An Alphabetical Stroll Through Bali and Australia- X is for: X Marks the Spot I Almost Died. (No Really) (3/12)

[Steppesister]

Oh that makes more sense then if you had planned to get to Cradle Mountain. If it makes you feel any better, it was a pretty big effort to get there. The road to get there was pretty horrendous, and once there you have to park at the visitor's centre and take a bus to get around. I had to wait 20 minutes for the first bus, then it took about 20 minutes to get to the trail head for the Dove Lake circuit. The walk directly to the boatshed and back would take at least 20 minutes. Plus however long you need to wait for the crowds to clear to be able to get your photos. And then the same again in reverse. So you probably would have been looking at a minimum of 90 minutes from the visitor's centre just to get that one photo. PLUS the extra travel time.

The boatshed was very crowded on my visit and I couldn't be bothered to wait, so I wasn't even able to get the beautiful iconic photo like that one. I got some nice photos, but I had to get creative with the angles so you couldn't see the people. I think given your time constraints, you made the right decisions

I think I put this in my TR, but this is the closest I got... There were actually about half a dozen people in this photo behind the boatshed/trees, just off to either side etc. And there was a constant stream of new people arriving.

View attachment 906101

I actually really like these ones, but they don't have the mountain in the background.

View attachment 906102

View attachment 906103

OH wow, those are amazing too! I love the 2nd one with the colors and the rocks behind the lake. Nicely done!

But I think you're right. Now that I hear about the road and the waits plus buses... just no. Again, I'd have grossly misjudged the effort and time and would have missed the other parts we did get to see. I'll just have to admire others' photos like yours.

 

[Steppesister]

K is for: Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree​

A quick chapter to round out our first full day on Tasmania- we last left off making our way from lunch and Sheoak Point towards Eddystone Lighthouse. Are you tired of lighthouses yet? Birds?

(Too bad. There were a lot of birds. The Hooded Plover- endemic to S. Australia)​

By now, the car was starting to get really low on fuel and I was starting to do a little inner freak out. As I’ve mentioned distances between, well anything, are incredibly deceiving in Australia including services. Each kilometre made me wish I’d thought of gassing up WAY earlier. Luckily, I found something before the services thinned out almost altogether and we were safe for another day.

After what was an interminably long trek out to Eddystone, we arrived and had the place completely to ourselves. And while it was pretty, it wasn’t amazing really either. Not sure it was worth the drive and now the drive back was going to be just as long cutting it WAY too close to dark again. I know the map says the total drive time was supposed to be about 4 hours; it was in fact, quite a bit longer.

​

We also saw a little skink hiding in the weeds. Peekaboo!

​

The few photos I got of the lighthouse turned out okay and there was a nice view, but with evening approaching quickly, and not wanting to be on a backwoods, mostly untraveled road after dark, we hurried our stop and made way to our beds for the night.

This would be another low-budget accommodation, but it was comfortable in the end.

The Scamander Tourist Park is really a collection of single wide mobile homes meant for vacationers who are there to spend time on the beach for holiday. We arrived after 6:00 PM and the office was solidly locked up for the night. There was an after-hours phone number taped to the sliding glass door, and I gave it a ring and left a message. We prayed someone would call us back, otherwise, it was going to be a mighty cold campout with no blankets or pillows in the car. Great.

Thankfully, within about 10 minutes the manager did call us back and explained where to find our keys etc… But get this…! He says…. “Oh, I didn’t know if you were actually coming or not. You made this reservation 6 months ago and most people who book that far in advance don’t show up.”

Like what?!

(Ummm, you took my money.)

So, you don’t try and confirm with your guests? Just assume they aren’t coming or reach out and give instructions ahead of time in case you’re a late arrival. I was super mystified at this but glad we knew how to get in! So weird!

We both took showers to warm up and rinse off and tucked in for the night. It was super early, and we ended up eating some leftover meat pie thingy’s I’d picked up at the gas station. (This became a thing.) Neither of us were very hungry and we were too tired to care. We weren’t feeling all the great and needed to just sleep.

​

Before we nodded off, we shared photos with each other and had some very odd conversation and laugh over “butt breathing turtles”. I have no idea what urban legend Anara had heard about this, but she asked me if it was true, and it devolved rather quickly from there. I think I giggled like a 6-year-old for a good 30 minutes.
Here's the information you may need in case you are wondering. (I never said my TRs aren't informative.)

Turtles can't breathe out of their butts, but they can use a process called cloacal respiration to absorb oxygen from water:

Cloacal respiration
Turtles use their cloaca, a multipurpose opening that also serves for reproduction and waste elimination, to pump water into sac-like organs called bursae. The water contains oxygen that diffuses into the turtle's bloodstream through the bursae's papillae.

• When turtles use cloacal respiration
  Turtles use cloacal respiration when they hibernate or are in other environments where it's difficult to breathe air, like fast-flowing rivers or frozen ponds. During hibernation, turtles' metabolism slows down and their oxygen needs are low, so they can survive on the oxygen from the water.

We weren’t the only ones laughing. A nearby kookaburra must have listened in to our ridiculous conversation and starting chuckling as well. Yes, it was the weirdest sound I think I’ve ever heard. It was unmistakable and as amazingly cool as I ever thought that might be. I did get my jacket on (it was COLD out there!) and tried to find it in the last dying light to no avail.

Here's one in a zoo so you can get the idea if you’ve never heard one:

https://rangerrick.org/rr_videos/a-kookaburra-call-or-laugh/​

And with that, I’ll leave you with sweet dreams and see you again soon for Day 2 of our Tour of Tasmania!

 

[zanzibar138]

After what was an interminably long trek out to Eddystone, we arrived and had the place completely to ourselves. And while it was pretty, it wasn’t amazing really either. Not sure it was worth the drive and now the drive back was going to be cutting it WAY close to dark again. I know the map says the total drive time was supposed to be about 4 hours, it was in fact, quite a bit longer.

Wow you really did get off the beaten track for Tassie lol! I'm surprised that you would have chosen that stop over Binalong Bay for the Bay of Fires - or are you going to backtrack there tomorrow?

For a moment I thought you were driving all the way back to the Tamar River - now that would have been totally crazy lol!

We also saw a little skink hiding in the weeds. Peekaboo!

​

Looks like a blue tongue lizard to me - you should have got him to open up so you could identify him

Thankfully, within about 10 minutes the manager did call us back and explained where to find our keys etc… But get this…! He says…. “Oh, I didn’t know if you were actually coming or not. You made this reservation 6 months ago and most people who book that far in advance don’t show up.”

Um what??? Glad you got in eventually. Looks like your standard older style caravan park accommodation - at least you had your own bathroom!

Here's the information you may need in case you are wondering. (I never said my TRs aren't informative.)

A nearby kookaburra must have listened in to our ridiculous conversation and starting chuckling as well. Yes, it was the weirdest sound I think I’ve ever heard. It was unmistakable and as amazingly cool as I ever thought that might be.

Disney actually play a kookaburra laugh in Adventureland (can't remember exactly where or when, but as you've mentioned, it's pretty unmistakable when you know it!). We used to get them a lot when I was living in the Dandenong Ranges near Melbourne. They were so cheeky, they used to try to steal our snags (sausages) from the barbie. It's strange to me to think of seeing cockatoos and hearing kookaburras as such exotic experiences! Then again, when I'm in the US, I lose it when I see a squirrel, which I'm sure is far from exciting for you guys

 

[pkondz]

It got worse, but never so bad we couldn't keep truckin'.

That's good at least.

Yeah, sue me.

<starts looking for a good lawyer...>

Maybe on a cruise ship?

There are public showers on a cruise ship?

Hmmm... like at a spa?

As long as they're what, fruit loops?

An extremely high sugar content is a must.

Very scientific nomenclature. I like it!

The scientific community would do well to ask me for naming advice.

RIGHT?! Like.. those are 'zoo birds'.

I couldn't fit all the photos in I wanted too. I present to you some fish:

Those are fish.
And thanks for including the Cowfish info. I was wondering...

It was a bit chilly, yes. It was weirdly warm, but very humid so cool. Hard to describe.

Huh. Interesting.

That's really interesting! But, "non-breeding"? What does that even mean? How are they even still around then?

Meaning they breed elsewhere was the way I read it.

He had too much lasagna for dinner (like me. Burp)

 

[pkondz]

Are you tired of lighthouses yet? Birds?

Nah. It's all so... different.

By now, the car was starting to get really low on fuel and I was starting to do a little inner freak out.

oooohhh.... hate when that happens.

After what was an interminably long trek out to Eddystone, we arrived and had the place completely to ourselves

Interminably long treks will do that...

And while it was pretty, it wasn’t amazing really either. Not sure it was worth the drive and now the drive back was going to be just as long cutting it WAY too close to dark again.

So not really worth the effort, I take it?

I know the map says the total drive time was supposed to be about 4 hours; it was in fact, quite a bit longer.

How much longer? Another couple hours? Double?

Quite the lighthouse!

We also saw a little skink hiding in the weeds.

That's cool.
(Or lizard, according to @zanzibar138

This would be another low-budget accommodation, but it was comfortable in the end.

Comfort is king.

We arrived after 6:00 PM and the office was solidly locked up for the night.

They roll up the sidewalks pretty early over there.

We prayed someone would call us back, otherwise, it was going to be a mighty cold campout with no blankets or pillows in the car. Great.

He says…. “Oh, I didn’t know if you were actually coming or not. You made this reservation 6 months ago and most people who book that far in advance don’t show up.”

So, you don’t try and confirm with your guests? Just assume they aren’t coming or reach out and give instructions ahead of time in case you’re a late arrival. I was super mystified at this but glad we knew how to get in! So weird!

You save on housekeeping that way. If the guests can't get in and give up, they don't mess up the bed.

Small, but adequate.

Before we nodded off, we shared photos with each other and had some very odd conversation and laugh over “butt breathing turtles”.

Turtles can't breathe out of their butts, but they can use a process called cloacal respiration to absorb oxygen from water:

Oddly enough... I did know this.

We weren’t the only ones laughing. A nearby kookaburra must have listened in to our ridiculous conversation and starting chuckling as well.

That's fun!

Here's one in a zoo so you can get the idea if you’ve never heard one:

Never heard it live, but have heard recordings.

 

[Wood Nymph]

One of the songs that we used to sing when I was in Girl Scouts was "Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree."

The lighthouse is very unusual. But I can see why you would question the value of the trip to see it.

I get very paranoid about reservations and always check them before leaving on a trip. I don't want to be stranded without a place to stay.

 

[missjackiemcg]

You can see Cradle Mountain in the background, but it was too far out of our way to go. Poop.

Oh, wow, that does look beautiful! I would have loved to see what kind of pictures and angles you'd have captured with your talents!

. The lady was telling us how each one that they have "trained" to be touched actually has a personality and they will come back and bob their head after you touch them to see you. She says they can get moody even!!

That is so incredibly cool! I love animals that have personality!

Wow, how gorgeous!! Maybe out of the way and not worth all the travel, but it sure is stunning.

And now I'm going to be thinking about butt breathing turtles and singing the Kookabura song for the rest of the day!!

 

[disneyAndi14]

I’m sorry you two got colds, it still looks like you are making the most of it and continuing your touring!
I love seeing all your pictures, never to many birds, lol even though I am a little nervous around the big ones.
Weird how the owner of the trailers just assumed you weren’t going to show up! I’m glad you got in!

 

[Steppesister]

The boatshed was very crowded on my visit and I couldn't be bothered to wait, so I wasn't even able to get the beautiful iconic photo like that one. I got some nice photos, but I had to get creative with the angles so you couldn't see the people. I think given your time constraints, you made the right decisions

I think I put this in my TR, but this is the closest I got... There were actually about half a dozen people in this photo behind the boatshed/trees, just off to either side etc. And there was a constant stream of new people arriving.

Wow you really did get off the beaten track for Tassie lol! I'm surprised that you would have chosen that stop over Binalong Bay for the Bay of Fires - or are you going to backtrack there tomorrow?

For a moment I thought you were driving all the way back to the Tamar River - now that would have been totally crazy lol!

We really did! But.... you'll have to stay tuned for the plan of attack for the next day...

No way! That would have been completely nutso. And in the dark? Fuhgetabootit!

Looks like a blue tongue lizard to me - you should have got him to open up so you could identify him

Hmmm...? Coulda been! I was going by Google Lens on this one. But it was so obscured definitely could have been either one.

Um what??? Glad you got in eventually. Looks like your standard older style caravan park accommodation - at least you had your own bathroom!

And for that we were definitely thankful!

Disney actually play a kookaburra laugh in Adventureland (can't remember exactly where or when, but as you've mentioned, it's pretty unmistakable when you know it!). We used to get them a lot when I was living in the Dandenong Ranges near Melbourne. They were so cheeky, they used to try to steal our snags (sausages) from the barbie. It's strange to me to think of seeing cockatoos and hearing kookaburras as such exotic experiences! Then again, when I'm in the US, I lose it when I see a squirrel, which I'm sure is far from exciting for you guys

OH!! I'll have to listen for that!

They sound a little like our "Camp Robbers" that we had in Oregon. (The gray jay) Annoying for sure!

We have a very unique squirrel that lives right here in my own backyard. We had a lovely one feeding in our little birdfeeder just yesterday. You can read about our WHITE squirrels here!

https://www.weirdsouth.com/post/get-squirrely-in-bowling-green-kentucky

 

[Steppesister]

<starts looking for a good lawyer...>

I heard good ones are on the pricey side.

There are public showers on a cruise ship?

Hmmm... like at a spa?

That's exactly what I was thinking.

An extremely high sugar content is a must.

I really need to cut back on my num-nums lately.

The scientific community would do well to ask me for naming advice.

You could apply at a university!

Those are fish.
And thanks for including the Cowfish info. I was wondering...

You're welcome!

Meaning they breed elsewhere was the way I read it.

And then only stay a short time I'd guess.

Nah. It's all so... different.

Then keep on readin'.

oooohhh.... hate when that happens.

There was a time a little later in the trip where it was a RAZOR thin margin in the WORSE possible places.

o not really worth the effort, I take it?

I dunno, it's a toss up.

How much longer? Another couple hours? Double?

It probably ended up being maybe 3 or so extra hours I hadn't counted on.

Quite the lighthouse!

I think now that I see the photos again, it was rally one of the prettier ones.

That's cool.
(Or lizard, according to @zanzibar138

I used Google Lens so ... maybe?

You save on housekeeping that way. If the guests can't get in and give up, they don't mess up the bed.

Reminds me of Master of the House in Les Mis.

THOSE LYRICS!!!

Oddly enough... I did know this.

I did not.

And laughed WAY too hard.

 

[zanzibar138]

We have a very unique squirrel that lives right here in my own backyard. We had a lovely one feeding in our little birdfeeder just yesterday. You can read about our WHITE squirrels here!

https://www.weirdsouth.com/post/get-squirrely-in-bowling-green-kentucky

OMG no way!

That's it, I'm coming to visit

 

[Steppesister]

One of the songs that we used to sing when I was in Girl Scouts was "Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree."

ME TOO!!! It was always so fun when we were actually successful at singing it in a round.

The lighthouse is very unusual. But I can see why you would question the value of the trip to see it.

I thought it was maybe the prettiest we'd seen but man that road there and back. Yikes.

I get very paranoid about reservations and always check them before leaving on a trip. I don't want to be stranded without a place to stay.

I think I had confirmed many of them, but somehow did not for this one.

 

[Steppesister]

Oh, wow, that does look beautiful! I would have loved to see what kind of pictures and angles you'd have captured with your talents!

I'll have to try and go back there someday.

That is so incredibly cool! I love animals that have personality!

RIGHT?! And who knew you could find that in a seahorse of all animals.

Wow, how gorgeous!! Maybe out of the way and not worth all the travel, but it sure is stunning.

And now I'm going to be thinking about butt breathing turtles and singing the Kookabura song for the rest of the day!!

The view really was pretty, but the better views are coming up!

BUahahahahahha! You're welcome, Jackie!

 

[Steppesister]

I’m sorry you two got colds, it still looks like you are making the most of it and continuing your touring!
I love seeing all your pictures, never to many birds, lol even though I am a little nervous around the big ones.
Weird how the owner of the trailers just assumed you weren’t going to show up! I’m glad you got in!

This was the 2nd time I'd gotten "something" to make me a little sick this trip. I guess when you go that far, you're bound to be introduced to things your immune system just isn't used to.

Yeah, the emu we encounter later was a tad bit intimidating for sure!

Wasn't that odd?! I was so confused at that.

 

[Steppesister]

OMG no way!

That's it, I'm coming to visit

You're always welcome to come to podunk, little ol' Bowling Green. Although it isn't a bad place to use a a base for Nashville touring. Nearby there is the largest cave system in the world (Mammoth Caves), the Corvette Plant and Museum, the Bourbon Trail, Amish Country, and all the Country Music and zillions of museums you'd ever want!

 

[pkondz]

I heard good ones are on the pricey side.

Oh, no. Very reasonable. Practically free.

I really need to cut back on my num-nums lately.

But... num-nums are... nummy!

You could apply at a university!

Nope! I'm playing hard to get and waiting until they come to me.

Then keep on readin'.

There was a time a little later in the trip where it was a RAZOR thin margin in the WORSE possible places.

It probably ended up being maybe 3 or so extra hours I hadn't counted on.

Reminds me of Master of the House in Les Mis.

THOSE LYRICS!!!

Been a very long time since I've seen it and had forgotten. Just read through them.

 

[Steppesister]

Oh, no. Very reasonable. Practically free.

This is news to me.

But... num-nums are... nummy!

For my expanding tummy!

Nope! I'm playing hard to get and waiting until they come to me.

Good strategy. You might make more $$ if you're viewed as hard-to-get.

Been a very long time since I've seen it and had forgotten. Just read through them.

They're hilarious!

 

[pkondz]

This is news to me.

For my expanding tummy!

There is that...

Good strategy. You might make more $$ if you're viewed as hard-to-get.

 

[Steppesister]

For those of you who might be interested, I did start my P/TR for the Christmastime Land and Sea Trip I have coming up. Chime in and let’s keep our friendships going.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/t...for-now-a-is-for-allo-bienvenue-ciao.3956070/

Also, with a TINY bit of extra time on my hands, I am slowly....veeeeeery slowly starting to read and engage on other TRs again. If you have a report going, could you send/post a link this way?

 

[Steppesister]

L is for: Landscapes Worth Seeing- Bay of Fires​

Our 3rd day on Tasmania dawned beautifully! I was up at 5:30 thanks to the loud bird screeching in the trees above us who was finding inexplicable joy in greeting the day. I was unamused until I got dressed and looked for myself. It was indeed something to sing about. The morning air was mild but a bit damp which makes sense for a seaside area.

​

To take off the chill, I took another hot shower and went back to bed until 8:00! We both got up and packed up and left in search of breakfast. @zanzibar138 … you guessed it! We backtracked north so we could see what it in easily the Top 5 sights to see on Tassie- The Bay of Fires Area.
For reference, this is the route for our day: So.... Scamander Tourist Park, back north to Bay of Fires area, south again to Bicheno Blow Hole, then all the way down to the Freycinet National Park, and on into Swansea for the night. This will take a few chapters because there's a lot to share.

​

The need for morning coffee is real and the Aussies do not disappoint! There is a bona fide, real-deal coffee shop on nearly corner, even in smaller towns like St. Helens. We each got a couple of nice, flaky handpies (I did tell you this is a thing!) and sat down amongst the tourists and locals alike. My choices were a scallop and prawn in wine sauce pie for breakfast (yes, I KNOW I am weird with my liking lunch for breakfast choices!) and I got a veggie one to save for lunch on the road. Anara chose to get a chicken burger for her breakfast (the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree) and got a meat and potato pie to save for her lunch. YUM!!! They were absolutely a hand-held heaven! The latte was absolutely amazing, and the day was looking brighter with each delicious sip!!

(not my photo)​

Satiated, we started one of the most scenic coastal drives I have ever encountered. That’s high praise coming from someone who spent many years near the Oregon Coast. Unfortunately, my notes are just not detailed enough to pinpoint exactly which beaches we stopped and took walks on but there were at least 3 that we enjoyed.

The name of the Bay of Fires is often mistaken for the fire-y orange lichen growing on the rocks but that is not the history as I understand it. Instead, the Bay of Fires got its name from the fires of Aboriginal Peoples who had fires burning on the land’s edges and beaches that were seen from sailing ships out it the bay. The entire area is a long stretch with white sand beaches nestled in coves which makes for a photographer’s Nirvana. The day was perfectly cloudy, warm, and slightly breezy and our short walks were the perfect way to spend the morning!

A quick Wiki search netted this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bay_of_Fires

Here are the best of the photos I got as we toured this incredibly beautiful area.

At this beach we watched a few surfers enjoying the water; otherwise, we had this little beach to ourselves for walk to the end and back.

​

This is what happens when you give the girl a phone to get some photos:

But I took this one and think it's kinda of fun.



In no particular order, more of this lovely area:





​

Another beach that we took a walk at had quite a bit more of the lichen making for some striking scenery! At this particular spot there were scads of others rambling on the rocks which made getting a few people-less shots a bit challenging.

​

We also saw a few little critters hanging out on the rocks which was nice as there was less tidepool action than I’d thought there’d be.

​

Before we left the area, on our walk back to the car to head south again, we came across this little flock of Green Rosella who weren't bothered by our ogling one iota! They sat and preened squawking to one another as if they just couldn't be bothered with us.

​

This is a good place to leave off until another day. I hope you enjoyed this lovely part of the world. Some of these photos were truly some of my very favorites from the entire trip.