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In addition to diving we spent some time for family activities that Sydney could enjoy as well. One of them was white water rafting on the Ayung river. We chose the Graha Adventure company. They had a good reputation. Pricing was what I would call adjusted to the Australian visitors (though we ended up getting a bit of a discount.)
(click on individual pictures to get a downloadable, large version of a picture)
A 10 minute truck ride takes the participants from the company's office to the entry point into the adventure. From there we descended through rice fields into the canyon. There were many stairs, which were unevenly spaced. After about 20 minutes we got to the water and our guides instructed us how to paddle. (this was the typical set of instructions, how to hold the paddle, paddle forward, backward, rest the paddle in the boat.)
On request I can provide a higher resolution version of the movie.
Shortly thereafter the trip started, we pushed off the bank and got to enjoy the serenity and beauty of the surrounding forest, the chirping of the birds and sounds of the running water. We had a good time, the current was not too rough and soon we arrived at a waterfall. Picture time for everybody before moving on. A few minutes farther down the river there was a stop to get drinks and snacks before we embarked on the final leg of the ride.
We arrived well and took many flights of stairs back up to the exit point where we were promptly picked up by the truck to head back to the company's office. A Lunch was included and consisted of some simple Indonesian dishes. Pictures taken by crews station along the journey (including some taken with drones) were for sale and we could also pay the bill for drinks / snacks purchased on the way.
All in all a very recommendable, easy but refreshing adventure.
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This year seems to be the season of diving. We spend a week in Bali and made the excursion to Gili Trawangan where we took two dives organized and led by Manta Drive. This company is located close to the beach and operates a number of boats for the 3 to 4 dive excursions per day.
(click on individual pictures to get a downloadable, large version of a picture)
Both dives were drift dives. You have to be comfortable to back-roll off the boat boat into the water before you get to experience warm (29C), crystal clear water.
Our first trip took us to Shark Point which is a popular destination about 15 minutes by boat northwest of the island. As the name suggests there is a good chance to see reef sharks in the 18m - 35m deep water. We saw a few of them, however there was only one who decided to serve as a photo model.
Exiting the water when we got picked up by the boat turned into a bit of a challenge due to the many jelly fish that also liked the warm water.
Our second dive brought us to Turtle Canyon. This is another popular diving spot where. The water is a bit shallower (~20m) and as the name implies there are turtles. We saw a number of them and enjoyed diving with them.
All in all we can only recommend the diving there. The dives were (relatively) speaking inexpensive, the water was warm and clear and the sea life was plenty.
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Time flies and before you realize it you have been married for 20 years. This was the case for us. We both discussed a long time ago that one day we would go to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). For this special occasion we both thought independently that the time was right to finally dive the Reef. Christy organized a memorable trip which saw us leave on Monday morning early from Melbourne to Cairns (2.5h flight). Tuesday morning, bright and early we would embark on a day cruise to the Great Barrier Reef. After about 2h on the choppy see we arrive and got our first 2 dives done. In the afternoon, the day cruise boat transferred us to another boat that stayed more permanently on the Reef. We spent the next 3 days on that boat diving every day several times. Christy also ended up doing a night dive.
(click on individual pictures to get a downloadable, large version of a picture)
So you may ask, what is the difference to Hawaii? I was mesmerized by the sheer number and variety of corals. the GBR offered so many different variations, varying structures, shapes and colors. Some of them are soft others are hard. Hawaii seems to have fewer types. Then we also saw a several type of fish and large clams. It was great. However, going to the Reef takes more time, it requires a lengthy boat ride (while in Hawaii I typically have a choice between boat and beach dives with dive spots being relatively close to the coast.) I also have to recognize the massive size of the GBR. it is so large that it can be seen from space! Hawaii is much smaller - not sure this makes a difference when diving as we can only look at very small areas at any time.
Sydney? Well Sydney stayed at home during the time we were away. She had her 2nd and last week of break and spent it with a friend who also stayed at our place. They seem to have had a good time.
And here the pictures as a short movie
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We have been working on a business opportunity since the beginning of December and had hoped to finalize it while in Hawaii. The timing did not work out and the opportunity did not come to fruition until February 2024.
So, while Sydney was in her school camp, Christy and Thomas sneaked out to Hawaii for a few days. We left on Wed afternoon and arrived some 10 hours later in Honolulu with a busy schedule to the many things done we had planned. Christy's choice of studio was great - it was in the heart of Honolulu and allowed us to move quickly around as needed. Needless to say, that we also went to Cheesecake Factory, one of our favorites. Shared a salad and a slice of cake. heavenly.
Thursday was all about closing out the planned business, driving around and finishing the day with an early dinner at the Hardrock Cafe which was only 15' from our accommodation. Later that day we spotted a whale breaching the waters on the West side of Oahu. There seem to be more whales in Hawaii than in previous years.
Friday was a slow day as Christy started feeling sick. (We did manage to see her friend Chris though!) We also managed to have a belated Valentine's dinner at Christy beloved Haleiwa Joe's. For the first time we went to the location in Kaneohe and enjoyed steak (Christy) and a burger (Thomas).
Then on Saturday we already headed back home - another 10 hours to Sydney and 1.5h from Sydney to Melbourne before we arrived at home in the early night hours.
Sydney meanwhile enjoyed her school camp (in Sydney), arrived back in Melbourne on Saturday. She got to stay with a friend till Sunday and was at home by the time we arrived.
Short, but great excursion!
(click on individual pictures to get a downloadable, large version of a picture)
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We can't be in Hawaii without taking some movies and enjoying water activities. Once back we cut these different impressions into a short movie and enjoy it until we meet again.
In this trip, Thomas got to work with his Olympus TG-6 camera. It is clearly not as straight forward as a GoPro, but some of the recordings have turned out pretty good. Stay tuned to see how his recording improves as he gets more familiar with the camera, its settings and functions.
During our snorkel adventures one focus has been on
- Eels - a number of different types of eels can be found in Hawaii; in the move we show a Stout Moray, a Zebra Moray and a Snowflake Moray Eel
- Parrotfishes - they are very colorful and shy - we love to hear them eat as they gnaw on coral to munch on algae
In addition we have seen many different fish (reef fish), dolphins and corals. It was great to see such an abundance of life on the reef.