Ross and Alice

Leaving the vans in Derby, we went camping for 3 nights at Windjana Gorge a pretty Gorge known for its 70 resident freshwater crocs and some aboriginal art we heard about last visit we found after a long very hot walk. What’s another 70K of corrugations to visit Tunnel Creek which is a flowing creek right through a range. Togs and torches are order of the day for that one. Quite beautiful inside and so cool on a hot day. My first flat tire, picking up a nail on the bitumen just 20K from Derby -BUGGAR. After all that rough dirt we had travelled ! From Derby we camped half way to Broome and finally made our destination July 1.Broome has obviously boomed last 5 years with a lot of new subdivisions and resorts everywhere. Caravan ... read more

CONTINUING GOSFORD TO BROOME 2009. THIS ENTRY WAS SUPPOSED TO GO BEFORE THE "MISSING END'" DON'T ASK WHY, IT JUST DIDN'T !!! We all spent 2 very busy days back in the big smoke Kununurra cleaning cars, running repairs to all sorts of equipment and of course the usual attack on Coles supermarket to renew supplies. The park there had a pool so that was our meeting place for evening drinks and dinner at the barby. Then it was out on the Great Northern Hwy.(lovely smooth tar!!) and heading west. First night was free camp 594 opposite the turn-off to the Bungle Bungles where we left the vans again and went tenting in the Purnululu National Park. Alice and I had camped there 5 years ago but we were happy to return to one of our ... read more

We have just discovered that it would be quicker to post photo's than upload so you can all come round for a nice slide evening when we return. More free camps after Warialda for Anzac Day and at Meandara the local publican was from Newcastle. Visited Monty’s Garage at Glenmorgan where he had a fantastic collection of old cars and service station memorabilia including a copy of Jack Murray’s Grey Ghost from Redex Trial ,days. Three days in Mitchell with morning and afternoon visits to the artesian spa was next .Supposed to cure all ailments,(don’t believe it !) then off to stay on a working farm near Charleville for 2 days, what a great place to camp, a lovely young family running farm and park. They were looking for part-time managers, very tempting!! In Isisford we ... read more

On good advice from Kelly Oniel we found a hotel with a pool ,as the middle of the day was so hot and we literally fell in the pool on return from the Wats. We found a tuk tuk driver who we used for the 3 days the pass to the temples lasts. The 3 day pass is US $40 they are sure out to relieve the tourists of their money. Having said that it was the best $40 I have ever spent. The temples are the main reason to go to Cambodia and they certainly don't let you down. 900 plus years old and only recently found in the jungle. Angkor Wat is amazing in shere size and the most beautiful moat that surrounds it. Ta Prohm of course is the favourite with the giant ... read more

Leaving Christmas Island Oct 27 we flew to KL where we overnighted at airport and next morning flew to Langkawi Island, the largest and most habitated of 99 islands off the border with Thailand. In old malay Langkawi means reddish brown eagle.We stayed at a resort on the beach with all the resort facilities.Many 5- star hotels and resorts dot the island but we found it very peaceful and lay-back. Spent a day driving the island in a cheap hire-car that gave us plenty of trouble starting. ( the old rule you get what you pay for came to mind!) The cable car up 710 metres was a treat for $6 ,fantastic views and Alice even managed a foot massage up there. The wild-life park had some terrific birds that are people friendly.... read more

We arrived in Christmas Island Sept.8 by MAS Airlines from Kuala Lumpur,departing the same way Oct.27. I was employed as Relief Airport Manager and Alice as Airport Operations and Security Manager. This was the third time we had held these positions and was the most enjoyable as a lot of the politics had found a comfortable place to hide. Celebrations for 50 years since the island was handed over from the British to Australia were in full swing while we were there as well as the Malay Hari Raya at the end of ramadan. ... read more