clocking off

The pod of dolphins frolicked in the foaming waters surrounding Sugarloaf rock, oblivious to the determined photographers who stood shivering in the car park. We had just arrived, wrapped up against the snatching breeze that tore across the bay and set off for a few hours adventure on a small portion of the Cape to Cape trail, which winds south hugging the remote shoreline for 124 km of the South Western peninsula of Australia. The boys found gnarled sticks and foraged ahead, searching for animal tracks and taking it in turns to hide in the dense foliage as we meandered past, lost in thoughts, with only the insistent passing clouds to keep us company as we wound our way along the lonely track, mesmerised by the expanse of ocean peppered with white horses, whipped up by ... read more

Deep within Kakadu national park is an inspirational Aboriginal lady called Patsy, who is one of the remaining people in this area that still hunts for bush tucker. She uses her knowledge to teach visitors how to track and kill snakes, geese, turtles and during the day collects natural herbs to assist with the wood fired banquet planned for sunset. We found turtles by tapping the wet ground with wooden poles, listening for the sound of the shell, as the animal hid from the heat in the cool mud. After a day in the bush, the children had turned ferrel, covered in red dust and in awe of the landscape and herds of buffalo that roamed nearby. As the sun dropped below the escarpment, the buffalo herds settled in the distance and we enjoyed our roasted ... read more

As I lay panting on the floor in the dawn light with my friend Owen, heaving last nights food into the crater rim, I realised that our crack at the summit of Kilimanjaro was over as hoards of excited trekkers skipped over our boots on their way to the peak, only a km away. A decade later, I returned with my wife Fran for trek 2, opting this time for the Machame route, as it gave us the option of isolation, another night on the mountain to acclimatise and the possibility to camp rather than stay in the designated cabins I had used ten years earlier on the Marangu route. Both climbs were memorable, but very different. The Marangu route seemed to be a short sharp ascent, with the crowds to suit, but was a fun ... read more

As the last of the visiting Americans departed the pristine coach, I watched as one by one they ambled towards the waiting craft shop and tea rooms, where piped Irish music reminded them that they had made it to the heritage town of Aradra, which sits on the edge of the Atlantic in Donegal, Ireland. The coach arrives each day during Summer, with different passengers of course, although mandatory name tags give away the fact that they are on a pre planned holiday. With limited time, they purchase the Arran jumpers on display and many look over at the nearby bars, but opt instead for the tea and scones on offer. On a a few occasions I have seen a few brave souls waltz into the heart of town, ignoring the craft shop and finding themselves ... read more

Quokkas are small marsupials, the size of a genitically modified rat, but far cuter and are found throughout Rottnest Island. I have just come back from a 2 night stay, with my wife and 2 boys. The lads had a ball, as cars are not allowed (unless you work on the island in maintenance, operations or the police) and my wife got the chance to finally have some well earned rest with a massage. Bikes are the best form of transport and soon remind you of those childhood days when bike locks were rarely needed. After snorkelling with an octopus (I bumped into it at the reef that hugs the serene beach at Salmon Bay) I ventured to the hotel bar for sundowners. Ideally, the hotel would be on the Western side of the island to ... read more

According to the website of the Jatun Sacha Foundation their Amazonian reserve is situated at: The southern bank of the Upper Napo River, at an altitude of 450 meters above sea level, at 1º 04' S, 77º 36' W, in the Napo Province of Ecuador. This is the edge of Amazonia and was our chance to complete some volunteer work in an area that was always an ambition to visit. Ants, termites, butterflies, bugs and birds are abundant visitors and easy to see each day during the volunteer activities. Humidity and rain were constant companions during our month long stay in this ecological hotspot. During your time as a volunteer, you will assist with reforestation and learn about the forest. You might be able to teach English and will enhance your Spanish. You will almost definitely ... read more