Trenty

The Verdure and Animalia of Gili T are as diverse as the people inhabiting the island. Deciding not to dive this time around both due to bad weather and my now chronic fear of sea sickness and boats, we subsequently spent alot of time walking and riding around the island. It was only really once we traversed the back streets and inland tracks of the island that we really gained a true appreciation for the way of life of the local villagers and the local flora and fauna. Many a day was spent traipsing the highways and byways of Gili T just observing the going on of everyday life and escaping the midday heat. Beneath a green roof of verdant trees and plants we observed sweeping vistas of grazing farmland, grove upon grove of coconut trees, ... read more

Time for another foray into the cairns hinterland and surrounds. Since heading up north we have become quite addicted to swimming in freezing cold fresh water swimming holes. There's something so refreshing and pure about it as opposed to swimming in the sea (not that we can do that up here with stingers and crocs!) We had read that it was possible to swim at a few of the waterfalls a little south of cairns so we headed off down that way, we had also heard that there was a good dairy down there at mungalli so we were keen to check that out as well. First stop was the dairy but we didn't really spend alot of time there as it was quite small and we were handed a plate with some cheese when we ... read more

Over the period of a week we quite a few dives here in Bunaken. Here are some of the photos from the week underwater. We stayed a Bastianos resort which we would definitely go back to and stay. It was great, the staff were so friendly and everything was really easy, more about that in another blog though, this one is dedicated to diving and the memory of my late canon ixus 500. We had been diving for about 3 days when we started a dive at lekuan 2. We dropped to about 18-20m and started to drift along the wall, the guide was out in front, ali behind him and me bringing up the rear. We had been drifting for a few minutes when i happened to look down. I will just say at this ... read more

After getting to Cairns a few months ago we thought that it was high time to have a little mini holiday, a very mini holiday ....... one day. Following a little research we settled on Fitzroy Island about 40min out from Cairns, it seemed an ideal place to spend a day. The brochures said there was snorkeling off the beach and the pictures looked too good to be true. To tell you the truth i had my reservations about it though, I had images of a dumpy island with a resort and loads of holidaymakers and crap snorkeling but Alison wanted to go there so it was there we were going, plus she was paying. Fitzroy island was great. Despite the little resort that is only half built and the orange safety fence that was visible ... read more

Nothing quite says you're on holiday like sitting in a beach bar sipping a beer or an ice cold mango lassi. Nothing that is unless the particular beach bar has Enrique on repeat, then of course it takes the whole experience of being on holiday to a whole new level. You can imagine my carefree mood then as i sat back in a cane chair, my feet digging little moats around me in the soft cool sand. Kinda ice cold beer in my hand gazing across the andaman sea towards the distant lights of Phi Phi. No crowds of tourists here, just the occasional couple or group walking along the beach searching for their beach barbecue for the night. The most delicious smell of barbecuing fish and prawns on the air and everything lit in the ... read more