Deronda

Located 13 kilometers west of the Fleurieu and south of the Yorke peninsulas in South Australia, Kangaroo Island is Australia's third largest island after Tasmania and Melville Island. Its it approximately 155kms long and 55kms wide with a total area of about 4350 square kilometers. It population is 4350 people, 500,000 wallabies, 15,000 kangaroos and 25,000 koalas. Also amongst the inhabitants are echidnas, platypuses, sea lions, seals and dozens of bird species. Though I have lived many years in Adelaide, I have never visited. Now aboard a ferry boarded at Cape Jervis, on the tip of the Fluerieu Peninsula, I am hoping to meet a few of its citizens. Landing at Penneshaw late in the afternoon I decide to drive to the town of American River for my first night on the island. A small community ... read more

Escaping form Perth for a few days I drive along the coast from Walpole to Albany. Attractions during this trip are the Valley of Giants, inlet beaches and the former whaling city of Albany. Walpole, 450 kms south-west of Perth is located on Walpole Inlet which drains into the larger Nornalup Inlet and hence into the Southern Ocean. Established in the 1930's as a group settlement for farmers its industries grew to include timber milling, beef and dairy farming. Today its main claim to fame is the Red and Yellow Tingle Tree. With a population of 500 people it is a very quiet center with shops closed by 8PM. The Red Tingle (Eucalpytus Jacksonii) is found only in the vicinity of the Walpole-Nornalup National Park. It can grow up to 75 metres high. Its shallow root ... read more

With nose pressed up against the bus window, the Laotion countryside glides past. The decision to take the bus rather the fly from Luang Prabang to Vientiane is correct. A ribbon of bitumen winds its way through the forested karst to Vangvieng. Karst is a topography where carbonate rocks (limestone, dolomite or marble) have been dissolve by carbonated water resulting in a landscape consisted of steep gorges, sinkholes, disappearing and reappearing rivers and springs. Though is can be seen from the road that much of it has been cleared. Roadside villages consisting of a few thatched houses mounted on stilts are located every few kilometers. Some have houses with satellite dishes, many do not. Often the village is located on the edge of what seems to be looking from the bus, a precipice. I suppose people ... read more

Leaving Chiang Klong in Thailand we cross the Mekong River into Laos landing at Ben Huay Sai. Here, any delusion of group travel held since leaving Changmai disintegrates. Its every person for themselves trying to get papers processed and passed through immigration. Through immigration I am whisked off to a cafe and told to stay. Half an hour later I am moved across the street to another cafe, and once again am told to wait. Maybe they were hoping I would buy something, maybe it was disorganisation. Finally I am shunted onto the slow boat to Luang Prabang. The boat, about sixty feet long and ten feet wide, complete with wooden bench seats. A few had a thin plastic cushion which were quickly acquired and poccessed by the chosen few. Provisions, not for us, were loaded ... read more

Arriving in Sukothai in time for the last two days, Saturday and Sunday, of the Loy Krathrong festival I consider myself most fortunate to acquire accommodation a kilometer from the historical park. Having never attending this festival before it seemed appropriate to see it here, where it first occurred over 600 years ago. Legend says that the first floating krathrong was placed by Noppomo, consort to King Loethai.The festival is now celebrated all over Thailand on the first full full moon of the 12th month of the traditional thai lunar calender. This means it falls in November, this year around the 5th. A krathong is a small raft made from banana tree bark and folded banana leaves. It is decorated with flowers, candles and incense. Some have an included coin. This is for the spirits which ... read more