Australian Butterfly Sanctuary

I should be packing my bags, but... I decided to take the local bus to the village of Kuranda and visit the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, where, since 1987, they have been hand-raising more than 23,000 butterflies each year. The sanctuary offers tours of their nursery labs and aviary - with over 1,500 butterflies in the aviary at any one time, it's the next best thing to joining the annual Monarch migration to Mexico!

I was wearing a bright red shirt and quickly learned it was a favourite color of the Ulysses Butterfly as they were continuously fluttering up to me in 'high floral hopes', (or perhaps to witness such a fashion faux-pas?) At times, I had as many as three of these, large, beautiful neon-blue butterflies on my shoulders at one time. They are hand-raised and live in a safe environment and are accustomed to people, which affords an up-close look and a unique photo opportunity.

Great Barrier Reef II

Despite choppy seas, 25-knot winds and ocassional rain showers during our 80-minute, 30-kilometer commute to the outer reef, the sun was shining bright on our arrival and snorkeling in the 75-degree water was as remarkable as anticipated.


A Red and Black Anemonefish, (amphiprion melanopus,) a species of anemonefish of which Nemo (a Clownfish, amphiprion ocellaris) is undoubtedly the most famous member!


Photo above by Katrine V-H (Copenhagen, Denmark)
Green Sea Turtle
Thanks to Kat for the use of her photo... below is my attempt at the same image :-(



Photo by Katrine V-H (Copenhagen, Denmark)
Jun, one of our Silverswift crew members, leads a snorkel tour on the reef. In this image above, he's holding a pineapple sea cucumber, one of several sea cucumber species found on the reef.


A male parrot fish (there are over 30 species of parrot fish on the GBR), scrapes away at the algae on the coral reef, scratching away a thin layer of the calcium as well. The calcium bits help digest the cellulose of the algae. The calcium is excreted in long streams of sediment. It is estimated that 30% of coral sand is old parrotfish poo!


Parrotfish are protogynous, beginning life as a female and are dark (almost black) in color. After eight years, their sex changes to male at which time they acquire their beautiful coloring.

Full Circle...

It seems like only yesterday I was online researching hostels in Cairns – “What about this one called Traveller’s Oasis; I wonder what it’s like?”

In the blink of an eye, six months have pasted and I have come full-circle on my Australian journey. I’m spending my remaining few days 'down under' where the journey began – at Travellers Oasis!

Virgin Blue flight DJ1429 touched down ahead of schedule last night and after a smooth, three-hour flight 40,000 feet above the east coast of the country, (during which time I watched the new, based on a true WWII story, Daniel Craig movie: Defiance), we landed in light rain to 70 degree temperatures. Winter temps in Cairns are temperate so bye-bye long jeans, hello shorts and Havaianas!

(Havaianas thongs are the iconic beach footwear of Australia. [Yes, I have a pair… in conservative brown.] They are extremely lightweight, incredibly comfortable and surprisingly durable. Did I mention their iconic status…? Check out this link to Havaiana Day 2009 in Noosa: http://www.havaianasthongchallenge.com.au/beaches/qld/)

Tomorrow I board ‘Silverswift’ for a day of snorkeling and diving on Thetford, Pellowe and Flynn Reefs. Pics to follow…. J

Farewell Sydney...

Farewell Sydney... my 7 p.m. flight to Cairns (pictured above) is now boarding. Sydney to Cairns... 2,730 km./3:20 hr./min.

(In case you don't immediately recognize the aircraft... it's a Boeing 737-800! As the pilot confirms the V-speeds on departure, he'll rotate the nose for take-off and set the throttle controls to 'auto' (it's a small, round, black button located under the left engine throttle lever.) While maintaining a comfortable RoC (rate of climb) of 1,000 ft. per minute, he'll reach over the throttle console to retract the landing gear once V-3 speed has been attained. Because of my 737 training, I'm familiar with those gauges and controls... I'm ready if the pilot needs a hand!)

I spent part of my last day in Sydney taking in the beauty of Circular Quay, the Ferry Terminal, the Opera House, the skyscrapers of the Central Business District and the busy Harbour below from high atop the South Pylon (conrete and granite tower) of the Sydney Harbor Bridge. I can't say enough how impressed I was with the city and all it has to offer.


Views of Sydney Harbor from the South Pylon of the Harbour Bridge.

Hunter Valley wine region...

Tyrells, a five generation, family-owned winery in the Hunter Valley, makes top-quality table wines the old-fashioned way - in small batches using century-old equipment and methods. The original wine cellar shown here is still in use and features traditional wood post and corrugated steel construction with dirt floors.

Barrel #11, (on the right) is aging 3,000 gallons of 2008 Shiraz. The barrel was made by C.A. Schahinger Coopers in South Australia from oak planks from California. This vessel's first vintage was in 1996.

The 130+ wineries of the Hunter Valley region, (a two-hours drive north of Sydney,) are known for their Shiraz reds and Semillon white wines. I enjoyed a teenie, tiny sip at several cellars.
http://www.winecountry.com.au/

Cairns Express...

I depart Sydney for Cairns (in north Queensland) Saturday evening and as tempting as it is to drive the 2,730 km. (32-hour) Bruce Highway to Cairns, I've opted for the Qantas 'bus' for this leg of my journey.

Australia's Princes Highway (Route 1) passes directly under one of the main taxiways of Sydney International (Kingsford Smith) Airport, making it easy for an upclose look at the new Qantas Airbus A380.

Unfortunately, the A380 is NOT pictured above, but you can take a virtual tour here: www.qantas.com.au/info/flying/A380/index . And, if you find yourself wondering, "How much does an A380 cost?" Answer: $330 Million


Sydney Airport Control Tower

The Sydney Fish Market

Balmain Bug... a type of (clawless) slipper lobster, closely related to the rock lobster, is a popular, edible crustacean found in local fish markets.


Mud Crabs... considered to be among the tastiest of crab species, are relatively common in the northern states of Australia and generally prized above other seafood by the general public.


Salmon... heads for bait and soup stock


Giant Crabs... can weigh up to 15 kg. and are one of the largest crabs in the world.

Octopus... of all sizes