Vicki at Bokara Lookout
Scene from Mt William
Friendly cockatoo
Cute Monkey at Halls Gap Zoo
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Halls Gap
Vicki at Bokara Lookout Scene from Mt William Friendly cockatoo Cute Monkey at Halls Gap Zoo
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Halls Gap
Hi Everyone,
I have had a great few weeks since I returned from the cruise. Of course it wasn't a good start with a flat tyre from my newest tyres! Luckily , although the roadside assist people couldn't help me directly, they pumped me up and directed me to the right tyre people. It is just amazing how quickly the people were able to repair the tyre, and for such a small amount! So off I went again.
Back to Geoff and Adele's to pick up my mail, my herbal pills, and just say hello again to my good friends. Then the big plan happening, down to the travel agent to make the booking for my next big trip. (A surprise for you for the moment!) Next day I go with Adele to the hospital for her visit to her Kidney specialist. we meet up for a coffee with a friend of hers, and afterwards on the way home, poor Adele had a nasty tummy upset, and I had to drive the rest of the way back! I am really spoiled with a GPS! It was a bit tough finding the right roads with poor Adele groaning in the seat beside me! But we made it! Sh e made a good recovery. It is just one of those things that go with waiting for a Kidney transplant.
Next morning off to Loxton and back to favourite cousin Pauline's house for a last visit before I finally say goodbye to SA! On the way I go through a fruitfly checkpoint, have done this many times as I criss cross the states, I realise I have done a big shop of salad and potatoes and onion, I decide to take a chance, and carry on. Guess what, just up the road the guys are out doing an inspection! I 'm sweating big time as I know I have been naughty! and then God feels sorry for me and the inspector waves me past as they had a full checkpoint! I swear I will never risk it again and give all my stuff to my cousin!.Next day I head off to Victoria.
I took the slow road to Halls Gap via a route that I have done part of before, stopping at a couple of caravan parks where I was able to do my washing and get ready for a few days at Halls gap. I arrived at the town ship and was quite surprised as I thought the town would be up in the mountains, instead it is down it the valley. But what a lovely spot! I always love mountains, as of course WA doesn't really have any! I had another couple come and share my time at the caravan park, this was a "travel auction" best buy! We had some lovely weather for the first 4 days, and then it rained as I was packing up to move out. Hazel and graeme were lovely companions to have, they drove us up the mountains to Mt William, one of the tallest in the Grampians group and there were some lovely views as we drove through this picturesque area. We took a drive to Great Western to wine taste at Seppelt which makes some great bubbles wines!! My favourite! Naturally we had to buy a few bottles! We also went to the Halls Gap Zoo, whuch I found pretty amazing! I expected it to be a pigs and sheep and rabbits sort of thing, but it was great, they had Meerkats! lots of cute monkeys, the white fluffy faced ones , mostly miniature ones, snakes, lizards and big monitor lizards, crocodiles, But only small ones! Koalas, wombats, Tassie Devils, emus, kangaroos, of course, ostriches, brolgas, cassowary, so quite a few animals I had never seen before. The really good thing though, was that each evening a big mob of Kangaroos came through the park and there were sulphur crested cockatoos which ate out of your hand etc. I hope to include some good photos .
Next is motor homing rally at Yarram.
Keep laughing and loving and I hope you are all in good spirits, until we meet again. Vicki
I have had a great few weeks since I returned from the cruise. Of course it wasn't a good start with a flat tyre from my newest tyres! Luckily , although the roadside assist people couldn't help me directly, they pumped me up and directed me to the right tyre people. It is just amazing how quickly the people were able to repair the tyre, and for such a small amount! So off I went again.
Back to Geoff and Adele's to pick up my mail, my herbal pills, and just say hello again to my good friends. Then the big plan happening, down to the travel agent to make the booking for my next big trip. (A surprise for you for the moment!) Next day I go with Adele to the hospital for her visit to her Kidney specialist. we meet up for a coffee with a friend of hers, and afterwards on the way home, poor Adele had a nasty tummy upset, and I had to drive the rest of the way back! I am really spoiled with a GPS! It was a bit tough finding the right roads with poor Adele groaning in the seat beside me! But we made it! Sh e made a good recovery. It is just one of those things that go with waiting for a Kidney transplant.
Next morning off to Loxton and back to favourite cousin Pauline's house for a last visit before I finally say goodbye to SA! On the way I go through a fruitfly checkpoint, have done this many times as I criss cross the states, I realise I have done a big shop of salad and potatoes and onion, I decide to take a chance, and carry on. Guess what, just up the road the guys are out doing an inspection! I 'm sweating big time as I know I have been naughty! and then God feels sorry for me and the inspector waves me past as they had a full checkpoint! I swear I will never risk it again and give all my stuff to my cousin!.Next day I head off to Victoria.
I took the slow road to Halls Gap via a route that I have done part of before, stopping at a couple of caravan parks where I was able to do my washing and get ready for a few days at Halls gap. I arrived at the town ship and was quite surprised as I thought the town would be up in the mountains, instead it is down it the valley. But what a lovely spot! I always love mountains, as of course WA doesn't really have any! I had another couple come and share my time at the caravan park, this was a "travel auction" best buy! We had some lovely weather for the first 4 days, and then it rained as I was packing up to move out. Hazel and graeme were lovely companions to have, they drove us up the mountains to Mt William, one of the tallest in the Grampians group and there were some lovely views as we drove through this picturesque area. We took a drive to Great Western to wine taste at Seppelt which makes some great bubbles wines!! My favourite! Naturally we had to buy a few bottles! We also went to the Halls Gap Zoo, whuch I found pretty amazing! I expected it to be a pigs and sheep and rabbits sort of thing, but it was great, they had Meerkats! lots of cute monkeys, the white fluffy faced ones , mostly miniature ones, snakes, lizards and big monitor lizards, crocodiles, But only small ones! Koalas, wombats, Tassie Devils, emus, kangaroos, of course, ostriches, brolgas, cassowary, so quite a few animals I had never seen before. The really good thing though, was that each evening a big mob of Kangaroos came through the park and there were sulphur crested cockatoos which ate out of your hand etc. I hope to include some good photos .
Next is motor homing rally at Yarram.
Keep laughing and loving and I hope you are all in good spirits, until we meet again. Vicki
Monday, March 5, 2012
End of cruise
Hi Guys,
well all good things must come to an end. I had a great trip on discovery, (some cruises have been better but it was still enjoyable).
The weather on the trip for the most part, was not too hot,, but the humidity! I spent the whole trip soaked through from the tropical humidity. I did a lot of walking in Townsville and Cairns, but in Darwin, I hired a people mover and drove 2 yanks and 2 poms down to Litchfield National Park. We had a great drive down , saw lots of wildlife, wild horses (I think), plenty of kangaroos/wallabies, whatever! also a small group of wild pigs! Lots of huge termite mounds, includng the Magnetic ones, (which face north south). We went to the waterfalls, Florence, Wangi, Tolmer, which due to it being the "wet" were all flowing fiercely. Really wonderful sights! we swam at Florence falls, after climbing down about 150 stairs, but the swim at the pool was fabulous. Course the climb back up the stairs was a killer!! As a tour guide I failed miserably though! Forgot to make sure there was food available down there! We finally ate about 3.30pm! Our tour cost the five of us 71 dollars each, the ship's tour was about 180 pound!
Next morning still in Darwin, this ship stays over in some ports for 2 days, I returned the vehicle and went off to the gorgeous patchwork shop for a few yards of aboriginal patterned fabrics. (Funny last time I visited Darwin from a cruise ship I went there too!)
After I dried myself off we left Darwin and went on to Indonesia, firstly to Komodo Island, Home of the famous Komodo dragons! Great Ugly hulking things about 10 metres long and weigh about 250/300 lbs, UGH!!! I paid 50 pounds to do a walking tour to see them! Who's crazy here? they eat deer, other small animals and the occasional villager!! Only people with tour tickets were allowed to go ashore, so those people who didn't want to spend a small fortune nearly ran a riot at the tour desk! Oh boy the life of the cruise goer! Next we spent 2 days in Bali, quite renewed my feelings about how good the place can be. We hired a car and driver and Marylou and chris the 2 yanks and I went up to Ubud , had a massage and some lovely cold drinks in a bar with the most marvellous views. Next morning we went out again, along to Candidasi and visited a lovely palace, and then drove over the mountains viewing gorgeous rice terraces as we went. Until we got to Ubud again, had a lovely indonesian lunch and then a wonderful drive back down the mountians and back to the ship. Las t stop before Singapore was Semerang, for the historic temple of Borobodur. Again I splashed out to do a tour 105 quid ! but it was worth it I suppose, I guess I won't ever go that way again. Another temple with a million steps, you actually climb over it rather than into it. If you get to the top, and circle the top stupa 3 times clockwise, you gain eternal happiness! So I guess I'm made.
So the cruise finished up with one more bit of excitement, as we were waiting on board to be released from Singapore Immigration,the Captain came over the loud speakers and asked everyone to leave the ship at once as there was a "security risk", so we took off as fast as we could! Luckily my luggage was already unloaded, so I was right thanks, Jack!
I am back in Adelaide, in the motorhome, ready to take off again, as soon as I repair my flat tyre I got while I was away. More to come in the next episode.
To all my friends who may be suffering ll health or bad times, I wish you relief and comfort, good luck and I love you all. Vicki
well all good things must come to an end. I had a great trip on discovery, (some cruises have been better but it was still enjoyable).
The weather on the trip for the most part, was not too hot,, but the humidity! I spent the whole trip soaked through from the tropical humidity. I did a lot of walking in Townsville and Cairns, but in Darwin, I hired a people mover and drove 2 yanks and 2 poms down to Litchfield National Park. We had a great drive down , saw lots of wildlife, wild horses (I think), plenty of kangaroos/wallabies, whatever! also a small group of wild pigs! Lots of huge termite mounds, includng the Magnetic ones, (which face north south). We went to the waterfalls, Florence, Wangi, Tolmer, which due to it being the "wet" were all flowing fiercely. Really wonderful sights! we swam at Florence falls, after climbing down about 150 stairs, but the swim at the pool was fabulous. Course the climb back up the stairs was a killer!! As a tour guide I failed miserably though! Forgot to make sure there was food available down there! We finally ate about 3.30pm! Our tour cost the five of us 71 dollars each, the ship's tour was about 180 pound!
Next morning still in Darwin, this ship stays over in some ports for 2 days, I returned the vehicle and went off to the gorgeous patchwork shop for a few yards of aboriginal patterned fabrics. (Funny last time I visited Darwin from a cruise ship I went there too!)
After I dried myself off we left Darwin and went on to Indonesia, firstly to Komodo Island, Home of the famous Komodo dragons! Great Ugly hulking things about 10 metres long and weigh about 250/300 lbs, UGH!!! I paid 50 pounds to do a walking tour to see them! Who's crazy here? they eat deer, other small animals and the occasional villager!! Only people with tour tickets were allowed to go ashore, so those people who didn't want to spend a small fortune nearly ran a riot at the tour desk! Oh boy the life of the cruise goer! Next we spent 2 days in Bali, quite renewed my feelings about how good the place can be. We hired a car and driver and Marylou and chris the 2 yanks and I went up to Ubud , had a massage and some lovely cold drinks in a bar with the most marvellous views. Next morning we went out again, along to Candidasi and visited a lovely palace, and then drove over the mountains viewing gorgeous rice terraces as we went. Until we got to Ubud again, had a lovely indonesian lunch and then a wonderful drive back down the mountians and back to the ship. Las t stop before Singapore was Semerang, for the historic temple of Borobodur. Again I splashed out to do a tour 105 quid ! but it was worth it I suppose, I guess I won't ever go that way again. Another temple with a million steps, you actually climb over it rather than into it. If you get to the top, and circle the top stupa 3 times clockwise, you gain eternal happiness! So I guess I'm made.
So the cruise finished up with one more bit of excitement, as we were waiting on board to be released from Singapore Immigration,the Captain came over the loud speakers and asked everyone to leave the ship at once as there was a "security risk", so we took off as fast as we could! Luckily my luggage was already unloaded, so I was right thanks, Jack!
I am back in Adelaide, in the motorhome, ready to take off again, as soon as I repair my flat tyre I got while I was away. More to come in the next episode.
To all my friends who may be suffering ll health or bad times, I wish you relief and comfort, good luck and I love you all. Vicki
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