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Embracing every experience. Leggi altro🇦🇺Kensington
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  • Bronze3 Capes WalkViaggiatore

    Day 2 (Cont’d)

    30 ottobre 2022, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    Some more shots of some of the beautiful scenery of this amazing walk and region of Tasmania.
    Apparently 30% of the species of flora in Tasmania are located in this area which represents 1% of all of Tassie.
    We also chose the right time for the walk as all the wild flowers were in full bloom and prolific.
    Banksias, coastal heath, different gums etc and a plethora of wildlife which feature in later photos.    Leggi altro

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  • Bronze3 Capes WalkViaggiatore

    Day 2

    30 ottobre 2022, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    We woke up to a beautiful day for walking which defied the collective heads of the trip who had we had forecast a wet and miserable couple of days. Nothing like adapting to what comes along.
    A beautiful walk and day awaited us with some stunning photographs and great company.Leggi altro

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  • Bronze3 Capes WalkViaggiatore

    Day 1 (Cont’d)

    29 ottobre 2022, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    The first day was quite windy and overcast yet because the track was nestled into the trees we were quite protected.
    The accommodation at the first hut was impressive with four people to a room and the only draw back was that snores very loudly which was a downer for the others sharing the cabin. I have already thought out an alternative for tonight and will take a mattress outside and sleep away from the others.
    Empathy… 😇
    I began reading “For the Term of His Natural Life” which provides an insight into early convict life in Tasmania and was hoping to find it at the next hut location but alas no luck.
    The huts are made out of black box which is apparently a very fire resistant timber and have drop toilets with everything being reusable and recyclable.
    Tassie has so many beautiful parts and this track has been maintained in pristine condition.
    The rangers work on a roster of 8 days on and 6 days off which makes it a popular occupation that is highly sort after.    Leggi altro

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  • Bronze3 Capes WalkViaggiatore

    Day 1

    29 ottobre 2022, Australia ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    We left from Port Arthur historical site noting it has been awarded an Australian tourism award which is well deserved imo.
    We took a power boat ride around a couple of the bays and then travelled across to the drop off point.
    Due to the shallow bay we are dropped off on a sandbar and make the choice to wade ashore or take the walk around the rocky shoreline.
    Once ashore the walk begins and we have a short walk to the first hut which is only 4kms from the drop off point.
    Apparently the fit out and preparation of the 3 Capes walking track has been costed at $33 million and thus far it has been extraordinary.
    The paths are well graded and clear and due to the wet weather form small little streams that run down the hill.    Leggi altro

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  • Bronze3 Capes WalkViaggiatore

    Kynanyi / Mount Wellington

    28 ottobre 2022, Australia ⋅ 🌧 10 °C

    Jen and I journeyed up to Mt Wellington to have a look at the view which was non existent due to the cold, rainy weather that has followed us from Victoria.
    We are hoping that the weather will improve before tomorrow when we are due to begin the 3 capes walk.
    We all have waterproof gear and should be able to stay relatively dry although it does depend on how strong the rain and wind might be.    Leggi altro

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  • Bronze3 Capes WalkViaggiatore

    Spirit of Tasmania

    26 ottobre 2022, Australia ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    We had a really pleasant trip over on the boat except for my snoring…
    Little swell and comfortable cabin with a $35 buffet and an opportunity to get some scraps.
    It has been raining in Victoria for most of the day and travelling out through the heads was no exception. I was fortunate enough to get some photos of the pilot exchange after we had passed through the heads.Leggi altro

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  • Malaysia Borneo 2022

    Automated Waiters

    1 agosto 2022, Singapore ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    So in one of the eating restaurants in the airport at Singapore I came across this robot collecting trays and stuff which was quite novel and a sign of things to come.
    I tried standing in front of it to see what it would do and it seemed to just stop…to be continued.Leggi altro

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  • Malaysia Borneo 2022

    Shanggri-La Hotel

    31 luglio 2022, Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    It is such a beautiful experience staying in luxury hotels 🏨 as the layout, food and services are so well done.
    We had a selection of three different restaurants and the buffet had an extraordinary selection of food as well.
    You could also hire jet ski’s, sailboats and other cool stuff.
    The beach was also relatively clean of plastic although I made another contribution to the rubbish bin 😠.
    The Shanghri-La hotel chain has a specific perfume that they use throughout their hotels around the world and it is wonderful to come into the hotel and smell the same scent…it is very welcoming.
    It is also very appealing reading on a lounge and having cocktails 🍹 and food delivered to you by immaculately dressed wait staff.    Leggi altro

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  • Malaysia Borneo 2022

    Shanggri-La Resort

    31 luglio 2022, Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    We finished our trip as it started staying at another Shanghai-La resort which was a memorable way to end this holiday.
    Cocktails by the pool and eating at the restaurants in the evening.
    Chris, Jen and I went swimming in the ocean which was very refreshing and a little cooler than I expected…the swim was cut short due a jellyfish scare.
    No big deal as I cupped one of them in my hand and did not seem to get stung.    Leggi altro

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  • Malaysia Borneo 2022

    Chris’ Birthday

    30 luglio 2022, Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    Our final day at the wetland resort enabled us to see even more river life including fireflies, more birds and other features of the area.
    The river is also home to a group of people who have lived on the river for decades and make their living from fishing in the river.Leggi altro

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  • Malaysia Borneo 2022

    River Tour

    28 luglio 2022, Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    The main purpose for staying at the resort is to travel the river and observe the wildlife in their natural habitat.
    This area in Sabah is renown as being a treasure trove for the following species all of which we saw:
    Orangutans 🦧, Crocodiles 🐊, Kingfishers, Proboscus Monkeys 🙊, Herons, Macque Monkeys, Owls 🦉, Sea Eagles 🦅 and a variety of other birds.
    Probably one of the most confronting things is the amount of plastic bottles etc found in the river. Every time the boat went out I made it my job to capture at least 6-8 bottles…such a pity.
    One of the undoubted highlights was watching a 4 metre crocodile glide into the water and swim under our boat.    Leggi altro

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  • Malaysia Borneo 2022

    Night Walk

    28 luglio 2022, Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Around the resort was a boardwalk that wove it’s way around the back of the resort and took about 45 mins to complete.
    The guides had some powerful torches that allowed us to see lots of other wildlife including a cute owl that was nestled in the hollow of the tree.
    It disappeared at first and then after turning our lights off for a few minutes it reappeared watching us all very intently.
    We also saw the Malaysian equivalent of the flying glider that I managed to capture before it took flight.
    Frogs, sleeping birds, spiders were all visible if you knew where to look.
    The sounds of the insects in the jungle at night is quite mystical.    Leggi altro

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  • Malaysia Borneo 2022

    Kinabalatu Resort

    28 luglio 2022, Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    This resort was beautifully laid out and the super friendly team made everyone feel very welcome.
    We were staying in individual self contained chalets that were nestled into the forest.
    Every night there was a beautiful sound of frogs and other insects calling in the night.
    Each chalet was on stilts and situated in the wetland and all the chalets and main reception area were linked by timber boardwalks.
    This resort was the home base for each river tour.
    We also had the unique experience of walking around the forest boardwalk at night to observe the many different nocturnal animals and birds that emerge under the cover of darkness.
    The food at the resort was beautiful and a credit to the chef and his team.    Leggi altro

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  • Malaysia Borneo 2022

    Kinabatan Wetland Resort

    28 luglio 2022, Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    The next part of the trip was to spend two nights at the Kinabatan Wetland Resort.
    This resort is located off the coast and took a 20 min boat trip to get there. Part of that was winding up the Kinabatan river which is the colour of the Yarra and a rich source of aquatic wildlife fish, prawns etc.
    There are local people who live on the river and earn their livelihood from catching and selling the fish 🐠.
    The river has a strong current in the tide change and is home to crocodiles 🐊 of man eating size.
    The resort is built on the wet land using “iron wood” a local timber almost impervious to rot hence the name.
    The day we arrived to take the boat trip was particularly hot 🥵 mostly because it was around midday.
    One of the more confronting thing about the Malaysian water ways is the amount of plastic litter which is either floating on the surface or slightly submerged. I did my best to clean it up whilst I was there which earned some applause from the locals.    Leggi altro

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  • Malaysia Borneo 2022

    Sandakan War Memorial

    27 luglio 2022, Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    Sandakan was the location of an infamous Japanese POW camp in the Second World War.
    This memorial is beautifully maintained by the RSL to commemorate the lives lost on the infamous Japanese Death Marches.
    It is a credit to our country and the respect we should all have for the diggers that served.
    Lest we forget.    Leggi altro

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  • Malaysia Borneo 2022

    Skywalk (cont’d)

    27 luglio 2022, Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    There were 3-4 of these large structures which gave you an extra dimension to viewing the wildlife.
    The jungle is always thriving and gives you the perception of perpetual growth.
    With the humidity at 90% there is moisture everywhere and it sometimes rains without clouds which happened on this trip.
    The photo of the birds nest ferns gives you an idea of how opportunist some plants are in being able to self sustain in the most unlikely of places.    Leggi altro

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  • Malaysia Borneo 2022

    Forest Skywalk

    27 luglio 2022, Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    This has been a relatively recent initiative by the Malaysian government to expand the tourist experience.
    This park is very busy with lots of different types of bird life however we visited in the middle of the day which even with the forest canopy meant that there were few birds about.
    This sad state of affairs prompted Chris to take off the next morning in search of more bird life and he was rewarded with a couple of great shots of two hornbills with beautiful beaks.
    Before taking to the skywalk there was a short walk to get to the structures.

    The structures have been made of steel which will stand the test of time as well blending in with the surrounding forest with lichen and vines clinging to the structures.
    Some of the birds nest ferns perched high on the branches of some trees have to be seen to be believed.t F fc

    At different times on the walk I believe that we were approx 30-40 metres In the air which gives you an idea of how high some of these structures were.    Leggi altro

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  • Malaysia Borneo 2022

    Wildlife Resort

    27 luglio 2022, Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    We stopped at a ecotourism resort that provided a lovely lunch before travelling to the skywalk.
    There were many private chalets dotted around the complex and it seems that ecotourism is a very popular and appealing holiday option which is great because the tourist dollars are used to fund the ongoing management of the wildlife.
    It was very pleasant eating on the deck covered in shade even though Jen ordered fish and chips and was disappointed.    Leggi altro

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  • Malaysia Borneo 2022

    Sun Bear Conservation Park

    27 luglio 2022, Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    Located in the same area is the Sun Bear rehabilitation facility.
    These bears are the smallest of all the bear species and are only found in this region of Malaysia 🇲🇾.
    Tragically this bear has been the target of poachers who kill the bears to sell some of their body parts to the Chinese traditional medicine markets especially the bears gall bladder.
    The bears we saw are playful and inquisitive and have very long claws for tree climbing to eat wild honey. They also have very, very long tongues to be able to access the honey.
    The other discerning feature of the bears and where they get their name from is a horseshoed shape splash of gold colour on their chest hence the name “Sun” bears.
    During the heat of the day they are reasonable sedate.
    The battle to save these bears has been the passion of a local Malaysian man who has dedicated his life to maintain safe breeding populations of these animals.    Leggi altro

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  • Malaysia Borneo 2022

    Orangutans

    27 luglio 2022, Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    The Orangutans have a varied diet of fruits and other edible plants they also will eat the external tubes of earthworm castings as this is high in essential minerals that the apes require to stay healthy.
    Virgin forest is such a magical space especially the noises that you hear of the myriad of insects that inhabit the forest.
    Even in hot climates like Malaysia and Borneo the forests are always cool and an essential reason why they must be preserved.
    Malaysia has a strong commitment to maintaining a diverse range of forest tranches to maintain healthy wild animal populations.    Leggi altro

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  • Malaysia Borneo 2022

    Sabah & The Orangutans

    27 luglio 2022, Malaysia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    We arrived at Sabah and were transferred to a lovely hotel only a short drive from the Orangutan 🦧 wildlife park.
    The park is 47 square kilometers in size and is the destination for most of the orphaned or rescue animals after they have been rehabilitated.
    The rescue animals go through 5 critical rehab stages before they are re-released in to the wild.
    Each stage prepares them to become more independent and to be able to be strong enough to climb and forage for themselves.
    The facility was very professionally run by a mixture of volunteers and veterinary staff who work with rescue or orphaned orangutans 🦧.
    It is an offense in Malaysia to keep wild animals as pets namely Orangutans and Sun Bears who previous to this decree were able to be kept as house pets.
    It is also worth noting that the COViD virus 🦠 has had a massive impact on the tourist industry here as most of the operating costs of these places are offset by tourist dollars.
    Most of the shots of the Orangutans were taken at a feeding platform at stage 5 of the rehabilitation stage.    Leggi altro

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  • Malaysia Borneo 2022

    Flying to Sabah

    26 luglio 2022, Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    Whilst I only took one photo of us boarding the plane with Leisa and her supplies. The plane trip was significant for another reason…it was the only time I have ever seen two people go into an airplane toilet together.
    This created a strange level of excitement from the rest of the passengers. Maybe someone had ambitions for the mile high club!
    The trip was itself uneventful otherwise.    Leggi altro

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  • Malaysia Borneo 2022

    KL Goodbye

    26 luglio 2022, Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    After visiting the market we made our way back to the bus en route to the airport.
    Because Islam is the main religion in Malaysia there are lots of mosques 🕌 and they are characterized mostly by domes and or spires.
    They are found in most areas of KL. Another interesting aspect of KL is the presence of some really old run down places very close to the middle of the city.
    When you consider the price of real estate in most central city areas these old run down houses are probably worth a small fortune.
    Our tour guide shared a story of a place closer to the centre of KL which was similarly rundown and whose owner had been offered an enormous sum of money to sell up and had politely refused because it had been the family home for many generations.
    It was also the only time that I managed to get a shot of the Petronas Towers building.
    Malaysia is obviously a progressive SE Asian country judged by the number of skyscrapers in and around the CBD yet it still has a third world economy in many respects especially when you consider the base wage and earnings potential.    Leggi altro

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  • Malaysia Borneo 2022

    Market

    26 luglio 2022, Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    Apparently KL has a plethora of markets around the city and we visited one that was indeed in the heart of the city.
    Our guide shared that we should prepare ourselves for the different ways of food hygiene in this part of the world. It didn’t take long for that to become apparent especially in relation to the flies and lack of refrigeration.
    We were exposed to all sorts of different Malaysian foods, fruits and vegetables and had the opportunity to taste some over a cup of tea as well as experiencing some Malaysian desserts.
    The Malaysian people who are predominantly Muslim seem very friendly and hospitable and happy especially when you consider the average wage and working conditions.
    One of the most confronting aspects of the tour through the market was the amount of plastic bags they use and seem to have no concept of using recyclable carry bags.
    Probably my favourite exotic fruit is the rambutan which is like a large lychee with a more distinct taste.
    Our guide took us to a local cafe where we experienced locally made roti bread which was delicious.    Leggi altro

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  • Malaysia Borneo 2022

    Old Dutch Church

    25 luglio 2022, Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    This was the most impressive part of the trip to Melaka. It was an old Dutch Church that once held the grave of St Francis Xavier.
    I believe the building is dated around the 1600 and now is but a shell however the site is still very impressive especially the height of the building.
    Another significant feature is the burial stones which have been carved out of rock and are extremely heavy and line the inside of the church commemorating individuals who once lived in the area.
    The body of Xavier had to be exhumed and returned to another burial site in Goa so the empty grave site is now used as a place where people donate money and make a wish.
    Most of the building has been built with old sea bed rocks which are like honeycomb rocks that you find in Oz.
    It is genuinely an historical artefact which has been beautifully preserved which is less obvious in the other sectors of the tours we took.    Leggi altro

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