcAormkP45CGHwfsdUY4CYuuEj-cRlAbKDvqHmTHbcmjf1KsVN8pYvaGjWRfZGJccm8cP9jEfgDfj3iwgtyE8zps3eqPQEtRCentvg6YlZI/s1600/DSC_0137-001.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEQiDHTjBVKvHVcP-k7KTrjVV2GXVmTvrhNgFJY1RRGKY3dN5pgVJLVkfCbOxeQVubeqcsQozyqoExeyzzcjHzvNxuvAI0mg-L69bRMsgIgJX9Hj7gDkQo8SJMVPO02T3DCIr12PzyZI/s1600/DSC_0136-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEQiDHTjBVKvHVcP-k7KTrjVV2GXVmTvrhNgFJY1RRGKY3dN5pgVJLVkfCbOxeQVubeqcsQozyqoExeyzzcjHzvNxuvAI0mg-L69bRMsgIgJX9Hj7gDkQo8SJMVPO02T3DCIr12PzyZI/s1600/DSC_0136-001.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Q8P-T9M4SDh9n0xXWL0I7ZrecGn9xwujiqHroiv40PI9vMTCpm8lZBeaWtlGpwdu0GqSZQxn38zfdAbm4rwkj_WRtMiIO9mOrIDZj1ORZ_rTDxJXBiKIty8IX9_tPqNhwRPp1aIHv0Q/s1600/DSC_0130-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Q8P-T9M4SDh9n0xXWL0I7ZrecGn9xwujiqHroiv40PI9vMTCpm8lZBeaWtlGpwdu0GqSZQxn38zfdAbm4rwkj_WRtMiIO9mOrIDZj1ORZ_rTDxJXBiKIty8IX9_tPqNhwRPp1aIHv0Q/s1600/DSC_0130-001.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNpxrwjmkFpHnn8XELF12TEh_-QvCx_JyWMwhHiG1nfYnI_OgMyTBv3ecc2CqwFmJ_kaAiz00hyphenhyphen1sdb8EOJNab5X8KX4WRF_t4RQXfOH1CUVGoSSmsHBFmP_BFnSuPSczEJ81x5qaMHtk/s1600/DSC_0126-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNpxrwjmkFpHnn8XELF12TEh_-QvCx_JyWMwhHiG1nfYnI_OgMyTBv3ecc2CqwFmJ_kaAiz00hyphenhyphen1sdb8EOJNab5X8KX4WRF_t4RQXfOH1CUVGoSSmsHBFmP_BFnSuPSczEJ81x5qaMHtk/s1600/DSC_0126-001.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEw3IYyKNjEOIqnh0lGqbjJK9h-NkO_BtVx-DEPrpAPAV6V4D7fKQw5urWhAJcYzts4tEJoTspUHAfjYyyU64j-Xaw4ERSM1sTzD0flHM1e1AoIVFmZ6smRPilgnu53h8aG5Z80JAj6M/s1600/DSC_0123-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEw3IYyKNjEOIqnh0lGqbjJK9h-NkO_BtVx-DEPrpAPAV6V4D7fKQw5urWhAJcYzts4tEJoTspUHAfjYyyU64j-Xaw4ERSM1sTzD0flHM1e1AoIVFmZ6smRPilgnu53h8aG5Z80JAj6M/s1600/DSC_0123-001.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxbJOXq9BubQSoQc5Nos6XaE-qgAP8CRlKbiBLwetMdvSb1Co1eZUsE8PaeqlShZfXDr98tR32-F-vJmvv90j1EK4LEoaLvolJ8j-fl0MTeFDzOaZPLiXQailVXJMZPu7LRM_Qf6o2bU/s1600/DSC_0121-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxbJOXq9BubQSoQc5Nos6XaE-qgAP8CRlKbiBLwetMdvSb1Co1eZUsE8PaeqlShZfXDr98tR32-F-vJmvv90j1EK4LEoaLvolJ8j-fl0MTeFDzOaZPLiXQailVXJMZPu7LRM_Qf6o2bU/s1600/DSC_0121-001.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxr2qwcwgIT7z45fzUFe2jCf_sSgKZJD04VMlDb0MRdVGMgXWz1QYQIfdih4kfBWAiLpy3peb4QUTU_TWb6PsXsmlQcL9-Zm0hnooB6vXBxodpeaEbD8TgUus3qKQJJFuc9ZRLVryj9eo/s1600/DSC_0120-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxr2qwcwgIT7z45fzUFe2jCf_sSgKZJD04VMlDb0MRdVGMgXWz1QYQIfdih4kfBWAiLpy3peb4QUTU_TWb6PsXsmlQcL9-Zm0hnooB6vXBxodpeaEbD8TgUus3qKQJJFuc9ZRLVryj9eo/s1600/DSC_0120-001.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiswDc-NKEN09bzzoeP6BES3ouA88uKilxbzPL0Ap36_jd8dge83GYzcm61ttRF64G23P3rfy-UhfPBBKc7fA4A8-k5SAfzBD9liAgasTNR2w9LRiMMuri93dnPQbOInr9hvAtmJxepf1c/s1600/DSC_0117-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiswDc-NKEN09bzzoeP6BES3ouA88uKilxbzPL0Ap36_jd8dge83GYzcm61ttRF64G23P3rfy-UhfPBBKc7fA4A8-k5SAfzBD9liAgasTNR2w9LRiMMuri93dnPQbOInr9hvAtmJxepf1c/s1600/DSC_0117-001.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlaPUM3q6STfHHmYT15fsZyNOUv2mQIehQZSM30DBVQn3Fc8q0E63cKa2bANINjANDMj4E17eiePM60_KUlUUiMyQVcrDtoWb9p69VJtHCt78tB4Pp_uTFuS_X08s9Iiy-EjBMA-hbT2I/s1600/DSC_0116-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlaPUM3q6STfHHmYT15fsZyNOUv2mQIehQZSM30DBVQn3Fc8q0E63cKa2bANINjANDMj4E17eiePM60_KUlUUiMyQVcrDtoWb9p69VJtHCt78tB4Pp_uTFuS_X08s9Iiy-EjBMA-hbT2I/s1600/DSC_0116-001.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20smOODUsqYwuaahuwSR7Yz-jqZDCbCOeW8ptMnmOu8pyfhs4Aiv6kADGFqJTySzDK6aBuNnX24K5BxwZEsND380jWOK2I6EbdVhl7V6jE8kBnTCLkGpcxtnEER1joRDIVEBDoabRjWc/s1600/DSC_0113-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20smOODUsqYwuaahuwSR7Yz-jqZDCbCOeW8ptMnmOu8pyfhs4Aiv6kADGFqJTySzDK6aBuNnX24K5BxwZEsND380jWOK2I6EbdVhl7V6jE8kBnTCLkGpcxtnEER1joRDIVEBDoabRjWc/s1600/DSC_0113-001.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik7uKwpaF6IWFQXdFc1eHITjkmpdRtxK5kvPUrze9qI2UZkcKfY6DM3REoMhRSP5gf9XFWV3J9Xa3oelATL3FRAwKxi4oFLsLRB3cAVDhKo_Rwo2qhowsEZ_aCsOkE2NSMi4LFBzNN1jo/s1600/DSC_0101-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik7uKwpaF6IWFQXdFc1eHITjkmpdRtxK5kvPUrze9qI2UZkcKfY6DM3REoMhRSP5gf9XFWV3J9Xa3oelATL3FRAwKxi4oFLsLRB3cAVDhKo_Rwo2qhowsEZ_aCsOkE2NSMi4LFBzNN1jo/s1600/DSC_0101-001.JPG" height="400" width="343" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAYt4jO-BXDUJ6Sh-i8y7u7u_AGzRF2K3hf0tmyzWk8Fe7WefAMOmy65GMtZF9TFSkMPidsLOA4RHpmB6HdxbcBdbRPnQHVTzcOuSyZC9klU7YbUlkCjxn29J0VsA6VqREE82EMPVlyE/s1600/DSC_0115-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAYt4jO-BXDUJ6Sh-i8y7u7u_AGzRF2K3hf0tmyzWk8Fe7WefAMOmy65GMtZF9TFSkMPidsLOA4RHpmB6HdxbcBdbRPnQHVTzcOuSyZC9klU7YbUlkCjxn29J0VsA6VqREE82EMPVlyE/s1600/DSC_0115-001.JPG" height="364" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ndgF7hKThljkUeWzg-PuKwlLI6NygfJLsKfYIm7v4LDh_FeWIZ76cilZcpFptMiOLkuvLg2wqBtLZEXCEtpp34DjXIGuflwjivE96r1o_0UYMrOTgCaVNAAsaejDxVGjFiCGTwZ-q1s/s1600/DSC_0095-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ndgF7hKThljkUeWzg-PuKwlLI6NygfJLsKfYIm7v4LDh_FeWIZ76cilZcpFptMiOLkuvLg2wqBtLZEXCEtpp34DjXIGuflwjivE96r1o_0UYMrOTgCaVNAAsaejDxVGjFiCGTwZ-q1s/s1600/DSC_0095-001.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ECDE-Hc4Kd5bA7czDYonqztVYLWgKZBS0yQTGTTV9ynywct1S-jkAFgmdSyqDayCd6WMP8HhtzEian4OguLS99TKDnfzGdiiYXTdujCU9vwnmFeStWZB2Ol_7FjW42XR7wtpBo-AnIE/s1600/DSC_0076-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ECDE-Hc4Kd5bA7czDYonqztVYLWgKZBS0yQTGTTV9ynywct1S-jkAFgmdSyqDayCd6WMP8HhtzEian4OguLS99TKDnfzGdiiYXTdujCU9vwnmFeStWZB2Ol_7FjW42XR7wtpBo-AnIE/s1600/DSC_0076-001.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2b9j7CngyZ-VhACu5PZavRnU-PyZIUrTu6TWao41fDVyrlLYy4Eg_TuEchfvNPSz2b7WjscJDmtm0QJDsNF4b5hgak73UwfE-5sClj2I7mnSGnc60hwhx0GQkSpBEUiPiKagizPzrKg/s1600/DSC_0078-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2b9j7CngyZ-VhACu5PZavRnU-PyZIUrTu6TWao41fDVyrlLYy4Eg_TuEchfvNPSz2b7WjscJDmtm0QJDsNF4b5hgak73UwfE-5sClj2I7mnSGnc60hwhx0GQkSpBEUiPiKagizPzrKg/s1600/DSC_0078-001.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We found the campsite
we were originally meant to stay at. Much better than the previous
one. They gave us a spot on the edge of an open grassy plain that had
at least 50 kangaroos grazing the grass plus a few emus too! Shev had fun for ages taking yet again more pictures of the kangaroos! It was
awesome staying here but we finally did it - we flattened the car
battery charging all the gizmos at night while the engine was
switched off.. we even have two batteries so this isn't supposed to
happen! All we can say is at least it did not happen at some of the very remote spots where we were the only ones, no phone signal and civilization 300km away! Then we would have been stuck!<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
WhatIF.....http://www.blogger.com/profile/16161621431144355091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372422706436574654.post-34503074163580141332013-03-03T00:44:00.001-08:002013-03-06T17:18:16.372-08:0025th Grampians - Flyans Lake<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Shev's cousins frequent
the Grampians a fair bit with them being keen climbers. They told us
to try and stop off there on our way back to Sydney. We were told we
would find a great spot near a lake, well turns out the one we
stayed at is a lake and the one we were supposed to go to is a dam,
so we ended up at Flyans Lake campsite,which we have to say was great
although desolate. We're certain we were the only ones staying the
night apart from the owners. Surprisingly I think this place had the
cleanest best looking bathrooms and showers out of the whole trip!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWWHJKOBSHeoH-kYcGhqk8FEKRjSMC1bH3oWYGx8LfGnszN5L-XelmKNi4cqX5NhyYRo1mwrD4MtdYyjyVuAPJCx6Pbk2uK_Wt6V80mJnN2uFGUWAoQbvVnn-7kLzpQQoZfQcy-gVgHM/s1600/DSC_0069-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWWHJKOBSHeoH-kYcGhqk8FEKRjSMC1bH3oWYGx8LfGnszN5L-XelmKNi4cqX5NhyYRo1mwrD4MtdYyjyVuAPJCx6Pbk2uK_Wt6V80mJnN2uFGUWAoQbvVnn-7kLzpQQoZfQcy-gVgHM/s1600/DSC_0069-001.JPG" height="278" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
WhatIF.....http://www.blogger.com/profile/16161621431144355091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372422706436574654.post-71188318731786228752013-03-03T00:43:00.003-08:002013-03-06T19:33:12.896-08:0022nd - 25th Shevs Cousins - after 3000km!<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Its a family thing! We
had lots of fun and were really grateful to stay in a normal room
again with a bed and shower that doesn't eat 20c or 1$ coins! Shev
enjoyed catching up with her cousins.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLoF8OuPSQmqkys7esrbiihFuTA7hGOEBwHcR1uYG880ryzmtPzDsYge46CztWpWAai0h6RC-MhjesyRdQ_8nDRzlOO56PE3RY15K_K9Qcftcl0uhuj_m3OrBkcLzNjPjFLNYRdu_g3c/s1600/DSC_0872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLoF8OuPSQmqkys7esrbiihFuTA7hGOEBwHcR1uYG880ryzmtPzDsYge46CztWpWAai0h6RC-MhjesyRdQ_8nDRzlOO56PE3RY15K_K9Qcftcl0uhuj_m3OrBkcLzNjPjFLNYRdu_g3c/s1600/DSC_0872.JPG" height="281" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
WhatIF.....http://www.blogger.com/profile/16161621431144355091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372422706436574654.post-65534621141158648982013-03-03T00:42:00.003-08:002013-03-06T17:32:21.025-08:0021st Coorong National Park<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We woke up the next
morning, fine and dandy. Still alive! And the car starting –
excellent all the ideas of horror movies the night before, we felt
just plain stupid. After a quick breakfast we left for Coorong
National Park.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Just when you thought
you heard it all we did a u-turn to get a picture off a letterbox! It
was probably the most unique ones we had seen – it was a
lighthouse, complete with sailor and all!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7D7Urmv1uLvtQ4kOnZy3eCi6dIXciATNbCbdcmpwl01VYr_h5spUmfaCf0Ns768_4c465AwTrmcEDOUAmMf3Y5TQizKPMRZl3qnIzgBnKIB4oT52inMVytc-DbrbZe4joU4FcUkkUKA/s1600/DSC_0249-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7D7Urmv1uLvtQ4kOnZy3eCi6dIXciATNbCbdcmpwl01VYr_h5spUmfaCf0Ns768_4c465AwTrmcEDOUAmMf3Y5TQizKPMRZl3qnIzgBnKIB4oT52inMVytc-DbrbZe4joU4FcUkkUKA/s1600/DSC_0249-001.JPG" height="250" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfecNtF0eieEr0ieztRGq4rYjCHNC0f6aAbLdWlQsjBrTWD2OnOB1UYwuHqs4zXnNCDmcvZbjkdk5mj2FgTGcuF1GY-xGE1Qt2kVa0FqLkKllSGyfWNKehIWxpgLsTaVc5YRk5cPZuC1Q/s1600/100D5100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfecNtF0eieEr0ieztRGq4rYjCHNC0f6aAbLdWlQsjBrTWD2OnOB1UYwuHqs4zXnNCDmcvZbjkdk5mj2FgTGcuF1GY-xGE1Qt2kVa0FqLkKllSGyfWNKehIWxpgLsTaVc5YRk5cPZuC1Q/s1600/100D5100.jpg" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Driving is an exhausting
task at times especially during school zones in South Australia, in
New South Wales its well sign posted and the speed limit is 40km/hr
at least 4km before the school crossing giving the motorist enough
time to slow down. School zone hours are from 9am – 10:30am and
from 2 to 3:30pm. Closer to Adelaide however it went from 60km/hr to
25km/hr in less than 500m although there where flashing lights,
ladies in bibs and a traffic officer with a radar gun. We clocked a
whopping 40km/hr the traffic officer was not impressed and pulled us
over we were awarded a lecture and a fine of $390. Unfortunately Shev
did not slow down in time, we probably would have if she hit the
brakes really hard! Please remind me to pay the fine...we swapped
drivers and instead of Shev, who know felt terrible for speeding in a
''kiddy zone'' (that it seems everyone will now tease her about as
its the first fine she got, mine was for overtaking on the left hand
side of the highway in gridlock traffic to take an exit..the things
we do!) I drove the rest of the way to the Coorong, thankfully with
no issues.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The Coorong was really
dry, clearly no rain here for ages. There seemed to be quite a few
salt lakes in the area, some had nearly dried up leaving layers of
salt on the edges.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBeAze7X7HMCh_53yXJGnh6FbqRJyR2TtbD-yYw_0jXZMUnYRcY8PNX3u3_axQjs9f_K7s3n48R88d10xXZcHo1UD6I5p6grQ_EmCJ2DyB8F9j3S6HIetWzLBcvhllx9Lx-1VAyzT1I3Q/s1600/DSC_0963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBeAze7X7HMCh_53yXJGnh6FbqRJyR2TtbD-yYw_0jXZMUnYRcY8PNX3u3_axQjs9f_K7s3n48R88d10xXZcHo1UD6I5p6grQ_EmCJ2DyB8F9j3S6HIetWzLBcvhllx9Lx-1VAyzT1I3Q/s1600/DSC_0963.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqalHxC4uNcHCE6QT1SMrj1ACduJaGPcjmGEwtuKdIRI1C4j9T1el3AjxlwInu82HwFRECva4uJLJy3Fj0KL2ujcDr3OEoffMp3TrQv9jYxLXEKKOo9Ic0yNaGMqWiXcPdUpI60AHFRyo/s1600/DSC_0960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqalHxC4uNcHCE6QT1SMrj1ACduJaGPcjmGEwtuKdIRI1C4j9T1el3AjxlwInu82HwFRECva4uJLJy3Fj0KL2ujcDr3OEoffMp3TrQv9jYxLXEKKOo9Ic0yNaGMqWiXcPdUpI60AHFRyo/s1600/DSC_0960.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
We tried a small bit of the salt and boy oh boy
was it extremely salty! Yuck!! Our campsite was the best, right next
to a lake, sun setting. Truly beautiful. The best part – yes
obviously no showers (we're getting used to that) but now no
toilets!!? Ok this is going to be interesting especially since there
are hikers wandering around and not much bush to call a toilet
either.<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAskszZFAI9LQITkUoZibvCkHvgXjPkqmRCvQ9pPbUth61jR99qnLT97ZmoHmvphODjjcMdZ0QeMt0XtfsWfiY0FQrJYawmvDG48QqcntLHldk7vQ9vYj8q0zyReoWSa-_mAZ6B1q8Z-M/s1600/DSC_0977-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAskszZFAI9LQITkUoZibvCkHvgXjPkqmRCvQ9pPbUth61jR99qnLT97ZmoHmvphODjjcMdZ0QeMt0XtfsWfiY0FQrJYawmvDG48QqcntLHldk7vQ9vYj8q0zyReoWSa-_mAZ6B1q8Z-M/s1600/DSC_0977-001.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
22<sup>nd</sup> Surfing
at Middleton Point</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We arrived in Adelaide
and after stopping and first doing some wine tasting just short of
Victor Bay we were tired and hungry. Must be the wine! Shev wasn't
up for a surf so I took her new 8ft Softlite “foamie” long board
out as it was a small reef break that was 3ft. After being out for
10min with a few of the locals I noticed a black Fin and then it was
gone again, I jumped up on the board and as it was floating quite
high due to its size. I could see further again but no fin. I have
watched far too many Shark documentary’s and I remembered sharks
dive before attacking their prey and here I am the furthest one out
as I'm on a long board and like catching the waves further out for a
longer ride looking for fin that has disappeared – GREAT.. just
great! Heart is now racing and I looked for the next set of wave to
get inland and to see how close other prey was to me or if I would
definitely be it..next thing after keeping still as you can't out
swim these creatures I saw the owner of the fin. Only now there were
two and the seal was floating on his back with a big smile on his
face with two fins waving about while getting a sun tan! I laughed at
how I had worked myself up thinking about the shark and now I
certainly was safe as the seal was further out than I was so I
shouldn’t be first on the menu.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The reef break was
perfect for a long board paddling just a little I was ripping it up
from left to right and no doubt was now one of those older guys on a
longboard that catches all the waves. At least that’s how I saw it
when I was paddling like crazy for waves on 6ft4 shortboard. I caught
at least a dozen good long waves that were almost becoming hollow
over the reef. I also had to keep an eye out for a few trying to drop
in on my wave, still it was a great day and we all got a few waves.
Nothing like Long beach or Bondi where everyone is on everything that
even resembles a swell.</div>
WhatIF.....http://www.blogger.com/profile/16161621431144355091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372422706436574654.post-37189763139343687292013-03-03T00:42:00.001-08:002013-03-06T20:09:26.288-08:0020th Discovery Bay<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We drove perhaps 400km
out of Warnambool and the drive changes every five minutes from
seeing only sheep/horses/cows every half hour to dry bush.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdt9OgyPvBgKN1dW9QG4f72cptr2hJkassO0Gi1K0pi4HeNQbGyRWNROxgjkj8f_KNBrgRhUHMgzCuhEQmPUoTSSIUTpqPz63XyKZz-puvJburEDAfKEgubEGUVF0T6MJT08CAJ0r0pg/s1600/DSC_0910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdt9OgyPvBgKN1dW9QG4f72cptr2hJkassO0Gi1K0pi4HeNQbGyRWNROxgjkj8f_KNBrgRhUHMgzCuhEQmPUoTSSIUTpqPz63XyKZz-puvJburEDAfKEgubEGUVF0T6MJT08CAJ0r0pg/s1600/DSC_0910.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-rbcWu1E-VCrto5vcJv3DHCBrpG4ecNIgiXs2Ox7lgE4cM3fTrOAt9H0IlktyUfxnJuyKsYFGSz5xf0xzBqXDMdaCCU8jVjQfUndsrYkvArPkXRLCHcLazPosKEXvcAmd41E-HcO7cs0/s1600/DSC_0914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-rbcWu1E-VCrto5vcJv3DHCBrpG4ecNIgiXs2Ox7lgE4cM3fTrOAt9H0IlktyUfxnJuyKsYFGSz5xf0xzBqXDMdaCCU8jVjQfUndsrYkvArPkXRLCHcLazPosKEXvcAmd41E-HcO7cs0/s1600/DSC_0914.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We took a slight detour
to Mt Gambier after visiting Nelson. Mt Gambier its a great place with a crystal blue
volcanic lake. The water changes colour with the seasons. In winter, it is a steel grey and then changes to a spectacular cobalt blue in the summer, giving rise to its name, Blue Lake. The city is known for its geographical features, particularly its limestone and volcanic features, most notably its blue lake, parks and gardens, caves and sinkholes. Most of the cave tours were closed that day so we were unable to check out the caves. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDtTiW8Oji1adTYVZ5HYAPXnyz4PWM9myS_6gADgGi5utguOat-CGR6BOhFCcBO1Zrbu9pLiSY2HbK4UOOPiDCy1ZOGburo6OZbn_CvXuutmWwdECPyQ1IBOl-ZMw35UF9gx5nMOPVuY/s1600/DSC_0890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDtTiW8Oji1adTYVZ5HYAPXnyz4PWM9myS_6gADgGi5utguOat-CGR6BOhFCcBO1Zrbu9pLiSY2HbK4UOOPiDCy1ZOGburo6OZbn_CvXuutmWwdECPyQ1IBOl-ZMw35UF9gx5nMOPVuY/s1600/DSC_0890.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
The drive to Discovery bay changed drastically - gone
were the eucalyptus trees, dry bush and welcome to forests and forests
of pine trees. We came to a
sudden slam on breaks and pulled off to the side of the road as a
huge bird flew out from the side of the road in front of us. We found
out later it was a Wedge Tail, a magnificent bird of prey with a wing
span of at least 2 meters! He had found a dead kangaroo at the side
of the road and we clearly startled him by probably being the only
vehicle on the road in ages.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCADNAa94oU9VFJ13bz8l5I6eeWk8-TaXwp27OQyP7Zeqe7gD3kSr2zXi4l_xNTNHbm0lSNiAFSwFoV_JtoQbe1dQ0rRyri3DgVATfkL081rFoEmXhLriEmWhCQNJJ5irbFz3ZUm9BPRo/s1600/DSC_0904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCADNAa94oU9VFJ13bz8l5I6eeWk8-TaXwp27OQyP7Zeqe7gD3kSr2zXi4l_xNTNHbm0lSNiAFSwFoV_JtoQbe1dQ0rRyri3DgVATfkL081rFoEmXhLriEmWhCQNJJ5irbFz3ZUm9BPRo/s1600/DSC_0904.JPG" height="340" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Our sat nav managed to get us a wee bit lost finding the campsire but we managed to see some massive kangaroos on the lon dusty road. Clearly were not used to cars or people and
they would bolt off into the pine forests before you could get any
closer. Zoom lense was necessary to get some the ''classic kangaroo bouncing pose.''<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKNuhvDrqdsD4G-r2opYSWBj5W1OfUblLb5TlNDbv1mC2PiXhMXPJwO7Cgrr-gMIicC9voQWIIzQKmK-OyjTIN4NVi04w6rY4eqiCl3MiuUMDteoEEp_pg36X8V6H0FXrc8WthaJ9xto/s1600/DSC_0863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKNuhvDrqdsD4G-r2opYSWBj5W1OfUblLb5TlNDbv1mC2PiXhMXPJwO7Cgrr-gMIicC9voQWIIzQKmK-OyjTIN4NVi04w6rY4eqiCl3MiuUMDteoEEp_pg36X8V6H0FXrc8WthaJ9xto/s1600/DSC_0863.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDC6qBta1pY71qlih5vRlM8oykRrZh-RE_9uA5wJXwc4R8ToFebK_O4G5Z3Loq_KyenauQf0nB1n_jbplvWN5O4lImNklTWFOte9RSj11QDPZoxNt7u6j7AFf_-SOyk8E9gkDUa0Hdu8o/s1600/DSC_0841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDC6qBta1pY71qlih5vRlM8oykRrZh-RE_9uA5wJXwc4R8ToFebK_O4G5Z3Loq_KyenauQf0nB1n_jbplvWN5O4lImNklTWFOte9RSj11QDPZoxNt7u6j7AFf_-SOyk8E9gkDUa0Hdu8o/s1600/DSC_0841.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJgyyAo0r0zPidG3xRGqaoiDXhAKQukGoDXiu_tt0M5QgcjP-TeAQZKoVFJHI0QIYRSI8HoFRDJSTDPXQJdagXeDk_yyPMxVwbPk6wYX6cUh2CpVNVvQ1PPDShy8BQgvc_amzXSkc5-E/s1600/DSC_0849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJgyyAo0r0zPidG3xRGqaoiDXhAKQukGoDXiu_tt0M5QgcjP-TeAQZKoVFJHI0QIYRSI8HoFRDJSTDPXQJdagXeDk_yyPMxVwbPk6wYX6cUh2CpVNVvQ1PPDShy8BQgvc_amzXSkc5-E/s1600/DSC_0849.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxU5lt1IMQ5KwsNMkDDwjSt2h7PDhWVMR987m33DRfaqP1saJb4oG6zCPrjOzh-GnrH9-ZiswoQWHCGItsRCxMMj4KNGUkTgjYd6BRJ1e50dU2WleClI_GM6sCDFH8gUuIhs0qhJObHH4/s1600/DSC_0856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxU5lt1IMQ5KwsNMkDDwjSt2h7PDhWVMR987m33DRfaqP1saJb4oG6zCPrjOzh-GnrH9-ZiswoQWHCGItsRCxMMj4KNGUkTgjYd6BRJ1e50dU2WleClI_GM6sCDFH8gUuIhs0qhJObHH4/s1600/DSC_0856.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Arriving at our
campsite we were pretty chuffed to find we were the only ones there.
Again no showers! We were by a lake and enjoyed dinner and sunset on
the wooden deck by the lakeside. Soon Shev felt a bit spooked being
out in the middle of no where, with nothing around for over 100km. It
was like something out of a horror movie! We would have
conversations that reminded me of being in Africa only I felt much
safer here here so when asked “Did you hear that?” which I just
thought of as trees rustling or the birds taking off in the water
near by, I would answer sarcastically that it was definitely a
monster as it seemed the only way to answer after a few did you hear
that questions...(we didn’t get to the point of trying to scare
each other as it was scary enough already)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkn53B47G0gGF-40XAQvFvbQizs0X9fad2QMdOPcmxYqClHIhwciwbXZKnCdr8d9FZ4Ic9EIkSzChVQd5_fVkLWNGGWi60zk43WkW9EU0QZ4ShQ5zV4Jpn9bSMYZuQRzws4FSVDibYrXE/s1600/DSC_0871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkn53B47G0gGF-40XAQvFvbQizs0X9fad2QMdOPcmxYqClHIhwciwbXZKnCdr8d9FZ4Ic9EIkSzChVQd5_fVkLWNGGWi60zk43WkW9EU0QZ4ShQ5zV4Jpn9bSMYZuQRzws4FSVDibYrXE/s1600/DSC_0871.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
WhatIF.....http://www.blogger.com/profile/16161621431144355091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372422706436574654.post-60201658792884554582013-03-03T00:41:00.001-08:002013-03-06T18:24:45.347-08:0019th Feb Warnambool<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Its also known a the Whales nursery during Jan -October.
I did see a pretty big whale while out surfing at Castle Cove even in
late Feb. We had heard Warnambool is the end of the Great Ocean Road
so we stayed at Surfside Holiday Park, arriving late at 6:30pm we
were given a map and told to drive on and that accounts would be
sorted in the morning as the staff were waiting for lifts to go home
and everything was shut. We still had daylight till 8:30pm so we had
lots of time to get settled and later had fun fighting off the large
black and white magpies that wanted an invite for dinner or more like
wanted our dinner! Our friend Jarrod, an ozzie back in London grew up
here and told us to stop off and check it out. Glad we did!<br />
<br />
The cheese here is
amazing!<br />
<br />
See photo below see how serious they are about it..<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRh3ICCOnFoLxpq-WGrzkxcRqT8Hx-kKVhqL_hfgza1-rMpmwQcaPBA-geDTfP9lKt7rfsBxe6JFjFPylhrUXLsQRBTBt1z2ohzrW05j4hR9E83diNSE3OUab2BMrdXi1RsZFIorGjD8/s1600/DSC_0680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRh3ICCOnFoLxpq-WGrzkxcRqT8Hx-kKVhqL_hfgza1-rMpmwQcaPBA-geDTfP9lKt7rfsBxe6JFjFPylhrUXLsQRBTBt1z2ohzrW05j4hR9E83diNSE3OUab2BMrdXi1RsZFIorGjD8/s1600/DSC_0680.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiN_d3KREn_2-XNVlORFT0mdva2snQVxAqsMwgOdncBu-Qq6e1rELClEkG1ToEd7wtklgEw6-db7ldxF2-GRGwWV3lXPGPw31vUAshLtkYTeOltrHfT2koOcqW7QJBhgixdfMlo8t8tdo/s1600/DSC_0682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiN_d3KREn_2-XNVlORFT0mdva2snQVxAqsMwgOdncBu-Qq6e1rELClEkG1ToEd7wtklgEw6-db7ldxF2-GRGwWV3lXPGPw31vUAshLtkYTeOltrHfT2koOcqW7QJBhgixdfMlo8t8tdo/s1600/DSC_0682.JPG" height="297" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Maritime museum close to where we stayed. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbEx2PWkiDMtCj2JljI6k_VZq_UKPHk_-FiEULruTA_owIe6kZcCVVnGGFhGqhPNJxl8Lvbpxd-4iF5lAO4pMV0TTC7jKpihOIg0yvqkFme2kvYI-SitGUnJqCholw53dUfKHGppAf2Q/s1600/DSC_0683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbEx2PWkiDMtCj2JljI6k_VZq_UKPHk_-FiEULruTA_owIe6kZcCVVnGGFhGqhPNJxl8Lvbpxd-4iF5lAO4pMV0TTC7jKpihOIg0yvqkFme2kvYI-SitGUnJqCholw53dUfKHGppAf2Q/s1600/DSC_0683.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_WLBUd4AAXOKQqGeDeJ8OyDU5uUSEZHEeAVbrP36ZHyvEjq3C20Ar7Gvzj0jXX7Qko-Q6MBvZJqWAhe7kBGR-EurqzqWcuINUo2qtxhQUWMjpOIttdeaaVUZudSRmq347AB7_HBfIbY/s1600/DSC_0695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_WLBUd4AAXOKQqGeDeJ8OyDU5uUSEZHEeAVbrP36ZHyvEjq3C20Ar7Gvzj0jXX7Qko-Q6MBvZJqWAhe7kBGR-EurqzqWcuINUo2qtxhQUWMjpOIttdeaaVUZudSRmq347AB7_HBfIbY/s1600/DSC_0695.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsRPmtnqcmR2oCz-PwteLqxIqohbM6XJsGQ_hBcgohms0PpuQcK7SZU28pHpXEwdeKNaZ2ZifauXgHHnrMPWKnen63kXZz2jxILZ9R66gNl1Iz2-Jzk8Vd2_LmccYhK9VBzswYumrNoCI/s1600/DSC_0687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsRPmtnqcmR2oCz-PwteLqxIqohbM6XJsGQ_hBcgohms0PpuQcK7SZU28pHpXEwdeKNaZ2ZifauXgHHnrMPWKnen63kXZz2jxILZ9R66gNl1Iz2-Jzk8Vd2_LmccYhK9VBzswYumrNoCI/s1600/DSC_0687.JPG" height="278" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In the morning we got a
good 6km run in and went down to the Hopkins river which was really
scenic and looked great for fishing. Finally we felt refreshed and energised for the drive ahead.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
WhatIF.....http://www.blogger.com/profile/16161621431144355091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372422706436574654.post-38888239923177852072013-03-03T00:40:00.004-08:002013-03-06T20:08:29.588-08:0017th - 18th Feb Great Otway National Park, Blanket Bay & Bimbi Park<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The start of the Great
Ocean Road starts just outside Torquay.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkpqAfSAEa4-XlODybQiyfyxyMgLBFVSSuF3uzq7wEIEoAF73YSMOSdORESaRPnrx6G7TjYUJNH2rM5GBKMF3B9NFeZJ7VAkx_G_toPBQMddsEfHS7SSU17j187905-bQLTosePrQt2c/s1600/DSC_0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkpqAfSAEa4-XlODybQiyfyxyMgLBFVSSuF3uzq7wEIEoAF73YSMOSdORESaRPnrx6G7TjYUJNH2rM5GBKMF3B9NFeZJ7VAkx_G_toPBQMddsEfHS7SSU17j187905-bQLTosePrQt2c/s1600/DSC_0034.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZnD97NbDMh1nWD2H3Fre_GSvNL6YlMrEfJwNJshfyih1L9SuFEyL3qtM4BRU_d1UbTCrBZF7ZUo9Zc3XUjV_abFHoWIE7VSVu9e3h_WUQyvXKW75hmEaYuKyJG8EoPp54QqEPQnkDds/s1600/DSC_0231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZnD97NbDMh1nWD2H3Fre_GSvNL6YlMrEfJwNJshfyih1L9SuFEyL3qtM4BRU_d1UbTCrBZF7ZUo9Zc3XUjV_abFHoWIE7VSVu9e3h_WUQyvXKW75hmEaYuKyJG8EoPp54QqEPQnkDds/s1600/DSC_0231.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The day was spectacular and
sunny! The windy road took us along the coast, on the edges of
cliffs. Some lovely scenery but in all honesty at this point Shev is
not that impressed with the coastal drive. She reckons The Amalfi
Coast in Italy is way better.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We stopped off in small
towns like Lorne, another supposedly good surf spot, but again no
swell. Onwards to Kennett River where apparently they have resident
koalas in their natural habitat down Grey River Road. There were 3,
one was definitely still very much a baby which was very cute. Our
first wild koalas!! I'm sure if we continued down the road further we
would have seen more but we needed to get to Cape Otway preferably
before dark.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmIFxGwxpwJuCuzIV6SDx4WeJI4_kJACBb0i4wbTH4ILqbnID3PwDTLYWlR90uPd5dIKfiHhyeTrGMLhqiydWZ5ObU3KEGumdr4zbpfcKrsTDQaJoFMMydHUrgGHR6mV3XVST6qgoxQ4/s1600/DSC_0394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmIFxGwxpwJuCuzIV6SDx4WeJI4_kJACBb0i4wbTH4ILqbnID3PwDTLYWlR90uPd5dIKfiHhyeTrGMLhqiydWZ5ObU3KEGumdr4zbpfcKrsTDQaJoFMMydHUrgGHR6mV3XVST6qgoxQ4/s1600/DSC_0394.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcY0LNnpnN7fjhufk8wyJJONFccPOhH2LRChlUmZolK3InLSjIEMOcRtfw0bOOaG58xl-YodU_Ctg6I3ciz96rGWEHl-Ex5DmUWcq3dUBSKler8aZHMivjSuvaRm4jikrXrdPzzYep9Q/s1600/DSCF4110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcY0LNnpnN7fjhufk8wyJJONFccPOhH2LRChlUmZolK3InLSjIEMOcRtfw0bOOaG58xl-YodU_Ctg6I3ciz96rGWEHl-Ex5DmUWcq3dUBSKler8aZHMivjSuvaRm4jikrXrdPzzYep9Q/s1600/DSCF4110.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl0vEOgtomEqhrz9URM4AbGLZgqtoBP9JYZrsR24r5Zd61zHAPq2iKGt807fwK4Et90Etub5vxuhxVjUqk9lrHVPjnCiDiH9yzevwllwFreLzFje3cP6-chhD6bZmZec6po4KVlfU7FbI/s1600/DSCF4105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl0vEOgtomEqhrz9URM4AbGLZgqtoBP9JYZrsR24r5Zd61zHAPq2iKGt807fwK4Et90Etub5vxuhxVjUqk9lrHVPjnCiDiH9yzevwllwFreLzFje3cP6-chhD6bZmZec6po4KVlfU7FbI/s1600/DSCF4105.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPFyGpsHjWz0oy_VSFkmXkg3kLF5SQWo3rR9gOBERwCiCLdboaYQSrui7_QTTMoVYcBE4z_kQQW8FOxdXJwJVl5Sr7v1A2Rih5nx44KfZ3ca31hp0CO7JUJQUAVqbephYFGKh5wyB7io/s1600/DSCF1091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPFyGpsHjWz0oy_VSFkmXkg3kLF5SQWo3rR9gOBERwCiCLdboaYQSrui7_QTTMoVYcBE4z_kQQW8FOxdXJwJVl5Sr7v1A2Rih5nx44KfZ3ca31hp0CO7JUJQUAVqbephYFGKh5wyB7io/s1600/DSCF1091.JPG" height="400" width="252" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJA8Z1miCH273tALCke_LBaYqOwuI3C2wJ6hq87CK-0xAQG5vv1Ho-j2skm42mHGyCQOHIgy-299dW8T-WVCcWcwX4_gzgvuEAqABZQrYAaoebrO0h-yWzTgFEewO6yOtWgUAOv8YCkU/s1600/DSCF1092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJA8Z1miCH273tALCke_LBaYqOwuI3C2wJ6hq87CK-0xAQG5vv1Ho-j2skm42mHGyCQOHIgy-299dW8T-WVCcWcwX4_gzgvuEAqABZQrYAaoebrO0h-yWzTgFEewO6yOtWgUAOv8YCkU/s1600/DSCF1092.JPG" height="400" width="230" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
As we turned off the
main highway and took the drive to the Great Otway National Park, we
found a few people parked on the side of the road looking up in
trees. As we slowed down we saw koalas in the trees. We too pulled
over and got out the car armed with cameras and zoom lenses. We must
have walked 500m up the road and on either side of the road there was
literally at least one koala in every tree. Some of the positions
that some of the koalas were sleeping in – its a wonder that they
manage to stay in the tree! After 100 or so – possibly more –
pictures of koalas we headed to Blanket Bay campsite. Again another
national park site with no showers, but hey it was an upgrade,
flushable toilets this time. Bonus!!
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We decided to stay one
night at Blanket Bay and another night at Bimbi Park, not far down
the road but still in the Otway National Park area.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Fi4Y0nmejn-gIj84y9ze5sY98ZCACIZrhR7j0y-AvUr7CRhlSHjETwqWGib1zG-udpRWYIymhi6ZGT7xNAA27PkrmDjPmLLnKkCrH1-wSfG6svZU7cNEpuBG-tzgeX1CwdPOpAJWve0/s1600/road+trip+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Fi4Y0nmejn-gIj84y9ze5sY98ZCACIZrhR7j0y-AvUr7CRhlSHjETwqWGib1zG-udpRWYIymhi6ZGT7xNAA27PkrmDjPmLLnKkCrH1-wSfG6svZU7cNEpuBG-tzgeX1CwdPOpAJWve0/s1600/road+trip+2013.jpg" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
A great night camping under koalas at Blanket Bay, we packed the car
up at and thought we should drive down to Johanna beach for some of the day, 14km away.
Another good surf spot! On our way there was a look out point called
Castle Cove with a few other people in campervans parked on the side,
pulling on their wetsuits and surfboards lined up on the side of
their vans. We pulled in to check out the view as well as to check
out the waves. Clearly there must be good surf here! Dave was in
surfers heaven when he saw the swell and the fantastic 8 foot waves
rolling in. Needless to say the day was one swelter of a day, with
temperatures peaking 37 degrees! We saw some shade near a cliff edge
for me to sit under while Dave surfed, not ideal I know, but it was
better than burning in the heat. Dave changed into his boardies and
pulled on a 2mm thick wetskin, grabbed the surf board and we headed
down a windy path down the mountain to the beach. Upon hitting the
sandy beach, and walking 4 steps in the sand, our feet were burning
from the heat of the sand. It was a 100m distance to the waters edge,
so we ran as fast as we could, our poor little feet burning more and
more, hotter and hotter until... until.. until we reached the sea. We
stood and both ''ahhhhhhed'' for a while. It felt so good to dip our
feet in the freezing ocean...
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXErfIehn42vokJk943JBZ0e2NLtlxZf-uOu8Lwaj-DudYIAD2vgzw9hQ6ruWJ9MF8qXZj4iFO4bee1cGqgnkFvtVTC39VKZTJ8Cm-_uFw3j6V38Yg8MQHxlvQCyIoCku0lERfVbbodpU/s1600/DSC_0378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXErfIehn42vokJk943JBZ0e2NLtlxZf-uOu8Lwaj-DudYIAD2vgzw9hQ6ruWJ9MF8qXZj4iFO4bee1cGqgnkFvtVTC39VKZTJ8Cm-_uFw3j6V38Yg8MQHxlvQCyIoCku0lERfVbbodpU/s1600/DSC_0378.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LTdzTN7yARA9yApfP0lPKaWMeDSSbkP8Y-nI1TxUpH5Ux7NPluR7vRq4yXNy1Gd_u2TuRH3zSxl34_a5_v5kI1YFll-QkJ6MXmBEBmf7jmJSxstV3SRJ99V9l5NUrxErPDeeoCNT19M/s1600/DSC_0379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LTdzTN7yARA9yApfP0lPKaWMeDSSbkP8Y-nI1TxUpH5Ux7NPluR7vRq4yXNy1Gd_u2TuRH3zSxl34_a5_v5kI1YFll-QkJ6MXmBEBmf7jmJSxstV3SRJ99V9l5NUrxErPDeeoCNT19M/s1600/DSC_0379.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
This is Castle Cove and it was a day of paddle like crazy for your wave or the rest of the set will crash over your head!<br />
<br />
Dave had a great time
surfing, it was the biggest surf yet on the whole trip with freezing
cold water that definitely required a wetsuit not a 2mm wetskin and
boardies! There was even a guy with a hood...</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Once the surfing was
over we drove back to our new campsite Bimbi Park. Lonely Planet had
described the place as ''camping under Kaolas.'' Given we had already experienced sleeping near 2 koalas at Blanket Bay Bimbi Park was even better! In almost every tree, however it always took a few minutes to get
your ''koala spotting eyes'' adjusted that you saw a few in the trees
and there were almost two in every tree. They really don't move that
much or fast but we did get a video of one jumping from branch to
branch. We had no idea that they did this and from a small flimsy
branch to the next. I found a fishing rod in a tree that was slightly
tangled but its a compact one so we kept it and all I need now is
some tackle and a licence which apparently you need for each
different state but you can get a 24hr pass which makes it easier.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Due to the mid 30
temperatures during the day, we decided to leave the roof of the van
open while we slept to get a cool breeze. I woke up during the night
to this god aweful noise, and woke Dave up. It was like a cross
between a hippo and a pig and Dave then informed me it was the
koalas.Apparently they made the noise earlier while I went for a
shower. Never knew such a small cute and cuddly looking creature can
make such a hideous sound. Well they do say dynamite comes in small
packages!
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYppZ5YqXrER1N_rKMs4yyYdzvFhnoZJQBzHmKIEW1-00eJjJzJlcHkjAXl2TXWJvr4RWOisY6LHHPssm4rdZrMNxqQHH0f4SDYKANoBMHnq5XxEj6MIV_oG0LsdQ3Fb9INgx2qgr9bQ/s1600/DSCF4172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYppZ5YqXrER1N_rKMs4yyYdzvFhnoZJQBzHmKIEW1-00eJjJzJlcHkjAXl2TXWJvr4RWOisY6LHHPssm4rdZrMNxqQHH0f4SDYKANoBMHnq5XxEj6MIV_oG0LsdQ3Fb9INgx2qgr9bQ/s1600/DSCF4172.JPG" height="80" width="640" /></a></div>
Panoramic view near 12 Apostles<br />
<br />
When we left in the morning heading towards Warnambool we saw some of the highlights of the Great Ocean roads, I think the photos will show what a great scenic drive it was especialy around Port Cambell.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_2qmWNn0Ejybq3Op54FxALJxf8EskQ0Y1ZRkDUoV_kDAi4kmvDq9pG4CHSp6L24TpE-lk27zBwtCw2hLSL9Uz8QQvjufJBjbxFDr56cm3RdQG353waOJOr-xxgOJyrKUCH7CfCcd_G4/s1600/DSC_0501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_2qmWNn0Ejybq3Op54FxALJxf8EskQ0Y1ZRkDUoV_kDAi4kmvDq9pG4CHSp6L24TpE-lk27zBwtCw2hLSL9Uz8QQvjufJBjbxFDr56cm3RdQG353waOJOr-xxgOJyrKUCH7CfCcd_G4/s1600/DSC_0501.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvHr0CGLUgoGDuFgIkkB2a2B-0uy3SaZSx0T9Eqzx3NLpa335dIQeevlCbywZSl2dfwWpJyB_4WDBo9tmK6eTzgF00lfrXJYJMsaqMQlSAQkCNAQ-7O2Wo-2I3QBWLSPpxHje_CP5UuY/s1600/DSC_0505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvHr0CGLUgoGDuFgIkkB2a2B-0uy3SaZSx0T9Eqzx3NLpa335dIQeevlCbywZSl2dfwWpJyB_4WDBo9tmK6eTzgF00lfrXJYJMsaqMQlSAQkCNAQ-7O2Wo-2I3QBWLSPpxHje_CP5UuY/s1600/DSC_0505.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcpjEl_hUX1d6-uU7p2Mj7xntXM-rIVmRvYSHbLDKHBOrPCW8G1OlAxQwnfoQT4bJNpDejlC-AcF7PNfprEFy3K9w_plUw-ns9rMK73GJFDBUMn88GAMXUbxsjHF9Ka_ULpeZtfhZX5c/s1600/DSC_0522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcpjEl_hUX1d6-uU7p2Mj7xntXM-rIVmRvYSHbLDKHBOrPCW8G1OlAxQwnfoQT4bJNpDejlC-AcF7PNfprEFy3K9w_plUw-ns9rMK73GJFDBUMn88GAMXUbxsjHF9Ka_ULpeZtfhZX5c/s1600/DSC_0522.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
Above and below: Some of the 11 apostles seen from the Great Ocean road road.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPnDx48aCI7VrcZ_5eSHy9VdMtY3cAVd8iOUleumur0-doVN0DM0S_rjX30w4yhMkFTgahj95dZpfofO8SgwoCpaapxUZ1On3UsoBie58bQOBE8IujSNBQ8gogAvTY3JOSAQ5nO7kgUE/s1600/DSC_0526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPnDx48aCI7VrcZ_5eSHy9VdMtY3cAVd8iOUleumur0-doVN0DM0S_rjX30w4yhMkFTgahj95dZpfofO8SgwoCpaapxUZ1On3UsoBie58bQOBE8IujSNBQ8gogAvTY3JOSAQ5nO7kgUE/s1600/DSC_0526.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzVheFg2W3PdrTsRvIZmuhNDSNnE5HNMJXslK4SEd-7E6W5Vecl1vvdleg_9afVDS3tRvrPhBek6Bkbl2E3zNAMcnH7iLd-LNnkvBVN6Tqk2LB_V3Vh9jcZtnKgfS9fniMDvInC3aN_c/s1600/DSC_0575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzVheFg2W3PdrTsRvIZmuhNDSNnE5HNMJXslK4SEd-7E6W5Vecl1vvdleg_9afVDS3tRvrPhBek6Bkbl2E3zNAMcnH7iLd-LNnkvBVN6Tqk2LB_V3Vh9jcZtnKgfS9fniMDvInC3aN_c/s1600/DSC_0575.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLmkxAOvBlZhr1B1uz-OHjOUugcNq99N8POMOLx0vhJ85ZmOa1nbh0xiEeWwfRggNNWd3GdA2UqOzK6jlyj-goU0wd4FV4T8rmMsB3X6V5ZHEvQFrx9WiGbaeptzKb9SUKOlNVyL8pQY/s1600/DSC_0595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLmkxAOvBlZhr1B1uz-OHjOUugcNq99N8POMOLx0vhJ85ZmOa1nbh0xiEeWwfRggNNWd3GdA2UqOzK6jlyj-goU0wd4FV4T8rmMsB3X6V5ZHEvQFrx9WiGbaeptzKb9SUKOlNVyL8pQY/s1600/DSC_0595.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9WvgNxWGsoFAyPsFpDzAWRqanoJuSrwNotl7CK8Z4UJO3t7yQ2HWnfYaBVXyZGvZikrHuO4OzRpyOtckHytgHrWX3UKvGuSG-El5MDxlKyv1jUZ8CyAs5SmMG8PVDNfMybMefXiOQao/s1600/DSC_0604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9WvgNxWGsoFAyPsFpDzAWRqanoJuSrwNotl7CK8Z4UJO3t7yQ2HWnfYaBVXyZGvZikrHuO4OzRpyOtckHytgHrWX3UKvGuSG-El5MDxlKyv1jUZ8CyAs5SmMG8PVDNfMybMefXiOQao/s1600/DSC_0604.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
Above: Shevy looking out near London Bridge that has fallen down!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgto197Rcyra7Erhg-L7qE5mNP6ZSnaE5iByrYZ6ZibXOb0uHCUNYbxpBdF_krBMr9nq4wU7UYHUnpZvBmPxXpJtlI9T4off8Rh9q2kMdtNelcILWlWldg0ERyM9_UAUAwhumn9NkFYa20/s1600/DSC_0606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgto197Rcyra7Erhg-L7qE5mNP6ZSnaE5iByrYZ6ZibXOb0uHCUNYbxpBdF_krBMr9nq4wU7UYHUnpZvBmPxXpJtlI9T4off8Rh9q2kMdtNelcILWlWldg0ERyM9_UAUAwhumn9NkFYa20/s1600/DSC_0606.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhSHmeQFEMjc1WHhm3-es7nZ4tif0AGW-ZfSyExqWOF2K8KJLsTMeJ2hSxBhoJ7AUUudrAZqLrlF_NrVxBNloSCRUT7PmLAuHFNqaWyL406ajS7K7HQ5TMouKsL4vW6hC7lWGJQwyJtI/s1600/DSC_0616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhSHmeQFEMjc1WHhm3-es7nZ4tif0AGW-ZfSyExqWOF2K8KJLsTMeJ2hSxBhoJ7AUUudrAZqLrlF_NrVxBNloSCRUT7PmLAuHFNqaWyL406ajS7K7HQ5TMouKsL4vW6hC7lWGJQwyJtI/s1600/DSC_0616.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCabzTO9VOTY1mnYSLJv7Ro-IJaraXhiGGVK_TEIynlS-i3HryfNqHPtovedTicw47hzU4WnRmIIuMb5Fxh_gFLFGWPqq3_3BKxgnvMtt6Ql4y0tKeFcM9RGE7i0_tBv8voksLpwHIdA/s1600/DSCF4175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCabzTO9VOTY1mnYSLJv7Ro-IJaraXhiGGVK_TEIynlS-i3HryfNqHPtovedTicw47hzU4WnRmIIuMb5Fxh_gFLFGWPqq3_3BKxgnvMtt6Ql4y0tKeFcM9RGE7i0_tBv8voksLpwHIdA/s1600/DSCF4175.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
WhatIF.....http://www.blogger.com/profile/16161621431144355091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372422706436574654.post-66413071628390809922013-03-03T00:40:00.000-08:002013-03-06T20:04:05.555-08:0016th Feb – Wilsons Prom – Torquay<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We got up early and
went for a run since we had discussed exercising and that we should
get out and about as we had been sitting in a car for the last few
days, we were really surprised during the run to see some other
fellow runners and not just us trying to be fitness freaks. We did a
good 5km stretch on the beach and felt good too! No more car
lathargic feeling!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
We started our car
journey to Sorrento to catch the 2pm Ferry to Queenscliff then
onwards to Torquay, home of surfing in Oz! And to hit the Great Ocean Road.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUQK0XmIS0w4PYMtGnzmZ7j9y7K5xTHI1borrd7uOXL11UIazgDgzNLuEDf4JvQ_Sv6_bxAyfirNxYQCUigHG-J1kBQv8rtq1xQLnNpwi-N8HaSfUMNENHxH50cUXIvAzoM5PWVdtFCc/s1600/DSC_0677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUQK0XmIS0w4PYMtGnzmZ7j9y7K5xTHI1borrd7uOXL11UIazgDgzNLuEDf4JvQ_Sv6_bxAyfirNxYQCUigHG-J1kBQv8rtq1xQLnNpwi-N8HaSfUMNENHxH50cUXIvAzoM5PWVdtFCc/s640/DSC_0677.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
Above and below: The Victorians know how top advertise their homeland!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbiEwCKwN_molFe2Bmk0xZ5rT9vLrAFyrW7yC9S5XaHqBCqkPewJ-Itqrz155dq1650C3ZMx7dAU9zrKHiG5X-wzplLQ-Ga48y10n5hBoDC5Il-2ZjAilpKJd_GZMBsuOMoHm_L1zSo0/s1600/DSC_0674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbiEwCKwN_molFe2Bmk0xZ5rT9vLrAFyrW7yC9S5XaHqBCqkPewJ-Itqrz155dq1650C3ZMx7dAU9zrKHiG5X-wzplLQ-Ga48y10n5hBoDC5Il-2ZjAilpKJd_GZMBsuOMoHm_L1zSo0/s640/DSC_0674.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We stayed at Jan Juc
park as all other spots were booked up and as it was quite a popular
spot we had to drive around a bit to get a good spot. The surf was
disappointing despite all the hype but I guess you need to be there
when the swell is good. It's all about timing! So we took it easy,
had a bit of a lazy morning and visited the surf museum before
starting the Great Ocean Road trek.<br />
<br />
Below are pictures from the museum, make sure to read the postcards from Maurice! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifU-qjZ2PSI4sMxrfutG3E8S6GFhkkJJM1pz-kiIRlb4V5ll_JFTuda75tLY5Ve1u2YKgmUyaNBZaGiax3Q_llfF9ZQldECuGh6wpEfMM_XrZNFI9OgsKX8pTO2y-8JjStde5MhMMfRho/s1600/DSC_1083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifU-qjZ2PSI4sMxrfutG3E8S6GFhkkJJM1pz-kiIRlb4V5ll_JFTuda75tLY5Ve1u2YKgmUyaNBZaGiax3Q_llfF9ZQldECuGh6wpEfMM_XrZNFI9OgsKX8pTO2y-8JjStde5MhMMfRho/s1600/DSC_1083.JPG" height="628" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYzKniJD6CnLInlF8xzkGeRiWcI5Te2cVPtyUYmJ03sJ1ts0ycH_k5sn6dgdAXYbjLySX-cJnnTQD9oBIhoM3mcOdRptPrevbkcZyovqv2NzcUYbUEaPATAdCf2ttluOSzywlgyaGJ8g/s1600/DSC_1088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYzKniJD6CnLInlF8xzkGeRiWcI5Te2cVPtyUYmJ03sJ1ts0ycH_k5sn6dgdAXYbjLySX-cJnnTQD9oBIhoM3mcOdRptPrevbkcZyovqv2NzcUYbUEaPATAdCf2ttluOSzywlgyaGJ8g/s1600/DSC_1088.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpi6MQD0xrIWcidYIURG5WZdwV-rEtqJRyr5AwIGe_-Fcgk16ztAufnuCuaolncpBKBDsFkxoVVp3rjT64U-QShvOYvxPZMSjBry-QoXBEStdeJItK8lFEbRgR5AV6-MxZcGUS0OyD-cE/s1600/DSC_1087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpi6MQD0xrIWcidYIURG5WZdwV-rEtqJRyr5AwIGe_-Fcgk16ztAufnuCuaolncpBKBDsFkxoVVp3rjT64U-QShvOYvxPZMSjBry-QoXBEStdeJItK8lFEbRgR5AV6-MxZcGUS0OyD-cE/s1600/DSC_1087.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQernwmZIR4i839lePCvDvS78Fex4oa1O5tHryECHiWulzXqh3jBHeKrCN0TD4uUcguYcsvKLJMfSKglnEgDy13nPWojlv5BhAzizTNgcdbEOEkhLxAPMn1tsVREFzWlXABk_qCSZyjfQ/s1600/DSC_1090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQernwmZIR4i839lePCvDvS78Fex4oa1O5tHryECHiWulzXqh3jBHeKrCN0TD4uUcguYcsvKLJMfSKglnEgDy13nPWojlv5BhAzizTNgcdbEOEkhLxAPMn1tsVREFzWlXABk_qCSZyjfQ/s1600/DSC_1090.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1VVmBloKTwo9zDN05KeDK1Ui9lL77IzjZl2K6-980WyXar4SvQEEH4ZepNZu6b4zV-Vkp05-si6LeG_debUr5dVzmPjD7VhmwBI7XnJVcqUDqDCieuaJl9nUbJ-k78AuK7HyMz_PhfA/s1600/DSC_1093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1VVmBloKTwo9zDN05KeDK1Ui9lL77IzjZl2K6-980WyXar4SvQEEH4ZepNZu6b4zV-Vkp05-si6LeG_debUr5dVzmPjD7VhmwBI7XnJVcqUDqDCieuaJl9nUbJ-k78AuK7HyMz_PhfA/s1600/DSC_1093.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKuBgeHGmn5162lyqrBERWabkWLiIk3qXyRuwRLk_huEshaqFKthlzuanLkqs2zYUsRvTLfH2_sB9JSSxsftUJ_RqVITHJOthGZ3NvsbwYNBM882DMoSkJg-PbXOEnLOP4hRPEkO8JWQ/s1600/DSC_1094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKuBgeHGmn5162lyqrBERWabkWLiIk3qXyRuwRLk_huEshaqFKthlzuanLkqs2zYUsRvTLfH2_sB9JSSxsftUJ_RqVITHJOthGZ3NvsbwYNBM882DMoSkJg-PbXOEnLOP4hRPEkO8JWQ/s1600/DSC_1094.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
WhatIF.....http://www.blogger.com/profile/16161621431144355091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372422706436574654.post-13191517867913174722013-03-03T00:39:00.002-08:002013-03-06T18:47:48.220-08:0015th Feb Wilsons Promontory and a surf at Whisky bay<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We found an information
centre en-route and stopped in to enquire about Wilsons Prom. After
talking to the guide at the office who had lived at Swiss Cottage in
London, he could not get through to the office in the ''Proms'' to
make a booking for us. As the Proms is extremely popular and given it
was Friday, the start of the weekend it was a very slim chance that
there would be a spot available. He did tell us that we should still
just go and state we are from overseas and they might just have a
spot! Upon arrival at the National Park gates, the signs were
flashing '' Accomodation FULL''. Our hearts sank a bit but it seemed
we were in luck and the girl at the entrance gate had an unpowered
site available for us. She was super helpful explaining about the
Wombats and not to leave anything lying around as they WILL eat it!<br />
<br />
Below:You can see the parks take the Aboriginal heritage to heart and some of the signs say we respect the original owners of this land as well.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjyDL_KqGl1iRxfkCB9VaNTn5s6r1gm6wzG67WGT4QSqYHCkfxuGxbiU6MifYNQXpXBJlRJ5Cs8eoCRfj7AECPLwhw-utg0XLiky3pJN6mFDYJrXPcv0Osl8c0BCAz24FjF_sWrZUhxK0/s1600/DSC_0957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjyDL_KqGl1iRxfkCB9VaNTn5s6r1gm6wzG67WGT4QSqYHCkfxuGxbiU6MifYNQXpXBJlRJ5Cs8eoCRfj7AECPLwhw-utg0XLiky3pJN6mFDYJrXPcv0Osl8c0BCAz24FjF_sWrZUhxK0/s400/DSC_0957.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
After 2min of driving
through the gate and feeling like we had won the lottery as we had
almost expected to be turned away, we had a pedestrian in front of
us, an Echidna was scurrying across the road. These are the only
creatures I have seen with their back feet pointing the wrong way so
that they look like the could run backwards just as fast as forwards.
If anyone knows why they are genetically modified this way please let
us know.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Y50OB2htDN6KdXAMulxoKZwKdZnJBmn3bEBWRXdFQEAbp1s_zKpa0t82LVHSPKDgCf8g9yzG6F5ezPw3nRhaYrxN09SLQJ1XoWq89CLz5NoHrRK5F9WydQ7yWphSwJz7C8T5vmfIFLQ/s1600/DSC_0959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Y50OB2htDN6KdXAMulxoKZwKdZnJBmn3bEBWRXdFQEAbp1s_zKpa0t82LVHSPKDgCf8g9yzG6F5ezPw3nRhaYrxN09SLQJ1XoWq89CLz5NoHrRK5F9WydQ7yWphSwJz7C8T5vmfIFLQ/s1600/DSC_0959.JPG" height="386" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
See the link here for more info, did you know that this animal is named after a Greek mythology monster? <br />
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echidna</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The scenery was
absolutely beautiful – rolling mountains, thick ozzie bush, breath
taking views from look out points on the road to secluded blue
beaches. Plenty of road signs for kangaroos, wombats and emus. We
stopped and Dave had a quick surf at Whiskey beach.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnr-P4Pqtyu4hjCa8qQ0TAdTs0QINAFawinTKOWm5rg6BEGiU_kbuI5Y4YBKmo4othr4JngswvUo6fQWzYJlGZgln8y3MtIzdP-FX2DtcHpTqqYqsaoQfIR10UJ72z_Vf0KqRG_Asjm1g/s1600/DSC_0977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnr-P4Pqtyu4hjCa8qQ0TAdTs0QINAFawinTKOWm5rg6BEGiU_kbuI5Y4YBKmo4othr4JngswvUo6fQWzYJlGZgln8y3MtIzdP-FX2DtcHpTqqYqsaoQfIR10UJ72z_Vf0KqRG_Asjm1g/s1600/DSC_0977.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvBlH0eqvHRJRdZypbR1tZhN30Z3uxZxs3kwYXRtzHBSq0wngV3c1Ex7y0tuJwu1-fpbNn87qjQ6acc8z2op_8duP5uQgoA_J_CCmm2jZvAFtKVWfw2n-3LWmPnlits4654Y0ExIb2_A/s1600/DSC_0981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvBlH0eqvHRJRdZypbR1tZhN30Z3uxZxs3kwYXRtzHBSq0wngV3c1Ex7y0tuJwu1-fpbNn87qjQ6acc8z2op_8duP5uQgoA_J_CCmm2jZvAFtKVWfw2n-3LWmPnlits4654Y0ExIb2_A/s1600/DSC_0981.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Our campsite,
Tidal River was every bit commercialised but what was nice is that
they kept the surroundings of bush and it felt you still had your own
piece of quiet space. The campsite was situated along the beach and
on the one side there was a tidal river meandering into the ocean.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4REJ82x3tVCsek5iAV6Gu8C68IZTDPf7k_zHU9Iv2VTEP0CPjrbXCaG0H2NaxPZNQDca5XtIk_DJJefFK-AYa8sexSBltBEQopTEmg3jaKujnYvQIs5Me2iaOcjmZM0oBIjK0Il_ptKU/s1600/DSC_0985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4REJ82x3tVCsek5iAV6Gu8C68IZTDPf7k_zHU9Iv2VTEP0CPjrbXCaG0H2NaxPZNQDca5XtIk_DJJefFK-AYa8sexSBltBEQopTEmg3jaKujnYvQIs5Me2iaOcjmZM0oBIjK0Il_ptKU/s1600/DSC_0985.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEL-sT-fuWc_8IhJTsUFYp1fb9zWPbNPlKPf7ZSs_SWfy9lH7jDjHvz2kMLw5MEZxtueFWgkDIpeQfLzSLxNNbDTaiGKBzJDzmXzAITXaJKkgbXMHPcAb7WA_TlRxYSdJatXGHiSVW-k/s1600/DSC_1010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEL-sT-fuWc_8IhJTsUFYp1fb9zWPbNPlKPf7ZSs_SWfy9lH7jDjHvz2kMLw5MEZxtueFWgkDIpeQfLzSLxNNbDTaiGKBzJDzmXzAITXaJKkgbXMHPcAb7WA_TlRxYSdJatXGHiSVW-k/s1600/DSC_1010.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
There was something there for everyone. Beach if you want the beach,
river if you want the river, mountains and bush if that is what you
prefer. It simply was wonderful. It was great showering without
feeding the meter 20c!
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-qB0FZV9kO8l8DHo53Hs3OKgk3WhmYkNDdxRHbndiyUdhQdOsAG5UX8JNXeIb_xk_D9hcxwLimbkrEcQOhFePrF6eom7kq2rYx2677N6CzzuXW0z-wqtriGLFifs02QC44ipWfSNwJzM/s1600/DSC_0997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-qB0FZV9kO8l8DHo53Hs3OKgk3WhmYkNDdxRHbndiyUdhQdOsAG5UX8JNXeIb_xk_D9hcxwLimbkrEcQOhFePrF6eom7kq2rYx2677N6CzzuXW0z-wqtriGLFifs02QC44ipWfSNwJzM/s1600/DSC_0997.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
Above: Shevaughn enjoying a stroll on the beach at Wilsons Promentory.<br />
Below: David after a run in the morning.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisp4s4RW60Jz0_NYQolyzkjZir5YRilg8mT-W7nu3yExN4734FvOAaugm_8USqQ7UFeB8JhxsZY-UHoDnZwDiOIECGh5-enmTDfB3Q68S8J-H4p8aJf-4vHWjkyekHoXtaH-hK5i0v-4/s1600/DSC_1005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisp4s4RW60Jz0_NYQolyzkjZir5YRilg8mT-W7nu3yExN4734FvOAaugm_8USqQ7UFeB8JhxsZY-UHoDnZwDiOIECGh5-enmTDfB3Q68S8J-H4p8aJf-4vHWjkyekHoXtaH-hK5i0v-4/s1600/DSC_1005.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuRZ-_tDJ0KhGknJltUG742SDTAEsdErKexT6BGWlpmONUJkI1ldw81uYN93RHbLcps8j61ihTX0p59eO7XdcadNKLtoPzKcz_glBpu2iMdCpXeqETtqlVmWJ3uvofwvOv8vAsXDfsgU/s1600/DSC_1013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuRZ-_tDJ0KhGknJltUG742SDTAEsdErKexT6BGWlpmONUJkI1ldw81uYN93RHbLcps8j61ihTX0p59eO7XdcadNKLtoPzKcz_glBpu2iMdCpXeqETtqlVmWJ3uvofwvOv8vAsXDfsgU/s1600/DSC_1013.JPG" height="215" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-UPaTkQf7nnBNKSUdrSYnEY7qfh7yB1l_eRh3aZk07Cpfoli4kM8ty3qQXkqBerJFI6woXULlBz4xnW9zMGgFGuPIOG0OlSZFIZq-ecCWUomS35_o2JTLLzOCE_XpoPrkkeCcUcmwzU/s1600/DSC_1012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-UPaTkQf7nnBNKSUdrSYnEY7qfh7yB1l_eRh3aZk07Cpfoli4kM8ty3qQXkqBerJFI6woXULlBz4xnW9zMGgFGuPIOG0OlSZFIZq-ecCWUomS35_o2JTLLzOCE_XpoPrkkeCcUcmwzU/s1600/DSC_1012.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6UULuN5E8nsh6sHCi5GQIW_zBQsnCVMXose4-dLhKSvnjlxK4Ucygwm-0ZEjzrQKUPY3-ReqvoaqGTfpRoM8mz4QLc6eX4vmmhYbYWKazYnZKAZmbLk2WBnAx7ZfYso83u9Td03ZRPU/s1600/DSC_0974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6UULuN5E8nsh6sHCi5GQIW_zBQsnCVMXose4-dLhKSvnjlxK4Ucygwm-0ZEjzrQKUPY3-ReqvoaqGTfpRoM8mz4QLc6eX4vmmhYbYWKazYnZKAZmbLk2WBnAx7ZfYso83u9Td03ZRPU/s1600/DSC_0974.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJ6sz85iE_WEgxodBGj0L9gvCNjbb2WLCn7sER6JMPsyGNk7ZRRfgYIU4fjFvTv_F_5bTXq2HMaVIpiIYAeUP3cnIM6lRqLq7UsiqaB8rzHS2UaYeM-X4NQrHm45GsjxuG6YSAmAhX2A/s1600/DSC_1031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJ6sz85iE_WEgxodBGj0L9gvCNjbb2WLCn7sER6JMPsyGNk7ZRRfgYIU4fjFvTv_F_5bTXq2HMaVIpiIYAeUP3cnIM6lRqLq7UsiqaB8rzHS2UaYeM-X4NQrHm45GsjxuG6YSAmAhX2A/s1600/DSC_1031.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
WhatIF.....http://www.blogger.com/profile/16161621431144355091noreply@blogger.com0