My apologies to anyone that is playing along at home. I am a couple or three adventures behind. I will get caught up but time is short and connectivity is horrendous right now. There is probably some way to work on these blogs offline and then upload them but I'm not investing the time to figure that out right now. At any rate watch this space for exciting news of adventures both above and below the sea. Sometimes both of those were experienced in the same adventure! Meanwhile, here is a short version of our activities.
We travelled down the east side for the Port Philip Bay to a surfing town of some repute called Torquay. Thereupon I attempted to go surfing. Read all about it in an upcoming blog.
After returning to Melbourne we flew to Cairns located in the Northeastern corner of Australia. We went on a 3 day, 2 nite diving trip on a liveaboard boat. Great times - also to be posted on this site at a later date.
Next up - we depart for a trip up the coast a ways to expereince the Daintree National Rainforest. What's that you say?!? You didn't know Australia had a rainforest? Well stay tuned folks, we will eventually come back on the air and give you all the poop. I guess some might call it BS, ha.
Not only that but there are even more adventures to come. But enough from our sponsors, now back to the show. . . . . . . . . .
Friday, March 11, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Campervanning!!!
So there is this company (Wicked) in various locations around the world that rents older beat up campervans. They have a platform in back with foam pads to make a bed, and some utensils, stove, ice chest and a container for water. The company has a great sense of humor and paints the vans up with all sorts of designs and also places warning stickers all over them. Renters are encouraged to leave their mark by using markers on the inside of the van so they are usually covered with graffiti inside.
Here are some pics
Insert language warning here --------->
For the weekend trip, Robin and I got our own van
Here are some pics
Insert language warning here --------->
Leigh Ann and Casey have the X-Men theme going on
Left side
This cracks me up.
Now this isn't something you see everyday
You really don't want your holiday stuffed
They have a Roadside Madam, but watch your language
The one on the right cracks me up too
Some ceiling decoration
Not sure what went on here but the day and time is documented at least
For the weekend trip, Robin and I got our own van
Let's hear it for Buddy Holly
(These are actually pictures from when we were returning our van)
(These are actually pictures from when we were returning our van)
This was not actually true on some of the weekend activities
Here are some of the other vans that were on their lot
This would be a nice one for Candy
They will do 100!!
Don't worry folks - we didn't go over the speed limit
I just want to add here that it is a riot traveling around in these vans. People stop and look and wave sometimes. We get offers to trade vehicles. Some people want to look inside. Great fun.
Mornington Penisula
Wednesday throught Friday, 2-4 March
So we ran around like crazy on Wednesday and finally got some stuff together for a mini-road trip. We left Melbourne and drove down the east side of Port Philip Bay out along the Mornington Penisula. We passed Dandenong, Frankston, and Mornington along the way. We drove through Rosebud and ended at a small town on the bay called Rye.
At Rye we parked beside the pier and donned our wetsuits. It is a very popular place to snorkel because of the sea creatures attracted to the pier. 2 March 2011 will go down in my book as the day I just about froze to death, I think. We had several things going against us. First the day was cloudy and cool, second it was getting very late, third the chop was a little heavy, fourth we didn't have any weights, fifth it was new and unfamiliar, and sixth my suit was kind of light weight and didn't really fit well enough to keep water from moving in and out. Think ice water repeatedly applied to your armpits. I told the girls this would be classified as torture if we were doing it to someone else. We toughed it out for about an hour and gave up. Then I got to take a shower with only cold water to wash off the salt water. WOWWEE!! I don't know the last time I've been that cold. People do this for fun, huh??
What follows next, I think is a truly funny story. I just wish I could have watched myself as it unfolded. It was getting very late and we had planned on campervanning but we couldn't find a spot that late so we went in serch of a room.
I go inside and do not see a registration desk right away. To the left is a large area with tables and chairs, presumably a dining area. To the right is a bar and separate area that is labeled "Gaming Room". I approach the bartender,
Me: "Can you tell me where the registration desk is?"
Bar Tender: "We don't have accomodations"
Me; "Are you telling me you are full?"
BT: "No - we don't have accomodations"
Me (mind churning furiously at 30 mph): "But . .. . your . . .sign . . .. says . .. . hotel?"
BT: "Well yes, but we don't have accomodations. Try another kilometer down the road at the Admiral Inn"
Me (mind still trying desparately to understand what is going on): "OK, thank you very much"
Back in the car I am laughing telling the girls the story and that they should have been flies on the wall on that one. I would have loved to have watch that one play out knowing what was coming.
Leigh Ann, "Oh, yeah - I should have warned you about that one. Hotel here doesn't always mean they have rooms to rent."
Very funny, but we were also very lucky because we did end up with a room at the Admiral Inn and a bite to eat and both places closed right behind us.
The next day we traveled back down the road to Rye again, where we went to the dive shop and rented a wet suit for Robin so all of us could go and one for me, also some weights.
This trip was much different. I still needed a little more weight but I was able to do a lot better with the rental suit. It fit better and was a heavier suit. Using the other one was like swimming around in ice water. With this one although my head and hands got cold I could take it a lot better. The day wasn't the best but we still saw some sea creatures. Sorry - no underwater pictures. My first real introduction was an eel about 3 1/2 - 4 feet long that passed under Leigh Ann and decided to surface under me. I saw him about 10 feet away and he came straight at me until he was within arms length. Meanwhile I am trying to go backwards in the water and trying not to levitate myself out of his way, telling myself, "don't worry - this will all work out somehow". I got turned somewhat and he decided not to go through me and swam off. Lots of mussels, barnacles, seaweed, sea anemones, etc on the pilings - some of it orange. Saw a lot of crab, a ray, starfish and a few small fish. Leigh Ann and Robin saw some cuttlefish which are unique.
Still cold when I got out but nothing like the first go around. That cold water shower has to go though!!
We drove on down the penisula almost to the end. Went over to the other side to check out the National Park. Heavy surf there compared to the bay side. Very beautiful, natural area with a terrific vantage point.
We ended the day in Sorrento with some steak and wine and a lot of laughing and it was so good to spend time with both of them. After that we headed back up the penisula to find a spot to camp.
I was actually trying to catch some of the bird calls since they were so different. Of course, one made a loud call just after I ened this video.
Water conditions weren't very good so we ended back up at the Rye pier again. This time we spotted sea horses and puffer fish plus the others that we had seen before. The conditions were a little better than the other times - a little sun at times and I had enough weight to dive and stay down. It was a lot of fun and I think we spent about two hours in the water.
Now it's time to head back to the big city.
Now for something special to end this post. At some intersections you have to do a "hook turn" in order to turn right. You approach the intersection in the left lane. Enter the intersection and bear left and stop in front of cross traffic and allow traffic behind you to pass on your right. As soon as the light changes you are considered part of the cross traffic (even though you are cross ways in the road) and you can turn right and proceed.
And here is a hook turn performed to perfection by Leigh Ann
So we ran around like crazy on Wednesday and finally got some stuff together for a mini-road trip. We left Melbourne and drove down the east side of Port Philip Bay out along the Mornington Penisula. We passed Dandenong, Frankston, and Mornington along the way. We drove through Rosebud and ended at a small town on the bay called Rye.
Packing stuff for mini-trip. You can never have too many ziploc bags
Getting outta town
Along the way
These gas prices are cheap, right? Then why does it cost $60 to fill up.... You know why.
Some things are the same everywhere you go
And some things are different, . . . . Red Rooster??
As the navigator I'm supposed to have some idea where we are going, maybe I should put the camera down
Right-handed driver (Leigh Ann) on left handed road. She does great - glad I only have to watch for now.
Daughter Robin and soon-to-be frozen Pop-scicle
At Rye we parked beside the pier and donned our wetsuits. It is a very popular place to snorkel because of the sea creatures attracted to the pier. 2 March 2011 will go down in my book as the day I just about froze to death, I think. We had several things going against us. First the day was cloudy and cool, second it was getting very late, third the chop was a little heavy, fourth we didn't have any weights, fifth it was new and unfamiliar, and sixth my suit was kind of light weight and didn't really fit well enough to keep water from moving in and out. Think ice water repeatedly applied to your armpits. I told the girls this would be classified as torture if we were doing it to someone else. We toughed it out for about an hour and gave up. Then I got to take a shower with only cold water to wash off the salt water. WOWWEE!! I don't know the last time I've been that cold. People do this for fun, huh??
What follows next, I think is a truly funny story. I just wish I could have watched myself as it unfolded. It was getting very late and we had planned on campervanning but we couldn't find a spot that late so we went in serch of a room.
Rosebud Hotel - this looks like a nice place, lets try it.
I go inside and do not see a registration desk right away. To the left is a large area with tables and chairs, presumably a dining area. To the right is a bar and separate area that is labeled "Gaming Room". I approach the bartender,
Me: "Can you tell me where the registration desk is?"
Bar Tender: "We don't have accomodations"
Me; "Are you telling me you are full?"
BT: "No - we don't have accomodations"
Me (mind churning furiously at 30 mph): "But . .. . your . . .sign . . .. says . .. . hotel?"
BT: "Well yes, but we don't have accomodations. Try another kilometer down the road at the Admiral Inn"
Me (mind still trying desparately to understand what is going on): "OK, thank you very much"
Back in the car I am laughing telling the girls the story and that they should have been flies on the wall on that one. I would have loved to have watch that one play out knowing what was coming.
Leigh Ann, "Oh, yeah - I should have warned you about that one. Hotel here doesn't always mean they have rooms to rent."
Very funny, but we were also very lucky because we did end up with a room at the Admiral Inn and a bite to eat and both places closed right behind us.
The next day we traveled back down the road to Rye again, where we went to the dive shop and rented a wet suit for Robin so all of us could go and one for me, also some weights.
Let's try this again. Can't believe I'm doing this again after yesterday's experience.
The girls always get along so well.
This trip was much different. I still needed a little more weight but I was able to do a lot better with the rental suit. It fit better and was a heavier suit. Using the other one was like swimming around in ice water. With this one although my head and hands got cold I could take it a lot better. The day wasn't the best but we still saw some sea creatures. Sorry - no underwater pictures. My first real introduction was an eel about 3 1/2 - 4 feet long that passed under Leigh Ann and decided to surface under me. I saw him about 10 feet away and he came straight at me until he was within arms length. Meanwhile I am trying to go backwards in the water and trying not to levitate myself out of his way, telling myself, "don't worry - this will all work out somehow". I got turned somewhat and he decided not to go through me and swam off. Lots of mussels, barnacles, seaweed, sea anemones, etc on the pilings - some of it orange. Saw a lot of crab, a ray, starfish and a few small fish. Leigh Ann and Robin saw some cuttlefish which are unique.
Still cold when I got out but nothing like the first go around. That cold water shower has to go though!!
For whatever reason we saw about three gulls either missing a foot or with a mangled leg.
At least this one parked in the handicap spot.
At least this one parked in the handicap spot.
Thought I was momentarily unsupervised after snorkeling but they are always watching.
We drove on down the penisula almost to the end. Went over to the other side to check out the National Park. Heavy surf there compared to the bay side. Very beautiful, natural area with a terrific vantage point.
The end of the world - next stop Antarctica
(Alright Tasmania is out there somewhere but lets not quilbble about details, ok?)
Heavy surf, strong wind, beautiful view
The path beckons
. . . and nature girl, Robin responds
Some attractions did not involve a grand vista
Back up top, retirement boy tries not to get blown away
Wanna buy a bridge?
Beautiful drive through the park
Robin gets to try out the left handed driving.
We ended the day in Sorrento with some steak and wine and a lot of laughing and it was so good to spend time with both of them. After that we headed back up the penisula to find a spot to camp.
Robin has breakfast in bed the next morning
I was actually trying to catch some of the bird calls since they were so different. Of course, one made a loud call just after I ened this video.
Saddling up for another go at snorkeling.
We were going to try this location to see if we could spot weedy sea dragons.
Water conditions weren't very good so we ended back up at the Rye pier again. This time we spotted sea horses and puffer fish plus the others that we had seen before. The conditions were a little better than the other times - a little sun at times and I had enough weight to dive and stay down. It was a lot of fun and I think we spent about two hours in the water.
Now it's time to head back to the big city.
Here is a picture just for Ben - Navarac Caravan Park
An example of the some of the garish display you occasionally see.
1.5 hours later we are at the doorstep
Now for something special to end this post. At some intersections you have to do a "hook turn" in order to turn right. You approach the intersection in the left lane. Enter the intersection and bear left and stop in front of cross traffic and allow traffic behind you to pass on your right. As soon as the light changes you are considered part of the cross traffic (even though you are cross ways in the road) and you can turn right and proceed.
Sign for the famous Australian hook turn
And here is a hook turn performed to perfection by Leigh Ann
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