Australia! Cairns episode 14 part 1 Mossman Gorge

Two part adventures today, morning a rainforest and afternoon river eco cruise.
On the way to Mossman, we stopped to check out s nest of Australian ospreys. Not sure who was more curious of who. The Mossman Gorge Rainforest is a World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest. There are mountains, waterfalls, vivid flora and fauna. We hiked with a native aboriginal man who explained how his ancestors lived in this vibrant area of the world. Complete with Daintree tea and scone. Yum.
The primary agricultural crop around Mossman is sugar cane. It was fun to see this activity. When they are harvesting it is a feeding frenzy for the egrets.
Check out part 2 for the afternoon cruise.

Australia! Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef! Episode 13

Once again up before sunrise only to be rewarded with a beautiful sunrise off the shore right in front of our hotel/resort. In the last 24 hours we have traveled from desert to tropical. What a transition! It is also much much warmer. Time to break out the shorts. Yea! Today is also one of the main reasons, in my opinion, travelers choose this tour — the Great Barrier Reef. It is beyond all description. We had the good fortune of perfect weather and that there is no photographic evidence, that I know of, of the lot of us in those ever flattering full body Lycra suits. Our tour guide Matt, orchestrated the day brilliantly. We got on board this huge catamaran that holds 100+ (not that many today), set off for the 90 minute cruise to a very little sand quay - rookery for brown footed boobies, sooty terns and tons more birds. Upon arrival, we scored seats on the first sailing of the submerged sub ride around the coral. Fabulous. Got a pic of a sea turtle and lots of coral. Lunch, then boat shuttle over to the quay for an afternoon of a lifetime memorable experience. The only pics we have to share is in Kelley's camera. Who knows, some may show up on Facebook. What we can share is that this was the absolutely most amazing experience snorkeling ever in our lives. The coral, in its innumerable forms, were so brilliant and alive. There was what appeared to be a rock was no such thing. Dotted on its surface was what looked like lips that would purse themselves together as we swam by. We swam with and say sting rays, a reef shark, star fish, urchin, giant clams, sea cucumbers, and too many kinds of fish to name. Absolutely a thrill to be here and to experience.
Tomorrow, the rain forest with an aboriginal guide. Keep reading!

Australia! Great Barrier Reef episode 13 part 2

Seriously, between the wind and salt water— truly does a real number on one's hair....
Enjoy some more pics from the deck of our catamaran.

Australia! Uluru & Kata Tjuta episode 12 part 2

More random pics of these fascinating monoliths. Note the strong of people climbing the rock. They look like ants.

Australia! Uluru and Kata Tjuta episode 12 day 2 and part 1

Uluru and Kata Tjuta at day break. Uluru rises 1142 ft, is 6 Miles circumference, sinks 3 Miles under the ground level, is 2.25 Miles long, and 1.5 miles wide. Kata Tjuta, aka Heads Many to local Anangu people, is a formation of 36 domes rising 1790 feet at highest dome. This is 660 feet higher than Uluru. The domes and gorges are very sacred. Only 2 areas are open to tourists. Kata Tjuta is much lesser known than Uluru but has far more significance to the indigenous people. Both began their formation over 900 million years ago at the time Amadeus Basin was an inland sea. Petermann Orogeny over 500 million years ago created the Petermann ranges. The ranges eroded forming alluvial fans. Uluru and Kata Tjuta are the remains of these fans. Fascinated? This is your geology lesson for the day. Or for the year for that matter..
Nearly 5e whole group arose before daylight to experience first had the sun rising of such magnificent monoliths. It was totally cool. Temps too. It was about 2 degrees Celsius. You can do the math. A little assignment for you. ;) It is also moving day. We said goodbye to Uluru and the red center of Australia to say hello to Cairns. (Pronounced cans - silly Aussies). Tomorrow, the Great Barrier Reef!

Australia! Outback episode 11

On the move today! Goodbye Alice Springs and hello Uluru. Traveling by a luxuriously spacious coach, set out for a full day of adventure. About every 100 Miles stopped at a roadhouse or cattle station or some point of interest. Our first stop was at a camel farm. Several travelers, including Kelley, took a ride. Total fun! Next stop Erlunda Roadhouse. Bought sustenance for our in room dinner for later. Then on to Curtain Springs Cattle Station for lunch. Yum. Toured a former slaughter house converted into making paper out of native grasses. Rather cleaver. Of course concluded in the gift shop. As we neared our destination, we had a photo op stop of our first Mesa ( did not catch it's name - our guide tried to fool us to think it was the sacred rock - not a chance). On the back side of our perch , one of the many salt flats. We did tour the lesser known Kata Tjute. The sacred aboriginal heads. 5 times more sacred then Uluru. We walked up one of the slits between the largest rocks. A bit of a wind and rather briskly cause we needed to get to Uluru before sunset. Success! Made it in perfect time to have some nibblies and champagne to toast the end of the day in front of the rock.
Whew, what a day! Relaxed in our room for dinner with the provisions acquired along the way. Tomorrow, sunrise on the rock and fly to Cairns! ( pronounced cans - silly Aussies)

Australia! Outback episode 11

On the move today! Goodbye Alice Springs and hello Uluru. Traveling by a luxuriously spacious coach, set out for a full day of adventure. About every 100 Miles stopped at a roadhouse or cattle station or some point of interest. Our first stop was at a camel farm. Several travelers, including Kelley, took a ride. Total fun! Next stop Erlunda Roadhouse. Bought sustenance for our in room dinner for later. Then on to Curtain Springs Cattle Station for lunch. Yum. Toured a former slaughter house converted into making paper out of native grasses. Rather cleaver. Of course concluded in the gift shop. As we neared our destination, we had a photo op stop of our first Mesa ( did not catch it's name - our guide tried to fool us to think it was the sacred rock - not a chance). On the back side of our perch , one of the many salt flats. We did tour the lesser known Kata Tjute. The sacred aboriginal heads. 5 times more sacred then Uluru. We walked up one of the slits between the largest rocks. A bit of a wind and rather briskly cause we needed to get to Uluru before sunset. Success! Made it in perfect time to have some nibblies and champagne to toast the end of the day in front of the rock.
Whew, what a day! Relaxed in our room for dinner with the provisions acquired along the way. Tomorrow, sunrise on the rock and fly to Cairns! ( pronounced cans - silly Aussies)