An Alphabetical Stroll Through Bali and Australia-A is for: A BIG, FAT FINALE!! Link to new Africa TR (4/5)

[pkondz]

Love me some duck! Hmmm, wait a minute... I had duck the night before. This is becoming very suspicious!!!

Was it raining that night?
Explains it.

Everyone loves an episode of Survivor!

Do you follow it? I had no idea! I already have my favourite for this season.

Heh, there's 20 or 30x more than that lately on both our East and West coasts.

I don't go in the water there either.

Plenty of rain coming down to dilute....

There ya go. Pee away!

OH sure. I'm sure he'd be happy to just Venmo you a bit.

 

[zanzibar138]

Now, let's go going on our adventure!!

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Wrong picture?

We crossed many narrow gauge railroad tracks for the sugar cane trains.

Love those cute little sugar cane trains!

We searched in vain for the infamous Aussie Crocs, of which this river is rumored to have about a gazillion. I remain skeptical...

For something that can grow up to 7m in length, crocs are ridiculously good at hiding. It's part of what makes them so dangerous. They are generally more solitary though, and quite territorial, so they are relatively sparsely populated.

When we did our airboat ride in Florida, we couldn't believe how many alligators there were all in one place and how easy they were to spot!

Our first stop was planned for the Jindalba Boardwalk Hike (more like a walk) but the rains had made most of it flooded and the trails were closed for the most part.

Bummer.

Luckily, our slow pace allowed us to catch sight of the BABY CASSOWARY crossing the road just in front of the car. While we only got a couple of seconds of seeing it, it was absolutely, unmistakably one of these amazing dinosaur birds found only in this tiny part of the world.

Wow lucky you! We managed to see a glimpse of a croc when we visited, but didn't see any cassowaries.

Eventually, the rain started up again and this time it was quite heavy. I’d remembered the sign at the Gateway and its warning to visitors regarding cyclones.

...

Out of the Madja Nature Hike I turned right aiming for Cape Tribulation which wasn’t too terribly much further and was our original goal for the day. But, about 2 miles or so after that, the road had been completely closed off- apparently, there was concern for it being safe anymore and we were told to turn around and head back.

Better to be safe than sorry. I don't think we made it to Cape Trib either

The rain was coming down in sheets and the road was staring to have pretty large waterfalls cascading over it.

As spectacular as that looks, I can definitely see why you were getting a little nervous!

To celebrate, we stopped at the Daintree Ice Cream Company for a treat.

That ice-cream place never changes lol! I had the same 4 flavours back in 2015.

With a bit less anxiety we now felt free to make a couple of stops, the first at a little beach where we got out and took a little walk. The rain took another little break just long enough for us to enjoy some last glimpses of the gorgeous coastline Australia has to offer.

Lovely photos! Glad you were able to relax a bit more.

Snap!

This time, when we’d called an Uber, we waited, and waited, and waited, and waited for one to be assigned or show up.

Ubers are getting better in Australia but are still sometimes quite unreliable.

We did and only had a short 15-minute walk to Gilligans. Free ride!! (I did offer to Venmo, but they said, no.)

Sweet!

Love this.
"We need a sign... Something to represent the lushness of the forest, the variety of flora and fauna that in some cases may only be found here. It should demonstrate that this is the oldest rainforest on the planet!"

Worker: "I got you, boss."
<slaps paint on a 2X8 and nails it to a couple rickety posts>

Aussies don't like to make a big deal of things, this is pretty much what all our national park signage is like lol!

Good thing they have those signs there, so no one is crazy enough to venture into the water........................

You'd be surprised how many tourists think that the signs don't apply to them and venture into the water anyway, which sadly does sometimes end with a fatality

 

[Steppesister]

Really! I'm very surprised by that. I would've thought Africa or South America. Huh!

Nope! I was very pleasantly surprised when I was doing my research on what to do on our last couple of days and definitely had to put in on our itinerary when I found out I was right there!

And you may find yourself
In another part of the world
And you may find yourself
Behind the wheel of a large automobile
...
And you may ask yourself
"Well ... how did I get here?"

Talking Heads - Once in a Lifetime

Such a great song. Haha!

Bigger selection than I thought.

Gas station food here is sooooooooooooooooooooo horrible. The selection and quality is WAY better over there. Like miles apart.

Love this.
"We need a sign... Something to represent the lushness of the forest, the variety of flora and fauna that in some cases may only be found here. It should demonstrate that this is the oldest rainforest on the planet!"

Worker: "I got you, boss."
<slaps paint on a 2X8 and nails it to a couple rickety posts>

I thought it was rather understated as well. LOL!

From a bit of a distance. They can be dangerous, although fatal attacks are fairly rare.

Only if provoked from what I understand.

What immediately stuck out to me was... mud skippers! I've heard and read of them. Cool! Didn't know where they were in the world, though.

I've not even heard of a mud skipper! Those look neato!

Humans are the most intelligent animal on the face of the planet...

And yet, some don't have enough sense to stay out of the rain, while the animals do.

Some. There are some really dumb animals too. Sheep come to mind. And cows.

lol. I love how the Dis inserts URL links into your text whether you want it there or not.
I'm sure that when you were talking about the infamous Aussie water dwellers, you were referring to this:

I saw that. <groan>

How big? About the size of your hand?

Maybe like the size of my palm? Legs included.

Animals are smarter than some people.

Except the cows around here. A barn is RIGHT there... why are you standing in the rain?!

Yay! You got to see one! (albeit briefly)

WE DID!!!

I totally understand this sign:

"This is a Cassowary"

"This is a Cassowary after you run over it"

Great interpretation!

That is simultaneously weird and appropriate.
If it's the oldest rainforest in the world, then it's a glimpse into the distant past.
But on the other hand, you have so many diverse and fascinating animals already, it seems unnecessary.

Like popping off a lady finger firecracker while Wishes is playing.

Yes, really weird. Like, it made sense, but I dunno... look what stuff was around millions of years ago, but keep your eyes out for just as bizarre of creatures.

No kidding! Look at the sheer volume of water pouring down!

It was... concerning.

I've never even heard of wattleseed before.

Nor had I!

Check this out:

https://daintreeicecream.com.au/

TONS of tropical, exotic flavors!

I was thinking "At what point do they shut down the ferry..."

Umm, yeah, that thought did cross my mind as well....

<Sorry, Ma'am, you'll have to sleep in your car somewhere tonight. Maybe for the next few days... got yer meat pies?>

Good thing they have those signs there, so no one is crazy enough to venture into the water........................

Except the GBR is pretty heavily dived, so there must be a lot of crazies out there.

Oh there are crocks in there... I'm sure of it.
Dip a toe in... you'll see...

We did walk down there, keeping a healthy distance from the actual edge, and saw NOTHING! They are a myth.

CBD?

Central Business District.

 

[Steppesister]

Wrong picture?

YEP!!! Fixing now.... then back to comment more!

 

[Steppesister]

Love those cute little sugar cane trains!

Aren't they cute?! I was surprised at how many tracks criss-crossed the highway!

For something that can grow up to 7m in length, crocs are ridiculously good at hiding. It's part of what makes them so dangerous. They are generally more solitary though, and quite territorial, so they are relatively sparsely populated.

When we did our airboat ride in Florida, we couldn't believe how many alligators there were all in one place and how easy they were to spot!

I'm sure they were under the swirling, muddy waters, but the rain may have kept them elusive that day. I've visited the alligator area and was shocked at the sheer number of them there!

Wow lucky you! We managed to see a glimpse of a croc when we visited, but didn't see any cassowaries.

We were so lucky! I'd have loved to have gotten a nice sighting of a full grown one but I'll take what I can get.

Better to be safe than sorry. I don't think we made it to Cape Trib either

And from what I'd read, the road beyond that is closed to all traffic unless you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Not worth it, especially in a storm.

As spectacular as that looks, I can definitely see why you were getting a little nervous!

Yeah, just a little nerve-wracking!

That ice-cream place never changes lol! I had the same 4 flavours back in 2015.

Ubers are getting better in Australia but are still sometimes quite unreliable.

This was the only one that we had bad luck with. Kinda hit and miss I think.

Aussies don't like to make a big deal of things, this is pretty much what all our national park signage is like lol!

I mean whatever works! I compared your recent ones with the Death Valley bit to this one. (Wait, I think I remember you didn't get a photo with the N.P. sign. I'd have to go back and look...)

You'd be surprised how many tourists think that the signs don't apply to them and venture into the water anyway, which sadly does sometimes end with a fatality

I get this, but at the same time, the GBR is definitely well explored. I wonder though if folks visit more when it's NOT stinger season?

 

[Steppesister]

Was it raining that night?
Explains it.

Oops.

Tasty though.

Do you follow it? I had no idea! I already have my favourite for this season.

Okay, fine. Everyone has a favorite except me.

I've watched an episode here or there. Like 4 million years ago when it first came out.

I don't go in the water there either.

But you do dive....?

There ya go. Pee away!

Ahhh....

 

[zanzibar138]

I mean whatever works! I compared your recent ones with the Death Valley bit to this one. (Wait, I think I remember you didn't get a photo with the N.P. sign. I'd have to go back and look...)

Yep, we got photos with the very grand Death Valley NP sign!

I get this, but at the same time, the GBR is definitely well explored. I wonder though if folks visit more when it's NOT stinger season?

I guess I was talking more about the rivers and beaches. Most people who snorkel at the GBR are prepared (or at least are part of a tour group who are provided with stinger suits etc). If people make a spontaneous decision to go into the water in the Daintree, it's isolated with no emergency care close by, there are no stinger suits available, and there's the very real danger of a croc attack (which also always results in the euthanasia of the croc ).

 

[Steppesister]

Yep, we got photos with the very grand Death Valley NP sign!

Thought so!

I guess I was talking more about the rivers and beaches. Most people who snorkel at the GBR are prepared (or at least are part of a tour group who are provided with stinger suits etc). If people make a spontaneous decision to go into the water in the Daintree, it's isolated with no emergency care close by, there are no stinger suits available, and there's the very real danger of a croc attack (which also always results in the euthanasia of the croc ).

Ohh, okay that totally makes more sense. and you're right, it is WAY more isolated for sure. I think a rescue there would most certainly involve an airlift of some sort. YIIKES!

 

[pkondz]

Aussies don't like to make a big deal of things, this is pretty much what all our national park signage is like lol!

And that's okay.

You'd be surprised how many tourists think that the signs don't apply to them and venture into the water anyway, which sadly does sometimes end with a fatality

Nope! I was very pleasantly surprised when I was doing my research on what to do on our last couple of days and definitely had to put in on our itinerary when I found out I was right there!

How could you not?

Only if provoked from what I understand.

If you have food, apparently.

I've not even heard of a mud skipper! Those look neato!

I learned about them years and years ago.
Kind of an evolutionary leap from water to land. (or at least an example of it.)

Some. There are some really dumb animals too. Sheep come to mind. And cows.

And people.

I saw that. <groan>

Not a fan of the Dis forcing links into what I write. At all.
I'll start writing like this: "I wore a pair of crOcs"

Maybe like the size of my palm? Legs included.

Not too bad, then.

Except the cows around here. A barn is RIGHT there... why are you standing in the rain?!

Because there's no shower in the barn. Cows are smart.

Great interpretation!

Umm, yeah, that thought did cross my mind as well....

<Sorry, Ma'am, you'll have to sleep in your car somewhere tonight. Maybe for the next few days... got yer meat pies?>

We did walk down there, keeping a healthy distance from the actual edge, and saw NOTHING! They are a myth.

If you'd gone a little closer, I'm sure we'd all be mything you.

Okay, fine. Everyone has a favorite except me.

I've watched an episode here or there. Like 4 million years ago when it first came out.

Ah. So not a fan.

But you do dive....?

Long story

 

[Wood Nymph]

I didn’t realize that Australia produced sugar from sugar cane. I know that the sugar production in SE Asia can be done much cheaper than in places like Hawaii.

It would have been cool to see an adult Cassowary. At least you saw the baby.

I would be worried about the heavy rain stranding us, too. You really had a lot of rain at the end of the trip

 

[Steppesister]

A is for: A BIG, FAT FINALE!!​

Finally, just over a year after our return from this magical, adventure-filled trip, we’ve arrived at the end- the chapter that brings it all to a close. I’m sure you’re all breathing a sign of relief; and I know I’m ready to find new exciting places and make new memories! In fact, in one month from today, I'll be jetting to Africa and hope you'll join me for daily-ish sneak peeks and the tell-all TR when I return!!

After our water-logged trek through the Daintree, we endured two more nights at Gilligan's (a 3-hour sleep… a 3-hour sleep….). I needed coffee. Badly. There was zero agenda for the day other than to walk around, sleep in (I did not), and eat. I let Anara doze while I struck out in search of sustenance in liquid, caffeinated form and found… well, I found this. Clearly, they know their clientele.

​

They grind well and my coffee was perfect. The biscuit/scone/thing? was less so. Dry, to say the least.

​

Still early, I headed to check out the pool area and the cavernous recesses of the club area(s). The whole area reeked of stale beer and sweat. Maybe about 4 million years ago I’d have not thought anything of it. I’m older (I’d like to think wiser too) and it’s gross now. The pool itself on the hand, was actually not bad. Especially, because I had the whole place to myself. I did wonder how many biospills those couches had on them though and decided to move on.

​

Hoping the girl was up I headed upstairs; luckily, she was and was even ready to head out. The skies had cleared, and the humidity climbed to Biblical levels making every breath an effort. Sweat soaked my shirt in just a few minutes, but we trudged on. I’d still take too hot and too muggy over risking freezing to death any day.

​

The whole waterfront area is quite lovely with huge, fern-covered banyans and other trees; some were flowering, all were full of birds. I collected quite a few more, some wading birds that were futzing around in the muck of low tide, and a few new perching birds I hadn’t see before. At one point, I did get very light-headed from the heat and had to sit down on a bench until it passed. Thankfully, not out.

And now for a birdlife interlude...

**** Warning too many bird photos incoming!****



(Gray-tailed Tattler)


(Swallow-tailed Gull)


(Australasian Pelican)


(Varied Honeyeater)


(Myna bird)


(Silver-tipped Imperial Pigeon)


(This is not a bird. God knows what it is, but I'm just making sure you're paying attention. Weird stuff grows in Australia.)


(Green Figbird)


(Willie Wagtail; Hey, I don't make these names up)


(Bar-tailed Godwit)


(Masked Lapwing)​

 

[Steppesister]

We now return to your regularly scheduled Trip Reporting...

Hunger set in and we decided to head back to the town center to find a bit of lunch. Sticking with the Asian food theme, we settled on Thai food and boy howdy it was great! I paired my noodle dish with a lychee fruit cocktail which was fabulous! Asian never disappoints.

​

Along the way to lunch, we discovered the waterfront public swimming pool and decided that that would be the perfect way to cool off and spend a few hours. We hustled back to Gilligan’s after our nomalicious meal and got changed for a bit of pool time! Luckily, the walk was only about 15 or so minutes and before long were were cooling off in the enormous and pristine (FREE!!) pool along with about 60 or so others. Not to worry! The pool was huge and there was PLENTY of room to wade around and not be too cozy with others. We slathered up, but it didn’t matter one iota. In the couple of hours we were there we were both burnt to a crisp and we’d both peel for the next week after getting home. #noregrets

​

While at the pool, I made our dinner reservation with the driving force being a quest to find kangaroo meat. We should have been more responsible and actively sought it out much earlier in the trip, but opportunity was fairly scarce. It was now or never. My research led me to The Bush Fire- one of those Brazilian Pig Out places which happened to offer some Kanga meat among a plethora of other delectables. I can neither confirm nor deny an after-pool time nap happened before the pig out.

​

We absolutely LOVED our greatly over-priced meat-a-thon; Personally, I loved the side dishes more than the meats. The watermelon, feta, pumpkin seed salad was exquisite and the slaw was to die for. Of the meats, the beef picanha and the kangaroo were the clear winners. Soooo good! We ate until we were sick; it’s not a success unless you bring the restaurant close to bankruptcy. When the pineapple came out and we asked for thirds, the manager broke a sweat.

(It's not really purple meat, but the light makes it look like that)


​

The return to Gilligan’s for a last night was uneventful- we tucked in fully expecting one more round of very little sleep. With too little alcohol to dull the senses for sleeping, we woke up unrefreshed and ready to travel homeward. Who knows, maybe we’d be so tired starting our 24+ hour journey we’d actually be able to get some in-flight rest. (Hey, did I tell you about the few acres of dry land I have for sale in Florida?)

(random art on the walk back to Gilligan's)​

Quantas took us as far as Sydney. I was obsessed with spotting the Opera House, but the approach gave no such luck. The layover in Sydney wasn’t long but did give testimony to the crap sleep we’d gotten the prior night at Gilligan’s; Hostel life had finally caught up with us. Finally boarding our 4-hour Fiji Airways flight to Nadi Airport would be a blessing!

(Inbound with no view of the Opera House)


(Outbound, I found it!!!!)​

This was a new livery to me and the flight crew had the coolest, classiest uniforms I’ve ever flown with. Fresh flowers and all!! I stole this photo from the internet.

View attachment 954707


​

The layover in Nadi was a chaotic CF with 2 or 3 flights all conglomerated in one gate, no one knowing who was supposed to be where. Eventually, it all got sorted out and we made it onto our last leg of the long journey home. The skies bid us a beautiful farewell to the Eastern hemisphere and thus ended another wonderful trip…..

​

And now a few last thoughts and stats:

Favorite part of the trip- destinationally-speaking: Bali, hands down.

Favorite memories in no particular order: My daughter’s wedding, laughing with Anara, my Balinese cooking class, sleeping in a treehouse, seeing Uluru at sunset, not having to pay one penny for extra carryon weight or size but one time

Biggest bummers and scary moments: Getting some sort of tropical infection from a bug bite in the Philippines, not seeing an adult Cassowary or a crocodile, almost dying while snorkeling, the constant rain on Fitzroy Island, almost running out of gas in Uluru Park

Number of Birds I photographed/saw during the trip: 63!!!! ALL were new to me!

Flights taken: 13

PHX-LAX

LAX-MAN

MAN-BALI

BALI-ADELAIDE

ADELAIDE-HOBART

HOBART-SYDNEY

SYDNEY-ALICE SPRINGS

ALICE SPRINGS-MELBOURNE

MELBOURNE-CAIRNS

CAIRNS-SYDNEY

SYDNEY-FIJI

FIJI-LAX

LAX-PHX

Best meal(s):

• For experience: The simple roadside meal with my driver on a Balinese backroad- Soup
• For tastiness: Lunch on my first day in Bali
• Most unique: The Tawilis fish from Lake Taal in the Philippines (found nowhere else on Earth!)
• Best Coffee: Coffee Tasting near Ubud/ Yes, the Civet Poop Coffee (Kopi Luwak) is pretty good.

Worst Meal:

Frozen Pizza on Kangaroo Island and the ribs at the place on KI.

Most photographic moments:

The Monkey Forest in Bali, Uluru and Kata Tjuta in Central Australia, The Tasmanian Coastline and Bay of Fires, Lake Taal in the Philippines


And that my friends is a wrap! Live long and prosper, and join me on my next exotic adventure to far-away, Disney-inspired places! A new TR coming to a space near you soon!

 

[Steppesister]

Sorry, Friends! I’ve had an incredibly busy last couple of weekends as my grandkids are in town and I’ve had them over for Grammy sleepovers. On top of that we’ve had some nasty weather that has required late night sheltering and terrible sleep. We’re facing some catastrophic floods on top of all of the tornado warnings and sirens. If all of that wasn’t enough, I was working out of town the last two weeks and just haven’t found my groove yet with a schedule. All that to say, I’m a little behind with replies, but I will get to those hopefully tomorrow. I also hope that my other trip report will get back on track and I can make some progress on that one as well. Stay safe friends.

 

[zanzibar138]

I’m sure you’re all breathing a sign of relief

On the contrary... I've really enjoyed your report and will be sad to see it come to an end!

In fact, in one month from today, I'll be jetting to Africa and hope you'll join me for daily-ish sneak peeks and the tell-all TR when I return!!

Yes! Looking forward to it!

The whole area reeked of stale beer and sweat.
I did wonder how many biospills those couches had on them though and decided to move on.

Eww!

The whole waterfront area is quite lovely with huge, fern-covered banyans and other trees; some were flowering, all were full of birds.

You got some lovely photos.

And now for a birdlife interlude...

And some great bird photos!

(Myna bird)

To set the record straight for other readers, Mynas were introduced from India and are considered a pest species. They evict other native birds from their nests and destroy their eggs and chicks. Generally I wouldn't say I know a lot about birds, but these are a bit of a problem in Melbourne so I learned!

(Willie Wagtail; Hey, I don't make these names up)

Willie Wagtails on the other hand are one of my favourite birds - they're super cute! We get a lot of them in Perth and I love seeing them in our garden.

Sticking with the Asian food theme, we settled on Thai food and boy howdy it was great!

It looks delicious! We're pretty lucky in Australia to have such great Asian food.

Along the way to lunch, we discovered the waterfront public swimming pool and decided that that would be the perfect way to cool off and spend a few hours.

Ooh, it looks great! It was too cold for general swimming when I was in Cairns, but it looked very inviting!

In the couple of hours we were there we were both burnt to a crisp and we’d both peel for the next week after getting home. #noregrets

Did you notice you burnt easier in Australia? I always find in the US I can pretty much spend all day every day out in the sun and come away with a nice tan. Then I get home to Australia, spend an hour in the garden and I'm red and blistering.

We absolutely LOVED our greatly over-priced meat-a-thon

Yum! Glad you got a chance to try kangaroo too. It's actually not too bad to eat, it just needs to be cooked right to not end up too chewy.

Finally boarding our 4-hour Fiji Airways flight to Nadi Airport would be a blessing!

Ooh! That used to be a good one for cheap business class! Doesn't seem to be anymore lol!

(Inbound with no view of the Opera House

I see it! (right in the top corner) You got a great view of Anzac Bridge though (in the middle)

Flights taken: 13

Impressive!

And that my friends is a wrap! Live long and prosper, and join me on my next exotic adventure to far-away, Disney-inspired places! A new TR coming to a space near you soon!

Looking forward to it!

On top of that we’ve had some nasty weather that has required late night sheltering and terrible sleep. We’re facing some catastrophic floods on top of all of the tornado warnings and sirens.

That sounds scary! Stay safe!

 

[Steppesister]

If you have food, apparently.

Here, Birdie, birdie, birdie.... <thwap!> <brains spill out>

I learned about them years and years ago.
Kind of an evolutionary leap from water to land. (or at least an example of it.)

Had no idea. They are very cool looking for sure. There are tons of cool examples- even the cassowary is like that. (A leap)

Not a fan of the Dis forcing links into what I write. At all.
I'll start writing like this: "I wore a pair of crOcs"

I saw that and was NOT amused. Give me a break.

If you'd gone a little closer, I'm sure we'd all be mything you.

They are good at hiding for sure. Trust me, we kept a healthy distance between us.

I didn’t realize that Australia produced sugar from sugar cane. I know that the sugar production in SE Asia can be done much cheaper than in places like Hawaii.

I had NO idea either! That was a total surprise to me for sure!

It would have been cool to see an adult Cassowary. At least you saw the baby.

Maybe I'll have to make time for a re-do someday.... and spend a bit more time "on the hunt".

I would be worried about the heavy rain stranding us, too. You really had a lot of rain at the end of the trip

I thought that was a lot of rain.... then I've experienced the last 5 days here at home. Flooding EVERYWHERE here!

 

[Steppesister]

On the contrary... I've really enjoyed your report and will be sad to see it come to an end!

Aww, thank you!!

Yes! Looking forward to it!

I might even start a Sneak Peek thread here in a bit, just to get the framework laid!

You got some lovely photos.

Thanks!

And some great bird photos!

Those are harder to get for sure!!

To set the record straight for other readers, Mynas were introduced from India and are considered a pest species. They evict other native birds from their nests and destroy their eggs and chicks. Generally I wouldn't say I know a lot about birds, but these are a bit of a problem in Melbourne so I learned!

Interesting!! I had no idea! Much like the European (imported) starlings here. Ugh.

Willie Wagtails on the other hand are one of my favourite birds - they're super cute! We get a lot of them in Perth and I love seeing them in our garden.

They are so cute!!! I loved how it was just hopping away like a little fairy.

It looks delicious! We're pretty lucky in Australia to have such great Asian food.

No doubt!!! Loved all of it: Korean (x2, Alice Springs), Indian (Alice Springs), Japanese (Cairns), Thai, (Cairns), Chinese (Adelaide) MMmmmm!

Ooh, it looks great! It was too cold for general swimming when I was in Cairns, but it looked very inviting!

If you're ever back there, I'd sure try and enjoy it. The waterfront is such a lovely setting too.

Did you notice you burnt easier in Australia? I always find in the US I can pretty much spend all day every day out in the sun and come away with a nice tan. Then I get home to Australia, spend an hour in the garden and I'm red and blistering.

We sure did that day, although I almost always try and wear some sort of light covering over my suit unless I'm in the water. The last time I burned pretty badly was in Florida while kayaking. I do wonder if being so close to the equator has something to do with it? The purity of the air?

Yum! Glad you got a chance to try kangaroo too. It's actually not too bad to eat, it just needs to be cooked right to not end up too chewy.

It was really good and I enjoyed it quite a lot. I can see how it'd be prone to getting tough and chewy though.

Ooh! That used to be a good one for cheap business class! Doesn't seem to be anymore lol!

Sigh.... I may never in my life get to fly business or First. So expensive and I just don't fly enough to rack up CC points or mileage.

I see it! (right in the top corner) You got a great view of Anzac Bridge though (in the middle)

Well, looky there!!!!! Good eye!!! Thanks!

Looking forward to it!

Wonderful!

I am woefully behind on EVERY TR I follow right now having been so terribly busy, but I will try really hard to catch back up over the next few days. Yours is most definitely on the list!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Along the way to lunch, we discovered the waterfront public swimming pool and decided that that would be the perfect way to cool off and spend a few hours. We hustled back to Gilligan’s after our nomalicious meal and got changed for a bit of pool time! Luckily, the walk was only about 15 or so minutes and before long were were cooling off in the enormous and pristine (FREE!!) pool along with about 60 or so others. Not to worry! The pool was huge and there was PLENTY of room to wade around and not be too cozy with others.

That public pool looks really nice. I can see why you spent a lot of time there.

We absolutely LOVED our greatly over-priced meat-a-thon; Personally, I loved the side dishes more than the meats.

It all looks very good.

Who knows, maybe we’d be so tired starting our 24+ hour journey we’d actually be able to get some in-flight rest.

I can't any real rest on an airplane. It is not a comfy place to sleep.

Favorite part of the trip- destinationally-speaking: Bali, hands down.

I'm not surprised about that. Bali was my sister's favorite vacation spot, too.

 

[zanzibar138]

We sure did that day, although I almost always try and wear some sort of light covering over my suit unless I'm in the water. The last time I burned pretty badly was in Florida while kayaking. I do wonder if being so close to the equator has something to do with it? The purity of the air?

In Australia, I believe we're impacted by the 'hole' in the ozone layer, which is near Antarctica.

Sigh.... I may never in my life get to fly business or First. So expensive and I just don't fly enough to rack up CC points or mileage.

CC sign-up bonus points for the win!

I am woefully behind on EVERY TR I follow right now having been so terribly busy, but I will try really hard to catch back up over the next few days. Yours is most definitely on the list!

Totally get that - it can be pretty tricky to keep up when you're following multiple TRs. I won't get offended

 

[Steppesister]

In Australia, I believe we're impacted by the 'hole' in the ozone layer, which is near Antarctica.

That sure makes sense!

CC sign-up bonus points for the win!

I need to research more on how to take advantage of all of that!

Totally get that - it can be pretty tricky to keep up when you're following multiple TRs. I won't get offended

I used to have so much time when I first was on the DIS 17 years ago. My how life has changed! I was constantly on and following a dozen or more threads, but now I can hardly keep up with the 6 or 7 I'm on. I've made some lifelong friendships and love that, but I just can't be on like I used to be.

 

[pkondz]

Finally, just over a year after our return from this magical, adventure-filled trip, we’ve arrived at the end- the chapter that brings it all to a close.

Wow! It's been a year already??? Where has the time gone??

I’m sure you’re all breathing a sign of relief

Hardly. Been really enjoying this TR. So different! (And that's a good thing!)

and I know I’m ready to find new exciting places and make new memories!

Gee... I wonder where...

In fact, in one month from today, I'll be jetting to Africa and hope you'll join me for daily-ish sneak peeks and the tell-all TR when I return!!

we endured two more nights at Gilligan's (a 3-hour sleep… a 3-hour sleep….).

sleep in (I did not),

Presume you didn't really expect to, either.

well, I found this. Clearly, they know their clientele.


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Intimately, apparently!

The whole area reeked of stale beer and sweat.

Ew

I’m older (I’d like to think wiser too)

I'd like to think I'm older and wiser too...
But you have the advantage, as I am merely older.

and it’s gross now.

I did wonder how many biospills those couches had on them though and decided to move on.

Ewww!!!
Thanks for that.


not.

The skies had cleared, and the humidity climbed to Biblical levels making every breath an effort.

Really! I thought maybe the rain would have cut that.
Apparently... not so much.

I’d still take too hot and too muggy over risking freezing to death any day.

Agree to disagree.

Nicely framed.

At one point, I did get very light-headed from the heat and had to sit down on a bench until it passed. Thankfully, not out.

Out would not be good.

I keep reading that as Cairns Post Party Ltd.

Naturally I had to look it up:

Pty Ltd is short for 'proprietary limited' and describes a particular type of private company structure commonly used in Australia. These private companies are privately owned with a limited number of shareholders. They do not offer their shares to the general public

Cool!

Whoa. That's a lot.

**** Warning too many bird photos incoming!****

Just a few.
Enjoyed looking at all of them, though. Won't comment on every one, but...

(Gray-tailed Tattler)

Not a fan. Won't keep a secret. Horrid bird.

(Myna bird)

Cool! Heard of them for years. Never seen one.

(This is not a bird. God knows what it is, but I'm just making sure you're paying attention. Weird stuff grows in Australia.)

I wouldn't tough it, though.
Whatever it is... it's in Australia, so trying to kill you.

(Willie Wagtail; Hey, I don't make these names up)

I paired my noodle dish with a lychee fruit cocktail which was fabulous!

mmmm... Looks good!

Asian never disappoints.

It actually does, on occasion. And when it does... I don't return to that particular restaurant.

before long were were cooling off in the enormous and pristine (FREE!!) pool along with about 60 or so others. Not to worry! The pool was huge and there was PLENTY of room to wade around and not be too cozy with others.

Sounds like a great way to cool off.

While at the pool, I made our dinner reservation with the driving force being a quest to find kangaroo meat. We should have been more responsible and actively sought it out much earlier in the trip, but opportunity was fairly scarce. It was now or never.

Huh. I could've sworn I read you having some, before. Must've been in a comment as opposed to what actually transpired in the TR.

The Bush Fire- one of those Brazilian Pig Out places which happened to offer some Kanga meat among a plethora of other delectables.

Have one of those here in town. (Different name, same sort of place. Including the STOP/GO block.)

I can neither confirm nor deny an after-pool time nap happened before the pig out.

I'm surprised it wasn't required after the pig out!

Of note... the Slaw sounds intriguing. And I note the Canadian connection on the menu.

We absolutely LOVED our greatly over-priced meat-a-thon;

Did you have meat sweats after?

the slaw was to die for.

Now I want some good slaw? Mayo or vinegar based?

it’s not a success unless you bring the restaurant close to bankruptcy.

I'm shocked that you could eat enough to make it so!

When the pineapple came out and we asked for thirds, the manager broke a sweat.

Stand back! She's going for thirds!

(Hey, did I tell you about the few acres of dry land I have for sale in Florida?)

Selling both sides?

I was obsessed with spotting the Opera House, but the approach gave no such luck.

LIES!!!!

That's either Anara or a human pretzel. Or both!

(Inbound with no view of the Opera House)

LIES!!!!!

(Outbound, I found it!!!!)

Closer, if a wee bit more blurry.

The layover in Nadi was a chaotic CF with 2 or 3 flights all conglomerated in one gate

Favorite part of the trip- destinationally-speaking: Bali, hands down.

Not surprised to read that, at all.

Favorite memories in no particular order: My daughter’s wedding,

laughing with Anara

my Balinese cooking class, sleeping in a treehouse, seeing Uluru at sunset, not having to pay one penny for extra carryon weight or size but one time

All very worthy mentions.

Getting some sort of tropical infection from a bug bite in the Philippines, not seeing an adult Cassowary or a crocodile, almost dying while snorkeling, the constant rain on Fitzroy Island, almost running out of gas in Uluru Park

Ugh... but think that dying would've been the worst of the lot.

Number of Birds I photographed/saw during the trip: 63!!!! ALL were new to me!

Whoa! Lots!

Flights taken: 13

Just a few.

For experience: The simple roadside meal with my driver on a Balinese backroad- Soup

It's those unexpected moments.

And that my friends is a wrap! Live long and prosper, and join me on my next exotic adventure to far-away, Disney-inspired places! A new TR coming to a space near you soon!

Thanks so much for writing about this trip! Very much looking forward to hearing all about the next one!!