Alida, 34ft 4in catamaran out of Hamilton Beach. Sunsail Yacht Charters.
Tom and Dianne and Paul and Becky met up with our sailing partners, Eric and Kathee and Larry and Val at the boat on Saturday afternoon. Our provisions had been delivered with only minor glitches...like the fact that all the wine had been delivered to a postal box on the other side of the island. Luckily, Kathee realizeed the mistake and one of the wonderful Sunsail people, James, picked it up for us.
Hamilton Island (population in 2006 of 1, 246) is pretty small, but boasts a jet airport and the Sunsail operation is a stroll from the ferry dock where we landed from Airlie Beach.
We were briefed on the Whitsunday islands and presented with charts anf information about where we cannot sail: five bays that are dangerous in the largrt area We stowed our provisions got another briefing on the boat and then began to relax in our home for two weeks.
Friday, October 24, 2014
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Cairns and nearby
Cairns was established in 1876. Named after Governor Cairns. It was reported that its pronunciation as "CANS" is because that was how the governor pronounced his name. Seems a bit strange...or is it really the way Aussies speak? Cairns is on the same latitude: 16 degrees S as is Tahiti. Temperatures range from 31 - 33 degrees C. The wet season is from Christmas to Easter, said to rain 2 meters per year. It is pretty dry now in October. Timber is the main industry with tourism a close 2nd. Tropical fruits are plentiful as are the typical Hawaii plants we are used to seeing.
We are staying at the Ibis Styles Hotel, Cairns, which is nicely small with only three stories and is two blocks up from the water. There are penty of pelicans and other birds, but no beach. Cairns was carved out of mangrove...the waterfront is a large bay with mangrove to the northeast - and the airport there, too.
With saltwater and fresh water crocodiles...no one swims in the ocean. There is a pool at our hotel. And there is a large public swimming pool at the far end of the Esplanade that runs along the water.
Since we still had our rental car, we picked Tom and Dianne up at the airport on Monday evening when they flew in from Alice Springs. just in time for some wine drinking and catching up in our room.
The next morning we took a leisurely walk along the water front toward the Marlin Marina, to the southwest. Along the way we saw many large, sleek boats, there is a substantial mooring across the inlet and beautiful condos and hotels overlook the water.
In the early years, Cairns struggled to survive. Then gold was found across the tablelands There was a gold rush, so a rail line was seen as the answer.
Wednesday we took this train from Freshwater Station in Cairns to Kuranda, which is located on top of the tablelands. This rail line is an amazing feat as it was built entirely by hand. At times there were up to 1,500 men working on the rail. It was hard scrabble...with men living in tents and some small communities erected to house the workers and sometimes their families, too. One base camp, Stoney Creek housed a Methodist church and a brewery that produced 2,000 gallons of ale per week. There are 15 tunnels...the longest at 429 meters. Numerous tressels span gorges...most remarkable one that turns 80 degrees with a water fall on the left and drop-offs on the right as we traveled upward. They carved a stable rail bed out of the rock and earth.
We could have returned from Kuranda by rail but chose to do so by Skyrail, a modern gondola. It took eight years to complete...seven for the paper work and one year to build. The towers were placed by heliocopter...if trees were in the way they were temporarily replanted in pots and then replaced in the earth. From the high cable we skimmed over the tops of the wetlands, eventually seeing the coast, Cairns, and the ever present sugar cane fields as we topped the last cresting tower.
Just before pulling into the last skyrail station, we viewed a large oval waterway. As we decended were could see that the shapes moving counter-clock-wise around on the water wer skiiers. They are pulled by overhead cables. There are jumps. If a skiier falls, s/he just grabs hold of another handle and continues. Unique?
We are staying at the Ibis Styles Hotel, Cairns, which is nicely small with only three stories and is two blocks up from the water. There are penty of pelicans and other birds, but no beach. Cairns was carved out of mangrove...the waterfront is a large bay with mangrove to the northeast - and the airport there, too.
With saltwater and fresh water crocodiles...no one swims in the ocean. There is a pool at our hotel. And there is a large public swimming pool at the far end of the Esplanade that runs along the water.
Since we still had our rental car, we picked Tom and Dianne up at the airport on Monday evening when they flew in from Alice Springs. just in time for some wine drinking and catching up in our room.
The next morning we took a leisurely walk along the water front toward the Marlin Marina, to the southwest. Along the way we saw many large, sleek boats, there is a substantial mooring across the inlet and beautiful condos and hotels overlook the water.
In the early years, Cairns struggled to survive. Then gold was found across the tablelands There was a gold rush, so a rail line was seen as the answer.
Wednesday we took this train from Freshwater Station in Cairns to Kuranda, which is located on top of the tablelands. This rail line is an amazing feat as it was built entirely by hand. At times there were up to 1,500 men working on the rail. It was hard scrabble...with men living in tents and some small communities erected to house the workers and sometimes their families, too. One base camp, Stoney Creek housed a Methodist church and a brewery that produced 2,000 gallons of ale per week. There are 15 tunnels...the longest at 429 meters. Numerous tressels span gorges...most remarkable one that turns 80 degrees with a water fall on the left and drop-offs on the right as we traveled upward. They carved a stable rail bed out of the rock and earth.
We could have returned from Kuranda by rail but chose to do so by Skyrail, a modern gondola. It took eight years to complete...seven for the paper work and one year to build. The towers were placed by heliocopter...if trees were in the way they were temporarily replanted in pots and then replaced in the earth. From the high cable we skimmed over the tops of the wetlands, eventually seeing the coast, Cairns, and the ever present sugar cane fields as we topped the last cresting tower.
Just before pulling into the last skyrail station, we viewed a large oval waterway. As we decended were could see that the shapes moving counter-clock-wise around on the water wer skiiers. They are pulled by overhead cables. There are jumps. If a skiier falls, s/he just grabs hold of another handle and continues. Unique?
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Port Douglas, Qld
Port Douglas is a very manageable although touristy town. We are staying at Port o' Call Lodge, part of the Youth Hostels of Australia system, which has a delightful gourmet cafe. Even had a very good flaminco guitar player on Friday evening, This is our last night, Sunday, October 12th.
From here we took a boat 1 1/2 hours out to the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkeling was excellent and I saw so many varieties of coral. And many fishes. (The plural, I have learned means more than one species. Otherwise, if only one species, the proper term is fish, even when seeing multiples.)
Today, Sunday, we first visited the Sunday morning market. Found lots to look at. Some stuff to buy. We then had a scrumtiious late breakfast in an outdoor cafe.
After that we took a road trip to Cape Tribulation, 54 miles to the north. Drove to the end of paved road...after which is 4-wheel drive, dirt. So we turned around. The Cape Trib beach is beautiful white very fine sand....with softly lapping wave. Walked along it for awhile before heading back into Port Douglas.
From here we took a boat 1 1/2 hours out to the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkeling was excellent and I saw so many varieties of coral. And many fishes. (The plural, I have learned means more than one species. Otherwise, if only one species, the proper term is fish, even when seeing multiples.)
Today, Sunday, we first visited the Sunday morning market. Found lots to look at. Some stuff to buy. We then had a scrumtiious late breakfast in an outdoor cafe.
After that we took a road trip to Cape Tribulation, 54 miles to the north. Drove to the end of paved road...after which is 4-wheel drive, dirt. So we turned around. The Cape Trib beach is beautiful white very fine sand....with softly lapping wave. Walked along it for awhile before heading back into Port Douglas.
Friday, October 10, 2014
Yamba and nearby
Today is Labor Day. Monday, October 6. Michele and I went for a good walk from Neil and Marg's house to the beach, climbing over rocks and up steep sand trails to Yamba Back Beach where we watched surfers and a happy dog chasing a tennis ball.
Ross and Michele had to catch a plane back to Tuncurry at 4:00 so Ross drove us and them through back roads on a tour of the area that includes understanding how the Clarence River floods from time-to-time. Floods turn the region into a giant plane of water. There have been seven floods in the past ten years.
Neil showed us more of the area showing us how extensive the flooding is when it happens. All cattle must be moved to higher ground. Tre are so many rivera that feed into this area that major deaster can not be divertted. There have been flood in 2009, 2011 and 2013. Towns has levies, but still the flooding causes problems. As Neil drove us around the region, we becames aware of the severety of the problems that this flooding can cause.
As we have driven north area that may flood are marked along the highway. At Park of the Sierras we have been experiencing severe drought. And Australia has also had drough. But such flooding is hard to imagine.
Ross and Michele had to catch a plane back to Tuncurry at 4:00 so Ross drove us and them through back roads on a tour of the area that includes understanding how the Clarence River floods from time-to-time. Floods turn the region into a giant plane of water. There have been seven floods in the past ten years.
Neil showed us more of the area showing us how extensive the flooding is when it happens. All cattle must be moved to higher ground. Tre are so many rivera that feed into this area that major deaster can not be divertted. There have been flood in 2009, 2011 and 2013. Towns has levies, but still the flooding causes problems. As Neil drove us around the region, we becames aware of the severety of the problems that this flooding can cause.
As we have driven north area that may flood are marked along the highway. At Park of the Sierras we have been experiencing severe drought. And Australia has also had drough. But such flooding is hard to imagine.
Lots of Coast Line...
We staeted on Tuesday, October 7th. Driving to Byron Bay for the views. Then on to Hervey Bay where we spent the night. A total of 418 miles.
Along the way we passed many cattle, lots of sugar cane. Cane harvesting is active. We are wondering how many crops can be harvested in a years time. There are both narrow guaage trains to haul the canr.
Next night, Octiber 8th, W4's birthday, we were in Sarina. 437 miles covered. We first stopped at a pub where a helpful bartender gave us a list of hotels/motels. We were able to call while sipping wine. Also had dinner of shrimp and lamb shank. Then on to the Tramway motel.
October 9th we made our way only 364 miles to Ingham. Again, we saw huge acerage of sugar cane, increasing tropics with palms, mango, banana, papaya and warmer weather. We found a nice motel with beautiful small garden - plants like Hawaii and wallabies in the field out the back window.
We stopped in Cairns to check out a bead shop. Then drove on to Port Douglas is a beautiful tourist town at the end of a very narrow and winding coastal road.
Along the way we passed many cattle, lots of sugar cane. Cane harvesting is active. We are wondering how many crops can be harvested in a years time. There are both narrow guaage trains to haul the canr.
Next night, Octiber 8th, W4's birthday, we were in Sarina. 437 miles covered. We first stopped at a pub where a helpful bartender gave us a list of hotels/motels. We were able to call while sipping wine. Also had dinner of shrimp and lamb shank. Then on to the Tramway motel.
October 9th we made our way only 364 miles to Ingham. Again, we saw huge acerage of sugar cane, increasing tropics with palms, mango, banana, papaya and warmer weather. We found a nice motel with beautiful small garden - plants like Hawaii and wallabies in the field out the back window.
We stopped in Cairns to check out a bead shop. Then drove on to Port Douglas is a beautiful tourist town at the end of a very narrow and winding coastal road.
Monday, October 6, 2014
Yamba
The drive to Yamba from Belligen is 172 miles. At Grafton the Clarence River parallels the road. The Clarence is the largest river in Australia.
Arriving in Yamba we found Neil and Marg's house - and it is spectacular, on the highesst hill in Yamba and with ocean views, as we had been forewarned. I am still taking photos. The house stilll has work and furnishing to complete. Neil worked with Paul in Hawaii some 35 years ago. Both Neil, Ross and their dad, Fred, are builders. In this house the craftsmanship is outstanding.
On Friday, Marg cooked an elaborately complicated fish casserole as we waited for Ross and Michele to arrive by air from Tuncurry. Ross brought eight dozen oysters,, so we again feasted.
Saturday morning we walked to a small cafe, nestleldl in this residential neighborhood for eggs benedict.
With Neil and Marg in their car and Paul, Ross, Michele and me in our rental we drove to ssee Neil's cattle. He has 53 head in one pasture and moived them to another with more clover. Neil was recently written up in the newspaper for the prices he commanded on his cattle.
We then drove to Iluka, on the coast for views of beautiful white want beaches and whales spouting off-shore. Picked up a friend of Ross' from Tasmania and stopped for a beer in a pub overlooking Yamba the coast.
We enjoyed excellent food at an Italian restaurant, Osteria Monteni, where twin brothers Roberto and Ricardo are the owners and cooks.
On Sunday morning, Michele and Becky shopped. Neil, Ross and Paul picked up and installed a large cabinet in the masster bedroom. Marge told me it was quite a job carrying it up the sprial stairs and fitting it..,but in the end, one more thing
This is Australia's Labor Day Weekend and the Grand Finals for Autralian Football, or "Footy." WOW! This is a brutal sport. The players do not wear protective gear. It was very exciting. The
Rabburitos, or Rabbits, won for the first time in 43 years. This was very emotional for their supporters and the players, too.. After the game ended awards and rigs are presented on the field. The players walk the circumferance of the field...shaking hans and interacting with the crowd in the front row seats. Everyone stays seated and are very respectfull. I find people here to be helpful, respectfull - there are many differences from behaviors in the U.S..
Arriving in Yamba we found Neil and Marg's house - and it is spectacular, on the highesst hill in Yamba and with ocean views, as we had been forewarned. I am still taking photos. The house stilll has work and furnishing to complete. Neil worked with Paul in Hawaii some 35 years ago. Both Neil, Ross and their dad, Fred, are builders. In this house the craftsmanship is outstanding.
On Friday, Marg cooked an elaborately complicated fish casserole as we waited for Ross and Michele to arrive by air from Tuncurry. Ross brought eight dozen oysters,, so we again feasted.
Saturday morning we walked to a small cafe, nestleldl in this residential neighborhood for eggs benedict.
With Neil and Marg in their car and Paul, Ross, Michele and me in our rental we drove to ssee Neil's cattle. He has 53 head in one pasture and moived them to another with more clover. Neil was recently written up in the newspaper for the prices he commanded on his cattle.
We then drove to Iluka, on the coast for views of beautiful white want beaches and whales spouting off-shore. Picked up a friend of Ross' from Tasmania and stopped for a beer in a pub overlooking Yamba the coast.
We enjoyed excellent food at an Italian restaurant, Osteria Monteni, where twin brothers Roberto and Ricardo are the owners and cooks.
On Sunday morning, Michele and Becky shopped. Neil, Ross and Paul picked up and installed a large cabinet in the masster bedroom. Marge told me it was quite a job carrying it up the sprial stairs and fitting it..,but in the end, one more thing
This is Australia's Labor Day Weekend and the Grand Finals for Autralian Football, or "Footy." WOW! This is a brutal sport. The players do not wear protective gear. It was very exciting. The
Rabburitos, or Rabbits, won for the first time in 43 years. This was very emotional for their supporters and the players, too.. After the game ended awards and rigs are presented on the field. The players walk the circumferance of the field...shaking hans and interacting with the crowd in the front row seats. Everyone stays seated and are very respectfull. I find people here to be helpful, respectfull - there are many differences from behaviors in the U.S..
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Bellingen to Doirrigo and on...
We awoke to another clear, sunny day. Paul made coffee in our room while we watched the news and wortked on the computer. We then had breakfast outside at a smalll cafe at 5 Church St. around the corner from the Federal Hotel.
After that we walked around this small town looking in windows and asking for a button store. (Will keep on looking.) We found a pharmacy where the chemist helped me find a most wonoderful type of band-aide for the small blister I had develped on my heel. Wonderful, because not only has this bandage stayed on my heel, it has medication to help heel my wound.
Heading northwest to Dorrigo. Green, Hilly. Large herds of dairy cattle. More green. Many steep curves and more green. We passed through Dorrigo to the S__ Falls and hiked down the bottom of the gorge. Returning through Dorrigo, we stopped at the Dorrigo National Park, a rainforest. There is a skywalk viewing platform. We viewed a excellent film about the interconnectedness of all the creatures.
Birds and bird-songs have been surrounding us at every stop. There are so many different and unusual bird-calls and, of course, more than ever in the rainforest.
We retraced our route down the mountain, passing waterfalls and with views not yet seen as we went up. Back through Belllingen and back to Hwy. 1 to head further north.
Next town on the coast was Sawtell - with a sign: "Aged Pedestrians." (This was worth a photo, so sorry that I haven't managed to upload any.)
We continued on to Coffs Harbour and more spectacular beaches. The highway then turns inland through Grafton and on to Yamba. Along the highway were heard after heard of cattle. Mostly beef. Huge bulls and lots of green grazing.
After that we walked around this small town looking in windows and asking for a button store. (Will keep on looking.) We found a pharmacy where the chemist helped me find a most wonoderful type of band-aide for the small blister I had develped on my heel. Wonderful, because not only has this bandage stayed on my heel, it has medication to help heel my wound.
Heading northwest to Dorrigo. Green, Hilly. Large herds of dairy cattle. More green. Many steep curves and more green. We passed through Dorrigo to the S__ Falls and hiked down the bottom of the gorge. Returning through Dorrigo, we stopped at the Dorrigo National Park, a rainforest. There is a skywalk viewing platform. We viewed a excellent film about the interconnectedness of all the creatures.
Birds and bird-songs have been surrounding us at every stop. There are so many different and unusual bird-calls and, of course, more than ever in the rainforest.
We retraced our route down the mountain, passing waterfalls and with views not yet seen as we went up. Back through Belllingen and back to Hwy. 1 to head further north.
Next town on the coast was Sawtell - with a sign: "Aged Pedestrians." (This was worth a photo, so sorry that I haven't managed to upload any.)
We continued on to Coffs Harbour and more spectacular beaches. The highway then turns inland through Grafton and on to Yamba. Along the highway were heard after heard of cattle. Mostly beef. Huge bulls and lots of green grazing.
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Tuncurry to Bellingen, NSW, Australia
We drove 266 miles today, October 2nd. Left Ross Garrard's at 8:25 a.m. following the Paciific Hwy. past Taree and turning east to pass through the coastal towns of Laurieton, North Haven, Bonny Hills, and Lake Cathie and Port Macquarie.
Each of these towns had marvelous beaches that are filled with people since this is a school holiday and the weather is sunny and warm. It reminds me of Ft. Lauderdale in the 1960s. Rivers and salt-lakes are plentiful along the coast.
At Kempsey we drove out/east to Crescent Head where the waves were long and the approach more shallow allowing stand-up paddle boarders to ride in. Found a bakery with the most plentiful selection of of donuts and pasteries, where Paul had a cup of coffee.
Each of these towns had marvelous beaches that are filled with people since this is a school holiday and the weather is sunny and warm. It reminds me of Ft. Lauderdale in the 1960s. Rivers and salt-lakes are plentiful along the coast.
At Kempsey we drove out/east to Crescent Head where the waves were long and the approach more shallow allowing stand-up paddle boarders to ride in. Found a bakery with the most plentiful selection of of donuts and pasteries, where Paul had a cup of coffee.
As we approached Nambucca Heads we were joined by a Titabawasse-sized river flowing toward the ocean. Nambucca Heads is a very hilly town.
At Urunga we turned west to Bellingen, an old quaint town west of the Pacific Hwy. Neil recommended an old tavern/hotel, the Federal Hotel. We had an excellent dinner - lemon/pepper scampi on a most delicious green salad.
We are now sitting uder an umbrella at No. 5 Church Streert and writing this post.
First thing this morning we will head NW to Dorrigo for a forest walk. We then retrace the road back, east to the coast as we continue to Yamba to stay with Neil and Marguerite.
Steve/Brian, I think "followby e-mail" has been added, so am launching this before we get on the road to continue on to Neil/Marg in Yamba, NSW.
We are now sitting uder an umbrella at No. 5 Church Streert and writing this post.
First thing this morning we will head NW to Dorrigo for a forest walk. We then retrace the road back, east to the coast as we continue to Yamba to stay with Neil and Marguerite.
Steve/Brian, I think "followby e-mail" has been added, so am launching this before we get on the road to continue on to Neil/Marg in Yamba, NSW.
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