tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52456354087006209592024-03-05T10:33:55.605-08:00Lorelei's Adventuressv_loreleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14235157985522355104noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245635408700620959.post-25773898571921333982018-01-01T14:11:00.006-08:002021-04-07T06:13:20.685-07:00Main Front Page<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-size: 24pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>WELCOME TO THE ADVENTURES<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-size: 24pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>OF PAUL & LISA HOGGER ON<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-size: 24pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>THEIR PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL <br />SAILING YACHT LORELEI</b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="line-height: 107%;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>To view our route from our last expedition, all about Lorelei, Sailing Episodes, Photos and Sporting Activities whilst sailing, click on the links below or the top tabs on this home page.</b></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>ENJOY!</b></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #01ffff;"><b>To
view the list of blog episodes from Lorelei’s latest sailing adventure and the route that we took from 2011-2017, click the
link below:</b></span><u style="color: #ffc000; font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></u></span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVq7d2rfgc1o6WRjKVoJWdK6viQVxhbQ1VsAKSx0ml7Zo8DOwFJa1Xw24egydy7rquJE0MKyNMqBFG9_sf9KIpkI7NSAJOfgu1C180UT00Wan5Nyse8HInPReHK5XVSCw2zqZQGew4Woa/s1024/Route+Map+to+july+2017.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1024" height="501" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVq7d2rfgc1o6WRjKVoJWdK6viQVxhbQ1VsAKSx0ml7Zo8DOwFJa1Xw24egydy7rquJE0MKyNMqBFG9_sf9KIpkI7NSAJOfgu1C180UT00Wan5Nyse8HInPReHK5XVSCw2zqZQGew4Woa/w640-h501/Route+Map+to+july+2017.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><a href="https://yachtlorelei.blogspot.com.au/p/blog-page.html">CLICK HERE FOR LORELEI’S SAILING EPISODE LINKS</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #01ffff;">To
view the photos from our sporting activities we did whilst on our latest sailing adventure,
click the link below:</span><span style="color: #ffc000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_uRbDTNexs2oZuCwzcbPIzbDu3QzdZBtkv4q0KC764z-khoDFtDrE-jdCGuy1ZkyE8bPIox-ww6K3xDq0wVzFhBt71sLiv1UsRQiF3rQ2OODq6WyP_5-QEPq7b4W1FNd_Rvs0YGASlKwD/s1560/page+1-vert.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1560" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_uRbDTNexs2oZuCwzcbPIzbDu3QzdZBtkv4q0KC764z-khoDFtDrE-jdCGuy1ZkyE8bPIox-ww6K3xDq0wVzFhBt71sLiv1UsRQiF3rQ2OODq6WyP_5-QEPq7b4W1FNd_Rvs0YGASlKwD/w526-h640/page+1-vert.jpg" width="526" /></a></div></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><a href="https://yachtlorelei.blogspot.com.au/p/activities.html">CLICK HERE FOR OUR ACTIVITES FROM <br />OUR SAILING ADVENTURE</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<br /></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 25.68px;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #01ffff;">To see all about Lorelei:</span></span></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 25.68px;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpABtYkWuVWAl3iykZAfBdEt6kfJnZzylnKZpBPJxgANdJiSgHBdyn2UzUTEC_KKt3qnH2rpVAifC1I21r0sgbpPXNGol417wth7rXcJHxjTKwsXCU17s4s_H0RMdbysY_sdgMasz58zuc/s1280/Komodo+Windy+Bay+Lorelei+2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="793" data-original-width="1280" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpABtYkWuVWAl3iykZAfBdEt6kfJnZzylnKZpBPJxgANdJiSgHBdyn2UzUTEC_KKt3qnH2rpVAifC1I21r0sgbpPXNGol417wth7rXcJHxjTKwsXCU17s4s_H0RMdbysY_sdgMasz58zuc/w640-h396/Komodo+Windy+Bay+Lorelei+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></b><b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 25.68px;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: blue;"><a href="http://yachtlorelei.blogspot.com/p/about-lorelei-master-page.html">CLICK HERE FOR ALL ABOUT LORELEI</a></span></span></u></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 25.68px;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /><span style="color: #01ffff;"><br /></span></span></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 25.68px;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #01ffff;">To view our Underwater Diving Images from our latest sailing adventure, click the link below:</span><span style="color: #ffc000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 25.68px;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJ0r13_aMvXsxhVN4lb9G9XN3rCVPjQg_sBzTR1AU-Gn92EF56OL5g-QGWeIqebI7CWIta6VUV-PlUmtZ4xDuFgvs-xPjsC6jhktBKlljd3hTJa7KFpW8kHgUfwW0NwioeVn3DCj7VH-Z/s1024/Top+UW+Photos+%25281005%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="1024" height="413" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJ0r13_aMvXsxhVN4lb9G9XN3rCVPjQg_sBzTR1AU-Gn92EF56OL5g-QGWeIqebI7CWIta6VUV-PlUmtZ4xDuFgvs-xPjsC6jhktBKlljd3hTJa7KFpW8kHgUfwW0NwioeVn3DCj7VH-Z/w640-h413/Top+UW+Photos+%25281005%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 25.68px;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: blue;"><a href="http://yachtlorelei.blogspot.com.au/p/our-favourite-underwater-photos_26.html">CLICK HERE FOR OUR UNDERWATER PHOTOS</a></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="color: #01ffff;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="line-height: 25.68px;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><b>To view the photos from other </b></span><span style="font-size: 24px;"><b>activities</b></span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><b> we did whilst on our latest sailing adventure, click the link below:</b></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU" style="line-height: 25.68px;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><b>These include (Time Exposure Photography, Festivals, Wildlife, Sunsets, etc....)</b></span></span></span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #01ffff;"><span style="font-size: 24px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsL0EZuXImMl8wm2S-7jSnY-bPF0k8fy2jFD5PhHE_qwN3YEl7KSe3A0OboLlW6WSIoz0aGR6CILnPIp9iODqGk1dAhrYypOQCGaT7CqmW_TcICJceu24_cOSk0uMvVTN3b3XtlmSEBr6j/s1280/2015+Best+Off+%2528218%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="939" data-original-width="1280" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsL0EZuXImMl8wm2S-7jSnY-bPF0k8fy2jFD5PhHE_qwN3YEl7KSe3A0OboLlW6WSIoz0aGR6CILnPIp9iODqGk1dAhrYypOQCGaT7CqmW_TcICJceu24_cOSk0uMvVTN3b3XtlmSEBr6j/w640-h470/2015+Best+Off+%2528218%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span></span>
<span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; line-height: 25.68px;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><a href="https://yachtlorelei.blogspot.com.au/p/other-photos-while-cruising.html"><b>CLICK HERE FOR OUR OTHER <br />ACTIVITIES WHILE CRUISING</b></a></span></span></span><br /></div>
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sv_loreleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14235157985522355104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245635408700620959.post-52085717701456825242017-11-10T20:22:00.001-08:002019-02-09T18:07:34.220-08:00Episode 63 The Swains Reefs Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="color: yellow; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 37.3333px;">Lorelei’s Sailing Adventures</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwxhU_Xd_T0K_B6Li3m1QzSWw-yLg_NS-7NS2PkKznATsjZXiZAJ1G7FiS4C1zO3mvOo57iXTbfS54Sz3zfW6ZJnP6qzT4KHrKQnV9c19SliRaS37FXiV8bDPgHuqNj0YuFltsj-R_UvqF/s1600/Episode+63+swains+pt+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="1600" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwxhU_Xd_T0K_B6Li3m1QzSWw-yLg_NS-7NS2PkKznATsjZXiZAJ1G7FiS4C1zO3mvOo57iXTbfS54Sz3zfW6ZJnP6qzT4KHrKQnV9c19SliRaS37FXiV8bDPgHuqNj0YuFltsj-R_UvqF/s640/Episode+63+swains+pt+2.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This Episode
follows on from the Last Episode (Episode 62) where we had spent 5 weeks on the
Great Barrier Reef with 2 weeks at Lady Musgrave Lagoon followed by 3 weeks on
the Swains Reefs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">We only posted Episode 62 around 2-3 weeks ago so if you haven't read it first, then it would be good so the scene is set for this Episode.</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We’d already
done some great scuba diving and spearfishing in the Swains Reefs and visited 7
reefs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul with a Red Throat
Emperor speared at Horseshoe Reef<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa have a SUP in
glassy conditions on The Swains Reefs<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa arriving to the
moored kayaks after a drift dive at Shark Alley <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-3PKfX1esSaSNUMfZMzisKWgQ0hWZ74e_mm1Rs3RWagbzYCBNCi-4X8R_vt-eIMYbFiD5d7itagT8e1zkOrjDcJuZIxds9ChhyBA8JfCkGrqGFH6i76IXgZrIG9xWlL7mekl79G8Pa67/s1600/swains+reefs+Route+Map+Master+epi+63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1376" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-3PKfX1esSaSNUMfZMzisKWgQ0hWZ74e_mm1Rs3RWagbzYCBNCi-4X8R_vt-eIMYbFiD5d7itagT8e1zkOrjDcJuZIxds9ChhyBA8JfCkGrqGFH6i76IXgZrIG9xWlL7mekl79G8Pa67/s640/swains+reefs+Route+Map+Master+epi+63.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At the end of
the last Episode we were at Central Reef and had decided to leave there after a
few days of great diving as stronger winds were forecasted for 3 days’ time and
the next reef hopefully had better coverage and protection.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we set
sail for Isobel Bennett Reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite being
16nm away as the crow flies, we actually sailed 25nm as we weaved, tacked and
gybed through the maze of reefs on the way.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
crazy day of sailing with a bit of everything.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It started
very overcast and finished in sunshine, there were periods of light wind offset
by strong windy squalls and we sailed on nearly every point of the compass.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> Then there were the numerous current lines,
tidal influences and even whirlpools which had Lorelei’s speed from barely 1
knot to over 8 knots.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite the
charts indicating we were in constant deep water, we went over many shallow
reefs systems and the bottom was constantly changing with depths from 60m/200ft
up to less than 5m/15ft.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Needless to
say Paul spent a lot of time either in the crow’s nest or standing on the bow
rail.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But from the
crow’s nest he did get some fun photos of Lorelei sailing with the 10mm fish
eye lens.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjTaPM4zvR-qgcmAEjuQZP5NhdSugJdmWBJBjDcQy9dk9LQdoA1XGMwLh0GPtCUbwVIaTW2L7omU2ADQWAck4jan02hINYCEIjIR6LQ05Wy-BFyfre3diHked0D7bt-7rA-Fko_0PePA0/s1600/Swains+Sail+Central+to+Isobel+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1409" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjTaPM4zvR-qgcmAEjuQZP5NhdSugJdmWBJBjDcQy9dk9LQdoA1XGMwLh0GPtCUbwVIaTW2L7omU2ADQWAck4jan02hINYCEIjIR6LQ05Wy-BFyfre3diHked0D7bt-7rA-Fko_0PePA0/s640/Swains+Sail+Central+to+Isobel+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Overall it
was a fun day and it was great to sail from door to door only running the motor
to get in and out of the lagoons and anchoring.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaWGJ9pG0PBw-z6lwg-6uumDWi1DD7sGNyT9mfdO79-zt2Uz4ZEDU-uKXMijCQfWmXEi_0D94BTnxxjX0wEiDGqr9NNSLdk9Uje_OMVjuDRQAyrnE_B2nCQQa9Ht9QjOqXHhn0mvMUv7Vu/s1600/Swains+Sail+Central+to+Isobel+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="1080" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaWGJ9pG0PBw-z6lwg-6uumDWi1DD7sGNyT9mfdO79-zt2Uz4ZEDU-uKXMijCQfWmXEi_0D94BTnxxjX0wEiDGqr9NNSLdk9Uje_OMVjuDRQAyrnE_B2nCQQa9Ht9QjOqXHhn0mvMUv7Vu/s640/Swains+Sail+Central+to+Isobel+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa sailing Lorelei
right up to Isobel Bennett Reef’s lagoon entrance<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG9oGoHVubZK5IA6CqjuW9iUYcenZj1wtwkcg5UNYgN19Hu8_gTvJ4a-PmCjeWKzFdp27L8FdUNby9A3w_hx9uJ_hgGx6fQaXG5d9PPDTejOahqg4GwRmWKTM6bJcint7FO4df3MJNE23W/s1600/Swains+Isobel+Bennett+Reef+Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="1080" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG9oGoHVubZK5IA6CqjuW9iUYcenZj1wtwkcg5UNYgN19Hu8_gTvJ4a-PmCjeWKzFdp27L8FdUNby9A3w_hx9uJ_hgGx6fQaXG5d9PPDTejOahqg4GwRmWKTM6bJcint7FO4df3MJNE23W/s640/Swains+Isobel+Bennett+Reef+Map.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
following morning we waited for the tide to drop low enough to offer some
protection before we dropped the tinny in to do some exploratory snorkelling
around the area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
water level was still just high enough for us to motor over the pavement at the
southern end before exploring the outside walls and drop-offs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There
is a small passage between Isobel Reef and the reef to the east (21-505 Reef) and
it looked like deep but protected water so we tried there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
water was screaming through the pass at around 5 knots so we drifted along the
walls holding onto the tinny lines.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">What
we saw was the most incredible coral fields we’ve probably ever seen on the
barrier reef in such shallow depths.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There
were fields of Staghorn Coral and other colourful corals from about 10m/33ft
right up to the surface.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It
was all in pristine condition and not a single Crown of Thorns Starfish (COTS)
in sight. WOW!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nrQi3nBvVj60ZuwJ6K7BVbIlwu2C-B6ZzDbw1MpAf93B_TY_jVeIWVuKFv2xg3b23TMGskm_DeaBy97WjZSIZH7n27bFjLHOXhyq3dBZiI6BBFTJ7rQmkegpbCxuvrfj3-ASU8ZMxdRq/s1600/Swains+Dive+9+Isobel+Shallows+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="1080" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nrQi3nBvVj60ZuwJ6K7BVbIlwu2C-B6ZzDbw1MpAf93B_TY_jVeIWVuKFv2xg3b23TMGskm_DeaBy97WjZSIZH7n27bFjLHOXhyq3dBZiI6BBFTJ7rQmkegpbCxuvrfj3-ASU8ZMxdRq/s640/Swains+Dive+9+Isobel+Shallows+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpuboxrUMar0AOSzQVNl-HEpv3nz7Ex8zCq2-i93ZLTwSrjeeRyUANNbKPwjsByqk9kMyjGBaM53gwaTQcFO4nNYUbUh19eMscCGsE5dHstjDdhoplBrR_MP3FndaGQ5T28lYreqmvNKp/s1600/Swains+Dive+9+Isobel+Shallows+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="687" data-original-width="1080" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpuboxrUMar0AOSzQVNl-HEpv3nz7Ex8zCq2-i93ZLTwSrjeeRyUANNbKPwjsByqk9kMyjGBaM53gwaTQcFO4nNYUbUh19eMscCGsE5dHstjDdhoplBrR_MP3FndaGQ5T28lYreqmvNKp/s640/Swains+Dive+9+Isobel+Shallows+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Additionally
there were lots of fish but different things to what we’d seen in the last three
weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Different
types of baitfish and loads of Tusk Fish and Spangled Emperors everywhere on
the sand patches.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We
saw Blue Line and Big Eye Trevally instead of the Bludger, Golden’s and GT’s
that we’d seen at the other reefs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But
surprisingly not many Coral Trout and hardly any Red Throat Emperor.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We
couldn’t believe we’d only travelled around 20nm north but it was so different
underwater.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We
also tried along the top edges of both reefs close to the pass and they still
had excellent coral and fish life.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9-BT0FILIczvkCr__lYgP_MyE8IQBHI_4R34QRl1QQx6XFl9hwzhKIWgejlI24V8Ip0OznLXVLYSwKsHi6zejBzOQiCsP2hJ08xoG9uWyFBRSF7BLZ7PkfJtUXaU71TdQExZ6gw9HBWf/s1600/Swains+Dive+9+Isobel+Shallows+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1080" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9-BT0FILIczvkCr__lYgP_MyE8IQBHI_4R34QRl1QQx6XFl9hwzhKIWgejlI24V8Ip0OznLXVLYSwKsHi6zejBzOQiCsP2hJ08xoG9uWyFBRSF7BLZ7PkfJtUXaU71TdQExZ6gw9HBWf/s640/Swains+Dive+9+Isobel+Shallows+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
issue for diving was the high tide and it being very bumpy both in the tinny
and on Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 257.25pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It
would’ve been difficult to rig scuba packs and get them into the tinny at high
tide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 257.25pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Additionally,
Paul wanted to photograph the shallow corals and figured at low tide they would
be closer to the surface and with the rest of the reef exposed, it would offer
protection to the west wall of the reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We’d
also hoped that the viz might be a little better and more importantly, the
current back off a bit!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> If the tide was low enough, the wind dropped
off and the sun came out, then Paul surmised the reflections of the coral in
the shallows would make excellent photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 257.25pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But
could we get all the elements needed to align to create the perfect photo conditions?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It
was still 15-20 knots for 2 days, the skies were overcast, we were heading back
towards spring tides (meaning stronger currents) and the low tide was slowly
advancing every day to later in the afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On
the way home we spied the first boat we had seen in 10 days.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It
was a fishing charter boat that was travelling along the edge of the reef and
anchored about a mile up from us overnight.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1WohnxQi4_A-DZGa1l3QWoFnmzQVFFqnM0GEVbrd5FTNFmMcFr4uDaMrJ20t-Xt4jQM9cBrwQ8QY7y1iEjNUBSZWs8cjEovPVA0bFaOq6-jy4k3Sid3yFV9rJZJBDx6LKw-wTt6lF2c2/s1600/Swains+Isobel+Charter+Boat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="1080" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1WohnxQi4_A-DZGa1l3QWoFnmzQVFFqnM0GEVbrd5FTNFmMcFr4uDaMrJ20t-Xt4jQM9cBrwQ8QY7y1iEjNUBSZWs8cjEovPVA0bFaOq6-jy4k3Sid3yFV9rJZJBDx6LKw-wTt6lF2c2/s640/Swains+Isobel+Charter+Boat.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We
had to wait a full 48 hours on board with the tinny up on the davits and
hunkered down as it blew 15-25 knots and was very overcast and threatening to
rain. It wasn’t nice…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
one thing about this reef was the bird life. With 4 large sand cays (and a few
smaller ones) within a few miles and in all directions, there were birds
constantly flying around Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At
night we could lie in bed and hear them roosting on Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
issue was we would come out on deck in the morning the find bird poo in lots of
different places.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
worst place was the solar panels as we had to then climb up onto them to clean
them so it wouldn’t interrupt the power input.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WRfyZ-8hbfZPh3G2iyvZriDD2Q958ov-R_qXH9Q6Py5Xbmr4IrWhIK28eV8eENQb6To9eOh2reW2JWmfMR0N7lzoHTehGvM1M9Fy9-UuMJWuhUhH4pJg8V8pIKls1b9XqHfjXVJHvzvE/s1600/Swains+Isobel+Reef+Birds+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WRfyZ-8hbfZPh3G2iyvZriDD2Q958ov-R_qXH9Q6Py5Xbmr4IrWhIK28eV8eENQb6To9eOh2reW2JWmfMR0N7lzoHTehGvM1M9Fy9-UuMJWuhUhH4pJg8V8pIKls1b9XqHfjXVJHvzvE/s640/Swains+Isobel+Reef+Birds+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
little birds weren’t so bad but it was the big Booby Birds that made the most
noise – and the most poo!!! So we shooed them of whenever we found them on
board.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1jvm7ewQ028ruPNfqcmVk9lJ4hPUoG0cSrRbRJC-BzX8Up7KyG6Xvp_9F5LKvfRANfXM2cnbwScewG1NpyRTj1vVSRz3zVv1FpNkRLU9auW2kWDMc7F5yecUs6q9lQBcMN1wTxS-MMzp/s1600/Swains+Isobel+Reef+Birds+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="756" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1jvm7ewQ028ruPNfqcmVk9lJ4hPUoG0cSrRbRJC-BzX8Up7KyG6Xvp_9F5LKvfRANfXM2cnbwScewG1NpyRTj1vVSRz3zVv1FpNkRLU9auW2kWDMc7F5yecUs6q9lQBcMN1wTxS-MMzp/s640/Swains+Isobel+Reef+Birds+%25281%2529.JPG" width="448" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_KvEqNZg0EsqI12_M1zdd2dt6CBNSQjQnr3n0tK-lIg6kZlQlL22o58e7nxHvwhclcrVTyO3wfuvnagGg7tf2qlWZ0lhPIcZ3bwF_YkMWsL0C9RNIYboGLGKslEd2t3rz_K8ZrO_ulu7/s1600/Swains+Isobel+Reef+Birds+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="687" data-original-width="1080" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_KvEqNZg0EsqI12_M1zdd2dt6CBNSQjQnr3n0tK-lIg6kZlQlL22o58e7nxHvwhclcrVTyO3wfuvnagGg7tf2qlWZ0lhPIcZ3bwF_YkMWsL0C9RNIYboGLGKslEd2t3rz_K8ZrO_ulu7/s640/Swains+Isobel+Reef+Birds+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Under
the water, many large GT’s would eat up our food scraps as soon as they hit the
surface.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOalae9dML6JjOoArlgsDTIz7M2VOyc0F8z9Rg9WpN3T_b2TbXrBeEF5Z0QT60YSEqR2SWyn4-fUSRaGUvj6TrOZ2ndL2H1aDS-UuLSzTJ_SbjI2eX_ooHbgT5y2hrave0sJFgqpkHp6o/s1600/Swains+Isobel+Reef+GT%2527s.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="1080" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOalae9dML6JjOoArlgsDTIz7M2VOyc0F8z9Rg9WpN3T_b2TbXrBeEF5Z0QT60YSEqR2SWyn4-fUSRaGUvj6TrOZ2ndL2H1aDS-UuLSzTJ_SbjI2eX_ooHbgT5y2hrave0sJFgqpkHp6o/s640/Swains+Isobel+Reef+GT%2527s.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After
48 hours the wind back off but it was still overcast and bumpy.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> So we braved it anyway and had a go at diving
in the shallows to get some photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It
wasn’t perfect but we got a few photos using the underside of the surface for
reflections.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GlofFjt4txutJdpAF3Msk4hgY8tbg62pMVcXvXNAgXFEHl-65oPbow4VO78B3L__JNXaJQ-GK1rQTV2jpcVfclALaMSxv46pu8fqeOK9T1LV5qnkk2CBU4QnbWxnlA3zKMe8TDrnmi6J/s1600/Swains+Dive+9+Isobel+Shallows+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GlofFjt4txutJdpAF3Msk4hgY8tbg62pMVcXvXNAgXFEHl-65oPbow4VO78B3L__JNXaJQ-GK1rQTV2jpcVfclALaMSxv46pu8fqeOK9T1LV5qnkk2CBU4QnbWxnlA3zKMe8TDrnmi6J/s640/Swains+Dive+9+Isobel+Shallows+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYz-tCQjssCYvMwRXuWF_Gxm0SbGvKIKofOnWdSD61YKQ4ikJFpn3hUOfSWN1zpNqtxP4d-lsSmSb4dAgkaDXfA6gLcBMOzs6dJNHx8LfI1c4HAeRsU57JMNrTtkRh7A7tJ3wrorfH2eK/s1600/Swains+Dive+9+Isobel+Shallows+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1080" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYz-tCQjssCYvMwRXuWF_Gxm0SbGvKIKofOnWdSD61YKQ4ikJFpn3hUOfSWN1zpNqtxP4d-lsSmSb4dAgkaDXfA6gLcBMOzs6dJNHx8LfI1c4HAeRsU57JMNrTtkRh7A7tJ3wrorfH2eK/s640/Swains+Dive+9+Isobel+Shallows+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGHQVBz-j5YE3VBJifKIs47k2DgvI7xngue3Rz1bNmOrHSiwk4Ab2ZRiv3qLoa4W7MVE1C8xqgYX-AqjrgbUw3isw4TTto-xkDlrgPVZGL9TOfXwwHZw4Aka0q9pGZDbqcWNEwGWKqdcK/s1600/Swains+Dive+9+Isobel+Shallows+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="1080" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGHQVBz-j5YE3VBJifKIs47k2DgvI7xngue3Rz1bNmOrHSiwk4Ab2ZRiv3qLoa4W7MVE1C8xqgYX-AqjrgbUw3isw4TTto-xkDlrgPVZGL9TOfXwwHZw4Aka0q9pGZDbqcWNEwGWKqdcK/s640/Swains+Dive+9+Isobel+Shallows+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Y_TaSZxA_geXUKmyszzWQ95ZJ0CPUHrPx78k6jiFdrUl1aUc9ZHftqauTUn-Wlt8Q0QKhBCmCfCc21r_zE_TsPyyRFWyu2sK15WtzZY5UtrfUQd7BGHDMAHTKwlv7XTxhP4hqZ8223yK/s1600/Swains+Dive+9+Isobel+Shallows+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="1080" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Y_TaSZxA_geXUKmyszzWQ95ZJ0CPUHrPx78k6jiFdrUl1aUc9ZHftqauTUn-Wlt8Q0QKhBCmCfCc21r_zE_TsPyyRFWyu2sK15WtzZY5UtrfUQd7BGHDMAHTKwlv7XTxhP4hqZ8223yK/s640/Swains+Dive+9+Isobel+Shallows+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We
left the next morning with little to no wind but it was still really overcast.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> However by 10am there wasn’t a cloud in the
sky and it was beautiful.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We
motored over to Recreation Reef which was in a green zone and it was to be our
first anchorage & diving in a green zone so we were really excited.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A
green zone is a protected zone and a bit like an underwater national park.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Private
vessels are allowed to enter & anchor and activities like snorkelling and
diving are permitted.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However
fishing, spearfishing, shell collecting and commercial fisherman are strictly
prohibited.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgeyms0SbsFqxjzKFnlgVC3kb2qrFRTPWYkqDDESa2L6uMVwuGVgKfoe1S2CFMVtzm89eJn80sXA570JJRqZSTXHVJA6-VD7uJDgDA3UbqnQkhMU6sqlEpwurOUMcEt8H3WgFI_YRzsg6/s1600/Swains+Recreation+Reef+Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="1080" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgeyms0SbsFqxjzKFnlgVC3kb2qrFRTPWYkqDDESa2L6uMVwuGVgKfoe1S2CFMVtzm89eJn80sXA570JJRqZSTXHVJA6-VD7uJDgDA3UbqnQkhMU6sqlEpwurOUMcEt8H3WgFI_YRzsg6/s640/Swains+Recreation+Reef+Map.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
thing that looked awesome to us on the satellite image of Recreation Reef was
the long but narrow and deep channel that divided the northern and southern reef. With a protected trench like that and
currents running through it, it had to be awesome diving.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We
envisaged we’d spend 4-5 days there diving and exploring the exposed sand cay
that was indicated on the GBR Marine Parks Zoning Map.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
lagoon at the southern reef looked huge, clear and had and easy entry.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On
the way in Paul sat in the crows nest looking out and taking photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpaxcgxiNF_VfC6YoLpkfwSdc4CJ78NxPEcJ0xga1uoFGf5tXG6kp-ahPg-Qi-_A9PLCOu6y8LkS5DGXImKiVF0HrFQmd0LiLONDli2nd-yn0VJ6J_9C4-miv5pvHZQ_Fz7e_GYjcv1JPU/s1600/Swains+Recreation+Reef+Entry+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1080" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpaxcgxiNF_VfC6YoLpkfwSdc4CJ78NxPEcJ0xga1uoFGf5tXG6kp-ahPg-Qi-_A9PLCOu6y8LkS5DGXImKiVF0HrFQmd0LiLONDli2nd-yn0VJ6J_9C4-miv5pvHZQ_Fz7e_GYjcv1JPU/s640/Swains+Recreation+Reef+Entry+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6idsP59Y7l9cdVixZRdHdVyeIlzGvJsECEI1QmsoZMKrfLj8n6svcr5kWpmPoQ_4UtKYUSKqSgZauNe7m2O9eKZp69pXtM570YaauumwN3AEvEDgaMIoSnP84uRtnfhXOGT8dr8Vy0YUq/s1600/Swains+Recreation+Reef+Entry+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1080" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6idsP59Y7l9cdVixZRdHdVyeIlzGvJsECEI1QmsoZMKrfLj8n6svcr5kWpmPoQ_4UtKYUSKqSgZauNe7m2O9eKZp69pXtM570YaauumwN3AEvEDgaMIoSnP84uRtnfhXOGT8dr8Vy0YUq/s640/Swains+Recreation+Reef+Entry+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We
arrived right at low tide and so as soon as the anchor was down it was into the
tinny to look for diving spots.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
channel was first on the list of spots and we checked the entrance - and it was
terrible!! Not really dead but just
brown staghorn coral to 5m/16ft and broken and barren coral rubble from there
down.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Every
few hundred meters we’d stop and check but it was all the same along the entire
length of the channel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 257.25pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We
then tried along all 4 walls at either end of the channel and most of the west
side but it was mostly the same.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 257.25pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">And
to rub salt into the wound – there was no sand cay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Soooo
disappointing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 257.25pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 257.25pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So
packed up again that afternoon to prepare for an early departure the following
day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 257.25pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
frustrating thing was we felt we’d wasted a day of pristine weather for no
gain.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
only consolation was calm anchorage at sunset so we had drinks and a cheese
platter and were rewarded with a rare green flash at the end of the sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 257.25pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So
instead of 5 days at Recreation Reef, we spent less than 20 hours….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 257.25pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With
3 days of sub 10 knots of wind forecasted, we now had choices of where to go.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 257.25pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So
we decided to give the outer edge another try for some dive locations.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 257.25pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">(We
tried the outer edge in Episode 62 but it was exposed and all dead)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We
headed to Baz Reef as it was the closest and it was also a green zone.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 257.25pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
reef had a square top protecting the NW corner which had the potential for good
diving.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexVFSFju7EKh9sr0CdMRffvb4PH5tWvf-j_Shee-EwzMfjPSUbwk25VRbQv77SeMGKKnCMr2fvCzYhramrWjkX6hmNyNxkOQptihVAstlSZgxSJUwIJ2_cAQawg5WMbXLSF29EIUMcwVb/s1600/Swains+Baz+Reef+Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="1080" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexVFSFju7EKh9sr0CdMRffvb4PH5tWvf-j_Shee-EwzMfjPSUbwk25VRbQv77SeMGKKnCMr2fvCzYhramrWjkX6hmNyNxkOQptihVAstlSZgxSJUwIJ2_cAQawg5WMbXLSF29EIUMcwVb/s640/Swains+Baz+Reef+Map.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We
arrived at 11am at high tide and thank goodness we did because there was no
clear entry into the lagoon and we had to drift slowly and carefully over the reef
edge which was only a few meters under Lorelei’s keel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At
low tide we probably would have hit the reef!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
anchorage was super shallow and clean sand with very little bommies.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNstGGfkpqZ84X-gR4heyE2wi-xoFrcrtjpIhZouqEurvkEPkSlciYwlp_7tVt4ZzARzU87Rlch6ntHJRRtBmAZ6DMM9BvWU-NGYGJw6vIkhUPWSN8Jo-RoWBEQM5IEw4ODwduZ3fUWwq1/s1600/Swains+Baz+Reef+Anchorage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="1080" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNstGGfkpqZ84X-gR4heyE2wi-xoFrcrtjpIhZouqEurvkEPkSlciYwlp_7tVt4ZzARzU87Rlch6ntHJRRtBmAZ6DMM9BvWU-NGYGJw6vIkhUPWSN8Jo-RoWBEQM5IEw4ODwduZ3fUWwq1/s640/Swains+Baz+Reef+Anchorage.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Once
again it was straight in with the tinny on arrival and out to the northern
outer edge for a snorkel explore.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa
rolled over the side and dropped onto about 10 sharks!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Not
sure who got the biggest fright….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We
could see down the wall to dozens of Grey Reef Sharks patrolling the edge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 257.25pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Awesome!!
We named it Shark Point.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 257.25pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As
we swam a little further on a large Bull Shark swam right up to us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 257.25pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It
wasn’t as big at the one we’d seen the week before but it was still twice as
big as the Grey Reefies and had an entourage of Pilot Fish and Remoras around
its body.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 257.25pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
viz was good but as the tide fell the viz decreased dramatically as the spring
tide water exited the shallow and sandy lagoon dragging the silt out over the
northern edge with it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 257.25pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So
we knew diving would be out until high tide the following morning.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 257.25pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So
instead we did another snorkel along the western edge and over the reef we had
to transit across to get in.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 257.25pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It
was a labyrinth of bommies, gutters, caves and walls that were filled with
coral and fish.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 257.25pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 257.25pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
highlight was a school of Red Throat Emperor that numbered in the hundreds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 257.25pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Rather
than being in a tight bunch, they were swimming all through the gutters and
around the bommies. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 257.25pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Every
direction we turned we could see scores of them. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 257.25pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Additionally
there were hundreds of Coral Trout (literally) and loads of other sea life.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Gotta
love Green Zones !!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At
dead low tide we could see a long rock breakwall that was exposed on the outer
reef edge and giving very flat conditions within the lagoon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So
we took advantage of the smooth water and went for a SUP/Kayak.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We
took the kayak so Paul could take his UW camera for some fun photos around the
shallow reefs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGesZoGIp0rpWaH73N_XMp-ygVd9rFAYDSII9_GAbZJ0KrjvNP_BRwPY80flIm1ZmEJTGINTIS0ROv_KxMvGu2-ibHAhWrixXg6NPV6o13X5dgOccfMindH91stPCVLb4PK9-i7Yd3JxX/s1600/Swains+Baz+Ref+SUP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1548" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGesZoGIp0rpWaH73N_XMp-ygVd9rFAYDSII9_GAbZJ0KrjvNP_BRwPY80flIm1ZmEJTGINTIS0ROv_KxMvGu2-ibHAhWrixXg6NPV6o13X5dgOccfMindH91stPCVLb4PK9-i7Yd3JxX/s640/Swains+Baz+Ref+SUP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfvvF8kFJDEMOJzpOQuVlrf0U0Q8p7F8f3Bb5zg5TNaUkP3m9sgscFsLbPEzoFl2WY2IUaTw-yj6FXKpiMB-btqrViIq1HIw74XE8AGEZwvcaszCwOnwaUe7yKmJc3sEl616H8b6UjEBg/s1600/Swains+Baz+Reef+SUP+Crowsnest.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="1080" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfvvF8kFJDEMOJzpOQuVlrf0U0Q8p7F8f3Bb5zg5TNaUkP3m9sgscFsLbPEzoFl2WY2IUaTw-yj6FXKpiMB-btqrViIq1HIw74XE8AGEZwvcaszCwOnwaUe7yKmJc3sEl616H8b6UjEBg/s640/Swains+Baz+Reef+SUP+Crowsnest.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
setting sun looked identical to the previous day and at half way set it went a
whitish/yellow colour and we knew it would green flash again.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This
time we caught it on camera (minus the quick flash). If only the sun was a little closer…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It
blew a bit stronger than forecast overnight and the next morning it was bumpy,
but we braved it and loaded in the scuba gear.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We
tried the outer edge and Shark Point but it was a washing machine of current,
onshore wind against tide and some very rough surface conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So
sadly we aborted and we and dived the catacombs instead.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It
turn out to be a load of fun and with a max depth of only 15m/50ft it turned
into a long 90 minute dive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 257.25pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There
were loads of caves, swim throughs and trenches to explore.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7CfrhBZivV1rvCM4TFQobELR9Crg9zR8_KX9ZEZuGKeq518K43G5A_YD6iZC_ga5WICU3wyNDGAQ9wel3nxoX71DvRyp8259yU1NeVdrLRw3k09KavXRTExyl7EtGR3MZ0Eo4lIJEswv/s1600/Swains+Dive+10+Baz+Reef+Catacombs+Paul+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7CfrhBZivV1rvCM4TFQobELR9Crg9zR8_KX9ZEZuGKeq518K43G5A_YD6iZC_ga5WICU3wyNDGAQ9wel3nxoX71DvRyp8259yU1NeVdrLRw3k09KavXRTExyl7EtGR3MZ0Eo4lIJEswv/s640/Swains+Dive+10+Baz+Reef+Catacombs+Paul+%25282%2529.JPG" width="444" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
floor of the outer edge was a carpet of small but colourful soft and hard
corals that seemed to go on forever.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUujRwN6P0dxbGGI4qmtYrgSDWxzl0zQI8-JVxwVmbdWoKIHiPVMckEXib9PkEgiR5lhD2kicT39HOYnvH6p3-c150O3mosoA6qyW7Z9Pk8nkgHEZWL3TP3QpYR0HsE4vc26bRC1jXp4M/s1600/Swains+Dive+10+Baz+Reef+Catacombs+Lisa+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="703" data-original-width="1080" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUujRwN6P0dxbGGI4qmtYrgSDWxzl0zQI8-JVxwVmbdWoKIHiPVMckEXib9PkEgiR5lhD2kicT39HOYnvH6p3-c150O3mosoA6qyW7Z9Pk8nkgHEZWL3TP3QpYR0HsE4vc26bRC1jXp4M/s640/Swains+Dive+10+Baz+Reef+Catacombs+Lisa+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We
did get a shot of a Red Throat Emperor and some other fish photos in the
grottos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Iy8s0Op-ejCSoJEUWp9yZ7RytyUw914asFN9mMJqcZAYywt4-HPfCHH-nAZUr8oopWAn3_LkAvL1ov-RJ2a5x4UOTPMddQGw9L1ffw3fyP_8QURV4WX6GvTApJw6HgmRAtOsxd25ap_h/s1600/Swains+Dive+10+Baz+Reef+Catacombs+Lisa+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="728" data-original-width="1080" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Iy8s0Op-ejCSoJEUWp9yZ7RytyUw914asFN9mMJqcZAYywt4-HPfCHH-nAZUr8oopWAn3_LkAvL1ov-RJ2a5x4UOTPMddQGw9L1ffw3fyP_8QURV4WX6GvTApJw6HgmRAtOsxd25ap_h/s640/Swains+Dive+10+Baz+Reef+Catacombs+Lisa+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We
looked at Shark Point again in the arvo and it was still current affected and
we even checked it again early the next morning and it had both current and
onshore winds that made the viz terrible.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 257.25pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It
was the day of spring tides so we had no option but to give it a miss (again...</span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">)
and try again another time with neap tides.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So
we moved again but this time we went south to Turner Reef which is another outer
edge reef but with a little more protection at both the anchorage and the
potential dive sites from the northerly winds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKhjiHRmTgsOi5nvMv6qsu5EUSOO3YUlTDKYFIF2xO7JLH_DeO_BJhSMFfccRZY06vUPGs5VSgiw7-X8xssD_H0MDleFeQZZtXsgxPMjjCFS6Dx6YW7V88uRbWGLa4Ac04mxMp7Xu77TE/s1600/Swains+Turner+Reef+Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="727" data-original-width="1080" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKhjiHRmTgsOi5nvMv6qsu5EUSOO3YUlTDKYFIF2xO7JLH_DeO_BJhSMFfccRZY06vUPGs5VSgiw7-X8xssD_H0MDleFeQZZtXsgxPMjjCFS6Dx6YW7V88uRbWGLa4Ac04mxMp7Xu77TE/s640/Swains+Turner+Reef+Map.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We
were pretty confident we’d find a good dive spot so rather than do a snorkel
explore first, we just loaded up the dive gear after lunch and went in search
for a fun place to dive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Well
our cockiness bit us on the butt because we checked miles of reef edge and it
was all no good.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">What
was most disappointing was that it had great viz and probably the best
structure we’d seen at the Swains with numerous large pinnacles, walls filled
with caves and gutters.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
coral was all there but it was completely dead and covered in 1000’s of Crown
of Thorns Starfish. It appears it had only been destroyed recently as all the
exoskeletons of the reef were all present. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 257.25pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">And
due to the lack of live coral, there were no fish.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So
once again it was no diving and another wasted day of nice weather and outboard
fuel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We
sat down that night and did some more research and it appeared each time we
went deeper into the centre of the reef system, the better it got.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So
the next morning we left the outer edge reefs and sailed almost 20nm NW into
the reef system to Star Reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKjAKlPRD1SfHg6-NZ-uKbLxh4nQ2e8E5wsewuAhD9JLoJZFIkaF-n8cT91qBJ7w4-rf0XKGr3UgUDa7KW0PYONig5cU6xaDrJvGTAk5PEs6VNVmzp0mTTHS9C5HmwRx0XQknpOazNWyD/s1600/Swains+Star+Reef+Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="1080" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKjAKlPRD1SfHg6-NZ-uKbLxh4nQ2e8E5wsewuAhD9JLoJZFIkaF-n8cT91qBJ7w4-rf0XKGr3UgUDa7KW0PYONig5cU6xaDrJvGTAk5PEs6VNVmzp0mTTHS9C5HmwRx0XQknpOazNWyD/s640/Swains+Star+Reef+Map.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It
had taken 4 hours and we arrived mid-afternoon and probably not enough time to
search for dive sites by snorkelling.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So
we stopped for a look at a small keyhole lagoon at the southern end as by now
the wind was due north and it would offer more protection than the larger top
lagoon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Additionally
Lisa spied what looked like a small cay just south of the lagoon entrance.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So
we entered and the pass was a bit bigger than we expected.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
anchorage was in a very nice setting with good protection.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkEk2RhDF3DQWKLeb1jxX-HH-M7M3Xz5d-n2wjXx00YwoQ18dMhBw0SuhUn06O8s3Xce3qRlMRVml7ohfdNzoxDB8fqxB18lxM0CeDeG7Lzc1vEVjF9gdPFveyD1_THXUCnRd3LwQhe5FN/s1600/Swains+Star+Reef+Entry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="1080" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkEk2RhDF3DQWKLeb1jxX-HH-M7M3Xz5d-n2wjXx00YwoQ18dMhBw0SuhUn06O8s3Xce3qRlMRVml7ohfdNzoxDB8fqxB18lxM0CeDeG7Lzc1vEVjF9gdPFveyD1_THXUCnRd3LwQhe5FN/s640/Swains+Star+Reef+Entry.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So
rather than put the tinny in, we decided to put the kayaks in instead and head
in towards the cay as it was low tide just before sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
cay was more of a broken coral bank that was exposed at low tide than a nice
fine sand cay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Thank
goodness we took dive booties.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCYL9czHFMxBy9cykmC8GbgdxpV-7gcjtIUH09_Kdg3IHiTCWdmjz__5V23QIwVhaUk836WyKvUZKfpPnnxL52HKKk7IQn_GAP3qFs3aY82eCrXodgzBzM5ouHkvgOyJwDEOLPr6pyy0ha/s1600/Swains+Star+Reef+Sunset+Kayak+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1080" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCYL9czHFMxBy9cykmC8GbgdxpV-7gcjtIUH09_Kdg3IHiTCWdmjz__5V23QIwVhaUk836WyKvUZKfpPnnxL52HKKk7IQn_GAP3qFs3aY82eCrXodgzBzM5ouHkvgOyJwDEOLPr6pyy0ha/s640/Swains+Star+Reef+Sunset+Kayak+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There
were a lot of birds both resting and flying around the area and it was great to
get up close to them with the silently propelled kayaks. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We
also took a blanket, drinks and snacks to relax and enjoy the sunset from land
for a change.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1AOtTrB_53WuVyu1VDTLLwjaYsnfidDF7hOtBtXJIbBzbKlw6MT43UD8PKVWoCZ3LCBsHKbHCotZYzrJm1ZP9-nRpl8Md5itM1iCr7QYmWKPAfQpKV-YHnswSHtl5FOCfMAiIFOSDA11/s1600/Swains+Star+Reef+Sunset+Kayak+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="1080" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1AOtTrB_53WuVyu1VDTLLwjaYsnfidDF7hOtBtXJIbBzbKlw6MT43UD8PKVWoCZ3LCBsHKbHCotZYzrJm1ZP9-nRpl8Md5itM1iCr7QYmWKPAfQpKV-YHnswSHtl5FOCfMAiIFOSDA11/s640/Swains+Star+Reef+Sunset+Kayak+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 257.25pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
next morning we did the normal scout around the outer edge of the reef looking
for scuba sites and once again found a few on the NW tip.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We
found the first pinnacle that was half-decent for diving but decided the
northern wall looked much better with its deep water drop-off of 75m/250ft
depth very close to the reef edge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 257.25pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In
the afternoon we dived the wall and it was full of sharks at depths below 18m/60ft.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 257.25pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We
saw the usual reef sharks but also our first Swains Reef Silvertip Shark.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
larger oceanic sharks are normally found on the outer edges and we’ve seen many
in the Coral Sea but we didn’t expect to see one now we had moved further back
into the reef system.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 257.25pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Still
we weren’t complaining….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 257.25pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">If
Paul had concentrated more on reef photos rather than chasing big sharks
around, we might have got some more photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
late arvo setting sun did make a nice back drop.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQQ3N2qsiXC-SyA8wchxxgpNkAZUV2Js0sv09DTSn6r9HQyO9WQO1afIBLUDF09_GU9pwtrrqX8ULGL2rL6WQzfmiTSBzDWwM0jWZG0gK1dFxF8ONdcsPfkKRzQ74iG52OjnyH5B4MEAi/s1600/Swains+Dive+11+Star+Reef+North+Wall+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="1080" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQQ3N2qsiXC-SyA8wchxxgpNkAZUV2Js0sv09DTSn6r9HQyO9WQO1afIBLUDF09_GU9pwtrrqX8ULGL2rL6WQzfmiTSBzDWwM0jWZG0gK1dFxF8ONdcsPfkKRzQ74iG52OjnyH5B4MEAi/s640/Swains+Dive+11+Star+Reef+North+Wall+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlk70Ldu05udYnHq9-8guBNuQ16AS8BLkW9rAx5JlJWKWAsKrtLKPa_nZ89N2Q14LJXy3m8SgHrS033H2S3TL4aDDUXxMhH9w_1j6djC2n3N_VOwAGziReuJyIrZDuDT0JpPeA7MtoYLkc/s1600/Swains+Dive+11+Star+Reef+North+Wall+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="1080" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlk70Ldu05udYnHq9-8guBNuQ16AS8BLkW9rAx5JlJWKWAsKrtLKPa_nZ89N2Q14LJXy3m8SgHrS033H2S3TL4aDDUXxMhH9w_1j6djC2n3N_VOwAGziReuJyIrZDuDT0JpPeA7MtoYLkc/s640/Swains+Dive+11+Star+Reef+North+Wall+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
photo above is Paul taking a shot of Lisa who is taking a shot of a Bumblebee
Shrimp which was on the Sea Whip.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Her
photo is below.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWMegw3OMJUF3TtdGsoTepRl9DMbJITr96pLOYKoN7xHSYtgZFfrkRgI2OXMeDDL2xP4yFT1QJ-vaDYqf12_GxcOYgKmhImk3rPtfWJBQIt5Kf7xizQA6ucP14rAUN0aSAiih6wD9CE7q/s1600/Swains+Dive+11+Star+Reef+North+Wall+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="1080" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWMegw3OMJUF3TtdGsoTepRl9DMbJITr96pLOYKoN7xHSYtgZFfrkRgI2OXMeDDL2xP4yFT1QJ-vaDYqf12_GxcOYgKmhImk3rPtfWJBQIt5Kf7xizQA6ucP14rAUN0aSAiih6wD9CE7q/s640/Swains+Dive+11+Star+Reef+North+Wall+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We
did a 2<sup>nd</sup> dive on the wall the next afternoon but this time about
150m/500ft further up the wall from the 1<sup>st</sup> location.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This
time we had less sharks but more fish and 4 Dog Tooth Tuna that circled us many
times during the dive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 257.25pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There
were also some nice coral formations on the shallower slopes as we were coming
back up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-s4XkxdfZdtUsaKpyPajZ9Bl7VxYWBxtZR9Gdl6-9n7oOtCB1JKuNrpF5wgGRF3CVY8OAZ9fyQdkfAnKuPYZLesLIIzDviJnzSPIqTBAenTpPbydMk3xh09X0T_b79YYWkFFy6H-scGe0/s1600/Swains+Dive+12+Star+Reef+North+West+Wall+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="1080" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-s4XkxdfZdtUsaKpyPajZ9Bl7VxYWBxtZR9Gdl6-9n7oOtCB1JKuNrpF5wgGRF3CVY8OAZ9fyQdkfAnKuPYZLesLIIzDviJnzSPIqTBAenTpPbydMk3xh09X0T_b79YYWkFFy6H-scGe0/s640/Swains+Dive+12+Star+Reef+North+West+Wall+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXOaif3bftZ7k3rIsGpYjQazp4JvjuuyLGee_w5r9KGoiJBUmjXg2NJrFFvMvgzZRPkVx5SoxiNOoWblI4GmioC1R64t_aJeI_qwdzUrZ4ToGmaae6h-ARPLGF1HwlT65GmyjRa2C_bjM/s1600/Swains+Dive+12+Star+Reef+North+West+Wall+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="755" data-original-width="1080" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXOaif3bftZ7k3rIsGpYjQazp4JvjuuyLGee_w5r9KGoiJBUmjXg2NJrFFvMvgzZRPkVx5SoxiNOoWblI4GmioC1R64t_aJeI_qwdzUrZ4ToGmaae6h-ARPLGF1HwlT65GmyjRa2C_bjM/s640/Swains+Dive+12+Star+Reef+North+West+Wall+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiESqLrlFP7UorPcfUE0WQEskSn2YX6bSSXDYwad2EU8EVFJynrCD0_DjoXuimnPTb_AMUj86FuXt-0SoTe7KD7Ap9-Iwd3rhUCR06H1cszuoLzYSP9eGQ_X2PMPNXuautEeMT7WX5O82hm/s1600/Swains+Dive+12+Star+Reef+North+West+Wall+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="669" data-original-width="1080" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiESqLrlFP7UorPcfUE0WQEskSn2YX6bSSXDYwad2EU8EVFJynrCD0_DjoXuimnPTb_AMUj86FuXt-0SoTe7KD7Ap9-Iwd3rhUCR06H1cszuoLzYSP9eGQ_X2PMPNXuautEeMT7WX5O82hm/s640/Swains+Dive+12+Star+Reef+North+West+Wall+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At
most reefs we’ve had either remoras or large Giant Trevally (GT’s) under Lorelei
hoovering up our food scraps.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At
Star Reef we had 4 very large GT’s and we wanted to try to feed and photograph
them but 4 at once would prove a little difficult.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When
we returned from the 2<sup>nd</sup> dive, there was only one Trevally (which
Lisa named “Fang”) and despite it being close to sunset, we decided it would be
a good chance to try.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul
just had on his snorkelling gear, weight belt and camera while Lisa sat on the
rear swim platform with some chopped up pieces of fish.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At
first Fang wouldn’t take the food until it had sunk a little and was further
away from Paul and the camera.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDegOb0T2I4-RqgCJHrXDCbvwbN60QzlJgXIgcRKfLFagEsZ0__Wa1RQFwbaOmtZxb-KwKNG5MaxiooIyDsHVECSujMZFfgnzWZu1zol0IeraXRyoaFr6Gy4NVCnFX-CFjWpJ0_33l9An/s1600/Swains+Star+Reef+Trevally+Feeding+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDegOb0T2I4-RqgCJHrXDCbvwbN60QzlJgXIgcRKfLFagEsZ0__Wa1RQFwbaOmtZxb-KwKNG5MaxiooIyDsHVECSujMZFfgnzWZu1zol0IeraXRyoaFr6Gy4NVCnFX-CFjWpJ0_33l9An/s640/Swains+Star+Reef+Trevally+Feeding+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As
both Paul and Fang got more game, they both got closer to the bait.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fang
didn’t like the powerful strobes (flashes) at first and he smashed into the
camera once and bit the strobes twice but eventually he got used to it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWeV_heFdKULBXkoMsZDTdREOzuFnjjJOPBwvljnjMhyxRY9TFAvgcia6Re3G771JaW3l411DzTTvcdGcoCXFX2CN4cUojfJJEr1M6z6zIZW2H6JOBWXnFMiBW4pRcCRB1mSXDaTf0T78c/s1600/Swains+Star+Reef+Trevally+Feeding+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="1080" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWeV_heFdKULBXkoMsZDTdREOzuFnjjJOPBwvljnjMhyxRY9TFAvgcia6Re3G771JaW3l411DzTTvcdGcoCXFX2CN4cUojfJJEr1M6z6zIZW2H6JOBWXnFMiBW4pRcCRB1mSXDaTf0T78c/s640/Swains+Star+Reef+Trevally+Feeding+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After
a while Fang was taking food from Lisa’s hand on the surface and pieces of fish
that were floating just inches in front of the cameras lens.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE7ZtOJTHdf6hUKTtzSp3uLkh7K9AiAQqfUfifkewX_hz0Lb_GUap_wh52oErjICVqE0dxr5A_5T2hVW-inm0BYwPKEGd5Hp468zcS_m7I2AygKKTZDoPxt1PfCmLX0hgriomda6sTKKdU/s1600/Swains+Star+Reef+Trevally+Feeding+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="703" data-original-width="1080" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE7ZtOJTHdf6hUKTtzSp3uLkh7K9AiAQqfUfifkewX_hz0Lb_GUap_wh52oErjICVqE0dxr5A_5T2hVW-inm0BYwPKEGd5Hp468zcS_m7I2AygKKTZDoPxt1PfCmLX0hgriomda6sTKKdU/s640/Swains+Star+Reef+Trevally+Feeding+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRovwFu5Vry_5lWzYaFm-_BH90VOkC2p4j43DWQvz2TZ4jJdCyICptUe3cAqO_RrOnzu7FXKfohcZSmmwfaxp_VqRKKvteJDLW6aFNHqkrdtr6HvbW1rhyHnCuJYq5eu4JH27pkuY-o0P/s1600/Swains+Star+Reef+Trevally+Feeding+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="1080" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRovwFu5Vry_5lWzYaFm-_BH90VOkC2p4j43DWQvz2TZ4jJdCyICptUe3cAqO_RrOnzu7FXKfohcZSmmwfaxp_VqRKKvteJDLW6aFNHqkrdtr6HvbW1rhyHnCuJYq5eu4JH27pkuY-o0P/s640/Swains+Star+Reef+Trevally+Feeding+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We
continued until after the sun had set and thought it was prudent to get out before
all the commotion attracted some larger and unwanted denizen of the deep.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With NW winds
forecast we headed only 2nm over to Z Reef which was an unusual shaped reef
with a southern anchorage better suited to winds from the West and North.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJwWyvKS8H-iIuzGXNA4s59Z1zeK_WLGGnSW4mCmkfi-xhPwDif_PbzeP8kzZnAZsuM3Gmcaw8iNy0sHoK-0j3RSGCTtuzz7y5urEQZM8DiSFdZ08IYJBshGLnWQm4pwIAKFOBk6UgF84/s1600/Swains+Z+Reef+Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1080" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJwWyvKS8H-iIuzGXNA4s59Z1zeK_WLGGnSW4mCmkfi-xhPwDif_PbzeP8kzZnAZsuM3Gmcaw8iNy0sHoK-0j3RSGCTtuzz7y5urEQZM8DiSFdZ08IYJBshGLnWQm4pwIAKFOBk6UgF84/s640/Swains+Z+Reef+Map.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It had a long
spit at the NE tip and we thought it might be an excellent dive but after a lot
of searching around the area, it was barren with no structure and just flat
slopes of small corals running down into the depths. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> The upside of the NW weather was it brought
with it some very humid and warm conditions with temperatures into the 30’s and
10 on the UV index.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa decided
to explore a series of 3 pinnacles in a bay close on the south-east side of the
reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">She jumped in
with just a Bikini and a mask & snorkel (no fins) and was happily swimming
around the pinnacle looking for areas to dive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was then a
Tiger Shark (our fist Tiger in the Swains) swam up underneath her.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It wasn’t at
all aggressive (like the Bull Sharks…) and was content to swim around Lisa and
in the sand gutters around the pinnacles.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So Paul also
jumped in and we spent ages in the water as it swam below us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s a pity
we didn’t have scuba gear or a camera in the tinny.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the end we
decided the pinnacles were a fun snorkel but not really worth a scuba dive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That night we
left our thicker wetsuits out for an extended time (so they were totally dry
before packing them away).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We forgot
they were out until 10pm and we out to retrieve them only to find 5 birds
sleeping around Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we got the
camera and took some photos with a Booby Bird that was sitting on the bow rail
and had no intention of leaving.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YHf-Qwzv8XSkq4xRyH2SHqbICD4x3xPV5oz7aDzqtr5e5a4SYVPxz_oTeNeUphekljCXeIoxIlMNeFcAEJTXZeP9hL-PqfPC-4vTSfITGRiepRM6hT-WAzw8pYGfp1_dD9e0e-x5_vBK/s1600/Swains+21-250+Reef+Birds+on+Boat+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="791" data-original-width="1080" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YHf-Qwzv8XSkq4xRyH2SHqbICD4x3xPV5oz7aDzqtr5e5a4SYVPxz_oTeNeUphekljCXeIoxIlMNeFcAEJTXZeP9hL-PqfPC-4vTSfITGRiepRM6hT-WAzw8pYGfp1_dD9e0e-x5_vBK/s640/Swains+21-250+Reef+Birds+on+Boat+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
we moved again but this time it was a 12nm run to reef with no name but is
labelled 21-250 on the chart.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
hoping the diving would be better at this reef as it also had a decent NW
anchorage to spend a few days if required and a square top on the northern part
of the reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjVnmeBNivhxg7p4yWgULZo_yNIMEx9E4gd39NLrHuO4cY3-EFNHb6swho6FsOynKIOFq6rulFlpbixTpziTH4rhl303S3uL9XeFc1ByuPMpq71WHtWpFXc7bIvE_cDx9l2ACNY6S0sYL/s1600/Swains+21-250+Reef+Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="1080" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjVnmeBNivhxg7p4yWgULZo_yNIMEx9E4gd39NLrHuO4cY3-EFNHb6swho6FsOynKIOFq6rulFlpbixTpziTH4rhl303S3uL9XeFc1ByuPMpq71WHtWpFXc7bIvE_cDx9l2ACNY6S0sYL/s640/Swains+21-250+Reef+Map.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We took the
tinny over the pavement at high tide and checked the first spot on the eastern
face and it was surprisingly great.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The viz was
also fantastic so we checked further around the northern tip and down the NW
face and it was all good.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we raced
home, quickly rigged the scuba packs (fortunately the cameras were already
ready to go…) and we were back out at the first spot on the eastern face in
less than 30 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The dive was
awesome!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
sharks – 4 species and heaps of them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we
descended down a mini wall to 15m/50ft, we had a large Bull Shark come up to
us. It circled twice before leaving. Then a Silvertip showed up followed by
dozens of Grey Reef Sharks. Then there were Dog Tooth Tuna, Green Jobfish and
dozens of other fish schools.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Each time we
left the wall to go out onto the coral slope we had to look left and right to
see what big animal was cruising towards us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It felt like
we were trying to cross a busy road!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3_NUrwUYlb3f0m7bS0VIk6GMQ09CuIeRWeDsEeqZVOw7ePsgGDR0GJwPPV2Sz5IYsh2ZJ4ki-pSFOFbvGfmSYwbQTT1mbrqI43sBDTkhijFqXj6SJVfKKRHtwe9ikIEQ615FDdg5GVk4/s1600/Swains+Dive+13+21-250+East+Wall+South+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="1080" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3_NUrwUYlb3f0m7bS0VIk6GMQ09CuIeRWeDsEeqZVOw7ePsgGDR0GJwPPV2Sz5IYsh2ZJ4ki-pSFOFbvGfmSYwbQTT1mbrqI43sBDTkhijFqXj6SJVfKKRHtwe9ikIEQ615FDdg5GVk4/s640/Swains+Dive+13+21-250+East+Wall+South+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The coral on
the slope was in great condition with no COTS.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMlOWXg4-vhyphenhyphenBR7hKta4UaIVpIJkHYebQPjNvSgxqahMENGibSzKbcyNajs_f_kb3-yx1ORBWRR7yciH9zNg_UFSwsIUe761rfdss7WpU_gHQJ7I-GXrlESGdGwk-qYbt4PV3uxik_Y9W/s1600/Swains+Dive+13+21-250+East+Wall+South+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="1080" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMlOWXg4-vhyphenhyphenBR7hKta4UaIVpIJkHYebQPjNvSgxqahMENGibSzKbcyNajs_f_kb3-yx1ORBWRR7yciH9zNg_UFSwsIUe761rfdss7WpU_gHQJ7I-GXrlESGdGwk-qYbt4PV3uxik_Y9W/s640/Swains+Dive+13+21-250+East+Wall+South+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For Lisa it
was small things galore to photograph like eels, fish, nudibranchs, cuttlefish,
clams, anemones and the list went on……<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6Evvyk0-KgrEeHiM6JRMlGLzlKBx2tBtE_mkjVKecEa__TXQlFqEGxctnXhWJAY8FNDvBCcUqzN9xnx_P6rTScGpMa7unbzfH9WeaAeFwPqR5HPmFTYrRbpjEC02y9Cmck9yMEkoU-R_/s1600/Swains+Dive+13+21-250+East+Wall+South+%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="763" data-original-width="1080" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6Evvyk0-KgrEeHiM6JRMlGLzlKBx2tBtE_mkjVKecEa__TXQlFqEGxctnXhWJAY8FNDvBCcUqzN9xnx_P6rTScGpMa7unbzfH9WeaAeFwPqR5HPmFTYrRbpjEC02y9Cmck9yMEkoU-R_/s640/Swains+Dive+13+21-250+East+Wall+South+%252814%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj112LO2EDj4PFlCw_zr8jVUh1hwmnZTgg_HJo5GtrB-9yA1PwxsCXwLACScbt7ROBXMKrAqYg5oGO2cDRVevoja2kIJ2ccgGrkjhdfm210e5XsSTyaAFqLPlyo46lMKGFumSMcVgE9mkXe/s1600/Swains+Dive+13+21-250+East+Wall+South+%252813%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="723" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj112LO2EDj4PFlCw_zr8jVUh1hwmnZTgg_HJo5GtrB-9yA1PwxsCXwLACScbt7ROBXMKrAqYg5oGO2cDRVevoja2kIJ2ccgGrkjhdfm210e5XsSTyaAFqLPlyo46lMKGFumSMcVgE9mkXe/s640/Swains+Dive+13+21-250+East+Wall+South+%252813%2529.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJPyMm_VOJZC7l8aUfd9cNA4LoziAxcF4yhnAfpJEry6DPSohEHHOou0VNB5416a5GYTpuGa4OlS4NgK8FLa-_69hH_3P0yPy3oMz3lh8PQ9U0HkrfSm5k3D1ecrbfIOa1zIcv9zRKo9p/s1600/Swains+Dive+13+21-250+East+Wall+South+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="710" data-original-width="1080" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJPyMm_VOJZC7l8aUfd9cNA4LoziAxcF4yhnAfpJEry6DPSohEHHOou0VNB5416a5GYTpuGa4OlS4NgK8FLa-_69hH_3P0yPy3oMz3lh8PQ9U0HkrfSm5k3D1ecrbfIOa1zIcv9zRKo9p/s640/Swains+Dive+13+21-250+East+Wall+South+%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi314FQvZX2TEwxVgcy9IWqB1gzlx7BktOm1My495bj8fG9pgD4UDE3c2QJqS7gSjSKAhDKgUSvGlvNHCw0h1dkx603w6fiuQMaZs-lyl2tf6YyRNc-_HNy9TpJBea2CdCQiqeGn9i7gKgz/s1600/Swains+Dive+13+21-250+East+Wall+South+%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1080" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi314FQvZX2TEwxVgcy9IWqB1gzlx7BktOm1My495bj8fG9pgD4UDE3c2QJqS7gSjSKAhDKgUSvGlvNHCw0h1dkx603w6fiuQMaZs-lyl2tf6YyRNc-_HNy9TpJBea2CdCQiqeGn9i7gKgz/s640/Swains+Dive+13+21-250+East+Wall+South+%252811%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Up in the
shallows was also fun with soft corals everywhere and some great rubble gutters
that were full of live shells.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuvfKcky3uaEIRVBqJaOjOn1-E5H78A3XIV6qO4Hhk5plmkJ5vpTAJTXjGpxvl78qj-aHAok3Yfe4mmbEuH7qbHcZ5xyXpoR9BdPulGjZG2DKSoBnBD6h_7KNqHFcJ2nbVEouxwUFqJRu/s1600/Swains+Dive+13+21-250+East+Wall+South+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="1080" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuvfKcky3uaEIRVBqJaOjOn1-E5H78A3XIV6qO4Hhk5plmkJ5vpTAJTXjGpxvl78qj-aHAok3Yfe4mmbEuH7qbHcZ5xyXpoR9BdPulGjZG2DKSoBnBD6h_7KNqHFcJ2nbVEouxwUFqJRu/s640/Swains+Dive+13+21-250+East+Wall+South+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa taking photos on
the floor in one of the gutters<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyjaEsePFIxsi6SYDg-G8lwmCZfkeKYmtWhUrqXaIEltIUXTzjfUfWErxK-QvIH81VS2CL7X_Ui5SqDYjlFREpoGeTusuJ7YFWBqoS4X8yremF01aTN_Q6Lrxzw69nReuzVd4DD2s_s8b/s1600/Swains+Dive+13+21-250+East+Wall+South+%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="1080" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyjaEsePFIxsi6SYDg-G8lwmCZfkeKYmtWhUrqXaIEltIUXTzjfUfWErxK-QvIH81VS2CL7X_Ui5SqDYjlFREpoGeTusuJ7YFWBqoS4X8yremF01aTN_Q6Lrxzw69nReuzVd4DD2s_s8b/s640/Swains+Dive+13+21-250+East+Wall+South+%252812%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Above and below are
close up photos of the animals and their eyes that live within the shells<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFA0Ngqzg8pAwkypS_Gp3JW2xcJyTeQuPqp1S_Bmcx8FITf4R86KLH2i-U5IdJrLd0ZbYMe00-H3-tl2T-926aJae-UD-syLx_H5PLl1pO-GSFnWWVqvWSux920VGUIlW4osQhzzNjXy9e/s1600/Swains+Dive+14+21-250+Reef+East+Wall+North+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="710" data-original-width="1080" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFA0Ngqzg8pAwkypS_Gp3JW2xcJyTeQuPqp1S_Bmcx8FITf4R86KLH2i-U5IdJrLd0ZbYMe00-H3-tl2T-926aJae-UD-syLx_H5PLl1pO-GSFnWWVqvWSux920VGUIlW4osQhzzNjXy9e/s640/Swains+Dive+14+21-250+Reef+East+Wall+North+%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DqyyNyTw6HCuCvtMIimymC-DKvi5h7I9JUh-ILFvuTcGVm3dtjO_GVkW0rhfc1TC0M4aHS7RCWJOHUZ-klxo2MEnnmlerxDMeba4gKEhdfS-AAWkPVjbn6EbroYsDh5WEUSYeU_UF3ZB/s1600/Swains+Dive+13+21-250+East+Wall+South+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="694" data-original-width="1080" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DqyyNyTw6HCuCvtMIimymC-DKvi5h7I9JUh-ILFvuTcGVm3dtjO_GVkW0rhfc1TC0M4aHS7RCWJOHUZ-klxo2MEnnmlerxDMeba4gKEhdfS-AAWkPVjbn6EbroYsDh5WEUSYeU_UF3ZB/s640/Swains+Dive+13+21-250+East+Wall+South+%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXAZilMVOuLbggGxNDR_fXXEhCyIdWoPtDLTvSk8BlsHecptGqAeizpoLP6w-bjfX7f4U2ALUJQkxdHZwHeflOmYpn_6uPXZ8Ffqgwmh-gbiCBcvnBTHH1a0_9-NUzjDCkFPF9giywikl/s1600/Swains+Dive+13+21-250+East+Wall+South+%252813%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="723" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXAZilMVOuLbggGxNDR_fXXEhCyIdWoPtDLTvSk8BlsHecptGqAeizpoLP6w-bjfX7f4U2ALUJQkxdHZwHeflOmYpn_6uPXZ8Ffqgwmh-gbiCBcvnBTHH1a0_9-NUzjDCkFPF9giywikl/s640/Swains+Dive+13+21-250+East+Wall+South+%252813%2529.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We also saw
our fist Sea Snake whilst diving in the Swains.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It wasn’t an
Olive Sea Snake like the ones we are used to handling on the reefs further
north (and we didn’t know what it was) so we were reluctant to pick it up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoUCa-Th-U84CD73KSQshkkz5cLWITKCk_pRcX1EytOiMOH77C7jI1A7aJV1j29jiiS_fB3DOsNk99p045Zk52Ougl_oe_VBmWitQxsgJoiInp9jzsMQcLOPKR2T0dsLN4u-Hf-gekomGc/s1600/Swains+Dive+13+21-250+East+Wall+South+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="1080" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoUCa-Th-U84CD73KSQshkkz5cLWITKCk_pRcX1EytOiMOH77C7jI1A7aJV1j29jiiS_fB3DOsNk99p045Zk52Ougl_oe_VBmWitQxsgJoiInp9jzsMQcLOPKR2T0dsLN4u-Hf-gekomGc/s640/Swains+Dive+13+21-250+East+Wall+South+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Finally!! We
had a reef (with no name) that had heaps of diving options and we planned to do
a few more around the reefs perimeter.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That arvo we
listened to the weather forecast on the HF Radio.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Around Cairns
was getting strong SE trade winds, Gold Coast had a strong wind warning with
N-NE winds and Gladstone, Yeppoon (on the mainland west of us) and the Bunker
Group of Reefs were having strong 20 knot N-NW winds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">And we were
sitting out on the outer edge of the reef with 3 knots of wind and very flat
conditions with a forecast of similar conditions for another 3 days.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Got to have a
win sometimes, and this time it was going towards neap tides meaning the
currents around the dive sites would be minimal for a week.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Yippee!!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For the next
dive we anchored in the same place but this time we went north along the wall
instead of south.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
different time of day and a different tide but we couldn’t believe how
different the dive was to the day before.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We only saw
one shark and not many big fish but it was like a nursery with loads of small
fish, baitfish schools and for Lisa, another dive with loads of little things
to photograph.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9bGY1TJ4_b6PiC3EqzDVMtumMl38pdqgldVXEuVr3iTZLJ53gbInmTf9Evxe6ANk8XQpiPkQBE79RJbe1rvj9LmquK7xQiAw4LQ4uwrwBGS4p9wc36sesIuAi5o1mWRVJMpNU4TAktDZ/s1600/Swains+Dive+14+21-250+Reef+East+Wall+North+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1048" data-original-width="1600" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9bGY1TJ4_b6PiC3EqzDVMtumMl38pdqgldVXEuVr3iTZLJ53gbInmTf9Evxe6ANk8XQpiPkQBE79RJbe1rvj9LmquK7xQiAw4LQ4uwrwBGS4p9wc36sesIuAi5o1mWRVJMpNU4TAktDZ/s640/Swains+Dive+14+21-250+Reef+East+Wall+North+%25285%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEj2elNC0blZtuRVTlbDgwHvqeFUg_eQu_XaLJUI4DcX7-xERJnjlvlRKNMCmLE7JPDrfGKjFtzv236EDRVGuAT7I3uI9aqYdLeYbBQBix-N2j-hjGVWDKbhmMi4-mFJ6qMX5wXmEqy6bL/s1600/Swains+Dive+14+21-250+Reef+East+Wall+North+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="1080" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEj2elNC0blZtuRVTlbDgwHvqeFUg_eQu_XaLJUI4DcX7-xERJnjlvlRKNMCmLE7JPDrfGKjFtzv236EDRVGuAT7I3uI9aqYdLeYbBQBix-N2j-hjGVWDKbhmMi4-mFJ6qMX5wXmEqy6bL/s640/Swains+Dive+14+21-250+Reef+East+Wall+North+%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul found a
staghorn clump of coral that was filled with juvenile Red Throat Emperor that
weren’t to shy about posing for a photo.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIPiXrkKjkD1W1Kv53oQPc5mcpLrpdSoWxeSbaNSR4-RnNG94G1Y7pUxByK5ApzKgwXp36jAEH6dh_R0flQwEOVUbQYHxIUiiPdTD2ZW71QLSAu0sdxP3wXCW9pnHXry3PUqPBjoavG1r/s1600/Swains+Dive+14+21-250+Reef+East+Wall+North+%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="1080" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIPiXrkKjkD1W1Kv53oQPc5mcpLrpdSoWxeSbaNSR4-RnNG94G1Y7pUxByK5ApzKgwXp36jAEH6dh_R0flQwEOVUbQYHxIUiiPdTD2ZW71QLSAu0sdxP3wXCW9pnHXry3PUqPBjoavG1r/s640/Swains+Dive+14+21-250+Reef+East+Wall+North+%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9KnVTgHpASuPSRv-QjafMaFV0irHo-BqCl-gW_Ki8XC3mWUqcmHbHTN0k5RazXIqijgeTDy3XcEt-eQNPopyzqUOel2DgGznegr5TN5zz9Lzv4AXs9aMD4ME77hZRRKqXbYDLp750-kF/s1600/Swains+Dive+14+21-250+Reef+East+Wall+North+%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="1080" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9KnVTgHpASuPSRv-QjafMaFV0irHo-BqCl-gW_Ki8XC3mWUqcmHbHTN0k5RazXIqijgeTDy3XcEt-eQNPopyzqUOel2DgGznegr5TN5zz9Lzv4AXs9aMD4ME77hZRRKqXbYDLp750-kF/s640/Swains+Dive+14+21-250+Reef+East+Wall+North+%252811%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Like the day
before, the shallows had gutters and loads of small bommies decorated with
small but colourful corals.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBCtY0OPAwdfP4nOJaEvCVxRxQECBGp7dp0TCDqrsUFyqLV8t1VUwl7S6dQtwgUu15LaJFNQjf7GaSSZyhAOBM4uU7r2JYdBYTChqO03pJByQuRxq7iBeELdqhthAF-fMZb6P6ARHv77_0/s1600/Swains+Dive+14+21-250+Reef+East+Wall+North+%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="694" data-original-width="1080" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBCtY0OPAwdfP4nOJaEvCVxRxQECBGp7dp0TCDqrsUFyqLV8t1VUwl7S6dQtwgUu15LaJFNQjf7GaSSZyhAOBM4uU7r2JYdBYTChqO03pJByQuRxq7iBeELdqhthAF-fMZb6P6ARHv77_0/s640/Swains+Dive+14+21-250+Reef+East+Wall+North+%252814%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note the feelers of a
Painted Crayfish sticking out from under the coral<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOx9OJF-pD_NxVzZA90-QQQujYPJbxSel2DxAuva50a7fZzBkhLqpXZsF6Hul4bwQaUySyC1R6kWaoJr4TH1Lj2SzgFQiWOgZvn1EqzbfosWr8a3TZfIaBrAHNWouktoCsUifA1wcgbNwb/s1600/Swains+Dive+11+Star+Reef+North+Wall+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="1080" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOx9OJF-pD_NxVzZA90-QQQujYPJbxSel2DxAuva50a7fZzBkhLqpXZsF6Hul4bwQaUySyC1R6kWaoJr4TH1Lj2SzgFQiWOgZvn1EqzbfosWr8a3TZfIaBrAHNWouktoCsUifA1wcgbNwb/s640/Swains+Dive+11+Star+Reef+North+Wall+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa’s photo of the
Painted Crayfish up close<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicBV-u_YmdttYwSEqy_TN4Ux_W2ncNGvO5T4pgiTfINjqrY2Idm-IgZPKi2jGA7n-LzftPBFjBSH1cDJqwdj0QaOF1bExZsE7PtVM4GFDCG4zdGzFLLzrcNmc3GsWT8ec7zcgj6MX_-Lrf/s1600/Swains+Dive+14+21-250+Reef+East+Wall+North+%252813%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="1080" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicBV-u_YmdttYwSEqy_TN4Ux_W2ncNGvO5T4pgiTfINjqrY2Idm-IgZPKi2jGA7n-LzftPBFjBSH1cDJqwdj0QaOF1bExZsE7PtVM4GFDCG4zdGzFLLzrcNmc3GsWT8ec7zcgj6MX_-Lrf/s640/Swains+Dive+14+21-250+Reef+East+Wall+North+%252813%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyPw2_1v52EMPPZFJakSWz070wTjcvYNM8GaniVofkp-7bkIyUDQjYadFCAYzeHJY9wyn7H7EnDMXiyxakhEKOB3mPgsa3XPFZefkFzbQn7dgBOaszmuqLdi3WonhDQKWPJ14Dab3jMtv/s1600/Swains+Dive+14+21-250+Reef+East+Wall+North+%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="1080" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyPw2_1v52EMPPZFJakSWz070wTjcvYNM8GaniVofkp-7bkIyUDQjYadFCAYzeHJY9wyn7H7EnDMXiyxakhEKOB3mPgsa3XPFZefkFzbQn7dgBOaszmuqLdi3WonhDQKWPJ14Dab3jMtv/s640/Swains+Dive+14+21-250+Reef+East+Wall+North+%252812%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul getting a little
artistic with a Brain Coral in the shallows<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we left
the neap tides and went toward the spring tides, we also advanced towards the
full moon and it was getting brighter each night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The downside
of that was the birds in the area could make out Lorelei’s shape and would want
to come and roost on her overnight.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By 10pm we
have hundreds (literally) of black Noddy Terns and a few larger Booby Birds on
Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We would go
up and shoo them off but they would fly around a few times and come back in to
settle once we had left.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After an hour
we gave up…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXDGhJENyrjxyAWDWNXEG_YyPAYyZ6vENIWi0_c-aPPWXQbLSeJFxWZbtdTN_8qiI53Ej88SL0CJtKx-snt0ToKcNFRGFrDEeuqT3AcCLVnnWuIRnq-LK7xl66jXVJvICM7_nCYAeVm8A/s1600/Swains+21-250+Reef+Birds+on+Boat+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="671" data-original-width="1080" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXDGhJENyrjxyAWDWNXEG_YyPAYyZ6vENIWi0_c-aPPWXQbLSeJFxWZbtdTN_8qiI53Ej88SL0CJtKx-snt0ToKcNFRGFrDEeuqT3AcCLVnnWuIRnq-LK7xl66jXVJvICM7_nCYAeVm8A/s640/Swains+21-250+Reef+Birds+on+Boat+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvNYAxv3XPYoRtGuJKihfHKTW7_i7g5ztMNdFwVvsNA_EA-uWNyk7Tg8I0vr-8qUVbXIiOjP1aiCdHsdJbmdwZpokK-S7O2SlzcrlfRnY71G9jpglOQE9EAFXQPl84Y4trMhOEiwR2_64/s1600/Swains+21-250+Reef+Birds+on+Boat+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="1080" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvNYAxv3XPYoRtGuJKihfHKTW7_i7g5ztMNdFwVvsNA_EA-uWNyk7Tg8I0vr-8qUVbXIiOjP1aiCdHsdJbmdwZpokK-S7O2SlzcrlfRnY71G9jpglOQE9EAFXQPl84Y4trMhOEiwR2_64/s640/Swains+21-250+Reef+Birds+on+Boat+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was like trying
to sleep in a busy aviary at the zoo with the constant sound of bird noises and
flapping wings.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went
outside at daybreak to find Lorelei completely covered in bird poo.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was not
only on the deck and rails but all over the tinny, solar panels, paddleboards,
sail bags, rigging, ropes, covers – you name it – it was caked in it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Not Happy…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
we did a dive along the northern tip of the reef early in the morning.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Once again it
was different from the day before with the deeper slopes covered in Gorgonian
Fans and larger soft corals.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa at the start of the
dive and about to drop off the wall<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vb1G7g3J_aNrOA1-_ZwWuNjaxaabi_y46PCG45VQ3i7iwgbpe-yEYruCnuZlxb41wQ6gLxmS8Z9gIs7aU5EgO7cBuIel086plFgSTWlRpqZVQencx4AwK9VsvyZf6x_ZgwZhcd0pXWcp/s1600/Swains+Dive+15+21-250+Reef+North+Tip+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="1080" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vb1G7g3J_aNrOA1-_ZwWuNjaxaabi_y46PCG45VQ3i7iwgbpe-yEYruCnuZlxb41wQ6gLxmS8Z9gIs7aU5EgO7cBuIel086plFgSTWlRpqZVQencx4AwK9VsvyZf6x_ZgwZhcd0pXWcp/s640/Swains+Dive+15+21-250+Reef+North+Tip+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Like the
other areas of 21-250 reef, the shallows had loads of fish life.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-pgiOINK6SVLggViSonkgaEKKydChMmnE2eoIQ3Lo19xkEmu_his_kbkkiqcZwfZyw6zJZBjjXd8oXTMbv2zJZ7H_vSivHTPn2G9OhnEidXSAmS-ZhO_EigQVxs9TigGn2YBX53S9Bot/s1600/Swains+Dive+15+21-250+Reef+North+Tip+%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="1080" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-pgiOINK6SVLggViSonkgaEKKydChMmnE2eoIQ3Lo19xkEmu_his_kbkkiqcZwfZyw6zJZBjjXd8oXTMbv2zJZ7H_vSivHTPn2G9OhnEidXSAmS-ZhO_EigQVxs9TigGn2YBX53S9Bot/s640/Swains+Dive+15+21-250+Reef+North+Tip+%252811%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUpJxnWYxjRJiqRn3L_l3rBo8VhKpZi7x8-r3vMSJGYwXFYbDBWea1R9_uBM7fUQfEpTnD740XpJdzWhfXMLICc7a8u2SdzpQSG8yITajAvhKPulV-fST-y3VLJoQM6ysgGO1QM_LoLMg/s1600/Swains+Dive+15+21-250+Reef+North+Tip+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUpJxnWYxjRJiqRn3L_l3rBo8VhKpZi7x8-r3vMSJGYwXFYbDBWea1R9_uBM7fUQfEpTnD740XpJdzWhfXMLICc7a8u2SdzpQSG8yITajAvhKPulV-fST-y3VLJoQM6ysgGO1QM_LoLMg/s640/Swains+Dive+15+21-250+Reef+North+Tip+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That’s a lot of Clown
Fish for the size of the host Anemone<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVTLwJvJCLes3pqiUGvRF0gHqE8Dk6rsfN4yNCcYgJfKPLjRu-qv-_LXo54wWNERragvGRxl4X_t1q_KWvhOaZ2Pvglo6OW5CxnJrXYU4bpmSwsUJ0JkBAnF3cbyxlKsL4BETZy8JL7hO/s1600/Swains+Dive+15+21-250+Reef+North+Tip+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="781" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVTLwJvJCLes3pqiUGvRF0gHqE8Dk6rsfN4yNCcYgJfKPLjRu-qv-_LXo54wWNERragvGRxl4X_t1q_KWvhOaZ2Pvglo6OW5CxnJrXYU4bpmSwsUJ0JkBAnF3cbyxlKsL4BETZy8JL7hO/s640/Swains+Dive+15+21-250+Reef+North+Tip+%25289%2529.JPG" width="462" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18QQuo1pGmF4UMJBfo3wj6ux7FkYG-ITonUWKsAV1wDEPiIjouFBHBeepc4q8UMM_O-zE5TMGku-C3bsXwXrJn41cXhvKJ2VLbdCCJCzuQuvV0Zjmtw9PfN7uiMxko8wRsA_8go4GcNVa/s1600/Swains+Dive+15+21-250+Reef+North+Tip+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="1080" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18QQuo1pGmF4UMJBfo3wj6ux7FkYG-ITonUWKsAV1wDEPiIjouFBHBeepc4q8UMM_O-zE5TMGku-C3bsXwXrJn41cXhvKJ2VLbdCCJCzuQuvV0Zjmtw9PfN7uiMxko8wRsA_8go4GcNVa/s640/Swains+Dive+15+21-250+Reef+North+Tip+%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We hung
around for a while after the dive to play in the gutters without the bulky
scuba packs on.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2VhNSwHhBRIULR4DZl1cm-nY9IfEEmUf-LLevUJ-S0gjBA605L0LRjjDOI5majqPp2iLSbZVVibA7xZBByqnbuDO9Zfu1joSQQ1bDxRiGEV2762IGKZ3kk-fvvAE8ETt2AhEX4WqXJmg/s1600/Swains+Dive+15+21-250+Reef+North+Tip+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1080" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2VhNSwHhBRIULR4DZl1cm-nY9IfEEmUf-LLevUJ-S0gjBA605L0LRjjDOI5majqPp2iLSbZVVibA7xZBByqnbuDO9Zfu1joSQQ1bDxRiGEV2762IGKZ3kk-fvvAE8ETt2AhEX4WqXJmg/s640/Swains+Dive+15+21-250+Reef+North+Tip+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite
wanting to do more dives at 21-250 reef, when we got back from the dive we
decided to leave the reef and head to Centenary Reef in order to escape from
the birds and also to be in a more secure anchorage for a blow that was due to
arrive in 36 hours’ time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We ran the desalinator
the whole way while travelling and left it running for 2 hours after we were
anchored up so we could wash the boat down.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was good
to get all the bird poo off but it also got rid of all the salt and other grime
from the busy 6 weeks of reef work.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It did take
most of the afternoon though and by dinner time we were stuffed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By 9pm the
birds had returned….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We tried
strobe lights and loud music but they still nest right next to the blinking
light and didn’t mind listening to Disturbed (Paul’s favourite band).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul spent 1
hour with an extendable boat hook shooing them away as there was a large sand
cay only 800m away and he surmised they could go and sleep on that instead of
Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It took him
an hour and just as he was about to give up, the birds gave up and left.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Thankfully……<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwNljNJGYW6Hpj4istRlc5WYeG2cJhsfto8uASmp4j1Vf3dBKUFyLT9hpecWKHIUVbVPdUk8-9-euGqCIBsBs0fxWr97hB-eKgHSgupRA9YM-_54nRC9XBLSxHjqmCHBW8n2Em9q28kPr/s1600/Swains+Centenery+Reef+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="755" data-original-width="1080" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwNljNJGYW6Hpj4istRlc5WYeG2cJhsfto8uASmp4j1Vf3dBKUFyLT9hpecWKHIUVbVPdUk8-9-euGqCIBsBs0fxWr97hB-eKgHSgupRA9YM-_54nRC9XBLSxHjqmCHBW8n2Em9q28kPr/s640/Swains+Centenery+Reef+map.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We walked on
deck the next morning to find a shark come out from under Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At first we
thought it was a Tiger Shark but then realised it was a harmless Nurse Shark
but still reasonably large at around 2.7m/9ft long.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> Additionally there were loads of smaller white
tip reef sharks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We decided
that later that afternoon we would jump in with them and try to get some photos
up close.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With just 1
day before the storm was due to hit, we decided against scuba diving and
instead spent a day playing in the kayaks as it was low tide around midday and
the reef edge was offering protection to the inner lagoon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went and
had a look at a few of the larger rocks on top of the reef pavement that we
cannot get to in the tinny as it’s too shallow at low tide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTyQ6eNFe16APTdHgLMN4-9uc0N55f4NiwwMaBSb5bU7m5dIqcDbLxQ2nfwLbMsSJg5ysDOT6GRf6QL-fNTH180DRvVgrhq54euSpfKFWhepHY8bqK7s8qnb9tTFEKt24fqhqtDG4N44S/s1600/Swains+Centenery+Reef+Kayak+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="1080" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTyQ6eNFe16APTdHgLMN4-9uc0N55f4NiwwMaBSb5bU7m5dIqcDbLxQ2nfwLbMsSJg5ysDOT6GRf6QL-fNTH180DRvVgrhq54euSpfKFWhepHY8bqK7s8qnb9tTFEKt24fqhqtDG4N44S/s640/Swains+Centenery+Reef+Kayak+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">While Paul
took a camera, Lisa took a speargun and we decided to stock up on fish prior to
the storm so we would have time to make some yummy meals once the storm hit and
we were stuck inside with time to spare.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The outer
reef edge looked awesome for both spearing and scuba diving and we knew we had
found a great spot to spend a few days even after the storm had abated.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Initially
Paul mucked around with the camera and the kayaks in the shallows and over the
drop-off.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa speared
along the drop-off but found most of the fish in the gutters that cut into the
reef edge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKdU0CH56ur4hu3y20BAcVfibuql34y2uwhEd0Es-kynvz-QXJ3hqHsPPYvzuJlcDYVL8xXofQdFvBG6We_WTcITRuIIJl6cOhFM2Vb871ZMamKb17dAHahZevLCvvXICw5cIJlurVD1sv/s1600/Swains+Centenery+Reef+Kayak+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1521" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKdU0CH56ur4hu3y20BAcVfibuql34y2uwhEd0Es-kynvz-QXJ3hqHsPPYvzuJlcDYVL8xXofQdFvBG6We_WTcITRuIIJl6cOhFM2Vb871ZMamKb17dAHahZevLCvvXICw5cIJlurVD1sv/s640/Swains+Centenery+Reef+Kayak+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2pXHnRlhmMTzXQrtmhq4d2-ZLvH2WTnB8DFpPQ0nlZeObMSZl8XM3jgh1nlO0lIOKNxgAqNb80_DxOBWG7FhMIPv_m1bIEnaKL3AzXymQrxweclDkm8wRCIkp8pUyR3Fnq-F26vekFDHT/s1600/Swains+Centenery+Reef+Kayak+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="729" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2pXHnRlhmMTzXQrtmhq4d2-ZLvH2WTnB8DFpPQ0nlZeObMSZl8XM3jgh1nlO0lIOKNxgAqNb80_DxOBWG7FhMIPv_m1bIEnaKL3AzXymQrxweclDkm8wRCIkp8pUyR3Fnq-F26vekFDHT/s640/Swains+Centenery+Reef+Kayak+%25284%2529.JPG" width="432" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
also loads of Olive Sea Snakes which were regularly coming up to the surface to
breathe.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKX3awCvW5PSezDM5anawcSh8JtOq2sKwy0Oi1Urrvq_H5sueMuC7CQ88O4r_YaSReIWGtE-sFUDLQwwkoXBlMnOBxLzordc5F5783Rm5iyFY5mORVABnhYEGbrQNxKUApXRXdRgQbEkNy/s1600/Swains+Dive+16+Centenery+Reef+East+Kayak+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="694" data-original-width="1080" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKX3awCvW5PSezDM5anawcSh8JtOq2sKwy0Oi1Urrvq_H5sueMuC7CQ88O4r_YaSReIWGtE-sFUDLQwwkoXBlMnOBxLzordc5F5783Rm5iyFY5mORVABnhYEGbrQNxKUApXRXdRgQbEkNy/s640/Swains+Dive+16+Centenery+Reef+East+Kayak+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It wasn’t
long before she had 3 fish loaded into the back of her kayak.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEBCqM8vK7woZjjK2Zo0AdA2wwPRTFCUR7A4y9A2K3p1ExOnxW2Pi_FUUbnIgkCem6tPzlYyJKBf5sp5__lo5eeS8oJBCkhULIQfwJaNhXtWHEu9FeuZX0Z_DEQH_QrRJD7A6ADAaUVeJp/s1600/Swains+Centenery+Reef+Kayak+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="1080" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEBCqM8vK7woZjjK2Zo0AdA2wwPRTFCUR7A4y9A2K3p1ExOnxW2Pi_FUUbnIgkCem6tPzlYyJKBf5sp5__lo5eeS8oJBCkhULIQfwJaNhXtWHEu9FeuZX0Z_DEQH_QrRJD7A6ADAaUVeJp/s640/Swains+Centenery+Reef+Kayak+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1Ehvg9MH_zaRQVEyvtbFLl-NXzp-azZHzlYZV94iCai12hQoi1TrV_7L7Dur-_YINWKfDlFZ5TF7S2rCX8Y49oTOv4-WAYscPYmzcSa_rfQZEI4X9BUFkP_YijQbu_cSYEsnoXvBFQp7/s1600/Swains+Centenery+Reef+Kayak+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="1080" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1Ehvg9MH_zaRQVEyvtbFLl-NXzp-azZHzlYZV94iCai12hQoi1TrV_7L7Dur-_YINWKfDlFZ5TF7S2rCX8Y49oTOv4-WAYscPYmzcSa_rfQZEI4X9BUFkP_YijQbu_cSYEsnoXvBFQp7/s640/Swains+Centenery+Reef+Kayak+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Once we got
home we decided to fillet the fish straight away and use the fish frames to try
and get the sharks up to the surface.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul used to do
this for guests on the dive live aboard many years ago so we knew how to rig it
up and what to expect.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sure enough
it wasn’t long before Lisa had sharks attacking the bait.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdBpHZFFrHzJezCA8_IqABylXjNAGd2xISzU8NHyl0dfiSkGaqpNb01BtKl4EKcoXrXLJQaRk3n8Rm9Z1oYrVUbquGIZprqRlJ2IzcaDbwY0dSK9LVR1vHwMJ5GOzcH1H3ZHeCtCRrIXw/s1600/Swains+Centenery+Reef+Shark+Feed+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1080" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdBpHZFFrHzJezCA8_IqABylXjNAGd2xISzU8NHyl0dfiSkGaqpNb01BtKl4EKcoXrXLJQaRk3n8Rm9Z1oYrVUbquGIZprqRlJ2IzcaDbwY0dSK9LVR1vHwMJ5GOzcH1H3ZHeCtCRrIXw/s640/Swains+Centenery+Reef+Shark+Feed+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa with the Tawny
Nurse Shark<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZV_wdy6J8oEI9ZnlMXDybzNCLPicm8RBfEFRZVXusY3AFqxKVANcZapveBwmOSw8IshZUTx2IqFCkFtOyVUXllYMhiwPe_dHMCOTfVd8az6I_bwMntSDNLoMvBseW9ADVg-alZ914FVSo/s1600/Swains+Centenery+Reef+Shark+Feed+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1571" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZV_wdy6J8oEI9ZnlMXDybzNCLPicm8RBfEFRZVXusY3AFqxKVANcZapveBwmOSw8IshZUTx2IqFCkFtOyVUXllYMhiwPe_dHMCOTfVd8az6I_bwMntSDNLoMvBseW9ADVg-alZ914FVSo/s640/Swains+Centenery+Reef+Shark+Feed+%25285%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Once we had
the sharks worked up enough, Paul jumped in with the camera.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The large
Trevally didn’t care but the sharks were a little wary and would come up from
the shallows but wouldn’t take the bait while Paul was nearby.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had to be
content with taking shark photos as they swum around.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRICubDIQpgNF55_DAxa8ok-YsLnM2p3n6l9PGOzStLsNbb2upWEdgQnfucS0fG8SoWVcv5dkTK2YIJ_LywrZv4AxKK08ZJM741lH7LajSCBCWuwqBGqUQ5ua7_csZgcS3YsiK8jpxUHW/s1600/Swains+Centenery+Reef+Shark+Feed+UW+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="1080" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRICubDIQpgNF55_DAxa8ok-YsLnM2p3n6l9PGOzStLsNbb2upWEdgQnfucS0fG8SoWVcv5dkTK2YIJ_LywrZv4AxKK08ZJM741lH7LajSCBCWuwqBGqUQ5ua7_csZgcS3YsiK8jpxUHW/s640/Swains+Centenery+Reef+Shark+Feed+UW+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Nurse
Shark also turned up but again it didn’t come into the bait and Paul had to
dive down to get photos of it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Instead he
took a few photos of the Trevally feeding and a few of Lisa and Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The birds
were again a problem that night but we were too tired to fight and gave up at
9pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The storm and
wind hit at around midnight and we went up on deck to find only about 6 Noddy’s
quietly sitting on the solar panels but there was one Booby Bird who sat high
in the rigging and had made a heck of a mess with poo spread out all over the
aft deck area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
amazing how much mess one large bird can make from 15m/50ft overhead.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The storm
turned out to be a “storm in a teacup” with the wind not getting nearly as
strong as we thought it might be.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But at the
same time it didn’t abate as quickly as forecast and instead on blowing for
just 24 hours, it blew for 48 hours until it started backing off.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So it was a
case of 2 days on board with the tinny up, everything packed away and eating,
reading, watching movies and for Lisa – researching cruising grounds at some
countries we hadn’t visited yet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The sailing,
cruising and exploring spark within her is still burning brightly….!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the second
night of wind, it was still really hot so we went to bed with the hatches open.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At 2pm Paul
felt a few drops of rain but it didn’t last long so he left the hatches open
and went back to sleep.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It wasn’t
until daybreak when he discovered his pillow covered in bird poo that he
realised it wasn’t rain..... All Lisa
could do was laugh. Bloody Birds!!!!!! </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After 2 days
cooped up inside, we wanted to get out and do a dive despite it being rough and
bumpy.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At low tide
it was flat in the lagoon making it easy to get the tinny in but the downside
was we would have to motor a few miles out the entrance and right around the
outside of the reef to the dive site as the water over the pavement was only
inches deep and far too shallow to get the tinny over.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Frustrating
as the dive site was only a few hundred meters from Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So instead we
put the kayaks in and loaded them up with all our dive gear and paddled over
the reef top to the outer reef edge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyL3uJTAeu-7UWuL_psnM2J9ClJtgODX4wnrwBNrYkysZz5pb28NMDF_2NPIgq4HYN6QAUef_bLopKbP0Bl8oS09DGGmyfsPjn7I_zMobHFhsqFHGC51TKUdgFwxQf3oAAjODf_1k-Vab/s1600/Swains+Dive+16+Centenery+Reef+East+Kayak+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1080" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyL3uJTAeu-7UWuL_psnM2J9ClJtgODX4wnrwBNrYkysZz5pb28NMDF_2NPIgq4HYN6QAUef_bLopKbP0Bl8oS09DGGmyfsPjn7I_zMobHFhsqFHGC51TKUdgFwxQf3oAAjODf_1k-Vab/s640/Swains+Dive+16+Centenery+Reef+East+Kayak+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Right on the
edge was nearly dry and we had to wait for a surge of water to come over before
we could paddle the 10 short meters off the coral lip and into the deeper
water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found a
great little hole to anchor the kayaks. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqliWdEDr-dbziklwJV52Fokhyphenhyphen12WAwpBH7cS6Vgk_UD40JZtf9_L8HaUxOIIYjBF6_mprmOC3ms_vzPJWQG66VjtgMJ0Zn1-zkZv4cNZcsTHlfbsGLi6GF4b8vykv3GBX2Zk2F__nsiN4/s1600/Swains+Dive+16+Centenery+Reef+East+Kayak+%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1080" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqliWdEDr-dbziklwJV52Fokhyphenhyphen12WAwpBH7cS6Vgk_UD40JZtf9_L8HaUxOIIYjBF6_mprmOC3ms_vzPJWQG66VjtgMJ0Zn1-zkZv4cNZcsTHlfbsGLi6GF4b8vykv3GBX2Zk2F__nsiN4/s640/Swains+Dive+16+Centenery+Reef+East+Kayak+%252811%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However with
the super shallow tide, the only way to get out of the hole and onto the open
wall was through a tunnel in the rocks that opened out into a long gutter.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZecyjn1sjVEHlDBMcSpz2t-T84SG1xT6uVytftsI8A1MdGXmZIE_FLaHFJJCCMm190t0VaDMhMGmmtVUUp6fS6_WMSofPEhVOFXsK9DSi_bOvjWHu0tYutjUuzA5xkQcViF19q39mQwK4/s1600/Swains+Dive+16+Centenery+Reef+East+Kayak+%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="1080" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZecyjn1sjVEHlDBMcSpz2t-T84SG1xT6uVytftsI8A1MdGXmZIE_FLaHFJJCCMm190t0VaDMhMGmmtVUUp6fS6_WMSofPEhVOFXsK9DSi_bOvjWHu0tYutjUuzA5xkQcViF19q39mQwK4/s640/Swains+Dive+16+Centenery+Reef+East+Kayak+%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-osfx3HHlpsPdzp4wQLiCU5Kekyt-gOk9gft1IAZFGLMYpQc3Pd5Xrff-51R45idEaUMrgX-EII7hqVVwYHWSAUAmWbEXgRPzKyBcN5wT-Fek2sLbL3Wr-fQzEkcFRmKn5qcsiHzoVfjZ/s1600/Swains+Dive+16+Centenery+Reef+East+Kayak+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="1080" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-osfx3HHlpsPdzp4wQLiCU5Kekyt-gOk9gft1IAZFGLMYpQc3Pd5Xrff-51R45idEaUMrgX-EII7hqVVwYHWSAUAmWbEXgRPzKyBcN5wT-Fek2sLbL3Wr-fQzEkcFRmKn5qcsiHzoVfjZ/s640/Swains+Dive+16+Centenery+Reef+East+Kayak+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were lots
of Olive Sea Snakes that curiously swam around us and our fins.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxrPfzJVU15QIELxfGrXMVoGTZF5W6SUPtxHtdVQ5EWF_OS7HBIoMIMrBXOM_mKg-TZjIvY7_yHO11GXs12fz7YS7tKv78VfPSzJCV34CF3wi0pghzRyB6NmLg2NqL73lb2D6t-mqa3Jg7/s1600/Swains+Dive+16+Centenery+Reef+East+Kayak+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="767" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxrPfzJVU15QIELxfGrXMVoGTZF5W6SUPtxHtdVQ5EWF_OS7HBIoMIMrBXOM_mKg-TZjIvY7_yHO11GXs12fz7YS7tKv78VfPSzJCV34CF3wi0pghzRyB6NmLg2NqL73lb2D6t-mqa3Jg7/s640/Swains+Dive+16+Centenery+Reef+East+Kayak+%25285%2529.JPG" width="454" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The gently
sloping wall was a field of coral gardens interspaced with small humps creating
havens for the fish.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Not a super
action packed wall dive, but just a fun, cruisy and pretty dive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrUmhlwId98DNvQVnTOzOicRvLDmLAIqGwQbXF9jSetutg54tRgPqjAslDsLqJWNo9cmloq79I8RBeQxmYK1l32aSR064Onetgks3GNfNIIl4VbGEErHMMg5q1OAih7TtEdJ51szIpd6Zd/s1600/Swains+Dive+16+Centenery+Reef+East+Kayak+%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="1080" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrUmhlwId98DNvQVnTOzOicRvLDmLAIqGwQbXF9jSetutg54tRgPqjAslDsLqJWNo9cmloq79I8RBeQxmYK1l32aSR064Onetgks3GNfNIIl4VbGEErHMMg5q1OAih7TtEdJ51szIpd6Zd/s640/Swains+Dive+16+Centenery+Reef+East+Kayak+%252812%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFlkg5z6FsuLWjPURaQAYOdlWNmwr9ESD8l0ADgvQ_doFws0UcX4GWittTIN4-HTInM-Gn7ETy8iZswSV2vgMe7V9XBGhC2s9f9dOMrDOHA0bakt86dzTgg7UkoxXTNQ8vX-OcnPeUPvx/s1600/Swains+Dive+16+Centenery+Reef+East+Kayak+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="725" data-original-width="1080" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFlkg5z6FsuLWjPURaQAYOdlWNmwr9ESD8l0ADgvQ_doFws0UcX4GWittTIN4-HTInM-Gn7ETy8iZswSV2vgMe7V9XBGhC2s9f9dOMrDOHA0bakt86dzTgg7UkoxXTNQ8vX-OcnPeUPvx/s640/Swains+Dive+16+Centenery+Reef+East+Kayak+%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJzfQWJZ7K_V22ItjQCorUSxXNXdaThA8rDJY5eE1unN1Zq2ZiEqTcpBHJkcRiJujSBgFV0Iyd7bqEznEjrg16RzL6dAQ3eRi6BSXI1-oNv4U8_fiZvHKOWW4cgg9GkKsJeancXntNvin/s1600/Swains+Dive+16+Centenery+Reef+East+Kayak+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="1080" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJzfQWJZ7K_V22ItjQCorUSxXNXdaThA8rDJY5eE1unN1Zq2ZiEqTcpBHJkcRiJujSBgFV0Iyd7bqEznEjrg16RzL6dAQ3eRi6BSXI1-oNv4U8_fiZvHKOWW4cgg9GkKsJeancXntNvin/s640/Swains+Dive+16+Centenery+Reef+East+Kayak+%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The wind and
seas were due to drop the next day and whilst they did briefly in the morning,
by the time the tide had dropped low enough to enable us to dive, the wind had
got back up and it was bumpy again.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we aborted
the idea of using the tinny and once again loaded up the kayaks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Just as we
were about to leave, conditions looked better again so we decided to paddle a
little further and go and explore a large cut into the reef that was on the
northern face.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite the
onshore winds, it would allow us to anchor the kayaks in the shallows before
swimming out and down onto the outer drop-off.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were only
at 12m/40ft when we noticed sharks – and loads of them cruising all around us. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They were
only Grey Reefies and White Tips but it was the quantity that made it exciting.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Additionally
there were loads of sea snakes and reef fish.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUf1mRpQRmFfrw0r8iuMHKH1aucA9qeJtgQ8bDBjvaWYzq-MJ3YPJuLEx5Z_RysEmS6dcBM2nrdQ4rkiDynz-eRhUVbg78cwJFU832yB11zywdAhGC5hCwp5HEsDXEPP3mpPOLCdDlJ5Ti/s1600/Swains+Dive+17+Cent+Reef+North+Gutter+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="1080" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUf1mRpQRmFfrw0r8iuMHKH1aucA9qeJtgQ8bDBjvaWYzq-MJ3YPJuLEx5Z_RysEmS6dcBM2nrdQ4rkiDynz-eRhUVbg78cwJFU832yB11zywdAhGC5hCwp5HEsDXEPP3mpPOLCdDlJ5Ti/s640/Swains+Dive+17+Cent+Reef+North+Gutter+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This is a different
species to the Olive Sea Snake and as yet we aren’t able to identify it but it
was larger and more aggressive<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But what was
most impressive was the incredible walls of coral in the gutters that cut into
the reef edge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The coral was
in perfect condition despite being shallow at only 9m/30ft and going right up
to the surface.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
amazing gutter after amazing gutter going all along the wall.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXtkHg5YK5_N_3a77PIyvbmWbdkkjNbcXYA4N7GKVKKwO6dViq_Gry-yYqGzxFN78rpw3oJ4O5Th-0LZ8YLvOHMQ5c6XSEom6cNmQF6YDVob-8VqLsl3kFJQsNDFpmM0SpmJM0357QuBg/s1600/Swains+Dive+17+Cent+Reef+North+Gutter+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXtkHg5YK5_N_3a77PIyvbmWbdkkjNbcXYA4N7GKVKKwO6dViq_Gry-yYqGzxFN78rpw3oJ4O5Th-0LZ8YLvOHMQ5c6XSEom6cNmQF6YDVob-8VqLsl3kFJQsNDFpmM0SpmJM0357QuBg/s640/Swains+Dive+17+Cent+Reef+North+Gutter+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note the shark that
decided to swim into the frame just as Paul took the photo<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31rY-rt5XEdXoIQneUakcN-AfgnTqPh-obM2vkmFd_1tRi6ducUkyJHrmi-LDJCN1238Pf9wpYGWyYPNPcxH50pvt1M60k6uqVqAf7igJBvKllk-snd61uGbjixG7bdTOPuFe555DHQc8/s1600/Swains+Dive+17+Cent+Reef+North+Gutter+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="1080" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31rY-rt5XEdXoIQneUakcN-AfgnTqPh-obM2vkmFd_1tRi6ducUkyJHrmi-LDJCN1238Pf9wpYGWyYPNPcxH50pvt1M60k6uqVqAf7igJBvKllk-snd61uGbjixG7bdTOPuFe555DHQc8/s640/Swains+Dive+17+Cent+Reef+North+Gutter+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_EKNy5HiMP8aEY65v8aws1P-65HfAE_4O6FRPXIgB6IXf8lEsHlzk8S8IxmJ7q3oMM2AXn1lNnH9LNdN59VpaOxo_mOSZJWiLsEMf3usmZSjJ6CkDEtnM1y0ZazCUej0EoZRWluOceao/s1600/Swains+Dive+17+Cent+Reef+North+Gutter+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1080" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_EKNy5HiMP8aEY65v8aws1P-65HfAE_4O6FRPXIgB6IXf8lEsHlzk8S8IxmJ7q3oMM2AXn1lNnH9LNdN59VpaOxo_mOSZJWiLsEMf3usmZSjJ6CkDEtnM1y0ZazCUej0EoZRWluOceao/s640/Swains+Dive+17+Cent+Reef+North+Gutter+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCkkl3DvvVgKxEd3LXuuXweeE_fBk4NvcFBDMP3Ut0vtVbJch01RECBAtXlFVYA9GuQfhOldpMNTjz0dYteTwIu8fWg5-j1wxN8CETmGHSnimV1hBkXtQfcG3qNZK2iHujTnRx5O8nL_Jz/s1600/Swains+Dive+17+Cent+Reef+North+Gutter+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="1080" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCkkl3DvvVgKxEd3LXuuXweeE_fBk4NvcFBDMP3Ut0vtVbJch01RECBAtXlFVYA9GuQfhOldpMNTjz0dYteTwIu8fWg5-j1wxN8CETmGHSnimV1hBkXtQfcG3qNZK2iHujTnRx5O8nL_Jz/s640/Swains+Dive+17+Cent+Reef+North+Gutter+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">All through
the gutters were large schools of Scissortail bait fish that hovered around the
tops of the coral.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpG890uG_X2kTfKHBO7l8vPVHkHGQyYc2f-uLx-394zEmTbmcWEW3Bbqirsj1hFhOzwArNrJLMRQTO0xYxvKfJfRrPowoOAI-9RWtdNdVVVIV7BQFGzpqrUsEmWS9vLbq_gT2bawlHdgDh/s1600/Swains+Dive+17+Cent+Reef+North+Gutter+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="1080" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpG890uG_X2kTfKHBO7l8vPVHkHGQyYc2f-uLx-394zEmTbmcWEW3Bbqirsj1hFhOzwArNrJLMRQTO0xYxvKfJfRrPowoOAI-9RWtdNdVVVIV7BQFGzpqrUsEmWS9vLbq_gT2bawlHdgDh/s640/Swains+Dive+17+Cent+Reef+North+Gutter+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphFvu3pTbPIKD04naxuaJlWq8wjs8fbER6Vu3nudN-K4r9A82AQ9cdbT1jWGziKTuk1oK0CcmFHKvtU-iI1fUqASVd2P3X80tzWxsh71zvf0fbPTewNFTw_t65m7rqfy1x80bPDXdRBRZ/s1600/Swains+Dive+17+Cent+Reef+North+Gutter+%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="1080" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphFvu3pTbPIKD04naxuaJlWq8wjs8fbER6Vu3nudN-K4r9A82AQ9cdbT1jWGziKTuk1oK0CcmFHKvtU-iI1fUqASVd2P3X80tzWxsh71zvf0fbPTewNFTw_t65m7rqfy1x80bPDXdRBRZ/s640/Swains+Dive+17+Cent+Reef+North+Gutter+%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
also stacks of curious Olive Sea Snakes that took a liking to Lisa.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZjhjOSm8plrb1m3yHncbXf0uZb9i_975e6z-x-1ZpfnjO-8yywDZOc4lUoEONWWtmMY7tw9wzNAJXdTpog6LETG7kWBW5iOzV4_k9CAJxc4PxfMH2bgDlTvxK303ch4jxbKY0eXyJim_/s1600/Swains+Dive+17+Cent+Reef+North+Gutter+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="737" data-original-width="1080" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZjhjOSm8plrb1m3yHncbXf0uZb9i_975e6z-x-1ZpfnjO-8yywDZOc4lUoEONWWtmMY7tw9wzNAJXdTpog6LETG7kWBW5iOzV4_k9CAJxc4PxfMH2bgDlTvxK303ch4jxbKY0eXyJim_/s640/Swains+Dive+17+Cent+Reef+North+Gutter+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite the
amazing coral, there wasn’t a lot of macro life (as we think the currents would
be strong at mid tide) but we did find some unusual Nudibranchs – some that we
haven’t seen before.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpL4yq5ndiN5OjFa_Nxe-kVQboIu6fp1ZNemJiB5E8SjG0nUrsxAsHoi6MAHCVJhpPJJSeO9Y5xr-nbLzK_jBgW65nwRqvFistccg9DrKcJxYNr502XySMqQw-B7t1Vb1gnwwSktqudVi/s1600/Swains+Dive+17+Cent+Reef+North+Gutter+%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="1080" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpL4yq5ndiN5OjFa_Nxe-kVQboIu6fp1ZNemJiB5E8SjG0nUrsxAsHoi6MAHCVJhpPJJSeO9Y5xr-nbLzK_jBgW65nwRqvFistccg9DrKcJxYNr502XySMqQw-B7t1Vb1gnwwSktqudVi/s640/Swains+Dive+17+Cent+Reef+North+Gutter+%252812%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-Jx5q4jfA7tXgSXrtzT4WuINcsrG-osiCvz9fGvL2O9zLoYuk4qtnMSXtPvV2eRQfpuseLFc2u6J41kwU9iwYmtGcCUlvZgHS5bGFBasQbLTRiM2mGwx2QI5AeQ97h-WwbaunMl-7G-y/s1600/Swains+Dive+17+Cent+Reef+North+Gutter+%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="1080" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-Jx5q4jfA7tXgSXrtzT4WuINcsrG-osiCvz9fGvL2O9zLoYuk4qtnMSXtPvV2eRQfpuseLFc2u6J41kwU9iwYmtGcCUlvZgHS5bGFBasQbLTRiM2mGwx2QI5AeQ97h-WwbaunMl-7G-y/s640/Swains+Dive+17+Cent+Reef+North+Gutter+%252811%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
back into the shallows we sat on the edge of the shallow bommies and watched as
the waves formed over them with the low tide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was hard
to hold position as the surge threw us around and putting Paul’s glass dome
port on his camera dangerously close to the sharp coral.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7vWZZVoozDl8g2oSh1Z1Gjpu007pb99dzzEAuSfmxRgSaHY0LFdGe-iCz3xqRYb0lIU6ipgkRdO3uFPZujWR7AuQlM02yqOz5PwSdffGjj0McLxIMuSTC-53CQtHOSt0qEOnX6v2aXd9y/s1600/Swains+Dive+17+Cent+Reef+North+Gutter+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="1080" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7vWZZVoozDl8g2oSh1Z1Gjpu007pb99dzzEAuSfmxRgSaHY0LFdGe-iCz3xqRYb0lIU6ipgkRdO3uFPZujWR7AuQlM02yqOz5PwSdffGjj0McLxIMuSTC-53CQtHOSt0qEOnX6v2aXd9y/s640/Swains+Dive+17+Cent+Reef+North+Gutter+%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note the wave curling
onto the reef at the far left<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzNvNCUrzN4YBr1OWDU3kv_bG7047J4hDUvfhThDzQM2m4mkfjy5Yr48dHJGVmVghTU4RJOGWERbO9lsJypEemJWZvMa4tIaTCjb5grek5XztARc0ZUOKCsUU0IquZExguHxvXJp86pHwa/s1600/Swains+Dive+17+Cent+Reef+North+Gutter+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="1080" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzNvNCUrzN4YBr1OWDU3kv_bG7047J4hDUvfhThDzQM2m4mkfjy5Yr48dHJGVmVghTU4RJOGWERbO9lsJypEemJWZvMa4tIaTCjb5grek5XztARc0ZUOKCsUU0IquZExguHxvXJp86pHwa/s640/Swains+Dive+17+Cent+Reef+North+Gutter+%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By the end of
the dive the current was really starting to rip along the wall and we were very
glad we timed the dive right on the slack tide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We paddled
back buzzing that we’d done such a terrific dive using just the kayaks to get
there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The only cost
was a little fuel for 2 air fills and a bit of muscle power.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next
morning at high tide it was too bumpy to put the tinny in so we had to wait
until about 1pm when the tide dropped far enough for the reef edge to offer us protection
from the swell.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was the
first time we had the tinny in at Centenery Reef and we really wanted to see
the sand cay on a small reef just 1 mile away.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4tKssv8-UEmz30Ob-O77_9sNoW-dkezGwVby4TQkhgWBrEBpuIsqllfGIW18vDGea5p1n2lv_t_yvn7iBK11iF78D-ZcEkGCo2HfCZ_uzPkhHJbl2aQAfdniYlper1ifI75i1k6Kr8KbZ/s1600/Swains+Centenery+Reef+Sand+Cay+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="1080" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4tKssv8-UEmz30Ob-O77_9sNoW-dkezGwVby4TQkhgWBrEBpuIsqllfGIW18vDGea5p1n2lv_t_yvn7iBK11iF78D-ZcEkGCo2HfCZ_uzPkhHJbl2aQAfdniYlper1ifI75i1k6Kr8KbZ/s640/Swains+Centenery+Reef+Sand+Cay+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the
rapidly dropping tide we decided not to go ashore as we were worried about
getting the tinny stranded on the coral bottom.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Also we
didn’t want to scare the birds and have them fly away only to go and land on
Lorelei!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So instead we
sat off just far enough as to not scare them and took photos with a zoom lens.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqea7ycH7Cv9mjCKePcVRlAtJ14-4B0BGcP2agrMQNRpwD4sw07gLkW0GLRKPwonujcvQYlGevlVb1p1rA8eRD_J1qieFT5D1PCllwbhd_1SCn-aEe671ZmQ_Oxd1EUgCHvozMHRgfi8Ad/s1600/Swains+Centenery+Reef+Sand+Cay+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="1080" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqea7ycH7Cv9mjCKePcVRlAtJ14-4B0BGcP2agrMQNRpwD4sw07gLkW0GLRKPwonujcvQYlGevlVb1p1rA8eRD_J1qieFT5D1PCllwbhd_1SCn-aEe671ZmQ_Oxd1EUgCHvozMHRgfi8Ad/s640/Swains+Centenery+Reef+Sand+Cay+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the
scuba gear already in the tinny, we went back to the main reef to look for a
new dive site.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We checked
all around the top part near where we had dived the afternoon prior.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was either
too exposed or all broken up, sheltered and a bit boring with no depth or
raging with current that made the really good walls too dangerous to dive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we tried
all the west side and it was the same.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We nearly
gave up when Lisa noticed it was getting a little better towards the southern
tip.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We’d never
really had any success with the southern tips of any of the other Swains reefs
but we had a look and found it a maze of gutters, bommies that were covered in
pristine coral and loads of fish life.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The issue was
the current that was screaming along the wall.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We anchored
in the protected shallows and went for a snorkel and could feel it reducing by
the minute.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we quickly
made the decision to gear up and get in to do the dive while it went slack over
the turn of the tide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At the start
it was still a bit of a push into the current on the bottom but that brought in
loads of curious sharks and even Dog Tooth Tuna overhead.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijumipzYYgyRO9SWnKjvYt8QymwwezhJp1jqP_q7SjKrt5osgxI2P7B1-QN8ZJEUb2REkffJRnuGm93n98qsAIYSi8h9YwpfBJZGuQ41uxv2rItOtMs49UmqkROhV7bDS0L5ByIPi6BDlj/s1600/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="1080" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijumipzYYgyRO9SWnKjvYt8QymwwezhJp1jqP_q7SjKrt5osgxI2P7B1-QN8ZJEUb2REkffJRnuGm93n98qsAIYSi8h9YwpfBJZGuQ41uxv2rItOtMs49UmqkROhV7bDS0L5ByIPi6BDlj/s640/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUUzqTMyfdTdrMXEvoqFscPL97yqYWqHeP4CHGLkOZqu-YIKQkDutG4ahY3wr7bRNav4jVLGEvv8qzd6TaNaoIRCg0zZiVHMXjkay0EK7pE8lPtVOGgvnHxs2dPh5_l-WJSy6yb91uG_t/s1600/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1080" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUUzqTMyfdTdrMXEvoqFscPL97yqYWqHeP4CHGLkOZqu-YIKQkDutG4ahY3wr7bRNav4jVLGEvv8qzd6TaNaoIRCg0zZiVHMXjkay0EK7pE8lPtVOGgvnHxs2dPh5_l-WJSy6yb91uG_t/s640/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%252811%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was only
shallow on the rubble floor at around 12m/40ft but it had the big fish action
of a dive 3 times that depth.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
also loads of Olive Sea Snakes cruising around and we swapped cameras so that
Lisa could take some shots of Paul playing with them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They are
extremely venomous and around 4 times deadlier that the world’s most venomous
land snakes, put Paul has spent a lot of time handling them (for guests on the
dive liveaboard) so he has the experience.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Don’t try
this at home….!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhIDBCOMF4ziPE8yXUvPAPdmk_TbkVJOBfNIMqnOieZvg3w5Q8Ex5ajfU6C_ZqLDmqLiCRWXxSJlIOD9F43FB7uvrkOj8xpV_qeGNXiA5QyNZBmodpNcLpEOI9QnYsTslar0vQh60I_Lv/s1600/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="709" data-original-width="1080" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhIDBCOMF4ziPE8yXUvPAPdmk_TbkVJOBfNIMqnOieZvg3w5Q8Ex5ajfU6C_ZqLDmqLiCRWXxSJlIOD9F43FB7uvrkOj8xpV_qeGNXiA5QyNZBmodpNcLpEOI9QnYsTslar0vQh60I_Lv/s640/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCi0dFYqLRqGZOCV6mADDGLOA6biWwgK__IrLGLfCD1VjTvqb05dADFyx-etKBeUjCANn-YAEsa-vRYYsSAALyZWgfveZuCXMzv8gxxONyOSqH9ANdjPUHQy5AoGYf74Zu4PWiMjHDFAY/s1600/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="763" data-original-width="1080" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCi0dFYqLRqGZOCV6mADDGLOA6biWwgK__IrLGLfCD1VjTvqb05dADFyx-etKBeUjCANn-YAEsa-vRYYsSAALyZWgfveZuCXMzv8gxxONyOSqH9ANdjPUHQy5AoGYf74Zu4PWiMjHDFAY/s640/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Check out the school of
large and curious GT’s behind Paul.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They circled us for around
half of the dive<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP7LWrRGZNXUjw5COg05OV78apPLS2hSfqHicNP3Hzht3AaibQ_EKMMmgYU1SVbm-WiByL5WCVWtxzX5HiaFw5rttJWpwquVg4BzxmWBSeSNc4IEukgJ743BX_JwdGIiHYW8yY7uqUGgaK/s1600/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="1080" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP7LWrRGZNXUjw5COg05OV78apPLS2hSfqHicNP3Hzht3AaibQ_EKMMmgYU1SVbm-WiByL5WCVWtxzX5HiaFw5rttJWpwquVg4BzxmWBSeSNc4IEukgJ743BX_JwdGIiHYW8yY7uqUGgaK/s640/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Down on the
rubble section were scattered bommies full of life.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZsoGPLDeFYzXw8RQRU9AwReyRV7U-UW0kf8jhnhKo2M-aRMs5iPnI8XAALIxOEPHgvGQmCZ2kkOYE2MQm6Op3UJAzjx_IDowFOuxwGlEj1SrXvtKYR0XZPmtIRQzrUMbSJxnydlfbcVA/s1600/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="729" data-original-width="1080" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZsoGPLDeFYzXw8RQRU9AwReyRV7U-UW0kf8jhnhKo2M-aRMs5iPnI8XAALIxOEPHgvGQmCZ2kkOYE2MQm6Op3UJAzjx_IDowFOuxwGlEj1SrXvtKYR0XZPmtIRQzrUMbSJxnydlfbcVA/s640/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa with a Giant Moray
Eel<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMK72ESaa3RaqLJwGLMcw_n0Q6hq5KUk1OLjEVFwMHIkuHrcltqLR-CJeaC3Ou7FQ-xjoy2wvJnLkPTKr2bo2z-u-ijBj7Dq1FvD_lHGb70I4zgkPUGflPztb2FagQ5KuHh8glS1DA6Qp/s1600/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%252817%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="764" data-original-width="1080" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMK72ESaa3RaqLJwGLMcw_n0Q6hq5KUk1OLjEVFwMHIkuHrcltqLR-CJeaC3Ou7FQ-xjoy2wvJnLkPTKr2bo2z-u-ijBj7Dq1FvD_lHGb70I4zgkPUGflPztb2FagQ5KuHh8glS1DA6Qp/s640/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%252817%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa’s photo of the
Moray Eel using her 60mm macro lens<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOdOMzH0Urn5aHXaUEoghSL7apWn8SLQ4E9vT1w8rVeB0DWL1UGpVNQyBCAC7VsBfJoewXXOHUcKYyArD7BlzEN-Oax9-i9uHcy39LK3giNqQyvp60RGCjfDS-BCO9YWKvUxB8mN5QK4N/s1600/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%252813%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="1080" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOdOMzH0Urn5aHXaUEoghSL7apWn8SLQ4E9vT1w8rVeB0DWL1UGpVNQyBCAC7VsBfJoewXXOHUcKYyArD7BlzEN-Oax9-i9uHcy39LK3giNqQyvp60RGCjfDS-BCO9YWKvUxB8mN5QK4N/s640/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%252813%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Down deeper
the coral was in excellent condition.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7Z84D08Zqc0UIXLeMkrn_rPU_PstyAG83L_whcvmHNPYSo5sDpeupIHo89I5AihRWMSj8-qSVkX1hbgswFOt9g_fFeW53TTm_w4C9Hb6vhIdL03-y7UPGfU0TxXKZV5FNHvuR-4rjEy-/s1600/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7Z84D08Zqc0UIXLeMkrn_rPU_PstyAG83L_whcvmHNPYSo5sDpeupIHo89I5AihRWMSj8-qSVkX1hbgswFOt9g_fFeW53TTm_w4C9Hb6vhIdL03-y7UPGfU0TxXKZV5FNHvuR-4rjEy-/s640/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%252812%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPpczShEHq2jDpG6ezBkFXCvPYzgYG4Yxxzs98NrHDj_LrD_sX8osQR_j_eIaa-fN7MjFxwEP4ubEGgzuyGV_84URkBVHgpvoVn_7qcxWMLtu76UFixgaUaJzW99RsUoWr8Ti4Irr4YD5/s1600/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPpczShEHq2jDpG6ezBkFXCvPYzgYG4Yxxzs98NrHDj_LrD_sX8osQR_j_eIaa-fN7MjFxwEP4ubEGgzuyGV_84URkBVHgpvoVn_7qcxWMLtu76UFixgaUaJzW99RsUoWr8Ti4Irr4YD5/s640/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%252814%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But the best
coral was in the shallow gutters. They were filled with walls of pristine and
diverse coral with not a single COTS in sight.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjla_GDk2xRJKppulfnCbDEg-i9C6HLB1nLS8m3PsOsmTEUrDSXYnEMdhU0gZwuIgr4vvHTYHWfVCpcDW2BLchqpEQX-n31WukK6YDiHtHA53k0dCi48Blc6MXmT-3ChtbvYCuaTrwK04Mw/s1600/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjla_GDk2xRJKppulfnCbDEg-i9C6HLB1nLS8m3PsOsmTEUrDSXYnEMdhU0gZwuIgr4vvHTYHWfVCpcDW2BLchqpEQX-n31WukK6YDiHtHA53k0dCi48Blc6MXmT-3ChtbvYCuaTrwK04Mw/s640/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJ3gducMWhPI9v4x-Fqb4ChZcbDNCiVa7oO1AovwSekPD63D2DtWr9xA-TvdNRzC4F826K3XIvSwdNxY5bWS_hEYRduW-07pcIVF0MK6Gv8WrUpmolPn2I4DAPi43R8YHRlAf3dRjSPVb/s1600/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJ3gducMWhPI9v4x-Fqb4ChZcbDNCiVa7oO1AovwSekPD63D2DtWr9xA-TvdNRzC4F826K3XIvSwdNxY5bWS_hEYRduW-07pcIVF0MK6Gv8WrUpmolPn2I4DAPi43R8YHRlAf3dRjSPVb/s640/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9S32Q7O8k73vhx9gmDsUAW4PZFwCuLglm21aPnRYSTmWkl9brMBAhPrNTXjGRIrxpbVFZEbh1zCWT8ZN19UlfWXNuxwnm0ovFfN_398W1pfVMGOk9I50xcJuKH6vR5dX4YlQQ50k_z4vH/s1600/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="1080" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9S32Q7O8k73vhx9gmDsUAW4PZFwCuLglm21aPnRYSTmWkl9brMBAhPrNTXjGRIrxpbVFZEbh1zCWT8ZN19UlfWXNuxwnm0ovFfN_398W1pfVMGOk9I50xcJuKH6vR5dX4YlQQ50k_z4vH/s640/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7UjIimtLW1RxWAtbS_W-VWfCW9X-jczYrmHWrAaleBYEh7_fGXwWUvmI51jb9Zx-vgqWicBWRw5ILVreWpN9XTxU5MMM4G69JmqORybY_oXzwpWWuVz_ZxqzOobBtohad23DOtL6ZZsj/s1600/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7UjIimtLW1RxWAtbS_W-VWfCW9X-jczYrmHWrAaleBYEh7_fGXwWUvmI51jb9Zx-vgqWicBWRw5ILVreWpN9XTxU5MMM4G69JmqORybY_oXzwpWWuVz_ZxqzOobBtohad23DOtL6ZZsj/s640/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">While Paul
was shooting the wide angle coral scenes, Lisa was having a field day along the
base of the gutters photographing the fish, nudibranchs and other sea life.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXabjbcDqcr_Y8lpv4RrXvT5Wvk4VEaRTD_b2nFoqzBWY4jOMb1DkTKgc0sVHEL9W2OF_qyKZx1hUcD2We6JdHJF_baavZOIPfHv_TjdmFhtmFPqae74enhLADMej7-qROa3huAfUyGaPL/s1600/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%252820%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="1080" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXabjbcDqcr_Y8lpv4RrXvT5Wvk4VEaRTD_b2nFoqzBWY4jOMb1DkTKgc0sVHEL9W2OF_qyKZx1hUcD2We6JdHJF_baavZOIPfHv_TjdmFhtmFPqae74enhLADMej7-qROa3huAfUyGaPL/s640/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%252820%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8x_KVFHNcZXHWIZTptReg7UQEBlL6m5xyILPYkibOPIdPv1UGlQXtWiIyvVcqgCziM_tWG-M8BsnR395vDQNY_B-N16-8KQIvnEz4nq4vx3nTrFCZiAlvqD9O33ExVRwm46EPqHvkiVy/s1600/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%252818%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="1080" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8x_KVFHNcZXHWIZTptReg7UQEBlL6m5xyILPYkibOPIdPv1UGlQXtWiIyvVcqgCziM_tWG-M8BsnR395vDQNY_B-N16-8KQIvnEz4nq4vx3nTrFCZiAlvqD9O33ExVRwm46EPqHvkiVy/s640/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%252818%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DMqjSfzy51Sn5J6rAivhZKQg5wH9KYw_TxNmj3PNAqOxA5BTWm-tEqdmjfipG6tHhqnbY3kOwXW7RfIjwFWoKhyphenhyphenl56H3R-1J2EvY1OWxwWpMh3R3J05Pt9FR3aDi3u30lUU9HWWEh05m/s1600/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%252821%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="1080" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DMqjSfzy51Sn5J6rAivhZKQg5wH9KYw_TxNmj3PNAqOxA5BTWm-tEqdmjfipG6tHhqnbY3kOwXW7RfIjwFWoKhyphenhyphenl56H3R-1J2EvY1OWxwWpMh3R3J05Pt9FR3aDi3u30lUU9HWWEh05m/s640/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%252821%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the end we
played on the surface with the very low tide almost exposing the coral on the
reef top.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHf_NS0ajyAH7QMGfcCSuKpc9HnH2hzCMxSZHeiBlWj23na9eiCjMhhLcdib6HHUnUrlffAyaM6OL3pWP5sMPP1Afh53fMRtN50gVzCgvs6P5oMM884zt1FBm5plcr-UyC305QaV92nBoV/s1600/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%252815%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="1080" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHf_NS0ajyAH7QMGfcCSuKpc9HnH2hzCMxSZHeiBlWj23na9eiCjMhhLcdib6HHUnUrlffAyaM6OL3pWP5sMPP1Afh53fMRtN50gVzCgvs6P5oMM884zt1FBm5plcr-UyC305QaV92nBoV/s640/Swains+Dive+18+Centenery+Reef+Southern+Tip+%252815%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It turned
into a mammoth 1 hour and 50 minute dive where were took almost 200 photos each
and surfaced buzzing with excitement - but with sunset rapidly approaching.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul had hurt
his back (again…) that morning and didn’t think much of it (as it doesn’t hurt
underwater) until we had to pack up that evening and get the tinny up onto the
davits.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By nightfall
he could hardly walk and promptly went to bed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
was the spring tides and despite it being a beautiful day with little wind, the
currents were howling along the reef edge and the low tide was too early in the
morning and too late in the afternoon to dive so we called a diving lay-day which
allowed us to get scuba tanks filled, the huge pile of clothes put through the
washing machine and for Lisa to cook some food including yummy baked treats.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul slept
most of the day trying to get his back relaxed and out of pain but managed
short bouts of sitting up to edit the photos from the great dives at Centenary
Reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It had been 8
days anchored at Centenery Reef and the longest we’d stayed at any of the
Swains Reefs, so we decided to pack up the next day and sail 20nm to Mystery
Reef as the wind was perfect direction and strength for a great downwind
spinnaker run.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigMAAPS2Ps52lVkHu_k-m7Me-nXU65V0XDwMCGIWToERxzEXEQ_qXp7RKPsgXAn3XBY4NsIS2KJDo-xPrtYTGxuaUzJ237OUzuSX-oqzt8kfxw-X9ClNjIYuUtL7OfOgsZkrCeaTMryxkx/s1600/Swains+Mystery+Reef+Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="1080" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigMAAPS2Ps52lVkHu_k-m7Me-nXU65V0XDwMCGIWToERxzEXEQ_qXp7RKPsgXAn3XBY4NsIS2KJDo-xPrtYTGxuaUzJ237OUzuSX-oqzt8kfxw-X9ClNjIYuUtL7OfOgsZkrCeaTMryxkx/s640/Swains+Mystery+Reef+Map.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Mystery Reef
looked a lot bigger than Centenery and we hoped it offered better protection
and would be a bit smoother at high tide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Additionally
there are no sand cays around Mystery Reef and we had our fingers crossed that
there would be less birds trying to settle on Lorelei at night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The spinnaker
run was a lot of fun and it was a bright sunny day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had to
pass a few smaller reefs on the way and Lisa was able to hand steer Lorelei
right up along the side of Hammer Reef <span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;">HammerHaaassaasaaaazxx</span>while
Paul was in the crow’s nest taking photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1tXbV5OaIi7nc6r-Wu5-HKtT452H-CtmMBwrcc7PA68xlFoaygFUvN5kbU_AuAfiQD3czar5MOgdUIPOENBwrBcZ_xLtB0b5FImpVkf9ooZHGThP1Q3VTIDr5m5dQc1Wfg0ThMhrp1Oaz/s1600/Swains+Spinnaker+Sail+Centenery+to+Mystery+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1080" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1tXbV5OaIi7nc6r-Wu5-HKtT452H-CtmMBwrcc7PA68xlFoaygFUvN5kbU_AuAfiQD3czar5MOgdUIPOENBwrBcZ_xLtB0b5FImpVkf9ooZHGThP1Q3VTIDr5m5dQc1Wfg0ThMhrp1Oaz/s640/Swains+Spinnaker+Sail+Centenery+to+Mystery+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVqJebfYHJv8UWlns-N7QVEk5oXu94KFN89XnzFsvf7GL2duOrCn_p9svkJWhyphenhyphenHjyunYYT91-j7RSw8iIYxmMwvX3BMI-_HkPGBLYbREPPd2b9kI6BtNW6yCnWnP94vLH2AhjQ9f08Jo0/s1600/Swains+Spinnaker+Sail+Centenery+to+Mystery+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1080" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVqJebfYHJv8UWlns-N7QVEk5oXu94KFN89XnzFsvf7GL2duOrCn_p9svkJWhyphenhyphenHjyunYYT91-j7RSw8iIYxmMwvX3BMI-_HkPGBLYbREPPd2b9kI6BtNW6yCnWnP94vLH2AhjQ9f08Jo0/s640/Swains+Spinnaker+Sail+Centenery+to+Mystery+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-F8_9-9r4yLeizURrVQ6RyzM_5cJUXyZevrkk5wQyULC6p2tDgFhQj96sYH3Tjim1OWmvTfaZ5KmcXdgYyi1GUu1liYolwTFq755rJ0Y99v_B18Pk3M3gCO8BKrQhqYGwnIvJnNOZYuWE/s1600/Swains+Spinnaker+Sail+Centenery+to+Mystery+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="753" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-F8_9-9r4yLeizURrVQ6RyzM_5cJUXyZevrkk5wQyULC6p2tDgFhQj96sYH3Tjim1OWmvTfaZ5KmcXdgYyi1GUu1liYolwTFq755rJ0Y99v_B18Pk3M3gCO8BKrQhqYGwnIvJnNOZYuWE/s640/Swains+Spinnaker+Sail+Centenery+to+Mystery+%25283%2529.JPG" width="446" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A little
further on we had Dolphins come and play in the bow wave.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They weren’t
large ones but were little bundles of energy darting all over the place and
jumping around.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugbmOisn7v3dLyIDSuzC7CAsz2CH4dUUeq4mezYMqlkLdFdUBgyYgBWVwfeELWZAsGbFvkELP7t2RJ4-owuT6ouMgt5fr1pG1mCmybxwOjAS7Wu6mx9yXzeox5ZZx1yXdIKyK_7l5HFmB/s1600/Swains+Spinnaker+Sail+Centenery+to+Mystery+Dolphins+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="1080" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugbmOisn7v3dLyIDSuzC7CAsz2CH4dUUeq4mezYMqlkLdFdUBgyYgBWVwfeELWZAsGbFvkELP7t2RJ4-owuT6ouMgt5fr1pG1mCmybxwOjAS7Wu6mx9yXzeox5ZZx1yXdIKyK_7l5HFmB/s640/Swains+Spinnaker+Sail+Centenery+to+Mystery+Dolphins+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ35_qMd88CWdIF9apeFgCfSFJl-0saGbVBzo1teecgJVCohAPKUAVTO2Y6dm_Hti_VeSzaYAO7Qyw5pmdGcz9FNgK29HypYl5ifdsURGbtjUprFQX7eLKzfBMwwK6X5lZvid443WNinOY/s1600/Swains+Spinnaker+Sail+Centenery+to+Mystery+Dolphins+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="1080" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ35_qMd88CWdIF9apeFgCfSFJl-0saGbVBzo1teecgJVCohAPKUAVTO2Y6dm_Hti_VeSzaYAO7Qyw5pmdGcz9FNgK29HypYl5ifdsURGbtjUprFQX7eLKzfBMwwK6X5lZvid443WNinOY/s640/Swains+Spinnaker+Sail+Centenery+to+Mystery+Dolphins+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived in
time to anchor up, get the sailing gear packed away and enjoy sunset drinks and
a cheese platter which was novel as we don’t drink at all when diving.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgObsT4AKt5pc4t4zli6Ma4LPOHssG1mFJIChlZ_asAYsNoioK-RH1ycSjgyakhCHukk71T_iDVa-8EmwIWMX_-6FCkNxgNt2Y318VrYcdpeL0aSTCM3us3Yn3RUNwqf3pz1if-Hb1H2PxW/s1600/Swains+Mystery+Reef+Sunset+Drinks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="1080" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgObsT4AKt5pc4t4zli6Ma4LPOHssG1mFJIChlZ_asAYsNoioK-RH1ycSjgyakhCHukk71T_iDVa-8EmwIWMX_-6FCkNxgNt2Y318VrYcdpeL0aSTCM3us3Yn3RUNwqf3pz1if-Hb1H2PxW/s640/Swains+Mystery+Reef+Sunset+Drinks.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With a 6am
and 6pm low tide, it was impossible to dive those times safely so we had no
option but to dive the midday high tide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Being only 1
day past springs, the high was a very high one meaning the currents were
screaming both along the reef walls and also over the top of the reef system.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Around 90
minutes before the tide turned, we started looking for a place to dive along
the outer walls. On the east side the current was pushing south and on the
north side the current was pushing west, so we assumed it was coming in from
the NE and splitting at the NE tip and pushing both down the side and across
the top.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we went
right to the NE tip and there was a 200m/600ft long patch of reef where it was
reasonably calm as it was right in the middle of where the current was
splitting.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">If anything
it was pushing onto the reef which was a lot better than blowing you off the
reef wall and into the deeper water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Additionally,
the areas was filled with bommies and gutters that ran parallel to the reef
rather than cutting into the reef like we’d seen on the previous dives.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We jumped in
for the dive at the perfect time and at around half way through the current
backed off before slowly turning the other way.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The walls
were once again filled with amazing hard corals with lots of fish and sea
snakes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVK4NnJH9C9b9R7-9f0GhrgetIskX57Uu_kyhodfyBPGVJ1kMeNDnooOIm3g0iLnJ7sHydd7BCRwk0yRC7tSViCLW-D2enMz_vQvrcJ2PpHC5iw8sbNPeeV9GgCVLYt_wpI72cGzcw5aH/s1600/Swains+Dive+19+Mystery+Reef+NE+Bommies+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1080" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVK4NnJH9C9b9R7-9f0GhrgetIskX57Uu_kyhodfyBPGVJ1kMeNDnooOIm3g0iLnJ7sHydd7BCRwk0yRC7tSViCLW-D2enMz_vQvrcJ2PpHC5iw8sbNPeeV9GgCVLYt_wpI72cGzcw5aH/s640/Swains+Dive+19+Mystery+Reef+NE+Bommies+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But what was
really cool were the loads of Painted Crayfish that were walking around in the
small caves at the base of the bommies.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLu7bMd_fUZBcPxZhhyphenhyphenQOA-BYlR4QxG9y0zOWC8yUA95XLWhpWAczLTQMb5a_33CrKqjTRsA8J27n4uClO-Ssh6LwW0j33DZUPs7FUtEWyun7riU6kJZHrSDSN-HX8QsGPiJp1FYsbSdeZ/s1600/Swains+Dive+19+Mystery+Reef+NE+Bommies+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="1080" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLu7bMd_fUZBcPxZhhyphenhyphenQOA-BYlR4QxG9y0zOWC8yUA95XLWhpWAczLTQMb5a_33CrKqjTRsA8J27n4uClO-Ssh6LwW0j33DZUPs7FUtEWyun7riU6kJZHrSDSN-HX8QsGPiJp1FYsbSdeZ/s640/Swains+Dive+19+Mystery+Reef+NE+Bommies+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNozQioEQMlp118jfr-WLtoDRLN4wBsnbBzs1sBo_Mf0bvtmGMkz8uwxoj9AKmLd0T85R7ugeOVXOcMn9ZAvWnLggevRPvNcpndIjbE27zd83383chv8CJEdfUYZkX2GmgTYdweNyapmfj/s1600/Swains+Dive+19+Mystery+Reef+NE+Bommies+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="1080" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNozQioEQMlp118jfr-WLtoDRLN4wBsnbBzs1sBo_Mf0bvtmGMkz8uwxoj9AKmLd0T85R7ugeOVXOcMn9ZAvWnLggevRPvNcpndIjbE27zd83383chv8CJEdfUYZkX2GmgTYdweNyapmfj/s640/Swains+Dive+19+Mystery+Reef+NE+Bommies+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa had
worked out that there were actually 2 different species of Crayfish and took
close up photos of their faces to confirm. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The colours
also gave it away.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5pd31gJtOFSb_UkjmUou11wUqPYbp2RYoqd6aPPcprWLCtDngHn7JEeYJxfRt3hyphenhyphen2HqEEWvfUybIkYV_3Dyp1u2WKs1AZ9gNWOMsvmL7ehgmHraJ2xGwmeFL4b_jomkwmFzDskj-rTfQ/s1600/Swains+Mystery+Reef+NE+Bommies+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="704" data-original-width="1080" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5pd31gJtOFSb_UkjmUou11wUqPYbp2RYoqd6aPPcprWLCtDngHn7JEeYJxfRt3hyphenhyphen2HqEEWvfUybIkYV_3Dyp1u2WKs1AZ9gNWOMsvmL7ehgmHraJ2xGwmeFL4b_jomkwmFzDskj-rTfQ/s640/Swains+Mystery+Reef+NE+Bommies+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This is the more common
Painted Spiny Lobster<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1k7nbxQd-0wjVvn61m7ToEsdnReKh9hSf52rpb_BbLRQ0pcUsMyj2pcUJ-gEwvSppsKy_ukrk0c-AXet0nhpAbcn-5_7DT4kpuOMfpetNCCsyWzNxz5uze6GCEJnzrtvKJgfsFL2wdO_W/s1600/Swains+Mystery+Reef+NE+Bommies+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="1080" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1k7nbxQd-0wjVvn61m7ToEsdnReKh9hSf52rpb_BbLRQ0pcUsMyj2pcUJ-gEwvSppsKy_ukrk0c-AXet0nhpAbcn-5_7DT4kpuOMfpetNCCsyWzNxz5uze6GCEJnzrtvKJgfsFL2wdO_W/s640/Swains+Mystery+Reef+NE+Bommies+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This one is the slightly
smaller and less common Pronghorn Spiny Lobster<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa also
found what we could assume was a very pregnant Sap Sucking Slug as this one was
really fat and all the others we’ve seen at the Swains have been slender.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWDFjj53twKgk4iHiFF9QekcYACjZrBMHM3T573vaQQcVR-tZXG1rQx5dBWH7DE_szywMkfVgYZ3U2iGNFf3XonL4bk0zSTWeUM95uOCkrvqclDP6j2yQZrWmduoQHYu9GolPBwnYKmbD/s1600/Swains+Mystery+Reef+NE+Bommies+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="1080" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWDFjj53twKgk4iHiFF9QekcYACjZrBMHM3T573vaQQcVR-tZXG1rQx5dBWH7DE_szywMkfVgYZ3U2iGNFf3XonL4bk0zSTWeUM95uOCkrvqclDP6j2yQZrWmduoQHYu9GolPBwnYKmbD/s640/Swains+Mystery+Reef+NE+Bommies+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That
afternoon the wind backed off to zero and we had our first glass out in over a
month.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
hoping it would reduce the seas and swell a little for the following day’s
dive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sure enough,
the next day’s dive was in much nicer conditions with around 6 knots of wind,
flatter seas and a hot & sunny day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We tried looking
along the NW face but found that everywhere looked pretty good and we surmised
we could dive anywhere along the NW outer edge and have a good dive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But the spot
that stood out was right on the corner and was surrounded with a maze of
bommies that could keep us entertained for many dives.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It wasn’t a
deep dive but a long one with a little current pushing one way, then nothing for
30 minutes before turning back the other way towards the end of the 80 minutes
underwater.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We must have
swum a long way as we saw a lot of bommies to the north and missed the entire
southern area – which didn’t matter as we’d just do it the next day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
loads of schooling fish in the shallows around the tops of the bommies which
made for great photos if you could get the coral right in the frame, do a test
for exposure and then sit and wait while holding your breath until the fish got
game and came in close.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As soon as
you exhaled they’d all scatter until you took another breath and started the
whole process again. It turned into a game to see how many fish came into the
photo frame before you had to breathe.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-3dPyU6lABMSDsDm7fetcz4E-hF4-b3oAYcmznFczaCZElqcOBbzsxm5snidmXCJJcsw0So9ktPb9_-9wfCYc5m2NwKwGD8ED6SHV-JBVHdm7LqUj4X9Q7TEuRh5k-1lJQ7ARSY8Qgfr/s1600/Swains+Dive+20+Mystery+Reef+Nth+Bommies+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="1080" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-3dPyU6lABMSDsDm7fetcz4E-hF4-b3oAYcmznFczaCZElqcOBbzsxm5snidmXCJJcsw0So9ktPb9_-9wfCYc5m2NwKwGD8ED6SHV-JBVHdm7LqUj4X9Q7TEuRh5k-1lJQ7ARSY8Qgfr/s640/Swains+Dive+20+Mystery+Reef+Nth+Bommies+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Down on the
deeper slopes there were loads of Gorgonian Fans of all colours, Sea Whips with
tiny shrimps and some interesting nudibranchs on the rubble sea floor.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHM1tdCRE5pGeHROvZS3wagCGoq8jld-y9EP3RSB-O5CrPhw99tPFUyIG1ru4OEwOlLG2CXJDdF3QoCNz0B138rrhlU4k34UFBotBMBDoeINSxS6qF3Ng1dBqYMd44E1KzY3tPc2G_sy0/s1600/Swains+Dive+20+Mystery+Reef+Nth+Bommies+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="1080" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHM1tdCRE5pGeHROvZS3wagCGoq8jld-y9EP3RSB-O5CrPhw99tPFUyIG1ru4OEwOlLG2CXJDdF3QoCNz0B138rrhlU4k34UFBotBMBDoeINSxS6qF3Ng1dBqYMd44E1KzY3tPc2G_sy0/s640/Swains+Dive+20+Mystery+Reef+Nth+Bommies+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
back to the tinny, we found a small hole in the reef that was a cleaning
station with larger reef fish coming in for a clean.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXeIDWoI9adl7BPEOIzcxhgJim4Tyoabf5wACpj6J77QA1pjB5jU1CNq_6pOC8fnY1_blBSYYmXddtKusIFK812pTpIACM0LaMJVJRZfG37_nvKbUTnxHSrmgOhdZ1p6jg1NNN_7He0qC/s1600/Swains+Dive+20+Mystery+Reef+Nth+Bommies+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="1080" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXeIDWoI9adl7BPEOIzcxhgJim4Tyoabf5wACpj6J77QA1pjB5jU1CNq_6pOC8fnY1_blBSYYmXddtKusIFK812pTpIACM0LaMJVJRZfG37_nvKbUTnxHSrmgOhdZ1p6jg1NNN_7He0qC/s640/Swains+Dive+20+Mystery+Reef+Nth+Bommies+%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That
afternoon we filled scuba tanks, charged cameras and readied ourselves for
diving again the next day – which never eventuated…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That night we
downloaded our emails and the weather to find not only bad weather coming in
around 3 days time, but also an email asking for some family assistance back at
home.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That night it
blew a constant 15 knots and was still blowing when we woke up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
getting rougher by the hour and we realised we probably couldn’t dive in those
conditions on the high tide anyway, so we quickly packed up and started sailing
south.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynRmhB1FmV_3mA375PGRLJio7eA-3F8rujcMzBHr4rtUnqpUlPYD5fumeubBCOFulynY8pT07u7nyJbEQNyeYzbzFvaiD5chMW0MDKvrXoaenQmEVLnPCarFeQ2pzt32wlqFXw8ozRWrl/s1600/Swains+Sail+Back+to+Hervey+Bay+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1080" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynRmhB1FmV_3mA375PGRLJio7eA-3F8rujcMzBHr4rtUnqpUlPYD5fumeubBCOFulynY8pT07u7nyJbEQNyeYzbzFvaiD5chMW0MDKvrXoaenQmEVLnPCarFeQ2pzt32wlqFXw8ozRWrl/s640/Swains+Sail+Back+to+Hervey+Bay+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sailing at 8.5 knots
through the reef system</span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had nearly
50nm of complex reef to negotiate until we were out of the Swains Reef system
and we figured it would take all day but we were flying along at over 8 knots
and stayed that way until we exited the reef mid-afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The wind held
all night and only dropped off a little at daybreak.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09V1SFJfx7MJVZup-k67T4rirQAe8U0sS5WBZE4Z1XxFzJwO7Di-xKtPOyFVEZLwa6pcy5NySk6wVUIe8DB78LrV170XwAmu8HQpAN-b2AtAmLlbaq51k0SOTrBnle6joM29Wl4WRURTC/s1600/Swains+Sail+Back+to+Hervey+Bay+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1080" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09V1SFJfx7MJVZup-k67T4rirQAe8U0sS5WBZE4Z1XxFzJwO7Di-xKtPOyFVEZLwa6pcy5NySk6wVUIe8DB78LrV170XwAmu8HQpAN-b2AtAmLlbaq51k0SOTrBnle6joM29Wl4WRURTC/s640/Swains+Sail+Back+to+Hervey+Bay+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had sailed
185nm in just 24 hours which was a great run and it meant we only had about
80nm to go until we made Rooney Point at the tip of Fraser Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The wind back
off a little more and went for the E to NE so we furled in the headsail and put
up the spinnaker for the final run.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwAorZ8GiH91Jh6yLiF1jAn5OJGVT39K709u-PnSAdnwKavEC4-Ke1zQB-pbFk8tboSQW5EwyuwNGKWYaLQ5qcx4NmrYpp-hIW3i23IRbgI62n8nJh0x8SD6vgvIeZIErboCbF2Doi5V0/s1600/Swains+Sail+Back+to+Hervey+Bay+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="753" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwAorZ8GiH91Jh6yLiF1jAn5OJGVT39K709u-PnSAdnwKavEC4-Ke1zQB-pbFk8tboSQW5EwyuwNGKWYaLQ5qcx4NmrYpp-hIW3i23IRbgI62n8nJh0x8SD6vgvIeZIErboCbF2Doi5V0/s640/Swains+Sail+Back+to+Hervey+Bay+%25283%2529.JPG" width="446" /></a><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived at
Rooney Point at 9:30pm and were very surprised to see over a dozen lights from
other yachts all tucked into the corner of the bay seeking shelter from the NE
winds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">All in all it
was a pretty good trip back and we averaged 7.33 knots.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So that’s it
for yet another Episode of our sailing adventures.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We’ve put a “Swains
Reef Wrap Up” below for those private vessels that are thinking of going out to
dive in the area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Cheers for
now<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul and Lisa
Hogger<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Yacht Lorelei<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sailing the
Swains Reefs<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrH9cFafocYopMNEc1Qgxfyu-7qrQ-ACh1dbNKv6DDoPtNwZU2xXsRaDVdV_wp0BpEkjrnolx_d3kUdtpl34rojujeIglQbONgZz3OKixBnMOc8WLH80JZiYl1EG3BwWOC3o6FJLLwRce/s1600/Swains+Reef+Wrap+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="881" data-original-width="1600" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrH9cFafocYopMNEc1Qgxfyu-7qrQ-ACh1dbNKv6DDoPtNwZU2xXsRaDVdV_wp0BpEkjrnolx_d3kUdtpl34rojujeIglQbONgZz3OKixBnMOc8WLH80JZiYl1EG3BwWOC3o6FJLLwRce/s640/Swains+Reef+Wrap+up.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">NAVIGATING<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Swains
Reefs Charts (whether paper charts or any electronic charts we’ve seen) are
basic to say the least.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It would be
virtually impossible to find anchorable lagoons on those charts.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">To navigate
we use a free PC based software called Open CPN.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The one
advantage of this software is to be able to create “snapshots” from Google
Earth of the reefs and overlay them over the charts in Open CPN.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We would then
quite simply navigate over those snapshots and use them to find not only
anchorages but also scuba dive and spearfishing spots.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The satellite
maps included in this blog are the snapshots from Open CPN converted into JPG’s
and the information added in a photo editing software.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadrkxPqRg4_3MpcCLLjLnFiBLWRMDUM0_Xret1DL_AZAso_D301a5fUil8L8O2p-63n_jum52bPnPOeqbaXXDq10KQoGFmm7Pm02Bk32ACNt8kwwmvonhN73j5jtvIggaESyTnN-qrCH4/s1600/Swains+Open+CPN+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="1080" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadrkxPqRg4_3MpcCLLjLnFiBLWRMDUM0_Xret1DL_AZAso_D301a5fUil8L8O2p-63n_jum52bPnPOeqbaXXDq10KQoGFmm7Pm02Bk32ACNt8kwwmvonhN73j5jtvIggaESyTnN-qrCH4/s640/Swains+Open+CPN+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A screen shot from Open
CPN using a Google Earth snapshot overlaid <br />
onto the Swains Reefs electronic charts.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note the difference in
detail.</span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjI8d7sTG9Ab4NYSA9uPcrVh3CY_gy-y3NF6YfJBW1a0PhKag11xa3aTKaTeNgd5LmN9KxabXQT7ygIa3Nm9reyUtLnFYQfqgSTURx-112EaVqKrJPvZj070ThMykAgS8SteN3Ps_iQm1B/s1600/Swains+Open+CPN+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="1080" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjI8d7sTG9Ab4NYSA9uPcrVh3CY_gy-y3NF6YfJBW1a0PhKag11xa3aTKaTeNgd5LmN9KxabXQT7ygIa3Nm9reyUtLnFYQfqgSTURx-112EaVqKrJPvZj070ThMykAgS8SteN3Ps_iQm1B/s640/Swains+Open+CPN+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A more detailed snapshot
of a reef overlaid onto the electronic chart.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There is a huge
difference in not only detail but location of the reef.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The charts were slightly
out of position but the snapshots were accurate. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEAQOA3VwXxVsZQgxEC10hk-2wPnvD7TxHXrM58u-58Liiw93gvtFFiHTlNs7Td5C-InCAGGozfFUaZtCEHYIcv1Sv-Gee2TiorRa3H577wN2aWeM84y9yBADr01dUZJl7H0bAd1PM32G/s1600/Swains+Star+Reef+Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="1080" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEAQOA3VwXxVsZQgxEC10hk-2wPnvD7TxHXrM58u-58Liiw93gvtFFiHTlNs7Td5C-InCAGGozfFUaZtCEHYIcv1Sv-Gee2TiorRa3H577wN2aWeM84y9yBADr01dUZJl7H0bAd1PM32G/s640/Swains+Star+Reef+Map.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A typical map we made
outlining Lorelei’s anchorage, dive and spear sites <br />
and any other potential areas for in the future.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">SCUBA DIVING<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The main
reason we went to the Swains Reef System was to Scuba Dive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The old dive
guide books we spoke of at the start of our Swains posts were written in the
1980’s and are obviously a little dated.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst they
did help initially, the information in the books was only a general overview
and only covered the southern section and a few of the larger and more
protected reefs in towards the middle of the reef system.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Tom Byron
book excerpt on The Swains Reefs was only written after a one-off 6 day
exploratory dive charter where they did around 10 dives at the southern area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">These are the
covers of the books.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKITyNbpw3fvZ0YhqvrAo5cvTBqMknxzwsNJ-pHkwxgtDUfx242wfY3nHQG2fbiCedjAYXV1RyHiCB1xdBefLuRJxmfV39srwbuk6BClYwqbADTwxHeX74QH0tkKgor-uGHhUrbhNGNe02/s1600/Swains+Dive+Site+Books.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="704" data-original-width="1080" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKITyNbpw3fvZ0YhqvrAo5cvTBqMknxzwsNJ-pHkwxgtDUfx242wfY3nHQG2fbiCedjAYXV1RyHiCB1xdBefLuRJxmfV39srwbuk6BClYwqbADTwxHeX74QH0tkKgor-uGHhUrbhNGNe02/s640/Swains+Dive+Site+Books.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Initially we
found finding the dive spots a little difficult as it didn’t follow the normal
profile of where the best dive spots where on other Great Barrier Reef areas
and in particular the most popular areas off Cairns and the northern Ribbon
Reefs. Up there it is predictable as to
where to dive on a reef. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the Swains
it is not.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> We found great dive spots on the normally
exposed-to-the-tradewinds SE face and at the very next reef the same area was
terrible.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One reef would
have the best area on the NW tip and the next reef across it was better on the
SE corner.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So no
consistency to dive locations which meant a lot of searching in the tender and
either sticking our head over the side with a mask on or going for a quick
snorkel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We spent
dozens of hours and probably travelled 80nm or more searching for dive sites.
If we’d done that amount of searching in the northern GBR, we would have found
100’s of dive locations – not just the handful that we had discovered in the
Swains.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For deeper
reefs and bommies - when arriving at reef for the first time, we would motor
along the reef edge that looked like it had potential in Lorelei using her high
quality depth sounder and travel between 18m/60ft to 32m/105ft looking for
potential dive locations that way. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We’d mark
positions before entering the lagoon to anchor up and then transferring them to
the tinny’s chartplotter so we could explore the area in more detail.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst we
have never given out GPS co-ordinates on our blog, the maps we have made are
easy to download and should give divers a general area to dive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Please be
aware though that we are NOT beginner divers and the dive sites marked on the
maps can be a challenge for the inexperienced.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Many of them
have strong currents and must be either drift dived or dived on a slack tide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Some are also
deeper dives and are areas were we have seen large sharks like Tiger Sharks and
Bull Sharks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There are
lots of more placid areas for a beginner dive like the shallow lagoon entries
and bommies within the inner lagoons.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our dive
areas indicated are some of the most challenging dive spots on that reef, but
for the experienced diver, also the most rewarding with fish life and quality
of coral.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst the
reefs had an abundance of things like bottom dwelling reef fish (Coral Trout,
Emperors, Parrot Fish, etc), GT’s, Sea Snakes, School Mackerel, hard coral and
small soft corals, we found that the reefs lacked a lot of things that are
normally so common on other GBR dive sites.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We didn’t see
any schools of Barracuda, Big Eye Trevally (Jacks), and only a handful of
Spanish Mackerel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst we
started well with macro species for Lisa to photograph with a few rare things
like Coleman Shrimp and Orangutan Crabs, the macro life mainly consisted of
Shrimps, Shells, Crabs, Nudibranchs and Sap Sucking Slugs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We saw no
Leaf Fish, Frog Fish, Lionfish, Scorpion Fish, Sea Horse, Hawk Fish or Pipe
Fish of any variety. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">And it’s not
like we weren’t looking or know what to look for and Lisa took her Camera
fitted with a Nikon 60mm Macro Lens on every dive we did.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We saw very
few large Gorgonian Fans and virtually no large soft corals.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There are no
wrecks to dive that we are aware of.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We are
probably a little over critical of Swains Reef dive sites in the blog.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s just we
are a little spoilt when it comes to diving.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We have been
independently cruising and diving the reef for 17 years now and Paul was also
the Trip Director on Australia’s premier dive live-aboard which covered the
areas from Cains to the Tip of Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Needless to
say we have done 1000’s of dives on the Great Barrier Reef and hundred’s more
in over 15 other countries.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We are
experienced photographers, PADI Instructors and have over 8000 dives between
us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So what we
say is an average dive site, might just be fantastic to someone else.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">SPEARFISHING</span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We are also
keen Spearfisherman but we spear for fresh food, not for sport and not to fill
the freezer with kilos of reef fillets.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So while we
found the spearfishing excellent we didn’t spear for days and days on end as it
was all too easy to jump in and 30 minutes later have a quality table fish or a
Crayfish for immediate consumption.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">What we did
like were the huge amount of Emperor Species which are 4 star eating and are normally
a difficult fish to approach and spear at most other reef systems we’ve
visited.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For us it was
novel to be able to spear these quality table fish regularly instead of the
all-too-common Mackerel or Coral Trout that are in abundance around other areas
of The Great barrier Reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We could have
shot larger sport fish like Dog Tooth Tuna, large Spanish Mackerel, Job Fish
and large GT’s – but what’s the point…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNi9IolYt3M1GllPhchPkUpKWZaLf2ojRAK5n_IOyrkjiAO0wsKK1ZFGhs_VbtXNZd6_N_GP64ocf7EEtpB7k_iwn5oYIT9zeYNx6Ao4xqOD7642TL-nET3OVm-hHOyGo58EdU3c6QEvy1/s1600/Swains+Sweetlip+Lisa+Red+Throat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="704" data-original-width="1080" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNi9IolYt3M1GllPhchPkUpKWZaLf2ojRAK5n_IOyrkjiAO0wsKK1ZFGhs_VbtXNZd6_N_GP64ocf7EEtpB7k_iwn5oYIT9zeYNx6Ao4xqOD7642TL-nET3OVm-hHOyGo58EdU3c6QEvy1/s640/Swains+Sweetlip+Lisa+Red+Throat.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa with a 4 star
eating Sweetlip or Red-Throat Emperor of 65cm.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">AUSTRALIAN BORDER PROTECTION AIRCRAFT<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After 7 weeks
in the Swains Reefs the one big thing we noticed was the amount of times we
were overflown by the Australian Border Protection Aircraft.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the first
14 days we estimated we were flown over around 12 times.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">And it wasn’t
just random flyovers. They would fly over, then bank around and do a full low
level pass coming right up the back of Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOx_ODHRbbMcD7_Gnxc4zVY2H9iYNj8TbbH4XE3JBYoEe0V_MiQNg_231-OoiGk7D00R41Pj9e6K26mzMa85wH1tuKMAEDEmzjbMHt98qL1-sK-mlRJ5_drE30RO3c5s4qnO9vs9vIh4b/s1600/Swains+Border+Force+Aircraft.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="1080" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOx_ODHRbbMcD7_Gnxc4zVY2H9iYNj8TbbH4XE3JBYoEe0V_MiQNg_231-OoiGk7D00R41Pj9e6K26mzMa85wH1tuKMAEDEmzjbMHt98qL1-sK-mlRJ5_drE30RO3c5s4qnO9vs9vIh4b/s640/Swains+Border+Force+Aircraft.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was always
so low that we could see the large camera at the front rotating to keep lock on
us as they flew past.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Then around
every second time they would call us up with the same questions – vessel name,
port of registration, last port of call and next port of call.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After a while
they knew who we were and what we were doing and they flew past every second
day or so and would only do a low level pass about every 5 days and call us
only about once a week. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst we’ve
read a bit of negativity about the aircraft from other cruisers at the Swains
(particularly international vessels with foreign owners), we think it’s great
what they are doing in protecting not only our borders but also overseeing the
reef management zones like the protected no fishing areas, etc…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">During our
entire 7 weeks there, we only saw 4 other boats and 3 were either
commercial fishing or charter fishing vessels.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So in a way
it was nice to know that the plane was regularly flying over in the unlikely
event of an emergency.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> One boat however was the QLD Boating and Fisheries vessel and they did board our boat twice.</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">They were super nice people, very friendly and even helped with recommendations of heavy weather anchorages just in case it did turn nasty.</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We hope this
information helps any other cruising boats and/or independent divers wanting to
visit the Swains Reefs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We didn’t
find a lot of information on the web about cruising and even less on diving so
we hope this helps……<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul and Lisa
Hogger<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Yacht Lorelei<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sailing the
swains reef<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Cruising the
swains reef<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Scuba diving
the swains reef<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Diving the
swains reef<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Swains reef
anchorages<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Swains reef
dive sites<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Swains reef
dive locations<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Swains reef
scuba diving<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Swains reef
diving<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Diving the
southern great barrier reef<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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sv_loreleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14235157985522355104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245635408700620959.post-92121560081040404582017-10-14T02:54:00.001-07:002019-02-09T18:06:46.408-08:00Episode 62 The Bunker Group and The Swains Reefs Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<b style="color: yellow; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 37.3333px;">Lorelei’s Sailing Adventures</b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPVpIxaEZzFWaCYRZNDhneSA_7qR5zzpF2mHG6EJteL0FJvrZ69BlTu1llT_UFBVswh2yzwKpdb-DT3ChnkJ1wk2af56ZhYZVnZPU7FS6iyM7rJINduWbKWx9_IlExM-vlnuT1YI8hKmM/s1600/Episode+62+bunker+and+swains+pt+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="1600" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPVpIxaEZzFWaCYRZNDhneSA_7qR5zzpF2mHG6EJteL0FJvrZ69BlTu1llT_UFBVswh2yzwKpdb-DT3ChnkJ1wk2af56ZhYZVnZPU7FS6iyM7rJINduWbKWx9_IlExM-vlnuT1YI8hKmM/s640/Episode+62+bunker+and+swains+pt+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For our
previous Episode (Episode 61) we had a fun month exploring Hervey Bay and The
Great Sandy Straights.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was great
weather with unseasonal light winds making for excellent conditions for whale
watching, fishing and general exploring.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We stayed a
bit longer than anticipated because of the lack of wind to sail north to the
reef – but we weren’t complaining…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had many fantastic
experiences <br />
with the Humpback Whales in Hervey Bay<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Whiting Fishing was
fantastic<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Many an afternoon was
spent taking sunset and star photos <br />
around the old Mckenzie’s Jetty on Fraser Island.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The story of our month in
Hervey Bay – light to no wind and super glassy conditions!!!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our Location for this
Episode</span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the
winds finally forecasted to be stronger and consistent enough to sail north to
the reef, we started to prepare to leave The Great Sandy Straights and Hervey
Bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We sailed
20nm north to Big Woody Island before putting the tinny in and going into the Marina
precinct to do a final “Top Up” of food (particularly fresh food as we’d
already done a major shop just 3 weeks prior) as well as a quick top up of
diesel and petrol.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul waited
with the tinny at the public wharf while Lisa went shopping.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">She returned
some hours later in a cab that was overflowing with supplies which all had to
be packed into the tinny.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This was her
version of a “Quick Top Up” !!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By the time
we returned, packed all the food and fuel away and were ready to go, it was 9pm
and we were stuffed so we went to bed instead of leaving straight away.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At 2:30am we
woke to the sound of 15-20 knots of SW wind that arrived right as forecasted.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Perfect!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It wasn’t
hanging around long and was forecasted to reduce by lunchtime, so we got up and
set sail from Big Woody Island and started to sail north.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The wind was
soooo cold with it blowing off the land so we hunkered down in the cockpit with
about 4 layers of clothing, beanies, fleece socks, our wet weather jackets to
stop the wind coming through and a blanket over the top of us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">And we were still cold!!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiIuLDREkiRn9OK6-Ms0nsFTU5noM2DXPm1MrpFwAkWMCBplN8m9Zn70S3IfsLz2QG4meUcZsDSsn-jRQh5EbTZzKMgPVWMbQq09_CRcs1Tn3G04F_uHoL5A70LRGdJwYMKd68sVibLUm2/s1600/Cold+Sail+Big+Woody+to+Musgrave.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="694" data-original-width="1080" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiIuLDREkiRn9OK6-Ms0nsFTU5noM2DXPm1MrpFwAkWMCBplN8m9Zn70S3IfsLz2QG4meUcZsDSsn-jRQh5EbTZzKMgPVWMbQq09_CRcs1Tn3G04F_uHoL5A70LRGdJwYMKd68sVibLUm2/s640/Cold+Sail+Big+Woody+to+Musgrave.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">It was a slow sail and we arrived at Lady Musgrave Island
almost 24 hours later at 2am. Despite the super bright full moon, we anchored outside
the lagoon using the island as protection.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">It was hard to sleep with the noisy whales swimming around
Lorelei and swimming between us and the reef edge which was not far away.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkbwkmItH0AY-SznxXEkBMujoy0uKI-2uoqXYPn0pUsRXw1XbYhHtVqmQVmbZ7P3vXIryIuFtHaiQi_zCdxY5jwwMRgXHsZg5qUhnz0b7bYZKfhlHV7Tw4bZQg5mMMLtTxywk1ZnY8EHe/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Aerial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="1080" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkbwkmItH0AY-SznxXEkBMujoy0uKI-2uoqXYPn0pUsRXw1XbYhHtVqmQVmbZ7P3vXIryIuFtHaiQi_zCdxY5jwwMRgXHsZg5qUhnz0b7bYZKfhlHV7Tw4bZQg5mMMLtTxywk1ZnY8EHe/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Aerial.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">An aerial view of Lady
Musgrave Reef, Lagoon and Island (at the top centre)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">We waited until 9:30am to go through the pass and into the
lagoon as it was spring tides and we wanted the speed of the water rushing
through the pass to slow down considerably.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Despite the cold weather the day before, it was sooo much
warmer and as soon as we were anchored, Lisa was over the side in a bikini and
a dive mask to have a swim and to check the anchor had set properly.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">We slept most of the afternoon and our friends Grant and
Glynnis from the power cat Sea Wolf 2 turned up in the afternoon so we had
drinks on their boat and enjoyed the sunset with the flat calm conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkZqwgyFtzHL3yVCKOxFahqy0QPUjZ1YFSWFd_saVn677CZvaJMLkPm8I0fE10-hb6MSMgk20d6SubSuOIWdGQtLii-x0zw_uU-CMJXZDdcIPmHQJUJ3Zc7aGhwOFbWB-HANgzvcJ_ajy/s1600/Musgrave+Day+1+Sunset+Sea+Wolf+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="497" data-original-width="1080" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkZqwgyFtzHL3yVCKOxFahqy0QPUjZ1YFSWFd_saVn677CZvaJMLkPm8I0fE10-hb6MSMgk20d6SubSuOIWdGQtLii-x0zw_uU-CMJXZDdcIPmHQJUJ3Zc7aGhwOFbWB-HANgzvcJ_ajy/s640/Musgrave+Day+1+Sunset+Sea+Wolf+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">At about 8pm the full moon rose and it was super bright.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">The morning sunrise was interesting with all the cloud and
the day started with continued glassy conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">It was overcast all day but still warm and not much wind.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">We made the most of the great weather by going around to the
outside of the reef to Manta Bommie and the Coral Gardens for a snorkel, a
spearfish and to see if we could get in for a swim with the whales.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">There were lots of Manta Rays and we showed Grant and Glynnis
where the good snorkelling was but we didn’t do much spearing and we didn’t see
any whales up close.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">That arvo we went to the island to watch the sunset as we
figured the cloudy conditions would make for great sunset photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">There was a lot of driftwood high and dry on the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">It was low tide and the water trapped inside the reef was
mirror smooth and made for great reflection photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">In the end Paul settled on a combined driftwood (with long
shadows) and mirror reflection shot just as the sun was setting.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Xgv4xnh40dRNAMkTtus9WQgVuqZKQFyMC79_hBUK0xnakpfG0OWa_kd78n6BW86D5GvwCGRjl0luyDbBFClVwy2u8VnXkKlAM_84uGl_pFGZN1rP834E3ueEuGRnHVI-vpsTCdKLQmSL/s1600/Musgrave+Sunset+1+Driftwood+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="644" data-original-width="1080" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Xgv4xnh40dRNAMkTtus9WQgVuqZKQFyMC79_hBUK0xnakpfG0OWa_kd78n6BW86D5GvwCGRjl0luyDbBFClVwy2u8VnXkKlAM_84uGl_pFGZN1rP834E3ueEuGRnHVI-vpsTCdKLQmSL/s640/Musgrave+Sunset+1+Driftwood+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Fully refreshed and raring to go, we had a little more time
to concentrate on spearfishing so we started a little earlier to take advantage
of the tides.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">However we found the spearing hard as the water was cold and
we had thicker wetsuits (meaning more weight on the weight belts) and the fish
all seemed to be down a little deeper and below 20m/66ft depth. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">It was hard going but we caught a few trout.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">We saw lots of Manta Rays and even had a large Northern
Whaler shark came in to check us out.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Aside from the resident 3.5m/12ft Tiger Shark that lives in
the area, its by far the biggest shark we’ve ever seen at Lady Musgave.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Towards the end of the session, a large all black Oceanic (or
Morph) Manta Ray turned up with a series of large Remoras and a Cobia Kingfish
swimming along underneath it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Paul saw the Cobia and managed to dive down to about 15m/50ft
below the Manta Ray.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">It took a while for Paul to get a clear shot at the Cobia as
he defiately didn’t want to risk hitting the Manta Ray or the Remoras.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Finally the shot was a clear one when the Manta litted its
wing tips up high and Paul managed to get a good holding shot into the Cobia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">It took a few minutes to get it up to the surface but all in
all it was a good fight and Paul’s personal best Cobia Kingfish.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZdmW96GKf0oUiiS2r-orWFkr-YQPGPkENHH57bNyrZy3N0yDkzv-yU9dyS3MDVOzTYMlOxIktbaWaOy4rC6okoihB57rCp2NL2IhDb6qEzltklTk-qlML8HFIzYT625zVv56b_xkbQ1C/s1600/Musgrave+Cobia+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="709" data-original-width="1080" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZdmW96GKf0oUiiS2r-orWFkr-YQPGPkENHH57bNyrZy3N0yDkzv-yU9dyS3MDVOzTYMlOxIktbaWaOy4rC6okoihB57rCp2NL2IhDb6qEzltklTk-qlML8HFIzYT625zVv56b_xkbQ1C/s640/Musgrave+Cobia+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Needless to say there was a lot of prime fish fillets so we
kept enough for just 2 meals and distributed the rest amongst 6 or 7 other very
grateful cruising yachts in the lagoon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">After a lot of clean up, we went onto the Island again for
the afternoon and sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">The central wooded section is nice for a walk in the late
afternoon when it’s a little dark and we call it the Enchanted Forest with all
the trees growing out in twisted directions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">There was also time for a walk around the outside of the
island along the coarse coral beaches. There was even a Coral Tree!! Actually it was a dead tree that everyone
seems to hang pieces of coral on the branches.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbD7fDZlxjlqi4GPuWpEtMAVZ1fKDSNfSKp7YP6HiKGwCoPpn6MD-lujUD6g-GX4Za-Q5zmtTBgKEI7bazZMu-d-ExS1_14gddM5NbFCTvXk1kBlvaVF4oybM1pJm1HRBK-VRn-pJZQ9W/s1600/Musgrave+Island+Walk+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="1080" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbD7fDZlxjlqi4GPuWpEtMAVZ1fKDSNfSKp7YP6HiKGwCoPpn6MD-lujUD6g-GX4Za-Q5zmtTBgKEI7bazZMu-d-ExS1_14gddM5NbFCTvXk1kBlvaVF4oybM1pJm1HRBK-VRn-pJZQ9W/s640/Musgrave+Island+Walk+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">The sunset was nice but with the lack of cloud, the photos
weren’t stunning like the day before.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">However there were a lot of birds with 2 cheeky little Buff
Banded Rails running around the beach and a lot of sea birds flying around
between Lady Musgrave and the nearby Fairfax Islands.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the
arrival of light northerly winds, we woke to a calm anchorage as the Fairfax
Islands protect Lady Musgrave from the swell and wind chop.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsgPDgE9vpZ-pxrO8B6ry6YkydUZ8qJXCOt-SgdRJL5Z_zTTw8CfrJETdH8h1bd0ZuPf17FWaLHDBCb1Zlr5q1tOY9ITdgJ1HyThlEgun6Gr5eyqlDKizIGcpO2wYlGY4Qjo33BqvNnqe/s1600/Musgrave+Day+4+Sunrise.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="558" data-original-width="1080" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsgPDgE9vpZ-pxrO8B6ry6YkydUZ8qJXCOt-SgdRJL5Z_zTTw8CfrJETdH8h1bd0ZuPf17FWaLHDBCb1Zlr5q1tOY9ITdgJ1HyThlEgun6Gr5eyqlDKizIGcpO2wYlGY4Qjo33BqvNnqe/s640/Musgrave+Day+4+Sunrise.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were a
lot of whales in the channel between the two Islands so we packed up the tinny
for a day of snorkelling and hopefully getting to see some whales up close.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We started
with a drift snorkel along the southern and protected side of Fairfax Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The area is a
protected zone and whilst you can snorkel and dive, you cannot fish, spear or
go ashore on the islands.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The lagoon in
between the Islands is great to explore by boat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBDBNyhTZddbCocaTppKh-3wZdMSKTYbyB3u4BfDncdwRGZ2jK0lelEunF2nT4GvwgfV1GnRxcpSAAeiLUw71kkECkiGi_bY6wDY3cIxdr2n48GHuUa7uTygRD78fjanG52ilkdKaTxKd/s1600/Musgrave+Fairfax+Snorkel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="1080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBDBNyhTZddbCocaTppKh-3wZdMSKTYbyB3u4BfDncdwRGZ2jK0lelEunF2nT4GvwgfV1GnRxcpSAAeiLUw71kkECkiGi_bY6wDY3cIxdr2n48GHuUa7uTygRD78fjanG52ilkdKaTxKd/s640/Musgrave+Fairfax+Snorkel.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The protected
zoning is obviously working as we saw loads of fish life whilst snorkelling and
even fish like Coral Trout and Red-Throat Emperor coming right up close to us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
lots of Turtles, some sharks and even a huge Spanish Mackerel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we were
warming up in the tinny after the first snorkel, we spotted Whales just off the
tip of the reef edge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
about 6 Humpback Whales so we thought we’d go out for a look.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We stopped
half way out as we realised they were coming in towards us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were a
little unprepared for an interaction so soon and Lisa was frantically trying to
get mask and fins on as they came right up to us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqy5wgDXpi9tODItfLPI7UZ-Fz4hUyg6ezpY7FH35xCnmjKUbE4FssF5fXKUuAmESxteJcqxSjCXoz1S20NVOnHxdjJ2oymAs1bHOtUg9pB42bSAzivQO15hKTkYKaxAeLkrO6556eHj2/s1600/Musgrave+Whale+Swimming+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="673" data-original-width="1080" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqy5wgDXpi9tODItfLPI7UZ-Fz4hUyg6ezpY7FH35xCnmjKUbE4FssF5fXKUuAmESxteJcqxSjCXoz1S20NVOnHxdjJ2oymAs1bHOtUg9pB42bSAzivQO15hKTkYKaxAeLkrO6556eHj2/s640/Musgrave+Whale+Swimming+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">She jumped in
only to have 4 large adult whales come straight up to her and were looking at
her within touching distance.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">To say she
was excited was an understatement.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">If only she
had the camera. But it was our first attempt and we decided to leave it in the
boat until we got our act together.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We tried a
few more times and whilst we got to see them in the water, they were a little
too far away for a close up shot with the 10mm super wide angle lens we had on
the UW camera.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiECAyR7u-TOdsNRAv63GL04aCc2atLm6tE8OgVu4tcsaHg4YMp1QmoQX6AhUPPee6_gu8CXUyDdh_0X4f79npXUBLz1OJx3CQLOdSF_ryp-qyzQjkZicWpWYe5XtxdUfNcGnTU7ze7QU4i/s1600/Musgrave+Whale+Swimming+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1080" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiECAyR7u-TOdsNRAv63GL04aCc2atLm6tE8OgVu4tcsaHg4YMp1QmoQX6AhUPPee6_gu8CXUyDdh_0X4f79npXUBLz1OJx3CQLOdSF_ryp-qyzQjkZicWpWYe5XtxdUfNcGnTU7ze7QU4i/s640/Musgrave+Whale+Swimming+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul rigged and camera ready
(minus the big and bulky strobes that we use when scuba diving) to hop over the
side at any time<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But we did
get to see them and it was very, very cool !!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
home we decided to detour towards Manta Corner at Lady Musgrave Island as the
current was running and we assumed it would be perfect for some Manta action.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We did a few
drifts down the reef edge and saw a stack of Mantas and got some photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjK03Iv-GxkkxoCSrh9NiQgh7dYGkKldiiAtuBBkoABW_t6eKGvTqaaIUkbHWJTADCQOGTM3i3G3P95YZ58Buxm8pyNs76jEK-snBWu1-6c-nb1fzgxtiI1t3B8FcECbzJs_-ShVy7SXoL/s1600/Musgrave+Manta+Snorkel+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="758" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjK03Iv-GxkkxoCSrh9NiQgh7dYGkKldiiAtuBBkoABW_t6eKGvTqaaIUkbHWJTADCQOGTM3i3G3P95YZ58Buxm8pyNs76jEK-snBWu1-6c-nb1fzgxtiI1t3B8FcECbzJs_-ShVy7SXoL/s640/Musgrave+Manta+Snorkel+%25281%2529.JPG" width="448" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4IjwFeTe0vxfUJK_-wdL553B2ohdOScTzRMTGiuLIEumUslkRq8w7gHDWXVXKLNvejjGj6lx8Z1YAU7uVhqtOFJ25tWdz5G8hZI2F-DHH0pGVV7pQoKS8BNn9mV8besQWSOB5Yqhc0-js/s1600/Musgrave+Manta+Snorkel+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="805" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4IjwFeTe0vxfUJK_-wdL553B2ohdOScTzRMTGiuLIEumUslkRq8w7gHDWXVXKLNvejjGj6lx8Z1YAU7uVhqtOFJ25tWdz5G8hZI2F-DHH0pGVV7pQoKS8BNn9mV8besQWSOB5Yqhc0-js/s640/Musgrave+Manta+Snorkel+%25282%2529.JPG" width="476" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
interesting to see another Manta with the usual hoard of Remoras (suckerfish)
underneath but in amongst them was a Cobia just like the one Paul speared (but
a lot smaller – both Cobia and host Manta). <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We’ve marked
the Cobia with Red arrows in the photo below.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">To the
untrained eye, they look very similar to the Remora.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">You can see
why the spearfishing shot had to be very accurate.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSS1H60v0U0dnRkM2FVcWKKGQVGygdfgjQ3wBY6DOW-43VJJHjnEAVQw_ceYu8VlW6Jo0oN_vi2pEhGSboE74rva1SiM_DNCrcDwB849dfrCSa15Oj9TyPgLxl4OHnCQoVz4ly50il3Zo/s1600/Musgrave+Manta+Snorkel+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="762" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSS1H60v0U0dnRkM2FVcWKKGQVGygdfgjQ3wBY6DOW-43VJJHjnEAVQw_ceYu8VlW6Jo0oN_vi2pEhGSboE74rva1SiM_DNCrcDwB849dfrCSa15Oj9TyPgLxl4OHnCQoVz4ly50il3Zo/s640/Musgrave+Manta+Snorkel+%25283%2529.JPG" width="450" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul was in the
water alone while Lisa was driving the tinny when along the reef came 4 whales
that were travelling in the shallows.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They came
past Paul and he was able to see their entire lengths in the clear water but
once again just a little too far away for a great photo.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But he did
get a few for proof…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJfDy8G3GqiuxL3IvtXVqK8nR82D7mXdP9JtcbZ3r8mrLkqOLQHxgx1xKEiFt2zEIFxOU5IMb0jHQX7ZzPVZhuyMCil7EvGLMZFZrF1Yb3t3FZku4uvcUvugFRvlHLdLU9tQX3iTf50UB/s1600/Musgrave+Whale+UW.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="1080" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJfDy8G3GqiuxL3IvtXVqK8nR82D7mXdP9JtcbZ3r8mrLkqOLQHxgx1xKEiFt2zEIFxOU5IMb0jHQX7ZzPVZhuyMCil7EvGLMZFZrF1Yb3t3FZku4uvcUvugFRvlHLdLU9tQX3iTf50UB/s640/Musgrave+Whale+UW.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Towards the
end a large school of Bludger Trevally came up onto the reef top.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had seen
the same school 2 months prior when we were scuba diving and they were off the
side of the reef at 22m/66ft.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
exciting to see them up around 10m/33ft and at a fun free diving depth.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Each time we
dived down they would curiously swim towards us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhl64cq80NJBhHB4tBzuRkk2RruqQvQC7feUKQuaKwQ1hgD1QNOynN3PUp3F0rc-h-E0f5Ze2JyjAcQryN1jGQfTe0XNMjYQOH4dR1ygtE0jYnwg8w3yJRuodEw4U8T5VkFvtky4_NpCn/s1600/Musgrave+Trevelly+School+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="1080" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhl64cq80NJBhHB4tBzuRkk2RruqQvQC7feUKQuaKwQ1hgD1QNOynN3PUp3F0rc-h-E0f5Ze2JyjAcQryN1jGQfTe0XNMjYQOH4dR1ygtE0jYnwg8w3yJRuodEw4U8T5VkFvtky4_NpCn/s640/Musgrave+Trevelly+School+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VroXHPM8c6abJSTwuiuFVST6QdwWktECLuYzTDEBwp1AEoCZbanp2FUiLqkPNZonyxHkqtBeryGgL3Ra8rtXok9-vGbD_dgeZO9MN-m6aJ1pNWfFUJLaSSfSJZKbcZUW2eKY4mECWS4O/s1600/Musgrave+Trevelly+School+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="1080" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VroXHPM8c6abJSTwuiuFVST6QdwWktECLuYzTDEBwp1AEoCZbanp2FUiLqkPNZonyxHkqtBeryGgL3Ra8rtXok9-vGbD_dgeZO9MN-m6aJ1pNWfFUJLaSSfSJZKbcZUW2eKY4mECWS4O/s640/Musgrave+Trevelly+School+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Then they
would close to within touching distance and swim around and around us in a
tight circle until we ran out of breath and had to surface.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was very
cool and a lot of fun, particularly considering they were quite large and each
about 75cm/2.5ft long.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBLOw4KboEYC7LQ9LeifIQk_0aJipeQgkd8k7_8N3tbcfnJ_Mno0ODyik9Dnzavo3odVh1J1b8nx8i3iG_BBg1y-_OqZezbE7fxUNS6XoMEAAI7Pn6jzSnM3ciZecRnxzZdBfXUPzxUwp/s1600/Musgrave+Trevelly+School+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="1080" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBLOw4KboEYC7LQ9LeifIQk_0aJipeQgkd8k7_8N3tbcfnJ_Mno0ODyik9Dnzavo3odVh1J1b8nx8i3iG_BBg1y-_OqZezbE7fxUNS6XoMEAAI7Pn6jzSnM3ciZecRnxzZdBfXUPzxUwp/s640/Musgrave+Trevelly+School+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1qluo8Wb75t6_yH62CR1z0JNMkf1ixCc6AWXD4i8xwu9vwu9jyMBJFYyfB6VjFo5vdVdNVyLOo0F8xOo9dFVa_fmN4WHZlexrQS2bzCq5CevMOb90LkSsdqU_STjxPPmRnOqH8AvQvix/s1600/Musgrave+Trevelly+School+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1080" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1qluo8Wb75t6_yH62CR1z0JNMkf1ixCc6AWXD4i8xwu9vwu9jyMBJFYyfB6VjFo5vdVdNVyLOo0F8xOo9dFVa_fmN4WHZlexrQS2bzCq5CevMOb90LkSsdqU_STjxPPmRnOqH8AvQvix/s640/Musgrave+Trevelly+School+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We headed
home buzzing but totally stuffed as we’d been free diving up and down all day and
in and out of the tinny dozens of times.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We got home
to find out we were even a little sunburnt – Yay!! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Bring on the
warmer weather……<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At sunset we
headed over to Sea Wolf to say goodbye to our friends Grant and Glynnis as they
were leaving the next morning and heading in a different direction to us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We have this
habit of bumping into them a lot and in the last 12 months we have cruised in 3
states with them. It won’t be the last time we see them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OTSSRSyrGrH7SwbYeRlZ-t2OmmcCLa1SU42ILap7xTiFMC_p1UQHfr3YrNv_U8392tuWUuBFTn176sqq4XUuBopZy7CtLldSks4Ql6Du5vZwi4lnQ5CSZciXabu3hrTI0HWKPkduer5N/s1600/Musgrave+Sunset+Drinks+Sea+Wolf+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="1080" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OTSSRSyrGrH7SwbYeRlZ-t2OmmcCLa1SU42ILap7xTiFMC_p1UQHfr3YrNv_U8392tuWUuBFTn176sqq4XUuBopZy7CtLldSks4Ql6Du5vZwi4lnQ5CSZciXabu3hrTI0HWKPkduer5N/s640/Musgrave+Sunset+Drinks+Sea+Wolf+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Their high
fly bridge made for a great platform to view the sunset over the lagoon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jdRiEFKZtdByLdVupAgSch_duYXbhkYntiNUL1xnog0F8wnHttC3Mfao523aUWnSVYwo6govEGzgfPNo0o4tPhgAT9IlLq4vDxOCRd27K6CxuMmvKGwehKsaZzDjkssySkapPCLgF-p0/s1600/Musgrave+Sunset+Drinks+Sea+Wolf+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="1080" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jdRiEFKZtdByLdVupAgSch_duYXbhkYntiNUL1xnog0F8wnHttC3Mfao523aUWnSVYwo6govEGzgfPNo0o4tPhgAT9IlLq4vDxOCRd27K6CxuMmvKGwehKsaZzDjkssySkapPCLgF-p0/s640/Musgrave+Sunset+Drinks+Sea+Wolf+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was quite
windy and cold that night and we thought it was the start of some windy days
but we woke the next morning to a virtual glass out – and it stayed that way
until 2pm!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvHKOmDsl6WWc6HlZ0-03lFkFQx3-mIC7t1tpMLMJDlKl2w6AsRva9eA1P5SyQnd-p8IBPbM2WsoLnx4ul4qG7yqqIOAhSyvVSer9m_jugEza5BBmMxzox6hQq9AAloYBPpO_-m-Qq9T8/s1600/Musgrave+SUP+Crowsnest+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="1080" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvHKOmDsl6WWc6HlZ0-03lFkFQx3-mIC7t1tpMLMJDlKl2w6AsRva9eA1P5SyQnd-p8IBPbM2WsoLnx4ul4qG7yqqIOAhSyvVSer9m_jugEza5BBmMxzox6hQq9AAloYBPpO_-m-Qq9T8/s640/Musgrave+SUP+Crowsnest+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3rPntPTkkdGkAqWfoRGBP9ARNsH1JBveVD-9GBOLzPxfnTSUlJrdnJfzXFsGfy2p91cC_p7l2L13JawwqYtFGgyacQuUU0UKkE_8ZG5cBI1f51rhincfrMqilTo_FkrBAxh5iOgZBILI/s1600/Musgrave+SUP+Crowsnest+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="1080" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3rPntPTkkdGkAqWfoRGBP9ARNsH1JBveVD-9GBOLzPxfnTSUlJrdnJfzXFsGfy2p91cC_p7l2L13JawwqYtFGgyacQuUU0UKkE_8ZG5cBI1f51rhincfrMqilTo_FkrBAxh5iOgZBILI/s640/Musgrave+SUP+Crowsnest+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the
beaut conditions we went for a long paddle on the SUP’s.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFw3M_9AB6SLqGGN29CzeJ6rLYH8QqoiOvQepz91dBX70CT37qFWP7p0n7kPK4xBPNpA2CVaZJJBvZw5HBp5v7Ay7fUcbGHx4QH1lG5YuVi8pWH88UqCcbgfsw7xg3WvRFas0yZKdfSuRa/s1600/Musgrave+SUP+Crowsnest+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1080" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFw3M_9AB6SLqGGN29CzeJ6rLYH8QqoiOvQepz91dBX70CT37qFWP7p0n7kPK4xBPNpA2CVaZJJBvZw5HBp5v7Ay7fUcbGHx4QH1lG5YuVi8pWH88UqCcbgfsw7xg3WvRFas0yZKdfSuRa/s640/Musgrave+SUP+Crowsnest+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2eadhpsEol1QrsAxszh5-sHtlZxJuZtllr8O9O7leNo_B0oDKuYh9lnMH21N149BlgtSTr-hrV4QuoMcKumwVGmDpVdizEqn4hAzSnTALJtHzTb1qQMhFEhMOAwh_VHgzoENDFjtlQ9_S/s1600/Musgrave+SUP+1+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="1080" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2eadhpsEol1QrsAxszh5-sHtlZxJuZtllr8O9O7leNo_B0oDKuYh9lnMH21N149BlgtSTr-hrV4QuoMcKumwVGmDpVdizEqn4hAzSnTALJtHzTb1qQMhFEhMOAwh_VHgzoENDFjtlQ9_S/s640/Musgrave+SUP+1+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> We went towards the reef edge where the coral
was prolific and shallow.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2T_i5c3O-jZ_Muc3qVQ5ZmtdYaA79pkk1KuLP-NJ_aX2Gf7XIlvGNeoFM7RWyQ0zFgLPmiZmnVSXYtPDxXs7tZ5KVK8dpvitfFaocky1UkZ4LeFMpnRFw3bYOChYyns-EFR1vISlDXxU/s1600/Musgrave+SUP+1+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="1080" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2T_i5c3O-jZ_Muc3qVQ5ZmtdYaA79pkk1KuLP-NJ_aX2Gf7XIlvGNeoFM7RWyQ0zFgLPmiZmnVSXYtPDxXs7tZ5KVK8dpvitfFaocky1UkZ4LeFMpnRFw3bYOChYyns-EFR1vISlDXxU/s640/Musgrave+SUP+1+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLw0GjV9Jd9koeP2dSzaTOZVbuJcSpMZJQMxgnEpVv1gRJCmlw3QYosMBustbNg0JfHIJ2gikP3rc2aKHuePdn59g2ofsImb_ob-bLdMO5nSW1BXWph9yWvYCSt-WFr9L92-7qJJQ5Ox_Z/s1600/Musgrave+SUP+1+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1080" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLw0GjV9Jd9koeP2dSzaTOZVbuJcSpMZJQMxgnEpVv1gRJCmlw3QYosMBustbNg0JfHIJ2gikP3rc2aKHuePdn59g2ofsImb_ob-bLdMO5nSW1BXWph9yWvYCSt-WFr9L92-7qJJQ5Ox_Z/s640/Musgrave+SUP+1+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1P9XP4fDI6ogHf-x9N4LzYErAqz440g7f9EO2h8qLD9iFYIMbvhtXCimpcCd1atnBaah1XdeXvLl-XGp806FvHauY0H2hQtD4UV2uHkbG2EBfizdi-70n7j2X-V4N65bbHew2xBzzVMxA/s1600/Musgrave+SUP+1+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="1080" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1P9XP4fDI6ogHf-x9N4LzYErAqz440g7f9EO2h8qLD9iFYIMbvhtXCimpcCd1atnBaah1XdeXvLl-XGp806FvHauY0H2hQtD4UV2uHkbG2EBfizdi-70n7j2X-V4N65bbHew2xBzzVMxA/s640/Musgrave+SUP+1+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
rising tide so we managed to paddle over the very shallow coral reef past loads
of turtles and out to the outer reef edge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWxB8yHfTkMnl5BPw-F4UFVb2Vexo1DQi8SFGM0x73sbAFo645drfS3A6iHwRav8nsAcpZcBl4Eh2QEGLqAnFC6qJ07L-QL3RaUgbNN23SOsALJoocfaNqPJVn8Pm0XY48LujA_3Qsx9ON/s1600/Musgrave+SUP+1+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="1080" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWxB8yHfTkMnl5BPw-F4UFVb2Vexo1DQi8SFGM0x73sbAFo645drfS3A6iHwRav8nsAcpZcBl4Eh2QEGLqAnFC6qJ07L-QL3RaUgbNN23SOsALJoocfaNqPJVn8Pm0XY48LujA_3Qsx9ON/s640/Musgrave+SUP+1+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39Y7f7VDGNU7sX-wymY3FnBBtF4eIlONxsyucsYmUEkg8Kfy3uvEspt54UJKCwWJ75rRnWNEyJNWdDLOZuHkB04sbGq92HDnx4erDFwNCYFkaue6hdW8ABUAH1bF-FlR0VpTaeFUyBX9r/s1600/Musgrave+SUP+1+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1080" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39Y7f7VDGNU7sX-wymY3FnBBtF4eIlONxsyucsYmUEkg8Kfy3uvEspt54UJKCwWJ75rRnWNEyJNWdDLOZuHkB04sbGq92HDnx4erDFwNCYFkaue6hdW8ABUAH1bF-FlR0VpTaeFUyBX9r/s640/Musgrave+SUP+1+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
some small but super fun and long waves that we could catch on the boards. Unfortunately
the camera battery died before we could get any of the surf shots.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Over the next
few days the wind increased from the north enabling Paul to break out the kite
gear and experiment with some new self-launching gear from Lorelei’s rear swim
platform.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It worked a
treat and the first day in the lighter winds he played around on his
directional surfboard.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the second
day the wind pick up to 20 knots and it was onto the twin tip board for hours
of fun in the lagoon and around the coral in the shallows at low tide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFNs0u03hIDgS1zXQlQqIc6MR0xK5CGbBgAclcZJ_15rxiIdZloJyhlOdBaWOgu4Xl140VFURMhQzsE61jhRqjTAY59-FRDQP_jc6cU-GLeSYzW1wHcwqSFnCE8Vi_i2zKrVP_s3oDAeA/s1600/Musgrave+Kiting+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="1080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFNs0u03hIDgS1zXQlQqIc6MR0xK5CGbBgAclcZJ_15rxiIdZloJyhlOdBaWOgu4Xl140VFURMhQzsE61jhRqjTAY59-FRDQP_jc6cU-GLeSYzW1wHcwqSFnCE8Vi_i2zKrVP_s3oDAeA/s640/Musgrave+Kiting+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxgy4Np4pqhbW93JEIsHPoksejd-0tnhowbE2ygRuGrfeElt_oZVQVBqVpxBFHk2cJdzTgTVNMLJReEU2n0S3Q2JvXf-Z2a-BfvU7bl04kECUqRTxyaIbna5ygv9qVShuOwxA_DUEKTtu/s1600/Musgrave+Kiting+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="669" data-original-width="1080" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxgy4Np4pqhbW93JEIsHPoksejd-0tnhowbE2ygRuGrfeElt_oZVQVBqVpxBFHk2cJdzTgTVNMLJReEU2n0S3Q2JvXf-Z2a-BfvU7bl04kECUqRTxyaIbna5ygv9qVShuOwxA_DUEKTtu/s640/Musgrave+Kiting+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4bjbUL2p0R3Z29s6_hK2fVjeZt6zJDusvKnOc29K1burHGQDfQ6EHVHGCmHLFRTymnzHjBWqLhU65DB5IpCAoYVUrf8cBaqVGcPPesru1-vuZVuDgH8K0qKwYzv4Va9f3tfMIueVYke2/s1600/Musgrave+Kiting+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1080" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4bjbUL2p0R3Z29s6_hK2fVjeZt6zJDusvKnOc29K1burHGQDfQ6EHVHGCmHLFRTymnzHjBWqLhU65DB5IpCAoYVUrf8cBaqVGcPPesru1-vuZVuDgH8K0qKwYzv4Va9f3tfMIueVYke2/s640/Musgrave+Kiting+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-De7pp-1Xcgd9b4KWxZf9_4-Hj_4SL_F_LlH1ycoE9SEOKvMeQdx2pYjTpTSrjzyyRX02ATuwTLN9vsxa82M98MXPSQnWUIAyif2KmAmDUzNoCpduOUrd-GcKhVoc6zMLMMjUChIWfFhJ/s1600/Musgrave+Kiting+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="725" data-original-width="1080" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-De7pp-1Xcgd9b4KWxZf9_4-Hj_4SL_F_LlH1ycoE9SEOKvMeQdx2pYjTpTSrjzyyRX02ATuwTLN9vsxa82M98MXPSQnWUIAyif2KmAmDUzNoCpduOUrd-GcKhVoc6zMLMMjUChIWfFhJ/s640/Musgrave+Kiting+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The weather
then was due to change drastically with a strong wing warning forecast for 2
days.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Most of the
boats left and we contemplated whether to leave to run and hide up a creek on
the mainland or tough it out for the 2 days before yet another week of
forecasted light winds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We elected to
stay as the current wind direction was westerly which meant we would have had
to motor into the wind to get back to the mainland.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However it
was a little daunting when every single boat left the lagoon on the Friday leaving
us all alone to ride it out for the weekend.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The wind was
due to hit that evening so we slept in, had a big breakfast before deciding to
move and re-anchor after the last boat left.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The idea was
to get a little closer to the island and reef edge for slightly better
protection and to put out more anchor chain.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We consulted
satellite images and overlayed them onto our charts so we had a better idea
where would be best amongst the coral bommies scattered throughout the lagoon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we went to
move the wind got lighter and lighter and we motored around for about 20
minutes until we felt we had the best location.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We paid out a
whopping 75m/250ft of chain in just 8m/27ft of water depth.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa then
jumped in for a swim and to go and inspect the chain and anchor on the bottom
to make sure it was all set properly.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdN4X4BFsW16Jo5VZE1D293WHKGmvYO9BJ9De4OTC9NJkx_GPIa1Yv8V77p9zCrYkFu8PwHYW3SEkAhtyQU35dIbET1G8v487h4yFfWApQg_bhT1GwCGfpzbJ_aqHzQbUrjDf248122pZ/s1600/Musgrave+Pre+Storm+Glassout+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="1080" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdN4X4BFsW16Jo5VZE1D293WHKGmvYO9BJ9De4OTC9NJkx_GPIa1Yv8V77p9zCrYkFu8PwHYW3SEkAhtyQU35dIbET1G8v487h4yFfWApQg_bhT1GwCGfpzbJ_aqHzQbUrjDf248122pZ/s640/Musgrave+Pre+Storm+Glassout+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It went from
calm to a complete glass out in just 1 hour and by lunchtime it was mirror
smooth.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfs8JJE7IKksr_-bl0tmBJtGoexzpBfmPtEC41anBn5QpazgPBg6rKChnIR-NLrPp6XVus6ylrJZjcDpx20jGEplX82xvZ9FZsQEDgC62SDpoXsiuWiMw0Lmm8dDHyVd6mOvqgHDX20_dR/s1600/Musgrave+Pre+Storm+Glassout+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="1080" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfs8JJE7IKksr_-bl0tmBJtGoexzpBfmPtEC41anBn5QpazgPBg6rKChnIR-NLrPp6XVus6ylrJZjcDpx20jGEplX82xvZ9FZsQEDgC62SDpoXsiuWiMw0Lmm8dDHyVd6mOvqgHDX20_dR/s640/Musgrave+Pre+Storm+Glassout+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So with such
beautiful conditions we had a great Friday arvo late BBQ lunch.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvY0JaWohId0dHhlFVTDgpzD8z90A4_k0aC2jZ8uTbLoUGuO0pg7pjCuyKgGGSJzSD_P1zXHnJUt5rl3_LqvCr1ijXWp3f5N9cvy7LlI6X_2GYpHmULfnZxMTTsZatmRdzqDin6BkTJwG/s1600/Musgrave+Pre+Storm+BBQ.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1080" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvY0JaWohId0dHhlFVTDgpzD8z90A4_k0aC2jZ8uTbLoUGuO0pg7pjCuyKgGGSJzSD_P1zXHnJUt5rl3_LqvCr1ijXWp3f5N9cvy7LlI6X_2GYpHmULfnZxMTTsZatmRdzqDin6BkTJwG/s640/Musgrave+Pre+Storm+BBQ.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The fish
around the boat were the only things creating ripples. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They loved
the BBQ food scraps and hung around for days after that.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCWsiZcax4pgQhop77-xNnaoMjj9iX_8t0nTOcwg4QjrHD9CsqyGOtVyhgjJ9_AW-Sxni6nQddZqnK_1UPTY5s5C-4evXFuFzaznDIAaS8wIKtaG3wNw6Y4uJeJ6lIWVFJvhcQYiXMSAf/s1600/Musgrave+Remoras+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="1080" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCWsiZcax4pgQhop77-xNnaoMjj9iX_8t0nTOcwg4QjrHD9CsqyGOtVyhgjJ9_AW-Sxni6nQddZqnK_1UPTY5s5C-4evXFuFzaznDIAaS8wIKtaG3wNw6Y4uJeJ6lIWVFJvhcQYiXMSAf/s640/Musgrave+Remoras+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the
afternoon we packed all the toys away and tidied up ready for the evening’s
onslaught.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was only
going to blow for 2-3 days and we were probably as well prepared as we were for
cyclone Debbie.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But better to
be over prepared on the reef than under prepared.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">True to the
forecast, the wind hit at 11:30pm that night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We woke up to
the wind generator roaring so we sat up in the cockpit for 30 minutes to make
sure everything was ok and we weren’t dragging on anchor <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">(as if we
would with that much chain out – but still…).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Incredibly we
looked back down the lagoon to see a yacht’s lights motoring in towards us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It had
somehow navigated into the lagoon thru the pass at night in pitch black
conditions (the moon didn’t come up until 1:30am) on a low tide with the tide
still falling. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We also saw
at daybreak there were children on board and they were in a standard 40ft
production yacht from NSW (so they were not locals) and it didn’t have a radar
to spot the waves around the reef at night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">ABSOLUTELY CRAZY
!!!!!!!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We’ve seen
some crazy things bordering on dangerous before from inexperienced coastal
cruisers but this was a whole new level of madness.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In all the
15+ years we’ve been coming here, we’ve never seen anyone negotiate the entry
at night, let alone in those conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">To make
matters worse they re-anchored closer to the island the next morning in 30
knots of wind, putting out very little chain, didn’t use a snubber (a rope to
the chain to take the load off the anchor winch) and then immediately proceeded
to put their inflatable in and go to the island before making sure the boat was
sitting OK on anchor.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were glad
they weren’t near us for the bigger blow that was happening that night….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">To our
absolute astonishment they returned from the island, lifted anchor and headed
out of the reef and set sail at 3pm on Saturday arvo. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With nowhere
close to safely arrive before dark, they would undoubtedly have to do an overnight
passage – somewhere….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They motored
past all the Prawn Trawlers (who were on anchor and hunkered down for the night
and when they are not going out then you know it’s rough…) <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">before
putting up full main and headsail without any reefing and sailed off in 2-3m waves
and 35 knots of increasing wind.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Once again –
CRAZY!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPanNVu5qCb49Qfsm_UMbOWimazbA0Epen4QQ7qOoLqm8h6nBy8OwqB0l3FDSiRFKO5uw8HCS8whNF52Ljp27L2ryl82t6-SrXpqkFEs4_gIeBM6HgZ7cq6EvJNLJ9K04188HO5rkCLPJ/s1600/Musgrave+Storm+Yacht+Leaving.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="1080" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPanNVu5qCb49Qfsm_UMbOWimazbA0Epen4QQ7qOoLqm8h6nBy8OwqB0l3FDSiRFKO5uw8HCS8whNF52Ljp27L2ryl82t6-SrXpqkFEs4_gIeBM6HgZ7cq6EvJNLJ9K04188HO5rkCLPJ/s640/Musgrave+Storm+Yacht+Leaving.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That night it
was super ugly with winds consistently around 33 knots and gusts to 40 knots.
But what was the worse was the swell which was forecast at 2.5m-4m (8-13ft).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was fine
at low tide but pretty bumpy onboard for a couple of hours either side of the
high tide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
(Sunday) the wind started to abate and so did the swell but it was still way
too rough to leave Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So instead we
made lots of yummy food including some Sushi Rolls from locally caught Coral
Trout and Squid.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3u7Hxyas_yYoOyJuBRpGvf4zEdp_WM187C-0EBdh71EeTculOP6oOnnt_44CrL796nyqyoYXsicNM6z2SKPhJFA83kPGS_hHwIVdyyEOhOWmZBg92iF_8fbm-6nwCVbEK0kLWSrBiP0CW/s1600/Musgrave+Storm+Sushi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="1080" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3u7Hxyas_yYoOyJuBRpGvf4zEdp_WM187C-0EBdh71EeTculOP6oOnnt_44CrL796nyqyoYXsicNM6z2SKPhJFA83kPGS_hHwIVdyyEOhOWmZBg92iF_8fbm-6nwCVbEK0kLWSrBiP0CW/s640/Musgrave+Storm+Sushi.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Finally on
Monday the wind backed off to around 15 knots but now it was very overcast and
raining.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were very
thankful for the rain as there was so much salt spray on the boat from the
storm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
the weather was back to normal with a sunny day and only a little wind and
swell.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">And it showed
as the lagoon started filling up quickly with cruising boats.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One boat that
we were very excited to see was Rumbler – a fantastic power boat that friends
Graham and Karen had swapped to from a yacht whilst we were overseas.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8T52uoldyGFu0UQolRpuLnqbZVoxv6QKrfBTKt9nr5OAyt3GR3AO1axsV0_9fQLOKWHSOMjmU5R4Z89HgbSzx-7WUa6GrfvbkVGn0E3mAw5LqzvLf-0_7jHzE-Zw3T4E-vufFez_5oRQ/s1600/Musgrave+Rumbler.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="1080" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8T52uoldyGFu0UQolRpuLnqbZVoxv6QKrfBTKt9nr5OAyt3GR3AO1axsV0_9fQLOKWHSOMjmU5R4Z89HgbSzx-7WUa6GrfvbkVGn0E3mAw5LqzvLf-0_7jHzE-Zw3T4E-vufFez_5oRQ/s640/Musgrave+Rumbler.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It had been
years since we saw them last and it was so good to catch up over drinks that
night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18SjKeMoqlk66AXEC8ouU9utnV_ZB2vawfVrLxo9ODmqDKaBrlpvQVxpwUwFqahS5qPT7YSauY3r4Dsfi-b1F6pqhqTTu_aMmriuIQME_PUA5WyJeDnG4T8dt9pehKeEE0v2FOh3OXlMl/s1600/Musgrave+Rumbler+Drinks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="748" data-original-width="1080" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18SjKeMoqlk66AXEC8ouU9utnV_ZB2vawfVrLxo9ODmqDKaBrlpvQVxpwUwFqahS5qPT7YSauY3r4Dsfi-b1F6pqhqTTu_aMmriuIQME_PUA5WyJeDnG4T8dt9pehKeEE0v2FOh3OXlMl/s640/Musgrave+Rumbler+Drinks.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Like us,
Graham is a very keen spearfisherman so the next day the 4 of us piled into our
tinny and went and speared around the outer edge of the reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a lot
of fun and we probably laughed, talked, swam through Batfish schools, listened
to whales and dodged sharks more than actually shooting fish, but a few Coral
Trout did make it into the boat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jwfQ8ZDlOr4UoevMbkiPpRYJleY6stlrmKr2YMQvXFbW-GSaMMjmyGEHENRN0XMMgAqE1esOqdLWwajIvRU_7sK9OXY6pk1lq___a1bR78vfTV3hnnp_CIn71fC1EUUfRVjI8tkqVRjl/s1600/Musgrave+Rumbler+Spearfishing+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="1080" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jwfQ8ZDlOr4UoevMbkiPpRYJleY6stlrmKr2YMQvXFbW-GSaMMjmyGEHENRN0XMMgAqE1esOqdLWwajIvRU_7sK9OXY6pk1lq___a1bR78vfTV3hnnp_CIn71fC1EUUfRVjI8tkqVRjl/s640/Musgrave+Rumbler+Spearfishing+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That
afternoon the wind dropped out and Graham & Karen continued on their
southward journey to beat the next strong southerly blow which was due to hit
in 48 hours time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the
great conditions, Paul put the SUP in and paddled to shore with his cameras to
go for a walk around the island as it was spring low tide and the lowest tide
for the month.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The reef was
so exposed for a long way out around the island and he was able to walk out onto
the hard coral to get some photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1inruO3BqRkrmKvCJ2xF4XNlRSDZP6pEN6nR11LTq-yrkKktcx5JbM4SOBZxhbKMxl893kuMvSm1mc5Yr7CkUSA1GgyGeCLS2Z2kdaLuAhyphenhyphenq7HPmIrO4IyisIpO6L9RAFJADnuTfizdWx/s1600/Musgrave+SUP+Walk+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="1080" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1inruO3BqRkrmKvCJ2xF4XNlRSDZP6pEN6nR11LTq-yrkKktcx5JbM4SOBZxhbKMxl893kuMvSm1mc5Yr7CkUSA1GgyGeCLS2Z2kdaLuAhyphenhyphenq7HPmIrO4IyisIpO6L9RAFJADnuTfizdWx/s640/Musgrave+SUP+Walk+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGraKils9h3yo_emL71cBejZS6ceCzcn9ydARp3XHFlccK9VUEV9Dphw7E7fL9-780xMWvb0PyAf6r1kwpBPjYto9Hfvbag7d6JchRLerdouILqk10QiO_QGbNvKA7qd-bYGnzbVvDMQj/s1600/Musgrave+SUP+Walk+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="1080" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGraKils9h3yo_emL71cBejZS6ceCzcn9ydARp3XHFlccK9VUEV9Dphw7E7fL9-780xMWvb0PyAf6r1kwpBPjYto9Hfvbag7d6JchRLerdouILqk10QiO_QGbNvKA7qd-bYGnzbVvDMQj/s640/Musgrave+SUP+Walk+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Back on the
island the Pisonia Trees were filled with Noddy Terns which we had not seen
ashore during the last few walks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
thousands of them and it was really loud in the forested areas.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFgJkQfNf4Tv3LztrRRmnykT3eVIK2klGb8tytcX5yom14HIBzCoG87fbF2vRG_CPYUjv1uIbc7d7kCqMKP9E1Vu0lq2yK2yNRmryk_YLYjBftT0KtC3gJmImQ4BlWdQMtVRGT_fLm8uO/s1600/Musgrave+SUP+Walk+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="1080" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFgJkQfNf4Tv3LztrRRmnykT3eVIK2klGb8tytcX5yom14HIBzCoG87fbF2vRG_CPYUjv1uIbc7d7kCqMKP9E1Vu0lq2yK2yNRmryk_YLYjBftT0KtC3gJmImQ4BlWdQMtVRGT_fLm8uO/s640/Musgrave+SUP+Walk+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul also
walked a trail he hadn’t taken before and found some great looking Pandanus
roots and Pisonia Trees which he turned into B&W photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHNhK7Dkph0aUl3udqI9NMqR9uNjyaHfcLjTsF3Ez3SW-YJkqnhejOp1q6vSRAGwqbD_Z0IWYH_jL8IYwrjoJCoKNtxfDOEwMoaeclOfzL2Gh4DBYaKHAYiGH-5IGEzaYCvzb91QpIgVq/s1600/Musgrave+SUP+Walk+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1080" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHNhK7Dkph0aUl3udqI9NMqR9uNjyaHfcLjTsF3Ez3SW-YJkqnhejOp1q6vSRAGwqbD_Z0IWYH_jL8IYwrjoJCoKNtxfDOEwMoaeclOfzL2Gh4DBYaKHAYiGH-5IGEzaYCvzb91QpIgVq/s640/Musgrave+SUP+Walk+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We waited for
the start of the next southerly blow to go past us before it started to abate
and we were finally able to set sail for the Swains Reefs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But not
before enjoying one last cracking sunset from Lady Musgrave Lagoon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2VVBlfivTziz7aRfTzS5rgiII3UP1IPGZzmN1rZEs8mQtQBDhrhqfyVqyvzmCWyivuXUG6MeZ_5JvuEhg7na1mm3nmhIAgCanIZu9c9-0dnxlYVDi4EQjpwA6WS7ZBLqNy3G9wD0VF5rP/s1600/Musgrave+Last+Sunset+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="1080" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2VVBlfivTziz7aRfTzS5rgiII3UP1IPGZzmN1rZEs8mQtQBDhrhqfyVqyvzmCWyivuXUG6MeZ_5JvuEhg7na1mm3nmhIAgCanIZu9c9-0dnxlYVDi4EQjpwA6WS7ZBLqNy3G9wD0VF5rP/s640/Musgrave+Last+Sunset+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Werdt42GjLNOnu2zAzrOhT5xo5CQ8VoPce0PLKDutpnFZudL9mZt6gzTy40XKx07jF7qlWoetN1EvIgkTNp_YIEbZD5cpzwcT32vzRtfHnwDnc8sf4nRSSWLY4RTUMT41A-4PC8ba7cg/s1600/Musgrave+Last+Sunset+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="1080" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Werdt42GjLNOnu2zAzrOhT5xo5CQ8VoPce0PLKDutpnFZudL9mZt6gzTy40XKx07jF7qlWoetN1EvIgkTNp_YIEbZD5cpzwcT32vzRtfHnwDnc8sf4nRSSWLY4RTUMT41A-4PC8ba7cg/s640/Musgrave+Last+Sunset+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We’d spent
nearly 2 weeks at Lady Musgrave which certainly was a bit longer then we had
hoped for – but so be it….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">THE SWAINS REEFS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Swains
Reefs is a very large area of the Great Barrier Reef but is one of the most
remote reef systems and is the furthest from land.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s nearly
100nm long and about 85nm in width with 100’s of isolated coral reefs
interspaced with large areas of deep water all around.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There are no
islands and only a handful of sand cays but most of those are protected as sea
bird nesting areas and access is not permitted to the larger ones.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkI8hpy6Zxy_TBBORnOzFXP6nYct9AaEk7TiNEF0Ns-GC9B7sJlR2AIkV7aBHQtIloAwoVKmreG2WH3qTVEOnfK0FoVoSV5eYTSgHxyfatT5HUa19D8coDEsPuS638O_27nr17h9k9938/s1600/Swains+Reefs+Map+Overview+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="967" data-original-width="1080" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkI8hpy6Zxy_TBBORnOzFXP6nYct9AaEk7TiNEF0Ns-GC9B7sJlR2AIkV7aBHQtIloAwoVKmreG2WH3qTVEOnfK0FoVoSV5eYTSgHxyfatT5HUa19D8coDEsPuS638O_27nr17h9k9938/s640/Swains+Reefs+Map+Overview+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Due to the
remoteness and large distance from the mainland there are no tourist day trips
and there are no dive live-aboards working within the area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The only
boats that frequent the area are large week-long fishing charter boats (that
occasionally do a spearing charter), commercial live trout fishing boats and
the occasional private powerboat or yacht.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul was
lucky enough to do an exploratory week long dive live aboard in The Swains
Reefs back in the late 1980’s when a friend had to cancel at the last minute
and offered the trip to Paul which he gladly accepted. He was only 20 and it
was his first GBR experience. However it was a long time ago and he could
barely remember some of the reefs that they dived at.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For us the
Swains was one of the last areas of the Great Barrier Reef that we hadn’t
visited on Lorelei or Purranha so it was high on our list of things to do.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But after 5
months of trying to get there this year with mostly terrible weather, we were
wondering if it was ever going to happen.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Like cruising
The Kimberley on Australia’s north-west coast, it is one of those areas where
there is not a lot of information available on the web particularly about
diving and other private boats experiences in the area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa spent
hours and hours doing research and with the help of a few old Tom Byron &
Neville Coleman diving books, reading a few other cruising boats blogs and a
bunch of fishing GPS marks we got from our yachty friends Les and Kathy, she
was able to work out a rough plan and a route for visiting the area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuIx04lCmDxSx_sz9Q3I9o9Sl9q7zZmG8ypVCwRhRF5cBr32tThGwcx3ir3wfDM2pp4TwHD_Wc7tyw4amxUCRrbqUxWZGFS4izdLL1X7W52q-YMIz_nf37KkkWEdaMYD3tVKGmVGjJ4ypx/s1600/swains+reefs+Route+Map+Master+Epi+62.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1376" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuIx04lCmDxSx_sz9Q3I9o9Sl9q7zZmG8ypVCwRhRF5cBr32tThGwcx3ir3wfDM2pp4TwHD_Wc7tyw4amxUCRrbqUxWZGFS4izdLL1X7W52q-YMIz_nf37KkkWEdaMYD3tVKGmVGjJ4ypx/s640/swains+reefs+Route+Map+Master+Epi+62.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The satellite
images of the reefs that we were able to overlay onto our electronic charts was
the best thing she did and enabled us to work out anchorages, routes as well as
possible diving and spearing locations.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We wouldn’t
have been able to do what we did without those overlays and Lisa’s extensive
research….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVXu_l4KqSsPV_8hloq5-waPQt_X5L9Ykpw9_3w_B3O2w5ijqH7hE9XmzDGtNJcD59DH9cGFp05HkpjsS_zYkYWfrTgtoBAAnxYQq5Ec5RAToycRxBNI46IXnW38O8tj1FHt-2TiCH3C5/s1600/Swains+Reef+Planning.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1080" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVXu_l4KqSsPV_8hloq5-waPQt_X5L9Ykpw9_3w_B3O2w5ijqH7hE9XmzDGtNJcD59DH9cGFp05HkpjsS_zYkYWfrTgtoBAAnxYQq5Ec5RAToycRxBNI46IXnW38O8tj1FHt-2TiCH3C5/s640/Swains+Reef+Planning.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblTTqkbcp3UXI8zV7VEH_gB2GS4HI69a9qxnZ8XrBVF6nIwCMghWxZxEcdoQiweAqJPwsYW4vM9_b9VEUOAoIrNrm0D9MWfLEFRgX2YibsK-RLUnlLIpoiBp3XfH5G99AzbLOBsorZgjY/s1600/Swains+Dive+Site+Books.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="704" data-original-width="1080" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblTTqkbcp3UXI8zV7VEH_gB2GS4HI69a9qxnZ8XrBVF6nIwCMghWxZxEcdoQiweAqJPwsYW4vM9_b9VEUOAoIrNrm0D9MWfLEFRgX2YibsK-RLUnlLIpoiBp3XfH5G99AzbLOBsorZgjY/s640/Swains+Dive+Site+Books.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The 2 old books from the
1980’s that we referenced for some of the diving<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The overnight
sail to the Swains was ok but a bit sloppy with a beam swell and a very short
wave period meaning we were constantly rolling from side to side.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With good
luck more than good management we arrived at the southern end of the Swains at
7am and low tide which enabled us to see the reefs edges when transiting into
the reef system and to also have a look at the 2 southern sand cays on Hixson
Reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We motored in
past the light on the reef which we had sailed towards most of the night. We
were going to stop at the cays for a look but they were a lot smaller than we
expected and there wasn’t the thousands of sea birds that we were hoping for.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7utSUTo6cl-rxsbMqord58XaKugq_KHPySaoLzkKc8Y1QdvYH0S-YSijDihgFJ0WsZ2xBatypuPb1EHfxQP4DuADlQBuNkhj4qzhVj0xElbofz1CsO4orh0FtMaZCKpRTNfwHhxos9evv/s1600/Swains+Hixson+Cay+Arrive+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="1080" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7utSUTo6cl-rxsbMqord58XaKugq_KHPySaoLzkKc8Y1QdvYH0S-YSijDihgFJ0WsZ2xBatypuPb1EHfxQP4DuADlQBuNkhj4qzhVj0xElbofz1CsO4orh0FtMaZCKpRTNfwHhxos9evv/s640/Swains+Hixson+Cay+Arrive+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we
continued on for another 6 miles and slowly negotiated our way into our first
anchorage at the southern end of Sweetlip Reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was like a
minefield of coral bommies with many coming up to less than 5m/16ft and even a
few nearly touching the surface.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvX67fsYAQpAwQVD_kYZHtGL6axpc7QGgZIQtiXhw6uqhm-eaVjDXm4M2mfa6Ql3VQWhLLjlkexYAfCpzWOR3Xsesu7gRFJoNMxmXUFcwP6dRycL6p_WaOt2wxr6TwvVK-FQOdD4ATiw8Y/s1600/Swains+Sweetlip+Reef+Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1080" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvX67fsYAQpAwQVD_kYZHtGL6axpc7QGgZIQtiXhw6uqhm-eaVjDXm4M2mfa6Ql3VQWhLLjlkexYAfCpzWOR3Xsesu7gRFJoNMxmXUFcwP6dRycL6p_WaOt2wxr6TwvVK-FQOdD4ATiw8Y/s640/Swains+Sweetlip+Reef+Map.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul stood on
the bow calling directions to Lisa and had to keep asking the depth as the
water was so clear and it was hard to judge the actual depth of the reef under
Lorelei’s keel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Thankfully
there was little to no wind and we anchored safely in the glass out conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite being
a little tired, we were very keen to take advantage of the awesome conditions
and within an hour of arriving, had the tinny in and the spearfishing gear
loaded up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rlsv6nGQllHxyi5BDk4SOUY-XDDTOubhyvnyukdisCUEzXn7NOVtQ0OnBRK_MJV5rnExKL8LdEIH8jFs4RVCwOV1oJ9xkiq8lOU-_hzuX_VlruayiHDDCIil-9By4MDGo7dM4iVN91n4/s1600/Swains+Sweetlip+Glassout+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="753" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rlsv6nGQllHxyi5BDk4SOUY-XDDTOubhyvnyukdisCUEzXn7NOVtQ0OnBRK_MJV5rnExKL8LdEIH8jFs4RVCwOV1oJ9xkiq8lOU-_hzuX_VlruayiHDDCIil-9By4MDGo7dM4iVN91n4/s640/Swains+Sweetlip+Glassout+%25282%2529.JPG" width="446" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went out
to a deep edge of the reef and had a look at a few locations which was made
easy with the glassy surface conditions before deciding on a steep wall on the
outer edge of the reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvGrKMM4V776VqaHoZ_-zwc9mn7VbwkYNaY6JuSJSVhy2utaQeK5XGOy56avofJGoRYbrfgSqb93yAQeod0PMnl6yUfO3lI8runVpsZD-TPPWvy1bKMx9iICVWrUgyJdgSP76__LMDrmx/s1600/Swains+Sweetlip+Spearing+1+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="1080" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvGrKMM4V776VqaHoZ_-zwc9mn7VbwkYNaY6JuSJSVhy2utaQeK5XGOy56avofJGoRYbrfgSqb93yAQeod0PMnl6yUfO3lI8runVpsZD-TPPWvy1bKMx9iICVWrUgyJdgSP76__LMDrmx/s640/Swains+Sweetlip+Spearing+1+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst the
water was clear, it was a lot colder than expected and we knew we wouldn’t last
long with the thin wetsuits we had on.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It didn’t
matter – the reef was full of fish and it was only 20 minutes before we had 2
Coral Trout and a Crayfish in the esky.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11lDSHyKlKnRe5KFgnrXIjiN_gBm40HgP1zcu3h63SKoAd26M1UMjm4svgThq9hZF_x5L_6qyuVQm06_uEVHMsIiprDe9aaYOOP_FPC2o33xmoocMiNRD2HX0RpsL2aSPckG6zwD1wpzn/s1600/Swains+Sweetlip+Spearing+1+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="1080" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11lDSHyKlKnRe5KFgnrXIjiN_gBm40HgP1zcu3h63SKoAd26M1UMjm4svgThq9hZF_x5L_6qyuVQm06_uEVHMsIiprDe9aaYOOP_FPC2o33xmoocMiNRD2HX0RpsL2aSPckG6zwD1wpzn/s640/Swains+Sweetlip+Spearing+1+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With dinner
sorted we returned, ate and slept for the arvo before waking for the sunset –
our first at The Swains Reefs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LrJZNZShup35Sd0z_qC5-scIE3KfwRtzgM1uU24wqoCNAMKEcCASZTMu1s_dbuVUq5SaNt73WbvaBbm7qF1JpSE8LolCP_7KpBtbhYnZtlzUpQWG2moCPdqUjoVczRw19fZ49q3L1cGX/s1600/Swains+Sweetlip+Sunset+1+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LrJZNZShup35Sd0z_qC5-scIE3KfwRtzgM1uU24wqoCNAMKEcCASZTMu1s_dbuVUq5SaNt73WbvaBbm7qF1JpSE8LolCP_7KpBtbhYnZtlzUpQWG2moCPdqUjoVczRw19fZ49q3L1cGX/s640/Swains+Sweetlip+Sunset+1+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next
morning we were up early and decided to spear another outer wall area and at
the same time look for possible scuba sites. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But this time
we wore thicker wetsuits!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We put a ban
on shooting Coral Trout and Spanish Mackerel as it’s the most common fish to
spear and eat at Lady Musgrave Island and we wanted a change.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With a reef
named Sweetlip Reef we could only assume that there were Sweetlip Emperor (or
more commonly known as Red-Throat Emperor) so we decided to target them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa was on
fire and had nailed the first Red-Throat in less than 30 minutes with a perfect
instant kill shot at around 15m/50ft depth.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Once to the
surface, she realised it was a lot bigger than it looked at depth and she was
chuffed to have shot her personal best Red Throat of 65cm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vZsHqMw7HVYiHzFukaPEesKHtZsNAcnTFABzZ9OuLZK6puclWC5vBc4Xvhk002TurYKjsRhqbs0zpe9p7QTw-oXGUXAR8G7Sw4EzSXkAs1uJa524k0ow0mXxIbo6SLuGBm9Vr3rLb-Op/s1600/Swains+Sweetlip+Lisa+Red+Throat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="704" data-original-width="1080" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vZsHqMw7HVYiHzFukaPEesKHtZsNAcnTFABzZ9OuLZK6puclWC5vBc4Xvhk002TurYKjsRhqbs0zpe9p7QTw-oXGUXAR8G7Sw4EzSXkAs1uJa524k0ow0mXxIbo6SLuGBm9Vr3rLb-Op/s640/Swains+Sweetlip+Lisa+Red+Throat.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We did find
some terrain that we thought would be ok for our first scuba dive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It wasn’t
brilliant, but it was the best we had seen at Sweetlip Reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Additionally
there was an old mooring line attached to one of the more colourful bommies so
we assumed it was a disused dive mooring.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For the
afternoon we rigged up both underwater cameras (one macro and one wide-angle)
and put the scuba gear together for our first Swains Reef dive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The cameras
and scuba gear took a while to set up (as it does when it’s the first time in
ages) and we didn’t get in the water until 4pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It didn’t
matter – the low sun actually made for some good shots with the Gorgonian Fans
in the foreground.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa found a
few small macro subjects too but it had been about 10 months since she’d used a
macro lens set-up and was a little rusty – or that’s what we thought the
teething problems were….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFnOzdjTb_vvYlcE09OY-kyvij5efocWAwCZOLM11ctL0CtMB28HR350vvuuEIp4rFP-resatTJSsSKZmFUT8yiOIvbqpk8aMlZanIf2eUiaEcO98Tboo5wzw7zcHvbBEDm9FOLYqB1Zd/s1600/Swains+Dive+1+Sweetlip+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1080" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFnOzdjTb_vvYlcE09OY-kyvij5efocWAwCZOLM11ctL0CtMB28HR350vvuuEIp4rFP-resatTJSsSKZmFUT8yiOIvbqpk8aMlZanIf2eUiaEcO98Tboo5wzw7zcHvbBEDm9FOLYqB1Zd/s640/Swains+Dive+1+Sweetlip+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was nice
to play around in the shallows at the end of the dive in amongst the small but
plentiful soft corals.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszOVjqWvWjE2FynvrlHNBr7giA5qYjTHVHXnQNjjfnlRlaJ9WUXG_eULgJQuVX2HHRljEvCEp56O1shxkPUOJJiEdNgY_QhJyfmsZSHOpM735b0CwiNlT8uzuWaZM-li7sCVZC3lUJUgR/s1600/Swains+Dive+1+Sweetlip+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="672" data-original-width="1080" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszOVjqWvWjE2FynvrlHNBr7giA5qYjTHVHXnQNjjfnlRlaJ9WUXG_eULgJQuVX2HHRljEvCEp56O1shxkPUOJJiEdNgY_QhJyfmsZSHOpM735b0CwiNlT8uzuWaZM-li7sCVZC3lUJUgR/s640/Swains+Dive+1+Sweetlip+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly though
there were hundreds of Crown of Thorns Starfish (COTS).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For a while
now the COTS have been working their way from the tip of Australia and down the
entire length of the Great Barrier Reef and leaving a trail of mass destruction
as they devour huge amounts of live coral.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
hoping to have dived The Swains Reef system before they had made it that far
south but obviously not.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the
Bunker Group being the extreme southern end of the reef, many scientists are
hoping that they will get to the end of the reef and with nowhere else to go,
simply die off.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUf5Mzl-_vE0Rehw7W6BnN_KBYmo4Hr8Lqyy2f34I4A7b0CVHTZcDWwoa7GS8N0Hzyt6WpCR3LkfKnV3glWJzIp7641QW00bVd3d3cpvCjTmoYM2XcyyJ1K2dbmTy-q_u0itEOMt2kfQw/s1600/Swains+Dive+1+Sweetlip+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="737" data-original-width="1080" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUf5Mzl-_vE0Rehw7W6BnN_KBYmo4Hr8Lqyy2f34I4A7b0CVHTZcDWwoa7GS8N0Hzyt6WpCR3LkfKnV3glWJzIp7641QW00bVd3d3cpvCjTmoYM2XcyyJ1K2dbmTy-q_u0itEOMt2kfQw/s640/Swains+Dive+1+Sweetlip+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A Crown of Thorns
Starfish (COTS). Note the white section of the <br />
coral which is dead after the COTS had eaten it.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
we decided to move further up along the outer reef area and headed towards Hook
Reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had only been
sailing for about 10 minutes when we saw a large Fisheries vessel unloading
their RIB which came over to us at high speed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They boarded
us whilst we were sailing along and had a look for any fish we had on board and
checked all our safety gear.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Warren the
fisheries officer was a great guy and also a spearo so he was a bit envious to
see Lisa’s large Red-Throat fillets in the fridge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He was also
very helpful in answering our questions on the area and in particular the best
heavy weather anchorages.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiruCBcDHCnLJngr0Ogr54DnQxfmVEdhiLMsKLfAVK0J-nz4op82lczhlb04fUGfZ-SOex_YPS9zwYs1tJkzbCzOk6YPlK1nMcxApDk5Nyt4fuZfH_zudp8jG3Fa2DNwots5-dBbSz37G-C/s1600/Swains+Sweetlip+Fisheries+Boarding.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="1080" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiruCBcDHCnLJngr0Ogr54DnQxfmVEdhiLMsKLfAVK0J-nz4op82lczhlb04fUGfZ-SOex_YPS9zwYs1tJkzbCzOk6YPlK1nMcxApDk5Nyt4fuZfH_zudp8jG3Fa2DNwots5-dBbSz37G-C/s640/Swains+Sweetlip+Fisheries+Boarding.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Another 30
minutes on we sailed through a deep channel that had a rubble bottom with a
huge amount of fish on the bottom.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The sounder
was displaying wavy lines behind the fish which we had never seen before and
could only assume it was a very large area of bait fish and there were larger
fish in amongst them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A pity it
wasn’t shallower so we could dive it….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived at
the small Hook Reef to find it a bit swelly and rough around the outer edge but
we decided to brave it and motor into the only small entrance within the reefs
centre.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2x5Nq-OOFwFWqmfJOR5ndp-yRio9mmymmo0fh4YCFz7iBMJhQ89ULVO4Bwh_YETwZhRFfW-x_ITdNg0psRstWR4TRaP7KZmHiKSf6GSd0PTD1mmoG_wgtZkNQZeOAQCE2sudTc7A8fsF/s1600/Swains+Hook+Reef+Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="740" data-original-width="1080" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2x5Nq-OOFwFWqmfJOR5ndp-yRio9mmymmo0fh4YCFz7iBMJhQ89ULVO4Bwh_YETwZhRFfW-x_ITdNg0psRstWR4TRaP7KZmHiKSf6GSd0PTD1mmoG_wgtZkNQZeOAQCE2sudTc7A8fsF/s640/Swains+Hook+Reef+Map.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The bottom
was a dense maze of coral bommies but none of them came too close to the
surface and we were able to motor over them safely with a few meters under the
keel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were a
little worried about finding a clear patch of sand to anchor in when we spied
an open and sandy but what looked like a very shallow area right up close to
the reef’s pavement.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was only a
few meters deep but was a perfect anchorage in the E-SE winds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMf0pjM_ePkY3MyvNbAXHo1fiaumV_Cn745rTsC9SdIZsUIjKzTz5YZyhdYMnAnAz3tCTnmLPVSk1dptauRsElNty1WzezvaOYGmalPB6eO20uKX3ixYcDpQKrBB0xnkDKtkVr7FJlmua/s1600/Swains+Hook+Anchorage+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="1080" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMf0pjM_ePkY3MyvNbAXHo1fiaumV_Cn745rTsC9SdIZsUIjKzTz5YZyhdYMnAnAz3tCTnmLPVSk1dptauRsElNty1WzezvaOYGmalPB6eO20uKX3ixYcDpQKrBB0xnkDKtkVr7FJlmua/s640/Swains+Hook+Anchorage+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s just as
well because looking aft was a minefield of scattered bommies.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were so
excited.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a safe
anchorage at a reef that had good reports as a scuba diving destination from
one of the old books we had read.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So in the
afternoon we snorkelled about 6 different locations along the NW protected face
which is where the dive locations were.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly our
hearts sank as we discovered the reef was all dead.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The dive
bommies and great gutters were all there and you could see all the old
exoskeletons of the coral outlining what once would have been an awesome
location, but it was brown, dead and full of algae.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We estimated
that of the whole area, only 2% of the reef was alive and those small chunks
that were healthy had loads of the destructive Crown of Thorns Starfish eating
and destroying what was left.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The fish life
was therefore also greatly reduced and there was only about one-tenth of what
would have been there had the reef been healthy.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
getting concerned as Sweetlip Reef wasn’t that good, Hook Reef was terrible so
was it going to be like this for the whole of the Swains Reefs system?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We knew
cyclone Hamish all but destroyed the coral in the area, but that was 10 years
ago and surely it would have started to re-generate to a better level than what
we were seeing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we changed
plans and decided to head away from the more exposed outer edge of the reef and
move further in towards the more protected centre section.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
we departed Hook Reef – so sad – so beautiful from above, so terrible down
below…….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We motored
over to Sanctuary Reef which was only 5 miles away but was further into the
reef system.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7S3kCnRRCw3wpq3EwfMRuRSEJSQyOAENx0k2qiUQMe0lT4ggs0iqzA-vWqHGVjFq3QtSVxT_LxGLbB35ObaetgIb0QeqiR-XcVstab7jK04xhI3VtEzu-cfy7KwxOGg2JowANPvuamUH/s1600/Swains+Sanctuary+Reef+Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="1080" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7S3kCnRRCw3wpq3EwfMRuRSEJSQyOAENx0k2qiUQMe0lT4ggs0iqzA-vWqHGVjFq3QtSVxT_LxGLbB35ObaetgIb0QeqiR-XcVstab7jK04xhI3VtEzu-cfy7KwxOGg2JowANPvuamUH/s640/Swains+Sanctuary+Reef+Map.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
bigger reef and Paul sat up in the crow’s nest as we motored up close to the
reef’s edge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Cuxw8bHZ9iCVyUIv9d56uMw89n7eCVsrakuWUTC3Px56-i_PjleFzw6OYma8B1F8Ij7USkS_GzyA9WNmJcLRH_rLqkcx7TX5U1xQnHfsW1i1NmtgdB9z8neTGhNvWunTXmq4ww-h1i8-/s1600/Swains+Sanctuary+Arrive+Crowsnest+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="1080" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Cuxw8bHZ9iCVyUIv9d56uMw89n7eCVsrakuWUTC3Px56-i_PjleFzw6OYma8B1F8Ij7USkS_GzyA9WNmJcLRH_rLqkcx7TX5U1xQnHfsW1i1NmtgdB9z8neTGhNvWunTXmq4ww-h1i8-/s640/Swains+Sanctuary+Arrive+Crowsnest+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The idea of
running along the reef edge was for Paul to look for dive sites from the crow’s
nest while Lisa watched for deeper structure on the depth sounder.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found a
great gutter that looked like a nice dive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01IaIQ5okhLkMFVsYY85inurRhZrxndez_cyyisHGBrP5U2PfTWZ0DtCR487SQ2DNFJRmOfTIFY-_e25F6hyvzpdKQ96IJb4nPJ08j_Nk3YHzqMwaL7iw8-S1iHN4RSKqC_mnNunbpzne/s1600/Swains+Sanctuary+Dive+4+Divesite+from+Crowsnest.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="1080" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01IaIQ5okhLkMFVsYY85inurRhZrxndez_cyyisHGBrP5U2PfTWZ0DtCR487SQ2DNFJRmOfTIFY-_e25F6hyvzpdKQ96IJb4nPJ08j_Nk3YHzqMwaL7iw8-S1iHN4RSKqC_mnNunbpzne/s640/Swains+Sanctuary+Dive+4+Divesite+from+Crowsnest.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A little
further along Lisa spied a series of isolated reefs on the sounder that were in
32m/106ft on sand and covered in schools of fish.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It had to be
a good dive so she marked the location.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Entering the
channel was fine with good depth and a lot of width and room to manoeuvre.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YBTi_CNbe5WhNgOmTVautfSAPuOkKJQEEHv7rj3HEOJM3bVNcWM_npOczU1ZRrrHbgxqJ-Y9YjN8lM8-VfWIhbSPYx5DtS43kOwr4t9FPcw1moJN6cSztVJLhAks2djXNZ67vO3ISCUW/s1600/Swains+Sanctuary+Arrive+Crowsnest+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YBTi_CNbe5WhNgOmTVautfSAPuOkKJQEEHv7rj3HEOJM3bVNcWM_npOczU1ZRrrHbgxqJ-Y9YjN8lM8-VfWIhbSPYx5DtS43kOwr4t9FPcw1moJN6cSztVJLhAks2djXNZ67vO3ISCUW/s640/Swains+Sanctuary+Arrive+Crowsnest+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIhPA10_qed9u9yQztWHj9bdGAAu1YvgJlPASvAq6BeNP1PnZfQG6zfdFVrA-_oTsqUGAxBcNcLd6XiG3G7u3X40ukf0g_Vd9U5uOMFHYNM2VU3gsVritvwMcq5MKWAYjHcReffuXZz6O/s1600/Swains+Sanctuary+Arrive+Crowsnest+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1080" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIhPA10_qed9u9yQztWHj9bdGAAu1YvgJlPASvAq6BeNP1PnZfQG6zfdFVrA-_oTsqUGAxBcNcLd6XiG3G7u3X40ukf0g_Vd9U5uOMFHYNM2VU3gsVritvwMcq5MKWAYjHcReffuXZz6O/s640/Swains+Sanctuary+Arrive+Crowsnest+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found a
fantastic spot right up close to a line of reef that would offer secondary
protection to the outer reef edge. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQR01k1Pp2Y8CMvgOJEE3lnI3MdncOnnr9hqJgRdVMY-rsp-7B6oqojTZ3yVMteg6RLWQrOFwdnCIJzac3hw3O0z0dBIR3fUOy5C9caNJA25Yvo_WQ8o6XCEh8X14mZWIz25Lm9-y1pOsw/s1600/Swains+Sanctuary+Anchorage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="1080" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQR01k1Pp2Y8CMvgOJEE3lnI3MdncOnnr9hqJgRdVMY-rsp-7B6oqojTZ3yVMteg6RLWQrOFwdnCIJzac3hw3O0z0dBIR3fUOy5C9caNJA25Yvo_WQ8o6XCEh8X14mZWIz25Lm9-y1pOsw/s640/Swains+Sanctuary+Anchorage.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Within an
hour we had the dive gear loaded into the tinny and went out to dive Lisa’s
bommies she had located on the way in.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were very
excited to see some decent coral and a healthy reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It wasn’t
perfect and there were still some dead bits and lots of COTS but overall it was
really good - and very pretty in the shallows with lots of colour and varied
terrain.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We got
side-tracked getting down to the bommies at 32m/106ft as there was lots to see
on the way down.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0S2v1uVn2aTuJR_sR8YU65Ud6STFhukRv2Q6kESfFipaOBRFNz_GHrl98G1TvG425KWbPnl-a4pBI3IkTzo_zG_AgJC_OEcM1HX-I0R-x7Lsoh6g6QpQuMmHdGvWn6zHfqs0fZTm-fC__/s1600/Swains+Dive+1+Sweetlip+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="1080" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0S2v1uVn2aTuJR_sR8YU65Ud6STFhukRv2Q6kESfFipaOBRFNz_GHrl98G1TvG425KWbPnl-a4pBI3IkTzo_zG_AgJC_OEcM1HX-I0R-x7Lsoh6g6QpQuMmHdGvWn6zHfqs0fZTm-fC__/s640/Swains+Dive+1+Sweetlip+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the deeper
bommies we found loads of schooling fish amongst the barrel sponges and
gorgonian fans but we couldn’t stay there that long as we were already at zero
on our NDL limits.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiM36jEgJiXPqvcQ1mMJYG1KFfEEeW79QAH7kyT3HAxcCa5bnVs4_Zz4fdMEpxf4GC8BQ4FZOTG63rYpUsGmOXuUZtDpJPIpQks1gcZKD0Y86VreVatKySCD15JD-8cXXgaFtR8q53sPST/s1600/Swains+Dive+2+Sanctuary+Deep+Bommie+1+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="669" data-original-width="1080" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiM36jEgJiXPqvcQ1mMJYG1KFfEEeW79QAH7kyT3HAxcCa5bnVs4_Zz4fdMEpxf4GC8BQ4FZOTG63rYpUsGmOXuUZtDpJPIpQks1gcZKD0Y86VreVatKySCD15JD-8cXXgaFtR8q53sPST/s640/Swains+Dive+2+Sanctuary+Deep+Bommie+1+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
back up Lisa was excited to find an Orang-utan Crab in a bubble anemone but
then she was doing back-flips when she found a Coleman Shrimp.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqujo_sNEYauR5B00F30QAGk3_hD_AJ4g6Q-juBMBYwyeUJUx1g67GlYeELYwqEZRZ9XiRPyLrZF7qfwZ9BOo-iVcQnJAtwGkWNWB7e-yOoRKKfNkOv5ECmvTN6_DkAWRh9Cs9KWPYSjLp/s1600/Swains+Dive+2+Sanctuary+Deep+Bommie+1+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1572" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqujo_sNEYauR5B00F30QAGk3_hD_AJ4g6Q-juBMBYwyeUJUx1g67GlYeELYwqEZRZ9XiRPyLrZF7qfwZ9BOo-iVcQnJAtwGkWNWB7e-yOoRKKfNkOv5ECmvTN6_DkAWRh9Cs9KWPYSjLp/s640/Swains+Dive+2+Sanctuary+Deep+Bommie+1+%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">L: Coleman Shrimp R: Orang-utan Crab<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Coleman
shrimp are only found in Fire Urchins (which hurt like hell if you touch them)
and they were on the top of the list of Macro subjects for us to see.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Of our 3
years we spent doing macro dives in Asia we ticked nearly everything off the
macro list we wanted to see – except the Coleman Shrimp.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So the last
place we expected to find one was on the Great Barrier Reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Ironically,
it’s one of the old Neville Coleman dive books from the 1980’s that we used as
a reference to dive in the Swains.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
Neville (who passed away in Brisbane in 2011 - the same week we left to go
cruising) who discovered the shrimp hence the name the Coleman Shrimp.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way up
we played in the shallows for a long time doing deco and finally getting a look
at some colourful coral.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Yippeee!!! –
we had found some decent areas to dive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We decided to
dive the deep bommies again the next day but this time not get side tracked and
go straight down to 32m/106ft.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The schooling
fish were still there but were a little wary and bunched tight.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlyuhZBDBe2MzblnYCQpYMqcOQ-M2OnnlizS6SazdMC2_y5GWvzzABxro9unGYVlbRnkZTnhHP4HR9mubm6sK1gRWCOuAfJ0pBJ4Z7AsHM5E0IDb2kMFj2UhaViV0UR_mDEwlUB3KDrJs/s1600/Swains+Dive+3+Sanctuary+Reef+Deep+Bommies+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="1080" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlyuhZBDBe2MzblnYCQpYMqcOQ-M2OnnlizS6SazdMC2_y5GWvzzABxro9unGYVlbRnkZTnhHP4HR9mubm6sK1gRWCOuAfJ0pBJ4Z7AsHM5E0IDb2kMFj2UhaViV0UR_mDEwlUB3KDrJs/s640/Swains+Dive+3+Sanctuary+Reef+Deep+Bommies+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We did find
some nice Gorgonian Fans in the depths.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iisMZYqiMfv1QnIzELa3lqjkTtBj277Lx_uNb5bJjtohPiAvkg186pupbGvdCEcIGiHwMU8uuJf-VvbLWNVlBpWjELgK1nt7bqjGPLXG_HYLdZ7_7Nzn-rVfzlhlnBdGdqdlJKJHdglb/s1600/Swains+Dive+3+Sanctuary+Reef+Deep+Bommies+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="729" data-original-width="1080" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iisMZYqiMfv1QnIzELa3lqjkTtBj277Lx_uNb5bJjtohPiAvkg186pupbGvdCEcIGiHwMU8uuJf-VvbLWNVlBpWjELgK1nt7bqjGPLXG_HYLdZ7_7Nzn-rVfzlhlnBdGdqdlJKJHdglb/s640/Swains+Dive+3+Sanctuary+Reef+Deep+Bommies+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa spent a
lot of time looking for more Fire Urchins and whilst she did find one, sadly
there were no Coleman Shrimp in it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrPjywuD4rwakXVrNbZ2JBUStrBg6YSSi4ScxGPZ8ck7j2dZDq1K_4LpPwkWvqBr9MDtph_qkSP3Wnjzo2JzpiSVrwfhdhSFJcxV4nSDCcmFdo8EZ5S51foddrm1_ZwSy8q0YVZEsfMiv/s1600/Swains+Dive+3+Sanctuary+Reef+Deep+Bommies+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1080" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrPjywuD4rwakXVrNbZ2JBUStrBg6YSSi4ScxGPZ8ck7j2dZDq1K_4LpPwkWvqBr9MDtph_qkSP3Wnjzo2JzpiSVrwfhdhSFJcxV4nSDCcmFdo8EZ5S51foddrm1_ZwSy8q0YVZEsfMiv/s640/Swains+Dive+3+Sanctuary+Reef+Deep+Bommies+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We did find
some more colourful areas in the shallows and some big plate corals.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVi2M8nlKndotbpfR0ovowDcU_-HaKBHFwlv3kL8zQ83DGiji-mUhyAabSyPuPoFOEGFpPmr8sB8-cWeFC6cz3yvGNhMambjIpgl3VC5gOwFNT-fovLSqXRypJZUVfIU70JoX8yT-n3hJ/s1600/Swains+Dive+3+Sanctuary+Reef+Deep+Bommies+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="1080" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVi2M8nlKndotbpfR0ovowDcU_-HaKBHFwlv3kL8zQ83DGiji-mUhyAabSyPuPoFOEGFpPmr8sB8-cWeFC6cz3yvGNhMambjIpgl3VC5gOwFNT-fovLSqXRypJZUVfIU70JoX8yT-n3hJ/s640/Swains+Dive+3+Sanctuary+Reef+Deep+Bommies+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhML26x8GwC6fANMeo5CRIAhfriDvZzDhgnlpALye_fIedSndd5KgoLjouxHDctApSTvjUyy8I9iMp8dJS_iHa5hc30ALRnee91f-yMqMofr8PIHgR6tICsVsQRJqvc1lFiLQgJ8GyPsOOG/s1600/Swains+Dive+3+Sanctuary+Reef+Deep+Bommies+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="1080" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhML26x8GwC6fANMeo5CRIAhfriDvZzDhgnlpALye_fIedSndd5KgoLjouxHDctApSTvjUyy8I9iMp8dJS_iHa5hc30ALRnee91f-yMqMofr8PIHgR6tICsVsQRJqvc1lFiLQgJ8GyPsOOG/s640/Swains+Dive+3+Sanctuary+Reef+Deep+Bommies+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa found
some nice nudibranchs but still her camera was not working properly.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7YbkDZ4hPuqvdXzo_5eMPG57bOFsWr3Y576tVuuTAhCAgsd-zHgNP_vBI2cvjbjtEIxHPnGLrCIQfaCmjVNsXUZWfo41e3UePX-d_t9XBe-HEdPa8goedo0BiQgl3-k43ctakFg2Eh2B/s1600/Swains+Dive+3+Sanctuary+Reef+Deep+Bommies+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="758" data-original-width="1080" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7YbkDZ4hPuqvdXzo_5eMPG57bOFsWr3Y576tVuuTAhCAgsd-zHgNP_vBI2cvjbjtEIxHPnGLrCIQfaCmjVNsXUZWfo41e3UePX-d_t9XBe-HEdPa8goedo0BiQgl3-k43ctakFg2Eh2B/s640/Swains+Dive+3+Sanctuary+Reef+Deep+Bommies+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We tried one
more dive at Sanctuary Reef at an area that had a large cutting in the reef. We
had read an American cruising boat’s blog who said they had dived there only 2
years prior and it was great.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Maybe our
expectations are a little higher and we thought it was average but we still saw
some cool stuff including a huge Giant Queensland Grouper that was at least
2m/6ft long.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFuJIkWvldwf12h-RTdlr5MfGL6qJ5OvHsBp_nxX1POBavsx6HPINSXtDi_xBiZyljHDkQeiYHH0likmCBETY-eJS029C8Qhhp_7lbQpv17YTBv68_K6iioqLCd8JQZQG4_m9B_VFHh08/s1600/Swains+Dive+4+Sanctuary+Reef+North+Gutter+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1080" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFuJIkWvldwf12h-RTdlr5MfGL6qJ5OvHsBp_nxX1POBavsx6HPINSXtDi_xBiZyljHDkQeiYHH0likmCBETY-eJS029C8Qhhp_7lbQpv17YTBv68_K6iioqLCd8JQZQG4_m9B_VFHh08/s640/Swains+Dive+4+Sanctuary+Reef+North+Gutter+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZ7tPsFPshIV0gF2VsCK_OWfScV_X-wunWWVflWHZUaZ4InJpV06dAPQy3ll09w__Ml5FZ7PIxqvSlJhnAW0vW__bwinVRoTlH71xjgEe0ZFEo18x1XuoEdzNqgJkKuU1HJ5fN5DZkdy5/s1600/Swains+Dive+4+Sanctuary+Reef+North+Gutter+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="708" data-original-width="1080" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZ7tPsFPshIV0gF2VsCK_OWfScV_X-wunWWVflWHZUaZ4InJpV06dAPQy3ll09w__Ml5FZ7PIxqvSlJhnAW0vW__bwinVRoTlH71xjgEe0ZFEo18x1XuoEdzNqgJkKuU1HJ5fN5DZkdy5/s640/Swains+Dive+4+Sanctuary+Reef+North+Gutter+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvJ7tDuLN5Uxg9znbWc5hGeHssF1HAYogdLaNKkZRXvo-Am3k9zxOpXEc3WDkAI7BNdjTbZsDrwJ-iLDGZgYapTEj0v4JAgwdTRxyEGY64zsRIRn1RmzxfEHKGyd73ZR8Wr_CYsX0-R17/s1600/Swains+Dive+4+Sanctuary+Reef+North+Gutter+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="1080" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvJ7tDuLN5Uxg9znbWc5hGeHssF1HAYogdLaNKkZRXvo-Am3k9zxOpXEc3WDkAI7BNdjTbZsDrwJ-iLDGZgYapTEj0v4JAgwdTRxyEGY64zsRIRn1RmzxfEHKGyd73ZR8Wr_CYsX0-R17/s640/Swains+Dive+4+Sanctuary+Reef+North+Gutter+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa’s camera
problem was with her Nikon macro lens and an issue that Paul hadn’t picked up
on.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We swapped over
to Paul’s macro lens as a test and it worked a treat and Lisa’s underwater
photos improved straight away.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Which is just
as well as she found 2 Orang-Utan Crabs next to each other that were both out
on display which is a rarity.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJonczVZa9scCXWegH3OUy7KDqu_wNXb0Hv5mG_GGgkwPb5LHibODWj2hgZVDt1wx7Yv05Yl00iwlkZomGRS9S0-oJgBFIkcrZDx987M7teJui6XXkbuVZfhCMbhV5J17kwd7qPDlpbuUx/s1600/Swains+Dive+4+Sanctuary+Reef+North+Gutter+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="1080" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJonczVZa9scCXWegH3OUy7KDqu_wNXb0Hv5mG_GGgkwPb5LHibODWj2hgZVDt1wx7Yv05Yl00iwlkZomGRS9S0-oJgBFIkcrZDx987M7teJui6XXkbuVZfhCMbhV5J17kwd7qPDlpbuUx/s640/Swains+Dive+4+Sanctuary+Reef+North+Gutter+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_AfeIpdaoUUBBwwtgIxKEbDSuAscSlHwe7kmwjczZx-a4o_2xBLIVsNh3QE2jmtc2Tt0n2In0qh5hBa1qZQUxUxpgHPKuB2FTcgcqM8ZU9423e5h_Hx_qohptuIMMEGSSAliTzO1FmCh/s1600/Swains+Dive+4+Sanctuary+Reef+North+Gutter+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_AfeIpdaoUUBBwwtgIxKEbDSuAscSlHwe7kmwjczZx-a4o_2xBLIVsNh3QE2jmtc2Tt0n2In0qh5hBa1qZQUxUxpgHPKuB2FTcgcqM8ZU9423e5h_Hx_qohptuIMMEGSSAliTzO1FmCh/s640/Swains+Dive+4+Sanctuary+Reef+North+Gutter+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That night we
had an unusual sunset with the sky having cloud corrugations.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNE4bXENPX2j4ZLZ3rL_ynxPYx-cCVlxEmvEXBp_By9ULNx2eNoUiyvozwlS_zwrQ4esbw5uGCeMlMYi820yN-FX4_-xDVTj1tcXTha2McV3QGe5WLHmPReTSIMlhJmfqv9nKwTzpPcnpC/s1600/Swains+Sanctuary+Sunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="644" data-original-width="1080" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNE4bXENPX2j4ZLZ3rL_ynxPYx-cCVlxEmvEXBp_By9ULNx2eNoUiyvozwlS_zwrQ4esbw5uGCeMlMYi820yN-FX4_-xDVTj1tcXTha2McV3QGe5WLHmPReTSIMlhJmfqv9nKwTzpPcnpC/s640/Swains+Sanctuary+Sunset.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With some
northerly (and possibly NW-West winds) forecast, we decided to move to another
reef that offered better protection from the north.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately Horseshoe
Reef was the next reef anyway and only 6nm away.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But we
decided to spend a few hours in Lorelei doing a bit of reconnaissance for both
anchorages and dive spots at the bottom end of Sanctuary Reef before we left.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjweNNKFsS5XN6QJoepeRH3JRD4Tao2Umdj7OOvXy1wJ9sZ9nACFcPb_OJTkYKwRdT4HLJ9P-vKncZoSEvX_1f_HKQfj1NFyzw6klZTU6fYWK24-K6NMTqUOggFABHTQKZX3gv1NWaa2AM8/s1600/Swains+Horseshoe+Crowsnest+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="1080" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjweNNKFsS5XN6QJoepeRH3JRD4Tao2Umdj7OOvXy1wJ9sZ9nACFcPb_OJTkYKwRdT4HLJ9P-vKncZoSEvX_1f_HKQfj1NFyzw6klZTU6fYWK24-K6NMTqUOggFABHTQKZX3gv1NWaa2AM8/s640/Swains+Horseshoe+Crowsnest+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9R_vu1dVU_OlPzW_Bc8bTRNJpmkMhNftnjtBvmEeAwXDff71iWDO_Hx0lkR7XuhMHSkiU1RpOGljvxs7Mcem4H6Fn49Oxs50rZO8Iost_Px9lZQ9lVLA5AIKtwU6REPjwgvFt9vpO3s6p/s1600/Swains+Horseshoe+Crowsnest+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="1080" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9R_vu1dVU_OlPzW_Bc8bTRNJpmkMhNftnjtBvmEeAwXDff71iWDO_Hx0lkR7XuhMHSkiU1RpOGljvxs7Mcem4H6Fn49Oxs50rZO8Iost_Px9lZQ9lVLA5AIKtwU6REPjwgvFt9vpO3s6p/s640/Swains+Horseshoe+Crowsnest+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Horseshoe
Reef is a large reef that is almost 6 miles long but it has a lot of possible
dive sites and is completely open to the west making it a popular anchorage as
it’s easy to enter.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvK6D06Y8T8mEHYO1DyUSFw19DaZrQDRVILIGNF4MWjFug0D5xiUcyIUd4NixACedeTGDUfynonfAMJ6jMvWl4l7RbBqnmKeRSLL-XsoBX4crftzlJk7zDqNvq7-_rJnikObkFsqd7J3p/s1600/Swains+Horseshoe+Reef+Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="1080" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvK6D06Y8T8mEHYO1DyUSFw19DaZrQDRVILIGNF4MWjFug0D5xiUcyIUd4NixACedeTGDUfynonfAMJ6jMvWl4l7RbBqnmKeRSLL-XsoBX4crftzlJk7zDqNvq7-_rJnikObkFsqd7J3p/s640/Swains+Horseshoe+Reef+Map.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the Tom
Byron dive book, we read a diary from an exploratory dive charter that Tom and
a small group did in the 1980’s.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It talked
about Horseshoe Reef and there was also a map of where they had dived.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One spot that
stood out was a gutter on the SE side that they called Shark Alley and with a
name like that, we just had to dive it – and it didn’t disappoint!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We anchored
the tinny in the gutter and drifted down through the most amazing coral gardens
with huge plate corals everywhere that were in perfect condition.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was only
around 6m/20ft deep but there were loads of big Trevally overhead.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicIncanlSLsYuZ69OTUBkEFlMeUuDv2ubXsv3mOzDwQe1j-gOsrY42mY8VXTTyfngXaBbI5k5pGfgf8N-AP7TeZv_M2ElvFOzd8ouSdXaISUXiRHxb2UXqrsM-oLrOUNv1bpSxyMSzrviG/s1600/Swains+Dive+5+Horseshoe+Shark+Alley+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1080" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicIncanlSLsYuZ69OTUBkEFlMeUuDv2ubXsv3mOzDwQe1j-gOsrY42mY8VXTTyfngXaBbI5k5pGfgf8N-AP7TeZv_M2ElvFOzd8ouSdXaISUXiRHxb2UXqrsM-oLrOUNv1bpSxyMSzrviG/s640/Swains+Dive+5+Horseshoe+Shark+Alley+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We dropped
down onto the wall to find quite a bit of current but still manageable.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But what we
did also find was Grey Reef Sharks – and lots of them!!! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul was
photographing the Gorgonian Fans along the walls and the sharks were swimming
into the frame and photo-bombing!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlaqTgFrMo-xjN7aRjHSeVv3GTKFu15ZwVjwkq5RexeyE4Wt9yXxYTSn8o3PG3Fvb6P1_3W2v6bT7poOdgFYmUMQKACAS0wKrNZryHz2X6dCfM2YOKDhXfpJSB1KVhi7gzkLXs5u1pwGD/s1600/Swains+Dive+5+Horseshoe+Shark+Alley+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="1080" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlaqTgFrMo-xjN7aRjHSeVv3GTKFu15ZwVjwkq5RexeyE4Wt9yXxYTSn8o3PG3Fvb6P1_3W2v6bT7poOdgFYmUMQKACAS0wKrNZryHz2X6dCfM2YOKDhXfpJSB1KVhi7gzkLXs5u1pwGD/s640/Swains+Dive+5+Horseshoe+Shark+Alley+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uvO5B5niU-rfHWhZBJjLzU-0JgLdHHhLvALCkwGbmWSRbxLCaSKB1vEX-zl9yuJ_v-30wXkdrFxA6zWktSr7A3chUMID4vOKZM2X6k7j1KJVyGkTkUb-m6tbTB7kOmrHY-dlfjs4Lc3V/s1600/Swains+Dive+5+Horseshoe+Shark+Alley+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="771" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uvO5B5niU-rfHWhZBJjLzU-0JgLdHHhLvALCkwGbmWSRbxLCaSKB1vEX-zl9yuJ_v-30wXkdrFxA6zWktSr7A3chUMID4vOKZM2X6k7j1KJVyGkTkUb-m6tbTB7kOmrHY-dlfjs4Lc3V/s640/Swains+Dive+5+Horseshoe+Shark+Alley+%25283%2529.JPG" width="456" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were able
to drift a little way along the wall but had to stop and come back in the
shallows as we knew we’d have to swim into the current the whole way back.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It didn’t
matter as the shallows had lots of pretty coral gardens to spend time in.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9t5YwDipknwhWGx5fEgLwtPTRTDGMvOb3Q0et1DWAD7evyYAk2-9ss7BYUHvpfPg6Rf8am9IzUdZy4f465Ul33Cz2uRqb6KaE1TZ3NqmMlSHfnDrv9qphWjT_4qqsRM0OXIf31i3dXKTj/s1600/Swains+Dive+5+Horseshoe+Shark+Alley+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="1080" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9t5YwDipknwhWGx5fEgLwtPTRTDGMvOb3Q0et1DWAD7evyYAk2-9ss7BYUHvpfPg6Rf8am9IzUdZy4f465Ul33Cz2uRqb6KaE1TZ3NqmMlSHfnDrv9qphWjT_4qqsRM0OXIf31i3dXKTj/s640/Swains+Dive+5+Horseshoe+Shark+Alley+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa was on
fire now with her camera issues behind her and got some great macro photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzX5cTxITCN1d0SJ87hvKPd4FESGgRM6hyphenhyphendPZ_KLfTUzhR7KQyf3xGI198110NtPxTF8HfB-QNYu08c9YvXFlAnnIM1qHblbu_9HA-_br6jRw0GrPgcCGOujGVI1mKgUU6kkUY4GDEt4Wz/s1600/Swains+Dive+5+Horseshoe+Shark+Alley+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="1080" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzX5cTxITCN1d0SJ87hvKPd4FESGgRM6hyphenhyphendPZ_KLfTUzhR7KQyf3xGI198110NtPxTF8HfB-QNYu08c9YvXFlAnnIM1qHblbu_9HA-_br6jRw0GrPgcCGOujGVI1mKgUU6kkUY4GDEt4Wz/s640/Swains+Dive+5+Horseshoe+Shark+Alley+%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Even when we
got back to the tinny, the coral directly under it looked great.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOugSFKeBx3D8QE1GeKiYKcA6MQ-cxUu4X_NB842yVPgUVutCWDrehOg8beuT8Sgj-Zx5vjHR6Q4KmLUjqPJmRoL32se77HrUBTMP8jwJ9qtta6sW77BtRUq4ggylbVjuS8ywliIiTcTZ/s1600/Swains+Dive+5+Horseshoe+Shark+Alley+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="634" data-original-width="1080" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOugSFKeBx3D8QE1GeKiYKcA6MQ-cxUu4X_NB842yVPgUVutCWDrehOg8beuT8Sgj-Zx5vjHR6Q4KmLUjqPJmRoL32se77HrUBTMP8jwJ9qtta6sW77BtRUq4ggylbVjuS8ywliIiTcTZ/s640/Swains+Dive+5+Horseshoe+Shark+Alley+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Overall it
was a ballistic dive and certainly the best of the trip so far.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s just as
well we had the rough map of where to dive because there is no way we would have
ever thought to dive on the exposed SE face of the reef as it faces the trade
winds and predominant swell.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It had
certainly changed our way of thinking about dive locations in the Swains
compared to what’s considered normal in the pattern of dive locations further
north on the GBR with most of the diving being on the NW faces of the reefs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When we
returned to Lorelei Lisa spied a small yellow Flutemouth fish that was nestled
up alongside our yellow bridle rope that we use for securing the tinny.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We normally
remove it during the day but lazily left it hanging in the water and the fish
was using it as camouflage. At full size they are around 1m/3ft long and live
at depth down in the coral. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We’ve never
seen one so small and so close to the surface.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfH1MxLHcFy9iVIcH5xa1o3cCu_5R7D8Jj4dikAN7moam7S0BBef6Ly4XDPlHab9eQDRt8rcs-61LjIZzm3SFFSb2WQVMkaAR3jrVEKTbkDrlU20U1wwjw0NFaD8Rr-RpNxF0UwB_ggXI/s1600/Swains+Horseshoe+Flutemouth.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="575" data-original-width="1080" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfH1MxLHcFy9iVIcH5xa1o3cCu_5R7D8Jj4dikAN7moam7S0BBef6Ly4XDPlHab9eQDRt8rcs-61LjIZzm3SFFSb2WQVMkaAR3jrVEKTbkDrlU20U1wwjw0NFaD8Rr-RpNxF0UwB_ggXI/s640/Swains+Horseshoe+Flutemouth.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That
afternoon the wind dropped back a little and with the rising tide, we were able
to paddle our kayaks over to a Taiwanese Shipwreck that was high and dry on the
reef pavement.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way we
went over lots of coral bommies in the shallows.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSOScZz3GNRwXDiWxydYihA-UBPYi5RFcP8v78fU4k1dxeim8tf-pIqx2aaeDuGtUlUNyFRxNKJDftqKxSgKnfS9Z54hOxdBFWNfwoq7uW_SPZHS3ajizGKKS7GlI1WgWFqP2tIRLIHFZq/s1600/Swains+Horseshoe+Shipwreck+Kayak+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="1080" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSOScZz3GNRwXDiWxydYihA-UBPYi5RFcP8v78fU4k1dxeim8tf-pIqx2aaeDuGtUlUNyFRxNKJDftqKxSgKnfS9Z54hOxdBFWNfwoq7uW_SPZHS3ajizGKKS7GlI1WgWFqP2tIRLIHFZq/s640/Swains+Horseshoe+Shipwreck+Kayak+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The old dive
book shows a fully intact wreck but now there is little left after 30 years of
the harsh elements. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">What remains
is the ship’s engine and some scattered parts.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRF82_gR1OIeOeL_kRfByxWKC21m30ccJypZl2mNYlmAuTZiENfp4I4zojOt30e9Ue8q4yeZ9Yq9JPSME3iX9GFZ2RNYs62UIxW6WcvsrvfSj4JghZ6FwG4vedX-VhU-osqUVzLegH5Xln/s1600/Swains+Swalong+Wreck+Book+Photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="1080" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRF82_gR1OIeOeL_kRfByxWKC21m30ccJypZl2mNYlmAuTZiENfp4I4zojOt30e9Ue8q4yeZ9Yq9JPSME3iX9GFZ2RNYs62UIxW6WcvsrvfSj4JghZ6FwG4vedX-VhU-osqUVzLegH5Xln/s640/Swains+Swalong+Wreck+Book+Photo.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Taiwanese Shipwreck
as photographed in the 1980’s<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGsPZpNR1ILFTXKboYPzXl0ZeiyKYyCKT-DC7MDdzdci7NkeSLC8yME_aEqnN62iQaA8C59DoUi6ifjDewHK2nN7TBa1MrIJy3X3nVh5EZz4FJQHcpWZ6P4p-wEAtNIdfH8G1gAseSYRw/s1600/Swains+Horseshoe+Shipwreck+Kayak+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="1080" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGsPZpNR1ILFTXKboYPzXl0ZeiyKYyCKT-DC7MDdzdci7NkeSLC8yME_aEqnN62iQaA8C59DoUi6ifjDewHK2nN7TBa1MrIJy3X3nVh5EZz4FJQHcpWZ6P4p-wEAtNIdfH8G1gAseSYRw/s640/Swains+Horseshoe+Shipwreck+Kayak+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBr1aou1SNEjJj5yHkdvcR8K9d_gArrahFYknlsUGR8h7ujI6IFECYiUXnYkfcrq44oL_k9-GVm35XzUjdT4HogL2teXO3vpe-OAuJGlKXlXq3E2ucbxuPXmN2GBvznLcq7aHJGbkYvEL/s1600/Swains+Horseshoe+Shipwreck+Kayak+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="1080" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBr1aou1SNEjJj5yHkdvcR8K9d_gArrahFYknlsUGR8h7ujI6IFECYiUXnYkfcrq44oL_k9-GVm35XzUjdT4HogL2teXO3vpe-OAuJGlKXlXq3E2ucbxuPXmN2GBvznLcq7aHJGbkYvEL/s640/Swains+Horseshoe+Shipwreck+Kayak+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQaLVMD0G5eq5imkfU0q39ar0pCWf4uDCv9nEj9iS6Mvv0-_2sCpP1u-BEsGvRxlpIglZU55we4ob0p3UN2xrIFmxyTSA2r5wJJK3MHFlVOcisuMb-i9gRyz6fxnjeL2mIZh6QcKa0U769/s1600/Swains+Horseshoe+Shipwreck+Kayak+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="1080" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQaLVMD0G5eq5imkfU0q39ar0pCWf4uDCv9nEj9iS6Mvv0-_2sCpP1u-BEsGvRxlpIglZU55we4ob0p3UN2xrIFmxyTSA2r5wJJK3MHFlVOcisuMb-i9gRyz6fxnjeL2mIZh6QcKa0U769/s640/Swains+Horseshoe+Shipwreck+Kayak+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">While Paul
was searching for other bits of wreckage, Lisa got bored and decided she would
go and play in the small surf along the reef edge by catching the waves on her
kayak. There was no margin for error or falling off as it was only inches deep
over the sharp coral and the added hazard of lots of exposed coral rocks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Ggcxk1Ml60j1UdHxcKgrGQ4aaWiQYIEGDvxWf9EGoouHyZGHBo-Dg5j8leNb1x8wjGMuc3iKBzINGYIqbJb8i_m-WMFtk5tMPtq4DIN1qxOasOozzlSt7D1K_5ZYehE02RhiUtxVh0ip/s1600/Swains+Horseshoe+Shipwreck+Kayak+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="589" data-original-width="1080" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Ggcxk1Ml60j1UdHxcKgrGQ4aaWiQYIEGDvxWf9EGoouHyZGHBo-Dg5j8leNb1x8wjGMuc3iKBzINGYIqbJb8i_m-WMFtk5tMPtq4DIN1qxOasOozzlSt7D1K_5ZYehE02RhiUtxVh0ip/s640/Swains+Horseshoe+Shipwreck+Kayak+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We wanted to
dive Shark Alley again.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But this time
we wanted to take advantage of the current so we decided to do a drift dive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Now drift
diving is fun on a charter boat or with extra people to help but for just 2
people with 2 big cameras it can be a bit difficult.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
we have done a lot of drift diving using our kayaks and after doing a current
check, we anchored the kayaks well up along the reef wall and probably a bit
further than we would actually dive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSeQBq6VGL_E-X-E7mPr9XoJ12wVgcRPQBtQczHh8VhJX-Gu9fewqBa_0BwHgn6Z0mhLFdQwe-WuC6WBjzsOfuvKqIi0DZwvmsWHLBl2Zizv3cVUXX_iprTHZ2oWIt6me3MX_liNmL-7l/s1600/Swains+Horseshoe+Towing+Kayaks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1080" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSeQBq6VGL_E-X-E7mPr9XoJ12wVgcRPQBtQczHh8VhJX-Gu9fewqBa_0BwHgn6Z0mhLFdQwe-WuC6WBjzsOfuvKqIi0DZwvmsWHLBl2Zizv3cVUXX_iprTHZ2oWIt6me3MX_liNmL-7l/s640/Swains+Horseshoe+Towing+Kayaks.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Towing our kayaks out to
the dive site in the tinny<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Then we took
the tinny back to the start area in the cutting and anchored it safely.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Now we had
vessels at each end.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">If the
current turned mid dive we could simply return to the tinny if required.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The dive was exciting
and long.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We took a few
more photos in the beautiful shallows of the cutting before descending down
onto the wall.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUySOJJ1NooobK8Y0OkcR0-oRl019Z3G79OGwK9iijUcdpOgHhmVK6z5cZuBFhVyXEt4V0a8lIr-Ngo4WBao1F5EJqYn-qg4tA8RgLIU5MkbLO0Pw8Qq45bfggcSXPAh8V9CXSUne4d6Aw/s1600/Swains+Dive+6+Horseshoe+Shark+Alley+Drift+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1080" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUySOJJ1NooobK8Y0OkcR0-oRl019Z3G79OGwK9iijUcdpOgHhmVK6z5cZuBFhVyXEt4V0a8lIr-Ngo4WBao1F5EJqYn-qg4tA8RgLIU5MkbLO0Pw8Qq45bfggcSXPAh8V9CXSUne4d6Aw/s640/Swains+Dive+6+Horseshoe+Shark+Alley+Drift+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
way more sharks this time and we even had a really big whaler shark of around
3m/10ft come in for a quick look but sadly it didn’t hang around too long.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This time we
had a lot more time at depth to look at the fans and smaller macro critters<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbSQ7evGV1l4cNZrWwb5rP21aE8Hoo5kGw31SxPkBbMOlKLbbgDTskwnyHpk9lpcGueLpLadWGJdcoRhQzGTwAVkFIbC1VrBXgk6q39vfx8rEtq3RBxbjsOGsJmuz-bpjvVuJKIR0RNp3/s1600/Swains+Dive+6+Horseshoe+Shark+Alley+Drift+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="1080" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbSQ7evGV1l4cNZrWwb5rP21aE8Hoo5kGw31SxPkBbMOlKLbbgDTskwnyHpk9lpcGueLpLadWGJdcoRhQzGTwAVkFIbC1VrBXgk6q39vfx8rEtq3RBxbjsOGsJmuz-bpjvVuJKIR0RNp3/s640/Swains+Dive+6+Horseshoe+Shark+Alley+Drift+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8UAT8rjmLOqIpz8lMYwjcnEJLOmSiuPPWGL8CJI5kzfDLPwtdYL_qnq4MrDf8MPcWNmBMDtfoPGi-eAMctPK7EWqlNNpn7womuTFKrVRP_KQ9xLwe8CVuHZBP46MpMJVpI3ENI8OeTIh/s1600/Swains+Dive+6+Horseshoe+Shark+Alley+Drift+%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="1080" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8UAT8rjmLOqIpz8lMYwjcnEJLOmSiuPPWGL8CJI5kzfDLPwtdYL_qnq4MrDf8MPcWNmBMDtfoPGi-eAMctPK7EWqlNNpn7womuTFKrVRP_KQ9xLwe8CVuHZBP46MpMJVpI3ENI8OeTIh/s640/Swains+Dive+6+Horseshoe+Shark+Alley+Drift+%252811%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NWAG4z4pJPUtqqbD6pAt3IZH0FUl4Y8tW6yAw_WmgxOVDFC5xVv0igjn-qAe32-GE4pIQWVivzLmO3SfEESwmQAUvkVdJlhbx0pP6xlaX072VKDdAAqHModbV7LC5csAsWxG0rS-z7w_/s1600/Swains+Dive+6+Horseshoe+Shark+Alley+Drift+%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="687" data-original-width="1080" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NWAG4z4pJPUtqqbD6pAt3IZH0FUl4Y8tW6yAw_WmgxOVDFC5xVv0igjn-qAe32-GE4pIQWVivzLmO3SfEESwmQAUvkVdJlhbx0pP6xlaX072VKDdAAqHModbV7LC5csAsWxG0rS-z7w_/s640/Swains+Dive+6+Horseshoe+Shark+Alley+Drift+%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We ran out of
air long before we reached the kayaks but it gave us a lot of time to play on
the surface up on top of the reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul tried to
capture some reflection shots with the glassy water surface, some under/over
photos, the tiny bait fish just below the surface and even the small waves
rolling in over the reef top.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXZRRPI_XdiZq26sFZPPZ50Q2pe1K88QQWP6Ac3G_qFOuM7kw6IavfiCNyFf-V4XbzR2WYcyGVD-8_-qmCf5fLYWdeOhOJ9wb7qpXZ0YAhQymlWQUOQOjT3lFC1er9LTHl2VrutsrfcaM/s1600/Swains+Dive+6+Horseshoe+Shark+Alley+Drift+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="1080" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXZRRPI_XdiZq26sFZPPZ50Q2pe1K88QQWP6Ac3G_qFOuM7kw6IavfiCNyFf-V4XbzR2WYcyGVD-8_-qmCf5fLYWdeOhOJ9wb7qpXZ0YAhQymlWQUOQOjT3lFC1er9LTHl2VrutsrfcaM/s640/Swains+Dive+6+Horseshoe+Shark+Alley+Drift+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But our delay
to play meant the current stopped and then turned meaning our final 100m/330ft
swim to the kayaks was into the current.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But we made
it – eventually….and exhausted!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikk2I2zxmUZyWFeF23h6eStJkm-x9pwfKvqlvgm0XqWAjJyk2D-MwCPAIV-Sn3HslOmRA3EsidFvlXU0VbeNF2jamHKUxg_JXPL9X2Tiklns6EZvu4U0YIiLrfPeVzXA986rLOPKkQI7Ga/s1600/Swains+Dive+6+Horseshoe+Shark+Alley+Drift+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="673" data-original-width="1080" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikk2I2zxmUZyWFeF23h6eStJkm-x9pwfKvqlvgm0XqWAjJyk2D-MwCPAIV-Sn3HslOmRA3EsidFvlXU0VbeNF2jamHKUxg_JXPL9X2Tiklns6EZvu4U0YIiLrfPeVzXA986rLOPKkQI7Ga/s640/Swains+Dive+6+Horseshoe+Shark+Alley+Drift+%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We loaded the
kayaks up with all the gear and put the cameras on the front before paddling
back to the tinny.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_yqrlHwO2OHsI2oZJmnUUECbwE-mhQB-8MtACl2tHzRtTcSKwQdujIjKr-d0OFY55Z4jd7m3TeLLRtuMBdDi9sxQjt8QqqqSp2vuFIFKneG7iQv9cQmO6T6Ne8Dwp_7S9kSbHcSlPgNu/s1600/Swains+Dive+6+Horseshoe+Shark+Alley+Drift+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="1080" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_yqrlHwO2OHsI2oZJmnUUECbwE-mhQB-8MtACl2tHzRtTcSKwQdujIjKr-d0OFY55Z4jd7m3TeLLRtuMBdDi9sxQjt8QqqqSp2vuFIFKneG7iQv9cQmO6T6Ne8Dwp_7S9kSbHcSlPgNu/s640/Swains+Dive+6+Horseshoe+Shark+Alley+Drift+%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By the time
we got home it had been 4 hours of adventure and after we washed and cleaned up,
we ended up flaking into bed at 4pm and watching movies rather than editing
photos and filling scuba tanks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One week had
now passed in the Swains and it had been go, go, go with 6 dives, 3
spearfishes, countless snorkels and even 2 kayak adventures.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we called
a lay-day to get back on top of things and Lisa did a lot of cooking and baking
while Paul caught up on the photo editing and filling tanks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was just
as well as it blew 20 knots overnight the night before and was probably too
bumpy in the morning to do anything anyway….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But in the
arvo the wind dropped out and we were able to go for a SUP around the shallow
coral within the lagoon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJgQBB_zYegw-nRltRsubDBrahsE1ti4rwC9mr9W8SuY_-YIdwEpdHfHQmj2rDaPUe8nYN5GKGF6pbcrk4NjXGy3DdJr6csBgpraSW239kZNWGbZnt84sxn1hNnAPK8ge7hmNsuRVlWvD/s1600/Swains+Horseshoe+SUP+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="1080" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJgQBB_zYegw-nRltRsubDBrahsE1ti4rwC9mr9W8SuY_-YIdwEpdHfHQmj2rDaPUe8nYN5GKGF6pbcrk4NjXGy3DdJr6csBgpraSW239kZNWGbZnt84sxn1hNnAPK8ge7hmNsuRVlWvD/s640/Swains+Horseshoe+SUP+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next morning
it was really flat and we did an even bigger SUP.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">First we had
a paddle through the coral in the sandy shallows.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbT1nZYwaclcnP2pxLtIsENixnMGSA3lGml88OEAAxSGdHPqPDRKLrPiErfw-HX9L7bQdB_QDnlUnMZ7unL3Ab7ILA2O7TVHzITxUp0D6qO4IB-o_-fL3c_8Ut-Z1ZZ6ip7vfTQD2858C/s1600/Swains+Horseshoe+SUP+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="634" data-original-width="1080" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbT1nZYwaclcnP2pxLtIsENixnMGSA3lGml88OEAAxSGdHPqPDRKLrPiErfw-HX9L7bQdB_QDnlUnMZ7unL3Ab7ILA2O7TVHzITxUp0D6qO4IB-o_-fL3c_8Ut-Z1ZZ6ip7vfTQD2858C/s640/Swains+Horseshoe+SUP+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Then with the
run out tide we did a drift through the gutter we dived and out onto the drop
off at Shark Alley. It was awesome to have it so flat and clear to be able to
SUP on the reef edge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLzZ1BKHVsY6wEVqlFgsU76Y5i0heg3xtT5BIMBps9x2PCbp512UdPh9qlnwfwaGeIRTqG69D0lEbt3Drm2J3WuellTrEcGNwt8Cdf1QDDDyqFj6gFfVfiFreV2JQmkOsMMrxRnOg2tEO/s1600/Swains+Horseshoe+SUP+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="1080" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLzZ1BKHVsY6wEVqlFgsU76Y5i0heg3xtT5BIMBps9x2PCbp512UdPh9qlnwfwaGeIRTqG69D0lEbt3Drm2J3WuellTrEcGNwt8Cdf1QDDDyqFj6gFfVfiFreV2JQmkOsMMrxRnOg2tEO/s640/Swains+Horseshoe+SUP+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJhmlurJValZV3ZM4XxWb2s-LeT1k-EVdv3Yns8dSNZEyh1gmHuwOfU5VEncNzvEgn8U6uq1_WSqrbbz5suH9WrCPOnLINMAbtmQGQ-RygX_TJSrgsIX-v5C8TwpALxv1TY0-mf90X5nG/s1600/Swains+Horseshoe+SUP+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="1080" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJhmlurJValZV3ZM4XxWb2s-LeT1k-EVdv3Yns8dSNZEyh1gmHuwOfU5VEncNzvEgn8U6uq1_WSqrbbz5suH9WrCPOnLINMAbtmQGQ-RygX_TJSrgsIX-v5C8TwpALxv1TY0-mf90X5nG/s640/Swains+Horseshoe+SUP+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgCmEqg7cNQOAvdnGAcLHDX87oEXt9qvO4hX7Xt8TZ6OWNsRIpqEgg0y99B327-dr09OdXbz3w-Txmhq_s0PLLIi_KYLSZf7cnC9n63QzYzugEFn5Xd7dvpEQ8F8xzpxX_TZfhliACAp9/s1600/Swains+Horseshoe+SUP+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="1080" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgCmEqg7cNQOAvdnGAcLHDX87oEXt9qvO4hX7Xt8TZ6OWNsRIpqEgg0y99B327-dr09OdXbz3w-Txmhq_s0PLLIi_KYLSZf7cnC9n63QzYzugEFn5Xd7dvpEQ8F8xzpxX_TZfhliACAp9/s640/Swains+Horseshoe+SUP+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We couldn’t
believe it was getting calmer as we returned to Lorelei from our paddle.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBia6r6kHQ6SjPIYeFJuASfdBcx-BzwlybmfAN0vCaRUk2QCn7ZxErLmjDZd4p-eU3km0B_GKgApZgEfMZN20FEaMtR_xI_nEPdND6vUX2Rj8eIL_q7FqLaCzTYJj8K0Ni6htC82-dVp5m/s1600/Swains+Horseshoe+Lorelei.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="1080" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBia6r6kHQ6SjPIYeFJuASfdBcx-BzwlybmfAN0vCaRUk2QCn7ZxErLmjDZd4p-eU3km0B_GKgApZgEfMZN20FEaMtR_xI_nEPdND6vUX2Rj8eIL_q7FqLaCzTYJj8K0Ni6htC82-dVp5m/s640/Swains+Horseshoe+Lorelei.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With over 36
hours break from scuba diving and the calm weather, it was the perfect time to
do some spearfishing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had passed
over a large area of scattered reef and bommies at the bottom end of Horseshoe
Reef when we arrived in Lorelei and wanted to check it out.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We figured it
may be a good place to spear and also at the same see if it was a possible
scuba location.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were able
to anchor the tinny up on top of a bommie and swim only a short distance out to
a drop-off.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">What we saw
on the edge was amazing!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The blue
parrot fish were spawning on the ledge at 10m/33ft and there were 3 types of
bait fish in huge numbers from the surface down to the ledge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the drop
off from 10m/33ft to 20m/66ft were loads of reef fish and some of them were
massive. Loads of oversized Coral Trout and a Footballer Trout that would have
been a world record. Large Cod, Maori Wrasse, Barramundi Cod, Sweetlips, Long
Nose Emperors and heaps more.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst above
them hunting through the baitfish were mackerel, 3 types of Trevally, Milkfish
and Queenfish – all of which were very large fish.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">And with all
that action came the sharks – and lots of very feisty ones.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">All in all it
was spearing sensory overload at its best and probably the best fish action we’ve
seen since Rendova in The Solomon Islands in 2013.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But we didn’t
need a huge fish for dinner and we simply didn’t have room in the freezer (yet)
for fish fillets so for the most part we just swam around ogling at the awesome
spectacle before us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Towards the
end Lisa spied a large Red Throat Emperor and called Paul over for a look.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
perfect for dinner and he landed his first Swains Red Throat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It didn’t
matter how many times he measured it, it always fell 2cm short of Lisa’s one
from the week before……<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqdRCPnVRIbmZFGu7wsKJl3gwDUxVZTi4rSyrph9_70Uk4Sx0BcUFJqa5lqy3N6dX70blrRjxG-Dk219EgRDWJlgvEtLat1XyGgtKLBPUVEuEY5DpTBePATnnIWWMglwyJeDulqqeL4tj/s1600/Swains+Horseshoe+Pauls+Red+Throat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="1080" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqdRCPnVRIbmZFGu7wsKJl3gwDUxVZTi4rSyrph9_70Uk4Sx0BcUFJqa5lqy3N6dX70blrRjxG-Dk219EgRDWJlgvEtLat1XyGgtKLBPUVEuEY5DpTBePATnnIWWMglwyJeDulqqeL4tj/s640/Swains+Horseshoe+Pauls+Red+Throat.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite being
awesome for spearing, there wasn’t much coral and it was only one face that was
relatively small so we decided it wouldn’t be that good as a scuba dive location.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had an
awesome sunset and just 10 minutes later a great moon rise with the full moon
and super glassy conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoCrCrerTblterMVPmVDXwpBoy2GahJX8S9OlMytdKVe9Kk3CK6xVD4vth6EPhKhfVTeCrPqgJ9DW-3osSxgcpa6za_KJkU1O8NcLdjECw5g12fhIsZ13F4ivZA18x2Uh3t5G_D70gzY4/s1600/Swains+Horseshoe+Sunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="1080" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoCrCrerTblterMVPmVDXwpBoy2GahJX8S9OlMytdKVe9Kk3CK6xVD4vth6EPhKhfVTeCrPqgJ9DW-3osSxgcpa6za_KJkU1O8NcLdjECw5g12fhIsZ13F4ivZA18x2Uh3t5G_D70gzY4/s640/Swains+Horseshoe+Sunset.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOkJ9BodurN6rMaaGSl7AQUOj55HOsXcAiHwYMxFwfpT8TSdFQ2UHKTlfmJ7-rF3s-jx2lKGdpa55PL4xew_TzU5X6ukp7SpIKyFa-cAyvUzOsa6hxkABpxZL5NnyNvIsPZXWtXsX_vn9/s1600/Swains+Horseshoe+Moonrise.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="669" data-original-width="1080" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOkJ9BodurN6rMaaGSl7AQUOj55HOsXcAiHwYMxFwfpT8TSdFQ2UHKTlfmJ7-rF3s-jx2lKGdpa55PL4xew_TzU5X6ukp7SpIKyFa-cAyvUzOsa6hxkABpxZL5NnyNvIsPZXWtXsX_vn9/s640/Swains+Horseshoe+Moonrise.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
surreal night with ultra-glassy conditions and the super bright night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We could see the
coral on the bottom at 10pm!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The history
on Lorelei’s weather station revealed an overnight maximum wind speed of 0.0
knots...<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We left Horseshoe
Reef the next morning and took a detour to Gannet Reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the reef
is the large Gannet Cay – a popular area for nesting sea birds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YfJ7EM0vNjW_eNIo2cNyqt_nSgJ5XliIMWV5_tWd7WzNLMw4eHM-TEVQOR0jJdUdDU8sA-4WmD9db7QDMmbABWpULRPKD627GUzMgR6fSyJ7u2XL1CkUZp2pFvg69aK84ZV2Oazczr9w/s1600/Swains+Gannet+Cay+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="1080" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YfJ7EM0vNjW_eNIo2cNyqt_nSgJ5XliIMWV5_tWd7WzNLMw4eHM-TEVQOR0jJdUdDU8sA-4WmD9db7QDMmbABWpULRPKD627GUzMgR6fSyJ7u2XL1CkUZp2pFvg69aK84ZV2Oazczr9w/s640/Swains+Gannet+Cay+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24o50tVSVJxAULfLvlMhbav2Wr6d-tFEh2eUl2RGGy8l9-9rLuYvNuH_5sQEedKB2zlB_LxU_4VSH1l8VIozo615jBa4O9LqO0GfNFB6AbM7wE1na6N3E5n7nXUa8vw_OPtbDvNDks0Dj/s1600/Swains+Gannet+Cay+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="1080" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24o50tVSVJxAULfLvlMhbav2Wr6d-tFEh2eUl2RGGy8l9-9rLuYvNuH_5sQEedKB2zlB_LxU_4VSH1l8VIozo615jBa4O9LqO0GfNFB6AbM7wE1na6N3E5n7nXUa8vw_OPtbDvNDks0Dj/s640/Swains+Gannet+Cay+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But what we
were looking for was an isolated pinnacle that rose from 32m/106ft up to
7m/23ft. We had read reports in both old books that it was amazing diving in
the 1980’s.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The issue was
we didn’t have an exact location (all we knew was it was on the south side) and
since then, Gannet Cay has been declared a protection zone and Marine Parks
have put a big no-go box around the area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we didn’t
know whether the pinnacle was within the no-go borders or not.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the
glassy conditions we did a few laps up and down along the edge of the border
and a little further out but after nearly an hour of searching we sadly gave
up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">All we found
were large 2m/6ft long sea snakes on the surface.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2sQVLtYlTUKvadwFwG4vHhJ8BItg305Uyt75W4Ku4qLhK5XQfeEaENWX8SGvkbFtspd2gKis0tgIJl96me56Hx3oGkvjssAoQ13xYxx9w-l3UpzkjWe2_dfI6VnUjhV6i5EEWC2_x1w6M/s1600/Swains+Gannet+Cay+Sea+Snake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="1080" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2sQVLtYlTUKvadwFwG4vHhJ8BItg305Uyt75W4Ku4qLhK5XQfeEaENWX8SGvkbFtspd2gKis0tgIJl96me56Hx3oGkvjssAoQ13xYxx9w-l3UpzkjWe2_dfI6VnUjhV6i5EEWC2_x1w6M/s640/Swains+Gannet+Cay+Sea+Snake.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was like
trying to find a needle in a haystack, despite being so glassy.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">If the
pinnacle came closer to the surface, then we might have had a better chance but
unless you were pretty close to it, you’d have a hard time of seeing it down at
7m/23ft from a distance.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Oh well…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we headed
another hour onto Surprise Reef as the wind increased a little.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkuHoX0qiFqgyVQnOhV4BHgl4y0RnIfZUzYGFgIY9Hb0SD7HGuO91uVF5mzAWtyKXhZMWg_dRjwrOvR7noOchQn_4JTcUF0zkiAOze_GA71wO3JPMuyPEcqOaSNQGmdG8_V2s-pFnGMryE/s1600/Swains+Suprise+Reef+Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="1080" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkuHoX0qiFqgyVQnOhV4BHgl4y0RnIfZUzYGFgIY9Hb0SD7HGuO91uVF5mzAWtyKXhZMWg_dRjwrOvR7noOchQn_4JTcUF0zkiAOze_GA71wO3JPMuyPEcqOaSNQGmdG8_V2s-pFnGMryE/s640/Swains+Suprise+Reef+Map.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This reef’s
lagoon was very open, deep and virtually no shallow bommies at the entrance.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a very
easy-to-anchor location.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived
just on the spring low tide of only 0.2m/1ft and the lowest of the month.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we put the
paddleboards in and went for a SUP around the lagoons inner reef edge as the
reef was exposed creating glassy conditions inside the lagoon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For the
afternoon we renamed it “SUP-rise Reef”.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8LGmCNQjozNVmy5aPVoGptPcZh_oaacQDH0bTzZfmihrn2_5LCwknvYpsH_43yilAoAGJoQ09UNRt8sOPhUrCU_Y7qsGHE-92QSn90ViAh_wTF1-BcE8sYSLg5bkLj_L2Rj6OMvji0Qt/s1600/Swains+Suprise+Reef+SUP+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="1080" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8LGmCNQjozNVmy5aPVoGptPcZh_oaacQDH0bTzZfmihrn2_5LCwknvYpsH_43yilAoAGJoQ09UNRt8sOPhUrCU_Y7qsGHE-92QSn90ViAh_wTF1-BcE8sYSLg5bkLj_L2Rj6OMvji0Qt/s640/Swains+Suprise+Reef+SUP+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCumnBTBls9L2sqbbeWi2By1GwOLCsgrUTF51j0lcjXvM45WBv8MPz0qGYKjvAw1CSLaNsOSjzpN7uVIRQSdJ1TZiZY6X4PhjX2k7HQO6LCXOqw1Bim4DCRbzD6aNxn04adyLdDlNJeIY8/s1600/Swains+Suprise+Reef+SUP+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="812" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCumnBTBls9L2sqbbeWi2By1GwOLCsgrUTF51j0lcjXvM45WBv8MPz0qGYKjvAw1CSLaNsOSjzpN7uVIRQSdJ1TZiZY6X4PhjX2k7HQO6LCXOqw1Bim4DCRbzD6aNxn04adyLdDlNJeIY8/s640/Swains+Suprise+Reef+SUP+%25283%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqpPauZks1U2Yr6zCwdktfDl8nD5pCANc0wxKD_N5TRSrfAhVeIruDjBeVqVWXmAFyl0_Ip9IHgl2T1zOUea9mjYzwM3sehEV4TYgvQz-SzRED3QSQb_eGK7QzPSChI3BTObQ4K7RFHT3/s1600/Swains+Suprise+Reef+SUP+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqpPauZks1U2Yr6zCwdktfDl8nD5pCANc0wxKD_N5TRSrfAhVeIruDjBeVqVWXmAFyl0_Ip9IHgl2T1zOUea9mjYzwM3sehEV4TYgvQz-SzRED3QSQb_eGK7QzPSChI3BTObQ4K7RFHT3/s640/Swains+Suprise+Reef+SUP+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The reason we
went to Surprise Reef was for the reports of large Olive Sea Snakes that
frequent the area and we wanted to get some U/W photos of them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went
snorkelling first and snorkelled in a stack of different locations around the
reef. We found one or two average diving locations and a few other areas for
possible spearfishing but overall it wasn’t that good and we didn’t see a
single sea snake for all our time in the water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In fact we
didn’t even see any when we entered and exited the reef system in Lorelei (as
they breathe air and come to the surface like turtles do…), so after 2 two days
we packed up and moved over to Pike Reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So the
surprise was on us……. No snakes…….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Pike reef is
one of the most protected anchorages as its towards the middle of the Swains
Reef system, is surround closely by other reefs which break up the swell and it
has a large area of reef pavement around the protected lagoon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was also
the one recommended to us by the Fisheries Team.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgGmyz2375-0Z92WkGB0AyrhVa46HWvxvJzjSbdWBSpZnUnqISetzjwNcuSCyTi89-l82nm3wY-mxsf7VnpvNg8I4_ZSyIWIzh8BDnygYUCHynKw_0EzX7C09yj8arI9tOZFcIYLv5yaQ/s1600/Swains+Pike+Reef+Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="673" data-original-width="1080" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgGmyz2375-0Z92WkGB0AyrhVa46HWvxvJzjSbdWBSpZnUnqISetzjwNcuSCyTi89-l82nm3wY-mxsf7VnpvNg8I4_ZSyIWIzh8BDnygYUCHynKw_0EzX7C09yj8arI9tOZFcIYLv5yaQ/s640/Swains+Pike+Reef+Map.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The wind was
due to increase to 20 knots the day we went there so we thought it was a good
opportunity to explore the lagoon area for a good anchorage (and get a GPS anchorage
co-ordinate and a track in and out) in case we quickly needed to return if
really bad weather hit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Additionally
it was only one day past the spring tides and with still very high tides, we
wanted to see just how much protection there really was.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the unsettled
weather and heavy cloud cover, the sunsets were great.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMc2MFLSfQhL-VyLeXpD9zjFkZe6McRE0GmBelhHqTp55OuBBWr_Ix47xtggi3EgqingHRmPvr24GxrgLIoyo4jJt41_ovUSM0elOT18eRB9RBdjZn28qdaCjySpky-skDjO4FSub8Jnj/s1600/Swains+Pike+Reef+Sunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="1080" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMc2MFLSfQhL-VyLeXpD9zjFkZe6McRE0GmBelhHqTp55OuBBWr_Ix47xtggi3EgqingHRmPvr24GxrgLIoyo4jJt41_ovUSM0elOT18eRB9RBdjZn28qdaCjySpky-skDjO4FSub8Jnj/s640/Swains+Pike+Reef+Sunset.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The anchorage
was also the perfect place to leave Lorelei so we could explore the nearby Poulson
Cay using the tinny.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However it
took 48 hours for the wind to drop enough so that we were able to venture out
in the tinny again.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Before we
went to the cay, we went for a snorkel to check out a few spots for diving and
whilst there were some nice areas for shallow snorkelling, there weren’t any
really good deeper spots for diving that we could find.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Poulson Cay
is virtually covered in water during a spring high tide so we had to wait until
late one afternoon when the tide was low enough for the cay to become exposed
and the birds to return after their day out flying and catching fish.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At first the
birds were very flighty (pardon the pun…) and didn’t like us approaching the
cay too close.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgni7XQ7R7OT4P1PNG_Vp56Rk6wnrUHwjUE0xqDA15FqnvAlvfGGWJOeDtT9_UYFMFqAPhgxCEJV9wJLQvhvX1OkrRn8HbOFBwuQUPcqoX0cGLDTbnRolUES7iyLjZUlt1nR8p9B9RsbHiJ/s1600/Swains+Poulson+Cay+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="1080" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgni7XQ7R7OT4P1PNG_Vp56Rk6wnrUHwjUE0xqDA15FqnvAlvfGGWJOeDtT9_UYFMFqAPhgxCEJV9wJLQvhvX1OkrRn8HbOFBwuQUPcqoX0cGLDTbnRolUES7iyLjZUlt1nR8p9B9RsbHiJ/s640/Swains+Poulson+Cay+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But after a
while the birds returned to the cay and settled down close to the water’s edge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We counted 7
species of birds with Black Noddys, Seagulls, Masked & Brown Boobys and 3
types of Terns.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FmhMsnWolDUnS3EYrHM4RypATLhNB8FxhcLsN71I1nQt5AhsRBe-26W7MP3-NKCHsRKUIBB5dg8ngaq1UoGjWJuI3xQuLKqjYYnXv24CoNi2s1fHMQv4OoLHvKvEIHRBmUqxD5EIs40W/s1600/Swains+Poulson+Cay+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="1080" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FmhMsnWolDUnS3EYrHM4RypATLhNB8FxhcLsN71I1nQt5AhsRBe-26W7MP3-NKCHsRKUIBB5dg8ngaq1UoGjWJuI3xQuLKqjYYnXv24CoNi2s1fHMQv4OoLHvKvEIHRBmUqxD5EIs40W/s640/Swains+Poulson+Cay+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This Fairy Tern returned
to the cay with a fish in its beak<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjVoPSLDGIQSBO_-negKW0yZ06EW0PWQAgZ4eFtUf_ka5RkmHV9ErjspsrUr7-cx31xZYr7cHc4dYlkkfVFA9U4-nTjYjbcoBFNtBN6e8uaN-G4-z6QGHu9iwzUdviyk1gSY28sGM2FlC/s1600/Swains+Poulson+Cay+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="1080" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjVoPSLDGIQSBO_-negKW0yZ06EW0PWQAgZ4eFtUf_ka5RkmHV9ErjspsrUr7-cx31xZYr7cHc4dYlkkfVFA9U4-nTjYjbcoBFNtBN6e8uaN-G4-z6QGHu9iwzUdviyk1gSY28sGM2FlC/s640/Swains+Poulson+Cay+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The biggest and best
bird on the cay.....</span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGkOegJ0l8FibetSlHWsK0F8E3auXzbx-O4ctagjfPTgL73yPGpSdBMvxtP0xOzLkB-oALfYdDxZPvj6x79c_vgW-kwkMenE68obnBsbO2vhGSfOwcICVMZTJJwv_YMQ-txNkJEBsCFSy/s1600/Swains+Poulson+Cay+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1080" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGkOegJ0l8FibetSlHWsK0F8E3auXzbx-O4ctagjfPTgL73yPGpSdBMvxtP0xOzLkB-oALfYdDxZPvj6x79c_vgW-kwkMenE68obnBsbO2vhGSfOwcICVMZTJJwv_YMQ-txNkJEBsCFSy/s640/Swains+Poulson+Cay+%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When the wind
had died down to sub 10 knots, we moved over to Central Reef which was another
reef with the possibilities of scuba diving.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzE6OW6j04PRDj62dR2tpSGGPMqsYECM13978MfppyqC4Ubb3gCeGvEp1VvB0TWBmAn1demCdw9CKvxc1kXEVkJoiYa_WNGNVAB_0aox89NtVvWmgrNU6n6bEO2rgP1McnNIWXSHhw3Cm3/s1600/Swains+Central+Reef+Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="786" data-original-width="1080" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzE6OW6j04PRDj62dR2tpSGGPMqsYECM13978MfppyqC4Ubb3gCeGvEp1VvB0TWBmAn1demCdw9CKvxc1kXEVkJoiYa_WNGNVAB_0aox89NtVvWmgrNU6n6bEO2rgP1McnNIWXSHhw3Cm3/s640/Swains+Central+Reef+Map.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We sailed
towards the reef from the bottom end and sounded along the reef edge to find a
lot of nice structure along the drop off so we quickly changed plans and
decided to anchor in the key hole at the southern end of Central Reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
little deep at 15m/50ft and was filled with a lot of small reef patches on the bottom
but we finally managed to find a spot that was not so bad – but not perfect.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We dropped
the tinny in to do some exploratory snorkelling to find some dive areas.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We started at
the keyhole entrance and down to the southern point but were disappointed to
find the coral all broken up and dead.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was nice
and pretty on the surface and down to 5m/15ft but nothing below that.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we tried
every few hundred meters and found ourselves doing a complete circumnavigation
of the reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The only
place we found that was any good was a small strip at the extreme northern tip
of the reef. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By then it
was too late to dive and the tides were wrong so we went back to Lorelei, moved
anchorages to the northern lagoon (which was closer to the dive sites) and prepped
all the scuba gear for a dive on the 8:30am slack tide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had
another cracking sunset that night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4KM1BXV5Jc3bUyH3p3Fe5KZaxbsDsda5tqghjRdMrmlg9aMvX0fO8Kf5kD0ZObmereKkoSC_QVDPYK4KJvY2bZ81-KQrQkXixUtmKUkS-k9YRS4tIQAJDh-CHI28CZyJssBcL0wEhp0Ud/s1600/Swains+Central+Reef+Sunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="1080" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4KM1BXV5Jc3bUyH3p3Fe5KZaxbsDsda5tqghjRdMrmlg9aMvX0fO8Kf5kD0ZObmereKkoSC_QVDPYK4KJvY2bZ81-KQrQkXixUtmKUkS-k9YRS4tIQAJDh-CHI28CZyJssBcL0wEhp0Ud/s640/Swains+Central+Reef+Sunset.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We descended
down the wall at 8am and once at the sand bottom at 24m/80ft we could look
across a narrow sand gutter to a series of large and elongated bommies that ran
parallel to the reef edge and were full of life.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidajFrnj1fm4_mc2P3Puq-NoNwZuXWjo6XhkXmQErAOym6G_9gTs_DKQqbfu-AtyjoYaAy0mviVEfBZ1IaPwzjbFpD2un9NzBjphHI7c0IY4a8U2R8kMmVED9NRSHSxscdeYpkSqJEcHtQ/s1600/Swains+Dive+7+Central+Reef+Paul+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="1080" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidajFrnj1fm4_mc2P3Puq-NoNwZuXWjo6XhkXmQErAOym6G_9gTs_DKQqbfu-AtyjoYaAy0mviVEfBZ1IaPwzjbFpD2un9NzBjphHI7c0IY4a8U2R8kMmVED9NRSHSxscdeYpkSqJEcHtQ/s640/Swains+Dive+7+Central+Reef+Paul+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul had his
head in his camera taking photos when he heard Lisa giving a few loud taps on
her tank for attention.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It wasn’t her
normal “I’ve found something cool” tapping so Paul looked up to see her pushed
up against the reef and a very, very large Bull Shark tightly circling her.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We quickly
paired up and were a little concerned as it’s by far the biggest Bull Shark
we’ve ever seen (and after living in Moreton Bay for years – we’ve seen some
thumpers…). But what really made it stand out was its girth and we estimated
its body was around 1.5m/5ft wide & deep and that’s without fins!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
its circles around us got larger not smaller and eventually it turned and swam
down the gutter and away from us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul was a
little bummed it didn’t come in closer for a photo but Lisa was very thankful
it didn’t. She was a little rattled by it for the rest of the day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> But we continued the dive around the deeper
bommies until our NDL’s said we had to go back up the wall.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHaU4CG6wnBvjvVYxLJQ4JaqlN1Vc_skrhose59UmMALnNO5GNv1iaAMTIC07xdg45diBGK4WIupB8kdyPt0malAO7-usns1e2XQh47jm8W7BQdatgs0ppEV_HsghzPvn3w6GPB5846ZO_/s1600/Swains+Dive+7+Central+Reef+Paul+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="1080" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHaU4CG6wnBvjvVYxLJQ4JaqlN1Vc_skrhose59UmMALnNO5GNv1iaAMTIC07xdg45diBGK4WIupB8kdyPt0malAO7-usns1e2XQh47jm8W7BQdatgs0ppEV_HsghzPvn3w6GPB5846ZO_/s640/Swains+Dive+7+Central+Reef+Paul+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
loads of pretty coral in the shallows and lots of small fish around the reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">All in all it
was an excellent dive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwS1S9YGE4ZLfWYFxeV8PYitKmlOxJxwUjNI7pP9INVx46uwhBUqMqPRwKF2Fdbnvk5v5lGgniRmvED7oHbBGrlPOb1utkPtaKCAOaOkKG1PlgJmLo2ov6Je_uRkrh_kz4zv8eAmlHslHL/s1600/Swains+Dive+7+Central+Reef+Paul+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="729" data-original-width="1080" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwS1S9YGE4ZLfWYFxeV8PYitKmlOxJxwUjNI7pP9INVx46uwhBUqMqPRwKF2Fdbnvk5v5lGgniRmvED7oHbBGrlPOb1utkPtaKCAOaOkKG1PlgJmLo2ov6Je_uRkrh_kz4zv8eAmlHslHL/s640/Swains+Dive+7+Central+Reef+Paul+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5XLSzQRuwoscJ2g8GcVBO2nc98E_EJ8qW88iI-5Mg50QNFAWHDMNlWemTS8G3NueF2BIrY0W2wyNHw8DZ3L4UYJOFoLBJ5VNkqIgh2ZEte-js8rnXSfdqk_gVBl6SiybhGQZVHnD56-5/s1600/Swains+Dive+7+Central+Reef+Paul+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="1080" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5XLSzQRuwoscJ2g8GcVBO2nc98E_EJ8qW88iI-5Mg50QNFAWHDMNlWemTS8G3NueF2BIrY0W2wyNHw8DZ3L4UYJOFoLBJ5VNkqIgh2ZEte-js8rnXSfdqk_gVBl6SiybhGQZVHnD56-5/s640/Swains+Dive+7+Central+Reef+Paul+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBEJj76Cn7fxjRdddK1lDDEFFahrKK6Up1uC_adfbaBdy5W0CglY3yBApGReUjnUVNomJrzr1SsOsD_H97gGdP6xMQgh_ccVa9SXYE0zD-UgHvrgqOBVjkxYKvV_GkaqcDyxyAx78JyJ9/s1600/Swains+Dive+7+Central+Reef+Paul+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="1080" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBEJj76Cn7fxjRdddK1lDDEFFahrKK6Up1uC_adfbaBdy5W0CglY3yBApGReUjnUVNomJrzr1SsOsD_H97gGdP6xMQgh_ccVa9SXYE0zD-UgHvrgqOBVjkxYKvV_GkaqcDyxyAx78JyJ9/s640/Swains+Dive+7+Central+Reef+Paul+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPnELBddOzWEC0Vr2KVmb11GAReD8emWqGfvQYYGnlg3C8zCh0C7xX6BuzfJUUcPXf-nR7nCatdYWIn3dAOTL7nP5CHtoe5Yrj1_UTA3IticOSR2baDoKlHS9zez5pDS2OtFIT0lefp72/s1600/Swains+Dive+7+Central+Reef+Lisa+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="687" data-original-width="1080" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPnELBddOzWEC0Vr2KVmb11GAReD8emWqGfvQYYGnlg3C8zCh0C7xX6BuzfJUUcPXf-nR7nCatdYWIn3dAOTL7nP5CHtoe5Yrj1_UTA3IticOSR2baDoKlHS9zez5pDS2OtFIT0lefp72/s640/Swains+Dive+7+Central+Reef+Lisa+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A very small 5mm long
Crinoid Shrimp camouflaged and hiding with the Crinoid.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At lunchtime
we downloaded the weather and once again were faced with another strong SE blow
arriving in 36 hours’ time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we decided
to do another dive in the afternoon on the 3pm high tide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This time we
tried another area just 100m from the morning’s dive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The coral on
the bommies down deep was not quite as good but there was much more fish life.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlo-6iZJSbH2pmWg4jrvcX7USOuGAvbE9DLR0zRQzZaP_Iv5qZf6pAZgt27RHocrQz2oT1Nov6uhjvjpXeEsc-TsJ5TXKHOo42fUO13Z3RHE8zInxgMFk00DFpCQALITzLmRIp11gnnpy/s1600/Swains+Dive+8+Central+Reef+Paul+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="672" data-original-width="1080" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlo-6iZJSbH2pmWg4jrvcX7USOuGAvbE9DLR0zRQzZaP_Iv5qZf6pAZgt27RHocrQz2oT1Nov6uhjvjpXeEsc-TsJ5TXKHOo42fUO13Z3RHE8zInxgMFk00DFpCQALITzLmRIp11gnnpy/s640/Swains+Dive+8+Central+Reef+Paul+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Getting photo-bombed by
a Red Throat Emperor and a juvenile Red Emperor in the same shot is pretty cool
and with both species being camera shy, it’s not something that happens every
day…<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrP2WnXH63BK3eEwuuNeeKwqRV3pIPFnTFn4yFbJajiRFU2vsXesRqMDwTHRp2QiiW3ct-pfiLBpEEG7Py15HgROl1HOcMt552OI7PTuvXMHidNMw_X8Tn3AOMHpp2Xv_a3MLzR3NOQPS/s1600/Swains+Dive+8+Central+Reef+Paul+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrP2WnXH63BK3eEwuuNeeKwqRV3pIPFnTFn4yFbJajiRFU2vsXesRqMDwTHRp2QiiW3ct-pfiLBpEEG7Py15HgROl1HOcMt552OI7PTuvXMHidNMw_X8Tn3AOMHpp2Xv_a3MLzR3NOQPS/s640/Swains+Dive+8+Central+Reef+Paul+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePpJ_91EeCM0nXgLu6YSpx1QkyLwZKrxcK-q4GA3yNhkx6jAeqy16AAQTqJ6EIDhSKQURApJ_crYusYzyXfeY2XnGe94ueWSp7Rp9M1MSoevEg-mQ74MmeMwKLtAW6Ts4X8gVk_wIHJei/s1600/Swains+Dive+8+Central+Reef+Paul+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="709" data-original-width="1080" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePpJ_91EeCM0nXgLu6YSpx1QkyLwZKrxcK-q4GA3yNhkx6jAeqy16AAQTqJ6EIDhSKQURApJ_crYusYzyXfeY2XnGe94ueWSp7Rp9M1MSoevEg-mQ74MmeMwKLtAW6Ts4X8gVk_wIHJei/s640/Swains+Dive+8+Central+Reef+Paul+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The afternoon
setting sun made for some great photo ops.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDyejLgV-nPx97qIhKohnfocegIR1GDM1zpfievDxsV6bcafKJ9HGZ3wi_l7bMocp1pNDAGmB7MZZs9t92NYvOuAOLcppaSZAtjOLETZjS9YLDU3_NVLw59DVFWnD3sfbQstv4dUHOlMI/s1600/Swains+Dive+8+Central+Reef+Paul+%25284a%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="1080" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDyejLgV-nPx97qIhKohnfocegIR1GDM1zpfievDxsV6bcafKJ9HGZ3wi_l7bMocp1pNDAGmB7MZZs9t92NYvOuAOLcppaSZAtjOLETZjS9YLDU3_NVLw59DVFWnD3sfbQstv4dUHOlMI/s640/Swains+Dive+8+Central+Reef+Paul+%25284a%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Surprisingly
there wasn’t a very good selection of macro critters for Lisa to photograph
despite the healthy and varied coral.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So see took
fish and Crayfish photos instead….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMar4UJ5ks5dPE06ZD43wgAbwuDvjHBQE5PFkSvele6BayC8J1WZDV67M1MVErKqi_iGkIyRyV_7m7jbDYMdPNXat-cJfHhNJjozonznH85iuxi4HYT9Dt26HeNzt7cjdUaQ3q6oAucAyX/s1600/Swains+Dive+8+Central+Reef+Paul+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="1080" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMar4UJ5ks5dPE06ZD43wgAbwuDvjHBQE5PFkSvele6BayC8J1WZDV67M1MVErKqi_iGkIyRyV_7m7jbDYMdPNXat-cJfHhNJjozonznH85iuxi4HYT9Dt26HeNzt7cjdUaQ3q6oAucAyX/s640/Swains+Dive+8+Central+Reef+Paul+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQUAj7Aww9lT4obieoPbyDS-keyITxV7JXvaZQZ0Nce9a4HuJXvENDFa0grx_0sviOqGgbTDGrefzqvYe-5S4NfOwuou3GRZ79zXE-Ktb9t6t4m4AIZS_lcbtZbQ6GuSO9mnnDVXdgo6I/s1600/Swains+Dive+7+Central+Reef+Lisa+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="1080" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQUAj7Aww9lT4obieoPbyDS-keyITxV7JXvaZQZ0Nce9a4HuJXvENDFa0grx_0sviOqGgbTDGrefzqvYe-5S4NfOwuou3GRZ79zXE-Ktb9t6t4m4AIZS_lcbtZbQ6GuSO9mnnDVXdgo6I/s640/Swains+Dive+7+Central+Reef+Lisa+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4peI4JjgaKmTGIOOAlnB7IgGFU0zjvyTlAzkUE52hthKvt_y_uxOWFzFI3L3aetH6bhcnwTcmMhf1NqP4hXE2AgCIgA3dkyo_pC61ReOAf3mI8VVyhNWSrunA927WZi1URoN7TZwdcSbp/s1600/Swains+Dive+7+Central+Reef+Lisa+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="1080" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4peI4JjgaKmTGIOOAlnB7IgGFU0zjvyTlAzkUE52hthKvt_y_uxOWFzFI3L3aetH6bhcnwTcmMhf1NqP4hXE2AgCIgA3dkyo_pC61ReOAf3mI8VVyhNWSrunA927WZi1URoN7TZwdcSbp/s640/Swains+Dive+7+Central+Reef+Lisa+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQofhsaJh7XzRf6OSstIaqzSVUdqUvGrkO5yKJAPsp4-10-sdzJ4tHxOLv_2a-5RVbVW4aKQmsko9H75sr0DyWNT8rHr6V4rGhgR0g2tWapjN35tLjzfEif394H2TnZwCTLQ02gdwG7qn/s1600/Swains+Dive+7+Central+Reef+Lisa+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="1080" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQofhsaJh7XzRf6OSstIaqzSVUdqUvGrkO5yKJAPsp4-10-sdzJ4tHxOLv_2a-5RVbVW4aKQmsko9H75sr0DyWNT8rHr6V4rGhgR0g2tWapjN35tLjzfEif394H2TnZwCTLQ02gdwG7qn/s640/Swains+Dive+7+Central+Reef+Lisa+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For the last
30 minutes, we stayed around 5m/15ft and watched an awesome spectacle of dozens
of different types of schooling fish coming up the wall.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
loads of Mackerel, Trevally, Parrot Fish and all the usual reef fish as well as
a few other special things like schools of Milk Fish and even a school of about
10 large Spangled Emperor that we could see below us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Nothing was
close enough to photograph in the low afternoon light but it was just super fun
to hang out around the tinny and watch the spectacle.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWClkunMNhx1GRCtp37GkuPU-A_M9wKw8Aiyb8Eh0XhGDf57lSc_MKJd_5kYO93VfiU8FA8ItObTWIjeSiDvLnQ0oV6CEMLH5JtvsYHQGvZNzDv7474QQ_rDrE3mAEXHT60IyVRZBQ6QFK/s1600/Swains+Dive+8+Central+Reef+Paul+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWClkunMNhx1GRCtp37GkuPU-A_M9wKw8Aiyb8Eh0XhGDf57lSc_MKJd_5kYO93VfiU8FA8ItObTWIjeSiDvLnQ0oV6CEMLH5JtvsYHQGvZNzDv7474QQ_rDrE3mAEXHT60IyVRZBQ6QFK/s640/Swains+Dive+8+Central+Reef+Paul+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was one of
the fishiest dives we’ve had in years.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were all
ready to go again the next morning but sadly the trough of low pressure had
passed over us and we had strong northerly winds sucking into the southerly that
was due to hit that night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The northerly
winds were pushing right onto the tip of the reef where the dive site was
making it impossible to anchor the tinny safely on the reef edge with the
onshore winds and rough conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were not
happy! Oh well at least we got 2 good dives in.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We sat out 1
night after the southerly hit but it was a little bumpy and exposed at Central
Reef so we sailed further north-west in towards the centre of the Swains Reef
system.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There was an
area that was dense with large reefs all close together and we figured it would
offer better protection.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we set
sail for Isobel Bennett Reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That’s it for
this Episode of our sailing adventures.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We stayed a
total of 9 weeks on the Great Barrier Reef (2 weeks at Lady Musgrave and 7
weeks in The Swains Reefs) so the second half of our Swains Reef adventure will
follow in our next blog episode – Episode 63 The Swains reefs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There’s lots
more diving with some fantastic underwater experiences so stay tuned.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul and Lisa
Hogger<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Yacht Lorelei<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lost
somewhere in The Swains Reef system…….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sailing the
swains reef<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Cruising the
swains reef<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Scuba diving
the swains reef<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Diving the
swains reef<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Swains reef
anchorages<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Swains reef
dive sites<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Swains reef
dive locations<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Swains reef
scuba diving<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Swains reef
diving<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Diving the
southern great barrier reef<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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sv_loreleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14235157985522355104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245635408700620959.post-26837026543905188932017-08-06T22:24:00.002-07:002019-02-09T18:05:54.607-08:00Episode 61 Hervey Bay and The Great Sandy Straights<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<b style="color: yellow; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 37.3333px;">Lorelei’s Sailing Adventures</b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Episode 60 was
an unusual episode with us having a break from sailing for a month as Lorelei
was put into a marina berth at Hervey Bay for a well-earned rest.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Instead we
went on a family holiday 4WDing on Fraser Island before Lisa went to the NSW
Central Coast to visit family and Paul went to his mum’s farm in Rural QLD.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">4WD fun along Fraser
Islands East Coast Beaches<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Famous Maheno
Shipwreck<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The beautiful Central
Station on Fraser Island<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A star trail photo over
Paul’s mums farm house in rural QLD<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the end we
had returned to Lorelei, did a major reprovision over 3 days and prepared to
depart the Marina.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
provisioning was a major effort with what felt like tonnes of food being
brought on board that had to be labelled, dated, stock rotated and stored away.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
working well into the nights to get it all done.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were very
thankful to Paul’s mum for giving us bags and bags of fresh produce from her
farm. There were kilos of Mandarins, Oranges, Lemons, Limes and Chilli’s which
hopefully would last us many weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We left from
the Marina on the windiest morning of the week!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
blowing SE right up the back of Lorelei meaning it was going to be a mission to
get Lorelei safely out of the berth.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had to do
a 7-point-turn going back and forth with the wheel hard over in each direction
just to get Lorelei to turn in the wind and tight confines.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Having a 63ft
long vessel weighing 30 tonnes with just one engine and very little steerage
without speed made for a bit of fun and games – but we got out eventually.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We set the
headsail only and sailed across Hervey Bay and north along Fraser Island’s
coast before stopping at one of our favourite places – Coongul Point.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By the time
we stopped, we were stuffed!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It had been
go, go, go for days so we just relaxed for 2 days and ate lots of yummy fresh
food.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had drinks
at Sunset each day and watched the charter boats going home each afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With light
northerlies forecast, we made our way back down into the more protected bay and
the top of the Great Sandy Straights.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was so
flat in the channel and we wanted to fish the Hardy Artificial Reef as it was 5
stars on the fishing almanac for the next 3 days.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we simply
found a sandy spot on the side of the channel that was close to the reef and
anchored Lorelei for a few days.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We fished the
wrecks late in the afternoon and into the nights from the tinny. It was cold
but we rugged up and enjoyed the near perfect conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The sunrises
from Lorelei looking back over Fraser Island were stunning.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSqud3CuIF8NedR7Zxz5JoP_H1PpbDE9X3jn9FB-tV3Wpvlmel97cl7ORFErZlLj35Ep30s6qNi3zp0HfTWGpylGvx-ZuWic34AcajLEsXMluBb2e7FS2a6UQGq0KQn78NtpZpfXT_YCPT/s1600/GSS+Little+Woody+Sunrise.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="1080" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSqud3CuIF8NedR7Zxz5JoP_H1PpbDE9X3jn9FB-tV3Wpvlmel97cl7ORFErZlLj35Ep30s6qNi3zp0HfTWGpylGvx-ZuWic34AcajLEsXMluBb2e7FS2a6UQGq0KQn78NtpZpfXT_YCPT/s640/GSS+Little+Woody+Sunrise.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the high
tides we also went and fished up in the smaller creeks on Fraser.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Using Nippers
we pumped on the sand flats at low tide, we drift fished for Whiting and caught
a few but not as many as we’d hoped for.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7lESSrM6jovdKcs7EDcpKc9HuwLz3USRpUs9bAzhaByExzJCTVF2sB9i8rnpBvyNqfUQWJwUnCjc74PzazF5MgZiate0X2SMG7ZIAlBtXnPfoIV0x8Ln2pEb9tKYxXF-ELBGhyFpRaB2E/s1600/Little+Woody+Creek+Fishing+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="1080" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7lESSrM6jovdKcs7EDcpKc9HuwLz3USRpUs9bAzhaByExzJCTVF2sB9i8rnpBvyNqfUQWJwUnCjc74PzazF5MgZiate0X2SMG7ZIAlBtXnPfoIV0x8Ln2pEb9tKYxXF-ELBGhyFpRaB2E/s640/Little+Woody+Creek+Fishing+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_EkBo9nQA_eNbdfv3Sk-0r5U9U-z8ZvBb3oAbYr8qNzBrtJ3pyB9cmJkN9mKSfrom3u33pos_pJ1Ql0Q1dKbZ9yqcG2Anie235h-j4pKb0BDAiC74ZTrwHWAACRafUg_aNwCw5zKoD0w/s1600/Little+Woody+Creek+Fishing+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="1080" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_EkBo9nQA_eNbdfv3Sk-0r5U9U-z8ZvBb3oAbYr8qNzBrtJ3pyB9cmJkN9mKSfrom3u33pos_pJ1Ql0Q1dKbZ9yqcG2Anie235h-j4pKb0BDAiC74ZTrwHWAACRafUg_aNwCw5zKoD0w/s640/Little+Woody+Creek+Fishing+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgB_SR5wTQ7bPjbTj912ns0whoI_Kj81mVxtkkaI9jwS948OP38eARDrpoNMFZpcJCDS-y87u2OFN2PLawMJmI4zccWUv5GSJX0Ue_XP1B8H4i0ti7ZYi0hXRoeQKT6heZwgp3dOM-aonk/s1600/Little+Woody+Creek+Fishing+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1547" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgB_SR5wTQ7bPjbTj912ns0whoI_Kj81mVxtkkaI9jwS948OP38eARDrpoNMFZpcJCDS-y87u2OFN2PLawMJmI4zccWUv5GSJX0Ue_XP1B8H4i0ti7ZYi0hXRoeQKT6heZwgp3dOM-aonk/s640/Little+Woody+Creek+Fishing+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A couple of Egrets
standing on some old wharf poles<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">we found up one of the
small creeks.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We moved
further down to McKenzie’s Jetty for a few days.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s
somewhere that we’ve sailed past many times but have never stopped.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul wanted
to do a series of photos around the old jetty at different times of the day and
night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Along the
beach there are remnants from the old logging era with a large boiler on the
beach and an old tractor buried in the sand.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQA2Zj1UxaFc5-4HD7I-aLrfExnDdqPasvowMNf82SE0FvcydBhZp8JblZElZcHpGARJ_94_XX_O5gDoES17hEgl-LRS7asNwQuKwraT8bnT41Ta-l47ysSIhRcUo-AoFC67mNwg3jt_FW/s1600/McKenzie+Jetty+Boiler.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="1080" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQA2Zj1UxaFc5-4HD7I-aLrfExnDdqPasvowMNf82SE0FvcydBhZp8JblZElZcHpGARJ_94_XX_O5gDoES17hEgl-LRS7asNwQuKwraT8bnT41Ta-l47ysSIhRcUo-AoFC67mNwg3jt_FW/s640/McKenzie+Jetty+Boiler.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjvx2fM1kXJ7axgR2wgfoIW4pB8UM8BFu7XazLtxiYRshtzK8GSoMeULpqThYPahIHPqJDyWEXa8dqUgMmpvkpg9pEtxQlf4Y8dWyVObqpdYxSxzm6qaeCZKpH2GxL590lEwwHRJeVCq6/s1600/McKenzie+Jetty+Tractor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="1080" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjvx2fM1kXJ7axgR2wgfoIW4pB8UM8BFu7XazLtxiYRshtzK8GSoMeULpqThYPahIHPqJDyWEXa8dqUgMmpvkpg9pEtxQlf4Y8dWyVObqpdYxSxzm6qaeCZKpH2GxL590lEwwHRJeVCq6/s640/McKenzie+Jetty+Tractor.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The mangrove
lined beaches are also very picturesque.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EkYBPbsZSR6WDv19NumL8KU_n-8qr2xZtPyvtpZ3wnpFfrHVCwDaFgK1Ic9o7BoARGH47oUBYh-SfE2A57abwUArrVUSx-ddd05wD97tTMkXrYXlNh2X9yYWhR4DvV4i1QxaSMGQ5RVp/s1600/McKenzie+Jetty+Mangroves.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="1080" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EkYBPbsZSR6WDv19NumL8KU_n-8qr2xZtPyvtpZ3wnpFfrHVCwDaFgK1Ic9o7BoARGH47oUBYh-SfE2A57abwUArrVUSx-ddd05wD97tTMkXrYXlNh2X9yYWhR4DvV4i1QxaSMGQ5RVp/s640/McKenzie+Jetty+Mangroves.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next
morning it was very still and VERY foggy!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was only 8
degrees at 7am which for us is freezing cold.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The fog was
very thick up towards Kingfisher Bay Resort at the Island’s hillsides.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_Y9bLVFqjgzjGPDfg00gKIBsL4Ri6wUK998NuWQ_x-XYuIIvpZdCatEeUKLJ5OrYrFPr55Onhr6kSmS4IJ5Um4srzcRkIugaD5BtvawRgUMAY0Q2IksAxy2XM_fxfxmRNeLlNlbTnoP9/s1600/McKenzie+Jetty+Foggy+Morning+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="1080" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_Y9bLVFqjgzjGPDfg00gKIBsL4Ri6wUK998NuWQ_x-XYuIIvpZdCatEeUKLJ5OrYrFPr55Onhr6kSmS4IJ5Um4srzcRkIugaD5BtvawRgUMAY0Q2IksAxy2XM_fxfxmRNeLlNlbTnoP9/s640/McKenzie+Jetty+Foggy+Morning+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2PG4A7ErF38c8AqmyINGtiZSy7Q35DVhXbHFIXn5vaulnnMnKNOU98IPvN1UtvZEOrK4e9Y2VqX4ORKt52swq4lBqxdSo9pKMIqcPVC1jSxvgyWkeyLNw9I4Sikt3tLSwAyAxMOtisWxc/s1600/McKenzie+Jetty+Foggy+Morning+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="1080" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2PG4A7ErF38c8AqmyINGtiZSy7Q35DVhXbHFIXn5vaulnnMnKNOU98IPvN1UtvZEOrK4e9Y2VqX4ORKt52swq4lBqxdSo9pKMIqcPVC1jSxvgyWkeyLNw9I4Sikt3tLSwAyAxMOtisWxc/s640/McKenzie+Jetty+Foggy+Morning+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The fog
cleared to a perfect day and a very clear night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite the
cold we had a picnic onshore so we could take a series of photos around the
jetty at sunset and night time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found the
lights rays made very long shadows from the jetties pylons.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubdnkSU-rjlX_BUl_P6pFOs-OA-UhxYBNVNT-Gb3x8RZPWoJ36vurSYGC7GRj-pJEicG3_EhzlNZ_wN_RXzxZ1BydzIBNtUsW4OPzpW3MANGVw0ZOgmcRBf-1ISsEbWbcRI72_3WyqKl3/s1600/McKenzie+Jetty+Sunset+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="1080" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubdnkSU-rjlX_BUl_P6pFOs-OA-UhxYBNVNT-Gb3x8RZPWoJ36vurSYGC7GRj-pJEicG3_EhzlNZ_wN_RXzxZ1BydzIBNtUsW4OPzpW3MANGVw0ZOgmcRBf-1ISsEbWbcRI72_3WyqKl3/s640/McKenzie+Jetty+Sunset+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpamxZbQOCjsUhlV2nptnf8i9fhOESm5GA4yvlstaMA3NSOxgU1oKyGes0Gv5aO5ny7VkIBMkt6LeEAfResSxKjMpbrC_sPBagW5TMKeZJP72K43FXdg5ykiQ-OdL68hqxPqc67ee76SU/s1600/McKenzie+Jetty+Sunset+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="1080" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpamxZbQOCjsUhlV2nptnf8i9fhOESm5GA4yvlstaMA3NSOxgU1oKyGes0Gv5aO5ny7VkIBMkt6LeEAfResSxKjMpbrC_sPBagW5TMKeZJP72K43FXdg5ykiQ-OdL68hqxPqc67ee76SU/s640/McKenzie+Jetty+Sunset+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A series of
tripod time exposures with the flash just after sunset also turn out quite
well.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzUVmlqh7HPRYFSFhLK2vdc0R9a9WAOnuI8FGRkIdJHFVIwGe9EbUk33KzJX-Z6bQe0ef5CwRK-aaJaFfVnqmgI27pInmaL_FviiL7RX_juxJK8ApeqHTDmU_b-wPDxO2qX4Uv66v1DCA/s1600/McKenzie+Jetty+Sunset+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="1080" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzUVmlqh7HPRYFSFhLK2vdc0R9a9WAOnuI8FGRkIdJHFVIwGe9EbUk33KzJX-Z6bQe0ef5CwRK-aaJaFfVnqmgI27pInmaL_FviiL7RX_juxJK8ApeqHTDmU_b-wPDxO2qX4Uv66v1DCA/s640/McKenzie+Jetty+Sunset+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_m37hc9UUR20kQREFFqguMZp4fdstBCkkyUCZE8MbzGHsqFD8JhngyrLUDVhJ2zbgI0WdwnyDZwTV-VbSuNwooG37dj4tYDHxWEQh6PHkl5e_E2XfBT0GOQTlJMXFcSzN1B1DA9bbb6rC/s1600/McKenzie+Jetty+Sunset+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="1080" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_m37hc9UUR20kQREFFqguMZp4fdstBCkkyUCZE8MbzGHsqFD8JhngyrLUDVhJ2zbgI0WdwnyDZwTV-VbSuNwooG37dj4tYDHxWEQh6PHkl5e_E2XfBT0GOQTlJMXFcSzN1B1DA9bbb6rC/s640/McKenzie+Jetty+Sunset+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We enjoyed
our drinks and cheese as we waited for it to get dark enough for some star
photography.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPEYBKCwqTc3igvooN4ZXoEUyEjG_QMXKWm2UzbLBMtLY30_QPmQpFBNAoP9OphlXTPf3RM0ucAs566SQgz2-pITYAjPNjia8-RC4-si0FF5FX5tHIyOONG0OvqKs814PVi6H6OmhBEixk/s1600/McKenzie+Jetty+Picnic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="1080" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPEYBKCwqTc3igvooN4ZXoEUyEjG_QMXKWm2UzbLBMtLY30_QPmQpFBNAoP9OphlXTPf3RM0ucAs566SQgz2-pITYAjPNjia8-RC4-si0FF5FX5tHIyOONG0OvqKs814PVi6H6OmhBEixk/s640/McKenzie+Jetty+Picnic.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The star
trail shot was fun but it took a while to get the tripod stable as we had it
sitting in soft sand and it needed to be stable for almost 2 hours.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It also took
a few attempts to get the light painting balance just right over the entire
length of the jetty with a powerful dive video light.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The 3-4
minute Milky Way shots were also fun but in the end the cold got to us and we
left for the warmer conditions back on Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmIoTjt3ufNjQBFwDgeyqMpxfySV1HMOf4Z4dbdNdotmiqGCb9R_n-QO7W-bsk7GyRf3oRXIk4mLSlwJBYd3KJ7QvljCpAgirCAvGziWif5W5aU6XyaBpx64zcW6mPLx5OFTWo2AtMtkE/s1600/McKenzie+Jetty+Star+Shots+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="645" data-original-width="1080" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmIoTjt3ufNjQBFwDgeyqMpxfySV1HMOf4Z4dbdNdotmiqGCb9R_n-QO7W-bsk7GyRf3oRXIk4mLSlwJBYd3KJ7QvljCpAgirCAvGziWif5W5aU6XyaBpx64zcW6mPLx5OFTWo2AtMtkE/s640/McKenzie+Jetty+Star+Shots+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
was yet another day of forecasted “light and variable” winds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We made the
best of it by exploring nearby Duck, Picnic and Little Woody Islands which are
located in the centre of the straights.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">All 3 are
small and uninhabited (except for the many species of birds) and they have
coarse and rocky beaches that are untouched.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Duck Island
had a great coarse sand spit at the northern end that was full of <br />
sea shells.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Picnic is a
very small island and not exactly perfect for a picnic but still very nice for
a stroll around. It also had a sand spit at the northern end.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Little Woody
Island was full of sea birds with Egrets, Cormorants, Gulls, Terns and Oyster
Catchers all wading and flying around the rocky southern spit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At the other
end we had a picnic under a large Casuarina Tree while an adult Osprey caught
fish in the shallows before taking them up to the nest which was above us in
the tree.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Little Woody Island</span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We got back
to Lorelei just before sunset to find it was still glassy flat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was high
tide and the Boiler near the Jetty was casting reflections into the water and
the warm glow from the setting sun was illuminating the sandy cliff face right
next to Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQoVqwsQ4tC_ZCnxAn9ZjIXSV0TPYYg9uLMCPmWEfUzRo-nvBaikAwBJ5YCeVe-niMjhLzO2cJh_PKjpkJ1Xo58GiiOfhU0WxoS2gaMdygSI6cYdE9h6emcglPkuZ0ZZc4iyoQsLtBLoh/s1600/McKenzie+Jetty+Sunset+Day+2+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="1080" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQoVqwsQ4tC_ZCnxAn9ZjIXSV0TPYYg9uLMCPmWEfUzRo-nvBaikAwBJ5YCeVe-niMjhLzO2cJh_PKjpkJ1Xo58GiiOfhU0WxoS2gaMdygSI6cYdE9h6emcglPkuZ0ZZc4iyoQsLtBLoh/s640/McKenzie+Jetty+Sunset+Day+2+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The sunset
was also great with a Fraser Island barge coming past at the perfect time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With some
very strong SW winds forecasted for a few days’ time, we decided to head
further down into the Sandy Straights for protection and to explore some new
areas.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We motored
south to a small bay called White Cliffs South.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way we
passed and stopped to talk with our friends Grant and Glynnis on their
magnificent power cat (which one day we’d like to own…..) Sea Wolf 2.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We first met
them in Broome (on the west coast), then cruised with them in the Kimberlies in
WA, Darwin & Gove in the NT and now SE QLD.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They we
heading in to reprovision so we arranged to catch up in a few days’ time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-FSoCSMgbCsyBUO6vEy6SLkZ551PrbTt2cqb8q_cviAmDyqW6MwVKBJj3u2rJ5YPL7otXQ6cKL5GaSzfux64UB_JoYobyZii8SEICedKVOuKU47kdiA07dFkhjcLqQ2r73E8T2_CXUnl/s1600/Sea+Wolf+Passing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="1080" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-FSoCSMgbCsyBUO6vEy6SLkZ551PrbTt2cqb8q_cviAmDyqW6MwVKBJj3u2rJ5YPL7otXQ6cKL5GaSzfux64UB_JoYobyZii8SEICedKVOuKU47kdiA07dFkhjcLqQ2r73E8T2_CXUnl/s640/Sea+Wolf+Passing.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">White Cliffs
was awesome with beautiful weather for a few days.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We decided to
explore and fish the areas around Ungowa.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the rising
tide we fished the entrance to the creeks and gutters.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOMyZwxBHQwZ89spqJ7CxFkrmXbv0k3rSG40R_202Uc5j4h5ofVMQCX1-fK2EvE_19gA11ixD5MqK3is4tNgvoaVh98t0gONM01bx12v8ICptmt8ZJoJS0W-3Qtlq461gFvSWNTnmHnov/s1600/White+Cliffs+South+Explore+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="1080" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOMyZwxBHQwZ89spqJ7CxFkrmXbv0k3rSG40R_202Uc5j4h5ofVMQCX1-fK2EvE_19gA11ixD5MqK3is4tNgvoaVh98t0gONM01bx12v8ICptmt8ZJoJS0W-3Qtlq461gFvSWNTnmHnov/s640/White+Cliffs+South+Explore+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A few hours
either side of the tide we explored the creeks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They were glassy
still and had great reflections.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first one
was very tight to get into but opened up once inside.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSswZWVi6kDFq3x7oVRyJd4l8lFDJB1d-DZXyTtIYkwbZ1XKbPLipT0exj80Xo5Yrt6bOyCJaYmQySRIN3UTnKdoaLbStb9LdzOUnUtzgqs2wPT4hruUmQF3iTyT9nbRxPNmRkdhXyXulC/s1600/White+Cliffs+South+Explore+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="1080" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSswZWVi6kDFq3x7oVRyJd4l8lFDJB1d-DZXyTtIYkwbZ1XKbPLipT0exj80Xo5Yrt6bOyCJaYmQySRIN3UTnKdoaLbStb9LdzOUnUtzgqs2wPT4hruUmQF3iTyT9nbRxPNmRkdhXyXulC/s640/White+Cliffs+South+Explore+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQw9WXYpxm6xCIuYswE3pz2IAT0LGK0IN0JLG0tWSK1KV0X0SDDudH4Le1fwTigsUQHBa7FVVVP-4y5uKD8CU3Pqb-YaSHQQxXOOnCaQieHwDjZs5XRpy3aYIBeP_auwuH3DCu7MS1CJFM/s1600/White+Cliffs+South+Explore+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="1080" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQw9WXYpxm6xCIuYswE3pz2IAT0LGK0IN0JLG0tWSK1KV0X0SDDudH4Le1fwTigsUQHBa7FVVVP-4y5uKD8CU3Pqb-YaSHQQxXOOnCaQieHwDjZs5XRpy3aYIBeP_auwuH3DCu7MS1CJFM/s640/White+Cliffs+South+Explore+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The second
creek was larger and about half way up is the wreck of the Palmer which was a
300 tonne sugar barge that was built in 1884 and operated between Townsville
and Cairns.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So how it
ended up in wedged in the mangroves as far south as Fraser Island is a mystery.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTJ4dVm2wsT71fGRbduXqxj8zpf2lQqU2nlQ_bCo2u8gME7z34AnEgVhixkpJ93e7rbGRSY_01f_fNeUYbtveiveIXn2H3POKHDKoC46_58RTIZwkg4PKVOHy7c5k4Hg4WBvsY0GMfNuP/s1600/White+Cliffs+South+Explore+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="1080" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTJ4dVm2wsT71fGRbduXqxj8zpf2lQqU2nlQ_bCo2u8gME7z34AnEgVhixkpJ93e7rbGRSY_01f_fNeUYbtveiveIXn2H3POKHDKoC46_58RTIZwkg4PKVOHy7c5k4Hg4WBvsY0GMfNuP/s640/White+Cliffs+South+Explore+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">You can just see the
rusty coloured wreck in the <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Mangroves to the right
of Lisa’s head<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSu9ht7OZ8Q9F1WrDb45A4pUQFf5_yo1jbPOfhGRKeixbG8a8ysgVFRnMiqicCkYL7eQ9Z0z9_xLeaEsEqH_H_H23IKG5babihRu0iMi3S1D0wPq7nkUHAzw92YLuZ4oHBq5gMljoFjDU/s1600/White+Cliffs+South+Explore+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="1080" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSu9ht7OZ8Q9F1WrDb45A4pUQFf5_yo1jbPOfhGRKeixbG8a8ysgVFRnMiqicCkYL7eQ9Z0z9_xLeaEsEqH_H_H23IKG5babihRu0iMi3S1D0wPq7nkUHAzw92YLuZ4oHBq5gMljoFjDU/s640/White+Cliffs+South+Explore+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-T-1xZ0PMmhioaoPSqipfBzMqdgwCQKhs3gmagkinIUImzPgq86L9LjJRARLuKY1Ffc27Ix1l0WZhI9SbERBVpGUjj8Xu2giTkIzbHHRRR5-fnu9335pR-ddP2uB8jDII6rdVD4lK9cg2/s1600/White+Cliffs+South+Explore+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="1080" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-T-1xZ0PMmhioaoPSqipfBzMqdgwCQKhs3gmagkinIUImzPgq86L9LjJRARLuKY1Ffc27Ix1l0WZhI9SbERBVpGUjj8Xu2giTkIzbHHRRR5-fnu9335pR-ddP2uB8jDII6rdVD4lK9cg2/s640/White+Cliffs+South+Explore+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDt9WJiGJ8e-gBOS-ERZwCOrBsAuOaXHihl0pfHD8mIeYVTP0SpBhz2_L3Kjzb7W0igc1rtZ6qJA_QV2jmEjgj1GxrnOMZ-VZJ3q0kxFXcIfGy7K4beLuDvWlYsqC-lvIEl_RQ14faHp8/s1600/White+Cliffs+South+Explore+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="644" data-original-width="1080" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDt9WJiGJ8e-gBOS-ERZwCOrBsAuOaXHihl0pfHD8mIeYVTP0SpBhz2_L3Kjzb7W0igc1rtZ6qJA_QV2jmEjgj1GxrnOMZ-VZJ3q0kxFXcIfGy7K4beLuDvWlYsqC-lvIEl_RQ14faHp8/s640/White+Cliffs+South+Explore+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Even further
up the creek, it was glassy, flat and beautiful.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSc6xBDtuGFGckci3kHiBCMho2mgiICvCL_jkI8r6fsBhU1ylPLo0ZU9xpQGFPwNeIyIVBncd0ZQaxxDJ9UOP4ocWgGRfVPKNOjZ7I_0Ksnfwa1zhe_LDeocLzM7F9C4axGItpH4qnRqYz/s1600/White+Cliffs+South+Explore+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1080" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSc6xBDtuGFGckci3kHiBCMho2mgiICvCL_jkI8r6fsBhU1ylPLo0ZU9xpQGFPwNeIyIVBncd0ZQaxxDJ9UOP4ocWgGRfVPKNOjZ7I_0Ksnfwa1zhe_LDeocLzM7F9C4axGItpH4qnRqYz/s640/White+Cliffs+South+Explore+%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By the time
we finished exploring it was 4pm so we flicked lures around the cliff edges and
structure as the sun cast a warm glow over the land.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpo3Vm9fmyqPqzlHiYFstdhnfxYUvaKlJPs1aLXsqr5u3NYtcaVbEwGieYrbcUwtAbkVs7w-8uNgJCnRoNC8_thRL2_EJrvkHE2s5mBnd5bxAhYFy9CRDHoWbpqRRWe4FYKixJTnNHVkTh/s1600/White+Cliffs+South+Explore+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="1080" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpo3Vm9fmyqPqzlHiYFstdhnfxYUvaKlJPs1aLXsqr5u3NYtcaVbEwGieYrbcUwtAbkVs7w-8uNgJCnRoNC8_thRL2_EJrvkHE2s5mBnd5bxAhYFy9CRDHoWbpqRRWe4FYKixJTnNHVkTh/s640/White+Cliffs+South+Explore+%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By the time
we got back it was after sunset and still glassy flat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">If that day
was flat than the next day was a like a mirror!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">And it stayed
that way until lunchtime.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The photos
below were taken at 11am.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4F7ZFUcq9MyGTLeA3r-GFHKrisq_-VLTa2la2RTtSBs4fGhjfh-5kV3gA7LJgUD8bH5pbr1ynPSHpWo2ySXnDDJ8TcTf_QzCQhOd9jq4EBRf5uPjen6sypuDD4CcmJbti4PvGyY5zZwZq/s1600/White+Cliffs+South+Glass+Out+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="1080" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4F7ZFUcq9MyGTLeA3r-GFHKrisq_-VLTa2la2RTtSBs4fGhjfh-5kV3gA7LJgUD8bH5pbr1ynPSHpWo2ySXnDDJ8TcTf_QzCQhOd9jq4EBRf5uPjen6sypuDD4CcmJbti4PvGyY5zZwZq/s640/White+Cliffs+South+Glass+Out+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyNnWuqQWMb6tqpt616KMbuPTxvYIBRdRP5t_Zg4r8RoLXkKm-SWVBkIut096mCAX2YlYzu7wiCwv3fQv8HcaUYw_rvD8T61HJqbhKeFoR74IWdRAJZ1ytsQYPuOTFQtXSuOiSGe_DIhk/s1600/White+Cliffs+South+Glass+Out+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="1080" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyNnWuqQWMb6tqpt616KMbuPTxvYIBRdRP5t_Zg4r8RoLXkKm-SWVBkIut096mCAX2YlYzu7wiCwv3fQv8HcaUYw_rvD8T61HJqbhKeFoR74IWdRAJZ1ytsQYPuOTFQtXSuOiSGe_DIhk/s640/White+Cliffs+South+Glass+Out+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilq2SA5RZQs9pLTL1ORIk2YgZd7MrEaEbGYetKFfZ0BS9i9P_mbTCsRDawwDZ5xiOQksV2yzUalDrgyUOIDTBea5RDAHg82qcb2ViLENRdWKz2DDc0iZsHH3tx3FlB-9KoHHrMsXmo41jy/s1600/White+Cliffs+South+Glass+Out+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1080" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilq2SA5RZQs9pLTL1ORIk2YgZd7MrEaEbGYetKFfZ0BS9i9P_mbTCsRDawwDZ5xiOQksV2yzUalDrgyUOIDTBea5RDAHg82qcb2ViLENRdWKz2DDc0iZsHH3tx3FlB-9KoHHrMsXmo41jy/s640/White+Cliffs+South+Glass+Out+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were not
sure what happened to the strong SW winds but it was certainly the calm before
the storm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Just south of
the anchorage are the Sheridan Sand flats which are huge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the summer
they are teaming with fish feeding on the flats but in winter they are great
for Whiting.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we pumped
nippers on the low tide and as the tide rose we fished the flats.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We caught
small Bream, Flathead, Flounder and HUGE Whiting.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrqkqaxXKx_mIlW4vS8PI29pfIb-9Q2Y2y2BKqWhabrh2E153CrZwx80ZY2aRbIqo2Mzmu1EdeK1JL-UsfhdvqUtYZu88CUbUjH4o6AL8xnzgyIt4pv2hdiKtHy23UhoV0OZIalRfcEVqO/s1600/Sheridan+Flats+Whiting+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrqkqaxXKx_mIlW4vS8PI29pfIb-9Q2Y2y2BKqWhabrh2E153CrZwx80ZY2aRbIqo2Mzmu1EdeK1JL-UsfhdvqUtYZu88CUbUjH4o6AL8xnzgyIt4pv2hdiKtHy23UhoV0OZIalRfcEVqO/s640/Sheridan+Flats+Whiting+%25284%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We hardly
ever caught undersized one and most were around 28-32cm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The biggest
was Lisa’s whopping 36cm one.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhno34wtH8QTsVJ6ip51DkwVCjr7u9ZkwKEKLNmJ0o4a6YW-qQdtzteHAOti7jg8ds7pMoENTThF8D0QscUl6AfBxO2Okwzc-MGG-NtvVfVC4TDHrkO2kDvS44IDqAWpsspmDjtdEZOOYqI/s1600/Sheridan+Flats+Whiting+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="731" data-original-width="1080" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhno34wtH8QTsVJ6ip51DkwVCjr7u9ZkwKEKLNmJ0o4a6YW-qQdtzteHAOti7jg8ds7pMoENTThF8D0QscUl6AfBxO2Okwzc-MGG-NtvVfVC4TDHrkO2kDvS44IDqAWpsspmDjtdEZOOYqI/s640/Sheridan+Flats+Whiting+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We stopped at
12 as that was more than enough for 2 meals.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR46DE-H3zLro-YAlQj4NFYKyYIuYdUu7_xdJqiAs7yI52PpvtjO41K2wYgters20rZLLYsO3z-X2O5OAB5ILEGYlltYmEZNKFkfPH08exOta3cyIA4V8Hgw_lTooURmlr6tOxG-Khp1Sw/s1600/Sheridan+Flats+Whiting+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="1080" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR46DE-H3zLro-YAlQj4NFYKyYIuYdUu7_xdJqiAs7yI52PpvtjO41K2wYgters20rZLLYsO3z-X2O5OAB5ILEGYlltYmEZNKFkfPH08exOta3cyIA4V8Hgw_lTooURmlr6tOxG-Khp1Sw/s640/Sheridan+Flats+Whiting+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHR2yNqGobZWqrquFq5nyccAa8puK-LFicIN3fjhGjjHCXg9G8ANs6I1nnceo2kVhe-xK2yvWwtQ_mAakrvgVqpQ3iC5-xAI8EclGEqmBzxXOr5YMgJ2wvG1nZpOh59essQJqRaAOvzZPx/s1600/Sheridan+Flats+Whiting+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="776" data-original-width="1080" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHR2yNqGobZWqrquFq5nyccAa8puK-LFicIN3fjhGjjHCXg9G8ANs6I1nnceo2kVhe-xK2yvWwtQ_mAakrvgVqpQ3iC5-xAI8EclGEqmBzxXOr5YMgJ2wvG1nZpOh59essQJqRaAOvzZPx/s640/Sheridan+Flats+Whiting+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In stark
contrast to the glassy flat day, overnight the SW wind did slowly increase and
by daybreak it was 15 knots.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By the time
Paul went kiting it was 10am, low tide and 20 knots.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFN_8n3VXuqntIQAZeyMZTAGdT55hvqoJPSf-QSGINfgTy2XqEERgHTdWOEXUGvVeUS3uCC8gUnzgOFjsWGfGsiR-wuMmmkfJSyFHUzWuuG9HKFMgd2fbdrrbhsGp533LWekTQee3JEvd/s1600/Kiting+Sheridan+Sand+Flats+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="1080" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFN_8n3VXuqntIQAZeyMZTAGdT55hvqoJPSf-QSGINfgTy2XqEERgHTdWOEXUGvVeUS3uCC8gUnzgOFjsWGfGsiR-wuMmmkfJSyFHUzWuuG9HKFMgd2fbdrrbhsGp533LWekTQee3JEvd/s640/Kiting+Sheridan+Sand+Flats+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfZCcUbE-FREIAORq5GhlfCFkjhONQC2vNzuUV1KcKWtVLR2hQKHf0a5HqdLvqeL4Fp7FeRF8STQ-RorNKW8vK4mYXDk_8YZAM456qddYvNo4QO9tktUWsdTIaW6w7PeAZGfZl_7m6uLL/s1600/Kiting+Sheridan+Sand+Flats+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="1080" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfZCcUbE-FREIAORq5GhlfCFkjhONQC2vNzuUV1KcKWtVLR2hQKHf0a5HqdLvqeL4Fp7FeRF8STQ-RorNKW8vK4mYXDk_8YZAM456qddYvNo4QO9tktUWsdTIaW6w7PeAZGfZl_7m6uLL/s640/Kiting+Sheridan+Sand+Flats+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was soo
much fun to kite in and around the shallow sand bars but it was too dangerous to
do any really big boosted jumps over the very shallow water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DvStcUs32dZ-mcpi07E6wtKKr1YZcwfDqie4H97vaaN_Ogd0o0Gs4ng0APukLomQnf09ZlL2rHe6dbZjHRikE5bo7r8mf5DHHCMRsENoDHfGd8eti9shLJdXUpCbfRlhCfB4J3x35xQo/s1600/Kiting+Sheridan+Flats+Contour+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1594" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DvStcUs32dZ-mcpi07E6wtKKr1YZcwfDqie4H97vaaN_Ogd0o0Gs4ng0APukLomQnf09ZlL2rHe6dbZjHRikE5bo7r8mf5DHHCMRsENoDHfGd8eti9shLJdXUpCbfRlhCfB4J3x35xQo/s640/Kiting+Sheridan+Flats+Contour+%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNcQJp6bObI72WcuWFIlukbGY2wVYNKQgU9Yi1Z486nh9Xv0VDRQ6B84HGpLDz_aBi3wqT1OK869G4bAJ14yoijMlo9JQTwNITJUhE8x7k5qyHnb3bJVAIXJBRr5MKEF9vYziwrFf6WKtE/s1600/Kiting+Sheridan+Flats+Contour+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="1080" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNcQJp6bObI72WcuWFIlukbGY2wVYNKQgU9Yi1Z486nh9Xv0VDRQ6B84HGpLDz_aBi3wqT1OK869G4bAJ14yoijMlo9JQTwNITJUhE8x7k5qyHnb3bJVAIXJBRr5MKEF9vYziwrFf6WKtE/s640/Kiting+Sheridan+Flats+Contour+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So instead he
practised smaller spins and flips close to the shore and right next to Lisa with
the camera.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9iaAQNQYNafLFrQHzf2gTOhg24mEOu3nUdhjYIzEVBYAJ3lPJKXBRxx-TebP4e02CMgRsDFNtkG3FfxEq9i4x5KBUjli9VCDM9MPAuFxmdrFSaPsEp7S_gaX3h14zy8ahl3ovskhm_ou/s1600/Kiting+Sheridan+Sand+Flats+%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="1080" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9iaAQNQYNafLFrQHzf2gTOhg24mEOu3nUdhjYIzEVBYAJ3lPJKXBRxx-TebP4e02CMgRsDFNtkG3FfxEq9i4x5KBUjli9VCDM9MPAuFxmdrFSaPsEp7S_gaX3h14zy8ahl3ovskhm_ou/s640/Kiting+Sheridan+Sand+Flats+%25287%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa
with a 10 shot sequence of Paul’s 360 blindside spin<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite the
smaller jumps, some big stacks still happened…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At the end of
the session Paul did an awesome down-wind run starting at the top of the
Sheridan flats and finishing down the other end on the sandbar closest to
Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Just as we
were packing up the wind came in even stronger and it was now 25-30 knots. The
rising tide made the anchorage really uncomfortable so we had to leave and the
choices were either to motor south and brave the super shallow section of the
Sandy Straights and go to the bomb proof Garrys Anchorage or head north under
sail and go to Big Woody Island which is perfect in the SW winds but more exposed
to any swell coming in from the bay further north.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The sail over
the motor won out and we spent 3 hours sailing to Big Woody Island arriving at
5pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sure enough
there were another 8 cruising sailboats there but all were rolling a lot with
the north swell. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We thought
we’d made the wrong decision and prepped for a very rolly night but fortunately
within a few hours it calmed down and by daybreak it was flat and quite
comfortable.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sea Wolf
turned up that afternoon with Grant and two mates from NZ, Rob and Ian for a 10
day boys fishing trip.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had an
arvo fish with them on the Roy Rufus Artificial Reef for snapper but didn’t do
any good.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There was a
bush fire starting up on Fraser Island and by 5pm it was really intense and
with a change of wind direction, the smoke was blowing over us while we fished.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The fire before the wind
turned towards us</span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We moved over
to Coongul Point the following day and sailed past a Dugong swimming along in
the shallows which was pretty cool. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At Coongul
Creek we showed the boys how to pump for Nippers at low tide in the morning.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When we got
home for lunch we found a few House Sparrows happily flying though the inside
of Lorelei and munching on the muesli that Paul must have dropped on the floor
during breakfast.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite us
arriving home they showed no intention of leaving and instead flew into our
bedroom and the galley.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Cheeky little
things….!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For the arvo
we fished the mouth of the creek and when the tide went higher we moved into
the creek and set up camp on a sandy bank.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There was
probably more drinks consumed and stories told than fish caught but it was a
great way to spend the arvo all the same.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Ian fishing from the
banks of Coongul Creek<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The smoke
from the fire made for a really red sunset and lit the creek with a red to
purple hue.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That night we
had more drinks and dinner on-board Sea Wolf and ended up arriving home after
midnight!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next
morning the boys took off at 4am to head north to the reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were going
to go with them but with light and variable winds forecast for a week, we
couldn’t justify having to motor 100nm north in SE trade wind season.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Although it
would have been awesome when you got there….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So instead we
stayed to explore Platypus Bay and do some whale watching.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We woke at
7am to leave but the problem was the fog was so dense that we couldn’t see more
than 50m in from of Lorelei (if that!!). <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we had to
wait until 11am until it cleared.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We sailed
north towards Arch Cliffs in light airs and came across a small pod of friendly
whales that swam over for a look as we sailed near them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They came up along
the side of the boat which was excellent but they didn’t hang around too long.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQiRyJ4SC9EkF1t4V2la3grvd1R6q_11kqNAyICXeYbthzlmWWfeymH7NTn8CUsdd39pyNPs2fqqho8oFSfL1ekE6mq5HkDqktW7chfETLXW2W_vb97GqjSVlZJ8rK6Q7YGZVkr0cBF6M9/s1600/Coongul+Whale+Watching+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="710" data-original-width="1080" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQiRyJ4SC9EkF1t4V2la3grvd1R6q_11kqNAyICXeYbthzlmWWfeymH7NTn8CUsdd39pyNPs2fqqho8oFSfL1ekE6mq5HkDqktW7chfETLXW2W_vb97GqjSVlZJ8rK6Q7YGZVkr0cBF6M9/s640/Coongul+Whale+Watching+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOtYY7WMLAQQgk4GfRWnojMpv2LcGIQsU-ycIO0_G58DdysG7Zd2FMJPTRcwgOx_K6Tc2nCtbVnIIaaKq1gJ9_En_Cn678TXh877wCYnWFWqhcvfb1o4KJcUHixywpOgZrrTPFkjTFCL0/s1600/Coongul+Whale+Watching+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="1080" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOtYY7WMLAQQgk4GfRWnojMpv2LcGIQsU-ycIO0_G58DdysG7Zd2FMJPTRcwgOx_K6Tc2nCtbVnIIaaKq1gJ9_En_Cn678TXh877wCYnWFWqhcvfb1o4KJcUHixywpOgZrrTPFkjTFCL0/s640/Coongul+Whale+Watching+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Arch Cliffs was very interesting to explore as there was a
lot to see and do along the foreshore.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">We parked the Tinny in the protected mouth of Bowarrady Creek
and went and climbed the nearby sandhill that was very fine white sand with
great views over the bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbwXPrV2VRqoIJeKzZ8HhuxGBk2mJtK-gs8_UxipCIDjkMRp_teYmE731Q6rgFNk2xQWeUijQzsE5j45h4G9SKBiJ3cpfPy1Ut1nGRHGgjE4aaCFlAIKQinyHWcjvuVKuO7TmXxexFQ3_/s1600/Arch+Cliffs+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="1080" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbwXPrV2VRqoIJeKzZ8HhuxGBk2mJtK-gs8_UxipCIDjkMRp_teYmE731Q6rgFNk2xQWeUijQzsE5j45h4G9SKBiJ3cpfPy1Ut1nGRHGgjE4aaCFlAIKQinyHWcjvuVKuO7TmXxexFQ3_/s640/Arch+Cliffs+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">We drove a little further up the beach and it was pristine.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">There were lots of Pandanus & Casuarina Trees along the
foreshore with coffee rock and drift wood closer to the water’s edge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibYcDyrvjX055k3GaOJvpuBd5iQiurCsatLI_ceg4O0sc9lJxQVKHbUvMeo7eWJUSe7G8fhflpkyRkEhWoumt3v3TytCWyrrI6LT3LSdFozb616o0u9YO-hejavZ76n7nLgUpAQgVtjE5A/s1600/Arch+Cliffs+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="723" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibYcDyrvjX055k3GaOJvpuBd5iQiurCsatLI_ceg4O0sc9lJxQVKHbUvMeo7eWJUSe7G8fhflpkyRkEhWoumt3v3TytCWyrrI6LT3LSdFozb616o0u9YO-hejavZ76n7nLgUpAQgVtjE5A/s640/Arch+Cliffs+%25285%2529.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Further along we discovered the wreck of a sailing yacht
called the Spartan.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">We’d never seen this before and were unsure how long it had
been washed up on the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Either way it’s a sad ending for what looked like a nice
cruising yacht.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKgUPE_VDnmkSOyg37vKCyTheh7kYotTLOLeS2u-k1_vzwG4StXzjfEFgANiM9S84TwofjX1RZ8HsMnzGfCjqSacp4QzbeUkVHjfdpu0QHjfKW8xqK76znMKz91it8VTcVnfpEaFbKtJI/s1600/Arch+Cliffs+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="1080" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKgUPE_VDnmkSOyg37vKCyTheh7kYotTLOLeS2u-k1_vzwG4StXzjfEFgANiM9S84TwofjX1RZ8HsMnzGfCjqSacp4QzbeUkVHjfdpu0QHjfKW8xqK76znMKz91it8VTcVnfpEaFbKtJI/s640/Arch+Cliffs+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">There were more sand dunes to run up to take photos from and
enjoy the views.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0-a1UI3lK8Jp7f8-0tJH_y80VdGPyL1Jy1zIK448ItwCHb7BLBtr7vdUMdEg20wNOKTgFxvjcYpt40XtMd7mNHTYw1lv_c9GrSt6HhH1fwEA9xslnoJZxN8BDNm_V28UwusL_VSmJcm_/s1600/Arch+Cliffs+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="1080" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0-a1UI3lK8Jp7f8-0tJH_y80VdGPyL1Jy1zIK448ItwCHb7BLBtr7vdUMdEg20wNOKTgFxvjcYpt40XtMd7mNHTYw1lv_c9GrSt6HhH1fwEA9xslnoJZxN8BDNm_V28UwusL_VSmJcm_/s640/Arch+Cliffs+%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">In the arvo just before sunset we went back to the beach to
photograph the sloping coloured sand cliffs with the warm sunset glow on them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mtl_y8unb-8WGKHQDQLBwgQpcHVTI_8HBIhszOVELJTWcPOjFaNXcesdwMIrkwLvbr_bG2JMZQjSZ703M1B7rMwofMBldDUUKKqxTHApvuEwAaA1UsTaCrxIylbgkHQtjLyw15sv7YMw/s1600/Arch+Cliffs+%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="438" data-original-width="1080" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mtl_y8unb-8WGKHQDQLBwgQpcHVTI_8HBIhszOVELJTWcPOjFaNXcesdwMIrkwLvbr_bG2JMZQjSZ703M1B7rMwofMBldDUUKKqxTHApvuEwAaA1UsTaCrxIylbgkHQtjLyw15sv7YMw/s640/Arch+Cliffs+%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">The fresh water had run into shallow pools just above the
high tide level and made for perfect mirror reflection photos of the sand
cliffs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU07xDsjBlKW9qSeMIzPeYnucGEgcRsmCERDH5KThYZHw7c9s0ywGVNC7P6NhMlU_fPnjsQGegieQUa5_XU6Gz6-3qMEwW-T7JS4FLa4QJ838yH1AXuCW_EzlacnK7p0nxaF41pIaPpAX_/s1600/Arch+Cliffs+%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="1080" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU07xDsjBlKW9qSeMIzPeYnucGEgcRsmCERDH5KThYZHw7c9s0ywGVNC7P6NhMlU_fPnjsQGegieQUa5_XU6Gz6-3qMEwW-T7JS4FLa4QJ838yH1AXuCW_EzlacnK7p0nxaF41pIaPpAX_/s640/Arch+Cliffs+%252812%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">We woke to find the whales surfacing very close to the shore
and right behind Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">So we headed out to get in amongst the action.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">The charter boats were also out in force and we waited
patiently while the charter cat Blue Dolphin had them right around their boat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">When the charter boats moved on, the curious whales came over
to us for a look.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Being so close to the shore, it was very flat and protected.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Despite being only in 5m/16ft of water depth and less than
3m/10ft under Lorelei’s keel, the whales started to swim around and under
Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">We sailed up to Wathumba Creek which is towards the northern
end of Platypus Bay and Fraser Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">We went ashore for a walk at sunset along the beach south of
the creek entrance.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">It was low tide and the sand spits were sticking out
everywhere.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">We even saw a few Beach Stone Curlews along the beach up near
the treeline.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">We went up the creek the next morning on the high tide and it
was awesome!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Beautiful cystal clear water over white sand with lots of
structure, driftwood and fish in the shallows.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">We found a smaller side tributary that was shallow but clear
and easy to navigate around the structure.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">As we headed further up, there was a whole forest of dead
trees along the muddy banks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">There were a lot of birds resting on the dead tree branches.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">What little wind there was died off to nothing in the late
afternoon, we enjoyed another great sunset and a very calm night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">We woke the next morning to whales swimming around the boat –
literally!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">It was pretty obvious they were comfortable as they were lying
next to Lorelei on their backs.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Further out we saw a very active whale and followed it for
over 1 hour as it did all sorts of acts from fin and tail slapes (both right
way up and upside down) to breaches and spy hops.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">It was a very enjoyable show and we were the only boat watching
it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">With a forecast for westerly winds (which would mean onshore
and rolly conditions), we took advantage of the lighter winds early and sailed
back south into the Great Sandy Straights.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">We had fun playing with our largest spinnaker as we sheeted
it on tight to see how close we could sail to the wind.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">We didn’t want to go too far into the straights and didn’t
want to risk staying at Big Woody Island again for fear of a rolly anchorage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">So instead we sailed south to Little Woody Island and anchored
off the corner of the long but narrow sand spit on the edge of the islands
outer reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">It was perfect and we ended up staying 3 nights there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">The sand spit at low tide was great to explore and walk
along.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">We took the tinny across the channel to an area where we had
pumped for nippers before.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Lisa said we had enough but Paul did a few more pumps on the
way back to the boat and on the final pump his lower back seized up and he was
barely able to bend down.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">It was ok to walk but hurt doing anything else.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Despite Paul’s sore back we decided to have a fish and caught
a lot of whiting down the edge of the sand bar on the rising tide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Lisa had to drive the tinny as Paul couldn’t pull start the
outboard.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">We caught over a dozen large whiting and returned to the boat
at 4pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">By 9pm Paul could barely move and even in bed he couldn’t roll
over.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">He was in a BAD way!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">By day break he could get out of bed but couldn’t stand or
sit – so it was an entire day in bed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Fortunately by the third day he was able to get up for meals
and sit to edit photos or play cards for short periods of time and even managed
to get the tinny up onto the davits, but that was certainly the extent of his
mobility.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">By day 4 things were on the mend and we were able to do some
chores and make fresh water before moving Lorelei over to McKenzie’s Jetty.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">The next morning we received a very unexpected but most
welcome call from Paul’s uncle Ken.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">He was driving north and was hoping to catch up for a day or
two.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">It all happened so quick. The call was at 9am and he was on
the Sunshine Coast.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">He drove to River Heads and made the 12:30pm Ferry to
Kingfisher Bay Resort (which is just near where Lorelei was anchored) and by
1:30pm we were all together on the wharf, before looking around the resort area
and having lunch at the resorts day facility.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">On the way back to Lorelei we dropped into Mckenzie’s Jetty
to show him the historic wharf and old logging remnants.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">We hadn’t seen Ken for a long time so there was a lot of
catching up over drinks and dinner onboard Lorelei. It was a perfect day with no wind and dead
flat sea conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmo_GkKtRfX8TZb2QrFnAlZVaJ-lkXFxpnB_NSrZSrp-Imly24GtwoS1RaK4UyT5rvaxToKJVzFdWEIT9GyosU6pwHuY8KSFYG__MRqAg85NDDRY-0xZXaDsWB-3kcunzDHNQ4p0RPt9SC/s1600/Ken+Kingfisher+Visit+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="738" data-original-width="1080" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmo_GkKtRfX8TZb2QrFnAlZVaJ-lkXFxpnB_NSrZSrp-Imly24GtwoS1RaK4UyT5rvaxToKJVzFdWEIT9GyosU6pwHuY8KSFYG__MRqAg85NDDRY-0xZXaDsWB-3kcunzDHNQ4p0RPt9SC/s640/Ken+Kingfisher+Visit+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">The next morning was super still with a lot of fog sitting on
the waters surface.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">We returned to the Jetty the next day to put Ken back on the
barge so he could continue north. It was only a short visit, but a fun 24 hours
for all.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6xDJ0aI9sem50j2jP_G9Ol2k2cPKPLOkA1iCxqUGMbk2ny-yQIAvboS4hSk4GlSUW6E0aQcU89fF4YDu_DIFIrzKyl-dtmj2OUd03PfV4Vcr7v4TXdPVeVMojeFg4oVaww7bo1IZRncOw/s1600/Ken+Kingfisher+Visit+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="1080" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6xDJ0aI9sem50j2jP_G9Ol2k2cPKPLOkA1iCxqUGMbk2ny-yQIAvboS4hSk4GlSUW6E0aQcU89fF4YDu_DIFIrzKyl-dtmj2OUd03PfV4Vcr7v4TXdPVeVMojeFg4oVaww7bo1IZRncOw/s640/Ken+Kingfisher+Visit+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">With Paul’s back feeling a little better, we decided to do
one of the walks that started from McKenzie’s Jetty.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">From the start there were 3 walks of 1.8km, 2.5km and 7km.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">So depending on how Paul felt dicated what length trail to
take.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">After 500m he was feeling good so we tackled the 7km walk.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">It led up to a series of lookouts overlooking the Sandy
Straights from the tops of the sand cliffs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">The highlight of the walk is the remnants of a Commando
Training Centre that was built during World War 2.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">It was called Z-Force and was designed to train elite
commandos who would infiltrate behind the Japanese enemy lines thoughout SE
Asia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">At its peak the top secret set-up was huge with accomodation,
full training facilities, a cinema, post office, library, workshops, sporting
areas, etc…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">The remains of the centre are spread out over a large area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6UVSefHoCioq3180lk1EntM4Q3X60-zdruDQTDI45QIP8wThyphenhyphenN5ahLFqD6hKjr9zZKytLe-y1Dn7S1UAz4sU9CRTMQNTWotFYR28-GQvpTiqKDH65908iIy1Q8hBVOCN2ZjDmnGcvpwaE/s1600/McKenzie+Jetty+Commando+Walk+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="1080" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6UVSefHoCioq3180lk1EntM4Q3X60-zdruDQTDI45QIP8wThyphenhyphenN5ahLFqD6hKjr9zZKytLe-y1Dn7S1UAz4sU9CRTMQNTWotFYR28-GQvpTiqKDH65908iIy1Q8hBVOCN2ZjDmnGcvpwaE/s640/McKenzie+Jetty+Commando+Walk+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Sadly many of the elite commandos that trained there died in
action and there are tributes including short stories about some of them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMddEj-HdlZctITPw72y07NlmljsB4-VmaQ10BMOfXWU_r3MNjynHv3sDJVYd3TKk-UTg66_GzVMs4qVucTNel1oEVyZgh72931qZSpyHWwbcOAV1Y9wts7VzL9a6ngbZLIlGeo5o8uDT/s1600/McKenzie+Jetty+Commando+Walk+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="1080" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMddEj-HdlZctITPw72y07NlmljsB4-VmaQ10BMOfXWU_r3MNjynHv3sDJVYd3TKk-UTg66_GzVMs4qVucTNel1oEVyZgh72931qZSpyHWwbcOAV1Y9wts7VzL9a6ngbZLIlGeo5o8uDT/s640/McKenzie+Jetty+Commando+Walk+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">We left the site and walked about 200m up the track when Lisa
spotted a clearing off to the side. It was a long concrete slab and at the end
was a cricket set.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">It was in the middle of no-where and most walkers wouldn’t
see it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">It was donated by the Bundaberg RSL (Retired Servicemans
Club) so we can only assume it was put there during ANZAC Day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">The track continued on through large forests with some very
big trees.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHvMt9IB4Gwp7ySqgSFyYIkim9awUcw7X9MDB7BVHE5tR8xzmh1RPLij_apD3k6uMyAUv1tHtP3IaC0DBlQoNaTa99PLg1lrP3SY2XRlpg3gGi66a7EFbuxC9ZtzPF6iCFqYKibrlKJtE/s1600/McKenzie+Jetty+Commando+Walk+%25289%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1521" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHvMt9IB4Gwp7ySqgSFyYIkim9awUcw7X9MDB7BVHE5tR8xzmh1RPLij_apD3k6uMyAUv1tHtP3IaC0DBlQoNaTa99PLg1lrP3SY2XRlpg3gGi66a7EFbuxC9ZtzPF6iCFqYKibrlKJtE/s640/McKenzie+Jetty+Commando+Walk+%25289%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">After finishing the loop and ending up at Kingfisher Bay
Resort, we enjoyed an ice-cream before walking back to McKenzie’s Jetty via the
beach as it was low tide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">It was amazing to see the sand cliffs where they had
naturally collapsed spewing sand and trees down the slope and onto the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Paul just had to take another photo of his favourite photo
location on Fraser Island, McKenzie’s Jetty – but this time at a sping low tide
when the whole jetty was exposed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Paul’s back was a little sore when we returned but we were
super glad to have got out and about after a few days of being limited to how
much he could do.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">When we got back to Lorelei, it was blowing from the north
and was choppy and bumpy at the anchorage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">With 3 days of unsettled weather forecast and wind from all
directions and possible thunder storms, we left straight away and used the wind
and flooding tide to transit south deeper into the Great Sandy Straights.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">We were able to sail the entire way and anchored up in a protected
little bay under Booker Island just in time for sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcrHqePC0YixvzlElIWXWIYI9HSbPnOjx3sxziH3oiP7QvxZqZYiBNQFUZsR7L69VpQryyk-FCJJRjgAiVhOVt0whnnLRZ8N5XNH7RdGlsJWU384cgvKmaNcnsjud8UyUxfEwSsrhjljC/s1600/Booker+Island+Sunset+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1080" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcrHqePC0YixvzlElIWXWIYI9HSbPnOjx3sxziH3oiP7QvxZqZYiBNQFUZsR7L69VpQryyk-FCJJRjgAiVhOVt0whnnLRZ8N5XNH7RdGlsJWU384cgvKmaNcnsjud8UyUxfEwSsrhjljC/s640/Booker+Island+Sunset+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">The clouds above the sunset turned into what looked like a
tornado and then it went pink.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpduVSe2cs8pK_HC8AFzEWCubTa3GpO2EQYSIl311dDGokjQVgwta173h4L-T7ae_1e4z6hTYlwafzx2f5_ymxDSV3iZk0pwZsJo5WGJXv7okOYh8BXxtNajxedzyl3mBbEIzUsc03EEpm/s1600/Booker+Island+Sunset+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1080" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpduVSe2cs8pK_HC8AFzEWCubTa3GpO2EQYSIl311dDGokjQVgwta173h4L-T7ae_1e4z6hTYlwafzx2f5_ymxDSV3iZk0pwZsJo5WGJXv7okOYh8BXxtNajxedzyl3mBbEIzUsc03EEpm/s640/Booker+Island+Sunset+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">If the sunset was good that day then the next day was
sensational with a lot of cloud cover and a very red sky.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMfukTi8nKk6Co_mkMBajqHY-5n2HcpnajPxtGr4Jq2AQaZgp1gl756qnuV2Tb2elDp3UmPjFB-jO2tHQ1oA__0OMYmc8z6ARxViXu_hfqSxAk8wRRzKZXoVyTWKScIBqTPaCR6SFlAYp/s1600/Booker+Island+Sunset+Day+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="1080" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMfukTi8nKk6Co_mkMBajqHY-5n2HcpnajPxtGr4Jq2AQaZgp1gl756qnuV2Tb2elDp3UmPjFB-jO2tHQ1oA__0OMYmc8z6ARxViXu_hfqSxAk8wRRzKZXoVyTWKScIBqTPaCR6SFlAYp/s640/Booker+Island+Sunset+Day+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Despite it being overcast and threatening to rain, there was
no wind so we braved the conditions and went to Ungowa in the tinny to explore
and do some fishing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">We had a look at the wreck of the Ceratodus that is beached
on the sand on the side of the main channel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSPQf8cAE2pWwol5LmDp4AllNh6pIF3GYWHVAj81md78hGfzrFgfV2zaZPgSClfz0Xo85GOCfjZx-8qgXkPAbqsf8zclTk-Hrjf53w_mUrIN8wbTDUnv58fXlQfUGC05nXf-o9m-NCDj5/s1600/Ungowa+Explore+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="1080" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSPQf8cAE2pWwol5LmDp4AllNh6pIF3GYWHVAj81md78hGfzrFgfV2zaZPgSClfz0Xo85GOCfjZx-8qgXkPAbqsf8zclTk-Hrjf53w_mUrIN8wbTDUnv58fXlQfUGC05nXf-o9m-NCDj5/s640/Ungowa+Explore+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">The front half of the wreck is relatively intact but the back
half (which is exposed and facing the channel) has collapsed, exposing things
like the boiler, steerage area, etc…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7qnWRvJ21Ug-Ie6waVX0bq8jTs8RBWSFZyst3PFHcwPLb0yg83iUzrqWzLGF5_RekdyZ2KT946_X6xOsCgHeOqoeZkNsWKcee3xvZhGxROfAEykRpqZ0eiLsTQFtThn37F-BzHgcX2Gx0/s1600/Ungowa+Explore+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="1080" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7qnWRvJ21Ug-Ie6waVX0bq8jTs8RBWSFZyst3PFHcwPLb0yg83iUzrqWzLGF5_RekdyZ2KT946_X6xOsCgHeOqoeZkNsWKcee3xvZhGxROfAEykRpqZ0eiLsTQFtThn37F-BzHgcX2Gx0/s640/Ungowa+Explore+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">We found rust holes in the side allowing us to look into the
forward section.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxDWUvl_tFep_H5wqSQLoo7hzZVxQryWHEp3VvJPLEmvZGqC4P7WBXTFxT1u_3IaqVfQLh8CET631CB7iLamo4F7gjxPsh2V4RDouSE751Mxv-Q2HAAND3HaGz5zqXtlHLfaYgfnfz60a/s1600/Ungowa+Explore+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="1080" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxDWUvl_tFep_H5wqSQLoo7hzZVxQryWHEp3VvJPLEmvZGqC4P7WBXTFxT1u_3IaqVfQLh8CET631CB7iLamo4F7gjxPsh2V4RDouSE751Mxv-Q2HAAND3HaGz5zqXtlHLfaYgfnfz60a/s640/Ungowa+Explore+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XBqztZpDTChDhc3Fb5b-617FEwh1ea-hVjT9LvP92sP_w0LKNpgEwVpDdOvFfMyhR6LRINiKn_XItRe8TbZYb13Gztj8B5LWXjrafM0ghf9ABI3q6iRZ-t1nEohzzNM3o6diwu7w7DvG/s1600/Ungowa+Explore+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="1080" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XBqztZpDTChDhc3Fb5b-617FEwh1ea-hVjT9LvP92sP_w0LKNpgEwVpDdOvFfMyhR6LRINiKn_XItRe8TbZYb13Gztj8B5LWXjrafM0ghf9ABI3q6iRZ-t1nEohzzNM3o6diwu7w7DvG/s640/Ungowa+Explore+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">We moved up to the old Ungowa Jetty which was completely
exposed at low tide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmcgb3bF7RYjIKFogz4dwLQ-rNxyqRSyK_MtBoUHztPcIFA-WX-FWAJ0pkJiRuvLTqYUe4E4lBLvIwSAnivLmHkcWdAIW-f3rCI8LFNKCSydbNYN1mydsx3H2Nwdj8C4tmUdS6wj5qzWd/s1600/Ungowa+Explore+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="1080" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmcgb3bF7RYjIKFogz4dwLQ-rNxyqRSyK_MtBoUHztPcIFA-WX-FWAJ0pkJiRuvLTqYUe4E4lBLvIwSAnivLmHkcWdAIW-f3rCI8LFNKCSydbNYN1mydsx3H2Nwdj8C4tmUdS6wj5qzWd/s640/Ungowa+Explore+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">We found lots of Nipper holes along the beach there at low
tide and after a few exploratory pumps we had a few in the bucket so we
continued along the beach and surprisingly had enough for our afternoon fishing
session in just 30 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">The fishing was overall a funny experience.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Being a spring low tide, we had to slowly motor through the
channels into the very shallow Sheridan Sand Flats with barely inches under the
outboard motor.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">We came to a stop just 100m from the fishing spot when we hit
a shallow sand bar across the channel. The water was flying over the sand bar and
into the deeper section just beyond so we stood on the edge and cast nippers
into the wash and let them drift out. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">We were landing a fish each cast!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;"> Most were undersized
Bream and Whiting so we put them back, but it was a lot of fun and a great way
to waste 15 minutes while the water rose enough to get the tinny over.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">When we got to the main fishing spot the Whiting had already
started feeding and we were catching them within 5 minutes of arriving.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Unfortunately the weather didn’t co-operate and it started to
rain and get dark very quickly with the heavy cloud.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The mossies and sand flies also came on at dusk so we called
it a day and in the dark we slowly headed home, hoping to not collide with a
sand bar.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">We did however end up with 10 large Whiting which was more
than enough.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">By the time we got home it was raining harder, windy, very
cold and very dark.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">But we made it safely and live to play another day………<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">So that’s it for another month of cruising on-board Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">We didn’t go very far but talk about awesome weather.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">And with weather like that there was no need to travel long
distances.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">We visited a lot of areas we’d always wanted to see and did
loads of activities with near perfect conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Overall the temperatures were well above average and its
probably the most amount of days in a month we’ve ever experienced in Australia
where the winds were sub 10 knots and a forecast of “light and variable”.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Considering it’s peak tradewind season, this isnt what we
expected.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">But its been a year of really crazy weather patterns and it
doesn’t seem to be stopping – just this time it was certainly in our favour.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Part of this episode was supposed to be about heading towards
the Bunker Group and Swains Reef but we refuse to motor over 100 mile to get
there when it is downwind in the tradewinds.
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So we will wait for the SE winds to kick in before starting our next episode –
maybe this time on the Great Barrier Reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">But we keep saying that and possibly jinxing ourselves……<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Cheers for now.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Paul and Lisa Hogger<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Yacht Lorelei<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Wating for wind<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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sv_loreleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14235157985522355104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245635408700620959.post-29279670031665919782017-07-08T16:57:00.002-07:002019-02-09T18:05:07.918-08:00Episode 60 Fraser Island and Rural QLD<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<b style="color: yellow; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 37.3333px;">Lorelei’s Sailing Adventures</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Yz5Mzk0YuOQK_zaSJ7bI2BizRYWzebFoOD_-3S7GcE-OgXhKB1o3m1Sab1zoGxtKYy4DeAEPHt3_vA-EVBRSOP97xF-Iud_OJy5GqKQrp5mA3LMaBu3kdMYyR6qX35u5W2QRsZHrgpWF/s1600/Episode+60+FRASER+AND+MUMS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="1600" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Yz5Mzk0YuOQK_zaSJ7bI2BizRYWzebFoOD_-3S7GcE-OgXhKB1o3m1Sab1zoGxtKYy4DeAEPHt3_vA-EVBRSOP97xF-Iud_OJy5GqKQrp5mA3LMaBu3kdMYyR6qX35u5W2QRsZHrgpWF/s640/Episode+60+FRASER+AND+MUMS.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Episode 59 was
a good month of cruising with the best weather we’d had in ages.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a
great time exploring Great Keppel Island before spending almost 2 weeks in Lady
Musgrave Lagoon diving, spearing and kiting and then 10 days in the northern
Fraser Island area. Finally finishing in Hervey Bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We saw Manta Rays on
every dive at Lady Musgrave Island<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A glass out at sunrise
in Lady Musgrave Lagoon<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At the end we
gave Lorelei a well-earned break and parked her up in a marina berth at the
Great Sandy Straights Marina for a month.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So this
Episode is not about sailing as Lorelei enjoys a month of rest and maintenance.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Instead this
Episode is about a family 4WD holiday on Fraser Island and Paul spending time
with his parents on their farm in Rural Queensland while Lisa (who didn't take a camera) spent time with her
family on the NSW Central Coast.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our Location for this
Episode</span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our 4WD Route during our
stay on Fraser Island<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived at
the Marina at lunchtime on Monday and had less than 24 hours before Paul’s dad
George, brother Rod and his new girlfriend Kelly (who we hadn’t met yet) were
arriving for a family holiday 4WDing on Fraser Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
frantic 24 hours with us getting settled in, hiring the marina car to do some
shopping before cleaning Lorelei, washing her from top to bottom and putting
all her long term covers on.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We finished
well after dark but did enjoy a nice sunset over the marina as we washed and
scrubbed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYMx6SaQWFaGLASpNr9ieYyJH-f4PRb0JbVQbU0xhFVmrdf5stJseJt8ebchi13q_laBtMU0MgUrGIBXYJjVbOtpPawZwfGBrgK85PgIm4CbPmk5-OPU0wzcVttD28FvXU5yatUL3ynTh/s1600/Marina+Sunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="1080" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYMx6SaQWFaGLASpNr9ieYyJH-f4PRb0JbVQbU0xhFVmrdf5stJseJt8ebchi13q_laBtMU0MgUrGIBXYJjVbOtpPawZwfGBrgK85PgIm4CbPmk5-OPU0wzcVttD28FvXU5yatUL3ynTh/s640/Marina+Sunset.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next
morning the frantic pace continued with a visit from the local refrigeration
mechanic.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa defrosted
the freezer two days prior, but when she turned it back on, it wasn’t working
as it should. Additionally we had a long term issue with the fridge that 3
previous fridge tradies (over the last 2 years) weren’t able to fix.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Ross the
owner of Heat Attack turned up on time, fixed both issues in just 4 hours. He
was super friendly, very knowledgeable and well-priced so we can highly
recommend him.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">During that
time George, Rod and Kelly had arrived. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They had some
wild stories about their 2 day drive from the NSW Central Coast as they drove 16
hours, 9 of those through heavy rain and minor flooding on the first day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
the food shopping still had to be done so Lisa took off with them to Hervey Bay
to get that done while Paul and Ross finished up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul had just
enough time to get Lorelei back to normal and get all the gear for Fraser out
before the gang returned and we all lugged it up to the car.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At 2pm we
were packed and ready to head to the Barge which was departing at 4pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The car was
soooo overloaded with all the gear for 5 of us. We even had to pump rear shocks
up with the air compressor!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Talk about a
crazy 36 hours for everyone!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-JVbM5uaq65u7ke8f0EXi3-gqmUxCdVJMuxvbKbQsx2FJaR4U5LvhQC7JHfVKtLq1QWcgGXX81hTB_6b-ffjvQT-srpEtTNGPPG2s3fmjMYcjGPbw4V3Yf5r8dm2zxEgR2Jv4pwOuHZK/s1600/Fraser+Day+1+Prado+Packed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1080" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-JVbM5uaq65u7ke8f0EXi3-gqmUxCdVJMuxvbKbQsx2FJaR4U5LvhQC7JHfVKtLq1QWcgGXX81hTB_6b-ffjvQT-srpEtTNGPPG2s3fmjMYcjGPbw4V3Yf5r8dm2zxEgR2Jv4pwOuHZK/s640/Fraser+Day+1+Prado+Packed.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GMAMpsVvsAkflylGyD2FUEloPLdSKj1ijnPXvPD4BhoOTHEwlMUA7zoyeWiP2Y3MYHF_ohbGEb7Wu9LTNxozqQt3VWffsVT63cB6ds14IYCxnohC_S1zqEe2PDkR3phgjjR39DyhTUOX/s1600/Fraser+Day+1+Marina.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="1080" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GMAMpsVvsAkflylGyD2FUEloPLdSKj1ijnPXvPD4BhoOTHEwlMUA7zoyeWiP2Y3MYHF_ohbGEb7Wu9LTNxozqQt3VWffsVT63cB6ds14IYCxnohC_S1zqEe2PDkR3phgjjR39DyhTUOX/s640/Fraser+Day+1+Marina.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">And we’re all in this
together……<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived
well ahead of time and watched the barge cross back from Fraser Island to pick
up its next load of vehicles.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxYSVDYpDphS11Sefrv8AfeNGhObIxsI12qrKfzzW-ejQtA32lOvLl_YpC4WCyIITlqZhlq-ADwqPItO3LnOvDPeGmDfUgpHpQxfdIAQXJFeMd3tSxxA_tXmKRQkquCc2iLMOTsXqOlkZF/s1600/Fraser+Day+1+Barge+Trip+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="1080" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxYSVDYpDphS11Sefrv8AfeNGhObIxsI12qrKfzzW-ejQtA32lOvLl_YpC4WCyIITlqZhlq-ADwqPItO3LnOvDPeGmDfUgpHpQxfdIAQXJFeMd3tSxxA_tXmKRQkquCc2iLMOTsXqOlkZF/s640/Fraser+Day+1+Barge+Trip+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
interesting to watch the cars unloading off the barge backwards.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3C3sLkUKWHCenLkDe0dduMVRSZbccb_cxcxAvH9NS4-3Es1r5RYEOAdYMsJXSRMHCEw0u4dNjJgc6S-BagX0glRUWq_3qFSR0vc46R8QGtnsDnvglbnWZsB8FIJNZTudkOeJoQDjBt972/s1600/Fraser+Day+1+Barge+Trip+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="1080" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3C3sLkUKWHCenLkDe0dduMVRSZbccb_cxcxAvH9NS4-3Es1r5RYEOAdYMsJXSRMHCEw0u4dNjJgc6S-BagX0glRUWq_3qFSR0vc46R8QGtnsDnvglbnWZsB8FIJNZTudkOeJoQDjBt972/s640/Fraser+Day+1+Barge+Trip+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sure enough,
we had to reverse on too so was were facing forwards when we departed at the
destination.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOBLTzVncfxrKQvuaiax3pkt65Z_Bisj4cC8FxtaD2AiReC3rOZuMJ7mTu-QG36hwUMeoDGoljVfmENgQzYxsZAYSh6vKGT0CqAW1KhUD4CjtXWV3t1C9o6hB-QZVyClE3AHEOlMw4J2I/s1600/Fraser+Day+1+Barge+Trip+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="1080" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOBLTzVncfxrKQvuaiax3pkt65Z_Bisj4cC8FxtaD2AiReC3rOZuMJ7mTu-QG36hwUMeoDGoljVfmENgQzYxsZAYSh6vKGT0CqAW1KhUD4CjtXWV3t1C9o6hB-QZVyClE3AHEOlMw4J2I/s640/Fraser+Day+1+Barge+Trip+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Because we
were first on, we were able to watch the larger buses and truck reverse on
after us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_cxQpvXdHyePtw1LDHXrPT7wkL-q5zBUDy0KdowOP4wQcdGrOzh_q7GS1gKjCiXlatKgTZmB7d3bix6QvaUQ1teUGj7sBce5tGwU9ijWFP6S-tp7dW6wI6LCBztTu3jwOQmReEgnfBGzg/s1600/Fraser+Day+1+Barge+Trip+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="1080" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_cxQpvXdHyePtw1LDHXrPT7wkL-q5zBUDy0KdowOP4wQcdGrOzh_q7GS1gKjCiXlatKgTZmB7d3bix6QvaUQ1teUGj7sBce5tGwU9ijWFP6S-tp7dW6wI6LCBztTu3jwOQmReEgnfBGzg/s640/Fraser+Day+1+Barge+Trip+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The trip over
was great with good views sitting high upstairs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6VKk4pAGEUbuEfK7m1CM0NutFGt_aTPW_0y8Qzu9cX_KWAPSDpZ_YFhJpkz2t45jOZRX7UUCkWJEKkQ9QnmOdznLaeSGBkAVnbywEMLbqvt0K8Gs9pjjiTKR7g5nNcwdhTxps5DvWFzQ/s1600/Fraser+Day+1+Barge+Trip+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="1080" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6VKk4pAGEUbuEfK7m1CM0NutFGt_aTPW_0y8Qzu9cX_KWAPSDpZ_YFhJpkz2t45jOZRX7UUCkWJEKkQ9QnmOdznLaeSGBkAVnbywEMLbqvt0K8Gs9pjjiTKR7g5nNcwdhTxps5DvWFzQ/s640/Fraser+Day+1+Barge+Trip+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived at
5pm but because of the low tide, the barge had to land at Kingfisher Resort
rather than further south at Woongoolba Creek.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The downside
of that was that we had a 1 hour drive from Kingfisher Bay to our accommodation
at Eurong.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTc0G5caZ3xjwagbw9ftQGzL-tLc2Jsdji3MoOcd1HSeB01HkWIvJ2NZC3PJfnMBicfvHHouNQX7X7MzIUFHIJxurVuhvzX9qnXN-5n4a5ZPl0fuE6S5C3EisfPuvdZQ3cD_NaxTLoBu1r/s1600/Fraser+Day+1+Barge+Trip+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="1080" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTc0G5caZ3xjwagbw9ftQGzL-tLc2Jsdji3MoOcd1HSeB01HkWIvJ2NZC3PJfnMBicfvHHouNQX7X7MzIUFHIJxurVuhvzX9qnXN-5n4a5ZPl0fuE6S5C3EisfPuvdZQ3cD_NaxTLoBu1r/s640/Fraser+Day+1+Barge+Trip+%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We departed
the barge in daylight but arrived in the dark at Eurong after a bumpy 4WD trip
with the well overloaded car.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were all
cold, hungry and tired but fortunately the accommodation was awesome with an
amazing 3 story beach house and the girl’s smart forethought to get hot BBQ
chickens and salad whilst shopping meant for a quick and stress-free dinner.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The amazing 3 story
beach house that was our home for a week<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVH-wPi9KLIvIc_9UhmmQF0K1G0uUHAO-y3sq_o5RkvMhJxv4gGfut57aWiXqSVRYv0ohyqQm_eXUhW4-_CEYBE9LgGgG5GkPS4IGCcMESfAeCKCD_9ashpk3LU8LEaoRZxyrGqYUmIZuL/s1600/Fraser+Accomodation+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="645" data-original-width="1080" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVH-wPi9KLIvIc_9UhmmQF0K1G0uUHAO-y3sq_o5RkvMhJxv4gGfut57aWiXqSVRYv0ohyqQm_eXUhW4-_CEYBE9LgGgG5GkPS4IGCcMESfAeCKCD_9ashpk3LU8LEaoRZxyrGqYUmIZuL/s640/Fraser+Accomodation+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmcl5VaCD76ZiyU1uK_czRsdPz4t_w6kzMr7rVw-iEqqpgEnVpqlGQgpdWQ0u4sHn4KOnWHwaueA-ZMLC-7S5Cqujzb5JUMQGQVrmcteIxrFLgjN5KXSsWOkKuMr8JK1MxKBgcw5GTDwB/s1600/Fraser+Accomodation+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1080" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmcl5VaCD76ZiyU1uK_czRsdPz4t_w6kzMr7rVw-iEqqpgEnVpqlGQgpdWQ0u4sHn4KOnWHwaueA-ZMLC-7S5Cqujzb5JUMQGQVrmcteIxrFLgjN5KXSsWOkKuMr8JK1MxKBgcw5GTDwB/s640/Fraser+Accomodation+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next
morning we took off north along the beach to explore a few areas on the east
coast shoreline.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The high
tide, strong winds and large seas were pushing water right up onto the flat
part of the beaches. That combined with fresh water runoff from the previous
rains put sheens of glassy water over the sand that made for excellent
reflection photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsuqb9rI0RKl5zfXU353-oGnIPZoSUxXHBi56609lrxU3uFlNXzsMpHixkFCYwDbYBNMujF4YczGQTx2WuqWPfzq4ZrwSTxbBl4aiYleXYAvC87Xjn3skFQwjGTUzybe73-ktzHV1gkyt/s1600/Fraser+Day+2+4WD+Fun+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="1080" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsuqb9rI0RKl5zfXU353-oGnIPZoSUxXHBi56609lrxU3uFlNXzsMpHixkFCYwDbYBNMujF4YczGQTx2WuqWPfzq4ZrwSTxbBl4aiYleXYAvC87Xjn3skFQwjGTUzybe73-ktzHV1gkyt/s640/Fraser+Day+2+4WD+Fun+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwkDjRhlu8w2FX2S7E5e2ZN17tPO6ehh4SFNzspCohK1sPkeaj3QkCiondvNaCi-qMBjlgMC5WH-esl3EMNiZe3AB66IcTGehxCsMtgZNCf6IWcWRxxHRH9Q1XFx559zWQQpjjZrXFnYf/s1600/Fraser+Day+2+4WD+Fun+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="1080" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwkDjRhlu8w2FX2S7E5e2ZN17tPO6ehh4SFNzspCohK1sPkeaj3QkCiondvNaCi-qMBjlgMC5WH-esl3EMNiZe3AB66IcTGehxCsMtgZNCf6IWcWRxxHRH9Q1XFx559zWQQpjjZrXFnYf/s640/Fraser+Day+2+4WD+Fun+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the larger
creek crossings and runoffs, Rod had fun driving the car through the freshwater.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi815XI0WyDm_7g0rUOkZtT4Un4LwfgQLtYW1JRmEtqGkc0GB5vw3aaadci46RP4cVcWb66LrK7frlxyRObUNHBPAOpA70_lYzqCOupWgVZiu-LWgY8ARTS-hAOofdaa2AaCFPNwQCZBGP4/s1600/Fraser+Day+2+4WD+Fun+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="1080" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi815XI0WyDm_7g0rUOkZtT4Un4LwfgQLtYW1JRmEtqGkc0GB5vw3aaadci46RP4cVcWb66LrK7frlxyRObUNHBPAOpA70_lYzqCOupWgVZiu-LWgY8ARTS-hAOofdaa2AaCFPNwQCZBGP4/s640/Fraser+Day+2+4WD+Fun+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Rod made the
most of doing the u-turns as Paul asked him to do the crossing again for more
photos<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6PKWXEy4rpPrUq-72ApZud4mF9gfH6gRK2SWQQQIFcPPdI2MOO7jOJCDsPNa14WsJGplHUcvs-zVjU_HKTJ9vGkJ44IySuBSxq7UZmZ5Ob3uFmt-D6qLTf-V9Sr27uDAK3JkYQ9mmWB7/s1600/Fraser+Day+2+4WD+Fun+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6PKWXEy4rpPrUq-72ApZud4mF9gfH6gRK2SWQQQIFcPPdI2MOO7jOJCDsPNa14WsJGplHUcvs-zVjU_HKTJ9vGkJ44IySuBSxq7UZmZ5Ob3uFmt-D6qLTf-V9Sr27uDAK3JkYQ9mmWB7/s640/Fraser+Day+2+4WD+Fun+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Eli Creek was
our first stop and we were amazed to find the popular tourist spot with not a
single other person there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXqlRt9wFYlPK0SpBS3oDVmGvHZVE0oxK_yRHTSiiSyrr5Wd6Xz6xj98PiZ2iGwx_QXrB0hsAyWjDaNV9088n2BMu9RgmFFOeITEI83-_VonYKYy6ZdNDwN5yhVFncdWeOVKt75mlJmdG/s1600/Fraser+Day+2+4WD+Fun+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="1080" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXqlRt9wFYlPK0SpBS3oDVmGvHZVE0oxK_yRHTSiiSyrr5Wd6Xz6xj98PiZ2iGwx_QXrB0hsAyWjDaNV9088n2BMu9RgmFFOeITEI83-_VonYKYy6ZdNDwN5yhVFncdWeOVKt75mlJmdG/s640/Fraser+Day+2+4WD+Fun+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We wandered
up the creek in the cool but crystal clear fresh water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8v_FYT8rEo1j5W4vAHAUDUwzxXRXSjDD-hVY0aXsH0JjSWZYloBeakAeRx-wQNstNWWlBgVr8nJA6SAgcM1FqLYrXwb1ujLlsYuWk3gWoBomr78c7aJuvBr9eYj6JAghQCwBYdHsBrFAh/s1600/Fraser+Day+2+Eli+Creek+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="1080" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8v_FYT8rEo1j5W4vAHAUDUwzxXRXSjDD-hVY0aXsH0JjSWZYloBeakAeRx-wQNstNWWlBgVr8nJA6SAgcM1FqLYrXwb1ujLlsYuWk3gWoBomr78c7aJuvBr9eYj6JAghQCwBYdHsBrFAh/s640/Fraser+Day+2+Eli+Creek+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcHOUwa3VM5SQEJA09USREHxXsqs-HpdAg96BGCUaj7aCUUWm9CjVjrxbNk6Jp0a40QSlw_-3LnqzHdpS-Q0mJm08oDEZR-di8MnEBarYy4AjlPkdW6GO_g1ugpg8wjGU8j1c7tPadMWK/s1600/Fraser+Day+2+Eli+Creek+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="1080" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcHOUwa3VM5SQEJA09USREHxXsqs-HpdAg96BGCUaj7aCUUWm9CjVjrxbNk6Jp0a40QSlw_-3LnqzHdpS-Q0mJm08oDEZR-di8MnEBarYy4AjlPkdW6GO_g1ugpg8wjGU8j1c7tPadMWK/s640/Fraser+Day+2+Eli+Creek+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKwMltlLBAiMjuxXOa9B-PUQGmp4gc09KlFvPYwF0faHuHHilT39k79qVIHlaIXKF2hKQg8tvzZG1jZF38-d1jOWuXN2AkESwoYg5k01g15E7kFbnXONpemXfVYgvzatplBzm3fukmL4VN/s1600/Fraser+Day+2+Eli+Creek+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="1080" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKwMltlLBAiMjuxXOa9B-PUQGmp4gc09KlFvPYwF0faHuHHilT39k79qVIHlaIXKF2hKQg8tvzZG1jZF38-d1jOWuXN2AkESwoYg5k01g15E7kFbnXONpemXfVYgvzatplBzm3fukmL4VN/s640/Fraser+Day+2+Eli+Creek+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We ventured
up to Happy Valley and stopped for morning tea.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Inside the
shop was a lot of memorabilia from one of Fraser Island’s most iconic
attractions – the Maheno Shipwreck, which went aground on the beach in 1935.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The shop had
lots of old photos of the wreck as well as a scale model and a replica ships
bell.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5jsaLNBv1YDaJBUAmLyvGdiIAJm_gxAKl8dwEsqatQnSOditrSe8Y9LgwWm8edYnchqrM6VPGS9AcpusWhzvguKEIDgptgILuRrtYPmguXMIErm0cZcl6m5y4OUtwlNUUJATEUjnE7iq/s1600/Fraser+Day+2+Maheno+Model+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1080" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5jsaLNBv1YDaJBUAmLyvGdiIAJm_gxAKl8dwEsqatQnSOditrSe8Y9LgwWm8edYnchqrM6VPGS9AcpusWhzvguKEIDgptgILuRrtYPmguXMIErm0cZcl6m5y4OUtwlNUUJATEUjnE7iq/s640/Fraser+Day+2+Maheno+Model+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2tqFepdv3T2QgoQhB_j5Gq6aRET_MDe8ARz770dZOXJJWkx9yAH9wwNvpiKQkCx1pQaFP-TCLFbDdJx-6PDlRW9MOorWb9IBRBJyNqdoJCrEIX_E4piD2GkW0yWI2jKJc1ssrw3P3Bla/s1600/Fraser+Day+2+Maheno+Bell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="823" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2tqFepdv3T2QgoQhB_j5Gq6aRET_MDe8ARz770dZOXJJWkx9yAH9wwNvpiKQkCx1pQaFP-TCLFbDdJx-6PDlRW9MOorWb9IBRBJyNqdoJCrEIX_E4piD2GkW0yWI2jKJc1ssrw3P3Bla/s640/Fraser+Day+2+Maheno+Bell.JPG" width="486" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We continued
on up the beach to the Maheno and we found virtually nobody at the shipwreck
site and were able to get some great photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPU4oQ9KAAfyiEh_L7OqVCmwV9XoofIGk6tfYvU8bpyOOlvpwRb0c_HoNCXzX-Ty0mf27th8K9dXix3QHlB1m9SX5ckCVnwgQY7Sjjp-hGWzE6LfpUTNbeTPa7rc_87YHykE0AP36ZpLbB/s1600/Fraser+Day+2+Maheno+Wreck+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="527" data-original-width="1080" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPU4oQ9KAAfyiEh_L7OqVCmwV9XoofIGk6tfYvU8bpyOOlvpwRb0c_HoNCXzX-Ty0mf27th8K9dXix3QHlB1m9SX5ckCVnwgQY7Sjjp-hGWzE6LfpUTNbeTPa7rc_87YHykE0AP36ZpLbB/s640/Fraser+Day+2+Maheno+Wreck+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTb79W0zTVrx4wYtGESjRndTIhWsrh1eEu7M6lxOcPOVs5Kms4PV-5v0l_sgrQGqHAp4uvuE55q8PtZlt3Or0mJnAvV-O2ReN17sn0jO0AjBkb7AUWC9kyAkyyQbjdZLD4oy88LRXm0WJ/s1600/Fraser+Day+2+Maheno+Wreck+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="642" data-original-width="1080" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTb79W0zTVrx4wYtGESjRndTIhWsrh1eEu7M6lxOcPOVs5Kms4PV-5v0l_sgrQGqHAp4uvuE55q8PtZlt3Or0mJnAvV-O2ReN17sn0jO0AjBkb7AUWC9kyAkyyQbjdZLD4oy88LRXm0WJ/s640/Fraser+Day+2+Maheno+Wreck+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnTXrnbyONIpRgpOyNCpwrdA3Aq9wMIPAxWnAUZQPxyZBm53E9tF7d8OOYLlICoxfNSuT14G5IPnNAiSYmUEdGI-LE4C7aIROWN0QoWwdrbDfgjm1lwYaw2cW_tFHoZ6HOLakl8StZk2F/s1600/Fraser+Day+2+Maheno+Wreck+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="547" data-original-width="1080" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnTXrnbyONIpRgpOyNCpwrdA3Aq9wMIPAxWnAUZQPxyZBm53E9tF7d8OOYLlICoxfNSuT14G5IPnNAiSYmUEdGI-LE4C7aIROWN0QoWwdrbDfgjm1lwYaw2cW_tFHoZ6HOLakl8StZk2F/s640/Fraser+Day+2+Maheno+Wreck+%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the no
crowds, a high tide and rough seas pushing water through the wreck, Paul set up
a tripod and a dark neutral density filter so he could do some 2-4 second
exposures around the wreck. The result made the water look like fog around the
ship.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The problem
was getting the timing right so the salt water waves didn’t splash up onto the
camera and tripod and the added problem of the tripod moving by sinking into
the soft sand.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a fun
challenge…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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</div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note Rod standing on the
deck as the water rushed past underneath him<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After lunch,
we went down to the beach in front of our house to see if we could find beach
worms or pipis to use as bait for fishing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The film of
water over the beach made for more great reflections.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOM9IDLbaXnqvqyc_8Tlx92nncMRGCpAwVIWae4dwV856DpiDBlRNISqTDkNLt8qGgoQaz9zE09HHjnH9Pp_tNh5TyG1G7PZvLNL9XMXuyJgSU1DMUKhOIjha0QuqP3YjvrGp-PittzFNm/s1600/Fraser+Day+2+Pipi+Hunting+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="1080" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOM9IDLbaXnqvqyc_8Tlx92nncMRGCpAwVIWae4dwV856DpiDBlRNISqTDkNLt8qGgoQaz9zE09HHjnH9Pp_tNh5TyG1G7PZvLNL9XMXuyJgSU1DMUKhOIjha0QuqP3YjvrGp-PittzFNm/s640/Fraser+Day+2+Pipi+Hunting+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
loads of birds sitting on the shoreline and flying around.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhefo7XyLmKDA6Q-xys9Qhh_Z580BI-C1YgCNvUpbh3OVcqJOYdJa5JS-QqrjrWkxEDpEY6-aHE6j8DjCnHssaVB022CGx26QzDxYidx_mpWUFRp64WA9I0lQjDOUe0oYxmxHj0uNpmRZdV/s1600/Fraser+Day+2+Pipi+Hunting+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="1080" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhefo7XyLmKDA6Q-xys9Qhh_Z580BI-C1YgCNvUpbh3OVcqJOYdJa5JS-QqrjrWkxEDpEY6-aHE6j8DjCnHssaVB022CGx26QzDxYidx_mpWUFRp64WA9I0lQjDOUe0oYxmxHj0uNpmRZdV/s640/Fraser+Day+2+Pipi+Hunting+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Further up
the beach Paul spied a lone Dingo walking around up in the sand dunes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At first it
was a bit of two and fro as Paul stalked the Dingo before the Dingo started stalking
Paul.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTNG5p5esPWJKu5Ny80ha6-v3dp_oXDRToAfDBIYrV79oQuOwyBCixH65Tgy93yRIirdxKcb6ZJAsC96wlfKWq5ufTI1SMMleQU-wMdwzhOnWJ1aHHm00zoqkDVDEEWOKLb4V1bJVOp4L/s1600/Fraser+Day+2+Dingo+on+Beach+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="1080" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTNG5p5esPWJKu5Ny80ha6-v3dp_oXDRToAfDBIYrV79oQuOwyBCixH65Tgy93yRIirdxKcb6ZJAsC96wlfKWq5ufTI1SMMleQU-wMdwzhOnWJ1aHHm00zoqkDVDEEWOKLb4V1bJVOp4L/s640/Fraser+Day+2+Dingo+on+Beach+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Eventually
they both became comfortable around each other and the Dingo followed Paul down
to the beach and even along the water’s edge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">George
brought the car up to the action and the Dingo has happy to walk around the
car.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A breakdown
tow truck zoomed past at speed and the Dingo wasn’t fazed at all.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Eventually it
was happy to sit down as Paul sat down near it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffpTprMWG9IkekUor28LZUQ9RD_jyEPrmHyYQwzcxKg82SYRTzL4OsB5WoWUzuGtmhyVFVrEUgeYx8DGWpBJcRslhyphenhyphen1DxQhke_HaxBWV21xw0aJHEWZHIYPjiVa4sdfO9mX_MTS47aYPw/s1600/Fraser+Day+2+Dingo+on+Beach+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="822" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffpTprMWG9IkekUor28LZUQ9RD_jyEPrmHyYQwzcxKg82SYRTzL4OsB5WoWUzuGtmhyVFVrEUgeYx8DGWpBJcRslhyphenhyphen1DxQhke_HaxBWV21xw0aJHEWZHIYPjiVa4sdfO9mX_MTS47aYPw/s640/Fraser+Day+2+Dingo+on+Beach+%25286%2529.JPG" width="486" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFn5LTYRzPtjfP5uuHsklUPmC0k8SlI5SY7bUUU0NFMZzFgzoT-gXd5PfEqwZZQGKDrN1mExUBL9tGldoYUyCcshyVZb5E8vZ465I5FsZExOfKhcyQT74i7FBT0lvUrrjHJWBrjv5gpMZs/s1600/Fraser+Day+2+Dingo+on+Beach+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="1080" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFn5LTYRzPtjfP5uuHsklUPmC0k8SlI5SY7bUUU0NFMZzFgzoT-gXd5PfEqwZZQGKDrN1mExUBL9tGldoYUyCcshyVZb5E8vZ465I5FsZExOfKhcyQT74i7FBT0lvUrrjHJWBrjv5gpMZs/s640/Fraser+Day+2+Dingo+on+Beach+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the big
seas and overcast conditions, we decided to head into the centre of the island
and explore the forest areas.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However we
still had to drive a little way up the beach before cutting into the islands
centre.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we drove
north, we stopped to see 2 planes and a makeshift beach runway as they waited for
tourists eager to do a joy flight over the island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-RWFyQ_4a-c4KsV41qaVloKI-88UvzxdC3hwTClq1UARTujyhvhFJ1OKvIwgm0_LpmJ56EVXkH179k7XJRAb2Imx2UP3rtTS8TR-xiZe8QReepX2zwq3obTd5Evhm0bqHgNOrBZYKzjJ/s1600/Fraser+Day+2+Plane+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="1080" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-RWFyQ_4a-c4KsV41qaVloKI-88UvzxdC3hwTClq1UARTujyhvhFJ1OKvIwgm0_LpmJ56EVXkH179k7XJRAb2Imx2UP3rtTS8TR-xiZe8QReepX2zwq3obTd5Evhm0bqHgNOrBZYKzjJ/s640/Fraser+Day+2+Plane+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was pretty
cool to not only watch the plane taxi to the beach runway, but to also follow
the plane along in the car as it took off.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0CoknXnvJXAKtE-EmLjY1Ak3CjK6jCskGdaY6uu8v_ppTvgry1CQ0BbcHk6R8aqjoIpE2yzSiUgshn1P8Pc3swEkH_GwMmHGGLa8g52AeT8ib_XFRfWVebPORWssg7H066bEgkXCnSli/s1600/Fraser+Day+2+Plane+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="1080" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0CoknXnvJXAKtE-EmLjY1Ak3CjK6jCskGdaY6uu8v_ppTvgry1CQ0BbcHk6R8aqjoIpE2yzSiUgshn1P8Pc3swEkH_GwMmHGGLa8g52AeT8ib_XFRfWVebPORWssg7H066bEgkXCnSli/s640/Fraser+Day+2+Plane+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We took some
trails with soft sand and high banks surrounded by huge trees.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was very
picturesque.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVStgqIVNwvOyrA1B_zFljpTxs-EaOkzDTndXIO5rPml0ACHTy5PjLsUidBXKZVwAVzP6oQZz99GvwNcvs3a3LoImqyTm9XszGmXSmHP-MJ3NiMx1yIovsoWmFxCrvpEb72CDjXPfR2Epv/s1600/Fraser+Day+6+Driving+in+the+Forest+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="1080" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVStgqIVNwvOyrA1B_zFljpTxs-EaOkzDTndXIO5rPml0ACHTy5PjLsUidBXKZVwAVzP6oQZz99GvwNcvs3a3LoImqyTm9XszGmXSmHP-MJ3NiMx1yIovsoWmFxCrvpEb72CDjXPfR2Epv/s640/Fraser+Day+6+Driving+in+the+Forest+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">First stop
was the magnificent Central Station.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The area is
stunning and filled with many walks, huge pine and eucalypt forests, creeks and
lots of history about the old settlement and timber cutting era.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul and
George saw some huge Stag Horn Ferns on the tree trunks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPByruDEE41CAVSolwWkELm2Q55B8VBtQauwmGLRb51NYxoYM5P7CWzeLMEXr9rRBGQWBrNRJT3LbLNC5mf7GnSLODqIs1iW5o20yz3QFbIVuw48DrDteknRdkvU3YrPJJNG7ccMN4coE/s1600/Fraser+Day+3+Central+Station+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1513" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPByruDEE41CAVSolwWkELm2Q55B8VBtQauwmGLRb51NYxoYM5P7CWzeLMEXr9rRBGQWBrNRJT3LbLNC5mf7GnSLODqIs1iW5o20yz3QFbIVuw48DrDteknRdkvU3YrPJJNG7ccMN4coE/s640/Fraser+Day+3+Central+Station+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The highlight
is the board walk along Woongoolba Creek.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJvWSR_jg5Yw429BOcpiE7c337YZBl4xxdurnzIJKMHOzPQHVil1w1HyUq6hRhVxjhie2SjkxZVBcd0W4qhHKf7vcJToLlQ0rPpK06W3lFon0ENe437HIw4jq6dvDITr3yw_5GjSIXWB6/s1600/Fraser+Day+3+Central+Station+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="1080" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJvWSR_jg5Yw429BOcpiE7c337YZBl4xxdurnzIJKMHOzPQHVil1w1HyUq6hRhVxjhie2SjkxZVBcd0W4qhHKf7vcJToLlQ0rPpK06W3lFon0ENe437HIw4jq6dvDITr3yw_5GjSIXWB6/s640/Fraser+Day+3+Central+Station+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13IpBMtFZmO3KD2zytJ6NevxaOvFHkTejtULqRjr2PSbuOP0uoT-wr7ozpncVuGuZ0ZRVz3RSAVA8fMMBd7tV4br_hRu6W06YTI4vfyKzTc07eEn66ETniQtJM3BRiGmZGDKGbyWsGYwK/s1600/Fraser+Day+3+Central+Station+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="1080" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13IpBMtFZmO3KD2zytJ6NevxaOvFHkTejtULqRjr2PSbuOP0uoT-wr7ozpncVuGuZ0ZRVz3RSAVA8fMMBd7tV4br_hRu6W06YTI4vfyKzTc07eEn66ETniQtJM3BRiGmZGDKGbyWsGYwK/s640/Fraser+Day+3+Central+Station+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Rod and Lisa
found a vine that looped nearly to the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A few heavy
tugs confirmed it may hold a person’s weight so it became a swing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At first it
was a few small pushes but in the end they were both pushing out from high up
the bank and way out over the path.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0uU19JCRdI-VfM4EXtumMQ-Kzqsh86XqcwD9IHKqyYlbmvoQudQ5MPNX1F4_YcUyQrCfN3ViTiLOznZAFNt1wgfk4s-vBn-AyDSOZi9I2cZFTWamoFmLcBH33O6P4RLB0By6yJNJz2-E/s1600/Fraser+Day+3+Central+Station+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="1080" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0uU19JCRdI-VfM4EXtumMQ-Kzqsh86XqcwD9IHKqyYlbmvoQudQ5MPNX1F4_YcUyQrCfN3ViTiLOznZAFNt1wgfk4s-vBn-AyDSOZi9I2cZFTWamoFmLcBH33O6P4RLB0By6yJNJz2-E/s640/Fraser+Day+3+Central+Station+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzzXg1Xt98Yyh6RSsaAV1l_P31LAlHHtXiqRKdJn0PbtH9uu6xcA_NTRyhWpoaSIygA4WwN_FPZCDmtaK0h-1QR7FVEMPpbcIE4kgieU-W2ULpky8N86sWUBXlgfoiZ_fj7YbLMrLQO29/s1600/Fraser+Day+3+Central+Station+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="1080" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzzXg1Xt98Yyh6RSsaAV1l_P31LAlHHtXiqRKdJn0PbtH9uu6xcA_NTRyhWpoaSIygA4WwN_FPZCDmtaK0h-1QR7FVEMPpbcIE4kgieU-W2ULpky8N86sWUBXlgfoiZ_fj7YbLMrLQO29/s640/Fraser+Day+3+Central+Station+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul took his
shoes off and waded down to the shallow but cold creek to get some photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was dark
with the overcast conditions and dense canopy but there were no shadows which
was perfect for some slow exposure wide angle photography.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQcnX1amQnfX7JGT2n2u_68Xugo4R-2Q3wynIWwFbeGdqQeDVzg7acwRgFIYAVR5ZkNerriIzB7TQhljtveZ8moZ2x-SYGp3B7U7nYUIuPcJocyUii4KbRPhSif39jVm3qMh7orF4nwuy/s1600/Fraser+Day+3+Central+Station+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="1080" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQcnX1amQnfX7JGT2n2u_68Xugo4R-2Q3wynIWwFbeGdqQeDVzg7acwRgFIYAVR5ZkNerriIzB7TQhljtveZ8moZ2x-SYGp3B7U7nYUIuPcJocyUii4KbRPhSif39jVm3qMh7orF4nwuy/s640/Fraser+Day+3+Central+Station+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFl3kPxEP5rQ12p1hlP-lRao6xA95kgzMeb00hGgZb_E4Mqk-uiCOftAJCDDZL7T3hvji4LgEjCRqPB0OkRRNBQ9USaL86Iwu1nVXNXOY0lv7-jYcQ-Iw59ePq_q1kkU1gWz2AfJu17Sr/s1600/Fraser+Day+3+Central+Station+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="673" data-original-width="1080" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFl3kPxEP5rQ12p1hlP-lRao6xA95kgzMeb00hGgZb_E4Mqk-uiCOftAJCDDZL7T3hvji4LgEjCRqPB0OkRRNBQ9USaL86Iwu1nVXNXOY0lv7-jYcQ-Iw59ePq_q1kkU1gWz2AfJu17Sr/s640/Fraser+Day+3+Central+Station+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIy9YQDQzDod1jdKqvSjYnv5x6elSNfPw6Hb0MXFc1FOT9vqMPDKuhi2BYexE48_yrsLXj34qni5VFMSYY7jXEvUqTXwfLYfPEO24B_5hSNwEFDIIETD5NQqP7Ehyjz-T-10ECrP3wFiEj/s1600/Fraser+Day+3+Central+Station+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="1080" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIy9YQDQzDod1jdKqvSjYnv5x6elSNfPw6Hb0MXFc1FOT9vqMPDKuhi2BYexE48_yrsLXj34qni5VFMSYY7jXEvUqTXwfLYfPEO24B_5hSNwEFDIIETD5NQqP7Ehyjz-T-10ECrP3wFiEj/s640/Fraser+Day+3+Central+Station+%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xSeqa73b29ZrT8JZePq2gNwuPE2_C2F_WCQOC_tZ2BVZTwwlBc70L0teD62UKPDvZIWajrPeO_Q-M0WKCcNyLklsMGas7YxKAho2QATkolgeXLk_wpsxgW2ov6ZRBx-MuZ1V5C5BdaeI/s1600/Fraser+Day+3+Central+Station+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1080" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xSeqa73b29ZrT8JZePq2gNwuPE2_C2F_WCQOC_tZ2BVZTwwlBc70L0teD62UKPDvZIWajrPeO_Q-M0WKCcNyLklsMGas7YxKAho2QATkolgeXLk_wpsxgW2ov6ZRBx-MuZ1V5C5BdaeI/s640/Fraser+Day+3+Central+Station+%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We drove to
another place called Pile Valley which was filled with huge Hoop Pines.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we walked
along the trail it started to rain and by the end we were all in wet weather
jackets and soaked.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvInDhDSoNfpV-l3QYJEV9O5pMOcT7TDUTk3bVbTu9gg_oVXRUkiWnsoQy2xG5e8CvP9o0n9RVjjzTQPtSFoHcEzxmlcjPDefkjqHT-zkBs18UMTsbhGkNuRojpkRn-2iuJ_d3sav3pFhC/s1600/Fraser+Day+3+Central+Station+%252810%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1530" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvInDhDSoNfpV-l3QYJEV9O5pMOcT7TDUTk3bVbTu9gg_oVXRUkiWnsoQy2xG5e8CvP9o0n9RVjjzTQPtSFoHcEzxmlcjPDefkjqHT-zkBs18UMTsbhGkNuRojpkRn-2iuJ_d3sav3pFhC/s640/Fraser+Day+3+Central+Station+%252810%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Tree Hoggers – opps I
mean Tree Huggers!!!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite a
rainy afternoon and evening (which meant “Cloudy with a chance of Drinking….”),
we were determined to go fishing the next day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With still
big seas, we opted to drive over to the islands west coast and try the calmer
bay side.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">First stop
was Woongoolba Creek where it exits to the Bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It is a muddy
creek but there were lots of nipper (yabby) holes so we pumped for nippers and
had a stack in the bucket in under 40 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2orkoG58NzX7n-UB8eZOKIXYkAqhZffRn1_obvGYL97K09oG0HFVrd6YWAdtrk7Xr53b1JDlQH7suS54Gtj5Zu4kBFlLxjHjH-h7B6Narrs86J0oEXbNXz3PcbJZtERHtPtqn7THcEm-/s1600/Fraser+Day+4+Wanggoolba+Creek+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="1080" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2orkoG58NzX7n-UB8eZOKIXYkAqhZffRn1_obvGYL97K09oG0HFVrd6YWAdtrk7Xr53b1JDlQH7suS54Gtj5Zu4kBFlLxjHjH-h7B6Narrs86J0oEXbNXz3PcbJZtERHtPtqn7THcEm-/s640/Fraser+Day+4+Wanggoolba+Creek+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We tried
fishing in the creek but it was muddy, raining and not very pleasant so we
didn’t last long.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08hSPiKYyrTSuHR_SwTojdAmv74elxtu-pPUe6NxPg8k57LmfPJB9ecrVK1BR7GHI641tyoaVI4tMCmKMWJ-qUjFgihpYOMyByzgwhNfql3_mv2I0TmwaTSACK2Q3sYlWWtz1OGtEHoNV/s1600/Fraser+Day+4+Wanggoolba+Creek+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="626" data-original-width="1080" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08hSPiKYyrTSuHR_SwTojdAmv74elxtu-pPUe6NxPg8k57LmfPJB9ecrVK1BR7GHI641tyoaVI4tMCmKMWJ-qUjFgihpYOMyByzgwhNfql3_mv2I0TmwaTSACK2Q3sYlWWtz1OGtEHoNV/s640/Fraser+Day+4+Wanggoolba+Creek+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we aborted
and after consulting the map, we decided to head to Ungowa instead. It was an
area we had visited by boat before but we weren’t sure of the road access.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We gave it a
go anyway….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The road into
Ungowa was overgrown so it was evident that it had only had little use
recently.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However it
was beautiful with lots of big trees and some great little timber bridges that
we had to cross over.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ah21hsSQYjYGCr_ul1wI2peAEPbepN1xkXoTSmpTPZkknuDw5TK7uHmwgURAGTuBKuwWWtW0gzWNAcPmtCsIF0b2oIScD8aA48y2vPsW691rTfaFy2MAcuTLdt_K7ldteDJgwNbaOvva/s1600/Fraser+Day+4+Ungowa+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="1080" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ah21hsSQYjYGCr_ul1wI2peAEPbepN1xkXoTSmpTPZkknuDw5TK7uHmwgURAGTuBKuwWWtW0gzWNAcPmtCsIF0b2oIScD8aA48y2vPsW691rTfaFy2MAcuTLdt_K7ldteDJgwNbaOvva/s640/Fraser+Day+4+Ungowa+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvS8ERbrffbS88FIylFsbHeyomO0icMrJLaaw2XUgABzMjGh0st3Jyv1O9pLGzIVP_z5befSHi49Jaz_XmB3xOTCbnn4mzZI_pkRdpPJp_Sb5WusHEQQ9DkeGJzj1TDOBDk61xIfg2P2YA/s1600/Fraser+Day+4+Ungowa+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="704" data-original-width="1080" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvS8ERbrffbS88FIylFsbHeyomO0icMrJLaaw2XUgABzMjGh0st3Jyv1O9pLGzIVP_z5befSHi49Jaz_XmB3xOTCbnn4mzZI_pkRdpPJp_Sb5WusHEQQ9DkeGJzj1TDOBDk61xIfg2P2YA/s640/Fraser+Day+4+Ungowa+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With just 3km
to go all was going well but we came around a corner to find a long tree had
fallen down over the road.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJ6mfHygW0KsOvp05fSIY_o9mKTkDz6q7RaKdhUHN8pS7Uqci_S7tZgNFHw95sx4Zz4e7slkT_6ldIEt1ldzXegwpqQJTIm00SiPjiREF1OurMCmw1w5jkGpoGd-_akW66zya_1fkCfr-/s1600/Fraser+Day+4+Ungowa+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="1080" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJ6mfHygW0KsOvp05fSIY_o9mKTkDz6q7RaKdhUHN8pS7Uqci_S7tZgNFHw95sx4Zz4e7slkT_6ldIEt1ldzXegwpqQJTIm00SiPjiREF1OurMCmw1w5jkGpoGd-_akW66zya_1fkCfr-/s640/Fraser+Day+4+Ungowa+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It wasn’t too
big but it had 2 main trunks and went into the bush either side at least
6m/20ft so there was no chance to move it by hand.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we cleared
away the smaller branches so we could work on the main trunks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1T0wxwJ8mdv2WT0a9hkKcNuc8MdloGNMfqXhXJQLLfnb74AglvHVxl9CL3p9hb4iO3VkCxYUqvsWoOk0G2beQHZh_0NEVUV9pOgocKUH-FeSF7vIZFaR009zI6t9snvTyCR-8ucwc7l0/s1600/Fraser+Day+4+Ungowa+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1080" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1T0wxwJ8mdv2WT0a9hkKcNuc8MdloGNMfqXhXJQLLfnb74AglvHVxl9CL3p9hb4iO3VkCxYUqvsWoOk0G2beQHZh_0NEVUV9pOgocKUH-FeSF7vIZFaR009zI6t9snvTyCR-8ucwc7l0/s640/Fraser+Day+4+Ungowa+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Soon it was
out with the 4wd recovery gear. Rod and George turned the car around and hooked
up a snatch strap to the car and around the trunks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVcf_hEFxN9zVN2xRlmdtHJPNSMcBnhaUf4G0jptrTzSLlpk0I76fAWpgC-nUe03ArFDbr6yRNQ8LHG6lsLBy4v78GMt1zYo28Er8Z8p3TTVsDZMXDsRMnOvFOHqke0H4UA3q9uWDkOcit/s1600/Fraser+Day+4+Ungowa+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVcf_hEFxN9zVN2xRlmdtHJPNSMcBnhaUf4G0jptrTzSLlpk0I76fAWpgC-nUe03ArFDbr6yRNQ8LHG6lsLBy4v78GMt1zYo28Er8Z8p3TTVsDZMXDsRMnOvFOHqke0H4UA3q9uWDkOcit/s640/Fraser+Day+4+Ungowa+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It took a lot
of grunt from the car in low range 4WD, but eventually the tree moved and Rod
was able to pull it straight and drag it down the road to a wider section.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZ8eqQaqNnS6M9rjYXU66kzOf-G8bSsnwJDbl2YW3fWQhI9AOfBRyg8ifR6EERLi0DrIBcE2nMwCq_VoRZplSyqllbS4gb2-KBjWOZVO6ZYCUD0br0BLJbTysoes0cLm0Xl0kPYjhvQPG/s1600/Fraser+Day+4+Ungowa+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZ8eqQaqNnS6M9rjYXU66kzOf-G8bSsnwJDbl2YW3fWQhI9AOfBRyg8ifR6EERLi0DrIBcE2nMwCq_VoRZplSyqllbS4gb2-KBjWOZVO6ZYCUD0br0BLJbTysoes0cLm0Xl0kPYjhvQPG/s640/Fraser+Day+4+Ungowa+%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note the roots of the
tree ploughing the sand on the road<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We weren’t
able to get it off the road but at least now it was just wide enough to pass.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbByCM4ypAWOlRt-UIN_RCl3whwVK-5CnVl9lSSfbmHqAM-jDwMY6banfwY5j9hGH9OfbZUcqvuBPosgbwHnns4s1hNBU2Qc2HbyE8LsMFPxqY20uWp7b6uqqKT7FLAnGK4BO0RYou3bls/s1600/Fraser+Day+4+Ungowa+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbByCM4ypAWOlRt-UIN_RCl3whwVK-5CnVl9lSSfbmHqAM-jDwMY6banfwY5j9hGH9OfbZUcqvuBPosgbwHnns4s1hNBU2Qc2HbyE8LsMFPxqY20uWp7b6uqqKT7FLAnGK4BO0RYou3bls/s640/Fraser+Day+4+Ungowa+%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Success!!! Just……<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In stark
contrast to Woongoolba Creek, Ungowa was awesome with a timber ramp and wharf
to fish off and lots of structure in the water which made some great fish
habitat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1GbkdIR4JvD3OSoTzywopyLVm3pty_6ijRkwIV2m9tKRYFPJYXR3BJIDna_ns5GwqDlsJSudsV4Bm7JIeRrnhlJjDvladJNnCa4a9LwpNhCNtFS0g-sUrmdG_9KAphpXOB-yJ4vfZdpD/s1600/Fraser+Day+4+Ungowa+%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="1080" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1GbkdIR4JvD3OSoTzywopyLVm3pty_6ijRkwIV2m9tKRYFPJYXR3BJIDna_ns5GwqDlsJSudsV4Bm7JIeRrnhlJjDvladJNnCa4a9LwpNhCNtFS0g-sUrmdG_9KAphpXOB-yJ4vfZdpD/s640/Fraser+Day+4+Ungowa+%252811%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidq739b-hQjXh1tF7b65O7tD3fz_GCP9ipJWTjMeTjMd8IoFgrpWgsJfwrQjme97qoSYxyDnNBDpdr6KbHUOj-H5kdsbVC-9bSz9Cqie_-1Se-Pj3OfnaPCHCtbLEfYzjhGy076SMZ1jgD/s1600/Fraser+Day+4+Ungowa+%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1080" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidq739b-hQjXh1tF7b65O7tD3fz_GCP9ipJWTjMeTjMd8IoFgrpWgsJfwrQjme97qoSYxyDnNBDpdr6KbHUOj-H5kdsbVC-9bSz9Cqie_-1Se-Pj3OfnaPCHCtbLEfYzjhGy076SMZ1jgD/s640/Fraser+Day+4+Ungowa+%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We all caught
undersized fish and 6 or 7 different species, but the catch of the day went to
Rod who hooked a decent Flathead off the old jetty.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpb2PObekhFeqwggMJ4jUl1ZDiSs6mzXiGeEXpoDuGsDvGXsiFmkCO8EReaEmzW6WBA-JtHfeF4TzwOCG4fM5jOw7Z1ZCynHK270s2b3wqMxLC1QY3g-ZJN49RCMfEGzEv8xzaMsaeUBQR/s1600/Fraser+Day+4+Ungowa+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpb2PObekhFeqwggMJ4jUl1ZDiSs6mzXiGeEXpoDuGsDvGXsiFmkCO8EReaEmzW6WBA-JtHfeF4TzwOCG4fM5jOw7Z1ZCynHK270s2b3wqMxLC1QY3g-ZJN49RCMfEGzEv8xzaMsaeUBQR/s640/Fraser+Day+4+Ungowa+%25282%2529.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With finer
weather and abating seas, we packed the car for a full day trip the next day
and headed north along the east coast beach all the way up to Indian Head.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way we
stopped at a few place for a look.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">First stop
was The Pinnacles which is a series of hard packed coloured sand pinnacles just
back from the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly the
National Parks have fenced it off and only built a tiny little fenced walk that
basically goes to nowhere and you can’t see anything. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Very
disappointing considering you can see the walking tracks going around the
fences to access them. You’d think with miles of the coloured and packed dunes,
they’d allow access to some of it……<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The second
stop at Red Canyon was much better.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We walked up
a small but lush green valley filled with Pandanus Palms.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found some
small but colourful red sand blazes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9OzNu-Ill1hsqZvBEcU2HKZwQ5sNJxxUCHNscSBPqD5jC7FTSSFiZMZad_QIRVlmlN83DjWSDRAGvEUk8CJIalG2UIDuz1LpbfKaa2BxSWifUpZ1b5C6evFNBiD1JIL7iTy_372ZymI6/s1600/Fraser+Day+5+The+Pinnacles+and+Red+Canyon+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="1080" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9OzNu-Ill1hsqZvBEcU2HKZwQ5sNJxxUCHNscSBPqD5jC7FTSSFiZMZad_QIRVlmlN83DjWSDRAGvEUk8CJIalG2UIDuz1LpbfKaa2BxSWifUpZ1b5C6evFNBiD1JIL7iTy_372ZymI6/s640/Fraser+Day+5+The+Pinnacles+and+Red+Canyon+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul climbed
further up the ridge to get a view over the valley and beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Along the
beach were some serious wash outs from the excess runoff from the rain so we
had to be careful and not drive along too fast.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The view from
the top of Indian Head was excellent looking back south.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYazYqBqWiSEit1HLNbbV5Qm3bMXfJN6GJq873GJC6svc6JPz-7YWmL0rNgP1xDu1MundXlJNg7UU7CiZjQleFrMqiUmC_mIS2wvQp7y-UvJFC5Nr0sn_zps6851dlunBi-sEDaEYayzRk/s1600/Fraser+Day+5+Indian+Head+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="1080" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYazYqBqWiSEit1HLNbbV5Qm3bMXfJN6GJq873GJC6svc6JPz-7YWmL0rNgP1xDu1MundXlJNg7UU7CiZjQleFrMqiUmC_mIS2wvQp7y-UvJFC5Nr0sn_zps6851dlunBi-sEDaEYayzRk/s640/Fraser+Day+5+Indian+Head+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The other
side of Indian Head made for a great lunch stop as it was protected from the
wind. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHaXO0ChfFGXNvPMk3bR-SQt0RRjpvs4_JQgfhDMa6JqdOqkBBZDHuPoq7-xbgtjPjJs1_o3SYuzAfvCJIs7jIvvbaUAzMDXPI641HylcIuV9t_RZnkv8hHEQLd9IyQriw1iNtDbJttPBy/s1600/Fraser+Day+5+Indian+Head+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="1080" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHaXO0ChfFGXNvPMk3bR-SQt0RRjpvs4_JQgfhDMa6JqdOqkBBZDHuPoq7-xbgtjPjJs1_o3SYuzAfvCJIs7jIvvbaUAzMDXPI641HylcIuV9t_RZnkv8hHEQLd9IyQriw1iNtDbJttPBy/s640/Fraser+Day+5+Indian+Head+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A little way
past Indian Head is Waddy Point and the home to the popular Champagne Pools.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The walkway
to the pool goes over the headland and gives amazing views out over the ocean
and to the whales that were frolicking just off the coast.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
excited to find the place uncrowded.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI5IsHIUCyUL4CLHo0nCgJb1FLuQ9Qke7V2nWc5zYn2vh7U6lY523bX9y9fF_EJ16ifo6wEq18dkWxQdHZnRQBPnPN2h8dWrpWQtWWHvvQU_E-tOeO6Ja3HJx6C_d3gWUnCXU9cRbw36zS/s1600/Fraser+Day+5+Indian+Head+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="1080" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI5IsHIUCyUL4CLHo0nCgJb1FLuQ9Qke7V2nWc5zYn2vh7U6lY523bX9y9fF_EJ16ifo6wEq18dkWxQdHZnRQBPnPN2h8dWrpWQtWWHvvQU_E-tOeO6Ja3HJx6C_d3gWUnCXU9cRbw36zS/s640/Fraser+Day+5+Indian+Head+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Looking
north, the next bay looked very rough and unforgiving.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul had his
underwater camera with him (without the strobes) and was able to get into the
pools to photograph the waves that come over the rocks and into the pools.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa and
George also came for a swim and with a mask, were able to see loads of big Whiting
and Bream.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjAJO1EwEToQWZ9Q0QL30Ms5LHsB8Yo2Dbn7aeAORNfSZne5DCFB9QcJ7SnfEAhYNE-lt09IN2j1fThkAdIGF2CXUlToFsgXd5psggSa5UeqJeAJhX9CsEMKuBs-VjSP_WTju-ls0XcN1-/s1600/Fraser+Day+5+Champagne+Pools+UW+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjAJO1EwEToQWZ9Q0QL30Ms5LHsB8Yo2Dbn7aeAORNfSZne5DCFB9QcJ7SnfEAhYNE-lt09IN2j1fThkAdIGF2CXUlToFsgXd5psggSa5UeqJeAJhX9CsEMKuBs-VjSP_WTju-ls0XcN1-/s640/Fraser+Day+5+Champagne+Pools+UW+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSA7G-dPbEGzfmxYIHSPgIfWITTUs6IidUBqzQ2yylH2cLkR-9wTMea98xF3lGfRaCu3hHBw5VYBR1X7yJY0khFQaYXAG22l4LKkR-qIbB_zl_Aq7wRgdVFOYTWhYWd8m2CD0nI013Y94O/s1600/Fraser+Day+5+Champagne+Pools+UW+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="1080" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSA7G-dPbEGzfmxYIHSPgIfWITTUs6IidUBqzQ2yylH2cLkR-9wTMea98xF3lGfRaCu3hHBw5VYBR1X7yJY0khFQaYXAG22l4LKkR-qIbB_zl_Aq7wRgdVFOYTWhYWd8m2CD0nI013Y94O/s640/Fraser+Day+5+Champagne+Pools+UW+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul was also
able to get half and half photos in between the waves crashing in, roughing up
the surface and clouding the viz.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdnVAGsadwX5_3q5fIan9MUyYnsgm0GjP7c6daEXN96u8fJAcR0HgWr54VCl0mZ-0Co0ZzswP7v-VyLVIw7sA3D2cpGjUlZUzaXWpOrLe3HjTZb3HVke4IgtypsxbYAO4tJ9Fp6H_zbZm/s1600/Fraser+Day+5+Champagne+Pools+UW+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1080" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdnVAGsadwX5_3q5fIan9MUyYnsgm0GjP7c6daEXN96u8fJAcR0HgWr54VCl0mZ-0Co0ZzswP7v-VyLVIw7sA3D2cpGjUlZUzaXWpOrLe3HjTZb3HVke4IgtypsxbYAO4tJ9Fp6H_zbZm/s640/Fraser+Day+5+Champagne+Pools+UW+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6Xct1xIbvkAj4jwUDIrZDowoXRZ_hRsGYqO0BxDxZ-gER1b_KG5rOAa79_MYc11SrcSu7sJoMW-lmpDvA63j7VnE7M1LBa2WXaZjIThRPBWSBUpsNA37ReaDgw5kyxURAiApkY0qUJ3V/s1600/Fraser+Day+5+Champagne+Pools+UW+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="1080" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6Xct1xIbvkAj4jwUDIrZDowoXRZ_hRsGYqO0BxDxZ-gER1b_KG5rOAa79_MYc11SrcSu7sJoMW-lmpDvA63j7VnE7M1LBa2WXaZjIThRPBWSBUpsNA37ReaDgw5kyxURAiApkY0qUJ3V/s640/Fraser+Day+5+Champagne+Pools+UW+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Finally the
weather was getting better and better.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul and
George were able to do a second trip up to the Maheno Wreck for a sunset photo
session.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly it
wasn’t one of those super red sunsets but still the low light and varied
colours meant for some fun time exposure photos on the tripod.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3xA3UpqPukGa2FWCpwSO8uLsulfm14YQke50gdZEAOG4LuJFew2Z2P5eVltnYIRm973RHeeZxjr1UoOfMJhbsXVTUdmwG08AWohgt9BD1m5eYuAHKOsHi7C8o-jpD0y0WmNey_AXanc9T/s1600/Maheno+Shipwreck+Sunset+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="645" data-original-width="1080" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3xA3UpqPukGa2FWCpwSO8uLsulfm14YQke50gdZEAOG4LuJFew2Z2P5eVltnYIRm973RHeeZxjr1UoOfMJhbsXVTUdmwG08AWohgt9BD1m5eYuAHKOsHi7C8o-jpD0y0WmNey_AXanc9T/s640/Maheno+Shipwreck+Sunset+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9hQMxn3-qjRW4_OoaVPPY_9Y4fzWsum5myRs3LucEaVzzpOAPlMK4i5PwLCAPYj5LgKatL1ivpqXVCc1nCYthk_gbehZN_ZYfgzFy5d-hmAjiNtd5WmzsF9HWzmH2yzmM7ZPZJPB249s/s1600/Maheno+Shipwreck+Sunset+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="1080" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9hQMxn3-qjRW4_OoaVPPY_9Y4fzWsum5myRs3LucEaVzzpOAPlMK4i5PwLCAPYj5LgKatL1ivpqXVCc1nCYthk_gbehZN_ZYfgzFy5d-hmAjiNtd5WmzsF9HWzmH2yzmM7ZPZJPB249s/s640/Maheno+Shipwreck+Sunset+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ag_hBkj6vLe_xPTZBjFoYiMiUIAYPfF8xavWYGwXFPqxvW9S6tf-zbdT7hWGqd8h9EgF9C7T6Wa2bydaPklpoPf2G8efCn11UuefBL6ukTKhQwWcjrU4Bjs5HRF5I5nvePLPnHwTxjke/s1600/Maheno+Shipwreck+Sunset+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="1080" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ag_hBkj6vLe_xPTZBjFoYiMiUIAYPfF8xavWYGwXFPqxvW9S6tf-zbdT7hWGqd8h9EgF9C7T6Wa2bydaPklpoPf2G8efCn11UuefBL6ukTKhQwWcjrU4Bjs5HRF5I5nvePLPnHwTxjke/s640/Maheno+Shipwreck+Sunset+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKndAIBjIXmkJbm-HkbrY74HHHqTgUb4gRVKeUi4Bf_lxTMPPA0Z1JWcPBjV4Cm5l2x7W5JVG8qM2v8_QpDQojgKIAnjiV0MGhJX_Gv3bmGVRyByrGjdXoQIXanQAMPlAZ244TlLdvyo6t/s1600/Maheno+Shipwreck+Sunset+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="1080" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKndAIBjIXmkJbm-HkbrY74HHHqTgUb4gRVKeUi4Bf_lxTMPPA0Z1JWcPBjV4Cm5l2x7W5JVG8qM2v8_QpDQojgKIAnjiV0MGhJX_Gv3bmGVRyByrGjdXoQIXanQAMPlAZ244TlLdvyo6t/s640/Maheno+Shipwreck+Sunset+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHUP08Sixirmg0xsX225Bgf_tFxUSoJca0LUHtfZI1a_2suI4PUNlG5etMTypvDU_1YotjUBnzLShS-2W0FiSKpQXjIGJ5vVFIP9FUARe10wZtUVPiCqO87GYVxHw4LliHLr26PnNeYT5/s1600/Maheno+Shipwreck+Sunset+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="1080" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHUP08Sixirmg0xsX225Bgf_tFxUSoJca0LUHtfZI1a_2suI4PUNlG5etMTypvDU_1YotjUBnzLShS-2W0FiSKpQXjIGJ5vVFIP9FUARe10wZtUVPiCqO87GYVxHw4LliHLr26PnNeYT5/s640/Maheno+Shipwreck+Sunset+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzSXiBvCZvvATchYgd9YWZj6xSeD1x_UHzvvEd9b6Z4vfxLvftVgxhzjtUYI5e1ICt2OcXHrk5ohqHeO9IDBoAZbTkVMDDxwBAM2tAgFuyzhtjZcLQcU_RV_vFj6jDd8diBg8Hq9XiD9W/s1600/Maheno+Shipwreck+Sunset+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="1080" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzSXiBvCZvvATchYgd9YWZj6xSeD1x_UHzvvEd9b6Z4vfxLvftVgxhzjtUYI5e1ICt2OcXHrk5ohqHeO9IDBoAZbTkVMDDxwBAM2tAgFuyzhtjZcLQcU_RV_vFj6jDd8diBg8Hq9XiD9W/s640/Maheno+Shipwreck+Sunset+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul was able
to do some editing to one of the photos to create this mix of black and
white/colour photo.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56ZQqO-IMbXa4g7mzr1xW-ah3Wiml6NilvGAq2i8N3XsMm1kSP2ZoBXXIwo9OyqwtAG44eETxCMjQdpRL6tp9zZb2WFWmNRmY1NQfO71Av60qOojmlEOAAqWVQVM8hhWKRkWb_wIQDXA1/s1600/Maheno+Shipwreck+Sunset+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="1080" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56ZQqO-IMbXa4g7mzr1xW-ah3Wiml6NilvGAq2i8N3XsMm1kSP2ZoBXXIwo9OyqwtAG44eETxCMjQdpRL6tp9zZb2WFWmNRmY1NQfO71Av60qOojmlEOAAqWVQVM8hhWKRkWb_wIQDXA1/s640/Maheno+Shipwreck+Sunset+%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We woke the
next morning to a beautiful day which was the type of day we were waiting for
to visit the inland lakes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fraser Island
has over a dozen perched lakes scattered throughout its interior but the most
popular (and accessible) is Lake McKenzie.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we planned
to visit a few starting in the south and finishing at the famous Lake McKenzie.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The drive in
through the forest was stunning with massive trees lining the road.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUI3k1BQJxaYxJP8ICNGojX6q3rIoMjtl_MQHgu1kctwqZ8Seq0u3BhEtsyllzoLwsM5KIQOZbFjzIJzh27VtqL_TQFtZguSb0GeN_PU19RIye06_mWpc3bpZbWHJLY9LBd5sUsjR4PrT/s1600/Fraser+Day+6+Driving+in+the+Forest+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1457" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUI3k1BQJxaYxJP8ICNGojX6q3rIoMjtl_MQHgu1kctwqZ8Seq0u3BhEtsyllzoLwsM5KIQOZbFjzIJzh27VtqL_TQFtZguSb0GeN_PU19RIye06_mWpc3bpZbWHJLY9LBd5sUsjR4PrT/s640/Fraser+Day+6+Driving+in+the+Forest+%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8BhJoG9Hv7bPqoUyhapolDLHSAmuaqsUfJZ1fRZ3VppZBapNIqM7jDnB3zHWMHb0Haz2FNz7gkG_9yqkWw_e97N0rnOQpgguyMkTdeFjzO3KjGQofaKA5RCSRY0q52tEVs6vsbKpRh7I6/s1600/Fraser+Day+6+Driving+in+the+Forest+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="1080" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8BhJoG9Hv7bPqoUyhapolDLHSAmuaqsUfJZ1fRZ3VppZBapNIqM7jDnB3zHWMHb0Haz2FNz7gkG_9yqkWw_e97N0rnOQpgguyMkTdeFjzO3KjGQofaKA5RCSRY0q52tEVs6vsbKpRh7I6/s640/Fraser+Day+6+Driving+in+the+Forest+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were big
gullies with narrow sides we had to drive through.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgzDk2pjB5cj4Pg5sVZkk2WghMdVIMcmrxjF-Hz2e3XcQhWB2z0o91oqDzaIeaTpPzIWskyOj8MRzMbJTDRM3pWexwuRjNC0UYkIi4t4GWiHLpVRJbIQiqDYFJ9UBoZNFxSiSNtLik3IOB/s1600/Fraser+Day+6+Driving+in+the+Forest+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="1080" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgzDk2pjB5cj4Pg5sVZkk2WghMdVIMcmrxjF-Hz2e3XcQhWB2z0o91oqDzaIeaTpPzIWskyOj8MRzMbJTDRM3pWexwuRjNC0UYkIi4t4GWiHLpVRJbIQiqDYFJ9UBoZNFxSiSNtLik3IOB/s640/Fraser+Day+6+Driving+in+the+Forest+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The roads
looked smooth and fast and we assumed they had been recently graded.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sure enough,
5 minutes later we pulled up behind the grader. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was going
very slow but the driver kindly pulled over only a few minutes later to let us
past.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBYlUExyP9Hwn3-j39hsW-8umQFpnPa4ZnqA0u35rhOacdbsno5cRUgjKKNEyRwHvupmnTShJVD4A2iLrcEtq_fMeCy-Uv3om39u_BnOeQeZebYWIiJdApuJp00VoyMdnnOuBX1cKBL8T/s1600/Fraser+Day+6+Driving+in+the+Forest+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1080" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBYlUExyP9Hwn3-j39hsW-8umQFpnPa4ZnqA0u35rhOacdbsno5cRUgjKKNEyRwHvupmnTShJVD4A2iLrcEtq_fMeCy-Uv3om39u_BnOeQeZebYWIiJdApuJp00VoyMdnnOuBX1cKBL8T/s640/Fraser+Day+6+Driving+in+the+Forest+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When we were
driving along, Rod spied a series of trees that had the bark strip off and engraving
on the tree. They looked really old and we
wondered just how long ago the engravings were done.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiEVi4C2lWIX_kx_BGPUcSCJSjr7g_zLwul7rk6h1ov7VY_dBTzz4b3hG3h6WQYmVw_5mXqRbgMqAkq__knUjG6Fv0quPADCbAY3RJ2G-MybmqzmEDA98rZMIPxfWfHKlv_YzoxFWVOBMe/s1600/Fraser+Day+6+Driving+in+the+Forest+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="710" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiEVi4C2lWIX_kx_BGPUcSCJSjr7g_zLwul7rk6h1ov7VY_dBTzz4b3hG3h6WQYmVw_5mXqRbgMqAkq__knUjG6Fv0quPADCbAY3RJ2G-MybmqzmEDA98rZMIPxfWfHKlv_YzoxFWVOBMe/s640/Fraser+Day+6+Driving+in+the+Forest+%25286%2529.JPG" width="420" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first
lake we visited was Lake Boomamjin.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It had a
fantastic foreshore but the water had a very strong tannin colour from the
surrounding tea trees.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Its claim to
fame is it’s the world’s largest perched lake.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmUbvnq51yO3QYEE7fGoTSYf3iB4HQcC5sZ4bVfpiXIlbIy44vCVF0QNh_sBFDE2_ISZAmdaFh0lVyzbuJqxj5AAOng8bCDhZU0mjVko9CXmXJS_cvdmtLnj48WBgyrEysZTQooIRWJff/s1600/Fraser+Day+6+Lake+Boomamjin+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="1080" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmUbvnq51yO3QYEE7fGoTSYf3iB4HQcC5sZ4bVfpiXIlbIy44vCVF0QNh_sBFDE2_ISZAmdaFh0lVyzbuJqxj5AAOng8bCDhZU0mjVko9CXmXJS_cvdmtLnj48WBgyrEysZTQooIRWJff/s640/Fraser+Day+6+Lake+Boomamjin+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZu7wloTm5lZmG2TNQNy7KeC21q2ryunI80w3vnFZWP_85HqPaw0-bu2gGjgNJN7v7temvtbeYoUdo4ARPLi1EVIoh05xqkc1ZbAVFOVF4URmiSDKCG1GQlsz9rCbS_uxphcOkY1Oogn4/s1600/Fraser+Day+6+Lake+Boomamjin+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="1080" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZu7wloTm5lZmG2TNQNy7KeC21q2ryunI80w3vnFZWP_85HqPaw0-bu2gGjgNJN7v7temvtbeYoUdo4ARPLi1EVIoh05xqkc1ZbAVFOVF4URmiSDKCG1GQlsz9rCbS_uxphcOkY1Oogn4/s640/Fraser+Day+6+Lake+Boomamjin+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The second
lake, Lake Birrabeen had much clearer water with no discolouration.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBvOVl7wQn01R6hHo6GulwZe8ZGevXKEBD5CYqG_9goJd0nTg4SYip7XbN6t5kIlJu8FXTnWuS258IYYaE7c8PRNe-yoA3OzphAPaH0oxYZQLPc7smRbpsMV1x2YT-X4DemuJ90laGS4g/s1600/Fraser+Day+6+Lake+Birrabeen+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="1080" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBvOVl7wQn01R6hHo6GulwZe8ZGevXKEBD5CYqG_9goJd0nTg4SYip7XbN6t5kIlJu8FXTnWuS258IYYaE7c8PRNe-yoA3OzphAPaH0oxYZQLPc7smRbpsMV1x2YT-X4DemuJ90laGS4g/s640/Fraser+Day+6+Lake+Birrabeen+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Around the
edge of the lake were some very unusual red plants that were growing in the wet
sand.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RR56-z_br6Xa3MDUCD6Tl3zfZ2koEYck9kdbEPe6O5qexFqSogQXv9aEJiINEJEuRfK7hb-SY93x0nZm2sVdFMaF5RvRb82e1VDKhjje98l5v05tR1D7LEh-VL9pt0fic_ZEObzpYpI_/s1600/Fraser+Day+6+Lake+Birrabeen+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="1080" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RR56-z_br6Xa3MDUCD6Tl3zfZ2koEYck9kdbEPe6O5qexFqSogQXv9aEJiINEJEuRfK7hb-SY93x0nZm2sVdFMaF5RvRb82e1VDKhjje98l5v05tR1D7LEh-VL9pt0fic_ZEObzpYpI_/s640/Fraser+Day+6+Lake+Birrabeen+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The last stop
was Lake McKenzie.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This lake is
famous for its crystal clear fresh water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Looking down
from the walking trail, the water looked clear in the shallows but a dark blue
in the deeper parts.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJipvq4VTgUWyEDn8MyhXbIb25deFEduMdrLoB0I-iXZ9THqL4aV-GXgIZXe_y5Q0n5j-gRLDvWslRA0bRwA13_jHu-7jwIuQ-8rS5BKTrFmyiCb2pvFgeJaDcu3LuvpZ-6uTuZqg07JD/s1600/Fraser+Day+6+Lake+McKenzie+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="1080" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJipvq4VTgUWyEDn8MyhXbIb25deFEduMdrLoB0I-iXZ9THqL4aV-GXgIZXe_y5Q0n5j-gRLDvWslRA0bRwA13_jHu-7jwIuQ-8rS5BKTrFmyiCb2pvFgeJaDcu3LuvpZ-6uTuZqg07JD/s640/Fraser+Day+6+Lake+McKenzie+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">George took a
great panoramic of the foreshore.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZjgGLwzdCVzhQYChWpXHtCzU3HOBvcF27jDRjLdW5YPDgONwrgwT91iiQDQni3gu0gCRYz0f0pvYxZThRNRX8OZqtc9m_Ft2570UjVSU2zlh7IP9sEEevpStbyd7Ptz9dubFfXk-_kfw/s1600/Fraser+Day+6+Lake+McKenzie+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="1080" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZjgGLwzdCVzhQYChWpXHtCzU3HOBvcF27jDRjLdW5YPDgONwrgwT91iiQDQni3gu0gCRYz0f0pvYxZThRNRX8OZqtc9m_Ft2570UjVSU2zlh7IP9sEEevpStbyd7Ptz9dubFfXk-_kfw/s640/Fraser+Day+6+Lake+McKenzie+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst the
rest of the group stayed dry, we both went for a swim and took the underwater
camera. It was crystal clear but really cold.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfocRmaav-IN9KuBGyCP2OzgpffcQh1i2r2fU39gY-6M13HugGoiZPAEberypRgTJ1yg6O_dziY0n7Jpy3vehz6zAagGMUao2jg5A8yC5TamA6sq4Zzi9Y5GEhelgFQMlckEsk5VJ-cjHw/s1600/Fraser+Day+6+Lake+McKenzie+UW+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1080" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfocRmaav-IN9KuBGyCP2OzgpffcQh1i2r2fU39gY-6M13HugGoiZPAEberypRgTJ1yg6O_dziY0n7Jpy3vehz6zAagGMUao2jg5A8yC5TamA6sq4Zzi9Y5GEhelgFQMlckEsk5VJ-cjHw/s640/Fraser+Day+6+Lake+McKenzie+UW+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found a
spot in a little side bay that was out of the wind for the photos. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The lack of
wind was for 2 reasons – to keep the water surface smooth and to stop the wind
chill on our skin.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbmSNJKNW7c8gNO0rW0T2DzRmC76ciqUaH0ZTSZ1a6wQZAuOoWSVI6IyBaEc92gmNB_ZLfxdbe2OI15xhQSBWUsQYQtJeOkk5QRt7lM8-iO6P7J4SiL5lONj9YsbaqLkE-E8MuAVcIJuc/s1600/Fraser+Day+6+Lake+McKenzie+UW+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1080" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbmSNJKNW7c8gNO0rW0T2DzRmC76ciqUaH0ZTSZ1a6wQZAuOoWSVI6IyBaEc92gmNB_ZLfxdbe2OI15xhQSBWUsQYQtJeOkk5QRt7lM8-iO6P7J4SiL5lONj9YsbaqLkE-E8MuAVcIJuc/s640/Fraser+Day+6+Lake+McKenzie+UW+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It took a bit
of coaxing to get Lisa to dive under but she did – finally…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRz0f6OxecFplunMEIqQTLPpOhRwZZsMlWMe64oJp1Re-_Kxr6OHBCSiKMc5AbZWgPKduR4b5MQgBZYBObUhhb597wjkeSEdehptfEK-asS5diymxIbzQ-MNNR5k7kxyb0HFcOu6agA4m/s1600/Fraser+Day+6+Lake+McKenzie+UW+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="1080" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRz0f6OxecFplunMEIqQTLPpOhRwZZsMlWMe64oJp1Re-_Kxr6OHBCSiKMc5AbZWgPKduR4b5MQgBZYBObUhhb597wjkeSEdehptfEK-asS5diymxIbzQ-MNNR5k7kxyb0HFcOu6agA4m/s640/Fraser+Day+6+Lake+McKenzie+UW+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-yAC8grQfAaSqeHZxsfZ_kD3W60mFIQ7gEfvRu-npG1iCCKhDHJ_8rC28sAgGVwm3dcjx-AhTqpAwRzK6x_xvOkjjL0o0otqVzdel2NrEepK6EqJnNA8ugndIWimgAl-PdTkk50rbhiFV/s1600/Fraser+Day+6+Lake+McKenzie+UW+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="734" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-yAC8grQfAaSqeHZxsfZ_kD3W60mFIQ7gEfvRu-npG1iCCKhDHJ_8rC28sAgGVwm3dcjx-AhTqpAwRzK6x_xvOkjjL0o0otqVzdel2NrEepK6EqJnNA8ugndIWimgAl-PdTkk50rbhiFV/s640/Fraser+Day+6+Lake+McKenzie+UW+%25284%2529.JPG" width="434" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst we
were in the water doing the photos, George walked around the edge of the lake
and took some photos of us in the little bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8TUHyTeagX8ZA_QTv_-KvV9HwC4uKLxJIYwOLPlXtnu5N10GX0H9DKdO-xuGvsic-bRcKynephZVtsRbljbNzaaIHCbGytywpxakUYSrMCgIp9PWNYnKdKkH6yZVOAM6maALQ-zpysnv/s1600/Fraser+Day+6+Lake+McKenzie+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1080" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8TUHyTeagX8ZA_QTv_-KvV9HwC4uKLxJIYwOLPlXtnu5N10GX0H9DKdO-xuGvsic-bRcKynephZVtsRbljbNzaaIHCbGytywpxakUYSrMCgIp9PWNYnKdKkH6yZVOAM6maALQ-zpysnv/s640/Fraser+Day+6+Lake+McKenzie+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">While Lisa
relaxed back on the beach trying to warm up in the sun, <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul took the
camera around the little bays foreshore and had fun in the reeds doing some
under/over and underwater photos looking up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0ZRbi8FOGXk_DBQ8f7QspjRLyxRiMA3AV2xyRFj7FRNvHfxlboE43XIp8kqIKIfNaiBXX0d7s4aoeohal0d6MkqURVDFOqZM9HONIYWQuVyez1eb6onrheXtLciB7EnMJG4gtV1clvPn/s1600/Fraser+Day+6+Lake+McKenzie+UW+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1599" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0ZRbi8FOGXk_DBQ8f7QspjRLyxRiMA3AV2xyRFj7FRNvHfxlboE43XIp8kqIKIfNaiBXX0d7s4aoeohal0d6MkqURVDFOqZM9HONIYWQuVyez1eb6onrheXtLciB7EnMJG4gtV1clvPn/s640/Fraser+Day+6+Lake+McKenzie+UW+%25285%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Rod got up
early to go fishing the next morning and Paul took the car up the beach to
capture a sunrise along the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The best
results were down close to the water’s edge to get the water sheen reflections
and the waves.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The problem
was the waves washing under the tripod and moving the camera around and even
the occasional splash of saltwater over the camera.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The results
were great but it took a while to break down the tripod and freshwater wash it
when he got home.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1Gf2WaQjlEATd9EB9RnlPg_yWE0LsQSgtK5sDMOHXFFgC17OtLvL3fATgy5m7ttqDmS54VS4aLwelf-tEo69s5OxRTAZPlYU4Fq_YnDi1hZGOXXcagFYvJh68u1GQNiOdvYll_1bT4CJ/s1600/Fraser+Day+7+Sunrise+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="1080" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1Gf2WaQjlEATd9EB9RnlPg_yWE0LsQSgtK5sDMOHXFFgC17OtLvL3fATgy5m7ttqDmS54VS4aLwelf-tEo69s5OxRTAZPlYU4Fq_YnDi1hZGOXXcagFYvJh68u1GQNiOdvYll_1bT4CJ/s640/Fraser+Day+7+Sunrise+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimcKKl31pMZp_V0MC8KvN_wAmdbtBt7wgH0hYrJTjAmVA_3tAxPKhA-UCvQAlRJ13E4y7odbxM_3pRo9f5AZkDpl00TOCqL8k4Nt5wf_VwqqrlucExwp9YuiaIC2d-vK-JHhRyPHRiXBDj/s1600/Fraser+Day+7+Sunrise+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="1080" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimcKKl31pMZp_V0MC8KvN_wAmdbtBt7wgH0hYrJTjAmVA_3tAxPKhA-UCvQAlRJ13E4y7odbxM_3pRo9f5AZkDpl00TOCqL8k4Nt5wf_VwqqrlucExwp9YuiaIC2d-vK-JHhRyPHRiXBDj/s640/Fraser+Day+7+Sunrise+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Being alone
and so early, Paul had a couple of local animals come to visit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Two Dingos
decided to come and have a look and tried to get into the car when Paul was a
little silly and left the back door open.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When he moved
the car down closer he realised the car would make a great subject with the
reflections and the dingos followed which also created a reflection shot of
them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3LAG5RzAen0mgDxdYyeJmjBq73_lYwsVdG6klGl3SPCX-GFfv5SDeTWeTfLQGCW7iTMYp5elRXSTF2aScXQ7_Rn7otOf-uCPv8Y8rIs1xGaAE0s3rMBRM5yNKAwT9Sl6AHJlDGqJdrZ0Z/s1600/Fraser+Day+7+Sunrise+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="751" data-original-width="1080" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3LAG5RzAen0mgDxdYyeJmjBq73_lYwsVdG6klGl3SPCX-GFfv5SDeTWeTfLQGCW7iTMYp5elRXSTF2aScXQ7_Rn7otOf-uCPv8Y8rIs1xGaAE0s3rMBRM5yNKAwT9Sl6AHJlDGqJdrZ0Z/s640/Fraser+Day+7+Sunrise+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDR4WpG9g5a7hI9Buo5NuDlnR7wLE_YC0rlnbeqD22x-Htdp091XKuD_63rSFXeohrhfRY5COMHD-32z9spCntTmohlUBwi9JTUA629yRSOUokyReMWcEG6LBYthMQp0VjAdXrrsJSv64/s1600/Fraser+Day+7+Sunrise+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="1080" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDR4WpG9g5a7hI9Buo5NuDlnR7wLE_YC0rlnbeqD22x-Htdp091XKuD_63rSFXeohrhfRY5COMHD-32z9spCntTmohlUBwi9JTUA629yRSOUokyReMWcEG6LBYthMQp0VjAdXrrsJSv64/s640/Fraser+Day+7+Sunrise+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On our last
full day on the Island, we took the 4WD over to Kingfisher Bay Resort.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first
thing to do was to have a walk along the resort’s pier.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">You are
allowed to fish off it and we took fishing gear, but the tide was too low.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3dn5DaE-0JLSw527msQDCRPkO-SaAZEpbUjfOLzAPcGnQa_J1lzmhey8lkF6A2t_fZyXT7_tTSCfYviy5z8P5pM1bY53G6xQZItHmhEIR3I_C-UXYwXgzNM8C4aEWx1HdbJcOq8rXVm5/s1600/Fraser+Day+7+Kingfisher+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="1080" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3dn5DaE-0JLSw527msQDCRPkO-SaAZEpbUjfOLzAPcGnQa_J1lzmhey8lkF6A2t_fZyXT7_tTSCfYviy5z8P5pM1bY53G6xQZItHmhEIR3I_C-UXYwXgzNM8C4aEWx1HdbJcOq8rXVm5/s640/Fraser+Day+7+Kingfisher+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For lunch we
had a look at the resort’s day visitor facility and brought some hot food to go
with our picnic.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYpH-68yeQdwXwMKjwA9jVJ-ILJEmjX19MLDs1TOACOVK8x3AIZTVoVgvldY09_WDgK8z_EePb6g-tHcE1XAMsGJOJ8sZD43vxkTTfjHmINEywogiQiYxH_ul_0a9aCncM1mTbmuTlW-g/s1600/Fraser+Day+7+Kingfisher+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1080" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYpH-68yeQdwXwMKjwA9jVJ-ILJEmjX19MLDs1TOACOVK8x3AIZTVoVgvldY09_WDgK8z_EePb6g-tHcE1XAMsGJOJ8sZD43vxkTTfjHmINEywogiQiYxH_ul_0a9aCncM1mTbmuTlW-g/s640/Fraser+Day+7+Kingfisher+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The main
resort is quite luxurious and we checked out the main building and its various
restaurants.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYG954V4IK3kN_DmA4b-V3EuNKPFpOeif8zqLdMJWiaWko3qpWGiHHAR0J0qTEwpiibSIObvd-UXpiCe3sMmq93dww3rw8OEcxe3gumWDlV6O-vXT691e0iyoVxTWcEkS_bH7JnnBsADq/s1600/Fraser+Day+7+Kingfisher+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="1080" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYG954V4IK3kN_DmA4b-V3EuNKPFpOeif8zqLdMJWiaWko3qpWGiHHAR0J0qTEwpiibSIObvd-UXpiCe3sMmq93dww3rw8OEcxe3gumWDlV6O-vXT691e0iyoVxTWcEkS_bH7JnnBsADq/s640/Fraser+Day+7+Kingfisher+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Out the front
is one of the anchors from the Maheno Shipwreck<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrdaoeD1Fer59ZKUbinq3g3q3olrjUJt8KJ3-GoM0ME5OdgyfkVVCPJZNOG9-yA_JHTjMSsPazoS0r0zPyJef5k_IPm_TmxIMoa-7Aq6rrjV0Hj0PxuPOV5AkAzp1W4NqQOy6KrshP8lq/s1600/Fraser+Day+7+Kingfisher+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="671" data-original-width="1080" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrdaoeD1Fer59ZKUbinq3g3q3olrjUJt8KJ3-GoM0ME5OdgyfkVVCPJZNOG9-yA_JHTjMSsPazoS0r0zPyJef5k_IPm_TmxIMoa-7Aq6rrjV0Hj0PxuPOV5AkAzp1W4NqQOy6KrshP8lq/s640/Fraser+Day+7+Kingfisher+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
home we drove along a road we had travelled a few times over the course of the
week.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul had seen
a large felled tree that was covered in moss and had a split down the centre
and this time we were able to pull over and have a look at it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEWZBh2m9J-kIk4G7lFHrpzhXc2P3YMjdOCkZ-zgQ6aK2YULIB8Hn82ylad61LU2r7fUyBWvTxtWrJ5sKzfslAb8iH13vmVZk-KLjwDyNMFOMRIisGUz9c8V7Olu2vdlVZ0IZ7sIShxdY/s1600/Fraser+Day+7+Kingfisher+%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="1080" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEWZBh2m9J-kIk4G7lFHrpzhXc2P3YMjdOCkZ-zgQ6aK2YULIB8Hn82ylad61LU2r7fUyBWvTxtWrJ5sKzfslAb8iH13vmVZk-KLjwDyNMFOMRIisGUz9c8V7Olu2vdlVZ0IZ7sIShxdY/s640/Fraser+Day+7+Kingfisher+%252811%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly that
night we packed up the house and loaded the car ready for an early departure
the next morning.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately with
a lot of the food eaten and drinks gone, the packing was slightly easier than
the trip across and the car a bit lighter – thankfully!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived at
Woongoolba Creek in time to pump up the tyres and watch the ferry arrive in the
glassy protected waters of the creek.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The ferry
staff told us that in the afternoon the wind was due to exceed 50 knots (100km
per hour) so they were prepping for a long day of overtime as the barges at the
southern end of the island (Inskip Point) were closing due to the super strong wind
and many campers were recommended to leave or move into the centre of the
island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our trip back
to the mainland was a little windy and cold but not too bad.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS47QmSvowG88woFVk0iyH7u_Ut6zQOlcp4l3C11zOXxo1EGPJhYJwZ4vtF2BVaaDzH2J0OgqUGTmO5FDV_rJE5kFzvj6RXB0GNJfvTdScbZbwepjGe4_hOmVkE9cTIxNJ31uafXkkyELj/s1600/Fraser+Day+8+Ferry+Trip+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="1080" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS47QmSvowG88woFVk0iyH7u_Ut6zQOlcp4l3C11zOXxo1EGPJhYJwZ4vtF2BVaaDzH2J0OgqUGTmO5FDV_rJE5kFzvj6RXB0GNJfvTdScbZbwepjGe4_hOmVkE9cTIxNJ31uafXkkyELj/s640/Fraser+Day+8+Ferry+Trip+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When Rod and
Kelly flew home from Hervey Bay, George stayed for an extra few days with us on
board Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
wondering what to do and reading a few tourist brochures when we noticed that
the town of Maryborough had markets on a Thursday and additionally the heritage
steam train operated and the time canon was fired at 1pm at the town hall. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> It was perfect – the weather was great,
Thursday was the next day and of all the options of towns to visit, Maryborough
was one of the closest being only 30 minutes’ drive away.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Dad loves
steam trains and when he first visited us on board Lorelei, we did the steam
train ride at Port Douglas along with family friend Keith.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqeswrHHyTZe8H5eScPDO0lGFqA5QjGdzfHKQ4eP5PEFBuBo1znYPvqs6AgS-VSd1qMk54Bydnxrsja5tN6nElwjZi-V_S01pI7P4n_P9QIRW_ISQkC9Y6Y-F8URIjXo5HkKCuMF0KizA/s1600/Pt+Douglas+Steam+Train.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="1080" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqeswrHHyTZe8H5eScPDO0lGFqA5QjGdzfHKQ4eP5PEFBuBo1znYPvqs6AgS-VSd1qMk54Bydnxrsja5tN6nElwjZi-V_S01pI7P4n_P9QIRW_ISQkC9Y6Y-F8URIjXo5HkKCuMF0KizA/s640/Pt+Douglas+Steam+Train.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So it was
cool to be able to have another ride on another of our travel adventures
together.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s only a
short trip around the town edge and along past the Mary River but it is a lot
of fun on the immaculate replica of the first steam powered train in the area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In reality it
is more like a flatbed carriage with an exposed steam engine rather than the
traditional looking train at Port Douglas but it’s very photogenic and a bit of
local history replicated.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite
Maryborough being over 24nm/50km from the Mary River’s mouth near Fraser
Island, there is a small marina and the area is popular for cruising yachts and
power boats that are prepared to motor the distance up the river.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEkdLpAL7YoDqlqjJU5sPqEly1bmWutLzw9SYEQ83cwJ7j9kAAfyN928q5YscvwZS5wIXmGpx2wtsNQ9to1swlC9CjxXczBR-eWdtPTYlh1LlE9q4BaEgJQ4Sjgl7oZpuKtz2ljRNunCp/s1600/Maryborough+Day+Trip+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="1080" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEkdLpAL7YoDqlqjJU5sPqEly1bmWutLzw9SYEQ83cwJ7j9kAAfyN928q5YscvwZS5wIXmGpx2wtsNQ9to1swlC9CjxXczBR-eWdtPTYlh1LlE9q4BaEgJQ4Sjgl7oZpuKtz2ljRNunCp/s640/Maryborough+Day+Trip+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Mary
River is notorious for flooding and the old heritage listed Bond Store on the water’s
edge has a gauge on the side of the building indicating the flood water levels
for the last 150 years.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Some of the
heights are shocking and the local museum has some great photos from previous
floods. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One photo of
boats tied to the 3rd story balcony of the local pub is wild.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The old area
of town along the foreshore has some beautifully restored buildings that are
either museums, shops or still in use like the restored courthouse.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">The “Street Library” is
interesting……<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The entryway to the old
bond store.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Thursday
Markets are in the main street that is closed off for the day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At 1pm we
went and watched the firing of the time canon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It all
started for the World Expo in 1988 and was so popular that it is still
conducted every Thursday and on other special occasions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The staff
wear period costumes and tell the story of the canon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite its
size, it’s damn loud and tends to make all the tourists jump.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Before
leaving we had a look at the Town Hall. Inside looked great with the light
coming through the old windows and reflecting off the polished timber floor.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
we went separate ways for 10 days as George and Lisa drove back to the NSW
Central Coast.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa was
heading home to spend time with the family.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Meanwhile,
Paul with an empty boat, took advantage of the situation and did a major
service on Lorelei’s John Deere main engine. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With many
jobs going on at once, the surrounds of the engine room was a mess.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
there were no hiccups and by 6pm the engine was once again intact, the engine
room cleaned, washed and detailed and the 20 litres of old oils and filters all
disposed of.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
looooong day but he was super stoked to have it completed and ready for the
next leg of our sailing adventure.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
Paul’s other parents, Diann and Ron arrived in Hervey Bay with their motorhome
so they could pick Paul up and bring him back out to their farm in rural
Queensland which is about 200km from the coast.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For the next
10 days they did a mixture of working on the farm, exploring the surrounding
region and taking photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul’s mum
Diann is also an avid photographer so armed with some new camera accessories they
spent hours each day experimenting with the new gear and taking lots of photos
from dawn to well into the night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
back to the farm from the coast, they stopped in at the Ned Kelly Roadhouse for
a look.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul hadn’t
been to the farm for over 18 month with the last time being around Christmas
and in the summer.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This time it
was winter and the trees looked very different.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Some had shed
the summer leaves whilst other like the fruit trees were full of flowers and
fruit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With over 40
species of fruit trees, 35 species of vegetables and 25 species of herbs,
there’s lots of options for both summer and winter home grown food all over the
farm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The citrus
and chilli trees were full of fruit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXmRvfuvq0eQ2kjrWPwXmK7WlaXX_qmm0L7n2PZ-Tj7Qq92x0SgzLKCeDKEXVgPXNyzt4sAQwnAYFJd1zDMuzVXC3yV_tE6_vxbAEECCddsOPQlAxnzYhiZ3y6tjNO97ukWw0IX56Jzi5/s1600/Ellesmere+Fruit+Trees+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="1080" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXmRvfuvq0eQ2kjrWPwXmK7WlaXX_qmm0L7n2PZ-Tj7Qq92x0SgzLKCeDKEXVgPXNyzt4sAQwnAYFJd1zDMuzVXC3yV_tE6_vxbAEECCddsOPQlAxnzYhiZ3y6tjNO97ukWw0IX56Jzi5/s640/Ellesmere+Fruit+Trees+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The property
was full of Butterflies and Bees so hours were spent in the garden areas
photographing them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDIkSMEkPIGp0k15Cl5GNpfsjdkCQKEANDn5nAHeZCjXKtOt3-gSDX4-E1L2-f6aIDuvuuikWpGprU2SRR3OJZTWQaT64q2otkUBxjH2nHQqkIJvmcocIik70OvHXSP5JpExPOTrZp1T6/s1600/Ellesmere+Mums+Garden+Sunset+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="1080" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDIkSMEkPIGp0k15Cl5GNpfsjdkCQKEANDn5nAHeZCjXKtOt3-gSDX4-E1L2-f6aIDuvuuikWpGprU2SRR3OJZTWQaT64q2otkUBxjH2nHQqkIJvmcocIik70OvHXSP5JpExPOTrZp1T6/s640/Ellesmere+Mums+Garden+Sunset+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHF9s85b1pGsk44527BXh7F2WOQWEF__UqrDRnDeBId0tnC9iVVOjY-QOSoMm0zxwJsGIDbCC7DtU8w3-eymaY7QbVh5kNo9yzvhYEHX59d8WGlJz1grMVkbbHnHORgUPp2hJAG8j1Ueel/s1600/Ellesmere+Mums+Garden+Sunset+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="1080" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHF9s85b1pGsk44527BXh7F2WOQWEF__UqrDRnDeBId0tnC9iVVOjY-QOSoMm0zxwJsGIDbCC7DtU8w3-eymaY7QbVh5kNo9yzvhYEHX59d8WGlJz1grMVkbbHnHORgUPp2hJAG8j1Ueel/s640/Ellesmere+Mums+Garden+Sunset+%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first few
days were overcast but it was so warm for winter and across the state,
temperatures were well above average.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We used the
warmer weather and cloud formations to get out to the surrounding rural areas and
shoot the fields and sunsets.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AZm0ocfLILM4Vja-acIO3Ln5wYd7dOMiBPn6zISsw7bDRDHCYzoH4kdRZ7CHex0sAyIkUcBgTCOjE64Vdf6zXFc4SpjpCN3acofxAFTqAr-wDU3yLjQgT2J28evcnkReKT_TnVl0t_b9/s1600/Ellesmere+Hay+Field+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="561" data-original-width="1080" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AZm0ocfLILM4Vja-acIO3Ln5wYd7dOMiBPn6zISsw7bDRDHCYzoH4kdRZ7CHex0sAyIkUcBgTCOjE64Vdf6zXFc4SpjpCN3acofxAFTqAr-wDU3yLjQgT2J28evcnkReKT_TnVl0t_b9/s640/Ellesmere+Hay+Field+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsx2LNSWJExkHQ_vkVAzw_LHXXBxzYNmVvYO0KU4iz7ZPBeeGtxmbMM49S5ZVyGc3m1nKapoRQa16rwq4P1rCkckBC1RiL9PHiY8xTxRwTCtyS2e-XZ83_G1DRNi1Kh_BK5p_puOqfyYl/s1600/Ellesmere+Hay+Field+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="1080" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsx2LNSWJExkHQ_vkVAzw_LHXXBxzYNmVvYO0KU4iz7ZPBeeGtxmbMM49S5ZVyGc3m1nKapoRQa16rwq4P1rCkckBC1RiL9PHiY8xTxRwTCtyS2e-XZ83_G1DRNi1Kh_BK5p_puOqfyYl/s640/Ellesmere+Hay+Field+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Nectarine Trees were
just starting to flower and looked like Cherry Blossom.</span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOJTdk24OVTDsp2_IiqPuQL2Bnkj7SEobQiHm39lyseVFtldMowYM2SZ5t4OMpsYOQZ-KrmStptbtes2fQZ5Y2AAuvsKcyUdcFUkvmJ3u3hXZtR6af0ver4-ye85gUmLSDzsIOzbNlBpu/s1600/Ellesmere+Hay+Field+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="1080" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOJTdk24OVTDsp2_IiqPuQL2Bnkj7SEobQiHm39lyseVFtldMowYM2SZ5t4OMpsYOQZ-KrmStptbtes2fQZ5Y2AAuvsKcyUdcFUkvmJ3u3hXZtR6af0ver4-ye85gUmLSDzsIOzbNlBpu/s640/Ellesmere+Hay+Field+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note Paul’s shadow on
the bail of stock feed<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnusgP-Qz-TFxxP9b8I44YOxWz4D8nYVVsLEa821egtXYJWL-B1o5BHPaVYPDoZZUgRVnDnZ-1wEuqD1YukeyBPimEhAtdOrh2WltnbTWxP41teV2UmDLZFkc5dvSVJCKmkB459ldi2Ugh/s1600/Ellesmere+Hay+Field+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="1080" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnusgP-Qz-TFxxP9b8I44YOxWz4D8nYVVsLEa821egtXYJWL-B1o5BHPaVYPDoZZUgRVnDnZ-1wEuqD1YukeyBPimEhAtdOrh2WltnbTWxP41teV2UmDLZFkc5dvSVJCKmkB459ldi2Ugh/s640/Ellesmere+Hay+Field+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The closest
main town is Kingaroy – the Peanut capital of Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went in
and out of Kingaroy about 5 times over the course of the 10 days Paul was
there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The land
between the farm and Kingaroy has amazing red soil with huge fields of Peanuts,
Debozia Trees, stock feed and Cattle crazing areas.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was great
to see the fields in various states of growth and harvest.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjLoxTi9A-T_-n76c35BPo5u4z0Qy-dF0h-zmLm6mRWYv9OUtzz8snfsjjkrpBcBfV-K-BP4-fjDt6ZXsMlCkd5zdq6NARKb5QNoQXE1V-WGBNpRvDVBJnMVn5pdJnhVVkHtvIlcDAc7G/s1600/Kingaroy+Peanut+Harverting+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="1080" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjLoxTi9A-T_-n76c35BPo5u4z0Qy-dF0h-zmLm6mRWYv9OUtzz8snfsjjkrpBcBfV-K-BP4-fjDt6ZXsMlCkd5zdq6NARKb5QNoQXE1V-WGBNpRvDVBJnMVn5pdJnhVVkHtvIlcDAc7G/s640/Kingaroy+Peanut+Harverting+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkZuWHaLV6vOGNZf8BUiqJri6aoMjlToeTveXgd-b_CINbBse_Ck5RHQm1s5Sm-KXLQRrQzkyBa5tOlUgrlCxYYvtqJlcmD70Wy18pfia0b27hS1xCzNlKgZSwJO_zZL4G0oUyn7alQm5/s1600/Kingaroy+Peanut+Harverting+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkZuWHaLV6vOGNZf8BUiqJri6aoMjlToeTveXgd-b_CINbBse_Ck5RHQm1s5Sm-KXLQRrQzkyBa5tOlUgrlCxYYvtqJlcmD70Wy18pfia0b27hS1xCzNlKgZSwJO_zZL4G0oUyn7alQm5/s640/Kingaroy+Peanut+Harverting+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We saw loads
of cattle and even got up close with a few friendly horses.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnlkt_O37snql33QtOQa9QiYGWGpM9LXbffw7ruFh68FR8OMR9Hm7tn4hh31EOhiyaafTdEE-2oEqZ44OIRCLFzyzzjauhF0UTLEcv0Plzah5jG3Apa0ZfoF20aL3c9bW7_VlN8vpwWyx/s1600/Kingaroy+Cows+Fighting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="1080" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnlkt_O37snql33QtOQa9QiYGWGpM9LXbffw7ruFh68FR8OMR9Hm7tn4hh31EOhiyaafTdEE-2oEqZ44OIRCLFzyzzjauhF0UTLEcv0Plzah5jG3Apa0ZfoF20aL3c9bW7_VlN8vpwWyx/s640/Kingaroy+Cows+Fighting.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjD5SmXFZzGb-fZ1Kwoe9UA5aXb3RHUok62jP8dGvIYWEC5Ua4qH-lNwbwjkkozAT_n9CQK_XYDyXOjWTEN0jpazgcrp9MRFtTYde3bVzygbySqB9DiJtYeI2wwMT4R5HbRgxL4EGubmaa/s1600/Kingaroy+Horses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1584" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjD5SmXFZzGb-fZ1Kwoe9UA5aXb3RHUok62jP8dGvIYWEC5Ua4qH-lNwbwjkkozAT_n9CQK_XYDyXOjWTEN0jpazgcrp9MRFtTYde3bVzygbySqB9DiJtYeI2wwMT4R5HbRgxL4EGubmaa/s640/Kingaroy+Horses.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At one field
we were really excited to see a Bustard Bird.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They are a
large bird and Diann had never seen one in the area before.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Uoiw2ey_6TSjArSQ9fV_9yRRWpCl_lv0AuLN7B33BWRdJrTNAOJDAAJyM9ZKj5h_ITBzqDvgoT5TkdPc264lb4uric7pocZzDz1MM4KLTUuCX0Nz_i-wJs6Yv0ttSg0t1e2PiMR-boQF/s1600/Ellesmere+Hay+Field+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="1080" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Uoiw2ey_6TSjArSQ9fV_9yRRWpCl_lv0AuLN7B33BWRdJrTNAOJDAAJyM9ZKj5h_ITBzqDvgoT5TkdPc264lb4uric7pocZzDz1MM4KLTUuCX0Nz_i-wJs6Yv0ttSg0t1e2PiMR-boQF/s640/Ellesmere+Hay+Field+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Some of the
old farmhouse are very photogenic.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgnCliCocdsPBDrNfokvP8GPKJkqQ6rMJlczfqDXQW-raP7wbMOrs-K1DTXMRkw1JHf7Gi7nalRsUIwztXJsyFtf6IrB_I8218eQm4zHMjRt4gvGcKRvGJkruB84gV7-F2IAuMwIj_9eM/s1600/Ellesmere+Hay+Field+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1080" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgnCliCocdsPBDrNfokvP8GPKJkqQ6rMJlczfqDXQW-raP7wbMOrs-K1DTXMRkw1JHf7Gi7nalRsUIwztXJsyFtf6IrB_I8218eQm4zHMjRt4gvGcKRvGJkruB84gV7-F2IAuMwIj_9eM/s640/Ellesmere+Hay+Field+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Close to
Kingaroy is the Wooroolin Wetlands.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the side
of the wetland area is a bird hide for photographing and viewing the diverse
amount of birds that visit the wetlands.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the
super glassy water and perfect reflections, Paul spent much more time using the
wide angle lenses rather than concentrating on the birds with the large zoom
lens.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2tb13yLP85zqy5tyiiZpFY4M12cnfgLvobXRN9pr7KCbd1-vttSg0DOd_-KZQkg6QVQw46bQ4LcTDCG2wG5IKfsFzWyNst1V0dzeOE8I8TB6iZCA5QdcgcrTFV22imSCsF4CLC1iVaju/s1600/Wooroolin+Wetlands+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="1080" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2tb13yLP85zqy5tyiiZpFY4M12cnfgLvobXRN9pr7KCbd1-vttSg0DOd_-KZQkg6QVQw46bQ4LcTDCG2wG5IKfsFzWyNst1V0dzeOE8I8TB6iZCA5QdcgcrTFV22imSCsF4CLC1iVaju/s640/Wooroolin+Wetlands+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The bird hide on the
side of the wetlands<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The wetlands had 1000’s
of ducks both in the water and <br />
perched on the fallen timber.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There is a
small mountain overlooking Kingaroy that has great views over the town and the
surrounding fields.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had booked
in at the Kingaroy Observatory to do a night of star viewing but unfortunately
with the overcast conditions, it was cancelled.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But we still
wanted to have a look at the observatory which was near the airport.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">What we found
opposite was a large collection of old farming equipment on display that Diann
and Ron didn’t know was there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCcQHifqndqN7VO4dsPyAKSRmkTKrfBwv2tmwyM3bgu7pnH-jr4yn250Gpgqc5Pl2RsV6m_58Jh7oUPpk_t0egnwc0s_6fQO9O8iHdHLbLieB320QMAdsuIAZsQoUw3JoKpH3x65FshDd/s1600/Kingaroy+Old+Machinery+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="1080" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCcQHifqndqN7VO4dsPyAKSRmkTKrfBwv2tmwyM3bgu7pnH-jr4yn250Gpgqc5Pl2RsV6m_58Jh7oUPpk_t0egnwc0s_6fQO9O8iHdHLbLieB320QMAdsuIAZsQoUw3JoKpH3x65FshDd/s640/Kingaroy+Old+Machinery+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Their house
faces west which means you can see the sunsets from the front balcony while
looking down over property and out to the Bunya Mountains.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We walked
over the road to the neighbour’s property one arvo to view the sunset light
rays which were shining through the heavy cloud.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLYUB9If46bRxAmLieyurdwwegas-D4X186_VYoALi_X9mcShjuLNDpZFkOaZ0JpEq4oiyw5mkf9roI51CMehrV5RZ4AwG6nrg0-JV6laqTFxlptmDdhi8xeUSa3KyUF2OeywBmL2lxgx/s1600/Ellesmere+Road+Side+Sunset+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="1080" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLYUB9If46bRxAmLieyurdwwegas-D4X186_VYoALi_X9mcShjuLNDpZFkOaZ0JpEq4oiyw5mkf9roI51CMehrV5RZ4AwG6nrg0-JV6laqTFxlptmDdhi8xeUSa3KyUF2OeywBmL2lxgx/s640/Ellesmere+Road+Side+Sunset+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9sC5xUzUGa1CugBUm7-u_FsWq3wgAMjbBuVlAt_5mS5jpFt1XHt3Fa1WOM6KDhoh1tlePKDpTFq2CSgk0gLucDi0SS8tZxdmCL4ATAHQTPifrzeySNoRJELGKGgWuOdZTFh4thH817XX/s1600/Ellesmere+Road+Side+Sunset+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="1080" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9sC5xUzUGa1CugBUm7-u_FsWq3wgAMjbBuVlAt_5mS5jpFt1XHt3Fa1WOM6KDhoh1tlePKDpTFq2CSgk0gLucDi0SS8tZxdmCL4ATAHQTPifrzeySNoRJELGKGgWuOdZTFh4thH817XX/s640/Ellesmere+Road+Side+Sunset+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But it wasn’t
all play and the property requires regular maintenance and work.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One job is to
repair the fences which takes time, particularly when you are looking along a
250+m stretch…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuW1OdQUkBZIKrNvgKCAjmpZJLA-WtysAcEzfLBOz46hYYeUBMI0fk1hL9bFcyOXQ8vnOvDCKjPa0g-bk2tpPTOpXu6SaIT9yVSOFex3bSuhBC6GzrmV6ys9PKYnRhUflwFQQupYHsa3N1/s1600/Ellesmere+Working+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="757" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuW1OdQUkBZIKrNvgKCAjmpZJLA-WtysAcEzfLBOz46hYYeUBMI0fk1hL9bFcyOXQ8vnOvDCKjPa0g-bk2tpPTOpXu6SaIT9yVSOFex3bSuhBC6GzrmV6ys9PKYnRhUflwFQQupYHsa3N1/s640/Ellesmere+Working+%25281%2529.JPG" width="448" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul driving in star
stakes for a new piece of fencing<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We did a day
trip out to the Pottique Lavender Farm as the fields were full of the purple
lavender buds and ready for harvesting.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The lavender
fields aren’t huge but produce a lot for their size.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After asking
permission, we spent ages in the fields with a variety of lenses photographing
them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The buds were
popular with the Bees and Butterflies.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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</div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul was happy to score
a Bee and <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">a Lady-beetle on this
Lavender bud<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Farm has
a café and the largest lavender Shop in Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The café and
shop surrounds are beautiful.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSbYGZP5UMIwZFWXrzH8jMg-1UKDVnHe-pAoAg4Io0KdHDpBmMYaYXXaj3FhOWl3aHsd7KNVW7G1bYq_E5rMB-f-xNt2NcLqE_G1MvOOW309Kr47lkhrHrE14PJ66RcdFo1Tpni5TXPqY/s1600/Kingaroy+Lavender+Farm+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1080" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSbYGZP5UMIwZFWXrzH8jMg-1UKDVnHe-pAoAg4Io0KdHDpBmMYaYXXaj3FhOWl3aHsd7KNVW7G1bYq_E5rMB-f-xNt2NcLqE_G1MvOOW309Kr47lkhrHrE14PJ66RcdFo1Tpni5TXPqY/s640/Kingaroy+Lavender+Farm+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
the skies cleared to beautiful days with not a cloud in the sky.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But it was
cold – really, really cold.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The mornings
were really foggy with visibility around 100m/330ft and the ground was wet from
the heavy frost.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBH6EzRvs7GSHr80LeCRCufdKLxGSIyEEOk9Qd3OMn4XaKW5Wl6w4w8t4WL1CumoZlJXy4IlBS7lIIDbp82HNyg5OW9Y1sKs1gP_LeVHMneEPoLrlxDr4i8SeVgM5IzOBHxDzkQ-6xwk8_/s1600/Ellesmere+Frosty+Morning.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="1080" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBH6EzRvs7GSHr80LeCRCufdKLxGSIyEEOk9Qd3OMn4XaKW5Wl6w4w8t4WL1CumoZlJXy4IlBS7lIIDbp82HNyg5OW9Y1sKs1gP_LeVHMneEPoLrlxDr4i8SeVgM5IzOBHxDzkQ-6xwk8_/s640/Ellesmere+Frosty+Morning.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Overnight it
was getting as low as -2 celsius and we were rugging up and putting the fire
on.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That meant
splitting wood into smaller pieces for the slow combustion stove.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was so
cold at night that even the Possums were seeking shelter.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They were in
the laundry and also on the back deck.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were even
able to feed them some apples.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But during
the day the cool clear conditions made the gardens come alive with colour,
flowers and insects.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><b>Even at dusk the Bees where still busy collecting Pollen.</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOH2WbiZtu8nVA-e6uL6084mKDx89wwv5lyEVvg-0EPV1vsJvjXEfTfMHUOo_r4MkpI-qX_p3eFCoGm9RVCeLPan1JETZP1XEp-XLnScAVuXEIOFnvj9ytBewms7vyrKMHLObE-XeIBFv/s1600/Ellesmere+Mums+Garden+Sunset+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="1080" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOH2WbiZtu8nVA-e6uL6084mKDx89wwv5lyEVvg-0EPV1vsJvjXEfTfMHUOo_r4MkpI-qX_p3eFCoGm9RVCeLPan1JETZP1XEp-XLnScAVuXEIOFnvj9ytBewms7vyrKMHLObE-XeIBFv/s640/Ellesmere+Mums+Garden+Sunset+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Diann taking photos of
the cactus and agave at dusk<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtC1HANBrrNTYVNPqzy0WQRopfhe5NFTKDlwEww0bfMzZCMXMXuKPSICdjD1JO6wehN2t20R2jm8MJQOBIsxgyQs460EhDejcvMQ3I-Y_0Wt2hPaz09LZX0kWOoX5FzUhX1gd7z37I2xR/s1600/Ellesmere+Mums+Garden+Sunset+%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="1080" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtC1HANBrrNTYVNPqzy0WQRopfhe5NFTKDlwEww0bfMzZCMXMXuKPSICdjD1JO6wehN2t20R2jm8MJQOBIsxgyQs460EhDejcvMQ3I-Y_0Wt2hPaz09LZX0kWOoX5FzUhX1gd7z37I2xR/s640/Ellesmere+Mums+Garden+Sunset+%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At night with
the clear skies, we rugged up and took the cameras out in the cold night air
and did long time exposures of the Milky Way and Star Trail photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioI7PjwPS3sXKPtbOPN7en1k_gLE8ecwmxE7IJTjq6EExmSJYI_w0e8y-mS5eWaWfdgIfzkPHF7Jmc0TOsEWxke2AHkel8f5jmIDd0xnv4WJi8n-oj1UHom9pTUItyHI4eiNUF0-SqIRcu/s1600/Ellesmere+Star+Photos+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1080" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioI7PjwPS3sXKPtbOPN7en1k_gLE8ecwmxE7IJTjq6EExmSJYI_w0e8y-mS5eWaWfdgIfzkPHF7Jmc0TOsEWxke2AHkel8f5jmIDd0xnv4WJi8n-oj1UHom9pTUItyHI4eiNUF0-SqIRcu/s640/Ellesmere+Star+Photos+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhyiuMko-7lMu6G_7xqfgajZtzzVmBq8jgOzC7pyqP9oI_8z5EGHIlXN2z7OiAuk1KPUsyzk_JKabgVQdLfIshMRVeJl7XFCq8EKtCyGXt-_6PbG_0Ic_2IjbdM6r7uvhUdLQYF65HSU1/s1600/Star+Trail+1+Complete.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhyiuMko-7lMu6G_7xqfgajZtzzVmBq8jgOzC7pyqP9oI_8z5EGHIlXN2z7OiAuk1KPUsyzk_JKabgVQdLfIshMRVeJl7XFCq8EKtCyGXt-_6PbG_0Ic_2IjbdM6r7uvhUdLQYF65HSU1/s640/Star+Trail+1+Complete.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuCUSpvRjrd-pKgDGcZtZ6NYoqX4cnCQEeMxvFjdw0WK5ta9FweFUFBYQ4ksGHu0k5YHqT864cfRGvqaNq5bO8XucRSl8T7euSjQFH6oxf8Vx1KiWTL4NaLbPMJr2TZUROrQh16ckIR5L4/s1600/Ellesmere+Star+Photos+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1080" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuCUSpvRjrd-pKgDGcZtZ6NYoqX4cnCQEeMxvFjdw0WK5ta9FweFUFBYQ4ksGHu0k5YHqT864cfRGvqaNq5bO8XucRSl8T7euSjQFH6oxf8Vx1KiWTL4NaLbPMJr2TZUROrQh16ckIR5L4/s640/Ellesmere+Star+Photos+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the
weekend, we went to the Nanango Markets before heading out to Cooyar.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Cooyar is a
very small town with only a few buildings.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b><br />
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-srEAAYhvtVwSLf0i1S8R4CXQ2FHoKJehA_cbxYHhloF9PEvvKu-0drSCc9pudsvRB2Bd2Yg7eEibFU_2ZaYhRFHO6XJhYo0irOuxFxaK7b5UUrMvoGPtvnSMCxCyF4D1Y5dtxoP4YCq/s1600/Cooyar+Pub.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="1080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-srEAAYhvtVwSLf0i1S8R4CXQ2FHoKJehA_cbxYHhloF9PEvvKu-0drSCc9pudsvRB2Bd2Yg7eEibFU_2ZaYhRFHO6XJhYo0irOuxFxaK7b5UUrMvoGPtvnSMCxCyF4D1Y5dtxoP4YCq/s640/Cooyar+Pub.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></b></div>
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
Cooyar Pub<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Not far from
the town is a great place called Palm Valley which is within the National Park.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The walks are
awesome with huge palms and gum trees standing beside massive Bunya and Hoop
Pines.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3nVnQqbWUNJK24U7wEau4PXHdgwtQtMnLWrALtlSOsbQIqxQRQnQNEuVyv-O9ZoQr3nvfWDD1y09MWg4Cv3aXJypqG04zkJ6YcvBQhXrHs26nIMHUNm6vUafcs1LKHJQzNnDkzrESL2s/s1600/Cooyar+Palm+Valley+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1080" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3nVnQqbWUNJK24U7wEau4PXHdgwtQtMnLWrALtlSOsbQIqxQRQnQNEuVyv-O9ZoQr3nvfWDD1y09MWg4Cv3aXJypqG04zkJ6YcvBQhXrHs26nIMHUNm6vUafcs1LKHJQzNnDkzrESL2s/s640/Cooyar+Palm+Valley+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5g6f9PalcYDxIdEqSbatQ9i_xuYsQ0bGQnLeqhUKe9YkSD70ML4VDLcpvdwHwwEiUCe73ISdihvt61Y7hWoEJCyJE0btkyRxQnvwOBEJ6kY_pCuGwnnSlH_x0PCGCUth22qidPc5XL6Q-/s1600/Cooyar+Palm+Valley+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="723" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5g6f9PalcYDxIdEqSbatQ9i_xuYsQ0bGQnLeqhUKe9YkSD70ML4VDLcpvdwHwwEiUCe73ISdihvt61Y7hWoEJCyJE0btkyRxQnvwOBEJ6kY_pCuGwnnSlH_x0PCGCUth22qidPc5XL6Q-/s640/Cooyar+Palm+Valley+%25286%2529.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On Paul’s
last day at the farm, we went and had a look at the fields of small Duboisia
Trees. These are not grown in many locations but are popular around the
Kingaroy area as they flourish in the red soil. The leaves are exported to
France for processing and used during eye surgery.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Due to the
potent leaves, the fields are well fenced with barbed wire.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After 10 days
we returned to the coast to pick Lisa up from the Hervey Bay airport and to
have a few days together before Diann and Ron headed back to the farm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We spent time
exploring the Hervey Bay foreshore.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> The last thing we did was a HUGE reprovision
of food, fuel and spares which took over 2 days…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So that’s it
for another Episode.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s been a
little different as there’s no sailing but now Lorelei is fully serviced, minor
issues fixed and reprovisioned for a full 3 months of travel on the next leg of
our sailing adventure.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The whales
have just shown up in Hervey Bay so that’s the first stop.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We keep
saying it but hopefully this time we will have some half-decent weather to
enable us to get out to the Swains Reef and hopefully areas like Saumarez Reef
in the Coral Sea over the next few months.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Time will
tell……<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Cheers<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul and Lisa
Hogger.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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sv_loreleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14235157985522355104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245635408700620959.post-88826020453081834762017-06-12T13:01:00.000-07:002019-02-09T18:04:07.715-08:00Episode 59 The Keppel Islands to Hervey Bay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="color: yellow; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 37.3333px;">Lorelei’s Sailing Adventures</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXNNKu2p-7jQawFNGXUl-QTJHBsX8YxPzhOLdzq5p_5Z33Y6lwWwsVAtCTe1_SP4pPDYfZoAdzX-UKD04sz2cdzVx_HDPEfEa4zAuiLiiZ8UDqx4VSS_3LmnEU8t1iI758xJTgopu4CDU/s1600/Episode+59+THE+KEPPELS+TO+HERVEY+BAY.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="1600" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXNNKu2p-7jQawFNGXUl-QTJHBsX8YxPzhOLdzq5p_5Z33Y6lwWwsVAtCTe1_SP4pPDYfZoAdzX-UKD04sz2cdzVx_HDPEfEa4zAuiLiiZ8UDqx4VSS_3LmnEU8t1iI758xJTgopu4CDU/s640/Episode+59+THE+KEPPELS+TO+HERVEY+BAY.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Episode 58
was one of the most testing episodes of our entire cruising trip.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had 6
weeks of mostly terrible conditions with only very small windows of fine
weather. For the rest it was strong wind warning after gale warning combined with
huge seas, rain and storms.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For the final
2 weeks we were stuck up Island Head Creek riding out very bad weather before
managing to sail south to Great Keppel Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Rough weather sailing
south to Brampton Island during Episode 58<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Finally we
had sailed to The Keppel Islands overnight and enjoyed a nice sunrise the next
morning to start this Episode.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our Location for this
Episode<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our Route for this
Episode</span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With just a
few days of nice weather forecast before the strong winds returned, we made the
best of it by exploring Great Keppel Island (GKI).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">GKI is a
large island and has many bays and beautiful beaches, some of which are rarely
visited as they face south into the prevailing SE winds and swell.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With light
and variable winds for the first day, we decided to pack the tinny for a full
day trip with walking & swimming gear and a picnic lunch before heading out
to circumnavigate the island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">First stop was
a delightful little bay which had some short but very steep sand hills which we
climbed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They were a
little too narrow and corrugated for sandboarding but the view across the bay
was excellent.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Further
around were some rocky headlands that looked great with the rising sun on them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Some of the
beaches were small and had no footprints on them at all.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavPOtopvDLxXxzrGut_koFq4xc1nGbXriHJMOVoA12a_J4CQeJ5e48mvIGNxwKDvBThg4kntTDXPE1DN20IR6i4B2QR8f0eKomR2dNyv4Rx73H9U5Jicgj8hW7GY5XMzFps18JR8W5ozo/s1600/GKI+Tinny+Round+Trip+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="1080" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavPOtopvDLxXxzrGut_koFq4xc1nGbXriHJMOVoA12a_J4CQeJ5e48mvIGNxwKDvBThg4kntTDXPE1DN20IR6i4B2QR8f0eKomR2dNyv4Rx73H9U5Jicgj8hW7GY5XMzFps18JR8W5ozo/s640/GKI+Tinny+Round+Trip+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found a
long beach to have a stroll, a picnic and a swim.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMwrSLHlmvwj22OVZu6oa8dXtWMwKYTm7KUJC2NvR_x5R8MQCOfgxBW-qa08Q8FazLZ4SN5BFvPLir7yQ5tsoqIS_MLmbOa1-qSIXdzfFvzHOR1p4cUVQGPzQD_lvtG869HpqsHT19RUX/s1600/GKI+Tinny+Round+Trip+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="1080" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMwrSLHlmvwj22OVZu6oa8dXtWMwKYTm7KUJC2NvR_x5R8MQCOfgxBW-qa08Q8FazLZ4SN5BFvPLir7yQ5tsoqIS_MLmbOa1-qSIXdzfFvzHOR1p4cUVQGPzQD_lvtG869HpqsHT19RUX/s640/GKI+Tinny+Round+Trip+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWSOjkpbkGutazLCd5er0Zi6JV717PjiWBF3VqV27L7QN3EDwACvsXR7jV3dz07QRn88X3tiN-CECYApihrVpenBCsSJ7mKERG1y8ATpC7aC_i6Y_bR52AV8TGHswiB_rLwznLMZMh7MA/s1600/GKI+Tinny+Round+Trip+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="1080" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWSOjkpbkGutazLCd5er0Zi6JV717PjiWBF3VqV27L7QN3EDwACvsXR7jV3dz07QRn88X3tiN-CECYApihrVpenBCsSJ7mKERG1y8ATpC7aC_i6Y_bR52AV8TGHswiB_rLwznLMZMh7MA/s640/GKI+Tinny+Round+Trip+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Ry87JDjr6GsshDN13dIvlMq1VV5YYoduECMgNhQ8S8UYRcHYQTG-GnWfQ9tUrIlRSgb5_tdYbhVVstEyh6JZ7RZhm31QMhAP3kLwp76Wl7sK0SZR4r6vGVXUJsFPhlKd9itTC492Ff_P/s1600/GKI+Tinny+Round+Trip+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="1080" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Ry87JDjr6GsshDN13dIvlMq1VV5YYoduECMgNhQ8S8UYRcHYQTG-GnWfQ9tUrIlRSgb5_tdYbhVVstEyh6JZ7RZhm31QMhAP3kLwp76Wl7sK0SZR4r6vGVXUJsFPhlKd9itTC492Ff_P/s640/GKI+Tinny+Round+Trip+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">All the way
around the island both on the grassy areas behind the beaches and up on the
rocky headlands we could see wild goats. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
hundreds of them!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul was able
to climb up over the sand dunes and quietly sneak up on a few that were in the
bushes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhDEivp4mGtbtplquaaQWWFq-7_RksKVvS9uyhCidLB7dVY6JsVpcZTvTJoep1Oh2Pc4nxDyxW9c73uhHLd2IkScqor8vK3-u81HRoq9FSKFdodW4DKCmbie_9Rv2ixKBf8Aj7sOKhYZz/s1600/GKI+Mount+Wyndham+Walk+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="1080" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhDEivp4mGtbtplquaaQWWFq-7_RksKVvS9uyhCidLB7dVY6JsVpcZTvTJoep1Oh2Pc4nxDyxW9c73uhHLd2IkScqor8vK3-u81HRoq9FSKFdodW4DKCmbie_9Rv2ixKBf8Aj7sOKhYZz/s640/GKI+Mount+Wyndham+Walk+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We diverted
over to the nearby Hummocky Island which was stunning with a great beach, sand
spit and picnic/camping area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXK3cuHy7allN4l4BswWn_ZbKacNW-zy43f4yTl7Zh6Uc4iNlq34JllEl1HvZYnO0UKOObTPxGn9CSjTVzGNOmWzMYf2l5myE3L8k-AGrV_N4nQcWlWHfVvj9-kM0PWlXC9KTHM6yzIvky/s1600/GKI+Tinny+Round+Trip+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1080" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXK3cuHy7allN4l4BswWn_ZbKacNW-zy43f4yTl7Zh6Uc4iNlq34JllEl1HvZYnO0UKOObTPxGn9CSjTVzGNOmWzMYf2l5myE3L8k-AGrV_N4nQcWlWHfVvj9-kM0PWlXC9KTHM6yzIvky/s640/GKI+Tinny+Round+Trip+%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5Ez5uBV_kyo4vPV5YmolIpoBYwF8c_zhkXLIRM7GvFiGY54_JgcIFtgHVtsm4v3-EOvlM8z3KfkHHi0Wyk-CAms2bdCSIdR1QeJm5ZO5-rUax130KKvbOSaq0rEawXEcDt5OnuwgQtbi/s1600/GKI+Tinny+Round+Trip+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1080" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5Ez5uBV_kyo4vPV5YmolIpoBYwF8c_zhkXLIRM7GvFiGY54_JgcIFtgHVtsm4v3-EOvlM8z3KfkHHi0Wyk-CAms2bdCSIdR1QeJm5ZO5-rUax130KKvbOSaq0rEawXEcDt5OnuwgQtbi/s640/GKI+Tinny+Round+Trip+%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Small waves rolling in
around the end of the sandspit<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjvKaIAi5qqczJq9w6MU3qa5ijI5io1_AwzvPJUEcKMfU8N_Ql0olg1D35pl30h-kkBaemiVlyWTHl0QXY9m6a6a5UBk46DWL5CZ_mXRtbQc-X1VHe4p89NrcmSQxkoO4SMTqGLMhYNEV/s1600/GKI+Tinny+Round+Trip+%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="1080" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjvKaIAi5qqczJq9w6MU3qa5ijI5io1_AwzvPJUEcKMfU8N_Ql0olg1D35pl30h-kkBaemiVlyWTHl0QXY9m6a6a5UBk46DWL5CZ_mXRtbQc-X1VHe4p89NrcmSQxkoO4SMTqGLMhYNEV/s640/GKI+Tinny+Round+Trip+%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When we were
almost right around GKI, we stopped in at the main beach and the resort area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The main
resort was closed many years ago but there seems to be a rebuilding of the area
and tourists are slowly returning in greater numbers.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There are a
few shops open, a bar/restaurant and a couple of options for low budget
accommodation.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found a
place that sold ice creams. It was the first shop we had seen in over 6 weeks so
needless to say we had to have one.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftV9eTgvuOPi14ZWrnb-CfWSIZ6dPdAaoloAPy5t5oRQt5uXvqB1hStToOgNzoEN6AvrMX4Doc0F86waXk0UrpznECiWm0s1X4DiOd47umlimson84iQGth-uH51rBFvKt16DAkew0Yy_/s1600/GKI+Tinny+Round+Trip+%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="1080" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftV9eTgvuOPi14ZWrnb-CfWSIZ6dPdAaoloAPy5t5oRQt5uXvqB1hStToOgNzoEN6AvrMX4Doc0F86waXk0UrpznECiWm0s1X4DiOd47umlimson84iQGth-uH51rBFvKt16DAkew0Yy_/s640/GKI+Tinny+Round+Trip+%252811%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Overall it
was a super fun day and sooo good to finally be out in great weather and
sunshine exploring somewhere new.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We covered
almost 20 miles in the Tinny circumnavigating the island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A spearfish
was on the list of options for the following day but with the possibility of
going out to the reef in a few days, we decided to go for a full day bushwalk
to Mount Wyndham (GKI’s highest peak) instead.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The walk
started at Leeks Beach and we had to walk past a wetlands area that was full of
wildlife, birds circling overhead and sand-flies!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbVCT2u9J0n5P3VwycmUs4KNPstVIhZtChQt8rD59X41yr2whzpjlMEt-fJVIckVq1MUMyB4lcP-oc4jKIbEHI-6yz5z4MsrfzKmGlO4GYRVoL9QEvH00iC3nUwAs_t11DqlKcFqmVP7W/s1600/GKI+Mount+Wyndham+Walk+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="1080" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbVCT2u9J0n5P3VwycmUs4KNPstVIhZtChQt8rD59X41yr2whzpjlMEt-fJVIckVq1MUMyB4lcP-oc4jKIbEHI-6yz5z4MsrfzKmGlO4GYRVoL9QEvH00iC3nUwAs_t11DqlKcFqmVP7W/s640/GKI+Mount+Wyndham+Walk+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Around the
side of the wetlands is a homestead that was from the 1920’s and is now
Heritage Listed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The homestead
has an old tin shed not far from it that is down on the edge of the wetlands.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It would have
been an excellent dusk photography location if it weren’t for the sandflies…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoz_C3m4rx-WwXn9VQsTcVeLUwY9zFEehNSOEBePTaNIBoUkeHE-pfl63yjMRhdya9HRNWjoEXKFfpfOlCceXjm3AVItjzGORbknCGMXiCMvDy-eefknts65xkzJiKpAPHSz9zgsrb9Oad/s1600/GKI+Mount+Wyndham+Walk+%252813%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoz_C3m4rx-WwXn9VQsTcVeLUwY9zFEehNSOEBePTaNIBoUkeHE-pfl63yjMRhdya9HRNWjoEXKFfpfOlCceXjm3AVItjzGORbknCGMXiCMvDy-eefknts65xkzJiKpAPHSz9zgsrb9Oad/s640/GKI+Mount+Wyndham+Walk+%252813%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The homestead
cottage was open and we were able to walk inside to see the old furniture,
sewing room and kitchen area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52mX6WKzda3o0C-D2Ygv-rt9mrKJXonuMYOovM4zbNLMpFskmI5MiTzbqMGGoFwti98t7TS9eqE0761PqCjPH99fp3iMYxVeBOiEyc73nAV9kA_9ML7xg69GFDPU9iqCHbQ46cdBsQcuL/s1600/GKI+Mount+Wyndham+Walk+%252818%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="782" data-original-width="1080" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52mX6WKzda3o0C-D2Ygv-rt9mrKJXonuMYOovM4zbNLMpFskmI5MiTzbqMGGoFwti98t7TS9eqE0761PqCjPH99fp3iMYxVeBOiEyc73nAV9kA_9ML7xg69GFDPU9iqCHbQ46cdBsQcuL/s640/GKI+Mount+Wyndham+Walk+%252818%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdIH05E3y-rm2Y_rbVjkqmDYoGLtWdIceUQULPAzRscmd-_BElfjwxIz8JyUOQvBuf_XFHwI2l7YgxvHGUuO4dBTEiUc_fXwIviRGdHtrs1ZNoqbta2k-EGQNkEQlAETBePO6ZohWLnEe/s1600/GKI+Mount+Wyndham+Walk+%252819%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="1080" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdIH05E3y-rm2Y_rbVjkqmDYoGLtWdIceUQULPAzRscmd-_BElfjwxIz8JyUOQvBuf_XFHwI2l7YgxvHGUuO4dBTEiUc_fXwIviRGdHtrs1ZNoqbta2k-EGQNkEQlAETBePO6ZohWLnEe/s640/GKI+Mount+Wyndham+Walk+%252819%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Outside we
found lots of old farm machinery.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-w2Tt9Ep49QcJJeFGOFNjdhCeVhpZ1o4ksC7fTtQ3UZO4a4XvX9jvD0E9MmkCMKaVHbYlfvA_JCdLS4OgsMNk1f6C7m7zDU-tBr_JKMXIQimdNLRLuzNdNucUYOodwvjoxExR1FoxcPr2/s1600/GKI+Mount+Wyndham+Walk+%252820%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="1080" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-w2Tt9Ep49QcJJeFGOFNjdhCeVhpZ1o4ksC7fTtQ3UZO4a4XvX9jvD0E9MmkCMKaVHbYlfvA_JCdLS4OgsMNk1f6C7m7zDU-tBr_JKMXIQimdNLRLuzNdNucUYOodwvjoxExR1FoxcPr2/s640/GKI+Mount+Wyndham+Walk+%252820%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Next to the
homestead is a shearing shed and a series of paddocks with fencing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sskDa5wPhmBFewaFOt_4nzcDtYYRcU3ECL2XkF1VPh6v8bjbvRXePN6QX3QFN-kZPMiwbS3MrL2YVfuKHGyTY7WuuSTLFpCffeKjOCtwxA2ZCS1VapgGG7TlYwGqCHlogy1hqq6S5Y5O/s1600/GKI+Mount+Wyndham+Walk+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="1080" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sskDa5wPhmBFewaFOt_4nzcDtYYRcU3ECL2XkF1VPh6v8bjbvRXePN6QX3QFN-kZPMiwbS3MrL2YVfuKHGyTY7WuuSTLFpCffeKjOCtwxA2ZCS1VapgGG7TlYwGqCHlogy1hqq6S5Y5O/s640/GKI+Mount+Wyndham+Walk+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite the paddock
gates being open, there were hundreds of goats inside happily relaxing or
feeding.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6W_KOmgSCAZkY4-tXGYdOariBuSBWeQYSdn501XjzGHTbQ2JWHlk41HOVkYXApZxP-PB0G0TzODKHXHmfUErkmWascXEpXcxpc5DD3tkghMjvRwR_bkS-DL3UuawLM_avQNsrpT_ib0U3/s1600/GKI+Mount+Wyndham+Walk+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="1080" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6W_KOmgSCAZkY4-tXGYdOariBuSBWeQYSdn501XjzGHTbQ2JWHlk41HOVkYXApZxP-PB0G0TzODKHXHmfUErkmWascXEpXcxpc5DD3tkghMjvRwR_bkS-DL3UuawLM_avQNsrpT_ib0U3/s640/GKI+Mount+Wyndham+Walk+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQeqPVWZgtWKqBk0MqiPnfO1-7-o3MZdqS-zl_BmWBSJYG_g2FJDdsnUKqMQuc15zK0GbIuRIv_0Ikm09VwIOHv0zGj8a31fwEEr1S2udHGkp6qPZpP8GNyCuVjUmZoKZ_CC7e1ZeE8xe/s1600/GKI+Mount+Wyndham+Walk+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="1080" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQeqPVWZgtWKqBk0MqiPnfO1-7-o3MZdqS-zl_BmWBSJYG_g2FJDdsnUKqMQuc15zK0GbIuRIv_0Ikm09VwIOHv0zGj8a31fwEEr1S2udHGkp6qPZpP8GNyCuVjUmZoKZ_CC7e1ZeE8xe/s640/GKI+Mount+Wyndham+Walk+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul managed
to get very close to a small kid (baby goat) as it munched on the grass totally
oblivious to Paul’s presence.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It got a big
shock when it looked up to see him only a few meters away.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyD3mBIFlOTrr6TDmgJldaXklnZmpDOA1DmyoVPRwPXH3ayuHdEb77zNBhbKZf12AYDtrxPMZOvL6XHNELAVSCIgyttxNPXnyfqiE6rkL9Qa7dBmOm-3pvQo4GGYly9_ofD80E6pil__V/s1600/GKI+Mount+Wyndham+Walk+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="761" data-original-width="1080" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyD3mBIFlOTrr6TDmgJldaXklnZmpDOA1DmyoVPRwPXH3ayuHdEb77zNBhbKZf12AYDtrxPMZOvL6XHNELAVSCIgyttxNPXnyfqiE6rkL9Qa7dBmOm-3pvQo4GGYly9_ofD80E6pil__V/s640/GKI+Mount+Wyndham+Walk+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we
continued up the track to Mount Wyndham, it got progressively worse.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At first
there were a lot of washouts and fallen trees from torrents of water, possibly
from the cyclone.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTfmUpD-htvNPffEeAYERNXAn2DHQXsJrorJ5raXjxxdbXNANvSAYWEax5oV5OVjOiiNjUIjm9j7unUKOqrgFrsEe7mfnIbqBrHk-xG_49S4ZgZL6mojyE-kGb0HRmcRm3426A3U4POa_/s1600/GKI+Mount+Wyndham+Walk+%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="1080" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTfmUpD-htvNPffEeAYERNXAn2DHQXsJrorJ5raXjxxdbXNANvSAYWEax5oV5OVjOiiNjUIjm9j7unUKOqrgFrsEe7mfnIbqBrHk-xG_49S4ZgZL6mojyE-kGb0HRmcRm3426A3U4POa_/s640/GKI+Mount+Wyndham+Walk+%252812%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Then the
track got smaller and overgrown, it was obvious it was rarely used.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We came to a
clearing with awesome views over the southern islands.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqpmXmgoJPARV-Q5IhFFZSUVdC5rAhoJXtqsQwhF0k0vqP-fPXs46EGUOTu6pNwW3UQd5jzD2VJzek5qVBksKaWQcly9Qb7vLVj7sd8SYuS1BUOxk5_HKeJbU9DEQxOlEDmNhvu1D_O-b/s1600/GKI+Mount+Wyndham+Walk+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="1080" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqpmXmgoJPARV-Q5IhFFZSUVdC5rAhoJXtqsQwhF0k0vqP-fPXs46EGUOTu6pNwW3UQd5jzD2VJzek5qVBksKaWQcly9Qb7vLVj7sd8SYuS1BUOxk5_HKeJbU9DEQxOlEDmNhvu1D_O-b/s640/GKI+Mount+Wyndham+Walk+%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However from
here we couldn’t find the walk to the summit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We tried a
few goat tracks (literally…) but they all came to dead ends.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After 30
minutes Paul finally found a small and very overgrown track through the bushes
that led to the peak.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way we
saw a lot more goats but most were on their own around the rocky outcrops.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had fun
stalking them to see how close we could get with the cameras before they saw us
and fled. Sometimes we got very close using the bushes and trees as cover.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsEnEoY0F4qBzRqpoFJJ6LNHnEDkwsX4SMUEdRCDr0eQ8yI-9lIPyQrSoRdCmVUxIr09tIkLZDSGLN3ePEuIvbXm3kGNv3KwLGjVDsEowssjOADCWYjfjQXQ1PAvYxOAVBeTdLZoRL0Ynr/s1600/GKI+Mount+Wyndham+Walk+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="1080" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsEnEoY0F4qBzRqpoFJJ6LNHnEDkwsX4SMUEdRCDr0eQ8yI-9lIPyQrSoRdCmVUxIr09tIkLZDSGLN3ePEuIvbXm3kGNv3KwLGjVDsEowssjOADCWYjfjQXQ1PAvYxOAVBeTdLZoRL0Ynr/s640/GKI+Mount+Wyndham+Walk+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The summit has
excellent 360 degree views and we found a broken sign indicating we had indeed
reached the right place.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmIOhuOHsXf4BjLLyZ8vyjN04UvtvpZUvm5cj3PWL6ikYGEXBDsZTrVA2sHrsU39GfqYKEKUSyRdxTpr_zj5loCxtS4dlXXgz9PQRIyOSUBzUXz6ZRGvMdHlOj8tlVa_WkqnUx2k064BX/s1600/GKI+Mount+Wyndham+Walk+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="1080" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmIOhuOHsXf4BjLLyZ8vyjN04UvtvpZUvm5cj3PWL6ikYGEXBDsZTrVA2sHrsU39GfqYKEKUSyRdxTpr_zj5loCxtS4dlXXgz9PQRIyOSUBzUXz6ZRGvMdHlOj8tlVa_WkqnUx2k064BX/s640/GKI+Mount+Wyndham+Walk+%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa couldn’t
lift the heavy timber sign so this was her version of the <br />
“Mount” Wyndham peak photo.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrEUMmpnO3LhJO2iHIUmbFUeHZf9M0Zq0s9pKEZc2-4ynmYfsnGaP4jRyqIhj4bHF72T_REp-Ir_h1-38ZAVtJ71llP8e4iHEpw7F5rJm5MgVqC3J1OXxQxFk3MSxEAWyG3pWZjXJILTh/s1600/GKI+Mount+Wyndham+Walk+%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrEUMmpnO3LhJO2iHIUmbFUeHZf9M0Zq0s9pKEZc2-4ynmYfsnGaP4jRyqIhj4bHF72T_REp-Ir_h1-38ZAVtJ71llP8e4iHEpw7F5rJm5MgVqC3J1OXxQxFk3MSxEAWyG3pWZjXJILTh/s640/GKI+Mount+Wyndham+Walk+%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The views on
the way back down the ridge from the other side of the peak were stunning.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5Nw5Bi9MDqqPl2sXbRbcqYjbtPFEalOzV1eVYD_q05_AfUmm_7iyiEjXwoqnteFEN_00MB1SdGRcEIFuIvsFM3p1jZ2p_AfY68NHAqwOWAwG6-k0xiB2BnvepZobAeL2dRQTO8hU7z2K/s1600/GKI+Mount+Wyndham+Walk+%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="1080" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5Nw5Bi9MDqqPl2sXbRbcqYjbtPFEalOzV1eVYD_q05_AfUmm_7iyiEjXwoqnteFEN_00MB1SdGRcEIFuIvsFM3p1jZ2p_AfY68NHAqwOWAwG6-k0xiB2BnvepZobAeL2dRQTO8hU7z2K/s640/GKI+Mount+Wyndham+Walk+%252811%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Yay!! It had
been other great day (wow – two in a row…) and we had walked almost 10km with
nice mild conditions and no rain.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The fine
weather sadly didn’t last.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On return to
Lorelei, she was uncomfortably rocking in the rising easterly wind and swell
and all the other cruising boats had already left.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we moved
around to the very shallow resort beach and anchored at the back of the pack of
coastal cruising catamarans with just inches of water under our keel at low
tide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For two days it
poured rain and we rocked and rolled as there was a primary and secondary swell
from both the east and south which pushed swell into every anchorage around the
island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Most boats either
sailed off towards the north or went into the marina at Yeppoon. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For us
neither was appealing so instead we left and tacked south as there was a
forecast of lighter 10-15 knot winds for only 48 hours.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It started
well in the morning with ESE winds and we could head due south but then it
fortunately turned south and we were able to head east out to sea.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We passed
under the forming ridge that brought cold weather and a lot of rain but
fortunately not strong winds or storms – yet!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> By the afternoon it was clearing and it looked
like we may be able to do an overnight sail and reach the Capricorn Bunker
Group of reefs so we continued on into the night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By 11pm we
were happy as we were still sailing in perfect conditions and doing 6 knots.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> By midnight it all changed……<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The wind
dropped and the swell rose.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">No problem –
we simply started the engine and continued on.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By 1am the
swell had risen considerably from 2 directions and we had very confused and
ugly seas pushing Lorelei over in all directions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Then the
storms started.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was 30
knots one minute, then nothing, then 25 knots from a different direction.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had sails
up then down, in then out and we tried to not only get speed and momentum, but
to also reduce the violent rocking.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the
super violent motion, things were put to the test and soon some things started
to fail.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We snapped 3
ropes in 2 hours, did damage to boom and deck fittings, and then the tinny
shifted on the davits as we snapped two fittings and a cross bracing rope that
held it in place.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was moving
about causing metal on metal rubbing on the tinny’s hull.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was very
difficult to work down the back in the rain and violent motion to try and fix
it. We had 3 attempts over 2 hours and got it secure - but far from perfect.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At 3am Lisa
could hear pumps working and we raced downstairs to find the engine room bilge
(which is a dry bilge) flooding with salt water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a
serious leak and soon found the culprit was a PSS seal that had let go on our
engine/propeller drive shaft.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It would have
been a simple fix in a calm anchorage but we had to stop the engine which put
us at the mercy of the swell. Additionally trying to source tools, get hatches
off and for Paul to go upside down in the bilge next to a hot motor and do the
repair, all the while being tossed about like a cork in the middle of a pitch
black night was not fun.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Needless to
say Paul was a mess when finished and very, very seasick.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">And for 6
hours he never recovered. He was vomiting and dry reaching every 30 minutes
until he was too weak and incoherent to do anything else.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There was
still 20nm to go to get to Lady Musgrave lagoon, so all Lisa could do was take
control and slowly motor on until we arrived at 8am, very thankful to be in.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">What a
night!!!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-WERAFGTVIlGmzjE7XqpCPa0owpgxP6k752BzYbGkR6ZknjHsr4mhKXxElscq2Bhm-qLy4l3VpUDHFU5KdFuCEXGIKo54E6wP8mJFdLs40c5AEZKYVYPQHP0g_98ynpXWs4GIVEBwfE4/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Aerial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="1080" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-WERAFGTVIlGmzjE7XqpCPa0owpgxP6k752BzYbGkR6ZknjHsr4mhKXxElscq2Bhm-qLy4l3VpUDHFU5KdFuCEXGIKo54E6wP8mJFdLs40c5AEZKYVYPQHP0g_98ynpXWs4GIVEBwfE4/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Aerial.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lady Musgrave Lagoon and
Island from the air<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We entered
through the channel during a fast run out tide and had the engine at the
highest revs we’ve ever pushed it (which was still only three-quarters
throttle) and only just made headway at 2.5 knots boat speed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
other boats in the lagoon but it was very overcast, stormy, eerie and no one
was out playing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul was
still so sick and could only stomach a strong powerade mix and we went to bed
soon after anchoring.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He slept 18
of the next 24 hours and could only manage a caramel milkshake during that
whole time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We woke on
day 2 to an eerie morning of very overcast conditions with strong winds, rain
and some really big swell breaking around the edge of the lagoon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Looking back towards the island, we could see more cruising
boats and rainbows overhead.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Despite the swell outside, it was reasonably flat inside the
lagoon, particularly at low tide so we dropped the tinny in and went
spearfishing around the isolated reefs within the lagoon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">It was actually better than we thought and we ended up with 3
Coral Trout.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">That afternoon a large cat turned up that had big Cabrinha
Kiteboarding logos on the bow. They launched 6 kites and had their guests
kiting around the inner lagoon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">They had all the latest Cabrinha gear including a foil board
which Paul was most interested in.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For Paul
conditions were perfect for his 12m kite so he pumped up on the back swim
platform, launched and went kiting too. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The overcast
conditions made for an interesting sunset that night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKuy156_b2KOhWnWRWIryGzEiKbWn-e3hNbWXD_z84waVuXI-2O7YIGYmPqyd6OnWWt2oB_mEAU6mHR0J24qnANCIuO-LMRqpyrmou7jOu9xAIs0wETg9s8dfSXKk364ZgyZvQfZ45xolb/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Sunset+Day+2+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="1080" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKuy156_b2KOhWnWRWIryGzEiKbWn-e3hNbWXD_z84waVuXI-2O7YIGYmPqyd6OnWWt2oB_mEAU6mHR0J24qnANCIuO-LMRqpyrmou7jOu9xAIs0wETg9s8dfSXKk364ZgyZvQfZ45xolb/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Sunset+Day+2+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Finally the
weather started to clear and the swell dropped dramatically overnight enabling
us to go spearfishing and diving around the outer edge of the coral lagoon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
amazed at the amount of fish life there was compared to when we were here last
(which was over 5 years ago).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
loads of Coral Trout around the reefs and we had no problem spearing a few for
a feed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst we
were spearing we drifted over the Manta Ray cleaning station bommies and were
excited to see a few hovering around the area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we
returned home, packed away the spear gear and rigged up the dive gear and
cameras so we could do a few days diving and hopefully get some Manta photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We linked up
with Lee & Sara from the sailing yacht Catalpa and their 2 great kids Taj
and Bella.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Alex from the
yacht Gipsy jumped into one of the tenders and came along too.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Like us they
are all keen divers and were excited to be diving outside the lagoon for a
change.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When we
arrived at the dive site, the current was very strong but there were 8 Manta
Rays on the surface so we anchored up amongst them and spent almost an hour
clinging to ropes off the tenders whilst the Mantas came hovering past –
sometimes very close.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At one stage
Lee & Bella were in front of our tinny holding the anchor line and had 4 Mantas
around them while we sat on the bow of the tinny looking down over all the
action. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the
crystal clear water it was fantastic.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When the
current backed off as the turn of the tide approached, we put on the scuba gear
and went for a dive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We expected
to see Mantas and Turtles but instead we saw a family of very large Marbled
Rays and a school of Bludger Trevally that completely surrounded the whole
group of divers.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1f9pATTS7nphoanfeBPFO2ItwQgWcah_HqGmFlVTpKh7Np0giCZLNEsSuUDkrRO01WZrgk15Q5uUEI1lfX3EBofdY9-JSojqPyNWUyTmflCkaI16x8PCwW2Hpmqnb9OH9ce4BKuOGPmsk/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+1+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="1080" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1f9pATTS7nphoanfeBPFO2ItwQgWcah_HqGmFlVTpKh7Np0giCZLNEsSuUDkrRO01WZrgk15Q5uUEI1lfX3EBofdY9-JSojqPyNWUyTmflCkaI16x8PCwW2Hpmqnb9OH9ce4BKuOGPmsk/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+1+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul even
managed to get close to some Red Emperor for a few photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite only
being 10 and 12, Bella and Taj are excellent divers and made great UW models
too…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7EUC6d9QulikbXlcYOuGlq8WcWw-l6XpvPZiyEQevicrKh_hqB5nKyPU50TNKvU3n_mFeih0nAxw-nPxW52NkH0YojqgJ8bJF0XiRTM3QH8gW3raOY2ggC6iw_eNGjN57dNOVbydd8-F/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+1+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="669" data-original-width="1080" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7EUC6d9QulikbXlcYOuGlq8WcWw-l6XpvPZiyEQevicrKh_hqB5nKyPU50TNKvU3n_mFeih0nAxw-nPxW52NkH0YojqgJ8bJF0XiRTM3QH8gW3raOY2ggC6iw_eNGjN57dNOVbydd8-F/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+1+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We all had so
much fun that we decided to do it all again the next day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However as we
went out to dive on the turn of the tide, the wind and swell picked up and we
had no choice but to find a calmer location.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lee suggested
we try around a series of 3 bommies just near the lagoon entrance.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">From the
surface it looked great and the viz was good.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly there
was not a lot of fish life and coral but we did see a few Turtles and some very
curious Red Throat Emperor that followed as around for the entire dive but not
quite close enough to photograph.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
home we spent some time playing around in the entrance channel as the tide
raced through it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
the weather came good again and was forecast to stay that way for a few days
at least.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By lunchtime
there were loads of cruising boats anchored in the lagoon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The dive that
day was excellent.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
conditions were really good on the surface and we were able to sit and wait for
the tide to turn and look back over the island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYbQffE7qwwiqHg5pozjVGPm-U1b4pzxIau0RqLU78PHtn3_-eKnCJ25nWr7Qd5Gd_jdmVe4bFzST5GmYK23NgW3wLKU5feiNG6C4mbW0foA3PD3ZvdVGSajzCJLwg-7hExYHoWFEDFaI/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+3+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="1080" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYbQffE7qwwiqHg5pozjVGPm-U1b4pzxIau0RqLU78PHtn3_-eKnCJ25nWr7Qd5Gd_jdmVe4bFzST5GmYK23NgW3wLKU5feiNG6C4mbW0foA3PD3ZvdVGSajzCJLwg-7hExYHoWFEDFaI/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+3+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifut0ARx9ezIibeGD5AAjGzNSd6eSSFocAWmUleKfPh6Bq_K8bLtd53w_hQNSSWyPFqlzkcJFe-FftmAgsfHzC3nuT0nf7iZe6ZAYydUicy7swIsW2Emqu1d5hLJhtrJNMpGejvPm5k5qL/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+3+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="1080" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifut0ARx9ezIibeGD5AAjGzNSd6eSSFocAWmUleKfPh6Bq_K8bLtd53w_hQNSSWyPFqlzkcJFe-FftmAgsfHzC3nuT0nf7iZe6ZAYydUicy7swIsW2Emqu1d5hLJhtrJNMpGejvPm5k5qL/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+3+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With no
current on the bottom, we swum from the point of the reef out to a deeper slope
filled with larger bommies and a lot of fish life.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLE-fk_vFbvZkb4UPlGIho6DooNvbbgMfq98PT65ngNH7OCbSM9JDQwfHgrWkSaN8nCUIKzYcljPCYafCSrOEcCd4IJk5tAXc-yi5p-k9dD4ThJfA34sCvQ9iYUoHg5uneU15CJHFPXTN6/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+3+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="1080" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLE-fk_vFbvZkb4UPlGIho6DooNvbbgMfq98PT65ngNH7OCbSM9JDQwfHgrWkSaN8nCUIKzYcljPCYafCSrOEcCd4IJk5tAXc-yi5p-k9dD4ThJfA34sCvQ9iYUoHg5uneU15CJHFPXTN6/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+3+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we were
photographing a Wobbygong Shark under a ledge, it went dark overhead and we
looked out to see Manta Rays hovering around the bommie.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One even
photo bombed our Wobbygong photo!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-m_1o5jj_Xq8aO80rYjxUv6UZTX1NYC78Z8Lv0yQlQ9jb4aDlGt6wvi0AsnbdDZMCG12C1E5AEda5HcSdKQLO6PrOwx4p53yTbiOrx4qE0j2B8Cdq5Db_AZlxCiZQtJqFnozIJNmgvuz/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+3+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="1080" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-m_1o5jj_Xq8aO80rYjxUv6UZTX1NYC78Z8Lv0yQlQ9jb4aDlGt6wvi0AsnbdDZMCG12C1E5AEda5HcSdKQLO6PrOwx4p53yTbiOrx4qE0j2B8Cdq5Db_AZlxCiZQtJqFnozIJNmgvuz/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+3+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Can you see the very
well camouflaged Wobbygong Shark?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note the Manta Ray in
the far left of the photo<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrOnvH9Ao3m8XyJCFlONnE3azG8BCrLiJcveH61wZwyR7LsmfcYCO4-wcym7o9cCbKEsmoUAf2BsgqSvW80MslruGN4RjTqLHYik5lg6dwoS9s3ovTRpqLEpYly4n2loXQWaeBMyofoYm/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+3+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="1080" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrOnvH9Ao3m8XyJCFlONnE3azG8BCrLiJcveH61wZwyR7LsmfcYCO4-wcym7o9cCbKEsmoUAf2BsgqSvW80MslruGN4RjTqLHYik5lg6dwoS9s3ovTRpqLEpYly4n2loXQWaeBMyofoYm/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+3+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQ1nbuCyI3LB0_ZDaEfU_GJNzw3gSSVQpLgMRLhDDdm9eFiyNqnmDEgNoDS8iZals6iBZKgzY6tvVrnTVzbVUcUzPPHpccShonV3xD1ZHb4mrz9CSIt6uJPs2pUUW8uJcDWsi5gmJN1qg/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+5+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="1080" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQ1nbuCyI3LB0_ZDaEfU_GJNzw3gSSVQpLgMRLhDDdm9eFiyNqnmDEgNoDS8iZals6iBZKgzY6tvVrnTVzbVUcUzPPHpccShonV3xD1ZHb4mrz9CSIt6uJPs2pUUW8uJcDWsi5gmJN1qg/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+5+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
back up the slope we saw Turtles, Sharks and a lot of smaller fish schools.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxf2L6ELvnM3ewGNnOGaCjsxWzVA-Pao6h30oFgN-cUdfG19OiTcwQMipYpTLZtk8ryDa0X-SivEy7Zxkeuv4AMDIrJhMoto7oIfuzSxG7yvIX8-v8wGIhmHpzrIgQefGmaiTLLQmCHeMG/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+3+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="1080" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxf2L6ELvnM3ewGNnOGaCjsxWzVA-Pao6h30oFgN-cUdfG19OiTcwQMipYpTLZtk8ryDa0X-SivEy7Zxkeuv4AMDIrJhMoto7oIfuzSxG7yvIX8-v8wGIhmHpzrIgQefGmaiTLLQmCHeMG/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+3+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the
nicer weather, Paul went onto the island late in the afternoon to photograph
the sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As he walked
alone through the centre of the island just before sunset, the light rays were
coming through dense forested areas making great photo opportunities.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFh09aYPO8t9rDDB6FSqr6mrRIi27n3JBiGFOqZj6pN_GWb9r559UjN5lXdF4FOflHwsi4h49qUBVuD6UeWV9CopIFBXGrhKQYOcmiWy3GCmWADJ8oCBvn2z0kC7qtJjzN1CDUrLM-P8r/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Island+Sunset+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="673" data-original-width="1080" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFh09aYPO8t9rDDB6FSqr6mrRIi27n3JBiGFOqZj6pN_GWb9r559UjN5lXdF4FOflHwsi4h49qUBVuD6UeWV9CopIFBXGrhKQYOcmiWy3GCmWADJ8oCBvn2z0kC7qtJjzN1CDUrLM-P8r/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Island+Sunset+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_igRwrQImeo5mlesPJHcck4EllaS-xABkpxlp9JMVPVZMMBwDtqO_zsFBnhpwVPbXtB0csqQGZo2C_6K9k5-Ov4FN_TxnSpRype2eKyAS2nHdCIx2HirestNBKFZGuPluM1P3Bd1MYZw/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Island+Sunset+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="1080" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_igRwrQImeo5mlesPJHcck4EllaS-xABkpxlp9JMVPVZMMBwDtqO_zsFBnhpwVPbXtB0csqQGZo2C_6K9k5-Ov4FN_TxnSpRype2eKyAS2nHdCIx2HirestNBKFZGuPluM1P3Bd1MYZw/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Island+Sunset+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He went out
to the sandy beach facing the setting sun and set his tripod up for a series of
photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJG_I3cFE2-UqtnFZz_3pkzTlF-W6La9BdxE-YkK-aScfh-kiD-yiNSTIz4yYuN4ho7v47mp6KfFpHEA4Rtd1lYjg_IFQCCSoxqBgOaIGa84eNI2vInnC45vX36DQoM8-foQ758C1DGcay/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Island+Sunset+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="1080" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJG_I3cFE2-UqtnFZz_3pkzTlF-W6La9BdxE-YkK-aScfh-kiD-yiNSTIz4yYuN4ho7v47mp6KfFpHEA4Rtd1lYjg_IFQCCSoxqBgOaIGa84eNI2vInnC45vX36DQoM8-foQ758C1DGcay/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Island+Sunset+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were a
few larger birds like White Egrets sitting on the large pieces of drift wood
that have washed up on a lot of the beach shoreline.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNwALVND7T3yWAcyJD_qlXWbv58SkSJoZFmczijFlanJBVjQhD65jRYTjvYyt-OW_p6pPsT663hoKxzag7hpJTDSU0NuNwG8YmecbMyeaqxKlCnt_kQchTdKEt7TTgYNqEvSFvjIxkL2i/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Island+Sunset+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="709" data-original-width="1080" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNwALVND7T3yWAcyJD_qlXWbv58SkSJoZFmczijFlanJBVjQhD65jRYTjvYyt-OW_p6pPsT663hoKxzag7hpJTDSU0NuNwG8YmecbMyeaqxKlCnt_kQchTdKEt7TTgYNqEvSFvjIxkL2i/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Island+Sunset+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The drift
wood made for great subjects during the sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3XDvJuAZwdtPI8c1_5_xmhIOEIEVz1OT6Cp_4rXotXygb2tMQsCXc6CATx2H_pdEvfSa3FvB4ZDU6-Xgfqk6fhDDC13BC0F5gJAr8zbKTK2auvmp4bcbo3InS0U29WP1WcHri5wbmvQrO/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Island+Sunset+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="1080" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3XDvJuAZwdtPI8c1_5_xmhIOEIEVz1OT6Cp_4rXotXygb2tMQsCXc6CATx2H_pdEvfSa3FvB4ZDU6-Xgfqk6fhDDC13BC0F5gJAr8zbKTK2auvmp4bcbo3InS0U29WP1WcHri5wbmvQrO/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Island+Sunset+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGOjgvJ3SYnQnEG28aYuDhkiP2PwdjR8sNGtGgZrmei02jEN8LUhsd7XXBFXpwtn7PhqxT3VrfDsjiUrwZpOBgijzbyuvGsXpdaMZxUqr1jHVUT7m-TNvMZ2m0nu7UmFt8XZU-2LNHCgf/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Island+Sunset+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="644" data-original-width="1080" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGOjgvJ3SYnQnEG28aYuDhkiP2PwdjR8sNGtGgZrmei02jEN8LUhsd7XXBFXpwtn7PhqxT3VrfDsjiUrwZpOBgijzbyuvGsXpdaMZxUqr1jHVUT7m-TNvMZ2m0nu7UmFt8XZU-2LNHCgf/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Island+Sunset+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDTTRgTDB5sVSsisjGUNi8iHti3GWKiXN4imF1YvXA14J9CnVVYfeQJiIbEYaL7mCM0s4rm9h9MDsOcjLRjEoq4qJXMxBFk6V7gYYj5-ihvdI1vgZN0HMPCJH8Zjmq1diBenJYl37RokV/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Island+Sunset+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="1080" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDTTRgTDB5sVSsisjGUNi8iHti3GWKiXN4imF1YvXA14J9CnVVYfeQJiIbEYaL7mCM0s4rm9h9MDsOcjLRjEoq4qJXMxBFk6V7gYYj5-ihvdI1vgZN0HMPCJH8Zjmq1diBenJYl37RokV/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Island+Sunset+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz28owQPPAvDsGLOxkDUTj823rpt6bC16n8A4WniXFwC0Du8C-QoMNjI2ZogGWVRiENWujEkUrlHr1Lnbd1N3KzYziJQ275dVJtLk0Ml-UIpCYIBZVWSZjQ1v3bFpiTZnJEVFN3P_ogqjx/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Island+Sunset+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="1080" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz28owQPPAvDsGLOxkDUTj823rpt6bC16n8A4WniXFwC0Du8C-QoMNjI2ZogGWVRiENWujEkUrlHr1Lnbd1N3KzYziJQ275dVJtLk0Ml-UIpCYIBZVWSZjQ1v3bFpiTZnJEVFN3P_ogqjx/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Island+Sunset+%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
thousands of smaller birds flying at speed over the water between Lady Musgrave
and the nearly Fairfax Islands.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8gJgBwfmjyheJYsMu8Di2QbseEPRMngXZx8zXFTs6UOTKBM-L1czOoyaeqPbnmC5qxEGg3dM13OsKUcby7sDCA-6TD339dy2W6Ql_mPD86Jg6k6PFRnI47uWjgOVNOwyETcyilGgDNQW/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Island+Sunset+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="1080" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8gJgBwfmjyheJYsMu8Di2QbseEPRMngXZx8zXFTs6UOTKBM-L1czOoyaeqPbnmC5qxEGg3dM13OsKUcby7sDCA-6TD339dy2W6Ql_mPD86Jg6k6PFRnI47uWjgOVNOwyETcyilGgDNQW/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Island+Sunset+%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the
tides advancing each day, it was at a stage where both turns of the tide were
during daylight hours.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a high
tide at 7am and a low tide at 3pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This enabled
us to do 2 dives a day while the conditions allowed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The morning
dive was excellent with some great up close Manta action and a few Sharks but
surprisingly much less fish life than the afternoon dives.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1OHKRKj-rYAHl0Ui5Dg9exISragzFiNZIQGfMge9G3127QlhbQW-QEucwVc7H-jn5MrG1H4m_RwIiC4pHptw4guqAVdtBEO3hJ3XN-726TXiU3J7p5k3JvkwLjTMyD5G3D4eDqj6CGipm/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+4+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="1080" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1OHKRKj-rYAHl0Ui5Dg9exISragzFiNZIQGfMge9G3127QlhbQW-QEucwVc7H-jn5MrG1H4m_RwIiC4pHptw4guqAVdtBEO3hJ3XN-726TXiU3J7p5k3JvkwLjTMyD5G3D4eDqj6CGipm/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+4+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNN7vVN3M5-XxscdQzCIrGIl9JtU0PT-TvwxaUgDeiuGhvsgB-x2sIfXLpl-t_To2CzoIy2e1Js2SeAezsWVgjPdVJBV6WjVV3iy5Mc9qjZhjRGF_H9q-V-sm0_ZEUbG-xU8NT6AZFMTQK/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+4+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1080" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNN7vVN3M5-XxscdQzCIrGIl9JtU0PT-TvwxaUgDeiuGhvsgB-x2sIfXLpl-t_To2CzoIy2e1Js2SeAezsWVgjPdVJBV6WjVV3iy5Mc9qjZhjRGF_H9q-V-sm0_ZEUbG-xU8NT6AZFMTQK/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+4+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After the
dive we relaxed and played on the surface and had some fun in the warm sunlight
(unlike the arvo dives which were cold when we hopped out….).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgCoG70zD1Ub9fKtTOd0GqbxPbs6eruDyWlHTMLhm8ZmYuWk8bkTyo1uTegLOLp05Vqhw1zNUaLQQt8sD8UcSkg01ZPlQsgMsUfxFj9v52YnGN7u6sqIhXhxBL-jKYUZ034CNhDG0XaNY/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+4+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="708" data-original-width="1080" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgCoG70zD1Ub9fKtTOd0GqbxPbs6eruDyWlHTMLhm8ZmYuWk8bkTyo1uTegLOLp05Vqhw1zNUaLQQt8sD8UcSkg01ZPlQsgMsUfxFj9v52YnGN7u6sqIhXhxBL-jKYUZ034CNhDG0XaNY/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+4+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This is what 2 tenders,
6 people and 6 sets of dive gear <br />
looks like from underneath…<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEopFziSo2yZrXOQYZJ70f5yDGOZcmEtNZhyyXcuBfccvdX3zO-ybnBPhvMfijJ6m2OCNLbAu4_Efs4ycF97nuQk31_pZ4FureL-HUdRMUkAHx3M90m5AYy4yFUiISaB7tfVepNGrjS78/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+4+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="727" data-original-width="1080" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEopFziSo2yZrXOQYZJ70f5yDGOZcmEtNZhyyXcuBfccvdX3zO-ybnBPhvMfijJ6m2OCNLbAu4_Efs4ycF97nuQk31_pZ4FureL-HUdRMUkAHx3M90m5AYy4yFUiISaB7tfVepNGrjS78/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+4+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The arvo dive
produced the best Manta experience of our time at Lady Musgrave as 2 Mantas
hovered around us for over 10 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">While Paul took a
lot of photos, Taj and Sara got a lot of great video footage on their
go-pros.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rau16_HwOylM4YLXLHh4-KcUZDV06iEboG94JRb-sTmp4DQCuuxj3GlBaIzzSPVNzjI1KARpNKUSGjrjMepLAN1uHFeD_Z1UbzBI0YjkBmiAtZjoDnX4DqiKB_806524awoxl32hyTdj/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+5+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="791" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rau16_HwOylM4YLXLHh4-KcUZDV06iEboG94JRb-sTmp4DQCuuxj3GlBaIzzSPVNzjI1KARpNKUSGjrjMepLAN1uHFeD_Z1UbzBI0YjkBmiAtZjoDnX4DqiKB_806524awoxl32hyTdj/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+5+%25282%2529.JPG" width="468" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwWgIc-DyzQWh0JiAHkA8j8l8b-0qZMTk4_u-iitselbNb4F_TZ4otywpQQlW8BQAiIJXyiluVAGDpp7hkJRDuzDHouHUbJDpZ33mK-QHZDeuJ8KdMEC7n5KXF3I8mtCQNyYGeuohX8hL/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+5+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="1080" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwWgIc-DyzQWh0JiAHkA8j8l8b-0qZMTk4_u-iitselbNb4F_TZ4otywpQQlW8BQAiIJXyiluVAGDpp7hkJRDuzDHouHUbJDpZ33mK-QHZDeuJ8KdMEC7n5KXF3I8mtCQNyYGeuohX8hL/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+5+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul was
tucked up against the bommie taking Manta photos when a large school of Batfish
came past. He managed one shot on the manual exposure setting he was using for
the Mantas and surprisingly it worked out.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4qw1a2B26gplwDnPjEjubpPOwGyOysC4KCYwyZFS598D-Np_tAgnHZiaV1aMtXyMw6f3hEaGUuvXVfty9F6GaUztrpJUrD-L3qJwNQAUR-CbOzu0t-SQazJxN36PhuF5HSRhYzVwSGeH/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+5+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="1080" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4qw1a2B26gplwDnPjEjubpPOwGyOysC4KCYwyZFS598D-Np_tAgnHZiaV1aMtXyMw6f3hEaGUuvXVfty9F6GaUztrpJUrD-L3qJwNQAUR-CbOzu0t-SQazJxN36PhuF5HSRhYzVwSGeH/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+5+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfockGKxBZYuZrgmn4kyoQb8W03TDub4gH_67H9RA5te-HR4xx9wNDCwaC5PJFPdslwJNVE8IRZHtHu5SmjKZWegCP98kC342gwnbrwvnYahdjpd6NQbIcKHBxX2AdQUZVGbMJR2khSacy/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+5+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1080" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfockGKxBZYuZrgmn4kyoQb8W03TDub4gH_67H9RA5te-HR4xx9wNDCwaC5PJFPdslwJNVE8IRZHtHu5SmjKZWegCP98kC342gwnbrwvnYahdjpd6NQbIcKHBxX2AdQUZVGbMJR2khSacy/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+5+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul was
still out filling scuba tanks at sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
looong but fun day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the
glassy conditions the next morning we went over the reef edge at high tide. It
was very shallow but we managed to not hit anything!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We tried to
dive the southern outer wall of the lagoon as we had seen dive boats there
previously but after a lot of searching we couldn’t find a decent spot.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So instead we
headed across to Fairfax Island which was 4nm away.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The area
around Fairfax is a green zone (protected area) and the islands are off limits
to people.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It showed as
the coral we could see from the surface was in excellent condition and the area
around the islands pristine.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We searched
for a dive location and found lots of gutters in the coral on the southern
side.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vrdagcgakCL_u2rF9c1OsMeqhgm9OczrJ5lKb4mWElNDijzwhgmLFxUGu6TdfhbNWcSOvJfUADmKLtziZIja6oXSeI-C_dFOA6hFhhzUThg5q3jSRS2ogShfuxL00oGOmJ0Mnhxk3f6n/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+6+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="1080" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vrdagcgakCL_u2rF9c1OsMeqhgm9OczrJ5lKb4mWElNDijzwhgmLFxUGu6TdfhbNWcSOvJfUADmKLtziZIja6oXSeI-C_dFOA6hFhhzUThg5q3jSRS2ogShfuxL00oGOmJ0Mnhxk3f6n/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+6+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We ventured
around to the more protected northern side and marvelled at the water clarity.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpwamz2Bl8YSjyxAo3BURyyJgflcw_Jymx89rDwUcFcy1lCkgnnEsCPEy7QhE4QJo0v1FGvtGu9lFVPN6XztlSY-lB37xYxuGVhCU4M-IcC_UWtkEc0CAqcF3-sOhZxRW6MsUF0qG5ANn/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+6+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1080" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpwamz2Bl8YSjyxAo3BURyyJgflcw_Jymx89rDwUcFcy1lCkgnnEsCPEy7QhE4QJo0v1FGvtGu9lFVPN6XztlSY-lB37xYxuGVhCU4M-IcC_UWtkEc0CAqcF3-sOhZxRW6MsUF0qG5ANn/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+6+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The southern
side looked like the better option so we transited through a shallow lagoon as
fortunately it was high tide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCRL-cv6ni9zWV-sPLQlStjQQUe4JupVwOt4hUMD3amjppn3DvS96l5lpsCD_JwrnYhq2Mm_-OcViSUf1m1cCtfOl5O1nYKLWad3tuArDGmlCQce2ifA9phtcQN-Whl4lpNPtRWmNCQUT/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+6+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="1080" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCRL-cv6ni9zWV-sPLQlStjQQUe4JupVwOt4hUMD3amjppn3DvS96l5lpsCD_JwrnYhq2Mm_-OcViSUf1m1cCtfOl5O1nYKLWad3tuArDGmlCQce2ifA9phtcQN-Whl4lpNPtRWmNCQUT/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+6+%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The dive was
a fun shallow coral dive and a play in the gutters at the end as we missed the
turn of the tide and any time we tried to go deeper, the current was too strong
to swim into.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienTAAYdlU2zMTIMdeZPR19MDB1_QXTeZ8-8s70BivKbVVwZMn9qgZDTpZ-Y4ihk56hUiBAR_mrWY4-mb2uipLsUO8bfUwpB0uA_UmvOAdTHb60wQqFwkoaRCKM4Qv2-Cl55V1P4L3W4kW/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+6+%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienTAAYdlU2zMTIMdeZPR19MDB1_QXTeZ8-8s70BivKbVVwZMn9qgZDTpZ-Y4ihk56hUiBAR_mrWY4-mb2uipLsUO8bfUwpB0uA_UmvOAdTHb60wQqFwkoaRCKM4Qv2-Cl55V1P4L3W4kW/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+6+%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf77HsLRpDFiijblA-K6DT1AWOk2koXCmmOuD6Hsc9Z44E3HzbfWUieuIDPPpLd9bS8vHNBa98IgGIudjrabi7iZSEtWiff0jAuxFnFcpCwmH_CuhxenahoEpokc1rgOyXnO_mhpygK_C8/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+6+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="1080" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf77HsLRpDFiijblA-K6DT1AWOk2koXCmmOuD6Hsc9Z44E3HzbfWUieuIDPPpLd9bS8vHNBa98IgGIudjrabi7iZSEtWiff0jAuxFnFcpCwmH_CuhxenahoEpokc1rgOyXnO_mhpygK_C8/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Dive+6+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul was
setting up to take a shot of some plate corals while looking into the sun. It
took a little setting up to get exposures and strobe angles right.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Finally it
was right and he took the photo – just as Lee unknowingly swam into the photo….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly after
10 days, we downloaded the forecast to find stronger winds coming and large
seas. So for us it was time to go and push the final 70nm south to reach Fraser
Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was bitter
sweet the next morning as it was still a glass out and perfect for diving. But
we knew we only had 1 day to get to Fraser so we had to leave. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However the
morning sunrise was incredible and probably one of the best we’ve ever had out
on the Great Barrier Reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaasWHLumPZ4tCk-2vABER6PC5KWPiQJupSQuFei9VDwZ654OdAx_xdA8nCUgXfXsMowGGlfIpc8JhyQxr1PbNQJgOR59DAsCTui6Ksq1xe6PUa3AY-H9gOs0wZdGRz92VsQaRkEoIbALn/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Sunrise+Last+Day+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="642" data-original-width="1080" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaasWHLumPZ4tCk-2vABER6PC5KWPiQJupSQuFei9VDwZ654OdAx_xdA8nCUgXfXsMowGGlfIpc8JhyQxr1PbNQJgOR59DAsCTui6Ksq1xe6PUa3AY-H9gOs0wZdGRz92VsQaRkEoIbALn/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Sunrise+Last+Day+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXfv792t9x4dTNsI8qvu5z4IKYuekBISJqKAbNRLUF-5ZQ3sgbfI1jH7yAQKgNCbruJ_3gtvJuXhyphenhyphenKZ_Ynau1QRSeHvnk1dkgGnTddsEcqxGeZvTrIeLlLD2uFYg0_b1Hy1ktinfVIECP/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Sunrise+Last+Day+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="694" data-original-width="1080" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXfv792t9x4dTNsI8qvu5z4IKYuekBISJqKAbNRLUF-5ZQ3sgbfI1jH7yAQKgNCbruJ_3gtvJuXhyphenhyphenKZ_Ynau1QRSeHvnk1dkgGnTddsEcqxGeZvTrIeLlLD2uFYg0_b1Hy1ktinfVIECP/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Sunrise+Last+Day+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We sadly said
goodbye to Lee, Sara, Taj and Bella and hoped we would catch up with them again
soon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We admit we
are not too social when it comes to diving and prefer to dive alone, however it
was super fun to dive and hang out with them and it won’t be the last time we
all dive together….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Before
leaving, Paul climbed up into the crow’s nest to guide Lorelei out as we exited
the lagoon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGP9uSyrmGgkUtV1_uKgc_KzBCx3hgXaVGv_Ht8dgcu6ylGsy-1mJUA24IKjK2Fge2J_GySN0DUjaNQ8qNsTNE8DIPtOsbISh7lX8ARUbqPnPcqPpA3hSBAiZySWNMO7sJkcaMhcPh-No/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Leaving+From+Crows+Nest+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1080" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGP9uSyrmGgkUtV1_uKgc_KzBCx3hgXaVGv_Ht8dgcu6ylGsy-1mJUA24IKjK2Fge2J_GySN0DUjaNQ8qNsTNE8DIPtOsbISh7lX8ARUbqPnPcqPpA3hSBAiZySWNMO7sJkcaMhcPh-No/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Leaving+From+Crows+Nest+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRiOE4H1VcJKcPCcxZNxbWMEjMVAYKlCXoEwoTRPdM0wEn0Mbp3allLddk3u5S44GNTBfPyJfZ3PlgPcPLNDc1XUNIh-5Tz0azLIUfiQBvP3K3g_J72KoEsHpyDEd0ntY6VBNbIOC_Axl-/s1600/Lady+Musgrave+Leaving+From+Crows+Nest+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1080" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRiOE4H1VcJKcPCcxZNxbWMEjMVAYKlCXoEwoTRPdM0wEn0Mbp3allLddk3u5S44GNTBfPyJfZ3PlgPcPLNDc1XUNIh-5Tz0azLIUfiQBvP3K3g_J72KoEsHpyDEd0ntY6VBNbIOC_Axl-/s640/Lady+Musgrave+Leaving+From+Crows+Nest+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we motored
south we had Dolphins come and play in Lorelei’s bow wave.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We put a
camera on a pole and managed to jag a few photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Xpj9ExjDy0WlpuXej5IcKVLEFmjdoHGMXulOdyAdewjCuZu3OY9ufcY8aWkYqA4baMsXnF5-bSjG8b5G5WlwXUxFQVkFgor6_27CluNTZOInY2KYx9sTcHcm63hQP1lqL1CeCS3KF6Co/s1600/Dolphins+Bow+Wave+Sail+to+Fraser+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="1080" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Xpj9ExjDy0WlpuXej5IcKVLEFmjdoHGMXulOdyAdewjCuZu3OY9ufcY8aWkYqA4baMsXnF5-bSjG8b5G5WlwXUxFQVkFgor6_27CluNTZOInY2KYx9sTcHcm63hQP1lqL1CeCS3KF6Co/s640/Dolphins+Bow+Wave+Sail+to+Fraser+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg6PrHXHqD0e7fijYzttCD7GUHNu6m9d8Fu7yKY53OZAg39nRMyVsMrjKfadOTdA7-eAhdYTWvEIq_s2ypG4sNOuTq3jk5moYIFXCVkgbMLixLicm4BH4bG8m6D6MHUDx53L0ZUZjrGJu_/s1600/Dolphins+Bow+Wave+Sail+to+Fraser+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg6PrHXHqD0e7fijYzttCD7GUHNu6m9d8Fu7yKY53OZAg39nRMyVsMrjKfadOTdA7-eAhdYTWvEIq_s2ypG4sNOuTq3jk5moYIFXCVkgbMLixLicm4BH4bG8m6D6MHUDx53L0ZUZjrGJu_/s640/Dolphins+Bow+Wave+Sail+to+Fraser+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived in
northern Platypus Bay at Fraser Island after dark and stayed overnight before
transiting another 15nm south along the edge of the beach to meet up with our
friends Barry & Maureen from the yacht Spirit of Kalahari.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We first met
them whilst cruising back in 2001 on board our cat Purranha.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">16 years
later we have reunited on the water again.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Between the
two couples we’d visited dozens of countries, sailed over 75 000 miles and
done 1000’s of dives.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So needless
to say, there was lots of catching up needed and scores of stories to tell.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The sunsets
looking back over Hervey Bay from the Platypus Bay area are excellent and their
old-school light on the transom made a great subject.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqdj5xTSInZbyYf3Tlbg-L8B879yNwr_-nfJPW0wKhhGOsWhQf9Vr0mohR8GXqBaqrCigpDhCJNdVpGGIFEcoywAejf2djqgtTBTqZcmPGwz94ljCjubm462ZHsCUeb9CFf4NmOhTDKrY/s1600/Fraser+Coongul+Kalahari+Sunset+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="1080" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqdj5xTSInZbyYf3Tlbg-L8B879yNwr_-nfJPW0wKhhGOsWhQf9Vr0mohR8GXqBaqrCigpDhCJNdVpGGIFEcoywAejf2djqgtTBTqZcmPGwz94ljCjubm462ZHsCUeb9CFf4NmOhTDKrY/s640/Fraser+Coongul+Kalahari+Sunset+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5YAt0tTpuuMeXaP9YEiUH8_U5HJXScmpv1G3L5TJLwRcH_YYUginGOPUH00zD-PImjpIdLBMRV3tLe_PwNqhuEYE2rM8zvvNtiGrP42vaK9faolS5Ymz8gcxqZBRJddm8CrgyaAwobDO/s1600/Fraser+Coongul+Kalahari+Sunset+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="706" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5YAt0tTpuuMeXaP9YEiUH8_U5HJXScmpv1G3L5TJLwRcH_YYUginGOPUH00zD-PImjpIdLBMRV3tLe_PwNqhuEYE2rM8zvvNtiGrP42vaK9faolS5Ymz8gcxqZBRJddm8CrgyaAwobDO/s640/Fraser+Coongul+Kalahari+Sunset+%25281%2529.jpg" width="418" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We did a walk
with them along the beach close to Arch Cliffs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The beach had
a high sand ridge (from all the cyclone storm action) that created a long
gutter of water at high tide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8RNJNoe2KKwol3qn-ry2RSzdMoSsozNeZ1cPCTRcXX_HjS1VIWD0z1GNQdYlzjFl-7DRRxfc9ELXD8gTIFZTwN-sPbvb3U8lE-QrKY2qx8gvOBsgZrQ-93w6IZYuIr2Y-EICtKgrkl7F/s1600/Fraser+Island+Playpus+Bay+Walk+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="1080" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8RNJNoe2KKwol3qn-ry2RSzdMoSsozNeZ1cPCTRcXX_HjS1VIWD0z1GNQdYlzjFl-7DRRxfc9ELXD8gTIFZTwN-sPbvb3U8lE-QrKY2qx8gvOBsgZrQ-93w6IZYuIr2Y-EICtKgrkl7F/s640/Fraser+Island+Playpus+Bay+Walk+%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Along the
beach edge were loads of Pandanus Palms with fruit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
also lots of Banksia trees in bloom.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul was able
to photograph all the stages of the Banksia trees flowering.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We walked a
long way down to Awinya Creek and noticed a lot of Nipper holes in the sand
when we walked up the water course.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a good
sign for us to do some Whiting fishing in the following days.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qFRpOfnGo_eTqlsIIV61IHf4z-JuLJTlVXt0TSVexz9IkuzZlBkt1zJV2CMwSmQR2toE36nLZTWdoHmEgyDwguYg4nwd2IbODuZVh8u76SOZaVzt8Fw3WFJB-4MT3glPAL-gZODWNvwO/s1600/Fraser+Island+Playpus+Bay+Walk+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="757" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qFRpOfnGo_eTqlsIIV61IHf4z-JuLJTlVXt0TSVexz9IkuzZlBkt1zJV2CMwSmQR2toE36nLZTWdoHmEgyDwguYg4nwd2IbODuZVh8u76SOZaVzt8Fw3WFJB-4MT3glPAL-gZODWNvwO/s640/Fraser+Island+Playpus+Bay+Walk+%25286%2529.JPG" width="448" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We stayed 2
days as it was due to get very windy from the S-SE but it came in from the S-SW
at midnight on the second night making it very swelly and rolly and a most
uncomfortable night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we sailed
south the next morning in a very brisk wind and with the current assistance
were flying along at nearly 9 knots. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The downside
was the spray from the waves and chop and despite only a 2 hour sail, the boat
was covered from bow to stern in saltwater.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We stopped at
the mouth of Coongul Creek just north of Moon Point and it was much better
anchoring conditions and a lot flatter.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The creek
also had loads of Nipper holes so we loaded up the Tinny and went fishing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We pumped Nippers
on the creek sand flats as the tide flooded in.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Just up from
our Nipper and fishing spot was an area full of Pelicans.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The fishing
turned out to be quite successful despite catching many undersized ones in
between keepers.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Barry won the
award for the smallest Whiting of the session.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79D5mDIG3FTWoXT2dqr-RrvcLm7awsbG-wxYmTdijLEJ0RZJ3dVsSIQhaQA55izGL5pI-CPwq0sZJ6wZOxyA3zwh1XUVIdQ6Y5lxJnVgiY3qM6vCufj7IRkONoDqeuA23UCCaaWpPfwzm/s1600/Fraser+Island+Congul+Creek+Whiting+Fishing+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="761" data-original-width="1080" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79D5mDIG3FTWoXT2dqr-RrvcLm7awsbG-wxYmTdijLEJ0RZJ3dVsSIQhaQA55izGL5pI-CPwq0sZJ6wZOxyA3zwh1XUVIdQ6Y5lxJnVgiY3qM6vCufj7IRkONoDqeuA23UCCaaWpPfwzm/s640/Fraser+Island+Congul+Creek+Whiting+Fishing+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had so
much fun that we went back the next day but this time we took the Tinny up into
the creek rather than anchoring it outside and walking in as we had done the
day before.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The tide was
still running out and the strong tannin water colour was in stark contrast to
the clear blue water of the rising/flooding tide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was so low
that Lisa had to jump out and pull us along in just inches of water depth under
the keel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way up
we found a 4WD wreck in the creek. It appeared to be a Mitsubishi L300 4WD van
that attempted the creek crossing and failed. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8mXaiBVPBLjWvsnq9nK-MS4OpLwGy_rY4-b3RQWFZ42gNw698JUAjkBdSiNacb0rtAs7hXVnkOkc1pcw6_IfCVvVK-K0UyaHYakPasgoCBlSWD-T01zQhjVdi8EJPIOhoPzLLR5yyo8rm/s1600/Fraser+Island+Coongul+Creek+Explore+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="642" data-original-width="1080" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8mXaiBVPBLjWvsnq9nK-MS4OpLwGy_rY4-b3RQWFZ42gNw698JUAjkBdSiNacb0rtAs7hXVnkOkc1pcw6_IfCVvVK-K0UyaHYakPasgoCBlSWD-T01zQhjVdi8EJPIOhoPzLLR5yyo8rm/s640/Fraser+Island+Coongul+Creek+Explore+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The fishing
was a little slow so we packed up on the high tide and ventured further up the
creek.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There was a
small offshoot that had a creek bed full of dead trees.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It made for
excellent photography and was a little eerie.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">While Paul
took photos, the girls continued to fish and caught bream, fingermark and other
species around the driftwood and snags in the water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
was Barry’s Birthday.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We started
with breakfast on Lorelei which needed to be a team effort from both boats as supplies
were running very short.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It rained a
little and was overcast for most of the day and we had numerous rainbows.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> So with the cold and yucky weather we stayed
on board until dinner when we met up again with Maureen and Barry for Bazza’s
birthday dinner bash of yummy Lemon Butter Coral Trout.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With food
stocks at an all-time low we simply had to get to the shops soon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It had been
over 9 weeks since we last shopped and that was in Airlie Beach so it was long
overdue. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Running low
on fresh fruit and veg was tolerable but when the long term stores of
chocolate, milo, tomato sauce, satay peanuts and golden syrup had run out, it
was a serious issue!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So with an
abating weather forecast for only one day, we loaded up the tinny with 2 tanks
of fuel and Paul, Lisa and Maureen left at 7:30am for a 12nm run across from
Coongul Creek to Hervey Bay to do a trip into Woolworths.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
rough trip over and we all got pretty wet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
we all took a change of clothes and must have looked like bum yachties
stripping off in the tinny at the public wharf to get changed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">While the
girls headed into the shops, Paul had a look around the marina precinct.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-TaWeAzWz6vqZPyBstsRHr8NF_Zb6FRZt51FJwYgcN71sd53kxCgz2lKkHZ6ddocepeiDdxBQXFbVwMV5bF-P9vtAcWJGuz61zNwZSP_Cm-xYFNuiFBDdZeU1PgVyFfkKulilkPDlaA4/s1600/GSS+Marina+Arrive+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="1080" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-TaWeAzWz6vqZPyBstsRHr8NF_Zb6FRZt51FJwYgcN71sd53kxCgz2lKkHZ6ddocepeiDdxBQXFbVwMV5bF-P9vtAcWJGuz61zNwZSP_Cm-xYFNuiFBDdZeU1PgVyFfkKulilkPDlaA4/s640/GSS+Marina+Arrive+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went to
all 3 marina offices to secure a forward booking at a marina for an up and
coming family holiday 4WDing on Fraser Island and an additional few weeks of
family commitments.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The holiday
was booked so we really needed to get a berth for Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The problem
(as it always is) is securing a 20 meter berth as they are usually in limited
numbers and sometimes fully booked.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There are 3
marinas in the Hervey Bay complex and he tried the first 2 and struck out.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
the 3rd one had one left so he grabbed it for a month.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Phew –
lucky!!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The trip home
on the low tide was a lot better and we only ran around on a sand bar once…….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Finally we
had fresh food!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We spent the arvo
making salads and pigging out on BBQ chickens for dinner.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With a SW
change coming overnight, we took off at 6am the next morning to take advantage
of the high tide and head to Big Woody Island’s protected SW anchorage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
pre-sunrise colours looked great as we hoisted the anchor.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we past
the creeks along the island, there was a lot of stream coming off the warmer
creek water as the air temperature was a very cold (well freezing cold for us)
12 degrees.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi335Ja3FOGN4C83ufuM0oda8aVfYzF4jYornx7hMk0uB9tzkdsuPjAT1YK82HD71EoaSZNIFtQz4M3OTUsAfEcd22gMs-UCOhXB6b-lYYepse15VpMoeIfKYJNOXr24-JX4kuphnsvjQML/s1600/Fraser+Island+Coongul+to+Woody+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="1080" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi335Ja3FOGN4C83ufuM0oda8aVfYzF4jYornx7hMk0uB9tzkdsuPjAT1YK82HD71EoaSZNIFtQz4M3OTUsAfEcd22gMs-UCOhXB6b-lYYepse15VpMoeIfKYJNOXr24-JX4kuphnsvjQML/s640/Fraser+Island+Coongul+to+Woody+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had to
skirt very close to Moon Point to avoid a lot of shallow sand bars.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We gave
Maureen and Barry a head start but overtook them with just a few miles to go.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We made more
yummy food that arvo and had sushi rolls using 2 big avocados amongst other new
ingredients.</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-H_os7tU1d-fZ_9UDmT7IfchylRAFkz5nJqsbnnw7FMRxPQ8ZghjSERqE2G9xB7IuWZwqLwvSiknelTSYSrPYeBprnsC_v-8b9_H9kEA2uMKOdoVMRF7p_cMdz8P2_hKhkQAYH_JIWNdF/s1600/Fraser+Sushi+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="671" data-original-width="1080" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-H_os7tU1d-fZ_9UDmT7IfchylRAFkz5nJqsbnnw7FMRxPQ8ZghjSERqE2G9xB7IuWZwqLwvSiknelTSYSrPYeBprnsC_v-8b9_H9kEA2uMKOdoVMRF7p_cMdz8P2_hKhkQAYH_JIWNdF/s640/Fraser+Sushi+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaSNBZl2w6SVnfFtMJRR_STtvOjblaBZ10kqLhHBT50hKBWs_jiPGS3YyH_Uil0kSb-A6LdbF2Z6YCkQk5RLBUfWKYkp1xGCPrADjv_7tGjI0lV0C-0HAuBUTX3X_EX2W2yQQXx-2LqhSI/s1600/Fraser+Sushi+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="1080" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaSNBZl2w6SVnfFtMJRR_STtvOjblaBZ10kqLhHBT50hKBWs_jiPGS3YyH_Uil0kSb-A6LdbF2Z6YCkQk5RLBUfWKYkp1xGCPrADjv_7tGjI0lV0C-0HAuBUTX3X_EX2W2yQQXx-2LqhSI/s640/Fraser+Sushi+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Big Woody has
an old decommissioned lighthouse that is fully restored so we did a walk up to
that one morning.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was sooo
cold and we were all rugged up on the way in to the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6oB17ZLHfxNoHpEH7lK7iQ_FKu9H16AZciSeZZKqxbsbprJ5Jrt26qdk9wyIRJyn84tnHT_XeeYfbj4NBkjQ6P4z-Wpthn3w-y0LjcfBO-A6fg9wmMw_Uuua242rUT3VdfaybSVwtqx7l/s1600/Big+Woody+Lighthouse+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="1080" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6oB17ZLHfxNoHpEH7lK7iQ_FKu9H16AZciSeZZKqxbsbprJ5Jrt26qdk9wyIRJyn84tnHT_XeeYfbj4NBkjQ6P4z-Wpthn3w-y0LjcfBO-A6fg9wmMw_Uuua242rUT3VdfaybSVwtqx7l/s640/Big+Woody+Lighthouse+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCC3wwORclDAuNEhQ6M_0xRlBEjCGnpXeA8xfvv9M_dM-CLEUme8P5WNNQkufFkJ9ka5VQnyYie-SyRFT7bOSJ18X_PW76d84oN7Z2HZA76kC9p_ZcijqIyCLtjOr094ObByuR3VLVqhhQ/s1600/Big+Woody+Lighthouse+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="1080" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCC3wwORclDAuNEhQ6M_0xRlBEjCGnpXeA8xfvv9M_dM-CLEUme8P5WNNQkufFkJ9ka5VQnyYie-SyRFT7bOSJ18X_PW76d84oN7Z2HZA76kC9p_ZcijqIyCLtjOr094ObByuR3VLVqhhQ/s640/Big+Woody+Lighthouse+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDNHzxdJMK1LgXR5F54c4hTJX2XpPuBzRKvuU9LuyubFWmN9TAPFEG3LBcVSR7US6G-XG8Skx6fLbWLrCA5TjEFRfMH6XBDEhT5wVjEtYn8800w9eop3UWgXDWs5hWLBpDVUprom7tzg7/s1600/Big+Woody+Lighthouse+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1080" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDNHzxdJMK1LgXR5F54c4hTJX2XpPuBzRKvuU9LuyubFWmN9TAPFEG3LBcVSR7US6G-XG8Skx6fLbWLrCA5TjEFRfMH6XBDEhT5wVjEtYn8800w9eop3UWgXDWs5hWLBpDVUprom7tzg7/s640/Big+Woody+Lighthouse+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">If we stood
in a certain position, we could photograph the sun reflecting in the glass and
mirror at the top. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It made the
photo look like the lighthouse was working.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccDGKnGGLAEQcUIoQ2kvMF1YZSt1v2S2zW9YY0xdZB_bdUHzkV-X4A7gjMYKavLQ0yR7e96mFLUA_n2pr2o1QV7T6XDkX7_1l3kmzdf8HT5ZwJ-x4lXg5LU0OqY39kAdoNTbH99NHQ7Pz/s1600/Big+Woody+Lighthouse+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="754" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccDGKnGGLAEQcUIoQ2kvMF1YZSt1v2S2zW9YY0xdZB_bdUHzkV-X4A7gjMYKavLQ0yR7e96mFLUA_n2pr2o1QV7T6XDkX7_1l3kmzdf8HT5ZwJ-x4lXg5LU0OqY39kAdoNTbH99NHQ7Pz/s640/Big+Woody+Lighthouse+%25283%2529.JPG" width="446" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was really
cold all day and by 3pm Barry had lit a fire on his boat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Yep sounds
crazy to most, but they have a terrific slow combustion stove in their saloon as
they have sailed around the world and have used it extensively in colder
countries.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was the
first time we’ve ever seen it lit and it was a novel way to spend the evening
drinking and having dinner around the fire – with more fresh yummy salads!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8NG_rZu5EOmoXZie6GuYi2OyK3L6J5yUDBHdmagi2wyJzK6YMZte_LFvyrgAgB_CCL1rYDgGbmCrtLnUeCaNiA-scOuDVmhXAIShQUns1WZpOEhSGKh3z1iRJMBgfz6MxIit5TWPdl_j/s1600/Big+Woody+Kalahari+Dinner+and+Fire+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="1080" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8NG_rZu5EOmoXZie6GuYi2OyK3L6J5yUDBHdmagi2wyJzK6YMZte_LFvyrgAgB_CCL1rYDgGbmCrtLnUeCaNiA-scOuDVmhXAIShQUns1WZpOEhSGKh3z1iRJMBgfz6MxIit5TWPdl_j/s640/Big+Woody+Kalahari+Dinner+and+Fire+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuqg2FoiR97oQDdBzwG1R-xamlXBmry401bOUzJ0GVB7X_kQeWBNxbSljO0PSpKBmgbSnp1d7iQVbJ0QEy-en2YchvHmZSq9giyR73RXs0bJZO7317HRPs5t1jERQKixXIH2lJiS3HGrkz/s1600/Big+Woody+Kalahari+Dinner+and+Fire+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="1080" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuqg2FoiR97oQDdBzwG1R-xamlXBmry401bOUzJ0GVB7X_kQeWBNxbSljO0PSpKBmgbSnp1d7iQVbJ0QEy-en2YchvHmZSq9giyR73RXs0bJZO7317HRPs5t1jERQKixXIH2lJiS3HGrkz/s640/Big+Woody+Kalahari+Dinner+and+Fire+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite the
cold, the sunset over the point of Big Woody Island was great.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There are not
many SW anchorages in the area so by late afternoon, there were a bunch of
boats at anchor in the bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibo2ruqvXttSTCv6FaLILosBYMAoRXJvfyBmoxONnf7PIsp5Tel1KcAw9uy-kwCVfGpvk1WrGGnJl-cybpGzm-teBYbFpO3jWnYH6urNLPVrc-dtcANSlEtnFiKrBLTU4a8sXtJZaOks33/s1600/Big+Woody+Kalahari+Dinner+and+Fire+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="1080" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibo2ruqvXttSTCv6FaLILosBYMAoRXJvfyBmoxONnf7PIsp5Tel1KcAw9uy-kwCVfGpvk1WrGGnJl-cybpGzm-teBYbFpO3jWnYH6urNLPVrc-dtcANSlEtnFiKrBLTU4a8sXtJZaOks33/s640/Big+Woody+Kalahari+Dinner+and+Fire+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One big
advantage of anchoring at Big Woody Island is the close proximity to the Roy
Rufus Artificial Reef which is only a few minutes boat ride from the anchorage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The reef is
scattered over a large area and consists of sunken ships, barges, cars and a
series of man-made artificial reef structures.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">During the
winter it is a popular area to target Winter Reds (Snapper).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Two days
after we arrived at Big Woody, the fishing Almanac forecasted a 5 star fishing
period of 2 mid-week days with the peak times around midday. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
perfect to target the Snapper with no crowds and maximum heat of the day as the
morning and evenings were freezing!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However
Paul mustn’t have listened to the brief and came home with Spotty Mackerel
instead….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KV3z3qaIEv8gJVWKmRCf8iUtgEoKI9IyJtRi28ze3C8_nWWdb5JkXJdF8PT6TB_G5yWntoN24dEX6DGbuNIuEcUCjnaHJWOrIkUbIxoto8UMvkPqROlb2SKAwxBenI6hjYfVh270vHeJ/s1600/Fraser+Big+Woody+Mackerel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="1080" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KV3z3qaIEv8gJVWKmRCf8iUtgEoKI9IyJtRi28ze3C8_nWWdb5JkXJdF8PT6TB_G5yWntoN24dEX6DGbuNIuEcUCjnaHJWOrIkUbIxoto8UMvkPqROlb2SKAwxBenI6hjYfVh270vHeJ/s640/Fraser+Big+Woody+Mackerel.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For
the following two days we cleaned up, did about 15 loads of clothes washing
(after Paul finally fixed the washing machine) and prepped and <br />packed for our
family holiday 4WDing on Fraser Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On
the Monday we took Lorelei to the Marina for her extended stay as we were about to embarked
on a few different land based travels – starting with the Fraser Adventure.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On
the way in we motored past the long Urangan Pier which is very popular with
fisherman and tourists.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-r9cOB-6fZp160JIK8LCWUvJnXNmIWR3EgcKPAFCajALSg1goreOfcNdbm7ptuecNscMD9wh9mqx1c7u7eYTS5LnMS4qimqZEAymAbovJoIR7PVk_vI8498DPc9308VotpSD-bz0dc_c/s1600/Urangan+Pier+Motor+Past+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="1080" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-r9cOB-6fZp160JIK8LCWUvJnXNmIWR3EgcKPAFCajALSg1goreOfcNdbm7ptuecNscMD9wh9mqx1c7u7eYTS5LnMS4qimqZEAymAbovJoIR7PVk_vI8498DPc9308VotpSD-bz0dc_c/s640/Urangan+Pier+Motor+Past+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
marina looked very busy when approaching from the bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It
was easy to get in and we had Lorelei safely tied in her new temporary home.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
marina precinct is very busy during the whale watching season but that was
still about 4-6 weeks away so fortunately it was quiet and we were able to have
a look around.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">At
dusk as we washed the boat, we enjoyed a great sunset over the marina before
crashing into bed sooo tired but prepped and ready for the start of our next adventure the
following day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So
that’s it for another month on-board Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Compared
to the previous 6 weeks, it’s been pretty good overall with lots of different
activities, some great seafood meals and spending time with new and old
friends.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
next blog (Episode 60) will be a little different with 4WD and Motorhome
adventures with family covering 2 states of Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul
and Lisa Hogger<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Yacht
Lorelei<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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sv_loreleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14235157985522355104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245635408700620959.post-33836264693503532012017-05-14T16:21:00.003-07:002019-02-09T18:03:17.341-08:00Episode 58 Mackay to The Keppel Islands<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="color: yellow; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 37.3333px;">Lorelei’s Sailing Adventures</b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b>
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For Episode 57
we spent a few weeks enjoying The Whitsunday Islands with other cruising yachts
before racing to Mackay to ride out Tropical Cyclone Debbie.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Debbie
crossed 50nm north of Mackay and the area received the most amount of rain but
winds of only around 60% of what they received in Airlie Beach, The Whitsundays
and Bowen.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Mackay Marina
sustained some damage around where Lorelei was moored but she only received
minor scrapes and chaffing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After being
stripped on deck, we spent 3 days putting her back together before sailing out
of Mackay Marina around 4 days after Cyclone Debbie had crossed the coast.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A white-out with rain
and 75 knots of wind about <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">4 hours before Debbie
hit the coast.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Large
Cyclonic waves off the Mackay Marina Breakwall<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Amazing to think this
was Mackay Marina just 28 hours <br />
after Cyclone Debbie crossed the coast.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our location for this
episode<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our route for this
episode<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We sailed
from Mackay to Burning Point at Shaw Island on the 2<sup>nd</sup> April and
arrived after dark at 8pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In a way we
were a little shocked to think that just 5 days prior Lorelei was riding out a
Cyclone, and yet 5 days later we were sailing again with just very minor
damage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We felt we
came through a lot better than virtually every other cruising boat we know of
that was in the general area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">If we’ve said
it one, we’ve said it a 100 times – we love our big strong steel boat….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Burning Point
has a very protected anchorage in the SE trade winds which was just as well as
for the next 3 days it was a strong wind warning with 25-30 knot SE winds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we
hunkered down for 2 days and continued the post Debbie tidy/fix up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next
passage was from Burning Point up to Airlie Beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a super-fast
trip with strong following winds and 2-3 knots of current.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lorelei did
the 35nm passage in just 3.5 hours, which for us is flying.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we sailed
past the islands we noticed they were stripped of much of the vegetation.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was very,
very sad to see.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbZzBq3fpBaiC_bnp2zjSBKL_gCznNByphY1PSDP04xOIiEEKsAkPfp5bQd09AKHnWZ_87hakgJrMJaY0_5CA-y0l3gDg8SIP7SVdfF142ChdOOY83CoIuowpzK23QFmjJEWOLGBOitTk/s1600/Sail+Shaw+to+Airlie+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbZzBq3fpBaiC_bnp2zjSBKL_gCznNByphY1PSDP04xOIiEEKsAkPfp5bQd09AKHnWZ_87hakgJrMJaY0_5CA-y0l3gDg8SIP7SVdfF142ChdOOY83CoIuowpzK23QFmjJEWOLGBOitTk/s640/Sail+Shaw+to+Airlie+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Airlie Beach
was like a ghost town – particularly on the water as nearly all of the moorings
out the front of the yacht club we either vacant or gone altogether.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The yacht
club itself didn’t fare too well.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The floating
dingy dock was now in a crumpled mess in the corner of the small harbour.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUK2FBmWhdAwqwW6qsO6LxHPDbhu565u-O8jUOBqAgLE84Fdv-VnafvonaZbsBlB-MsVQ7XgXuJyRdtyq2szJEWyGtLLHD2w859KHC_WKOuGxw_OnRQvMmYcWv_gfojDkmTlpOVFIwoLmk/s1600/Airlie+after+TC+Debbie+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUK2FBmWhdAwqwW6qsO6LxHPDbhu565u-O8jUOBqAgLE84Fdv-VnafvonaZbsBlB-MsVQ7XgXuJyRdtyq2szJEWyGtLLHD2w859KHC_WKOuGxw_OnRQvMmYcWv_gfojDkmTlpOVFIwoLmk/s640/Airlie+after+TC+Debbie+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The once
clean and green grassy sailing rigging lawn was now covered with dirt, rock and
debris. The grass that did remain was burnt from the wind and salt.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1-WnuMPMaksh_K9LfC1C_c55SulM0eOQElw0jRhkLXFzs0pIkmQJbMsPW6NW0YxiGCFIHqI5giF-5u7QF40X6w1yIGAuEkIJVxQr4tWqM-rJsl0dkVAEdEAbo_f3akG9n_KC5H9BecYw/s1600/Airlie+after+TC+Debbie+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1-WnuMPMaksh_K9LfC1C_c55SulM0eOQElw0jRhkLXFzs0pIkmQJbMsPW6NW0YxiGCFIHqI5giF-5u7QF40X6w1yIGAuEkIJVxQr4tWqM-rJsl0dkVAEdEAbo_f3akG9n_KC5H9BecYw/s640/Airlie+after+TC+Debbie+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Many of the
boats in the club grounds sustained a lot of damage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpHNfX81NRm_ml-qQkEW8UxWQJp8o21HhF23KpE-LTeaEzPk0vlvhdo9WSW-ub2J72jqi_JWaa6SBDAUj_-vh-TpLJ-qm8LQF73bSCCVd10WsjJV_hGuDAh5DYxI_oPyxfES-amrJnXjM/s1600/Airlie+after+TC+Debbie+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpHNfX81NRm_ml-qQkEW8UxWQJp8o21HhF23KpE-LTeaEzPk0vlvhdo9WSW-ub2J72jqi_JWaa6SBDAUj_-vh-TpLJ-qm8LQF73bSCCVd10WsjJV_hGuDAh5DYxI_oPyxfES-amrJnXjM/s640/Airlie+after+TC+Debbie+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZLjGP28ls7R9Vr7ZPV4n2Q0PSeJt7YlwhVIR0n4brlQyT6XpYlj986_Il-BWxrWM72Sr9d3NN2G79l2fQALS65ifVGJKh2LOyp-Ht-YpqxSDB7OkY1o9R49abWq-4sdBdsWY2nJ0YeD3/s1600/Airlie+after+TC+Debbie+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZLjGP28ls7R9Vr7ZPV4n2Q0PSeJt7YlwhVIR0n4brlQyT6XpYlj986_Il-BWxrWM72Sr9d3NN2G79l2fQALS65ifVGJKh2LOyp-Ht-YpqxSDB7OkY1o9R49abWq-4sdBdsWY2nJ0YeD3/s640/Airlie+after+TC+Debbie+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For us, the
saddest of all was one of the smallest boats – a 19ft Prindle cat that used to
race against the much bigger boats every Wednesday arvo by a father and son
team who had great pride in their modest little cat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly it was
very badly damaged and was probably a write-off.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7MPUR7G5097mD7COBpHm4Hzkn0-AwwldXDScj8YdYVL1D3EBym2rLDbEkvWQaXanmRojroBMenxVlqzHEWJEutkG1CC8ACALme7rnhY-RlO0rfRceiIdCzye34-9_YH-pt3xiopgFVqb/s1600/Airlie+after+TC+Debbie+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7MPUR7G5097mD7COBpHm4Hzkn0-AwwldXDScj8YdYVL1D3EBym2rLDbEkvWQaXanmRojroBMenxVlqzHEWJEutkG1CC8ACALme7rnhY-RlO0rfRceiIdCzye34-9_YH-pt3xiopgFVqb/s640/Airlie+after+TC+Debbie+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Even the
sailing club building had damage and there was a large pile of the torn up
water damaged carpet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1fYhYSfVgApgjmdPqThCeYalBbhLIW0fcuE5bhrsAE_eu3Wdw7jScR81zLaCtA6QQjoGl_SrenIyOtyUFzbnbTXblIqIh9-jinOhsr2mvIiugtUn0u-WfJ1o0qRpONCJNCfrE1Q7z1Ay/s1600/Airlie+after+TC+Debbie+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1fYhYSfVgApgjmdPqThCeYalBbhLIW0fcuE5bhrsAE_eu3Wdw7jScR81zLaCtA6QQjoGl_SrenIyOtyUFzbnbTXblIqIh9-jinOhsr2mvIiugtUn0u-WfJ1o0qRpONCJNCfrE1Q7z1Ay/s640/Airlie+after+TC+Debbie+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
bobcats and heavy machinery already cleaning up the mess around the club
grounds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzgy674KwjAsyu7QUidCl-sAU3hx0JqhsqaUN8LYZUX6U4Lh6Vgf_09B00Jnlf3Fb7Xhfc2kWWt-_6LUAbWA-NUU1fWA6aBadlYl3deoCprg15CWakXOcQwbSiKmRu6xL1mYcAal9BVSPK/s1600/Airlie+after+TC+Debbie+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzgy674KwjAsyu7QUidCl-sAU3hx0JqhsqaUN8LYZUX6U4Lh6Vgf_09B00Jnlf3Fb7Xhfc2kWWt-_6LUAbWA-NUU1fWA6aBadlYl3deoCprg15CWakXOcQwbSiKmRu6xL1mYcAal9BVSPK/s640/Airlie+after+TC+Debbie+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The town was
shocking to see.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The foreshore
area used to be such a dense leafy place but now it was stripped of most
vegetation and you could clearly see from one side of the beach to the other.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QKACpkdU9ALW3V7owr2NQT2g8lPnzp5t14B9uHe0ph9Q4crG87aVAWFcMUDPak1UO1QdguSEqGf0IqixcBmRKcMvFBeQ5Cnw72BqfNHqVAsRPVhiHkZwtUwz30aex0YKX5-TOLX6tpJu/s1600/Airlie+after+TC+Debbie+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QKACpkdU9ALW3V7owr2NQT2g8lPnzp5t14B9uHe0ph9Q4crG87aVAWFcMUDPak1UO1QdguSEqGf0IqixcBmRKcMvFBeQ5Cnw72BqfNHqVAsRPVhiHkZwtUwz30aex0YKX5-TOLX6tpJu/s640/Airlie+after+TC+Debbie+%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0MFnvLsAZYJamAT9uHy3CqmaLYcGy16cEI_892LCR51lDhu3Oe2jj1F6bO-3qH6-H7nxY0TV6-qjNxrfHLmUFBds_ZV6DlqDs26JN9Flmz4gjxE_hnPeW9U6FgVHF2z5mJnArocbS2kZ/s1600/Airlie+after+TC+Debbie+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0MFnvLsAZYJamAT9uHy3CqmaLYcGy16cEI_892LCR51lDhu3Oe2jj1F6bO-3qH6-H7nxY0TV6-qjNxrfHLmUFBds_ZV6DlqDs26JN9Flmz4gjxE_hnPeW9U6FgVHF2z5mJnArocbS2kZ/s640/Airlie+after+TC+Debbie+%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were 3
yachts that were stranded high and dry a long way up the beach or on the rocky
headland.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOjVe73bF-IuBVb_vh5U1YNSZHpkcb__jus-uITlvg8j6GTrhlJmTLvdQTnHUnajTvrvlhIees9Zg1vv2TZtpmmcCo4k6cXkQhqsbHwVp1CV-jl5pJ-KGiMJarzP8CeI6N8UL7MkanS45/s1600/Airlie+after+TC+Debbie+%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOjVe73bF-IuBVb_vh5U1YNSZHpkcb__jus-uITlvg8j6GTrhlJmTLvdQTnHUnajTvrvlhIees9Zg1vv2TZtpmmcCo4k6cXkQhqsbHwVp1CV-jl5pJ-KGiMJarzP8CeI6N8UL7MkanS45/s640/Airlie+after+TC+Debbie+%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuML_ub8t2CchklcQ-oxUcY0quIO2nQgFBr3pxDc0m9xHg0MdlLvxPNctv6UO5mobJv4STlpepGsS7nhJIwl06wtFGDXQsOO3asCmEDT0WoINgBITQ6lKiUmqR4Hhl8AI8zbcXTDs5A0Lr/s1600/Airlie+after+TC+Debbie+%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuML_ub8t2CchklcQ-oxUcY0quIO2nQgFBr3pxDc0m9xHg0MdlLvxPNctv6UO5mobJv4STlpepGsS7nhJIwl06wtFGDXQsOO3asCmEDT0WoINgBITQ6lKiUmqR4Hhl8AI8zbcXTDs5A0Lr/s640/Airlie+after+TC+Debbie+%252812%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHQKfhyphenhyphenxLVVlw3XsQ58lNbB1XCc3I7SWkp4yXT30iuOcTo9XsAa17zGJAGft-u9WCG-JSpCmH5UxseFpUeqhs6C_7W1Z8I2DQHc19JEf7HrheQV4Av-_f8nK0TuVQ4fExSYeAlwp-jcV0/s1600/Airlie+after+TC+Debbie+%252813%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHQKfhyphenhyphenxLVVlw3XsQ58lNbB1XCc3I7SWkp4yXT30iuOcTo9XsAa17zGJAGft-u9WCG-JSpCmH5UxseFpUeqhs6C_7W1Z8I2DQHc19JEf7HrheQV4Av-_f8nK0TuVQ4fExSYeAlwp-jcV0/s640/Airlie+after+TC+Debbie+%252813%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMLMSmiOOH6tfgyoWO31AI3Axp3Iug2mQ0g2VwelRWYRjchH1RPqyv6aGulxr6PddC0bwQpstfTp2jBO00C9a9fN2dXhgdS8Ady4yBPi3UlZvPZODR9qUyCGGTItW8TpqhyAUPWWbLjBX/s1600/Airlie+after+TC+Debbie+%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMLMSmiOOH6tfgyoWO31AI3Axp3Iug2mQ0g2VwelRWYRjchH1RPqyv6aGulxr6PddC0bwQpstfTp2jBO00C9a9fN2dXhgdS8Ady4yBPi3UlZvPZODR9qUyCGGTItW8TpqhyAUPWWbLjBX/s640/Airlie+after+TC+Debbie+%252814%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
interesting to see the hedges along the towns’ foreshore had the front sections
burnt from the sand blasting and salt spray.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ihYSHC8kko09KQmpiKujZ6Sj505Mspad_IPYV0j13EjfdTzgDo_9yStmUxaETzt2UNmmdaMi9XR05294NoM6yxSqHP0Vu-kwFydDcSAF_C6fGFE6RgNBJGn2WK6ATYEMKYyxZoIBqgSK/s1600/Airlie+after+TC+Debbie+%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ihYSHC8kko09KQmpiKujZ6Sj505Mspad_IPYV0j13EjfdTzgDo_9yStmUxaETzt2UNmmdaMi9XR05294NoM6yxSqHP0Vu-kwFydDcSAF_C6fGFE6RgNBJGn2WK6ATYEMKYyxZoIBqgSK/s640/Airlie+after+TC+Debbie+%252811%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The sand around the seat
gives you an idea how high up the <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">storm surge came to the
town.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Most
businesses were either still closed or had portable generators out the front to
power lights and the cash register systems.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was really
depressing, so we quickly got our parcels from the post office, did a final
fresh food reprovision from Woolies and got out of there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the strong
winds still in effect, we couldn’t head south so we hunkered down in the
islands.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Most of the
islands were in a terrible state and were stripped of most leafy vegetation.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46MRrywp1aIszC9KfAgpO8AnALEgG_XDdujp67-s4z7yZ3ESsP8QErIM2NVuHYP9iK540UMsL1Q-Ca77i4WqMicd6SFhYUCS1OKvpgiGm4w_s3wDCyVMKeG29cTSOdft6tmv75JOfyD7R/s1600/Sail+Shaw+to+Airlie+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46MRrywp1aIszC9KfAgpO8AnALEgG_XDdujp67-s4z7yZ3ESsP8QErIM2NVuHYP9iK540UMsL1Q-Ca77i4WqMicd6SFhYUCS1OKvpgiGm4w_s3wDCyVMKeG29cTSOdft6tmv75JOfyD7R/s640/Sail+Shaw+to+Airlie+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We wanted to
find a kiting location for Paul but the 2 best locations were destroyed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Langford
Island used to have a fantastic sand spit to launch off but sadly the sand had
all disappeared and now it was a rocky, inhospitable mess that was impossible
to launch a kite from.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One upside
from all the rain was the island’s valleys had loads of new waterfalls where
there were once only trickles.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Kayaking in
over the shallow sand flats proved to be the best way to access the shore.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pTxNlaAcPa29Tu3-42upxZS2MIthzVx9smgrcMij_j6AYjICM3yEzC0aOqOv0exILGk7IpCTO26XKvzdWP3hfbYVpmhEJgh8OQ-zH78kMypfxXEOLFefSWRhWthGleuGG94CYwRDFP6n/s1600/Stonehaven+Waterfall+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pTxNlaAcPa29Tu3-42upxZS2MIthzVx9smgrcMij_j6AYjICM3yEzC0aOqOv0exILGk7IpCTO26XKvzdWP3hfbYVpmhEJgh8OQ-zH78kMypfxXEOLFefSWRhWthGleuGG94CYwRDFP6n/s640/Stonehaven+Waterfall+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Strong water
flow had pushed a lot of the debris and tree foliage down to the lower areas
and it was in some spots very thick and rotting.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrYf0BgfQLs8pqfn87F7Y4JwmH5D8o3h5uEw3d53v2hEI7D_2fssmYdn0JZEL6kEoA1m7jND8lHQ3CZAwe7jMEvh1-Fe_iayf5PHH5o18glTVG29hG95Bj1gXly0jHmVPwkCjOFytbKOQ/s1600/Stonehaven+Waterfall+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrYf0BgfQLs8pqfn87F7Y4JwmH5D8o3h5uEw3d53v2hEI7D_2fssmYdn0JZEL6kEoA1m7jND8lHQ3CZAwe7jMEvh1-Fe_iayf5PHH5o18glTVG29hG95Bj1gXly0jHmVPwkCjOFytbKOQ/s640/Stonehaven+Waterfall+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Some of the
falls were small and easy to access, whilst others were running really quickly
but difficult to climb.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuF3Cn88R4TWTRf0oI1i8-n3eGX4EXkrY3lW-gc6Mqtt35LLgyx3UxebSxbDkFkaJXooTfs2Cc4SV1cHu_r1n6G13Ri6Zdy_MLDVf7rEgX3eulqXtDPWzPV3ndum5MekDZQ09ECGSKvJdF/s1600/Stonehaven+Waterfall+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuF3Cn88R4TWTRf0oI1i8-n3eGX4EXkrY3lW-gc6Mqtt35LLgyx3UxebSxbDkFkaJXooTfs2Cc4SV1cHu_r1n6G13Ri6Zdy_MLDVf7rEgX3eulqXtDPWzPV3ndum5MekDZQ09ECGSKvJdF/s640/Stonehaven+Waterfall+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVfz6UfL4q_-lwSKL5JSe-1mnM9RPuSMI5Srqh5gL5xwnKH2kpc5mRo8Lb8nGw8xdmG8lT0Caw12QepKWwocsHt6tc7rO-mu2wQAbiw76X0OuEQvclLRrWmWznuFYsGmXUxoqqk5gfCXIb/s1600/Stonehaven+Waterfall+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVfz6UfL4q_-lwSKL5JSe-1mnM9RPuSMI5Srqh5gL5xwnKH2kpc5mRo8Lb8nGw8xdmG8lT0Caw12QepKWwocsHt6tc7rO-mu2wQAbiw76X0OuEQvclLRrWmWznuFYsGmXUxoqqk5gfCXIb/s640/Stonehaven+Waterfall+%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgaGu5nIUahLI-t42C4RzJq9nOhSUTJrCj-sqhAimnvXtPynu4lDpMI_45jpvLkDmGG_efK8uEZR2kCv2ZLGFLEUUJM6ueI_IWuN754BbH4TB7Iu8klDRVrRRYEAUbNB63YiX_MAdnpVg/s1600/Stonehaven+Waterfall+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgaGu5nIUahLI-t42C4RzJq9nOhSUTJrCj-sqhAimnvXtPynu4lDpMI_45jpvLkDmGG_efK8uEZR2kCv2ZLGFLEUUJM6ueI_IWuN754BbH4TB7Iu8klDRVrRRYEAUbNB63YiX_MAdnpVg/s640/Stonehaven+Waterfall+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However the
harder to access waterfalls seemed to miss the brunt of the winds and there
were still lots of healthy trees around them in the valleys.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipVPdBaWF-2-3nKqsBr1g4e80uHwqPp6PPAtS8f5PnpVIyJtco68EuErQFLZLMVlSb2y3HTUaIMBRUh7T5pp7kTISsPAphW-JNzX1ORUHhFphH5_cijaCkOsDZ-OS8CTE79mUaYo_UiDdT/s1600/Stonehaven+Waterfall+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipVPdBaWF-2-3nKqsBr1g4e80uHwqPp6PPAtS8f5PnpVIyJtco68EuErQFLZLMVlSb2y3HTUaIMBRUh7T5pp7kTISsPAphW-JNzX1ORUHhFphH5_cijaCkOsDZ-OS8CTE79mUaYo_UiDdT/s640/Stonehaven+Waterfall+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxulZ3pLnOt3W6ex8Mzcesc8ddqJ3mU8raAHKjuUkENpYRrfVsA4RVTVTJ8cTebwiYURoLc_dWxvk62ETOty_BUWJ1vmvt7fyTqvB_axiTWe6EytgRgav5l_XxIzTJolOfxHKhVTGz0WV/s1600/Stonehaven+Waterfall+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxulZ3pLnOt3W6ex8Mzcesc8ddqJ3mU8raAHKjuUkENpYRrfVsA4RVTVTJ8cTebwiYURoLc_dWxvk62ETOty_BUWJ1vmvt7fyTqvB_axiTWe6EytgRgav5l_XxIzTJolOfxHKhVTGz0WV/s640/Stonehaven+Waterfall+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Swimming in
the different pools was a welcome reward but we had to be very careful of
undercurrents in the bigger pools pushing water down though subterranean rock
systems.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpE0nIQ1fy9ojwyXjMobZn2EtuyTIdgBg98YBAff_qDyhecX2S-ufuMviv4Ng-xWh9FN6m-iQZaMxQgTBsLQ-39s0BSrCuEnCT-mxw5VEVc3MlAyZFr0rZiSasZ8tPcZJB6cZU2MarfesL/s1600/Stonehaven+Waterfall+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpE0nIQ1fy9ojwyXjMobZn2EtuyTIdgBg98YBAff_qDyhecX2S-ufuMviv4Ng-xWh9FN6m-iQZaMxQgTBsLQ-39s0BSrCuEnCT-mxw5VEVc3MlAyZFr0rZiSasZ8tPcZJB6cZU2MarfesL/s640/Stonehaven+Waterfall+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We finished
the day watching the sun’s rays peeking through the clouds as we launched the
kayaks and paddled home.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIKIUGQRIeIYeSNr4ygFROiVUH2hyphenhyphenQAfcshixAU66n0kgo4da3wL-ed__C2pq9HwUDKGAMa5Vy0hRCKJj03-R13RtitQwJojKdhvGTkWnTx7UdbToTvEX4Ho4M0Ecu7dMBwhj3k-yLjO8/s1600/Stonehaven+Waterfall+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIKIUGQRIeIYeSNr4ygFROiVUH2hyphenhyphenQAfcshixAU66n0kgo4da3wL-ed__C2pq9HwUDKGAMa5Vy0hRCKJj03-R13RtitQwJojKdhvGTkWnTx7UdbToTvEX4Ho4M0Ecu7dMBwhj3k-yLjO8/s640/Stonehaven+Waterfall+%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On our last
afternoon at Stonehaven, the sun came out, the wind backed a little and the bay
filled with holiday makers enjoying the first day of the Easter school
holidays.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We celebrated
with a BBQ before watching a great sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtejoGsxoGQrv4xT8-5Kye3d_mvqC7fIvLp9gv1ymRlzzGZvNvRoXtvI-xuAVOrZtUQfkLaf4YnZ9It0lcxmL7Xwqsrw0dQR_z2cRWEy7t15d6Rq_K1skR8OaQQKGpqt-tcUReJE8Oi7AZ/s1600/Stonehaven+Sunset+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtejoGsxoGQrv4xT8-5Kye3d_mvqC7fIvLp9gv1ymRlzzGZvNvRoXtvI-xuAVOrZtUQfkLaf4YnZ9It0lcxmL7Xwqsrw0dQR_z2cRWEy7t15d6Rq_K1skR8OaQQKGpqt-tcUReJE8Oi7AZ/s640/Stonehaven+Sunset+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqZFIe2UdA-AZzqm6DGqcoTWZMmdSThaqyDFMvzBPy9o6kyKCnHqQj2QRtNDWNMbkxo2JIMCKag-P3McXrY4kkjhFtITjUho9eGe1Yq3I8qTJj5F_cTLAjVpZyaLDDASmSRco_1Cit2ER/s1600/Stonehaven+Sunset+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqZFIe2UdA-AZzqm6DGqcoTWZMmdSThaqyDFMvzBPy9o6kyKCnHqQj2QRtNDWNMbkxo2JIMCKag-P3McXrY4kkjhFtITjUho9eGe1Yq3I8qTJj5F_cTLAjVpZyaLDDASmSRco_1Cit2ER/s640/Stonehaven+Sunset+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The full moon
rose over the island’s stripped and brown peaks and it looked more like a photo
from The Rocky Mountains than from a tropical island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJiPHyQcrJ-h4RqPNLt4reaClqU4r6Jrj_QWbHhwbNM2ufva8NmuhRhw-DkVz2RlgyADj9Hm3SkV3uH25ss9TOpPkg2tiH0I8MP3jmPDOq4iqFUmlurwg7ZOZGxsVFzcaNc3UvrNLAT7yM/s1600/Stonehaven+Sunset+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJiPHyQcrJ-h4RqPNLt4reaClqU4r6Jrj_QWbHhwbNM2ufva8NmuhRhw-DkVz2RlgyADj9Hm3SkV3uH25ss9TOpPkg2tiH0I8MP3jmPDOq4iqFUmlurwg7ZOZGxsVFzcaNc3UvrNLAT7yM/s640/Stonehaven+Sunset+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite the
wind backing off a little, it was still forecasted at 15-20 knots from the SE
and that was the direction we wanted to go.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We simply didn’t
want to stay for another 2 weeks waiting for northerly winds (if they were ever
going to come) so we decided to start sailing south and tack into the wind for
6 hours every day with the current assistance.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
favourable tides were from 4am to 10am for the first day so we left at 5am and
punched south from Stone Haven (at the top of the Whitsunday Islands) to Cid
Harbour at the bottom.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The early
morning run also meant the wind was a little less before it kicked in for the
afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80DyA8Hp8oqshELEz8Tux9rnWhJ7yrr774bAQm_EAzFHrhQ4-7aCZmhJce3mMyjYCKza8SxLgJI3BGo96pq80juIUEflDP5Sytos6_reQ19uQkb0vKQcKumO1pcsYoPRhx-EytNnEYvha/s1600/Sail+Goldsmith+to+Brampton+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80DyA8Hp8oqshELEz8Tux9rnWhJ7yrr774bAQm_EAzFHrhQ4-7aCZmhJce3mMyjYCKza8SxLgJI3BGo96pq80juIUEflDP5Sytos6_reQ19uQkb0vKQcKumO1pcsYoPRhx-EytNnEYvha/s640/Sail+Goldsmith+to+Brampton+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were on
collision course with a Tug Boat and we called them up on the radio.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our friend
Anthony from Liquid Desire heard the call and was not far away so we arranged
to meet up with him one final time that arvo.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Kerry and Sue
from the cat Billaroo also turned up unexpectantly that afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They were the
couple that rescued us in Mackay when we were evacuated during Cyclone Debbie
and kindly housed and fed us for 5 days during the storm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the
afternoon we went for a walk with them up to a swimming hole that they knew of.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It also had a
great waterfall with all the rain.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjAurlyvQIWprBk73qc44dYiaO4gBjtG9jErmB0GTlT2fwXIOT1HDglVScRqMYjkql88crB0yYzfMQHNnOgbI-J8RV-HtasxkOdUXUXbQFe1GCAXR5iKWob7TKMktsbjyJ5BIQP1kSdpE/s1600/Cid+Harbour+Waterfall+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjAurlyvQIWprBk73qc44dYiaO4gBjtG9jErmB0GTlT2fwXIOT1HDglVScRqMYjkql88crB0yYzfMQHNnOgbI-J8RV-HtasxkOdUXUXbQFe1GCAXR5iKWob7TKMktsbjyJ5BIQP1kSdpE/s640/Cid+Harbour+Waterfall+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That night we
all met for drinks on Anthony’s boat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He had his
boat at Able Point Marina (Airlie Beach) for the cyclone and the stories,
photos and videos he took were scary.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We sat around
his large TV watching them with mouths agape….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We wanted to
leave at 4:30am the next morning but we woke to 20-25 knots and decided we
weren’t going to punch into that as we decided days ago when planning the trip
that 15-20 knots was a reasonable maximum limit when tacking into it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For 3 days we
sat and waited for the wind and swell to subside enough to sail south. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul was so
frustrated!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was windy
enough to kite but there was nowhere to launch, it was windy enough to sail but
the direction was wrong and the swell was up but there was nowhere to
surf. Arrggghhh!!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So instead,
in-between rain squalls, he set to work and did every little job that needed
doing on board and polished all the exterior stainless steel from bow to stern.
Lisa also helped with the polishing which got the job finished a lot quicker.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Easter rolled
around and the boats started to arrive in Cid Harbour.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
nearly 30 private and charter boats spread throughout the bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That many
boats meant lots of antics.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Kids having
fun jumping off charter cats for hours on end, young groups getting exceedingly
drunk on rent-a-yachts, boats dragging anchors (both private and charter…)
during squalls and all sorts of watercraft buzzing around.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We stayed on
board and Lisa made some yummy Hot Cross Buns on Easter Friday.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Easter
Saturday we woke to find a change in the weather forecast and it had backed off
enough for us to get going south.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We surmised the
hardest part was to get past the wind magnet that is Hamilton Island and get as
far south as we could.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we quickly
packed up and took off at 7am.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We tacked
down the Whitsunday passage and found we were off Shaw Island before noon so we
excitedly pushed on further.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The wind
slowly abated and we were able to remove the reefs in the sails and spent the
afternoon tacking south with all sails up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We dodged and
weaved past many smaller islands, sometimes going very close to the shoreline.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were so
happy to arrive at the Goldsmith Islands at 5pm and just before a storm passed
over. We had sailed door to door covering 62nm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The post
storm clouds in the calm anchorage made for great late arvo and sunset photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With high
hopes we sailed out again at 7am on Easter Sunday. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was much
bumpier as we sailed east into the east swell and SE wind.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oGtNWaqG6p-zGQxzfHPBsFlsSNbc3m3z2jY1SkU3sBhYW0zThJEPk7oFrpf0TcUrtYSAhgSEH3SoiAZEAx_mBfD1JNWJAF7xl5ESN0A2el7Cf6yB_RITOCK0MTOCqDJ1sKteYy__Bl51/s1600/Sail+Goldsmith+to+Brampton+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oGtNWaqG6p-zGQxzfHPBsFlsSNbc3m3z2jY1SkU3sBhYW0zThJEPk7oFrpf0TcUrtYSAhgSEH3SoiAZEAx_mBfD1JNWJAF7xl5ESN0A2el7Cf6yB_RITOCK0MTOCqDJ1sKteYy__Bl51/s640/Sail+Goldsmith+to+Brampton+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We tacked over
to head south hoping for a better run with the swell off our side and the
current behind us (as was the situation the day before).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Slowly the
wind increased and soon we had our hands full with Lorelei powered up to the
limit, heeling over so the toe-rail was constantly in the water and she was
slamming into large waves at speed forcing large amounts of water right over
the boat. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was not
fun!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was made worse
by texts coming in from family and friends enjoying Easter morning with kids
munching on chocolate and having a nice time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Meanwhile Paul
was struggling to keep his bland breakfast down…!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDK07QZsa5lhSRPJuaTdGmbxTJuqlLrAuamPaHLvc9HQPmpYpvNP3ATI5LyYjWWZiOZ5olxc7VaxMS4c_roXJ_DkvW1qeP9vz40eRjBTY9JqgvAxeXL7-Vkue8oOOp_wz-j4Ol4VgJSOqV/s1600/Sail+Goldsmith+to+Brampton+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDK07QZsa5lhSRPJuaTdGmbxTJuqlLrAuamPaHLvc9HQPmpYpvNP3ATI5LyYjWWZiOZ5olxc7VaxMS4c_roXJ_DkvW1qeP9vz40eRjBTY9JqgvAxeXL7-Vkue8oOOp_wz-j4Ol4VgJSOqV/s640/Sail+Goldsmith+to+Brampton+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By 11am it
was ugly so we aborted any attempt to sail further south and sailed towards
Brampton Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Thankfully we
did as on the way into the Island, we were hit with a 30+knot storm that had us
bearing away and easing sails as quick as we could.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
conditions were much nicer once we sailed into the lee of Carlisle Island which
adjoins Brampton Island by a shallow sand spit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmWcMu7uhpS0Qkd7ybnSnm_oQpofZXhVIlpsbowKSsvN3T_FPAwkezzqnNrkMhSUZ7ZD0A_bRXoJOK1KYB74Ft0p1sRPbTZoNCM4_6ZrQOOGWblIrFhTlINZEb1iREDGdfdC8YJq-Zw5hn/s1600/Sail+Goldsmith+to+Brampton+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmWcMu7uhpS0Qkd7ybnSnm_oQpofZXhVIlpsbowKSsvN3T_FPAwkezzqnNrkMhSUZ7ZD0A_bRXoJOK1KYB74Ft0p1sRPbTZoNCM4_6ZrQOOGWblIrFhTlINZEb1iREDGdfdC8YJq-Zw5hn/s640/Sail+Goldsmith+to+Brampton+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were so
happy to be anchored up by 1pm and we decided on Carlisle Island instead of the
nearby Brampton Island anchorage which had a few boats already there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Feeling
better after a feed and a rest, we put the kayaks in and for the afternoon
explored the foreshore of Carlisle Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Mt_-ukQpyrLsbWMjoPKnyCoq0LNr-o5F0OsRbanY9PKFBemHOWc5K6oT2Mn-GS4IJeuWArhWkD9O8w3EslXhXoRgi1EMaPQItWMKySMrz61VIlQe2IuzNEv5kdP7bhadOB1psHiZkqvu/s1600/Carlisle+Island+Kayak+Walk+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Mt_-ukQpyrLsbWMjoPKnyCoq0LNr-o5F0OsRbanY9PKFBemHOWc5K6oT2Mn-GS4IJeuWArhWkD9O8w3EslXhXoRgi1EMaPQItWMKySMrz61VIlQe2IuzNEv5kdP7bhadOB1psHiZkqvu/s640/Carlisle+Island+Kayak+Walk+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The island
had a lot of minor cyclone damage with erosion to sand beaches, fallen trees
and in the most exposed areas, coarse coral beaches were now completely gone
with only rocky foreshores remaining.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6-AlziPVPs3tKwe78EdvhOf9k1dgE6owxknems-L1XngP5nmeAq4J38rpS0UWAHs_9P03s67GtNtfK3AGiuT-CZd3YOEkeqkej26ex3D-uWiNJ9BFJFZr4ZqB1BhDlEcRIQeAJ7ZvNJk/s1600/Carlisle+Island+Kayak+Walk+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6-AlziPVPs3tKwe78EdvhOf9k1dgE6owxknems-L1XngP5nmeAq4J38rpS0UWAHs_9P03s67GtNtfK3AGiuT-CZd3YOEkeqkej26ex3D-uWiNJ9BFJFZr4ZqB1BhDlEcRIQeAJ7ZvNJk/s640/Carlisle+Island+Kayak+Walk+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVOtXSPKZivuHRyq3AxI3AG5nSqQ-0r0Z2Az-d3gDNpdidDF1xl73KmpMkGwshrS6YZbrhrTUkT-LwcW1s5hXUxMffqjOi-DHpanBNT2IpogvFYsauXW2VG1OgulD5PqjQoLrX7RTpxDo/s1600/Carlisle+Island+Kayak+Walk+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVOtXSPKZivuHRyq3AxI3AG5nSqQ-0r0Z2Az-d3gDNpdidDF1xl73KmpMkGwshrS6YZbrhrTUkT-LwcW1s5hXUxMffqjOi-DHpanBNT2IpogvFYsauXW2VG1OgulD5PqjQoLrX7RTpxDo/s640/Carlisle+Island+Kayak+Walk+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It blew all
night and despite checking numerous weather websites for some hope of a
favourable forecast, it was not to be with reports of high winds, increasing
swell and rain. And it was supposed to be like that for 5-7 days!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst we
were on the Island, we had a look at the shallow passage between Carlisle and
Brampton Island and the wind was funnelling through. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It appeared
to be suitable for kiteboarding. We had to wait a full day as it rained and
rained and was too bumpy in the anchorage to attempt to put the tinny in.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite it
raining again the next morning, it appeared to be clearing in the arvo so we moved
anchorages and put Lorelei in the more protected anchorage at Brampton Island
in the hope that we could finally launch the Tinny at low tide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the arvo, we
braved it and went ashore for Paul to kite the pass.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He took a 10m
kite for a run but it was very gusty with 25 knots one minute and 10 knots the
next making it difficult.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He managed 2
x 30 minute sessions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We did a
second walk around the side of Carlisle Island that faces the resort and passage
the next day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Once again,
we took the kayaks in instead of the tinny as they were much easier to launch.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">All the sand
that had been stripped from the beaches where we had been 2 days prior, had
piled up into the island’s camping and picnic area near the sand spit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We didn’t
realise it was the picnic area until we found one of the picnic tables – or
just the top of it poking out through the sand.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBindc2hrmmNE0Yh2Wq2BJXMu9-cFOuQSaZlyoBE2QUBnH_A_QFg3SqlT5zoUz9Fg7uGKZfY6YOFF7AsEGvOa7cgzldBdDGn9FaZwzAfApS5wRG_6OofdNADZJQiBZi9hHGEEiIq01pZ6G/s1600/Carlisle+Spit+Walk+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBindc2hrmmNE0Yh2Wq2BJXMu9-cFOuQSaZlyoBE2QUBnH_A_QFg3SqlT5zoUz9Fg7uGKZfY6YOFF7AsEGvOa7cgzldBdDGn9FaZwzAfApS5wRG_6OofdNADZJQiBZi9hHGEEiIq01pZ6G/s640/Carlisle+Spit+Walk+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Nearby was a
National Park sign – upside down!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_U6ygC8qZVOa9HJCuMWEhFw0MBJe1J0vyDyEUwVGzSSd3cofxGCSvV8GJsjMJyotffcXEzv-2IMzb6HKY_oFspAcD-zcJNwQdnx2LiKPdtgt95KJtA9fPsZmQ5zvYjuBBgU4lCslKNo0/s1600/Carlisle+Spit+Walk+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_U6ygC8qZVOa9HJCuMWEhFw0MBJe1J0vyDyEUwVGzSSd3cofxGCSvV8GJsjMJyotffcXEzv-2IMzb6HKY_oFspAcD-zcJNwQdnx2LiKPdtgt95KJtA9fPsZmQ5zvYjuBBgU4lCslKNo0/s640/Carlisle+Spit+Walk+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There was a
second sign but it was in a water course and all but destroyed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsA7_-7sM_-U-oUUI8aTP6g7EwrPyDsQaTQdC0S7BYVJEJVmCQY4kMHt7F5hWiJXRTZ-bSOjeVYsdrpwm7cxpJh9r7l1CA68GUAOdtfgsMJOjqOtgOG7LXzAQI0zmv4EPq8A22K4aSaGG/s1600/Carlisle+Spit+Walk+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsA7_-7sM_-U-oUUI8aTP6g7EwrPyDsQaTQdC0S7BYVJEJVmCQY4kMHt7F5hWiJXRTZ-bSOjeVYsdrpwm7cxpJh9r7l1CA68GUAOdtfgsMJOjqOtgOG7LXzAQI0zmv4EPq8A22K4aSaGG/s640/Carlisle+Spit+Walk+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One of the
most iconic things on Brampton/Carlisle are the Blue Tiger Butterflies.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They are most
prevalent in May & June but we found lots despite it being mid-April.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcR9kuWa1johhyG7GaLUaYOANynvvyHuLxXBVnpKA-WMD8xDQ6MBSHTihwuBtHlKlsm4iD8rYBbXcgYT0JFd5uXZ-yQSeu2J_jZhs_7hH_xsXfOXXxyGweGOcrMCcxMNEYL5qhh_sk7odA/s1600/Carlisle+Spit+Walk+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcR9kuWa1johhyG7GaLUaYOANynvvyHuLxXBVnpKA-WMD8xDQ6MBSHTihwuBtHlKlsm4iD8rYBbXcgYT0JFd5uXZ-yQSeu2J_jZhs_7hH_xsXfOXXxyGweGOcrMCcxMNEYL5qhh_sk7odA/s640/Carlisle+Spit+Walk+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi46Evprn6s7zkfs1anESKQip5RlH1hj7nxhGvLynvNVrCMayxiAzk7N9oIvvv7mFBS4xKMm6pOC-LcdZNBpVQvQXelgc-4p5L2oSlGs8tAKX-7SPx01E4hzk3Nd5BoiNtBQ0Vej5Qnbcui/s1600/Carlisle+Spit+Walk+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi46Evprn6s7zkfs1anESKQip5RlH1hj7nxhGvLynvNVrCMayxiAzk7N9oIvvv7mFBS4xKMm6pOC-LcdZNBpVQvQXelgc-4p5L2oSlGs8tAKX-7SPx01E4hzk3Nd5BoiNtBQ0Vej5Qnbcui/s640/Carlisle+Spit+Walk+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
home we stopped on Brampton Island and had a look for the start of the National
park walking trails. We found a sign and the starting point so we decided to
return the next day and do the walk to the peak.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It turned
into a terrible night and next morning with rain, wind to 30 knots (Hamilton
Island further north had gusts to 40 knots!!) and it was very bumpy and rolly.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we had no
choice but to abort and wait for finer weather.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were some
breaks during the day where the sun came out and brought rainbows with it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1q-jFLRvX1VcE1zwX04PVSLvx-JRbbryHM33wh4b-LI00mtdHhyphenhyphenc08tpuaD3P_4ZrH35IHHBKX_VuR5dfHtOnsbWX5QWIlMO6Cpu9Oy4IJW80m2xgBOEoiNujdaYj1BWpxoo3byOVOpf/s1600/Brampton+Rainbow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1q-jFLRvX1VcE1zwX04PVSLvx-JRbbryHM33wh4b-LI00mtdHhyphenhyphenc08tpuaD3P_4ZrH35IHHBKX_VuR5dfHtOnsbWX5QWIlMO6Cpu9Oy4IJW80m2xgBOEoiNujdaYj1BWpxoo3byOVOpf/s640/Brampton+Rainbow.JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One day of
waiting for the rain to clear turned into 2 and the frustration grew.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was even
too rough on-board to do anything other than sit or lie down and watch movies
or read. Once again Paul was climbing the walls in frustration.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the low
tide it calmed off a bit so he got into the galley and made enough Sushi to
fill us up for 2 days.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
we braved it and went ashore to do the Brampton Island Peak Walk.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Once again it
was too rough for the tinny so we packed 2 dry bags and took the kayaks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It also meant
we could carry them well up above the high tide mark and not have to worry
about them for the day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">First we
walked along the water’s edge and had a look at the old train tracks that used
to link the wharf to the resort.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Since the
resort had closed, the tracks have been subjected to a series of cyclones and
they are now a twisted mess over an extended rocky area that’s now part of the
foreshore.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfmYFDu_7Tl0RTtlr6hVV4Yw5nTFNiIS09ONM7k7C7eqqhd2IgPrUvWUuuGrpmYmYx4Ifvo77bP5zWqDEZNFFxDZChtMzovMsNzhxV-B7eDhwdrtYhy2zBoSj-3k4cy7LbdS3RQ4Usvtf/s1600/Brampton+Old+Train+Tracks+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfmYFDu_7Tl0RTtlr6hVV4Yw5nTFNiIS09ONM7k7C7eqqhd2IgPrUvWUuuGrpmYmYx4Ifvo77bP5zWqDEZNFFxDZChtMzovMsNzhxV-B7eDhwdrtYhy2zBoSj-3k4cy7LbdS3RQ4Usvtf/s640/Brampton+Old+Train+Tracks+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The train
bridge over a water course is about the most intact part of the old rail line.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8UbzXcDbifT2CKtOfSP6KcVzzjaPWwc1-oYPCeide682ObWLslBC9DC-ssKY-RTj-bSJrnHraW00Kh11cIdF8eHEadDUwiPgvBwHVktcftQBqna8UfrfhIBWwwHvo7ddOZi7o350wkbh/s1600/Brampton+Old+Train+Tracks+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8UbzXcDbifT2CKtOfSP6KcVzzjaPWwc1-oYPCeide682ObWLslBC9DC-ssKY-RTj-bSJrnHraW00Kh11cIdF8eHEadDUwiPgvBwHVktcftQBqna8UfrfhIBWwwHvo7ddOZi7o350wkbh/s640/Brampton+Old+Train+Tracks+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We started up
the 3.8km peak track and it was nothing like the groomed trail it used to be.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The track was
not only well overgrown, but there were now 100’s of fallen trees down over it
from the cyclone.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa
described it as an advanced obstacle course rather than a groomed QLD National
Parks Trail.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0kY1FsvmDJ_REBplZIo3M0b5jv1YxKQI_9Q7-34ZCx_IHhW-LmUY4axal_BQx_qwmFD3TV98clUCRLDZKnRuHG_aAMrvINxfxZSJMDNVdts9bCqLpTEi3CT7HVmeff35A7yvjA0BW2iP/s1600/Brampton+Peak+Walk+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0kY1FsvmDJ_REBplZIo3M0b5jv1YxKQI_9Q7-34ZCx_IHhW-LmUY4axal_BQx_qwmFD3TV98clUCRLDZKnRuHG_aAMrvINxfxZSJMDNVdts9bCqLpTEi3CT7HVmeff35A7yvjA0BW2iP/s640/Brampton+Peak+Walk+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way we
saw lots of Butterflies and even a few different species mating.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The walk took
as around the side of the island and past the resorts small airstrip and narrow
passage between Brampton and Carlisle Islands.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_oCq-9v0rH0wa6ORO_Sq30xc-1klpEYd1_XPajILHE9VDdxLzd_PtCGKgb5TohaM7m88LNaAxbzv5aimU7-9zpyO4pmZyQdmxQ7rDuxT_1IL2Lh0qY6IKVcSGZdzyVkUli1BMaz6-ZrR/s1600/Brampton+Peak+Walk+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_oCq-9v0rH0wa6ORO_Sq30xc-1klpEYd1_XPajILHE9VDdxLzd_PtCGKgb5TohaM7m88LNaAxbzv5aimU7-9zpyO4pmZyQdmxQ7rDuxT_1IL2Lh0qY6IKVcSGZdzyVkUli1BMaz6-ZrR/s640/Brampton+Peak+Walk+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">About half
way up Paul stopped to take some flower photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa was
looking around when behind her she spotted a Koala in the trees.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Island is
known to have a small but healthy population of Koalas but it was unknown how
they fared during the cyclone.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So it was
nice to see one that appeared healthy and happy.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEfKRyC58S2AFU4pVpm3Qlt5n_EW1bl0_T9xdLtY3vX2X9TCLHKQVWjEok0Rs8XUJdroo_q-deFBXm3qCVK-KZnhhVvoOy9a5N1kXvBCLBnMayWGxkTqx-IHHpw11JiSXswnZk9jjRzeah/s1600/Brampton+Koala.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEfKRyC58S2AFU4pVpm3Qlt5n_EW1bl0_T9xdLtY3vX2X9TCLHKQVWjEok0Rs8XUJdroo_q-deFBXm3qCVK-KZnhhVvoOy9a5N1kXvBCLBnMayWGxkTqx-IHHpw11JiSXswnZk9jjRzeah/s640/Brampton+Koala.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We reached
the first of the peaks 2 lookouts 4 hours after we started.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Considering
the recommended time for the walk is 3.5 hours return, it was slow and tough
going with all the debris.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were a
little concerned because we were really stuffed when we got there and we still
had to get back down!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first
lookout was a little worse for wear with some big splits in the timber posts
and even some sheared off pieces.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7RiNgAdfFWu1mNFoWJOVsL08Xagv2aExnMi4whq1LYYPkEbPyyxzIsxWPHt_bJhCxwK4fll68uhuqWhvYrvOBKIhJ5G7IHgXq5AkcLm6FSPi49RQgFOJZA0F3vHljjAWKQ4rYa45NOBD/s1600/Brampton+Peak+Walk+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7RiNgAdfFWu1mNFoWJOVsL08Xagv2aExnMi4whq1LYYPkEbPyyxzIsxWPHt_bJhCxwK4fll68uhuqWhvYrvOBKIhJ5G7IHgXq5AkcLm6FSPi49RQgFOJZA0F3vHljjAWKQ4rYa45NOBD/s640/Brampton+Peak+Walk+%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The view
looking west back over the mainland was a little hazy but pretty good.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOdCxR5_d_sgrGDyeAA_2-0Gzq9A_szOJBEeDC3pCSYlgJDg6oqeBKgTRGa-3Y_VSN3AoVjEQhWqoRCd_cufJ-m103TDP8Om4jK-JYQVLN0Eu_TR_fb-al3XEmsuX08sYBaD30S86KERS/s1600/Brampton+Peak+Walk+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOdCxR5_d_sgrGDyeAA_2-0Gzq9A_szOJBEeDC3pCSYlgJDg6oqeBKgTRGa-3Y_VSN3AoVjEQhWqoRCd_cufJ-m103TDP8Om4jK-JYQVLN0Eu_TR_fb-al3XEmsuX08sYBaD30S86KERS/s640/Brampton+Peak+Walk+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We ventured
over to the other viewing platform that faced east which gave us a fantastic
view over the old resort, the channel, Carlisle Island and beyond.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was much
clearer.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMtWAusdt1OlIlTp_IqZAU0WNGthYcfuYlkfOOnR-qnPHBguqUos2I6efWsHeLNeF_BKQTtDpFmL5ZkIc-BdksyNsiN4HKNOqtZuqxNKEdzHzLQ-LWBNsg26kDZ4s3a-p-N9mUBpKKyWe/s1600/Brampton+Peak+Walk+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMtWAusdt1OlIlTp_IqZAU0WNGthYcfuYlkfOOnR-qnPHBguqUos2I6efWsHeLNeF_BKQTtDpFmL5ZkIc-BdksyNsiN4HKNOqtZuqxNKEdzHzLQ-LWBNsg26kDZ4s3a-p-N9mUBpKKyWe/s640/Brampton+Peak+Walk+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We took 30
minutes on the peak to rest, eat and rehydrate before tackling the hike back
down.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived at
the bottom at 5pm and nearly 8 hours after we started.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It roughly
equated to 1km per hour which is pretty slow going.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That night we
were unusually stuffed with badly cramping muscles which woke Lisa up a few
times.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At about 1am
she got a searing cramp right down her leg. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">She woke up
and rolled out of bed really quickly smashing her head on the stainless pole
that is the Mizzen mast compression post.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">She was
screaming in pain (which she never does….) and Paul thought she’d split her
head open but it was the combined pain of the throbbing head and severe leg cramp
that had Lisa in tears.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a
laugh about it the next morning but it wasn’t funny at the time……<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We spent two
more days hunkered down as it rained and blew 20 knots+ before we had a chance
to leave.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Finally on
Anzac Day (April 25<sup>th</sup>) we were able to leave and attempt to get
further south.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We watched
the sunrise over the tip of island as we motored out of the bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had our
own little dawn service and to reflect on Paul’s late grandad Hugh who was a
POW during WW2.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmh-7gQ0CsOp9sWpbmdHZ01pll2SyWhwnw17UF1u5D6IEIUoBMciBPlaIuK6uZivbiql43zOTuNmH9-VdsjuGVSXSxbEdgjNRcJ8UuruJrW4pJ4kcAbsM7WJ2_mvO-qqojIeoWQg_kUz2o/s1600/Sail+Brampton+to+Scawfell+Anzac+Day.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmh-7gQ0CsOp9sWpbmdHZ01pll2SyWhwnw17UF1u5D6IEIUoBMciBPlaIuK6uZivbiql43zOTuNmH9-VdsjuGVSXSxbEdgjNRcJ8UuruJrW4pJ4kcAbsM7WJ2_mvO-qqojIeoWQg_kUz2o/s640/Sail+Brampton+to+Scawfell+Anzac+Day.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was still
choppy, bumpy and a little stormy so we didn’t get very far and after a whole
day of sailing whilst tacking into SE winds, we had only made about 30nm in the
SE direction.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had
thought about going overnight but with the seas, storms, wind, spring tides
(affecting currents) and no moon, we decided against it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So instead we
pulled into the most secure (and one of the most beautiful) anchorages in the
area, Scawfell Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite
arriving at 4:30pm, we quickly dropped the kayaks in and had a walk along the
beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FL5GZ4YzBCFmv7HWsyo15dEt0IwEpQbzmeUddnbWF2oYTFGkPaGD4rmLws8SGTXhJuSnvefklyd3LsNC7LesUwmSqvnPi-qPEvJ17P33sFzjdqHS8UiHU70o0VRDPqfZufkEi_mqlo-F/s1600/Scawfell+Sunset+Walk+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FL5GZ4YzBCFmv7HWsyo15dEt0IwEpQbzmeUddnbWF2oYTFGkPaGD4rmLws8SGTXhJuSnvefklyd3LsNC7LesUwmSqvnPi-qPEvJ17P33sFzjdqHS8UiHU70o0VRDPqfZufkEi_mqlo-F/s640/Scawfell+Sunset+Walk+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsAd-Y0CDzszmQRYU_wNjCn4cmJMeoNi_by-t03po_qrYMXMAOK7bRioImj3_MHgewhRESKmorwIYUtT98MTrWTUB1jpWE2TiCUMBax5gL7iXO0_jDSYg6JjLeusvlDmvrelDQ32KeTjEw/s1600/Scawfell+Sunset+Walk+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsAd-Y0CDzszmQRYU_wNjCn4cmJMeoNi_by-t03po_qrYMXMAOK7bRioImj3_MHgewhRESKmorwIYUtT98MTrWTUB1jpWE2TiCUMBax5gL7iXO0_jDSYg6JjLeusvlDmvrelDQ32KeTjEw/s640/Scawfell+Sunset+Walk+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After seeing
so many Bush Stone Curlews in the Whitsundays, it was nice to see a few Beach
Stone Curlew’s running around on the sand.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGkghUzNHpQm34chZ2i9A76FgHgiaXh9VAXmnhgbDKIREyIzcUUcG4ViwOgwSvDjWnKeqpJ6AzlR5mOIbvvoxNHCZw4zMOvyJw2OqX7aoPRHAB3OljLQ8MktxGKEAmGf3kiujGmriH_0X8/s1600/Scawfell+Sunset+Walk+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGkghUzNHpQm34chZ2i9A76FgHgiaXh9VAXmnhgbDKIREyIzcUUcG4ViwOgwSvDjWnKeqpJ6AzlR5mOIbvvoxNHCZw4zMOvyJw2OqX7aoPRHAB3OljLQ8MktxGKEAmGf3kiujGmriH_0X8/s640/Scawfell+Sunset+Walk+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We sat on a
rock and had a drink on Sunset to finish off Anzac Day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonnaouRJY8hKuCB9VpymUaXUfHPrOoAs-zUxDpZwHMcIPhbAO3IJE5C4IJH-AxuoPIHgolVeCzVMYlzhSS9baxSx5gzHAeoMgH81vts3G6crDlIQrMnbR-s3BhMIxLnlvTvgJsjwKWSQu/s1600/Scawfell+Sunset+Walk+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonnaouRJY8hKuCB9VpymUaXUfHPrOoAs-zUxDpZwHMcIPhbAO3IJE5C4IJH-AxuoPIHgolVeCzVMYlzhSS9baxSx5gzHAeoMgH81vts3G6crDlIQrMnbR-s3BhMIxLnlvTvgJsjwKWSQu/s640/Scawfell+Sunset+Walk+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJK9QPE2C4UP8WcUBdt93QTuGERNYz-nch4L7M2GcJw3xOGBOFlYPHyKYBovrhaMyP83xXSTQA8PLsWDw-QtKc5Ff8UcWX47wuSUYZ0zOcyzayBHzxncx5BdZqd9_z15QikrIbgtbrnmb/s1600/Scawfell+Sunset+Walk+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJK9QPE2C4UP8WcUBdt93QTuGERNYz-nch4L7M2GcJw3xOGBOFlYPHyKYBovrhaMyP83xXSTQA8PLsWDw-QtKc5Ff8UcWX47wuSUYZ0zOcyzayBHzxncx5BdZqd9_z15QikrIbgtbrnmb/s640/Scawfell+Sunset+Walk+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we walked
back to the kayaks (which were starting to float as the water quickly rushed in
on the 6m tidal range) the post sunset colours just got better and better.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenV-iFQ2-zVI2iH_F29_VmEF9NDMi41dzic6XVaFhEvSX_y54r1_k8ykBq7sGr-MgEIKCuNgtbn0q3s3kIjk4d_-s7ohQ162nKsvvxaoSr4BxWthdYsDel5YalyFR5wzwSuxa23DVKsA0/s1600/Scawfell+Sunset+Walk+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenV-iFQ2-zVI2iH_F29_VmEF9NDMi41dzic6XVaFhEvSX_y54r1_k8ykBq7sGr-MgEIKCuNgtbn0q3s3kIjk4d_-s7ohQ162nKsvvxaoSr4BxWthdYsDel5YalyFR5wzwSuxa23DVKsA0/s640/Scawfell+Sunset+Walk+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next
morning was an early 4am start to take advantage of the tides and currents.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With light
and variable winds forecast for the day, we would have to motor to the next
destination.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We chose a
location that could be reached in just 1 six hour tide session.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Any longer
and the tide would turn against us which wouldn’t be economical.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we took
off for a 50nm run and hoped the current assistance would get us there in time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The sunrise
was great whilst underway and the sun rose as we were passing an island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2UPCIjgH6ry2CwokkwWeFUY27azzoavV8wdrtUPAzo3cb8WrB1HatRMuIMnDPnvUAvpaHCPNBXOmYrrHktzIJrGRNc0n3Ea0jeh6GEGjBpe6tthWCEqdvwklqGm-srk1t8WrXb3xeDDB/s1600/Motor+Scawfell+to+Percys+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2UPCIjgH6ry2CwokkwWeFUY27azzoavV8wdrtUPAzo3cb8WrB1HatRMuIMnDPnvUAvpaHCPNBXOmYrrHktzIJrGRNc0n3Ea0jeh6GEGjBpe6tthWCEqdvwklqGm-srk1t8WrXb3xeDDB/s640/Motor+Scawfell+to+Percys+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYGa0ykOCau1aAbZ72BzEER2DUpdFdzrJokn9Vq0XMmen7u-q-4OCtcIcE76ckm3Bo8Dac50BPQiPieaZsfAKgF-fpHuaONI-CwZfbF8PQJsZIXbRwWTby6NvSC2nIDJ2LoURKe4DPfNx/s1600/Motor+Scawfell+to+Percys+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYGa0ykOCau1aAbZ72BzEER2DUpdFdzrJokn9Vq0XMmen7u-q-4OCtcIcE76ckm3Bo8Dac50BPQiPieaZsfAKgF-fpHuaONI-CwZfbF8PQJsZIXbRwWTby6NvSC2nIDJ2LoURKe4DPfNx/s640/Motor+Scawfell+to+Percys+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At 8am Lorelei
motored past the “Tanker Parking Lot” for the Coal ships waiting to load at the
Hay Point Coal Loader Terminal.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The rail line
linking the mines coal storage area to the loader was damaged during Cyclone
Debbie so whilst it was being repaired, the coal ships were continuing to
arrive and the parking lot was filling up quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7a77dRlExBoytXtkzvNl4uw2vWi2TkD3kz54c5BPtLAXe6iAZkCwJaeVbNsFmR3NYMf3CC9vXKLe1J-Fs_gWHRpK7XX6GGLm7d1sjHrl8U1lbkoeRd8fI9Ihlzy5nD420M93kh8gC3Ftd/s1600/Motor+Scawfell+to+Percys+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7a77dRlExBoytXtkzvNl4uw2vWi2TkD3kz54c5BPtLAXe6iAZkCwJaeVbNsFmR3NYMf3CC9vXKLe1J-Fs_gWHRpK7XX6GGLm7d1sjHrl8U1lbkoeRd8fI9Ihlzy5nD420M93kh8gC3Ftd/s640/Motor+Scawfell+to+Percys+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We counted 37
coal ships waiting on anchor in the lot.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our computer
screen was filled with the ships AIS transmissions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgSD7Q3FUISsVHTwEttiZ26btV_zx7u1CVv_9lc8rIl94etcTDiDldoxBTKA42lqEgGrBVmWoTNCBO0cZeBrQIrseoMhD-_L8FetoFpArf6HqHUp69T62MTGDNKeSMf_t8ufw-WdJzYAv/s1600/Motor+Scawfell+to+Percys+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgSD7Q3FUISsVHTwEttiZ26btV_zx7u1CVv_9lc8rIl94etcTDiDldoxBTKA42lqEgGrBVmWoTNCBO0cZeBrQIrseoMhD-_L8FetoFpArf6HqHUp69T62MTGDNKeSMf_t8ufw-WdJzYAv/s640/Motor+Scawfell+to+Percys+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We thought
the name of this ship was funny – “Four Coal”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OvwaGscZ4HHfMgQu8_9l4JbgZwcUoLsUIy23bF7J0gCD9_RROU46lnpCOGuMMTvfdV2g3ZjxL3S1fq8LstYmt5umBwun1gj978z-4GofA6ADU2A9hsdEKP4e3CvGYELLQ1_eMdjricRU/s1600/Motor+Scawfell+to+Percys+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OvwaGscZ4HHfMgQu8_9l4JbgZwcUoLsUIy23bF7J0gCD9_RROU46lnpCOGuMMTvfdV2g3ZjxL3S1fq8LstYmt5umBwun1gj978z-4GofA6ADU2A9hsdEKP4e3CvGYELLQ1_eMdjricRU/s640/Motor+Scawfell+to+Percys+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We continued
to motor all day and finally arrived at Middle Percy Island right on the turn
of the tide at 4pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFWzpIlDS364q8seOy7_bb_caNb3KfMPiUIOMcp80S2OIfIPBKwcSyhJFEwz_ZhnAcsEMNahFwWxd-UkeiEBTPN7y-C9fpeZoheZNRCcRh04auQ39HyiHyqtwDYJ3k_5_ULjrxtsL6Jp0/s1600/Arrive+Percy+Island.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFWzpIlDS364q8seOy7_bb_caNb3KfMPiUIOMcp80S2OIfIPBKwcSyhJFEwz_ZhnAcsEMNahFwWxd-UkeiEBTPN7y-C9fpeZoheZNRCcRh04auQ39HyiHyqtwDYJ3k_5_ULjrxtsL6Jp0/s640/Arrive+Percy+Island.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Like the day
before, we put the kayaks in and went ashore to explore.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the beach
at West Bay is a structure called the Percy Hilton which is home to years’
worth of yachtie memorabilia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUkCIT-nc3JZKM23xCg5JtqB7UZsos7GT38V3ekyuSV_ZBhG_q5ufudS_MT2GCoMGH5nhBLrPbL4W_KcL0iq8qJFzFT1Pyt2LGea8c0DThAPzQ5Tq64py62lc0HYsV9TCnIblTu_NTiao/s1600/Middle+Percy+Sunset+Walk+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUkCIT-nc3JZKM23xCg5JtqB7UZsos7GT38V3ekyuSV_ZBhG_q5ufudS_MT2GCoMGH5nhBLrPbL4W_KcL0iq8qJFzFT1Pyt2LGea8c0DThAPzQ5Tq64py62lc0HYsV9TCnIblTu_NTiao/s640/Middle+Percy+Sunset+Walk+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Hundreds of
cruising boats have put lots of different things with their boats name on them
for over 2 decades.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They range
from carved coconuts, shirts, floatsam with names written on it right up to timber
plaques that have been specially made for the hut.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6i2GdcJdiIJyoGh7RIw0pxEGXfNXcUIEQQRXXp5D-hkImN8USfarm3nyTXlnh92Ap9lQQ4sS8HbwhDCxpUIU2BWGHBn4rdVFI8JUvC3W8i9TvVyZM634h9Zmj8ilLTmvXXYE-1kDW8ck/s1600/Middle+Percy+Sunset+Walk+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6i2GdcJdiIJyoGh7RIw0pxEGXfNXcUIEQQRXXp5D-hkImN8USfarm3nyTXlnh92Ap9lQQ4sS8HbwhDCxpUIU2BWGHBn4rdVFI8JUvC3W8i9TvVyZM634h9Zmj8ilLTmvXXYE-1kDW8ck/s640/Middle+Percy+Sunset+Walk+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We’ve been there
4 times now and one new thing we noticed was a large totem pole style carving
out the front that had been professionally made.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAr85bu7r-GPAWrpquV2IQdjA7ws1duwC-BxAevAB5SVorp9U0_MzQue-_cSoObeGIOwh5WKm_jlth76ADqJmknLm1boQwt004cvLwJnY4kR3k9-k6oLbsbJtdsX6VGp5pwwSQvMiN4KA/s1600/Middle+Percy+Sunset+Walk+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAr85bu7r-GPAWrpquV2IQdjA7ws1duwC-BxAevAB5SVorp9U0_MzQue-_cSoObeGIOwh5WKm_jlth76ADqJmknLm1boQwt004cvLwJnY4kR3k9-k6oLbsbJtdsX6VGp5pwwSQvMiN4KA/s640/Middle+Percy+Sunset+Walk+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Percy
Island’s private lease has been under controversy for over 15 years since long
term lease holder Andy Martin died <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly the
condition of the island seems to have deteriorated.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">National
parks want to take back the lease and get it under control.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They also
want to remove the A-Frame hut with all the memorabilia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This has come
under much criticism from the coastal cruising yachtie community who want the
A-Frame to remain.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But on a
brighter note….. The sunsets from West Bay are awesome.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRiyfcbR4aaUGVWN_F5jqFi7rJ1wmS5PuTVw-IH5owNHdNxjDRhxTa1eIsvS4bzBP31h-mp4e2R1Oa5AIohnP2aouUdrXCfjnAvUwlkMIytm0QXv5C5R9hzY4GHCAeEk9t7RFO-99tkQt/s1600/Middle+Percy+Sunset+Walk+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRiyfcbR4aaUGVWN_F5jqFi7rJ1wmS5PuTVw-IH5owNHdNxjDRhxTa1eIsvS4bzBP31h-mp4e2R1Oa5AIohnP2aouUdrXCfjnAvUwlkMIytm0QXv5C5R9hzY4GHCAeEk9t7RFO-99tkQt/s640/Middle+Percy+Sunset+Walk+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5BVQXKzAJqFChvKJ8V6dSrLli5wnITlAMd-JjZ68jDaZbg1T04GPs_6s8BFKfa0XHUNwlZ6mXTXxq3hwED8MvLNVFOZYdyttvFria8vfP1y4dhNDKfgcesiudthKsUdjZIswe5iMRpph/s1600/Middle+Percy+Sunset+Walk+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5BVQXKzAJqFChvKJ8V6dSrLli5wnITlAMd-JjZ68jDaZbg1T04GPs_6s8BFKfa0XHUNwlZ6mXTXxq3hwED8MvLNVFOZYdyttvFria8vfP1y4dhNDKfgcesiudthKsUdjZIswe5iMRpph/s640/Middle+Percy+Sunset+Walk+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That
afternoon the wind was supposed to swing around to the N-NW at 10-15 knots for
the evening and early next morning.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">If it came in
before we arrived at Middle Percy, we weren’t going to stop and continue
sailing overnight.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However by 7pm
we surmised it wasn’t coming so we had dinner and went to bed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At 12:30am it
finally did arrive so we left the bay and set sail south towards Hexham Island
and the mainland.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The N-NW
winds were supposed to be replaced by a southerly front that was due to hit
early morning at around 15-25 knots.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a game
to see how far south we could sail before it hit and we had to stop.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We sailed
through the dark night under a clear sky with lots of stars to Hexham Island
for the first leg. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Then we could
decide whether to keep going or to stop.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived at
daybreak to overcast conditions, rain, dropping wind and a tide turning against
us, so we stopped in a small bay on the north side of Hexham Island to wait for
clearer weather and the tide to turn in 6 hours.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul climbed
into a very rocky crow’s nest to take photos of the bay at sunrise.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0Zs6aLh2zyjktvpQ0sNOt11x2m9rJZ2_jLhjWjcT00gxFrh3W8SF-FWLOFQCdXsZNsMXa7xNkpmkFtZikVVHWjtKzOxSSS2VrXqjCoGumWyUBDZTinUQCfIE3cbHFavy9ZUkzuZczzzS/s1600/Arrive+Hexham+Island+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0Zs6aLh2zyjktvpQ0sNOt11x2m9rJZ2_jLhjWjcT00gxFrh3W8SF-FWLOFQCdXsZNsMXa7xNkpmkFtZikVVHWjtKzOxSSS2VrXqjCoGumWyUBDZTinUQCfIE3cbHFavy9ZUkzuZczzzS/s640/Arrive+Hexham+Island+%25283%2529.JPG" width="454" /></a></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we waited
we had lots of little Welcome Swallows flying around Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They were
landing on the life-lines and even flying through the hatches and around inside
Lorelei. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1SnuRYAnwvPTUFAK_71kSBb4R4fWGXcvLzJKKtYm6P7Ffj8YsLH9PoqytWlZzPNPLsgCIa7wPXrnM94kTZgY2J1Pj9gnntnZ03_wSFUQMZrpcBS5tvE-9-L4Sma04XCYWybvz0DqJL82W/s1600/Hexham+Island+Birds+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1SnuRYAnwvPTUFAK_71kSBb4R4fWGXcvLzJKKtYm6P7Ffj8YsLH9PoqytWlZzPNPLsgCIa7wPXrnM94kTZgY2J1Pj9gnntnZ03_wSFUQMZrpcBS5tvE-9-L4Sma04XCYWybvz0DqJL82W/s640/Hexham+Island+Birds+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi594QEoUAkeDS4Prmd0U-Gg-7v077irb2Ul-wllQI0fLOHs2JEHYIlUELEoT64NRXmRU6ZGjKHqC6_64U1RiSgdj27Hk7LbWXZCpXEwBtfrvKbXOdZItJtW-2mNJNaEBUHS8GbAHMaWh_X/s1600/Hexham+Island+Birds+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi594QEoUAkeDS4Prmd0U-Gg-7v077irb2Ul-wllQI0fLOHs2JEHYIlUELEoT64NRXmRU6ZGjKHqC6_64U1RiSgdj27Hk7LbWXZCpXEwBtfrvKbXOdZItJtW-2mNJNaEBUHS8GbAHMaWh_X/s640/Hexham+Island+Birds+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We left at
11am to transit 12nm south to the mainland and then hopefully a further 25nm to
Pearl Bay which was about 45nm north of Yeppoon, The Keppel Islands and Roslyn
Bay Marina – our ultimate destination to meet friends and head out to The
Swains Reefs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The NW-N
winds were gone and the southerly had started to fill in but it was only light
at around 6-10 knots.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were about
¾ of the way across to the mainland when the southerly really started to
intensify. We had current assistance and were still travelling at around 5
knots but the wind against tide scenario meant rough seas.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had 4
hours to go so we decided to keep going.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Not 20
minutes had passed and it got really ugly with gusts over 30 knots, wind
generated waves crashing over the boat and really messy conditions forcing the speed
down to under 4 knots.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had no
choice but to abort, so we turned, put out a bit of headsail and travelled 6nm
to a small bay called Supply Bay which is at the top of Cape Townshend.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was super
ugly by the time we arrived so we were happy to be in and safe – just a bit
disappointed that once again we were stuck hunkering down and unable to
continue further south for a few days at least.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
becoming a habit…..!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Supply Bay is
within the Shoalwater Bay military exercise area and fortunately the 2 month
long exercises with the Singapore Military were finishing that day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However the
land we were anchored next to is a bombing range and going ashore is strictly
prohibited.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhWhsdgUV3OBLabPJDLZYDTVmmWaZeo8Y3Fln91BSdH-kMQ0MxzWPae-USyEN77Vhqj-A9ZJfWJaQeboaMUf6n18gIoFvvZ6n5-MHnk03GtfiGC4s3igKkBdLZooyal5uPFPD3oIxbqgw/s1600/Supply+Bay+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhWhsdgUV3OBLabPJDLZYDTVmmWaZeo8Y3Fln91BSdH-kMQ0MxzWPae-USyEN77Vhqj-A9ZJfWJaQeboaMUf6n18gIoFvvZ6n5-MHnk03GtfiGC4s3igKkBdLZooyal5uPFPD3oIxbqgw/s640/Supply+Bay+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That night it
went really weird as the wind intensified further, the clouds were super low &
very black and the temperature plummeted.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It dropped by
over 15 degrees to under 12 degrees C and by dark we were in long pants,
jumpers, socks and beanies.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We even slept
under doonas which is the first time we’ve used them for years.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The sunset
was amazing but a little scary.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUe1Ur85SbqmVRMCrbHrRknAwoKZKPM9uAhklMKzWjfrh6ScqTnPbfugDRzeYIO9ftSRuJWKa9-GjePAMSXm-GjLl5Ysqab6D4fb8drEKhg46kLZy2_nop5vktcjcier_pA50r8f5w7rX/s1600/Supply+Bay+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUe1Ur85SbqmVRMCrbHrRknAwoKZKPM9uAhklMKzWjfrh6ScqTnPbfugDRzeYIO9ftSRuJWKa9-GjePAMSXm-GjLl5Ysqab6D4fb8drEKhg46kLZy2_nop5vktcjcier_pA50r8f5w7rX/s640/Supply+Bay+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32ydNzBkOdg2KfcCXtnCocOZRYRVimdbPkmykjRCYu4B7n0EJqRastkPuO_rEq1Z0OW16o_ixyBz0AVL2eW1nHm4EBRMBMQBoEWUkngvOiq9f_QAplqlJvAhBWeqnTBa6xxIbgkXtuHDM/s1600/Supply+Bay+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32ydNzBkOdg2KfcCXtnCocOZRYRVimdbPkmykjRCYu4B7n0EJqRastkPuO_rEq1Z0OW16o_ixyBz0AVL2eW1nHm4EBRMBMQBoEWUkngvOiq9f_QAplqlJvAhBWeqnTBa6xxIbgkXtuHDM/s640/Supply+Bay+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That night we
were on full alert with basically all systems operating like we were sailing
overnight. We had all electronics on and alarms set for various things.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were up
and down a lot during the night checking everything was ok as it was so rough
and blowing so hard. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It wasn’t
gusty like the Whitsunday’s – just very strong cold and constant wind.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One thing we
noticed were the poor little Welcome Swallows.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They were all
huddled on the rails and looked like little balls of fluff.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite how
close we went to them, they weren’t moving….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Conditions
were so much better in our cockpit and we wished we could have put them inside
there for the evening.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMPqvWZ2jnupqyrr_WPwfWekcYszhkcdU63fXPU-yWwty2sz7BQrybkRzKZjBxNHIRnC9wP0NECdMvfG76TrYo1ZCmnI7EMdUbMua3G3df4ZNTF03mn1LoiQcce-cX2NzUxl1SJFGZVPj/s1600/Supply+Bay+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMPqvWZ2jnupqyrr_WPwfWekcYszhkcdU63fXPU-yWwty2sz7BQrybkRzKZjBxNHIRnC9wP0NECdMvfG76TrYo1ZCmnI7EMdUbMua3G3df4ZNTF03mn1LoiQcce-cX2NzUxl1SJFGZVPj/s640/Supply+Bay+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We rolled
around for a second day and with the wind against tide it wasn’t pleasant.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was hard enough
to walk around inside let alone cook, clean and do any jobs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Frustratingly,
all we could do was relax, read and watch movies.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul wanted
to leave on the high tide at 2am but Lisa said it still would be too rough so
we didn’t go.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Additionally
it was pitch black with no moon and overcast skies which wasn’t appealing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sure enough
by daybreak it was very rough outside as we looked through the binoculars (and
Lisa was saying “I told you so….”).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At 1pm we
tried again but now it was too windy so we sat out another rolly night!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Arrrgghhh…!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Another yacht
turned up that arvo. It was a 40ft fibreglass production boat and they were
really getting tossed around.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At least the
sunset that night looked a lot better.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn99Zr4j4Mf9yQtZGCZH8zFqdZkoWuB_wDee1CixigZJpASFsfQr4M-OUzxmh-bFJOjBtVO5Cvf9j3yyUiMX8GFVWkp_Uniq4EJ7UJZTRh-Rva7ryzeC5334ze1DIcRallkaE_cC6x47ek/s1600/Supply+Bay+Sunset+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn99Zr4j4Mf9yQtZGCZH8zFqdZkoWuB_wDee1CixigZJpASFsfQr4M-OUzxmh-bFJOjBtVO5Cvf9j3yyUiMX8GFVWkp_Uniq4EJ7UJZTRh-Rva7ryzeC5334ze1DIcRallkaE_cC6x47ek/s640/Supply+Bay+Sunset+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Finally on
day 3 we left at 5am half-way through the run out tide – with Lisa still saying
it was going to be too rough.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The forecast
was for a 2 day drop in the weather before it picked back up again to yet
another strong wind warning.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Reality was
nothing like the prediction and it was much rougher (as Lisa had said….).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a
very, very rough motor 14nm south as we tried to get to a more protected location.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There was
green water all over the deck, some of which had leaked in through an unsealed
V-berth hatch. We had to pull a lot of stuff out including the carpets and wash
and dry it out over the next 2 days.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the
violent rolling, things were going in all directions downstairs with books,
desk fans and kitchen appliances (that normally would never move) ending up on
the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had to be
careful opening cupboards as they were a jumbled mess.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
people on the radio from boats around the Yepoon/Great Keppel Islands area that
were swearing and cursing about the wrong forecast and horrible conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Even the
marine rescue boat had to save 5 people from a boat that was in trouble.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> So once again we changed our destination from
Pearl Bay to the more secure Island Head Creek.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The problem
was we would arrived at the Creek entrance at dead low tide which meant the
possibility of running aground on the shallow sand bars at the entrance. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The best time
to enter for a yacht is towards the top of the tide – not the bottom.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So with that
in mind we stopped at a little sandy beach inside Pine Tree Point and waited (and
rolled) for 4 hours for the tide to rise.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul put a
kayak in and went ashore to have a look at the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the
headland was a small inlet with a large sea cave that went a long way into the
cliff face.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XL2EH1aJ3hZE-NcCXedi6p90g5Vmk_gSVpcFm8I5H-9HzoN4bXGkFI1WZ9STPCCZI-tsHrFa_ppK5G_7dwR-ltyCTSchKJm6lbQdTzADCH-7w_jaCMlYWOZJCeuNSQIaumCD8VTwwDfq/s1600/Pine+Trees+Beach+Walk+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XL2EH1aJ3hZE-NcCXedi6p90g5Vmk_gSVpcFm8I5H-9HzoN4bXGkFI1WZ9STPCCZI-tsHrFa_ppK5G_7dwR-ltyCTSchKJm6lbQdTzADCH-7w_jaCMlYWOZJCeuNSQIaumCD8VTwwDfq/s640/Pine+Trees+Beach+Walk+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKosyAsyPQvWuvbpSw2v9z4QZhVq8KZW-wZL16rBjRCPALdj3_EY23UYrGE4chy6DEQoZH_eZlJ5QGHRKoEZ-T1f1KqBqkBnLEKsJsq1Pz_H9EZ66FUvH-dJnVDgF5dOTQGjBGKqf_Kdte/s1600/Pine+Trees+Beach+Walk+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKosyAsyPQvWuvbpSw2v9z4QZhVq8KZW-wZL16rBjRCPALdj3_EY23UYrGE4chy6DEQoZH_eZlJ5QGHRKoEZ-T1f1KqBqkBnLEKsJsq1Pz_H9EZ66FUvH-dJnVDgF5dOTQGjBGKqf_Kdte/s640/Pine+Trees+Beach+Walk+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsZMkHhWIb5ZX48Dar2ooT2KwiF1zlectx2cqJwB5fYD6TVib2aO8bv_NiEyg6Hac3nrFNfPomSc6l4ifElIAwoKImQGaLQlZP7x7IAvBLWXV3l6eQEqlWlPfiks3h5vL-fc1_pTgugl9/s1600/Pine+Trees+Beach+Walk+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsZMkHhWIb5ZX48Dar2ooT2KwiF1zlectx2cqJwB5fYD6TVib2aO8bv_NiEyg6Hac3nrFNfPomSc6l4ifElIAwoKImQGaLQlZP7x7IAvBLWXV3l6eQEqlWlPfiks3h5vL-fc1_pTgugl9/s640/Pine+Trees+Beach+Walk+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSa2amlFezGbDRo9kO2dpgXQckKthyaxGPRc-ZVlvWitVIsxVw4pxNk9VWff3dndB2h5g0mJjobNq3wnnl3Yzz3yt88A0Nw29si_04cJUrXNNAvgy_kAWWlqvBO1aXAQ971UL4skyPWM3/s1600/Pine+Trees+Beach+Walk+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSa2amlFezGbDRo9kO2dpgXQckKthyaxGPRc-ZVlvWitVIsxVw4pxNk9VWff3dndB2h5g0mJjobNq3wnnl3Yzz3yt88A0Nw29si_04cJUrXNNAvgy_kAWWlqvBO1aXAQ971UL4skyPWM3/s640/Pine+Trees+Beach+Walk+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The beach is
rarely visited as it’s a calm weather location only.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The cruising
guide says you could land and airliner on the beach as it’s so long, hard and
dead flat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiou7b20Q8KyWxlZmY6L-fhN9U7cPsgJUG_xZ4vhdf9nvgZmSxcB0_V1TafbyTjY0WaH7EHhMTthVyp6xG6yWZFW8UpP9BhXmId1ep4vjpXsEb3afeJSGMC5GeGyw2QiI0S49ZYx4vnfcUY/s1600/Pine+Trees+Beach+Walk+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiou7b20Q8KyWxlZmY6L-fhN9U7cPsgJUG_xZ4vhdf9nvgZmSxcB0_V1TafbyTjY0WaH7EHhMTthVyp6xG6yWZFW8UpP9BhXmId1ep4vjpXsEb3afeJSGMC5GeGyw2QiI0S49ZYx4vnfcUY/s640/Pine+Trees+Beach+Walk+%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the low
tide, there were lots of areas along the beach with sheens of water over them
which made for great reflection photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEYmU4ndfjl2MBB8aeZVeHLU6WvT5yDv9UifxyUw4uBE78u4qjo8MqaVq4v48waMT7DLHTAVWMccOltub9C4Ojd-iEja324fftr4N4sfhGReF_vrPTNX2Y_ZDkF2DODdAIpdRNjUGEkCSg/s1600/Pine+Trees+Beach+Walk+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEYmU4ndfjl2MBB8aeZVeHLU6WvT5yDv9UifxyUw4uBE78u4qjo8MqaVq4v48waMT7DLHTAVWMccOltub9C4Ojd-iEja324fftr4N4sfhGReF_vrPTNX2Y_ZDkF2DODdAIpdRNjUGEkCSg/s640/Pine+Trees+Beach+Walk+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMjtavXQz13VCdGNZ6LUPNlyPklnwCRk9E1kmbkfoDec_absoOSfv_ZSoOK3ZCINRzCcus1gFoXfd5vWDA6GX1NeX9irzd0Agx-zRynrMW1-pkzPOJaGLDx2VKT7QLh1poyJ7Sx3Ort4I/s1600/Pine+Trees+Beach+Walk+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMjtavXQz13VCdGNZ6LUPNlyPklnwCRk9E1kmbkfoDec_absoOSfv_ZSoOK3ZCINRzCcus1gFoXfd5vWDA6GX1NeX9irzd0Agx-zRynrMW1-pkzPOJaGLDx2VKT7QLh1poyJ7Sx3Ort4I/s640/Pine+Trees+Beach+Walk+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At one end
was a rocky headland overlooking the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_AAQpRy_-o4a-BrOeZWzpL6Up7o70KX5V2DCUo3-Wb-07DCLBPzqBQaBez1gs_RSTMwXseFvFv2LgkbFSFpEbt84tHF8lRzeIw3Mgm13KDUOBbC1BWxd0C4rCOjmgd0kbuAu2oJ42eby/s1600/Pine+Trees+Beach+Walk+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_AAQpRy_-o4a-BrOeZWzpL6Up7o70KX5V2DCUo3-Wb-07DCLBPzqBQaBez1gs_RSTMwXseFvFv2LgkbFSFpEbt84tHF8lRzeIw3Mgm13KDUOBbC1BWxd0C4rCOjmgd0kbuAu2oJ42eby/s640/Pine+Trees+Beach+Walk+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At 11am we
took off for the mouth of Island Head Creek.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite being
only 4nm away, it took 90 minutes to bash into the swell, wind and current to
get there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Island at
the entrance (hence the creek’s name) looks fantastic with its towering cliff
faces and crystal like spires of rock projecting out from each end.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXt1y0EbnmO4KqDnahoh0LYxqvIFkGElxoNty0NeUYzvlQoFTBetEczKBpzMoh_x8x4kxGByEQwTqM1uTco0TQCmWf3Mh-V9ytPljP2zFn49BlflxBjWqtqatzddj33Qebhmj0bNV25Dq-/s1600/Island+Head+Creek++Arrive.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXt1y0EbnmO4KqDnahoh0LYxqvIFkGElxoNty0NeUYzvlQoFTBetEczKBpzMoh_x8x4kxGByEQwTqM1uTco0TQCmWf3Mh-V9ytPljP2zFn49BlflxBjWqtqatzddj33Qebhmj0bNV25Dq-/s640/Island+Head+Creek++Arrive.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The deepest
part of the shallow channel runs right along the side of the island and some
other exposed rocks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Motoring in
was very rough being so close to the rocks and getting all the bounce back of
the swell from the rock faces.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">If there was
ever a time we needed a reliable engine – this was it!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We motored
over half way into the creek system where it was smaller, closer to the
fishing/crabbing spots and a bit more protected from the wind and chop.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the big
tides, at high tide we looked a long way from shore but at low tide the sand
bars were all exposed and we were anchored quite close to them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were so
thankful to be in safe and anchored! After weeks of rolling around in terrible
seas and rolly anchorages it was fantastic to be somewhere safe and flat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However it
came at a cost…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For that
first afternoon we could barely stand up.<br />
Even the slightest movement of the boat and our bodies would over-compensate
and nearly fall over. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
bumping into everything and Lisa was even a little sick. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Even sitting
at the table, our bodies were still automatically rocking side to side in dead
flat conditions. It was terrible!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So in the end
we went to bed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul was so
tired anyway after having slept only about 4 hours each night for the past 4
nights that he slept for 15 hours.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We woke the
next morning to calm conditions with an awesome sunrise.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was the
calm before the storm….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDcRAWTKUXQ0HWkPWCvD3M1O2Sdgss3o5QMSjrbumjHGzh1luYNRFbg6zrnSIZymi7g88-U-RvjVbqQVozPmgawLSODtF4sIvMLORyP1-yS88o_EkjHj7xzneqRk_2iGMIl048WKx1yox/s1600/Island+head+Creek+Sunrise+Day+2+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDcRAWTKUXQ0HWkPWCvD3M1O2Sdgss3o5QMSjrbumjHGzh1luYNRFbg6zrnSIZymi7g88-U-RvjVbqQVozPmgawLSODtF4sIvMLORyP1-yS88o_EkjHj7xzneqRk_2iGMIl048WKx1yox/s640/Island+head+Creek+Sunrise+Day+2+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The dramas
continued the next morning when Lisa decided to start tackling the huge pile of
clothes washing after not being somewhere flat enough for the washing machine
to work for ages.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After the
spin cycle on the first load, water started pouring out of the bottom of the
machine flooding the laundry.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
it was only a badly chaffed and split hose (probably from all the violent
tossing about) and Paul was able to fix it relatively quickly. The cleaning up
and drying out however took a little longer…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That arvo we
dropped the tinny in for the first time in weeks and went and explored further
up the creek system on the high tide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was much
bigger than we thought and we found lots of places to put in crab pots and possibly
have a fish.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There weren’t
too many areas to go ashore but we found a small island <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">mid-stream
and were able to stretch our legs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCo9Py0SwKQZHugel_WYOY3jTB3nf62UVsu91RK7APez-nevFXhav2abJGPeU5uOODrmQ6nY3nAd3TlHeP_OYIyn-U7yUWjDhAIdqT7hyphenhyphen1ks3DiYYVU4Jz_U6uxEdX7PZCEEjZwxZJx4K1/s1600/Island+Head+Creek+Explore+Day+1+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCo9Py0SwKQZHugel_WYOY3jTB3nf62UVsu91RK7APez-nevFXhav2abJGPeU5uOODrmQ6nY3nAd3TlHeP_OYIyn-U7yUWjDhAIdqT7hyphenhyphen1ks3DiYYVU4Jz_U6uxEdX7PZCEEjZwxZJx4K1/s640/Island+Head+Creek+Explore+Day+1+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the low
tide the following morning we took a nipper pump over to the sand/mud flats to
look for yabbies as bait to catch whiting.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The last time
we were here we caught many whiting so we wanted to try again as they taste
excellent.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We spent over
90 minutes searching many sand bars for nipper holes and did a few exploratory
pumps but we didn’t find any nippers.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfHQCiaTP3wNJbi4xarUBMAD71S7DOP131PGZ5_V9e4CfX1GvjO8eybOQIvG3-QJVDRv2QEXrbxTT7sSLQDSiRNhK32PiAbM4dAUPsMHd7TOakm6mfRVn24B5JLz8uM9K2Z3FxTsBIEFY/s1600/Island+Head+Creek+Fishing+Day+2+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfHQCiaTP3wNJbi4xarUBMAD71S7DOP131PGZ5_V9e4CfX1GvjO8eybOQIvG3-QJVDRv2QEXrbxTT7sSLQDSiRNhK32PiAbM4dAUPsMHd7TOakm6mfRVn24B5JLz8uM9K2Z3FxTsBIEFY/s640/Island+Head+Creek+Fishing+Day+2+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We walked a
long way up a sandy offshoot arm where we knew we got them last time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
loads of Soldier Crabs that were so thick across the sand we couldn’t walk
through them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68PgIT-5rarUwbaeXxQWEIJos_QWipuiulIu8Dot0_uxBUEobEbDLO82npWqxs3V0zOmoMhavJeNbDaaUMQL3Q-jBCsFHMM4pFSCzGlmRpQjTXN98cVwdgJ0eQv7-FANo4PRBRCJFDSzE/s1600/Island+Head+Creek+Fishing+Day+2+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68PgIT-5rarUwbaeXxQWEIJos_QWipuiulIu8Dot0_uxBUEobEbDLO82npWqxs3V0zOmoMhavJeNbDaaUMQL3Q-jBCsFHMM4pFSCzGlmRpQjTXN98cVwdgJ0eQv7-FANo4PRBRCJFDSzE/s640/Island+Head+Creek+Fishing+Day+2+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijaOx1HZ3SAlyCmcCbLDp8QLjJxemoB9YdNpJyuvAjkCawMgGVWYIoXwLb9quhAhMXOjCIE70XIchYtI681VLG_ISD5wK_gr4LXI8Z3tBZ6oQWxor-52vPKgPNgBst9cL0jTBia1w8GpM3/s1600/Island+Head+Creek+Fishing+Day+2+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijaOx1HZ3SAlyCmcCbLDp8QLjJxemoB9YdNpJyuvAjkCawMgGVWYIoXwLb9quhAhMXOjCIE70XIchYtI681VLG_ISD5wK_gr4LXI8Z3tBZ6oQWxor-52vPKgPNgBst9cL0jTBia1w8GpM3/s640/Island+Head+Creek+Fishing+Day+2+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had almost
given up when we found stacks of holes and 40 minutes of frantic nipper pumping
later, we had enough of them in the bucket.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we started
fishing the gutters by walking the sandbanks and casting from the edge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Within an
hour we had more than enough Whiting for a great feed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmNkAEOL6CchIQNvoo3_M-ydJ6elQA9JcumWWyt0rVpkh5v8r2rJqXytr_gJzsFxV6YJt-rfb5-syo5A_6xkkzMoOeW7PqNPyFLzYzGJh-t9D5YCXvNckLqAwJhi44nbj0bSrJY0_MSBS/s1600/Island+Head+Creek+Whiting+Fishing+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmNkAEOL6CchIQNvoo3_M-ydJ6elQA9JcumWWyt0rVpkh5v8r2rJqXytr_gJzsFxV6YJt-rfb5-syo5A_6xkkzMoOeW7PqNPyFLzYzGJh-t9D5YCXvNckLqAwJhi44nbj0bSrJY0_MSBS/s640/Island+Head+Creek+Whiting+Fishing+%25282%2529.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Not all the Whiting were
keepers…. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa with a small one
she was about to put back<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the
afternoon we had a troll around the rocky headlands at the creek’s Entrance.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa caught
an Estuary Cod but it soon got really windy so we aborted and went back to
Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsnM8NaxkQKSUZUjoWBtTac6BizDT91APFR59d0zlTyuOGmYvnkTuJNH2BuhAAD-ePb0lmbh8SwH61eXRURaymD2gQfPqB5dVDwD2b985Bj07vA_GZGQCER-K5sEkAY573ZMCKlB8_GRM/s1600/Island+Head+Creek+Fishing+Day+2+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsnM8NaxkQKSUZUjoWBtTac6BizDT91APFR59d0zlTyuOGmYvnkTuJNH2BuhAAD-ePb0lmbh8SwH61eXRURaymD2gQfPqB5dVDwD2b985Bj07vA_GZGQCER-K5sEkAY573ZMCKlB8_GRM/s640/Island+Head+Creek+Fishing+Day+2+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the
weather deteriorating even further, we moved further up the creek to a side arm
that was more protected from the wind and chop.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There was
another cruising boat anchored there as well – a 40ft Leopard Cat called EverRest
owned by a fantastic couple Titch and Bev.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Over the next
2 days we went crabbing and socialised with Titch and Bev in the evenings.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5aUJM5m-ZSKgnKxwmQ4hldc-3-twkMlzlvewuq1d2gIk22hKw-1tn3BwBMH6ivJ5ED18GSy_m8ZYg0jvYGloK1PRIdCcbK7L55MUFKd8xUYOn0QgSTceu7a8AtzcccU-52xdRCD4F36H/s1600/Island+Head+Creek+Ever+Rest+Dinner+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5aUJM5m-ZSKgnKxwmQ4hldc-3-twkMlzlvewuq1d2gIk22hKw-1tn3BwBMH6ivJ5ED18GSy_m8ZYg0jvYGloK1PRIdCcbK7L55MUFKd8xUYOn0QgSTceu7a8AtzcccU-52xdRCD4F36H/s640/Island+Head+Creek+Ever+Rest+Dinner+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The crabbing
was not so successful. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We tried a
few small mangrove tributaries but all we caught were loads of very small Mud
Crabs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Then we
noticed pink ribbons tied at the entrance to each inlet and figured the pro-crabbers
had recently been here and cleaned the placed out of any decent size crabs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we moved
our crab pots to another location that was very tight to get into and figured
we might have a better chance of success.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0jB7JDPDvnjHzPfPWsqqKFI6bf1fItTQeMpBdzah_MV9whOnDICitWaGw4zlyizjp0uB-vUKrQZswj7P9ZMDmzfQAuKDs9B25QVo7nOz746BTteLWYw1PCtnkdRGtjf6Rq_E-6SE-9AL/s1600/Island+Head+Crabbing+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0jB7JDPDvnjHzPfPWsqqKFI6bf1fItTQeMpBdzah_MV9whOnDICitWaGw4zlyizjp0uB-vUKrQZswj7P9ZMDmzfQAuKDs9B25QVo7nOz746BTteLWYw1PCtnkdRGtjf6Rq_E-6SE-9AL/s640/Island+Head+Crabbing+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Still the
crabbing was poor but the one that we did get was huge!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXA1Q7KttdqjBuQHb3u8jsXvOSGERQvV4LgOBC7qhNAdgHUEJeyTXwulqYrkb0TZXMoM6fZqinCW6mhyC3Yfm0ALJx-yz_mS-t4ttLgqYcoBqzJIK_hb8Hna_TnByR8WJwGs32CR_biy3/s1600/Island+Head+Creek+Big+Mud+Crab.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXA1Q7KttdqjBuQHb3u8jsXvOSGERQvV4LgOBC7qhNAdgHUEJeyTXwulqYrkb0TZXMoM6fZqinCW6mhyC3Yfm0ALJx-yz_mS-t4ttLgqYcoBqzJIK_hb8Hna_TnByR8WJwGs32CR_biy3/s640/Island+Head+Creek+Big+Mud+Crab.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There was a
small drop in the wind for just one day and we were invited onto Ever Rest for
the day to do a little run down to the Island Head Creek Entrance, have a swim
and a look around before coming back late in the arvo.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We jumped
on-board to find Bev pulling Blueberry Muffins out of the oven.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The motor
down to the mouth was fast as it was with the wind and current.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRnvAv24vRQ4RHlQrHTnaMDn8e2BPz_KYkss8dmya6Mv5xSImiMqno8o-9kO68VbeYS6kiRXTiwrnGMPmDXdp0qrIQbm1qcepJpu4kmRRVoHKe2CTinVpe5XO5k2RbJZwlEcKeVH5kgw1/s1600/Island+Head+Creek+Ever+Rest+Day+Trip+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRnvAv24vRQ4RHlQrHTnaMDn8e2BPz_KYkss8dmya6Mv5xSImiMqno8o-9kO68VbeYS6kiRXTiwrnGMPmDXdp0qrIQbm1qcepJpu4kmRRVoHKe2CTinVpe5XO5k2RbJZwlEcKeVH5kgw1/s640/Island+Head+Creek+Ever+Rest+Day+Trip+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
shallow at the mouth but Titch managed to weave the cat into a small passage
between a few rock islands and a large exposed sand bar and anchor up
successfully.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We all went
ashore and had a walk and swim – which was a little cold.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Conditions
didn’t look too bad until we saw a 60ft Nordhavn Power Cruiser (which are one
of the best long range motor cruisers on the market) coming around the Island
and it was being tossed around quite a lot in the big swell and wind. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEUGFVVHPovzXPvWdS4hT1MTIH59huwzt8ZIhfS_8x6RQJZ90Fbskkr9t43DJh3ylOGr6fHbIIueAxQbFDw7erwndR-JrDp1x0DyffUTsAzAFVymmEJWSbZJsJN9jwpp3GJ9P0NRco2yl/s1600/Island+Head+Creek+Ever+Rest+Day+Trip+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEUGFVVHPovzXPvWdS4hT1MTIH59huwzt8ZIhfS_8x6RQJZ90Fbskkr9t43DJh3ylOGr6fHbIIueAxQbFDw7erwndR-JrDp1x0DyffUTsAzAFVymmEJWSbZJsJN9jwpp3GJ9P0NRco2yl/s640/Island+Head+Creek+Ever+Rest+Day+Trip+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
home Bev made hot cuppas and nachos which warmed us all back up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxsZfrJHOK9gCEwG0GQUVZIF9QJI4ZnqsIjrxsdftUhFUSoN24XBKGl0voFExrlJEJgbmXUFd3ko0Hcsza6-KAtSGh9LQVGAE8YBCimSwSLn76sXo275PqrVumrMdEzZ1kjM95-QFajoLJ/s1600/Island+Head+Creek+Ever+Rest+Day+Trip+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxsZfrJHOK9gCEwG0GQUVZIF9QJI4ZnqsIjrxsdftUhFUSoN24XBKGl0voFExrlJEJgbmXUFd3ko0Hcsza6-KAtSGh9LQVGAE8YBCimSwSLn76sXo275PqrVumrMdEzZ1kjM95-QFajoLJ/s640/Island+Head+Creek+Ever+Rest+Day+Trip+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The sun was
just setting as we anchored back up next to Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8oNBIk4_uWrTo64C8RfHhkTvwB_pjZfS-YttQdjdCvJg6BWa3HJp_j0tlsaHfnSVD1-UUkJphuZXeB0XrGYTbsfNDqW1tz3W55DyorJr0GXFTbkbx5260FsoNLhFqfHcGCjOzB81Q0l8/s1600/Island+Head+Creek+Ever+Rest+Day+Trip+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8oNBIk4_uWrTo64C8RfHhkTvwB_pjZfS-YttQdjdCvJg6BWa3HJp_j0tlsaHfnSVD1-UUkJphuZXeB0XrGYTbsfNDqW1tz3W55DyorJr0GXFTbkbx5260FsoNLhFqfHcGCjOzB81Q0l8/s640/Island+Head+Creek+Ever+Rest+Day+Trip+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
great day out for all of us gave us something different to do whilst riding out
the rough and windy weather in a creek.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We are very
critical of catamaran designs and layouts, particularly for offshore cruising
but we thought Titch and Bev’s 40ft Leopard was excellent and probably the best
40ft coastal cruising cat we’ve ever seen. It’s no surprise it won so many
awards when it was released about 12 years ago.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s the
second Leopard we’ve thought was great as our friends Grant and Glynnis (that
we met in The Kimberley) have an awesome 48ft power cat that we thought was the
perfect alternative to a sailing vessel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
started out cold and rainy but by mid-morning it had cleared to a sunny day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So all 4 of
us jumped in our Tinny and went down to the sand bars at the creek entrance for
the day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As crazy as
it sounds in a muddy mangrove creek with potential for Crocodiles, we worked
out that the inlet would be awesome for kite boarding on the low tide. There
was miles of room to launch the kite on the hard-packed sandbars. The wind was
funnelling down the inlet meaning it was a perfect cross shore wind. It was
also consistent, not gusty or too choppy and overall very good conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At first it
was a little hard to work upwind with the run out wind and tide but as the tide
turned and started running in, it became really easy to get upwind, meaning you
could do loads of tricks running downwind before easy heading back upwind on
the return leg. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It turned out
to be one of the best places to kite we’ve found since coming down from the tip
of Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Having said
that, Paul’s probably the only person to have ever kited there as it’s so
remote, most cruisers (who are basically the only people to visit the area) don’t
kite and are so paranoid of Crocodiles in these sorts of areas that they barely
put their big toes in, let alone kite across the passage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArp8h414SaPeeR5gytOKc6NAm9useurmNloECwZIw-ovMLxVrD1uBSe3cN_gbzHdO9k-cT48d7SpfBSjAs9gfMKmsKaZr5gswJh6RcL67IHaTzUn4o4j9n8vjdZjUPSIs6MslIY_pUqLY/s1600/Island+Head+Creek+Kiting+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArp8h414SaPeeR5gytOKc6NAm9useurmNloECwZIw-ovMLxVrD1uBSe3cN_gbzHdO9k-cT48d7SpfBSjAs9gfMKmsKaZr5gswJh6RcL67IHaTzUn4o4j9n8vjdZjUPSIs6MslIY_pUqLY/s640/Island+Head+Creek+Kiting+%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">While Paul
was having an awesome time kiting, Lisa, Titch and Bev walked up a side inlet
looking for Nippers to pump so we could fish for Whiting in the afternoon. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Titch and Bev
have never pumped Nippers before so it was a novel thing to do for them. They
did however get lots of them and when they returned, Paul packed away the kite
gear and we all had a fish along the sand bar as the tide flooded in.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3gVetde1BRqOqYz_pFql50TZXWR9zEnTnB6sEk4sBIU_55IwBKlAeeSgeF_7nRzeveITz6PIaaMxSLxOgbLJt6-eNGdcggAoL_96gzSxxP-9Y5Jfir2RcXq_em0sdYbi3LEiBcteFH4Y8/s1600/Island+Head+Creek+Fishnig+Titch+and+Bev+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3gVetde1BRqOqYz_pFql50TZXWR9zEnTnB6sEk4sBIU_55IwBKlAeeSgeF_7nRzeveITz6PIaaMxSLxOgbLJt6-eNGdcggAoL_96gzSxxP-9Y5Jfir2RcXq_em0sdYbi3LEiBcteFH4Y8/s640/Island+Head+Creek+Fishnig+Titch+and+Bev+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a slow
start but Bev hooked the first fish – a Threadfin Salmon which was unexpected
but had us all a bit excited.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The fishing
got better towards sunset but it also got colder and started to rain just after
the sun had set.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHnyQr9FGndXRLJVi7DuEIdC6Z0sFvrR8tOLmyG9It0RQe9JNC9gkPnAZi5oUoTjVPrrQoxAeGD2JUs_Su6vrJmgfu1lEm30a7QwxuAvsW7wWGoqB6kD-8EQm4QTk0SivSARoveHwFsbL/s1600/Island+Head+Creek+Fishnig+Titch+and+Bev+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHnyQr9FGndXRLJVi7DuEIdC6Z0sFvrR8tOLmyG9It0RQe9JNC9gkPnAZi5oUoTjVPrrQoxAeGD2JUs_Su6vrJmgfu1lEm30a7QwxuAvsW7wWGoqB6kD-8EQm4QTk0SivSARoveHwFsbL/s640/Island+Head+Creek+Fishnig+Titch+and+Bev+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we packed
up and headed home with only about half the Whiting we expected to get. We were
cold, tired and a little wet but all happy that we’d filled in yet another day
with fun stuff despite being “stuck up a creek in a strong wind warning and
huge seas”.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For the next
2 days it blew and rained and blew.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
checking weather observations on the net every few hours and it was gusting up
to 50 knots out at the reef and up to 45 knots on the island just off the
coast.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were sooo
glad to be right up in the creek and well protected.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was also
very cold and we spent the days in long pants, jumpers and socks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It must have
been bad outside because even the large fishing charter boats that usually work
out at the reefs were hunkered down and anchored up next to us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We felt sorry
for their guests on board who would have been disappointed and frustrated.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When the
weather fined up again we picked up Titch and Bev and went down to the sandbars
at the mouth for a walk and for Paul to have a kite.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This time
Paul started on a small sandbar and kited downwind to the creek entrance. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4P1tgFjp98LfKUWUFasvLhDTwJwx_07FzS6N30ihGKemTqx_2YLpHaUQp-z7haw_UFN1ZKUQ-hJhnqPx9INNuG9JUBEVxLYUhFgwRNIGHz00h92BgzXkBdxC-cI6eIIl49HmCXr8cbaZZ/s1600/Island+Head+Creek+Kiting+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4P1tgFjp98LfKUWUFasvLhDTwJwx_07FzS6N30ihGKemTqx_2YLpHaUQp-z7haw_UFN1ZKUQ-hJhnqPx9INNuG9JUBEVxLYUhFgwRNIGHz00h92BgzXkBdxC-cI6eIIl49HmCXr8cbaZZ/s640/Island+Head+Creek+Kiting+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The wind
wasn’t quite as strong as the first kiting session a few days prior and it was
a little inconsistent making for a bit of a start-stop for the first 30
minutes. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa stayed
close with the Tinny just in case until the wind picked up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0vf8v40kS3QKCKEGYzA3q-Lz9KXikGqG1yjIS9bX-qvDe-5Z9qo1bn268Uu02Ts1w7WD4xrQiOzIYLK1KT1ApukX1rM6vPat4dSM9Hsa9uZ5zlqtpdNFwxT1Us-A6Kt-oGpq4c1IIazE/s1600/Island+Head+Creek+Kiting+%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0vf8v40kS3QKCKEGYzA3q-Lz9KXikGqG1yjIS9bX-qvDe-5Z9qo1bn268Uu02Ts1w7WD4xrQiOzIYLK1KT1ApukX1rM6vPat4dSM9Hsa9uZ5zlqtpdNFwxT1Us-A6Kt-oGpq4c1IIazE/s640/Island+Head+Creek+Kiting+%252811%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Kiting along
the edge of the entrance sandbar was a hoot with the windier conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was super
shallow and a blast to be only a meter or 2 from the dry sandbank.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeIT3JlJkpac0XfJSTTNlIQQqXaQ1tgWo-KctGH3mFWS7V_i4urkqbVuY2Gf_R4_FNXWspCOzk45t7oSWBdRVBOLUZOLmbo_LZda4HPzcwyjs42CVqSgIwH9iNaNqjHPVdKriwAmpgEyUG/s1600/Island+Head+Creek+Kiting+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeIT3JlJkpac0XfJSTTNlIQQqXaQ1tgWo-KctGH3mFWS7V_i4urkqbVuY2Gf_R4_FNXWspCOzk45t7oSWBdRVBOLUZOLmbo_LZda4HPzcwyjs42CVqSgIwH9iNaNqjHPVdKriwAmpgEyUG/s640/Island+Head+Creek+Kiting+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The tinny
anchored on the shore edge made for a lot of close shaves.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfhUHSwcaAkvJL7onHQbKAp925YdrSlBGJSSVfSRulPcoFfvXAq4OQ1M3BVXcY-gYYhrdl5IWZVTjLcYl4CybQ5NgGxuARLbMsvE9d9Fds9jFsCUlyPl_clt49uDlATiw2FBsiHV6Vfhd/s1600/Island+Head+Creek+Kiting+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfhUHSwcaAkvJL7onHQbKAp925YdrSlBGJSSVfSRulPcoFfvXAq4OQ1M3BVXcY-gYYhrdl5IWZVTjLcYl4CybQ5NgGxuARLbMsvE9d9Fds9jFsCUlyPl_clt49uDlATiw2FBsiHV6Vfhd/s640/Island+Head+Creek+Kiting+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Playing in
the shallows at high speed is always fraught with danger and more than once the
water sucked off the sandbar bringing the board to a screaming halt and Paul
still being pulled forward….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYckHBzZrgnf3AFET3R6B5r2ReR1aZuhtUFp3TgFZSTSjpSi2eywvw3rtamuk9RXLfJwgUVDAquaHwOp5POspv0gzzkcLr8j1xhEEvTBi80ewchReMMtqTEbJAgf1_OFnzgWdLGErYwLAk/s1600/Island+Head+Creek+Kiting+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYckHBzZrgnf3AFET3R6B5r2ReR1aZuhtUFp3TgFZSTSjpSi2eywvw3rtamuk9RXLfJwgUVDAquaHwOp5POspv0gzzkcLr8j1xhEEvTBi80ewchReMMtqTEbJAgf1_OFnzgWdLGErYwLAk/s640/Island+Head+Creek+Kiting+%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwHF8F_S6wkviLWTldymobA7XsaX52_74tZnDGCmxCD7h3TeHUBLXpXsNJoMWSFwE31wTggw_LqC7wl5KM5yuIGJSaIqnWIrCHXi6mYjaLZSm1BarbF2KYKNH9Pv0JZJR9OawN1zbDhHC3/s1600/Island+Head+Creek+Kiting+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwHF8F_S6wkviLWTldymobA7XsaX52_74tZnDGCmxCD7h3TeHUBLXpXsNJoMWSFwE31wTggw_LqC7wl5KM5yuIGJSaIqnWIrCHXi6mYjaLZSm1BarbF2KYKNH9Pv0JZJR9OawN1zbDhHC3/s640/Island+Head+Creek+Kiting+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3oe6mOpxiGV0ebzwW5MAjT1l3j62hyP0YeEUbRICKsFzWjJ3bnn3YrmEsHPmCd8aZcVkA0jEdXGM4HWiZRAybgAQeNQHbAPXC1s9EATWImbzEFuqYfGmX9RKQBIzGZqUYaA2ZgD17abq/s1600/Island+Head+Creek+Kiting+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3oe6mOpxiGV0ebzwW5MAjT1l3j62hyP0YeEUbRICKsFzWjJ3bnn3YrmEsHPmCd8aZcVkA0jEdXGM4HWiZRAybgAQeNQHbAPXC1s9EATWImbzEFuqYfGmX9RKQBIzGZqUYaA2ZgD17abq/s640/Island+Head+Creek+Kiting+%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The session
came to an abrupt end when Paul had a big stack (which was caught on camera)
and the kite smashed into the water and an air hose came off the main bladder
and deflated the kite.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWmMoVkc1NWtL8jyUP7u68qNTogaaJw6oF1t7prue8Oiapi49b4RAWH70E5KnWnOXp4jCQdqlH9KvUpmakCXcxkVTa3E7hWPNWqIHXq9I8c7nHrBHZ3OOYdbWX8EyBlVz6ZF5E_sFSFYx/s1600/Island+Head+Creek+Kiting+%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWmMoVkc1NWtL8jyUP7u68qNTogaaJw6oF1t7prue8Oiapi49b4RAWH70E5KnWnOXp4jCQdqlH9KvUpmakCXcxkVTa3E7hWPNWqIHXq9I8c7nHrBHZ3OOYdbWX8EyBlVz6ZF5E_sFSFYx/s640/Island+Head+Creek+Kiting+%252810%2529.JPG" width="476" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The stack that ended the
session…..<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He had to
ditch the kite & board, swim ashore and go and get the tinny to retrieve
them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
it was only a small cable tie that broke and he was able to put a new one on
and re-pump the kite up to dry it out and test it for leaks. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was all
good and is ready to go for the next crazy session – <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Wherever that
will be….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibYZbzHdZb6TJsf8j_ZDqeBGkkD47rNKlzceqSvgB_sG9P60bLqJcM1W7mh8CtySdlRLmqliLr_ueMF7W1mw8Mp6Ltn00usU5SEJB55c5ykdnyR1nbIjjjhbVKbAL5f1B_WUE1qMB3-ZnT/s1600/Island+Head+Creek+Kiting+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibYZbzHdZb6TJsf8j_ZDqeBGkkD47rNKlzceqSvgB_sG9P60bLqJcM1W7mh8CtySdlRLmqliLr_ueMF7W1mw8Mp6Ltn00usU5SEJB55c5ykdnyR1nbIjjjhbVKbAL5f1B_WUE1qMB3-ZnT/s640/Island+Head+Creek+Kiting+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That night we
had a combined dinner on-board EverRest.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa and Bev
pooled ingredients for Bev to make a chicken curry and Lisa made the dessert.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was cold
but the wind had backed off and it was a nice time around sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
great night but we were all stuffed and falling asleep by 9:30pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We rode out
another 2 days of rain & wind and some pretty miserable and cold
conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Finally we
had a break in the wind & swell and were able to set sail again.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">EverRest left
on Sat 13<sup>th</sup> May and headed north while we left the next day on
Mother’s Day, Sunday 14<sup>th</sup> May to head south.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a late
start as we had to cross the shallow bar entrance to exit Island Head Creek on
the high tide at 10am.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the
winds more from the south in the morning, we sailed out towards the reef and
tacked back over to sail south as the winds came from the east in the
afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By sunset the
wind was slowly dropping but we ghosted along nicely and watch the sunset over
the mainland.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived at
Great Keppel Island at 11:30pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> It was a full moon which made anchoring easy amongst
the other cruising yachts in the bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite only minimal sleep, Paul woke early for a few sunrise shots at Great Keppel Island
to finish off this blog posting.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So that’s it
for another Episode.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In our entire
6 years of travel, the last 6 weeks have probably been the most frustrating
with strong wind warning after gale warning after strong wind warning – and all
from the SE which is the direction we were trying to head.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On top of
that there has been multiple swell directions with most days of E-NE and also
E-SE meaning most of the islands SE trade anchorages where rolly and
uncomfortable.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That combined
with big seas (some from Cyclone Donna) and well below average cold
temperatures have made it a pretty miserable time in the QLD Central Coast.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">And to think
we were going to meet up with other cruising boats and try to spend most of
this Episode out on The Great Barrier Reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That was
wishful thinking – we didn’t get anywhere near the place and for the most part
were hunkered down waiting and hoping.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly it
never came……<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Oh well
that’s cruising.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Hopefully the
next Episode will be a more adventurous and up-beat read for you.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Cheers for
now<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul and Lisa
Hogger.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Yacht Lorelei<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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sv_loreleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14235157985522355104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245635408700620959.post-12273455702202083132017-04-01T14:55:00.002-07:002019-02-09T18:02:04.224-08:00Episode 57 The Whitsundays to Mackay and Cyclone Debbie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="color: yellow; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 37.3333px;">Lorelei’s Sailing Adventures</b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For Episode 56
we spent a month in The Whitsunday Islands with Paul’s parents George and Chez.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We sailed,
explored in the Tinny, snorkelled, SUP, kayaked and even went out to the Great
Barrier Reef twice.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We saved the
best until last with a 4 day glass out at Little Black Reef which was over 70nm
(120km from the mainland).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our location for this
episode<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our route for this
episode<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We hired a
car on the 23<sup>th</sup> February to drop George and Chez back to the airport
and then spent the next 2 days doing a massive reprovision of both fuel and
long term food stores that would hopefully last over 3 months.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a
stack of parcels at the Post Office that were spares, replacement parts and
some new items to install.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We then
sailed out to Nara Inlet and spent a further 2 days stowing all the provisions,
installing the new parts and getting the boat back to normal cruising for 2
after having 4 of us on-board for the month.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With all the
chores done, we linked up with friends Les and Kathy off the yacht Sea Temple
and did a lot of great activities with them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One awesome
parcel that had arrived was a new stand-up paddleboard (SUP) for Lisa.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Les, Kathy
and Paul all had one but up until then, Lisa was using her kayak.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> It was great for us to all have one each.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The SUP came
from close friend Kahlee Andrews who worked with Paul at Adreno in Brisbane.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Kahlee’s
cruising yacht is called “Kuna”, so when Kahlee ventured into the SUP designing
and importing business, she named the boards “Kuna Boards”.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Unlike many
inflatable SUP’s on the market, Kahlee’s boards are 6 inches thick and
therefore much sturdier to stand-on and paddle with the added bonus of being
able to hold weights of up to 180kg.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were very
impressed with the performance of the board compared to Paul’s Hawaiian epoxy
board. It not quite as good – but its close and the best we’ve ever seen in an
inflatable….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Kahlee’s Kuna
Board website is:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU"><a href="http://www.kunaboards.com.au/"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">www.kunaboards.com.au</span></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We paddled
with Les and Kathy each morning for a week with most paddling sessions being
around 2 hours with a fun beach swim at the end to cool off.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After a few
days we moved from Nara Inlet further south to Mays Bay to have a change of
paddling scenery.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We took some
fun photos of Les and Kathy’s yacht Sea Temple under sail as we sailed south
past South Molle Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At Mays Bay,
Les and Kathy took their Cobb slow cooker ashore one night to cook a Lamb
Roast.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was only
when we got ashore we were told it was their 35<sup>th</sup> wedding
anniversary so we celebrated with a few drinks at sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Cobb was
taken back to Sea Temple and a fantastic meal was devoured with some more
drinks and a yummy dessert.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_t8CYEB2yTY/WN71jGlq78I/AAAAAAAAdpU/IcSi6EaPdWoBOfcU8giIcNuEYFXqUOO7gCPcB/s1600/Mays%2BBay%2BCobb%2BBBQ%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_t8CYEB2yTY/WN71jGlq78I/AAAAAAAAdpU/IcSi6EaPdWoBOfcU8giIcNuEYFXqUOO7gCPcB/s640/Mays%2BBay%2BCobb%2BBBQ%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When the SE
winds picked up again, we decided to head around to Tongue Bay so Paul could
kite the famous Hill Inlet for a few days at the north end of Whitehaven Beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The inlet is
full of shallow sand bars and from the lookout we climbed the month prior (with
George and Chez) it looked like a kiting mecca in the right wind conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wuDGkYThauw/WN7kF-wtL6I/AAAAAAAAdik/d9wKe9p4iyU3-KEdW_LGytc0N4jcrBJcwCPcB/s1600/Day%2B20%2BWhitehaven%2BExplore%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wuDGkYThauw/WN7kF-wtL6I/AAAAAAAAdik/d9wKe9p4iyU3-KEdW_LGytc0N4jcrBJcwCPcB/s640/Day%2B20%2BWhitehaven%2BExplore%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul pumped
up the kite on the southern sand spit and mounted a camera in the kite strings.
Lisa also had a camera on the shore.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At first it
was a little bumpy as it was mid tide, but it was spring tides that day and the
tide was dropping rapidly.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7jHJpO5PujU/WN7tvQSpowI/AAAAAAAAdmc/ULUMwwpB0d4yHuO_UXF8Ttg24rEUOVTMwCPcB/s1600/Kite%2BHill%2BInlet%2BNikon%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7jHJpO5PujU/WN7tvQSpowI/AAAAAAAAdmc/ULUMwwpB0d4yHuO_UXF8Ttg24rEUOVTMwCPcB/s640/Kite%2BHill%2BInlet%2BNikon%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cLU7KaEhjpY/WN7tvXVoFvI/AAAAAAAAdmc/5yIcHf3rnBYJP_6JraxU4IsQE2Oh7XyJQCPcB/s1600/Kite%2BHill%2BInlet%2BNikon%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cLU7KaEhjpY/WN7tvXVoFvI/AAAAAAAAdmc/5yIcHf3rnBYJP_6JraxU4IsQE2Oh7XyJQCPcB/s640/Kite%2BHill%2BInlet%2BNikon%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As the tide
dropped, the surface conditions smoothed out leaving almost glassy sections
over very shallow sand banks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qJ9U3Gnwv4M/WN7tvSMAp6I/AAAAAAAAdmc/v_Nu7FiTfScrrlU5ZfbhTiu1bo7rHkxEQCPcB/s1600/Kite%2BHill%2BInlet%2BCOntour%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qJ9U3Gnwv4M/WN7tvSMAp6I/AAAAAAAAdmc/v_Nu7FiTfScrrlU5ZfbhTiu1bo7rHkxEQCPcB/s640/Kite%2BHill%2BInlet%2BCOntour%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The flat
shoreline made for perfect high speed carve turns.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-37F0tM-8PKQ/WN7tvQvllYI/AAAAAAAAdmc/b42PE-k13MY1G6dyDMKtMS4xlwjNHU34QCPcB/s1600/Kite%2BHill%2BInlet%2BNikon%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-37F0tM-8PKQ/WN7tvQvllYI/AAAAAAAAdmc/b42PE-k13MY1G6dyDMKtMS4xlwjNHU34QCPcB/s640/Kite%2BHill%2BInlet%2BNikon%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NcGcl1mSSNE/WN7tvUt7NZI/AAAAAAAAdmc/_fvJATWhIKE66EW9HMnVSXgIUf7dTOKDQCPcB/s1600/Kite%2BHill%2BInlet%2BCOntour%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NcGcl1mSSNE/WN7tvUt7NZI/AAAAAAAAdmc/_fvJATWhIKE66EW9HMnVSXgIUf7dTOKDQCPcB/s640/Kite%2BHill%2BInlet%2BCOntour%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dV-pp1LklIo/WN7tvSCwSWI/AAAAAAAAdmc/LPlzKHgo9LwVihWH49HZWlJ2QffB5uWhQCPcB/s1600/Kite%2BHill%2BInlet%2BNikon%2B%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dV-pp1LklIo/WN7tvSCwSWI/AAAAAAAAdmc/LPlzKHgo9LwVihWH49HZWlJ2QffB5uWhQCPcB/s640/Kite%2BHill%2BInlet%2BNikon%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As the tide
dropped even further, Lisa went for a swim. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul jokingly
gybed around her once and it looked like it would make a good photo so we tried
it a few times with some great results.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-reMeJmmmidc/WN7tvTd3eYI/AAAAAAAAdmc/9yioCCnL3nMX0CKRvY__25rv6IAVew3nwCPcB/s1600/Kite%2BHill%2BInlet%2BCOntour%2B%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-reMeJmmmidc/WN7tvTd3eYI/AAAAAAAAdmc/9yioCCnL3nMX0CKRvY__25rv6IAVew3nwCPcB/s640/Kite%2BHill%2BInlet%2BCOntour%2B%25287%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The best one
was a perfectly timed shot of us doing a hi-5 at speed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k7QZgEBt2Jk/WN7tvTlubGI/AAAAAAAAdmc/YKFOk9xsdTEi_VJYCmx4-POXylFeWlF9QCPcB/s1600/Kite%2BHill%2BInlet%2BCOntour%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k7QZgEBt2Jk/WN7tvTlubGI/AAAAAAAAdmc/YKFOk9xsdTEi_VJYCmx4-POXylFeWlF9QCPcB/s640/Kite%2BHill%2BInlet%2BCOntour%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The outer
sand bars had small waves on them. It wasn’t huge surf but a lot of fun on a
twin tip board.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ymtB9E7WJl8/WN7tvbKtysI/AAAAAAAAdmc/lODcrpu3VMc_6fHoS7S2QrWd89JA5ghjwCPcB/s1600/Kite%2BHill%2BInlet%2BNikon%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ymtB9E7WJl8/WN7tvbKtysI/AAAAAAAAdmc/lODcrpu3VMc_6fHoS7S2QrWd89JA5ghjwCPcB/s640/Kite%2BHill%2BInlet%2BNikon%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yFsUF4giOGA/WN7tvT0J4dI/AAAAAAAAdmc/hUOf38Qya9EdhAVk4-cha0Wyb3NwrOMMACPcB/s1600/Kite%2BHill%2BInlet%2BCOntour%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yFsUF4giOGA/WN7tvT0J4dI/AAAAAAAAdmc/hUOf38Qya9EdhAVk4-cha0Wyb3NwrOMMACPcB/s640/Kite%2BHill%2BInlet%2BCOntour%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ezqjCDkLRXs/WN7tvVwOLJI/AAAAAAAAdmc/nkoJWudaF7oAeREwN66lwRXZz0b65-CggCPcB/s1600/Kite%2BHill%2BInlet%2BCOntour%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ezqjCDkLRXs/WN7tvVwOLJI/AAAAAAAAdmc/nkoJWudaF7oAeREwN66lwRXZz0b65-CggCPcB/s640/Kite%2BHill%2BInlet%2BCOntour%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The super low
water meant a few stacks were inevitable.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul
misjudged the water depth once over a sand bank and came to a screaming halt.
It made for a funny 4 shot sequence.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xySgDolA95U/WN7tveRWJgI/AAAAAAAAdmc/QJgtmDhUJBgM54BVuOie5BFJHqn_4f61gCPcB/s1600/Kite%2BHill%2BInlet%2BCOntour%2B%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xySgDolA95U/WN7tveRWJgI/AAAAAAAAdmc/QJgtmDhUJBgM54BVuOie5BFJHqn_4f61gCPcB/s640/Kite%2BHill%2BInlet%2BCOntour%2B%25288%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The kite
camera can sometimes produce some weird and distorted photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This one
looks like a tsunami is about to hit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">And I had to
thank wifey for patiently waiting for me during a long session and taking some
great photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ak7RJJ6Ze8c/WN7tvdVqoEI/AAAAAAAAdmc/R3yod-2nKl0KQm4Jg6ZHIujjG8TL9s_EgCPcB/s1600/Kite%2BHill%2BInlet%2BCOntour%2B%25289%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ak7RJJ6Ze8c/WN7tvdVqoEI/AAAAAAAAdmc/R3yod-2nKl0KQm4Jg6ZHIujjG8TL9s_EgCPcB/s640/Kite%2BHill%2BInlet%2BCOntour%2B%25289%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was so much fun that we did it all again the next day.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When the wind
dropped we moved back around to Cid Harbour.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sea Temple
and Katfish were both there (we met Katfish when in Gove) and we had a nice
sunset with Sea Temple in the foreground.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rCC1waYawyk/WN7kF4t-qmI/AAAAAAAAdik/tzoGgH8Fo2k108sbi0DDbvwhYC8Ct1y1gCPcB/s1600/Cid%2BHarbour%2BSunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rCC1waYawyk/WN7kF4t-qmI/AAAAAAAAdik/tzoGgH8Fo2k108sbi0DDbvwhYC8Ct1y1gCPcB/s640/Cid%2BHarbour%2BSunset.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When Sea
Temple left, we decided to do a series of walks that we had not yet attempted.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first one
was the toughest climb in the Whitsundays and is the Whitsunday Peak walk
starting at Sawmill Bay. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was tough
going through the humid and dense rainforest with lots of steep steps.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LhLdnwT32Ss/WN71jApNEBI/AAAAAAAAdpU/Hv97XJDCFssStpODaOdaVjDRDbpNbqxOgCPcB/s1600/Whitsunday%2BPeak%2BWalk%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LhLdnwT32Ss/WN71jApNEBI/AAAAAAAAdpU/Hv97XJDCFssStpODaOdaVjDRDbpNbqxOgCPcB/s640/Whitsunday%2BPeak%2BWalk%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TBId5DqYvcM/WN713J9k3FI/AAAAAAAAdpY/tfcApoBQVRYcpPjBm7f3Cem18Qd5OtBjgCPcB/s1600/Whitsunday%2BPeak%2BWalk%2B%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TBId5DqYvcM/WN713J9k3FI/AAAAAAAAdpY/tfcApoBQVRYcpPjBm7f3Cem18Qd5OtBjgCPcB/s640/Whitsunday%2BPeak%2BWalk%2B%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vcqfciuWHzw/WN71jJjqbVI/AAAAAAAAdpU/biXClTmGuFU6jHH6ZgfvnVd-LT0aKkkcwCPcB/s1600/Whitsunday%2BPeak%2BWalk%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vcqfciuWHzw/WN71jJjqbVI/AAAAAAAAdpU/biXClTmGuFU6jHH6ZgfvnVd-LT0aKkkcwCPcB/s640/Whitsunday%2BPeak%2BWalk%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The summit at
434m is the highest peak in the Whitsunday islands and the view from the top is
terrific.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There are 2
viewing spots facing both north and south.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LBLKJUSf6wg/WN713B90RyI/AAAAAAAAdpY/tzP8rQmFoyAHNhUTx8hlBsxkL-JU4lSYACPcB/s1600/Whitsunday%2BPeak%2BWalk%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LBLKJUSf6wg/WN713B90RyI/AAAAAAAAdpY/tzP8rQmFoyAHNhUTx8hlBsxkL-JU4lSYACPcB/s640/Whitsunday%2BPeak%2BWalk%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Looking south to
Hamilton and Lindeman Islands<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LRGYYpf8u8k/WN713KgPr8I/AAAAAAAAdpY/gtomJ6XVjco2lZknmH1je3qqZjP9iTLLwCPcB/s1600/Whitsunday%2BPeak%2BWalk%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LRGYYpf8u8k/WN713KgPr8I/AAAAAAAAdpY/gtomJ6XVjco2lZknmH1je3qqZjP9iTLLwCPcB/s640/Whitsunday%2BPeak%2BWalk%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Looking South East to
Gulnare Inlet and Whitehaven Beach<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-twbbCaAFEIU/WN713OctGmI/AAAAAAAAdpY/DkXzgyMUq_ssx3B10BeA8KeYheQ6fz1twCPcB/s1600/Whitsunday%2BPeak%2BWalk%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-twbbCaAFEIU/WN713OctGmI/AAAAAAAAdpY/DkXzgyMUq_ssx3B10BeA8KeYheQ6fz1twCPcB/s640/Whitsunday%2BPeak%2BWalk%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Looking West to Cid
Harbour, Dugong Inlet and Airlie Beach on the mainland<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CT4MDfpnKBA/WN713DHiCBI/AAAAAAAAdpY/RnDjVccofaUGwlyZ77FtNynnWgX8wtutQCPcB/s1600/Whitsunday%2BPeak%2BWalk%2B%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CT4MDfpnKBA/WN713DHiCBI/AAAAAAAAdpY/RnDjVccofaUGwlyZ77FtNynnWgX8wtutQCPcB/s640/Whitsunday%2BPeak%2BWalk%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Looking North with a
rain squall going past over Hook and Hayman Islands<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
back down we saw some birds, lizards, insects and even a 2.1m/7ft snake that
was in the middle of the path that reared up and had a strike at Lisa.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
Lisa saw it and backed away very quickly. As it was so aggressive, we thought
the better of trying to photograph it but after a lot of searching Snake ID
websites, we still couldn’t identify it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we
photographed the more placid lizards instead.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-03VAJ7zqnqk/WN71jJRAUVI/AAAAAAAAdpU/ErHRhHBysqkPB1PKwuv3nMVVbrr44TwiwCPcB/s1600/Whitsunday%2BPeak%2BWalk%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-03VAJ7zqnqk/WN71jJRAUVI/AAAAAAAAdpU/ErHRhHBysqkPB1PKwuv3nMVVbrr44TwiwCPcB/s640/Whitsunday%2BPeak%2BWalk%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the big
tides still present, we decided to try fishing up in the dense mangrove system
of Dugong Inlet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had been
up there with George and Chez but didn’t take any fishing gear so this time we
wanted to flick a few lures around.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rb3Wpn4YiFc/WN7kF5sivSI/AAAAAAAAdik/cYrdDTJ17AgE1_gl_aT4ptcvgxq-qMLjACPcB/s1600/Day%2B9%2BDugong%2BInlet%2BExplore%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rb3Wpn4YiFc/WN7kF5sivSI/AAAAAAAAdik/cYrdDTJ17AgE1_gl_aT4ptcvgxq-qMLjACPcB/s640/Day%2B9%2BDugong%2BInlet%2BExplore%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6bWSoPrciz6v56sZNqhoGFoQYzx9iIXgAou7igCRyimMEvOx3ek9gLbM_c6jqQgeCCeXa5tIR3npuiBT4C4R_cSGSG6qlxiCpedqihfpwOJBFRHLScUPdFuW78V4y3VppF-kDWkLY-kA/s1600/Dugong+Inlet+Fishing+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6bWSoPrciz6v56sZNqhoGFoQYzx9iIXgAou7igCRyimMEvOx3ek9gLbM_c6jqQgeCCeXa5tIR3npuiBT4C4R_cSGSG6qlxiCpedqihfpwOJBFRHLScUPdFuW78V4y3VppF-kDWkLY-kA/s640/Dugong+Inlet+Fishing+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa won the
fishing contest (as she always does) but we only caught Cod and let them all
go.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8gTIym1-MVQ/WN7kFwYKc7I/AAAAAAAAdik/iy9OIZ_HZn8XADWtYaKDjdYq6MJahZefwCPcB/s1600/Dugong%2BInlet%2BFishing%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8gTIym1-MVQ/WN7kFwYKc7I/AAAAAAAAdik/iy9OIZ_HZn8XADWtYaKDjdYq6MJahZefwCPcB/s640/Dugong%2BInlet%2BFishing%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We did however
see a lot of wildlife – both in and out of the water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul casted
his lure into a tree and got it caught in the foliage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When we went
to retrieve it, we looked up to find a stack of Wasp’s nests hanging above us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Needless to
say we had to be very careful not to disturb them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bav2CTsmrJw/WN7kF0BLCRI/AAAAAAAAdik/yYtmhQ7JrdYNnuJg2LKL82QQ6icos9LJACPcB/s1600/Dugong%2BInlet%2BFishing%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bav2CTsmrJw/WN7kF0BLCRI/AAAAAAAAdik/yYtmhQ7JrdYNnuJg2LKL82QQ6icos9LJACPcB/s640/Dugong%2BInlet%2BFishing%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We saw lots
of stingrays and turtles in the water too.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We weren’t
anchored and didn’t have to run the motor as the run out tide pushed us back
down the river.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So the
animals were coming very close to the boat as we slipped quietly by.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yblc07fgRM8/WN7kFwSXGjI/AAAAAAAAdik/zIzpZ-MwL1gCeQ_M2tmuq6zGr627jOxCQCPcB/s1600/Dugong%2BInlet%2BFishing%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yblc07fgRM8/WN7kFwSXGjI/AAAAAAAAdik/zIzpZ-MwL1gCeQ_M2tmuq6zGr627jOxCQCPcB/s640/Dugong%2BInlet%2BFishing%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b5FI8b7_GSw/WN7kFyZoH4I/AAAAAAAAdik/aVY-40I4RyAIwrAWvcE36foLk42g6MtywCPcB/s1600/Dugong%2BInlet%2BFishing%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b5FI8b7_GSw/WN7kFyZoH4I/AAAAAAAAdik/aVY-40I4RyAIwrAWvcE36foLk42g6MtywCPcB/s640/Dugong%2BInlet%2BFishing%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O-elLeGGT9c/WN7kF8EGsQI/AAAAAAAAdik/LEEKVnQ8m0ApDRLd6j53_1xO_Kmz5m4_wCPcB/s1600/Dugong%2BInlet%2BFishing%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O-elLeGGT9c/WN7kF8EGsQI/AAAAAAAAdik/LEEKVnQ8m0ApDRLd6j53_1xO_Kmz5m4_wCPcB/s640/Dugong%2BInlet%2BFishing%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When we
returned from fishing we noticed our friend Anthony from the cat Liquid Desire
had anchored next to Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We first met
him in Palau as he was running a charter business and Paul used to surf with
him in between charters.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We then
bumped into him in Lizard Island last year and had hoped to see him in The
Whitsundays as we had planned to be in the area around the same time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Anthony is
also a keen photographer, so he and Paul walked the Sawmill Bay track that
afternoon taking shots of the rainforest. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It had just
rained so the undergrowth and trees were wet making for great shots using the
tripod in the dark conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Late in the arvo,
the sun started to poke through the dark canopy pushing light rays down into
the rainforest.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qtnjk_EsvXY/WN71jBCOZLI/AAAAAAAAdpU/Z2LOGlYKZaE4bk5aVVkTXTEQh3PIoQYNwCPcB/s1600/Sawmill%2BBay%2BWalk%2BAnthony%2B%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qtnjk_EsvXY/WN71jBCOZLI/AAAAAAAAdpU/Z2LOGlYKZaE4bk5aVVkTXTEQh3PIoQYNwCPcB/s640/Sawmill%2BBay%2BWalk%2BAnthony%2B%25285%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That night we
had a BBQ on board Liquid Desire with lots of food, music, surf videos and a
little too much to drink. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a heap
of fun until we all passed out on the lounge….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CWUI5WzSvGI/WN7tvQ6amQI/AAAAAAAAdmc/0UD6l35r3IMkPBtpAD4_zB--KvBojDjAQCPcB/s1600/Liquid%2BDesire%2BBBQ%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CWUI5WzSvGI/WN7tvQ6amQI/AAAAAAAAdmc/0UD6l35r3IMkPBtpAD4_zB--KvBojDjAQCPcB/s640/Liquid%2BDesire%2BBBQ%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite being
a little dusty the next morning, the 3 of us loaded up our tinny and we
travelled 6nm across the Whitsunday Passage to South Molle Island to do a
series of walks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The resort
has been closed for a long time and the wharf is de-commissioned but we were
told that it has been purchased along with the neighbouring Daydream Island
(sadly by the Chinese – another 2 iconic landmarks lost to overseas investors….)
and they are both in the process of being re-developed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vVRpH21ngN8/WN71jHdXKTI/AAAAAAAAdpU/GNwLTRcDwZQYvNB-dA5ZioY0FOW_8VdowCPcB/s1600/Sputh%2BMolle%2BWalks%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vVRpH21ngN8/WN71jHdXKTI/AAAAAAAAdpU/GNwLTRcDwZQYvNB-dA5ZioY0FOW_8VdowCPcB/s640/Sputh%2BMolle%2BWalks%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
the walks are on National Park land and we were able to be escorted by building
staff through the resort grounds to access the walks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first
stop was a short 1km walk up to The Balancing Rock.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oNpWFFxwi54/WN71jDY-4NI/AAAAAAAAdpU/tTMZOGUNbysl6ntFeBV3o7utqAC1UyRWQCPcB/s1600/Sputh%2BMolle%2BWalks%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oNpWFFxwi54/WN71jDY-4NI/AAAAAAAAdpU/tTMZOGUNbysl6ntFeBV3o7utqAC1UyRWQCPcB/s640/Sputh%2BMolle%2BWalks%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">From there we
ventured 3km to the islands highest peak, Mount Jeffreys.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The track
winds along the side of the slopes giving fantastic views out to the
surrounding waterways and islands.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B7o4Z1Tav1I/WN71jMh29FI/AAAAAAAAdpU/hBbnU3o8SNY9wMvcCWGplifueege9wx6ACPcB/s1600/Sputh%2BMolle%2BWalks%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B7o4Z1Tav1I/WN71jMh29FI/AAAAAAAAdpU/hBbnU3o8SNY9wMvcCWGplifueege9wx6ACPcB/s640/Sputh%2BMolle%2BWalks%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eSM9jjSEOes/WN71jIsDX3I/AAAAAAAAdpU/fHjayvA-UB4RA-WgRGUSQw-3TTICH81dQCPcB/s1600/Sputh%2BMolle%2BWalks%2B%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eSM9jjSEOes/WN71jIsDX3I/AAAAAAAAdpU/fHjayvA-UB4RA-WgRGUSQw-3TTICH81dQCPcB/s640/Sputh%2BMolle%2BWalks%2B%252814%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The peak was
brilliant!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">You could
stand on a rock and turn 360 degrees and see amazing views in every direction.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9mb4oWtqFrc/WN71jAuhQlI/AAAAAAAAdpU/kVYcUQgDeq8jRML0Pfif67rKX7uypsKigCPcB/s1600/Sputh%2BMolle%2BWalks%2B%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9mb4oWtqFrc/WN71jAuhQlI/AAAAAAAAdpU/kVYcUQgDeq8jRML0Pfif67rKX7uypsKigCPcB/s640/Sputh%2BMolle%2BWalks%2B%252812%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we walked
from Mount Jeffereys to Spion Kop, we passed whole mountain sides filled with
Grass Trees.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_j9t6LJSvo/WN71jBF5gVI/AAAAAAAAdpU/TgQLC-NDA7wZ6wbIh1jxrZIK0uA5bXhvwCPcB/s1600/Sputh%2BMolle%2BWalks%2B%252817%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_j9t6LJSvo/WN71jBF5gVI/AAAAAAAAdpU/TgQLC-NDA7wZ6wbIh1jxrZIK0uA5bXhvwCPcB/s640/Sputh%2BMolle%2BWalks%2B%252817%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
also lots of palm trees loaded with fruit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The view
looking towards Spion Kop and across to the main Whitsunday Islands was
spectacular.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ntREI-Ssq8/WN71jN40VGI/AAAAAAAAdpU/Ly-lZ8ZBe3MBksxczii59PzIhbZ3beIfACPcB/s1600/Sputh%2BMolle%2BWalks%2B%252816%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ntREI-Ssq8/WN71jN40VGI/AAAAAAAAdpU/Ly-lZ8ZBe3MBksxczii59PzIhbZ3beIfACPcB/s640/Sputh%2BMolle%2BWalks%2B%252816%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The lookout
out at Spion Kop has views over the islands and a newer section looks back over
the resort and North Molle Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f0_F6ybdDtI/WN71jK3SxxI/AAAAAAAAdpU/-THT6Jp2zN40A0C3_7tem_P48tW5xoi7gCPcB/s1600/Sputh%2BMolle%2BWalks%2B%252823%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f0_F6ybdDtI/WN71jK3SxxI/AAAAAAAAdpU/-THT6Jp2zN40A0C3_7tem_P48tW5xoi7gCPcB/s640/Sputh%2BMolle%2BWalks%2B%252823%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Overall we
think the walks on South Molle are by far the best in The Whitsunday Islands.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Spion Kop
walk is the most popular but we think Mount Jeffereys has much more diverse
views with its 360 degree view at the top.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For us it
turned into a 6 hour / 9km walking session to cover all 3 sites – but we
thought it was well worth the effort.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With slightly
tired legs, we all braved a long SUP from Cid Harbour down to the southern
areas of Nari’s and Joe’s Beaches.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Anthony even
took Splash, his dog along for the paddle.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With all the
extra things we wanted to do ticked off the list, we returned to Airlie Beach
to make final preparations to leave and continue our cruising south.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But first we
had one final job to do and that was take our sails back to Doyles Sail loft do
some restitching and minor modifications.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After nearly
30 000 miles, we wanted the team (who made them for us) to have a look and see
what needed to be done to bring them back up to perfect working order.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Getting them
down and off Lorelei was a little easier said than done with only 2 of us. Trying
to roll up a 60kg main sail that is fully battened and has an 8m/27ft wide foot
was a challenge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ym87IGZ2FG8/WN71jKQ02uI/AAAAAAAAdpU/a2z7AxbyUTY5ZapHL3dIrYpflcG5OFYWQCPcB/s1600/Sail%2BRepairs%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ym87IGZ2FG8/WN71jKQ02uI/AAAAAAAAdpU/a2z7AxbyUTY5ZapHL3dIrYpflcG5OFYWQCPcB/s640/Sail%2BRepairs%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa trying to work out
how to get a 60kg and 8m long sail into a 4m tinny….<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With NE swell
and winds forecasted (that make for horrible conditions at the Airlie Beach
anchorage) we motored back out to Nara Inlet and spent a week there while the
sails were being repaired.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Considering
how rough it was at Airlie, it was beautiful and glassy at Nara Inlet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2VjvAyM3XmU/WN71jHYC_SI/AAAAAAAAdpU/xZWNykJLujkxbWJ3Pa9z4UZn6l4rUpEuwCPcB/s1600/Suite%2B2%2BNara%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2VjvAyM3XmU/WN71jHYC_SI/AAAAAAAAdpU/xZWNykJLujkxbWJ3Pa9z4UZn6l4rUpEuwCPcB/s640/Suite%2B2%2BNara%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Each morning
we would SUP for about 2 hours and over the week explored nearly every part of
the inlet paddle boarding.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rGv-muALvGY/WN71jGQLcSI/AAAAAAAAdpU/FdApPo-yEX0DRe5kckdPzIdbCrFI1C0qQCPcB/s1600/Nara%2BSUP%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="344" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rGv-muALvGY/WN71jGQLcSI/AAAAAAAAdpU/FdApPo-yEX0DRe5kckdPzIdbCrFI1C0qQCPcB/s640/Nara%2BSUP%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WNDAYgsjVrw/WN71jNuGR3I/AAAAAAAAdpU/1msLx6jgtXw4nM5UWf-b-CRxa8GpR_y3ACPcB/s1600/Nara%2BSUP%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WNDAYgsjVrw/WN71jNuGR3I/AAAAAAAAdpU/1msLx6jgtXw4nM5UWf-b-CRxa8GpR_y3ACPcB/s640/Nara%2BSUP%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C2hjULG733c/WN71jNqh7yI/AAAAAAAAdpU/HO7cA3sDkuAc8Um8KDJBeJdW-tL24NW0QCPcB/s1600/Nara%2BSUP%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C2hjULG733c/WN71jNqh7yI/AAAAAAAAdpU/HO7cA3sDkuAc8Um8KDJBeJdW-tL24NW0QCPcB/s640/Nara%2BSUP%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the higher
tides we were able to quietly meander up into the mangrove areas,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We saw lots
of fish, turtles, rays, sharks and even some goats!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pgZbQ-z9veY/WN71jImTPAI/AAAAAAAAdpU/SCZ1WC1uvrsco_85nIUIXk7GGUZc6aKlQCPcB/s1600/Nara%2BSUP%2B%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pgZbQ-z9veY/WN71jImTPAI/AAAAAAAAdpU/SCZ1WC1uvrsco_85nIUIXk7GGUZc6aKlQCPcB/s640/Nara%2BSUP%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ggvapdzavo/WN71jPLvJzI/AAAAAAAAdpU/KOETjVOVm2QQylntnfsc8s776-5Nx6pyACPcB/s1600/Nara%2BSUP%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ggvapdzavo/WN71jPLvJzI/AAAAAAAAdpU/KOETjVOVm2QQylntnfsc8s776-5Nx6pyACPcB/s640/Nara%2BSUP%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the first
day we wrote a list of jobs that needed to be done around Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We came up
with over 60 things on the list that ranged from a 5 minute fix to much longer
and more complex jobs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But we
plugged away and after a week had over 90% complete with the final 10%
requiring parts to be purchased.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were so
happy. Lorelei was looking great, fully serviced and ready to go for another 6
months.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One job we
did on a rainy day was to plan the next section of our adventure which was the
Swains Reef System at the outer southern end of the Great Barrier Reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Friends had
given us pages of hand written GPS co-ordinates for anchorages and fishing
spots around The Swains and it took a full day to upload them into our charting
software, take satellite images to overlay and work out the zoning for that
location.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SRVcEQ8tHFM/WN71jDGivFI/AAAAAAAAdpU/iNgla75DI4EusHmE_QIzuekRLuB2f2SFwCPcB/s1600/Swains%2BReef%2BPlanning.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SRVcEQ8tHFM/WN71jDGivFI/AAAAAAAAdpU/iNgla75DI4EusHmE_QIzuekRLuB2f2SFwCPcB/s640/Swains%2BReef%2BPlanning.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were so
happy to have that information as we had done a lot of research on the net
about the area but sadly there was not a lot available.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In Nara we
also met Anne and Michael who own an amazing cruising cat called Suite 2.
Sunset drinks on their boat was enjoyable and very comfortable.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fiaWeAyiSQc/WN71jLfiKJI/AAAAAAAAdpU/YQ2aMBugH9kfpDRd0U0OkHMd1njI3O9ogCPcB/s1600/Suite%2B2%2BNara%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fiaWeAyiSQc/WN71jLfiKJI/AAAAAAAAdpU/YQ2aMBugH9kfpDRd0U0OkHMd1njI3O9ogCPcB/s640/Suite%2B2%2BNara%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the jobs
done and the sails ready we returned to Airlie for a final time to pick them
up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We also
noticed a small tear in the cockpit canopy and Doyles was also able to do the
repair.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we loaded
the sails back on, got the spare parts we needed, did a food shop and were so
excited to have done it all in a single day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa hoisting the
mainsail back onto the boom<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yg_ujRaan6Q/WN71jAzKMkI/AAAAAAAAdpU/NuCzrGTyUSAia9o4u_TAbjRji_1W1YDbQCPcB/s1600/Sail%2BRepairs%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yg_ujRaan6Q/WN71jAzKMkI/AAAAAAAAdpU/NuCzrGTyUSAia9o4u_TAbjRji_1W1YDbQCPcB/s640/Sail%2BRepairs%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The downside of owning a
large sailing boat – having a Genoa headsail that <br />
has a 8m/27ft long foot. Not exactly easy to get back onto the furler.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That was
until just before sunset when we were putting the canopy back on and Paul
ripped it again. This time it was a long tear and it had to go back to Doyles
again the next day for another patch.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
Bryn the head sail maker had his yacht moored next to Lorelei and he was able
to easily pick it up and drop it off on his way past.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We enjoyed a
great sunset and post sunset colours over Airlie Beach before leaving the next
day after the cover was re-installed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zTIHShpEJx0/WN7gLW_CaoI/AAAAAAAAdhA/LA8X52SRyMQGVwaz67Nr5AP3ILMHZgWEwCPcB/s1600/Airlie%2BSunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zTIHShpEJx0/WN7gLW_CaoI/AAAAAAAAdhA/LA8X52SRyMQGVwaz67Nr5AP3ILMHZgWEwCPcB/s640/Airlie%2BSunset.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Right at
about that time we noticed a deepening low pressure system forming off the NE
tip of Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Some weather
models had the system crossing the coast between Townsville and Airlie Beach as
a category 3 cyclone.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst it was
only a low probability, we didn’t want to take any chances so we took off over
to Nara Inlet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We just left
Airlie before it got hammered with an intense storm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had
rainbows over the Molle Islands as we crossed the passage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We stayed at
Nara until 2am when the tide turned and we set sail for Mackay which was 70nm
south.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The current
assistance past Hamilton Island was significant and gave us at least 20-30%
more speed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However it
wasn’t to be all plain sailing and by daybreak we had torrential rain that had
visibility down to less than 50m for most of the trip.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ku1eX_EN7Ww/WN71jAtDzOI/AAAAAAAAdpU/Lez2TVxMCmszmwAcvA5cDTUZwLJ7ARWJACPcB/s1600/Storm%2BSail%2BAirlie%2Bto%2BMackay%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ku1eX_EN7Ww/WN71jAtDzOI/AAAAAAAAdpU/Lez2TVxMCmszmwAcvA5cDTUZwLJ7ARWJACPcB/s640/Storm%2BSail%2BAirlie%2Bto%2BMackay%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
pretty rattled by the time we got into the marina.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had
received over 200mm of rain during the 12 hour trip and the swell was building
at the entrance to the harbour as we arrived.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the low
pressure deepening, we decided to hire a car the next day so we could pick up
our new batteries, reprovision with fruit and veg and have a bit of a look
around town.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
interesting to note that despite being only 70nm (a long day sail from Airlie
Beach), the car hire and marina berth rental was ½ the price and the marina
staff 5 times as nice.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The batteries
turned into a mission.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They were 6 x
2 volt Gel cells that weighed 52kg each.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The battery
company brought them out to the car with a fork lift and we had to break open
the timber carton and hand lift each cell into the leg area of the back seat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Needless to
say the car was fully loaded.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
we organised the pick up at high tide so the ramp going from the land to the
marina wharf was at its least steep angle.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul used our
trolley to move each one to Lorelei’s berth before struggling to get them on
board and downstairs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul with 312kg worth of
6 x 2v 830A/H cells.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the low
intensifying, we decided not to install them for a few days until the threat
had passed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It turned out
to be a very good decision.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we took
advantage of the hire car to explore the break wall around the marina.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Conditions
weren’t too bad and we were able to get out to the end and have a look at the
harbour entry and lights.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was cool
to see that the wall construction team had made some interesting tables and
chairs out of stone.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The wind and
swell on the break wall wasn’t too bad – but that was going to change….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
conditions had deteriorated and the low had been named as Tropical Cyclone
Debbie. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we spent
the morning stripping Lorelei’s decks, removing the canopy, securing sails and
putting extra lines to the marina cleats.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By lunchtime,
Lorelei was spider web tied into a 25m double berth and bow facing the east
which is where the onslaught was due to come from.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We did
another walk out to the break wall after lunch and conditions had changed
drastically.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite the
weather we went out again for sunset with the tripod.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By the time
we went to bed, it was pouring rain and very windy in the marina.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Overnight
conditions went from bad to worse.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We hunkered
down on board but at lunchtime we received a text message asking us to evacuate
the marina.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were very
fortunate to have 3 options where to go (the cyclone shelter and friends Mark &
Tamara who live in Mackay) but we chose option 3 to go and stay with fellow
yachties Kerry & Sue from the sailing cat Billaroo.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We didn’t
know them but they kindly offered us a bed in their penthouse apartment which
overlooks the marina, Billaroo and Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were so
very thankful and the view from our bedroom was incredible.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The balcony
gave us excellent views over the marina and beyond.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Around the
same time, communities between Ayr and Mackay had started sandbagging and
boarding up businesses and residences.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That arvo and
evening we were all in a little panic as Cyclone Debbie’s track started to turn
further south and was heading straight for Mackay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
forecasted location for crossing the coast had changed from the Townsville to
Ayr region and had shifted to somewhere between Bowen and The Whitsunday
Islands/Airlie Beach as a severe Category 4 system.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For us that
was very bad as it put Mackay into the region that would receive very
destructive winds coming from the worst quadrant and probably the heaviest
rainfall of all locations.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That night it
blew so hard with winds 50-75 knots (100 – 150km per hour)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">and we didn’t
get very much sleep.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The wind was
whistling into every minute crack and gap in the windows forcing in water which
pooled onto the sills and the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By daybreak
it was a blinding white-out outside and we had dozens of towels at the base of
all the windows.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vh2levrtML8/WN7kF2EBhPI/AAAAAAAAdik/B5UDYh6mduIoi75RRrPELNrJ7Dcl0CtNwCPcB/s1600/Cyclone%2BDay%2B1%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vh2levrtML8/WN7kF2EBhPI/AAAAAAAAdik/B5UDYh6mduIoi75RRrPELNrJ7Dcl0CtNwCPcB/s640/Cyclone%2BDay%2B1%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We could
barely see Lorelei and with winds increasing, all we could do was hunker down
and wait.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
we still had power and were able to watch TV to find out the latest reports.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Debbie’s
direction was as forecasted but unfortunately it had slowed down and it would
hit the coast later than expected. This meant that it would take more time to cross
land and that area would receive super destructive winds for a longer period of
time, thus causing much more damage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Channel 7’s
Sunrise Show was reporting from a balcony only meters from us which was great for
family and friends as we told them what they saw on the TV was exactly what we
were experiencing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The view from the TV<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lfwSbn1SQcY/WN7kFxYaXdI/AAAAAAAAdik/-5fihMnRT8EcRhJA6-nIt-HFU8lzsTFygCPcB/s1600/Cyclone%2BDay%2B2%2Bfrom%2BUnit%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lfwSbn1SQcY/WN7kFxYaXdI/AAAAAAAAdik/-5fihMnRT8EcRhJA6-nIt-HFU8lzsTFygCPcB/s640/Cyclone%2BDay%2B2%2Bfrom%2BUnit%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The view from the
apartment balcony<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In between
rain squalls, Paul braved going out onto the balcony to take some photos of the
marina and the ocean conditions. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bu1r8Fy0flk/WN7kF0CLw3I/AAAAAAAAdik/7wyMpGIMeCkK5x0QXAoEwXaKbIrx_nAgwCPcB/s1600/Cyclone%2BDay%2B2%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bu1r8Fy0flk/WN7kF0CLw3I/AAAAAAAAdik/7wyMpGIMeCkK5x0QXAoEwXaKbIrx_nAgwCPcB/s640/Cyclone%2BDay%2B2%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Finally the
eye crossed the coast between Bowen and Airlie Beach at around 2pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The power had
gone out but fortunately we brought our generator up from Lorelei 2 days prior
and were able to get the fridge, some lights and the TV operating.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The TV
forecast was horrifying and we were able to see reports from the region.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first
reports were from Hamilton Island as it was first to receive the full impact.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Then the
reports from Airlie Beach started to come in.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It appeared
that this area was going to be the hardest hit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was then
that reports slowly started to emerge from Shute harbour that is about 10km
south of Airlie Beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It faces
south and would have received the full impact of the initial S-SE winds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There is no
marina there but the harbour is filled with swing moorings for private and
rent-a-yachts.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Out of the
approximately 75 vessels in the harbour, less than 1/3 were still afloat after
the cyclone had passed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A few hours
after the eye crossed, Paul and Kerry braved the conditions and went and
checked both Billaroo and Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The wharf
around Billaroo was breaking up and Kerry and fellow boat owners had to try and
make temporary fixes so it held together.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lorelei was
in very good shape as the SE winds were coming straight onto the bow and we
only had minimal chafe on some of the ropes holding her in place.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We thought we
were over the worst of it as the eye had crossed – but we were very wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Night 3 was
by far the worst conditions for us as the wind turned to the north.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The wind was
still 50 knots but there were very violent gusts exceed more than 1.5 times
that.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At 2am we
thought the windows in the apartment would shatter as they vibrated
uncontrollably.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At daybreak
we woke to carnage in the marina.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the
north winds came the north swell which was pushing through the harbour entrance
and into the marina.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The swell was
causing the pontoons to buck wildly and some of the more exposed pontoons
started to break up. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Unfortunately
this was in the area where Lorelei was moored.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We all went
down to the marina at 6am and ended up spending 3 exhausting hours fixing lines,
securing vessels and assisting with helping secure the broken pontoons.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The winds were
still really strong and the palm trees were going inverted.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qom4aMH7bp0/WN7tvV8oPUI/AAAAAAAAdmc/xssldYEzcD8HYs7P_Q9smTRzxJTkSYwwgCPcB/s1600/Marina%2BBreakwall%2BStorm%2BWalk%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qom4aMH7bp0/WN7tvV8oPUI/AAAAAAAAdmc/xssldYEzcD8HYs7P_Q9smTRzxJTkSYwwgCPcB/s640/Marina%2BBreakwall%2BStorm%2BWalk%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="462" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lorelei had
received some damage as fenders were ripped off or destroyed and she was slamming
onto the wharf.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There was
also some severe chaff in 20mm ropes that needed to be replaced.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When we
returned to the apartment, we had only been there for 5 minutes and had changed
into dry clothes when the phone rang asking for more assistance. So Paul and
Kerry put their wet gear back on and went back down to help.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At the midday
high tide, it was way too violent to be on the pontoons and the waves were
crashing over the wall, so all we could do was wait at the apartment for things
to settle before we could go back down again to resecure vessels and assist in
helping with the marina pontoons.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa and Sue watching
the waves come over the wall from the apartment balcony</span></i></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We watched
the TV for more reports and this time there was a lot of news about Bowen.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We lived in
Bowen many years ago and Les and Kathy’s yacht Sea Temple was there. Whist it
survived, sadly it has damage to the canopy, external stainless steel and
cockpit. What was even sadder was that looters had stolen their electronics
from out of the cockpit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BvSC4bzMwfA/WN7kF3b6MeI/AAAAAAAAdik/GksLhQZk_bQ_LFbIip4qILw-uDQzB9c5wCPcB/s1600/Cyclone%2BDebbie%2BBowen%2BInternet%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BvSC4bzMwfA/WN7kF3b6MeI/AAAAAAAAdik/GksLhQZk_bQ_LFbIip4qILw-uDQzB9c5wCPcB/s640/Cyclone%2BDebbie%2BBowen%2BInternet%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This Bull
Shark made headlines when it swam up a river north of Bowen and was caught on a
road as the waters subsided.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One of the
biggest survival stories that went viral around the world was of “Debbie” the
Cockatoo that survived the cyclone and was rescued by a lady news reporter who
nursed it back to health.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The higher
tides and north winds also made a terrible impact on Mackay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Mackay area
had received the largest rainfall of any area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The rivers
and creeks were swelling and most low lying areas were flooding.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Even in the
afternoon, the waves were still crashing over the break wall.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Finally on
night 4 we were able to have a decent night’s sleep despite a lot of rain still
falling.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By daybreak
the worst of the storm had passed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So the
clean-up began.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There was
still no power or water but we were able to hang out the scores of towels and
rags that were used around the apartment to limit the water coming in around
the windows and doors.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Then we went
down to Lorelei and Billaroo to start airing out the boats and cleaning up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul took
some more photos of the damage in the marina.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In stark
contrast to 24 hours prior, that afternoon the marina glassed out with no wind,
no swell and a very red sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul had a
blast running around taking photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
helicopters and emergency teams turned up, the prime minister few over, and the
large scale clean up began.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However we started
getting reports of damage and flooding further south in SE QLD and northern NSW
as ex-tropical cyclone Debbie continued south across the land.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We continued
to bring Lorelei back to cruising trim over the next few days as we packed away
the lines, re-installed the canopy and washed, dried & tidied up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For our last
night in the Marina we had our rescuers Kerry and Sue over for dinner and a few
drinks. We all celebrated with a bottle of Penfolds Grange that they brought
them…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Starting
Monday the 3<sup>rd</sup> April we will continue on with our plans to cruise
down the coast and explore The Swains Reef, Capricorn Coast, Bunker Group and
maybe if we’re lucky, The Coral Sea.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The TV
reports keep talking about the residents of north QLD being a resilient lot and
band together in times of crises. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">And we can
certainly say that is 110% true.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We are astounded
by the mammoth effort Ben the Mackay Marina Manger and his team did during the
cyclone. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They
constantly walked the pontoons – fixing lines, resecuring or moving boats and
trying their best to minimise damage to the marina itself.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The guy
deserves a medal, a carton of beer and a week off.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly not
many people know of Ben and his teams behind the scenes effort during very
testing times…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We received
regular emails and texts from the marina staff and overall the communication
prior, during and after the event has been excellent.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s in stark
contrast to the reports we are getting from fellow yachtie friends who had
their boats in marinas at Airlie Beach…….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Above all our
biggest THANKYOU goes out to Kerry and Sue from the sailing cat Billaroo.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They opened
their home to us, housed us, fed us and kept us safe and well for 5 days.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Their
excellent apartment location overlooking the marina was a key factor in
Lorelei’s survival as we were able to keep an eye on her and run down when
required to tend to something.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Being there
was the difference between Lorelei having minor damage to something far worse.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We simply
can’t thank then enough……!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">And
the last thought from Paul….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa
spent a lot of time looking at cyclone prediction models, forecasts and
previous cyclone tracks when the low developed in the Coral Sea. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite
being days away and no cyclone ever having hit the Central QLD Coast after
March 6<sup>th</sup>, Lisa was adamant we head south to Mackay from Airlie Beach
– despite many other people telling her she was over reacting.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When
we left, all our other yachtie friends stayed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It
was a terrible trip but looking back now it was the best decision as we missed the
direct hit and therefore received much less damage than our other friends in
Airlie Beach Marinas.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa
has successfully navigated us around the world (Paul doesn’t do any of the
planning and navigating) and once again she has put us in the best position
possible for the conditions we had.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In
some ways it was a guess as to where to go, but for Lisa it was a well
calculated one – and it paid off…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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sv_loreleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14235157985522355104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245635408700620959.post-59020579055681412662017-02-20T14:03:00.000-08:002019-02-09T18:01:19.411-08:00Episode 56 The Whitsundays<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="color: yellow; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 37.3333px;">Lorelei’s Sailing Adventures</b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For Episode 55
we sailed from Lizard Island out to the Ribbon Reefs for some diving, then down
to the Low Isles, Port Douglas and Cairns before riding out bad weather in Dunk
Island and finally enjoying a week in The Whitsunday Islands prior to Paul’s
parents George and Chez flying in for a visit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our location for this
episode<o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our route for this
episode<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We hired a
car on the 25<sup>th</sup> January and went and picked up George and Chez from
Proserpine Airport which is about a 45 minute drive from The Whitsunday’s main
resort town of Airlie Beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a busy
24 hours with the car as it allowed us to refuel, reprovision and do other
running around.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The following
day was Australia Day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
mixed reports of possible fireworks that night at Airlie and activities, food
stalls and markets around the foreshore.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However by
midday the council workers were still mowing the foreshore lawn and only a few
tents were semi-erected so we walked around to have a look at the new Port of
Airlie Marina before sailing out to the islands after lunch.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The marina
has some large and flash boats in the private berths.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the other
side is a beach that is made from reclaimed land and sand that was brought in
from other areas.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s nice
that the locals now have somewhere great to swim and relax aside from the pool
in town which is always packed with young travellers.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the trees
around the beach we found loads of Black Cockatoos eating the nuts and fruit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a
fantastic sail out to the islands and we sailed nearly door to door to a
protected bay called Stonehaven.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were a
few boats proudly flying Aussie flags and we had ours up too along with the
Boxing Kangaroo flag (which is synonymous with Australian sailing).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Langford
Island is only across the passage from Stonehaven and we took George and Chez
there the next morning in the Tinny.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was spring
high tide and the sand spit that links the 2 islands was completely underwater.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The water was
also higher than the mangroves which created a narrow strip of water which was
filled with fish.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The snorkel
was fun but with the high tide it was a little bumpy and the viz wasn’t very
good.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had never
been to nearby Black Island before so we stopped there for a look on the way back.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A charter
boat had set up a sun cover over the tables for their customers but we were
able to have morning tea under it while they were all having a snorkel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The island is
small but very nice.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With SE winds
forecast, we sailed around to the protection of Butterfly Bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However it
was windy and the seas were up and even the most protected mooring in the bay
(which we fortunately had) was a little rolly.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite the
bumpy conditions, we took George around to Manta Ray Bay in the tinny while
Chez had the morning off.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Manta Ray Bay
is packed with fish that are used to being feed by the charter operators.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However it is
a lucky dip as to what fish will turn up when you arrive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The week
prior we had a lot of Bait fish but only 2 medium sized Maori Wrasse and one
Black Trevally.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This time we
had less bait fish but the added bonus of 5 Maori Wrasse, 1 of which was huge
and very friendly.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At first we
got George to feed them from the boat to get them interested.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
difficult for Paul to get decent under/over photos with the waves and swell –
but we jagged a few…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Once in the
water, George had the opportunity to get up close with the big Maori Wrasse and
by the end of the session it was getting lots of cuddles and pats from all of us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After the
feed we went for a snorkel and George found a large Jellyfish that had lots of
smaller bait fish hovering around underneath it and in its tentacles.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul was very
happy. We had seen one the previous day but he didn’t have his camera with him.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
back to Butterfly Bay, we stopped in at Maureen’s Cove to have a look around.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was amazing
how high the coral beach was now compared to 5 years ago. <br />
We can only surmise that a cyclone had pushed all the coral up to make a very
steep beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It made a
great view from the top overlooking the bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The picnic
tables are now overgrown with trees which makes an awesome natural shade cover.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Someone was very
creative (and clever) using dead coral to make a sign which was on one of the tables.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The walk up
the water course is always great and gives you to opportunity to look for
Butterfly’s and Goats.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found lots
of one – but none of the other….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
watercourse we walked up was green and leafy after all the rain and there we
lots of flowering plants.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We enjoyed it
so much that the next day we took Chez for a fish feed at Manta Ray Bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was our
third feed at Manta Ray Bay and this time it was different again with over a
dozen Bat Fish turning up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After the
feed we had a BBQ lunch at Maureen’s Cove.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The roots of
the Pandanus Trees creating the canopy of shade over the tables were unusual.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It rained for
a few minutes as we were preparing lunch but fortunately it passed and stayed
away until we were having a swim prior to leaving.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By the time
we got back to Lorelei it was pouring.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A quick check
of the weather forecast revealed a change with a lot more wind, storms and rain
predicted for that afternoon and evening.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we packed
up and set sail for the safety of Nara Inlet which was a 2 hour run south.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It rained on
and off most of the way but by the time we arrived it was black with low dark
clouds and A LOT of very loud thunder and lightning.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Transiting
most of the way up the inlet to seek protection seemed like the logical thing
to do.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That night it
rained and rained!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
swirling winds from all directions and bullets of wind coming down off the
peaks at sometimes well over 35 knots.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul had to
get up every few hours to double check the tinny was ok and still floating.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Needless to
say by daybreak we were a little tired but every water tank on the boat was
chock-a-block full.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By 10:30am
the rain had cleared, the sun was out and every boat (except us) had left the
inlet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were left
alone with the roar of about 20 new waterfalls that had developed overnight
with all the rain.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Normally dry
rocky slopes were converted into cascading water courses for only 24 hours.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we jumped
in the tinny and spent the day exploring these new attractions of the inlet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went and
had a look at a water course that has the most prominent waterfall in the
inlet. It runs most of the time during the wet season but varies in intensity.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This day
however, it was pouring down and the noise was very loud up close.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dxZWgtQrq3c/WKU_xqE1JFI/AAAAAAAAdR4/tnQ4vlkR7bcWrtGG2PK3rgNax6uYStk7gCPcB/s1600/Day%2B6%2BNara%2BInlet%2BWaterfalls%2B%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dxZWgtQrq3c/WKU_xqE1JFI/AAAAAAAAdR4/tnQ4vlkR7bcWrtGG2PK3rgNax6uYStk7gCPcB/s640/Day%2B6%2BNara%2BInlet%2BWaterfalls%2B%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note Lisa, Chez and
George swimming in the pool at the lower right</span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were able
to have a few swims with the best one being at the bottom of the main
waterfalls which had high flowing but safe swimming holes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We named this
one the “Turbo Tub”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When the
ground dried out a little we took the track up to the Ngaro Aboriginal Art
site.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
shocked at the transformation of the site over the past 10 years.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There is now
a much better laid out trail with decent stone steps along with a series of
boardwalks and timber stairs that lead to viewing platforms, information boards
and the art site.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uED81iMHyK8/WKU_xlbOUOI/AAAAAAAAdR4/zq3LHjqLHU0luejGC7rvfyU-Qo69DxVmwCPcB/s1600/Day%2B6%2BNara%2BInlet%2BAboriginal%2BWalk%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uED81iMHyK8/WKU_xlbOUOI/AAAAAAAAdR4/zq3LHjqLHU0luejGC7rvfyU-Qo69DxVmwCPcB/s640/Day%2B6%2BNara%2BInlet%2BAboriginal%2BWalk%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly the old
boardwalk through the art site cave has been removed and replaced with an
external viewing area meaning you can no longer get close to the artworks to
view or photograph - unless you have a powerful and low light zoom lens.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LzpzKbr0Nn0/WKU_xowcb5I/AAAAAAAAdR4/SJQVcpkMCckZS8RBhXR6e6jFq4o7fsphgCPcB/s1600/Day%2B6%2BNara%2BInlet%2BAboriginal%2BWalk%2B%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LzpzKbr0Nn0/WKU_xowcb5I/AAAAAAAAdR4/SJQVcpkMCckZS8RBhXR6e6jFq4o7fsphgCPcB/s640/Day%2B6%2BNara%2BInlet%2BAboriginal%2BWalk%2B%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We also noted
that the trail leading from the art site to a rock ledge that gives the best
view over the inlet has now sadly been closed off with an electric fence.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite the
huge amount of money being spent on the area, the dingy access is still
terrible and dangerous with the only access being over slippery and sharp rocks
at the water’s edge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With most
visitors being tourists in rent-a-yachts with inflatable tenders, you’d think they
would come up with something easier – and safer.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With nicer
weather the next day, Paul and George did a long paddle around the inlet and
Refuge Bay, stopping for swims along the way.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We moved down
to Cid Harbour early the following day to escape the swell that had started to
invade the inlet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had just
arrived when we were dosed with a large rain squall.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">George and
Lisa took advantage of the cooler conditions with an impromptu deck-shower.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When the rain
cleared we headed into Sawmill Bay and explored the area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the beach
is a monument celebrating 200<sup>th</sup> year anniversary the passage of
Captain Cook’s ship “The Endeavour” through the Whitsunday area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The walk from
Sawmill Bay to Dugong Beach is only a short and easy 1km path but the
rainforest along the way is excellent.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The bay was
logged for its large Hoop Pine trees in the 1930’s.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Thankfully
many were not cut down due to the difficult access and now they are protected –
and huge!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We saw some
very big spiders that had webs spanning the width of the path.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note the huge spider on
the left that George is looking at<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the rainwater
still pouring down the water courses, we found a little pool to sit in and have
a fresh water dip.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That 5 minute
dip turned into a marathon session of dam building.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Firstly we
started by moving a few rocks under us to make sitting on the sand more
comfortable. They were placed onto a few other larger existing rocks that
started the wall – and so it began. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Within 2 hours
we had the wall in an arc that had raised the water level over 60cm/2 feet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cxFsNcocU04/WKU_xn8E7yI/AAAAAAAAdR4/65UZh2uCyRkQSltDjRKzumZoYbneEqI7gCPcB/s1600/Day%2B8%2BSawmill%2BBeach%2BWalk%2B%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cxFsNcocU04/WKU_xn8E7yI/AAAAAAAAdR4/65UZh2uCyRkQSltDjRKzumZoYbneEqI7gCPcB/s640/Day%2B8%2BSawmill%2BBeach%2BWalk%2B%252811%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By 3 hours
Paul and George were done but no amount of coaxing could stop Lisa and Chez from
continuing to raise the dam wall higher and higher.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At the 3 hour
mark the wall had raised the water level to 100cm/3feet but the water pressure
on the wall meant we had to put a spillway in the middle to ease the pressure.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ceuiC7MDS_U/WKU_xhmSzTI/AAAAAAAAdR4/dPPppDwOacksgtxGinJRlofZZ9FgXPesQCPcB/s1600/Day%2B8%2BSawmill%2BBeach%2BWalk%2B%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ceuiC7MDS_U/WKU_xhmSzTI/AAAAAAAAdR4/dPPppDwOacksgtxGinJRlofZZ9FgXPesQCPcB/s640/Day%2B8%2BSawmill%2BBeach%2BWalk%2B%252812%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We returned
to Lorelei with fingers that were all shrivelled up from hours in the cold
fresh water. So we relaxed with a drink and watched the sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We woke with
a startled fright the next morning only to realise it was a very loud squawking
Sulphur Crested Cockatoo that was hanging off a wire only 2meters/6ft above our
bedroom window.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was making
all sorts of racket and didn’t seemed too fazed by Paul getting up close for a
photo.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The upside of
the Cockatoo saga was Paul managed to get some nice sunrise shots too.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4l1htdv6Kpc/WKU_xrc63OI/AAAAAAAAdR4/5F7XwoN1UJsHylm3XPGPQ1-TswoiDxHiQCPcB/s1600/Day%2B9%2BCid%2BHarbour%2BSunrise.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4l1htdv6Kpc/WKU_xrc63OI/AAAAAAAAdR4/5F7XwoN1UJsHylm3XPGPQ1-TswoiDxHiQCPcB/s640/Day%2B9%2BCid%2BHarbour%2BSunrise.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We loaded up
the tinny on high tide and went and explored the nearby Dugong Inlet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We knew there
were mangroves at the end of the inlet but didn’t realise how far they actually
penetrated into the interior of the island. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We spent
hours winding up and down the different creek arms exploring in the glass-out
conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
back we stopped at a small rocky island that had loads of big Hoop Pines.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We saw a
large bird’s nest on a branch that had many birds coming & going and even
witnessed some other birds trying to raid the nest, which caused a lot of
heated activity around the nest.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Looking back
to Whitsunday Island, we could see a headland packed full of Hoop Pines that
was bathed in sunlight.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We enjoyed
another great sunset that night and just as the sun was setting a large
sunset/dinner cruise boat from Hamilton Island came into the small harbour.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We enjoyed
exploring Dugong Inlet (which is just north of Cid Harbour) so much that the
next day we decided to explore the beaches south of Cid Harbour.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The two
highlights were Joe’s Beach and Nari’s Beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At Joe’s
beach we saw a Goanna foraging around the camping area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It wasn’t at
all fazed by Paul getting up close for photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The campsite
was great and the tables and chairs were surrounded by light rays filtering
through the forest canopy.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Joe’s Beach
had one of the only beach side palm trees in the area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Nari’s beach
was also very nice and we had a refreshing swim there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was so hot
during the heat of the day what we returned to our dammed waterhole for a cool
fresh water swim.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found fish
swimming in it and some large insects around the edge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 26.0pt;">HOGGERS, HALONS AND HAMO<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At the end of
our last blog we had indicated we were staying in the Whitsunday’s for at least
a month more.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa’s best
friend from school, Kate Halon (who lives in the USA) saw the comment and contacted
us to see if we would still be around from the 3<sup>rd</sup> to the 7<sup>th</sup>
of February as she would be in the area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sure enough
we were and plans evolved for us to try and link up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As it turned
out Kate and her sister Beth had secretly planned a surprise 5 day getaway to
Hamilton Island for their mum Claire’s 70<sup>th</sup> birthday which was on
the 5<sup>th </sup>of February.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Casa their
dad didn’t even know of the plans!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But what they
didn’t realise was it was also Paul’s 48<sup>th</sup> birthday on the same day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we decided
to book Lorelei into Hamilton Island Marina from the 5<sup>th</sup> to the 7<sup>th</sup>
and have a joint birthday bash – which was also going to be part of the
surprise.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived at
Hamilton Island on the 5<sup>th</sup> at 9am and realised our 20 meter marina
berth was in the middle of millionaire’s row!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lorelei was
surrounded by scores of large and very flash looking luxury power boats that
were worth 10 times what she was worth (but had probably seen a 10<sup>th</sup>
of the world she had…..)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lorelei (with her Tinny sticking out of the 20m berth - oops...) in the middle of a stack of million dollar power boats.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> By 9:30am Kate and Beth were already on board
for a very happy reunion. It had been many years since we had caught up and it
was smiles, stories & hugs all round.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">To our
surprise, they had organised lunch at their Villa for all 8 of us (4 Hoggers
and 4 Halons) and weren’t taking no for an answer.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We walked to
their Yacht Club Villa to find an incredible 3 story Villa overlooking the Dent
passage with 180 degree, million dollar views.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Casa, Claire,
George and Chez (who had her 70<sup>th</sup> birthday only 3 weeks prior) got
along famously and the conversations, eating and drinking went long into the
afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Beth prepping a lovely
lunch<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Besties since primary
school – Kate and Lisa<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Casa cranking up the
hotplate and the best balcony BBQ views ever!!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Birthday lunch<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Birthday buddies – Paul
and Claire<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Late in the
afternoon we went for a walk around the Marina foreshore.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We also
walked around the base of the new Hamilton Island Yacht Club but we thought it
was weird that it was closed (on a beautiful Saturday arvo) and we couldn’t go
inside.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We enjoyed a
great sunset before having Paul’s favourite meal for dinner (Wonton &
Noodle Laksa) and crashing into bed after what was a BIG day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There are
only a handful of cars on the island and the main way of exploring and
transiting around Hamilton Island is by Golf Cart.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There are
literally 100’s of them buzzing around the island during daylight hours.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had booked
a 4 seater Cart for a 24 hour period and picked it up at 8:30am the following
day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa and Chez
navigated while Paul drove and the girls were on a mission to explore every
street.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For the
morning we concentrated on the northern part of the island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went up to
Observatory Hill and were surprised to find the observatory was gone and all
the remained was a round concrete slab.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The area now
has a café with fantastic views, a lookout and the surrounds are beautifully
manicured.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The church
grounds (which is very popular for weddings) were also in beautiful condition.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The best view
on the island is at One Tree Hill that looks back down over Cateye Bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We ventured
down to Cateye Bay and had a wander around the area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The beach is
nothing like the magnificent Whitehaven Beach only a few miles away on
Whitsunday Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Instead it is
a bay filled with coarse sand, rocks, milky water and the resort facilities
like catamaran sailing, paddling boarding, etc. can only be done on the higher
tides.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With a bay
like that, it’s little wonder that the many swimming pools along the bay’s foreshore
have been constructed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went past
some ponds that were surrounded by lush plant growth with some unusual ferns
and flowers.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MT8Jb4GxnJU/WKVAme1-0CI/AAAAAAAAdU8/bAL7Jn4pXEwsFYZ8MCQ44yslYmZa88NAQCPcB/s1600/Day%2B12%2BHamo%2BGolf%2BCart%2BExplore%2BAM%2B%252810%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MT8Jb4GxnJU/WKVAme1-0CI/AAAAAAAAdU8/bAL7Jn4pXEwsFYZ8MCQ44yslYmZa88NAQCPcB/s640/Day%2B12%2BHamo%2BGolf%2BCart%2BExplore%2BAM%2B%252810%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With all the
rain, there were thousands (literally) of tiny frogs jumping around on the
paths and foliage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Thj0xBZRA6I/WKVAmX9QKhI/AAAAAAAAdU8/kseRsLUQxhIsqZj3q0fmqrU1lk6Xk6aNACPcB/s1600/Day%2B12%2BHamo%2BGolf%2BCart%2BExplore%2BAM%2B%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Thj0xBZRA6I/WKVAmX9QKhI/AAAAAAAAdU8/kseRsLUQxhIsqZj3q0fmqrU1lk6Xk6aNACPcB/s640/Day%2B12%2BHamo%2BGolf%2BCart%2BExplore%2BAM%2B%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Before lunch
we stopped at Foots Sculpture Shop which has been on the island for over 20
years.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Q09xFZbdg4/WKtc0CS55MI/AAAAAAAAdb0/JJbsVmMjI_AoEh6NaVqE8oNBEp_0Q8ONwCPcB/s1600/George%2BPhotos%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Q09xFZbdg4/WKtc0CS55MI/AAAAAAAAdb0/JJbsVmMjI_AoEh6NaVqE8oNBEp_0Q8ONwCPcB/s640/George%2BPhotos%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The cast
bronze and marble pieces range in size from smaller than your hand up to
2.5m/8feet tall.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They are not
cheap but the quality and finish is world class.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-REuif4kgHqs/WKVAmXl7lUI/AAAAAAAAdU8/Af7Lnmj_KVsXW-CDPcnNd_ij7QcY7MuxQCPcB/s1600/Day%2B12%2BHamo%2BGolf%2BCart%2BExplore%2BAM%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-REuif4kgHqs/WKVAmXl7lUI/AAAAAAAAdU8/Af7Lnmj_KVsXW-CDPcnNd_ij7QcY7MuxQCPcB/s640/Day%2B12%2BHamo%2BGolf%2BCart%2BExplore%2BAM%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hQf57c0zvew/WKVAmfz_9QI/AAAAAAAAdU8/wkGkHGGxldgDsl6yNeibgB6ViAys9rH-ACPcB/s1600/Day%2B12%2BHamo%2BGolf%2BCart%2BExplore%2BAM%2B%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hQf57c0zvew/WKVAmfz_9QI/AAAAAAAAdU8/wkGkHGGxldgDsl6yNeibgB6ViAys9rH-ACPcB/s640/Day%2B12%2BHamo%2BGolf%2BCart%2BExplore%2BAM%2B%25287%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Marina
precinct is popular with eateries that has everything from a bakery to fish
& chips to fine dining.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With many
offering takeaway meals, the water’s edge is a popular place to eat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The local
birds, particularly the Sulphur Crested Cockatoos, also like to eat there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite loads
of “Don’t feed the bird signs” many tourists get a kick out of hand feeding
them. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Over time
they have become very brazen and often walk right up while you are still eating
rather than waiting for the left over scraps after you have gone.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We watched
one bird pick all the chocolate coating off an ice cream and proceed to get it
all over its head and face. It was pretty funny to see it again 4 hours later
with a brown head.</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4LoXxPhUzNQ/WKVBmZp0RjI/AAAAAAAAdXg/lpcnsF-jNP0Wf9efFAl3uaRqTVh4uOLtwCPcB/s1600/Day%2B12%2BHamo%2BGolf%2BCart%2BExplore%2BPM%2B%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4LoXxPhUzNQ/WKVBmZp0RjI/AAAAAAAAdXg/lpcnsF-jNP0Wf9efFAl3uaRqTVh4uOLtwCPcB/s640/Day%2B12%2BHamo%2BGolf%2BCart%2BExplore%2BPM%2B%252814%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the
afternoon we ventured to the island’s south side. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It is a lot
less built up and there are large areas of untouched forest with over 20km of
walking trails.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The road
south offered great views over the Marina precinct.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dqRhQVZmbrA/WKVBmasiXSI/AAAAAAAAdXg/TRl16CTQH-Ees06UsGqTzDggCgEyjMzTwCPcB/s1600/Day%2B12%2BHamo%2BGolf%2BCart%2BExplore%2BPM%2B%252815%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dqRhQVZmbrA/WKVBmasiXSI/AAAAAAAAdXg/TRl16CTQH-Ees06UsGqTzDggCgEyjMzTwCPcB/s640/Day%2B12%2BHamo%2BGolf%2BCart%2BExplore%2BPM%2B%252815%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The airport
is surprisingly busy with both large & small planes and helicopters, many
of which are conducting short joy flights for tourists.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We enjoyed
watching the seaplanes taking off and landing with their undercarriages down
below the floats.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mOkUrcyaJxA/WKVBmeD54BI/AAAAAAAAdXg/vjzxiFou0AkBg5C_fuFRDwa94-nAl4tWACPcB/s1600/Day%2B12%2BHamo%2BGolf%2BCart%2BExplore%2BPM%2B%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mOkUrcyaJxA/WKVBmeD54BI/AAAAAAAAdXg/vjzxiFou0AkBg5C_fuFRDwa94-nAl4tWACPcB/s640/Day%2B12%2BHamo%2BGolf%2BCart%2BExplore%2BPM%2B%252812%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NioW2O2PHP0/WKVBmeobp0I/AAAAAAAAdXg/Kl3BbL7sVGA_g5KLfMZ6ORw1XXYRFO2qQCPcB/s1600/Day%2B12%2BHamo%2BGolf%2BCart%2BExplore%2BPM%2B%252813%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NioW2O2PHP0/WKVBmeobp0I/AAAAAAAAdXg/Kl3BbL7sVGA_g5KLfMZ6ORw1XXYRFO2qQCPcB/s640/Day%2B12%2BHamo%2BGolf%2BCart%2BExplore%2BPM%2B%252813%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The one
bucket list thing we all wanted to do was have a drink or a meal at the new
Hamilton Island Yacht Club.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we went there
to find it open as it was closed the day before.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f9o5qlvSofU/WKVAmcpIPQI/AAAAAAAAdU8/od2-vQXVGS4_DCq93dLCytchJeuYSZMWgCPcB/s1600/Day%2B12%2BHamo%2BGolf%2BCart%2BExplore%2BPM%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f9o5qlvSofU/WKVAmcpIPQI/AAAAAAAAdU8/od2-vQXVGS4_DCq93dLCytchJeuYSZMWgCPcB/s640/Day%2B12%2BHamo%2BGolf%2BCart%2BExplore%2BPM%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We walked
around the entrance and had a look at the Rolex welcoming sign.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> Then we noticed the Rolex clock was not working.
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Not exactly
the best advertisement for the brand!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h62Gy8HrArI/WKVAmUBdDsI/AAAAAAAAdU8/L-pedgKWQQMKaOt4kDqI66yBB3mNS2rpQCPcB/s1600/Day%2B12%2BHamo%2BGolf%2BCart%2BExplore%2BPM%2B%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h62Gy8HrArI/WKVAmUBdDsI/AAAAAAAAdU8/L-pedgKWQQMKaOt4kDqI66yBB3mNS2rpQCPcB/s640/Day%2B12%2BHamo%2BGolf%2BCart%2BExplore%2BPM%2B%25287%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We enquired
inside about a dinner booking only to be told by the staff that the building
(despite having “yacht club” printed on the entry sign) is in fact NOT a yacht
club but is a function centre.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However we
were welcome to look around.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sure enough
the rooms inside of the building were empty function rooms.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were so
disappointed!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We half
expected an amazing public bar adorned with tons of yachting memorabilia and
photos from the annual sailing regattas, race week, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite the
size of the place, there was not one single piece of memorabilia or a photo on
a wall anywhere.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The only
highlight was a copy of Wild Oats XI bow on the outside and a cast of the stern
in the entry foyer.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a walk
around and noticed many other people also making negative comments.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-07UsPHh7oDw/WKVAmVlcbJI/AAAAAAAAdU8/xsHxHphl-3IQ0evPLjWb78-vBglUbFXagCPcB/s1600/Day%2B12%2BHamo%2BGolf%2BCart%2BExplore%2BPM%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-07UsPHh7oDw/WKVAmVlcbJI/AAAAAAAAdU8/xsHxHphl-3IQ0evPLjWb78-vBglUbFXagCPcB/s640/Day%2B12%2BHamo%2BGolf%2BCart%2BExplore%2BPM%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
out a female staff member at the front counter told us that the outdoor bar is
in fact open for cocktails at 4pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We said
“Great, but its 4:45pm?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The reply –
“oh it’s overcast today so we decided not to open……….”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">And that
folks was our wonderful experience at the flash new, architecturally designed masterpiece
that is the “Hamilton Island Yacht Club”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">– oops sorry
“Hamilton Island Function Centre”.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So instead we
went back up to the Café on One Tree Hill and had cocktails with a magnificent
view.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We stayed for
the sunset but with all the cloud cover back over the mainland, it wasn’t so
spectacular.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
was go, go, go from day break as we shopped for fresh food provisions, dropped
the golf cart back, filled water tanks, checked engine room systems, got sails
prepped and ready to leave.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">George went
to the bakery and snuck some Vanilla Slices on board (our favourite bakery treat)
for morning tea which was great.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
blowing 15-20 knots but just as we were about to leave, the wind died for 5
minutes giving us a pleasant run out of the marina.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We motored
into the Dent Passage, turned up into the wind right in front of the Halon’s
villa, hoisted sails and sailed off towards Hook Island with the Halons waving
us goodbye from their balcony, prior to boarding their plane flight home a few
hours later.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
fitting end to our few fun days in Hamo.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With a strong
wind forecast the next day we sailed past Cid Harbour and Whitsunday Island and
onto the more protected (or so we thought) Macona Inlet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Macona Inlet
is parallel to Nara Inlet and we assumed it would be safe and calm in the inner
anchorage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However that
night the swell invaded and it was quite rolly and none of us had a good nights
sleep.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So the next
morning we motored into the wind and back to Cid Harbour.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
it was only 1 hour away but the boat coped a lot of salt water over the decks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Cid allowed
us to get back on top of things like sleep, swimming, clothes washing and
making some baked treats before we were refreshed and ready to go again.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the
strong wind warning still in effect but rapidly dropping over the next 48
hours, we sailed up to Stonehaven to do some protected snorkelling and to prep
ourselves for our first trip out to the Great Barrier Reef since we arrived in
The Whitsundays.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We reefed
down the sails and took off (literally) in 25 knots of gusty wind.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately it
was downwind for the first half and with being fully powered-up (and sometimes
well over-powered) we roared along with current assistance at up to 9.5 knots
boat speed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa had to
hand steer as it was too hard on the auto-pilot through the lulls, gusts, lifts
and knocks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we gybed
and rounded up, we sailed up the side of Hook Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> Lorelei had gone from running off the wind to
reaching and she was healing over nicely.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note Lisa working hard
steering to bring Lorelei back downwind after <br />
rolling up into the wind due to being overpowered in the gusts.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With 2 miles
to go, we had some crazy strong bullets of wind that pushed speed to the max
and leant us right over being so overpowered.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We all
thought it was fun until we got hit with one huge guest in the flat water of
Stonehaven Bay (only 500m from the moorings). Lorelei heeled over so far that
her gunnel was well under and the sails ended up in the water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul and
George were standing on the downside and were calf deep in water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We could hear
things flying everywhere downstairs but were powerless to stop the carnage. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Heck we could
barely stand up ourselves!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lorelei has
7.7 tonnes of lead in her keel and being a cruising boat, rarely heels beyond
about 15-20 degrees.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In fact,
aside from our knockdown in Micronesia in 2013 (where the mast hit the water)
it’s the greatest angle we’ve ever been over on our side.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We all
laughed about it for a day, it only took 10 minutes to clean up downstairs and
nothing broke so we chalked it up to another crazy sailing experience.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s a pity
we didn’t get a photo – the looks on everyone’s faces were priceless......<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The bullets
of wind that were hitting Lorelei when we were on the Stonehaven mooring were
so strong that it was pulling the mooring float right down under the water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Within an
hour of being moored up, we were snorkelling along the reef that was only 30
meters/100ft from the boat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Amazingly the
coral was in excellent condition and by far the best we had seen since we’d
been here.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul made
sushi that night which we enjoyed upstairs at sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the wind
still at 20 knots, we spent the next day exploring the area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went to
visit Steens Beach but it was spring high tide and the beach was all but
underwater and a little bumpy from the onshore wind.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we went
around the corner to a more protected area and had a walk along a beach which
was lined with Casuarina Trees overhanging the water at high tide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Behind the
beach was a small inlet that was filled with water from the spring high.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was only
shallow so we walked the length of it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YrTcs1enw3g/WKVBmTbYHOI/AAAAAAAAdXg/IdrbpOCJs8kGIrMNHhtH0CuwKFitON3EwCPcB/s1600/Day%2B16%2BStonehaven%2BExplore%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YrTcs1enw3g/WKVBmTbYHOI/AAAAAAAAdXg/IdrbpOCJs8kGIrMNHhtH0CuwKFitON3EwCPcB/s640/Day%2B16%2BStonehaven%2BExplore%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">From the
small ridge between the inlet and the beach we could look over towards Hayman
and Black Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went to
Black Island for morning tea.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had been
there before but this time the tide was dropping and it allowed us to explore
the remote beach down the protected side of the island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br />
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the remote
beach we found a large Osprey sitting in the tree and lots of smaller
White-breasted Woodswallows flying around.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fePhLYGIy0Q/WKVBmbputpI/AAAAAAAAdXg/ls8jBshEvT0rDsOKAGvIi6PEi7kj3UTpACPcB/s1600/Day%2B16%2BStonehaven%2BExplore%2B%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fePhLYGIy0Q/WKVBmbputpI/AAAAAAAAdXg/ls8jBshEvT0rDsOKAGvIi6PEi7kj3UTpACPcB/s640/Day%2B16%2BStonehaven%2BExplore%2B%252811%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
Woodswallows would sit on one branch, fly around in a loop and return to the
same branch. It made photographing them a little easy with their
predictability.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When we
looked at the photos when we got home, we discovered the flying loop was to
catch insects and we had photos with them in their mouths.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-52ohGhOsyw0/WKVBmRAWALI/AAAAAAAAdXg/5iJC7SbEHpYculVcp3I7WehpUpUBWp9qwCPcB/s1600/Day%2B16%2BStonehaven%2BExplore%2B%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-52ohGhOsyw0/WKVBmRAWALI/AAAAAAAAdXg/5iJC7SbEHpYculVcp3I7WehpUpUBWp9qwCPcB/s640/Day%2B16%2BStonehaven%2BExplore%2B%252812%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note the Insect in the
mouth of the one on the right<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eZOKhaOnLCI/WKVBmeBX-4I/AAAAAAAAdXg/0kufzaD0tlsjNf6iMag7Up4ge_AaA5l-QCPcB/s1600/Day%2B16%2BStonehaven%2BExplore%2B%252813%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eZOKhaOnLCI/WKVBmeBX-4I/AAAAAAAAdXg/0kufzaD0tlsjNf6iMag7Up4ge_AaA5l-QCPcB/s640/Day%2B16%2BStonehaven%2BExplore%2B%252813%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the tide
falling even further we went to the sand spit at Langford Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was just
exposed and still quite narrow.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jzaLm6TTZI0/WKVBmfIMd1I/AAAAAAAAdXg/Z8l2TdcKyXkiXC8_sLZoFNI6uc1ntH1bQCPcB/s1600/Day%2B16%2BStonehaven%2BExplore%2B%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jzaLm6TTZI0/WKVBmfIMd1I/AAAAAAAAdXg/Z8l2TdcKyXkiXC8_sLZoFNI6uc1ntH1bQCPcB/s640/Day%2B16%2BStonehaven%2BExplore%2B%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
home we found another Osprey sitting on a channel marker.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x7thAeJg-zQ/WKVBmaldFbI/AAAAAAAAdXg/SX2jD5Kh6oUcsTg-9JBass9NTn-ZFPmNQCPcB/s1600/Day%2B16%2BStonehaven%2BExplore%2B%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x7thAeJg-zQ/WKVBmaldFbI/AAAAAAAAdXg/SX2jD5Kh6oUcsTg-9JBass9NTn-ZFPmNQCPcB/s640/Day%2B16%2BStonehaven%2BExplore%2B%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was still
windy on sunset and we doubted whether we could go to the reef the next day,
despite the weather forecast.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However we
woke to glassy conditions at 6am and decided to give it a go.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
little bumpy at first but by the time we got to Bait Reef around mid-morning,
the seas had dropped and we had fantastic conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We did 2 long
snorkels during the day and both were excellent with the coral in fantastic
condition and tons of baitfish around the Stepping Stones.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dYYYRNxp258/WKVBmbPSnVI/AAAAAAAAdXg/mUrE2JxGeW4x4TBdKCvS0CO7Meix9LskACPcB/s1600/Day%2B18%2BBait%2BReef%2BFish%2BFeed%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dYYYRNxp258/WKVBmbPSnVI/AAAAAAAAdXg/mUrE2JxGeW4x4TBdKCvS0CO7Meix9LskACPcB/s640/Day%2B18%2BBait%2BReef%2BFish%2BFeed%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The wind
stayed away all day and we had a great sunset followed by a super calm night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yiZV0pTJyv0/WKVBmZcW9tI/AAAAAAAAdXg/16_UGoir3lwGtEJTA4IQ57sr5lAHOk0MACPcB/s1600/Day%2B17%2BBait%2BReef%2BSunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yiZV0pTJyv0/WKVBmZcW9tI/AAAAAAAAdXg/16_UGoir3lwGtEJTA4IQ57sr5lAHOk0MACPcB/s640/Day%2B17%2BBait%2BReef%2BSunset.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We did 2
snorkels the next morning with one on the Stepping Stones (which we flew along
with the current) and a second one that was much milder in the middle shallow
section of the reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When we got
back to Lorelei, there was a big Black Trevally under the boat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul and
George were able to jump in with him while Lisa and Chez fed him from the back
duckboard.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G8-D8x-fBew/WKVBmWqLFTI/AAAAAAAAdXg/cioP6KdHSsw8AzmqSt6OVP4Ry5QrrMf-gCPcB/s1600/Day%2B18%2BBait%2BReef%2BFish%2BFeed%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G8-D8x-fBew/WKVBmWqLFTI/AAAAAAAAdXg/cioP6KdHSsw8AzmqSt6OVP4Ry5QrrMf-gCPcB/s640/Day%2B18%2BBait%2BReef%2BFish%2BFeed%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the NW
winds increasing we left the reef and sailed back to the Islands.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived at
the top-end of the Islands at 6pm but the wind had shifted from the NW to due
north making all the bays exposed so we had no option but to sail around past
Stonehaven, down the side of Hook Island and into Nara Inlet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It meant we
had a sunset under sail which was very enjoyable.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived at
Nara after dark and 30 minutes prior to the full moon rising so it was pitch
black.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However the
entire inlet was lit up like a Christmas tree with around 50 boats on anchor.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had to
slowly weave our way in but once inside there was a lot of room and we found a
place to stop without any dramas.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a good
decision because it blew fairly strong from the north that night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next
morning we were off again early to explore the eastern side of the island which
we had not been able to do yet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was another
great sail out through the Hook Passage and down past the mountainous peaks of
Whitsunday Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We stopped at
Tongue Bay so we could walk to the most famous lookout in The Whitsundays as it
overlooks Hill Inlet and Whitehaven Beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However
Tongue Bay was very rolly and we rechecked the weather forecast to find it had
changed again making the bay ever more exposed and rougher for that afternoon
and evening.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we took
off again and motored down past Whitehaven Beach and around to Chance Bay on
the southern side of the island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Chance Bay is
rarely visited during the popular winter months as it’s exposed to the
ever-present SE trade winds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The beaches
are stunning so we put the tinny in, loaded it with alcoholic bevvies & nibbles
and had a drink and a swim at each of the beaches spanning the 3 southern bays.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QIB52UlWWvI/WKVBmWN0nMI/AAAAAAAAdXg/dTFu12zMuOEn0wNcnmwCACdkBxldVsWVACPcB/s1600/Day%2B19%2BChance%2BBay%2BExplore%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QIB52UlWWvI/WKVBmWN0nMI/AAAAAAAAdXg/dTFu12zMuOEn0wNcnmwCACdkBxldVsWVACPcB/s640/Day%2B19%2BChance%2BBay%2BExplore%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pJQPO19I88s/WKVBmfX4VUI/AAAAAAAAdXg/sEtzyUCnEBwl_vEGY5au9OaxJ9WxEHdyQCPcB/s1600/Day%2B19%2BChance%2BBay%2BExplore%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pJQPO19I88s/WKVBmfX4VUI/AAAAAAAAdXg/sEtzyUCnEBwl_vEGY5au9OaxJ9WxEHdyQCPcB/s640/Day%2B19%2BChance%2BBay%2BExplore%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived
back to Lorelei in time for a great sunset light show and the full moon rising
over the islands.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I3hZQP64meo/WKVBmY3w-bI/AAAAAAAAdXg/jRRxDXicZLMtHHnmzbK2pGCWFxqlrXOkgCPcB/s1600/Day%2B19%2BChance%2BBay%2BSunset%2Band%2BMoon%2BRise%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I3hZQP64meo/WKVBmY3w-bI/AAAAAAAAdXg/jRRxDXicZLMtHHnmzbK2pGCWFxqlrXOkgCPcB/s640/Day%2B19%2BChance%2BBay%2BSunset%2Band%2BMoon%2BRise%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="484" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By the time
we awoke, the wind had swung to the SW but was very light.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By 8am it was
sooo hot and only got hotter and more humid as the day went on.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We motored
back around to Whitehaven and this time it was offshore and perfect.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We jumped in
the tinny and first stop was the walk and lookout.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Being so
early, we beat the worst of the heat, got the Hill Inlet water levels at mid
tide (which is perfect for the photos) and the best thing – we beat the tourist
boat rush.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
the walk is covered by the tree canopy and shielded us from the sun.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9HVIE8Smhk0/WKVBzWaUKFI/AAAAAAAAdXg/_dClPydyIlEfqauOB_gAGGHumtwomRHjACPcB/s1600/Day%2B20%2BWhitehaven%2BExplore%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9HVIE8Smhk0/WKVBzWaUKFI/AAAAAAAAdXg/_dClPydyIlEfqauOB_gAGGHumtwomRHjACPcB/s640/Day%2B20%2BWhitehaven%2BExplore%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived at
the 2 viewing platforms to find both completely empty.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Perfect
timing!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r1GdhdUYzn4/WKVBzT5DrxI/AAAAAAAAdXg/eV7qYZxa4Aoyr_Jv6QtLxlyI-pwZKLCbQCPcB/s1600/Day%2B20%2BWhitehaven%2BExplore%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r1GdhdUYzn4/WKVBzT5DrxI/AAAAAAAAdXg/eV7qYZxa4Aoyr_Jv6QtLxlyI-pwZKLCbQCPcB/s640/Day%2B20%2BWhitehaven%2BExplore%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By the time
we got back down to the beach and looked up, the viewing platforms were packed
full of people.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a
swim, then an explore up Hill Inlet in the tinny, followed by another swim,
back along the beach towards Lorelei for another swim and finally returning to
Lorelei for more swimming. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-leKxog4dF9E/WKVBzdmSBEI/AAAAAAAAdXg/6UdPnV17_kMuksaeGRDB6PHyquingqxYQCPcB/s1600/Day%2B20%2BWhitehaven%2BExplore%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-leKxog4dF9E/WKVBzdmSBEI/AAAAAAAAdXg/6UdPnV17_kMuksaeGRDB6PHyquingqxYQCPcB/s640/Day%2B20%2BWhitehaven%2BExplore%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was so hot
in the arvo that we swam or took a shower about every 45 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At 5pm we
moved down to the southern corner of Whitehaven Beach once all the day trip
boats had left.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul sat in
the crows nest while Lisa motored Lorelei down along the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We anchored
up with only one other boat in the corner.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For sunset
drinks we went ashore.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Initially we
set up on the tables under the trees.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
Goannas and Curlews around the tables and in the tree overhead.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Looking at Lorelei
through the trees<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the
beach facing east and the sun setting behind the beach, we moved down to the water’s
edge to swim, have a drink in the water and to escape the insects in the
bushes!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The glassy
conditions (which you rarely get at Whitehaven Beach…) made for awesome sunset
photo opportunities.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Everyone flaked
into bed buzzing after an awesome 30 hours.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
we nearly called a lay-day as we were all pretty tired but the Whitehaven Beach
madness started at 9am with 100’s of people unloading from vessels of all
types, sea planes and helicopters.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We lifted
anchor and moved north to Cateran Bay on Border Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite being
to the Whitsundays on numerous occassions, Border Island is one place that we
have always wanted to visit but never had.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The coral and
underwater caves on the east face of the bay were excellent but sadly the viz
was terrible.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We stayed in
the shallows to make the best of it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the
afternoon we climbed through the Grass Trees up to the saddle ridge in the
centre of the island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The views
looking south to Haselwood Island and north back over Cateran Bay were
excellent.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa and
George had to add an extra rock each onto the existing cairn at the top.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were all
pumped to leave the next morning for the outer reef. However it blew all night
and we woke at Cateran Bay to stronger than forecast winds, bumpy seas and bleak
overcast skies.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were lot
leaving for an 8 hour passage in those conditions!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However the forecast
still looked great for many days to come and it looked like our reef trip might
be extended right up until when George and Chez were thinking of flying home.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we sailed
back to the western side of the islands that was closer to the mainland and
would give us internet and phone reception.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">George and
Chez booked their flights home for 1 weeks’ time and we all spent the day
relaxing, editing photos, doing computer work and prepping to go to the reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 26.0pt;">SAVING THE BEST TILL LAST….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The 24 hour
delay worked wonders and we woke to a sunny day with 10-12 knot SE winds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This allowed
us to sail most of the way to the reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By the time
we were nearly there, the wind was dropping so we motored the last hour in.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul sat in
the crows nest as we slowly navigated through the narrow passage in the reef
and into the small lagoon at Little Black Reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KPIgvdpXBYc/WKtcz9brzcI/AAAAAAAAdb0/lx5FuJ0pseIZDzIDD7k7ys3ELTVZzb-mQCPcB/s1600/Day%2B23%2BLittle%2BBlack%2BReef%2BArrive.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KPIgvdpXBYc/WKtcz9brzcI/AAAAAAAAdb0/lx5FuJ0pseIZDzIDD7k7ys3ELTVZzb-mQCPcB/s640/Day%2B23%2BLittle%2BBlack%2BReef%2BArrive.JPG" width="640" /></a><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With still 3
hours of light remaining, we put the kayaks in and Paul, George & Lisa went
kayak spearfishing around the walls of the inner lagoon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We managed to
get 4 Coral Trout, 2 of which Lisa turned into Grilled Lemon Fish for dinner.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The sun was
setting when we arrived back and Lisa was down on the lower duck board
filleting the fish.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul and
George were taking sunset photos when they spied a very large shape come out
from under the duckboard.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TKJWe2JQwW4/WKtcz9qDKsI/AAAAAAAAdb0/7CjVnIJoeJsnk7mwjI5pnbXJyasJ5nAtgCPcB/s1600/Day%2B23%2BLittle%2BBlack%2BReef%2BHammerhead%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TKJWe2JQwW4/WKtcz9qDKsI/AAAAAAAAdb0/7CjVnIJoeJsnk7mwjI5pnbXJyasJ5nAtgCPcB/s640/Day%2B23%2BLittle%2BBlack%2BReef%2BHammerhead%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note the large
Hammerhead Shark in the top of the photo<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We barely had
time to warn Lisa before a very large Giant Hammerhead Shark swung back around
and came straight in at the duckboard on the surface.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MTL0j_e6XvA/WKtcz8HhG1I/AAAAAAAAdb0/DjOvkttQIv0r8Ku3B-ssgN9UozrfmWegQCPcB/s1600/Day%2B23%2BLittle%2BBlack%2BReef%2BHammerhead%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MTL0j_e6XvA/WKtcz8HhG1I/AAAAAAAAdb0/DjOvkttQIv0r8Ku3B-ssgN9UozrfmWegQCPcB/s640/Day%2B23%2BLittle%2BBlack%2BReef%2BHammerhead%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The shark
stayed around for a long time. It got bolder & bolder and was charging the
duckboard right on the surface. It was amazing to watch such a large animal
turn so tightly, quickly and aggressively and it was very hard to predict its
movements.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul had his
mask and underwater camera on deck and considered jumping in with it but it was
just after sunset, getting dark quickly and a little too aggressive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So Lisa left
the duckboard and finished filleting the fish on the back deck.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-njWA6Vcu3LE/WKtcz7-S9uI/AAAAAAAAdb0/48whymuNcZ8zziqQzm0JG-mMx84yJn85gCPcB/s1600/Day%2B23%2BLittle%2BBlack%2BReef%2BHammerhead%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-njWA6Vcu3LE/WKtcz7-S9uI/AAAAAAAAdb0/48whymuNcZ8zziqQzm0JG-mMx84yJn85gCPcB/s640/Day%2B23%2BLittle%2BBlack%2BReef%2BHammerhead%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After a great
sleep that rivalled being in a marina berth, we woke to absolute glass out
conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">And it stayed
like that all day….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
snorkelling gear was loaded into the tinny along with Paul’s UW camera and we went
to snorkel the outer edge of the reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yTna8oHNolc/WKtcz-AQFyI/AAAAAAAAdb0/yPkbF60p3AIcnw6ZA0ITkgilvIt-9-lIQCPcB/s1600/Day%2B24%2BBait%2BReef%2BSnorkel%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yTna8oHNolc/WKtcz-AQFyI/AAAAAAAAdb0/yPkbF60p3AIcnw6ZA0ITkgilvIt-9-lIQCPcB/s640/Day%2B24%2BBait%2BReef%2BSnorkel%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">What was
great was the huge amount of caves and cut in’s on the reef edge for Paul &
Lisa to free dive through and also superb coral and fish life on the reef top
shallows for George & Chez to enjoy.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X0S2IgH-ATU/WKtczx6eGyI/AAAAAAAAdb0/NDCCVGoS-NcIgmBtBCKVohBz9e_TlHkkgCPcB/s1600/Day%2B24%2BBait%2BReef%2BSnorkel%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X0S2IgH-ATU/WKtczx6eGyI/AAAAAAAAdb0/NDCCVGoS-NcIgmBtBCKVohBz9e_TlHkkgCPcB/s640/Day%2B24%2BBait%2BReef%2BSnorkel%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The caves and
swim-throughs were extensive,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Many of them had
multiple chambers with lots of entry & exits.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Some even had
light rays filtering through the holes in the reef top.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The glassy
conditions made for great reflection shots as the shallow reef top reflected up
onto the underside of the surface.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0NVjjg-WYXg/WKtcz2rGifI/AAAAAAAAdb0/FaMN3Ywjz6wch4gvbIeAktSctaoF-vUowCPcB/s1600/Day%2B24%2BBait%2BReef%2BSnorkel%2B%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0NVjjg-WYXg/WKtcz2rGifI/AAAAAAAAdb0/FaMN3Ywjz6wch4gvbIeAktSctaoF-vUowCPcB/s640/Day%2B24%2BBait%2BReef%2BSnorkel%2B%25287%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the
light rays also coming up out of the depths, we were able to get some fun free
diving and light ray shots too.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Even the
3-6pm afternoon snorkel still had mirror smooth glass out conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wcQ-YMm4U1A/WKtc0EXJXUI/AAAAAAAAdb0/1y0m8uQ7LPQ5rX1bcMaWCAy2c8sKPP4jQCPcB/s1600/Day%2B24%2BBait%2BReef%2BSnorkel%2B%252813%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wcQ-YMm4U1A/WKtc0EXJXUI/AAAAAAAAdb0/1y0m8uQ7LPQ5rX1bcMaWCAy2c8sKPP4jQCPcB/s640/Day%2B24%2BBait%2BReef%2BSnorkel%2B%252813%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was pretty
amazing to have such still conditions when we returned to Lorelei at around
6pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YiJRNq7M8uo/WKtc0EOQ_NI/AAAAAAAAdcE/EPZ_Z4jFFpocW6UwvLK8i9ww9W9hTlrIgCPcB/s1600/Day%2B24%2BBait%2BReef%2BSnorkel%2B%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YiJRNq7M8uo/WKtc0EOQ_NI/AAAAAAAAdcE/EPZ_Z4jFFpocW6UwvLK8i9ww9W9hTlrIgCPcB/s640/Day%2B24%2BBait%2BReef%2BSnorkel%2B%252814%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There was a
friendly Giant Trevally (which we named Tim) that hung under Lorelei for the
entire time we were there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He hoovered
up all our food scraps and fish bits from the fish filleting.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Day 3 we woke
to more of the same – glass out conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the continued
perfect conditions, we decided to explore some other parts of Little Black Reef
and across the channel to the larger Black Reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The motor
across the lagoon was fantastic in the ultra-clear conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We tried a
few spots but the water was green and the coral not as good so we went back to
Little Black’s SW outer wall and explored a new stretch of the wall which was
much better.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3gr2TtSuLa8/WKtczztveeI/AAAAAAAAdcE/MqgX4FidMgc4Eb4c7Jos6yjuNMtFH3jYwCPcB/s1600/Day%2B24%2BBait%2BReef%2BSnorkel%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3gr2TtSuLa8/WKtczztveeI/AAAAAAAAdcE/MqgX4FidMgc4Eb4c7Jos6yjuNMtFH3jYwCPcB/s640/Day%2B24%2BBait%2BReef%2BSnorkel%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That
afternoon Paul and George went fishing with soft plastics on the outer reef edge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">George caught
3 Coral Cod but all were undersized and Paul hooked something that was way too
big to stop on 30lb gear.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we went
home empty handed and a bit less tackle in the box than when we started. Oh
Well…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Day 4 on the
reef turned out much the same – more glassy conditions, an early morning fish
and 2 snorkels (which were both excellent) before sailing back to the
Whitsunday Islands at 2pm and arriving after dark at 9pm. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The following
day was spent cleaning up, washing and sadly helping Chez & George get
packed up and ready to leave.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We all enjoyed
a final sail to Airlie Beach, had a farewell meal, hired a car and drove them
to the Proserpine Airport for their flight to Sydney.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So that’s it
for another Episode of our sailing adventures.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s been a
great month with George & Chez on board Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was always
going to be a gamble having them in the Whitsunday’s during peak monsoon
(cyclone) season but we all accepted the risk.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As it turned
out the weather overall was pretty good and we only had a handful of days of
rain and overcast conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
only 2 or 3 days where the wind got over 25 knots.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The upside of
this time of year is it’s out of trade wind season (which is in winter) when it
blows constantly from the east to south making many bays and anchorages
untenable for many months.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Over the
course of the month we had winds from virtually every direction which allowed
us to explore bays and anchorages on every side of the main islands of Hook and
Whitsunday Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The downside
is the higher temperatures & humidity, storms & squalls and the risk of
a tropical low or cyclone.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Additionally
in the summer months you should wear a full length stinger suit for any in
water activities to protect you from the low-risk but potentially fatal marine
stinger encounters.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We wore then
for every snorkel but didn’t worry when swimming.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly we felt
the coral overall was in poor condition around the Whitsunday Islands after the
violent storms and cyclones over the past few years. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It certainly
isn’t what it used to be 10 years ago!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That combined
with the well below average underwater visibility (which is normal in the
monsoon season) meant the snorkelling was ordinary at best.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We didn’t
even bother to do a single scuba dive….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Thank
goodness we were able to get out to the Great Barrier Reef twice which had far
better coral structure, fish life and viz.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Bait Reef was
pretty good and Little Black Reef was excellent.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">George and
Chez leave with many memories and we leave to head south in a few weeks after
doing a few more of the local walks and strenuous climbs first.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our
destination is the extensive Swains Reef system on the southern outer<br />
Great Barrier Reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Hopefully
(weather permitting) we may even make it out to some of the southern Coral Sea
atolls too. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Either way,
both areas are places that Lorelei has never been to before and we are getting
excited……<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We are in the
early planning stages to meet up with 2 more cruising yachts that may link up
with us for some fun in that area too.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Stayed tuned
for the next Episode in around 4 to 6 weeks time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul and Lisa
Hogger<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Yacht Lorelei<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
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sv_loreleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14235157985522355104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245635408700620959.post-49014967871690610952017-01-24T03:39:00.001-08:002019-02-09T18:00:21.094-08:00Episode 55 Lizard Island to The Whitsunday Islands<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<b style="color: yellow; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 37.3333px;">Lorelei’s Sailing Adventures</b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtQfGbgdYPsUyxrGXrqU4pCs8IwpCHAtVjMmrODDdLDbxAsgtlTJIaTugknWNraSeGldoYah-WnRrVpAV6A3pTOdHiJU5QJU9FhEzQWw_bMjEYJpThS8HO0tdh4PIh2KHLqKLD6cBw2WH/s1600/Episode+55+lizard+to+the+whits.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="1600" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtQfGbgdYPsUyxrGXrqU4pCs8IwpCHAtVjMmrODDdLDbxAsgtlTJIaTugknWNraSeGldoYah-WnRrVpAV6A3pTOdHiJU5QJU9FhEzQWw_bMjEYJpThS8HO0tdh4PIh2KHLqKLD6cBw2WH/s640/Episode+55+lizard+to+the+whits.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b>
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b>
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For Episode 54
we sailed from Gove in the Northern Territory, across the Gulf of Carpentaria
to Queensland and rounded the Tip of Australia before sailing slowly south down
to Lizard Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lizard Island from the
air<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We spent 2
weeks in Lizard riding out strong winds, kiteboarding, scuba diving, kayaking
and exploring the island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul kiting in paradise
at Lizard Island<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Swimming in the
beautiful Watsons Bay, Lizard Island<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our location for this
episode<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Left: Our route for this
episode</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Right: Our detailed
route through the Ribbon Reef system<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Our detailed route through the Whitsunday Islands</span></i></b><br />
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Finally after
2 weeks at Lizard Island, the wind and swell dropped enough for us to transit
out to the Ribbon Reefs to do some diving.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The closest
Ribbon Reefs to Lizard are numbers 9 and 10.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">These were
also home to Paul’s favourite dive locations when he worked on the liveaboard
dive vessel “Spirit of Freedom”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However after
talking to our friend Tony (the SOF Captain – see Episode 54) he warned us that
many of those sites were in poor condition due to the damage from 2 major
Cyclones over the last 3 years.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But we really
wanted to dive Paul’s favourite, Challenger Bay at Ribbon 9 and see for
ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sure enough
it was destroyed in the shallows and we were very sad to see our once favourite
spot in such a terrible state.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Some of the
deeper bommies below 20 meters were OK but still not what they used to be.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We took a few
photos but that’s all.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our favourite Bommie at
24m/80ft still had some coral and lots of glass fish<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So the next
day we dived Lighthouse Bommie at 6am which is a deeper Pinnacle and it was
much better.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There is a
gutter between the pinnacle and an adjoining reef and it was filled with fish
of all sizes – most of them hovering above us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We thought it
unusual to have Coral Trout in mid water above us hunting the bait fish.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the
bottom, the rocky areas were filled with 100’s of yellow Five-Lined Snapper.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Meanwhile
Lisa was using her 60mm lens to get up-close fish photos and other smaller
things.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We enjoyed it
so much that we dived it again the next morning.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This time we
had loads of Olive Sea snakes all around us and Barracuda schools hovering
overhead.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">If we thought
the Coral Trout being in mid water the day before was unusual, then seeing them
swimming around 12m/40ft off the bottom with the schooling Barracuda was
certainly out of the ordinary!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa was
getting creative again with the coral and fish.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">She even
posed as a model for Paul with the coral trees around the Lighthouse pinnacle and
with the yellow snapper.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the rest
of the spots around Ribbon 9 and 10 damage affected to some degree, we packed
up and transited down to Ribbon no.5.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We managed to
sail the entire way but had to dodge a few reefs on the way. <br />
Some of which we sailed very close to.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul climbed
up into the crow’s nest to visually check we had deep enough water in front of
Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a much
calmer night at Ribbon 5 and a nice sunrise the next morning.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went and
dived a new spot for us near Ribbon No.5.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The dive site
has only been discovered recently and its exact location is still a
well-guarded secret so we cannot say where it is or what it is called.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But we will
say it is like what the famous “Steve’s Bommie” used to be like 20 years ago.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were very
impressed and dived it twice over 2 days as it is a deeper dive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The pinnacle
has fish life all over and around it and there are lots of fans, sponges and
coral trees in the deeper water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa found
lots of Nudibranchs on the rock walls but many were in tight spaces and
difficult to get the camera into.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Each night at
Ribbon 5 Paul filled our scuba tanks because at 6am and 6pm it was low tide
which made the reef exposed and the anchorage flat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went to
visit one of Paul’s other favourites – Clam Gardens.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It had
changed a bit from the cyclones, but the coral below 6m/20ft was in pretty good
condition.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
only about 50% of the Giant Clams still alive and we managed to get photos of
them, some of which are over 100 years old.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In-between
modelling for Paul, Lisa found heaps of very small Emperor Shrimp on the Sea
Cucumbers.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This Emperor Shrimp is approximately
4mm long. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The white splotches are
grains of coarse sand…..<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With strong
SE winds forecasted (again….) we elected to leave and sail 70nm south to the
Low Isles which are just out from Port Douglas.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had ESE
winds around 10-15 knots which was perfect and we sailed door to door and only
ran the engine a few minutes at each end to raise and lower sails and for
anchoring.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However
sailing all the way meant we would possibly get in after dark so for the last
20 miles we sailed as fast as we could while the sun did amazing things with
the clouds off to our starboard side.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived
just on dusk and by the time the anchor was set it was getting dark over the
Low Isles.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We only
stayed overnight before a great sunrise and transiting into Port Douglas for 2
days.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
bitter-sweet for us to return to Port Douglas – a place we used to like so
much.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The “sweet”
was to see Pete Grieg the rigger.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He did the
extensive re-rig on Lorelei before we left to go offshore sailing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
monstrous job and took 8 weeks with the full removal of all of the rigging and
masts.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After sailing
the equivalent distance of around the world, we can say the rig is still in
near perfect condition and we only had very minor issues along the way.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s a real
testament to Pete’s work ethics and knowledge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We’d sail
half way around the world to get him to re-do it again.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Pete did
spend a little time aloft (whilst tied up alongside the public jetty) to
re-align our spreaders which had sagged slightly.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The “bitter”
was the new development that is underway.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly a Texan
company has brought the Marina and is moulding it into a new superyacht complex
with no consideration for the needs of the local community, those locals who
own boats, cruising yachts or the tourist charter businesses.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Additionally
they are changing the foreshore area and many local businesses (including
Pete’s rigging area and the slipway) are going to be replaced with luxury
condos and there has been no new space allocated for them to relocate.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We rang to rent
a marina berth overnight and were horrified to find the prices had almost
doubled since we were there last.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It now makes
it the most expensive marina we know of on the east coast for a single night
rental basis.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we went up
the inlet to try and anchor.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the
scores of local boats being forced out of the marina due to the price and the
many transients and cruisers also looking for a cheaper place to stay, there
were literally hundreds of boats parked all too close to each other for almost the
entire way up the inlet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We couldn’t
believe it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the end we
almost went back out to the Low Isles but we were desperate to get some fresh
food, stock up on yummy Christmas goodies and get some fuel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So in the end
we anchored along the side of the inlet and the main channel but very close to
the mangroves. In fact we could reach out and touch the branches.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Talk about
ridiculous…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That night we
ended up in the trees 4 times and almost broke our wind generator blades too.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul didn’t
get a lot of sleep.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Fortunately
it was glassy the next morning and the tide held us parallel to the shore so we
could get stuck into the re-provisioning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We manually carried
800 litres of fuel from the service station (the marina price was, as you can
guess – expensive…..) and Lisa managed to do the shopping at Coles and get a
Taxi back.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Pete did part
2 of the rigging on the public jetty and we were back at the low isles that
afternoon.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Thank
goodness we were outta there. Very sad through. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We used to
like the place - a lot…….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The sunset
with the cloud cover was once again awesome with light rays shining down over
the island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had some
small birds sitting on the bow rail that night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We woke to a
tranquil and peaceful Low Isles.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8SiVyRJNfuM/WGsfmO4qKtI/AAAAAAAAc9I/C6C3dnTV92A4IzipvHYTWt2dfIg2VExlQCPcB/s1600/Low%2BISles%2Buncrowded.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8SiVyRJNfuM/WGsfmO4qKtI/AAAAAAAAc9I/C6C3dnTV92A4IzipvHYTWt2dfIg2VExlQCPcB/s640/Low%2BISles%2Buncrowded.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Well that was
until 7:45am when the first tourist boats started to arrive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They used to
arrive between 9-10am and all be gone by 4pm but now there are more companies
and some with high speed boats doing up to 3 runs out to the island a day –
hence the earlier starts and later finishes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By 10am it
was full swing with a dozen charter boats moored and 100’s of holidaymakers
enjoying their day in paradise.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a rest
day and stowed all the provisions before another great sunset..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Early the
next morning we dropped in the kayaks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We paddled over
to nearby Woody Island and explored the mangrove areas.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Up in the
shallows we saw a lot of sharks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They were mostly
Back Tip Reek Sharks and Nurse Sharks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We tried to
get a lot of photos but with the old Olympus camera it was hard to get anything
decent. But we did get one or two…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--V0dORP2XFU/WGsfmEYH6MI/AAAAAAAAc9I/ORfeIYI5UZYBu4jBD6TctLLSoqK9dv-HQCPcB/s1600/Low%2BISles%2BKayak%2BOlympus%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--V0dORP2XFU/WGsfmEYH6MI/AAAAAAAAc9I/ORfeIYI5UZYBu4jBD6TctLLSoqK9dv-HQCPcB/s640/Low%2BISles%2BKayak%2BOlympus%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So the next
day we did it again but this time with one of Paul’s Nikon DSLR cameras balanced
between his legs in a Tupperware container.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It worked a
treat and we were rewarded with some better photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Lisa
spied (and heard) a lot of commotion in the shallows within the mangroves.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we snuck
up to find a school of larger 2.5m/8ft Nurse Sharks having a feeding frenzy in
only 50cm/1.5ft of water depth.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
chaotic and we got some photos and a great experience for a few minutes before
they realised we were there and they took off.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After
reprovisioning in Port Douglas, it was like Christmas on board with so much
fresh food. OH wait – it was Christmas….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For the 3
days lead up to Christmas Day we indulged on what most land based people would
call the “normal things”.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fresh milk,
fresh juices, salads, veges, fresh bread, bakery treats, ice cream and the list
went on and on and on.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
excellent after such limited fresh food available in Gove (that also didn’t
keep well in the fridge). And that was 8 weeks ago….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For Christmas
Lunch we had a simple but tasty meal of caesar salad, seafood vol-au-vents and
Christmas puddling with salted caramel sauce.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">All topped
off with a bottle of wine and a bottle of baileys.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The batfish
had a nice Christmas Day feast too when they hoovered up all our kitchen
scraps.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We woke
Boxing Day to an amazing sunrise with thousands of birds flying from Woody
Island back to the mainland to forage for food.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were going
to leave to sail out to the reef but it was still overcast with light rain and
Lisa tested the TV reception and was very excited to find we had perfect
reception to watch the Sydney to Hobart yacht race start.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we stayed
one more day, ate more yummy food and followed the race…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Finally we
did leave and sail out to St Crispin Reef which is below the Ribbon Reefs and
on the edge of the barrier reef/continental shelf.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a
satellite image of the area which allowed us to weave around lots of bommies
and into an area shallower and closer to the fringing reef edge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Rather than
scuba diving, we went spearfishing instead.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But with so
much reef surrounding us, we found it much more fun to spear from our kayaks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the third
day Paul had a little accident.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We both had
swapped to brand new spearfishing knives that were very sharp.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul slipped
and put his into the end of his finger whilst dispatching a Coral Trout.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was only a
little incision in the glove but it was bleeding a lot so we returned to
Lorelei to fix it up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were both
horrified when we took the glove off to see the damage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The knife had
gone in at the tip and had gone down behind the nail and exited between the
nail and the first knuckle.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The only
thing stopping the finger splitting in two was the nail which was still intact
but you could see the cut line when looking through the nail.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We thought
the worst but it cleaned up well and we butterfly clipped it back together.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Surprisingly,
after 24 hours there was little to no pain and within 3 days it had completely
sealed. He stopped using any bandages by day 4.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However he now
has a finger that has full feeling on one side and very little on the other
which is a little weird.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
south we stopped once again at the Low Isles but this time we went ashore to
finally meet the caretakers Jenny and Wayne.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul parents
George and Chez are the island’s relief caretakers and look after the place for
Jenny and Wayne whenever they need to get away or have a holiday.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We did a walk
around the island just before sunset and saw a lot of birds, many with young
chicks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note the bundle of fluff
that is a young chick on the left.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was only a few days
old.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We watched one
of the charter cats sailing towards Port Douglas with some terrific cloud
formations in the background.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We paddled
back to Lorelei with a fantastic sunset overhead.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was the
last day of the year and we really wanted to see the NYE fireworks in Cairns so
we left at 6am.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The sail down
coincided with the first low pressure system that was building for the season.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the
horizon were unusual colours in the sky and clouds making the water look green.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-43UJmjWa3w8/WGsfmDSgN6I/AAAAAAAAc9I/19SaR-5bP3ohmgiaHpvCoZeiOK6zKi3sACPcB/s1600/Sail%2BLow%2BISles%2Bto%2BCairns%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-43UJmjWa3w8/WGsfmDSgN6I/AAAAAAAAc9I/19SaR-5bP3ohmgiaHpvCoZeiOK6zKi3sACPcB/s640/Sail%2BLow%2BISles%2Bto%2BCairns%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uhdw090ydkE/WGsfmKJYpPI/AAAAAAAAc9I/v8daIgBCrOImoYgoBfSB7L9qFKMbPzUiACPcB/s1600/Sail%2BLow%2BISles%2Bto%2BCairns%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uhdw090ydkE/WGsfmKJYpPI/AAAAAAAAc9I/v8daIgBCrOImoYgoBfSB7L9qFKMbPzUiACPcB/s640/Sail%2BLow%2BISles%2Bto%2BCairns%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived by
2pm but it took over an hour to find an anchorage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Like Port
Douglas, the Cairns inlet is now filled with 1000’s of moorings and mostly
unattended boats that line both banks and are all very close together making it
virtually impossible to safely anchor a vessel of Lorelei’s size between them –
particularly with the deeper water and needing a lot of chain. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">All we could
do was head further up the inlet away from the city until we found suitable
space.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That ended up
being almost 2 miles but we didn’t have a choice.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Even further
up there were more moorings some of which were very close to the large barges
moorings in the inlet. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Check out the
photo below of how close they were getting….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KJ-BLWfxd9s/WGsdDmzq8oI/AAAAAAAAc4o/I86Ez_js3eYgb65Yj2VDu-R9G_NDgwM2wCPcB/s1600/Cairns%2BBarge%2Band%2BCat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KJ-BLWfxd9s/WGsdDmzq8oI/AAAAAAAAc4o/I86Ez_js3eYgb65Yj2VDu-R9G_NDgwM2wCPcB/s640/Cairns%2BBarge%2Band%2BCat.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Thank
goodness we had a large tender and transiting the 2 miles back to the marina was
not a problem.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Once again
the marina prices had skyrocketed and a berth for Lorelei was over $100 per day
so we decided to get an all-hours access pass for the tender and stay on anchor
for the 5 days or so that we were going to be there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That night
was the NYE fireworks on the Cairns Foreshore at both 9pm for the families and
at midnight for the partiers.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After a
little searching, we found a quiet spot that would give us great photo
opportunities with reflections in the water and the city lights in the
background.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Even the test
shots looked great!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TKr_Q14Kr-E/WGseUHyKd6I/AAAAAAAAc7M/Zg31vQqaI-wP3XY5lqC7W430Yh9_SXinwCPcB/s1600/Cairns%2BNYE%2BNight%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TKr_Q14Kr-E/WGseUHyKd6I/AAAAAAAAc7M/Zg31vQqaI-wP3XY5lqC7W430Yh9_SXinwCPcB/s640/Cairns%2BNYE%2BNight%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Due to the
confined space the fireworks are set off from only a single barge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In between
the 9pm and midnight fireworks we wandered the foreshore area taking other fun
time exposure photos and enjoying the party atmosphere.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1_o60fWwiv4/WGseUJ5WRfI/AAAAAAAAc7M/jKKJB3Rusc4cakZTM9AKsagbGqWrdx-tgCPcB/s1600/Cairns%2BNYE%2BNight%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1_o60fWwiv4/WGseUJ5WRfI/AAAAAAAAc7M/jKKJB3Rusc4cakZTM9AKsagbGqWrdx-tgCPcB/s640/Cairns%2BNYE%2BNight%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="456" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At 11pm it
started to rain.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Everybody in
the top end wanted rain – just not now…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
at 11:45pm it stopped and the midnight fireworks went off with a bang!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For the next
few days we went to town and did all the running around.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We tried to
register Lorelei but found out vessels over 15m now have to have a special
approval so we had to send that off.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However being
a government dept., nothing happens too quickly and it wasn’t approved before
we left.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We weren’t
complaining. At over $850 a year to register Lorelei and her tender in QLD (but
only half that in NSW and nothing in the NT – go figure…..), we were happy to
delay as long as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At the marina
we noticed a large Marlin statue that must have been erected in the last 5
years as we don’t remember it being there before.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We also
caught up with close friends David and Maddie.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">David has
been Lorelei’s marine engineer for years and installed the new engine in 2012.
We also visited them in Thailand in 2015 which was a blast so it was great to
have us all in Cairns at the same time and catch up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But Paul
forgot to take a camera…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had some
great bird life in the inlet with lots of smaller finches, sparrows and honey
eaters flitting around the boat and occasionally into the cockpit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One even flew
inside and sat on the internal stairs looking around.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4ADA4cP4qo4/WIcqy-NPo4I/AAAAAAAAdHI/1QjPQwN-nkQSff6540hoJDnPBIJQtQSbACPcB/s1600/Cairns%2BInlet%2BBird%2Bin%2BRigging.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4ADA4cP4qo4/WIcqy-NPo4I/AAAAAAAAdHI/1QjPQwN-nkQSff6540hoJDnPBIJQtQSbACPcB/s640/Cairns%2BInlet%2BBird%2Bin%2BRigging.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the end
the bugs in the inlet and the weather forced us to leave after only 4 days and
we headed south to Dunk Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We motored
out of Cairns Inlet at 6am right as a large Cruise Ship was entering.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the sun
shining on the ship and the city, it made for some great photo ops.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We motored
down the coast in near glass out conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q1Nn_tQAyKs/WIcsE6CK0II/AAAAAAAAdHI/qqNh_vD3Jj4CgCws7oM87yHsn2_7Klc4QCPcB/s1600/Sail%2BCairns%2Bto%2BDunk%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q1Nn_tQAyKs/WIcsE6CK0II/AAAAAAAAdHI/qqNh_vD3Jj4CgCws7oM87yHsn2_7Klc4QCPcB/s640/Sail%2BCairns%2Bto%2BDunk%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However by
midday the storms started rolling in from both out to sea and over the
mainland.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kt0Gye5jx1c/WIcsE0uiEOI/AAAAAAAAdHI/RX-pjRXOBisoM9eSlmw2F9GGQ2EKPR84ACPcB/s1600/Sail%2BCairns%2Bto%2BDunk%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kt0Gye5jx1c/WIcsE0uiEOI/AAAAAAAAdHI/RX-pjRXOBisoM9eSlmw2F9GGQ2EKPR84ACPcB/s640/Sail%2BCairns%2Bto%2BDunk%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was an 85nm
run to Dunk and we knew we would arrive after dark but we made pretty good time
and arrived about 20 minutes after sunset and could still just see enough for
us to anchor safely without too much guessing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EaYLgsUoGRM/WIcsE_9uzJI/AAAAAAAAdHI/O0QYkIUt64UOmHUrJPWoWf_KMGati1a_ACPcB/s1600/Sail%2BCairns%2Bto%2BDunk%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EaYLgsUoGRM/WIcsE_9uzJI/AAAAAAAAdHI/O0QYkIUt64UOmHUrJPWoWf_KMGati1a_ACPcB/s640/Sail%2BCairns%2Bto%2BDunk%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With a strong
20-25 knot SE front due the next day we waited on board for it to hit and make
sure the anchor was set and secure before we could leave Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We checked
the weather radar on the net to find a low pressure cell spinning over
Townsville (below us) and we were sitting right on the edge of the system which
was producing a lot of rain.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There was
flooding all up and down the coast with roads and train lines cut but we woke
to nice weather.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
families on the island and lots of people water skiing and having fun in and on
the water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5vBs3gRLKhI/WIcqy0p7ecI/AAAAAAAAdHI/VhZRUd_SDxonKrTDVQwsTN9amco_BTV_wCPcB/s1600/Dunk%2BIsland%2BWater%2BSki.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="324" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5vBs3gRLKhI/WIcqy0p7ecI/AAAAAAAAdHI/VhZRUd_SDxonKrTDVQwsTN9amco_BTV_wCPcB/s640/Dunk%2BIsland%2BWater%2BSki.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We noticed
the island’s resort was still not open after a major cyclone tore through it in
2011 and severely damaged the resort, island and infrastructure.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However people
were having meals down at a beach shack bar & café located down closer to
the main jetty and sand spit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-COSxxh07SN8/WIcqywr1aRI/AAAAAAAAdHI/WsMD1eGQji8yQDbT_efSlVubjTSVMJwyQCPcB/s1600/Dunk%2BIsland%2BBeach%2BShack.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-COSxxh07SN8/WIcqywr1aRI/AAAAAAAAdHI/WsMD1eGQji8yQDbT_efSlVubjTSVMJwyQCPcB/s640/Dunk%2BIsland%2BBeach%2BShack.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By
mid-morning the bad weather had moved from Townsville north towards us and we
received a lot of rain.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We spied one
yacht coming into the anchorage at midday during an intense storm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The afternoon
was a white-out with such heavy rain that visibility was down to only a few
hundred meters at best.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That night it
poured with rain. It was so heavy at times that the deck scuppers (drains)
couldn’t cope and the side decks had a solid 50mm/2” of water over them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The rain
gauge at dawn revealed we had received well over 100mm/4” overnight.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For the next
2 days it rained and rained and rained…….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Along with that
came squally conditions with confused seas and wind from every direction.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It wasn’t
pleasant inside Lorelei as it was rolly, stuffy and hot but at least we were
safe and secure.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With nothing
else to do we turned on the TV and watched the tennis – well Lisa watched the
games while Paul concentrated more on Caroline Wozniacki and Eugenie
Bouchard………<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The morning
that the weather cleared, the wind came in from the NE making the anchorage
exposed and uncomfortable.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Were had no
option but to leave and sail south.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But the sunrise
was great from both the east and west.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QOb2wN2PLr4/WIcqy38qPII/AAAAAAAAdHI/BJ3oE82_QJ42532--pXFgh74PhXDCX2TACPcB/s1600/Dunk%2BSunrises%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QOb2wN2PLr4/WIcqy38qPII/AAAAAAAAdHI/BJ3oE82_QJ42532--pXFgh74PhXDCX2TACPcB/s640/Dunk%2BSunrises%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We really
wanted to do the amazing Valley of the Palms walk on the island but sadly we
couldn’t. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In fact we
never even stepped foot ashore.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Oh
Well…..that’s cruising!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The upside
was the sail south was brilliant.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were NE
winds around 10-15 knots with relatively flat seas but it was a little choppy.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We sailed out
to the inside edge of the barrier reef and cruised down using it for
protection.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lorelei
started with a main and genoa but the more north the wind went, we swapped to a
main and spinnaker configuration.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That night
also coincided with the full moon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The rain had
stopped, the skies had cleared, the moon was super bright and the wind stayed
constant making for a most enjoyable overnight passage past Cape Bowling Green
which is normally a rough stretch of water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
were lighter winds but we pulled the spinnaker in tight and used it like a big
light wind genoa and ghosted down past Cape Upstart and Bowen in dead flat
conditions at about 4 knots.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was slow
but consistent.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There was an
amazing post sunset range of colours over Gloucester Island before arriving at
The Whitsunday Islands after dark.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The wind
picked up on the final leg along with the current assistance and we reached
down the protected side of Hook Island doing over 8 knots before dropping sails
and motoring into Nara Inlet at 10pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lorelei had
sailed door to door from Dunk to Nara covering a distance of 212nm past want is
considered one of the most difficult areas when heading south along the east
coast so we were very happy.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A bunch of
the sailor’s superstitions had been broken on the trip.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We left port
of a Thursday (Thor’s Day who is the god of Thunder and Storms), there were Bananas
on board (real ones and lolly ones), there was a female on board, we had a
large Hammerhead Shark follow us (the old sailors feared the lurking shark) and
we sailed overnight to Friday on the full moon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">And of all
things – it was Friday the 13<sup>th</sup>!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Thankfully we
are not superstitious.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite being
clear and calm that night in Nara Inlet, we woke to grey skies, lightning and
thunder.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By 9am it was
clearing up so we started on the huge clothes washing pile.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
about 10 loads to do after being in so many rolly anchorages for weeks and not
being able to run our top-loading washing machine.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By the second
load the clouds came over and for 90 minutes it blew over 35 knots from many
directions and poured with rain. We had over 50mm in 90 minutes and it was a
white out.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lorelei was
anchored in the centre of the inlet and at 11am we had to turn our outside
lights on as a flotilla of rent-a-yachts staggered into the inlet, motoring
very close to us and looking like drowned rats.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Nara is
usually empty by day as most charter yachts come into anchor at around 3-4pm,
so it was interesting to see them all running up the inlet seeking shelter so
early in the day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The steep
walls of the inlet produced scores of small waterfalls as the catchment water
poured down the hillside and into the inlet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
overcast and drizzling all day and only cleared right on sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-28p31CcRe0A/WIcsEw7QR5I/AAAAAAAAdHI/tIbpVop0rF80H-tQV7OJBx3-wcKZvsNjQCPcB/s1600/Nara%2BSunset%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-28p31CcRe0A/WIcsEw7QR5I/AAAAAAAAdHI/tIbpVop0rF80H-tQV7OJBx3-wcKZvsNjQCPcB/s640/Nara%2BSunset%2B1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Needless to
say we stopped washing and waited until the next day when it was a much nicer
day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the
chores complete we moved up into Refuge Bay which is a small inlet off to the
side of Nara Inlet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It had a
fringing reef that is full of sea life and great for a kayak or SUP on the mid
to high tide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Refuge Bay
was perfect for sunrise reflections shots as it looked out to the east over the
main inlet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We still received
patches of rain for the next 2 days but they were short-lived and the sun
brought with it some nice rainbows.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EBKIyNyxQAg/WIcsE7hNCII/AAAAAAAAdHI/1i4jwJFGZgkyIFBPDlfHacUMaYelDVkIACPcB/s1600/Nara%2BRainbow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EBKIyNyxQAg/WIcsE7hNCII/AAAAAAAAdHI/1i4jwJFGZgkyIFBPDlfHacUMaYelDVkIACPcB/s640/Nara%2BRainbow.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When the wind
turned back to the SE we were able to leave the protection of Nara Inlet and
sail across the Whitsunday Passage and into the seaside resort town of Airlie
Beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Once again (like
Port Douglas and Cairns) the area around the sailing club and marina precinct
is filled with 100’s of new moorings that completely fill a 500m wide band
spanning right around the foreshore making it virtually impossible to anchor
anywhere inside that zone.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Why you would
pay $10 a day for a mooring when its only 4m/13ft deep with perfect holding for
an anchor is beyond us – but anyway…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We also
noticed the new Port of Airlie marina was now finished and a new section at the
older Able Point Marina was also completed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tNNiP1yeWaQ/WIcqy-1p0VI/AAAAAAAAdHI/WsuGArDWebQ6AHyiPFnZzHM-57LPJNjXQCPcB/s1600/Airlie%2BBeach%2BInternet%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tNNiP1yeWaQ/WIcqy-1p0VI/AAAAAAAAdHI/WsuGArDWebQ6AHyiPFnZzHM-57LPJNjXQCPcB/s640/Airlie%2BBeach%2BInternet%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The new section at Able
Point in the bottom of the photo.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note the amount of
yachts on moorings at the top of the photo…..<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The new Port of Airlie
on the left<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The upside
was the floating pontoon at the sailing club that was always packed full of
vessels’ tenders is now regulated (meaning people can’t just leave them there
for days on end…) and a nominal fee now must be paid to the club and a tag
affixed to your tender.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We thought it
was a fantastic idea and now there are less tenders and so much more room.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Airlie
Beach foreshore and town has changed a lot and looks fantastic with improved
traffic management and a clean & revamped main street.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There is even
a new Woolworths in the town centre making reprovisioning so much easier than
catching the bus out to Cannonvale.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We only
needed 36 hours in Airlie. It gave us enough time to do a shop, have a look
around and pick up a bunch of parcels from the post office.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We departed
Airlie at 4pm and the sail back out to the islands was awesome with flat seas
in the Whitsunday passage and 15 knots of wind that we had to point hard into.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lorelei was
healing over with her gunnel nearly in the water and were flying along at over
8 knots boat speed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lorelei was moored
up to the last mooring available at Stonehaven and with about 5 minutes to
spare before sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The sunset
from the Stonehaven anchorage looked great.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ihtZAjKCmbE/WIcsE1NFZZI/AAAAAAAAdHI/CW4vOgUYNVoQy5dVF4H_Lv4w70mf8XtMgCPcB/s1600/Stonehaven%2BSunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ihtZAjKCmbE/WIcsE1NFZZI/AAAAAAAAdHI/CW4vOgUYNVoQy5dVF4H_Lv4w70mf8XtMgCPcB/s640/Stonehaven%2BSunset.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With light
and variable winds (and a heatwave) forecast for the next 3 days, we left
Lorelei at Stonehaven and decided to use the tinny to explore a series of
smaller islands and normally exposed beaches around the area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We ventured
out to Langford Island which is a long thin sand cay with a tall and leafy
island at one end.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a nice
walk along the cay but the sand was very hot.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Foraging
along the sand cay were many birds with the Sooty Oyster Catchers the most
prevalent.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After the
walk we snorkelled along the cay and found the coral in surprisingly good
condition. In the deeper water we saw a lot of fish and 3 species of shark
including a very big Shovel Nose Shark.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The only
downside was the underwater viz which is rarely any good in that area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We returned
home after lunch to find Lorelei still floating around in glassy conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
we went to a beach around the corner called Steens Beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way we
stopped to look at a pair of eagles that had made their home on top of a
channel marker.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Steens Beach
had many recent turtle tracks from the large females that come up to lay eggs
at the top of the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The beach had
many Casuarina Trees along the edge and behind them we found lots of great
ferns and a table and chairs that looked perfect for a quiet picnic one day. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By day 3 the
conditions were still perfect so we moved Lorelei from Stonehaven around to
Butterfly bay on the north side of Hook Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">From there we
were able to take the tinny and explore many of the bays in the area. We
started with the furthest one away on the north side which is Pinnacle Bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a
snorkel along a rock formation called the wood stack.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The soft and
hard corals are some of the best in the Whitsunday area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Just as we
were under the wood stack overhang, one of the Ocean Rafting tourist boats came
in and we had a chat with the guests and staff.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Some of the
guests thought we were a little crazy being out so far out from the safety of
the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We took the tinny
around to Manta Ray Bay which is one of the premier spots to snorkel due to the
huge amount of fish life that is regularly hand feed by the charter operators.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We did our
own little feeding session and Paul got in with the camera to photograph it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa fed the
fish firstly from the Tinny and then from in the water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Towards the
end two Maori Wrasse came in and Lisa was also able to hand feed both of them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the return
of the northerly winds (and a little rain) we sailed south to Nara Inlet and
met up with friends Les and Kathy off the yacht Sea Temple.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They are also
good friends with Rolfe and Kathy who are the original owners and builders of
Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Each morning
(and even some afternoons) we would link up and go for a paddle with them to a
different location around the area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The paddle
usually involved a stop for a swim (or two) at a remote beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When the
heatwave passed, the 4 of us took our tinny over to Whitsunday Island to do a
walk to the Whitsunday Cairn.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It is a
walking trail that is rarely used due to the track starting at a remote beach
that is a fare distance from any safe yacht anchorage and the rent-a-yacht
tenders tend not to travel that far.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
it was overcast which kept the temps down but it was very humid.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The track
meandered up through dense rainforest and ferns at first but turned into
black-boy and grass forests about half way up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we reached
the ridge we could climb up onto rock and look out over Border Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Just as we
arrived at the summit we could see a storm approaching which looked great as it
was below us. We scrambled to take photos before it started raining but fortunately
it went around us and we could leave all the camera gear out as it passed by.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At the summit
the view was amazing as we could look down both sides of the island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
lots of black boys and grass trees on the summit too.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul took his
tripod which enabled us to get a group shot at the top.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So that’s it
for another adventurous episode of our blog.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It hasn’t all
gone as planned this month as we have had to let the weather dictate where and
when we could go (more than normal).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We missed
some things we really wanted to do but did different things instead.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">If you are
going to cruise in the tropics during the monsoon season then you have to be
prepared to adapt.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">And that’s
what we did….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Pauls parents
George and Chez arrive on Australia Day (January 26<sup>th</sup>) for a month
long stay in the Whitsunday/Great Barrier Reef area so the next Episode will be
all about our time on board Lorelei with them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s sure to
be jammed packed with many activities.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Look out for
it at the end of February.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul Hogger<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa Hogger<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Yacht Lorelei<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">……………<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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sv_loreleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14235157985522355104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245635408700620959.post-41123137490549801292016-12-12T15:13:00.002-08:002019-02-09T17:59:33.091-08:00Episode 54 Gove to Lizard Island<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<b style="color: yellow; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 37.3333px;">Lorelei’s Sailing Adventures</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xHHWFGh0z3AnZLXVOf4Ih_m8WJ9hM7BGkBjCoMUvA0d4o77fFgsTq_kcnDKmin3QElZvedx6ue7tmtpRYXXvAa4xTYV2jNyEmMDFo0oO_Tz3S-Vq7PBYmUIu4f5s1KYCIaVCQnH-l1Bm/s1600/Episode+54+gove+to+lizard+is..JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="1600" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xHHWFGh0z3AnZLXVOf4Ih_m8WJ9hM7BGkBjCoMUvA0d4o77fFgsTq_kcnDKmin3QElZvedx6ue7tmtpRYXXvAa4xTYV2jNyEmMDFo0oO_Tz3S-Vq7PBYmUIu4f5s1KYCIaVCQnH-l1Bm/s640/Episode+54+gove+to+lizard+is..JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b>
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For Episode 53
we explored Darwin then sailed to the Cobourg Peninsula for some awesome
Barramundi Fishing, before transiting across the top of Arnhem Land.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the end we
were in Gove having an excellent 10 days with the friendly locals who took us
spearfishing and showed us the sights around Gove and Nhulunbuy.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our location for this
episode<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our route for this
episode<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite the
bulk of the cruising fleet deciding to leave Gove to tackle the 350nm+ Gulf of
Carpentaria crossing on Friday the 4<sup>th</sup> November, we decided to wait and
enjoy the weekend with friends in Gove. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Returning the favour – a
fun Sunday arvo sail with a stack of <br />
Gove locals who looked after us soooo well….<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We even spent
an awesome Monday with friends Chris & Phoebe and didn’t end up leaving
Gove until 10am on Tuesday 8<sup>th</sup> – 4 days behind the rest of the
fleet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However we
had received reports of them coping a battering as they motored into the east
winds and swell. We were glad to have left when we did.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our first 24
hours out was a dream run with north winds of around 10-12 knots and we sailed
due east towards Weipa at 6-7 knots boat speed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By midday on
day 2 we had sailed over half way across in just 26 hours and were so happy.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We picked up
a hitchhiker on the first afternoon – a Booby Bird.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> It sat on our solar panels until 10am the next
day when we surmised they got too hot to stand on and it flew away.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The arvo of
day 2 saw the wind slowly drop and by sunset we had sails down and were just
finishing packing away the sheets (ropes) by the time the myriad of colours from
the sunset covered the skyline.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We
fortunately decided to motor NE and were very glad to be north of the rhumb
line by daybreak.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Before
daybreak on day 3 it was sails up again as we sailed east towards Weipa in the light
NNE winds and a great sunrise.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next 24
hours was a zig-zag trail of motoring, sailing and motor-sailing as the wind
rose and fell and changed directions every few hours.</span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><b>We were excited to see Sailfish with their fins out on display on the surface as they swam past Lorelei 3 times during the day and even once at night. </b></span><br />
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Each time we
sailed we were tight-on and pointing into the wind so it was a nice change to
get within 50nm of the QLD coastline and have afternoon sea breezes which had
us sailing off-the-wind for the afternoon and evening of day 3.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we changed
destinations and instead of sailing for Weipa we headed north towards Cape
York.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">To be honest
we were torn where to stop and play.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were a
bunch of amazing river systems on the Cape’s west coast that were reported to
be excellent fishing, but it was now closed Barramundi season.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The other
option was to round the cape, explore the Cape’s east coast and start fishing
and diving our way south.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Additionally
there were the Torres Islands to also explore.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Either way we
only had limited time as the cyclone season was fast approaching and we still had
to get a long way south down the east coast before the end of the year.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We couldn’t
do it all so we let the weather dictate our plans.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As the
westerly winds were prevalent, we ruled out the west coast and instead sailed
all the way to top of Cape York which also happens to be the tip of Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Just as we
entered the straight approaching the Cape, we had an Australian Border
Protection helicopter fly up to us and hover over the stern of Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We have been
flown over by scores of Border Protection planes but this was our first helicopter
experience.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a chat
on the VHF before they buzzed over to the power boat that was travelling along
next to us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We stopped
overnight at the Permission Islands after arriving at 4pm on day 4 of the
crossing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
stuffed!!! So we ate a meal, enjoyed another great top-end sunset and were
asleep by 7:30pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KWofBloHMwU/WEZxBtnZUhI/AAAAAAAAcUU/99M41Ji8LSwyip--fCbhLUCXDv2gUGhVwCPcB/s1600/Permission%2Bislands%2BSunset%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KWofBloHMwU/WEZxBtnZUhI/AAAAAAAAcUU/99M41Ji8LSwyip--fCbhLUCXDv2gUGhVwCPcB/s640/Permission%2Bislands%2BSunset%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hkc0gnnGvtA/WEZxBhRBJMI/AAAAAAAAcUU/p4S3Umppa4MvpFirTdDllXinRoX3Lr4ogCPcB/s1600/Permission%2Bislands%2BSunset%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hkc0gnnGvtA/WEZxBhRBJMI/AAAAAAAAcUU/p4S3Umppa4MvpFirTdDllXinRoX3Lr4ogCPcB/s640/Permission%2Bislands%2BSunset%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next
morning we travelled the last 10 miles to the tip.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It took us 3
attempts to enter the bay next to the cape as it was so shallow and we nearly
ran aground more than once.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Finally we
found a shallow path in and anchored in only a few meters of water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We dropped
the tinny in and within 30 minutes were standing on the tip of Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lYpU1iMOKWY/WEZmBCtR5HI/AAAAAAAAcSE/TBBksQtzS9Qjah8kXzAWbF0GQnnkP3quQCPcB/s1600/Cape%2BYork%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lYpU1iMOKWY/WEZmBCtR5HI/AAAAAAAAcSE/TBBksQtzS9Qjah8kXzAWbF0GQnnkP3quQCPcB/s640/Cape%2BYork%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vyPR_X4ztNQ/WEZmBEK4VvI/AAAAAAAAcSE/33AgRdhOdMsrDiVmXRptMueyjVDDN1uVACPcB/s1600/Cape%2BYork%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vyPR_X4ztNQ/WEZmBEK4VvI/AAAAAAAAcSE/33AgRdhOdMsrDiVmXRptMueyjVDDN1uVACPcB/s640/Cape%2BYork%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Just as we
were packing our camera tripod away, a group of 6 border protection staff came
down to the tip.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We thought
“Heck, what have we done wrong???”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We jokingly
put our hands in the air and said <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">“Don’t shoot
we didn’t do it”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When they
started laughing we knew we weren’t in trouble.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In fact it
was 3 friendly Aussie staff with 3 equally friendly visiting PNG customs/border
staff who wanted to experience the tip just like we did.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So Paul took
their photos for them with their cameras – and took one with his….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rt14BJSh6s8/WEZmBDpo0zI/AAAAAAAAcSE/7xOzl0el4SkZ8l69YOf1Xp2aDKFAo_MVgCPcB/s1600/Cape%2BYork%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rt14BJSh6s8/WEZmBDpo0zI/AAAAAAAAcSE/7xOzl0el4SkZ8l69YOf1Xp2aDKFAo_MVgCPcB/s640/Cape%2BYork%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We walked
back up the track to view the cape from higher up and to see the many cairns
(piles of rocks) that have slowly built up over the years from the many
tourists that visit the cape in the dry season.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Being the
start of the wet season, we had the place all to ourselves after the Border
Force crew left.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1KUaunK6vMk/WEZmBEZbVwI/AAAAAAAAcSE/HQfF3JCqFfAmCtkIAAZd32RWHAvCXKFHwCPcB/s1600/Cape%2BYork%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1KUaunK6vMk/WEZmBEZbVwI/AAAAAAAAcSE/HQfF3JCqFfAmCtkIAAZd32RWHAvCXKFHwCPcB/s640/Cape%2BYork%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note York Island in the
background to the left – more on that later…..<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5LeBaLPgc80/WEZmBFMKIKI/AAAAAAAAcSE/WraDBei1DBM9I2eTvcH_T76hqewMXGU2QCPcB/s1600/Cape%2BYork%2B%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5LeBaLPgc80/WEZmBFMKIKI/AAAAAAAAcSE/WraDBei1DBM9I2eTvcH_T76hqewMXGU2QCPcB/s640/Cape%2BYork%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Looking out
over the bay where Lorelei was anchored was spectacular.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNYDFy8FzTM/WEZmBNdVqcI/AAAAAAAAcSE/vit7OxPIuCUmxRbbBAW0GjNC2h1cWGaZACPcB/s1600/Cape%2BYork%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNYDFy8FzTM/WEZmBNdVqcI/AAAAAAAAcSE/vit7OxPIuCUmxRbbBAW0GjNC2h1cWGaZACPcB/s640/Cape%2BYork%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There was a
brass dial at the top showing direction and distances to the iconic locations
of the area and famous cities worldwide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
interesting to see the 3 that we highlighted with a yellow arrow.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They were
Darwin – 1300km were we were 6 weeks prior, Bali – 3000km where we were earlier
in the year and Singapore - 4500km were we were exactly 12 months ago to the
day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--B5DXkPN2A8/WEZmBESievI/AAAAAAAAcSE/U9HkcMSGUFwOpN6uHAu0mIpkRtTxlj7OgCPcB/s1600/Cape%2BYork%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--B5DXkPN2A8/WEZmBESievI/AAAAAAAAcSE/U9HkcMSGUFwOpN6uHAu0mIpkRtTxlj7OgCPcB/s640/Cape%2BYork%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst at the
cape, we could look across the small channel and see York Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We noticed a
few large cairns on the summit and that was like a red rag to a bull for Paul.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So that
afternoon at 3pm we took the Tinny over and climbed to the peak of <br />
York Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It not only
gave us awesome views of the surrounding area but also fantastic views looking
down over the cape.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NdfHjCxkwxE/WEZyDsoCe_I/AAAAAAAAcU8/j8xMtzfL_JglFlufBZjPDVk6qDlZerTewCPcB/s1600/York%2BIsland%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NdfHjCxkwxE/WEZyDsoCe_I/AAAAAAAAcU8/j8xMtzfL_JglFlufBZjPDVk6qDlZerTewCPcB/s640/York%2BIsland%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Even at only ¼ the way
up, the view to the cape was excellent.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">From half way
we could look over and see Erebus Island next to York Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cVooE1joaio/WEZyDsmWG5I/AAAAAAAAcU8/BOP7LB6Bz40opKb39RUdljlzQGmyu_rNwCPcB/s1600/York%2BIsland%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cVooE1joaio/WEZyDsmWG5I/AAAAAAAAcU8/BOP7LB6Bz40opKb39RUdljlzQGmyu_rNwCPcB/s640/York%2BIsland%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We set the
tripod up above a cliff face at the top overlooking the cape and took some
photos in the afternoon glow from the setting sun.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Us4NuF4grec/WEZyDlxqD3I/AAAAAAAAcU8/nBeW5A9RLLcf8YRBpqvEHsW0HlqckrWfwCPcB/s1600/York%2BIsland%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Us4NuF4grec/WEZyDlxqD3I/AAAAAAAAcU8/nBeW5A9RLLcf8YRBpqvEHsW0HlqckrWfwCPcB/s640/York%2BIsland%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Looking back towards
Cape York and the tip of Australia’s mainland<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst Lisa
was content with that, Paul wanted to continue a little further up to view the
cairns that were on the summit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u640bX5eQ6s/WEZyDicwCnI/AAAAAAAAcU8/A0XPVb316e4PJDB9V6Nn9aRzgaMXt78MwCPcB/s1600/York%2BIsland%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u640bX5eQ6s/WEZyDicwCnI/AAAAAAAAcU8/A0XPVb316e4PJDB9V6Nn9aRzgaMXt78MwCPcB/s640/York%2BIsland%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We made it
back down just in time to view the sunset from the rocky point at the end of
the beach and opposite the tip.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6gYCGlQ7a78/WEZyDuI9HgI/AAAAAAAAcU8/N6mC9tq0MdUhrI8luh_1eYl8_SkKneyKgCPcB/s1600/York%2BIsland%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6gYCGlQ7a78/WEZyDuI9HgI/AAAAAAAAcU8/N6mC9tq0MdUhrI8luh_1eYl8_SkKneyKgCPcB/s640/York%2BIsland%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EkAVwtmJHRA/WEZyDvqub0I/AAAAAAAAcU8/-gA4fYyIWj82ZOhYS8eGjN-aa86njsdRwCPcB/s1600/York%2BIsland%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EkAVwtmJHRA/WEZyDvqub0I/AAAAAAAAcU8/-gA4fYyIWj82ZOhYS8eGjN-aa86njsdRwCPcB/s640/York%2BIsland%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note Lorelei at anchor
on the left in the photos above and below<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_r8YIscqT98/WEZyDpePBEI/AAAAAAAAcU8/Oalc5ZfR8bIIKzfxTuGimtgumGvP-zClACPcB/s1600/York%2BIsland%2B%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_r8YIscqT98/WEZyDpePBEI/AAAAAAAAcU8/Oalc5ZfR8bIIKzfxTuGimtgumGvP-zClACPcB/s640/York%2BIsland%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With bad
weather forecast for 3 days’ time, we needed to get going and race further
south to a secure anchorage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We listened
on the radio and many of the cruising boats were considering different
locations to ride out the weather.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Some were racing
over 300 miles south to Lizard Island, others were going half that distance to
the Lockhart River and some only going 30-40 miles south to the Escape River.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After a lot
of thought, we decided to only head the short distance to the Escape River as
we were still tired from all the go, go, go and didn’t feel like tackling
another long sail straight away and subsequently missing lots of places we
wanted to visit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Additionally
we had internet at the cape and the Escape River had lots of favourable fishing
reports on the net, so that was the final decider.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had to
wait for the tide to turn so we could tackle the Albany Pass just south of the
cape. It has up to 5 knots of current and we needed to get it going with us and
not against us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived to
see 3 other boats (that we knew from Gove) in front of us in the pass.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we sailed
south with 8.3 knots boat speed, we passed John and Kat on their boat Katfish
and took a few photos of them under sail.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived at
the entrance bar to the river right on low tide but we had no option but to
cross and enter.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At stages we
had only 0.3m/1ft depth under our keel which caused a few heart flutters!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But we made
it in ok and went a little way up the river past the Torres Pearl Farm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The 3 other
boats all came in around the same time and they went to the Pearl Farm for
drinks that afternoon as 2 of the boats were only staying overnight.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We declined
as we were staying for at least a week and would visit at a later time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we kicked
back and relaxed…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Well for
about an hour anyway until we consulted the almanac only to find out the next 2
days were the 5-star premium fishing days for the month.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was out
with the fishing gear and an early night before a 5:30am start the next day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We did a
rising tide reconnaissance mission to search for suitable locations to fish.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a few
casts and a troll but not much luck as the water was too high.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At 2:30pm we
went out again to fish the falling tide, through to ebb and back into the
rising tide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Many of the
smaller side tributaries were already dry sand bars but we managed to find a
few that still held water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It didn’t all
go as planned and when trolling up the river, Lisa got snagged and lost her
favourite trolling lure.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we looked
for a suitable tributary that was out of the wind and had some nice structure
where we could drift along and cast lures into the snags as we much prefer
casting to trolling.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa got 2
huge hits there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first
fish took her into the mangroves and she lost her favourite casting lure and
the one that caught all the Barramundi in the Cobourg Peninsula.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">She was NOT
happy!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">15 minutes
later the second hit was massive and we saw a huge splash when it hit the lure.
It stripped heaps of line off the reel in the small estuary before being busted
up again and losing another of her favourite lures that her dad Jack had given
her. It was a BIG fish!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On a third
attempt Lisa managed to land a Giant Trevally (GT). They fight so hard and we
suspected larger GT’s might have been the culprits for the previous bust ups on
our light tackle. We don’t eat them so we let it go.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Then Paul put
on a brand new lure that he brought in Gove to match the one he’d caught the
Barra on in the Cobourg.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Four casts
later he hooked a massive Mangrove Jack (MJ) that hit the lure when it was
nearly back at the boat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It stripped a
lot of line off the reel and despite thumbing the reel to slow the fish down, it
bolted into a fallen tree and busted off.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul was now
also NOT happy – not sure if it was the lost lure or what would have been by
far his best ever MJ but either way he was pissed!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we were 4
of our best lures down and no edible fish in the boat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had fished
for 10 days in the Cobourg, caught over 60 fish and not lost a single lure so
this was a very, very bad start to the week.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the end we
came home at sunset with 2 fish, one of which we gave to Katfish and one MJ which
we kept for us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">All afternoon
it was overcast with lots of thunder claps but unfortunately no rain.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But the
clouds also threatened our chance to view the super full moon that was on that
night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
by 10pm the clouds had cleared but it was hazy which made for a diffused style
photo and a very bright rest of the night.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Day two of
the fishing saga started out the same as the day before.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa lost a
gold bomber lure to a big fish that took refuge in the mangroves and Paul lost
the second of three new lures in a bout of pandemonium when Lisa’s casted lure
got hooked in a tree and seconds later Paul hooked another big MJ. Being unable
to move the boat and Lisa only able to offer limited assistance, we once again
lost another big one into the structure.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Arrrggghhhhh…..!!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We came home
at sunset with another few lures lost and no fish in the esky.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br />
With a stronger winds forecast and a 70% chance of rain for the day, we skipped
the fishing sortie and went for pot-luck lunch in at the pearl farm with 2
other yachtie couples and the farm owners Rusty & Bronwyn.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As is usual
with most yachtie get-togethers, the food was plentiful and delicious.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Torres
Pearl Farm is a small farm by top-end NT & WA standards but it is the
largest farm in QLD.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It is
situated on Turtlehead Island which is at the mouth of the Escape River.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">What sets it
apart from the larger farms is its unusual colours of some of the produced
pearls and the cultured pearls are grown in naturally harvested pearl shells
and not shells that have been mass-farmed for the industry (that we have seen
in Indonesia). This gives the farm a significantly longer life of each shell as
they can grow up to 4 pearls each unlike the farmed shells which produce 1 or 2
at best.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After lunch
Rusty gave us all a small presentation on how they grow and cultivate the
pearls and a history lesson on the Torres pearling industry.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Many people
don’t realise this but it was actually an Aussie scientist that discovered a
way to culture pearls while he was working in the Torres Islands (TI) assisting
to help regulate the harvesting of pearl shells for their mother of pearl
inlay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However 2
Japanese men working in TI stole the idea and patented it in japan which
kick-started the industry.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a good
look at the pearls in the small shop and Lisa chose an unusual mabe pearl necklace
for her birthday which was in 2 days’ time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Aside from
the standard silver pearls, they also produce gold pearls which are somewhat
unique.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As the wind
picked up, the afternoon storms kicked in making for some interesting photo
opportunities on the pearl farm’s main wharf.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Just as Paul
was taking the sunset shots the rain started pouring forcing him into the small
workshop at the end of the wharf.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Nov 20<sup>th</sup>
is Lisa’s birthday.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By then we
had moved anchorages to further up the river system where the water around
Lorelei was much smoother and we had the place to ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were able
to put the tinny in and put together our mud Crab traps.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After months
of using the silly WA compliant dilly’s, it was so nice to have gotten rid of
them in Darwin and gone back to our good old QLD ones where we can <br />
set-&-forget them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By lunch time
we had two large mud crabs back on board Lorelei which were turned into a late
birthday lunch of Chilli Mud Crab and a few drinks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For the next
3 days it was forecast for a strong wind warning.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It hit like a
bullet and blew and blew and blew.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was so
strong that it was very difficult to put our tender in.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we stayed
on board to ride out the winds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was fine
to watch movies, relax, cook and read for the first day but Paul was bored
after that and looking for something to do,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He really
wanted to go kiteboarding but the number of large Crocodiles in the river
squashed that idea.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So instead we
pulled out the sewing machine and spent two days doing repairs and making new
covers for our fenders.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We received
the 7:30pm weather on night two of the strong wind warning period to find a
drastic change in the forecast and the next day it was light easterly winds
which for us were perfect for travelling.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The issue was
we were still sewing and there were bolts of material and stuff everywhere and
it took until almost 11pm to get everything packed away and <br />
ship-shape to travel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In hindsight
we should have left it a full 24 hours for the sea and swell to drop a little
but with another high pressure in WA threatening to bring another week of
strong SE trade winds, we decided to get the jump and go as far south as we
could in-between the two high pressure systems.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So despite
only 5 hours sleep, we were up before dawn and transiting over the bar at high
tide. This time we saw around 2m/6ft under the keel which was much better than
when we arrived.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had to
travel 12nm east to round the cape before we could set sail and head south.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the 12nm
we coped a flogging!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The seas were
short, sharp and steep and we smashed into it with green water all over the
boat and speed down to under 50%.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
terrible 4 hours.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By sunset
things had settled down and we were reaching along nicely in the east winds
towards Shellbourne Bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a
great sunset under sail before coming into the bay on dark and being safely
anchored up by 8:30pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Day two of
the passage south started again at dawn.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the
super narrow shipping lane and many container ships and bulk carriers sighted
the day before, we decided to head further east closer to the reef and out of
the channel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We spent the
day tacking, weaving and dodging reef systems and sand cays which kept us
entertained but also gave us the ability to bear away back towards land if the
wind went south of east in the afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa keeping a lookout on
a small sand cay to our port side<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sailing right up to the
reef edge before tacking over<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After another
70+nm day we arrived at Portland Roads just before sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
excited to be here for the first time as it was a popular spot years ago for
the prawn trawler fleet to seek shelter and the small bay had a refuelling
barge, a road into the bay on the mainland and buildings & houses as
infrastructure.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly it is
mostly gone and all we saw on arrival were 2 small unattended boats on anchor
and a few houses on the hillside.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Day 3 saw us
have no option but to start again at daybreak and follow the channel down as
there was extensive reef systems on both sides.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The sunrise
just as we departed was excellent.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The shipping
channel was anything but straight as it twisted and weaved along the coastline
and around the extensive reef system.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It meant we
could sail on some legs and had to motor on others depending on the wind angle
on that leg.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found we
could motor right over to one side and sail back across the channel to as close
to the reef as possible, it would minimise the motoring and maximise the
sailing legs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However it
meant crossing back and forwards over the channel a lot and we had to be so
vigilant for commercial traffic that was travelling both north & south and
a lot faster than us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The markers
indicating the shipping channel are huge along this stretch of the coastline.
Some are on rocky islets, many on reef edges, some stand alone and a few even
have helipads connected to them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-np0DUf36g7E/WEZxBgijLBI/AAAAAAAAcUU/_WQtuCd777EbV-vagAXAEW535zThCdLDACPcB/s1600/Sail%2BPortland%2BRoads%2Bto%2BMorris%2BIsland%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-np0DUf36g7E/WEZxBgijLBI/AAAAAAAAcUU/_WQtuCd777EbV-vagAXAEW535zThCdLDACPcB/s640/Sail%2BPortland%2BRoads%2Bto%2BMorris%2BIsland%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was yet
another 70+nm day but we couldn’t make the mainland protected bays by dark and
with the narrow shipping lanes, lots of commercial traffic and no moon, we were
not going to attempt an overnight passage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So instead we
decided to anchor behind a small sand island called Morris Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was the
first time in ages we had been in clear blue water and Paul decided he was
going to go for a swim to inspect and clean Lorelei’s propeller when we were
safely anchored up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That was
until we looked up and saw a large Crocodile sunning himself on the sand as we
arrived. By the time we set the anchor and got a camera, he had slipped into
the water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul climbed
up into the crow’s nest for a photo at sunset overlooking the island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The island
was full of nesting birds and we counted over a dozen species.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Additionally
it was turtle egg laying season and we saw lots of turtles in the water around
Lorelei. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With all that
food, it was no wonder the croc was out on the island and a long way from land.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul took
another photo at daybreak and just as we were about to leave we spotted the
croc again on the sand and this time got the photo.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
surprised that a few small low pressure systems were still blocking the strong
SE trade winds from hitting us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Each day we received
the weather forecast it was another day of east winds of 10-15 knots and with
that we kept going and going.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By day 4 though
we were over it and we managed a final 70nm push to sail to the Finders Island
Group which is located off Cape Melville and Princess Charlotte Bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The last 20
miles of the day were a 20nm push to head SE towards the islands which we
expected to have to motor.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
pretty excited to get an afternoon NE sea breeze which meant we were able to
sail to within only a few miles of the anchorage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We anchored
in the Owen Channel between Stanley and Flinders Islands.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
great spot and the best anchorage we had since we left the Escape River.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Overall the
passage south had been pretty good.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We covered
just under 300 miles over the 4 days travelling and only motored about 40% of
the total distanced thanks to Lisa’s continuous routing and <br />
re-routing of our course to maximise sailing time with the shifting wind
angles.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That was a
lot better than we were expecting…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Finally we
were able to stop and play.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We took the
tinny over to the National Park camping area on Flinders Island in the hope to
get some info about the walks and the areas highlights.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found a sign
board at the camp ground with lots of info – but not the info we needed….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The board read
“Welcome to The Flinders Group – an area sacred to the traditional owners, the
Yiithuwarra Aboriginal People.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">And that was
the last reference to the traditional owners…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The rest of
the info goes on to tell the history about all the white people that sailed
past and how all the islands were given their western names.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Oh yeah - and
at the end (in one sentence) it said that there are great walks, board walks
and interpretive walks over on Stanley island and some of them are to view the
fabulous Aboriginal Rock Art in the area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">And that was
it!!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Not one
single reference or map indicating where they were on a mountainous island that
is about 4 miles long and 2.5 miles across.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Additionally
you’d be pretty pissed if you were dropped at the camp ground only to find out
all the highlights are on another island 800 meters away across a current and
crocodile filled channel !!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Good one QLD
National Parks – You get an “F” for that useless info….!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">You could
tell we weren’t in the NT anymore with their fantastically set out National
Parks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we motored
over to Stanley Island and the hunt for the walks began.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We motored
past 3 sandy beaches but saw no tracks or signs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But we did
find a small inlet that was surround 360 degrees by mangroves and the inside
was glassy, shallow and stunning.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We motored
though a narrow gap and were able to cruise around in shallow drive to take
photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Finally we
found a small gap in the mangroves that had a rocky shoreline.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul spied
footprints in the sand above the rocks and he jumped ashore and walked 50
meters up a trail to find a sign and map board that was hidden behind the
mangroves. Bingo!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The walk took
us over the island to the north side and along the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The walk went
up the sand dunes into the rocky areas along the cliff edge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8tyEbj191x4akQxe1-lPny9OXJz3fxvE3c9Yt08-15izZ9SpcFW5Fr-leQoqB8zBY1aaJXlFIvCRW9teEekEWSIFdFFUVtPjVBH3IHv7m7Ja1VzjpQu_Dz0ybGHQqduokp-uupMwQU9r/s1600/Stanley+Island+Walk+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8tyEbj191x4akQxe1-lPny9OXJz3fxvE3c9Yt08-15izZ9SpcFW5Fr-leQoqB8zBY1aaJXlFIvCRW9teEekEWSIFdFFUVtPjVBH3IHv7m7Ja1VzjpQu_Dz0ybGHQqduokp-uupMwQU9r/s640/Stanley+Island+Walk+%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">The board walks along the rocky area took us past some terrific cave systems and a lot of rock art.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gh15KLWxAgI/WEZxBksiHvI/AAAAAAAAcUU/yRy48PTN06A5E8fTeYjWV2ii1S4ex2z2QCPcB/s1600/Stanley%2BIsland%2BWalk%2B%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gh15KLWxAgI/WEZxBksiHvI/AAAAAAAAcUU/yRy48PTN06A5E8fTeYjWV2ii1S4ex2z2QCPcB/s640/Stanley%2BIsland%2BWalk%2B%252811%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first gallery
of rock art had a visitor’s book to sign.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was 70%
yachts and gave us a good indication of which boats were in front of us and by
how many days.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i0zplZSba3Q/WEZxBmk54WI/AAAAAAAAcUU/Sq6FzaIaofo7zNtdTF0xiYcgFdzsqC-0QCPcB/s1600/Stanley%2BIsland%2BWalk%2B%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i0zplZSba3Q/WEZxBmk54WI/AAAAAAAAcUU/Sq6FzaIaofo7zNtdTF0xiYcgFdzsqC-0QCPcB/s640/Stanley%2BIsland%2BWalk%2B%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The art in
the Yindayin rock shelter was painted by the Yiithuwarra Aboriginal People.
They had been living here from around 3000 years ago up until <br />
World War 2 when a radar facility and gun emplacements were installed and the Aboriginal
people were displaced.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The last
paintings are believed to have been created around 1940.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The art is
extensive and these are just a few photos of the art in the area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For those
that are interested, many more rock art photos of the area can be found at our
“Aboriginal Rock Art” page which can be accessed at the top tabs on the home
page or at this link:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://yachtlorelei.blogspot.com.au/p/aboriginal-rock-art.html">http://yachtlorelei.blogspot.com.au/p/aboriginal-rock-art.html</a></b></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We stopped
for a rest and food break in a shelter and had a few curious brightly coloured
lizards come to say hello.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--sGfbmYHMxs/WEZxBtfUzLI/AAAAAAAAcUU/emmQMX6CG24v11m9t02pQYjLFHfKXVG-wCPcB/s1600/Stanley%2BIsland%2BWalk%2B%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--sGfbmYHMxs/WEZxBtfUzLI/AAAAAAAAcUU/emmQMX6CG24v11m9t02pQYjLFHfKXVG-wCPcB/s640/Stanley%2BIsland%2BWalk%2B%252814%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The walking
trail took us on a loop around a rocky headland before heading back to the
south side of the island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had to
have a lay day when it blew dogs off chains and the normally calm Owen Channel
was full of wind swept waves. It was fine on board Lorelei but certainly not
worth while trying to put the tinny in.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we started
early the next day to beat the wind and explored the area around the Aapa Sand Spit
that Lorelei was anchored off.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Once again
there was another useless sign board telling of a great walk but no indication
as to where it actually was.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We saw some
footprints heading along the beach so we walked along the water’s edge and into
the mangrove system.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At high tide
there was a small body of water between the shore and the mangroves that made
for excellent photography.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The leaves
that were on the shore had floated into the water on the high tide making for a
nice photo.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
back they were all gone….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Further along
we found the rock with the carving from the English survey ship HMS Dart. It
reads “H.M.S Dart 1899” and the convict logo added at the left as well.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We hiked up
the hill away from the water’s edge which gave great views over the Owen Channel,
Stanley Island and Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Aapa Spit
looked great as the tide dropped exposing more of the sand.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our solitude
didn’t last and over the next 4 hours, 5 cruising boats sailed into the Owen
Channel and anchored up around us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Included in
the flotilla was Katfish and John and Kat came on board for drinks that night.
Kat is virtually blind so it was a great effort for John to navigate from the
Escape River to the Flinders Group, taking only 1 day longer than us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Needless to
say there were lots of stories to tell….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That night it
rained at midnight. It was so welcome as it washed off most of the salt that
was caked all over Lorelei after our run down the from the Escape River.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We took off
the next morning for the long 82nm run to Lizard Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We decided to
motor through the Owen Channel right on daybreak which was very picturesque.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The sun had
fully illuminated the peaks of Stanley Island as we exited the channel and
headed east towards Cape Melville.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Cape Melville
is renowned as a windy and rough waterway.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The headlands
and surrounding coastline are comprised of mountainous piles of boulders and
rocks that can be seen for miles and stretch from the water’s edge right up to
the summits.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Around the
cape were loads of baitfish schools and the small birds were diving in all
around Lorelei trying to get a feed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By 2pm the
arvo sea breeze had kicked in.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We couldn’t
justify bashing into it for another 35nm, getting salt all over the boat (after
the rain had only just washed it off) and arriving at Lizard Island well after
dusk. So we decided to stop at Ingram Island instead.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the
afternoon we did a walk right around the small island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found a
lot of Turtle tracks going up the beach where the large females had been laying
at night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst there
were lots of birds flying overhead, there wasn’t many nesting on the island or
in the trees.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul asked
Lisa to hold the wide angle camera while he took shots of the birds with the telephoto
lens camera. She walked off and started taking lots of photos, many of which
turned out great.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The shots
below are Lisa taking a photo of Paul who is taking a photo of Lisa….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We could see
a huge amount of cloud building back over the mainland and it looked like an
atom bomb cloud and we semi expected to get an afternoon storm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The storm
didn’t eventuate but the clouds made for a different looking sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We left the
next morning for a final push towards Lizard Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we were
arriving we spied Spirit if Freedom (the 37m long dive charter boat Paul was
trip director on) leaving Watsons bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We called
Tony the captain and vowed to catch up when they return in 1 weeks’ time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">An aerial photo of Lizard Island gives you an idea of just how stunning the place is.</span></b><br />
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pSJnHzfAoGU/WE8YgThCjFI/AAAAAAAAct8/8Yck4VdGUFctpVcs9ljvVe8oidH0m4O5QCPcB/s1600/Lizard%2BAerial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pSJnHzfAoGU/WE8YgThCjFI/AAAAAAAAct8/8Yck4VdGUFctpVcs9ljvVe8oidH0m4O5QCPcB/s640/Lizard%2BAerial.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We entered
Watsons Bay and were surprised to find only 6 cruising boat in the anchorage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We’ve got the
Australian Bureau of Meteorology to thank for that as they predicted a chance
of an early cyclone this year which had all the super conservative coastal
cruising yachts scurrying south well before we arrived.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was the
least amount of boats we’ve ever seen at Lizard Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The anchorage
was calm and the water was very clear.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was soooo
nice to finally go for a swim off the back of Lorelei and that afternoon we
swam, snorkelled and took the kayaks and SUP for a spin around the bay.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s the
first time we’ve been able to swim off Lorelei since Komodo and Sumba in
Indonesia back in February this year!</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul got up
at 6am for another paddle and had the bonus of a great sunrise over the island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day felt
like changeover day on board Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We cleaned
and packed away all the Barra and estuary fishing gear and got out all the
diving gear.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul did a
full service on the scuba compressor and the generator at the same time (as
they both use Honda engines) and filled all our scuba tanks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a bit
of a relief to have it working great after over a year of no use.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He also put
the recently serviced underwater camera systems back together which was
exciting as there were lots of new parts and features since their major overhaul
in the USA.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite being
ready to dive, the wind was strong and subsequently the viz was poor.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So instead we
went around to the side of the island past the research station and found a
great spot for Paul to go kiting.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were 2
little bays – one perfectly protected to anchor the tinny in and a second one
that was perfect for Paul to do carve turns into.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The pass
between the main island and Palfrey Island had the wind funnelling through it
and was shallow with lots of coral reef making it great to kite over.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul doing ballet
kiting…….<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">An out-of-control
one-footed back-roll, Paul’s signature move…..<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul left the
12 meter kite on the beach to dry and went for a swim with Lisa.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When he
returned the centre inflatable strut had gone down and we discovered the valve
had torn away and was leaking.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It didn’t
look like something we could fix and he was disappointed that his main kite was
now out of action.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That night it
blew up to 30 knots all night and by daybreak we were 100% full in battery
power as the wind generator had made a huge amount of power overnight.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With that
much wind it was time to kite again but this time Paul took his smaller <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">8 meter and
10 meter kites.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We also took
a few cameras and Lisa got some terrific shots with a wide angle lens and
polarising filter.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With a
smaller kite and the much windier conditions, Paul was able to get some bigger
jumps and high speed carves in.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly he had
a big stack and snapped one of the inflation valves off the main tube and that
kite also deflated and was out of action.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We’d sailed
for 5 years and kited in over 12 countries without a single breakage to a kite
and now Paul had wrecked 2 of his 3 kites in just 2 days. <br />
He was not happy…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However back
on Lorelei, we had a look at both kites and were able to repair the 10m one. It
wasn’t perfect but it was good enough to get amongst it again when the wind
blew over 20 knots.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One afternoon
Paul went up the Cooks Look Lookout trail and found a great place to view the
sunset over the bay about 1/3 of the way up to the ridge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The sunset wasn’t
as spectacular as the previous days but was still pretty good.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After 5 days
of 15-25 knot SE trade winds (even though it was now December…),<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">we downloaded
the weather to find a small one day break of 15 knots before it returned to
another week of 20-25 knots SE – again !!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We (along
with the other 15 boats now hunkered down in Watsons Bay couldn’t believe we
were still faced with more wind.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
many boats really wanting to get going south and many had Chrissy plans and
deadlines to keep.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We (along
with a few others) fortunately were in no rush and decided not to punch south
and just wait it out.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However most
of the yachts left, leaving only 4 in the bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We all
surmised that if the trade winds were still blowing and the temperature was a
very comfortable 27-31 degrees, then the monsoon season was still not here and the
cyclone risk very low.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we spent
some time each day swimming at the beach out of the wind and exploring
different areas of the island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The creek at
the end of the beach was fun to explore.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
loads of fish in the shallows and even some small black tip reef sharks
cruising around in just inches of water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The girls
spent time learning how to weave baskets on the beach using palm fronds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Someone had
also made a pretty cool sign.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We noticed
that every time we threw food scraps overboard from Lorelei, the fish
underneath would come up and quickly hoover them up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We saw big
Trevally, Batfish and even Spangled Emperor near the surface.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So one
lunchtime we took some old bread down to the back swim platform and fed them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Each Thursday
the 37 meter dive charter boat Spirit of Freedom comes into Lizard to do a
guest changeover.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
invited on board by Tony the captain who is an old friend.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul and Tony
used to work side by side on board with Tony as Captain and Paul as Trip
Director.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
awesome to catch up and see the changes throughout the boat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Tony and Paul together on
the bridge again…..<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was cool
to see 3 of Paul’s photos that he took while working on board framed and
hanging on the walls.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We checked
out the new Yanmar engines which are about half the physical size of the old
Rolls Royce’s.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That
afternoon at 2pm we went for a walk.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was only
supposed to be for an hour or 2 but we got sidetracked (twice) and ending up
stumbling home slightly intoxicated at 10pm!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We took the
trail up to Chinaman’s ridge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So much had
changed since we were there last.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One big
change was a new set of sign boards at the old ruins of Watson’s cottage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For years it
was believed that it was the home of Robert and Mary Watson who arrived in 1879
to start a Bech-de-mer business, however the new boards indicate that
scientists and archaeologists now believe it may be the remains of a store
house from the crew of the ship Julia Percy that arrived 19 years prior to the
Watsons.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Mary Watson’s
diary describes a very different style of residence with less rooms and
thatched walls.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This was a
bit of a shock for Paul as for years he told the Watson’s story to the Spirit
of Freedom guests when he did a mid-week tour on the island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The new signboards with
the building remains behind them<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was also sad
to see the deterioration of the building.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We can only
assume the 2 cat 5 cyclones that decimated the island and reef did a lot of
damage to the old walls and foundations.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This is a photo of
Paul’s dad George when we were here in 2011.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note the stone walls of
the building back then compared to the photo from 2016 above<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A little
further on we discovered a new bridge and elevated walkway going over the small
creek and mangroves.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b> </div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">George on the old timber
bridge in 2011<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The views
looking over the island from Chinaman’s ridge are great.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">From the
ridge we also watched a plane landing as it came in over the resort.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We walked
down to the Marlin Bar and noticed that it also had a makeover.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Marlin has
been moved to a much better location over the bar and the outside areas were
beautifully manicured with lots of new outdoor furniture.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One the way
home we stopped on the beach and had a long chat with the other yachties which
was side-track no.1.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When up on
the ridge we noticed a cat called Liquid Desire had arrived.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We knew the
boat well as we had spent a lot of time with Anthony the owner diving, surfing
and wakeboarding in Palau.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had hoped
it was still owned by him so on the way back to Lorelei we stopped to say
hello.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Anthony
and his dog Splash<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sure enough
it was still his and he now runs a charter business in the area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The people on
the charter were old friends of his so we were invited on for a sunset drink on
the foredeck.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That turned
into 2 drinks - then 3 - then dinner – then lots of stories from us, Anthony
and his super nice friends Trish, John and Callum.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the end we
were drinking spirits and watching the surf movie Thundercloud which is all
about “that day” at Cloudbreak, Fiji in 2012.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had seen
loads of photos of the swell but never any video footage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite being
a little dusty the next morning, we were up at 5:30am to tackle the land-based
highlight of Lizard Island - the Cook’s Look walk.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The walk is
rated on the signboard as “extremely difficult” and despite being strenuous,
it’s not so bad providing you do it early before it gets too hot.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way up
we stopped to watch the Sea Swift barge come into the resort to unload.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite many
of the larger trees having been destroyed by the cyclones, there were loads of
smaller Kapok trees full of the opened seed pods.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There was some
other great flora and fauna as well and Paul took a photo of a Pheasant Coucal
bird.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He’d tried to
photograph them on many occasions this year but never managed a clear or close
enough shot.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The view from
the ridge was great but from the summit overlooking the lagoon, it’s fantastic!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Looking back down along
the ridge</span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At the cairn
on the peak we signed the book.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s the 5<sup>th</sup>
time we have climbed the peak together over a period spanning 14 years.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
back down we stopped for a long time at a great viewing rock and had a bite to
eat while admiring the view over Watsons Bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the day of
the neap tides, we decided to brave the wind and go scuba diving.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The natural
choice was The Cobia Hole which is the premier dive site at Lizard Island. It
is not far from Watsons Bay and very protected from the SE winds and swell.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was going
to be a bit of a test as it was our first dive in a year.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In fact it’s
the longest time that we have not dived since we learnt to dive over 25 years
ago.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Additionally
it was the first time diving from the new tinny and also with our rebuilt
underwater camera systems.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa had some
minor issues with her camera and we took it back to the boat after just 10
minutes but Paul’s worked just fine.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite the
ordinary viz, we had a fun dive and were excited to have a Red Emperor that was
happy for Paul to get very close with the camera.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-puGqm1FLgBI/WEytX7zKwcI/AAAAAAAAcsE/dYCDPNRGresIiGz5elX91ho8CEtLUlK-ACPcB/s1600/Lizard%2BDive%2B1%2BCobia%2BHole%2BPaul%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-puGqm1FLgBI/WEytX7zKwcI/AAAAAAAAcsE/dYCDPNRGresIiGz5elX91ho8CEtLUlK-ACPcB/s640/Lizard%2BDive%2B1%2BCobia%2BHole%2BPaul%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Overall the
new tinny was fantastic to dive from and gave us so much more room for dive equipment
and dry gear storage than our RIB.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Later that
afternoon we did a second dive at the Cobia Hole.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the
flood tide and failing light we were hoping for better viz and more fish life.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sure enough
that was the case and we had lots of schooling fish overhead.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa’s camera
worked perfectly this time and she was able to get back into the macro
photography.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One big
highlight for her was to see a Solar Powered Nudibranch.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite
seeing these in the shallows in Indonesia, it was our first one in Australia
and a little deeper than normal at 17m depth.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Red
Emperor was still there and had a friend with it – a large Permit or Snub Nosed
Dart.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> Like the Red Emperor, they are also normally
very difficult to get close to and photograph.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul was
pretty happy to get a photo with both of them in the frame.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa also
took some other fish shots.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had 3
little Pilot Fish follow us everywhere we went.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Each time we
stopped they snuck into any gap they could find in our scuba gear making it
hard to get a photo of them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found if
we swam along mid water they would hover behind Paul and Lisa was able to get a
great shot of all three together.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the dive
gear all sorted and working fine, we refilled the scuba tanks and were ready for diving on the Ribbon Reefs – if the bloody wind ever
abated….!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When the wind
came up again Paul had another session of Kiting.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He had
another attempt at repairing the 10m kite as he had found some much better
suited material to do the repair.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It came up as
good as new so we took it around to the pass to pump it up and try it out.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The wind was
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it would plane a lot easier in the light winds than the smaller twin tip boards.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Additionally
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kiting in the shallow coral filled pass.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa checking the camera
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Carve turning around one
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst he saw
loads of fish, a few turtles and smaller sharks, Paul didn’t even see the larger shark
in the photo below until he was doing the editing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As the tide
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Even the stacks were
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sometimes an
image from the camera comes out looking weird and distorted.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This photo
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So that’s it for
another month (and a bit) of our sailing adventure.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s our last
post of the year and we would like to wish everyone a fantastic festive season
and to all our avid followers – Thank you for your interest in our blog.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The stats are
the highest they’ve ever been and it makes all the effort worthwhile.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We’ll be back
in January 2017 as we continue our cruising, diving and exploring down
Australia’s magnificent East Coast.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">See you in
the New Year!!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul and Lisa
Hogger <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Yacht
Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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sv_loreleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14235157985522355104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245635408700620959.post-850841558803594192016-11-07T13:42:00.002-08:002019-02-09T17:47:46.106-08:00Episode 53 Darwin to Gove<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="color: yellow; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 37.3333px;">Lorelei’s Sailing Adventures</b><br />
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b>
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For Episode
52 we explored Broome before travelling for 8 weeks NE through The Kimberley
and exploring lots of new Bays & Rivers, fishing and looking for Aboriginal
Rock Art & Boab Trees.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At the end we
spent 3 days and nights sailing across the Joseph Boneparte Gulf before
arriving safely back in Darwin.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our location for this
Episode of the Blog.</span></i></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our route for this
Episode of the Blog.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Back in
Darwin we tried to anchor out in the harbour to save a bit of money but with
the intense heat, volatile weather and crazy afternoon storms (like it was peak
monsoon season) we had no choice but to head through the lock and into the
Marina at Tipperary Waters.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It proved to
be the right decision. The next few arvos we received some thumping storms that
came in from all directions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We spent a
few days going hard-core from dawn until dusk washing, cleaning and tidying up
both inside and out.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After 3
months in the Kimberley with no rain, it took a bit of elbow grease!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However after
talking to friends in the Marina, we found out that it had been hot and stormy
for most of September (We arrived in September’s last week).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In fact we
discovered it was the wettest September in Darwin since records began in 1900
and the 2<sup>nd</sup> hottest average temperature for a century!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When the rain
backed off, we dropped the Tinny into the water and spent 2 full days doing
modifications to her to fix the niggling teething issues we had whilst in the
Kimberley.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We grinded
off the bow handles and added a rub strip right around the boat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We also
installed an automatic electric bilge pump system to cope with it filling up
during the storms and did some changes to the outboard motor and it’s mounting
brackets.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite the
heat, we assembled our bikes and did a series or rides around Darwin.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first sorties
were for supplies and marine parts but after that we started to explore the
city.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Darwin’s
foreshore is awesome as the city is set back from the water and there are
parklands and lots of leafy areas with walking/cycle tracks to explore.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">All along the
tracks are lookouts with memorial and monuments dedicated to the Aboriginal
traditional owners, early white explorers and WW2.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A gun from the US Ship
USS Peary that sunk in the Harbour during <br />
the WW2 attacks (more on that later….)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The waterfront
precinct has a fantastic area cordoned off for swimming with lots of areas to
relax.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The fresh
water wave pool is a big hit with people of all ages.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We rode out
along Stokes Hill Wharf and it was cool to see the large Paspaley Pearl boats
up close as we had seen them from a distance many times in The Kimberley.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The wharf
also had 2 visiting Canadian Warships.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The security
crew were walking around the decks armed with large machine guns which we
thought was a little overkill.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On our first
Saturday morning, we visited the Parap Markets.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They have
been going for years and are popular with both the locals and tourists for
fresh food, arts and crafts.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The most
iconic stall is Mary’s famous Laksa which many people have for breakfast.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It is always
busy and tastes terrific!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When we had
exhausted the closer locations on the bikes, we hired a car for a week and set
about doing larger sorties.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The time with
the car was equally divided between reprovisioning for Lorelei’s next big
sailing stint (another remote 8+ weeks and 800 miles) and exploring.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Once the
fuel, stores and food supplies where packed on board, we could start to enjoy
some travelling.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first
stop was the Litchfield National Park.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had
planned to visit Litchfield with George and Chez on the road trip but
concentrated on Kakadu instead.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Then friends
Cyn & Lindy shouted us a 1 hour helicopter flight over Litchfield which was
so awesome but we hadn’t yet explored it from ground level.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we packed
the car up with camping gear for a 3 day trip to the park.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">First stop inside
the National Park was the Magnetic Termite mounds which fascinated us when we
had seen them from the air.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They are
different from the normal tall and roundish mounds as they have a wide face
which faces east/west to receive maximum sunlight but are very thin when you
look from the north/south.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When we
arrived we were really disappointed to find a touristy board walk overlooking a
field of the mounds but the area was all condoned off and from the board walk
you were still 100’s of meters from them. You needed a powerful zoom lens for a
photo - Crazy!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was Paul’s
number one thing he really wanted to see and was pretty disappointed with how
the National Park had it set up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we hopped
in the car to leave and drove out only to find a large group of mounds down in
a paddock across the road. It was a bit hike to go down to see them but it was
worth it so we returned to the car park, walked across the road and explored
the area ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">2 photos showing a front
and side view of a Magnetic Termite Mound</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The tops of the Mounds
were sharp and ragged</span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Amongst the Magnetic
Mounds were also a series of the normal Termite Mounds in colours from yellow
to grey.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A Termite Mound with
Attitude!!!!!</span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Next we
visited the first of the waterfalls – Florence Falls.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly the
lower plunge pool was closed due to maintenance for 2 weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We thought
the timing was a little silly as it coincided with the 2 weeks of School
Holidays and the pools are a popular area for families during that time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
stinking hot in the middle of the day and we still wanted a swim so we walked
down to a small but fast flowing creek up from the waterfalls and had a long
relaxing swim with no crowds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Tabletop
Swamp was a quirky and uncrowded place.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It had glassy
water making for great reflection photos and lots of species of birds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We saw
Kangaroos in the bush behind the marshy areas and mating Dragonflies.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As the
afternoon started to cool off with a storm front approaching, we went on
towards Buley Rockhole to enjoy another swim.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
easy-to-access middle pools were filled with loads of kids and families so we
walked up to the top ones which were empty.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We then went
past the hordes and walked right down to the bottom pools which were a lot
bigger and also uncrowded.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We decided to
camp for the first night at a campsite near Florence Falls.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We picked one
of the smaller sites and it was very private.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the
morning we had a lot of wildlife around our campsite with heaps of birds and a
few lizards all scavenging for food.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We headed to
Wangi Falls first but it was so crowded and the walks were closed due to a fire
so we took a quick photo and left.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Tolner Falls
was much less crowded and we decided to do the circuit walk despite it being
well over 30 degrees already.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The walk follows
the river edge and past some big holes that the water passes down through.
Years ago you could explore this whole area on foot but now it’s closed due to
a colony of rare Bats.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Cycad
Palms at the end of the walk looked like they were feeling the heat too.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found a
signboard saying an area called The Cascades was open and it is usually quite
so we went there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It required a
3.5km round trip walk to reach the swimming holes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
interesting to watch cars of young Aussies arriving, grab their gear, go to the
sign telling of the walking distances and return straight to their car and
leave because it was too far. Good for
us and those that wanted to make the effort…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Cascades
were great and by far the best spot for us in Litchfield.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The walk up
required crossing the watercourse a few times.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b> </div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The main swimming
hole and waterfall was mostly shaded from the sun and so refreshing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We ended up
staying there most of the day swimming and exploring the area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After the
success of Paul’s night Boab Tree photos in The Kimberley (See Episode 51 and
the pic below), we wanted to try some other dusk/night photography with some
other iconic top-end attractions and the Termite Mounds were the perfect
choice.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So at 4pm we
went back to the paddock where the termite mounds were and Paul spent over and
hour looking at sun angles and marking locations to take the shots along with
setting up all the gear.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We got the
chairs out and sat in the paddock waiting for the sun to set.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With just 5
minutes before sunset we heard a crash through the bush and out onto the plain
steps a Water Buffalo.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul managed
to get a quick photo.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Then came
another and another and then some young calves with some very large and
protective adults with huge horns.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They had also
blocked our exit path between us and our car up on the road so we were a bit
worried.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They froze
when the saw us but a few of the bigger ones started to advance towards us and
that’s when we really got scared.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa picked
up her chair and bolted for the trees on the side of the paddock but Paul had
two complete camera set-ups on tripods in 2 different locations.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul was
probably more angry than scared and started yelling a series of expletives as
he started to pack up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Well the
Buffalo must have understood the words and took off running at full speed back
down the paddock, past Paul and away into the bushland.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul watched
them go and they weren’t stopping so he figured it was all good to stay and
continue.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However no
amount of coaxing was going to bring Lisa back down from the roadside….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He got the
shots but the sunset was not as red or colourful as had hoped for.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After dark,
every bit of noise coming out of the bush had Paul worried that the Buffalo
might have returned.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Once back in
Darwin we continued the tours with some of the areas we wanted to visit that
were too far on the bikes in the extreme heat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went out
to East Point to visit the Defence of Darwin Museum but were really
disappointed to find the entry fee hideously expensive, particularly considering
it is a government run museum which covers the wartime history of the city.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So instead we
had a look at one of the two large gun emplacements that were put in at East
Point during the war.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At 9.2” they
were Australia’s largest guns at the time but after the war the gun we visited
was sadly removed (by a Japanese company of all things??) and sold for scrap.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s value as
a post war attraction and part of our history would have far surpassed the
removed value.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We later
found out the other one is intact and inside the Museum…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NQ5iv7NejnA/V_g2F8DkreI/AAAAAAAAb74/eXGxqm_KSSsTiX7ykpbEdf1zBdlOJSPpgCPcB/s1600/East%2BPoint%2BGun%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NQ5iv7NejnA/V_g2F8DkreI/AAAAAAAAb74/eXGxqm_KSSsTiX7ykpbEdf1zBdlOJSPpgCPcB/s640/East%2BPoint%2BGun%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The mounting location of
the removed gun</span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In The
Kimberley we saw heaps of Kingfisher birds but they were hard to get close to
for a decent full-frame photo.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We walked out
of the gun bunker and there in a tree at eye level was a clean looking
Kingfisher (unlike the dirty mud covered ones in The Kimberley).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So Paul
walked quietly towards it and took the photo.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went to
the Aviation Heritage Centre and paid the far more reasonable price to see
their fantastic display.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RBnuNvbnmBE/V_g2F50iIQI/AAAAAAAAb74/4oNJs5QGDAQnGmmF2HmHdE2Frs0A9y0HQCPcB/s1600/Aviation%2BHeritage%2BCentre%2B%252816%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RBnuNvbnmBE/V_g2F50iIQI/AAAAAAAAb74/4oNJs5QGDAQnGmmF2HmHdE2Frs0A9y0HQCPcB/s640/Aviation%2BHeritage%2BCentre%2B%252816%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The highlight
is the huge B-52 Bomber which was donated to the centre by the US Air Force. It
is the only B-52 on display outside of the USA and its huge wings span the
entire width of the hanger.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wzV4nkxemYo/V_g2F_aWaII/AAAAAAAAb74/9XHB97_zW5YjCZNRvZyOymJs5qKmrXRLwCPcB/s1600/Aviation%2BHeritage%2BCentre%2B%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="324" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wzV4nkxemYo/V_g2F_aWaII/AAAAAAAAb74/9XHB97_zW5YjCZNRvZyOymJs5qKmrXRLwCPcB/s640/Aviation%2BHeritage%2BCentre%2B%252812%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The engines
are massive and dwarf all the other planes underneath them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u_TsFm6d6HY/V_g2FyxvVFI/AAAAAAAAb74/5kyuqstlJagp_hfSS2KdrpnGWzf6td6bwCPcB/s1600/Aviation%2BHeritage%2BCentre%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u_TsFm6d6HY/V_g2FyxvVFI/AAAAAAAAb74/5kyuqstlJagp_hfSS2KdrpnGWzf6td6bwCPcB/s640/Aviation%2BHeritage%2BCentre%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The tail fin
almost hits the roof and is ginormous!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r2aXZG2oD0A/V_g2F0YDQUI/AAAAAAAAb74/lpr2kSBfKe4uzsPEH2IrChYtuNPGxzjkgCPcB/s1600/Aviation%2BHeritage%2BCentre%2B%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r2aXZG2oD0A/V_g2F0YDQUI/AAAAAAAAb74/lpr2kSBfKe4uzsPEH2IrChYtuNPGxzjkgCPcB/s640/Aviation%2BHeritage%2BCentre%2B%252814%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The bomb bay
is open and empty and they have a movie about the aircraft running. It can fit
about 40 people!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sadpQlfeofY/V_g2FxdTvVI/AAAAAAAAb74/hNlM12DwBkILOrKjkjI_N5wUT-XcwROaQCPcB/s1600/Aviation%2BHeritage%2BCentre%2B%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sadpQlfeofY/V_g2FxdTvVI/AAAAAAAAb74/hNlM12DwBkILOrKjkjI_N5wUT-XcwROaQCPcB/s640/Aviation%2BHeritage%2BCentre%2B%252811%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The other
highlight is the Australian F1-11 Fighter.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After being
at many Riverfire’s (Brisbane’s annual night festival of fireworks and light
displays over the river & city) and other air shows where the F1-11’s do a
fuel “Dump & Burn” it was great to see the jet up close.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C5cyDHH7qzU/V_g2Fx1bzAI/AAAAAAAAb74/gFjaAoxJuMsiyOBkcCZ-n2KC3dX1z-JmQCPcB/s1600/Aviation%2BHeritage%2BCentre%2B%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C5cyDHH7qzU/V_g2Fx1bzAI/AAAAAAAAb74/gFjaAoxJuMsiyOBkcCZ-n2KC3dX1z-JmQCPcB/s640/Aviation%2BHeritage%2BCentre%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OR0On_Iu9Fg/V_g2F-XZYpI/AAAAAAAAb74/23u_liQbt80iJq4zETt4T4VnzELF7DoNACPcB/s1600/Aviation%2BHeritage%2BCentre%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OR0On_Iu9Fg/V_g2F-XZYpI/AAAAAAAAb74/23u_liQbt80iJq4zETt4T4VnzELF7DoNACPcB/s640/Aviation%2BHeritage%2BCentre%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
loads of other planes from old pre WW1 bi-planes to modern jets and even 2
large helicopters.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RdI8GgbXHB0/V_g2Fw9WPSI/AAAAAAAAb74/kPCSEUH7FFQaUf2MYPy7kG6meQqUTsjogCPcB/s1600/Aviation%2BHeritage%2BCentre%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RdI8GgbXHB0/V_g2Fw9WPSI/AAAAAAAAb74/kPCSEUH7FFQaUf2MYPy7kG6meQqUTsjogCPcB/s640/Aviation%2BHeritage%2BCentre%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A WW2 B-25 Mitchell</span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ctRYoUWlrI/V_g2FzuG4jI/AAAAAAAAb74/qTp4TOswJegHqqoZal7P3babQwDbDJ0AgCPcB/s1600/Aviation%2BHeritage%2BCentre%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ctRYoUWlrI/V_g2FzuG4jI/AAAAAAAAb74/qTp4TOswJegHqqoZal7P3babQwDbDJ0AgCPcB/s640/Aviation%2BHeritage%2BCentre%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A WW2 Spitfire</span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dgHGLAR6_Ig/V_g2F2cyLdI/AAAAAAAAb74/9Ut9xMRlDX84rIq9qg6GzN9XzQCTT_YmgCPcB/s1600/Aviation%2BHeritage%2BCentre%2B%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dgHGLAR6_Ig/V_g2F2cyLdI/AAAAAAAAb74/9Ut9xMRlDX84rIq9qg6GzN9XzQCTT_YmgCPcB/s640/Aviation%2BHeritage%2BCentre%2B%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rGFSBlJq2ns/V_g2FxM7E-I/AAAAAAAAb74/IEE4P551V-I49Z3oSZHHTX2D-fCGcydQgCPcB/s1600/Aviation%2BHeritage%2BCentre%2B%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rGFSBlJq2ns/V_g2FxM7E-I/AAAAAAAAb74/IEE4P551V-I49Z3oSZHHTX2D-fCGcydQgCPcB/s640/Aviation%2BHeritage%2BCentre%2B%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Outside were
more aircraft but the one that took our fancy was a Douglas DC-3 in excellent
condition.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We have scuba
dived on a few of these planes and even visited one that crashed in The Kimberley
so it was great to finally see one completely intact and able to walk around.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A DC-3 we dived on in
The Marshall Islands</span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aOqDnHVE9RI/V_g2F1b4XoI/AAAAAAAAb74/A5jesTDNKsIejFkKxx6-z01fxn0uxNKOACPcB/s1600/DC3%2BBest%2BOf%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aOqDnHVE9RI/V_g2F1b4XoI/AAAAAAAAb74/A5jesTDNKsIejFkKxx6-z01fxn0uxNKOACPcB/s640/DC3%2BBest%2BOf%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The wreck of the DC-3 we
visited in The Kimberley<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The centre
also had a section on the Bombing of Darwin during WW2.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had no
idea about the extent of the war time attacks on the city and it is a sad story
that all Australians should be aware of.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was the
Japanese Fleet which attacked Pearl Harbour that sailed to Darwin to commence
the attacks on 19<sup>th</sup> Feb 1942 – four days after Singapore had fallen.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">To put it
into perspective – over 2.5 times the amount of bombs were dropped on Darwin in
the first attack than at Pearl harbour.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Nearly 200
planes unleashed hell on the city.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Over 250 people
died and 350 were injured along with the destruction of over 20 aircraft, 8
ships (and another 36 damaged) and most of the city’s Civil and Military
facilities either damaged or destroyed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">More than 60
subsequent air raids were unleashed on Darwin over the course of the war.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The destroyer
USS Peary that was in the harbour received a direct hit from a dive bomber and
sank with 88 people dying. It is the largest US loss of life in a single
incident within Australia’s borders.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The museum
had a series of bombs and planes that were salvaged from the attacks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On our last
Saturday in Darwin we fasted all day and then went to an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet restaurant called Seafood on Cullen.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had booked
with our closest friends in Darwin - Chris, Cyn and daughter Grace along with
the walker family – Clint, Jackson and Lachlan.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
great night out for us to say a sad farewell but it was nice to get dressed up
for a change and eat out.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had some
funny antics both before and after dinner at a Crocodile statue on the
foreshore across the road.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa dressed to
impress……</span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DThcbHuuH0E/V_g2F-lw3MI/AAAAAAAAb74/X-iPkpfJ_GMUT4t2mAM8IOHgN3-W7omiACPcB/s1600/Farewell%2BDinner%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DThcbHuuH0E/V_g2F-lw3MI/AAAAAAAAb74/X-iPkpfJ_GMUT4t2mAM8IOHgN3-W7omiACPcB/s640/Farewell%2BDinner%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our Darwin Besties…..</span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZB7vEI73mkE/V_g2F1Y78AI/AAAAAAAAb74/NBMPiWtkUQgFsI4PVR_wn4MlxsTGRJ-hQCPcB/s1600/Farewell%2BDinner%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZB7vEI73mkE/V_g2F1Y78AI/AAAAAAAAb74/NBMPiWtkUQgFsI4PVR_wn4MlxsTGRJ-hQCPcB/s640/Farewell%2BDinner%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Gracie being a Cowgirl –
NT style…..</span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After 12 days
in the marina we had the servicing and maintenance completed on Lorelei and had
visited most of the things we wanted to see in Darwin, so we packed up and left
the Marina.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It still
wasn’t the right weather forecast and wind direction to sail east across the
Gulf of Carpentaria and onto Queensland but we couldn’t justify sitting in the
marina paying the expensive daily rate, so we simply anchored in the harbour
out the front of the Stokes Hill Wharf.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had all
these grand plans of going fishing and more cycling but we were so tired from
non-stop go-go-go, that we decided to have a few days of being inside out of
the sun and doing computer work, photo editing, cooking, watching movies and
the Bathurst 1000 car race.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The sunsets
each night of the wharf and the city were very different.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sometimes it
was clear, sometimes cloudy and even a few stormy nights.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SOUxLzdmH-E/V_g2F3UoiHI/AAAAAAAAb74/VCVydDwHi6EbQXx16CCelD9D5Qbh--vOACPcB/s1600/Harbour%2BStorms%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SOUxLzdmH-E/V_g2F3UoiHI/AAAAAAAAb74/VCVydDwHi6EbQXx16CCelD9D5Qbh--vOACPcB/s640/Harbour%2BStorms%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dHYRdtYRYqY/V_g2F_gQq7I/AAAAAAAAb74/z-Fo_M_QuSoCsx4cGpg-fignwdknlLjwQCPcB/s1600/Harbour%2BStorms%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dHYRdtYRYqY/V_g2F_gQq7I/AAAAAAAAb74/z-Fo_M_QuSoCsx4cGpg-fignwdknlLjwQCPcB/s640/Harbour%2BStorms%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After a week
the weather forecast for 10 days was still for predominately east winds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were not
prepared to sit for that long in the harbour so we looked for other options.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The stand out
choice was to do some fishing at the Cobourg Peninsula which was about 150nm NE
from Darwin – and at least it was heading towards where we wanted to go….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Cobourg
has world class reef & estuary fishing and the fishing resorts in the area
charge around $4-6k for a week of quality fishing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br />
After the mostly terrible fishing experiences we had in The Kimberley we
decided to give the area one last go to see if we could land some trophy fish.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The area is
Aboriginal land so we had to apply for a permit to enter the area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We decided to
break up the trip into 2 long 75nm days which required us to leave at 4am. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That way we
could take advantage of the tides and currents for maximum assistance and to
also have us at our anchorages before nightfall.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first
night we stayed in a small bay under the tip of Melville Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite it
being open and exposed, the wind dropped out overnight and we had a very calm evening
with a nice sunrise whilst under motor the next morning.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived at
the Ranger Station at the entrance to Port Essington (The main fishing area of
The Cobourg Peninsula) at 3pm and expected we would have to go ashore and make
contact, show our permit, etc…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However we
called them up and they must have had a copy of our permit and just told us to
head on into the bay and just let them know when we were leaving – Simple!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we headed the
last 15nm into the bay and were anchored up at the mouth of the 2 small river
systems in the southern end by 5:30pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
stoked as it meant we were a day ahead at our fishing destination and could get
straight into it the next morning.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
was only 1 star rating on the fishing almanac but it gave use a day to do a
reconnaissance mission to explore the area and work out the hot spots.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The following
4 days were the 4 and 5 star almanac fishing best times for the month as it
coincided with the full moon and spring tides.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We tried an
exposed rock bar at the river entrance first.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite the 1
star rating it was fishing chaos with a fish hooked nearly every cast.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After the
mods to the tinny and only loading the fishing gear all back on-board only 30
minutes prior, it took us a while to get organised and into the fishing groove
again.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We decided it
best to have an alternate cast each to minimise the pandemonium of double
hook-ups on light gear.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We caught
lots of different species but the Trevally species accounted for most hook-ups.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They were
crazy and we had them jumping over each other to get to the lures.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A few times
Paul got the leader caught around the hooks of the lure during the cast and
upon retrieval the lure doesn’t work and just turns upside down and skims along
the surface. He even got 2 hooks up on Trevally when this happened as the lure
bounced over the surface like a popper.
Crazy stuff!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The craziest
story of the day was from Lisa.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">She hooked a
6kg juvenile Giant QLD Grouper while we trolled up in one of the creeks for
Barramundi.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had it
next to the boat and it looked beautiful with its yellow and grey colours. They
are not common and are protected so we were going to net it, take a photo and
release it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Just as we
were going to net it, an equal sized Malabar Grouper came up to the surface and
grabbed the tail of the lure that was sticking out of the mouth of the QLD
Grouper. So then she had 2 fish totalling over 10kg hooked – one of which was
very green! Down they went fighting against the line and each other. It was
chaos! Somehow the QLD Grouper got off and Lisa landed the Malabar Grouper. So
she landed a different fish to the initial one hooked. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We looked at
the 3 treble hooks on the lure to find 2 sets of hooks were severely mangled
and almost straightened out.<br />
AND once again the catch was on her lightest rod and reel set-up and the one
that landed the epic Tuna in the last Episode. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Silly, silly
stuff!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We caught
lots of other smaller fish species in the rivers too.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We returned
to Lorelei sunburnt and stuffed at 2pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our tackle
had been tested to the limited and despite our lures being, smashed, bashed,
reefed, snagged, foul-hooked and double hooked up – we were really surprised
that we didn’t lose any.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">If the first
day was fun, then second was epic for Lisa and in her 40+ years of fishing it
was one of her best ever sessions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We threw a
few lures around the rock bar on near glass out conditions and it was quality
not quantity with Lisa landing the first fish – a great sized Golden Trevally,
which we then released.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We headed
into a new creek in a second bay that we hadn’t explored yet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was low
tide and rising and we only had 60cm depth along the sand flats and into the
river mouth. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It got deeper
once inside the river and we trolled up the river until we found a large drain
system that was mostly still dry.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was so
shallow in the sections that did have water that we put the engine down from
shallow drive and the leg sat in the sand and held us in position. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We proceeded
to cast lures around into the small drains and gutters within the sand flats.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We struggled
to find a lure that would work properly in the shallow water so Lisa pulled out
a box of “special” Barra lures her dad Jack had given her at Christmas to try. Admittedly
they didn’t look anything like the “normal” Barra lures and had alternate
colours too. Lots of them had big teeth marks in them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Jack and
Carol have landed a lot of Barra so we didn’t doubt they would work.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So Lisa tried
one and 2 casts later she had landed her first Cobourg Peninsula Barramundi of
56cm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Two more
casts later and she had landed a PB Giant Threadfin Salmon of 95cm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Well if that
wasn’t enough then the very next cast she hooked a horse of a Barra that ran,
jumped and kicked all over the place.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul even had
time to get the camera out and get some shots of the fight.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It wasn’t
until we had it in the net that we realised how big and heavy it actually was.
It was certainly a Trophy sized Barra and another PB for Lisa.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We took some
photos and managed to successfully release it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We could only
estimate its length as it was a full spread hand-span longer than the fish
measurement sticker in the Tinny.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa landed a
few more but 20 minutes later the water was up over the flats and it was all
over for the session.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa had landed
a stack of great fish to Paul’s none….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Needless to
say we marked the spot on the Chartplotter and planned at least one more
session there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next
morning we had glass out conditions which made for a great sunrise.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went a
little earlier on the tide to the same fishing spot.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The creek
doesn’t have a name so Lisa named it Barradise Creek.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were so
early that it was only 40cm max depth in the channel and Lisa had to sit on the
bow of the Tinny even with the engine in shallow drive so the prop didn’t hit
the bottom.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We got to our
hot spot to find the Birds were also waiting for the action to start.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our log that
we normally tie alongside was high and dry.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
session of quantity over quality with many smaller Barra caught.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa used her
Dad’s lure again and had landed and released 4 Barra before Paul had even had a
hit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">As the tide came up, the action hotted up and we started to
land some bigger ones.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By now it was
Lisa 5 / Paul 0 for the session.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So Paul stole
Lisa’s rod with the gun lure and landed one.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa not to
be out done, grabbed her other rod and put her Mum Carol’s favourite Barra lure
on and within 2 casts had another.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Carol’s “Blue Rebel”
lure hanging under the fish<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa got her
gun lure back and the next Barra swallowed it whole so it became the one we
kept and took home for dinner.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note the lure deep
inside the Barra’s mouth<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Another view of the
small lure right down inside the Barra’s mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul managed
to land one more and Lisa landed 2 more and a Mangrove jack before the water
came up over the muddy flats and the 90 minute session was over.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Once again
Lisa had landed a lot more fish than Paul (4 times more actually but who’s
counting – and that’s fairly normal…..).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Day 4 was the
5 star day and Paul was up early to re-rig all 4 rods as the leaders were all
trashed from the previous day’s session.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He seriously
contemplated sabotaging Lisa’s rigs but thought the better of it……<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Additionally
we rigged up a few fly fishing rods between 8 & 10 weight and thought we’d
try to land a Barra on Fly.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were so
excited and pumped for a great session but our hopes sank when we got up the
river to find the flood tide screaming in.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite the
back eddies where we were fishing we knew the Barra wouldn’t like the
super-fast flowing water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We tried anyway
and Lisa got a Barra after only a few casts and it was still very low tide so
we had a little renewed hope.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul got one
soon after but that was all we got for the session as the water came up over
the mud flats really quickly and it was all over in 40 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was still
2 days from spring tides so we knew the water movement would get even worse so
we packed away the fishing gear for a few days.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Bummer!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After
cleaning up, washing and much needed out-of-the sun day, we decided to explore
Port Essington’s historical highlight – The Victoria Settlement.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WGQa-s_nTlo/WBq5_P6GXUI/AAAAAAAAcB0/z1futyb3OgwHDjLOWaPsU6NiDfvKGRGmACPcB/s1600/Victoria%2BSettlement%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WGQa-s_nTlo/WBq5_P6GXUI/AAAAAAAAcB0/z1futyb3OgwHDjLOWaPsU6NiDfvKGRGmACPcB/s640/Victoria%2BSettlement%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
settlement was yet another futile but failed attempt at the English Government
to establish a defence post along the shores of Australia’s top end in the
early 1800’s.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The nearby
Fort Dundas and Fort Wellington had already been abandoned and so they tried
again with their pre-conceived English ideals of how a <br />
settlement/armed fort should be built.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The buildings
were mainly stone with large internal fireplaces and they cleared all the shady
trees away from the buildings. Crazy!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Why they
chose an area more than 20 miles down into a remote & isolated bay that was
hot, humid and subject to an intense wet season & cyclones is anybody’s
guess.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
established in 1838 but after major disruptions to the local Aboriginal
Communities (and introduced western diseases), cultural misunderstandings, and
a huge loss of life from the hardships (1/3 of the population died of Malaria
alone…), the Settlement was abandoned 11 years later in 1849.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NGsWapJ0n10/WBq5_IebJDI/AAAAAAAAcB0/G8i4AiQBDG0Kc1qukKmPEc6d_OMST6GGQCPcB/s1600/Victoria%2BSettlement%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NGsWapJ0n10/WBq5_IebJDI/AAAAAAAAcB0/G8i4AiQBDG0Kc1qukKmPEc6d_OMST6GGQCPcB/s640/Victoria%2BSettlement%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0REht0vDFYk/WBq5_HsMO0I/AAAAAAAAcB0/juxy-UYUZtkKy2--jAw4gH0IOTpbVW1pACPcB/s1600/Victoria%2BSettlement%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0REht0vDFYk/WBq5_HsMO0I/AAAAAAAAcB0/juxy-UYUZtkKy2--jAw4gH0IOTpbVW1pACPcB/s640/Victoria%2BSettlement%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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</div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s little
wonder that the local Madjumbalmi Aboriginal People even want to preserve the
Settlement.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However it is
now Heritage Listed and is being maintained in a joint operation between the
Aboriginals and the NT Parks and Wildlife.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Ironically, the
place cannot be accessed by road. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The only
visitors it would ever receive are from the exclusive fishing resort, cruising yachts
(of which there would be only a handful at best each year) or any other super
adventurous campers or fishermen brave enough to bring a tinny here by 450km of
very rough road from Darwin.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went
ashore at the Settlement early to escape the heat and do the 4km round trip
walk that takes you through the Settlement.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first
stop was at the Ammunition Magazine which was built down into the ground.</span></b></div>
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</div>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-riK8l5YnRtc/WBq5_CJl4oI/AAAAAAAAcB0/wj5keqtPEtULuRfN8Dz98U3fQnAr5-kMQCPcB/s1600/Victoria%2BSettlement%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-riK8l5YnRtc/WBq5_CJl4oI/AAAAAAAAcB0/wj5keqtPEtULuRfN8Dz98U3fQnAr5-kMQCPcB/s640/Victoria%2BSettlement%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We walked onto
the Cottages that housed the married couples, which for some strange reason
were separated from the other accommodation.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">All that’s
left are the foundations, the brick walls, fireplaces and chimneys.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
Blacksmiths forge was still there further down the track.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ds0wteapBw/WBq66Rs1CfI/AAAAAAAAcCQ/E2_v_RnaCIs43G7ruFO8QYB6WPu45tXLgCPcB/s1600/Victoria%2BSettlement%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ds0wteapBw/WBq66Rs1CfI/AAAAAAAAcCQ/E2_v_RnaCIs43G7ruFO8QYB6WPu45tXLgCPcB/s640/Victoria%2BSettlement%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The large
wharf and storage buildings along the water’s edge were destroyed by a cyclone
in 1938. Now all that is left of the wharf is a large pile of rocks that extend
out into the bay the drift wood that covers them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qwdm2XDTGCw/WBq66VXj1jI/AAAAAAAAcCQ/5jcGRi7moZgMS9-0R8j3tqAAOkdqnFDTQCPcB/s1600/Victoria%2BSettlement%2B%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qwdm2XDTGCw/WBq66VXj1jI/AAAAAAAAcCQ/5jcGRi7moZgMS9-0R8j3tqAAOkdqnFDTQCPcB/s640/Victoria%2BSettlement%2B%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The biggest
building was the 4 room Hospital with its cooking facilities built above and
behind it. All that’s left of the Hospital are the lowers stones marking the
layout. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The cooking
building above is in much better condition.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite the
size, the Settlement probably needed a bigger hospital. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At one stage
more than half of the Settlement was desperately ill and crammed into the Hospital.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YoECCMv7WVs/WBq66aWCOzI/AAAAAAAAcCQ/PCwVzHd6-oIA4RHgf-pSfRN4UyxZ-3KfQCPcB/s1600/Victoria%2BSettlement%2B%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YoECCMv7WVs/WBq66aWCOzI/AAAAAAAAcCQ/PCwVzHd6-oIA4RHgf-pSfRN4UyxZ-3KfQCPcB/s640/Victoria%2BSettlement%2B%252812%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The most
sober area was the Cemetery.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst there
weren’t too many headstones and crypts, the list on the monument showed a large
list of people of all ages that had died at the Settlement.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
back we found the kiln on the other side of the Settlement near a mangrove
creek.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dF1r7Y9SVfc/WBq66Zfak_I/AAAAAAAAcCQ/-fsHtQmbj7EZqpmq-nRLzL7bnn3aoETXACPcB/s1600/Victoria%2BSettlement%2B%252813%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dF1r7Y9SVfc/WBq66Zfak_I/AAAAAAAAcCQ/-fsHtQmbj7EZqpmq-nRLzL7bnn3aoETXACPcB/s640/Victoria%2BSettlement%2B%252813%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We returned
to find our Tinny high and dry on the sand.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We knew the
tide would be going out whilst we were on the walk, but we didn’t expect that
much. We had to wait for 1 hour for the tide to come back in enough for us to
float the Tinny out into the bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the high
tide we took Lorelei 5 mile around to the adjoining bay for a few days to see
if we could find some more Barra fishing spots that were less prone to strong
water flow during the spring tides.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We did a long
reconnaissance mission around the bay in the Tinny.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite there
being creeks marked on the charts, all we found were small mangrove inlets that
were very shallow and were barely wide enough to get the Tinny into. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So after 2
days we aborted and took Lorelei back to our original anchorage that was not
only closer to the better fishing locations but also a lot more protected from
the wind and chop.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Thanks
goodness we did move because for the next 2 days it blew an <br />
un-forecasted 30 knots and it was way too rough to launch the Tinny.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
that also allowed the spring tides to pass and by the time the wind was back
down to a manageable level, we could fish once again.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We would have
much preferred to leave and get going east but it was still 15-20 knots of east
wind outside the protection of the bay and we weren’t punching into that no
matter how much we wanted to go.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we went
fishing……<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first day
it was still flowing a little too strongly but we did get 3 Barra each and a
stack of other hook ups on Barra that we lost when they jumped and threw the
hooks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul lost a
massive Barra when it did a big jump and spat the lure out.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He was
gutted!! It wasn’t quite a big as Lisa’s big one but it was still a very big
fish and would have been his PB Barra ever.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mXxBMUi0j5M/WBq5_Mtsw4I/AAAAAAAAcB0/bUYJJM6heNwWvo4H4vRRZG1QJLG3HyxcgCPcB/s1600/Cobourg%2BJumping%2BBarra%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mXxBMUi0j5M/WBq5_Mtsw4I/AAAAAAAAcB0/bUYJJM6heNwWvo4H4vRRZG1QJLG3HyxcgCPcB/s640/Cobourg%2BJumping%2BBarra%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As the tides
advanced the sessions became later and later.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
getting to the point where the peak fishing time was right on dusk.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So for our
last session we went up one hour before low tide to make use of the most amount
of fishing time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We grounded
the tinny as the tide dropped around us and we were able to fly fish into the
shallow gutters.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qwhOoQ7rAu4/WBq5_NQbiuI/AAAAAAAAcB0/qrDHYW94jGk1Hcyd3bjMrYEqpz9i7Y6hwCPcB/s1600/Cobourg%2BFishing%2BLast%2BArvo%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qwhOoQ7rAu4/WBq5_NQbiuI/AAAAAAAAcB0/qrDHYW94jGk1Hcyd3bjMrYEqpz9i7Y6hwCPcB/s640/Cobourg%2BFishing%2BLast%2BArvo%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was going
to be a race to see whether the best tide height and fishing time would come before
the sun set.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As the tide
turned and started rising, the fish came on, but it was getting overcast and
dark.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We landed a
lot of small Barra, Lisa got a good sized Mangrove Jack and Paul landed his
first Cobourg Giant Threadfin Salmon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IOcy5m0En38/WBq5_PKLarI/AAAAAAAAcB0/ppZ8U-j9zjAY53VxPxcwWsdp4-AcfQQ0wCPcB/s1600/Cobourg%2BFishing%2BLast%2BArvo%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IOcy5m0En38/WBq5_PKLarI/AAAAAAAAcB0/ppZ8U-j9zjAY53VxPxcwWsdp4-AcfQQ0wCPcB/s640/Cobourg%2BFishing%2BLast%2BArvo%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-43ejoBRIhEo/WBq5_NHj1rI/AAAAAAAAcB0/OOMt_Q3G1yws7XV2BerzHkg1VT6UOnn7ACPcB/s1600/Cobourg%2BFishing%2BLast%2BArvo%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-43ejoBRIhEo/WBq5_NHj1rI/AAAAAAAAcB0/OOMt_Q3G1yws7XV2BerzHkg1VT6UOnn7ACPcB/s640/Cobourg%2BFishing%2BLast%2BArvo%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The race was
on….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The sun was
setting and the fishing was hotting up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lplIfs1-wTQ/WBq5_CCf3dI/AAAAAAAAcB0/TwwlxorfQY4ZXYFkPnMnNRX7VyJQxPsuACPcB/s1600/Cobourg%2BFishing%2BLast%2BArvo%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lplIfs1-wTQ/WBq5_CCf3dI/AAAAAAAAcB0/TwwlxorfQY4ZXYFkPnMnNRX7VyJQxPsuACPcB/s640/Cobourg%2BFishing%2BLast%2BArvo%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul really
wanted to land that still elusive trophy sized Barra but in the end it was Lisa
(once again) that scored the final one with a medium sized 70cm Barra that made
for a nice photo with the setting sun.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0hnM71-lZs/WBq5_MufXmI/AAAAAAAAcB0/d3E6vPPgQ1wuaDA1jR9WVkxRJXjjz64BACPcB/s1600/Cobourg%2BFishing%2BLast%2BArvo%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0hnM71-lZs/WBq5_MufXmI/AAAAAAAAcB0/d3E6vPPgQ1wuaDA1jR9WVkxRJXjjz64BACPcB/s640/Cobourg%2BFishing%2BLast%2BArvo%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We took a
final photo of the sunset before getting back to Lorelei in complete darkness
with both the Tinny and Lorelei having no lights on.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Thank
goodness for the GPS chart-plotter in the Tinny.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cvwHhkAJBxg/WBq5_GvAplI/AAAAAAAAcB0/cy9Vha87f6szfFK62Kf9FDxMkMzDQqubQCPcB/s1600/Cobourg%2BFishing%2BLast%2BArvo%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cvwHhkAJBxg/WBq5_GvAplI/AAAAAAAAcB0/cy9Vha87f6szfFK62Kf9FDxMkMzDQqubQCPcB/s640/Cobourg%2BFishing%2BLast%2BArvo%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So that was our
10 day Cobourg Experience.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was an
excellent suggestion by Lisa to make the effort to go there rather than just
sitting in Darwin Harbour waiting for the easterly winds to abate.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We would’ve
waiting nearly a month……!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had hooked
over 40 Barramundi, landed 30 and lost about a dozen or so to dislodged hooks
during the jumping fights.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
we planned to leave but it was overcast, squally and the current was running in
not out for most of the daylight hours meaning we would be pushing against it
for the 25nm run back out of Port Essington.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had dinner
and by 8pm the skies had cleared, the wind backed off, the tide had turned and
so we elected to leave.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We motor
sailed out of the Port and hit the open ocean at 11pm <br />
– more like it hit us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Within 30
minutes of rounding the cape and into the passage east, the wind swung onto the
nose and picked up, so did the swell and the sea went really lumpy.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
committed and we smashed, punched and rolled our way to Crocker Island where we
arrived at 4:30am wondering why the heck we left a perfectly good anchorage!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we crept
into the calm and shallow bay we both stayed on deck as it was overcast,
raining, pitch black and very difficult to see. We didn’t have our radar on
preferring to use our eyes and instruments upstairs in the cockpit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we
anchored up in the dark and went to bed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At 7am Paul
woke up and went upstairs to check our position in the daylight to find we were
only 30m away from another cruising yacht.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They stupidly
had no anchor light (or any other lights) on overnight and we could have easily
collided with them if we’d come in only a few degrees difference in angle.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The upside
was we had finally made the break from The Cobourg Peninsula and had started on
the 500+ mile run across Arnhem Land and on towards Gove.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We stayed a
full 24 hours in the protected bay on Crocker Island before leaving again.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With easterly
headwinds still forecasted, we pushed on at 5am each morning and were usually anchored
up by around lunchtime.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Being
Aboriginal land, we were permitted to anchor but were mostly unable to go
ashore, go fishing, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We did 5 days
straight of 30-40 mile runs to keep pushing east.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">All the time
the waters were very shallow and we had to negotiate many small islands, reef
patches, shoals and channels between islands.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On one day’s
run of 45nm where were up to 10nm offshore the depth was never deeper than
9m/30ft. Crazy!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had
arrived at the Goulburn Islands and were happy to see a telephone and internet
tower on the island which supported the Aboriginal Mission there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were able
have a good look at some detailed weather forecasts online.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Going further
east from the Goulburn’s meant we were passing an Aboriginal area that was off
limits if you did not have the correct permits. It is a 200 mile stretch of
land and that meant a 36 hour non-stop run.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were very
fortunate to have the winds drop out to “light and variable” forecast for 48
hours so we pushed off and crossed our fingers for no significant easterly
winds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we left we
realised that the annual coral spawning must have occurred overnight as the sea
surface was covered in miles and miles of stinky brown spawn.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The further
offshore we went we found light NE winds so for part of the crossing we could
sail or motor sail to reduce the overall fuel consumption.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found a
quiet anchorage in the Wessel Islands at 5pm on day 2 and enjoyed a nice sunset
and a big meal.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
we weaved through the extensive amount of islands and passes that make up the
long, thin chain of Wessel Islands and finally arrived at Gove on the last
afternoon in October.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had
successfully crossed Arnhem Land (the square section at the top of Australia)
and were now poised to tackle the Gulf of Carpentaria and onto the tip of
Australia once we had finished in Gove and had a reasonable forecast.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we headed
towards Gove we could see through the haze the huge Bauxite refinery owned by
Rio Tinto.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We entered
the harbour and sailed past a large ore bulk-carrier that was being loaded with
raw Bauxite.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The harbour
was well protected and the yacht basin was alongside the refinery.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived at
5pm and the afternoon glow highlighted the boats and refinery.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The ore dust
in the air made for some very red sunsets.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This was a
super-yacht that was anchored behind us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
turned into a mission.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We met up
with our friends Grant and Glynnis from Sea Wolf 2.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul and
Grant went to the Sea Swift wharf to get diesel fuel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They had over
700 litres worth of jerry cans (for the first run…) and the male staff were
very helpful and even offered to put them onto a pallet to get them closer to
the fuel bowser.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That was
until a B#T@H of a young lady came down from the office and tore strips off us
for not booking ahead (which Grant had done 3 hours prior in person), for
coming on their busy Monday and for bringing Jerry Cans.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Her body
language was priceless.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Needless to
say we didn’t get any fuel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Funnily
enough Peter and Helen our other friends off Lazeabout also went two hours
later (not knowing we had tried) and received an even worse reception from her
to the point where they wrote a letter of complaint to Sea Swift.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So instead we
hired cars and the boys spent the day going back and forward to the BP fuel
station in Nhulunbuy while the girls went to the supermarket and brought the
food.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Between the
boats that day, we estimated we brought over 4000 litres of fuel (in jerry
cans) from BP.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">And that
didn’t include the bulk of the other cruising boats in the harbour that were
also refuelling later in the week.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That’s A LOT
of missed revenue from Sea Swift because of a female staff member with the
worst attitude we’ve ever seen.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By sunset we
were all stuffed but we’d only been in Gove for 24 hours and the 2 major jobs
were already done. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So now it was
time to relax, explore and play.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
was Australia’s most famous Horse Race – The Melbourne Cup.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We got
dressed up and headed to a buffet lunch at The Arnhem Club in town.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
the six of us from the day before and it was as great day out.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The race is
at 3:00pm in Melbourne but the time difference meant it was on just after lunch
at 1:30pm local time which was perfect.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were a
few winners at our table and that meant a few more drinks and lots of laughs after
the race….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The harbour
foreshore is like a boulevard of broken dreams with scores of derelict boats
that have been washed up onto the shoreline after violent storms and cyclones.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s an
appalling mess and we can’t believe that nothing is done to make the vessel
owners responsible for the removal.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The upside
for Paul was they made great photo subjects at dusk as he did a series of time
exposure/light painting photos of them over 2 nights.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the
Wednesday night we had dinner and drinks on-board Lorelei with 2 local couples
Chris & Phoebe and Aaron & Jade.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Chris, Jade
and Aaron are very well known in the spearfishing world as they are extremely
confident spearos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Chris is
sponsored by Aimrite (the brand that Paul uses and used to wholesale) and Jade
& Aaron also use them too.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
awesome to catch up with these super nice people.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite being
mid-week, we had a very late night with a lot of food, drinks and endless
spearing stories.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Team Aimrite Gove<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the Friday
the bulk of the cruising boats decided to leave to attempt the crossing of the
Gulf of Carpentaria.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were still
not so sure it was the best possible forecast so we stayed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our other
ulterior motive was that Chris was taking his boat out spearing on the weekend
and we were invited.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So while the
boats one by one left the harbour, we got out the spear gear and spent the
afternoon replacing rubbers and servicing the gear to make sure it was all
100%.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The slight
spanner in the works came when Chris called to say the BP fuel station (and the
only fuel station in Gove/Nhulunbuy) had run out of unleaded fuel (gasoline).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
many unhappy people and the timing was terrible being a Friday arvo and
jeopardising a lot of people’s weekend plans. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
we had loads of fuel from our refuelling only 4 days prior and more than enough
to fill Chris’s Haines Hunter trailer boat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Refuelling - Normally
it’s a small boat bringing fuel out to Lorelei <br />(particularly in Indonesia) but
now it was the other way around.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were 5
of us - Chris, Jade, us two and another new person we had just met, Levi.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we took
off for the Bromby Islands which were 25 miles north of Gove and up towards the
Wessel Islands.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We did a
series of drift spears in different locations.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Each location
had a different type of underwater terrain and therefore a different target
species.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The viz
wasn’t fantastic but there were loads of fish in all sizes and a lot of sharks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Once a fish
was speared you had to get it up to the surface as quick as possible and into
the boat so the sharks didn’t get it – or you!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There are
also Crocodiles in the area but fortunately we didn’t come across any.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We speared
ourselves silly and had half the large ice box full of quality eating fish by
4pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were all
stuffed by then so we headed home stopping regularly to get a cold beer or Jack
Daniels from the esky.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Mid way home antics…..<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We openly
admit we are a little reclusive when it comes to spearing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We generally
spear alone when on Lorelei and prior to going cruising, we only speared with
long term spearing buddy Greg Holmes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However these
guys were so awesome to spear with!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They speared
just like we do, have the same rules and practices, the same skill levels, the
same tastes in music blasting out from the boats stereo and even drink the same
alcoholic bevvies as we do.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was soooo
much fun and we arrived back at Lorelei grinning like Cheshire Cats and very
appreciative to Chris, Jade and Levi for letting us join them. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They are 3 of
the nicest people you could ever meet and there’s nothing like local
knowledge….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Spanish Mackerel
all-round<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Some of the other
quality table fish we speared <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Black Spotted Tuskfish
and Coral Trout.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We got back
to Lorelei to find a present in our cockpit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Jade’s
husband Aaron and their 2 kids had elected to go fishing and crabbing in the
harbour instead as Aaron was on call for work and couldn’t stray too far. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They had
caught a few Mud Crabs and left 2 huge bucks in the cockpit for us which we
were super excited about.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We also found some other smaller critters on the boat when we got home. </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For their size they were really big.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The scheduled
leaving time kept getting shoved further and further back as the local crew
kept wanting to hang out.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So on the
Sunday we decided to return the local hospitality and have a Sunday arvo sail
with them on board.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It ended up
being 8 adults and 5 kids under 7 years old.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s the most
we’ve ever had on board to go sailing and the kids loved it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had lunch
in the harbour and that gave everybody a chance to get used to being on the
boat before setting sail and heading out from Gove at 1:30pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The kids had
fun helping raise the sails and the 3 older girls worked out they could get one
hand each on the double-handed winch handles which when combined, gave them
enough power to set the headsail.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Even Evie at
2 years old was out on the rail and smiling as we reached along at 7 knots. She
is the youngest person we’ve had sailing on Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The older girls loved being up on the bow and coping a bit of spray as we pushed through the swell and wind chop.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By 4pm the
kid’s lifejackets had become pillows and Fraser decided our packed up RIB made
a nice bed and they crashed out on the front deck as we sailed home.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On our last
day in Gove, Chris and Phoebe had a day off work so they kindly picked us up in
their car and took us to some of the areas more scenic spots and into town for
a final re-stock of fresh food and groceries.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first
stop was to the Yirrkala Aboriginal Community which is about 30 minutes’ drive
from Nhulunbuy.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Yirrkala has
a large art centre that has the biggest collection of Aboriginal Art we have
ever seen. Whilst there are some outstanding pieces that are for viewing only,
most of the artworks are for sale.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly there
is no photography allowed inside otherwise Paul would have gone berserk with
the camera. We did find some pics on the net….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were many artworks
painted onto timber or bark</span></i></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They also
have an in house silk screen department, a sound studio and artists on-site
making the artworks both inside the building and the outside courtyards.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The walls of
the surrounding buildings were painted in huge murals that had incredible
detail.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Chris and
Phoebe have an awesome 4WD and it received a workout along the dusty red dirt
roads and the sandy coastline.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We drove to
the Rio Tinto mine site where they work and had a look at the huge ore crusher
and 30km long conveyor belt that transports the bauxite to the port.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Back along
the coastline, Chris drove us up onto sand dunes to enjoy the views, right down
onto the water’s edge and lots of places in between.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Some of the
tracks had very soft sand and were quite tight requiring low range and locked
diffs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For our last
stop we went to a beautiful beach called Little Bondi.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Chris parked
the car and let the dogs have a run while we had a swim.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We walked up
onto a headland that had cliff edges that outlined the bauxite seams which gave
us a understanding of the mining practices.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we walked
back, Paul snapped a photo of Chris out on a rock ledge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa then
spied a Crocodile sunning himself on the rocks below.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were all a
little amazed at the croc’s haul out location as it was a headland that had a
lot of swell and wave action.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It dived into
the water before Paul had a chance to get another photo but we did see it in
the background of the original photo.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite the
croc nearby, we walked back around to the beach and had another swim with the
dogs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note Chris’s 4WD on the
beach in the top right<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul had fun
trying to photograph the dogs after their swim.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The NT Parks and Wildlife
dune re-stabilisation program is <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">obviously working very
well at Little Bondi…..<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By the time
we returned to town, went shopping and got back the boat ramp, it was nearly
sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Once again we
were buzzing from another awesome day!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were very
appreciative to Chris and Phoebe for showing us around their favourite local
places, many of which are not on the tourist map.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So that’s it
for our Top-End Darwin to Gove experience across Arnhem Land.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">If it’s one
thing to be said, the locals Territorians certainly know how to make us feel
very welcome and we are stoked to have met so many fantastic people.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">To our new
Gove and Darwin friends – Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou for your wonderful
hospitality over the last few months!!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we leave
today (8<sup>th</sup> November) to do our first Gulf of Carpentaria crossing
and onwards towards the tip of Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Bye NT – it’s
been fun !!!!! QLD here we come…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul and Lisa
Hogger.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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sv_loreleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14235157985522355104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245635408700620959.post-41680926496140562942016-09-20T00:08:00.001-07:002019-02-09T17:46:50.938-08:00Episode 52 - Broome to Darwin - The Kimberley Part 2<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 28.0pt;">Lorelei’s Sailing Adventures<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At the end of
Episode 51 we had just completed a 900 mile adventure with Paul’s parents
George and Chez on-board Lorelei as we sailed south-west through <br />
The Kimberley from Darwin to Broome.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were just
sailing towards Broome as the Sun was setting……<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our location for this
Episode of the Blog.</span></i></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our route for this
Episode of the Blog.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We sailed
down the coast on the last leg with George and Chez.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a 90nm
run so we left at about 2am and were just getting into Broome as the sun was
setting.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The biggest
issue is the main port faces SE-E so in the trade wind season the winds are
onshore and it’s very rough.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So all the boats
(both private and commercial) moor off Cable Beach which is on the ocean side
and offshore in the trades.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s exposed
to the Indian Ocean, rolly and far from perfect but there is no other choice.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note the boats all
anchored off the corner of Cable Beach<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived
and noticed nearly every boat was on a mooring.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was only
5m/16ft deep and we could see the sandy bottom so it had us perplexed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That was
until we tried to anchor and found out the sand was only very thin and covering
the rocks & reefs underneath meaning the anchor would not grab & set.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We tried 3
times in different locations with failing light but to no avail.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We noticed
the charter boat True North leaving with a new group of guests so we called
them up and asked to use their mooring overnight.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The following
morning we took George and Chez ashore at Cable Beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They
organised a hire car and booked into their Broome accommodation for 4 nights.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Cable Beach
was crazy busy with 100’s (literally) of 4WD’s along the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There was
anything from family picnics to sunbathers to cars launching boats of all sizes
to charter businesses and even buses.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Talk about a
super busy place.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Boat launching Broome
style – straight off the beach…..<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">If you drove along far
enough, you could still find a little peace and quiet.</span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whale Watching the easy
way…..<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The charter companies
had some great <br />
tenders to get their guests to and from the beach<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The issue
with Broome is it is not set up for visiting boats and there is nowhere to
leave tenders and with tides up to 12m/40ft in height, that is a real
challenge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For us it was
virtually impossible to have both of us ashore at the same time so we took it
in turns to go ashore.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a
strong wind warning forecast for 2 days’ time so we decided to get the most
important job of refuelling Lorelei done first.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We also found
out the moorings in cable beach were a ridiculous $50 per night which we
refused to pay. It gave you no services – nothing, just a buoy to tie to. We’ve
stayed at East Coast Marinas with full facilities for cheaper than that!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we took
Lorelei around to the port past the large commercial wharf.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The wharf
charges $300 to tie up alongside but the currents under the wharf are super
strong and many a private boat has done a lot of damage when trying to get back
off the wharf.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Additionally
we weren’t going to pay $300 for that privilege and spend hours rising up and
down along huge oyster encrusted poles.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we anchored
off the town beach and George drove the hire car to go back and forth to the
service station with 20 litre jerry cans that we ferried in & out to
Lorelei using the tinny.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We could only
do it a few hours either side of high tide so we started at 4pm and carted 800
litres of fuel finishing after 9pm that night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">What a
mission that was!!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sure enough
the next morning the Southerly front hit with a vengeance and it was very
rough.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Roebuck Bay - the photo
doesn’t do it justice but Lorelei’s bow was dripping down below the waves
whilst on anchor<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We tried to
move further into Roebuck Bay closer to land and it was OK at low tide but at
high tide it was terrible and we had no option but to ride out the night and
head back around to Cable Beach the next day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Rather than
paying the $50 mooring fee we rang a friend Cody who we met in the Marina at
Darwin as his charter boat was berthed next to Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He lives in
Broome and managed to find a mate whose mooring was empty so we took that.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Cable Beach has
some great sunsets and the whales were playing just behind the moored boats.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We met a nice
couple Grant and Glynis off the power cat Sea Wolf 2 and decided to link up
with them in helping each other with lifts to get to and from shore which
solved the dingy problem.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They would go
onshore in the mornings and we would do the arvos which was perfect.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It allowed us
to spend some time with George and Chez in the hire car to explore Broome and
to reprovision.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We liked the
town of Broome a lot. It was a clean, quaint place with very friendly people
and a lot of history.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Pearling
Industry was the town’s biggest industry and a lot of the history and even
modern day industry & tourism centres around it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">An historical photo of a
Broome Pearl Diver<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The old
Streeters Jetty is in the Chinatown area and has a lot of history.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s falling
apart and Mangroves have grown all around it now but the old photos show a much
different view.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C9ULmgHyygs/V-CxmlTpPYI/AAAAAAAAbW0/LN-pn5qxXSQhJqoyHEuhyvH6nUH7r-WSwCPcB/s1600/Broome%2BHistorical%2BPhotos%2B%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C9ULmgHyygs/V-CxmlTpPYI/AAAAAAAAbW0/LN-pn5qxXSQhJqoyHEuhyvH6nUH7r-WSwCPcB/s640/Broome%2BHistorical%2BPhotos%2B%25288%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Streeters Jetty in the
1980’s</span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x5SJuIDE8KA/V-CxmqEGE1I/AAAAAAAAbW0/bBFWfZR8W8kaN2L6IwBXKOFsydPr5KxZQCPcB/s1600/Broome%2BHistorical%2BPhotos%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x5SJuIDE8KA/V-CxmqEGE1I/AAAAAAAAbW0/bBFWfZR8W8kaN2L6IwBXKOFsydPr5KxZQCPcB/s640/Broome%2BHistorical%2BPhotos%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Streeters Jetty in the
1970’s<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We visited a
Museum that is restoring two of the old Pearl Luggers.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The shell not the pearl
was most sought after in the earlier days.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Town
Beach has a memorial to the women and families of the Pearlers who would wait
for their husbands to return to the beach – if they even came back alive…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rOXxHp0nnv8/V-Czy2He8eI/AAAAAAAAbW0/zkGjoSiepPgM9dYhOrcvc4At8UAswoFNACPcB/s1600/Explore%2BBroome%2B%252825%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rOXxHp0nnv8/V-Czy2He8eI/AAAAAAAAbW0/zkGjoSiepPgM9dYhOrcvc4At8UAswoFNACPcB/s640/Explore%2BBroome%2B%252825%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
historical photos of the same beach looked very different to the present day
mangrove area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Chinatown was
very interesting to walk around.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Pearl
businesses and shops looked traditional and plain from the outside (so they can
withstand the Cyclones during the monsoon season) but inside they had
incredible fit-outs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Outside…<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5E9DKsMT3Lc/V-Czy3TVZcI/AAAAAAAAbW0/SbWmhQBDp7QUMXlY0DO9xWPsJ-ZocWG5QCPcB/s1600/Explore%2BBroome%2B%252816%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5E9DKsMT3Lc/V-Czy3TVZcI/AAAAAAAAbW0/SbWmhQBDp7QUMXlY0DO9xWPsJ-ZocWG5QCPcB/s640/Explore%2BBroome%2B%252816%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Inside…<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
also some fantastic art shops.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the main
street is a Cinema that is the world’s oldest operating picture gardens.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p49DJ50-AsI/V-Czy6HNUiI/AAAAAAAAbW0/b9VJT4TJSuE1G06EUkjAFfpm1ZfzICL4wCPcB/s1600/Explore%2BBroome%2B%252823%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p49DJ50-AsI/V-Czy6HNUiI/AAAAAAAAbW0/b9VJT4TJSuE1G06EUkjAFfpm1ZfzICL4wCPcB/s640/Explore%2BBroome%2B%252823%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
commercial wharf looked a lot different from the land.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Like The
Kimberley, Broome has lots of Boab Trees.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note the camels walking
along the side of the road to the left.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fEfQFxqpF1o/V-Czy3eVPiI/AAAAAAAAbW0/QQpByNde4GEwe_zU8YlhQT8pPIagfrHlQCPcB/s1600/Explore%2BBroome%2B%252824%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fEfQFxqpF1o/V-Czy3eVPiI/AAAAAAAAbW0/QQpByNde4GEwe_zU8YlhQT8pPIagfrHlQCPcB/s640/Explore%2BBroome%2B%252824%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The other end
of Cable Beach closer to the town centre is beautiful and rated as one of the
world’s best beaches.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The foreshore
is well manicured and has a nice balance of parklands, restaurants & cafes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Just before
sunset the beach becomes alive with people to enjoy the sunset, a camel ride or
to have a drink overlooking the spectacle.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Cable Beach Camel
Rides are a big attraction and we walked along with them on the water’s edge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We then
enjoyed a cocktail before changing venues and having a fantastic seafood dinner
at a beach side restaurant.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly that
night we said goodbye to George and Chez as they flew out the next morning back
to Darwin to pick up their rig and continue their travels towards the East
Coast.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had been
together for over 3 months and had a wonderful experience together on both the
8000km road trip and the 2000km boat trip.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had visited
4 states of Australia over the course of the adventure and it spanned 4 blog
posts (Episodes 48-51).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When they
left Broome, so did we.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Overall we
liked Broome but it’s a really hard place to visit by boat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">You would be
much better off to fly in or drive there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We left on
the day of the spring tides and the currents were rocking up and down the
coast.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had to
leave on the high tide and travel for 6 hours as the tide fell and pushed us
north, anchor and sleep for 6 hours, then go again, and again, and again…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way up
the coast there were so many whales and we saw hundreds of them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At one stage
we could see at least 6 at any one time and 360 degrees all around Lorelei. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At Beagle Bay
we anchored overnight and Sea Wolf 2 arrived not long after and just in time
for sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the fourth
travelling stint we passed Cape Leveque with its lighthouse and unusual cliff
edges.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We anchored
overnight off a beach that had a large area of ochre coloured sand.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After one
more 6 hour run with the tide, we arrived at Coppermine Creek and were excited
to see Sea Wolf 2 there as well.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had sunset
drinks with them for 3 nights in a row.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At Coppermine
Creek we got stuck into the fishing and had 3 fantastic sessions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the first
morning we ventured right up to the end of the creek and found a small inlet
in-between the rocky shore and a sand bar at low tide so we drifted along it
casting lures.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We must have
caught over a dozen fish each and about 10 different species.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We let most
of them go and it was a blast on light tackle in only a few meters of water
depth.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At one stage
we looked up to see 2 Bush Stone Curlews looking down at us as we fished along
the steep rocky edge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next
morning we went fishing again but it didn’t go as planned.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went to
the creek mouth at low tide and started there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were in
only 2 meters depth and on the first cast Lisa had something very big come and
take the lure just as she nearly had it back to the boat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We both saw
its size so Paul packed the boat down for a long fight and we chased it out
into the bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It spooled
her reel right down to the knot 3 times with big powerful runs as it dived deep
in the bays deeper water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Eventually 75
minutes later and 3km further out into the bay, Lisa had landed a whopping
16.2kg Northern Bluefin (a.k.a Long Tail) Tuna.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The most
amazing thing is she landed it on a small Daiwa 4-7kg bait-caster using 7kg
braided line, a 90cm 24kg leader and a Barra Lure!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Pound for
pound it’s probably one of the best fishing fights of her life and we are still
a little amazed that she landed it with no breakages.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Needless to
say, we gave up fishing for the session as Lisa was completely worn out after
the marathon battle and was a little shaky.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul didn’t
even get to have a single cast!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After a relax
we went out again in the late arvo and had another session in a small pass
between 2 large bodies of water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a lot
of fun with over 20 fish landed and released.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We even
caught 2 reef sharks on hard bodied Barra Lures!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In between
fishing we explored the area and saw lots of bird life.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We motored
back to Lorelei just after sunset in the warm glow and glassy conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After 3
fantastic days at Coppermine Creek, we took off towards Raft Point.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had to
wait until 10:30am when the tide turned, then it was a race to see how far we
could get in the 6 hours before the tide turned again.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had to
motor for the first half as we transited through the Narrow Coolan Channel past
the old BHP mine site with the unused wharf and ore loader.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QTnI3iH_vGk/V-Cx7uxsZKI/AAAAAAAAbW0/PijcJEJ3vgg8ePcZbG76S7ZinAq7HtFpQCPcB/s1600/Coolan%2BChannel%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QTnI3iH_vGk/V-Cx7uxsZKI/AAAAAAAAbW0/PijcJEJ3vgg8ePcZbG76S7ZinAq7HtFpQCPcB/s640/Coolan%2BChannel%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The channel
narrows at the end and winds through a series of islands before exiting out
into a large bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The wind came
up and we had a fantastic sail across the bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had to go
through a passage in the Kingfisher Islands and we reached them at 4:40pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The wind was
still blowing but the tide was slowing and light was failing so we stopped for
the night rather than attempt to arrive at Raft Point against the tide and in
the dark.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It proved to
be a great decision with a calm night and great sunset and sunrise.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The islands behind
Lorelei and the sunset with the warm glow on them<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The same islands at
sunrise<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When the wind
picked up again the next day we sailed to Red Cone Creek which was another 10nm
further past Raft Point.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We entered
the creek at 5pm and were anchored up in a fork where the creek splits into two
just in time for sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was mirror
flat and a very comfortable anchorage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were up at
5:30am to take advantage of the high tide at 7am to explore the creeks shallow
tributaries.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were a
lot of Crocodiles but most were small and less than 2m/6ft length.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We fished the
washouts but only for a bit of fun as we knew it would be better fishing on the
low tide in the arvo.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went right
up to the Sapphire Waterfalls but the water level was not quite high enough so
we decided to wait a few days for larger high tides to re-visit with more water
covering the mud flats.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In one
tributary we could hear some bird calls. Paul was able to mimic the call and
soon we had cute little Mangrove Robins in the branches next to the Tinny
exchanging calls with Paul.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the
afternoon we went back to the same tributary to do some low tide fishing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It looked
completely different at low tide with the waterway being much narrower, exposed
mud banks and oyster covered rocks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
lots of Mudskippers hanging on the muddy areas.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FVlyXrqm1v8/V-C2BqevWNI/AAAAAAAAbgA/5eESBs5Boe42EBz7L7z-dpsfZQLcTy9jQCPcB/s1600/Red%2BCone%2BFishing%2B2%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FVlyXrqm1v8/V-C2BqevWNI/AAAAAAAAbgA/5eESBs5Boe42EBz7L7z-dpsfZQLcTy9jQCPcB/s640/Red%2BCone%2BFishing%2B2%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We fished the
muddy washouts without much success but further up we found a series of rocks
in the centre of the channel with a lot of small bait fish around.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It looked
perfect and on the second cast, Paul had landed his first Kimberley Barramundi.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was only
small at 55cm length but at least it was a start.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Less than 5
minutes later he landed a second one that was a slightly smaller 53cm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the
higher tides the next day (the tides were going 1 meter higher and 1 meter lower
each day we went towards spring tides..!!) we were able to transit up to the
Ruby Falls at the end of the southern arm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The high tide
covered the Mangrove Trees and made for great photos looking into the sun
through them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Ruby Falls were
excellent with lots of fresh water cascading down a series of waterfalls within
a stunning ravine lined with amazing rock formations.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The lower
pools are known to have crocs in them so we climbed up the rocks to the top
plateau and found a series of long freshwater holes that looked perfect for a
swim.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul took a
panoramic pic of the waterfalls and ravine on the way back down. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Just as we
were leaving we spotted a large croc sunning itself on the rocks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was the
biggest we had seen in the Kimberley and we were able to get very close before
it slid back into the water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After lunch
we tried fishing again but the inlet that had the rock bar was so low that we
only had a 20 minute cast around it before we left for fear of being stranded
at low tide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we tried a
few other larger inlets and whilst they were very picturesque, we didn’t get
any fish. But we did get some bird photos and a nice sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JmAUb5Dh7RQ/V-C2BhCkBmI/AAAAAAAAbgA/bHsECzOsmTUvmQ_ZO3KliWCujROnL1wqQCPcB/s1600/Red%2BCone%2BFishing%2B3%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JmAUb5Dh7RQ/V-C2BhCkBmI/AAAAAAAAbgA/bHsECzOsmTUvmQ_ZO3KliWCujROnL1wqQCPcB/s640/Red%2BCone%2BFishing%2B3%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="462" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sacred Kingfisher<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Brahminy Kite<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
we tried to get to Sapphire Falls again and this time with success as the water
level was so much higher at the high tide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qw12AcHd6_U/V-C2v5U5W2I/AAAAAAAAbew/Xu44ld_FUaEoAwbKIwKOcRlFoW1nMFwAQCPcB/s1600/Red%2BCone%2BSapphire%2BFalls%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qw12AcHd6_U/V-C2v5U5W2I/AAAAAAAAbew/Xu44ld_FUaEoAwbKIwKOcRlFoW1nMFwAQCPcB/s640/Red%2BCone%2BSapphire%2BFalls%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was nice
to go for a walk but it was a stinking hot 35 degrees and the waterfalls were
dry meaning the pools were stagnant so no swimming. Bummer!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ik9uRjewBw/V-C2v9TwVzI/AAAAAAAAbew/FiHheJ8BLiksrBv_0MDzHNTumL7XP2V7QCPcB/s1600/Red%2BCone%2BSapphire%2BFalls%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ik9uRjewBw/V-C2v9TwVzI/AAAAAAAAbew/FiHheJ8BLiksrBv_0MDzHNTumL7XP2V7QCPcB/s640/Red%2BCone%2BSapphire%2BFalls%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul tried to
climb up a rock face to get a better view and brushed up against a large ant’s
nest in the trees.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He had ants
from head to toe and all over his camera backpack so it was a quick scurry down
for Lisa to help him undress and get them all off him.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we walked
up along the plateau we passed a very small water hole and Lisa spied a 1m/3ft
long Freshwater Croc in the shallow stagnant water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
amazed that he was living in such a small isolated and stagnant pond.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That’s the effect
on the poor wildlife by the lack of rain from the not so wet seasons of the
last 3 years.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2wuzXids-5I/V-C2v--AI8I/AAAAAAAAbew/HrAobALPvh4PmHtOFnULG2VVB5IInc_zwCPcB/s1600/Red%2BCone%2BSapphire%2BFalls%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2wuzXids-5I/V-C2v--AI8I/AAAAAAAAbew/HrAobALPvh4PmHtOFnULG2VVB5IInc_zwCPcB/s640/Red%2BCone%2BSapphire%2BFalls%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found an
easier path back down that had nice views over the inlet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul had a walk
around the rocks casting lures at the end of the inlet and caught a small
Mangrove Jack.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At the lower
end of the inlet we stopped to go crabbing & fishing and Lisa turned our
freshly caught crabs into yummy Chilli Mud Crab.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the day
before spring tides we left the inlet as the 12m/40ft tides that day would have
had Lorelei sitting on the bottom at low tide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So at high
tide we motored out of the creek.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The wind was
NW meaning we could not sail up the coast to our next destination into the wind
so we stopped at Raft Point overnight and waited for the forecasted 20 knot easterly
blow to hit the next day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The scenery
on the way was great.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Kimberley’s version
of Uluru/Ayers Rock…<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Raft Point is
a beautiful place and home to the best Aboriginal Rock Art we have ever seen.
(See our last blog post - episode 51).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The rocky
headlands surrounding the bay are stunning particularly at sunset and sunrise.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul took 3
photos of the same headland at sunset, just after sunset as the full moon rose
over it, and again at sunrise.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the turn
of the tide we sailed up the coast.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We downloaded
the weather and it was still a 20 knot easterly forecast, so we were a little
perplexed when we sailed north to Deception Bay with westerly winds. <br />
Go Figure..!!??<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the
tides advancing 1 hour each day we swapped from late afternoon passages to
early morning ones for current assistance but the downside was the lack of wind
in the mornings.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
it was only a short 20nm run to Camden Harbour and we started with a nice
sunrise as we motored out of the bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Once again it
was a SE-E forecast and we had NW winds…???!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6ntB-7glF8/V-Czy6QFVNI/AAAAAAAAbW0/blvUKmx9MY0TgXkPSjRN6qWfbMDie0Y_gCPcB/s1600/Deception%2BBay%2BSunrise%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6ntB-7glF8/V-Czy6QFVNI/AAAAAAAAbW0/blvUKmx9MY0TgXkPSjRN6qWfbMDie0Y_gCPcB/s640/Deception%2BBay%2BSunrise%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NTqowjQQ8EE/V-Czy5Et_LI/AAAAAAAAbW0/8JZaXGKmUDIxQP_r6FwhJ8bvf4BUoLNkQCPcB/s1600/Deception%2BBay%2BSunrise%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NTqowjQQ8EE/V-Czy5Et_LI/AAAAAAAAbW0/8JZaXGKmUDIxQP_r6FwhJ8bvf4BUoLNkQCPcB/s640/Deception%2BBay%2BSunrise%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Camden
Harbour has some sad history as it was the first white settlement in The
Kimberley.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In 1865 a
group of Victorian sheep farmers loaded up a ship with sheep and supplies and
sailed to the harbour to establish a Sheep grazing property.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They arrived
in the middle of the monsoon season.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The boat
dragged anchor in a violent storm and sank, many people died of heat stroke and
the venture was doomed before it even began.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Most people
left on the next ship bringing supples but a small group decided to stay and
try to make it work.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By the middle
of the dry season most of the sheep had died from lack of water and Mary Jane
Pascoe died in childbirth making her the first white woman to die in The Kimberley.
The settlement was abandoned soon after and all that is left is a few remnants
on the mainland and Mary Jane’s grave which is on a small island named Sheep
Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went to
the island and found the grave site next to a huge Boab Tree with engravings
dated back to 1865.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l3AvLFKHkhw/V-C2vyf9GyI/AAAAAAAAbew/8SWV9Yvepds0xOUfZqjGjmoBcWVNXTg4QCPcB/s1600/Sheep%2BIsland%2B%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l3AvLFKHkhw/V-C2vyf9GyI/AAAAAAAAbew/8SWV9Yvepds0xOUfZqjGjmoBcWVNXTg4QCPcB/s640/Sheep%2BIsland%2B%252811%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Next to the
tree and the grave we found a waterproof container that had laminated copies of
the history of the settlement, the recorded deaths of the settlers and some
drawings. It was a very interesting read.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fm4s9z_T1Fc/V-C2vzeAkXI/AAAAAAAAbew/lB21YqrCtU408Dk2hsc6g9bqZa08GKmSQCPcB/s1600/Sheep%2BIsland%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fm4s9z_T1Fc/V-C2vzeAkXI/AAAAAAAAbew/lB21YqrCtU408Dk2hsc6g9bqZa08GKmSQCPcB/s640/Sheep%2BIsland%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We walked
around the island on the spring high tide and marvelled at the immense amount
of fish life in the clear water around the mangroves.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was very
picturesque.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qn9bSby_-6k/V-C2v0_kygI/AAAAAAAAbew/j024Er9bN_cHHLGwqf621qhCsUd_CGL7wCPcB/s1600/Sheep%2BIsland%2B%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qn9bSby_-6k/V-C2v0_kygI/AAAAAAAAbew/j024Er9bN_cHHLGwqf621qhCsUd_CGL7wCPcB/s640/Sheep%2BIsland%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dNQnbT4Sf9M/V-C2v-40pWI/AAAAAAAAbew/kQDYjjHWzAI5dykFLln0-jThSFAuCRuugCPcB/s1600/Sheep%2BIsland%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dNQnbT4Sf9M/V-C2v-40pWI/AAAAAAAAbew/kQDYjjHWzAI5dykFLln0-jThSFAuCRuugCPcB/s640/Sheep%2BIsland%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note the Turtle swimming
close to the beach just next to the mangrove shadow<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
also some great Boab Trees around the islands foreshore.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Unlike many
we had seen in dense bush growth, these were standing alone on the rock edges
and had unusual shaped trunk and root systems.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qu7b4NpsyCk/V-C2v_btCcI/AAAAAAAAbew/NtPGGHwdOPoO7UMdPAiFRZpM18bA7z8sQCPcB/s1600/Sheep%2BIsland%2B%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="344" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qu7b4NpsyCk/V-C2v_btCcI/AAAAAAAAbew/NtPGGHwdOPoO7UMdPAiFRZpM18bA7z8sQCPcB/s640/Sheep%2BIsland%2B%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2GdEThOzz-Y/V-C2v0qvmGI/AAAAAAAAbew/uFNxqsOkwRQ4JTRqE3-gnSRj8Wvl-GqAgCPcB/s1600/Sheep%2BIsland%2B%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2GdEThOzz-Y/V-C2v0qvmGI/AAAAAAAAbew/uFNxqsOkwRQ4JTRqE3-gnSRj8Wvl-GqAgCPcB/s640/Sheep%2BIsland%2B%25284%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That
afternoon it went overcast and a storm came over the bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were so
excited at the possibility of rain as we had not seen any decent rain for
months.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly all we
got was a few drops but the cool wind and lower temperatures were a welcome
change.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sjxx6KLjMMY/V-C2v0tkLAI/AAAAAAAAbew/iJVofSNhaaA7wbREQlGnlrKvDjo7W7YJwCPcB/s1600/Sheep%2BIsland%2BStorm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sjxx6KLjMMY/V-C2v0tkLAI/AAAAAAAAbew/iJVofSNhaaA7wbREQlGnlrKvDjo7W7YJwCPcB/s640/Sheep%2BIsland%2BStorm.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We ventured
further NE towards our next big stop, the Hunter River.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way we
stopped at Ivy Cove to see the historical Boab Tree.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Ivy Cove is
in a narrow pass between 2 small islands that is notorious with current. Being
only 5 miles from Careening Bay and the famous Mermaid Boab (See Episode 51),
the charter boats choose to visit the easier to access Mermaid Boab rather than
stop at Ivy Cove.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The cove is
very picturesque and the Boab was huge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It is
engraved by the crew of the “Ivy” a pearling boat that worked in the area in
the late 1800’s.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--fl1vKkRads/V-C1W9oV3UI/AAAAAAAAbbg/0jpiVOPWOys4Ds_aZnLGLNSQaNDEOHlSACPcB/s1600/Ivy%2BCove%2BBoabs%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--fl1vKkRads/V-C1W9oV3UI/AAAAAAAAbbg/0jpiVOPWOys4Ds_aZnLGLNSQaNDEOHlSACPcB/s640/Ivy%2BCove%2BBoabs%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Across the
pass on the other island we spied a Boab that was sitting on a rocky point all
on its own.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went over
and Lisa put Paul onto the rocky headland while she stayed in the tinny.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It is a
magnificent Boab Tree in excellent condition and no engravings.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we rounded
the last corner and sailed toward the Hunter River, we spied a whale breaching.
It was a mile away further into the inlet and we had to sail past to clear the
headland before gybing and sailing into the bay. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The whole
time we could see it breaching.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we got
closer, it turned out to be a mum with her small calf that appeared to have
only just learnt to breach and was having a blast doing it over and over again.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Mum would do
the occasional big tail or fin slap but it was junior who stole the show with
its endless breaches.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They didn’t
even know we were there as we quietly sailed close to them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We sailed into
the bay until the run-out current finally beat us, so we stopped for the night
in a quiet side inlet and waited for the flood tide in the morning to take us
the last 20nm down the bay and into the Hunter River.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The tide was
racing in the next morning and we were motoring at low revs doing 8.5 knots.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
Lisa spied a tall fin swimming alongside the boat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A fin that
shape and colour is so distinct and is from our favourite shark, a Hammerhead.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> It was a big one so we motored back around for
another pass.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
excited to have it swim right up alongside the boat and it was not scared at
all particularly considering the motor was running.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we were
just about at the river mouth, we motored past Naturalists Beach which is a
popular spot for the charter boats to fly guests in and out using helicopters
from the Mitchell Plateau.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The small
cruise ship Caledonian Sky was there and we noticed 2 helicopters on the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was cool
to watch both helicopters leave together.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Hunter River
is stunning and has some incredible rock formations along is entire length.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Within 2
hours of arriving we had the tinny in and were enjoying a late arvo fish up in
the smaller tributaries. It was amazing and we stayed until well after the sun
had set.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RAB2vUJK3rw/V-C0WB4P5KI/AAAAAAAAbbg/7V5J1jQcQo4j5ilSNDS65_upy_LkIhsegCPcB/s1600/Hunter%2BRiver%2BDay%2B1%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RAB2vUJK3rw/V-C0WB4P5KI/AAAAAAAAbbg/7V5J1jQcQo4j5ilSNDS65_upy_LkIhsegCPcB/s640/Hunter%2BRiver%2BDay%2B1%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went to
bed as the only boat in the tranquil river but the next morning it was like a
circus in the side tributary where Lorelei was anchored.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">True North had
turned up and had anchored not far away.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They had 5
tenders running around fishing on the low tide and their helicopter was going
non-stop as they took the guests on scenic flights.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The larger
Coral Expeditions & Caledonian Sky were also out in the main channel and
together had 6 large RIB’s and one big tourist barge holding about 50 people
all going up and down marvelling at the scenery and spotting crocs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The boat wash
and helicopter noise was just a little silly and we wondered how they saw any
wildlife at all!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We fished
anyway at a couple of rocky areas we knew held fish the day before and had landed
3 before we saw the 5 True North boats get one between them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">If they spent
more time with lines in the water and less time blasting every few minutes from
spot to spot then they might get something….. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa landed
our first Threadfin Salmon in a gutter right next to True North and Paul caught
one 30 minutes later in a small inlet when the tide had risen enough to get
into it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the
quieter areas we found lots of crocs lazing on the mud banks in the morning
sun.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AqttuXydmDQ/V-C0WJIImJI/AAAAAAAAbbg/YcRvf1iALqYrwmwlwqbD3QhVSBVqXdhtACPcB/s1600/Hunter%2BRiver%2BDay%2B2%2BMorn%2BFish%2B%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AqttuXydmDQ/V-C0WJIImJI/AAAAAAAAbbg/YcRvf1iALqYrwmwlwqbD3QhVSBVqXdhtACPcB/s640/Hunter%2BRiver%2BDay%2B2%2BMorn%2BFish%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the
afternoon the circus had left town and we were alone once again.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the high
tide we did a scenic run up to the end of the tributary and marvelled at the
stunning scenery with its perfect reflections in the glassy water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d3QxtlTySes/V-C0WJB0gHI/AAAAAAAAbbg/s4hBDegc69IL5M5k27tbusjKE5TuL2suQCPcB/s1600/Hunter%2BRiver%2BDay%2B2%2BArvo%2BExplore%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d3QxtlTySes/V-C0WJB0gHI/AAAAAAAAbbg/s4hBDegc69IL5M5k27tbusjKE5TuL2suQCPcB/s640/Hunter%2BRiver%2BDay%2B2%2BArvo%2BExplore%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a few
casts around some structure for a bit of fun.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Talk about
scenic fishing at its best….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hg5Fh4P4-aI/V-C0WNGvm0I/AAAAAAAAbbg/-nklFpcJZB4vQ36VuprkJDUE6fpVVn5HQCPcB/s1600/Hunter%2BRiver%2BDay%2B2%2BArvo%2BExplore%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hg5Fh4P4-aI/V-C0WNGvm0I/AAAAAAAAbbg/-nklFpcJZB4vQ36VuprkJDUE6fpVVn5HQCPcB/s640/Hunter%2BRiver%2BDay%2B2%2BArvo%2BExplore%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We also saw
some varied bird life.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dauMIP_IaQw/V-C0WABDUkI/AAAAAAAAbbg/EEDnrSBSNaog9abewlwd_BM9D-mT3-gPACPcB/s1600/Hunter%2BRiver%2BDay%2B2%2BArvo%2BExplore%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dauMIP_IaQw/V-C0WABDUkI/AAAAAAAAbbg/EEDnrSBSNaog9abewlwd_BM9D-mT3-gPACPcB/s640/Hunter%2BRiver%2BDay%2B2%2BArvo%2BExplore%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Brahminy Kite</span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-idqVByxE4YA/V-C0WKiAGGI/AAAAAAAAbbg/A6nH805QGz0pGnNOsMUmI8yn0rThfH_4gCPcB/s1600/Hunter%2BRiver%2BDay%2B2%2BArvo%2BExplore%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-idqVByxE4YA/V-C0WKiAGGI/AAAAAAAAbbg/A6nH805QGz0pGnNOsMUmI8yn0rThfH_4gCPcB/s640/Hunter%2BRiver%2BDay%2B2%2BArvo%2BExplore%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Common Sandpipers<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ekXlR9K3KDE/V-C0WF7mkHI/AAAAAAAAbbg/hRgZ2E5nDg4Wn9oAAGq7iZ7phnxGAbErQCPcB/s1600/Hunter%2BRiver%2BDay%2B2%2BArvo%2BExplore%2B%252812%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ekXlR9K3KDE/V-C0WF7mkHI/AAAAAAAAbbg/hRgZ2E5nDg4Wn9oAAGq7iZ7phnxGAbErQCPcB/s640/Hunter%2BRiver%2BDay%2B2%2BArvo%2BExplore%2B%252812%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Great Egret & Common
Sandpiper<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tl20vM52PuE/V-C0WHhM1gI/AAAAAAAAbbg/Covajv2Gy_44abr3lgl9F3xhVKj7PlFHwCPcB/s1600/Hunter%2BRiver%2BDay%2B2%2BArvo%2BExplore%2B%252811%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tl20vM52PuE/V-C0WHhM1gI/AAAAAAAAbbg/Covajv2Gy_44abr3lgl9F3xhVKj7PlFHwCPcB/s640/Hunter%2BRiver%2BDay%2B2%2BArvo%2BExplore%2B%252811%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Azzure Kingfisher &
Red Headed Honeyeater</span></i></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We stayed
until sunset and the warm glow covered the rocky cliffs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dHbPV-bw8DE/V-C0WAw6LTI/AAAAAAAAbbg/TXWf2EsKEmYdpCcaLTiQphNZc6TevxQLACPcB/s1600/Hunter%2BRiver%2BDay%2B2%2BArvo%2BExplore%2B%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dHbPV-bw8DE/V-C0WAw6LTI/AAAAAAAAbbg/TXWf2EsKEmYdpCcaLTiQphNZc6TevxQLACPcB/s640/Hunter%2BRiver%2BDay%2B2%2BArvo%2BExplore%2B%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--bb2g8nbvsA/V-C0WDmFQtI/AAAAAAAAbbg/yQWpStLwJuQ3CKyA5wuUYXT5P_aKn7JFQCPcB/s1600/Hunter%2BRiver%2BDay%2B2%2BArvo%2BExplore%2B%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--bb2g8nbvsA/V-C0WDmFQtI/AAAAAAAAbbg/yQWpStLwJuQ3CKyA5wuUYXT5P_aKn7JFQCPcB/s640/Hunter%2BRiver%2BDay%2B2%2BArvo%2BExplore%2B%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The morning
of day 3 in the Hunter had once again more boats in the inlet with Kimberley
Quest doing its helicopter flights and tourist runs up the inlet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They don’t
fish so much and have a very friendly & respectful crew in their tenders.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J8oaZ4StCMk/V-C0WKV561I/AAAAAAAAbbg/M0-FuvGlAEALnK2_whVxaInoi9PrC8jJQCPcB/s1600/Hunter%2BKimberley%2BQuest.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J8oaZ4StCMk/V-C0WKV561I/AAAAAAAAbbg/M0-FuvGlAEALnK2_whVxaInoi9PrC8jJQCPcB/s640/Hunter%2BKimberley%2BQuest.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a croc
hanging around Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a big
one and swam round and round the boat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had
expected a lot of this in The Kimberley but after 10 weeks this was our first
one.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the arvo
high tide we went out into the main arm and took a long run up to the end of
the river to the Hunter Falls.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We stopped on
the way to view some of the rocky cliffs on the water’s edge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VVj2b1jyIMo/V-CzyzFKC8I/AAAAAAAAbW0/eTDVk1HNS8Auf666OP8AuXiI59EuHz4MgCPcB/s1600/Hunter%2BDay%2B3%2BHunter%2BFalls%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VVj2b1jyIMo/V-CzyzFKC8I/AAAAAAAAbW0/eTDVk1HNS8Auf666OP8AuXiI59EuHz4MgCPcB/s640/Hunter%2BDay%2B3%2BHunter%2BFalls%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Like many of
the waterfalls in the Kimberley this year, these huge 40m tall falls were only
trickling down. It’s a rough and rocky walk from the end of the river so we
decided only to walk up the rocky dry river bed to the first swimming hole.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CcBs17q_-2E/V-Czy97g8YI/AAAAAAAAbW0/A9k3qK91uJo_iVAyU5RRXIOyxz3hpFWsgCPcB/s1600/Hunter%2BDay%2B3%2BHunter%2BFalls%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CcBs17q_-2E/V-Czy97g8YI/AAAAAAAAbW0/A9k3qK91uJo_iVAyU5RRXIOyxz3hpFWsgCPcB/s640/Hunter%2BDay%2B3%2BHunter%2BFalls%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The wind was strong
and blowing along with us as we motored up the river so we were a little
concerned about the 8nm trip home into the wind with a run out tide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
we got out into the main channel to find the wind had dropped on dusk and we
had a relatively smooth trip home. Thank goodness!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It wasn’t
only the late afternoons that produced the nice reflections, the morning
sunrises around Lorelei were also stunning.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For our last
day in the Hunter River, we did an early morning run in the tinny to the river
mouth, Naturalists Beach and the surrounding bays.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Originally we
had planned to take Lorelei there but the afternoon winds would have been uncomfortable
in the anchorage so we took the tinny instead and headed back as the winds
picked up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The rocky
headlands marking the river mouth looked great with the morning sun.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Naturalists
Beach was beautiful and untouched. The only thing we found were helicopter skid
imprints in the sand above the high tide mark.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the rocks
at one end we found Kapok Trees and it was interesting to see the trees with
all phases of reproduction from the buds, the flowers, the green seed pods and
the seed pods open with the Kapok Fibre exposed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The beach was
great for a swim and we had fish, small reef sharks and Eagle Rays swimming
around us as we swam in the clear shallow waters.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The other
bays and beaches were just as nice too.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst being
in the Hunter for a week, we had a pet Brahimy Kite that would hover around
Lorelei and pick up our food scraps we threw into the water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It seemed to
be always waiting after meal times and we got lots of photos of it flying
overhead.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our next stop
was to Rainforest Ravine which is about a 20nm run from the mouth of the Hunter
River.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had read
about some amazing sea caves on an island 4nm from the ravine but they were
only accessible on a low tide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
we had a low at 2pm on the first day so we decided to try and find them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were 5
small beaches with lots of rocky headlands so it was hard to work out which
ones had the caves.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were a
few holes and cracks that we checked out and we found one large cave system but
we didn’t think it was the one we were looking for.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Further along
we found a series of holes in the cliff, which turned out to be the right
location.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The cave
system was big with lots of smaller tunnels and chambers going in all
directions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When we got
back to Lorelei we saw a charter boat had arrived and taken its guests to the
ravine so we were glad we made the decision to do the caves first and have both
places to ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The ravine
must be visited on a rising tide and that meant for us either right on daybreak
or towards sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We decided to
beat the stinking hot 33 degree day and get in early.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we left at
6:30am which would give us 3.5 hours at the Rainforest Ravine before and we
could return to the tinny at the same tide height.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The temp was
already 29 degrees when we left so we knew we were in for a hot hike!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The start was
a clamber over the dried mud & river rocks before we got to a dirt trail
and sun protection from the trees.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We came
across the first waterfall and swimming hole and went for a swim.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We then
realised there were more and more waterfalls of all shapes and sizes about
every 150m along the water course.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The pools
were glassy on the surface making for some great reflection photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We walked up
a second water course off the side of the main one and found loads of lavender
flowers along the water’s edge and some interesting trees & ferns.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Getting back
to the tinny was a mission as the tide had risen and fallen back to where it
was when we arrived.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It meant the
banks had become wet and were now soft mud. We were sinking into it on every
step.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
impossible to get up onto the higher rocks due to a steep cliff face and the
going along the scattered rocks at the water edge put us at risk from the large
resident crocodile.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By the time
we got back we were covered in brown sticky mud with no way to wash it off
safely and we stayed like that until we got back to Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our last trip
in the ravine was to an amazing series of rock formations along the water’s
edge in a series of small bays within the ravine.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We called it
the lost city because it was like being in old stone ruins.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We called this one Teddy
Bear Rock….<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Crocodile Head Rock….<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the
strong NW afternoon sea breezes prevalent almost every day, we took off early
from Rainforest Ravine, headed 32nm north to beat the wind and found shelter in
a small bay on the NE coast of Bigge Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The island is
large by Kimberley standards (hence the name) and the main reason for our visit
was to view the Aboriginal Rock Art.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When Lisa did
the research on Bigge, she found a lot of info on the Wandjina Art on the west
coast which is popular with both charter and private vessels.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However she
did find a small reference to some Gwion (Bradshaw) Art on the east coast that
deserved a little more research.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly there
was not much info but Lisa did manage to get hold of a rough hand-drawn mud map
showing some art under a ledge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Well that was
like a red rag to a bull for us and we set about finding this elusive Gwion
Rock Art.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We searched
for a long time and by 3pm we were hot, had stinging legs from the spinifex
grass and were dirty & dusty from crawling through caves and rolling around
in Wallaby poo!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were just
about to give up when Paul had a thought….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A few months
back in Kakadu, we had gone on a guided rock art tour with a local ranger named
Christian. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He told us
the correct way to enter an Aboriginal sacred area is by talking to the spirit
ancestors – telling them who you are, what you are doing and ask for permission
to be there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Most people
on the tour thought it was a bit weird but Christian was adamant it was the
right (and polite) way to enter an Aboriginal sacred area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So Paul did
just that and when he was finished, he looked up there was a 2m long rock art
drawing of a fish within touching distance above his head.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was vivid
and clear and to his left was a whole overhanging roof covered in rock art.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JPu__Sy55oI/V-CxmtdH0_I/AAAAAAAAbW0/mcHDrDd78oEqC99XU9kKoeQ3gOt6lVBMACPcB/s1600/Bigge%2BEast%2BCoast%2BRock%2BArt%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JPu__Sy55oI/V-CxmtdH0_I/AAAAAAAAbW0/mcHDrDd78oEqC99XU9kKoeQ3gOt6lVBMACPcB/s640/Bigge%2BEast%2BCoast%2BRock%2BArt%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul had been
under the overhang for a few minutes prior and never saw a thing and now it was
all suddenly there and very apparent.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa was up
above the ledge and climbed down to find Paul somewhat perplexed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Needless to
say he was a little shook up from the experience and had to have a sit and
think about it for a while before taking the photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tzku2c1-y0w/V-CxmtIJ3EI/AAAAAAAAbW0/5mPKQeDN4zEXGizyjz6aCbdbJL1OtObKQCPcB/s1600/Bigge%2BEast%2BCoast%2BRock%2BArt%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tzku2c1-y0w/V-CxmtIJ3EI/AAAAAAAAbW0/5mPKQeDN4zEXGizyjz6aCbdbJL1OtObKQCPcB/s640/Bigge%2BEast%2BCoast%2BRock%2BArt%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YlFRl-zUz2M/V-CxmqUJR9I/AAAAAAAAbW0/rQlkHdzOPmsHuXUo-L_pMsITrpZys3xoQCPcB/s1600/Bigge%2BEast%2BCoast%2BExplore%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YlFRl-zUz2M/V-CxmqUJR9I/AAAAAAAAbW0/rQlkHdzOPmsHuXUo-L_pMsITrpZys3xoQCPcB/s640/Bigge%2BEast%2BCoast%2BExplore%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We walked
along a bit and found a second overhang.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It also had
art but not as much.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But what it
did have was a thin slab of rock that had split from the top of the main cave.
We could look into the split for meters in any direction and it was not
connected anywhere except for the edges.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">How it was
still holding up was anyone’s guess and despite there being more art underneath
it, we had no intention of crawling under it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0gX6V1yMI84/V-CxmnuSF9I/AAAAAAAAbW0/nOdZPYaeFdEztqfWyQI9OnuPbcVuqmSlwCPcB/s1600/Bigge%2BEast%2BCoast%2BExplore%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0gX6V1yMI84/V-CxmnuSF9I/AAAAAAAAbW0/nOdZPYaeFdEztqfWyQI9OnuPbcVuqmSlwCPcB/s640/Bigge%2BEast%2BCoast%2BExplore%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NqFsFhYiP4E/V-CxmiNhzgI/AAAAAAAAbW0/f7gx273yV_M7OGl5Z-8DHlBUiphWBHWNgCPcB/s1600/Bigge%2BEast%2BCoast%2BRock%2BArt%2B%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NqFsFhYiP4E/V-CxmiNhzgI/AAAAAAAAbW0/f7gx273yV_M7OGl5Z-8DHlBUiphWBHWNgCPcB/s640/Bigge%2BEast%2BCoast%2BRock%2BArt%2B%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
back we climbed up to the top of the rocky area for a great view over the bay &
Lorelei just before sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oQs_luQTFiQ/V-Cxmo5L_WI/AAAAAAAAbW0/5bLqbd2zGnQ5vVK8KKPmMwJmg66F1dBdgCPcB/s1600/Bigge%2BEast%2BCoast%2BExplore%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oQs_luQTFiQ/V-Cxmo5L_WI/AAAAAAAAbW0/5bLqbd2zGnQ5vVK8KKPmMwJmg66F1dBdgCPcB/s640/Bigge%2BEast%2BCoast%2BExplore%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the NW
winds we didn’t want to take Lorelei around to the Wandjini Rock Art on the
west coast so instead we got up at daybreak and did the 20nm return loop in the
tinny.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
we woke early to an overcast but glassy day and the 10nm run there was smooth.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DquaA71USxo/V-CxmmsWidI/AAAAAAAAbW0/om4m1iwTvCQLqgt6jh3uctTJjrizMsmiQCPcB/s1600/Bigge%2BIsland%2BSunrise.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DquaA71USxo/V-CxmmsWidI/AAAAAAAAbW0/om4m1iwTvCQLqgt6jh3uctTJjrizMsmiQCPcB/s640/Bigge%2BIsland%2BSunrise.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With a rising
tide and swell pushing onto the west coast beach, we decided to anchor the
tinny out and swim back out when we had finished.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a nice
beach with clear water so we figured it would be OK…wrong!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br />
We got onto the beach to find loads of Turtle tracks from large females that
were coming up to lay their eggs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The tracks
were right down to the water’s edge at the low tide so we surmised that they
had only been made a few hours prior during the night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ysdkBpaSwxE/V-Cxmv5gZzI/AAAAAAAAbW0/xEqtPRncKA4c5HnygC7Cr9P-If1mU1HPACPcB/s1600/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BExplore%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ysdkBpaSwxE/V-Cxmv5gZzI/AAAAAAAAbW0/xEqtPRncKA4c5HnygC7Cr9P-If1mU1HPACPcB/s640/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BExplore%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">What was most
disturbing was all the Crocodile tracks as well.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We saw one
turtle track that had done a big detour, then linked with a crocodile track and
there was a lot of sand messed up like they had a big fight. Fortunately the
turtle track continued to the water indicating it had survived.</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JOKF3OlMvQc/V-Cxmh0ooAI/AAAAAAAAbW0/Hk6vHsPLCesbkuoKDDi1KdjLo-zx_ySYwCPcB/s1600/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BExplore%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JOKF3OlMvQc/V-Cxmh0ooAI/AAAAAAAAbW0/Hk6vHsPLCesbkuoKDDi1KdjLo-zx_ySYwCPcB/s640/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BExplore%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
little unnerving to have croc tracks that were only a few hours old and Paul
was going swimming when the tide was 2 meters higher!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
awesome to see the Wandjini Rock Art so close to the water’s edge as they were
in a series of caves just above the high tide mark.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sjz0lqdto48/V-CxmmTRcAI/AAAAAAAAbW0/9vJ_vs14c6Y1ngN_quacUzasYtvKCUUVACPcB/s1600/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BExplore%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sjz0lqdto48/V-CxmmTRcAI/AAAAAAAAbW0/9vJ_vs14c6Y1ngN_quacUzasYtvKCUUVACPcB/s640/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BExplore%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The artworks were in
these caves along this rock face<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fzwHXzyS8U4/V-CxmhJGgQI/AAAAAAAAbW0/dVX-HUagDp0PYSKKwnKVDIvEkWRXLv_3QCPcB/s1600/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BRock%2BArt%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fzwHXzyS8U4/V-CxmhJGgQI/AAAAAAAAbW0/dVX-HUagDp0PYSKKwnKVDIvEkWRXLv_3QCPcB/s640/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BRock%2BArt%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n-X-Ip1UWvo/V-Cxmh-bStI/AAAAAAAAbW0/fxxVKEST7yEXGtPZyoBYaq6f80HJWi8UACPcB/s1600/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BRock%2BArt%2B%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n-X-Ip1UWvo/V-Cxmh-bStI/AAAAAAAAbW0/fxxVKEST7yEXGtPZyoBYaq6f80HJWi8UACPcB/s640/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BRock%2BArt%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="468" /></a></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KU_6WcFS6rU/V-CxmjGqB4I/AAAAAAAAbW0/0h-rjdH30qEBF7qINFy-5fawCRm-nlxwwCPcB/s1600/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BRock%2BArt%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KU_6WcFS6rU/V-CxmjGqB4I/AAAAAAAAbW0/0h-rjdH30qEBF7qINFy-5fawCRm-nlxwwCPcB/s640/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BRock%2BArt%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The images of
the mouth-less Kaiara Spirits were excellent.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R7RURZMVS4c/V-Cxmmjx65I/AAAAAAAAbW0/G_4ZWGpZBWQxASlL9w1wH7Anhxyfz44mACPcB/s1600/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BRock%2BArt%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R7RURZMVS4c/V-Cxmmjx65I/AAAAAAAAbW0/G_4ZWGpZBWQxASlL9w1wH7Anhxyfz44mACPcB/s640/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BRock%2BArt%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was great
to see the art below in such good condition considering how close it is to the
beach sand. Sadly many of the other artworks in adjoining caves were badly
faded.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Fb5RMtnNwk/V-CxmmTBRbI/AAAAAAAAbW0/HYLkyxdqRrIVyAd4kQAsQQwkGqB05gZ1gCPcB/s1600/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BRock%2BArt%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Fb5RMtnNwk/V-CxmmTBRbI/AAAAAAAAbW0/HYLkyxdqRrIVyAd4kQAsQQwkGqB05gZ1gCPcB/s640/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BRock%2BArt%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="434" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--kp0kElf6TM/V-CxmmGJYpI/AAAAAAAAbW0/CVRRVOjZN7EacZdne5sfIkaDzkZpvmzjgCPcB/s1600/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BRock%2BArt%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--kp0kElf6TM/V-CxmmGJYpI/AAAAAAAAbW0/CVRRVOjZN7EacZdne5sfIkaDzkZpvmzjgCPcB/s640/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BRock%2BArt%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa found a
high ledge in one cave that had lots of human bones and skulls.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--JLMyjKUWEE/V-CxmiTLQyI/AAAAAAAAbW0/yJZB4oMsH_44CFfEjOZWZE3nGhIoF5t0QCPcB/s1600/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BExplore%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--JLMyjKUWEE/V-CxmiTLQyI/AAAAAAAAbW0/yJZB4oMsH_44CFfEjOZWZE3nGhIoF5t0QCPcB/s640/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BExplore%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="474" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was cool
to see artwork of Macassan Trading Ships that used to visit The Kimberley to
collect Bech-de-mer (Trepang or Sea Cucumber) during the 1700’s.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was painted
with an unusual green coloured ochre that we have rarely seen before.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dHHubwPHuIc/V-CxmqL4oyI/AAAAAAAAbW0/vY7pnqMO-Sk8lJlwbgRQTfPD4xJOuBaLQCPcB/s1600/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BRock%2BArt%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dHHubwPHuIc/V-CxmqL4oyI/AAAAAAAAbW0/vY7pnqMO-Sk8lJlwbgRQTfPD4xJOuBaLQCPcB/s640/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BRock%2BArt%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
Macassan’s would trade with the Aborigines.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly some
things traded were tobacco and alcohol.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Could these
people in the artwork below be smoking tobacco pipes? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s the
first time we have seen this in Wandjini Rock Art.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fMbdjZp2DSo/V-Cxmkyn23I/AAAAAAAAbW0/Uyg8_J9u0sc9SGev--pQJGSJHrz9MWrdQCPcB/s1600/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BRock%2BArt%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fMbdjZp2DSo/V-Cxmkyn23I/AAAAAAAAbW0/Uyg8_J9u0sc9SGev--pQJGSJHrz9MWrdQCPcB/s640/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BRock%2BArt%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We are no
experts in rock art but we have seen enough to know that there were some
unusual artworks with different styles that were from other eras or possibly
tribes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This
“Descriptive Art” painting of a Saratoga’s body is different from the rest of
the art at Bigge Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note the
addition of the white dots outlining the painting. Sadly the dots that made up
the head have mostly faded.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nCk8u_lk6As/V-CxmmR91kI/AAAAAAAAbW0/mJd26tkJqB434G4bkZl3a4FxVldJt4rUgCPcB/s1600/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BRock%2BArt%2B%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nCk8u_lk6As/V-CxmmR91kI/AAAAAAAAbW0/mJd26tkJqB434G4bkZl3a4FxVldJt4rUgCPcB/s640/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BRock%2BArt%2B%25289%2529.JPG" width="416" /></a></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
home we pulled into another small beach that had some great sea caves at one
end and some unusual shaped rocks at the other.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PysAQWhgqaI/V-Cxmk25WxI/AAAAAAAAbW0/eCpDAL2ifwEDi82q_aJiYkvPnWp3oBXywCPcB/s1600/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BExplore%2B%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PysAQWhgqaI/V-Cxmk25WxI/AAAAAAAAbW0/eCpDAL2ifwEDi82q_aJiYkvPnWp3oBXywCPcB/s640/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BExplore%2B%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a1QN9gtkLB0/V-CxmuD9RpI/AAAAAAAAbW0/O57wBUHRgqkowxv20Z62Jmf6TvgPYm0bwCPcB/s1600/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BExplore%2B%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a1QN9gtkLB0/V-CxmuD9RpI/AAAAAAAAbW0/O57wBUHRgqkowxv20Z62Jmf6TvgPYm0bwCPcB/s640/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BExplore%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We walked up
the watercourse on the beach and found a large archway in the rock.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_0LgsC_RFsk/V-Cxmvw8QTI/AAAAAAAAbW0/ptN9nL-BI5I30IwjFHKpdqJ-kmDCKxmjgCPcB/s1600/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BExplore%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_0LgsC_RFsk/V-Cxmvw8QTI/AAAAAAAAbW0/ptN9nL-BI5I30IwjFHKpdqJ-kmDCKxmjgCPcB/s640/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BExplore%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5TjFmW5fjyc/V-Cxmqua1II/AAAAAAAAbW0/NQug2jMJ9xoBcTaY-rS7mFFVCeOt3WrMQCPcB/s1600/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BExplore%2B%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5TjFmW5fjyc/V-Cxmqua1II/AAAAAAAAbW0/NQug2jMJ9xoBcTaY-rS7mFFVCeOt3WrMQCPcB/s640/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BExplore%2B%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Morning tea
was at a tiny inlet that had clear water and a small beach with a weird free-standing
rock right in the middle.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HjZEDCCLRcE/V-Cxmi4U3QI/AAAAAAAAbW0/CExLd-0Y5v8i8Zonk_nSXTHphO_rcK-7wCPcB/s1600/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BExplore%2B%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HjZEDCCLRcE/V-Cxmi4U3QI/AAAAAAAAbW0/CExLd-0Y5v8i8Zonk_nSXTHphO_rcK-7wCPcB/s640/Bigge%2BIsland%2BWest%2BCoast%2BExplore%2B%252811%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That night we
were up on deck at 10pm marvelling at how clear it was.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We could see
the Milky Way from one horizon to the other and it was strikingly clear.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The black
hole was the most vivid we have ever seen it and it seemed like there were a
zilliion stars!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We’ve had so
many awesome clear nights over the years in remote areas of the pacific but
nothing like this.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
interesting to note the UV index on our weather station was going off the scale
during the day with super high readings for the next week or so and we were
getting easily sunburnt. Our solar panels were also pumping in the power
greater than we have seen since they were brand new.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were not
sure if it was a case of a thin ozone layer or something similar in the
atmosphere right above us at the time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We later spoke
to another cruising couple who also said they had experienced the same thing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We really
enjoyed exploring for rock art so we added a few extra stops over the next 10
days that gave us some more opportunity to see more art locations.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We chose to
head next to Dog Ear Bay & Swifts Inlet which were about 20nm east of Bigge
Island and on the mainland.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We got up
early to leave and Paul looked over the back of Lorelei to find a big croc
sitting only 1m from the stern.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HXV9_7Kh4GI/V-CxmpSGZOI/AAAAAAAAbW0/lQfYC4oI14MsIWf3LzC39I6FCI6QuiwigCPcB/s1600/Bigge%2BLorelei%2BCroc%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HXV9_7Kh4GI/V-CxmpSGZOI/AAAAAAAAbW0/lQfYC4oI14MsIWf3LzC39I6FCI6QuiwigCPcB/s640/Bigge%2BLorelei%2BCroc%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="464" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It looked
really aggressive and when we walked around the deck, it followed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul got game
and put the contour camera on a pole and put it into the water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It came
straight up to it and Paul had to pull it out.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> On the third attempt it came in again and as
Paul lifted the pole out, it jumped up and tried to grab it and bit the bottom
of the pole<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It jumped so
high it hit the bottom of the tinny (which is 2m/6ft above the water), its legs
got caught in the crossed brace lines on the davits and it smashed into the
raised swim platform.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we didn’t
try it again….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We named it
Cranky Croc! (Hunter J that’s for you….)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TPdNxoY70bfkddzNaXU3LglTjmeGAaItBJmDs_Attl6rNMhjM5zQKOHTW7VmG8AZ4_mZifFMjh8pfn9wJsFHoebZTTprw5UvcuFkvuAD5TNx7BtalzXc6g1jU_dWjfOrYAcRtG03gbOo/s1600/Bigge+Lorelei+Croc+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TPdNxoY70bfkddzNaXU3LglTjmeGAaItBJmDs_Attl6rNMhjM5zQKOHTW7VmG8AZ4_mZifFMjh8pfn9wJsFHoebZTTprw5UvcuFkvuAD5TNx7BtalzXc6g1jU_dWjfOrYAcRtG03gbOo/s640/Bigge+Lorelei+Croc+%25282%2529.JPG" width="462" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">These are the
shots from the contour and the second one is taken just a second before it jumped
up. The contour has a super wide angle 170 degree lens and the camera was a lot
closer to the croc than the photos look.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aPjQLHN3aLc/V-CxmvFpIcI/AAAAAAAAbW0/YEMuna8aNL0GFiZ6fO3S1WojKFRUCxbbwCPcB/s1600/Bigge%2BLorelei%2BCroc%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aPjQLHN3aLc/V-CxmvFpIcI/AAAAAAAAbW0/YEMuna8aNL0GFiZ6fO3S1WojKFRUCxbbwCPcB/s640/Bigge%2BLorelei%2BCroc%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fjXroxEKNyU/V-CxmrftmVI/AAAAAAAAbW0/KEPOzOkEzl0NTYto2x7EPRve4qOYa0yGQCPcB/s1600/Bigge%2BLorelei%2BCroc%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fjXroxEKNyU/V-CxmrftmVI/AAAAAAAAbW0/KEPOzOkEzl0NTYto2x7EPRve4qOYa0yGQCPcB/s640/Bigge%2BLorelei%2BCroc%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The whole
irony of this croc experience was that we were away from the mainland & rivers
and out at an island that had nice bays, clear water and sandy beaches.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Considering
all the muddy & mangrove lined rivers we had just spent weeks in, it was
the last place we’d expect a cranky croc.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We’d caught
Coral Trout on the reefs only around the corner…..!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The passage
to Dog Ear Bay was excellent – we were able to sail the whole way!!!! After so much motoring it was a welcome
change.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yacKMVQdS94/V-C2_fvx1cI/AAAAAAAAbf8/jZYGh5-jMIcBIdWYXfg178mN6nkUmiHxACPcB/s1600/Swifts%2BBay%2BSail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yacKMVQdS94/V-C2_fvx1cI/AAAAAAAAbf8/jZYGh5-jMIcBIdWYXfg178mN6nkUmiHxACPcB/s640/Swifts%2BBay%2BSail.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At Dog Ear
Bay it way really blowing hard so we waited until early morning to put the
tinny in and explore.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had
another mud map showing some rock art locations on some small rock islands
around the corner.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It wasn’t
that accurate and we transited along some tight channels in the tinny before
eventually finding some rock art high up under a rocky overhang that we could
see clearly from the tinny.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pDfBdeAvTE0/V-Czy33NL0I/AAAAAAAAbW0/YbwRSC6aWREtK7Etyp7Vc7zWskoJir5jACPcB/s1600/Dog%2BEar%2BBay%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pDfBdeAvTE0/V-Czy33NL0I/AAAAAAAAbW0/YbwRSC6aWREtK7Etyp7Vc7zWskoJir5jACPcB/s640/Dog%2BEar%2BBay%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ueLZPFKlno8/V-CzyzfEdsI/AAAAAAAAbW0/DKVj6d4f_3In_O1wV4F3d_CpvXhSjodRwCPcB/s1600/Dog%2BEar%2BBay%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ueLZPFKlno8/V-CzyzfEdsI/AAAAAAAAbW0/DKVj6d4f_3In_O1wV4F3d_CpvXhSjodRwCPcB/s640/Dog%2BEar%2BBay%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="438" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had spied
a large overhang on the other side of the island that looked like it had rock
art potential but it was up towards the islands peak and it looked impossible
to get up there through the dense foliage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul tried
anyway and Lisa managed to put him ashore on the rocky shoreline while she
stayed in the tinny.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It took a
while but he managed to get up to the large overhang which had great views down
over the bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NvcGcwgyGgk/V-Czy_VwyXI/AAAAAAAAbW0/8vDT4956NnAVCAjBs4mSr-PfJNtPTiJrACPcB/s1600/Dog%2BEar%2BBay%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NvcGcwgyGgk/V-Czy_VwyXI/AAAAAAAAbW0/8vDT4956NnAVCAjBs4mSr-PfJNtPTiJrACPcB/s640/Dog%2BEar%2BBay%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gTXDzZvSkBg/V-CzyyyHAYI/AAAAAAAAbW0/I9qSflB8zHsWtd5OvifWaPR_vRsfN-PzQCPcB/s1600/Dog%2BEar%2BBay%2B%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gTXDzZvSkBg/V-CzyyyHAYI/AAAAAAAAbW0/I9qSflB8zHsWtd5OvifWaPR_vRsfN-PzQCPcB/s640/Dog%2BEar%2BBay%2B%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first
thing Paul noticed was the floor of the cave was untouched and full of shell
middens indicating the aborigines used the area as a location for eating.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLB6TiSVKWs/V-Czy5TdyFI/AAAAAAAAbW0/q_YY8j_uL6oJTlKPKiNM3a-SkNzoTufQwCPcB/s1600/Dog%2BEar%2BBay%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLB6TiSVKWs/V-Czy5TdyFI/AAAAAAAAbW0/q_YY8j_uL6oJTlKPKiNM3a-SkNzoTufQwCPcB/s640/Dog%2BEar%2BBay%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The walls had
heaps of different large rock paintings but many were faded.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
still 6 large ones that were clear and vivid.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rkafO1GLvWk/V-Czy8uCx4I/AAAAAAAAbW0/FhfDPObG1A8Vsf89OTT9UJ8u_MQJ7ZzXACPcB/s1600/Dog%2BEar%2BBay%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rkafO1GLvWk/V-Czy8uCx4I/AAAAAAAAbW0/FhfDPObG1A8Vsf89OTT9UJ8u_MQJ7ZzXACPcB/s640/Dog%2BEar%2BBay%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="448" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vk6Yk-HDkBA/V-Czy7J305I/AAAAAAAAbW0/txVW83p-rZ0LE-w3KoO2-i7FPr7rPpZJwCPcB/s1600/Dog%2BEar%2BBay%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vk6Yk-HDkBA/V-Czy7J305I/AAAAAAAAbW0/txVW83p-rZ0LE-w3KoO2-i7FPr7rPpZJwCPcB/s640/Dog%2BEar%2BBay%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="454" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul was very
excited as they were not on the mud map and we had not heard of anyone else
having seen this art.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The fact that
the area is very overgrown, remote, can only be approached at a spring high
tide and not near a recognised safe anchorage tends to suggest it is rarely
visited.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul may have
been the first person for a very long time to see these artworks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went
across to another location and climbed the rocks only to find a mangrove area
on the other side filled with shallow clear water that had loads of fish and
stingrays in it.</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LkkXrSpvp70/V-CzyykJxpI/AAAAAAAAbW0/dq3YYO_K0uQdC5e-tNZUuo0b9NkqNV8XgCPcB/s1600/Dog%2BEar%2BBay%2B%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LkkXrSpvp70/V-CzyykJxpI/AAAAAAAAbW0/dq3YYO_K0uQdC5e-tNZUuo0b9NkqNV8XgCPcB/s640/Dog%2BEar%2BBay%2B%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cWaL1Aidu4w/V-Czy3xJblI/AAAAAAAAbW0/Q4dVAOB36EQqWrrgt9gsRt5RZiMHpdtOACPcB/s1600/Dog%2BEar%2BBay%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cWaL1Aidu4w/V-Czy3xJblI/AAAAAAAAbW0/Q4dVAOB36EQqWrrgt9gsRt5RZiMHpdtOACPcB/s640/Dog%2BEar%2BBay%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We walked
around the mangroves and searched in a few other locations but we did not have
any success.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The views
from the tops of the rocky areas were pretty good though. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8l81gYlpDgI/V-Czy62YTSI/AAAAAAAAbW0/UuIzW_Wgm4kzzrOLUSWZshElkZlooP6RACPcB/s1600/Dog%2BEar%2BBay%2B%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8l81gYlpDgI/V-Czy62YTSI/AAAAAAAAbW0/UuIzW_Wgm4kzzrOLUSWZshElkZlooP6RACPcB/s640/Dog%2BEar%2BBay%2B%252811%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We moved 7nm
that afternoon from Dog Ear to Swifts Bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next
morning it was a glass out but already 31 degrees at 6:45am!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">(It was the 1<sup>st</sup>
of September so welcome to Spring…)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went
around into the southern bay to search for more rock art and scored big time!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the help
of a single photo of a rocky headland from another yachts blog, we were able to
locate the area, park the tinny against a rock wall in the glassy conditions and
climbed to the site.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nfsJkv-sq6c/V-C2v5GDLWI/AAAAAAAAbew/IWU3ZqfUIJYVuWHpOx6QhYpx3kEO8L0ZwCPcB/s1600/Swift%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B1%2B%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nfsJkv-sq6c/V-C2v5GDLWI/AAAAAAAAbew/IWU3ZqfUIJYVuWHpOx6QhYpx3kEO8L0ZwCPcB/s640/Swift%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B1%2B%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
fantastic area and probably the most diverse amount of rock art we had ever
seen. There were many areas and probably over 100 artworks of all colours and
sizes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-blQWevlbDW8/V-C2v5dUZNI/AAAAAAAAbew/vu7LHEMcfZoCTTB850m4pe4RMm8QmZ43gCPcB/s1600/Swift%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B1%2B%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-blQWevlbDW8/V-C2v5dUZNI/AAAAAAAAbew/vu7LHEMcfZoCTTB850m4pe4RMm8QmZ43gCPcB/s640/Swift%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B1%2B%252811%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0eWDlkxxHsQ/V-C2v1h9wKI/AAAAAAAAbew/VF5I07nSMN0fkCaviFbm29dCbDzADyq9wCPcB/s1600/Swift%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B1%2B%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0eWDlkxxHsQ/V-C2v1h9wKI/AAAAAAAAbew/VF5I07nSMN0fkCaviFbm29dCbDzADyq9wCPcB/s640/Swift%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B1%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This artwork of a person
was about 2.5m/8ft long<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h5evuAuYfJU/V-C2v5b0B8I/AAAAAAAAbew/BlBdMHQZXUo3HIub6TaKUubamq2dDSnFACPcB/s1600/Swift%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B1%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h5evuAuYfJU/V-C2v5b0B8I/AAAAAAAAbew/BlBdMHQZXUo3HIub6TaKUubamq2dDSnFACPcB/s640/Swift%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B1%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ggyXOJvq89U/V-C2vzKjbxI/AAAAAAAAbew/zGCAW2qQm2cm3v7ofmO62z3Kkt1fjTRzQCPcB/s1600/Swift%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B1%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ggyXOJvq89U/V-C2vzKjbxI/AAAAAAAAbew/zGCAW2qQm2cm3v7ofmO62z3Kkt1fjTRzQCPcB/s640/Swift%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B1%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note sure what this is
but it looks like a 10 fingered monster (or alien or prehistoric animal) with
some big teeth<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
interesting to see white artwork on the black rock.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--EO8Q0LPD0Y/V-C2vxAf4iI/AAAAAAAAbew/-feG-owFKhcbz7ovMRuS4hxdtz367TP0QCPcB/s1600/Swift%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B1%2B%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--EO8Q0LPD0Y/V-C2vxAf4iI/AAAAAAAAbew/-feG-owFKhcbz7ovMRuS4hxdtz367TP0QCPcB/s640/Swift%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B1%2B%25285%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eKRKkXnwgtE/V-C2v44RcSI/AAAAAAAAbew/tOqtAq6cDk4x_le8Iw88AWe3YKGzkdstgCPcB/s1600/Swift%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B1%2B%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eKRKkXnwgtE/V-C2v44RcSI/AAAAAAAAbew/tOqtAq6cDk4x_le8Iw88AWe3YKGzkdstgCPcB/s640/Swift%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B1%2B%252812%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found
cooking fire pits, shell middens, areas where they made the ochre for the
paintings and even burial areas with human remains.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
complete living area and if you could only visit one Aboriginal art site in The
Kimberley, then this would be it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_5kSG2G6AXw/V-C2v0ZTOzI/AAAAAAAAbew/GLfUN2Kg590WejAjJrGNQLl1hQyklRy1wCPcB/s1600/Swift%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B1%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_5kSG2G6AXw/V-C2v0ZTOzI/AAAAAAAAbew/GLfUN2Kg590WejAjJrGNQLl1hQyklRy1wCPcB/s640/Swift%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B1%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HD-Fp37aNjA/V-C2v2mmOQI/AAAAAAAAbew/Kq7wvo13erctq2uqcKVTas6nTgnGz0sIgCPcB/s1600/Swift%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B1%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HD-Fp37aNjA/V-C2v2mmOQI/AAAAAAAAbew/Kq7wvo13erctq2uqcKVTas6nTgnGz0sIgCPcB/s640/Swift%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B1%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">If you were
wondering what Paul goes through to get the artwork photos then these photos
below tell the story as some of the best artworks are in very confined spaces.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He was hot,
covered in grey dust & Wallaby poo and had minor scrapes & scratches
from getting in and out.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Thank
goodness we have a good washing machine and unlimited water….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5DQKioG_km0/V-C2v4wiN-I/AAAAAAAAbew/cqw-3rnrfQc2cJGhK2BI1ktoCx1pAL6SgCPcB/s1600/Swift%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B1%2B%252813%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5DQKioG_km0/V-C2v4wiN-I/AAAAAAAAbew/cqw-3rnrfQc2cJGhK2BI1ktoCx1pAL6SgCPcB/s640/Swift%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B1%2B%252813%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R_npoB4L9ug/V-C2vxUNXlI/AAAAAAAAbew/SJpnfxSHHx0J5pnmG-KduvA1fIGDgcOngCPcB/s1600/Swift%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B1%2B%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R_npoB4L9ug/V-C2vxUNXlI/AAAAAAAAbew/SJpnfxSHHx0J5pnmG-KduvA1fIGDgcOngCPcB/s640/Swift%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B1%2B%252814%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found a
small Perrenti in the rock art area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f2Q9g8oN3n0/V-C2vzDIBTI/AAAAAAAAbew/bdHpEK8OPdEHxqC4TixpkYn3PhusbPEWQCPcB/s1600/Swift%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B1%2B%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f2Q9g8oN3n0/V-C2vzDIBTI/AAAAAAAAbew/bdHpEK8OPdEHxqC4TixpkYn3PhusbPEWQCPcB/s640/Swift%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B1%2B%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Bush bashing
and rock climbing is always fraught with a little danger and sooner or later
minor accidents happen.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
down, Paul rolled his ankle which sidelined him for 36 hours. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He was bored
after 4 hours rest and ended up making Sushi and did short stints of cleaning
the boat, before getting roused at by Lisa to lie down and put his foot up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aFpMlFsdX4o/V-C2v9rMAYI/AAAAAAAAbew/Cc1omBN-igUTPnmeOYhnPGzMIZ1_-DhzQCPcB/s1600/Swift%2BBay%2Bsore%2Bfoot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aFpMlFsdX4o/V-C2v9rMAYI/AAAAAAAAbew/Cc1omBN-igUTPnmeOYhnPGzMIZ1_-DhzQCPcB/s640/Swift%2BBay%2Bsore%2Bfoot.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When the swelling
and pain had gone we went to a nice beach on the side of Swifts Bay to see how
the ankle coped with a walk on the sand.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The sand
turned out to be mostly coarse shells but it was still walkable in bare feet –
just.<br />
The beach was short and steep and had lots of unusual shaped rocks on the spit
separating the 2 bays.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hAShytNrs6g/V-C2_d8hRJI/AAAAAAAAbf8/MPSolVUZc_wzJvMQnc6DqniWqHHbNkJgwCPcB/s1600/Swifts%2BBay%2BBeach%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hAShytNrs6g/V-C2_d8hRJI/AAAAAAAAbf8/MPSolVUZc_wzJvMQnc6DqniWqHHbNkJgwCPcB/s640/Swifts%2BBay%2BBeach%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SlRrEjjzDp8/V-C2_YHRYLI/AAAAAAAAbf8/2VrSTRrTMUgTfOKDFwBhcBSb5gPIeHZywCPcB/s1600/Swifts%2BBay%2BBeach%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SlRrEjjzDp8/V-C2_YHRYLI/AAAAAAAAbf8/2VrSTRrTMUgTfOKDFwBhcBSb5gPIeHZywCPcB/s640/Swifts%2BBay%2BBeach%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R4QJvTqifwQ/V-C2_eKNajI/AAAAAAAAbf8/q8hRwrVUbDUbYvw6cScw-qVru1Xc7DAKgCPcB/s1600/Swifts%2BBay%2BBeach%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R4QJvTqifwQ/V-C2_eKNajI/AAAAAAAAbf8/q8hRwrVUbDUbYvw6cScw-qVru1Xc7DAKgCPcB/s640/Swifts%2BBay%2BBeach%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We managed to
have a swim in a protected corner and there was a rock ledge as a bonus to
provide shade.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yg5uJKqcekw/V-C2_WhTpkI/AAAAAAAAbf8/Xgrbgg_dVps9S7CsTfjjqm-bA4h6PMALACPcB/s1600/Swifts%2BBay%2BBeach%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yg5uJKqcekw/V-C2_WhTpkI/AAAAAAAAbf8/Xgrbgg_dVps9S7CsTfjjqm-bA4h6PMALACPcB/s640/Swifts%2BBay%2BBeach%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IriyfHXIfiY/V-C2_d8HpcI/AAAAAAAAbf8/0GBGG2T0wKUxv73W_n-mYlKqsURVGmIUgCPcB/s1600/Swifts%2BBay%2BBeach%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IriyfHXIfiY/V-C2_d8HpcI/AAAAAAAAbf8/0GBGG2T0wKUxv73W_n-mYlKqsURVGmIUgCPcB/s640/Swifts%2BBay%2BBeach%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the test
passed, we strapped the ankle and put it into Paul’s new Scarpa hiking boots so
we could do some more rock art exploring.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had seen a
large rock standing alone on the ridge top overlooking the bay and appeared to
have an overhang going right around it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We surmised
it would be a potential spot for rock art so we tied up the dingy at a nearby rock
ledge and headed towards the hill.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way we
found some other caves and did a few detours to explore them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We didn’t
find any rock art on the overhangs facing the bay but we went a little further
back into the hillside and found a second line of caves that had Gwion/Bradshaw
art in them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AtZp0936oUY/V-C2_VZwO-I/AAAAAAAAbf8/nnDVNok8i7cLdOnTH8eADl3XLca0QkNpwCPcB/s1600/Swifts%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B2%2B%25281%2529-horz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AtZp0936oUY/V-C2_VZwO-I/AAAAAAAAbf8/nnDVNok8i7cLdOnTH8eADl3XLca0QkNpwCPcB/s640/Swifts%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B2%2B%25281%2529-horz.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HWkhQup-KKo/V-C2_ck8s0I/AAAAAAAAbf8/JWxLvtnjHMMXuM-2HdI3hOd1s5gtNEWOwCPcB/s1600/Swifts%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B2%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HWkhQup-KKo/V-C2_ck8s0I/AAAAAAAAbf8/JWxLvtnjHMMXuM-2HdI3hOd1s5gtNEWOwCPcB/s640/Swifts%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B2%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had to go
back down to the rock shelf along the water’s edge to traverse across towards
the big rock.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We came
across a rock cairn and saw a path up the slope through the spinifex grass
indicating there must be something good up there worth seeing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
loads more rock cairns on the way highlighting the trail and we were getting
excited….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aJObyZcxtQs/V-C2_S1PruI/AAAAAAAAbf8/SRNEmfmdl7gKsOHw1g1Ykuqk1dmFrJ-PQCPcB/s1600/Swifts%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B2%2B%252815%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aJObyZcxtQs/V-C2_S1PruI/AAAAAAAAbf8/SRNEmfmdl7gKsOHw1g1Ykuqk1dmFrJ-PQCPcB/s640/Swifts%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B2%2B%252815%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The rock was
awesome with a large overhang the entire way around.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1l_PS18UYq4/V-C2_fUsuhI/AAAAAAAAbf8/0brieyPNNkcV6VrTXpwJ2X0gqTypLXDiACPcB/s1600/Swifts%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B2%2B%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1l_PS18UYq4/V-C2_fUsuhI/AAAAAAAAbf8/0brieyPNNkcV6VrTXpwJ2X0gqTypLXDiACPcB/s640/Swifts%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B2%2B%252811%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The entire
roof of the overhang was covered in art and some were massive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The only
issue was a lot had faded and there were many artworks that were painted over
the top of each other and in places it was a jumbled mess of mixed art making
it had to decipher and even harder to photograph.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gUg1hlU__Ys/V-C2_RNEKpI/AAAAAAAAbf8/iTprdT4b__kZP3QQpibtM0-pXzshRwm3ACPcB/s1600/Swifts%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B2%2B%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gUg1hlU__Ys/V-C2_RNEKpI/AAAAAAAAbf8/iTprdT4b__kZP3QQpibtM0-pXzshRwm3ACPcB/s640/Swifts%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B2%2B%252812%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note the whole floor of
the overhang covered in shell middens<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
lots of ones worthy of photographing though.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YuE8IcEufY4/V-C2_VZ61WI/AAAAAAAAbf8/KAGVgkh61VsA18t-CyBgdm0tem70iDTmQCPcB/s1600/Swifts%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B2%2B%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YuE8IcEufY4/V-C2_VZ61WI/AAAAAAAAbf8/KAGVgkh61VsA18t-CyBgdm0tem70iDTmQCPcB/s640/Swifts%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B2%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XWun7ODwwmk/V-C2_VbZQMI/AAAAAAAAbf8/2u5C35fHiYk7z-XsakuJ9WRB_v5wD8ZRQCPcB/s1600/Swifts%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B2%2B%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XWun7ODwwmk/V-C2_VbZQMI/AAAAAAAAbf8/2u5C35fHiYk7z-XsakuJ9WRB_v5wD8ZRQCPcB/s640/Swifts%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B2%2B%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This artwork was about
4m/12ft across and Paul had to lie on the floor <br />
and photograph it with a 10mm fisheye lens to get it all in.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oGZcGFggTzU/V-C2_b3xXkI/AAAAAAAAbf8/YkWhw3dnZ3wlp4lLxbALZItKdxPIc7q6wCPcB/s1600/Swifts%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B2%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oGZcGFggTzU/V-C2_b3xXkI/AAAAAAAAbf8/YkWhw3dnZ3wlp4lLxbALZItKdxPIc7q6wCPcB/s640/Swifts%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B2%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This is a 2.5m/8ft long
Stingray done in white ochre<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Right: Not sure if the
holes in the rocks were supposed <br />
to be the eyes but the effect is great<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PqPmqc7mIpc/V-C2_SaPFEI/AAAAAAAAbf8/2Qkc4v6hmDw2lzRQ1J3kz_hPJkRCglvNACPcB/s1600/Swifts%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B2%2B%252813%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PqPmqc7mIpc/V-C2_SaPFEI/AAAAAAAAbf8/2Qkc4v6hmDw2lzRQ1J3kz_hPJkRCglvNACPcB/s640/Swifts%2BBay%2BRock%2BArt%2B2%2B%252813%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">These 2 figures were
over 2.5m/8ft long.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The bottom spirit was
faint but had an incredible Kiara <br />
head with the smaller heads all around.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That
afternoon we were inside and felt a cold wind come over Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went
upstairs to find a fantastic looking storm highlighted by the setting sun.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was behind
Lorelei meaning it was downwind but it appeared to be getting closer.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A look at the storm from
down both sides of Lorelei<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sure enough,
just after dark the boat swung around 180 degrees and we had rain!!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was soooo
awesome and the first real rain we had seen in over 4 months.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
running around in the rain like little kids…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was the
first time the new tinny had seen rain and the salt rinse off was so welcome.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite the
stormy night, we woke to a clear day and a clean boat!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was still
blowing light SE winds which was perfect for our next leg which was a long 50nm
day sail to round Cape Voltaire and back into the next bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We took off
for a big days sailing and we went from SE winds to nothing then to NW by the
arvo so it had a bit of everything including a few hours motoring in the
middle.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived at
the north side of Port Warrander and tucked into a protected bay from the NW sea
breezes and hoped we didn’t get another SE storm overnight.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The headland
in front of Lorelei was lined with loads of Boab trees all along the rocky
foreshore.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next
morning we crossed the bay in the Tinny to go and view the aboriginal art which
was reported to be on the rocky areas behind 2 sport fishing camps.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived at
the bay to be greeted by the camps owner and were politely told the area was
privately leased from the Aboriginal owners and the rock art was not be viewed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we struck
out on that one and decided to do a scenic tour around the bays beaches and
headlands on the way back to Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found an
interesting beach covered in drift wood at the high tide mark and above. It
covered the entire length of the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ye0k2EtUJD4/V-C1W4QZSII/AAAAAAAAbbg/ztz5SpLX4jMMjP696pxGxajvCAhoGPD9QCPcB/s1600/Port%2BWarrander%2BBoabs%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ye0k2EtUJD4/V-C1W4QZSII/AAAAAAAAbbg/ztz5SpLX4jMMjP696pxGxajvCAhoGPD9QCPcB/s640/Port%2BWarrander%2BBoabs%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Boabs
just back from the beach were huge and most were standing alone overlooking the
water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HwWWg7hvlho/V-C1WxDVyQI/AAAAAAAAbbg/ClkdYM76GL8bvnT8f1RFqb5Bnwh84kfLgCPcB/s1600/Port%2BWarrander%2BBoabs%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HwWWg7hvlho/V-C1WxDVyQI/AAAAAAAAbbg/ClkdYM76GL8bvnT8f1RFqb5Bnwh84kfLgCPcB/s640/Port%2BWarrander%2BBoabs%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went to
the headland near Lorelei with the grove of Boabs but it was low tide and the
sun position was wrong for photos so we went back at 4pm to view them as the
sun was setting behind them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The sizes
ranged from fully grown right down to only 1-2m/3-6ft tall.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xkhXuDKPWvo/V-C1W8wGLkI/AAAAAAAAbbg/EB7sVLYU3iMDAPqKXr0XJWS_yYGDglHWgCPcB/s1600/Port%2BWarrander%2BBoabs%2B%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xkhXuDKPWvo/V-C1W8wGLkI/AAAAAAAAbbg/EB7sVLYU3iMDAPqKXr0XJWS_yYGDglHWgCPcB/s640/Port%2BWarrander%2BBoabs%2B%252812%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found a
small one on its side and it was starting to shoot branches vertically off the
main trunk.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’ll look
awesome in another 50-100 years…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X7giqd3yov8/V-C1W5VwRLI/AAAAAAAAbbg/GYNjaqEC99sryECfs8Ua0VrH4ySSGiaXgCPcB/s1600/Port%2BWarrander%2BBoabs%2B%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X7giqd3yov8/V-C1W5VwRLI/AAAAAAAAbbg/GYNjaqEC99sryECfs8Ua0VrH4ySSGiaXgCPcB/s640/Port%2BWarrander%2BBoabs%2B%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the
recent rain, some of the Boabs were already starting to spout leaves in
preparation for the coming wet season.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6qBJ3XdCbqg/V-C1W16PDhI/AAAAAAAAbbg/UY1d1BGhXashivZw5CUjY28gbW4vclrfACPcB/s1600/Port%2BWarrander%2BBoabs%2B%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6qBJ3XdCbqg/V-C1W16PDhI/AAAAAAAAbbg/UY1d1BGhXashivZw5CUjY28gbW4vclrfACPcB/s640/Port%2BWarrander%2BBoabs%2B%252811%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
we were going to leave but there was no wind and it was stinking hot.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was 35
degrees outside and 37 inside Lorelei by 11am!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The wind
never eventuated and by 2pm we aborted and stayed for another night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So instead
Paul rigged up his time exposure camera, tripod and timer and we headed into
the Boab headland for sunset along with a picnic dinner and Paul’s camera to do
a star trail shot.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The sunset
turned out to be great and Paul used another camera set-up to do some Boab post sunset photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He was very,
very happy with the results.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After a lot
of planning and tests, Paul had found a suitable Boab for a star trail shot.
The camera had to face due south and then we had to take into account the moon
location and our illuminated picnic area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It took two
hours to do the shoot using nearly 200 images, some using a flash and others
with Paul manually light painting.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The combined
results turned out pretty good.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By 10pm we
were done and packed up but ran into bit of a problem as we had a crocodile
stalking us every time we tried to come off the rocks, cross the beach and get
to the tinny, particularly as we had 8 bags of gear which required 2 runs to
get them into the boat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Eventually we
managed to get all the gear and us into the tinny safely – just…….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We moved on
to the Osborn Islands but the short 17nm run from Port Warrander was a bit of a
stressful one as the channel through the Osborn’s is packed with Pearl Leases
operated by Paspaley Pearls.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The leases are
right in the middle of the channel and skirting around them sometimes put
Lorelei into very shallow water and at times with barely inches under the keel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At one stage
we had to cut the corner and skim the leases or we would have run aground!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We spent 3
days within the island group exploring, crabbing and fishing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
experiencing very hot days of up to 36 degrees and afternoon storms.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
early-mid September and the monsoon/wet season was creeping up quicker than
expected.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We started
our daily activities at 6am to escape the heat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first
place to explore was a location called the Three Arches.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The beaches
surrounding the arches were picturesque with loads of rocks in the water
providing wind and swell protection.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The aches were
huge and much bigger than we expected.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The caves off
the side of the arches were also large and we even found a small amount of
Aboriginal Rock Art there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In one cave
we found shell middens and unusual shaped bones or an exoskeleton that we
thought may be from a turtle.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the higher
tides we explored 2 shallow creeks further into the bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One creek has
a large rock formation called “The Castle” with a very large series of
catacombs running through the rocks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
scores of pathways running in all directions and varied in length from only a
few meters to over 50m long tunnels.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul didn’t
take his tripod so long exposures balanced on rock ledges had to suffice.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There was a
lot of Rock Art under the ledges around the outside of The Castle.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found some
unusual golden coloured trees and some others with huge amounts of sap seeping
from the limbs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We ventured
further up the creek on the high tide and could even see rock art from the
tinny under large overhangs behind the mangroves.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
home we spotted a Jabiru running around on the sand spits doing its dance with
its wings out.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We couldn’t
get any closer as it was too shallow for the tinny.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nxx8PdxUTwI/V-C1W8PiKqI/AAAAAAAAbbg/ZhWLuRbTm6Ebd2qcDFiI-UTvqfAAAZIVQCPcB/s1600/Osborn%2BIsland%2BArches%2Band%2BCaves%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nxx8PdxUTwI/V-C1W8PiKqI/AAAAAAAAbbg/ZhWLuRbTm6Ebd2qcDFiI-UTvqfAAAZIVQCPcB/s640/Osborn%2BIsland%2BArches%2Band%2BCaves%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next
morning we ventured around to the exposed side of an island to view what is
reported to be the largest Boab Tree in The Kimberley.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had to
trek through Mangroves and slippery rocks to get to it but it was well worth
it. It is huge!!! We’ve seen other Boabs
dated over 1000 years old and they are less than half this one’s size. Could it
have been around since BC?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bSPPN-ZNv9c/V-C1W984wII/AAAAAAAAbbg/yh9qVXRmBWgeQ1KovxpZdiAC4-l9D0-aQCPcB/s1600/Osborn%2BIsland%2BBoabs%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bSPPN-ZNv9c/V-C1W984wII/AAAAAAAAbbg/yh9qVXRmBWgeQ1KovxpZdiAC4-l9D0-aQCPcB/s640/Osborn%2BIsland%2BBoabs%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="414" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The tree was as deep as
it is wide in the photo</span></i></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found 2
large Boabs on the other side of the island that were standing alone on a rock
ledge overlooking the passage between 2 islands.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jksmF0XMUYk/V-C1W0iypzI/AAAAAAAAbbg/36JpeByBRRknTpJGbizZym8mew-6MuqwQCPcB/s1600/Osborn%2BIsland%2BBoabs%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jksmF0XMUYk/V-C1W0iypzI/AAAAAAAAbbg/36JpeByBRRknTpJGbizZym8mew-6MuqwQCPcB/s640/Osborn%2BIsland%2BBoabs%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Around the
back of the island was a huge rock pile that went from the water’s edge to the
summit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The long
rocks we strewn in every direction and most had an unusual hexagonal shape to
them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had an
interesting sunset that night with the clouds but unfortunately no rain.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wwQQNJ7TKd8/V-C1WyUjn-I/AAAAAAAAbbg/NHYOixeAY-8zQl7kMMZMBnsFQ7eitCVSQCPcB/s1600/Osborn%2BIsland%2BSunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wwQQNJ7TKd8/V-C1WyUjn-I/AAAAAAAAbbg/NHYOixeAY-8zQl7kMMZMBnsFQ7eitCVSQCPcB/s640/Osborn%2BIsland%2BSunset.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For the next
few days we travelled with most passages between 30 and 50nm daily before
stopping overnight.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was neap
tides but we still had to deal with strong currents in many areas and most of
the travelling revolved around tide time to get the current assistance.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We stopped at
Freshwater Bay and decided to stay 2 nights and have a travelling rest day so
we could tidy up, do the washing and a bit of spring cleaning.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For the next
2 days the wind blew and we took advantage of it with 2 large day passages.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first day
we sailed most of the way and the second day we sailed 50nm from door to door
and only turned the engine on for anchoring.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The passage
was around the infamous Cape Londonderry which is always rough and the water is
brown with the strong current and churned-up water. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were lucky
to have reaching winds and current assistance and we rounded it with no problem
– unlike the passage down 3 months ago when it was windy and rough with big
seas as high as the davits.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived at
Glycosmis Bay and decided the small bay to its north would have better
protection from the 20 knot NW winds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was only a
small and shallow bay but we snuck in ok.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we were
about to drop the anchor Lisa spied what we thought was a rock in the centre of
the bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That was
until it started moving - it was coming towards us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It turned out
to be a massive Crocodile and by far the biggest we had ever seen in the wild.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It swam right
up the side of Lorelei and was looking up at us from only a few meters away.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
looking at our tinny on the davits and back to the croc and the croc was way
longer and we estimated it to be well over 5m/16ft long.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Its tail was
huge!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had been
quite blasé about crocs so far as most had been small with the occasional
medium to large one but not like this huge thing!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Unfortunately
the cameras were packed away downstairs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had to be
very careful the next morning when putting the tinny in and setting it up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a nice
sunrise before exploring the southern bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j09Cxo5673A/V-Czy4ojxII/AAAAAAAAbW0/b3Nwpef7cywdb0pz4Lf4dC-ODZ7lLPangCPcB/s1600/Glycosmis%2BBay%2BSunrise.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="334" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j09Cxo5673A/V-Czy4ojxII/AAAAAAAAbW0/b3Nwpef7cywdb0pz4Lf4dC-ODZ7lLPangCPcB/s640/Glycosmis%2BBay%2BSunrise.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The southern
end was amazing with a big cliff face that surrounded a small bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BHcR84EN-ic/V-Czy4OdPrI/AAAAAAAAbW0/PjsIiy_lHZ8aOp6sJ6YfxkUwxJ5Q8yL2QCPcB/s1600/Glycosmis%2BBay%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BHcR84EN-ic/V-Czy4OdPrI/AAAAAAAAbW0/PjsIiy_lHZ8aOp6sJ6YfxkUwxJ5Q8yL2QCPcB/s640/Glycosmis%2BBay%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C_XXANxLXhc/V-Czy6Y3G_I/AAAAAAAAbW0/1TS1FgskOtALjarAVYLqTsf4Mlmx5wI0wCPcB/s1600/Glycosmis%2BBay%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C_XXANxLXhc/V-Czy6Y3G_I/AAAAAAAAbW0/1TS1FgskOtALjarAVYLqTsf4Mlmx5wI0wCPcB/s640/Glycosmis%2BBay%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We sounded around
trying to find a path in for Lorelei but it was just too shallow.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We explored
some other beaches and bay in the area too.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Udjlq-PIrtw/V-Czy8GLedI/AAAAAAAAbW0/_yoJKC3CD8oV3T-MVKsocbNpiHvR5BeowCPcB/s1600/Glycosmis%2BBay%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Udjlq-PIrtw/V-Czy8GLedI/AAAAAAAAbW0/_yoJKC3CD8oV3T-MVKsocbNpiHvR5BeowCPcB/s640/Glycosmis%2BBay%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had
planned to visit the King George River and possibly the Berkeley River too but
after looking at the weather and tides we just couldn’t make it work.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We threw 20
different scenarios around but nothing would work unless we crossed the bar at
the Berkeley River and were prepared to stay up the river for 11 days.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So with
favourable winds, we left The Kimberley and tackled the 260nm passage to
Darwin.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a slow
passage but we sailed most of the way (albeit zig-zagging down the rhumb line
to cope with the wind direction changes) and arrived safely in Darwin harbour
in 64 hours.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So that’s a
wrap for another Episode of our sailing adventures.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s been a
great experience during our 3 months in The Kimberley.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We are back
in Darwin but it’s so damn hot already and we are a little concerned about the
coming wet season and the cyclone risk in the top end. If the temperatures are
anything like the end of the last wet season, then we don’t want to be around
for that.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We’ve got to
hope the monsoon season doesn’t kick off too early……<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We have only
put a small amount of The Kimberley Boabs and Rock Art photos in the blog
Episodes and there are loads more photos in the “Aboriginal Rock Art” and
“Boabs Trees” folders which can be accessed via the top tabs back at the top of
our blog home page.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Enjoy!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul and Lisa
Hogger<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Yacht Lorelei<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Safely back
in Darwin<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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sv_loreleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14235157985522355104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245635408700620959.post-45305877304228853022016-07-27T23:16:00.000-07:002019-02-09T17:44:27.662-08:00Episode 51 The Kimberley<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 28.0pt;"><b>Lorelei’s
Sailing Adventures</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx88C7hGx4JjRhJIVdbavRRdMZQAsRw3E1g3Vg7cBodiGmGDEB5lvVq0wggvE_cck1e2XKbHEs8PUxgcn-YIYnkTh7OQAcdCN6XkFbX-FQI3AR82gw4n3ID6_Vsgm89XbzfvfKkXV6b5Lj/s1600/Episode+51+the+kimberley+pt1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="1600" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx88C7hGx4JjRhJIVdbavRRdMZQAsRw3E1g3Vg7cBodiGmGDEB5lvVq0wggvE_cck1e2XKbHEs8PUxgcn-YIYnkTh7OQAcdCN6XkFbX-FQI3AR82gw4n3ID6_Vsgm89XbzfvfKkXV6b5Lj/s640/Episode+51+the+kimberley+pt1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At the end of
Episode 50 we had just completed an 8000km Road Trip through Outback Australia
covering 3 states in 7 weeks with Paul’s parents </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">
George and Chez. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had
finished the road trip in Darwin which is where our yacht Lorelei was stored at
a Marina.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our location for this
Episode of the Blog.</span></i></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DCRrmu-2FZY/V5lM3FXOtxI/AAAAAAAAaiw/vq9swiGPNRwhoc1PRyqSE8ROfWvu9alXwCKgB/s1600/KIMBERLEY%2BROUTE%2BMAP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DCRrmu-2FZY/V5lM3FXOtxI/AAAAAAAAaiw/vq9swiGPNRwhoc1PRyqSE8ROfWvu9alXwCKgB/s640/KIMBERLEY%2BROUTE%2BMAP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our route for this
Episode of the Blog.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Once we
arrived in Darwin it was go, go, go to get Lorelei ready to sail for our Kimberley
trip in remote NW Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The plan was
to have George and Chez on-board for a 6 week one-way trip from Darwin to
Broome through The Kimberley, drop them at Broome and they would fly back while
we continued on for another 10 or so weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Kimberley
region is very remote and for 1000 nautical miles there is only a few small
aboriginal communities, some basic scattered services (like fuel carts) and no
telephone or internet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had to be
100% self-sufficient and have everything on-board in top-notch working
condition.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
frantic 10 days to get Lorelei ready!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst we had
done most of the things prior to leaving for the road trip, there was still
lots to do.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The shopping
trips were huge and we put 5 trolley loads through the checkout on our first
trip to the supermarket – and that was only the first half!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The biggest concern
was we had lots of things serviced or overhauled prior to the road trip and
many new items added – but they were all untested.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It took ages
to check and double check things worked as they should.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However we
couldn’t check everything whilst in the marina within the confines of the
locked system.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had left
our RIB at our friends Chris and Cyn’s place and had purchased a new 4 meter
aluminium boat (tinny). It took ages to get the final modifications done to
both the tinny and the davits. It fitted on the davits – but only just….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The last
issue was a tear in our canopy roof that needed fixing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It took 5
days to get it done at the local marine upholsterer only to have it returned
wrong and needed to be re-done. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That took
another 2 days and eventually we departed 2 days late but satisfied everything
was good-to-go.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Going out
through the lock was a great experience for George & Chez but for us a bit
of pushing and shoving to get the overhanging new tinny’s bow past the concrete
walls.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">George with the bow line
coming into the lock<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">George with the lock
opening to leave. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note the wet water level
on the wall and how much we dropped in height.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We could only
leave the lock on a high tide and that was at 4pm so we motored for 2 hours
around to Fannie Bay out the front of Darwin and anchored for the night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The final
test was to run the desalinater which had received a major overhaul.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was fingers
crossed and fortunately it went well – for the first run anyway…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For Paul it
was a huge relief and the last test was passed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We could
finally relax and we enjoyed the sunset and a few celebratory drinks followed
by George & Paul watching the 2<sup>nd</sup> State of Origin Footy Match on
TV.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next
morning we took off for our sail to The Kimberley.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first leg
was to sail across the Joseph Boneparte Gulf which was a 230nm/500km crossing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We managed to
sail in light winds for most of the day until it dropped out just before sunset
and we motored until 1am.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At 1am the
wind came in from the south and we were sailing beautifully in 10-12 knots of
wind that was forward of the beam and pushing wind over the boat the faster we
went. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was dead
flat seas and a very enjoyable sail which was great as it was George and Chez’s
first overnight sailing passage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul was the
only one awake for the sunrise under sail.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">During the
day we had a pod of Dolphins come and play in the bow wave.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They were
happily playing for more than 1 hour.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For our
second night we had a fantastic sunset under sail.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived at
the entrance to the King George River at 5am and just in time for sunrise.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At 9am Hamish
from the power boat Queste came to say hello and asked Paul if he wanted to
join him in his tender to check the river mouth bar. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It is
dangerously shallow and the deepest part of the channel weaves like an “S”.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Hamish had also
picked up Russell off the yacht Njord and the 3 of them went and plotted a
course through the bar.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
all 3 boats had similar draft of around 2m.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Hamish had
crossed it only 6 weeks prior so we sent him in first and the 2 yachts
followed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At stages we
only had 30cm/1ft under the keel which was a little unnerving!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Once over the
bar, we motored up the river past the amazing rocky cliffs that had incredible
formations.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Looking back
to Njord, the cliff faces looked huge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We anchored
about half way up the river at a point where the river splits into 2 arms.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was the
deepest section but still only 6m/20ft deep.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul went up
into the crow’s nest and took a panoramic of the anchorage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We dropped the
tinny in for its maiden voyage and went and explored the East Arm first.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At the end of
the arm is a waterfall but there was not much water after the poor wet season
that Australia’s top end had experienced.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The area received
less than 10% of its average rainfall.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul and
George tackled a rope climb up to the top of the waterfall to have a swim in
the top pool that is free of Crocodiles.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
really sketchy climb and certainly not for the faint hearted.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The view from
the top was fantastic looking both back down the gorge and up the canyon to the
swimming hole.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
home we had a look at another area that had some amazing rock formations with
some big rock overhangs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next
morning Paul and George went for the first fishing trip in the new tinny.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They trolled
around the rivers edges and caught 8 fish (George winning 5 to 3).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Unfortunately
none of them were 3 or 4 star eating so they let them all go.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Trevally
and Queen Fish were a lot of fun on light tackle.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lorelei on daybreak
whilst we were out fishing<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That day we
loaded up the tinny and ventured to the end of the river up to the twin
waterfalls.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The scenery
on the way was breathtaking and we stopped loads of times on the way to look at
the wildlife and the stunning rock formations.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At the end we
saw the luxury charter boat “True North” anchored.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The boats
helicopter was taking guests on scenic flights over the gorge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
waterfalls had only a little water cascading down.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was enough
to get the front of the tinny under for a cool off.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The waterfalls
were surrounded on 4 sides by an amphitheatre style enclosure.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The vertical
walls had some big caves, undercuts and overhangs that we could venture into
with the tinny.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were reluctant to go
any further into this one due to the <br />
huge rock overhead that just seemed to be suspended there.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The water in
the entire river system was mostly shallow but the depth in the waterfall amphitheatre
was over 55m/185ft.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
1000’s of large pink Jellyfish swimming around in the area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
back down the river we explored some small tributaries that were mangrove
lined.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We saw lots
of birds but no crocodiles.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That night
Paul taught Chez how to make Sushi rolls.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We would have
loved to stay a few more days but with the tides going towards neaps (and lower
high tides), if we didn’t get back out over the bar we would be stuck inside
the river for at least 7 days.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa and
George went fishing in the tinny and at the same time plotted a new course over
the bar that would give Lorelei the maximum possible depth.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Every centimeter counted!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
we got over the next morning without hitting the bottom.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We ventured
around to a small inlet only half a mile from the river mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
protected from the rising wind & swell and had a nice lagoon located behind
the sandy beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we walked
up the beach, Lisa & George spotted a crocodile on the edge of the lagoon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was only
about 2m/6.5ft long but certainly confirmed that there were crocs in the area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We walked all
around the lagoon and took loads of panoramic photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The biggest
challenge of sailing through the Kimberley was to round Cape Londonderry which
is the most northern point of Western Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We left the
bay in windy conditions and had a single reef in the main straight away.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It proved to
be way too much sail area and we were over-powered surfing down waves too fast
and weaving all over the place as the wind gusts rose and fell.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We stopped
and put a second reef in and thank goodness we did as it got a lot windier and
the seas much bigger.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Within sight
of the cape we had large waves as high as the davits pushing us along.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Occasionally
we were hit by large green waves which gave us all a thorough dousing leaving
us and the boat soaked in saltwater.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We even got the
spray from one wave down the companionway hatch into the saloon!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We didn’t
dare to bring a camera out on deck….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By the time
we rounded the point, the current had picked up and we were flying with it.
Lorelei was sitting at a constant 9 knots and surfing down waves up to 13
knots. Paul & Lisa were concentrating
on sailing the boat and dodging the many reef systems while poor George &
Chez shared a plastic bucket to be sea sick in.
Chez was surprisingly a lot better than George but they were both green
in colour.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were all
very happy to round the second headland of Cape Talbot and pull into a calm
bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We covered 55
nautical miles in a time of around 6.5 hours for an average speed of over 8
knots and were hopefully over the worst sail of the trip.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
we did another 40nm passage from Cape Talbot to Vansittart Bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was still
windy but the swell was way down from the day before and it turned into a fast
but pleasant sail.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived at
a bay that had a wreck of a Douglas DC-3 aeroplane that crashed on the saltpan
in 1942 after the pilot became dis-orientated and ran out of fuel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The wreck is
reasonably intact but the wings have a lot of damage from hitting trees and a
section of the fuselage has been cut away for easy access.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Right near
the DC3 was a large Boab tree. It was our first Kimberley Boab so we were
pretty excited.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The get back
to shore we had to walk over the saltpan which resembled a moonscape with lots
of unusual shaped rock structures.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Back on shore
we had the afternoon sun setting over the bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The warm glow
made for great photos on the water’s edge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next
morning we headed only 2nm over to Jar Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The island is
small and surrounded by Pearl Farms and we had to go close to the island to
skirt around the thousands of floating buoys in the water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There was a
lot of structure with submerged rocks and pinnacles so we had to be very
careful motoring along.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were only
trolling for 15 minutes before the reel screamed off and we landed our first
Spanish Mackerel for the trip.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Jar Island is
most famous for its aboriginal art which is scattered all around the islands
rocky caves and overhangs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The artworks
are more commonly known as “The Bradshaws” named after the Joseph Bradshaw who discovered
them in 1891. Now they have been renamed to reflect their traditional
aboriginal name and are called “The Gwion”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After the
initial discovery they were thought to be the oldest artworks in the world but
later tests confirmed their age at around 30 000 years old.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There are
some in Africa at 42 000 years old and some in Kakadu possibly older than that!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The artwork
is not as detailed and is not preserved as well as the Norlangie and Ubirr rock
art we saw in Kakadu only 3 weeks prior but it is very impressive, remote and
rarely visited.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We first
visited the northern side of the island in the tinny and found a series of
artworks under the overhangs within the rocky areas.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul
bush-bashed through the dense growth and found a small cave that had some
artwork inside.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were no
footsteps on the dirt inside the cave so he surmised no one had seen it for a
long time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Upon return
to the shoreline, we walked along the beach and had a swim in the corner where
it was clear and easy to spot a croc if one turned up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The rock
shelf at the end of the beach had some great caves with interesting structure.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
some big pieces of driftwood on the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After lunch
we explored the southern side of the island and the coastline.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The rock art
on the southern side is in a series of caves that looked out over the bay and
Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> O</span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">verall it
was a fantastic day exploring the island for artwork.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was great
to search for artwork in remote areas of the island that are rarely visited and
even though we found some, we envisage we had only just touched on the amount
of Aboriginal rock artwork at Jar Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We plan to
return on the way back with a bit more time to search again.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">During the
day George had seen something large come up onto the surface near Lorelei but
couldn’t identify it and it bugged him all day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That night
Paul was throwing the fish and veggie scraps over the side after dinner when 2
large objects came along and hoovered them up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Soon everyone
was on deck with deck lights and torches to discover we had 3 x two metre long
Tawny Nurse Sharks circling the boat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We fed them
more fish off-cuts and Paul managed to get a series of photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">George agreed
that it was a Tawny he had seen earlier.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It topped off
an awesome day….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was dead
flat in the anchorage that night (after a few rolly ones the previous nights…)
and we all slept great and woke to a calm sunrise.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We took off
for a 12nm sail to Freshwater Bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By many other
yachties accounts, Freshwater Bay is the best anchorage in the Kimberley.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we planned
to stay a few days and after anchoring we ran the desalinator for an extra hour
to wash Lorelei from bow to stern and rid her of the caked on salt from the
wild sails of the previous days.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had
another 4 large 2.5meter/8ft Tawny Nurse Sharks circling Lorelei as we washed
which was great.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the higher
tide we tried to navigate the shallow mangrove inlet up to the freshwater
swimming holes and small waterfall.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Being a neap
tide the high tide wasn’t that high and we struggled with the shallow depth and
had to paddle the tinny up the inlet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The inlet became
very narrow and the overhanging mangroves created havoc as we tried to pass
them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sjOFSNNZXc8/V5lBqvo8leI/AAAAAAAAaZ0/-49yNkaHaY8yYMXpId_PlqiqcIZzIGcZACKgB/s1600/Freshwater%2BBay%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sjOFSNNZXc8/V5lBqvo8leI/AAAAAAAAaZ0/-49yNkaHaY8yYMXpId_PlqiqcIZzIGcZACKgB/s640/Freshwater%2BBay%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Finally we
got to an area where we could stop and walk up the water course.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m_NeNrJ4kO4/V5lB72R2zuI/AAAAAAAAaZ0/AnnNeHiFi84-sKIStgGVN1QDNiZKtTuBACKgB/s1600/Freshwater%2BBay%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m_NeNrJ4kO4/V5lB72R2zuI/AAAAAAAAaZ0/AnnNeHiFi84-sKIStgGVN1QDNiZKtTuBACKgB/s640/Freshwater%2BBay%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The saltwater
pond at the end looked great but had a resident croc so it was definitely no
swimming.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VJqMA73gdxk/V5lB2EnX8kI/AAAAAAAAaZ0/1JNNVz4G5BULA7XdPFHOGxzR6RcZeap5wCKgB/s1600/Freshwater%2BBay%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VJqMA73gdxk/V5lB2EnX8kI/AAAAAAAAaZ0/1JNNVz4G5BULA7XdPFHOGxzR6RcZeap5wCKgB/s640/Freshwater%2BBay%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Unfortunately
the water course was bone dry and even the spring fed waterhole (that
apparently always has water in it) was empty.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We also noted
that the surrounding trees and palms were really struggling to survive with the
lack of water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So much for a
swim…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E7HawutU7sM/V5lBvKcAxYI/AAAAAAAAaZ0/kMjQBxCKTgQEE9Ac1pCph4lqKFxEJTC-QCKgB/s1600/Freshwater%2BBay%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E7HawutU7sM/V5lBvKcAxYI/AAAAAAAAaZ0/kMjQBxCKTgQEE9Ac1pCph4lqKFxEJTC-QCKgB/s640/Freshwater%2BBay%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That’s one very dry
water course…</span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We thought Freshwater
Bay was a nice anchorage but certainly not the best in the Kimberley and we
decided to leave.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So our 3 day
stop at Freshwater Bay turned into an overnight stay and we took off for
Prudhoe Island early the next morning after a lovely sunrise.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nTtmNoG0HPw/V5lB6Wpw8-I/AAAAAAAAaZ0/AlhpUlC4mw0yVlBNsBDpzcQGM1HISN2PgCKgB/s1600/Freshwater%2BBay%2BSunrise.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nTtmNoG0HPw/V5lB6Wpw8-I/AAAAAAAAaZ0/AlhpUlC4mw0yVlBNsBDpzcQGM1HISN2PgCKgB/s640/Freshwater%2BBay%2BSunrise.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our washing
of Lorelei was in vain and within 20 minutes of being underway, we had saltwater
all over the boat again in the strong 20+ knots of wind.<sub><o:p></o:p></sub></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul was not
happy!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
another fast and lively sail from Freshwater Bay to Parry Harbour where we
stopped for the night. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had sailed
the 55nm from door to door and only used 1 litre of diesel just to lift the
anchor in the morning and to find a suitable anchorage that night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There was
another great sunrise with 5 orange beams of light radiating out before the sun
came up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eZ3UybkRmn0/V5l--slYsXI/AAAAAAAAap8/W7Gmm90KISIgMErf3A3751i7SFz0fdzwgCKgB/s1600/Parry%2BHarbour%2BSunrise%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eZ3UybkRmn0/V5l--slYsXI/AAAAAAAAap8/W7Gmm90KISIgMErf3A3751i7SFz0fdzwgCKgB/s640/Parry%2BHarbour%2BSunrise%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8uLuH7r1uNw/V5l-_gi08FI/AAAAAAAAap8/6GxkCdDqXXQvBCl32BJxG9DFqTEIWA2zwCKgB/s1600/Parry%2BHarbour%2BSunrise%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8uLuH7r1uNw/V5l-_gi08FI/AAAAAAAAap8/6GxkCdDqXXQvBCl32BJxG9DFqTEIWA2zwCKgB/s640/Parry%2BHarbour%2BSunrise%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was off
again at 6am with more salt all over the boat right from the get-go.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">To rub salt
into the wound (or onto the boat…), it was a terrible sail and it was like
being in a washing machine with very confused seas, strong currents and unusual
wind angles.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had to
navigate through scores of small islands and shallow reef systems and put many
gybes in which was a lot of fun with the 4 of us all having our jobs to do. We
got better & better & faster on the winches and in the end were like a <br />
well-oiled sail race team….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One big thing
was the lack of info on the electronic charts on both our laptops and iPads.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
loads of rocks, islands and shallow reefs that were not even on the charts. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we decided
to name them ourselves. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We came up
with names like Fraggle Rock, Play-Dough Island, Submarine Rock, etc, etc….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MKyXyfQnu2c/V5mAUd_6v6I/AAAAAAAAass/7-MODIW2Vawa3Zc041578VPZwwajeX2SwCKgB/s1600/Sailing%2BRocks%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MKyXyfQnu2c/V5mAUd_6v6I/AAAAAAAAass/7-MODIW2Vawa3Zc041578VPZwwajeX2SwCKgB/s640/Sailing%2BRocks%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Surprisingly this group
of rocks were not on the charts.</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> It’s now called Play-Dough Island.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XWi49Fr5Nlc/V5mAUZpU6MI/AAAAAAAAass/DYbKwozx-uUODY4dbkUfx9g8woId7NSQgCKgB/s1600/Sailing%2BRocks%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XWi49Fr5Nlc/V5mAUZpU6MI/AAAAAAAAass/DYbKwozx-uUODY4dbkUfx9g8woId7NSQgCKgB/s640/Sailing%2BRocks%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We named this one
Submarine Rock</span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa realised
we would never make Prudhoe Island before dark so we cut the trip short and
stopped at Krait Bay overnight.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was flat
when we arrived at mid-afternoon but it started to get rolly around sunset and
was terrible by bedtime.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Needless to
say we all had a restless night sleep and woke bleary eyed the next day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had
planned to stop and do some reef fishing for the day around the rocky reefs but
decided to abort and push on to Prudhoe.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was only a
30nm sail but the winds were light and it was directly downwind so we had
another day of dogging reefs and gybing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived
mid-afternoon to a gorgeous bay that was flat calm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kRVtuQDK9xA/V5lQHCcxLUI/AAAAAAAAal4/3_p_-PBpfssQAW9ZjPxgPvFce9NA5t2rQCKgB/s1600/Lorelei%2BPrudhoe%2BIsland.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kRVtuQDK9xA/V5lQHCcxLUI/AAAAAAAAal4/3_p_-PBpfssQAW9ZjPxgPvFce9NA5t2rQCKgB/s640/Lorelei%2BPrudhoe%2BIsland.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Finally we
could stop for a few days to play!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Within an
hour of arriving we had the tinny in and Paul, Lisa & George were fishing
with soft plastics on the reef areas around the island just before sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We all caught
fish with Paul scoring the best one – a great sized Bar Cheek Coral Trout just
as the sun was setting.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z8jIb34cs7A/V5l_DEw0-TI/AAAAAAAAap8/LiSspKrf-GQn0aUgSpxfVpruFiwBHCz7gCKgB/s1600/Prudhoe%2BIs%2BCoral%2BTrout.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z8jIb34cs7A/V5l_DEw0-TI/AAAAAAAAap8/LiSspKrf-GQn0aUgSpxfVpruFiwBHCz7gCKgB/s640/Prudhoe%2BIs%2BCoral%2BTrout.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
was go, go, go with first a fishing trip at 6am.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We tried some
of the outer reefs but lost lots of rigs to the ever changing bottom profile
and the fish we did get off the bottom, we lost to sharks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we came
back to the pass we had fished the night before and had 4 fish in the esky
within 30 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">George took
the crown for the day with 2 Coral Trout to Pauls one and Lisa’s one Golden
Snapper.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PSP4kcqUSBo/V5l_A56uulI/AAAAAAAAap8/MC2Xt5QYvOMdRUuMuw9dDVnwCqMTHiGZwCKgB/s1600/Prudhoe%2BGeorge%2BCoral%2BTrout.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PSP4kcqUSBo/V5l_A56uulI/AAAAAAAAap8/MC2Xt5QYvOMdRUuMuw9dDVnwCqMTHiGZwCKgB/s640/Prudhoe%2BGeorge%2BCoral%2BTrout.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst Paul
struggled with the desalinator that was playing up, George and Chez went and
found a nice beach for a swim before lunch.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
really hot day and we had to wait until after 3:30pm to go for a walk on the
island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By then
everyone but Paul was tired so he decided to scramble up the rocks to the
island’s peak.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was only
about 20 minutes before sunset by the time he reached the top so it was a rush
back down to be safely back at the tinny before dark.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EiRSxvo41AE/V5l_D9pqzGI/AAAAAAAAap8/3Fc9I9je6Dk-SKxv-Zh0pCm9FL_jS_WIwCKgB/s1600/Prudhoe%2BIs%2BSunset%2BWalk%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EiRSxvo41AE/V5l_D9pqzGI/AAAAAAAAap8/3Fc9I9je6Dk-SKxv-Zh0pCm9FL_jS_WIwCKgB/s640/Prudhoe%2BIs%2BSunset%2BWalk%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note Lorelei anchored in
the bay just right of the sun streak</span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
(after another mornings fishing – 3 trout and 1 snapper…) we all went and did a
walk from the bay over to the protected side of the island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was the
day of the spring tides (biggest tides of the month) and there was a whopping
7m tidal range.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We anchored
the Tinny on a roving line so it was away from the rocky edge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We tied the
ropes off really high up but on our return they were still 1.5m underwater and
Paul had to dive under to untie them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-emxzx3A00pU/V5l_HFH86wI/AAAAAAAAap8/u062v_89jEwckmFmUOesNtml9ncpguJ7ACKgB/s1600/Prudhoe%2BIsland%2BCrystal%2BWalk%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-emxzx3A00pU/V5l_HFH86wI/AAAAAAAAap8/u062v_89jEwckmFmUOesNtml9ncpguJ7ACKgB/s640/Prudhoe%2BIsland%2BCrystal%2BWalk%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note how high the lines
are tied to the rocks on the far right<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j2VtbFeaxf4/V5l_JGH-sQI/AAAAAAAAap8/uqq6hNSF1XgqjuwaS66ZLmk6IGzFF1HgQCKgB/s1600/Prudhoe%2BIsland%2BCrystal%2BWalk%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j2VtbFeaxf4/V5l_JGH-sQI/AAAAAAAAap8/uqq6hNSF1XgqjuwaS66ZLmk6IGzFF1HgQCKgB/s640/Prudhoe%2BIsland%2BCrystal%2BWalk%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BadADGnW5YI/V5l_IPnqD8I/AAAAAAAAap8/489aYrjJoNcHacsYal-4IxBwmKykSGBbwCKgB/s1600/Prudhoe%2BIsland%2BCrystal%2BWalk%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BadADGnW5YI/V5l_IPnqD8I/AAAAAAAAap8/489aYrjJoNcHacsYal-4IxBwmKykSGBbwCKgB/s640/Prudhoe%2BIsland%2BCrystal%2BWalk%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
loads of crystals in the rocks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Some rocks
had large seams of the crystals whilst others had broken away to have them
attached to the side. There were smaller crystals and fragments scatted all
over the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The colours
ranged from orange to brilliant white to completely clear.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">George found
a near perfect hexagonal one that looked like glass.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s going to
get turned into a pendant for Chez.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IOKGcuqKSR4/V5l_N1rGvFI/AAAAAAAAap8/jgNdJJwFzJMgl_zWWNPotLPzxlbyMDV5gCKgB/s1600/Prudhoe%2BIsland%2BCrystal%2BWalk%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IOKGcuqKSR4/V5l_N1rGvFI/AAAAAAAAap8/jgNdJJwFzJMgl_zWWNPotLPzxlbyMDV5gCKgB/s640/Prudhoe%2BIsland%2BCrystal%2BWalk%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IklUp3P0d0Y/V5l_OMRPtSI/AAAAAAAAap8/hGx5B67FGxw-hOjAFYEKgmy3Qbn_NBR4gCKgB/s1600/Prudhoe%2BIsland%2BCrystal%2BWalk%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IklUp3P0d0Y/V5l_OMRPtSI/AAAAAAAAap8/hGx5B67FGxw-hOjAFYEKgmy3Qbn_NBR4gCKgB/s640/Prudhoe%2BIsland%2BCrystal%2BWalk%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The hike over
the hill was a hard slog through the large scattered rocks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We got to the
coast and thought it was too strenuous to walk to the sandy beach for a swim,
so we found a small cove and jumped in off the rocks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The water
surged in weird ways making different levels of water in 3 adjoining areas. The
water cascaded over the rocks into each section – sometimes taking us with it. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xyWDUAXrPfA/V5l_NIdkFjI/AAAAAAAAap8/luyH-XorXP01dmMiOF1EvZQEop-I12ioQCKgB/s1600/Prudhoe%2BIsland%2BCrystal%2BWalk%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xyWDUAXrPfA/V5l_NIdkFjI/AAAAAAAAap8/luyH-XorXP01dmMiOF1EvZQEop-I12ioQCKgB/s640/Prudhoe%2BIsland%2BCrystal%2BWalk%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note the 3 different
water heights from the left to the right</span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After 3
fabulous days at Prudhoe Island we took off again for the next leg.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We transited
down the Scott Strait which apparently is not recommended as it is mostly
unchartered and has tidal current of up to 8 knots.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Well that
didn’t deter us and we navigated it successfully on a rising spring tide and
motored though with the current pushing us along at up to 10 knots.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Well at least
it was a fast trip…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found a
bay that looked stunning and decided to anchor and explore.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It is rarely visited
and is uncharted so we carefully navigated our way into a side bay and anchored
up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was only
in 8m/27ft depth and we surmised we would have less than 1m/3ft under the keel
at low tide – well we hoped for nothing less than that….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At midday on
the top of the tide we took the tinny about 6 miles up into a small tributary.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way we
passed a small island with the rocks that looked like the ruins of an old
ancient city.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The river was
well protected and we threw some lures around, had a troll and stopped for a
bite to eat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IWyVysOvbC0/V5l_hRph40I/AAAAAAAAaqk/Fr9VBvhaL1clvU3uRACHMRszSFD3BQpvgCKgB/s1600/Purulba%2BCreek%2BMorning%2BFishing%2B1%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IWyVysOvbC0/V5l_hRph40I/AAAAAAAAaqk/Fr9VBvhaL1clvU3uRACHMRszSFD3BQpvgCKgB/s640/Purulba%2BCreek%2BMorning%2BFishing%2B1%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After another
30nm run, we stopped overnight at Careening Bay to have a look at a famous Boab
Tree on the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The beach was
great and there were a few Boab Trees up above the high tide mark.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The most
popular one is a huge Boab that is over 1000 years old and has split in two.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It has the
inscription of a British Cutter Ship called the Mermaid that was careened on
the beach for repairs in 1820.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The crew
carved the ships name in the tree under instructions from the British Secretary
of State to leave some evidence of their landing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The carved
ships name and date is still very evident even today.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
the WA National parks have put a walkway around the tree in an effort to
preserve it and to stop people getting too close and walking over the trees
exposed roots.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The back of
the Mermaid Boab was a wild looking twisted mix of truck and branches.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UEU241FuBr4/V5k_YBmZJ_I/AAAAAAAAaXw/qFfPdl5gSQgie1QA8iXqv0MVBBLRmoIyACKgB/s1600/Careening%2BBay%2BBoab%2BTree%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UEU241FuBr4/V5k_YBmZJ_I/AAAAAAAAaXw/qFfPdl5gSQgie1QA8iXqv0MVBBLRmoIyACKgB/s640/Careening%2BBay%2BBoab%2BTree%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
some other great Boab Trees along the beach too but they were not nearly as
big.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VIJm3R7edS8/V5k_c45b6II/AAAAAAAAaYM/AOGpSMyi3HA3CU66Z5QXlce53YjLbIxcACKgB/s1600/Careening%2BBay%2BBoab%2BTree%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VIJm3R7edS8/V5k_c45b6II/AAAAAAAAaYM/AOGpSMyi3HA3CU66Z5QXlce53YjLbIxcACKgB/s640/Careening%2BBay%2BBoab%2BTree%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The beach had
lots of fresh water running along it from the sides and it was evident in the
healthy wild flowers in the area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xJKmqzYLZho/V5k_mv4DNYI/AAAAAAAAaYM/SxtwMb-ySlcn43ZfAyJmoFE-XFNtqVmeACKgB/s1600/Careening%2BBay%2BBoab%2BTree%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xJKmqzYLZho/V5k_mv4DNYI/AAAAAAAAaYM/SxtwMb-ySlcn43ZfAyJmoFE-XFNtqVmeACKgB/s640/Careening%2BBay%2BBoab%2BTree%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The sun was
setting just as we left which made for a nice view looking out from the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-57K0kiYuW0E/V5k_ttkIsJI/AAAAAAAAaYM/Hk_jEuWuOS82KIhRCWP3OUrWhru7YQwOwCKgB/s1600/Careening%2BBay%2BBoab%2BTree%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-57K0kiYuW0E/V5k_ttkIsJI/AAAAAAAAaYM/Hk_jEuWuOS82KIhRCWP3OUrWhru7YQwOwCKgB/s640/Careening%2BBay%2BBoab%2BTree%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">From the boat
it looked pretty good too…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R89Y34EwnRA/V5k_wezTSEI/AAAAAAAAaYM/n_0CNotnw1c886JGxTvWiuMNlHJFjHHrACKgB/s1600/Careening%2BBay%2BSunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R89Y34EwnRA/V5k_wezTSEI/AAAAAAAAaYM/n_0CNotnw1c886JGxTvWiuMNlHJFjHHrACKgB/s640/Careening%2BBay%2BSunset.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We pushed on
with a 45nm run to The Prince Regent River.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had to
enter a series of narrow waterways and the St George Basin before arriving at
the river mouth.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The spring
tides were flooding and we were flying along under motor up to 12 knots (twice
our normal speed) but were consistently over 10 knots.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It made for a
very fast and fuel efficient passage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Basin was
surprisingly deep and we had depths over 100m which was the deepest we had
encountered of the entire trip.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
whirlpools in the narrow passages are marked on the charts and we had Lorelei
going in all directions each time we motored into one. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Some were
very fierce and threw Lorelei’s 30 tonnes around 90 degrees in seconds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a lot
of fun and the photos didn’t really do the whirlpools any justice.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BcMlwl4DEts/V5mBYcwOyWI/AAAAAAAAats/wIDytBXhFp0pu_DV0dRjlPFuIIj42nkNgCKgB/s1600/Whirlpools.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BcMlwl4DEts/V5mBYcwOyWI/AAAAAAAAats/wIDytBXhFp0pu_DV0dRjlPFuIIj42nkNgCKgB/s640/Whirlpools.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The scenery
along the passage was excellent with some amazing escarpments along the way.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LJvPcLI32kk/V5mBONW31yI/AAAAAAAAats/iYy23HQ_HkMg52uQX7lI64NyZQlkULeJACKgB/s1600/St%2BGeorge%2BBasin%2BPano.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LJvPcLI32kk/V5mBONW31yI/AAAAAAAAats/iYy23HQ_HkMg52uQX7lI64NyZQlkULeJACKgB/s640/St%2BGeorge%2BBasin%2BPano.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We passed a
small island that had loads of large Boab Trees on the shoreline. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
rushing to make the river mouth on the high tide so we didn’t stop but we made
a note to have a look on the way back.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FC4LoTAC1oY/V5k-EnXNMpI/AAAAAAAAaWk/NEF_7oWJyCkpnz0hIJpbP2YrJ4lXJAGjQCKgB/s1600/Boab%2BIsland.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FC4LoTAC1oY/V5k-EnXNMpI/AAAAAAAAaWk/NEF_7oWJyCkpnz0hIJpbP2YrJ4lXJAGjQCKgB/s640/Boab%2BIsland.JPG" width="450" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The currents
in the main channel of the Prince Regent River are strong so we anchored in a
side inlet called Purulba Creek which is about 7nm in from the river mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were a
set of cliffs right along the edge that made an easy reference point for
anchoring.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bpc3LB_zElI/V5l_jxxgnnI/AAAAAAAAaqk/wdd73fBYmNEeF59Ap26JENhJWr2QYJzwwCKgB/s1600/Purulba%2BCreek%2BMorning%2BFishing%2B1%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bpc3LB_zElI/V5l_jxxgnnI/AAAAAAAAaqk/wdd73fBYmNEeF59Ap26JENhJWr2QYJzwwCKgB/s640/Purulba%2BCreek%2BMorning%2BFishing%2B1%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Fd3S4auVkc/V5l_kudtC4I/AAAAAAAAaqk/E_pdPnHkUYw-dPeZoqHjOQzvBSfNPBl0ACKgB/s1600/Purulba%2BCreek%2BMorning%2BFishing%2B1%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Fd3S4auVkc/V5l_kudtC4I/AAAAAAAAaqk/E_pdPnHkUYw-dPeZoqHjOQzvBSfNPBl0ACKgB/s640/Purulba%2BCreek%2BMorning%2BFishing%2B1%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the
afternoon we took a trip in the tinny for about 6nm up Purulba Creek.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The glassy
water and afternoon sun made for a pleasant trip.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZaRWbEdGRo/V5l_QtyXQqI/AAAAAAAAap8/V8_PDavAsgkK_6ao504xU6yfsw4A9zqqQCKgB/s1600/Purulba%2BCreek%2BExplore%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZaRWbEdGRo/V5l_QtyXQqI/AAAAAAAAap8/V8_PDavAsgkK_6ao504xU6yfsw4A9zqqQCKgB/s640/Purulba%2BCreek%2BExplore%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We stopped to
have a look at a large rock plateau only to find a large crocodile sunning
himself on the lower rocks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We didn’t
even see him until he moved to slip into the water and we didn’t have the
cameras ready.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We motored up
some little mangrove lined side passages and did some trolling.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The rock
walls and mangroves made for some great reflection photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d6u2EWthOQI/V5l_Um_KayI/AAAAAAAAaqk/5tL1KNRTkac4lSJWqiVHEXVHuwXTQG6FACKgB/s1600/Purulba%2BCreek%2BExplore%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d6u2EWthOQI/V5l_Um_KayI/AAAAAAAAaqk/5tL1KNRTkac4lSJWqiVHEXVHuwXTQG6FACKgB/s640/Purulba%2BCreek%2BExplore%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="456" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In one little
inlet George spotted a very small Crocodile that was only about 30cm/1ft long.
He was happily sitting on a log and didn’t move despite us only being about
2m/6ft away and taking photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FYlaTlYW3CI/V5l_XIB6CjI/AAAAAAAAaqk/QfCFxICSHBgw36mqUqRlaVbKRHq6e9JSQCKgB/s1600/Purulba%2BCreek%2BExplore%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FYlaTlYW3CI/V5l_XIB6CjI/AAAAAAAAaqk/QfCFxICSHBgw36mqUqRlaVbKRHq6e9JSQCKgB/s640/Purulba%2BCreek%2BExplore%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HboSTvkLlc0/V5l_VdU8tLI/AAAAAAAAaqk/W8CpckdXP7knLMEl_nzNcOJz8KHQKUefACKgB/s1600/Purulba%2BCreek%2BExplore%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HboSTvkLlc0/V5l_VdU8tLI/AAAAAAAAaqk/W8CpckdXP7knLMEl_nzNcOJz8KHQKUefACKgB/s640/Purulba%2BCreek%2BExplore%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note the Mudskipper Fish
that was also hanging out</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">on the log in the bottom
of the photo<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
back to Lorelei we stopped in a small inlet to throw some lures around the
mangroves.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We heard a
noise that we have heard a few times now in different locations and we were
sure it was a crocodile grunting to let us know he wasn’t happy about us being
in his area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sure enough a
minute later a croc swam on the surface right up to the tinny.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It sat only
1m/3ft of the side and watched us. It would sink after a few minutes and come
up next to another part of the tinny.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We got a lot
of close-up photos of him before we left him in peace.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was an
excellent croc experience and a bonus to finally confirm that the noises we
were hearing were from Crocodiles.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first
morning’s sunrise in Purulba Creek was great with the reflections.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Once the tide
started to flood back into the river system, we took off in the tinny towards
the Kings Cascades.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">From Purulba
Creek it was a long way and we did a 23nm (40km) return journey.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We packed
lunch, fishing gear, 2 tanks of fuel and bolted on the 3.3hp auxiliary engine
just in case. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Kings
Cascades are a series of large waterfalls on the waters edge and swimming holes
with more waterfalls that you can climb/walk up too.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It is all
located in a small amphitheatre off the side of the main channel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Unlike many
of the other waterfalls in The Kimberley that were dry, these ones were flowing
nicely.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The falls are
the location of the Crocodile attack that killed US model Ginger Meadows in
1986.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">She was
standing on the rocks under the waterfall and decided to dive in and swim back
to the boat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">She died from
the crocodile attack that happened on the day before her 25<sup>th</sup>
birthday.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w6T9Z40RYlc/V5lNO6ZIyPI/AAAAAAAAajM/4qTq_T6yp7wd_nnHDbSNygcx80airl6VwCKgB/s1600/Kings%2BCascade%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w6T9Z40RYlc/V5lNO6ZIyPI/AAAAAAAAajM/4qTq_T6yp7wd_nnHDbSNygcx80airl6VwCKgB/s640/Kings%2BCascade%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul was able
to tweak his camera and use a ND Filter to slow the shutter speeds down for
some soft water shots of the waterfalls.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0DmDkNcQDc4/V5lNiiXbQHI/AAAAAAAAajc/R7qrd8rWvO8JMQmYCJkWwQtabFlwK7tJgCKgB/s1600/Kings%2BCascade%2B%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0DmDkNcQDc4/V5lNiiXbQHI/AAAAAAAAajc/R7qrd8rWvO8JMQmYCJkWwQtabFlwK7tJgCKgB/s640/Kings%2BCascade%2B%25284%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We parked the
tinny off to the side and walked/climbed up to the top pools.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">About ½ way
up we noticed the luxury cruise boat Kimberley Quest arrive and nose the boat
right up to the main waterfalls.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The river is
so shallow in parts with lots of hidden rocks and there was no way we were
going to attempt that with Lorelei’s deep keel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first top
pool looked black with its deep water and high surrounding cliffs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The only way
to access the next series of pools and waterfalls was to swim across the black
pool.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were so
fortunate to have George’s small waterproof camera to take with us up to the
next levels. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By the time
we got back down to the bottom, Quest had gone and we explored some other areas
within the amphitheatre that also had water coming down the rock faces.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We took one
last photo as the sun set behind the rocks and motored back to Lorelei in the
orange colours of dusk.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was just
getting dark as we arrived safely back on-board.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We did a
second trip up to another series of waterfalls at Camp Creek which was only
about half the distance of going to the Kings Cascades.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We left a
little earlier on the low tide and had to slow down in the creek due to the
shallow water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we turned
the engine off and drifted along with the incoming tide to do some lure casting
and watch the wildlife.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We saw a
Chestnut Rail that we have never seen before and is only found in small patches
throughout Australia’s top end.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The view up
at the end of the creek within the high rocky sides was amazing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At the end we
stopped for lunch on a rock ledge overlooking the canyon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After lunch
we walked up the water course looking for a safe swimming hole.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We passed
lots of small waterfalls and rock races that were flowing strongly.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-epPkMNOvA2s/V5k-lMC5l5I/AAAAAAAAaXA/ZqzrCA97uUMCxm1Nl29xSZ0lBUZYjDuWwCKgB/s1600/Camp%2BCreek%2BRock%2BBar%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-epPkMNOvA2s/V5k-lMC5l5I/AAAAAAAAaXA/ZqzrCA97uUMCxm1Nl29xSZ0lBUZYjDuWwCKgB/s640/Camp%2BCreek%2BRock%2BBar%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Further up we
found a series of large billabong style waterholes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They were big
with black water and we decided to find something a little smaller and safer
for a swim.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qPNerABcc3A/V5k-NsEFFcI/AAAAAAAAaXA/16eDMnxU5HIpNF_3lbj_6wjUAPnaf9QRQCKgB/s1600/Camp%2BCreek%2BRock%2BBar%2B%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qPNerABcc3A/V5k-NsEFFcI/AAAAAAAAaXA/16eDMnxU5HIpNF_3lbj_6wjUAPnaf9QRQCKgB/s640/Camp%2BCreek%2BRock%2BBar%2B%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On return to
the rock bar we tried to fish from the rocky edges as it was close to the high
tide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We threw
lures for ages and tried a dozen different sizes and colours but George caught
the only fish – and even then it was a large Saw Fish which got off.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
pretty disappointed not to get a Barramundi.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
home, the sun was setting creating a warm glow on the rocks and reflections in
the glassy water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ESJq-xKAqOo/V5k-0kGD4hI/AAAAAAAAaXQ/lExEvlKS7w8b-E417jRDmDhNu2-z-gqLACKgB/s1600/Camp%2BCreek%2BRock%2BBar%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ESJq-xKAqOo/V5k-0kGD4hI/AAAAAAAAaXQ/lExEvlKS7w8b-E417jRDmDhNu2-z-gqLACKgB/s640/Camp%2BCreek%2BRock%2BBar%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It topped off
another great day but by 8:30pm we were stuffed (after many consecutive days of
going non-stop) and we all slept until 8:30am the next morning.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
something really unusual happened – it rained!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst that
doesn’t sound too weird – it is supposed to be the dry season with SE trade
winds, cooler weather and clear skies.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The cooler
conditions lasted for about 1 week (the week prior) and then a low pressure
cell formed off the NW coast of WA (which usually happens in Summer) and we
were back to stinking hot days, no wind and rain.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It just adds
another chapter to the book of crazy weather for 2016 that has been with us
since Bali at Christmas time and hasn’t stopped since.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We figured
the rain might flush the Mud Crabs out of the creeks so we set up the new WA
approved crab pots (which are a bit unusual) and put 4 of them up the creek
inlets.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We put our
round polystyrene floats on them that we have used for years on the East Coast.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We discovered
that the Crocodiles love to chew on them and after only half an hour we found a
Croc hanging out in the shallows with one of our floats in his mouth and bits
of polystyrene floating down the inlet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a bit
of a mission to wrestle it away from him but eventually we got it back.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So mental
note for when we arrive in Broome – purchase some new hard plastic crab pot
floats!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7gk7h4oGa5g/V5l_fPG_93I/AAAAAAAAaqk/gqA79dtJFL8xtrU-X8R8zu_w4hlqiObJgCKgB/s1600/Purulba%2BCreek%2BFIshing%2BP%2526L%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7gk7h4oGa5g/V5l_fPG_93I/AAAAAAAAaqk/gqA79dtJFL8xtrU-X8R8zu_w4hlqiObJgCKgB/s640/Purulba%2BCreek%2BFIshing%2BP%2526L%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In between
checking the pots we threw some lures around and caught & released 3
different types of fish.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We also
celebrated George’s birthday in the Prince Regent River.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the wild
weather off the coast (and rising winds with big seas to add to the already
silly weather…) we decided to stay and do some more fishing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Before going
fishing Lisa cooked George apple muffins for breaky.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wC__RJYcdeQ/V5lCMJzrXRI/AAAAAAAAaaQ/cgOsfKjzSOAWpcJnGMKanSqmf9mAsyB6wCKgB/s1600/george%2Bbirthday%2Bmuffins.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wC__RJYcdeQ/V5lCMJzrXRI/AAAAAAAAaaQ/cgOsfKjzSOAWpcJnGMKanSqmf9mAsyB6wCKgB/s640/george%2Bbirthday%2Bmuffins.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We split the
fishing into 2 parts.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">George and
Lisa fishing the main inlet along the rocks at low tide and caught Mangrove
Jacks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EAY1JMsbmBU/V5lB_QFYnhI/AAAAAAAAaZ0/RcgMsnqXHBY-DML6kqypvEoktXwWsuAqgCKgB/s1600/George%2BBirthday%2BMangrove%2BJacks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EAY1JMsbmBU/V5lB_QFYnhI/AAAAAAAAaZ0/RcgMsnqXHBY-DML6kqypvEoktXwWsuAqgCKgB/s640/George%2BBirthday%2BMangrove%2BJacks.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Not big but VERY
tasty…..<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the arvo
Paul and George tried the side tributaries on the rising tide but all they got
were Crocodiles hanging around the tinny.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9F5Xy997Zzw/V5lCMzxBcPI/AAAAAAAAaaQ/eGXTneX9DusYksgOztr-yOu1oppQ52OCQCKgB/s1600/georgre%2Bbirthday%2Bcroc.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9F5Xy997Zzw/V5lCMzxBcPI/AAAAAAAAaaQ/eGXTneX9DusYksgOztr-yOu1oppQ52OCQCKgB/s640/georgre%2Bbirthday%2Bcroc.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite the
strong weather lingering for days we pushed off and snuck around to another
protected area called Hanover Bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The passage
was a lot flatter than we expected but we did weave through the islands for
protection.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Hanover bay
was fantastic!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It had
beautiful white sandy beaches with clear water where we could have a quick swim
and some nice tributaries close by for fishing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3zA-uIW4XRM/V5lEWQrrCaI/AAAAAAAAabs/xsTQvkJSFKw0BhxNw1qnTMkRjut5krlEACKgB/s1600/Hanover%2BBeach%2BWalk%2B1%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3zA-uIW4XRM/V5lEWQrrCaI/AAAAAAAAabs/xsTQvkJSFKw0BhxNw1qnTMkRjut5krlEACKgB/s640/Hanover%2BBeach%2BWalk%2B1%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The fishing
was a heap of fun.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found the mouth
of a small inlet on the first arvo that had a mixture of rock bars and
mangroves.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was the
first time we had 3 of us in the tinny all lure casting and it was no problem
at all.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We teased the
Queenfish and Trevally right up the boat and it made for a fun arvo of sport
fishing on light tackle.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lwa4LVUoszc/V5lEgyVRCPI/AAAAAAAAacI/1_xkjwhE2xYAUOcqizW3q6g-IUuO6QD1ACKgB/s1600/Hanover%2BFishing%2BDay%2B1%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lwa4LVUoszc/V5lEgyVRCPI/AAAAAAAAacI/1_xkjwhE2xYAUOcqizW3q6g-IUuO6QD1ACKgB/s640/Hanover%2BFishing%2BDay%2B1%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tNYzFAFOqII/V5lEga774YI/AAAAAAAAacI/nO6mEetr6pob5W48vrXZHqjOtYWksUJUwCKgB/s1600/Hanover%2BFishing%2BDay%2B1%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tNYzFAFOqII/V5lEga774YI/AAAAAAAAacI/nO6mEetr6pob5W48vrXZHqjOtYWksUJUwCKgB/s640/Hanover%2BFishing%2BDay%2B1%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul had
tried and tried to run the desalinator on the previous 10 days but could only
run it for about 30 minutes before it played up and sadly we were slowly going
backwards in the main tanks water levels.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It had him
stumped! It was the only thing not running right on the boat and was really bugging
him.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was also
one of the most important and critical items on board and it needed to run
properly to complete the trip.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul was
about to start to break down the system and replace pumps, etc. with spares on
board but he decided to check the filters first.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They looked
fine looking through the blue tinted housings but on closer inspection we found
them coated in a fine film of light grey clay that was <br />
non-porous and had virtually clogged the filter, subsequently starving the
system of incoming salt water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The filters
which normally last for well over 3-4 months and are usually only replaced as a
preventative, were well and truly spent after only 3 weeks in <br />
The Kimberley’s silty muddy water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It turned
into a 3 minute and $6 fix!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
we brought about 30 new filters before we left Darwin.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We thought
that amount would last for years - but obviously not….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Either way
Paul had a smile from ear to ear for the rest of the day and enjoyed an extra
drink or two at sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dEdNgAwVyQ4/V5lEQqvNsUI/AAAAAAAAabs/VNAdCkfOyUQe_pbm8p4ltW1v7YqwQhN4ACKgB/s1600/Hanover%2BBay%2BSunset%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dEdNgAwVyQ4/V5lEQqvNsUI/AAAAAAAAabs/VNAdCkfOyUQe_pbm8p4ltW1v7YqwQhN4ACKgB/s640/Hanover%2BBay%2BSunset%2B1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The hot
weather came to an abrupt ending when a strong wind warning was issued and the
wind brought big seas and cold (really cold….) weather.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a
yacht next to us that left in the morning and an hour later they were back
after coping a flogging for 30 minutes under sail before returning covered in
salt water and a little worse for wear.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we rugged
up and decided to explore the inlets around Hanover Bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The inlets
high sided cliffs offered great protection from the wind and were stunning to
look at.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8wwx946eiJA/V5lEP27DaqI/AAAAAAAAabs/yumytMCgLRAuKUEG361ifKaDrbeFeKvWgCKgB/s1600/Hanover%2BBay%2BExplore%2BD1%2B%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8wwx946eiJA/V5lEP27DaqI/AAAAAAAAabs/yumytMCgLRAuKUEG361ifKaDrbeFeKvWgCKgB/s640/Hanover%2BBay%2BExplore%2BD1%2B%25289%2529.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The inlets
had some Mangrove Trees with big solid trunks that looked more like gum trees
in the water than the normally stunted, twisted mangroves.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ehFbBLzpuf0/V5lDlspXBNI/AAAAAAAAabQ/hNHIdVVovc8WrC2EbsFMth9SoybuBVGRgCKgB/s1600/Hanover%2BBay%2BExplore%2BD1%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ehFbBLzpuf0/V5lDlspXBNI/AAAAAAAAabQ/hNHIdVVovc8WrC2EbsFMth9SoybuBVGRgCKgB/s640/Hanover%2BBay%2BExplore%2BD1%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZUuYIu7Veiw/V5lDUugSevI/AAAAAAAAaaw/-9NAFUVekk8TehQrsy8t1TZlJQzXyHVdQCKgB/s1600/Hanover%2BBay%2BExp%2B2%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZUuYIu7Veiw/V5lDUugSevI/AAAAAAAAaaw/-9NAFUVekk8TehQrsy8t1TZlJQzXyHVdQCKgB/s640/Hanover%2BBay%2BExp%2B2%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At the end of
the inlet we found loads of Boab Trees up on the hill sides and deep within the
dense growth.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">George
spotted one huge one with its top sticking out high above the other foliage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa and Chez
dropped Paul and George ashore and they bush-bashed up the slope to the tall Boab
Tree.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AhoBR-9xFj4/V5lDZcdcNxI/AAAAAAAAaaw/uZyGUd0r4RkEU1bq63eqLAkOfKcBtUtLgCKgB/s1600/Hanover%2BBay%2BExplore%2BD1%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AhoBR-9xFj4/V5lDZcdcNxI/AAAAAAAAaaw/uZyGUd0r4RkEU1bq63eqLAkOfKcBtUtLgCKgB/s640/Hanover%2BBay%2BExplore%2BD1%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="432" /></a></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There was a smaller
second one behind the first and the photo looking into the sun was as challenge
but came out well using the flash on high power.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We saw a few
Rock Wallabies on the rock faces and were amazed at how agile they were.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We watched
one jump from near sea level all the way up a large rocky cliff face in a very
short time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul managed
to get a shot of one mid-air as she jumped from rock to rock.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ChonjDGIbHE/V5lEFsULneI/AAAAAAAAabs/gAlZtalGA-wRyElppVOWF4f3KpovBhMPgCKgB/s1600/Hanover%2BBay%2BExplore%2BD1%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ChonjDGIbHE/V5lEFsULneI/AAAAAAAAabs/gAlZtalGA-wRyElppVOWF4f3KpovBhMPgCKgB/s640/Hanover%2BBay%2BExplore%2BD1%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way back
to Lorelei we stopped in a small rocky bay that had 2 small beaches that were
only exposed at low tide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The shallow
shoaling water was perfect for a safe swim, however George was wading through
the water and a small curious shark swam right up to his feet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Above the
beaches were lots more Boabs and we clambered up the rock to have look at a
few.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cFVwjFBwTRs/V5lDDRp_r_I/AAAAAAAAaaw/AkM5b3MONcQN2r4ZYwzPuypB66ybixNfACKgB/s1600/Hanover%2BBay%2BBoab%2BPaul.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cFVwjFBwTRs/V5lDDRp_r_I/AAAAAAAAaaw/AkM5b3MONcQN2r4ZYwzPuypB66ybixNfACKgB/s640/Hanover%2BBay%2BBoab%2BPaul.JPG" width="390" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fishing
started a little late that arvo and we only got a 30 minute session in just before
sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul managed
to hook an Estuary Cod on only his second cast.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We don’t eat
Cod so we let it go after the photo.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-btFBliZgpro/V5lDCpzVA6I/AAAAAAAAaaw/4j6c3PdWC402dHoR7TbiI0IxPO6MguNTgCKgB/s1600/Hanover%2BBay%2BCod%2BPaul.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-btFBliZgpro/V5lDCpzVA6I/AAAAAAAAaaw/4j6c3PdWC402dHoR7TbiI0IxPO6MguNTgCKgB/s640/Hanover%2BBay%2BCod%2BPaul.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">If the day
before was cold, the next day was windier and much colder.</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We all were
in long pants and jumpers all morning and stayed on board while it blew dogs
off chains.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The poor
people on the yacht next to us still couldn’t leave despite having to meet
friends soon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We still
managed to explore a new inlet that was protected from the wind.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The cooler
temps allowed us to go for the trip without the canopy.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9zWV7oRuXB0/V5lDCQljNmI/AAAAAAAAaaw/tRiu_TwdMSUPXm615ZnhGLaTMJyOH-0aQCKgB/s1600/Hanover%2BBay%2BExp%2B2%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9zWV7oRuXB0/V5lDCQljNmI/AAAAAAAAaaw/tRiu_TwdMSUPXm615ZnhGLaTMJyOH-0aQCKgB/s640/Hanover%2BBay%2BExp%2B2%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dfYZ8BKXtjo/V5lDUkx_JEI/AAAAAAAAaaw/7bCgBdNVpkg2q5ABeDTTzIUPiB9usz3ngCKgB/s1600/Hanover%2BBay%2BExp%2B2%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dfYZ8BKXtjo/V5lDUkx_JEI/AAAAAAAAaaw/7bCgBdNVpkg2q5ABeDTTzIUPiB9usz3ngCKgB/s640/Hanover%2BBay%2BExp%2B2%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The arvo fishing
session was a very fun one with lots of big fish action on the rock bar at the
inlet we explored during the day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul lost a
huge Mangrove Jack just next to the boat and we soon discovered it had
straightened the hooks on the lure.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He then had a
barracuda take the lure right next to the boat just has he was lifting it out
of the water. It made a hell of a splash and stripped a lot of line off the
reel before finally boating it and letting it go.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We caught
loads of Cod of all sizes too.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly after a
great session we went home (once again) with no fish to eat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Cm_6KeBfo8/V5lEOxd0WqI/AAAAAAAAabs/xjdnMqMuvLwv04btaMWel_8caHvHgFYmQCKgB/s1600/Hanover%2BBay%2BFishing%2BLisa%2BCod.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Cm_6KeBfo8/V5lEOxd0WqI/AAAAAAAAabs/xjdnMqMuvLwv04btaMWel_8caHvHgFYmQCKgB/s640/Hanover%2BBay%2BFishing%2BLisa%2BCod.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a
terrific sail from Hanover Bay to Sampson Inlet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
solid 20 knots and we were reefed down and flying downwind.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went past
a Humpback Whale and it put on an incredible acrobatic show for us and was
leaping well clear of the water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Nobody had a
camera on deck and by the time Paul got one set up it, the show was almost
over.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br />
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<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-35rEmyJmkLY/V5mAy1nPKDI/AAAAAAAAato/gDgcVZ9TbtMOCyErqeg2-dgY4osf5hnEgCKgB/s1600/Sampson%2BBay%2BSail%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-35rEmyJmkLY/V5mAy1nPKDI/AAAAAAAAato/gDgcVZ9TbtMOCyErqeg2-dgY4osf5hnEgCKgB/s640/Sampson%2BBay%2BSail%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had to
weave through lots of islands and tight straits (although there was nothing
straight about them) and we had to do a lot of gybes to dodge things.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yqk16QIkWzc/V5mAztanYhI/AAAAAAAAato/3Ptjvmhlj2IGKar5wrAvFsb0V5kG4IaJQCKgB/s1600/Sampson%2BBay%2BSail%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yqk16QIkWzc/V5mAztanYhI/AAAAAAAAato/3Ptjvmhlj2IGKar5wrAvFsb0V5kG4IaJQCKgB/s640/Sampson%2BBay%2BSail%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rYuraFJCqu0/V5mAzyBvlRI/AAAAAAAAato/LnIs9FXVKNgV38zblT2Kobgif1BFAgV0QCKgB/s1600/Sampson%2BBay%2BSail%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rYuraFJCqu0/V5mAzyBvlRI/AAAAAAAAato/LnIs9FXVKNgV38zblT2Kobgif1BFAgV0QCKgB/s640/Sampson%2BBay%2BSail%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NAFXTc2Ymmc/V5mA1fnp0uI/AAAAAAAAato/UAsoyVv2XGsR_1D48kWAN-TZ3xcEAHaBACKgB/s1600/Sampson%2BBay%2BSail%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NAFXTc2Ymmc/V5mA1fnp0uI/AAAAAAAAato/UAsoyVv2XGsR_1D48kWAN-TZ3xcEAHaBACKgB/s640/Sampson%2BBay%2BSail%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Eventually the
tide got the better of us when the high cliff walls shadowed the wind and we
had to motor the last few miles.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we
approached the inlet we could see large schools of Northern Bluefin Tuna (also
called Longtail Tuna) busting up whilst they fed near the surface.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They were
still at it even in the confines of the inlet!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So as soon as
we anchored Lorelei, it was in with the Tinny and off to catch a Tuna.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It didn’t
take too long and soon we had landed a 7.5kg one which was a hoot on light
tackle.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qb3xlN8h_LE/V5mA3yewtnI/AAAAAAAAato/34MelXY1gY0lQWYG8bVG9SQZu5yTSYCnACKgB/s1600/Sampson%2BInlet%2BFishing%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qb3xlN8h_LE/V5mA3yewtnI/AAAAAAAAato/34MelXY1gY0lQWYG8bVG9SQZu5yTSYCnACKgB/s640/Sampson%2BInlet%2BFishing%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The inlet
anchorage was super protected and glassy flat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oY4gbMmHPmk/V5mA4G8y-2I/AAAAAAAAato/iUT-YchEUGgvHw2JGW6Hl6n7w595JMCoACKgB/s1600/Sampson%2BInlet%2BFishing%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="344" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oY4gbMmHPmk/V5mA4G8y-2I/AAAAAAAAato/iUT-YchEUGgvHw2JGW6Hl6n7w595JMCoACKgB/s640/Sampson%2BInlet%2BFishing%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Early the
next morning we headed up stream on the high tide to explore.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The inlet was
stunning with lots of interesting rock structures, loads of Boab Trees, Cycad
Palms and wildlife. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2FC8JjyhY9I/V5mAlkg0kXI/AAAAAAAAato/DP0Ob0sX4Ts77ZJpMDxNeZkZM2hBrsQTgCKgB/s1600/Sampson%2BBay%2BExplore%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2FC8JjyhY9I/V5mAlkg0kXI/AAAAAAAAato/DP0Ob0sX4Ts77ZJpMDxNeZkZM2hBrsQTgCKgB/s640/Sampson%2BBay%2BExplore%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We saw the
biggest Boab we had ever seen right up on top of the escarpment.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We called it
Sampson and figured it was the Granddaddy of all Boab’s in the area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At the end of
the gorge we tied the Tinny up to the side rocks and ventured up the water
course on foot.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the 8m
tidal range we had to be careful not to tie the Tinny up too tightly.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul went
climbing up a steep grass slope to take some Boabs photos when the rock he was
standing on to take the photos suddenly gave away and rolled down the hill.
Paul went tumbling into the rocks and smashed his camera and face onto the
rocks. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The camera
was fine (fortunately it was one of the older ones….) but Paul received a split
and bruised lip, grazed leg and a nasty cut to his toe that he got through his
shoes!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It knocked
him around a little for the next 24 hours.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Boab
shots came out well though….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
home we stopped at another smaller inlet which was reported to have aboriginal
rock art.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We searched
and had all but given up when George found some under an overhang. It wasn’t
very clear and quite faded.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">From Sampson
we ventured a little further around to Deception Bay which is the best area to
view Whales in The Kimberley.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We saw a
mother and calf lazing in the shallows close to land.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">George, Chez
and Lisa spent a morning swimming and exploring the area while Paul rested up
after his fall.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Do you think
they even took one photo??? ……No!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But they did
find fresh turtle tracks on the beach and freshly dug egg nests.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">From
Deception Bay we headed to Langgi on the day of the full moon and spring tides
which were around 9 meters difference between low and high.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way we
saw more whales. We tried to get close with the motor but they would dive. So
we stopped the motor and unfurled the headsail and ghosted along in the light
winds which allowed us to get much closer.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Langgi is a
special place for the Aboriginal people as it has rock art, a burial cave and
some very unusual rock formations on the water’s edge that are unique.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The rock
formations are covered in water at high tide so we had to wait until 4pm to go
ashore.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The rocks are
amazing and we spent a long time walking around them and exploring.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">You had to
have a bit of an open mind when looking at the rocks, many of which resembled
animals or other objects.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Low tide was
5pm and by then the Tinny was high and dry so we had to wait until after 6pm
before we could re-float it to get back to Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The low tide
and setting sun made for excellent photos as the light spread over the beach
and rocks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We watched
the sunset and the amazing colours that formed after the sun had set. At the
same time the full moon rose bringing lots of light to the area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
terrific experience and certainly a highlight of the entire trip.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We left the
coastline and ventured out to Montgomery Reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The reef is
famous for its cascading water overfalls when the tide drops and water pours
over the reef into the channel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At spring
tides it is far more dramatic and water level differences of up to 5 meters can
be experienced between the top of the reef and the inside channel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a 10.4
meter tidal difference so we knew we were in for a treat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We didn’t
know what to expect of the reef and had images in our head of the Great Barrier
Reef with clear water and easily visible reef edges. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Well it was
nothing like that and the reef was totally covered at high tide and we couldn’t
see any reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However we
had to navigate up the narrow channel, anchor Lorelei and sit and wait for the
tide to drop.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Anchoring up
turned into a mission with huge currents running through the channel making it
hard going to scout around and find a safe and suitable anchorage without
knowing where the reef edges were.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Once anchored
it was surreal and it was like being anchored up in the middle of the ocean
with nothing visible for miles around.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
it was dead flat seas, clear skies and only a little wind so conditions were
close to perfect.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As the tide
dropped the reef slowly became apparent and somehow we fluked it and had
anchored right in the middle of the channel and opposite a series of great
overfalls.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As the reef
became exposed the current channelled through the pass and was flying at well
over 6 knots. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had to be
extra careful dropping the Tinny in off the davits and getting it tied safely
up to the side of Lorelei. If it had tipped onto its side whilst being tied on,
the current would have rolled it over for sure.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At first the
overfalls were small and we were able to nose right up to the edge with the
deeper water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As time went
on, the overfalls became fiercer and the water at the base of them became
shallower. It was all the more difficult in the Tinny as we couldn’t see the
rocks in the turbulent water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The birds
also turned up for a feed when the reef became exposed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CfWRCDaMWZY/V5l-2WY6mHI/AAAAAAAAap8/-G4awGCpT-kX7gso0aXVQWI8BsaSD93uQCKgB/s1600/Montgomery%2BReef%2B%2B%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CfWRCDaMWZY/V5l-2WY6mHI/AAAAAAAAap8/-G4awGCpT-kX7gso0aXVQWI8BsaSD93uQCKgB/s640/Montgomery%2BReef%2B%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When the tide
dropped right down, the water backed off but was coming down fast in certain
areas which allowed Paul to walk up a drier section and get some photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br />
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Dead low tide
was just after sunset and it was glassy flat as we were about 3-4 meters below
the water level on the outer reef areas.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br />
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Just on dark
the tide was rising and the water had backed off to a slow run.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mA8wbEiKC0g/V5l-34wHOPI/AAAAAAAAap8/q4ZD8h-eDaojP-KfzIXj5mAYCVf6BaweQCKgB/s1600/Montgomery%2BReef%2B%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mA8wbEiKC0g/V5l-34wHOPI/AAAAAAAAap8/q4ZD8h-eDaojP-KfzIXj5mAYCVf6BaweQCKgB/s640/Montgomery%2BReef%2B%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite it
being flat and calm, we had to be vigilant that night and monitor our
positions, particularly during the tide changes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The sunrise
at low tide in the glassy conditions was special and the full moon was still
up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0VlgMHlsjuo/V5l-7EBakxI/AAAAAAAAap8/ThfWjm14X809opxMswltY7O-0IEdiCCBQCKgB/s1600/Montogmery%2BReef%2BSunrise%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0VlgMHlsjuo/V5l-7EBakxI/AAAAAAAAap8/ThfWjm14X809opxMswltY7O-0IEdiCCBQCKgB/s640/Montogmery%2BReef%2BSunrise%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NE9RnNyOtVc/V5l-7SiNxCI/AAAAAAAAap8/4JcT8eBEw9sJEwCTvb6TjP0SbyviBamjQCKgB/s1600/Montogmery%2BReef%2BSunrise%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NE9RnNyOtVc/V5l-7SiNxCI/AAAAAAAAap8/4JcT8eBEw9sJEwCTvb6TjP0SbyviBamjQCKgB/s640/Montogmery%2BReef%2BSunrise%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We managed to
leave at 9:30am the next morning.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
great experience (and we were the only ones there) but a little fraught with
danger and we had to really be in the ball with getting in and out and
anchoring.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We motored
through the channel and over to Raft Point.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The bay is
open and exposed but the calm conditions made for a perfect anchorage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We took the
tinny into the next bay and around some amazing rocky headlands.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r0770m_zN14/V5l_m82ozRI/AAAAAAAAaqk/FgWfesf8f_0wjB35L9sCokY9CPwJ37_4QCKgB/s1600/Raft%2BPoint%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r0770m_zN14/V5l_m82ozRI/AAAAAAAAaqk/FgWfesf8f_0wjB35L9sCokY9CPwJ37_4QCKgB/s640/Raft%2BPoint%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We parked at
a fantastic beach that had lots of Boab Trees close to the water’s edge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pYxAqtb6lGw/V5l_wBrP3XI/AAAAAAAAaqk/EN434UBWOPolroaVbdECPo8cmN-8GPcZQCKgB/s1600/Raft%2BPoint%2B%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pYxAqtb6lGw/V5l_wBrP3XI/AAAAAAAAaqk/EN434UBWOPolroaVbdECPo8cmN-8GPcZQCKgB/s640/Raft%2BPoint%2B%25284%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tk8HC_fCkOY/V5l_wiO14FI/AAAAAAAAaqk/3x6GRsgtyXYRod-yIztxaKoD4FVJ0gYhgCKgB/s1600/Raft%2BPoint%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tk8HC_fCkOY/V5l_wiO14FI/AAAAAAAAaqk/3x6GRsgtyXYRod-yIztxaKoD4FVJ0gYhgCKgB/s640/Raft%2BPoint%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There is a
trail that winds up into the hills and finishes at 2 caves that have Aboriginal
rock art.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The rock art
is different from both The Gwion/Bradshaws and anything we had seen in Kakadu.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was quite
vibrant against the rocks and came up great in the photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The area is
well known for Dugongs (Sea Cows or Manatees) and there were lots of paintings
of them in the caves.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aeeqLGPuw64/V5l_-0N-WTI/AAAAAAAAarc/TVBPr7bCFPw3efSKMBrfC4SJZkSjqXkNACKgB/s1600/Raft%2BPoint%2BRock%2BArt%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aeeqLGPuw64/V5l_-0N-WTI/AAAAAAAAarc/TVBPr7bCFPw3efSKMBrfC4SJZkSjqXkNACKgB/s640/Raft%2BPoint%2BRock%2BArt%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That evening
was excellent and dead flat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa and
George went fishing, a neighbouring yacht came to say hello (it was one of the
only ones we had seen) and Paul and Chez watched the rocks transform into
amazing colours as the afternoon sun cast its glow onto them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rm98JTT9SV0/V5mAB0woxsI/AAAAAAAAarc/toBBNHYQRRc20Dz5uM1D60HjIs86ro6QQCKgB/s1600/Raft%2BPoint%2BSunset%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rm98JTT9SV0/V5mAB0woxsI/AAAAAAAAarc/toBBNHYQRRc20Dz5uM1D60HjIs86ro6QQCKgB/s640/Raft%2BPoint%2BSunset%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--x6SFeacLkU/V5mACMdffkI/AAAAAAAAarc/SR223khC6cYZh0ulNDfqdJPA49-U5epFwCKgB/s1600/Raft%2BPoint%2BSunset%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--x6SFeacLkU/V5mACMdffkI/AAAAAAAAarc/SR223khC6cYZh0ulNDfqdJPA49-U5epFwCKgB/s640/Raft%2BPoint%2BSunset%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A cruise ship
then came into the bay after dark.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K9nwhRXLMxo/V5l_vvI-NfI/AAAAAAAAaqk/SYs2a6dXzUcik4-3Dm3R5XNqszifOtkTQCKgB/s1600/Raft%2BPoint%2BCruise%2BShip%2BNight.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K9nwhRXLMxo/V5l_vvI-NfI/AAAAAAAAaqk/SYs2a6dXzUcik4-3Dm3R5XNqszifOtkTQCKgB/s640/Raft%2BPoint%2BCruise%2BShip%2BNight.JPG" width="456" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By morning it
was still dead flat and the rising sun cast its glow on the rock faces on the
other side of the bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lh5ink_7C6Q/V5l_yFSM0yI/AAAAAAAAaqk/FK3lpdTkEk4-0B-egqYZDkBzy0COfswNgCKgB/s1600/Raft%2BPoint%2BDaybreak.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lh5ink_7C6Q/V5l_yFSM0yI/AAAAAAAAaqk/FK3lpdTkEk4-0B-egqYZDkBzy0COfswNgCKgB/s640/Raft%2BPoint%2BDaybreak.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next big
stop was the Horizontal Waterfalls at Talbot Bay but it was a 55nm run and
there was not enough wind to sail the entire way in daylight hours so we split
the trip into two and stopped half way at Kingfisher Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We saw stacks
of Whales on the way.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6BxCflf9QPY/V5lNJ-p06tI/AAAAAAAAajM/1Od-8VWPL7cMAGG-Ikzk0qGjRziMI73eACKgB/s1600/Kingfisher%2BWhales.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6BxCflf9QPY/V5lNJ-p06tI/AAAAAAAAajM/1Od-8VWPL7cMAGG-Ikzk0qGjRziMI73eACKgB/s640/Kingfisher%2BWhales.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The second
half of the trip to Talbot Bay had dead flat seas and no wind so we motored the
whole way.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It started
with normal boat speed but as we entered the channel into the bay, the flooding
tide pushed us along faster and faster.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At one stage
we were doing over 13.5 knots boat speed which is the fastest Lorelei has even
gone under motor.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That equated
to 6.5 knots boat speed at the engine revs we were doing and 7 knots current
assistance!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The islands
within the passage were stunning and the water was a glassy green colour.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qef_TwhtVRE/V5lGDlKYfZI/AAAAAAAAaeE/u6XNEEpakQ4WVdmGoOnRh4r-1kcX0RyCACKgB/s1600/Horizontal%2BWaterfall%2BArrive.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qef_TwhtVRE/V5lGDlKYfZI/AAAAAAAAaeE/u6XNEEpakQ4WVdmGoOnRh4r-1kcX0RyCACKgB/s640/Horizontal%2BWaterfall%2BArrive.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived at
the end of the bay to find a hive of activity.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There is a
floating hotel (called The Horizontal Hotel) with pontoons attached to it all
around.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We counted 4
helicopters on the hotel roofs and pontoons, up to 5 sea planes coming and
going and tourist boats of all shapes and sizes for exploring the area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We anchored
not far away and watched the spectacle.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had
helicopters flying overhead, sea planes taking off & landing right next to
Lorelei and boats wizzing past.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
Horizontal Waterfalls are a series of narrow water filled passes that separate
the long steep rocky gorge and an inland sea that is landlocked. The passes are
the only entry for water to the inland sea. The tidal ranges and times differ
from the gorge to the inland sea and at the ends of the tides there can be a
significant difference in the water heights.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The water
then spews through the passes with tremendous force.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At the
opposite end of the tide the water forces its way back through the other way.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We listened
on the Hotel’s radio frequency and found out they were doing a 1:30pm boat trip
through the Horizontal Waterfalls for guests.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we put the
tinny in and beat them there by a few minutes so we could check it out and see
what they did at the waterfalls.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Their boats
were large RIBs with 3 x 300hp outboards and they blasted through the passes at
high speed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We thought it
looked possible in the tinny so we turned around, lined it up and blasted
through the pass at full speed. We hit a few whirlpools and current patches
which threw us around a bit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We ventured
over to a second waterfall that was very steep and not even the big boats were
going through it. We watched the skipper carefully reverse the boat back down
into the top of the waterfall and manage to hold it there with high revs for
the excited guests.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We realised
it was going to be a huge challenge to get safely back through the waterfall we
had just come over.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The water was
screaming through at well over 12-15 knots and there were deep holes from
whirlpools and loads of turbulence.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We did a
dummy run first to pick a line and take some photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PCL0men_v0E/V5lHJlMQyBI/AAAAAAAAaek/zpF3cTp2xt0nR0LP96PlO3n7Tb9KGZyKACKgB/s1600/Hortizontal%2BWaterfall%2BJoyride%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PCL0men_v0E/V5lHJlMQyBI/AAAAAAAAaek/zpF3cTp2xt0nR0LP96PlO3n7Tb9KGZyKACKgB/s640/Hortizontal%2BWaterfall%2BJoyride%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Everything
was packed away and locked down before the main run.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul had a
big run up and was going at 100% full throttle.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The boat bucked
and tipped and lurched all over the place and at one stage a gunnel went under
water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We slowed
considerably from the current once in the main pass and the engine was
screaming from water cavitation.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We crab walked
quite close to the rock wall at one stage but slowly we crawled through and
eventually into some green and less turbulent water at the top where we picked
up speed and got through – just!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Looking back
it was a little silly and there were lots of white knuckles <br />
- but hey, we did it!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Later in the
afternoon we explored Cyclone creek which is close by.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The rock
formations were stunning and we spent ages exploring all the different inlets.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Later in the
arvo we were all relaxing when George walked on deck to see a shark swimming
around the boat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Initially he
thought it was a Tawny Nurse Shark so he went down onto the rear platform only
to have a good sized Hammerhead Shark come right up to him, roll onto its side
and look up at him.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It hung
around for a least 30 minutes and came up very close to us heaps of times.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
Saturday and that night they had live music on the pontoon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the calm
conditions we could hear it and were singing along as we had a BBQ outside.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next
morning we had a look at the waterfalls going the other way and a second trip
up to Cyclone Creek.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We contacted
the Hotel and organised a doors-off helicopter flight over the area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived at
the pontoon to find lots of very friendly staff and a really tidy and well run
set-up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were able
to tie up the tinny right next to the helicopter.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The flight
was excellent with firstly a fly over the horizontal waterfalls.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We then did a
trip around the inland sea and then Cyclone Creek.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
back, Fraser our pilot did a loop around Lorelei on anchor.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After the
flight we were just about to leave when Chez enquired about a series of alloy
cages in the water and they said they were for shark feeds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They
explained how it all works with the local Tawny Nurse Sharks which sounded
great.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By chance
they were just about to start one on another pontoon and they allowed us to
come along and watch.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Talk about
good timing!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The feed has
the guests in shallow cages and the sharks are free to swim under the pontoon
and up to the cage side for a free feed. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They get up
to 20 of the harmless Tawny’s each time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There is also
a 4m long resident Bull Shark that usually hangs a little deeper under all the
action and the area is also known for Tigers and Hammerheads, hence the reason
for the cage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the huge
current flow we had entering Talbot Bay, we needed to get the run out tides
spot on when leaving otherwise it was going to be a very slow trip.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The issue was
we either had to leave at 2am or 2pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">2am was
fraught with danger manoeuvring through the islands at dark and leaving at 2pm
would mean arriving at the next available anchoring location after dark.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa planned
and planned and managed to find a route that would get us to Silver Gull Creek
just on dark – providing we had no current against us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Any current
with us would mean we would arrive earlier but we had to go through a few
narrow passages and the current direction in those areas were unknown.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we took
off as soon as the tide ebbed and motored out at normal speed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The forecast
was for a strong wind warning – apparently!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was so
glassy with zero wind and no swell.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u-Ic72bWNX8/V5mBQknfmBI/AAAAAAAAats/5_3WNtUMXdg7DFHjm3Uo2zParQMIAO-dACKgB/s1600/Talbot%2BBay%2Bto%2BSilver%2BGull%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u-Ic72bWNX8/V5mBQknfmBI/AAAAAAAAats/5_3WNtUMXdg7DFHjm3Uo2zParQMIAO-dACKgB/s640/Talbot%2BBay%2Bto%2BSilver%2BGull%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Things were
going well but the big trial was to navigate the Koolan Canal.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It is narrow
and has an old wharf and mine site that was run by BHP up until only a few
years ago.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The mine face
which goes all the way to the water’s edge is an eyesore and as yet has not
been restored by BHP.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
the currently was flying along with us in the Canal and we were all very happy
with Lisa and her navigating abilities.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We entered
Silver Gull Creek with light to spare and passed some awesome rock formations
and a beautifully kept old gaff rigged yacht.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H6Ai8XNzjrc/V5mBRTs1pAI/AAAAAAAAats/vGS_FoPtJeYeKvHuAte6WRb3A2DyRswygCKgB/s1600/Talbot%2BBay%2Bto%2BSilver%2BGull%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H6Ai8XNzjrc/V5mBRTs1pAI/AAAAAAAAats/vGS_FoPtJeYeKvHuAte6WRb3A2DyRswygCKgB/s640/Talbot%2BBay%2Bto%2BSilver%2BGull%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iqJ1cgDhWqE/V5mBRaQG-TI/AAAAAAAAats/5fsMC3IMrrYoPq4nNH84v4jOWEm3AtzmACKgB/s1600/Talbot%2BBay%2Bto%2BSilver%2BGull%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iqJ1cgDhWqE/V5mBRaQG-TI/AAAAAAAAats/5fsMC3IMrrYoPq4nNH84v4jOWEm3AtzmACKgB/s640/Talbot%2BBay%2Bto%2BSilver%2BGull%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lorelei was
anchored up just on dusk and in time to enjoy a drink or two (or more for
Lisa…) and a great sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5IjdwzGvO08/V5mBMZVJVSI/AAAAAAAAats/wkA8Y7TRZSsy9wBA27POsyxpmS6djx3DQCKgB/s1600/Silver%2BGull%2BSunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5IjdwzGvO08/V5mBMZVJVSI/AAAAAAAAats/wkA8Y7TRZSsy9wBA27POsyxpmS6djx3DQCKgB/s640/Silver%2BGull%2BSunset.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We tried
fishing again and threw everything at them but once again no edible eating
fish.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We did get a
few Trevally and George managed to hook 2 at once on a single lure that had 2
treble hooks on it. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In all our
years of fishing we have never seen that before.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Q37dKvSM2Q/V5mBMZO_IiI/AAAAAAAAats/r_AYzxKnEpkkub1ckvhF5XRNzeLr9eeewCKgB/s1600/Silver%2BGull%2BFishing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Q37dKvSM2Q/V5mBMZO_IiI/AAAAAAAAats/r_AYzxKnEpkkub1ckvhF5XRNzeLr9eeewCKgB/s640/Silver%2BGull%2BFishing.JPG" width="416" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After lunch
we decided to explore the Inlet and found lots of small arms on the high tide
with steep walls and narrow passages.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7sXFIzFALz8/V5mBHnb6NcI/AAAAAAAAats/lIADpuBiqksyvkFUrzxxsf8wxY_uOSwawCKgB/s1600/Silver%2BGull%2BExplore%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7sXFIzFALz8/V5mBHnb6NcI/AAAAAAAAats/lIADpuBiqksyvkFUrzxxsf8wxY_uOSwawCKgB/s640/Silver%2BGull%2BExplore%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jE7iUCLojJE/V5mBLzaigrI/AAAAAAAAats/j_UhJpUldFUhImGxW3qN49NvttYzi8uAACKgB/s1600/Silver%2BGull%2BExplore%2B%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jE7iUCLojJE/V5mBLzaigrI/AAAAAAAAats/j_UhJpUldFUhImGxW3qN49NvttYzi8uAACKgB/s640/Silver%2BGull%2BExplore%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="454" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul walked
up one water course for a look.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Once again the
waterfalls were all bone dry and the pools stagnant.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A4GWGBVp-yU/V5mBIiL4kdI/AAAAAAAAats/N696i5mTSPwyck90k8dXQZubcLqvkS7EgCKgB/s1600/Silver%2BGull%2BExplore%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A4GWGBVp-yU/V5mBIiL4kdI/AAAAAAAAats/N696i5mTSPwyck90k8dXQZubcLqvkS7EgCKgB/s640/Silver%2BGull%2BExplore%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found 2
large birds nests that had both adult and chicks in them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UAuEtemrDZc/V5mBCGyKtbI/AAAAAAAAats/0Ine4e48NMIbn5a7wpDLzsRhRM_W9-QbACKgB/s1600/Silver%2BGull%2BExplore%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UAuEtemrDZc/V5mBCGyKtbI/AAAAAAAAats/0Ine4e48NMIbn5a7wpDLzsRhRM_W9-QbACKgB/s640/Silver%2BGull%2BExplore%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="444" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-afafxGzjDDk/V5mBCL69QNI/AAAAAAAAats/n5CMODD2-Ps-wJrNi4ig4anuNBn7pC0TQCKgB/s1600/Silver%2BGull%2BExplore%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-afafxGzjDDk/V5mBCL69QNI/AAAAAAAAats/n5CMODD2-Ps-wJrNi4ig4anuNBn7pC0TQCKgB/s640/Silver%2BGull%2BExplore%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We left Silver
Gull for Cape Leveque which was a full day sail.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had
currents, whirlpools, winds & tides going in all directions and it made for
a frustrating days sailing and motoring.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Cape Leveque
looked nice from the water but we had to anchor Lorelei out a long way from the
beach due to the shallow water and it was a little too rolly to bother putting
the tinny in.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So instead we
got an early night sleep and tackled the 50nm run from the cape to Beagle Bay
the next day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was our
second last run before tackling the final 85nm run to Broome.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The sail to
beagle started nice and finished poorly.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There was a
strong wind forecast and we left at 6:30am reefed down and flying down the
coast in 18 knots of wind and doing 10 knots boat speed with current
assistance.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JupYT8cvNmE/V5mAPuuNmxI/AAAAAAAAass/EEuV7mL_B_Ete_M2ifNjCj1jhm1I4ABhgCKgB/s1600/Sail%2Bto%2Bbeagle%2BBay%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JupYT8cvNmE/V5mAPuuNmxI/AAAAAAAAass/EEuV7mL_B_Ete_M2ifNjCj1jhm1I4ABhgCKgB/s640/Sail%2Bto%2Bbeagle%2BBay%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Great we
thought – 5 hours and we’ll be in the bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But slowly
the wind died, not strengthened, and our speed went down and down until
eventually it dropped out and we motored the final 10 miles.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We anchored
in the bay and had NW winds on the nose which was crazy as the strong wind
forecast was for SE-E winds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So that’s it
for this episode of the blog.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next leg
is the final day sail to Broome where we will spend some time there with George
and Chez before they fly back to Darwin, pick up their rig and continue onto
QLD. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For Paul and
Lisa on-board Lorelei, we will continue sailing on the next leg of our NW coast
of Australia tour.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As to where
that will be – well to be honest, we just don’t know yet……<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Either way,
with the very limited internet in this part of the country, it may be a while
before our next blog post.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So that it
for Episode 51 and the last of the 4 full Episodes with George and Chez.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We’ve been
together for over 3 months, have explored 4 states of Australia by boat and car
and travelled well over 10 000km (8000km by car & caravan, 1700km in
Lorelei and over 300km in the new tinny).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Cheers for
now</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul and Lisa
Hogger<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">George and
Chez Hogger<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Yacht Lorelei<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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sv_loreleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14235157985522355104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245635408700620959.post-81816189969462900812016-06-16T05:46:00.001-07:002019-02-09T17:43:52.844-08:00Episode 50 - Road Trip Part 3 - Northern Territory<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 28.0pt;"><b>Lorelei’s
<s>Sailing</s> Outback Adventures</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXsJMwIcJzhZTcdcvLSzTXblAv3pUnGH0aImvxzJDDoaFvBjIGe-ZDI_0-3xu5QyfayElEEmSC-v2zCqPeOQuw30rx2K-VWTnmzN_8Slbuk31p7W6UTCAovOXaY4-JsiEQZx1ci0pOSD6/s1600/Episode+50+road+trip+pt+3+NT.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="1600" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXsJMwIcJzhZTcdcvLSzTXblAv3pUnGH0aImvxzJDDoaFvBjIGe-ZDI_0-3xu5QyfayElEEmSC-v2zCqPeOQuw30rx2K-VWTnmzN_8Slbuk31p7W6UTCAovOXaY4-JsiEQZx1ci0pOSD6/s640/Episode+50+road+trip+pt+3+NT.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We are having
a short break from Sailing for 8 weeks and are on a Road Trip across Australia
with Paul’s parents George and Chez.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">During
episodes 48 and 49 we had travelled over 5500 km from Sydney, through NSW,
South Australia and into the Northern Territory and Central Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At the end of
Episode 49 we were in Alice Springs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had
already been in Alice for 4 days and had done a series of walks at the East &
West Macdonald Ranges and done some excellent 4WDing at Palm Valley.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our route for this
Episode of the Blog.</span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For our last
3 days in Alice Springs we did some different activities from the ever popular walks
in the Macdonald Ranges.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We spent one
morning looking around the town centre, visiting art galleries and Todd Mall.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Anzac Hill
has some fantastic views over the town and the ranges.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One day we
went to the Alice Springs Desert Park.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The idea was
to spend the morning there and do something else in the afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Well that
didn’t happen and at 4pm we finally walked out after an excellent day of
activities.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The highlight
for Paul was the Bird Show. It is on twice daily and Paul went to both the
morning and afternoon show!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It featured a
series of Australian Outback Birds and the mountain ranges in the background
were perfect for natural photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We also paid
a little extra for the private Wedgetail Eagle experience.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had seen a
few in the wild (mainly on the side of the road eating road kill) so it was
great to get up close and learn about these huge birds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Nocturnal
House is the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere and was Lisa’s highlight for
the day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were able
to watch a Death Adder Snake being fed a mouse.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They only
feed them about once every 3 weeks so it was great timing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Going, Going, Almost,
Gone…..</span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
lots of other exhibits that we visited and the large walk through bird aviaries
were a highlight.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our last
activity in Alice Springs was to do an afternoon walk out at Trephena Gorge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We did a walk
around the rim before walking back to the car park via the gorge floor.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul’s version of a
selfie – A silhouette selfie!!</span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Trephina is
home to the largest Ghost Gum Tree in Australia and it estimated to be over 300
years old and stands over 35 meters high.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It is
heritage listed!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was nearly
sunset when we left and the 100km run back to Alice Springs was a cautious one
with lots of livestock on the roadside.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">We left Alice
Springs after a great week and were restocked, refueled, recuperated and ready to tackle the next leg north which was going to be go, go, go.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We passed
Aileron Station which is an Aboriginal Community on the way north.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It had 2 huge
statues of an Aboriginal man and a woman & child.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We stopped at
Barrow Creek for morning tea and to have a look at the Historic Telegraph
Station which was built in 1872.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Wycliffe
Wells was unusual to say the least.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Its claim to
fame is it is the UFO capital of Australia and the locals firmly believe the
area is subject to Extra Terrestrial Activity.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The whole
place centres around it and everything is painted accordingly.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The most unusual
Australia Post Mail Box we have seen….</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U6576iYu8SM/V16rWEgn-GI/AAAAAAAAaT8/NN13VVR68dcqkWxP8Fa-Mkr0So6HCBCSwCKgB/s1600/Wycliffe%2BWells%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U6576iYu8SM/V16rWEgn-GI/AAAAAAAAaT8/NN13VVR68dcqkWxP8Fa-Mkr0So6HCBCSwCKgB/s640/Wycliffe%2BWells%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
pretty excited about visiting The Devils Marbles and it far exceeded any
expectations we had.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
certainly a highlight of the entire trip.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The camping
area was right at the base of one of the main areas of round marble shaped
rocks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the first
afternoon we walked up into the rocky areas to get certain rock formations with
the afternoon sun setting on them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">George and Chez in the
foreground gives you some idea of the balancing rocks immense size.</span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Post sunset
looked great from the rocks with the blue and pink glow on the horizon behind
the camping area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was an exceptionally
clear night and Paul was able to do a series of night and star trail photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul wasn’t
in bed for long before he was amongst the rocks again in the dark and well
before daylight.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was the
time of the full moon and the glow made for some great time exposure photos and
some fun light painting of the rocks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa decided
to join Paul for a walk after sunrise and they took some fun photos around the
rocks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lI9oU-eZV90/V16nXTYysmI/AAAAAAAAZ80/C7kY4hH6ykAu8SIWjKvjHya7HMWbutWgwCKgB/s1600/Devils%2BMarbles%2BWalks%2B%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lI9oU-eZV90/V16nXTYysmI/AAAAAAAAZ80/C7kY4hH6ykAu8SIWjKvjHya7HMWbutWgwCKgB/s640/Devils%2BMarbles%2BWalks%2B%252812%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We continued
further north and broke the long drive up by stopping at some heritage sites.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a look
at a series of wells built in the later 1800’s and The Glenn Maggie Homestead
which was a store to cater for drovers and gold miners in the remote area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We stopped
for lunch at the well-known Threeways intersection.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It is the
major intersection for vehicles wanting to leave the Stuart Highway and head
east to Queensland.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The roadhouse
had the best Hamburgers we have had in a very long time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OHNazVlIcr8/V16qoSSUQNI/AAAAAAAAaRE/T4B_LEyJLcYgjCjyTnFtnvEsdlCbkuB2wCKgB/s1600/Threeways%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OHNazVlIcr8/V16qoSSUQNI/AAAAAAAAaRE/T4B_LEyJLcYgjCjyTnFtnvEsdlCbkuB2wCKgB/s640/Threeways%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There was a
clever mural on the side wall of the roadhouse with a real bull bar attached to
the wall.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Outside we
saw a great road train.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had seen
hundreds of them as long as 4 trailers and 54m/180ft in length but this one was
immaculate and had great murals of horses on the side with wild red eyes. Hence
the rig’s name “Crazy Horse”. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Guess he was
a Neil Young fan…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JO10XT7hiAk/V16qls93ejI/AAAAAAAAaRE/zDwP9bxTaj0hTn_i5Ld_td6l91k9UV9qQCKgB/s1600/Threeways%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JO10XT7hiAk/V16qls93ejI/AAAAAAAAaRE/zDwP9bxTaj0hTn_i5Ld_td6l91k9UV9qQCKgB/s640/Threeways%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
planning to go on to Elliott but the night before George and Chez spoke to
their friends Dennis & Barb on the phone and they recommended a spot out
from Elliott called Longreach Lagoon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After all the
rain it was well stocked with water and had the promise of lots of birdlife and
free camping on the water’s edge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite it
being on private property, a dirt road in and not an advertised tourist area,
it was busy with about 30 caravans and motorhomes spaced out around the lagoon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
the young and noisy backpackers in Wicked Campers and European hired Britz motorhomes
didn’t know about it and the Aussie Grey Nomads had the place clean, quiet,
respectful and all to themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
little unnerving getting the caravan through the tight spaces amongst the trees
on the waters edge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The evening
was super still with no wind which created some nice reflections around sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k1fcAXFObow/V16pKaT2yNI/AAAAAAAAaHA/h9Sd14XUwH81XTDJzk4sSWtXZrjiMr-wwCKgB/s1600/Longreach%2BWaterhole%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k1fcAXFObow/V16pKaT2yNI/AAAAAAAAaHA/h9Sd14XUwH81XTDJzk4sSWtXZrjiMr-wwCKgB/s640/Longreach%2BWaterhole%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That night we
had lots of wildlife around the tent from small marsupials to birds, lizards
and frogs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next
morning we woke to lots of birds around the lake including some noisy Galahs in
the trees overhead.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The full moon
was behind them still despite being 10am.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tlzI0dvTq88/V16pN91JMvI/AAAAAAAAaJQ/eZyKBOxV4jM0CHXFIDRFMq-NneOKHT_qwCKgB/s1600/Longreach%2BWaterhole%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tlzI0dvTq88/V16pN91JMvI/AAAAAAAAaJQ/eZyKBOxV4jM0CHXFIDRFMq-NneOKHT_qwCKgB/s640/Longreach%2BWaterhole%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were a
lot of eagles and water birds hunting around the waters edge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We pushed off
again for another long drive north and stopped at the iconic Daly Waters Pub.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Inside the
pub has loads of interesting memorabilia. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The servo
(gas station) across the road is owned by the pub and is just as eccentric.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Daly Waters
also has an old airstrip that has a lot of interesting history both pre and
post WW2.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Aircraft
Hanger is the oldest hanger in the Northern Territory.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We then drove
to Mataranka.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was the
last big single day of travelling (380km) as we were only 450km from Darwin and
with 2 weeks of travelling still to go we could do smaller single day runs of
around 100km or less before arriving in Darwin.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Mataranka has
2 claims to fame.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The oldest
one is from a famous Australian book written about the area in 1902 called <i>We of the Never Never.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was later
turned into a movie in 1985 and the replica Homestead built for the movie is an
interesting tourist attraction.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Many of the streets,
businesses and landmarks are named around the books characters, author, etc…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The second
and more popular attraction are the Thermal Springs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There are a
few different spring systems in the area with the thermal ones (that are around
34 degrees C) being the most popular for swimming.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After a few
recommendations George and Chez decided on booking into the Bitter Springs
Caravan Park as it was walking distance to the Bitter Spring Thermal Pools.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The pools
have a slight current running through them and you are able to drift through a
narrow creek with natural banks, trees and wildlife before exiting at the end,
walking back up the trail and drifting back down stream again.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Many people
used pool noodles to keep buoyant in the crystal clear fresh water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The start point for the
drift down the creek</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The beautiful finishing
point - note the crystal clear water</span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first
swim we did there was a Sunday arvo and the local indigenous kids were there
having fun.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We played
with them and they thought it was great.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We visited
Mataranka Pools and it was completely different!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It is a very
structured thermal pool with rock and sandstone edging, in water seating and
easy to stand depths.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst we
didn’t think too much of it, it was much more popular with the older grey
nomads and those who were not confident swimmers.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Around Mataranka
there are loads of Termite Mounds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They range
from grey to rich red colours and are up to 4m/13ft tall.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found a
small creek with some glassy water and the sun behind us. It allowed us to take
a cool photo of the 4 of us on the bridge in shadow.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Mataranka has
a large Indigenous population.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Prior to 2pm
each day we would see the adult aborigines starting to gather in the park
opposite the bottle shop.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They were
quiet and everything was fine.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At 4pm it was
a completely different scene. The bottle shop opens at 2pm and in they go for
their daily dose of alcohol.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By 4pm they
were obnoxious drunks in the park creating one hell of a scene.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was just
terrible!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We noticed
lots of makeshift campsites around the park perimeter.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One quiet
afternoon we headed to Bitter Springs Pool with Lisa’s new toy – Cassie the
Caterpillar.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For those
that have followed our overseas sailing adventures, you would know of Nessie
the Loch Ness Monster – our huge inflatable toy that has entertained scores of
children in the Pacific and Asian Countries.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly we
could not take her on this trip so our sister-in-law Hayley brought Lisa Cassie
for this adventure and to be a friend for Nessie when returning to Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We received
some funny looks when walking down to the springs with Cassie but we didn’t
care.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">George and
Lisa had a blast floating down the quiet springs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Meanwhile
Paul snorkelled under the banks with a dive torch looking for Turtles.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He found many
and we took turns looking for them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Not the best photo but
with a point-and-shoot UW camera and a torch in very low light but it’s the
best we got…</span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The photo
below gives an indication of how clear the water was.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found some
nice Water Lilies still out despite it getting dark.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa at the finish point
- well after sunset and the only ones left swimming</span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On our last
morning we headed to Territory Manor to watch the Barramundi Feeding Show which
is on twice daily.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa was very
keen to feed one and she got her chance.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They are so
quick to take the food it was hard to get a photo.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Ironically
Paul had a camera set manually on 16 frames a second, high ISO speed, etc, etc…
and took over 350 photos during the session.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa had
another camera set on auto and only took 6 photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">She took the
best photo of the day…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The small dam
had loads of beautiful Water Lillies that were an unusual colour to the more
popular purple and white ones we have seen in the NT.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were many
Peacocks roaming around the area after the feeding show.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">From
Mataranka we headed north and stopped at the Cutta Cutta Caves to do a tour
through the amazing Limestone caves.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We drove in
at 9:52am, booked on for the 10am tour which took 75 minutes and were on the
road again by 11:30am. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Talk about
good timing!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The caves
were incredible with lots of stalactites, stalagmites, columns and crystal that
with the light shining on it created thousands of light points like stars.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Cutta Cutta
in the local aboriginal language translates to “many stars”.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Michael the
guide was excellent and let Paul lag behind the group with his camera, tripod
and light painting torch to get the photos he wanted.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This section was called The
Whales Belly</span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We stopped
for lunch and re-provisioning at Katherine and by mid-afternoon were set up at
Katherine Gorge which is located within the Nitmiluk National Park.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The campsite is
run by the NT National Parks on behalf of the Jawoyn Aboriginal People and it
has a relaxed feel to it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was 38
degrees C and we spent much of the afternoon and evening in the pool and
photographing the wildlife around the park.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hmy3mnbAwxs/V16pBeViJLI/AAAAAAAAaHA/RHWkvFvTyOwIDs_he9lTCHyeDWDxAPExgCKgB/s1600/Katherine%2BPool%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hmy3mnbAwxs/V16pBeViJLI/AAAAAAAAaHA/RHWkvFvTyOwIDs_he9lTCHyeDWDxAPExgCKgB/s640/Katherine%2BPool%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On dusk we
had lots of birds and bats feeding overhead and Agile Wallabies coming in very
close to our campsite.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul was in
the tent typing this blog with a Wallaby only 1 meter away looking at him
through the fly screen.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On our first
full day we did a boat tour on Katherine Gorge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Originally we
really wanted to do a full day kayak tour but there was issues with the water
levels and Estuarine (Saltwater) Crocodiles in the gorge so the kayaking was
indefinitely suspended until the water levels changed and the croc issue was
under control.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had to
walk through a park to get to the boat dock.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The trees in
the park were full of sleeping bats.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One large
2.5m long Olive Python had climbed the tree and caught one of the bats.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The bat let
go and they both fell to the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The snake
then constricted the bat until it was dead and then ate it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was great
to watch and it took about 30 minutes to completely swallow it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
also Kookaburras feeding at the park.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The boat tour
was excellent.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We booked
onto a 3 gorge tour which was 3.5 hours and included swimming.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The tour
involved a boat ride on the first gorge to the end and then we had to disembark
and walk over the rocks to gorge 2 to join the next boat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the walk
we had a look at a series of large Aboriginal paintings that were a long way up
the cliff face.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was the
same for the 2<sup>nd</sup> gorge – a boat ride followed by a walk.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The gorge was
narrower and much nicer with the famous Jedda Rock along the way.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Gorge 3 was
only 1km long so it was a quick 3<sup>rd</sup> boat ride.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The walk up
to the swimming hole at the end of gorge 3 gave us some nice views over the
gorge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The swimming
hole was very refreshing as it was a very hot 38 degrees C.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There was a
waterfall at the end of the waterhole and a cave behind it that was filled with
lots of dragonflies.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
home we spotted a few smaller crocodiles.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b>
<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DF2BUuWcjAo/V16owS2Wa8I/AAAAAAAAaF0/LqQqDT2Hj9cdsxBCzU92Kbxr2ibK9A4fACKgB/s1600/Katherine%2BGorge%2BBoat%2BTour%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DF2BUuWcjAo/V16owS2Wa8I/AAAAAAAAaF0/LqQqDT2Hj9cdsxBCzU92Kbxr2ibK9A4fACKgB/s640/Katherine%2BGorge%2BBoat%2BTour%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></b></div>
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For our last
full day, just the 2 of us got up early to tackle a long walk to Jedda Rock.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was about
a 10km round trip but with the uneven rocky walking conditions and the maximum
daily temperature of 38 degrees, it was going to be a challenge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We stopped at
the first lookout to see the gorge tourist boats leaving for the morning tours.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mUlAKDoa7_E/V16o4kIi7NI/AAAAAAAAaF0/_Jpim7pKHlgyRhu1BoywjJlzc_1k7uSywCKgB/s1600/Katherine%2BGorge%2BWalk%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mUlAKDoa7_E/V16o4kIi7NI/AAAAAAAAaF0/_Jpim7pKHlgyRhu1BoywjJlzc_1k7uSywCKgB/s640/Katherine%2BGorge%2BWalk%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yNnyhygzdnA/V16o7M8eclI/AAAAAAAAaF0/hNKc_G6iRC8zk-DhX2aPqZ4Rd1gDM_zoQCKgB/s1600/Katherine%2BGorge%2BWalk%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yNnyhygzdnA/V16o7M8eclI/AAAAAAAAaF0/hNKc_G6iRC8zk-DhX2aPqZ4Rd1gDM_zoQCKgB/s640/Katherine%2BGorge%2BWalk%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next stop
was Pat’s Lookout which was 4km from the start.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It had
terrific views over the end of the first gorge.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g9t5Mv_L-T0/V16o8BLt7yI/AAAAAAAAaF0/6zQyhvz4ewAzkrcjm56HGc1Mr4QBFVOcwCKgB/s1600/Katherine%2BGorge%2BWalk%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g9t5Mv_L-T0/V16o8BLt7yI/AAAAAAAAaF0/6zQyhvz4ewAzkrcjm56HGc1Mr4QBFVOcwCKgB/s640/Katherine%2BGorge%2BWalk%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></b></div>
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The last stop
was at the top of Jedda Rock.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The track was
well worn to Pat’s Lookout but not very well used and difficult to spot from
Pat’s to Jedda Rock.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It seems the
further the trails are from the Information Centre Base, the less they are
used.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XaWg_pXcQH0/V16o9CUVSoI/AAAAAAAAaF0/0Ntv-hq6z00nXcm63b_96jcTe8HS7OWbwCKgB/s1600/Katherine%2BGorge%2BWalk%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XaWg_pXcQH0/V16o9CUVSoI/AAAAAAAAaF0/0Ntv-hq6z00nXcm63b_96jcTe8HS7OWbwCKgB/s640/Katherine%2BGorge%2BWalk%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kISHLZCQdhk/V16o-VmxrAI/AAAAAAAAaHA/hl1tdJ-s3Zs5sFqPY0U0b_-9HRJcCqtBACKgB/s1600/Katherine%2BGorge%2BWalk%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kISHLZCQdhk/V16o-VmxrAI/AAAAAAAAaHA/hl1tdJ-s3Zs5sFqPY0U0b_-9HRJcCqtBACKgB/s640/Katherine%2BGorge%2BWalk%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
home we saw some nice Red Gum Trees.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After seeing
loads of the amazing Ghost Gums further south, it was a nice change.</span></b></div>
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<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qYzbDoOGM2A/V16pAfvvfXI/AAAAAAAAaHA/uqTPLjTR-DooipN2ltPM7H14L8wC-zjXgCKgB/s1600/Katherine%2BGorge%2BWalk%2B%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qYzbDoOGM2A/V16pAfvvfXI/AAAAAAAAaHA/uqTPLjTR-DooipN2ltPM7H14L8wC-zjXgCKgB/s640/Katherine%2BGorge%2BWalk%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="462" /></a></span></b></div>
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We also saw our
first 2 Boab Trees.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The trees are
Endemic to Western Australia’s Kimberly Region but over time they have spread a
little and these are at the extent of that radius.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xg01F4mCnvo/V16mImxQrhI/AAAAAAAAZxA/1G4_oQaDg-0oBC1bw0wc0BTDDbqkt-HAACKgB/s1600/Boab%2BTree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xg01F4mCnvo/V16mImxQrhI/AAAAAAAAZxA/1G4_oQaDg-0oBC1bw0wc0BTDDbqkt-HAACKgB/s640/Boab%2BTree.JPG" width="460" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On our last
night we had a great dinner around the pool. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The meals at
the poolside restaurant were excellent.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zHrCLM0S4Uo/V16pAjYMbVI/AAAAAAAAaHA/-5iwg-BOjrYGYHgmxOoptcpDyhg8Uc4AACKgB/s1600/Katherine%2BPool%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zHrCLM0S4Uo/V16pAjYMbVI/AAAAAAAAaHA/-5iwg-BOjrYGYHgmxOoptcpDyhg8Uc4AACKgB/s640/Katherine%2BPool%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></b></div>
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">From
Katherine we ventured just 1 hours’ drive north to Edith Falls. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Like
Katherine Gorge, Edith Falls is part of the Nitmiluk National Park.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The camp site
was cheap but excellent with lush grass and private roomy sites.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Edith Falls
has 2 swimming areas – the larger lower pool and the upper pools.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For the first
day we went to the lower pool for a refreshing swim.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were a
lot of fish in the pool that would nibble on your feet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By 2pm it was
over 40 degrees C!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Everyone was
crashed out and lying somewhere in the shade to escape the extreme heat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The camp
sites were unpowered so the larger caravans that had air-conditioning could not
use them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite the
heat, Paul decided to tackle the 2.7km round loop walk up to the top pools at
around 4pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The view from
the first lookout was stunning.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He had a
great swim and a look around the top pools before returning to camp, raving
about the top pool and insisting we stay another day to explore the top area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So the next
morning the 4 of us were up early to beat the heat and off we headed towards
the top pool.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We did the
reverse direction to Paul’s walk the arvo before and had a look at some other
lookouts.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When swimming
in the top pools we found a sinkhole that had water running into it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After a
little searching with a mask and snorkel, Paul found an underwater tunnel
linking the main pool to the sink hole. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He was able
to freedive through it and up into the sinkhole.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">George was up
the top and looking down with the camera.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We also had a
swim at one of the waterfalls and after a little searching, realised you could
get in behind it with the water cascading over you.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a hard
swim to get in behind it though.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Looking back out from
behind the waterfall<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We took some more
shots on the way back down looking over the campground, flood plain and the
ranges in the background.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2JK_BwLNAGs/V16nyMYgiEI/AAAAAAAAZ-o/sUMpEdPcmBAFxyjQ8VR0ZfSnbNxv1_dWgCKgB/s1600/Edith%2BFalls%2BMorning%2BWalk%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2JK_BwLNAGs/V16nyMYgiEI/AAAAAAAAZ-o/sUMpEdPcmBAFxyjQ8VR0ZfSnbNxv1_dWgCKgB/s640/Edith%2BFalls%2BMorning%2BWalk%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By the time
we got back to camp it was well over 40 degrees again.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">All we could
see across the camp ground was people sleeping under trees and hiding in the
shade.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was simply
too hot to do anything else.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Ironically it
was also the first day of Winter!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was so
unseasonably hot it was ridiculous.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
calling friends in Darwin who were saying it was hotter than a normal peak
summers day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Those feeling
it the worst were the Grey Nomads (older retired travellers in caravans or
motorhomes).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A large
percentage were from the southern states and just not used to the searing heat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Many were
turning around and heading south to escape the extreme conditions and virtually
everyone was talking about it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We drove
north early the next day and stopped at Pine Creek to have a look.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They had an
unusual Resort Complex that was built in the shape of a train and station.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The interior
was very well done and the Mango smoothies were a cold welcome treat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We then went
to the world renowned Kakadu National Park.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Kakadu is run
by the federal government unlike most other parks in the northern NT area that
are state run.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It showed in
the prices which were frightfully expensive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Ironically we
went to the information centre at 11am to find the place closed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We didn’t get
tickets but it also meant we could not find out info about the road conditions
within the park.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Many roads
are dirt, some are 4WD only and some were even closed still since the summer
months due to high water levels and crocodiles.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were not
happy….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we entered
the park and took our chances with the roads.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first
stop was Gunlom falls.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
traditional owners – The Jawoyn Aboriginal People, call Gunlom and the surrounding
area “Sickness Country” due to its high levels of Uranium, Arsenic, Mercury and
Lead.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was 37km
of dirt road and in some spots it was heavily corrugated.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was very
dusty from the heat but still there were water crossings.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sometimes the
road was narrow and we had to wait to for cars coming in the opposite
direction.</span></b></div>
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<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-emgtx4wbkcc/V16ofB7Bv0I/AAAAAAAAaDs/izC8n82QgYYDZdP5UBbpAy2Olpz5uBwoQCKgB/s1600/Kakadu%2BDirt%2BRoad%2BDust.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-emgtx4wbkcc/V16ofB7Bv0I/AAAAAAAAaDs/izC8n82QgYYDZdP5UBbpAy2Olpz5uBwoQCKgB/s640/Kakadu%2BDirt%2BRoad%2BDust.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></b></div>
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We could stop
on the small bridges and take in scenery of the creeks and rivers.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-teYfosP8RJU/V16ob1N2drI/AAAAAAAAaCM/7T1N-qN7a78TdDl7AskuczpcuA_GbIi7ACKgB/s1600/Kakadu%2BBridge%2BScene%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-teYfosP8RJU/V16ob1N2drI/AAAAAAAAaCM/7T1N-qN7a78TdDl7AskuczpcuA_GbIi7ACKgB/s640/Kakadu%2BBridge%2BScene%2B1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It took 1.5
hours to transit the 37km and we found a few broken drinking glasses and
displaced shelves in the caravan upon arrival.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The camp
grounds were basic but very expensive and cost more for the unpowered dusty
camp spot than it did at a 4 star caravan park site anywhere else.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The upside
was the delightful swimming holes both at camp level and up above the
waterfalls.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The lower one
was fantastic for families with great views of the large waterfall on the other
side.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The day use
area had some great looking Redgum trees.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NrwJc-OqLbk/V16oCRqTbuI/AAAAAAAAaAI/R5izQX_aTg4A9DZvB4u6VWSGgFCR4e5zgCKgB/s1600/Gunlom%2BLower%2BPool%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NrwJc-OqLbk/V16oCRqTbuI/AAAAAAAAaAI/R5izQX_aTg4A9DZvB4u6VWSGgFCR4e5zgCKgB/s640/Gunlom%2BLower%2BPool%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The top pools
were only a 1km walk but it was a steep scramble up a goat track that was very
rocky.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The reward
was a series of pools, waterfalls and stunning scenery and an infinity pool
overlooking the campground and lower pool.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h9-URckYGYY/V16oECuhlQI/AAAAAAAAaAI/UYeqsXWp9x4lpGX-5ul7lXqiQC3y2UamQCKgB/s1600/Gunlom%2BUpper%2BFalls%2BWalk%2B%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h9-URckYGYY/V16oECuhlQI/AAAAAAAAaAI/UYeqsXWp9x4lpGX-5ul7lXqiQC3y2UamQCKgB/s640/Gunlom%2BUpper%2BFalls%2BWalk%2B%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At the
infinity pool we witnessed our first major accident of the trip.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A young lady
in a bikini was walking along the lip of the infinity pool when she slipped and
fell.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By chance the
4 of us were right on the edge of the pool and less than a meter from her when
she slipped.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa
desperately tried to lunge out and grab her but she landed in the rushing water
and went over the waterfall.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The noise
when she hit the rocks below was terrible.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul was the
first to look over and was horrified to find her with red marks and blood all over with the worst part being her face.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Thankfully
there were a few medically trained people on hand as well as a guide with a sat
phone and a decent first aid kit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They were
able to assist her back up for treatment and 40 minutes later a helicopter
arrived to pick her up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b><br />
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8lkgrlBjskM/V16oGzce_TI/AAAAAAAAaAI/vU2aqDe9XAogasJRR1B26pSoWlhgXaG9QCKgB/s1600/Gunlom%2BUpper%2BFalls%2BWalk%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8lkgrlBjskM/V16oGzce_TI/AAAAAAAAaAI/vU2aqDe9XAogasJRR1B26pSoWlhgXaG9QCKgB/s640/Gunlom%2BUpper%2BFalls%2BWalk%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></b></div>
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At the infinity pool
ledge just minutes before the fall<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">George had
his camera sitting on a rock near the edge of the infinity pool.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When Lisa
lunged, she pushed a wave of water right over the camera.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
it was fresh water and in the extreme heat it dried out. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s still
working – so far…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
down we could see a large Termite mound down on the valley floor so we went
into the bush land to have a look.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dsb7OQtbpxI/V16oDIRF9QI/AAAAAAAAaAI/xBguPsoxYCIqlT8vCJaTVx2sxg8XnExPACKgB/s1600/Gunlom%2BTermite%2BMound.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dsb7OQtbpxI/V16oDIRF9QI/AAAAAAAAaAI/xBguPsoxYCIqlT8vCJaTVx2sxg8XnExPACKgB/s640/Gunlom%2BTermite%2BMound.JPG" width="422" /></a></span></b></div>
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Just before
sunset, Paul went back up on his own to photograph the sunset from the pools.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He was the
only one up there and was able to get some great photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AK4Tqo0l7Qo/V16oUFvueeI/AAAAAAAAaCM/NabB2JcKQ0A9-509uPMP6LDFXUgZqbwmACKgB/s1600/Gunlom%2BWaterfall%2BSunset%2B%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AK4Tqo0l7Qo/V16oUFvueeI/AAAAAAAAaCM/NabB2JcKQ0A9-509uPMP6LDFXUgZqbwmACKgB/s640/Gunlom%2BWaterfall%2BSunset%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tblIa3jLeSI/V16oRgPwgeI/AAAAAAAAaCM/8dY4cT3Vt1sQbtmxkgzEVYnutOBpb9blwCKgB/s1600/Gunlom%2BWaterfall%2BSunset%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tblIa3jLeSI/V16oRgPwgeI/AAAAAAAAaCM/8dY4cT3Vt1sQbtmxkgzEVYnutOBpb9blwCKgB/s640/Gunlom%2BWaterfall%2BSunset%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eNbAeiqz9Cw/V16oON3cX6I/AAAAAAAAaCM/UQfZwnGe-sE38ZsGKjzRacxM_lFx48q4QCKgB/s1600/Gunlom%2BWaterfall%2BSunset%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eNbAeiqz9Cw/V16oON3cX6I/AAAAAAAAaCM/UQfZwnGe-sE38ZsGKjzRacxM_lFx48q4QCKgB/s640/Gunlom%2BWaterfall%2BSunset%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Using the
timer and tripod, Paul was able to put himself into some of the photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WhRc20NqX-U/V16oRMchalI/AAAAAAAAaCM/HYsaTh9u7CsK1uGlZs3upspEvn2PNENcQCKgB/s1600/Gunlom%2BWaterfall%2BSunset%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WhRc20NqX-U/V16oRMchalI/AAAAAAAAaCM/HYsaTh9u7CsK1uGlZs3upspEvn2PNENcQCKgB/s640/Gunlom%2BWaterfall%2BSunset%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NKf0YTCXfVw/V16oSx4ZGXI/AAAAAAAAaCM/c2L_LQ0omUcVBLLAAL_2KnAl7-b66tN0ACKgB/s1600/Gunlom%2BWaterfall%2BSunset%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NKf0YTCXfVw/V16oSx4ZGXI/AAAAAAAAaCM/c2L_LQ0omUcVBLLAAL_2KnAl7-b66tN0ACKgB/s640/Gunlom%2BWaterfall%2BSunset%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Going back
down in pitch blackness was a little daunting.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul had his
powerful light painting torch but it was the only one with no back up so he
switched it to 40% power to conserve batteries.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">George, Chez
and Lisa said they could see the flashes and light painting at the top from the
campsite and Pauls light as he transited back down the steep trail.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first
night in the campground was so busy but the next night it was virtually empty
so Paul took some time exposure shots of George, Chez and Lisa at the campsite
with the stars and Milky Way above.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Lh6PbfaJhQ/V16n89hKJKI/AAAAAAAAaAI/EEH7qVHBuxgc9L3XZHucXfvRYUbyF69EACKgB/s1600/Gunlom%2BCampground%2BStars.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Lh6PbfaJhQ/V16n89hKJKI/AAAAAAAAaAI/EEH7qVHBuxgc9L3XZHucXfvRYUbyF69EACKgB/s640/Gunlom%2BCampground%2BStars.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">From there we
went deeper into Kakadu and stopped at Cooinda.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had heard
reports about the resort/caravan park being expensive, crowded with tiny sites
and a quick walk around confirmed this.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we had a walk around the billabong before moving on.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> We went onto Jabiru where it was much better
at The Aurora Lodge so we booked in for a week and used it as a base to explore
in all directions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Early one
morning we went and did a ranger guided walk at the Nanguluwur Rock Art Site.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a 4km
hike into the rock areas and Christian our guide was fantastic.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
Aboriginal Rock Artworks were much better than we had anticipated.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
incredible to see artwork stretching from 40 000 years ago right up until the
1960’s.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Christian with his
timeline scroll explaining the history of the paintings<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note the amazing rock
art behind him<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were able
to get very close to view and photograph the paintings.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa underneath the
large overhanging rock ledge that protects the paintings<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went up to
Ubirr which is the extreme east side of the park and shares a border with
Arnhem Land.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The most
exciting place there for the tourists is Cahills Crossing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This is a
weir across the East Alligator River that separates Kakadu from Arnhem Land.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The weir has
a huge amount of water flowing back and forwards over it depending on the tide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The best time
to visit is 1 hour before high tide and stay for the tide turn.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The water was
screaming over the crossing when we arrived.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
crocodiles were patrolling the river but were also getting tossed about in the
fast flowing water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As the tide
started to slow, vehicles turned up on both sides of the river waiting for the
right moment to cross.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first to
cross was a large 4WD tourist bus that had very high clearance.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
still crocodiles on the weir as the truck came through.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">George took this photo –
note the Crocodile in the path of the truck<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zMsj53XQeLk/V16mRngV1iI/AAAAAAAAZy8/_OTRyx3aecAHRXrGHX3_W1vPv0rGXSUSgCKgB/s1600/Cahills%2BCrossing%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zMsj53XQeLk/V16mRngV1iI/AAAAAAAAZy8/_OTRyx3aecAHRXrGHX3_W1vPv0rGXSUSgCKgB/s640/Cahills%2BCrossing%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Then the
larger 4WD’s proceeded to cross from both sides.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This 4WD had a lady
driving and no passengers – she got a lot of cheers and thumbs up from the
female tourists watching from the bank<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Then the
action went up a notch when a 2WD Toyota Camry station wagon full of Aborigines
turn up to cross. They had water well over the bonnet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went to
the border store for a look before heading to the walking trail to do the Ubirr
rock art walk and floodplain sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
lots of Screw Palms on the side of the tracks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The rock art
was very extensive with some sections having a large amount of artwork.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One rock
overhang was huge and was packed with art of all sizes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">These are the
2 paintings that have experts stumped.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One is a
Thylacine (Tasmanian Tiger) which has been extinct from the area for a very,
very long time and the second is an Emu style bird that is painted on the right
of the second photo.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It has been
extinct for an estimated 38 000 years. The oldest rock art in the world is in Africa
and is estimated at 42 000 years old.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This artwork
could possibly have been created around this time or even before! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we walked
up the path to the lookout Paul found a rock art site with holes within the
rock that had the sun shining through it if you got the angles just right.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Many people
were walking straight past as they couldn’t see it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The lookout
from the top was simply amazing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Dad and Chez
had been there before but didn’t say too much to spoil the surprise.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were not
exactly sure what to expect – but we didn’t except that!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was like
looking over the African Savannah.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Everybody
within earshot was saying the same thing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We watched
the sunset over the savannah plain.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The highlight
for George was taking us to his favourite place in Kakadu, The Billabong at
Cooinda where we did the Yellow Water Sunset Cruise.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was glassy
flat when we boarded the boat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The tour took
us along parts of the billabong and the West Alligator River.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We saw some
big crocs and loads of birdlife.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">George took this awesome
shot of a large Crocodile stalking a Jabiru<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Above and below are an
adult and baby Jacana Bird. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They have huge feet to
stand on the lily pads.</span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The sun set
over the billabong whilst we were still on the boat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a
great view through the trees and over the water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul’s favourite shot of
the day was the last one he took…..<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We did one
last guided tour of the Nourlangie Rock Art.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Christian
(The excellent guide from the previous tour) was supposed to do it but we were
disappointed to hear he was ill and had a replacement who was not nearly as
good. Additionally there were 36 people so after 20 frustrating minutes we
veered left when the rest of the group went right and did the walk ourselves in
the opposite direction.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the centre
of Jabiru is the famous Crocodile Hotel presently run by the Mecure Group.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It is hard to
envisage the shape from the ground due to its immense size, but an aerial photo
shows the unique shape.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We took some
funny photos of us being inside the mouth with the eye in the background.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Inside the
foyer are Aboriginal Artists painting artworks that are for sale.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There is a
lot of amazing artworks on the walls and the foyer has some other interesting
features.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On our last
afternoon in Kakadu we took a trip out to a bird hide at a Billabong.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was late
in the afternoon and the time and sun location was perfect for photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The only
issue was there were hardly any birds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">If there were
as many birds as flies and mosquitos then it would have been awesome…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
home from the bird hide we spotted a Dingo running across the road in front of the
car with what looked like a large white bird in its mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul gave
chase on foot into the bushland and found it but it had hidden its meal from
him.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Being the dry
season, the National Park Rangers had started a burning program that is very
beneficial for the park. They create small spot fires with many being along the
road side.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we neared
Jabiru, we could see the sun setting along the road behind the car.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The road was
lit up bright red.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found the
arrows on the road glowed white from the camera flash which certainly made for
an alternate sunset photo – particularly when cars roared past at 100km per
hour.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For our last
stop before reaching our final destination of Darwin, we stopped for 2 days at
the Corroboree Billabong.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
from Kakadu to Corroboree we stopped into Bark Hut to have something to eat at
the Iconic Bark Hut Inn.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F6X_HzgIqDE/V16l_cD6w7I/AAAAAAAAZxA/Lo-ggui8B_8iaGRMNDxG9W1hDf6NJYIiQCKgB/s1600/Bark%2BHut.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F6X_HzgIqDE/V16l_cD6w7I/AAAAAAAAZxA/Lo-ggui8B_8iaGRMNDxG9W1hDf6NJYIiQCKgB/s640/Bark%2BHut.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></b></div>
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
Corroboree Pub and Caravan Park has a large 5m Crocodile called Brutus.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Every time we
have been there he has been hiding in his water hole so we were excited to see
him one morning out on the grass.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We did a
sunset cruise on the Corroboree Billabong that was fantastic. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was half
the price of the one we did in Kakadu and just as good.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The boat was
able to go into tight areas full of lilies with lots of birds and other
wildlife.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The billabong
has the highest concentration of Crocodiles per square kilometre anywhere in
the world.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We saw some
sunning themselves on the banks and were able to get very close.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The area is
very popular with anglers catching Barramundi and Saratoga.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The sunset
photo opportunities were actually better than the Kakadu cruise!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
home we had a sad experience and hit a Wallaby that bounded across in front of
the car.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It came out
of nowhere in the dark and we didn’t even have time to brake before hitting it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
we broke its neck and it died instantly.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">George and
Lisa pulled it off the road and Paul inspected the car for damage only to find
a bent number plate giving a good indication that it went straight under the
centre of the car.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were a
little less concerned to find it was a male and didn’t have a pouch with a baby
joey as we had seen many females with joeys in the past few weeks.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YtE12sw7Thc/V16nL6e8QjI/AAAAAAAAaDs/L7aRQpxVCY4WaKJ1fcEk6cOtiBTr8M3GACKgB/s1600/Dead%2BWallaby%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YtE12sw7Thc/V16nL6e8QjI/AAAAAAAAaDs/L7aRQpxVCY4WaKJ1fcEk6cOtiBTr8M3GACKgB/s640/Dead%2BWallaby%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></b></div>
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The lights of
the car illuminating the road gave an unusual view over the last remaining glow
of the day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That night we
were in the Corroboree Pub having dinner (and watching the Wallabies playing
England in the Rugby) when Clint and Jackson our friends who own Marrakai
Station walked in.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was great
to catch up and they offered us a trip to visit the station the following day
which we gladly accepted.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we drove
back into the camping area (which is behind the pub) we were amazed to see
100’s of Wallabies grazing on the lush green grass of the campsites. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
dozens of very tiny ones only 30-50cm tall.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It certainly
had been a mixed afternoon and evening of Wallabies!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Marrakai
Station backs onto the Corroboree Lagoon and is a huge property of over 550
square kilometres. It has the largest wetland of any private property in the
Northern Territory.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had been
there before but it was a first for George and Chez.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was very
different from our first experience there 9 weeks ago.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The water had
receded a lot since the wet season and due to the hot conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Once again we
took Jackson’s super fun old-school landcruiser to bash around the property.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Clint also took
the quad bike.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul stole it
for most of the day, but we all got to ride it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">MA-Rated Termite Mound……<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Clint and
Lisa even went chasing Water Buffalo on it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We could hear
the hoots and hollers from the landcruiser!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Some of the
male Water Buffalo were fighting with each other.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The biggest
highlight was the thousands of birds down at the wetland area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
large flocks of Burdekin Ducks, Whistling Ducks and Magpie Geese.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The dry
cracked land on the wetlands was a stark contrast to when we were there last.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The wetlands
are beautiful down on the water’s edge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
loads of cattle grazing both in the forested areas and down near the wetlands.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">All through
the long grass were Grasshoppers and Dragonflies.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We got back
to the Pub at 8pm after a full on day at the Station.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were nearly
falling asleep in our dinner plates.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the 13<sup>th</sup>
June we finally arrived in Darwin and back on-board Lorelei by the afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Overall it
was a sensational trip and even more special to share it with family.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We drove
almost 8000km through the 3 states of NSW, SA and NT in 7 weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul took
over 225000 photos and it has covered 3 blog posts.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Overall
(besides hitting the Wallaby on the 3<sup>rd </sup>last day and watching the
girl go over the waterfall) it was an incident free trip and the Toyota Prado
and Caravan never missed a beat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">George’s OZ
Tent which we slept in was excellent and very quick to set-up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst it is
the end of the road trip, it is only half way through our time with Paul’s
parents George and Chez.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It is going
to be a busy week of setting Lorelei up for the 4 of us to move <br />
on-board and do the massive re-provision for the 3-4 months we are going to be
in The Kimberly region in the remote NW of Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">George and
Chez are on-board for 6 weeks of that time for a one-way trip from Darwin to
Broome through The Kimberly.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So that’s it
for our 3<sup>rd</sup> and last Road Trip post.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s been a
special 50<sup>th</sup> Episode and we return to Sailing for the 51<sup>st</sup>
Episode which will be from Broome in around 6-7 weeks’ time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There is no
telephone or internet in The Kimberly (it is very remote) so we will all be out
of contact until early August.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Cool Huh!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Seeya.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul and Lisa
Hogger<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">George and
Chez Hogger – now on-board Lorelei and breaking out the seasick tablets……..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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sv_loreleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14235157985522355104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245635408700620959.post-66301073632929186832016-05-23T02:01:00.002-07:002019-02-09T17:43:15.554-08:00Episode 49 Road Trip Part 2 SA to NT<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 28.0pt;"><b>Lorelei’s
<s>Sailing</s> Outback Adventures</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8HOBj-DG895TUYmvwt2jjItHZq4ioIGDiyCmNDYuc4dC007AXoc1TjIfxBfsJHCURYAR6_EnYLFV0iHUwR52SJMOhw0hCbrAXZS2mKVlSXfcN4TFRfyQd7Cwx1FrLTSFTlvPKOYW1Ug2j/s1600/Episode+49+road+trip+pt+2+sa+and+nt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="1600" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8HOBj-DG895TUYmvwt2jjItHZq4ioIGDiyCmNDYuc4dC007AXoc1TjIfxBfsJHCURYAR6_EnYLFV0iHUwR52SJMOhw0hCbrAXZS2mKVlSXfcN4TFRfyQd7Cwx1FrLTSFTlvPKOYW1Ug2j/s640/Episode+49+road+trip+pt+2+sa+and+nt.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At the end of
Episode 48, we had finished Lorelei’s refit, flown to Sydney and joined Paul’s
parents George and Chez on a 7 week, 7500+km road trip from Sydney to Darwin
covering the 3 states of NSW, SA and NT.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The NSW leg
was completed at it was on to South Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our route for this
Episode of the Blog.</span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We left NSW
beaming after a great experience at Silverton NSW where Paul was able to get
some fantastic night photos of the old buildings.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">From there we
crossed the border into South Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had to go
through a quarantine checkpoint and the not so friendly guy took all of our
fruit and vegetable.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He said he
had to take anything with seeds but still took things like cut pumpkin that we
brought with the seeds removed, spring onions, etc…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were a bit
unhappy as we had just stocked up at Woolworths the day before and now it was
all gone.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Stupidly
enough we drove 200km, walked into the next Woolworths a few days later and
brought exactly the same produce, for the same prices, with the same stickers
on them, etc, etc…. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s not like
we are against quarantine and are very used to it when transiting between
countries on-board Lorelei but this was completely silly…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first
overnight stop in South Australia was Burra. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
into Burra we stopped at a well-known house on the side of the road.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It is referred
to as the Midnight Oil house as it appeared on the front cover of the iconic
Australian rock band Midnight Oil’s famous album Diesel and Dust.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The area also
had stacks of Wind Generators which look huge up on the ridge line.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-79A6jXMuAEk/V0KZSAVZRRI/AAAAAAAAZXo/MHrb8QBVhc4dSqlAlqufavdMtZymOFFEwCKgB/s1600/Burra%2B%252815%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-79A6jXMuAEk/V0KZSAVZRRI/AAAAAAAAZXo/MHrb8QBVhc4dSqlAlqufavdMtZymOFFEwCKgB/s640/Burra%2B%252815%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The train
also came along at the same time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Burra is an
old Copper Mining Town that started its first open cut copper mine around 1870.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Since then
mining has stopped and the town is vastly reduced in size.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a trip
down memory lane for Paul and George.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">George was
sent here in the early 1970’s to oversee the building of a copper smelter. It
was to take many months so the entire family moved to Burra from the NSW
Central Coast. Paul was 4 at the time and still has some memories of the place.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We spent a
day walking around the old abandoned mine and visiting the towns attractions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The open cut mine is now
filled with water. </span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">
It is very green in colour from the copper leeching.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went to
have a look at the old railway station and found a couple of wild Kangaroos
which we got very close to.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Due to the
freezing overnight temperatures we decided to hire an old renovated Miners
Cottage.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It had loads
of old school charm. The walls were stone and about 2 feet thick!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> If only the walls could have talked about the
history….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A couple of
Cook-A-Burras!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sorry that’s an Aussie
Joke……<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That night
Paul hiked back up to the abandoned mine to attempt his first star trail photo.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He had
brought all the equipment necessary a few months prior and was itching for a
chance to try it all out.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The most
difficult thing was the photo had to been taken looking exactly due south to
get the circle of stars right in the middle of the photo.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
little unnerving for Paul walking around the mine site in pitch blackness with
single digit temperatures at all hours of the night and using a compass app on
the IPad to try and align a due south photo.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Eventually he
settled on an old smoke stack built in 1875.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By fluke he
got the stack and star circle just right and the 2 hour long photo turned out
great. Beginners Luck!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next
morning it was very cold and we took off early to head towards The Spencer
Gulf.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Frost on the ground and
foggy conditions leaving Burra</span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Once at
Spencer Gulf, we drove along the coast visiting the 3 ports of Port Pirie, Port
Germaine and Port Augusta.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Port Pirie is
a very industrial area that is a town in trouble with scaling back of large
business and many vacant shops.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Port Pirie Yacht
Club had only 1 yacht and 2 old power boats</span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Port Germaine
is famous for Sand Crabs!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It has the
longest timber jetty in Australia and the tourists flock there in Crab season
(the summer months) to catch Crabs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There are
places that will rent you a cart with crab pots so you can walk out to the
wharf and put them in yourself.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The caravan
park across the road has huge boilers and steamers for general use so you can
cook them up straight away.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Port Augusta
is the largest of the 3 towns and has a nice foreshore area and quaint feel
about it compared to the more industrial Port Pirie.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Once we left
the water, it was a long and very windy drive to Woomera.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The head wind
kept speeds (and fuel efficiency) well down.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was quite
flat for most of the way with red earth, salt pans and salt bush.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GxtMAR-otW8/V0KqN9-i_8I/AAAAAAAAZng/9Wd-OmgVOistMapI5CVpshmRwubeBAq5wCKgB/s1600/Woomera%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GxtMAR-otW8/V0KqN9-i_8I/AAAAAAAAZng/9Wd-OmgVOistMapI5CVpshmRwubeBAq5wCKgB/s640/Woomera%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f6N0ykLIv_k/V0Kq846T9nI/AAAAAAAAZn0/HXy06P7sVxYkX4b4RHSonXq_FAo8fUJHgCKgB/s1600/Woomera%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f6N0ykLIv_k/V0Kq846T9nI/AAAAAAAAZn0/HXy06P7sVxYkX4b4RHSonXq_FAo8fUJHgCKgB/s640/Woomera%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">To say
Woomera is an interesting place is a large understatement!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qlBQUB94dgE/V0Krdi7ryqI/AAAAAAAAZoQ/po0OSV0-5UIa0ixkGCbcGBjYhC0444UrQCKgB/s1600/Woomera%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qlBQUB94dgE/V0Krdi7ryqI/AAAAAAAAZoQ/po0OSV0-5UIa0ixkGCbcGBjYhC0444UrQCKgB/s640/Woomera%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Woomera was
established at the end of WW2 when the Germans developed the V2 missile. It was
the first intercontinental rocket and it decimated London as it could be
launched unmanned from The Netherlands, was undetectable by radar and carried a
large 1 tonne bomb.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The UK had no
answer for it and nothing to match it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So after the
war they wanted to develop and test a similar missile to the V2 and with the
help of modern day Aussie pioneer Len Beardell, chose the area at Woomera as a rocket
range.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Over 4000 missiles
were tested and fired from the range from 1947 to 1980.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The site was
then used to launch rockets capable of reaching outer space and to carry
satellites.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It is still
in use today as a testing range for all types of aircraft and there are rumours
it will become a joint US/AUS air force base.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went to
the museum and info centre which was very informative and well laid out.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Woomera
Caravan Park was a wild scene that afternoon!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was brown
and desolate with a crazy cloud pattern in the sky and very strong winds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We elected
not to put the tent up after seeing other tents nearly being destroyed in the
wind.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Instead we
hired an onsite cabin and the 4 of us cooked and ate in there and watched the
Friday night AFL game.</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MB38KJhyny8/V0KqkGBsX7I/AAAAAAAAZng/7btqB8duixAxawU762AxXwULgzACUaulQCKgB/s1600/Woomera%2B%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MB38KJhyny8/V0KqkGBsX7I/AAAAAAAAZng/7btqB8duixAxawU762AxXwULgzACUaulQCKgB/s640/Woomera%2B%252811%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next
morning Paul rang his Mum Diann for mother’s day and she says “Have you heard
about the huge storm? It’s heading your way?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Well we did
know about a storm but not about the severity of it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Over the next
few days it dumped water all over the central desert area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Many roads
were cut including the main highway and the road to Ayers Rock/Uluru.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Hundreds of Caravans
and Motorhomes were stuck unable to move towns and there was a graziers/livestock
alert across the area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We left in a
hurry and made our way 300klm north to Coober Pedy planning to outrun the
vicious storm which was hopefully going to track south of us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
north we stopped at Lake Hart for a look.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We also
walked along the train tracks for the famous Ghan Railway.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found this destroyed
Wicked Campervan at the base of a </span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">
4WD track where it certainly should not have been…..<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By the time
we arrived in Coober Pedy it was blowing Dogs off Chains and the windmills were
spinning very fast.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The self-contained
units were very expensive and the caravan park owners said we could pick any caravan/tent
site we wanted. We drove around until we found the wind blowing over a large
colourbond fence and set up camp in the reasonably protected lee of the fence.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That’s the
sailors influence coming out in us…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The wind
slowly dropped on dusk making for a red sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul was able
to take a star trail shot after dark when the wind dropped right out.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found lots of Grasshoppers in the park and on our tent.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XhGhVM3ss78/V0KYU8cquQI/AAAAAAAAZWE/vA5eVA1dkI8FNFUpoD14kWRxuCWUBUeewCKgB/s1600/Ayers%2BRock%2BDay%2B1%2B%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XhGhVM3ss78/V0KYU8cquQI/AAAAAAAAZWE/vA5eVA1dkI8FNFUpoD14kWRxuCWUBUeewCKgB/s640/Ayers%2BRock%2BDay%2B1%2B%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Wespent a
full day exploring town.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Coober Pedy
is the Opal capital of the world.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst there
are many Opal fields in outback Australia, Coober Pedy has the largest amount of
Opal mines and produces the most amount of Opal.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the
morning we went to the lookout and had a drive around the town centre.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">70% of the
town’s 2500 people live underground and it is evident when you look from the
lookout and see the front facade of a house only on a rock face. The
ventilation tubes up the rock slope are the only indication of the rest of the
house being underground.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the
afternoon we went on a tour with Stuart Outback Tours.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was run
through the caravan park and we were the only 4 booked on so it was very
personal.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went to
see some new underground houses being built.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a
laugh at the sign on the 18 hole golf course.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There was not
a single piece of natural grass to be found.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The whole of
the outskirts of town has thousands of piles of Mullock heaps (discarded piles
of rocks & earth) from the Opal mines.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We saw lots
of birds in the scrub area around the Mullock heaps.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We visited an
underground church which had a huge main room and lots of smaller rooms.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The shape of
the cuts in the roof looked great and made for an excellent design.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yFEJw6xl7l8/V0KatEJznkI/AAAAAAAAZaQ/hzmy5bP7ZJE3SZpmt1ExW9nF7eQShTNewCKgB/s1600/Coober%2BPedy%2B%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yFEJw6xl7l8/V0KatEJznkI/AAAAAAAAZaQ/hzmy5bP7ZJE3SZpmt1ExW9nF7eQShTNewCKgB/s640/Coober%2BPedy%2B%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We visited an
underground museum that was once a full working mine.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was huge
and a terrific experience.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On dusk Paul
went into town to photograph some of the old machinery using time exposures and
light painting with a powerful torch.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6RWjPGxzUMs/V0KaxdE9vQI/AAAAAAAAZaQ/pAxWjnmz2ZsRNipt_wPiRGKRmg7lt875ACKgB/s1600/Coober%2BPedy%2BTown%2BNight%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6RWjPGxzUMs/V0KaxdE9vQI/AAAAAAAAZaQ/pAxWjnmz2ZsRNipt_wPiRGKRmg7lt875ACKgB/s640/Coober%2BPedy%2BTown%2BNight%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Greek
owner of the caravan park makes a fantastic (and huge) Satay Chicken Pizza.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
we went 20km out of town to view The Breakaways which are a series of amazing
rock formations.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
supposed to be included in the tour we did the day before but the road was
closed so we couldn’t get there in the bus. We did find out though that with
caution you could travel the road in a 4WD so we took the chance.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The view from
the top of the escarpment was just incredible.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mpYKbpe0rWk/V0KlGNJy9oI/AAAAAAAAZjk/cHvXbwJGgZQtpok1g2EYZvRSkw3OShr1ACKgB/s1600/The%2BBreakaways%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mpYKbpe0rWk/V0KlGNJy9oI/AAAAAAAAZjk/cHvXbwJGgZQtpok1g2EYZvRSkw3OShr1ACKgB/s640/The%2BBreakaways%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note Lisa on the edge at
the left in the photos above and below</span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GF6xNvmC2jM/V0KlM_2pQsI/AAAAAAAAZj0/ordea0Oope8sNLp_Bj9Hdh8kRiG7bM_YQCKgB/s1600/The%2BBreakaways%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GF6xNvmC2jM/V0KlM_2pQsI/AAAAAAAAZj0/ordea0Oope8sNLp_Bj9Hdh8kRiG7bM_YQCKgB/s640/The%2BBreakaways%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
small caves with kangaroo tracks in them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x8tVAjC07QU/V0Kk4CkCt-I/AAAAAAAAZjk/9OTidHEqkTUGRvTes6MnJlubZcq0MrefQCKgB/s1600/The%2BBreakaways%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x8tVAjC07QU/V0Kk4CkCt-I/AAAAAAAAZjk/9OTidHEqkTUGRvTes6MnJlubZcq0MrefQCKgB/s640/The%2BBreakaways%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went to
another lookout area facing another direction.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> The scenery was different but still amazing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V9eHS8PP5t0/V0KlkMnM0JI/AAAAAAAAZkE/A7Eq9v6KoTEEdLgAA9ey7toxmL9CkGQfwCKgB/s1600/The%2BBreakaways%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V9eHS8PP5t0/V0KlkMnM0JI/AAAAAAAAZkE/A7Eq9v6KoTEEdLgAA9ey7toxmL9CkGQfwCKgB/s640/The%2BBreakaways%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We carefully
took the 4WD down to the valley floor and drove across the plain to view the
area from below.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oHyARPq3Ofo/V0KkYumwyOI/AAAAAAAAZjU/4XM3UXCf4ewSu-Wku-x8pIhCW24tFT4wQCKgB/s1600/The%2BBreakaways%2B%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oHyARPq3Ofo/V0KkYumwyOI/AAAAAAAAZjU/4XM3UXCf4ewSu-Wku-x8pIhCW24tFT4wQCKgB/s640/The%2BBreakaways%2B%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VS67fJ1XvGs/V0KlnVQNPyI/AAAAAAAAZkE/CLjyawTyFwc1ioSsluCcQ70AAoAVStn2QCKgB/s1600/The%2BBreakaways%2B%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VS67fJ1XvGs/V0KlnVQNPyI/AAAAAAAAZkE/CLjyawTyFwc1ioSsluCcQ70AAoAVStn2QCKgB/s640/The%2BBreakaways%2B%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After 4
fabulous days in Coober Pedy we took off north for a large 450km drive to
Erldunda in the Northern Territory.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had to
stop a few times for food and driver changes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-er4eGxEAzGM/V0KZ1OEhjKI/AAAAAAAAZZI/hbuSsaajkDUBovl_0rbhXwysGduHfD4-wCKgB/s1600/CP%2Bto%2BUluru%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-er4eGxEAzGM/V0KZ1OEhjKI/AAAAAAAAZZI/hbuSsaajkDUBovl_0rbhXwysGduHfD4-wCKgB/s640/CP%2Bto%2BUluru%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived at
Erldunda at 3:30pm and made the decision to push on the last 250km to Ayers
Rock/Uluru rather than stop and get out all the gear for only a quick overnight
stop.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A phone call
to the Ayers Rock Resort revealed that the caravan area was fully booked but
seeing as we had a 1 week booking starting the next day they said come anyway
and they will try to fit us in.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the drive
in we could see Mount Connor - many think it is Uluru when they first see it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-43VIXyHzE7Y/V0KZ2btIWuI/AAAAAAAAZZI/UykcWjBAmtsYtrdle_zdas5Le5uT_5CBACKgB/s1600/CP%2Bto%2BUluru%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-43VIXyHzE7Y/V0KZ2btIWuI/AAAAAAAAZZI/UykcWjBAmtsYtrdle_zdas5Le5uT_5CBACKgB/s640/CP%2Bto%2BUluru%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived at
the resort at 6:30pm – just on sunset. The fantastic staff of the caravan area
told us of a cancellation about 5 minutes after we initially called so they
fitted us into to a small but permanent site and we were very happy.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had driven
700km that day (towing a van and using 3 different drivers) so it was a big day
and we had dinner and were soon in bed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next
morning we went and booked our activities for the week.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Thank
goodness we did because there was a special event on called the “Field of
Light” which was on for a limited time and the main reason the place was so
packed with tourists.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were lucky
to get a booking for it on our last night in Uluru – 5 days away.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We also
booked some other fun activities and brought our national park passes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We headed out
to Uluru (previously known as Ayers Rock) and drove right around it to get a
feel for its immense size.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GqFIGmZyQpI/V0KYZROaHCI/AAAAAAAAZWE/OgsOBS1BPpQi0Xxz8KIWOSUZbLKOTjz2wCKgB/s1600/Ayers%2BRock%2BDay%2B1%2B%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GqFIGmZyQpI/V0KYZROaHCI/AAAAAAAAZWE/OgsOBS1BPpQi0Xxz8KIWOSUZbLKOTjz2wCKgB/s640/Ayers%2BRock%2BDay%2B1%2B%252811%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lcx3_V2wtDg/V0KYU0gwUWI/AAAAAAAAZWE/v7Qt8LvIeo0CDMNTDs9BtHNnGj4iD4NAgCKgB/s1600/Ayers%2BRock%2BDay%2B1%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lcx3_V2wtDg/V0KYU0gwUWI/AAAAAAAAZWE/v7Qt8LvIeo0CDMNTDs9BtHNnGj4iD4NAgCKgB/s640/Ayers%2BRock%2BDay%2B1%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went for a
small 1km walk called the Mala Walk which goes into a remote pool of water at
the base of the rock.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PHGjJJQ-sk4/V0KYk0hCV5I/AAAAAAAAZWE/R-j7Z5QyYfIN-ls24YEE6AnNAVihivPUwCKgB/s1600/Ayers%2BRock%2BDay%2B1%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PHGjJJQ-sk4/V0KYk0hCV5I/AAAAAAAAZWE/R-j7Z5QyYfIN-ls24YEE6AnNAVihivPUwCKgB/s640/Ayers%2BRock%2BDay%2B1%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">George wanted to go
left, Lisa wanted to go right. </span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">
Chez didn’t know who to follow…….<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
stacks of caves and cut-ins we could walk into.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There is even
Aboriginal Rock Art at Uluru.</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-72P9SHTapcs/V0KYfeZe1ZI/AAAAAAAAZWE/v0aDoXAbUhguzKDy7tfYlSfjGjTxLmuWQCKgB/s1600/Ayers%2BRock%2BDay%2B1%2B%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-72P9SHTapcs/V0KYfeZe1ZI/AAAAAAAAZWE/v0aDoXAbUhguzKDy7tfYlSfjGjTxLmuWQCKgB/s640/Ayers%2BRock%2BDay%2B1%2B%252814%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At sunset we
returned to the National Park and went to the sunset viewing area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul had
walked the length of it that morning and worked out the exact spot for the best
photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
when we got there the car spot was empty so we took it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul set his
camera tripod up on the roof cage on the car.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Like always,
as soon as the sun set the masses of tourists left and we were the only ones
left in our area to view the terrific colours after sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next
morning just the two of us went and did a walk around the rock whilst George
and Chez had the morning off.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We started
early when the sun was low which was great to beat the heat but not so good for
light and photography.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That
afternoon Paul searched around the outside of the National Park boundaries
(because the Park shuts at 7:30pm) for a location to do a Star Trail photo.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">To do the
shot properly he should have faced the camera due south but it was hard to find
a hill or rise facing due south, but he got reasonably close within 15 degrees.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
little far away from The Rock and the result was not perfect but OK.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">About ½ an
hour into the shot the buses started to run along the dirt road at the bottom
of the photo as they transited into “The Field of Light”.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It made for
an interesting foreground as their headlights illuminated the trees and road.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We took a
break from Uluru and did a full day trip to Kata Tjuta or the old name of The
Olgas.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">If we thought
Uluru was great, then Kata Tjuta was incredible!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We stopped at
a viewing platform about 10km from Kata Tjuta to get an early morning panoramic
shot.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">George and
Chez did the 4.5km lookout walk whilst we did the extended 7km loop walk.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the walk
we saw a lot of small Lizards on rocks basking in the morning sun.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our last day at
Uluru turned into a HUGE day and we ended up doing 4 activities which spanned
over 16 hours.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Just the 2 of
us woke at 5am and drove out to the Sunrise viewing platform.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were the
first ones there by 40 minutes and took some great pre-dawn photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It got very
busy when the buses arrived but we had the prime position – with a thermos and
hot cuppas which was the envy of many people.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">To the left
of Uluru we could also see Kata Tjuta in the distance.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As soon as
the sun was up we went to the main car park so Paul could climb Uluru.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There is a
lot of controversy regarding climbing Uluru.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It has been
climbed by tourists for many years but the Indigenous people are trying to
close the climb.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Prior to
coming to Uluru we googled info about it only to find out part of the climbing
chain was removed and the climb was closed indefinitely.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Even 1 week
prior it appeared to be closed and when we arrived at the Resort/Campground,
there was a sign in reception saying it was closed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However when
we drove around Uluru the first day, we spotted loads of people climbing up the
chain.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul spoke to
a National Park Ranger and he said go for it as it was open.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So on the
last morning Paul decided to do the climb.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Due to the
steepness, Lisa chose not to do it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The chain
stops about 1/3 of the way up but is there to help people transit the steepest
section.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There is a
series of white painted lines from the end of the chain which you can follow
for about 2km to reach the summit. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul on his own at the
top of the chain section</span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On our first day
at Uluru we booked a Helicopter flight with Professional Helicopter Services.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There are 2
Helicopter companies operating and we chose the wrong one!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were due
to do an afternoon flight on our second day and the company called us with only
2 hours to go before the flight and cancelled.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They offered
another option but wanted to charge us an extra $500+.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were not
happy and they never called back or gave us another option for the initial
agreed price.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We contacted
Ayers Rock Helicopters and explained how we had been let down by the other
company and they were very sympathetic and offered to help.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However they
were very busy and couldn’t fit us in for a few days.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the night
before our last full day Julio the manager of Ayers Rock Helicopters rang us to
offer us a fantastic deal for the following day (our last day!!).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst they
couldn’t fit all 4 of us at the same time, they agreed to take Chez (in an R44
4-seater (3 tourists and a pilot)) on a flight with another lovely Aussie couple
who had also been stuffed around by Professional Helicopters.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Then George,
Paul and Lisa did a 1 hour, doors off Photographic charter covering Uluru,
KataTjuta and Lake Amadeus.<br />
It is uncommon for the lake to have water in it so we were very excited to see
this rare occurrence.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Julio was
sooo helpful!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He organised
it all, picked us up, was our Pilot and dropped us home.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He was
professional yet a lot of fun and it made for a very enjoyable experience.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We have
nothing but praise for Ayers Rock Helicopters and nothing but bad things to say
about Professional Helicopters.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">First we went
over Yulara and the town area before going to the rock.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">From Uluru we
went to Kata Tjuta.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In this photo we could
see Kuta Tjuta, Uluru and Mount Conner all lined up.</span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">From Kata
Tjuta it was a 10 minute flight over to Lake Amadeus.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The water was
slowly evaporating leaving pools of water surrounded by salt pans with amazing textures
and camel trails in them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
home we went over the airport’s main runaway surrounded by red dirt.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Late that
afternoon we were picked up for our night at The Field Of Light.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Field of
Light is a light show in the desert that is on for a limited time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It is
constructed from 50 000 solar powered led lights connected by lit fibre optic
cables.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There is over
350km of fibre optic cabling!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were able
to have drinks and canapés on the hill overlooking the site and Uluru for the
sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were then
able to go down into the field and walk around the lights.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
fantastic experience and we got home after 9pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It had been a
huge day and we were exhausted.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
we packed up camp and headed north to Kings Canyon which is now called Watarrka.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way we
stopped for lunch at a small roadside stop and were very excited to see 2 pure
bred Dingos (wild Australian Dogs) coming up close to the caravan.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The white
markings on the tail was evidence of their pure breeding.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul chasing
the Dingos around for a good photo turned out to be a bit in vain as when we
pulled into the Kings Canyon caravan park we found heaps of Dingos roaming
freely through the park.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In fact they
were very bold and one day we even found one inside our tent when we left the
door open for only a few minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uDzOZyNgMUs/V0Ka91KhSPI/AAAAAAAAZbQ/Yog4aBADUZIgCT0MaTEHyRyrso3y4eKAwCKgB/s1600/Dingos%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uDzOZyNgMUs/V0Ka91KhSPI/AAAAAAAAZbQ/Yog4aBADUZIgCT0MaTEHyRyrso3y4eKAwCKgB/s640/Dingos%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This mangy
old Dingo was very brazen. He would walk right through people’s campsites
looking for food.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He got up on
the next door neighbours table one night and stole some dinner and would sniff
around our tent at night time, sometimes waking us up with his snout up against
the flyscreen and only inches from our heads.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After the
huge day only 2 days prior and a big day of travelling, we decided to do the 2
smaller walks for our first full day at Watarrka.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went out
to Kathleen Creek and did the 3km walk into the valley.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The area is
an old stockyard and there is evidence of cattle pens and watering facilities.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found some
large spider webs glowing golden in the sun.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the arvo
we did the Kings Canyon valley walk which was 2km.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The floor of
the valley had some stunning Ghost Gum Trees which made for excellent photo
subjects.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That evening
the sunset looked great over the caravan park.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Early the
next morning Paul was in the tent editing photos when George comes in and says
“Come and check out the sunrise……”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">George, Paul
and Lisa decided to tackle the Kings Canyon Rim Walk which is the premier walk
in the area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They left
early to avoid the heat and with photo stops it took them 5 hours to complete
the steep 7km walk.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was just
spectacular and Paul took over 800 photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There are a
few sections were you can get very close to the cliff edge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The issue is
you don’t know whether it is a slope below, a vertical face or even an overhang
and you are standing on it!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In one section
we could lie down and crawl right out onto the edge and look over.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n3v7vHKQHCQ/V0KdWNgDazI/AAAAAAAAZpc/nUMmAcfGbDoQom-b3KGtSjSLzmqqrV3XQCKgB/s1600/Kings%2BCanyon%2BRim%2BWalk%2B%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n3v7vHKQHCQ/V0KdWNgDazI/AAAAAAAAZpc/nUMmAcfGbDoQom-b3KGtSjSLzmqqrV3XQCKgB/s640/Kings%2BCanyon%2BRim%2BWalk%2B%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e7TAgwouuk0/V0KcOU5J1gI/AAAAAAAAZdI/Tu-LsYUUz-8RacGXnyhAmSofoVl2KOvFACKgB/s1600/Kings%2BCanyon%2BGeorge%2Band%2BLisa%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e7TAgwouuk0/V0KcOU5J1gI/AAAAAAAAZdI/Tu-LsYUUz-8RacGXnyhAmSofoVl2KOvFACKgB/s640/Kings%2BCanyon%2BGeorge%2Band%2BLisa%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Above and
below are the same photo just zoomed in above and wide angle below.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GYgGRQBowPw/V0KcSHJtdJI/AAAAAAAAZdI/INKri4s4XmIo_Ezrq1CwT5eoM7C65AA6ACKgB/s1600/Kings%2BCanyon%2BGeorge%2Band%2BLisa%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GYgGRQBowPw/V0KcSHJtdJI/AAAAAAAAZdI/INKri4s4XmIo_Ezrq1CwT5eoM7C65AA6ACKgB/s640/Kings%2BCanyon%2BGeorge%2Band%2BLisa%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Can you see Lisa and
George on the edge??</span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bbagRIha_yU/V0KcPfyshWI/AAAAAAAAZdI/I91a07ffV2oJLAEthAEvkT6J3_C7EW_gwCKgB/s1600/Kings%2BCanyon%2BGeorge%2Band%2BLisa%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bbagRIha_yU/V0KcPfyshWI/AAAAAAAAZdI/I91a07ffV2oJLAEthAEvkT6J3_C7EW_gwCKgB/s640/Kings%2BCanyon%2BGeorge%2Band%2BLisa%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On top of the
rim we saw some fantastic Ghost Gum trees and unusual rock formations.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YrNgnak9v48wZTFfft0MBn9jmFtQK5habPXAzzY3DHIqcrcuV-O5xow2-S615iyNy57GMkPQXQVKyTEqhR-Ph-D058oph5EY1cYflVtNhru9BLXuLpavz4fbo8VWO4mw8NYIjxyN4qZ3/s1600/Kings+Canyon+Rim+Walk+%252816%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YrNgnak9v48wZTFfft0MBn9jmFtQK5habPXAzzY3DHIqcrcuV-O5xow2-S615iyNy57GMkPQXQVKyTEqhR-Ph-D058oph5EY1cYflVtNhru9BLXuLpavz4fbo8VWO4mw8NYIjxyN4qZ3/s640/Kings+Canyon+Rim+Walk+%252816%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There was a
series of bridges and steps leading down into the valley.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zMGDemBi3x0/V0KcdKbbDkI/AAAAAAAAZdI/UlSWaE5f1OcsaEUeyrMJw4vy3LGt9XvRwCKgB/s1600/Kings%2BCanyon%2BRim%2BWalk%2B%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zMGDemBi3x0/V0KcdKbbDkI/AAAAAAAAZdI/UlSWaE5f1OcsaEUeyrMJw4vy3LGt9XvRwCKgB/s640/Kings%2BCanyon%2BRim%2BWalk%2B%252812%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At the end of
the valley there was a pool that made for great reflection photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were very
fortunate to have the “Garden Of Eden” all to ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uVj19vYKKhw/V0Kci_14DVI/AAAAAAAAZdI/7m4e5E7e1xkg7rI2odn-efDfcNN3eAYoACKgB/s1600/Kings%2BCanyon%2BRim%2BWalk%2B%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uVj19vYKKhw/V0Kci_14DVI/AAAAAAAAZdI/7m4e5E7e1xkg7rI2odn-efDfcNN3eAYoACKgB/s640/Kings%2BCanyon%2BRim%2BWalk%2B%252814%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GRcsTi2aZjY/V0Kce4-A0eI/AAAAAAAAZdI/kEJ0FnV90Bw7XC5Uj5MCJ6nJmHT16qsxQCKgB/s1600/Kings%2BCanyon%2BRim%2BWalk%2B%252813%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GRcsTi2aZjY/V0Kce4-A0eI/AAAAAAAAZdI/kEJ0FnV90Bw7XC5Uj5MCJ6nJmHT16qsxQCKgB/s640/Kings%2BCanyon%2BRim%2BWalk%2B%252813%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Overall Kings
Canyon was great.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">From a
travelling point of view it is out of the way and requires long distances to
get there but it is worth it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The dingos in
the park, the sunsets & sunrises all helped to round out a fantastic few
days.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were very
fortunate with the weather and it was the warmest location yet with high 20’s
in the day and as low as 12 or 13 at night, unlike the single digit overnight
temperatures we had experienced everywhere else.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was so
good to be running around in shorts, shirts & bare feet again…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There is a
dirt road called The Mereenie Loop that is around 250km stretching from Kings Canyon
to Alice Springs – our next stop.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We talked to
many caravan owners and most were electing not to do the dirt road leg as it
was ungraded after the rain and heavily corrugated.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The issue was
then to get to Alice it meant travelling 270km south back to Eldunda before
doing a U-turn and going 200km north giving a total days run of 470km.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly we
(along with everyone else at Kings Canyon) didn’t have a choice.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The fuel at
Kings Canyon was frightfully expensive so we stopped at a roadhouse that was
also a Camel farm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">While Lisa
and George filled the car, Chez and Paul went and visited a baby Camel we had
seen on the way in.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It took a big
liking to Paul….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">We stopped at
the Erldunda Roadhouse for lunch to find it packed with caravan rigs refueling and having lunch.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Finally we
got to The Macdonald Ranges Caravan Park in Alice Springs at 4pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were so
excited to find the site full of lush green grass which we had not seen for
weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a
great baked dinner outside and then crashed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For the next
few days it was day trips out of Alice Springs in virtually every direction.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The highlight
was a trip out to Palm Valley which was over 100km from Alice.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The view of
the ranges along the way was fantastic with so many different rock formations.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were semi
expecting a paved road into a parking area and to start a walk from there –
similar to most other walking sites we had visited.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However this
one was very different….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived at
the turnoff to be greeted by a dirt road and a very ominous road sign – what
does “Severe 4WD Route” mean???<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The track
started fine.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However soon
we arrived at the first water course and there were many more after that.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Some were
shallow, some long and some deeper and very tricky to navigate.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The sand got
deeper and the rocky areas got steeper and rougher.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We spoke to a
few 4WD owners who had turned around, but we took up the challenge and continued on.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had to
stop at one stage and let a large Perenti Lizard cross the track.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One water
course was very hard with steep drop offs only inches either side of the
wheels.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul and
George walked it first and talked Chez (who was driving) through the passage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After 90
minutes we stopped for lunch at a Red Cabbage Palm Valley.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The palms are
only found in this area and not anywhere else in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They are very
special to the indigenous people and are well cared for.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We continued
on the 4WD track until we found the walking trail.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We did a
fantastic walk encompassing the rim of the gorge and also the valley floor.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uxsvY3dpWTI/V0KhXiNwYOI/AAAAAAAAZhM/iehwlfMfBL8P74cWyRdW_2rut0KDsV3gQCKgB/s1600/Palm%2BValley%2BWalk%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uxsvY3dpWTI/V0KhXiNwYOI/AAAAAAAAZhM/iehwlfMfBL8P74cWyRdW_2rut0KDsV3gQCKgB/s640/Palm%2BValley%2BWalk%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a bit
wild to find the pathway a twisted and mangled mess after what appeared to be
ruined by a flood. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Yet for us it
was completely dry anywhere around the walking track.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After the
walk we headed back but we had no wind and the sun behind us making for awesome
reflections in the water pools along the track.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note our 4WD off to the
left hand side of the photo</span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For Lisa and
Chez it was great for them to sit with their feet in the cool water while Paul
and George ran around taking photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It took
another 90+ minutes to get back to the bitumen and then another 75 minutes to
drive back to Alice.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way we
stopped to view the amazing sunset through the trees.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n0uaEsTodNA/V0Kg9YcoP5I/AAAAAAAAZhA/Bk_gk6xkPGQBqaHK9zG6av_jL2wKE_ghgCKgB/s1600/Palm%2BValley%2BSunset%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n0uaEsTodNA/V0Kg9YcoP5I/AAAAAAAAZhA/Bk_gk6xkPGQBqaHK9zG6av_jL2wKE_ghgCKgB/s640/Palm%2BValley%2BSunset%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Once again we
arrived home late, well after dark and totally exhausted.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In Alice
Springs we were very excited to see the Sturts Desert Pea plants on the side of
the road.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">These iconic
Australian Outback plants normally only flower in the summer months when there
is rain, however the recent rain had made some plants flower during the winter
months.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had never
expected to see these so it was certainly a bonus!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nx9NXVD2vxs/V0KkLxnl3hI/AAAAAAAAZjA/asPJKS6_Q7U5CCtoG0RZi13y3UQ0IWtLgCKgB/s1600/Sturts%2BDesert%2BPea%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nx9NXVD2vxs/V0KkLxnl3hI/AAAAAAAAZjA/asPJKS6_Q7U5CCtoG0RZi13y3UQ0IWtLgCKgB/s640/Sturts%2BDesert%2BPea%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
it was a late start but into it again with a 350km round trip to visit 4 walks
for the day. They were all short ones but each time with something different.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first
stop was Simpson’s Gap.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The dry
riverbed wanders between some stunning sloping rock walls.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There are
lots of Ghost Gums in the river bed and Rock Wallabies on the rocky slopes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went onto Standley
Chasm for lunch.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This spot has
been returned to the Aborigines and you must now pay to get in.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That said –
they are doing a fantastic job of building a new track with hand railing up to
the area’s most famous part – The Chasm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Chasm is
most popular at around midday when for about 20 minutes, the sun aligns with
the straight chasm and illuminates it with light.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There are
lots of other walks in the area too which are very picturesque.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After lunch
we visited Emily Gap and Jessie Gap which are only about 5km apart.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Emily Gap had
a stunning valley and Aboriginal rock art depicting Caterpillars.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Jessie Gap
had some amazing bird life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We saw
Parrots and a very noisy Bower Bird.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Unlike our
Black Satin Bowerbirds on the east coast, this one was beautifully coloured
yellow and after a little searching, Paul managed to find its nest.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
interesting that all the collected debris was green unlike to Satin Bowerbirds
which collect Blue. There is not many blue things in the pristine outback….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So that’s it
for this episode of the blog.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s only
been 3 weeks since our last posting, but we’ve done so much and there are nearly
280 photos in this Episode.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was hard
for Paul to choose from the 12 000 photos he has taken…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So far we
have covered 5 500km since leaving the Central Coast of NSW and as of today
(Monday 23<sup>rd</sup> May) we are half way through the trip, time wise.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">From Alice
Springs we head slowly north towards Darwin.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So lookout
for the next instalment in around 3 weeks time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Cheers for
now.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul and Lisa
Hogger<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">having a blast
with<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> George and Chez Hogger<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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sv_loreleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14235157985522355104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245635408700620959.post-65103578798718587252016-05-05T05:26:00.002-07:002019-02-09T17:42:39.672-08:00Episode 48 - Darwin and The Outback Road Trip Part 1<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 28.0pt;"><b>Lorelei’s
<s>Sailing</s> Outback Adventures</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVygtjUAtucqMRjkboVgpEFbCIe4lIDfy22VHL-fTyB0TmzGCwl67-JxpO6Et2nJbUIQ-rKVVvUQEaNycEBXulvXYoS4-s0i5n5eHoshvd0Y7gcpYFfhkhXJE6ewldZuBXNhMF3K_nOt8y/s1600/Episode+48+darwin+%2526+road+trip+pt1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="1600" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVygtjUAtucqMRjkboVgpEFbCIe4lIDfy22VHL-fTyB0TmzGCwl67-JxpO6Et2nJbUIQ-rKVVvUQEaNycEBXulvXYoS4-s0i5n5eHoshvd0Y7gcpYFfhkhXJE6ewldZuBXNhMF3K_nOt8y/s640/Episode+48+darwin+%2526+road+trip+pt1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At the end of
Episode 47, we had sailed from Indonesia to Darwin, Australia and had cleared
in, spent a week in a creek grinding rust off Lorelei’s deck area and had
successfully made it through a lock and into the Tipperary Waters Marina. <o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our location and route for this
Episode of the Blog.</span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Once in the
Marina, we got stuck into some much needed maintenance on board Lorelei.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The issue was
it was hot – DAMN HOT!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The locals
were calling it the hottest wet season they could ever remember and the
temperature never dropped below 30 degrees – even at night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">During the
day it was a blistering 35-38 degrees and most of the time the decks were too
hot to even stand on.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was silly
but we had a time frame in which the work had to be completed so we just got
stuck into it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had to
stop every hour and drink a 1 litre bottle of cold water each.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
tedious job as we had to sand the rust back, treat it, prime, sand, prime
again, another sand, bog, sand, bog again, re-sand, another primer, sand, mask,
white top coat, sand, white top coat, sand and finally a carefully applied
third white top coat before removing the masking tape and repeating the entire
process for the yellow coloured paint.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It took 17
days to complete the job.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By the time
we were finished we were completely exhausted.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had sanded
the finger prints off our fingers and were sunburnt, and covered in 2 pack
paint splashes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sometimes in
the afternoons we would have storms come in over the marina.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The early
morning glass outs also made for some good photos within the marina.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We treated it
like a Monday to Friday job and on the weekends we would sometimes rest, shop
for supplies or go and have some fun with friends.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For Easter we
took time out and joined our friends the Walker family for a fun time on their
property, Marrakai Station.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Station
is 590 000 acres and has the largest wetland area of any property in the
Northern Territory.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The outer
areas of the property are popular as a weekend getaway for Jackson and his dad
Clint who run the property, but also for their friends, many of whom have some
serious off-road vehicles for use at the Station.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Chris and
Cynthia (whom are good friends and who we met the Walkers through) brought
their Polaris Buggy and so did other friends Belinda (who had a similar Polaris
Buggy) and Scott & Michelle who brought a quad bike.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The entrance to
the property is just next to the Corroboree Billabong.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Once there,
the vehicles were unloaded off the trailers, loaded up with eskies, people,
food and cameras.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jvu-BSkQP2k/VyH2uXer3mI/AAAAAAAAZJc/bUE1L1MH1b82I90yrnbUEB83rRH3hbJZACKgB/s1600/Marrakai%2BArrive%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jvu-BSkQP2k/VyH2uXer3mI/AAAAAAAAZJc/bUE1L1MH1b82I90yrnbUEB83rRH3hbJZACKgB/s640/Marrakai%2BArrive%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Jackson and
Clint have an awesome old-school HJ Toyota Landcruiser that they use. It has a
boat canopy on the back and was certainly Lisa’s favourite vehicle.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Once underway
we drove through a lot of varied terrain from along the fence lines, through
tall grass, dusty dirt plains and mud & wetland areas.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Down on the
wetlands, the wildlife was amazing with lots of bird life and beautiful trees
and flora.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--y9IqjiCcPE/VyH2W2BIcJI/AAAAAAAAZIE/hQQA_bGaqogZxruxq7gBTnYYesUinUUnACKgB/s1600/Marrakai%2B%252819%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--y9IqjiCcPE/VyH2W2BIcJI/AAAAAAAAZIE/hQQA_bGaqogZxruxq7gBTnYYesUinUUnACKgB/s640/Marrakai%2B%252819%2529.JPG" width="470" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We saw a beautiful pair
of Brolga birds in the tall grass.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NFoI3MYA82M/VyH2g0gygUI/AAAAAAAAZIw/CDqaFcb3aVk3lgbop9OteQXrVafqBI7DQCKgB/s1600/Marrakai%2B%252827%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NFoI3MYA82M/VyH2g0gygUI/AAAAAAAAZIw/CDqaFcb3aVk3lgbop9OteQXrVafqBI7DQCKgB/s640/Marrakai%2B%252827%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Chris and Cyn watching
the wildlife on the waters edge.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4_jXOvye6Wo/VyH2fQSFiZI/AAAAAAAAZIw/IBNt6qlh5LUxpFAiefc08hUG1xHHAuWcgCKgB/s1600/Marrakai%2B%252826%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4_jXOvye6Wo/VyH2fQSFiZI/AAAAAAAAZIw/IBNt6qlh5LUxpFAiefc08hUG1xHHAuWcgCKgB/s640/Marrakai%2B%252826%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Further along
we saw a group of wild horses. Some were a little timid but the Stallions were
not so scared of the vehicles.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iQMrD5UqdTI/VyH2jqHzaqI/AAAAAAAAZHA/894HeZO5PYUZ540K91ju5fPqx-cmZa1DwCKgB/s1600/Marrakai%2B%252829%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iQMrD5UqdTI/VyH2jqHzaqI/AAAAAAAAZHA/894HeZO5PYUZ540K91ju5fPqx-cmZa1DwCKgB/s640/Marrakai%2B%252829%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Being such a
large wetland area, we had to be careful along the waters edges as there are
many crocodiles.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xB2sBEkerAg/VyH2V0d2IMI/AAAAAAAAZGI/awJl7gtVG5gPXflNr8E0OSz8bPlPsfUBACKgB/s1600/Marrakai%2B%252818%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xB2sBEkerAg/VyH2V0d2IMI/AAAAAAAAZGI/awJl7gtVG5gPXflNr8E0OSz8bPlPsfUBACKgB/s640/Marrakai%2B%252818%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For many
generations the property has raised Water Buffalo. At the end of the last century,
there was a huge amount of Buffalo and well in excess of 100 000 but now the
population is a lot smaller.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We saw many
in different locations and even chased a few with the cameras in the cars but
had to be careful when they stopped and played chicken with us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ALHxeylC8yM/VyH2W3DGWdI/AAAAAAAAZIE/7_dZzv0rg4cJuTU0ZsB0TjJlqHNxnEw_ACKgB/s1600/Marrakai%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ALHxeylC8yM/VyH2W3DGWdI/AAAAAAAAZIE/7_dZzv0rg4cJuTU0ZsB0TjJlqHNxnEw_ACKgB/s640/Marrakai%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We chased one
large one along the fence line but when cornered, in turned and backtracked
around our vehicle.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As it ran
back along the fence line behind us, it came upon the second Polaris buggy
closing in and it panicked and ran right through a barbed wire fence to get
away. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Much to our
amazement it destroyed the fence and the 4 rungs of barbed wire.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It didn’t
even seemed phased by what it had done as it stopped and turned to look back at
us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul was
luckily enough to get a shot just as it busted through the fence.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The saw
entire fields full of termite mounds. Some of them were huge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One big
advantage of it being private property is that the kids can have a fun time
driving around as well.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pMebAfDWDlI/VyH0axaEsbI/AAAAAAAAZDI/9CVp3CGFFQ8vw1Fz9sQLNd9cKvq5vznWwCKgB/s1600/Grace%2BDriving.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pMebAfDWDlI/VyH0axaEsbI/AAAAAAAAZDI/9CVp3CGFFQ8vw1Fz9sQLNd9cKvq5vznWwCKgB/s640/Grace%2BDriving.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There is a
small grave site that is the resting place of a previous owner of the property.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Each time the
group visits, they stop and have a drink with him as he overlooks a beautiful
area of the wetlands.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UKn0u6gNyE0/VyH2M96LHMI/AAAAAAAAZFw/fqIhFEelIdkkTc2hAmnism2ZYAdxVmOKACKgB/s1600/Marrakai%2B%252813%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UKn0u6gNyE0/VyH2M96LHMI/AAAAAAAAZFw/fqIhFEelIdkkTc2hAmnism2ZYAdxVmOKACKgB/s640/Marrakai%2B%252813%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the afternoon
the storm clouds rolled in and the combined with the setting sun created some
stunning photo opportunities along the wetland foreshore.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lLyiLhzx94k/VyH2SpoIr7I/AAAAAAAAZH4/mTWfLZ_gSHcrbrJjOJhWB33NGnVKINU2QCKgB/s1600/Marrakai%2B%252816%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lLyiLhzx94k/VyH2SpoIr7I/AAAAAAAAZH4/mTWfLZ_gSHcrbrJjOJhWB33NGnVKINU2QCKgB/s640/Marrakai%2B%252816%2529.JPG" width="434" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">And there
were some fun moments as well….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i0M7tJXtuwo/VyH2pjZ-xaI/AAAAAAAAZJQ/3K97JRKDCwsRkmmXWn0MAcdp1B61EdKLQCKgB/s1600/Marrakai%2B%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i0M7tJXtuwo/VyH2pjZ-xaI/AAAAAAAAZJQ/3K97JRKDCwsRkmmXWn0MAcdp1B61EdKLQCKgB/s640/Marrakai%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Grz6Cz5Jzy0/VyH2sGOKqsI/AAAAAAAAZHk/i_d1w0XOvdMqegLhBJPWY6sKS2rgRWCOwCKgB/s1600/Marrakai%2B%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Grz6Cz5Jzy0/VyH2sGOKqsI/AAAAAAAAZHk/i_d1w0XOvdMqegLhBJPWY6sKS2rgRWCOwCKgB/s640/Marrakai%2B%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L3RZ2KJCEFY/VyH2IM2DweI/AAAAAAAAZHY/3ysuZzRPMDsf74C74RnwOZxDFQ0BqJ_PwCKgB/s1600/Marrakai%2B%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L3RZ2KJCEFY/VyH2IM2DweI/AAAAAAAAZHY/3ysuZzRPMDsf74C74RnwOZxDFQ0BqJ_PwCKgB/s640/Marrakai%2B%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Overall we
had the best time as for us it was something truly unique.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">And yet for
the Walker family and their friends, it was just another typical weekend away
at one of the most stunning properties in the NT.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">People travel
half away around the world to see Australia’s Top End like this.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were very
thankful for the invite and are hoping it won’t be a one off experience…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul took
1250 photos on the property and it was really hard to get it down to 20 or 30
for the blog.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Meanwhile
back on the boat…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was back
to the painting for a week.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One arvo we
received a call from Chris & Cyn saying they were having an impromptu picnic
along the Nightcliff foreshore with friends and we were welcome to join them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yCAxFMqngKI/VyH3AfrQ7XI/AAAAAAAAZKg/YmHwtwttKo4Xswo_sdkr8YZrqXBZitD7QCKgB/s1600/Nightcliffe%2BSunset%2B%252813%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yCAxFMqngKI/VyH3AfrQ7XI/AAAAAAAAZKg/YmHwtwttKo4Xswo_sdkr8YZrqXBZitD7QCKgB/s640/Nightcliffe%2BSunset%2B%252813%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We met lots
of very nice people and enjoyed a fantastic sunset as a great electrical storm
passed over right as the sun was setting.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">No rain but
an awesome photo taking experience.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HMR2L-lC1xU/VyH27x5MozI/AAAAAAAAZKg/I5HjqJs81Jc3DJm5Iey2U62xisq-Qi0AwCKgB/s1600/Nightcliffe%2BSunset%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HMR2L-lC1xU/VyH27x5MozI/AAAAAAAAZKg/I5HjqJs81Jc3DJm5Iey2U62xisq-Qi0AwCKgB/s640/Nightcliffe%2BSunset%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8HSnJwH2P0/VyH3CJ1cgPI/AAAAAAAAZIs/IDLAr6LAg3o4EiEfQUJbTog-JTolBsnIwCKgB/s1600/Nightcliffe%2BSunset%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8HSnJwH2P0/VyH3CJ1cgPI/AAAAAAAAZIs/IDLAr6LAg3o4EiEfQUJbTog-JTolBsnIwCKgB/s640/Nightcliffe%2BSunset%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">These 2 photos above and below were taken only 20 minutes
apart.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">The difference in the colours is amazing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ySlYynCYIEs/VyH3ClJmBpI/AAAAAAAAZKg/z-hlH0Dp4Scvs4L0YWs0sQolKD-fxIn5wCKgB/s1600/Nightcliffe%2BSunset%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ySlYynCYIEs/VyH3ClJmBpI/AAAAAAAAZKg/z-hlH0Dp4Scvs4L0YWs0sQolKD-fxIn5wCKgB/s640/Nightcliffe%2BSunset%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SYr3TUDK46s/VyH2_WAZvjI/AAAAAAAAZKg/y0T7S-8r3FsBt3_lRzCxIdUqkGglcUPoQCKgB/s1600/Nightcliffe%2BSunset%2B%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SYr3TUDK46s/VyH2_WAZvjI/AAAAAAAAZKg/y0T7S-8r3FsBt3_lRzCxIdUqkGglcUPoQCKgB/s640/Nightcliffe%2BSunset%2B%252811%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">These 2
photos were taken using 2 cameras<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They are both
taken using a 20 second exposure from the main camera on a tripod. Paul then
ran around with a second camera using its flash only to illuminate the
foreground areas.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It took 6
flashes on each photo to complete the picture.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8YBz2A_Rzzs/VyH2_45Xa2I/AAAAAAAAZKg/FBd6AI18dlIagMCq78zBPNxVsvLCwKFSgCKgB/s1600/Nightcliffe%2BSunset%2B%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8YBz2A_Rzzs/VyH2_45Xa2I/AAAAAAAAZKg/FBd6AI18dlIagMCq78zBPNxVsvLCwKFSgCKgB/s640/Nightcliffe%2BSunset%2B%252812%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> After another week of work, we were literally
pulling off the masking tape as we reversed out of our berth, went through the
lock and out towards the Slipway so we could haul Lorelei out.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Just prior to
leaving we noted in the paper that Darwin was about to experience a heatwave
with temperatures up around 40 degrees for the next week.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Talk about
bad timing!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had get to
the slipway in two stages to take advantage of the high tide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went out
through the lock at the 4pm high tide on the first day and anchored overnight
in front of the Stokes Hill Wharf.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That night we
had an awesome storm come over and Paul got some lightning photos from on board
Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fiEo_k7EDFw/VyH3RkyEBpI/AAAAAAAAZLA/7IyV46ZXXnU8mdma4OmeL0fBzD00V_0FQCKgB/s1600/Stokes%2BHill%2BStorm%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fiEo_k7EDFw/VyH3RkyEBpI/AAAAAAAAZLA/7IyV46ZXXnU8mdma4OmeL0fBzD00V_0FQCKgB/s640/Stokes%2BHill%2BStorm%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
we left at 2pm to arrive at the slipway at 4:30pm right on the high tide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It is a wild
experience to get to the slipway which is up a small creek.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The creek completely
dries out by at least 2 meters at low tide and a few days prior we were able to
walk along it to plot a path for Lorelei safely into the creek.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At a spring
high tide we were able to motor in slowly over the sand bars with barely 1
meter (and sometimes less) under the keel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It wasn’t
fun!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It went from
better to worse as we entered the travel lift area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The staff
were already drinking and whilst lifting Lorelei, the travel lift driver
slammed Lorelei’s bow into the concrete wall causing a big dent.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Then once
Lorelei was out the same guy ignored the other guy guiding him and drove over
the high pressure washing equipment before slamming the travi-lift into a huge
concrete block. Lorelei was barely inches off the ground and swinging around in
the cradle.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">30 tonnes of
oversized boat swinging in a rundown travel lift with bald & shredded tyres
and old slings was a little un-nerving to say the least.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The 2 blokes
were screaming the worst 4 letter words imaginable to each other about who was
to blame.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Then the
staff just left and continued drinking.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">No indication
of what was happening, no orientation to the place, no keys, and no showing us
where the toilets and showers were, etc… Nothing!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">What a first
impression….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Day 2 we woke
to some 19 year old in bare feet and no shirt pressure washing Lorelei’s hull.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Well that was
whenever the power worked….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had about
60 power outages that day and each time the pressure guy would have a dummy
spit with four letter words heard right across the shipyard.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He had no
idea what he was doing and proceeded to strip not only the old antifoul but the
white the paint off the hull in big bare patches and sprayed the old antifoul
all over everything including the entire top deck. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When we got
the bill they wanted to charge us over $450 for the pressure wash experience.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After they
blocked us up, we spent the remainder of the day in damage control mode and
trying to wash all the old pink antifoul off everything.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Additionally
the dirty old slings on the travel lift had put huge marks on our hull.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The owner
came over and had a go at us because we were using too much water!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For the
following 5 days we hid in the corner and just went at 110% from dawn till dusk
to get the work on Lorelei done that we needed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We noticed
that the place was packed but more than half the boats are derelict.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Everybody
calls it the boulevard of broken dreams.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There are
boats that have sat for over 6 years while the owner’s potter away fighting a
losing battle to get their dream project fixed up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">And all for a
long term storage rate of $3 per meter per day. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">(You do the
math…)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By day 6 we
had cleaned Lorelei, painted a new boot-top line, primed the hull and applied 3
coats of antifoul (a total of 50 litres of paint @ $42 per litre).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We also put
in a new transducer, 3 new seacocks, overhauled the engine cooling system,
replaced the toilet plumbing and put in a new alternator with new wiring.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was also
great to get some prop speed to re-do the propeller.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We could not
source it in the Philippines 2 years ago so we had to strip back all the old
antifoul off the prop and start again.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a huge
amount of work for just 6 days.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Day 7 a
surveyor named Tom came to inspect Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We was
fantastic and gave us a great and detailed report.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The yard
owner refused to move the supports on Lorelei so we could antifoul in the
places where the supports were so we were not happy.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">What rubbed
salt into the wound was to walk back from the office to find all the staff
drinking and working on hotting up their own cars in the workshop.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After some
tiding up, we were ready for going back in on day 8.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We couldn’t
wait!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Thankfully we
were booked in for a 9am tide return which meant they hadn’t started drinking
yet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We asked for
some cardboard to be put between the slings and the hull after the disgusting
marks on our hull on hauling out.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So they used
beer cases – not that there was any shortage of them…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
the return to the water went ok and by 10am we were motoring back to the
marina.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Thank
goodness that experience was over.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The lock
entry was fine and by midday we were safely back in the marina.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Funnily
enough, upon our return everyone wanted to know how our slipping experience
was. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly it is
currently the only slipway in Darwin which is terrible for the city.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They charge
like a wounded bull, the service – well there isn’t any service and the facility
is a rundown, swampland infested with sand flies and it’s just awful.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Even worse is
anybody who has a large boat in Darwin has been there and everyone has a shocking
wild story or two to tell.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They all just
shake their heads, laugh and say welcome to Darwin.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There is news
of a new slipway facility being built in town. When it is finished they will
automatically get our business if we ever slip again in Darwin, and virtually
everybody else here we talk to.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Once back at
the marina it was onto the final stage of our work.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We picked up
the tinny from the alloy fabricators.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Chris helped
us pick it up and take it to Lorelei and then the same fabricators came down to
make some new brackets up to suit the davits so the tinny would sit securely in
them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">From there
Paul went to work with the electrics, upholstery, canopy and auxiliary motor
bracket, etc…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Overall we
are very happy with the final result although it’s not quite finished yet as we
still have to add the fishing rod holders, the esky, anchoring system, etc…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One weekend
Paul ran a one day photography workshop for Cyn and Belinda.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They all had
a fun day and after dark had Lisa, Chris & Grace running around Chris and
Cyn’s house with lights illuminating it so they could take 20-25 second time
exposures.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The results
turned out great.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3A-TBNC2Ba0/VyH0Nbznd_I/AAAAAAAAZCw/gj65IdM5420eXc5a9keduMNn8hpM9t8xACKgB/s1600/Camera%2BCourse.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3A-TBNC2Ba0/VyH0Nbznd_I/AAAAAAAAZCw/gj65IdM5420eXc5a9keduMNn8hpM9t8xACKgB/s640/Camera%2BCourse.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For a week it
was back to the grind with more work on Lorelei but were very excited when we
received a text on the Thursday from Cynthia saying Belinda and herself had
arranged for a Helicopter flight over Litchfield National Park to say thanks
for the photo course.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The flight
was with Paul from Outback Helicopters who is good friends with the group. For
the sake of the blog let’s call him PP (Pilot Paul) to save any confusion…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He lives and
operates his business in Batchelor which is 1 hours’ drive south of Darwin and
at the gateway to Litchfield. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The weekend
also coincided with the Rum Jungle Batchelor Rodeo which is the first rodeo in
the Darwin region for the season and was on the Saturday night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">PP and Outback
Helicopters was sponsoring the Rodeo so we all decided to head to the Rodeo. We
headed down with Chris, Cyn and Grace a few hours earlier, do the flight, go to
the Rodeo and stay overnight at PP’s house.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">PP has a
range of Helicopters and most are set up for commercial/agricultural/mustering
work but he can also cater for tourist flights.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He sure can
fly the things well!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We flew the
R44 firstly over the flat forested areas before going over the ranges.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The area has
loads of waterfalls ranging from small ones with many in a series right up to
massive vertical drops into small deep waterholes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Lost City
was very interesting with lots of unusual rock formations.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we headed
towards the flood plain area, we saw lots of Water Buffalo cooling off in a
series of small watering holes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We also saw
small herds crossing the water courses.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
floodplain was fantastic with loads of bird life.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was great
to fly above the birds and behind them as they took flight in front of the
helicopter.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul even
dropped down to ground level to show us some Crocodile Egg Nests.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
back we landed and had a break as it was getting windy and was a little bumpy
and Paul was feeling a little sick.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
some huge termite mounds near where we landed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> We also went over fields of Magnetic Termite
nests that looked like tombstones in a cemetery.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The mounds
run north/south hence the name but it’s actually so the faces of the mound face
east/west to get the maximum exposure to the sun.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Once back on
terrafirma Paul went into the shed to have a look at one of the smaller R22
helicopters being rebuilt. It was very interesting to learn about how it is all
done – and the cost!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Rodeo
started at 4pm. It was the first time Batchelor had held the rodeo in 16 years.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was well
advertised but everyone was a little unsure how many people would attend.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After talking
to PP we realised there was no professional photographer covering the event. So
Paul volunteered and within 10 minutes of being there, had a VIP pass and was
free to go wherever to get the shots.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was an
awesome experience to get in behind the scenes of the Bull Riding arena.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As the Bull
riding stated, Paul got up into the stalls and was able to get some great up
close shots of the riders roping the Bulls and getting onto them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
some crazy rides as many of the riders tried to hold on for the 8 seconds
needed to post a score.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The bulls
were only new to the Bull Riding arena and were bucking wildly.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So much so
that at the end of the contest, only 2 riders had successfully managed to
complete an 8 second ride.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">And these
were not novice riders….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Some had only
just returned from the PBR Pro Tour in Canada and others were Australian and
State Champions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Some of the
falls were downright frightening with bulls stomping on the riders after they
fell and other getting slammed into the metal fence.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qbDnkjd9ob8/VyH0A7PstaI/AAAAAAAAZCc/QSrjpp_lMcIUA49wF4YjHulA_YzwCT1hgCKgB/s1600/Batchelor%2BRodeo%2B%2528216%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qbDnkjd9ob8/VyH0A7PstaI/AAAAAAAAZCc/QSrjpp_lMcIUA49wF4YjHulA_YzwCT1hgCKgB/s640/Batchelor%2BRodeo%2B%2528216%2529.JPG" width="444" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Ambulance
Crew were on hand and had to tend to a few accidents.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Aside from
the young up-&-coming and pro riders, there were a series of older guys
riding too.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were 8
guys over 50 years of age that competed and one local rider that was doing his
last ride at 72!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He was very
happy after to ride to learn that Paul had taken some good shorts of him.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The kids also
got into the arena for some fun with the Rodeo Clowns.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Of course no
Rodeo is complete without Miss Rodeo and Paul managed to pry her away from the
crowds for a quick photo shoot – and a one-on-one pic as well….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After the
Arena events were finished the placed continued to party hard and well into the
night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The bar area
was packed and the DJ and live music was very popular.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cSjBYDXUxyg/VyHzfHR5--I/AAAAAAAAZBA/IIYV9-GFifEkBqY6w6JrggnLXcn9kVwAgCKgB/s1600/Batchelor%2BRodeo%2B%2528171%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cSjBYDXUxyg/VyHzfHR5--I/AAAAAAAAZBA/IIYV9-GFifEkBqY6w6JrggnLXcn9kVwAgCKgB/s640/Batchelor%2BRodeo%2B%2528171%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Overall it
was a raging success with the final numbers of people being over 3 times what
was originally expected. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The owners of
the Rum Jungle Tavern and sponsors were stoked.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the Sunday
night we linked up with the group again for a Curry Night at East Point in
Darwin.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The location
was great for sunsets in one direction and looking back over the city in the
other direction.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Everyone
brought a curry to share and there was heaps to go round for dinner.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VxG9nbxcgWk/VyH3ipTlVbI/AAAAAAAAZLA/TaydPMRVOHI9_m92HZWLFbQicr9Ter_xgCKgB/s1600/cURRY%2BnIGHT%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VxG9nbxcgWk/VyH3ipTlVbI/AAAAAAAAZLA/TaydPMRVOHI9_m92HZWLFbQicr9Ter_xgCKgB/s640/cURRY%2BnIGHT%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After the
weekend we had just 48 hours left in Darwin to get Lorelei finished.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
frantic!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our marine
chandlery order had only just arrived from Sydney, so had the new toilet and
also the desalinator pump & parts from New Zealand.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our fishing
rods had all been rebuilt and our reels fully serviced.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The 2
outboard motors had only just arrived back too.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In all 3
cases (rods, reels and outboards) we chose to use independent guys who have
gone out on their own with 1 man businesses.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They were all
extremely helpful, did fantastic jobs and were reasonably priced.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">And the
reason for all the rush?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> We were going on a road trip as a break from
sailing and before we starting cruising again for the dry/cruising season.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The road trip
had been in the pipeline since before Christmas.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At Christmas
when back at home to the Central Coast of NSW, we had organised a rough plan to
do the trip with Paul’s parents George & Chez.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Originally
they were coming to visit us in Darwin with their 4WD/Caravan rig and do a sailing
trip on Lorelei from Darwin to Broome through an area known as The Kimberly.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Then the idea
was hatched to do a small camping/caravan trip with them starting and finishing
in Darwin prior to the sailing adventure.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That’s where
it stayed for a long time until Paul asked one day the route which they were
taking to get to Darwin. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They were
going through Alice Springs and Uluru which is a place we have always wanted to
visit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we invited
ourselves to that leg too and the trip went from 3 to 5 weeks with us flying
into and starting at Alice Springs.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">And for
months that was the plan…. We were all so excited. But sadly it wasn’t going to
be a smooth run between the plan and the trip going ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Some major
health issues within the immediate family put the plan on hold as the priority
went towards family health and recovery.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With only a
few weeks before the departure date, the trip was still in jeopardy.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Eventually we
came to the decision that the trip was going ahead but Lisa would fly to Sydney
to help George take the rig from Sydney to Alice Springs and Paul & Chez
would fly in at a later date. The extra time would give Chez more time with the
family and Paul more time to finish Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However at
the 11<sup>th</sup> hour, Paul had Lorelei to a point where he could leave, our
sick family member was out of Intensive Care and recovering faster than expected
and it looked like we could all leave together from Sydney which would than
make it a 7 week trip covering the 3 states of NSW, SA and the NT.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> So on Wednesday 27<sup>th</sup> April we flew
from Darwin to Sydney.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">George and
Chez kindly picked us up from the Airport but by the time we stopped for dinner
in Sydney and got back home to the Central Coast, it was after 11pm and we were
all so tired.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
Lisa went and spent the day with her family while Paul helped George pack the
car and hook up the van.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst we
have done a lot of towing, it was all many years ago and only for dive or
fishing boats.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was Paul’s
first experience with a caravan and the set-up was a little daunting.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a
great final sunset both over the water in the backyard and out the front yard
with the red sky over the rig all ready to go.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Pauls brother
Rod came over and we had a farewell family dinner.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N1Es7mIHcpo/VyH3QyTzjII/AAAAAAAAZLA/QRczBSDNS60ct-DCwLKtWwdyWMf7YLo6ACKgB/s1600/Rod%2BDinner.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N1Es7mIHcpo/VyH3QyTzjII/AAAAAAAAZLA/QRczBSDNS60ct-DCwLKtWwdyWMf7YLo6ACKgB/s640/Rod%2BDinner.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first
days travel was to be a long one of nearly 500klm with the destination being
Dubbo.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We did have a
few rest stops to break up the trip.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Like
Indonesia & Darwin (and most of Australia), Western NSW had a scorching
summer with very little rain which resulted in near drought conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was very
evident in the landscape which was dry and brown rather than a lush green
colour.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
green patches where the area had received a little rain or the fields were
irrigated from bore water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By 4pm we had
safely arrived in Dubbo.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The setup at the caravan park took a little while as it was the first time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">As we set up, some beautiful birds sat on the fenced and watched us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> Our first night was beautiful & still and we were able to cook and eat outside.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That night
Lisa went to bed feeling cold and sick. Paul was not much better.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By midnight
Lisa had a roaring fever, it was less than 10 degrees and raining.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We woke on
Saturday to a cold, wet day and we both were sick but Lisa was worse.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So our day to
the Taronga Western Plains Zoo was cancelled.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were so
worried about Lisa not only for her health but the zoo visit was the number 1
thing on her list of things to do on the trip.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However the
locals were happy with the rain as the area was so dry and it was very welcome.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The timing
could have been better as it was also the weekend for the annual Dubbo show.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
Lisa was a little better but Paul was getting worse.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a fine
day so we braved it and tried our luck at the zoo.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Rather than
riding bikes or walking, we drove around to make it easier and surprisingly we
managed to spend a full day there and saw virtually everything.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However the
trip to the zoo did take its toll and that night we both were exhausted.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When we
pushed onto Cobar the next day, we decided first stop there was to the doctors to
get us some much needed antibiotics.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Cobar is a
small mining town but has a huge open cut mine.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were able
to stand on the edge and view down into the cut.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There is a
park in town that is full of the mining history from the area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One of Cobar’s
claims to fame is it has the pub with the longest verandah in Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly the
verandah is being destroyed by termites & white ants, looks like it is
about to fall down and is in need of some serious maintenance.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sleeping in
the tent that night it was sooo cold and we had about 4 layers of clothes and 2
doonas and still couldn’t keep warm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We woke to an
amazing foggy but bitterly cold morning with dew everywhere – even inside the
tent…!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The road to
Wilcannia was vastly different as we had now hit the area with red earth.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For miles and
miles it was red earth and salt bush.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Are we there yet……????</span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We started to
see some fantastic Australian wildlife.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
loads of Emus, Goats, Kangaroos and Sheep.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We passed one
low lying area that had some water pockets on the side of the road.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul and
George went and explored the area and were rewarded by some fantastic
reflection images.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the town
centre we stopped for lunch at a park and were surprised to have 2 wild Emus
come and wander around us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The town has
some beautiful old buildings.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After a long
days driving of 480km, we arrived at Broken Hill.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
beautiful day but by 4pm it was cold and windy so we all made the decision to
get an on-site cabin for 3 nights for us instead of the tent in an effort to
get over our sickness and have a little more comfort.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It worked and
even after the first night we were on the improve.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Broken Hill
is a very interesting town with a huge mining influence and chequered history.
At one stage in the late 1800’s, it was the second largest city in NSW after
Sydney. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went up to
a huge mullock heap which was right next to the town.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">(Mullock is the
discarded rock from the mine after it has been processed)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On top of the
heap is an info centre and memorial to the miners who have died working the
area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A panoramic looking over
the town from the mullock heap</span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On top of the
heap is an oversized chair that is popular for tourist photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For morning
tea we visited an old school milk bar/ice cream parlour that served traditional
milkshakes in the alloy cups. The décor was fantastic and we could read old
1950’s magazines which brought lots of laughs from us all.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul found a 1960’s
camera magazine which had him enthralled.</span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
interesting to walk through the town and see the huge amount of hotels on every
corner. Most still have the hotel facades but many have been converted to
shops, etc…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note the mullock heap in
the background to the left</span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One night we
visited the Broken Hill Sculpture Park which is about 10km out of town.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It is a very
popular place to view the sunset and one of the sculptures has an eye/hole in
it that you can line the sun up through right on sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Like nearly
every sunset location we have visited, as soon as the sun went, so did all the
tourists and we had to place all to ourselves with the awesome colours after
sunset starting to come out.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul had a
great time alone with his flash and tripod combination.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Broken Hill
has many Art Galleries around town, some of which are founded by very well-known
Artists.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The most
popular is by local born Artist Peter “Ando” Anderson who is only in his mid 40’s.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He has done
something truly unique and painted a massive 100m long by 12m high outback
scene that is round. It is the world’s largest canvas painting and took 9
tonnes of paint and 2 years to complete.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">What makes it
truly unique is from the central viewing platform, the floor space is covered with
100’s of tonnes of red earth, vegetation and fake wildlife that go right up to
and blend in with the painting.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The result is
an incredible 360 degree 3D outback scene.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Photography
is not allowed inside but Paul found some pics on the net.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For our last
stop in NSW we headed out to Silverton.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Silverton
boomed in the late 1800’s when Silver was found and mining began.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Now it has a
population of just 30.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However its
modern claim to fame is its popularity as an area to film movies and
commercials. It’s most famous for the original Mad Max series starring Aussie
actor Mel Gibson.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Its streets
are almost bare with the occasional old stone cottage, many of which are Art
Galleries.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul fell in
love with the place as it was a photographer’s playground.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NyyZpYJkHUs/Vys5Q8jI6DI/AAAAAAAAZTo/FRZ_vgbWNIYiQUHIS9xt2tMZZ3s2icYtwCKgB/s1600/Silverton%2B%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NyyZpYJkHUs/Vys5Q8jI6DI/AAAAAAAAZTo/FRZ_vgbWNIYiQUHIS9xt2tMZZ3s2icYtwCKgB/s640/Silverton%2B%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went to
well known artists John Tynan’s studio and found him inside finishing a
painting.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">John is most
famous for his caricature paintings of 2 Emu’s.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a
great chat with him and it was funny to watch him go outside and clean his
palette knifes and brushes on an old and rather colourful VW car.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We walked
along the Silverton Creek bed that was completely dry.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It had some
beautiful looking Gum Trees on the banks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had seen 4
Donkeys roaming the streets of Silverton.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They looked
very well cared for but Paul couldn’t get to close for a photo – initially.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst
driving along we saw them and when stopped, Paul wound down his window. The
biggest Donkey walked straight over and stuck his whole head inside Paul’s
window which we all thought was so funny. Soon the other 3 Donkeys all wanted
their heads in there too.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For sunset we
drove up onto the Mundi Mundi plains lookout to view the sunset over a
spectacular red plain stretching for miles in every direction.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Before the
colour had left the sky, we went back to Silverton.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa, George
and Chez went to the famous Silverton Hotel while Paul went around to the older
buildings to do some time exposure shots using a powerful torch to illuminate
the buildings and foregrounds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He was very
happy with the results from the new Nikon Camera.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Back at the Silverton
Hotel, he also took some shots inside and out.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So that’s the
NSW leg of our Road Trip completed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">From here
it’s onto South Australia and then the Northern Territory.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A huge
thankyou goes out to our friends the Cuthbertson’s and Walker’s who have made
our refit time in Darwin so much easier with assistance in so many ways and the
biggest tool of all – local knowledge!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They, along
with their friends have made us felt so welcome and included us in many of
their great weekend outings. It certainly made for a fun distraction to the
Monday to Friday yacht refit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Since
arriving back in Australia we have been inundated by emails.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Some are from
family and friends to say hello, some from other yachties requesting dive and
surf info overseas and others from well-wishers we have never even met.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s
fantastic but it has been difficult to return detailed emails to all with
so much on in the last 8 weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul is even
running late with a series of dive articles to the publishers in America.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s
literally been go-go-go from before dawn till after dusk every single day since
arriving back in Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Apologies to
those we haven’t returned adequate responses too.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So Cheers,
Jeans, Jumpers and Beanies.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Somewhere in
the cold outback with the oldies…….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul and Lisa
Hogger.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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sv_loreleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14235157985522355104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245635408700620959.post-3493931361938211222016-03-22T01:35:00.004-07:002021-01-24T06:06:06.120-08:00Episode 47 Sumba to Darwin<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-size: 28pt;"><b>Lorelei’s
Sailing Adventures</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">At the end of
Episode 46, we had nearly circumnavigated the remote southern Indonesian island
of Sumba.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We had an
awesome week surfing on the southern Sumba coastline and continued onto the
main town of Waingapu (on the northern coastline) after the swell had dropped. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Despite being
there for 2 days, we had yet to step ashore – but that was about to change……<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;">Our location for this
Episode of the Blog.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;">Our route for this
Episode of the Blog.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">By all
reports, the Sumbanese are a little different from the rest of Indonesia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">They are in a
remote area, have their own unique customs, beliefs, houses and language.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Considering
the massive size of the island, for the relatively small population, there is a
lot of stunning and uninhabited countryside.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Some say the
people are a little weird but our experience was that they were mostly very
friendly, smiling happy people and very accommodating to us which was great
considering the very few tourists that visit annually.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Unlike most
other parts of Indo, resident ex-pats are virtually non-existent, except for a
few surf camp owners on the southern coast.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">They are
certainly not a wealthy group of people, but that appears not so important to
them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">One thing we
both commented on was the women were generally very attractive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">With their
tall slim build, long straight hair, beautiful facial features and near perfect
teeth, they are much more attractive than the other areas of Indo we have
visited.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We named
Sumba the Venezuela of Indonesia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Considering
Lorelei was anchored in a small commercial harbour, we felt she was safe there
as many of the friendly local fisherman were keeping an eye on her whilst we
were not on board.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We found a
small beach lined with fishing boats that was a great place to leave the RIB
and out of the way of the port area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The main town
of Waingapu is like most small regional ports – a little run down, dusty &
dirty with small roadside stalls & stores selling fish and local produce.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Being summer,
there was lots of it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Like always,
the school kids like to come and say hello and practice their English.</span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">What do you
say when an uninhibited group of 15 year old school girls flock around you,
compete to hold your arms and hands and keep telling you you’re handsome….??<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Like northern
Indo and The Philippines, Sumba people like colour.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Their boats
are brightly coloured and so are their buses.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The laws are
a lot more relaxed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Few bike
riders wear helmets, people and kids travel on the back of trucks and buses
have people hanging out the doors with more sitting on the roofs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">If your bike
has no fuel – no worries, get your friend to push it….in thongs!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">On the second
day at Waingapu, a man named Amar came out to Lorelei to say hello. He said he
was the local man who assists the few yachts that visit and proceeded to show
us many photos of him with other yachts and crew, some of whom we knew of.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">After doing
research, we had seen that guided tours for westerners were expensive on the
island given the distance to travel between things to see, so we asked him if
he could organise a day tour for us to visit some traditional villages.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The next day
he turned up 1 hour late with his cousin Erwan as a driver (and he had no
fingers…) in a modest car with no fuel in the tank.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">It was dodgy brother’s
tours 101 but we didn’t want to pass judgement too early and we considered it a
bit of an adventure so off we went.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">As it turned
out, Erwan was a careful and considerate driver so we were happy.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We travelled
over 2 hours south east across the island and relatively close to the coast to
get to the first village.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">On the way
Paul kept asking to stop regularly for photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We noticed
the area had huge fields of corn growing. Paul searched for ages out the window
of the car trying to find a good photo opportunity of an old house in the corn
fields.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">He found one but
10 minutes later, he spied a better one.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU"> </span></b></div>
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<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The house
belonged to an old lady and Amar explained to her we had found a perfect photo
opportunity after 60klm of searching.</span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">She was so
excited and happily posed for Pauls photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We also
passed loads of goats.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Some were
walking alone on the road and others were in large herds with their owners.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The
traditional villages here are certainly unique. They have unusually large
houses with high peaked roofs and megalithic style stone tombs scattered
throughout the villages.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Some of the
tombs are huge & centuries old with the houses being up to 100 years old.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The houses
now have a mix of traditional grass roofs and the more modern iron roofs. The
iron is not treated colourbond like our western options so after a while it
rusts giving the house a more traditional rustic appeal.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2q2GSre-Kgc/VtOaLRVk_nI/AAAAAAAAY1I/2_kEiI0uGPUQARKSrNqIjqItxlfU2Sihw/s1600/Sumba%2BTour%2BVillage%2B1%2B%252819%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2q2GSre-Kgc/VtOaLRVk_nI/AAAAAAAAY1I/2_kEiI0uGPUQARKSrNqIjqItxlfU2Sihw/s640/Sumba%2BTour%2BVillage%2B1%2B%252819%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The stone
Tombs ranged vastly in size, shape and design.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The older
ones are simply 4 legs and a large stone slab on top whilst others are massive structures
with lots of intricate carved murals and designs in the stone.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">How they got
the large stone slabs up onto the supporting legs is anyone’s guess as some
would weigh well over 100 tonnes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The tombs at
the first village weren’t so big but had excellent carvings. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Aside from
the tombs, there were also other stone carvings scattered around the village.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The village
is well known for Ikat Weaving which is traditional weaving using a back-strap
or bamboo framed loom.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eJ-VEb8rIDU/VtOaIzIKeCI/AAAAAAAAY1I/izadJOhQtowCjuXOEzqeEZNTQc_IjvY2Q/s1600/Sumba%2BTour%2BVillage%2B1%2B%252815%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eJ-VEb8rIDU/VtOaIzIKeCI/AAAAAAAAY1I/izadJOhQtowCjuXOEzqeEZNTQc_IjvY2Q/s640/Sumba%2BTour%2BVillage%2B1%2B%252815%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We have seen
this type of weaving in many places, particularly in Yap (Micronesia) and also
in Timor Leste which is only about 250nm from Sumba.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">However what
sets Sumba’s Ikat weaving apart is its intricacy and quality.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The finished result
is much thicker than anything else we have seen and it was great to notice the finished
product could be displayed from either side and it still looks fantastic. The
Timor weaving was not like this.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We were
astounded at the intricate designs that were on display for sale.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The price for
them certainly was more expensive than anywhere else we have seen but it simply
reflected the amount of time taken to produce and the outstanding quality.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UJZsQBBwjM0/VtOaNtUc9HI/AAAAAAAAY1I/8DhPi-NxPiEfIcI_M4XJAhWuJNQn1_EEg/s1600/Sumba%2BTour%2BVillage%2B1%2B%25283%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UJZsQBBwjM0/VtOaNtUc9HI/AAAAAAAAY1I/8DhPi-NxPiEfIcI_M4XJAhWuJNQn1_EEg/s640/Sumba%2BTour%2BVillage%2B1%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The lady
(below left) had made a unique design using only tiny shells she had found on
the beach and local thread. Each shell was hand sewn onto the woven material.
It was incredible and nothing like we have ever seen before.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The price was
Rp10 000 000 (A$1000) which considering it took her 6 months to make is not
that much.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The lady on
the right is hand spinning the yarn.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Unlike the
designs in Timor and Yap that take 1-5 days, the weaving time in Sumba takes 7
days to 1 month.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">This lady
kindly turned her loom around so we could see the half completed result on the
other side.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">This close up
gives you an idea of the intricacy.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">It was very
interesting to see a man also weaving.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">This is the
first time we have seen men working on a loom.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Just as we
were leaving, Paul spied a series of old canons under a house.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">When we
enquired as to where they came from, the locals told us they were centuries old
from when the Indonesians had fought with the Dutch when they invaded. The
canons were believed to be from a Dutch Warship.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">By the time we
left and headed towards the next village, it was getting really hot.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Even the
Water Buffalo where trying to keep cool.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">This one was
covered head to toe (head to hoof actually </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></b><b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">) in wet mud.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">As we headed
further along the coastline, we could see loads of horses roaming free. Horses
are a big part of Sumba and the coat of arms has horses on it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We didn’t
think they were wild horses as some had brandings on their hind legs, but they
were not fenced in and free to roam.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We headed
inland away from the coast and at the base of the mountains we saw acres of
rice fields. They weren’t the terraced paddies like we had seen in Bali, but
instead they were huge lots on a single level.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">In Bali we
watched the harvest, but this time we were able to see the planting.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The fields
were so large that 2 people held a tight string line across the field and the
people planted along the line.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The second
village had much bigger tombs and more houses.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The carvings
were intricate both on the tombs and in other areas around the village.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The village had
weaving but it was of a different style.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU"> </span></b></div>
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</div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">To get to the
third village, we had to drive the 2 hours back to Waingapu, have lunch and
then drive another 1 hour north west, firstly along the coastline then up into
the mountains.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The views at
the start along the coastline were amazing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We passed a very
long rock wall that we stopped and had a walk along.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We named it
“The Great Wall of Sumba”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YwERQKHlM4M/VtOahct31ZI/AAAAAAAAY1Y/4oAENheE69kYoDFysCN_-fU8W2MME3cbw/s1600/Sumba%2BTour%2BWall%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YwERQKHlM4M/VtOahct31ZI/AAAAAAAAY1Y/4oAENheE69kYoDFysCN_-fU8W2MME3cbw/s640/Sumba%2BTour%2BWall%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="460" /></a></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The roads
started off fine along the coast but soon turned into a rough dirt road the
further we went.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">As we were
admiring a great view into a lush valley, a friendly man riding bareback on a
horse came and stopped for Lisa to take photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU"> Paul took this picture below of Lisa taking
the photo above.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Looking
ahead, the road wound its way along the countryside and passed some traditional
houses.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Over the
other side of the ridge was another fertile valley filled with rice and lush
forest.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We spied a
single women working in the fields.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a5D3GIor2rM/VtOZ58sSRSI/AAAAAAAAY1I/eYHd4BmJr1AIIH7NZqLZUhJLKrmgdmVig/s1600/Sumba%2BTour%2BTo%2BVillage%2B3%2B%25287%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a5D3GIor2rM/VtOZ58sSRSI/AAAAAAAAY1I/eYHd4BmJr1AIIH7NZqLZUhJLKrmgdmVig/s640/Sumba%2BTour%2BTo%2BVillage%2B3%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The last
village was very old & traditional and we could not see it until we got
there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">It was tucked
into the side of a hill and overlooked a stunning lush green valley.</span></b></div>
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</div>
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<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oGiyuiqREBc/VtOaew9vBUI/AAAAAAAAY1Y/tJ60ZuRPlcIBWazU3vzYp0VGlvqcwUq1Q/s1600/Sumba%2BTour%2BVillage%2B3%2B%25286%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oGiyuiqREBc/VtOaew9vBUI/AAAAAAAAY1Y/tJ60ZuRPlcIBWazU3vzYp0VGlvqcwUq1Q/s640/Sumba%2BTour%2BVillage%2B3%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
<br />
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The old man
overseeing the village was not very nice.</span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">He would not
let us in unless we were in traditional dress but offered to clothe us properly
for A$5 each. We baulked but Amar said that was all we had to pay so we agreed,
got dressed and started walking around.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">However the
old man followed us like a hawk.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">If we wanted
to look inside a house it was another A$10, then certain photos more money,
then more and more and more…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tR9ATgnF1Dk/VtOaeEliNjI/AAAAAAAAY1Y/XzOFhSkhpcY0NIm-F4ZMI-MgIhhXVp6_g/s1600/Sumba%2BTour%2BVillage%2B3%2B%25285%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tR9ATgnF1Dk/VtOaeEliNjI/AAAAAAAAY1Y/XzOFhSkhpcY0NIm-F4ZMI-MgIhhXVp6_g/s640/Sumba%2BTour%2BVillage%2B3%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">In the end we
came back to give the clothes back and he opened the guest book to sign and
wanted more money as an entrance fee and another as a donation.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Then he had
the hide to pull out small timber carvings and expected us to buy them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We left with
him still demanding money as we only ever paid the original $10 and that was
it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">An
interesting place, but not a nice experience.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Considering the
other villages all had guest books which we signed and happily gave requested donations
of between A$1 and A$3 we thought the old man was very unreasonable considering
it was a small overgrown and run down old village with no other things like
stone carvings, weaving, etc…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">On the way
home we stopped at a small creek for a swim.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">It had been
raining and the creek was brown so instead we took some time exposure photos in
the failing 6pm light.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We got home
at 7:30pm totally stuffed after a long, hot but fun day and over 6 hours in the
car.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We knew the
annual Pasola festival was only days away.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We contacted
the tour companies via email but most only did 3 to 5 day package tours that cost
a lot of money so we asked Amar the next day to come up with a planned tour to
take us there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The issues
were the Pasola festival revolves around the spawning of the sea worms which
signifies the start of the festival.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Therefore
dates are not the same each year and exact times are often not known until only
a few weeks prior.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Additionally
there are multiple festivals held in different locations at different times.
Some are big and others small.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The last and
biggest issue is the location as they are held in the remote western area of
Sumba which couldn’t be further from Waingapu & the airport and over 5
hours’ drive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">So Amar came
back with a plan that would involve a whirlwind 2 day tour as we didn’t want to
be away from Lorelei for any longer.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The dates
didn’t line up with the dates from the tour companies email but he assured us
his dates were correct.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Considering
the tour companies were all in other parts of Indonesia (and they fly their
guests in with a guide) and Amar was a local, we trusted his dates.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We were to
leave at 9am and travel to the west coast and visit 2 villages on the way.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Then sleep in
a hotel and wake up at midnight to travel to the beach for the 1am ceremony
start and back to the main arena for the 6am highlight where the local men on
horseback throw spears at each other jousting style in an effort to have blood
spilled on the ground to promote a good years harvest.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We would
leave the festival at 4pm and be home by 9pm on the second day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">So that was
the plan and the price was OK so we kicked off the next day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The cars fuel
tank was empty again so we paid to fill it with fuel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The drive
into the centre of Sumba was a windy and slow one but the views from the
roadside were awesome.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7fQh1IpKZxQ/VtOZhyFYFiI/AAAAAAAAYyU/8lMZemPxfg8NEukN09hSRIlUwAwbVtmNA/s1600/Sumba%2BPasola%2BTOur%2B%252810%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7fQh1IpKZxQ/VtOZhyFYFiI/AAAAAAAAYyU/8lMZemPxfg8NEukN09hSRIlUwAwbVtmNA/s640/Sumba%2BPasola%2BTOur%2B%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We saw loads
of interesting things on the roads with some funny things like this trussed up
pig on a bike - still very much alive and kicking.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--FVkmkmmv5g/VtOZqpEDLSI/AAAAAAAAY1o/T2_KHk5kV9wQ2fxHbjqPwAMkyr7haVFHg/s1600/Sumba%2BPasola%2BTOur%2B%252822%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--FVkmkmmv5g/VtOZqpEDLSI/AAAAAAAAY1o/T2_KHk5kV9wQ2fxHbjqPwAMkyr7haVFHg/s640/Sumba%2BPasola%2BTOur%2B%252822%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The first
village we visited had 2 rows of houses with the tombs in a strip down the
centre.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We noticed
the roofs were much taller in the west compared to the houses in eastern Sumba.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K05zM7kTZTg/VtOZt9VIcAI/AAAAAAAAY1I/hv9XAfo6hmU98xSxzqU7sMccjKghOLcJg/s1600/Sumba%2BPasola%2BTOur%2B%25288%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K05zM7kTZTg/VtOZt9VIcAI/AAAAAAAAY1I/hv9XAfo6hmU98xSxzqU7sMccjKghOLcJg/s640/Sumba%2BPasola%2BTOur%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Even in the
towns we passed though, you could see the stone tombs along the sides of the
roads and even in the main street.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z4iOWIZLK2s/VtOZjYotxOI/AAAAAAAAYyU/Ul1DJd6VY6ESC0SZguNjpsmfZ7LPzCkrw/s1600/Sumba%2BPasola%2BTOur%2B%252813%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z4iOWIZLK2s/VtOZjYotxOI/AAAAAAAAYyU/Ul1DJd6VY6ESC0SZguNjpsmfZ7LPzCkrw/s640/Sumba%2BPasola%2BTOur%2B%252813%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The second
village had lots of animals roaming freely around the grassy areas.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qVkl7_20CO0/VtOZkSAMg3I/AAAAAAAAYyU/rGY_lYkYSzQo6O8fFT4Nzl4BFUdada8RQ/s1600/Sumba%2BPasola%2BTOur%2B%252815%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qVkl7_20CO0/VtOZkSAMg3I/AAAAAAAAYyU/rGY_lYkYSzQo6O8fFT4Nzl4BFUdada8RQ/s640/Sumba%2BPasola%2BTOur%2B%252815%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We noticed
many of the house had rows of pig jaws and teeth strung together under the
eaves.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VWEcaoxv5NY/VtOZiztTeqI/AAAAAAAAYyU/TxShEuoNYTAwEi8hpj8fm2p-85GCfvsfA/s1600/Sumba%2BPasola%2BTOur%2B%252812%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VWEcaoxv5NY/VtOZiztTeqI/AAAAAAAAYyU/TxShEuoNYTAwEi8hpj8fm2p-85GCfvsfA/s640/Sumba%2BPasola%2BTOur%2B%252812%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">A nice local
man came to us and asked if we wanted to have a look at a very old ceremonial
area up in the hills which was a 1klm walk.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">To get there
we had to walk through a rice field before climbing up the rock stairs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_McAXmWOJNg/VtOZluqO1wI/AAAAAAAAY1s/svXak-SLrScqodq2enGiVK8pi4OGl458A/s1600/Sumba%2BPasola%2BTOur%2B%252816%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_McAXmWOJNg/VtOZluqO1wI/AAAAAAAAY1s/svXak-SLrScqodq2enGiVK8pi4OGl458A/s640/Sumba%2BPasola%2BTOur%2B%252816%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-scGryFocncM/VtOZmKKebgI/AAAAAAAAY1s/z92Qx5df3j0AT3Ao9Md6ywqjpj3nD3OtA/s1600/Sumba%2BPasola%2BTOur%2B%252817%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-scGryFocncM/VtOZmKKebgI/AAAAAAAAY1s/z92Qx5df3j0AT3Ao9Md6ywqjpj3nD3OtA/s640/Sumba%2BPasola%2BTOur%2B%252817%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The view from
the top allowed us to see a whole valley of rice fields.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">There were
some nice houses up the top and some very old tombs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cdZ1m_ptZzU/VtOZo1AgVmI/AAAAAAAAY1s/1-VQiFLMSCA-WpWbkKc9mLensBZtqF0tQ/s1600/Sumba%2BPasola%2BTOur%2B%252820%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cdZ1m_ptZzU/VtOZo1AgVmI/AAAAAAAAY1s/1-VQiFLMSCA-WpWbkKc9mLensBZtqF0tQ/s640/Sumba%2BPasola%2BTOur%2B%252820%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The
traditional ceremony house was old and small but had some great history which
was explained to us. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We headed to
our hotel room at 5pm and crashed so we could be ready for our midnight start.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">At 12:30am we
left for our drive to the beach which Amar confirmed was a 20 minute drive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">After 1 hour
we were still driving.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">1 hour became
2 and we were getting testy.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">After a few
wrong turns we went from testy to angry and it soon became apparent Amar had no
idea where he was going.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">2 hours
became 3 and eventually we arrived at a beach. It was the correct beach but
there was no ceremony.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Amar asked a
local fisherman only to be told the Pasola festival was not for another 3 days.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Amar told us
it was cancelled and re-scheduled but Paul spoke to the fisherman in Indonesian
and got the correct information.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Well to say
Paul hit the roof was an understatement. We were livid!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Amar had
trusted a single phone call to a friend who had told him the incorrect dates.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We very angrily
told him to turn the car around and take us back to Waingapu.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">He came up
with all sorts of wild schemes to stay for the 3 days until the festival
started but we were not interested in any of his dodgy suggestions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">At 3:30am we
left and drove back through the mountains in darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The car had
no de-mister and no heater and the fog was so heavy the visibility was down to
less than 50m.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">They had to
leave the front windows open and Amar was constantly having to wipe the
windshield to stop the fogging.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">In the back
we were freezing as we only had shorts and T-Shirts each.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We wrapped
our bath towels around our body and put our picnic blanket over our legs in an
effort to keep warm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We stopped at
3am to get a coffee and Paul took some photos of the fog and the lights of a
truck coming over a bridge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Y9NLBPNtsI/VtOZqhT-C8I/AAAAAAAAY1o/hkEgMU07qa0yWtK3D_0Z8s5XywOL8B6fg/s1600/Sumba%2BPasola%2BTOur%2B%252823%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Y9NLBPNtsI/VtOZqhT-C8I/AAAAAAAAY1o/hkEgMU07qa0yWtK3D_0Z8s5XywOL8B6fg/s640/Sumba%2BPasola%2BTOur%2B%252823%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We arrived
back at Waingapu tired and hungry at 9am.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We couldn’t believe
it when they drove into the Petrol/Gas station and filled up and asked us to pay
for the fuel. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We blatantly
refused as we hadn’t yet used the fuel we paid for the day before.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">They both had
no money and had to leave their mobile phones behind as security to come back
later to pay for it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Paul was
still so angry and barely able to even talk to Amar.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Fortunately
we had only paid for fuel, food and the hotel rooms for us all (which was only
about A$80 total), so we refused to pay for anything else including the car
hire.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU"> Back at the harbour beach, we loaded our RIB
with our gear and paddled back to Lorelei with Amar standing on the beach still
saying sorry but expecting to get paid.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We didn’t want
to tempt fate by staying in the harbour in case of any continuing issues with
Amar so as soon as we were on board we started the engine, lifted the anchor
and sailed out of Waingapu.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The closet we
ever got to the Pasola rituals were 2 statues we passed in the car.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU"></span></b></div>
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<br />
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<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gYMrt7bYfVM/VtOZr-0rHlI/AAAAAAAAY1o/VeF2EQ5OtNoHSJW_2Rsri_UogqMKh3Z5g/s1600/Sumba%2BPasola%2BTOur%2B%25284%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gYMrt7bYfVM/VtOZr-0rHlI/AAAAAAAAY1o/VeF2EQ5OtNoHSJW_2Rsri_UogqMKh3Z5g/s640/Sumba%2BPasola%2BTOur%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
<br />
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">With no wind
and no seas we motored 20nm around to a long white sandy beach that we had
anchored at the day before we arrived in Waingapu.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We downloaded
a weather forecast to see when it would be suitable to tackle the 200nm
crossing from Sumba to Kupang but there was no wind forecast for at least 3
days.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">So we hung
out and spring cleaned Lorelei in preparation for clearing out of Indonesia in
Kupang.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We couldn’t
believe how much unwanted/unused stuff we could accumulate in 5 years of
international sailing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">A lot of
stuff we had kept as a “just in case we need it scenario” but now we were going
to Darwin in Australia we could do a much needed restock and update on spares
and supplies.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We had the v-berth
area stacked full of garbage bags.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">When Paul
went into the engine room he noticed water on the engine room floor.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">It was dirty
fresh water and we just couldn’t work out where it had come from.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">That was
until we went to drain the kitchen sinks and found a split in the pump
diaphragm. It took Paul a few hours to dissemble the pots and pans cupboard,
remove and service the pump.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We still had
loads of fireworks on board and we knew these had to be gone before clearing
out, so one calm afternoon we went into the beach, had a drink and waited until
dark.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QYyuvSgJmIM/VtOZaQqnwoI/AAAAAAAAYyU/bE7f8L3dZ0oPkqOhhe2GFNovswjXvm78Q/s1600/Fireworks%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QYyuvSgJmIM/VtOZaQqnwoI/AAAAAAAAYyU/bE7f8L3dZ0oPkqOhhe2GFNovswjXvm78Q/s640/Fireworks%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We played
with the cameras on tripods to get the long exposure photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We realised
that a single firework always shot up in the same direction making for a single
and boring photo.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">So we set
both tripods up with a spirit level so the cameras were level and we could
slowly rotate the cameras around after each shot was fired from the firework.
It made for better photos with some unusual results.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The first few
were still a bit light in the background so we waited another 20 minutes for it
to be darker.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We played
with the smaller ones first as we had lots more of those.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We quickly
worked out that 2 or 3 let off at the same time from different locations and
different angles created some interesting photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Getting the
last one lit safely before the first one started to go off was the challenge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mUzRUH8eOu4/VtOZcj7GTyI/AAAAAAAAYyU/E9IEsUd-4UUJnANAnJ04ypienNEcEuYww/s1600/Fireworks%2B%25286%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mUzRUH8eOu4/VtOZcj7GTyI/AAAAAAAAYyU/E9IEsUd-4UUJnANAnJ04ypienNEcEuYww/s640/Fireworks%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We then
changed to wide angle and fish eye lenses and let off the bigger ones which
were called roman candles.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4uWBkeBP-is/VtOZc0joX8I/AAAAAAAAYyU/N6vggQFrvzgfo44JJ9D6lvMKHg85Apokw/s1600/Fireworks%2B%25287%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4uWBkeBP-is/VtOZc0joX8I/AAAAAAAAYyU/N6vggQFrvzgfo44JJ9D6lvMKHg85Apokw/s640/Fireworks%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="476" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We had 2
boxes of mortars and we did not know what they would do.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">They let of a
tremendous glow and a huge bang that reverberated right along the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We were a bit
worried about the excess noise they created so we only let off one box and gave
the second to a family of local fisherman and their kids.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">In the photo
below we let two mortars off at once.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">They only had
short fuses and the blue glow at the bottom is Lisa diving for cover with the
torch…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We found the
best combination was one roman candle and one or two of the smaller ones at
angles.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Towards the
end the fishing boats were sitting off the beach watching which created some
extra blue lights in the background.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The next day
with a bit more wind we set sail for the overnight passage to Kupang.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The passage
was your typical Indo passage with a little bit of everything.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We started
with light winds and flat seas but with current assistance we slowly sailed which
was great.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">But by night
fall we were motoring under the full moon was pleasant.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We coped one
hell of a storm at 1am with not much wind but lots of lightning and rain.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We were able
to stop Lorelei under a rain cloud and fill the water tanks. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">It was a
pretty funny scene – stopped mid ocean, lightning all around, pitch black with
the clouds covering the moon and us running around the deck naked scooping up
buckets of water and funnelling them into the main tank.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">At 4am Lisa
had to try to divert around an unlit fishing boat (that she missed by less than
50m….) and miles of unlit and unmarked nets that they had laid out on the
surface.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">By daybreak,
we only had 50nm to go but it was wind against tide making it like being in a
washing machine.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The closer we
got to land, the more and more fishing rafts we had to dodge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Along with
the rafts came the tonnes of junk in the water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">It was
everything from trees to old rafts and loads of plastic and rubber.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">At one stage
we went through a large amount of debris and it looked like a ship had recently
sunk as there was a lot of unusual things that were still clean and all centred
in one spot.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We kept a
sharp lookout but didn’t see anything or anyone alive – or dead.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We arrived at
Kupang at 3pm but the normal trade wind anchorage off the front of the town was
exposed in the NW monsoon winds, so we motored another 4nm south and tucked
into a calm bay behind an island not far off the mainland and opposite the main
shipping port.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The boat was
covered in salt but not long after arriving Mother Nature obliged with a great
rainstorm which washed the boat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We completed
the 200nm crossing in 29 hours so overall we were happy.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We have been
to Kupung 3 or 4 times now as we had cleared in here after visiting Timor Leste
and we also used it as a provisioning base when we spent months last year
surfing at Rote which is 50nm south of Kupung.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We know the
local agent for yachts, Napa and his assistant Max well as we have used their
services a few times and have done day tours and other things with them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We had a
meeting with Napa one afternoon and fortunately he was able to take care of
most of the clearing out without needing us to go to the official offices.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The only
exception was Customs, which Paul went to one morning with Napa.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The day
before we left we refuelled.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We also
brought 3 new 35 litre jerry cans (for A$6 each) so we could carry an extra 105
litres of fuel home. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We had over 1200
litres of diesel and nearly 200 litres of unleaded as the price in Kupung was
less than half what we would have to pay to refuel again in Darwin.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Bobby the
local fuel man was nice enough to bring the fuel out in his boat and pump it into
Lorelei’s tanks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">In the
afternoon Paul let his homemade toy sailing boat sail away from Lorelei. <br />
He had it since we first arrived in Indonesia but it was made from a palm
frond, bamboo and old wood and we very much doubted whether Australian
Quarantine would let him keep it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">That night we
enjoyed our last Indo sunset with a drink on the front deck.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">On Friday the
4<sup>th</sup> March we cleared out of Indonesia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Lorelei had
been in Indo for 17 months (and 14 months for us) which is the longest time we
have ever been in another country outside Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">It was
certainly a day of mixed emotions. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Sad to leave
Indo but happy to be going to Australia. It was a Friday and we had Bananas on
board (both bad omens for sailors) and it was Paul’s late brother Scott’s
birthday.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The passage
started slow but considering Friday was supposed to be the day with the least
wind, we were excited to be sailing by 9am.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">It wasn’t
very strong and we were going directly downwind but we were able to pole out
the headsail, gull wing the sails (put one out each side) and crawl our way
towards Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We were only
going 3 knots but it was for free…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The day was
ridiculously hot and we found it difficult to keep cool.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Lisa found a
great spot in the arvo hiding in the shade from the sails.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">It was nice
to watch the sun setting over Timor.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We were still
able to sail until midnight but there was no moon and it was very dark.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Paul took
this photo which was a 30 second exposure and he used a torch to illuminate
Lisa, the cockpit and the sails.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">By 1am the
wind had gone.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">It was dead
flat so we simply dropped the sails and one of us went to bed while the other
watched a movie or read in the cockpit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We tried to
sail again at daybreak but it was a futile effort and by 11am we reluctantly
had to kick the motor on.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">It was
supposed to come in stronger in the afternoon and fortunately it did.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The sunset
put a warm glow onto the sails which looked great.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU"></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Fortunately the wind held all night
and we slowly ghosted along through the dark night.</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Unlike Day 2,
Day 3 was anything but boring.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The wind
picked up early and so did the swell.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">It was off
the wind but not directly down wind and we were able to break out the largest
spinnaker.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The rising
sun in the east looked great though the illuminated spinnaker.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">At 10am we
sailed across the imaginary borderline that separates Indonesia & Timor
from Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Only a few
miles inside the Australian border lies a series a shallow shoals that come up
to less than 10m depth. They are packed with fish life and under the coral lies
some of the richest gas and oil deposits in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Needless to
say security in the area is high and the Australian border protection agency
has a big job to keep it secure.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Additionally
it is also the most popular route for asylum seekers to enter Australia via foreign
vessels.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">However we do
feel sorry for the local Indonesian fisherman.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">How is it
that of a 440nm wide passage, Australia controls 350nm of it with all the
goodies and Indonesia gets less than 100nm with pretty much all of it being
super deep water (more than 1000m depth) with no reefs to fish?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">So naturally
the Indonesians travel from Timor to the shallow shoals just inside the
Australian Waters to fish.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">They are not
commercial fisherman with super high tech rigs scooping up and targeting huge
quantities and large fish. Instead are just modest small timer boats targeting
small reef fish. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We saw a few
boats fishing then we saw an Australian patrol boat come screaming over the
horizon at about 25 knots boat speed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU"> </span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CA31XDVPQjs/VuszYQtiqII/AAAAAAAAY6w/WYMQT8nONq4Ve3LBnRw-tnOEAsSVGqo9g/s1600/Border%2BPatrol%2BBoats%2B%25281%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CA31XDVPQjs/VuszYQtiqII/AAAAAAAAY6w/WYMQT8nONq4Ve3LBnRw-tnOEAsSVGqo9g/s640/Border%2BPatrol%2BBoats%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">They pulled up
to the fishing boats, had the RIB’s in and were boarding them within minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gbvdthzZzKc/VuszZttsmXI/AAAAAAAAY6w/j6MNusC4LeYcYH6NENpBJiDhg5HTNc5Jg/s1600/Border%2BPatrol%2BBoats%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gbvdthzZzKc/VuszZttsmXI/AAAAAAAAY6w/j6MNusC4LeYcYH6NENpBJiDhg5HTNc5Jg/s640/Border%2BPatrol%2BBoats%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">They must
have called for backup because 10 minutes later a huge border protection vessel
(which looked awesome) came screaming in from another direction.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gRhvil2kytk/VuszajpRDPI/AAAAAAAAY6w/SCRRGN7F1ugeZSUOKKl4slXJbIV608MsQ/s1600/Border%2BPatrol%2BBoats%2B%25283%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gRhvil2kytk/VuszajpRDPI/AAAAAAAAY6w/SCRRGN7F1ugeZSUOKKl4slXJbIV608MsQ/s640/Border%2BPatrol%2BBoats%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Within 2
hours we had also been flown over by the Australian border patrol aircraft.
They did a few passes from different angles and called us up on the radio.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We were a
little shocked when they called us by our name.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">They must
have some pretty high tech zoom lenses to get the name off the side of the boat
from an aeroplane.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Just before
the wind picked up, Paul went up onto the bow with a 10mm fisheye lens to get
some fun photos of Lorelei sailing along under spinnaker.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t2FPFW_fZig/Vusz8ux-9iI/AAAAAAAAY7w/ipkzYK7w6gM0wxXNKYaLhiLFt_AJGkM_g/s1600/Spinnaker%2BFisheye%2B%25284%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t2FPFW_fZig/Vusz8ux-9iI/AAAAAAAAY7w/ipkzYK7w6gM0wxXNKYaLhiLFt_AJGkM_g/s640/Spinnaker%2BFisheye%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FcmTkNf22e8/Vusz_CZO2aI/AAAAAAAAY7w/syMY8ZOAzXYSNizP_QcUs4C1J_WjPChjw/s1600/Spinnaker%2BFisheye%2B%25285%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FcmTkNf22e8/Vusz_CZO2aI/AAAAAAAAY7w/syMY8ZOAzXYSNizP_QcUs4C1J_WjPChjw/s640/Spinnaker%2BFisheye%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">That arvo we
were flying along at a constant 7.5 knots and surfing into the 9’s.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">There is
something a little unnerving about leaving the big spinnaker up going into the
night, particularly when there are storm clouds in front and lightning going
off everywhere. But we did and we were chewing up the miles with a 24 hour run
of over 170nm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU"></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k91xN8JJy_M/Vusz_2nMvXI/AAAAAAAAY7w/DZRhuNsC-_ETh3wl2kZj3qyE_80M2xM4A/s1600/Spinnaker%2BSunset.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k91xN8JJy_M/Vusz_2nMvXI/AAAAAAAAY7w/DZRhuNsC-_ETh3wl2kZj3qyE_80M2xM4A/s640/Spinnaker%2BSunset.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
<br />
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">On the
morning of day 4 we were only 40nm out from Darwin and we could see land out to
our side.</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">On the other
side was a huge Cruise Ship called the Celebrity Solstice from Malta.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">It was going
to Bali, but with all the heightened security alerts, they diverted and went to
Darwin for 2 days instead.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-utDr0gFbkBI/Vusza2jZzFI/AAAAAAAAY6w/dBnOit3m57osm9YksvUsKHHSHqP7duOPw/s1600/Cruise%2BShip.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-utDr0gFbkBI/Vusza2jZzFI/AAAAAAAAY6w/dBnOit3m57osm9YksvUsKHHSHqP7duOPw/s640/Cruise%2BShip.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We had a very
active pod of small dolphins playing in the bow wave for a long time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">They were
pushing each other out of the way and jumping & rolling over each other
which was pretty unusual.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-if6AcWHHAPU/Vuszj9coWMI/AAAAAAAAY7s/9-M3ePpg49gGKrgp_n-rWK_yKE0UbaKtg/s1600/Dolphins%2B%25283%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-if6AcWHHAPU/Vuszj9coWMI/AAAAAAAAY7s/9-M3ePpg49gGKrgp_n-rWK_yKE0UbaKtg/s640/Dolphins%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The closer we
got the flatter it got. The wind died and the water went from blue to a bright
green colour.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ihbSf3dm02s/VuszfryYynI/AAAAAAAAY7s/3CYUo6yl9IgZmVe_oiem1P7SWquoEf8GQ/s1600/Darwin%2BGreen%2BWater.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ihbSf3dm02s/VuszfryYynI/AAAAAAAAY7s/3CYUo6yl9IgZmVe_oiem1P7SWquoEf8GQ/s640/Darwin%2BGreen%2BWater.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We could also
see the city of Darwin as we headed into the shipping channel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IyGWEEO8DUg/VuszYKy5RnI/AAAAAAAAY6w/59I7a00NG_4uRH6TpzlEtDoTljTBh0ocg/s1600/Arriving%2BDarwin%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IyGWEEO8DUg/VuszYKy5RnI/AAAAAAAAY6w/59I7a00NG_4uRH6TpzlEtDoTljTBh0ocg/s640/Arriving%2BDarwin%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
<br />
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Border
protection instructed us to hoist the quarantine flag.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We arrived at
the Quarantine Dock at Cullen Bay at 3pm and Customs arrived 5 minutes later followed
by Quarantine.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">There has
been a lot of things posted on the net about clearing into Australia and a fair
bit of negativity about clearing in the top end of Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Well we have nothing
but high praise to say about the officials that boarded Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">They were all
so nice and extremely helpful with our additional questions about Darwin, where
to slip, marinas and even where to get a decent meal that night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Quarantine
did take a bit of food which was expected but they were very reasonable with
many things including our carvings and trinkets that we had accumulated over
the years.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Within 2
hours the formalities were complete and we were allowed to walk on Australian soil
once again.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">However we
didn’t walk too far and it was a takeaway pizza and in bed by 8pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The next
morning was our last bit of formalities and this time it was for Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We had
commercial divers come and inspect Lorelei’s hull for marine growth and at the
same time they put a solution into our seacocks, toilet, engine and saltwater
lines that had to remain in for 10 hours.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">This had to
be done before we could enter any locks within the Darwin area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">As the area
has huge tides (up to 10 meters), all the Marinas are secured by locks the keep
the water inside at more manageable levels (and also protect the area from
cyclones, crocodiles, bad weather, etc…)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU"> Once again the divers and crew were fantastic
and very helpful.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We were able
to sit in their boats cabin, watch the monitor & listen to the diver’s
comments as he inspected our hull.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Best of all
it was a free service supplied by the Department of Fisheries.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Without being
able to move Lorelei until the next day, we decided to explore town and find
out our options for a berth at a marina.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We must have
walked 15km’s that day around the foreshore and though the city looking at the
shops, hardware stores, chandleries and marinas.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">By 10pm we
had caught a taxi home with it half full with groceries and a much better idea
of where we were going for a marina berth.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">However the
biggest issue was we needed to tackle the rust on Lorelei’s decks that was
slowly getting worse.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">All the
Marinas in Darwin (and most around Australia) have a no grinding policy due to
the noise, mess it makes and damage the sparks cause to other boats.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We didn’t
want to go through the lock, stay for only a few days and leave again to treat
the rust.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">So we motored
around to a small inlet called the West Arm and tucked into there for a week to
tackle the grinding of the rust.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">It proved to
be an endurance test as we had wind against spring tides, rain squalls,
extremely hot days and mess everywhere from grinding dust.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N1EqxxZnRQI/VuszzaeND6I/AAAAAAAAY74/nbnrqFQESFkdxMxzNytqwDknQ8btaX4ew/s1600/Paul%2BGrinding.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N1EqxxZnRQI/VuszzaeND6I/AAAAAAAAY74/nbnrqFQESFkdxMxzNytqwDknQ8btaX4ew/s640/Paul%2BGrinding.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">To top it all
off, Pauls grinder died 2 hours into the first day and we had to pack up, take
the RIB 6nm over to the city and catch a bus to Bunnings to get a new one. That
was a 6 hour mission….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">While Paul
ground the rust, Lisa sanded it and prepared for the primer paint.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">One afternoon
our friend Chris came over with his daughter Grace and friend Clint.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We had a
great arvo catching up and a few drinks. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">It was a
welcome relief from all the hard work.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">One good
thing was being able to have a decent Aussie BBQ in the evenings.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">It was great
to have access to a large supermarket with lots of yummy goodies and some
decent salad vegies.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We had some
crazy afternoon storms and nice sunrises looking towards Darwin.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6NPJgz9gdEA/Vus0KKBtkQI/AAAAAAAAY7w/VaPZsdSNOBkWo0azJnmx802a1SldhOeOA/s1600/West%2BArm%2BSunrise.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6NPJgz9gdEA/Vus0KKBtkQI/AAAAAAAAY7w/VaPZsdSNOBkWo0azJnmx802a1SldhOeOA/s640/West%2BArm%2BSunrise.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">With all the
grinding done and the primer on, we were able to leave the west arm and enter a
Marina.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">With 3
choices we chose Tipperary Waters Marina.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The marina
came highly recommended from many people and Keith the manager was very helpful
to us (unlike the office staff at the other larger marina in town….).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">To get to the
marina we had to motor past the large Strokes Hill Wharf just near the city.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The pearling
industry is huge in the Top End and Paspaley Pearls is the biggest pearl
company.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">They have a
fleet of massive vessels.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Coming into
the lock at Tipperary Water was certainly a new experience for both us and
Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Whilst we had
a bit of room to the side, we only had about 50cm both bow and stern once we
were inside the lock with the lock doors closed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cfqwlDDHCcE/Vus0GnrEU9I/AAAAAAAAY7w/bfJKXzogLJkL3HgTH8Ve1WeUphvYgUnvg/s1600/Tipperary%2BLock%2BEntry%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cfqwlDDHCcE/Vus0GnrEU9I/AAAAAAAAY7w/bfJKXzogLJkL3HgTH8Ve1WeUphvYgUnvg/s640/Tipperary%2BLock%2BEntry%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">As Keith
flooded the lock, Paul was able to dash up into the control room to take some
photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5bekSPf9lQ/Vus0IRJWGAI/AAAAAAAAY7w/FeRsYAen36wOSd0IaziAlRSdyelNCoNqw/s1600/Tipperary%2BLock%2BEntry%2B%25284%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5bekSPf9lQ/Vus0IRJWGAI/AAAAAAAAY7w/FeRsYAen36wOSd0IaziAlRSdyelNCoNqw/s640/Tipperary%2BLock%2BEntry%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Finally we
were in!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<b><i><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;">Looking back from our
berth to the lock and the low water outside</span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;">An aerial view of
Tipperary Waters Marina.</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;">Our berth is marked with
a red X in the middle of the photo</span></i></b><b><i><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><i>The
Marina in the bottom of the photo and the city in the background</i></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Once secured
we were able to get stuck into ordering bits for Lorelei, exploring town and
getting into the sanding, painting and some much needed TLC for Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Inside she
received a bit of a makeover with a new washing machine, microwave oven, epirb,
safety gear, sheets and linen, toilet, engine blowers, electrics, inverters,
and the list goes on.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">It wasn’t
cheap but certainly needed to be done and was long overdue.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Chris was nice
enough to help us for the day and we had his Troop Carrier packed by days end.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The washing
machine saga was a crazy one that took most of one day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">No matter how
had we tried, we couldn’t get the old one out of the hatch.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">So Paul fix
the issue by getting out the angle grinder and cutting it up into 4 pieces.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The new one
was an updated model and slightly larger.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">It didn’t fit
down though the hatch as it was just 25mm too wide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Not matter
how much we pushed and squeezed the machine casing, it just wasn’t going
through.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">So in the end
Paul had to completely dismantle the entire machine (including all the wiring)
and reassemble it inside the laundry.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Soldering all
the wires back together in the small confines and the 37 degree heat proved a
real challenge <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The next
morning Paul took some sunrise shots looking over the marina before getting
stuck into the day’s activities.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The one big
thing we purchased and were really excited about was a new tender.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Whilst we
still plan to keep our RIB which we think is fantastic for diving and spearing,
it is not suitable for Australia’s top end where the crocodiles are a very big
presence.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">So we lashed
out and brought a brand new Tinny from a dealer in Darwin.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We did a lot
of research with Paul’s parents George & Chez back at Christmas time and
even went and looked at many before deciding on a model.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We actually
brought it 2 months ago whilst we were in Indo and Chris was kind enough to
pick it up for us from the boat dealer and store it at his house until we
arrived and were ready to fit it out.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">For its
length it is the widest, has the deepest V and highest sides of any brand.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We hadn’t
actually even seen one in that size until Chris pulled up with it on the
trailer at the Marina.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">It was a lot
larger than we expected and much bigger than our RIB but we were very happy
with it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">First stop
was off to the Alloy fabricators to have a flat floor, lifting eyelets, fuel
racks, bigger drain outlets, auxiliary outboard bracket fitted, transducer mount,
rear step and a ladder added.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Whilst the
alloy boys pimped our tinny, we went berserk in the boating shop and brought a
battery system, electrics, canopy, safety gear, marine carpet and some new rods
& reels to target Barramundi.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The next day
at lunchtime there was a hummer of a storm in the Marina which peaked at 46
knots, and that measurement was from within the protected confines of the well
sheltered marina basin!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Elsewhere
through the city it uprooted large trees and caused minor damage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">With Lorelei
being safely berthed at the Marina, we felt we could leave her for a few days.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">So for our
first weekend away we were invited to Chris and Cynthia’s property which is
about 20 minutes out of Darwin.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Paul first
met Chris through Adreno (the spearfishing shop where Paul worked) and for a
long time they regularly talked over the phone.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Chris, Cyn
and their daughter Grace came to Brisbane to visit the store and we all went
out dinner, hit it off and we’ve been friends ever since.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Like many
people from Darwin, they regularly visit Bali and we were fortunate to catch up
with them for a week in 2015 along with their other friends Casey and Jackson.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;">Us in Bali with Chris,
Cynthia, Casey and Jackson in 2015</span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Jackson is an
insurance agent and we were so thankful for his help during the first week in
Darwin securing a new insurance policy for Lorelei.</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">For dinner on
the Saturday night, Jackson also came over and so did their friend Paul who
owns Outback Helicopters.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Chris and
Cvn’s house is one of the most amazing places we have seen and fell in love
with it and the unusual concept as soon as we saw it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Paul couldn’t
resist getting up early the next morning to get some sunrise shots around the
property.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Sunday
afternoon Jackson kindly took us out to his family’s smaller property (they
also have a much larger one further out of town) so we could borrow one of
their cars which was currently not being used.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">It was cool
to see all the farm machinery that is used around the property.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">You know the properties
are big up here when they have a helicopter in the shed!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">The property
has been in the family for many generations and Jackson’s late grandfather was
instrumental in developing a lot of the Darwin infrastructure.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">He even has a
bridge named after him.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Subsequently,
there is a section on the property where all the excess equipment from each
project was stored.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">A lot of it
has been there for a long time and made for some interesting photo
opportunities.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;">Hooning thru the rivers
& marshlands on an Air Boat is on the top of Paul’s wish list of things to
do in the Top End.</span></i></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">They breed the cattle big up here too.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Now we were
back in Australia, one very novel thing we experienced was TV.</span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Whilst we have
been able to enjoy movies whilst overseas, there has been no free to air TV.
There simply is none in the remote pacific islands and in Asia a digital set
top box is required to receive TV.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We have never
been big TV watchers but we did find a fantastic NT Tourism Channel which
highlighted all the tourism options in the state.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We were
enthralled as we were getting so excited about exploring the areas they
promoted.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Well the one
thing so far we can say about Darwin is that we received a super friendly
reception.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">From the
Customs and Quarantine officials, to Keith the Marina manager, the retail
outlets staff and just about everyone else.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">A super
thanks goes to Chris, Cynthia and Grace who have been so helpful in so many
ways and to Jackson and other members of the Walker family we have met so far
and the gracious loan of the car.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We have been
made so welcome - Thankyou!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><br />
<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uK2wDsTTOug/Vu8o42wzSeI/AAAAAAAAY9U/GBvDY1oCwFY12QX7IciwUerjinDnthkBQ/s1600/Caseys%2BCar.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uK2wDsTTOug/Vu8o42wzSeI/AAAAAAAAY9U/GBvDY1oCwFY12QX7IciwUerjinDnthkBQ/s640/Caseys%2BCar.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">So that’s it
for another roller coaster month with Lorelei’s Sailing Adventures.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Some good
times and some bad, but that’s the way it goes.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">We
have a very exciting year ahead with some plans to explore the remote areas of
the Northern Territory and Western Australia.</span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">So stay tuned
for some Aussie adventures next month from our travel
blog.</span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Cheers.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Paul Hogger<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Lisa Hogger<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-AU">Yacht Lorelei<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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sv_loreleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14235157985522355104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245635408700620959.post-65092415995548901982016-02-16T07:49:00.002-08:002019-02-09T17:41:13.754-08:00Episode 46 Bali to Sumba<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 28.0pt;"><b>Lorelei’s
Sailing Adventures</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At the end of
Episode 45, we had returned to Lorelei where she was moored at Serangan Harbour
in Bali. We had spent one week cleaning, scrubbing and getting her ready for
cruising again in 2016.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gK8iIJU7y5I/VsMwhFoXu3I/AAAAAAAAX4k/j_II-cwOdUk/s1600/Episode%2B46%2BLocation%2BMap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gK8iIJU7y5I/VsMwhFoXu3I/AAAAAAAAX4k/j_II-cwOdUk/s640/Episode%2B46%2BLocation%2BMap.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our location for this
Episode of the Blog.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o9CThr3iIhE/VsMwg8TMP5I/AAAAAAAAX4g/NgHZnl5ajiw/s1600/Episode%2B46%2BRoute%2BMap.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o9CThr3iIhE/VsMwg8TMP5I/AAAAAAAAX4g/NgHZnl5ajiw/s640/Episode%2B46%2BRoute%2BMap.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our route for this
Episode of the Blog.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It hadn’t
been a good start to the year…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a week
of rain and floods before we left Australia, water damage to our house in
Terrigal which we found out about the day after we arrived in Bali, terrorist
attacks in Jakarta that was sending shock waves through Indonesia, and to top
it off, stinking hot days with no rain and light East winds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
unable to leave Bali for the 1200nm passage east to West Papua due to the winter
style Easterly trade winds, that were completely unseasonal as we should have
been having monsoon west winds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was so hot
it was just ridiculous!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When the
locals are complaining then you know it’s hot.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was only
getting to about 36 during the day, but it wasn’t dropping below 30 overnight
and the humidity was very high.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was nearly
impossible to sleep.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The fans
through the boat ran on high 24/7 and the poor fridge and freezer compressors
ran non-stop trying to keep the contents cool.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
sucking a huge amount of power each day from the batteries and it was difficult
to keep them charged despite the solar panels working overtime.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
drinking about 4 litres of water a day each and still couldn’t keep hydrated.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lorelei had
her big canopy up and every other boat in the bay was the same with many even
putting tarpaulins up to try and reduce the heat inside.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hpWxKSUzK0I/VsMxZ-k_LBI/AAAAAAAAYCQ/Pd5WoZv0QNk/s1600/Lorelei%2BSerangan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hpWxKSUzK0I/VsMxZ-k_LBI/AAAAAAAAYCQ/Pd5WoZv0QNk/s640/Lorelei%2BSerangan.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was super
frustrating but we just had to sit and wait for the change in season which
would bring some much needed rain and west winds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It wasn’t all
bad, the surf breaks were still uncrowded and fun and we could go for a SUP or
kayak to escape the heat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ko18nuEDsI/VsMv3KvpkkI/AAAAAAAAX4s/91Wj8jFhq5Y/s1600/Bali%2BKayak%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ko18nuEDsI/VsMv3KvpkkI/AAAAAAAAX4s/91Wj8jFhq5Y/s640/Bali%2BKayak%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sometimes we
get some really weird pictures from the contour camera when it is set on 1
frame per second.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Two weird
ones are below from our SUP surfing over the shallow coral reef.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The summer
time also meant lots of yummy tropical fruit that was in abundance and so
cheap.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With unusual
things like Dragon Fruit, Rambutans & Soursops as well as all the other fruits
available year round, it made for some great fruit salad mixes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Avocados were
so cheap at around A$1.00 a kilo.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">While we
waited we also tackled other maintenance that we thought would have to wait
until later in the year.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had both
outboards serviced, Paul did the main engine and we had the desalinator pump
rebuilt.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Outside Paul
also serviced all the winches and blocks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ObsNG8zKus/VsMwobhQ6bI/AAAAAAAAX8s/EMgdZXM2OVM/s1600/Gili%2BRepairs%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ObsNG8zKus/VsMwobhQ6bI/AAAAAAAAX8s/EMgdZXM2OVM/s640/Gili%2BRepairs%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The extra
time also gave Lisa an opportunity to plan in more detail our travelling route
and options for the rest of the year.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa also
renewed our customs paperwork that we thought we would have to do later on at the
next big port.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Most days we
would go ashore around midday to escape the heat and have lunch at our
favourite place, Pima’s Garden Café in Serangan.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We could
simply moor our RIB and walk across the road to get there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqXVEpVbb6w/VsMxqGRqoKI/AAAAAAAAYCQ/l996isXwpzw/s1600/PIma%2BCafe%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqXVEpVbb6w/VsMxqGRqoKI/AAAAAAAAYCQ/l996isXwpzw/s640/PIma%2BCafe%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Pima and
Debbie are awesome hosts and Debbie showed us how to make Paul’s favourite
dish, Tempe.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went into
Kuta for a shopping trip at one of the big malls and the security was a real
shock. It took 2 car checkpoints and full searches to get into the malls
parking area, followed by an airport style screening to get through the front
doors. There was security with high powered weapons everywhere.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KVmaku6r0vY/VsMv7uSs63I/AAAAAAAAX4s/iRHxUP2uGCE/s1600/Bali%2BSecurity%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KVmaku6r0vY/VsMv7uSs63I/AAAAAAAAX4s/iRHxUP2uGCE/s640/Bali%2BSecurity%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nae9iM3knf4/VsMv9h3tLjI/AAAAAAAAX4s/iaTLBV4FS2c/s1600/Bali%2BSecurity%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nae9iM3knf4/VsMv9h3tLjI/AAAAAAAAX4s/iaTLBV4FS2c/s640/Bali%2BSecurity%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The downside
of all that was the lack of tourists.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For sure Kuta
still had its younger western backpackers who were prepared to brave the travel
warnings, but Sanur (which has the more upmarket resorts and more suited to the
older and family orientated tourists) was deserted.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We walked
down the main the street in Sanur at lunch time and were shocked to see nearly
all the café’s, restaurants and shops empty.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The taxis and
car hire people were trying desperately to get a fare.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">All along the
beach side was the same; resort lounges, pools & chairs, bars &
restaurants all empty.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gti4ArZe6uw/VsMyBhWcOGI/AAAAAAAAYDM/VnMgnxssUpE/s1600/Sanur%2BBeach%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gti4ArZe6uw/VsMyBhWcOGI/AAAAAAAAYDM/VnMgnxssUpE/s640/Sanur%2BBeach%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
taking to a local about it and he said it was many factors; the travel
warnings, the terrorist attacks, the suspected attacks in Bali around NYE, the
local gang war which was spiralling out of control, the AUD vs. USD (most Bali
tour operator’s prices are in US Dollars) and the reluctance of people to book
holidays many months ago with the volcano eruptions causing major delays at the
airport.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So for us we
decided not to tempt fate and stayed away from the more tourist areas in Bali.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Finally after
another week of waiting the winds started to shift and along with that came the
rain storms.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b9n5OIwIpWI/VsMyCUt2dHI/AAAAAAAAYDM/M0SaeVrrSVc/s1600/Serangan%2BStorm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b9n5OIwIpWI/VsMyCUt2dHI/AAAAAAAAYDM/M0SaeVrrSVc/s640/Serangan%2BStorm.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The day of
the full moon is a holy day for the Balinese people.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They
celebrate in the temples with prayer, offerings and traditional dancing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The dance
that is most common on the evening of the full moon is the Barong Dance.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst Barong
dances are performed daily around Bali for the tourists, we really wanted to
see a local performance.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The issue was
we were not permitted into the temple unless we were correctly dressed in
traditional attire.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we asked
Pima and Debbie to help us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They kindly
fitted us out so we could attend.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BSur3Du4nfM/VsMwCz_FfDI/AAAAAAAAX6Q/xTBsYANLjvE/s1600/Barong%2BDance%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BSur3Du4nfM/VsMwCz_FfDI/AAAAAAAAX6Q/xTBsYANLjvE/s640/Barong%2BDance%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived at
the temple early so we could get some photos of the dancers before their
performances.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CGXEG2y2Aqo/VsMwWS9zH4I/AAAAAAAAX7A/vthUj6pCYrY/s1600/Barong%2BDance%2B%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CGXEG2y2Aqo/VsMwWS9zH4I/AAAAAAAAX7A/vthUj6pCYrY/s640/Barong%2BDance%2B%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j8CfLShHXzY/VsMwZ1jZSiI/AAAAAAAAX7A/g9BTSRSWQQ0/s1600/Barong%2BDance%2B%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j8CfLShHXzY/VsMwZ1jZSiI/AAAAAAAAX7A/g9BTSRSWQQ0/s640/Barong%2BDance%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It also gave
us time to have a look at the temple before it got dark.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Koffe the
local Holy man took us into the temple and showed as around. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lSPIHqXA88c/VsMwZPwTrDI/AAAAAAAAX7A/vUC_EAioGAY/s1600/Barong%2BDance%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lSPIHqXA88c/VsMwZPwTrDI/AAAAAAAAX7A/vUC_EAioGAY/s640/Barong%2BDance%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2xlZXC3we1A/VsMwYVMz46I/AAAAAAAAX7A/bDBuVc9EgMs/s1600/Barong%2BDance%2B%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2xlZXC3we1A/VsMwYVMz46I/AAAAAAAAX7A/bDBuVc9EgMs/s640/Barong%2BDance%2B%25284%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxZMOyg6odE/VsMwElybp1I/AAAAAAAAX6Q/827Yk-ORQwY/s1600/Barong%2BDance%2B%252813%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxZMOyg6odE/VsMwElybp1I/AAAAAAAAX6Q/827Yk-ORQwY/s640/Barong%2BDance%2B%252813%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were glad
to have Koffe with us to explain about the people coming into the temple to
pray prior to the dances.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We felt a lot
more comfortable about walking into those sort of areas with him as a guide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1wHQRGTADDU/VsMwEcwmuHI/AAAAAAAAX6Q/wWwuzhkmAjE/s1600/Barong%2BDance%2B%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1wHQRGTADDU/VsMwEcwmuHI/AAAAAAAAX6Q/wWwuzhkmAjE/s640/Barong%2BDance%2B%252812%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
hundreds of the daily offerings still piled around the temple grounds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Eb97-CY21w/VsMwYtLl8uI/AAAAAAAAX7A/Y0ZRQwbFQrA/s1600/Barong%2BDance%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Eb97-CY21w/VsMwYtLl8uI/AAAAAAAAX7A/Y0ZRQwbFQrA/s640/Barong%2BDance%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A single
child played quiet music as the people started to arrive for prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TOuFZnI8GTQ/VsMwa2IW24I/AAAAAAAAX7A/PQzHszP6ZLk/s1600/Barong%2BDance%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TOuFZnI8GTQ/VsMwa2IW24I/AAAAAAAAX7A/PQzHszP6ZLk/s640/Barong%2BDance%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We saw Pima &
Debbie’s daughter (also called Debbie) and her family, so we decided to sit
with them for the dances as Debbie is an ex-dancer and could explain many
things for us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-joXV3NAh4II/VsMwbHe3AGI/AAAAAAAAX7A/_n8953p2xkE/s1600/Barong%2BDance%2B%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-joXV3NAh4II/VsMwbHe3AGI/AAAAAAAAX7A/_n8953p2xkE/s640/Barong%2BDance%2B%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We could see
a dark storm front approaching and hoped it would not pour with rain on the
outdoor performance.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We managed to
see the first dance performed by 6 young girls without the rain causing any
issues.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mIEa2AbzwiU/VsMwJIac3eI/AAAAAAAAX6Q/Lz09_nAbdiI/s1600/Barong%2BDance%2B%252815%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mIEa2AbzwiU/VsMwJIac3eI/AAAAAAAAX6Q/Lz09_nAbdiI/s640/Barong%2BDance%2B%252815%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pMYU6GCdVTU/VsMwKKAPlvI/AAAAAAAAX6Q/gjTnmEq1PyY/s1600/Barong%2BDance%2B%252817%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pMYU6GCdVTU/VsMwKKAPlvI/AAAAAAAAX6Q/gjTnmEq1PyY/s640/Barong%2BDance%2B%252817%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZsSXEPTuQKg/VsMwQX8vtSI/AAAAAAAAX6Q/gCnGiux6ApQ/s1600/Barong%2BDance%2B%252820%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="616" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZsSXEPTuQKg/VsMwQX8vtSI/AAAAAAAAX6Q/gCnGiux6ApQ/s640/Barong%2BDance%2B%252820%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JJ8svjWpTYc/VsMwFeOwo9I/AAAAAAAAX6Q/4D80RNPe5e4/s1600/Barong%2BDance%2B%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JJ8svjWpTYc/VsMwFeOwo9I/AAAAAAAAX6Q/4D80RNPe5e4/s640/Barong%2BDance%2B%252814%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Half way
through the second dance (which was a dance for both the boys and girls), the
rain started to pour.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xL6ZthNhosw/VsMwV5XyeRI/AAAAAAAAX7A/nFRRc-S55yo/s1600/Barong%2BDance%2B%252821%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xL6ZthNhosw/VsMwV5XyeRI/AAAAAAAAX7A/nFRRc-S55yo/s640/Barong%2BDance%2B%252821%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lQLPzNxV7ws/VsMwV8YIx3I/AAAAAAAAX7A/eBcPA_5b53s/s1600/Barong%2BDance%2B%252822%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lQLPzNxV7ws/VsMwV8YIx3I/AAAAAAAAX7A/eBcPA_5b53s/s640/Barong%2BDance%2B%252822%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The musicians
still continued to play under their covered area and everyone crowded in around
them to wait for the rain to pass.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ftzz87EenZ4/VsMwJnhJIzI/AAAAAAAAX6Q/DnjYjt4p6iU/s1600/Barong%2BDance%2B%252816%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ftzz87EenZ4/VsMwJnhJIzI/AAAAAAAAX6Q/DnjYjt4p6iU/s640/Barong%2BDance%2B%252816%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Msc3VSKyH9M/VsMwCpEsOHI/AAAAAAAAX6Q/0U-LsAqknkU/s1600/Barong%2BDance%2B%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Msc3VSKyH9M/VsMwCpEsOHI/AAAAAAAAX6Q/0U-LsAqknkU/s640/Barong%2BDance%2B%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6uMzK8eUYQw/VsMwCwDAIFI/AAAAAAAAX6Q/SWy39EKu4Ug/s1600/Barong%2BDance%2B%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6uMzK8eUYQw/VsMwCwDAIFI/AAAAAAAAX6Q/SWy39EKu4Ug/s640/Barong%2BDance%2B%252811%2529.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly it
continued and they cancelled the performance before the main barong dance
started.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul was not
happy!!!! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We’d been
waiting for rain for weeks but why now?? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Frustratingly,
5 minutes after everyone had left, the rain cleared and we walked home without
seeing another drop.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
the west wind was coming, the tides were right and we left at 5am from Serangan
Harbour.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was to be
a 60nm run up the notorious current prone Lombok Straight.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We started off
slow but as the tide turned we were able to have current assistance as we made
our way to northern Lombok.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we sailed
away from Bali we could see Mount Agung peeking out from the clouds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PwMJkdam-kQ/VsMv-SoiQjI/AAAAAAAAX4s/JN2q-t-8KNo/s1600/Bali%2BVolcano.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PwMJkdam-kQ/VsMv-SoiQjI/AAAAAAAAX4s/JN2q-t-8KNo/s640/Bali%2BVolcano.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived in
a bay in northern Lombok well before sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had
anchored here before and it is a busy little bay with many boats moored that
service the Gili Islands.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WYvjI_MUPpU/VsMxU5nSU8I/AAAAAAAAX8c/bBTs_bvwaTY/s1600/LOmbok%2BBay.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="344" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WYvjI_MUPpU/VsMxU5nSU8I/AAAAAAAAX8c/bBTs_bvwaTY/s640/LOmbok%2BBay.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The downside
is the area has the worst Mosque calls to prayer we have ever experienced.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The person
doing the chanting sounds like an 8 year old boy singing karaoke to a song he
doesn’t know the words to, whilst getting strangled…. It is just terrible.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite the
horrendous wailing, the sunrise the next morning was fantastic.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EKCvP4WzkBA/VsMxZQpS8SI/AAAAAAAAYCQ/h1EuNcNnVoU/s1600/Lombok%2BSunrise.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EKCvP4WzkBA/VsMxZQpS8SI/AAAAAAAAYCQ/h1EuNcNnVoU/s640/Lombok%2BSunrise.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With us being
low on fuel and water, we headed for Medana Bay where we could hopefully get
both.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The bay faces
north and is notorious for swell invading the bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sure enough
as we approached we could see the yachts on moorings rolling violently from
side to side.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The place is
also known for inadequate moorings as many have broken with yachts attached.
The one we were guided to was also tiny and would never hold Lorelei’s 28 tons
in anything over a light wind.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we vowed
to stay for the day and be gone by 4pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite
having sent 2 emails advising on fuel quantities and arriving at 9am to pay the
Marina in advance, the staff advised the fuel would not be ready until 5pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were not
happy and after much discussion, the first batch arrived at 1pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It arrived in
disgusting looking containers and we were not sure if there was more diesel,
dirt and grime on the inside or outside of the containers.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Subsequently
we had oily diesel all over our RIB and all over Lorelei’s decks. We were not
happy!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We waited in
the restaurant and had lunch and played with 2 young puppies whilst it rained
and we waited for the balance of the fuel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7sSSHOwzN6o/VsMxciZBtVI/AAAAAAAAYA0/LmMMkWvPhHs/s1600/Medana%2BBay%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7sSSHOwzN6o/VsMxciZBtVI/AAAAAAAAYA0/LmMMkWvPhHs/s640/Medana%2BBay%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GcgOsT1sWXw/VsMxdGNZ0tI/AAAAAAAAYA0/Iu0HTno-koI/s1600/Medana%2BBay%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GcgOsT1sWXw/VsMxdGNZ0tI/AAAAAAAAYA0/Iu0HTno-koI/s640/Medana%2BBay%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yfh4_kyjiD4/VsMxdcrRhnI/AAAAAAAAYA0/TJr8-TrVpCc/s1600/Medana%2BBay%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yfh4_kyjiD4/VsMxdcrRhnI/AAAAAAAAYA0/TJr8-TrVpCc/s640/Medana%2BBay%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oNFkV1DXFcU/VsMxd2LXOPI/AAAAAAAAYA0/xYB2igmLS6A/s1600/Medana%2BBay%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oNFkV1DXFcU/VsMxd2LXOPI/AAAAAAAAYA0/xYB2igmLS6A/s640/Medana%2BBay%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By 5pm we
still had no fuel. The Marina manager and other English speaking staff were nowhere
to be found and the local staff who spoke no English were no help at resolving
the issue.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Finally after
30 minutes and many terse words, the manager appeared.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By now the
light was fading, the storms were coming, Lorelei was rolling gunnel to gunnel and
threatening to break loose off the mooring.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
getting anxious and angry.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It turns out
that the Police had intercepted the men obtaining the fuel for us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It is illegal
for locals to buy fuel in bulk at the gas station and sell it to the yachts but
it is the only option boats have for obtaining fuel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There are no
fuel depots we can go to and it is illegal for foreigners to go to the gas
station to buy fuel (as it is subsidised), so we simply have no other choice.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With only one
brand of fuel and gas station across Indonesia (Pertamina) the rules are
strictly enforced.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s a
ridiculous situation….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So in the end
we demanded a refund and left at nearly 6pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
terrible and dangerous predicament and we were really angry at the staff for
stuffing us around for so long.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We then had
to navigate through coral reefs and islands for 1 hour at dusk with failing
light, blinding rain & wind and getting violently tossed about.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JZSFNLVHFtI/VsMwod_9ucI/AAAAAAAAX8s/ST_LNPmHec0/s1600/Gili%2BStorm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JZSFNLVHFtI/VsMwod_9ucI/AAAAAAAAX8s/ST_LNPmHec0/s640/Gili%2BStorm.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a
heavy north swell with south winds making for ugly conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It also meant
every bay in northern Lombok was exposed to the swell, so we had no option but
to navigate around the reef entrance and tuck into the small south facing bay
at Gili Air Island. It would give us protection from the swell but not the
wind.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were so
happy to be in, covers on, and anchored up safe just on dark and before the
next storm hit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
electrical storms and lightning around us were amazing but we were confident we
would be ok for the night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">WHAT A
DAY!!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GTVqpJUSMq8/VsMwlDQQW_I/AAAAAAAAX8s/XmuvSIBVnKs/s1600/Gili%2BAnchorage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GTVqpJUSMq8/VsMwlDQQW_I/AAAAAAAAX8s/XmuvSIBVnKs/s640/Gili%2BAnchorage.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_EI9CIF-I1E/VsMwkfa7KdI/AAAAAAAAX8s/9-aEVGAa2OE/s1600/Gili%2BAir%2BHarbour%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_EI9CIF-I1E/VsMwkfa7KdI/AAAAAAAAX8s/9-aEVGAa2OE/s640/Gili%2BAir%2BHarbour%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Surprisingly
we had a good night’s sleep and woke to a relatively peaceful morning at Gili
Air.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YGrJ7xIZgf4/VsMwkyqAM1I/AAAAAAAAX8s/8w0XCSjCC0s/s1600/Gili%2BAir%2BHarbour%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YGrJ7xIZgf4/VsMwkyqAM1I/AAAAAAAAX8s/8w0XCSjCC0s/s640/Gili%2BAir%2BHarbour%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6GII1a8dPk0/VsMwjxXZHcI/AAAAAAAAX8s/4ONF-BPhTP0/s1600/Gili%2BAir%2BHarbour%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6GII1a8dPk0/VsMwjxXZHcI/AAAAAAAAX8s/4ONF-BPhTP0/s640/Gili%2BAir%2BHarbour%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That changed
at 10am when the hoard of large boats flew past us still going at 15 knots boat
speed as they entered the harbour.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The boats
have to be large and fast to transit the tourists quickly from Bali to the GiIli’s
which is a 60nm passage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They don’t
use inboard engines and instead load the boats up with a stack of big outboard engines.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OfXwkGH_EOc/VsMwjpbAnZI/AAAAAAAAX7A/VGdl7JWU8CU/s1600/Gili%2BAir%2BHarbour%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OfXwkGH_EOc/VsMwjpbAnZI/AAAAAAAAX7A/VGdl7JWU8CU/s640/Gili%2BAir%2BHarbour%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FaWvsOBjPMQ/VsMwmBLTKYI/AAAAAAAAX8s/_SJ2Cf4jGtI/s1600/Gili%2BOutboards%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FaWvsOBjPMQ/VsMwmBLTKYI/AAAAAAAAX8s/_SJ2Cf4jGtI/s640/Gili%2BOutboards%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J9BtGIRXo5A/VsMwmZCSH1I/AAAAAAAAX8s/D6hi3dYdQl8/s1600/Gili%2BOutboards%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J9BtGIRXo5A/VsMwmZCSH1I/AAAAAAAAX8s/D6hi3dYdQl8/s640/Gili%2BOutboards%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xWR8JixQAFQ/VsMwm6lnKrI/AAAAAAAAX8s/Tv6oPCh1ooM/s1600/Gili%2BOutboards%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xWR8JixQAFQ/VsMwm6lnKrI/AAAAAAAAX8s/Tv6oPCh1ooM/s640/Gili%2BOutboards%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
loads of younger backpackers transiting to and from the island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst it did
rain a little, we were still able explore the island and swim.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eD8GhTusvzM/VsMwpNg348I/AAAAAAAAX8s/xBQVgWH4L0g/s1600/Horse%2BGili%2BAir.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eD8GhTusvzM/VsMwpNg348I/AAAAAAAAX8s/xBQVgWH4L0g/s640/Horse%2BGili%2BAir.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa was also
able to repair our main halyard that had stripped its outer sheath on our first
days sailing from Bali.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gy73jGldqJE/VsMwnlWo75I/AAAAAAAAX8s/VvFaxF-T5iE/s1600/Gili%2BRepairs%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gy73jGldqJE/VsMwnlWo75I/AAAAAAAAX8s/VvFaxF-T5iE/s640/Gili%2BRepairs%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After being
in the dirty water of Medana Bay and rolling violently, Lorelei’s hull needed a
quick wash to get rid of all the brown stains, some of which were half way up
the sides!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kfLX2V_24fI/VsMxYudslZI/AAAAAAAAYCQ/QeZwZdjY55U/s1600/Lisa%2BGili%2BHull%2BScrub.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kfLX2V_24fI/VsMxYudslZI/AAAAAAAAYCQ/QeZwZdjY55U/s640/Lisa%2BGili%2BHull%2BScrub.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the arvo
we went across to one of the local dive boats to ask about buying unleaded
(gasoline/benzene) fuel as in the end we didn’t get any from Medana Bay and
were nearly out.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> The friendly guy on-board made a quick phone call
and before we could even motor the RIB to the beach, there were 3 guys sitting
waiting with full jerry cans ready to go. Within 20 minutes we had transferred
the fuel and the job was done. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">And to top it
all off, the price was 15% cheaper than Medana Bay had arranged.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We simply
should have come here instead. Lesson learnt…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the
afternoon on the high tide we watched a large group of people onshore
attempting to put a large newly renovated boat back into the water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For over an
hour they pushed & shoved, rocked it from side to side and levered it down
the sand slope on make shift timber rollers.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the end
the tide dropped faster than they could move it and they reluctantly gave up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-si89xTCNb7o/VsMwi7wO-iI/AAAAAAAAX7A/Y08eRp2Otdg/s1600/Gili%2BAir%2BBoat%2BLaunch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-si89xTCNb7o/VsMwi7wO-iI/AAAAAAAAX7A/Y08eRp2Otdg/s640/Gili%2BAir%2BBoat%2BLaunch.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
we pushed on again with the hope of edging our way further east.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite some
early storms, the further east we went, the less storms and the better the
conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A_Q3CKXIoVQ/VsMx84X4MuI/AAAAAAAAYDM/514c6Tyvxtc/s1600/Sail%2BGili%2Bto%2BKomodo%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A_Q3CKXIoVQ/VsMx84X4MuI/AAAAAAAAYDM/514c6Tyvxtc/s640/Sail%2BGili%2Bto%2BKomodo%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It turned
into a combination of sailing and motoring but we had great current assistance
so we pushed on overnight and travelled over 180nm in the first 24 hours.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ELBSDh6VF7k/VsMx9QyZzJI/AAAAAAAAYDM/_PmpvaUbpM8/s1600/Sail%2BGili%2Bto%2BKomodo%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ELBSDh6VF7k/VsMx9QyZzJI/AAAAAAAAYDM/_PmpvaUbpM8/s640/Sail%2BGili%2Bto%2BKomodo%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sunrise after our
overnight passage<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However the
good conditions weren’t going to last and as we approached the Komodo National
Park two things happened.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Firstly Paul
started feeling ill and secondly, the wind and swell started to rise – a lot!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We only had
20nm to go to get to a very protected anchorage on Banta Island just outside of
the Komodo National Park, so Lisa made a detour to go there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The last time
we were here (8 months ago), it was the dry season and the place look very
arid. This time the islands looked awesome with lush green growth covering most
of the islands.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ajHlkkCmr0/VsMx97BbNiI/AAAAAAAAYDM/QhG1uvjXJCo/s1600/Sail%2BGili%2Bto%2BKomodo%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ajHlkkCmr0/VsMx97BbNiI/AAAAAAAAYDM/QhG1uvjXJCo/s640/Sail%2BGili%2Bto%2BKomodo%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa’s detour
turned out to be the right choice because by the time we arrived at the
anchorage, Paul could barely lift his head off a pillow and the wind was
gusting to over 30 knots.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By mid arvo
the wind had picked up and we had strong bullets of wind hammering down the
steep slopes and into the bay at over 40 knots.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We dragged anchor
and had to reset – twice!! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The second
time we had 80m of chain out in 9m of water which for us is heaps but we
dragged again and the third time we ended up with 100m of chain in just 5m of
water. If that wasn’t going to hold us, nothing was…. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Ironically, a
local fishing boat about the same length as Lorelei came in for protection and
they also dragged anchor about 5 times during the day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we
surmised the bottom mustn’t be that good for holding.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">2 days later
Paul was nearly back to normal and the wind and rain had eased.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we decided
to climb to the peak and started early at 7am.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Even at half
way up the view was stunning but it was already starting to get really hot and
humid.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By the time
we reached the peak, the fishing boat had gone and left just Lorelei sitting in
the bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The view from
the peak was amazing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
back down Lisa found a tree with some Preying Mantis on the branches.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
spearfishing in the bay was also excellent.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The clear
shallow reefs had beautiful coral and reef fish in abundance.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
interesting to see schools of Green Jobfish.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We see lots
of these fish on the outer reef drop-offs but they are usually alone or in
pairs. It was great to see schools of them swimming around.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Needless to say
we were pretty rusty after not having speared for over 6 months. Our depths and
bottom times were terrible!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However Lisa
did well with 2 fish from 3 shots and we pigged out on yummy Coral Trout for
dinner.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aQ73aHU0B_U/VsMxKNosn_I/AAAAAAAAX_0/6i_Uiu0Ori0/s1600/Komodo%2BSpear.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aQ73aHU0B_U/VsMxKNosn_I/AAAAAAAAX_0/6i_Uiu0Ori0/s640/Komodo%2BSpear.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">To try and
escape the heat we would hang out on the beaches and swim in the clear shallow
waters around the edge of the bay.</span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul found a
pair of Azure Kingfisher’s sitting in the trees near the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Before we
left, Paul climbed up into the crow’s nest and took some shots of the bay
whilst Lisa was swimming.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the 4<sup>th</sup>
Feb we left Banta Island and motored into Labuan Bajo so we could be in town
for Paul’s birthday on the 5<sup>th</sup>.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We motored in
with glassy conditions and great cloud formations over the islands.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We have a
love/hate relationship with Labuan Bajo.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The town is a
dusty, stinking, dirty, run down hole of a place and combined with that is the
worst Immigration office we have dealt with.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Which is
surprising considering it is a major tourist destination as it is the gateway
to the Komodo area which offers a super modern airport, stunning islands, the
Komodo Dragons and some of the best diving on the planet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Additionally
the local people are fantastic and very helpful and in the main street is
Paul’s favourite local restaurant, Mama Warangs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We have heard
there are plans for the Indonesian Government to inject some much needed funds
into the town to clean it up and modernise it for the bustling tourist trade.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For Paul’s
birthday we went to Mama Warangs for lunch and pigged out.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gj6WX2-wAbE/VsMxrVpnmqI/AAAAAAAAYCQ/vbkCi4otWhg/s1600/Pauls%2BBirthday.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gj6WX2-wAbE/VsMxrVpnmqI/AAAAAAAAYCQ/vbkCi4otWhg/s640/Pauls%2BBirthday.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we walked
home we spied a lady walking to the market with a wheelbarrow full of fish.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br />
That night we enjoyed a fantastic harbour sunset with drinks on the deck.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Phinisi dive
live-aboards looked great lit up at night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next
morning we managed to organise some diesel fuel after our aborted Medana Bay debacle.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Some of the
local contractors who supply the dive live-aboards were able to help us and we
were able to cart 600 litres of diesel (in relatively clean 20L Palm Oil
containers) back and forwards from the wharf to Lorelei until we were full.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l4-Jr94NOyQ/VsMxw6xi4ZI/AAAAAAAAYCQ/hGMJVEWwdYQ/s1600/Refuel%2BLabuan%2BBajo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l4-Jr94NOyQ/VsMxw6xi4ZI/AAAAAAAAYCQ/hGMJVEWwdYQ/s640/Refuel%2BLabuan%2BBajo.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By lunchtime
we were lifting the anchor and were out of there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By now it was
crunch time for where to go for the next 6 weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly there
were still no reports of whale sharks in Triton Bay and it was still 1000nm to
get there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The other
option was diving in Alor but we had already been there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Both options
meant travelling along the top of the Nusa Tenggara Island Chain.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The final
option was to head south to enjoy more of Komodo in the areas that we missed
last time, then to head to Sumba in the hope of getting more surf and a chance
to go to the annual Pasola Festival which is on in Sumba around February each
year.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It basically
came down to surf or dive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul left the
decision to Lisa and after her wanting to surf every day in Bali, she chose to
go surfing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So south we
went…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had to run
south from Labuan Bajo and through a 4nm long but narrow passage that was
notorious for current.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we left at
noon on what we were hoping was the correct tide for the passage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We passed
some picturesque terrain both on the mainland and the nearby islands.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We entered
the passage and the current was fortunately going with us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Coming out
the other side looked amazing but the wind was coming up from the direction we
had to go for the final 12nm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we found a
quaint little bay at Pungu Island (just off the side of the main channel) and
pulled in for the night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
stunning place.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was our
friend Nathan’s birthday (he joined us in Komodo 8 months ago) and we said we
would have a drink for him in Komodo at sunset <br />
– so we did.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The mangroves
around Pungu Island looked great for a kayak so early the next morning we went
and explored.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We passed a
small fishing boat and a few of the young kids on-board hitched a joyride.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
we headed to the southernmost bay on Rinca Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
down the rugged coastline, Lisa spotted a large white object thrashing around
in the water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We came in
closer and it was a very large Manta Ray with at least a 5m/16ft wingspan.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was doing
reverse barrel rolls as it fed on the surface.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst it
wasn’t worried at all by Lorelei and we were about to hop in with the
underwater cameras, a big rain storm coming down off the mountain had other
plans for us. <br />
We had to abort and get the land cameras inside and the hatches closed before
it engulfed us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Rinca Island
is the most popular island to view the famous Komodo Dragons.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The southernmost
area has a no anchoring policy so we tied up to a huge mooring in a protected
little bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
stoked to look up and see 5 large Komodo Dragons wandering up and down the
black sand beach just 20 meters from Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we jumped
in the RIB to go check them out.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our
experience was very different from 8 months ago.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Back in the
winter it was breeding season and the big females where making their nests
while the large males were fighting amongst themselves for mating rights.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The rangers
informed us we might not see many big ones.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We did see
lots of smaller ones but only one big female making a nest and a big male
whilst on our own at a remote beach a few days later.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Because of
the mainly smaller sized Dragons, we were a little blasé about them. We had
camped for many years as children in places where there were lots of Australian
Goannas and the smaller Komodo Dragons were just the same, only a little
bigger.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This time
with the Dragons was a very different experience!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A 1.5m/5ft
Dragon compared to a 3m/10ft Dragon is no comparison as the bigger ones are a
lot more imposing and are prepared to hunt an adult human.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were 5
Dragons on the beach and 4 were very big males all over 3m/10ft long.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pdqdy3B6P5o/VsMxCzECWoI/AAAAAAAAX64/Ldx-spUxLU8/s1600/Komodo%2BDragons%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pdqdy3B6P5o/VsMxCzECWoI/AAAAAAAAX64/Ldx-spUxLU8/s640/Komodo%2BDragons%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa was
adamant we should stay in the RIB just off the beach and take photos which we
did, but soon Paul had other ideas.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2eLu7vDwojE/VsMw__77poI/AAAAAAAAX-E/V0w1CPTvYIY/s1600/Komodo%2BDragons%2B%252816%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2eLu7vDwojE/VsMw__77poI/AAAAAAAAX-E/V0w1CPTvYIY/s640/Komodo%2BDragons%2B%252816%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He went up
onto the beach and all was good until the hunter became the hunted as the 4
males closed in on him.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He assumed
they wouldn’t go onto the rocks and into the water. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Wrong!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">All too soon
he was wading back to the RIB with Lisa saying something like<br />
“I told you so….”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But he did
get some great photos and it did bring them down to the water’s edge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went
around to a second bay and had a walk up a water course.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly Asia’s affinity
with plastic doesn’t discriminate where it ends up and the once pristine beach
is now covered in tonnes of plastic garbage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5I4HYsIEpGI/VsMw2FKEeYI/AAAAAAAAX-E/yoosfcFEyA8/s1600/Komodo%2BDragons%2B%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5I4HYsIEpGI/VsMw2FKEeYI/AAAAAAAAX-E/yoosfcFEyA8/s640/Komodo%2BDragons%2B%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We did
however find a wild deer in the bushes and Paul was able to get a series of
shots before it took off.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went
around to a third beach where we found a lot of activity going on and some big
Dragons.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We managed to
watch a Dragon fight which was quite brutal.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Soon we
realised why they were fighting when under a tree we saw a wounded Deer.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It had a
large wound on its neck and its eyes looked really spooked.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pSFQAvos9mQ/VsMw_NhhoZI/AAAAAAAAX-E/q4Rm0RCgIP4/s1600/Komodo%2BDragons%2B%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pSFQAvos9mQ/VsMw_NhhoZI/AAAAAAAAX-E/q4Rm0RCgIP4/s640/Komodo%2BDragons%2B%252814%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The deer were
put onto the island many years ago as food for the Dragons.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Once a Dragon
bites a deer, it takes about 3 days for the poison to finally kill the animal.
The Dragons simply stay close to it after the initial bite and wait for it to succumb
to the poison before eating it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We assumed some
of the Dragons were hanging around for a possibility of a free feed and others
were not happy about it, hence the fights.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_OgIEmF6Trk/VsMxI7JFTCI/AAAAAAAAX_0/V-o_PYcs7tA/s1600/Komodo%2BDragons%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_OgIEmF6Trk/VsMxI7JFTCI/AAAAAAAAX_0/V-o_PYcs7tA/s640/Komodo%2BDragons%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we were
heading back to Lorelei, we could see lots of Monkeys (Long Tailed Macaques) walking
down to forage on the beach and we even saw a large Pig wandering across the
rocks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vEm7o2jALn8/VsMx5Ww1SSI/AAAAAAAAX_w/Dysy9xUzT40/s1600/Rinca%2BPig.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vEm7o2jALn8/VsMx5Ww1SSI/AAAAAAAAX_w/Dysy9xUzT40/s640/Rinca%2BPig.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next
morning, the place looked like Jurassic Park in the eerie early hours with the
fog and clouds covering the mountain slopes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8flfyX6j8hw/VsMx1O-11ZI/AAAAAAAAX_k/-Dm0lENXGJ0/s1600/Rinca%2BBay%2BMorning%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8flfyX6j8hw/VsMx1O-11ZI/AAAAAAAAX_k/-Dm0lENXGJ0/s640/Rinca%2BBay%2BMorning%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were going
to go diving but we both couldn’t be bothered dragging all the gear out for
just a few dives so instead we went kayaking and took our snorkelling gear with
us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NE33zgR7H6Q/VsMx19B3_iI/AAAAAAAAX_o/aQn8g1Uh1jg/s1600/Rinca%2BKayak%2BSnorkel%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NE33zgR7H6Q/VsMx19B3_iI/AAAAAAAAX_o/aQn8g1Uh1jg/s640/Rinca%2BKayak%2BSnorkel%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found an
awesome current filled pass with loads of fish and tonnes of bait fish schools
from the surface to the bottom. In the shallows we could lie on the surface and
were very surprised to see unusual critters like Blue and Black Ribbon Eels,
rare Nudibranchs, Frogfish, Lionfish, Turtles, 3 species of Shark and loads of
fish species.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Just on dusk
the predatory fish came into the bay and caused havoc amongst the bait fish
schools sending them boiling up to the surface.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vaakeynaxtw/VsMx28xnrGI/AAAAAAAAX_s/zcid9iT1qk4/s1600/Rinca%2BKayak%2BSnorkel%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="334" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vaakeynaxtw/VsMx28xnrGI/AAAAAAAAX_s/zcid9iT1qk4/s640/Rinca%2BKayak%2BSnorkel%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That evening
and all night it was so still.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I7YymNfCpp0/VsMx0wEsmII/AAAAAAAAX_g/iOjpBIm3i1Y/s1600/Rinca%2BBay%2BSunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I7YymNfCpp0/VsMx0wEsmII/AAAAAAAAX_g/iOjpBIm3i1Y/s640/Rinca%2BBay%2BSunset.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> We woke to a glassed out bay with clear skies
which was so different to what it was like just 24 hours prior.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LTprONo_CQw/VsMxzLBpqDI/AAAAAAAAYCQ/e3366tqd-sI/s1600/Rinca%2BBay%2BGlass%2BOut%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LTprONo_CQw/VsMxzLBpqDI/AAAAAAAAYCQ/e3366tqd-sI/s640/Rinca%2BBay%2BGlass%2BOut%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After
breakfast we pushed off for a 24 hour run south to the SW side of Sumba Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was still
mirror flat as we motored out of the pass.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SLTCNHk7UBQ/VsMxzh5Sa4I/AAAAAAAAYCQ/OXszjAeCh7s/s1600/Rinca%2BBay%2BGlass%2BOut%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SLTCNHk7UBQ/VsMxzh5Sa4I/AAAAAAAAYCQ/OXszjAeCh7s/s640/Rinca%2BBay%2BGlass%2BOut%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We could
already see the high peaks of northern Sumba which were 60nm away with the
clear conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we were
halfway across we motored into a huge pod of Dolphins and False killer Whales.
They happily hunted together around Lorelei as we stopped to take photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YUtoPH8aO9o/VsMwePuzSzI/AAAAAAAAX7A/Y5BBqF8bGDg/s1600/Dolphins%2B%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YUtoPH8aO9o/VsMwePuzSzI/AAAAAAAAX7A/Y5BBqF8bGDg/s640/Dolphins%2B%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lH3swbAkV18/VsMwgMu4uRI/AAAAAAAAX4c/Xw8MBbrcUT8/s1600/Dolphins%2B%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lH3swbAkV18/VsMwgMu4uRI/AAAAAAAAX4c/Xw8MBbrcUT8/s640/Dolphins%2B%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Just as we
were exiting the pod, Lisa spied a Blue Marlin free jumping around the front of
Lorelei. By the time Paul had grabbed the camera and run up the front, it had
gone.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At 5pm we
motored down the west coast of Sumba.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The setting
sun cast a glow onto the coastline and we got to view our first traditional
Sumba Houses with their tall thatched roofs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VBbA9Bkopyk/VsMyHENtMRI/AAAAAAAAYAw/6-uBdt3s5vA/s1600/Sumba%2BHouses%2BSailing%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VBbA9Bkopyk/VsMyHENtMRI/AAAAAAAAYAw/6-uBdt3s5vA/s640/Sumba%2BHouses%2BSailing%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l1KjSGriOUI/VsMyIPNCsUI/AAAAAAAAYA8/wQV0upkWqeo/s1600/Sumba%2BHouses%2BSailing%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l1KjSGriOUI/VsMyIPNCsUI/AAAAAAAAYA8/wQV0upkWqeo/s640/Sumba%2BHouses%2BSailing%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we
ventured further along we could see whole villages set back from the coast with
the distinct roofs peeking through the trees.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HEG_oGsig6g/VsMyHtlRK5I/AAAAAAAAYA4/f41IRryRg-o/s1600/Sumba%2BHouses%2BSailing%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HEG_oGsig6g/VsMyHtlRK5I/AAAAAAAAYA4/f41IRryRg-o/s640/Sumba%2BHouses%2BSailing%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had
trolled lures all day without success but just before sunset one of the reels started
screaming with line rapidly peeling off the spool.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">15 minutes
later we had boated our first Mahi Mahi for the year.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d9WRTT64Huc/VsMyKBRnqvI/AAAAAAAAYBA/1kRmzrkwSoU/s1600/Sumba%2BMahi%2BMahi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d9WRTT64Huc/VsMyKBRnqvI/AAAAAAAAYBA/1kRmzrkwSoU/s640/Sumba%2BMahi%2BMahi.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Wow, what a
crazy 48 hours we had as far as the huge variety of wildlife we had seen. We
were amazed when we started reciting the list.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The overnight
run along the south western Sumba coastline was pretty calm with little wind,
clear skies but no moon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had
current assistance the whole way and where due to arrive 5 hours earlier than
expected at 3am. So we simply dropped all sail except for the headsail and
ghosted along at 2 knots for the last 10nm so we arrived at 8am with enough
light to motor into the bay and anchor safely right next to the Millers Rights
surf break.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The sunrise
on the cliffs with the surf break below look great and there were 4 surfers
already out.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zHJ92QeM6K8/VsMyTJ4fybI/AAAAAAAAYBo/uIWXQjmmGDA/s1600/Surf%2B1st%2BMorning%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zHJ92QeM6K8/VsMyTJ4fybI/AAAAAAAAYBo/uIWXQjmmGDA/s640/Surf%2B1st%2BMorning%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the bay
were lots of fisherman in small dugouts but for some strange reason they all
wore Santa hats.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tUvUfrbCMKg/VsMyEPxg7OI/AAAAAAAAYDM/uH5CVpNc1YE/s1600/Sumba%2BFisherman.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tUvUfrbCMKg/VsMyEPxg7OI/AAAAAAAAYDM/uH5CVpNc1YE/s640/Sumba%2BFisherman.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the
spring tides that day we had a very low (0.1m) tide at 6am and again 6pm so we
slept for the morning and went for our first surf at 2pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We simply
dived off Lorelei and paddled over to the break.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was pretty
good but a bit full and a little bumpy with the light arvo wind. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">And best of
all – we were the only ones out as the other 4 surfers had just gone in.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GvaQdJYJMHg/VsMyNMvJONI/AAAAAAAAYBQ/lZk6rZ8MpGM/s1600/Surf%2B1st%2BArvo%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GvaQdJYJMHg/VsMyNMvJONI/AAAAAAAAYBQ/lZk6rZ8MpGM/s640/Surf%2B1st%2BArvo%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QocLt_tpjmo/VsMyPkqcCfI/AAAAAAAAYBU/4eCFS0nLPfo/s1600/Surf%2B1st%2BArvo%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QocLt_tpjmo/VsMyPkqcCfI/AAAAAAAAYBU/4eCFS0nLPfo/s640/Surf%2B1st%2BArvo%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mETG2bnEtUU/VsMyQEppmZI/AAAAAAAAYBY/hKmcViDfIEw/s1600/Surf%2B1st%2BArvo%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mETG2bnEtUU/VsMyQEppmZI/AAAAAAAAYBY/hKmcViDfIEw/s640/Surf%2B1st%2BArvo%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KKopWE4mX1Q/VsMyQb6OcAI/AAAAAAAAYBc/7fbFg8FnA4M/s1600/Surf%2B1st%2BArvo%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KKopWE4mX1Q/VsMyQb6OcAI/AAAAAAAAYBc/7fbFg8FnA4M/s640/Surf%2B1st%2BArvo%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Millers Right
is the most popular wave in Sumba but it is more popular during the end of the
winter trade wind season around September.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However there
are waves all year around.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It is the remoteness
of the area and the lack of facilities for surfers to have ease of access to
the break that makes it uncrowded.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gg6N99hhbSg/VsMyL_5U9KI/AAAAAAAAYBI/B296gkMePWc/s1600/Sumba%2BMap%2Bwith%2BRoute.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gg6N99hhbSg/VsMyL_5U9KI/AAAAAAAAYBI/B296gkMePWc/s640/Sumba%2BMap%2Bwith%2BRoute.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For us it was
a big gamble to bring Lorelei here.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It is a
rugged and remote area, there are few (if any…) protected anchorages and the
surf breaks all face south to the exposed Indian Ocean.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had to
watch the weather very carefully and make contingency plans in case of unsettled
weather.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However the
gamble had paid off even on the first day with a super fun and uncrowded surf.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next
morning it had got bigger and was epic.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We watched
the 6 surfers (4 from yesterday) get a local dugout to paddle them out at 7am.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GQsLA5TeoPM/VsMyTI38i1I/AAAAAAAAYBk/1VF_AQ4hdH8/s1600/Surf%2B2nd%2BMorning%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GQsLA5TeoPM/VsMyTI38i1I/AAAAAAAAYBk/1VF_AQ4hdH8/s640/Surf%2B2nd%2BMorning%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul soon
followed and met the group who were fantastic people and made a great vibe out
in the surf.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">2 were girls from
California, 2 were a Dutch couple (all who were learning) and there were 2
other older Aussie guys who live in Bali and had flown across for the swell pulse.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul got some
super awesome and very long waves.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa was a
bit intimidated by the size and sat on Lorelei taking photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c2bts5mthqA/VsMyVLgABkI/AAAAAAAAYB0/ou1YGuPz7lk/s1600/Surf%2B2nd%2BMorning%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c2bts5mthqA/VsMyVLgABkI/AAAAAAAAYB0/ou1YGuPz7lk/s640/Surf%2B2nd%2BMorning%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ExlZfV3fEn0/VsMyWLu--kI/AAAAAAAAYCA/BxK37Vffh04/s1600/Surf%2B2nd%2BMorning%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ExlZfV3fEn0/VsMyWLu--kI/AAAAAAAAYCA/BxK37Vffh04/s640/Surf%2B2nd%2BMorning%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vW0VlcXL2sw/VsMyXDR9MSI/AAAAAAAAYCI/4Y9d3qx-Rs4/s1600/Surf%2B2nd%2BMorning%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vW0VlcXL2sw/VsMyXDR9MSI/AAAAAAAAYCI/4Y9d3qx-Rs4/s640/Surf%2B2nd%2BMorning%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8s20V54GT_0/VsMyXjhNJdI/AAAAAAAAYCM/nym4VZT-yJ8/s1600/Surf%2B2nd%2BMorning%2B%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8s20V54GT_0/VsMyXjhNJdI/AAAAAAAAYCM/nym4VZT-yJ8/s640/Surf%2B2nd%2BMorning%2B%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X-JPEEYAOYs/VsMyTo_6mrI/AAAAAAAAYBs/tNN20iTzJwc/s1600/Surf%2B2nd%2BMorning%2B%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X-JPEEYAOYs/VsMyTo_6mrI/AAAAAAAAYBs/tNN20iTzJwc/s640/Surf%2B2nd%2BMorning%2B%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A very stoked Paul after
riding a fantastic and long wave…<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next days
that followed were simply a 2 hour surf in the morning followed by a 2-3 hour arvo
surf until sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul rode 4
different boards over 8 sessions depending on the conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9XbklVPXX4o/VsMyWq_igBI/AAAAAAAAYCE/iNKFpp-3cBc/s1600/Surf%2B2nd%2BMorning%2B%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9XbklVPXX4o/VsMyWq_igBI/AAAAAAAAYCE/iNKFpp-3cBc/s640/Surf%2B2nd%2BMorning%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Day 4 started
out nice but turned into a wild day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The morning
surf was normal but at 1pm the storm clouds started to roll in.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This is
normal in monsoon season but usually they come at around 3-5pm, not 1pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The storm hit
with a vengeance and the wind came from every direction over the course of an
hour. It was very heavy rain and winds up to 35 knots.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By 3pm it was
all over and Kat and Tera (the 2 Californian girls) paddled out to look at
Lorelei before we went for a surf.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa didn’t
go. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Half way
through the surf, the side of the cliff that we were surfing under sheared off
causing tonnes of rock to hit the rock shelf below. The noise and dust cloud
was huge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We looked
back to Lorelei to see Lisa running around on deck and seeing if we were ok.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As it turns
out, there was an earthquake and Lisa felt it right through Lorelei’s hull and
the locals were also in onshore running down onto the beach. The surfers didn’t
feel it and therefore weren’t too concerned about the Tsunami possibility which
was what Lisa and the local villagers were most concerned about.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
there was nothing significant and the evening was a calm one with a beautiful sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Yet another
action packed day in Indo….!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hEjcEvpD78A/VsMxeSQYtRI/AAAAAAAAYA0/x4gyY2AgDE8/s1600/Millers%2BSunset%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hEjcEvpD78A/VsMxeSQYtRI/AAAAAAAAYA0/x4gyY2AgDE8/s640/Millers%2BSunset%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FCknJZHvYA0/VsMxe0oqsfI/AAAAAAAAYA0/uL1rH1Vu2kQ/s1600/Millers%2BSunset%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FCknJZHvYA0/VsMxe0oqsfI/AAAAAAAAYA0/uL1rH1Vu2kQ/s640/Millers%2BSunset%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With better
light the next morning we could see the true extent of the rockslide. The trees
on the top of the rubble pile used to be attached to the other clump half way up
the cliff face in the photo below.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The wave
below gives and idea of where we were surfing and the immense size of the
slide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xTVHvZJuD44/VsMx8sy0LnI/AAAAAAAAYDM/IVsyaS9Iwv8/s1600/Rock%2BSlide.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xTVHvZJuD44/VsMx8sy0LnI/AAAAAAAAYDM/IVsyaS9Iwv8/s640/Rock%2BSlide.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By then the
swell had dropped, the girls had gone to the airport and we left the bay to
head further SE along the Sumba coastline.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the eerie
early morning, the southern part of the bay looked foreboding and there were
local fisherman motoring home in the confused and bumpy swell.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MbTsvFVmn7Q/VsMxW2g9teI/AAAAAAAAX8o/q8aEcO2x8CY/s1600/Leaving%2BMillers%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MbTsvFVmn7Q/VsMxW2g9teI/AAAAAAAAX8o/q8aEcO2x8CY/s640/Leaving%2BMillers%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we headed
further down the coast, we could see more recent rock slides and assumed they
were also from the earthquake.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By 2pm we had
reached another surf break called “The Office”.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We headed
into the small cutting in the reef to look for an anchorage but it was small
and there was an old tug boat already moored taking up most of the area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Additionally there
were onshore winds & swell and it looked rolly, shallow, tight and just not
safe. The waves with the onshore conditions also looked small and very average
so we aborted.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We managed to
find another small inlet 2 hours away on the SE coast so we went there and
anchored for the night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At 5pm we were
visited by the police armed with old handguns stuffed in their belts.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They couldn’t
speak a word of English so Paul had to explain in Indonesian where we had been,
what we were doing and were we were going.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were like
a sideshow and had about 6 fishing boats doing circles around us with gawking
but very friendly locals on board.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We pushed off
again at 6am but going up the coast we hit current in the super glassed out
conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
surreal how flat it was.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jcNoQuvTPvo/VsMyFaA41JI/AAAAAAAAYAs/-vLPrvVN5sk/s1600/Sumba%2BGlass%2BOut%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jcNoQuvTPvo/VsMyFaA41JI/AAAAAAAAYAs/-vLPrvVN5sk/s640/Sumba%2BGlass%2BOut%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Subsequently
with the currents we weren’t going to make Waingapu (the main town on Sumba) by
nightfall. So with the super flat and glassy conditions we pulled up along a
10nm long sandy beach and stopped for the night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The landscape
looked completely different on the east coast as it had long white sandy
beaches with large grassy areas behind and ranges further in the background. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was very
different from the south and west coasts that had steep mountainous areas with
cliffs right down to the water’s edge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O8vg8fWr6e4/VsMyMatlrYI/AAAAAAAAYBM/AJLMuPtqdWY/s1600/Sumba%2BWild%2BWest%2BCoastline.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O8vg8fWr6e4/VsMyMatlrYI/AAAAAAAAYBM/AJLMuPtqdWY/s640/Sumba%2BWild%2BWest%2BCoastline.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Once again
Sumba turned on another amazing sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YjGlfU3KND0/VsMyDUOjiTI/AAAAAAAAYDM/T7foPKvb1M4/s1600/Sumba%2BEast%2BCoast%2BSunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YjGlfU3KND0/VsMyDUOjiTI/AAAAAAAAYDM/T7foPKvb1M4/s640/Sumba%2BEast%2BCoast%2BSunset.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
we had a late start and a lazy 3 hour sail into Waingapu Harbour.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
little smaller than expected and the bay was lined with wharfs filled with
small freighters.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We managed to
find a safe anchorage deep into the bay and just behind the 2 main wharfs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Just on
sunset we watched a small freighter arrive and attempt to moor alongside another
freighter of around the same size.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-inVT5U1Ie8E/VsMydLCbEeI/AAAAAAAAYCs/KiviurhwIWc/s1600/Waingapu%2BHarbour%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-inVT5U1Ie8E/VsMydLCbEeI/AAAAAAAAYCs/KiviurhwIWc/s640/Waingapu%2BHarbour%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QVX0j2XRaww/VsMyeTxZbCI/AAAAAAAAYC0/pkWT1CiNiCo/s1600/Waingapu%2BHarbour%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QVX0j2XRaww/VsMyeTxZbCI/AAAAAAAAYC0/pkWT1CiNiCo/s640/Waingapu%2BHarbour%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a case
of touch parking as it collided first with the freighter it was docking
alongside, then the one behind and finally the tug boat moored alongside the
back freighter.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mt61KGd_1_A/VsMye0iwQzI/AAAAAAAAYC4/A2n2PPTs8VU/s1600/Waingapu%2BHarbour%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mt61KGd_1_A/VsMye0iwQzI/AAAAAAAAYC4/A2n2PPTs8VU/s640/Waingapu%2BHarbour%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7xYfz701KXg/VsMyf-gfTGI/AAAAAAAAYC8/dcr1WuGRX_I/s1600/Waingapu%2BHarbour%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7xYfz701KXg/VsMyf-gfTGI/AAAAAAAAYC8/dcr1WuGRX_I/s640/Waingapu%2BHarbour%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We watched a
fishing boat miss the channel markers and run onto the reef and at dusk we saw
the kids scramble onto the bow of one of the freighters and jump off it into
the water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Talk about
crazy harbour antics…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N04HGSQfpJo/VsMygaQKzQI/AAAAAAAAYDE/BLNlplb5y20/s1600/Waingapu%2BHarbour%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N04HGSQfpJo/VsMygaQKzQI/AAAAAAAAYDE/BLNlplb5y20/s640/Waingapu%2BHarbour%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We have left
going ashore, assembling our mountain bikes and starting to explore the area
until tomorrow…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">You’ll find
out how we went in the next edition of our blog.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So that’s it
for Episode 46 of our sailing Blog.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">What started
off as a slow and frustrating start to this blog (and the cruising year), has
certainly finished off with a couple of fun and action packed weeks on board
Lorelei in Komodo and Sumba.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul &
Lisa Hogger<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Yacht Lorelei<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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sv_loreleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14235157985522355104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245635408700620959.post-19503382174612092282016-01-14T11:18:00.001-08:002019-02-09T17:40:29.233-08:00Episode 45 New South Wales and returning to Lorelei<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-size: 28pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Lorelei’s
Sailing Adventures</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Normally our
blog is all about our “sailing” adventures.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This post
(like our 2 last post) has no sailing as we have been doing some land based
travels.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s our last
land based blog post before we resume International Sailing again in January
2016.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At the end of
Episode 44, is was the first week in December and we were in Brisbane and about
to hop on a plane to Sydney, NSW. <br />
A simple flight in comparison to the dozen or so flights we had throughout Asia
during the past 8 weeks – or so we thought…….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our route for this
Episode of the Blog.</span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Even though
we are Virgin Velocity Airline Members, we chose to fly Jetstar instead as the
times and cost suited us better.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It turned out
to be a terrible experience and we will NEVER, EVER fly with Jetstar airlines
again.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s the only
time we have ever had our duty-free alcohol weighed as cabin baggage and
subsequently we were forced to pay $50 excess cabin baggage weight to the
rudest staff member we have ever come across as we boarded the plane.
Ironically our bags in the hold were underweight and combined with the alcohol,
it still would have come in under the allowed limited.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was just
one of many terrible experiences that day that left us with mouths-agape.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt;">SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES </span></u></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our
destination was to be to the Central Coast (100km north of Sydney), but our
first priority was to go to the Indonesian Embassy in Maroubra (Eastern Sydney)
to apply for a new 6 month Indo Visa.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We knew it
might take a while and we could possibly hit hurdles so we did it first thing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst we
were in Sydney we caught up with some friends.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">First stop
was Andrew and Kristyn’s home in North Sydney.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had an
awesome time catching up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Andy went
fishing before we arrived and caught us fish and crabs to have for dinner.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next
morning (slightly dusty….) we set of for a surf mission along Sydney’s Northern
Beaches looking for waves. There was swell but no decent banks and in the end
we settled for a body surf at Palm Beach with Lisa and Andy getting pretty
badly dumped on the shore break.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Kristyn had a
great Lego Christmas Advent Calendar that we opened each morning. Big kids at heart…..<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On Saturday
night we headed out for dinner and then down to the harbour side for Paul to
take some time exposure photos of the city skyline. Considering he didn’t have
his tripod and set the camera up on a toilet block roof propped up by broken
sticks, he was pretty happy with the results.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
pretty excited when some unexpected fireworks started going off around the
Opera House at around 9pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We also
caught up with our friend Loren who we met in Yap, Micronesia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Loren lived
in yap when we visited there in 2014 and being the only Aussies in Yap, we
linked up to have some fun.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In
Micronesia, Loren kindly took us to Yap Day (one of our travel highlights –
Episode 23) and she also came and visited us in Palau for a week where we had a
blast exploring the Rock Islands and Diving (Episode 25).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Loren was now
living in Sydney, so we caught up again.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a
great day out with her and her friends.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt;">THE CENTRAL COAST, NEW SOUTH WALES</span></u></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Finally we
were back on The Central Coast after more than 6 years!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s our home
where we grew up and still the home of most of our family and friends.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Even though
we were there for nearly 4 weeks, we had loads of family to catch up with,
friends to visit as well as house maintenance, Christmas, New Years, multiple
birthdays and banking, shopping, paperwork, etc…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It made for a
very busy time. We must have slept in over a dozen different beds in the 4
weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We used
Paul’s parent’s, George and Chez’s house as a base.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first job
there was to set up the Christmas tree.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They live on
a river which meant we could go for a kayak, SUP, or boat rides along the river
or out into the lake.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The river is
packed full of wildlife including lots of bird species, fish and water dragons.
Paul was able to take a camera in a Tupperware dish on the kayak and get some
shots of the wildlife and river scenes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Water
Dragons were Paul’s favourite and a real challenge to sneak up to and get close
up photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
loads of large Snake Birds nesting in the trees over the river.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A few doors
down from George & Chez live family friends Keith and Barb.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Keith spent 6
weeks on board Lorelei back in 2011 and had a wonderful time (Episode 3). <br />
He taught Paul as a child many of the finer points of sailing whilst holidaying
together on Myall Lakes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went down
for dinner one night and “sampled” a few of his wines that he makes at home
with his small setup for family and friends called <br />
“Kalua Wines”.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Needless to
say we all took our favourite bottle up for dinner and we brought a few home
for Christmas celebrations.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We thought
his White Verdelho (along with Barb’s cooking) was superb.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The reserve
between George and Keith’s house also has loads of wildlife along the river
bank.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The water
dragons laze around on the outdoor furniture and the ducks happily hang out on
the mowed lawn and small timber wharfs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note the Cicada wing in
the ducks mouth <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Currently
there is a Tawny Frogmouth Owl that has built a nest just near George’s boat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There is a
small riverboat 3 doors down that looked great as an old sepia photo.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa’s parents
Jack and Carol live not far away and also on the water, but their house backs
onto a lake and not a river.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sunset on the
first night there was amazing but we found out the next morning that Sydney had
experienced a powerful electrical storm from the intense weather system.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst in
Terrigal we also visited Terrigal Beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly it’s
just not the same anymore.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">You can’t get
close to the beach carpark to go for a swim or surf because of everybody
visiting the wall to wall coffee shops or cafés.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The surfshops
are gone and replaced by coffee outlets and our favourite family owned bakeries
and burger/fish & chip shops have been replaced by multi-national fast food
chain stores.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Even the
local Pub is now a multi-storey upmarket setup with prices to match.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">I guess you
cannot stop progress…. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Great for
real estate prices on our property, terrible for everything else.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly it was
the same along most of the coastal fringe of The Central Coast. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">What was once
a relaxed coastal strip is now a very busy satellite suburb of Sydney.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">December 13<sup>th</sup>
was Paul’s brother Rod’s birthday.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
it fell on a Sunday and we were able to spend the weekend there with his family.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The stinking
hot days were creating awesome sunsets from his balcony overlooking the
Brisbane Water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the
Saturday we went Crabbing with Rod to stock up for the Sunday Birthday BBQ.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We took our niece
Claire who was chief crab netter and Pelican feeder.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the Sunday
the family all rocked up for a BBQ lunch.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Mid-week we
could look after Claire and nephew Dean whilst everyone was at work.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Time down at
the park was fun.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We caught up
with friends Bruce and Kylie and their 2 kids at their new home which we hadn’t
seen yet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When their
daughter Alana was born, Paul was the first of the friends to get in for a
cuddle as he had to fly out the next day. The next time he saw her she was nearly
7!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><b><i>One of the best meals we had whilst away from Lorelei - <br />Bruce's amazing Seafood Paella and homemade Sangria wine. YUM!!!!</i></b></span><br />
<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We took a
trip up to Lake Macquarie to visit friends John and Jenny on their new cruising
yacht Tramontana.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We have
travelled in company with them in 4 countries whilst they owned Sharkface, but
they have sold the racer/cruiser and updated to a stunning round-the-world
capable cruiser which is the same length as Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Surfing and Surf
club is a huge sport in our family and on the last weekend before Christmas, we
drove to Newcastle with George & Chez to watch the Australian Nutrigrain
Ironman Surf lifesaving Series which was held at Newcastle Beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst it was
just a normal round for the professional Iron men & Iron women, it was the
finals for the juniors.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Only the top
10 competitors from each age group (which was based on qualifying throughout
the season) were able to compete in the finals.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The whole family was very proud
to have 3 out of 4 of our nieces & nephews who had made it to the finals.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
fantastic experience for them to compete which such a large crowd on the same
course as their idols.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our 4 surfclub kids in
the middle. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">L-R: Ngaire, Claire,
Dean (who didn’t compete) and Bryn <br />
with Lisa, Chez and George.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul G in the middle is
Ngaire and Bryn’s dad. He was on safety duty for the comp.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Claire competed
first and the field copped a flogging as a large set of 7 big waves smashed them
on the paddle leg going out and on the way back in.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They were all
pretty tired even before the run and swim legs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ihIDh2ODHeY/VodiBqtC8pI/AAAAAAAAVWs/oV6irkM8aoc/s1600/Newcastle%2BIronman%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ihIDh2ODHeY/VodiBqtC8pI/AAAAAAAAVWs/oV6irkM8aoc/s640/Newcastle%2BIronman%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Claire second from left
at the start.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Claire with her board in
the air<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Claire getting swamped
in the foam coming back into the beach<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Bryn was next
and conditions were about the same but he had watched the earlier heats and took
a safer and faster route out to the turning buoys.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Ngaire competed
in the under 15 girls and was the highest placed finalist of all our family,
however she was up against many other top competitors from lots of different
clubs up and down the coast.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Ngaire on the run leg –
the leg she dislikes the most…<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">None of our 3
competitors achieved podium finishes but it was a huge achievement even to get
to the finals.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The whole
family and their surf clubs were very proud of them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the nice
weather continuing, we decided to have a day at the beach with Lisa’s niece
Sarah and her family.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The kids swam
for hours in the water at the packed beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With just
days until Christmas, we went back to George and Chez’s house and relaxed
before the big day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We did a
couple of boat trips in the nice weather.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One trip was
in the bigger boat over to The Entrance.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There was
loads of bird life on the lake.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At night we
could have dinner outside around the open fire and beside the river.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In true
Aussie style, Dad would make Damper (a traditional Aussie bread made in a camp
oven) on the open fire.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Dad has some
massive staghorn ferns on the property which are very old.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They gets
lots of comments from passers by walking along the river’s edge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5J4OUc9jNcg/VodgzBC18dI/AAAAAAAAVPs/INBXgbIoxmw/s1600/Dads%2BFerns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5J4OUc9jNcg/VodgzBC18dI/AAAAAAAAVPs/INBXgbIoxmw/s640/Dads%2BFerns.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We also did
loads of exploring up the river, past all the development.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We would take
the small tinny, the kayaks or SUP’s.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul took his
camera on one sortie in the Tinny.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul was excited to get
a shot of a small Azzure Kingfisher (left) which don’t stay still for very long.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With just
days to go we tried to get some Mud Crabs for Christmas.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Dad scored
with a few big ones from the traps set in the backyard.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Eozpxw-rIjM/Vodg1iYV-6I/AAAAAAAAVP4/dt9q_wtg4B0/s1600/Dads%2BMuddie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Eozpxw-rIjM/Vodg1iYV-6I/AAAAAAAAVP4/dt9q_wtg4B0/s640/Dads%2BMuddie.JPG" width="441" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Being in a semi-rural
area, the volunteer bush fire brigade do a special fund raising santa run for
the kids with the fire trucks, complete with lights and sirens.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With
Christmas Day being for the kids, we decided to stay at Claire and Dean’s house
on Chrissy Eve and have some fun.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul, Dean and
Claire made a Gingerbread House which Dean had fun decorating.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Christmas Day
turned into a very busy day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">First it was
brekky and presents with Claire and Dean.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Then it was
off to Lake Macquarie to have lunch at Lisa’s sister Sue’s house.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sue and Ken
put on a big lunch for the whole family and it was the first time all three
siblings had been together for a long time as Len (Lisa’s brother) had flown
down from QLD.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa’s Family Christmas
Photo.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For late arvo
and dinner we ended up back at George and Chez’s place and drank & relaxed
as the kids played happily in and on the water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EA-S1GV0jWU/Vodg2fomfiI/AAAAAAAAVP8/Ix7ZCgB7V7w/s1600/Dean%2BDragon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EA-S1GV0jWU/Vodg2fomfiI/AAAAAAAAVP8/Ix7ZCgB7V7w/s640/Dean%2BDragon.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Dean with a Water Dragon
on the fallen tree</span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Christmas Day
also coincided with the full moon and that night Paul was able to get some time
exposure shots in the street before the rain started.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On Boxing Day
we followed the family tradition of watching the Sydney to Hobart start (which
was awesome!!!!) before heading back to Sue and Ken’s house as Sue had the time
off between Chrissy and New Year.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They took us
for a drive to visit one of our good old favourite surfing spots, Catherine
Hill Bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This is a
quiet old sleepy seaside town that has an old pier and some remote beaches and
headlands.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The cold
overcast day made for some interesting photos of the old pier, some of which Paul
turned into Black and White’s or Sepia toned.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A local surfer taking
off dangerously close to the rocks<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
home from Lake Macquarie we stopped off to have lunch at Swansea.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We watched
the bridge open to let a few yachts through which was a trip down memory lane
as this is where we started from for our first stint of full time cruising back
in 2000.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2fazR3G9-ac/Vpd8Ao_xcAI/AAAAAAAAVno/o_qVGZuGtZg/s1600/Swansea%2BBridge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2fazR3G9-ac/Vpd8Ao_xcAI/AAAAAAAAVno/o_qVGZuGtZg/s640/Swansea%2BBridge.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For New Year’s
Eve Paul really wanted to go to Sydney to watch the Harbour Fireworks but after
seeing the news reports 24 hours earlier of 1000’s of people already camping
out and over 1.5 million people expected around the harbour, we decided to
abort and look for a quieter and less stressful option.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we loaded
up George and Chez’s boat and the 4 of us took off mid arvo for a trip to The
Entrance to see the 9pm fireworks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We anchored
up on a very small (1.5m/5ft x 4m/14ft) sand bank and had drinks and nibbles.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gu1OOZ-fuPc/Vodhn8-VyuI/AAAAAAAAVUE/_U6DB-0mhdQ/s1600/New%2BYears%2BEve%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gu1OOZ-fuPc/Vodhn8-VyuI/AAAAAAAAVUE/_U6DB-0mhdQ/s640/New%2BYears%2BEve%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul was able
to set up his tripod on the sand bank and get photos 360 degrees all around us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As the sun
set behind the boat, he was able to get some nice shots.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kFMcEDw4Vus/VodhrGi46cI/AAAAAAAAVUg/J2nFNu7f4uI/s1600/New%2BYears%2BEve%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kFMcEDw4Vus/VodhrGi46cI/AAAAAAAAVUg/J2nFNu7f4uI/s640/New%2BYears%2BEve%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Chez and Lisa
cooked Pad-See-Ew Prawns on the boat before the fireworks started.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rSvhPw8R4Jg/Vodhv-hwysI/AAAAAAAAVVA/JxcsiQaTSW0/s1600/New%2BYears%2BEve%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rSvhPw8R4Jg/Vodhv-hwysI/AAAAAAAAVVA/JxcsiQaTSW0/s640/New%2BYears%2BEve%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
loads of people along the foreshore at The Entrance waiting for the 9pm
fireworks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AirPbgp51zc/VodhsUs1N4I/AAAAAAAAVUk/nPHgbhKhGqw/s1600/New%2BYears%2BEve%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AirPbgp51zc/VodhsUs1N4I/AAAAAAAAVUk/nPHgbhKhGqw/s640/New%2BYears%2BEve%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But we were really
amazed at the amount of people lining the walkway on the bridge behind us. It
was packed!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A4rPJ7RSaFI/VodhuR_-UcI/AAAAAAAAVU0/qDaSprHSUOQ/s1600/New%2BYears%2BEve%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A4rPJ7RSaFI/VodhuR_-UcI/AAAAAAAAVU0/qDaSprHSUOQ/s640/New%2BYears%2BEve%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The fireworks
were let off from a barge in the channel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As the last
fireworks were shooting into the sky, a cloud of firework smoke was wafting
over The Entrance. It glowed blue as the lights of the foreshore shone through
it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst Lisa
and George went prawning after the fireworks, Paul took some more photos of the
opposite shore.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Y_H5bmv-2o/VodhpxgdzjI/AAAAAAAAVUY/W_CnBVNjiUw/s1600/New%2BYears%2BEve%2B%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Y_H5bmv-2o/VodhpxgdzjI/AAAAAAAAVUY/W_CnBVNjiUw/s640/New%2BYears%2BEve%2B%252811%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 20pt;"><span style="color: red;"><u>2016 – Off with a BANG!!!!</u></span></span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">2016 started
with a bang and continued that way.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first
bang was the fireworks on New Years Eve followed by days of banging thunder and
rain banging on the roof.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The rain was
so heavy it caused widespread flooding along much of the NSW central section.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The worse hit
areas were about 100km north and north-west of The Central Coast around the
Western Hunter Region.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The rivers
flooded causing huge damage to property and livestock.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ecaUYhRZFVc/Vpd74xnmmsI/AAAAAAAAVls/sQoDQEUhykA/s1600/NSW%2BFloods%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ecaUYhRZFVc/Vpd74xnmmsI/AAAAAAAAVls/sQoDQEUhykA/s640/NSW%2BFloods%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1YManXjVKJk/Vpd75wuVsuI/AAAAAAAAVmA/6V7sYl7t21A/s1600/NSW%2BFloods%2B%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1YManXjVKJk/Vpd75wuVsuI/AAAAAAAAVmA/6V7sYl7t21A/s640/NSW%2BFloods%2B%25285%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The Central Coast had its fair share with roads cut and rising waterways.</span></b><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iCgyVZVex4I/Vpd769LoDCI/AAAAAAAAVmY/--5D-zAhqPM/s1600/NSW%2BFloods%2B%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iCgyVZVex4I/Vpd769LoDCI/AAAAAAAAVmY/--5D-zAhqPM/s640/NSW%2BFloods%2B%25288%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">George and
Chez had to activate water pumps under their house and the river rose
considerably making the floating wharf rise up to its limit.</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-22OxP4Qn4Fg/Vpd7yIN4HoI/AAAAAAAAVj8/k2zg1u4YHoA/s1600/Dad%2BHouse%2BFlood%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-22OxP4Qn4Fg/Vpd7yIN4HoI/AAAAAAAAVj8/k2zg1u4YHoA/s640/Dad%2BHouse%2BFlood%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2FyX9b8lDzo/Vpd7yHrJlYI/AAAAAAAAVkA/E5Rpwm15giM/s1600/Dad%2BHouse%2BFlood%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2FyX9b8lDzo/Vpd7yHrJlYI/AAAAAAAAVkA/E5Rpwm15giM/s640/Dad%2BHouse%2BFlood%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was so
cold with temperatures in the high teens to low twenties which is so low for
summer.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For us it
wasn’t so bad as we went to see Star Wars in 3D and finalised plans for our
traveling adventures for 2016.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However we
really did feel sorry for all the holiday makers who were camping and trying to
enjoy the outdoors on what is the busiest holiday week of the year in
Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Unfortunately
our house didn’t fare too well in the storms with the chimney blowing off in
the strong winds and causing water damage to the inside of the house from the
rain. </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">
We didn’t find out until the day after we left Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One big
highlight for us in the New Year was to catch with friend <br />
Lex De Bock and meet his wife Kelly and daughters Sarah & Isabel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul and Lex
went to school together from kindergarten and stayed friends right through
school. They even looked the same!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They had not
seen each other for over 20 years so it was a fantastic night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Ironically
Lisa and Lex were also friends as teenagers and would tenpin bowl and
roller-skate together.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gnM1rxPJgiE/Vpd71866VAI/AAAAAAAAVmI/koFhr5xnwbo/s1600/Lex%2BDinner%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gnM1rxPJgiE/Vpd71866VAI/AAAAAAAAVmI/koFhr5xnwbo/s640/Lex%2BDinner%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QiPR_K-GSEY/Vpd72ioQJ8I/AAAAAAAAVlI/oNTcGt18Abw/s1600/Lex%2BDinner%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QiPR_K-GSEY/Vpd72ioQJ8I/AAAAAAAAVlI/oNTcGt18Abw/s640/Lex%2BDinner%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Bye Bye Australia – Hello Indonesia.</span></u></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the 7<sup>th</sup>
Jan we packed up and left The Central Coast to travel to Sydney airport to
board a plane back to Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were very
thankful to George and Chez who kindly drove us and our 60+ kilos of luggage to
Sydney airport in the miserable rain.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">8 hours later
we touched down at Denpasar International Airport in Bali.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Talk about a
stark contrast in weather…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">All the
people on the plane were dressed in warm clothing and we arrived in Bali to
find it stinking hot with 34 degrees and a high humidity.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Coming out
through the main door of the airport was a joke.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Waiting
outside were 100’s of jostling Balinese cab drivers desperate to get a cab
fare.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
crazy!!!<br />
One step out the door and they were rushing over and fighting over who would
take our trolley full of luggage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We already
had transport sorted so Paul was trying to wrestle the trolley back off them
and push through the dense and relentless group.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A few terse
comments in the local language and some remarks about having respect and the
crowd soon realised we were not the average tourist and they let us through.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We did feel a
little sorry for the other holiday makers who were coming though behind us (we
got out first as we didn’t have to get a visa).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">If this was
your first time in Bali, you couldn’t speak the language and you stepped out
into that, you’d be pretty shocked! <br />
It’s not a good first impression of the place.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Having said
that, Bali is very quiet from a western tourist perspective.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With a
difficult 2015 for Bali with the Bali 9 executions, 2 Volcanos erupting causing
chaos for the airports, heightened security amongst fears of terrorist attacks
over the New Year period and a local gang-land war currently raging, it’s little
wonder that holidaymakers have taken notice of the travel warnings and decided
to holiday elsewhere.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly it’s
reflecting on many of the businesses that rely on the western tourists,
including the cab drivers.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were able
to get back to Lorelei (which had been safely moored in Serangan Harbour for
the last 3 months) just before the sunset and watch a terrific sunset over the
other boats in the harbour.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dcf0NJmDI1I/Vpd7-0iPHOI/AAAAAAAAVnQ/tofjuojGZoU/s1600/Serangan%2BSunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dcf0NJmDI1I/Vpd7-0iPHOI/AAAAAAAAVnQ/tofjuojGZoU/s640/Serangan%2BSunset.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next
morning we had to put our big boom tent up on Lorelei to try to keep the heat
out.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was so hot
during the day with clear skies, little wind and scorching mid-thirties
temperatures for at least 18 hours a day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was still
high twenties in the middle of the night!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vRmsExfRCVo/Vpd73oj_i3I/AAAAAAAAVlc/IMn3UR5V37s/s1600/Lorelei%2BSerangan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vRmsExfRCVo/Vpd73oj_i3I/AAAAAAAAVlc/IMn3UR5V37s/s640/Lorelei%2BSerangan.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When the
locals are complaining about the heat, then you know it’s hot!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Even the
local fisherman were immersing themselves right up to their chest.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iqRX5HQuVyE/Vpd79QqNJNI/AAAAAAAAVnA/BzXUFZeaPuA/s1600/Serangan%2BFisherman%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iqRX5HQuVyE/Vpd79QqNJNI/AAAAAAAAVnA/BzXUFZeaPuA/s640/Serangan%2BFisherman%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R6_z5dwYjAE/Vpd7961PX1I/AAAAAAAAVnE/8kqSaQKVA-4/s1600/Serangan%2BFisherman%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R6_z5dwYjAE/Vpd7961PX1I/AAAAAAAAVnE/8kqSaQKVA-4/s640/Serangan%2BFisherman%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For the next
week we set about returning Lorelei to her normal cruising state.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">She was
pretty dirty on the outside both above and below the waterline.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The volcanic
ash and dust had made her pretty dirty topside and the overworked harbour with
its less than perfect water quality had given us a living reef on the hull that
had fish and crabs living on it big enough that you could eat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The propeller
was one big ball of coral!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we spent 2
hours early each morning scraping and scrubbing to get her back to normal.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R0R83EM_6tc/Vpd7x0f_X8I/AAAAAAAAVkI/hywk0Ud3D6Q/s1600/Clean%2BHull.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R0R83EM_6tc/Vpd7x0f_X8I/AAAAAAAAVkI/hywk0Ud3D6Q/s640/Clean%2BHull.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The stainless
steel was also tarnished and we employed a local man to help us polish the
stainless from bow to stern.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-asHGuB-1EmY/Vpd78whsFFI/AAAAAAAAVm8/FL-DQHnw-wE/s1600/Polish%2BStainless%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-asHGuB-1EmY/Vpd78whsFFI/AAAAAAAAVm8/FL-DQHnw-wE/s640/Polish%2BStainless%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our davits
are so high up that Lisa had to haul Paul up in the boson’s chair so he could
polish them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G1-guNMjMI8/Vpd78qQDZsI/AAAAAAAAVm0/-2tju3KaCUc/s1600/Polish%2BStainless%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G1-guNMjMI8/Vpd78qQDZsI/AAAAAAAAVm0/-2tju3KaCUc/s640/Polish%2BStainless%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul also had
to service the engines and we had to call out the local refrigeration mechanics to get the fridge going again after 3 months of no use.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dlhcR3iivVg/Vpd7z2rpo3I/AAAAAAAAVkg/0yjJzoHyIKs/s1600/Fridge%2BFix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dlhcR3iivVg/Vpd7z2rpo3I/AAAAAAAAVkg/0yjJzoHyIKs/s640/Fridge%2BFix.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Onshore
Serangan had changed heaps during the 3 months we were away.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Some things
for the better – some not….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One sad story
was from a local couple, Wayan and Deah.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They had a
great little business on the water’s edger providing services to the yachts and
cooking great local food.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Wayan’s older
brother owned the land and fell terminally ill with cancer. He accused Wayan of
casting a spell on him to make him sick and out of retribution, demolished
Wayan and Deah’s shop.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QdhPy6Zh_tw/Vpd8CxB7d5I/AAAAAAAAVoM/jNEz9EqomcM/s1600/Wayan%2BShop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QdhPy6Zh_tw/Vpd8CxB7d5I/AAAAAAAAVoM/jNEz9EqomcM/s640/Wayan%2BShop.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">All that is left of
Wayan’s shop – rubble and an old frame</span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The wharves
have also changed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The old
tender wharf is gone and replaced by another and a flash new main wharf has
been completed to service the tourist & commercial boats running out of the
area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ntA1IqW0v8/Vpd7_Wk16gI/AAAAAAAAVnU/unSQX88vR1M/s1600/Serangan%2BWharf%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ntA1IqW0v8/Vpd7_Wk16gI/AAAAAAAAVnU/unSQX88vR1M/s640/Serangan%2BWharf%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zjpCT7gMjyY/Vpd8AfWmyuI/AAAAAAAAVnk/u7oSDCz0vsc/s1600/Serangan%2BWharf%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zjpCT7gMjyY/Vpd8AfWmyuI/AAAAAAAAVnk/u7oSDCz0vsc/s640/Serangan%2BWharf%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Wayan (who’s shop was
destroyed) with Lisa at the new Wharf.</span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A big new
flash looking building was being constructed before we left.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It looked
huge and far surpassed anything else in the area as far as size and quality.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We thought it
was going to be government offices or something similar but it turns out it is
a Tsunami evacuation centre.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The best
looking building in the region and it will hopefully never be needed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X4-hZ_L_6Lo/Vpd8B1VUcRI/AAAAAAAAVoA/ZmJRtL1VHoY/s1600/Tsunami%2BEvac%2BCentre%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X4-hZ_L_6Lo/Vpd8B1VUcRI/AAAAAAAAVoA/ZmJRtL1VHoY/s640/Tsunami%2BEvac%2BCentre%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were able
to walk up onto the top platform and take some photos overlooking Serangan and
the harbour.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With Wayan’s
shop gone, we did manage to find another great local café owned by locals Pima
and Depbie.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They are
great hosts and their food is cheap and fantastic.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Dc8_PYEHL0/Vpd77rdcRFI/AAAAAAAAVmo/xSX9mJ8GKqI/s1600/Pima%2BCafe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Dc8_PYEHL0/Vpd77rdcRFI/AAAAAAAAVmo/xSX9mJ8GKqI/s640/Pima%2BCafe.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a walk
around Serangan and Lisa got to have a look at the fighting Cocks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Now no funny comments
about Lisa holding a Cock……</span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CeE4g1uwcy4/Vpd71wQq6qI/AAAAAAAAVk8/iPigItCz4YE/s1600/Lady%2BCooking%2BFish.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CeE4g1uwcy4/Vpd71wQq6qI/AAAAAAAAVk8/iPigItCz4YE/s640/Lady%2BCooking%2BFish.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A local lady outside
Pima’s café cooking fish</span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We contacted
our friend driver Wayan with whom we did many trips and tours towards the end
of 2015.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He took us on
a full day shopping mission to find parts for servicing, supplies, and to do a
full food re-provision.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With his local
knowledge, we managed to do in one day what would have taken us 1 week without
his assistance.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">His car was
packed to the roof by the time we got back to the wharf.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He’s our
favourite person in Bali and we can highly recommend him to do any type of tour
around Bali.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><a href="http://www.dipabalitour.com/">www.dipabalitour.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So now
Lorelei is mostly ready to go but we will need to make a final stop in Lombok
at Medana Bay Marina to have access to fuel and water so we can wash the boat
properly and fill all the tanks.</span></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Plans for 2016<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We have some
BIG plans for 2016 but a lot will depend on the weather and sadly we are not
off to a good start.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The plan is
to sail 1200nm east from Bali to West Papua and explore an area called Triton
Bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Like Raja
Ampat further north, it has world class diving with the added bonus of having
Whale Shark congregations there early each year. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The issue is
we need westerly winds to get there from Bali and that is the normal wind
direction for this time of the year.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Unfortunately,
for the entire week we have been in Bali it is still winter trade wind style
Easterly winds and the long term forecast has no indication that it will switch
to the west.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The ocean
currents are also all over the place and very inconsistent.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s very
frustrating and we are not prepared to motor 2500km into the wind, current and
swell.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we will
just have to wait and see whether we can even get there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The upside is
the surf is still around and the dive sites around Northern Bali, Lombok and Komodo
are all diveable in the current weather patterns.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Later on in
the year, we have a 6 week road trip planned taking us from Alice Springs to
Darwin in the Northern Territory of Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It will be
followed by 4+ months onboard Lorelei exploring between Darwin and Broome on
Australia’s North West Coast in an area known as <br />
“The Kimberly”.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">And from
there……well, we just don’t know yet….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However it is
nice to have options for the end of 2016/early 2017 and there are lots of them
going North, South, East or West.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Look out for
Episode 46 in one months’ time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It could be
about anywhere between Bali and Papua New Guinea…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Have a safe
and enjoyable 2016.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul and Lisa
Hogger<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Now back on
our clean yacht “Lorelei”.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /><span style="color: yellow;">
Sadly just as we were about to press “POST” on this episode, we received news
about a series of terrorist attacks in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="color: yellow;">The news is
only hours old but the city is in lockdown, 7 are confirmed dead and ISIS
linked fanatics are believed responsible.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="color: yellow;">Speaking to the
locals here, they are appalled at the shocking news, which is live on most
Indonesian TV networks.</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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sv_loreleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14235157985522355104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245635408700620959.post-35154392439867044902015-12-13T20:16:00.003-08:002019-02-09T17:39:49.985-08:00Episode 44 Singapore, Malaysia and Queensland<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 28.0pt;"><b>Lorelei’s
Sailing Adventures</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VFsCt0DlVPckqs1dS8cOdLwhZAWXotyH2PpjasQWwW2ftxX6vrnIjTPok1LCw8V6QcrC169HWIQx7gd3eFHZYKcE2SWJHL_UyKWqodZMUf2oElwSg8gPMpBZQ7vrNALd-e4hAvwM7eo7/s1600/Episode+44+singapore+and+mayaysia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="1600" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VFsCt0DlVPckqs1dS8cOdLwhZAWXotyH2PpjasQWwW2ftxX6vrnIjTPok1LCw8V6QcrC169HWIQx7gd3eFHZYKcE2SWJHL_UyKWqodZMUf2oElwSg8gPMpBZQ7vrNALd-e4hAvwM7eo7/s640/Episode+44+singapore+and+mayaysia.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Normally our
blog is all about our “sailing” adventures.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This post
(like our last post) has no sailing as we have been doing some land based
travels.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At the end of
Episode 43, we had just left Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand after 2 fantastic
weeks there visiting friends David & Maddie.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gtDXVeVb8tQ/Vm4uhA4nwlI/AAAAAAAAU3I/wCt1JS6oZoI/s1600/Queensland%2BRoute%2BMap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gtDXVeVb8tQ/Vm4uhA4nwlI/AAAAAAAAU3I/wCt1JS6oZoI/s640/Queensland%2BRoute%2BMap.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our route for this
Episode of the Blog.</span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our flight
from Chain Mai to Bangkok was uneventful and so was our evening flight from
Bangkok to Singapore.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">From Bangkok
we had to fly up through a storm which gave us a good view of the cloud
formations.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Climbing up from a busy Bangkok
Airport<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Going up through a storm<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Singapore’s Changi
International Airport<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt;">SINGAPORE</span></u></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We arrived at
Singapore at 9pm and were really tired – and hungry.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At Bangkok we
sat next to an Aussie couple Peter and Tran in the departure lounge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We bumped
into them again at the immigration queue in Singapore, again in the Taxi rank
and then funnily enough again in the foyer of the hotel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We all had a
laugh as we could have shared a cab….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were all
hungry so we went to Chinatown and the 4 of us had a great feed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had booked
into the Furama City Centre Hotel in Singapore.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When we
arrived, they upgraded us to a 15<sup>th</sup> floor suite as we were staying
for 1 week.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We got to our
room after 10pm to find an incredible view over the city and harbour. We had a huge window 2.5m/8ft tall and the entire
width of the room and never grew tired of the amazing view.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we took this photo
the entertainment centre in the middle of the frame was all lit up and going
crazy as Taylor Swift was performing on her world tour.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For our first
full day we went and explored town and did some camera accessory shopping and
brought a new tripod.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Singapore has some
unusual looking buildings…<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The most iconic
building in Singapore is the newly built Marina Bay Sands Hotel. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s just
huge with a span across the top that resembles a ship.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The most
Iconic Statue in Singapore is the Merlion,<br />
which is half Mermaid / half Lion.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst in
Singapore we either walked everywhere or caught the MRT rail system.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Compared to
the Sydney or Brisbane rail system, the MRT is incredible and super modern,
clean, efficient, cheap and with so many trains, very little waiting.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst it’s
the same the western world over, everyone on the train was glued to their
iPhone.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We soon
realised that Singapore really starts to come alive at night and the rest of
our week in Singapore reflected that. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We would
sleep in till 9am, have breakfast, start our activities at 11am and go until at
least 11pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was so
unusual for us compared to being on board Lorelei when by 11am, half the day is
over.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The highlight
for Paul was the 3 night time light shows on around the city.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first one
we went to was the OCBC Garden Rhapsody.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This was located
at the Gardens by the Bay Park where there is a stunning forest of giant metal
trees that stand over 50m/175ft tall.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The trees
come alive in a brilliant light show that can been seen from many locations. The
20 minute performance is on twice each night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We enjoyed it
so much the first time from the lookout that we moved to underneath the trees
and watched the 2<sup>nd</sup> show 1 hour later.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We took over
600 photos and it was very hard to pick which ones to put in the blog. We could
have filled an entire episode with the various colour combinations from the
light show.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0NLMy_dPbFs/Vm4icbiBVWI/AAAAAAAAUfU/HnB0jKuSBqY/s1600/Garden%2BRhapsody%2B%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0NLMy_dPbFs/Vm4icbiBVWI/AAAAAAAAUfU/HnB0jKuSBqY/s640/Garden%2BRhapsody%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
home we stopped to take some photos of the magnificent Marina Bay Sands Hotel
all lit up at night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul was very
happy with the results – and the new tripod.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we were
taking the photos we just caught the end of the Marina Bay Sands laser show
which is projected from the top of the building.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dnZkwfqWFp4/Vm4kVgwnAsI/AAAAAAAAUps/cddOsUaX5Kg/s1600/MArina%2BBay%2BSands%2BNight%2BShots%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dnZkwfqWFp4/Vm4kVgwnAsI/AAAAAAAAUps/cddOsUaX5Kg/s640/MArina%2BBay%2BSands%2BNight%2BShots%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VG9UgBUvi50/Vm4kZSzynoI/AAAAAAAAUp8/7lwaCgWhUwU/s1600/MArina%2BBay%2BSands%2BNight%2BShots%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VG9UgBUvi50/Vm4kZSzynoI/AAAAAAAAUp8/7lwaCgWhUwU/s640/MArina%2BBay%2BSands%2BNight%2BShots%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Walking back
through Marina Bay Sands was just incredible. The place is just so huge it’s hard
to fathom how they built it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The interior
looking from either side of the walkway through the centre is enormous.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Mn2DRHukWs/Vm4kamjJtJI/AAAAAAAAUqE/yEXWBJyOHYg/s1600/MArina%2BBay%2BSands%2BNight%2BShots%2B%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Mn2DRHukWs/Vm4kamjJtJI/AAAAAAAAUqE/yEXWBJyOHYg/s640/MArina%2BBay%2BSands%2BNight%2BShots%2B%25286%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In front of
the Hotel is the Marina Bay Sands Shopping Complex.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It is very
ritzy and has a canal with Gondolas running though the lower level.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1nGQLA-iw2M/Vm4kluzhAMI/AAAAAAAAUrY/lojVQaXI494/s1600/Marina%2BBay%2BSands%2BShopping%2BMall%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1nGQLA-iw2M/Vm4kluzhAMI/AAAAAAAAUrY/lojVQaXI494/s640/Marina%2BBay%2BSands%2BShopping%2BMall%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We also took
some terrific photos of the city skyline.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UD3Rm35yiEs/Vm4l6niVcMI/AAAAAAAAUz0/Lt-xR3qf-Jc/s1600/Singapore%2BCity%2BNight%2BShots%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UD3Rm35yiEs/Vm4l6niVcMI/AAAAAAAAUz0/Lt-xR3qf-Jc/s640/Singapore%2BCity%2BNight%2BShots%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The glass building
in the middle of the shot below is surrounded by water. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
amazing and all the more so when we realised it was an Yves Saint Laurent retail
store.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f3e4fsjLmVk/Vm4l8CL6VxI/AAAAAAAAU0E/Cl2C7lP8NGA/s1600/Singapore%2BCity%2BNight%2BShots%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f3e4fsjLmVk/Vm4l8CL6VxI/AAAAAAAAU0E/Cl2C7lP8NGA/s640/Singapore%2BCity%2BNight%2BShots%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HsmsDsBvd9I/Vm4l-UPS_sI/AAAAAAAAU0U/Jb9LlkWP--o/s1600/Singapore%2BCity%2BNight%2BShots%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HsmsDsBvd9I/Vm4l-UPS_sI/AAAAAAAAU0U/Jb9LlkWP--o/s640/Singapore%2BCity%2BNight%2BShots%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa on the Olympic
Boardwalk<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found a
street in the city cordoned off and loads of stalls selling Sate Chicken
Sticks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There was a sign
saying some crazy person had consumed 150 sticks in just 20 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oFtnKxNG9EU/Vm4iGir7qsI/AAAAAAAAUdE/Rg8TiswuF3Q/s1600/China%2BTown%2B%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oFtnKxNG9EU/Vm4iGir7qsI/AAAAAAAAUdE/Rg8TiswuF3Q/s640/China%2BTown%2B%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7TUGV-YqxEo/Vm4h5vbBhGI/AAAAAAAAUcA/9q1jQXNv4-0/s1600/China%2BTown%2B%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7TUGV-YqxEo/Vm4h5vbBhGI/AAAAAAAAUcA/9q1jQXNv4-0/s640/China%2BTown%2B%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">China town
was a favourite place to visit and eat as it was only a 2 minute walk from the
hotel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The food choices
were immense and most places were open until midnight.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the centre
of China Town are a few very significant temples.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The oldest Hindu
temple in Singapore is the Sri Mariamman Temple which was built in 1827.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The statues
on the rooves of the buildings were very intricate.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The inside of
the temple also had some detailed statues and paintings on both the ceilings
and walls.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The rest of
Chinatown also had lots to see from stalls, shops, temples, and restaurants along
with traditional medicine outlets and massage centres.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vgOcX_DWDno/Vm4iJZpAAJI/AAAAAAAAUdU/lu0FyHBD2n8/s1600/ChinaTown%2BStreets%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vgOcX_DWDno/Vm4iJZpAAJI/AAAAAAAAUdU/lu0FyHBD2n8/s640/ChinaTown%2BStreets%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oMxtKmIgsAc/Vm4iJNZ0YWI/AAAAAAAAUdQ/azyr8WUxV5s/s1600/ChinaTown%2BStreets%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oMxtKmIgsAc/Vm4iJNZ0YWI/AAAAAAAAUdQ/azyr8WUxV5s/s640/ChinaTown%2BStreets%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We even found
a Tintin shop which was great but so expensive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
lots of limited edition things with some of the small figurines as much as 189
000 Euro.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vymmEsRITtg/Vm4h-4_HkNI/AAAAAAAAUcY/HjiWpUXpLto/s1600/China%2BTown%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vymmEsRITtg/Vm4h-4_HkNI/AAAAAAAAUcY/HjiWpUXpLto/s640/China%2BTown%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The most
impressive temple in Chinatown is the Budda Tooth Relic Temple.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was only
built in the last decade. It has 7 levels with a main hall and mezzanine below
and a museum with a lot of information, history and relics on the top levels.
The detail inside is incredible.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The top level
is outdoors and has an interesting rotating prayer drum.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kY2vrmdWJS4/Vm4hgXWFq7I/AAAAAAAAUZs/4slRIkWo4Ic/s1600/Budda%2BTooth%2BRelic%2BTemple%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kY2vrmdWJS4/Vm4hgXWFq7I/AAAAAAAAUZs/4slRIkWo4Ic/s640/Budda%2BTooth%2BRelic%2BTemple%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Outside during
the day it looked Ok but at night it looked much better all lit up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GgPZ5zWICes/Vm4hsmZacPI/AAAAAAAAUag/9xQCtE_7XaA/s1600/Budda%2BTooth%2BRelic%2BTemple%2BNight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GgPZ5zWICes/Vm4hsmZacPI/AAAAAAAAUag/9xQCtE_7XaA/s640/Budda%2BTooth%2BRelic%2BTemple%2BNight.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We managed to
watch the Marina Bay Sands light Show over 4 different nights from 4 different
locations.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mg1yPW-QXTo/Vm4kfdK-8UI/AAAAAAAAUqk/Nm93FdCANr4/s1600/Marina%2BBay%2BLaser%2BShow%2BNight%2B2%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mg1yPW-QXTo/Vm4kfdK-8UI/AAAAAAAAUqk/Nm93FdCANr4/s640/Marina%2BBay%2BLaser%2BShow%2BNight%2B2%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We also took
some other photos whilst at this location of the city.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uQa1KzU0pAg/Vm4keDtbFdI/AAAAAAAAUqY/o_-gu_gOGSE/s1600/Marina%2BBay%2BLaser%2BShow%2BNight%2B2%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uQa1KzU0pAg/Vm4keDtbFdI/AAAAAAAAUqY/o_-gu_gOGSE/s640/Marina%2BBay%2BLaser%2BShow%2BNight%2B2%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This was the
view of the lasers from our room.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jUN6WuHNlEw/Vm4kiiYoUwI/AAAAAAAAUrE/95tQ6pTyZgg/s1600/Marina%2BBay%2BLaser%2BShow%2BNight%2B2%2B%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jUN6WuHNlEw/Vm4kiiYoUwI/AAAAAAAAUrE/95tQ6pTyZgg/s640/Marina%2BBay%2BLaser%2BShow%2BNight%2B2%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">And this was
the laser show from the other side of the harbour.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sWNLW1Qksbs/Vm4lOEaFmpI/AAAAAAAAUv0/MWhDiKDvNdc/s1600/SG%2BBroken%2BEgg%2BNight%2BShots%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sWNLW1Qksbs/Vm4lOEaFmpI/AAAAAAAAUv0/MWhDiKDvNdc/s640/SG%2BBroken%2BEgg%2BNight%2BShots%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--xyybTduclk/Vm4lPaJea7I/AAAAAAAAUv8/NION6-QAbak/s1600/SG%2BBroken%2BEgg%2BNight%2BShots%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--xyybTduclk/Vm4lPaJea7I/AAAAAAAAUv8/NION6-QAbak/s640/SG%2BBroken%2BEgg%2BNight%2BShots%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">And again
from directly underneath the building<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ehASZj76rDk/Vm4kcJOXRBI/AAAAAAAAUqM/DQnWdl-YEDM/s1600/MArina%2BBay%2BSands%2BNight%2BShots%2B%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ehASZj76rDk/Vm4kcJOXRBI/AAAAAAAAUqM/DQnWdl-YEDM/s640/MArina%2BBay%2BSands%2BNight%2BShots%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">November 11<sup>th</sup>
is Remembrance Day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For Remembrance
Day we decided to visit the Changi War Museum.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For Paul it
was very special as his grandfather Hugh Joyce was a long serving POW at the
Changi prisoner of war camp during WW2.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NcG18wT10DU/Vm4h1maKPsI/AAAAAAAAUbs/n6JzuNfDle0/s1600/Changi%2BMuseum%2B%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NcG18wT10DU/Vm4h1maKPsI/AAAAAAAAUbs/n6JzuNfDle0/s640/Changi%2BMuseum%2B%25287%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The site for
the POW camp was the Changi Prison which at the time was newly built in 1939 and
only a few years prior to the war.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When then Japanese
took Singapore they converted it to house the detained ex-pats and later on,
the POW’s.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As the number
of prisoners grew, the camp spread to outside the prison walls and into the
neighbouring fields.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After the war
the area was eventually converted back to the Singapore jail and it was
upgraded to a modern maximum security centre only a decade ago.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst not
much remains of the POW camp, they have still retained the original front gates
and 160m of the front wall.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cvQlla9NiLE/Vm4h1VivEeI/AAAAAAAAUbo/kSLkPnF_je4/s1600/Changi%2BMuseum%2B%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cvQlla9NiLE/Vm4h1VivEeI/AAAAAAAAUbo/kSLkPnF_je4/s640/Changi%2BMuseum%2B%25286%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The historic chapel
which the POW’s built was relocated and restored/rebuilt in the new Museum
which is next to the jail.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ef-yFX6Ph7M/Vm4h3iTN6zI/AAAAAAAAUb0/fgGr2UACAd0/s1600/Changi%2BMuseum%2BChapel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ef-yFX6Ph7M/Vm4h3iTN6zI/AAAAAAAAUb0/fgGr2UACAd0/s640/Changi%2BMuseum%2BChapel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a very
sobering experience to see the museum and Paul was <br />
pretty upset when he walked out.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We managed to
find Hugh’s details in the POW register and it was interesting that he was
listed as “Missing Presumed Dead”.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6sXxqiMp5Jo/Vm4hzPpISbI/AAAAAAAAUbQ/Fx1WqTwUsBw/s1600/Changi%2BMuseum%2B%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6sXxqiMp5Jo/Vm4hzPpISbI/AAAAAAAAUbQ/Fx1WqTwUsBw/s640/Changi%2BMuseum%2B%25285%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n2JVgHpEoJM/Vm4hwIQl3yI/AAAAAAAAUa4/0VldcgXWmWA/s1600/Changi%2BMuseum%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n2JVgHpEoJM/Vm4hwIQl3yI/AAAAAAAAUa4/0VldcgXWmWA/s640/Changi%2BMuseum%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This is one of the photos we saw of
Aussie and <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">British POW’s inside the cramped prison.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst we
were in Singapore, the Indian community celebrated Deepavali which is <br />the Festival of Lights.<br />It is celebrated on the 15th day of Kartika in the Hindu Calendar.</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_YoEciEJyuE/Vm4kQTq-qwI/AAAAAAAAUpM/L1RDz6_mHik/s1600/Little%2BIndia%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_YoEciEJyuE/Vm4kQTq-qwI/AAAAAAAAUpM/L1RDz6_mHik/s640/Little%2BIndia%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="524" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For the
evening we caught the MRT into Little India to help celebrate.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The place was
packed and the streets super crowded with 1000’s of people.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went to
dinner at an awesome Indian vegetarian restaurant before braving the streets.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BcC4MwFdksM/Vm4kIQNMTEI/AAAAAAAAUoc/6IW7X9U9Mzs/s1600/Little%2BIndia%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BcC4MwFdksM/Vm4kIQNMTEI/AAAAAAAAUoc/6IW7X9U9Mzs/s640/Little%2BIndia%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">To get the
best shots of the lights over the streets, we had to wait behind the traffic
lights and when they turned red, run out onto the street and take photos before
they turned green again. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For the
people with iPhones it was fine but Paul had a dslr on a tripod which proved
challenging – but he got the shots….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mQHXHvKsLlU/Vm4kGHGmg6I/AAAAAAAAUoQ/8NUl90YIsrA/s1600/Little%2BIndia%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mQHXHvKsLlU/Vm4kGHGmg6I/AAAAAAAAUoQ/8NUl90YIsrA/s640/Little%2BIndia%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vh-HsfkFElU/Vm4kGQWWnJI/AAAAAAAAUoU/2O4gSmdQbTI/s1600/Little%2BIndia%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vh-HsfkFElU/Vm4kGQWWnJI/AAAAAAAAUoU/2O4gSmdQbTI/s640/Little%2BIndia%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Looking back up the
street, this is what was bearing<br />
down on us when the lights changed….<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DCHfgaV9_ac/Vm4kN9jJSMI/AAAAAAAAUo8/LOOLoEsF_m0/s1600/Little%2BIndia%2B%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DCHfgaV9_ac/Vm4kN9jJSMI/AAAAAAAAUo8/LOOLoEsF_m0/s640/Little%2BIndia%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4VoD5_9Qh4/Vm4kLEOJ_xI/AAAAAAAAUos/J2m8qYJpimE/s1600/Little%2BIndia%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4VoD5_9Qh4/Vm4kLEOJ_xI/AAAAAAAAUos/J2m8qYJpimE/s640/Little%2BIndia%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-80v-l_J6iiQ/Vm4kMnd3IUI/AAAAAAAAUo0/JBqPwfZ4uHc/s1600/Little%2BIndia%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-80v-l_J6iiQ/Vm4kMnd3IUI/AAAAAAAAUo0/JBqPwfZ4uHc/s640/Little%2BIndia%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We soon
realised that the streets were filled with 1000’s of partying men and NO Indian
women. Deepavali is for everyone but we just couldn’t understand were all the
women were. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The only ones
we saw were western tourists.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">What we
didn’t like were the Indian men making a nuisance towards Lisa and the other
blonde western women.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was pretty
disgusting their attitude towards the women and soon we got sick of it and left
– and never went back….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt;">SENTOSA ISLAND</span></u></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Just 2 MRT
stops from the city centre is the Harbour front.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Across from
the bay is the incredible Sentosa Resort World which is on Sentosa Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The place is
massive and can be accessed by monorail, cable car, bus or boardwalk over the
water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">To say there
is lots to do is a major understatement!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There are
many resorts as well as retail stores, bars, cafés and restaurants.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For the
tourists there are the big attractions like Universal Studios, The Aquarium, Sky
Tower, A huge water park and i-fly – the world’s largest indoor skydive centre.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Combine all
of that with scores of other activities like luge runs, Segway tours, museums, the
Merlion, Fort Silaso, flow boards, zip-lines, numerous beaches, cable cars, etc
and you have a huge option of things to do.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At night
there are 3 amazing light shows as well.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">If you could
afford it, you could easily spend 1 week there, go hard-core and still not do
it all.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We spent a
full day there from start to finish and stumbled out at 11pm totally stuffed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nr5BZbc0KP4/Vm4ljCNVnhI/AAAAAAAAUx8/vDp0OnNN0ns/s1600/Sentosa%2BResort%2BWorld%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nr5BZbc0KP4/Vm4ljCNVnhI/AAAAAAAAUx8/vDp0OnNN0ns/s640/Sentosa%2BResort%2BWorld%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Sentosa Monorail
arriving at Resort World<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Universal Studios<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b>
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1FHlTVnFrgg/Vm4lsptM1QI/AAAAAAAAUy0/AZ5XclvA7sg/s1600/Sentosa%2BResort%2BWorld%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1FHlTVnFrgg/Vm4lsptM1QI/AAAAAAAAUy0/AZ5XclvA7sg/s640/Sentosa%2BResort%2BWorld%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Main Street of
Universal Studios<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jy1oQ2m6yCE/Vm4luEUT7hI/AAAAAAAAUy8/XDdVuITYpK0/s1600/Sentosa%2BResort%2BWorld%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jy1oQ2m6yCE/Vm4luEUT7hI/AAAAAAAAUy8/XDdVuITYpK0/s640/Sentosa%2BResort%2BWorld%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul’s favourite
chocolate – Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Luge and chair lift<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Flowboarding – a
beginner on the left and <br />
an experienced guy on the right<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Beautiful white sand
beaches but no waves and looking <br />
out over about 1000 commercial ships.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sentosa Island was a
Naval Base in WW2 and there are many remnants from the war including Fort
Silarso and numerous Pillboxes<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Segway tours were very
popular<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At night
Sentosa came alive with light and lots of things still to do.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Merlion
looked great by day and even better at night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The i-fly
building was the same.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went into
the centre at night and were excited to see a group of 4 experienced skydivers practicing
their formation routines.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There’s no
photography allowed inside while the people are flying so we took one of the
wind tube in between flights.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The highlight
of the evening was the Wings of Time laser/light show that is on twice nightly.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It costs
$18p/p but is well worth it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We took 100’s
of photos of the performance and it was a real challenge to pick ten photos out
for the blog.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
home we took some other photos of Sentosa at night and stopped in to see the
Lake of Dreams light show.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we walked home
across the boardwalk (the cable-cars and monorail had already closed…) we
stopped to see the cruise ships in the bay and the boardwalk all lit up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt;">LEGOLAND - MALAYSIA</span></u></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">About 5
months prior we were sitting in a restaurant in Lakey Surf Town at Sumbawa,
Indonesia with Aussie friend Nathan.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Over lunch we
met a great Aussie family who were there for the surf too.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When we got
talking about future plans, they said they were heading to Malaysia to go to
Legoland for their 2 children.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This got
Paul’s attention immediately as he loved Lego as a kid and had no idea there
was a Legoland in Asia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul remembered
how when he was young he got a brochure in a Lego set of the (at the time) only
Legoland which was in Holland. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He dreamt of
going there one day……<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> So over the next 5 months we did loads of
research on the place and had booked tickets to go when we were in Singapore.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Getting there
from Singapore was surprisingly easy as we could do it by bus. Although it was
a bit of a mission at the border unloading off the bus, clearing out, loading
back on, going 1km across a causeway, loading off again, clearing into Malaysia
(with all the usual body scans, baggage x-rays, etc) and continuing on our way.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had
arrived on the first bus and we very surprised at how few people were at the
park. It was empty!!! We figured it would get busy as the day went on but it
did not. We estimated only a few hundred
people in a theme park the size of Movie World or Sea World.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vFG_KYZwh4c/Vm4jXJxecXI/AAAAAAAAUkA/WkRZ4f0W2XI/s1600/Legoland%2BFisheye%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vFG_KYZwh4c/Vm4jXJxecXI/AAAAAAAAUkA/WkRZ4f0W2XI/s640/Legoland%2BFisheye%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With no
lining up necessary, we went over to the Legoland Hotel first to have a look.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-STTIvgUrTcI/Vm4jTwQ7o2I/AAAAAAAAUjs/xR3x8jgmTEw/s1600/Legoland%2BFisheye%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-STTIvgUrTcI/Vm4jTwQ7o2I/AAAAAAAAUjs/xR3x8jgmTEw/s640/Legoland%2BFisheye%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c0r1xirR9Wc/Vm4jUzrf5GI/AAAAAAAAUj0/ZXkd2htzCLc/s1600/Legoland%2BFisheye%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c0r1xirR9Wc/Vm4jUzrf5GI/AAAAAAAAUj0/ZXkd2htzCLc/s640/Legoland%2BFisheye%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bj0xKouN0ZQ/Vm4jXfVDAvI/AAAAAAAAUkE/eBT_48vAJt8/s1600/Legoland%2BFisheye%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bj0xKouN0ZQ/Vm4jXfVDAvI/AAAAAAAAUkE/eBT_48vAJt8/s640/Legoland%2BFisheye%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We decided to
do the rides first and the staff were just waiting with the rollercoaster
sitting there for a customer to turn up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Anybody could
just stay on for ride after ride if they wanted.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fmqogLN0kb4/Vm4jI9OnKRI/AAAAAAAAUi8/jmX9zASLTDo/s1600/Legoland%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fmqogLN0kb4/Vm4jI9OnKRI/AAAAAAAAUi8/jmX9zASLTDo/s640/Legoland%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
lots of smaller Lego designs all throughout the park.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xwOZskpQZnI/Vm4iyfw2s0I/AAAAAAAAUhc/ogMOScecVc4/s1600/Legoland%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xwOZskpQZnI/Vm4iyfw2s0I/AAAAAAAAUhc/ogMOScecVc4/s640/Legoland%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Waf03Th-w5o/Vm4jHZdLxuI/AAAAAAAAUi0/vdA4K3Movs8/s1600/Legoland%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Waf03Th-w5o/Vm4jHZdLxuI/AAAAAAAAUi0/vdA4K3Movs8/s640/Legoland%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A78rXja6jnY/Vm4jNTemrgI/AAAAAAAAUjE/mkxwv2hDkd0/s1600/Legoland%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A78rXja6jnY/Vm4jNTemrgI/AAAAAAAAUjE/mkxwv2hDkd0/s640/Legoland%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r9VJIKXZjXE/Vm4i5S65VpI/AAAAAAAAUh8/FRdsuyGofZw/s1600/Legoland%2B%252813%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r9VJIKXZjXE/Vm4i5S65VpI/AAAAAAAAUh8/FRdsuyGofZw/s640/Legoland%2B%252813%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-52r0V5QgB3g/Vm4i9-HPxQI/AAAAAAAAUiM/OCTFGcOAJE0/s1600/Legoland%2B%252814%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-52r0V5QgB3g/Vm4i9-HPxQI/AAAAAAAAUiM/OCTFGcOAJE0/s640/Legoland%2B%252814%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One of the
highlights was the Star Wars Exhibition.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They had made
a very funny Lego/Star Wars Movie which had everyone from young to old in
stitches.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Star Wars
Lego creations were a set from each of Star Wars movie.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They were
very impressive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rYRw6dny1Pk/Vm4j4OS2TiI/AAAAAAAAUm8/YPNIwcdAnf0/s1600/Legoland%2BStar%2BWars%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rYRw6dny1Pk/Vm4j4OS2TiI/AAAAAAAAUm8/YPNIwcdAnf0/s640/Legoland%2BStar%2BWars%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aVa57wGc6fE/Vm4j28pm2aI/AAAAAAAAUm4/EKu7_iI2T_c/s1600/Legoland%2BStar%2BWars%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aVa57wGc6fE/Vm4j28pm2aI/AAAAAAAAUm4/EKu7_iI2T_c/s640/Legoland%2BStar%2BWars%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GFkny7oOkgw/Vm4j6_B90uI/AAAAAAAAUnE/iS6kkfMgm5Q/s1600/Legoland%2BStar%2BWars%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GFkny7oOkgw/Vm4j6_B90uI/AAAAAAAAUnE/iS6kkfMgm5Q/s640/Legoland%2BStar%2BWars%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sae9OkFmgDI/Vm4j9buHlQI/AAAAAAAAUnU/K2TDe8MRjiQ/s1600/Legoland%2BStar%2BWars%2B%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sae9OkFmgDI/Vm4j9buHlQI/AAAAAAAAUnU/K2TDe8MRjiQ/s640/Legoland%2BStar%2BWars%2B%25286%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went up
the Lego Sky tower which was a rotating viewing platform over 50m high.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It gave a
great view of the park as well as the very empty bus and car park.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9QhZTmsgngo/Vm4i2PhoZ7I/AAAAAAAAUhs/iWmhiaWWqxM/s1600/Legoland%2B%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9QhZTmsgngo/Vm4i2PhoZ7I/AAAAAAAAUhs/iWmhiaWWqxM/s640/Legoland%2B%252811%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Bus and Car park –
both less than 10% full.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xtX6hiQEZTg/Vm4i3lOEkTI/AAAAAAAAUh0/lNw6IxjjCu8/s1600/Legoland%2B%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xtX6hiQEZTg/Vm4i3lOEkTI/AAAAAAAAUh0/lNw6IxjjCu8/s640/Legoland%2B%252812%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Kingdom
theme area was cool with the numerous roller coasters and Castles.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xDpgNvygvuo/Vm4jHbSd9gI/AAAAAAAAUiw/LDaN7hmeAVA/s1600/Legoland%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xDpgNvygvuo/Vm4jHbSd9gI/AAAAAAAAUiw/LDaN7hmeAVA/s640/Legoland%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uNhmASrl8qU/Vm4jOYK4fvI/AAAAAAAAUjQ/muJc80U7vfw/s1600/Legoland%2B%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uNhmASrl8qU/Vm4jOYK4fvI/AAAAAAAAUjQ/muJc80U7vfw/s640/Legoland%2B%25286%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fA9tFgXD15g/Vm4jP48rDHI/AAAAAAAAUjU/LkbS0KUEQTw/s1600/Legoland%2B%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fA9tFgXD15g/Vm4jP48rDHI/AAAAAAAAUjU/LkbS0KUEQTw/s640/Legoland%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2i0r1trACxs/Vm4jRW3YB4I/AAAAAAAAUjc/EtIQTEOeNz8/s1600/Legoland%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2i0r1trACxs/Vm4jRW3YB4I/AAAAAAAAUjc/EtIQTEOeNz8/s640/Legoland%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">To get out of
the heat for a while, we headed indoors where we could build Lego cars and race
them down a race track.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The wheels
were all identical so you just had to build your own chassis and fit it out how
you wanted.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa’s was
more robust and a hit with the little kids, but Paul’s won the drag race.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CwwkZdtPPGc/Vm4jSeQn1ZI/AAAAAAAAUjk/wLkisDaRah8/s1600/Legoland%2B%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CwwkZdtPPGc/Vm4jSeQn1ZI/AAAAAAAAUjk/wLkisDaRah8/s640/Legoland%2B%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7FyaviiIlZk/Vm4i0zXiRvI/AAAAAAAAUhk/p3YtD4HE_Dg/s1600/Legoland%2B%252810%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7FyaviiIlZk/Vm4i0zXiRvI/AAAAAAAAUhk/p3YtD4HE_Dg/s640/Legoland%2B%252810%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At most theme
parks, we have found the food average and/or expensive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Not at
Legoland!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For lunch we
had an amazing turkey, pumpkin, fetta & basil pizza with garlic bread and
drinks for under $20.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the
afternoon we headed into the centre of the park for everyone’s highlight,
Mini-land.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Mini-land is
a scale re-creation of Asia’s most prominent structures. There is at least one
from each country and a few from Malaysia as it’s the host country and for a
limited time, Singapore as they celebrated in 2015 their SG50 anniversary of independence.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Over 50
million Lego pieces were used in the construction of Mini-land.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The famous Ankor-Wat in
Cambodia. <br />
The world’s largest Religious Temple.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A Chinese Temple – Note
the Great Wall on the hill in the background<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CU7v8w-pVaM/Vm4jrEpTIaI/AAAAAAAAUls/C188HKcTiP4/s1600/Legoland%2BMiniland%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CU7v8w-pVaM/Vm4jrEpTIaI/AAAAAAAAUls/C188HKcTiP4/s640/Legoland%2BMiniland%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Taj Mahal<o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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</div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Singapore Flyer<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Harbour front of
Singapore</span></i></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The largest
single creation was a scale model of the Kuala Lumpur <br />International Airport.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5_o90Kc397s/Vm4jf5iUqrI/AAAAAAAAUk0/uzKpmx59Dm8/s1600/Legoland%2BMiniland%2B%252813%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5_o90Kc397s/Vm4jf5iUqrI/AAAAAAAAUk0/uzKpmx59Dm8/s640/Legoland%2BMiniland%2B%252813%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A Thailand Temple<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZArQoskdEc/Vm4jk9Ai8HI/AAAAAAAAUlI/LpQQZ_CChCE/s1600/Legoland%2BMiniland%2B%252815%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZArQoskdEc/Vm4jk9Ai8HI/AAAAAAAAUlI/LpQQZ_CChCE/s640/Legoland%2BMiniland%2B%252815%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Royal Barge in
Myanmar<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7lCpvshrDVc/Vm4jk7tpE-I/AAAAAAAAUlM/vYBPoDN2moQ/s1600/Legoland%2BMiniland%2B%252816%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7lCpvshrDVc/Vm4jk7tpE-I/AAAAAAAAUlM/vYBPoDN2moQ/s640/Legoland%2BMiniland%2B%252816%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Afterwards we
needed a break again and watched our first ever 4D movie which was excellent.
We walked out a little wet and covered in snow!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We also
watched a Ninjago live show which was indoors. The creator of the show must
have also created the Wings of Time show at Sentosa. They we made using similar
special effects and it was brilliant for all ages.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Before the
park closed we went to the lost kingdom and did a ride where you could shoot targets
using light beam guns.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We did it 3
times and the last time Paul took photos of Lisa shooting.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We left the
park after it closed at 6pm and were on the 6:45pm bus back to Singapore.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we arrived
back at the Singapore waterfront, the night was clear & still making it perfect
for a few last minute city shots.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For our last full
day in Singapore, we relaxed, went shopping and had some great food. We had bigger plans but cancelled them as we
were totally spent.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We surmised that
we had walked over 10klm for the last 7 days (and took about 600 photos per
day) and we weren’t doing anymore.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It had been a
fabulous (albeit a bit expensive) week in Singapore but it was time to move on
to our next destination – Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt;">QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA</span></u></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We flew on a
Friday night and landed at the Gold Coast (Surfers Paradise) in QLD on the
Saturday morning.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
our friends Rod & Mel, daughter Claudia and son Hunter (who are originally NSW
Central Coasties and we cruised with on their catamaran Heartbeat 2) live only
a few minutes from the airport.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They picked
us up at 8:30am and by 9:15am we were surfing across the road from their new
place on Currumbin Beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The family
has a stack of boards and over the next 3 days we rode, shortboards, longboards,
SUP and sometimes all 3 in one surf session!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Rod, Paul and Claudia (Hunter
was still surfing…)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the
afternoon we walked/cycled down to a surf spot called The Alley.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had some
great meals out too.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h4JlIuJ10ao/Vm5AJlAbOpI/AAAAAAAAU3o/_bc1IPnLLJk/s1600/Mel%2Band%2BRod%2BDinner.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h4JlIuJ10ao/Vm5AJlAbOpI/AAAAAAAAU3o/_bc1IPnLLJk/s640/Mel%2Band%2BRod%2BDinner.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a look
at the border monument which separates QLD & NSW and overlooks the Tweed
River bar entrance.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">How do you know which
person is Rod??? His Shorts……<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Claudia standing in QLD
and Hunter standing in NSW<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Looking down over the
Tweed River entrance<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the Sunday
arvo we went for a surf road trip down to Cabarita beach after a lazy start to
the day catching up and cycling around the local area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Mel and Lisa enjoying a
coffee and the view from Mel’s balcony.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The surf was
bigger and better than the Goldie and produced some long rides.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Hunter has
been flying drones for over a year now and is a very competent pilot. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He brought
his new 4kHD drone down to get some footage of the coastline and the surfers.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul joined
him and they found Dolphins playing in the waves and school of over 100 large Manta
Rays just 100m out past the surf line.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After a fantastic
long weekend, we moved onto Paul’s parents, Ron and Diann’s house in rural
Queensland.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It involved a
train from the Gold Coast to Brisbane, a bus from Brisbane to Toowoomba and
then a 2 hour car journey further west from there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was so
good to see them and the property as we had not been there in 4 years.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The trees and
gardens on the property are forever changing and many of the flowers were out
creating nice photo opportunities, particularly the roses.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For our 2
weeks on the property we relaxed, ate lots of yummy home grown food and helped tackle
some of the bigger jobs including mowing, pruning, and clearing old trees,
rebuilding the chook pen and cleaning the fishpond.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Cleaning the Fishpond<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hBoAdXv4dpw/Vm4kDthb7YI/AAAAAAAAUoE/R8wZgBLnXXk/s1600/Lisa%2Band%2BChooks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hBoAdXv4dpw/Vm4kDthb7YI/AAAAAAAAUoE/R8wZgBLnXXk/s640/Lisa%2Band%2BChooks.JPG" width="462" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa collecting the eggs
each morning<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lots of yummy home grown
cherry tomatoes<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Behind the
house is a bird feeder.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It attracts
many species of bird from large to small early each morning,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">November 20<sup>th</sup>
was Lisa’s birthday and we cooked a special dinner and lots of yummy
treats. Ron’s birthday was 2 weeks prior
so we had a joint celebration.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul and
Diann are both into photography (like mother, like son….) and they would set
their tripods up in the arvo waiting for the sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The sun sets
over the Bunya Mountains and looks fantastic from the front balcony of the
house.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Some nights
we would watch it from the garden and other nights whilst having a drink on the
side balcony.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">BBQ’s in the
afternoon were always great fun out on the back patio.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There is lots
of wildlife on the property aside from the birds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There are kangaroos,
wallabies, possums, hares, lots of snakes & spiders and some pretty groovy
frogs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">During the
second week we had some wild weather.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the
mornings we had some cold and very foggy mornings.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">During the
days we would get temperatures into the 40+ degrees, followed by a wild
afternoon storm starting to form.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One afternoon
we had a raging storm front develop and come right over the house.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul was out
taking photos when a huge bolt of lightning hit just behind the house. The
noise was ear splitting and very scary.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Then he heard
Lisa and Diann screaming and ran around to find them pretty rattled as the
lightning had stuck the ground only a few feet from where they were standing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It then
started hailing and with it came some very strong winds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
worried about the windows breaking so we had to scramble and get all the storm
shutters closed quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When the
weather settled down we got stuck into the biggest chore which involved cutting
up a series of fallen hardwood trees.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The trunks
were big and heavy and it took 2 days for us to cut them up and get them to the
top part of the property for splitting into to smaller pieces for winter
firewood.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jSZu0gFUjhk/Vm4mBVhhYJI/AAAAAAAAU0o/ZT60AKtmQtA/s1600/Timber%2BCutting%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jSZu0gFUjhk/Vm4mBVhhYJI/AAAAAAAAU0o/ZT60AKtmQtA/s640/Timber%2BCutting%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After 2 weeks
we returned to Brisbane and tried to link up with some friends but sadly they
all fell through.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Some were
holidaying overseas, some were interstate on business & most were too busy
in the lead up to Christmas.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we booked
a flight from Brisbane and flew to Sydney to visit family and friends there and
spend Christmas on the NSW Central Coast.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So that’s it
for 2<sup>nd</sup> episode of our 2 part land travelling adventure while we
have a break from being on board our yacht Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It’s also the
last blog post for 2015.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Early next
year sees us returning to Lorelei and continuing on with our sailing
adventures.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We have a
very big year of travelling planned for 2016 with lots sailing, exploring and
even some outback 4WD adventures……<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Have a safe
and enjoyable Christmas and New Year.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul Hogger<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa Hogger<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Yacht Lorelei
(having a well earnt vacation….)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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sv_loreleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14235157985522355104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245635408700620959.post-12139812666542694562015-11-06T18:07:00.001-08:002019-02-09T17:39:16.016-08:00Episode 43 Java and Thailand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-size: 28pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Lorelei’s
Sailing Adventures</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRY-7XU5F1b2pIPF-mbcbXKqrO_JPRKEfA2AVFOx1GRzsO-9GYC1WBpvYf4ctqHJUL0tadc2ZGvq3C0oi3e6C6mYb4-PqMz1g5EsPhtteIW3DuznZsG2R6bKWoGUjJQ5UrsUMaMGCSnDk/s1600/Episode+43+JAVA+AND+THAILAND.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="1600" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRY-7XU5F1b2pIPF-mbcbXKqrO_JPRKEfA2AVFOx1GRzsO-9GYC1WBpvYf4ctqHJUL0tadc2ZGvq3C0oi3e6C6mYb4-PqMz1g5EsPhtteIW3DuznZsG2R6bKWoGUjJQ5UrsUMaMGCSnDk/s640/Episode+43+JAVA+AND+THAILAND.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Normally our
blog is all about our “sailing” adventures.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This blog
post and the next one are a little different as there is no sailing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So what’s it
all about you might ask?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let’s just say
this: – <br />
2 blog posts, 5 Countries, 12 Flights, 50 Days, 12 500 photos…..<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the end of
Episode 42 our Indonesian visa had almost expired, we were making arrangements
to leave and our Bali experience was finished.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Or so we
thought…….<i><span style="color: #ffc000;"><br />
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our location for this Episode of the Blog</span></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hqx7cY2xqCs/Vjzog6GStEI/AAAAAAAAUXs/AVkOQRDe3mE/s1600/Episode%2B43%2BRoute%2BMap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hqx7cY2xqCs/Vjzog6GStEI/AAAAAAAAUXs/AVkOQRDe3mE/s640/Episode%2B43%2BRoute%2BMap.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our route for this
Episode of the Blog.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After leaving
the Gili Islands (end of Episode 42) we returned to Bali to see our agent Ruth,
get all our paperwork in order and prepare for leaving Bali & Indonesia.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whilst our
visa did not expire for a week, we left a few days as a fudge factor in case of
any unforeseen dramas.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our meeting
with Ruth went very smoothly and we had all our affairs in order in just 36
hours. Perfect!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-size: 20pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">TULAMBEN DIVING<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With a few
days left we talked about what to do and the one thing we really wanted to do
but could not, was dive in northern Bali at the areas of Tulamben and Seraya.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We had tried
in Episode 42 but the swell and wind was from the north making it very
uncomfortable on Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was still
from the north and only light but with beautiful days.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Additionally
all the dives can be done by walking in off the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whilst there
are many dive resorts in the area, the bulk of the divers come from the dozens
of dive companies in Bali’s southern tourist area.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They have
buses that take divers on the daily pilgrimage up north.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With the most
popular dive being the USAT Liberty Shipwreck<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(A WW2 US
Supply Ship), 100’s of divers descend on it daily between 10am and 3pm.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However we
could not justify the price and the crowds were a turn off.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So we came up
with an idea and rang our Bali Tour Guide friend Wayan (who we did tours with
in Episode 41 & 42) to see if he could take us up to the dive sites.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sure enough
he was more than happy to help and we had pencilled in 3 days of diving
starting the following day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The trip can
take up to 3 hours each way during peak hour traffic so we decided on a 5am
start each day which missed the traffic (and diving crowds) and meant for a 2hr
15min trip instead.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s a
fantastic road trip with a bit of everything - built up areas, coastal roads
with ocean views & a sunrise, winding roads through mountain ranges with
spectacular views, small villages and finally Mount Agung overlooking the
Tulamben coastline.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The first
dive each day was the Liberty shipwreck.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gOeHtxFNUVs/VjwvCOpJglI/AAAAAAAAUVY/2q1euu5iH3c/s1600/USAT%2Bliberty%2BShipwreck%2BMap.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gOeHtxFNUVs/VjwvCOpJglI/AAAAAAAAUVY/2q1euu5iH3c/s640/USAT%2Bliberty%2BShipwreck%2BMap.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The place is
so well set up for divers with a large car park, wash-down areas for you and
your gear, food & cafés and even porters to carry your scuba gear down to
the water’s edge.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The beach is
volcanic rock (from Mount Agung) but the sand is black sand.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The wreck is
sitting on the black sand making it not only a sensational wreck dive but also
a terrific macro dive as well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So each
morning we dived the wreck at 8am with Paul shooting wide angle and Lisa
shooting 60mm macro.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We had
sensational viz and low crowds making for some terrific photo opportunities.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For the first
afternoon’s dive we dived the Coral Garden macro site just near the wreck.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Across the
road from the site is the Tulamben Wreck Divers (TWD) Resort.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They were
super nice people and would fill our tanks each day for just $3.50 for air or
$5.00 for Nitrox.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We ate at the
local Mexican Restaurant while they filled our tanks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The next day
we did the wreck again in the morning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After talking
to the dive guides at TWD, they suggested we try a dive called Seraya Secret
which is the premier muck/macro site in the area.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It also has a
similar beachside set-up for divers as the wreck, just on a smaller scale.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was a sensational
dive with lots of interesting critters.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This time
Lisa went 60mm and Paul went 90mm super macro.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Can you see what this is? An Orang-Utan Crab.</span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For day 2 we
were a lot more organised and finished an hour earlier than the day before.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So we decided
on lunch at a local place on the way home that was a lot cheaper, with bigger
meals and a fantastic view.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As we were
coming home in the daylight we were able to stop at a lot of the lookouts and
monuments so we could take some photos.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We stopped at
one set of traffic lights on the way home and watched a large flock of ducks
crossing the road with their owner.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The third day
was a repeat of the second day with the same dives and same lunch stop, but
this time with a different route home so we could stop in Sanur.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The morning
dive produced some fantastic viz again and only a few other divers on the
wreck.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The afternoon
dive was good but with the spring tides there was a bit of current.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bad for the
little tiny critters that don’t like current but great for larger critters.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lisa found 2
leaf fish in the shallows.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>We were not sure if these Cuttlefish were mating or fighting....</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The best photo bomb of the day award goes to the Eel behind the Stone Fish.</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The daily car
trip meant 5 hours driving each day and a few terrible situations.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the first
morning we arrived at the scene of a terrible fatal accident.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A car had
clipped a motorbike with a couple riding.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The bike went
down and the 2 people were run over by a truck behind them. It was a terrible
sight and one that was etched into our minds.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the third
day we saw a dog get run over by a van in front of us in the mountain areas.
The sight and sound of the dog’s cries was terrible.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Overall
though it was a sensational 3 days and finally at the 11<sup>th</sup> hour we
had managed to put a tick in the last box of Bali things to see and do.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We admit that
we had serious doubts as to the quality of the diving in NE Bali. We would urge
anyone coming to Bali who is a diver to consider adding a couple of days in
this area to your itinerary. You won’t be disappointed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once again we
can highly recommend Wayan for doing tours if you ever come to Bali.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s not like
booking with the larger businesses where you just get a staff member in one of
the many company cars.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s his car,
his business, he speaks perfect English, knows all the islands history, culture
and religion and he works alone to support his family.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After doing 8
full days with him, we are now officially his No.1 customer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.dipabalitour.com/">www.dipabalitour.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="mailto:piwayan@gmail.com">piwayan@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So that was
it… Bye Bye Bali.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We set sail
and took Lorelei to a protected location where we could put her safely in
storage while we moved onto the next phase of our adventure.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-size: 20pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Surabaya City, Java<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> October 21<sup>st</sup> was our 20<sup>th</sup>
wedding anniversary.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was our 5<sup>th</sup>
wedding anniversary since we left to go sailing and we were treating ourselves
to something special – well that WAS the plan…..<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To be honest
we hadn’t had a good track record of fantastic wedding anniversaries since
going sailing as it is around the transition time when we are sailing between
seasons, countries and hemispheres.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We have had 3
of them whilst on long passages and 2 in terrible weather.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For this our
special 20<sup>th</sup> anniversary, we had booked a 4 day private river tour in
the Tanjung Putting National Park in Kalimantan, Borneo to do a jungle tour and
see the Orang-Utans.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was the
one thing on the top of the list for Lisa to do in Borneo.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To get there
was going to require 2 flights.</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The first was
to Surabaya (the second largest city in Indonesia) on the Island of Java, with
a quick overnight stop and then onto Borneo from Surabaya the next morning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the first flight
we could smell smoke and thought it was people smoking <br />
on-board.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However when
we arrived in Surabaya, the visibility was terrible due to the smoke from the fires
raging through Borneo and Central Java.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We stayed in
a hotel overnight at the Airport.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It had a great
view over the airport and the terminal with a fountain in the middle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MbGF2eQ7ZF4/VjwtgTFuaCI/AAAAAAAAT7o/BY5Ud7kjNbY/s1600/Ibis%2BFountain.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MbGF2eQ7ZF4/VjwtgTFuaCI/AAAAAAAAT7o/BY5Ud7kjNbY/s640/Ibis%2BFountain.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We woke at
4am on our anniversary morning to get our 6am flight to Borneo.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At 7am the
flight was cancelled due to the dense smoke at the destination.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From there it
turned into a comedy show for the next 36 hours!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Additionally
we were the only westerners in the entire domestic airport section which made
for interesting times in the predominately non English speaking community.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We tried a
second airline that had flights still running however seats were filling quickly
and we had to make a quick decision.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So we flashed
cash to the airline office staff and were quickly booked in.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the same
time we booked return tickets to ensure we weren’t stuck there.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The flight
was due to leave at 9:30am but was delayed indefinitely.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fortunately
they hadn’t made up our room at the hotel so we went back in.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At 2pm we
were given the go ahead to check in.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was pandemonium
with only one check in counter open, clearly no defined queue and 20 people
wide at the counter all pushing and shoving to get booked in before everyone
else.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It didn’t
matter because when we finally arrived at the departure gate, there was no
plane!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Eventually
the flight was cancelled at 5:30pm due to the smoke.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So it was
back to the office with the hordes of angry people to collect our baggage and
refunds.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Because everyone
had actually checked in, they started refunding people, minus the airport tax.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We didn’t
care so much as it was only A$15 for the two of us but it was a big thing for
the local people and it became very, very heated.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fortunately
because we paid cash to the staff that morning, they ushered Lisa quietly into
the office and simply gave it back and we were out of there quickly before it
got too heated.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So we
returned to the 2-star Ibis Hotel at the airport but it didn’t have a
restaurant, so we had burgers for dinner in the Terminal.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And that was
the story of our special 20<sup>th</sup> wedding anniversary…..!!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The next day
we tried again all morning but the same issues as the previous day and by noon
we gave up.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We were
really disappointed but felt lucky that we have the opportunity to try again early
in 2016.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After the
Orang-utan trip we were returning to Surabaya anyway for a 2 day stay in a
4-star city hotel, so we contacted them and brought the booking forward a few
days.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once we
arrived, we realised once again we were the only westerners.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We were given
an upgrade to a top floor suite so we simply booked on an extra 2 days to make
it a 4 night stopover.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 hour after
we checked into our room, there was a rally out the front on the main street.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At first it
was just on the side of the road but within 90 minutes they had blocked the
main road during peak hour traffic.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We were
wondering what we had got ourselves into….<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3TftIYUrvNc/VjwulqfZouI/AAAAAAAAUNE/DZUObPjEhpA/s1600/Surabaya%2BRally%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3TftIYUrvNc/VjwulqfZouI/AAAAAAAAUNE/DZUObPjEhpA/s640/Surabaya%2BRally%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We loved the irony of
the sign….. the rally was up ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We had views
over the city that looked good both during the day and at night.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wZZ_Q6LoRkI/VjwtimtBRqI/AAAAAAAAT8M/KDBX4COv5wg/s1600/Inna%2BSimpang%2BWIndow%2BNight%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wZZ_Q6LoRkI/VjwtimtBRqI/AAAAAAAAT8M/KDBX4COv5wg/s640/Inna%2BSimpang%2BWIndow%2BNight%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We spent the
next 4 days relaxing, swimming in the pool, watching the Rugby World Cup &
Moto GP, shopping and exploring the CBD.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--nWQ67ehNto/VjwtiKanOqI/AAAAAAAAT8I/p9xOMCsPcAs/s1600/Inna%2BSimpang%2BPool%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--nWQ67ehNto/VjwtiKanOqI/AAAAAAAAT8I/p9xOMCsPcAs/s640/Inna%2BSimpang%2BPool%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One highlight
was breakfast at the hotel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We have never
been one to go out for breakfast so the extensive complimentary breakfast buffet options in
the hotel was a real treat.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The staff got
to know us pretty well and were very interested in our Indonesian travels.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bWuU6uyxGVs/VjwthYTfxWI/AAAAAAAAT8A/s04RVGu1E_8/s1600/Inna%2BSimpang%2BBreakfast%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bWuU6uyxGVs/VjwthYTfxWI/AAAAAAAAT8A/s04RVGu1E_8/s640/Inna%2BSimpang%2BBreakfast%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Inna
SImpang Hotel is opposite the largest mall in Surabaya.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s the
first real opportunity we have had to buy decent clothes and shoes in a long,
long time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To say the
mall is huge is a serious understatement.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The place is
enormous and 3 times the size of anything we had seen prior.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We had meals
out at many different places from pizza to traditional food.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JT8_39LPB38/VjwuMfT_jlI/AAAAAAAAUHU/RscJNsKDKEs/s1600/Ranchland%2BRestaurant.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JT8_39LPB38/VjwuMfT_jlI/AAAAAAAAUHU/RscJNsKDKEs/s640/Ranchland%2BRestaurant.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whilst we
don’t eat fast food (except for dinner on our anniversary…) we did see a
confused Hard Rock McCafé.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Surabaya is
not a popular place for tourists and has a bad reputation for pick pockets and
pretty crime (the worst city in Indonesia for this) so we decided to explore
the city but only the safer areas closer to the hotel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We found some
nice parks and monuments.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i55-4NK-OqM/VjwumIzNJ9I/AAAAAAAAUVk/z0VrdWB484o/s1600/Surabaya%2BStatue.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i55-4NK-OqM/VjwumIzNJ9I/AAAAAAAAUVk/z0VrdWB484o/s640/Surabaya%2BStatue.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The most
popular monument in the city is The Surabaya Monument.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The monument
is a shark and a crocodile entwined together in a battle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the local
language Sura is a shark and Baya is a Crocodile, hence the city name
Sura-Baya.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6UkpH0fQI60/VjwukYC6n0I/AAAAAAAAUMw/b7oip4-d8Ds/s1600/Surabaya%2BMonument.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6UkpH0fQI60/VjwukYC6n0I/AAAAAAAAUMw/b7oip4-d8Ds/s640/Surabaya%2BMonument.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the last
full day we were watching on TV the amazing <br />
(and controversial) race that was the Moto GP in Malaysia.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With just 5
laps to go we could hear lots of noise and music outside the hotel in the main
street.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We looked
down to see a huge parade of marching bands assembling.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After the
race we grabbed a camera each and headed down to the action.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It turned out
to be an annual contest for school marching bands from all over East Java.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There were
over 60 bands competing with the winners going onto the national titles in Jakarta.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whilst some
of the younger kids were in it for the fun, some of the older teams took it
very seriously.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The teams did
a lap around the city CBD with one half of the street closed for the contest.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The traffic
issues that it caused in other streets bordered on chaos.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We went down
the side streets to watch the teams assembling and practising for their turn to
join the parade.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There was
even a Frozen Band.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The event
went on until just after dark.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We’d had
enough by that stage but could still watch the bands coming down the street
past our hotel window.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-size: 20pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Goodbye Indonesia – Hello Thailand!<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On Monday 26<sup>th</sup>
October we left early for the start of a long day of travel which involved 3
flights.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Surabaya to
Jakarta<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jakarta to
Bangkok<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bangkok to
Chiang Mai<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All 3 flights
were with Air Asia and the day went relatively smoothly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After the
first flight we arrived in Jakarta.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fortunately
our bags were checked through to Bangkok so we only had cabin backpacks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We had to go
from Domestic to International Terminal 3.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So we jumped
on the free shuttle bus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It did a long
30 minute loop to T1, T2 and eventually right back to where we started.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We asked the
driver where T3 was and he pointed to the door only 20 meters from the one we
initially exited from.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lucky we
weren’t in a hurry and at least we got a look around. Silly us…<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our flight
was 30 minutes late leaving Bangkok and we arrived at Chiang Mai at 10:30pm.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chaing Mai is
in the central north of Thailand, well away from the coast and is the second
largest city in Thailand behind Bangkok.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By the time
we arrived at the Rustic River Hotel in Chiang Mai city it was after 11pm.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We had been
upgraded to the suite and crashed into an amazing 4 posted bed for a fantastic night’s
sleep.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It had been
long day of 17 hours and we were excited to be in Thailand.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The main reason for visiting Thailand
was to see our friends David & Maddie Baddiley who are originally from
Brisbane but now live in Thailand.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">David’s family own the well-established
Baddiley’s Marine Engineering Company in Brisbane. We have had Lorelei slipped
3 times there and 2 were refits with the last one being our main engine
replacement (which David co-ordinated) prior to going cruising.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">David and Paul with our new engine out the front of David’s
Workshop<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Like us, they have decided to have a
break from Australia & work to enjoy some R&R and overseas travel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">David and Maddie (D&M) had arranged
for a driver to pick us up from the Rustic River and take us up the mountain to
Mae Wang where they live which is about 90 minutes by car.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrOg_-SlljhCUZtpep2XbaRDAw3QEUzscKxHaj4kgSHmdqJOqXxEpzzRZranTucZ7myLkQtMMK_0HPdhORWwnJxv48cZZ04Sz6Fbz1E1ej5Ehhqz0gYlpPX4Ug_msu_e-cpUw_ETJGbOO/s1600/Rustic+River+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrOg_-SlljhCUZtpep2XbaRDAw3QEUzscKxHaj4kgSHmdqJOqXxEpzzRZranTucZ7myLkQtMMK_0HPdhORWwnJxv48cZZ04Sz6Fbz1E1ej5Ehhqz0gYlpPX4Ug_msu_e-cpUw_ETJGbOO/s640/Rustic+River+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Out the front for the Rustic River Hotel<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However the driver wasn’t due until
10am so we had a bit of time to kill and had a look around the local street
markets.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We found lots of stores selling gold
jewellery and a great flower market that was the largest in Chiang Mai.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The adjoining building called Warawot
Markets had a huge market area and we had a quick look at that too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-size: 20pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mae Wang, Thailand<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The ride up to Mae Wang was fun in the
back of a Song Teaw <br />
(Bemo or Taxi Truck) with the twisty mountain roads.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was so good to catch up with
D&M and we had lunch down on the river’s edge while the bamboo rafting guides
brought their guests down past us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Their English friend Gaynor (who also
lives close by) joined us for lunch.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the river’s edge are a series of
Elephant camps.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After lunch we went to visit one where
a young calf was born <br />
only 4 weeks prior. It was very cute.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">D&M’s house is in the quiet
village of Mae Mut, surrounded by rice fields.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Walks around the area in the coolness
of the afternoon were great.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The weeks before we arrived a flash
flood washed away parts of the bridge to their house. It made getting the motor
bikes home a bit difficult.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Afternoon drinks on their top deck
were great.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Every day we planned an activity which
usually involved riding motorbikes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So for our 10 day stay we hired a bike
each.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was Paul’s first trip to Thailand
and he wanted to see a big Budda Statue.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well what D&M had in mind wasn’t
big – it was ginormous!!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We rode 1 hour through tight twisting
roads further into the mountains to visit the Big Budda.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Half way up the mountain we stopped to
look at a Hydro Electric Power Station. The last time D&M were there it was
open and they were able to look inside to see the turbines.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This time Paul and David asked if they
could have an up close look and were able to get in and around the turbines.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When we arrived at the statue park, we
lit some incense as an offering at one of the lower statues before venturing
further up the trail to some smaller Buddas.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just up from the smaller Buddas was a
very big gold Budda that we could just fit in the camera frame.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul thought it was awesome but David
said it wasn’t the biggest and was about the size of a finger on the big one.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We thought he was joking – but he
wasn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We walked over the ridge to see a
ginormous Budda being built on the side of the hill. It has been under construction for many years
and is just nearing the top of the shoulders for the torso.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We were able to walk inside it to see
the scaffolding and internal size.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We walked around to the side to see a
hand and were stunned at the sheer size of it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We had morning tea on the peak
overlooking the valley with fantastic views.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Coming back down the road on the bikes
we saw Elephants and rode around some great hair-pin turns.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The small river that runs through Mae
Wang is a popular area for Elephant camps.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The elephants purpose has changed over
the years from working elephants that were used for things like logging teak and
heavy building materials to now catering to tourists.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The most popular thing is to take
tourists for rides by strapping a chair onto their backs. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s just a personal view but were not
too keen on that idea and don’t feel it’s good for the elephants sanity to be
doing it day in – day out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Others feel that way too and one
particular resort, The Chai Lai Orchid, in the area has diversified by offering
an alternative to the rides.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Instead they offer a unique experience
where you can take an elephant down to the river and help it have a bath.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You can swim with them, help scrub
them clean, as well as play in the water which they just love. You can jump on for a quick bare back ride in
the water too which is a lot of fun, particularly when they spray water all
over themselves - and you!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For us, this was way more appealing
and we spent one arvo with a teenage elephant named Doung-Dee doing just
that. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was a fantastic experience.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Doung-Dee just loved giving Lisa a
kiss, “joob joob”, with her trunk.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We took Doung-Dee for small walks up
the river in between play sessions and scrubs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ironically after being all clean, the
first thing she would do was go up to the dry dirt bank and rub dirt all over
herself and spray dirt everywhere with her trunk.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All of the time Mook, Doung-Dee’s mahout
(care-taker) stayed close by to assist both her and us if required for the
entire experience.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He was just great. They obviously love
their jobs and the elephants under their care.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">David and Maddie’s best Thai friends
are a Lada and Aum, a super fun couple who own the Plern Malee Café and Resort
which is located on the river only a few klm’s from their house.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They are great people, well-travelled
and speak very good English.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We hung out there a lot having
breakfast, lunch or afternoon drinks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The girls are both terrific cooks and
the café makes great smoothies.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lada cooking up a storm in her café kitchen<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just up the road from D&M’s house
is a great walk up to a small waterfall that is on private property.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s nestled between the fields and
can only be accessed by walking up the aqueduct.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s virtually unknown by the tour companies
and therefore is rarely visited by westerners.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The bridge over the gorge had a
walkway over the top of the aqueduct.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The water ran down through a cave that
had a pool in it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It made for a great photo op for the 4
of us using a tripod.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There was another Budda Statue at a temple
called Wat Su Pan Yoo that D&M wanted to show us. It was also a 1 hour ride
from their house, but this time in the other direction and closer to Chiang Mai
and the flatter farming areas.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is four large standing Budda’s and
each one faces a different direction with different hand positions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They were very tall and we estimated
over 30m high.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It has only been recently built and is
not yet a popular tourist destination.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We were there for over 1 hour and
didn’t see another visitor the entire time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The view from the top looking back
down was amazing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From the top we discovered the hedges below
were not only a maze but also it spelt something in the Thai language.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When we were at the top, David looked
across the ridge and could see a new building being built.<br />
We could also see a path linking the 2 so we walked over for a look.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was a new temple and inside was an
amazing spire decorated in glass tiles.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The spire was 4 stories tall and went
right up through the centre of the building.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We were able to walk up the 4 levels.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The view from the roof top was amazing
with 360 degree views of the farm lands below and the mountain ranges in the
distance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After an awesome lunch that cost A$6
for the 4 of us, we headed to the Grand Canyon for a swim.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Grand Canyon is an old quarry that
has been converted to an oversized swimming pool.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are different sections you can swim
around.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With the high rock sides it keeps the
wind out and makes for many points to jump off into the water.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some are very high and not for the
faint hearted.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">David and Maddie (who is doing a somersault) diving into the
water<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The company has put bamboo rafts in to
sun bake on and life jackets are complimentary.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Many people get them so they can use
them as floats to just laze about in the water.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the way home we stopped at a Temple
complex that Paul spied on the way down in the morning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was very ornate and it’s the first
time David and Maddie had seen it too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The sun was behind the 2 temples
making for challenging photography.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just as we were nearly home, Maddie
saw a man making sweet rote’s on the roadside.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">D&M have had them from him before
and said they were great so we all had one each.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oRSoJGwmmEA/VjwtLhLFfEI/AAAAAAAAT2o/PpYDQWEqJWw/s1600/DM%2BLunch%2BFirst%2BDay%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oRSoJGwmmEA/VjwtLhLFfEI/AAAAAAAAT2o/PpYDQWEqJWw/s640/DM%2BLunch%2BFirst%2BDay%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Every second day we would stop and take
a walk down to the elephants which is next door to Lada and Aum’s Resort/Café.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sometimes we would spend a few minutes
up the top where they were feeding and other times we would watch them in the
river with their mahouts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the Friday night we were all
invited to a birthday party.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was the 3<sup>rd</sup> birthday for
Serena who is the daughter of a local lady who has an ex-pat husband.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They were very welcoming and there was
a mixture of locals, ex-pats, tourists (us), working volunteers, western
relatives and backpackers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All in all there were people from 6
different countries.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All the girls chipped in to help with
the food prep and the food was all locally grown, vegetarian and fantastic.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Maddie made an M&M cheesecake as
Serena’s birthday cake.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was a bigger hit with the adults
than the kids….<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of the local ladies teaches fruit
carving and she made a series of carvings for us while we all looked on.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The end result looked amazing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the Saturday morning we were up
early to ride 1 hour down the mountain to the weekly San Pa Tong Buffalo
Markets.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whilst they do sell Buffalo’s, they
also sell loads of other animals, clothing, food, tools and just about anything
else you could imagine.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was huge and took ages to walk
around.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Buffalos were pretty stubborn and
watching the men trying to get them into small utes was a spectacle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">No amount of pulling was getting this Buffalo off the road<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We saw some funny looking cows with
long ears.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We even found Hedgehog’s for sale.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Out the back of the markets, the men
were watching cock-fighting.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Unlike the fights in Philippines and
Indonesia where they strap spurs onto the cocks and fight to the death, these
fights were more humane and they would let them fight for a while before stopping,
cleaning them and putting them back into their cages.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The owners really cared for their
roosters.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After the fight they would give them a
wash and tend to any wounds.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The food section had a lots to offer
and even a cake stall much to Paul’s delight.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b style="text-indent: -36pt;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There were heaps of edible things on
sticks, even Hello Kitty’s and Angry Birds!</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the way home we stopped for lunch
on the river again and had our favourite meal, Panang Chicken.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Saturday night we had pizza night at
D&M’s house.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sadly with no TV or Internet we
couldn’t watch the Rugby World Cup Final between Australia and New Zealand.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the Sunday Lada and Aum organised
for us to go Bamboo Rafting.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Maddie and the girls stayed behind so
we went with David.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Compared to our White Water Rafting
back in Australia with kayaks or inflatable rafts, the bamboo rafting is pretty
tame but it still was a lot of fun.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We had a guide who poled us down the
river and steered the 10m/30ft long raft with a bamboo pole.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The rapids started sedately and
increased in intensity the further down we went.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We went through a lot of different
terrain like grasslands, rocks, under suspension bridges and finally past bamboo
eating huts at the bottom.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the end the staff simply dismantle
the rafts, load the bamboo poles onto a truck and drive them back up to the
start for re-assembling.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Being a Sunday arvo, the river was a
popular place to relax, drink and raft.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We spent the arvo on the water’s edge
drinking and watching the spectacle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We continued the Sunday Session back
up at the Plern Malee Café with Lada, Aum and Gaynor.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We finally left at 7pm – slightly
intoxicated…..<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With the weekend over, we got stuck
back into the touring and Monday we decided to do a big ride up to Thailand’s
highest mountain, Mount (Doi) Inthanon.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It took us over 2 hours to ride to the
mountain.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We had breakfast at Lada and Aum’s café
(which is at 500m altitude) and then climbed up to 2250m above sea level. The
highest peak is 2500m but it was covered in cloud.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The ride was intense with tight turns
virtually the whole way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was so steep that sometimes we were
back to first gear and under 10klm per hour.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The temperature dropped considerably as
we climbed into the mountains and we ended up in jeans, warm tops and jackets.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Half way up we stopped for a break and
had a look at a manicured garden.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Towards the top the hillsides were
covered with long plastic covered flower growing enclosures.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We stopped at a roadside market that
had lots of locally grown fruit and veg along with nuts, honey, dried fruit and
locally made wine.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the base of the peak is the
Inthanon Royal Gardens.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The gardens were commissioned by the
King of Thailand and are beautifully manicured.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is a mixture of decorative
gardens, working fruit and vegetable gardens and a large range of
undercover/indoor hot houses.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There were separate enclosures for
strawberries, orchids, ferns, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The orchid enclosure was amazing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We went to the local restaurant within
the Royal Gardens grounds.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The grounds around the restaurant were
filled with gardens growing the vegetables that the restaurant uses. We thought
it was very clever and the food was fantastic and reasonably priced.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To walk up to the waterfall, we had to
walk through a fern forest with many pathways.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The waterfall had loads of water
cascading down it and meandering through the many tributaries winding down through
the fern forest.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The trip home on the bikes was
difficult with tight turns on the steep decline.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At least on the way up you could keep
the revs up and accelerate into the turns.
On the way down we were under brakes virtually the whole time. There was
no margin for error and we really had to concentrate hard, which was difficult
over such a long distance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Towards the bottom we stopped at a
small Buddist Complex with some statues and large spire in the corner.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By the time we got home it was nearly
dark. We had managed over 5 hours riding and climbed up and down over 3500
vertical meters.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By 8pm we were all stuffed and had
collapsed into bed exhausted.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On our last day in Mae Wang, we decided
to do some things close to D&M’s house so we took a short ride up to the
Mae Sa Pok Waterfall.</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The valley on the way up was beautiful
with lots of rice terraces and banana groves.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The waterfall was nice but had no area
for swimming. Instead there was a large rock area that the water ran down onto after
the waterfall.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For our last night, the girls got
together and made a stack of food for a BBQ at Lada and Aum’s café.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some of Lada’s friends had flown in
from Bangkok and a few mutual friends from in town also came.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We started at 4pm and had a great
night with 12 of us eating, drinking and having fun.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The food was fantastic and in Thai
tradition, there was loads of it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After dinner and a lot of drinks, the
karaoke machine got quite a workout….<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At around 10:30pm David and Lisa put together<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5 lanterns and we took them outside
and let them go.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The last one was special. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We all held it, made wishes, said something
special and let it go together.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was a perfect way to end our Mae
Wang experience with David, Maddie and their special friends.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-size: 20pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chiang Mai, Thailand<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fortunately Lada had to go to Chiang
Mai the next day and she offered to take as down which was perfect.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We checked into our hotel room at the
newly opened Chedi Home Guesthouse.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We tried to go back to the Rustic
River but it was booked out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It didn’t matter because the new place
was awesome with a very close proximity to everything in the old city and a
great view from our window.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Guesthouse at night.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the centre of Chiang Mai is “The
Old City”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was built nearly 700 years ago and
had a high city wall surrounded by a moat.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Inside the city are a large amount of
Buddist Temples and Monuments.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Parts of the wall, the moat and many
of the temples have been rebuilt/restored, whilst other parts have been left untouched.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It gives a nice balance of old and new
and The Old City has become hugely popular with tourists.<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On our first afternoon we walked
around inside the old city with the main purpose to visit the temples.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After seeing a few we realised that
all the temples front facades face east.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That meant in the afternoon the sun
was setting behind the temples and made it nearly impossible to take decent
photos looking into the sun. The temples were also crowded.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We quickly worked out that very early
in the morning would be a much better time to visit.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At an older temple we saw monks
placing flags in woven baskets and building sections of a new temple.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The old temple in which they were
working was made from timber which is different from all the others which are
brick or stone.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We also had a look at some other spires,
the wall and the moat.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Two spires – one new, one old<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As darkness fell we went and had
dinner at a street night market at the Old City Gate Entrance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The street food was tasty, very cheap
and there was a huge variety.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One stall owner had 6 beautiful Indian
Ringneck birds happily sitting off to one side.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As it got dark, the city came to life
with loads of bars, restaurants, and traffic.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul had a blast taking time exposure
shots of the moat and the city.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whilst Paul had ticked his things off
that he wanted to do in Thailand, Lisa’s top 2 were still not ticked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The top of her wish list was to go to
a Muay Thai Boxing Fight.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yeah OK we know this is a weird
request from a female but Lisa loves UFC and Muay Thai is next best.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When doing research a few days prior,
David had told us a title fight was on the first night we were in Chiang Mai.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So when we arrived we enquired as to ticket
availability and we very excited to find there were still VIP ring-side seats available
so we booked straight away.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In reality Muay Thai fights are held
in Chiang Mai most nights but title fights are not so common.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was a 7 fight programme starting at
9pm at the Thapae International Boxing Stadium.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our seats were right behind the judges
and bell. Lisa was very happy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First the young boys fought followed
by teenagers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 15 year olds didn’t hold back and
the second fight was one of the best of the night.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fights 3 and 4 ended in some pretty
heavy going with 2 wild knock-outs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Knock out 1 – and a few broken ribs<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and Knock-out 2 –he was out cold….<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 5th fight was a bit unusual.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They put 6 fighters in the ring,
blindfolded them and let them go for it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was really wild. The referee was
helping one guy on the ground and copped a big whack to the back of the head.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The next 2 fights were international
fights with Swiss vs. Thai.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Thai guy was pretty cocky in the
first fight until the Swiss guy finished him off in the 2nd round.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The last fight was the Title fight and
it was a big event with lots of fan-fare.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The fight was fantastic and went the
distance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The Thai fighter won 3 rounds to 2.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They had a lot of respect for each
other after the fight.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We stayed behind in the VIP area
afterwards and were able to get photos with the fighters.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Above all else, we thought the fights
were very well run and the Muay Thai code has a great deal of respect, probably
the most of any code of fighters.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There’s no trash talking, slandering
and dirty tactics.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The fighters have lots of respect for
their opponent, the opponent’s entourage and the Muay Thai code itself.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Interestingly enough, there was about
60/40 guys to girls in the crowd.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The next morning we were up early to
get back to the temples inside <br />
The Old City.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It paid off as the sun location was
right and there were no crowds.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The largest temple had a smaller one
located next to it that was for men only. Inside was incredibly ornate with the
entire walls covered in detailed paintings.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Inside the main temple there were many
monks praying.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the grounds behind the temple is
the city’s largest old temple,<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Wat Jediluang or the City Pillar.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is over 700 years old and is in the
centre of the Old City.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There were lots of smaller pillars and
other interesting sculptures around the area.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another of the temples in the northern
sector also had the walls covered in amazing painted murals.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some of the smaller temples were also
beautifully decorated inside.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With the Old City streets being narrow
and busy, the best way to get around is in a Took Took.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In stark contrast to Lisa’s first
Thailand must do, the second was a cooking class.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After doing a bit of research we booked
to do an evening class at a local place in Chiang Mai called TomYumThai.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We were picked up at 4pm and went straight
to the markets with the 7 other willing participants to get our fresh produce
and to do a quick market tour and explanation of the ingredients we would be
using.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oun our cooking class teacher and
company owner did the tour.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He was a funny guy and very likable.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After that it was back to his house to
cook 6 dishes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was very well set up with 3
separate areas for eating, preparing and cooking.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Each time we moved into another area,
the staff would come in, clean up and prep for the next phase.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was well organised, light hearted
and a lot of fun.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The others in the group were all
fantastic people and we had a great arvo/evening with them. The 9 people in the
class came from 5 different countries so it was a great mix of interesting people.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just some of the prep room antics…..<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was Paul’s first ever cooking class
and he was a little reserved at first but ending up having a lot of fun.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By the end we were all laughing and
joking over the final meal and dessert.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On our last full day in Chiang Mai,
David and Maddie came down on their bike to join us for lunch.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We had a fantastic meal at a great
Sushi restaurant followed by some yummy Macaroons surrounded by excited
schoolgirls happy to be in the photos with us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That night we ended up at the Night
Bazaar Markets which are about 1klm from the Old City.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was crazy how big they were with
streets and streets of stalls selling anything and everything and lots of “Same
Same But Different…”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We had a funny experience right at the
end.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We really struggle to find clothes and
shoes for Lisa in Asia because of her height and size. She towers over most Asians!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once again in the markets we couldn’t
find her any clothes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As we were walking home at 11:15pm we
found a large isolated clothes shop with a “Happy Hour Sale” from 11pm to
midnight were everything in the store was 100 baht (A$4) so Lisa went in and
was helped by a great staff member. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She walked out with 4 tops and 3
skirts for A$28.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Talk about bargains at the 11<sup>th</sup>
hour….. literally!!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The next morning we were on a plane
out of Thailand.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So that’s it for yet another jam
packed episode of our blog.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Overall we loved our few weeks in Thailand.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There was an international advertising
promo a while back promoting Thailand as “Amazing Thailand”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When you say something great about the
place the locals joke and say <br />“AMAZING THAILAND!!!”, but really that’s exactly
what it is.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From a tourist and local’s point of
view, it is a little more expense to visit and<br />live here than in Indonesia and a lot
more than The Philippines, <br />
but it’s still very affordable by western standards.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We only touched on a
very small amount of things to see and do in central northern Thailand and we
are definitely going to come back with a little more time to explore.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b>
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A HUGE, HUGE thanks goes out to our friends David and Maddie for putting up with us for days on end. It was pretty go, go, go and we had an absolute blast with them and are very thankful for their local knowledge and guiding us everywhere.</span></span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We've decided to give them 5 stars on the Tripadvisor rating!!!! Hehe</span></span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So we’re off on the next leg of our
adventure – Singapore, Malaysia and then onto Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Look out for Episode 44 towards the
end of 2015/early 2016.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cheers for now.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul Hogger<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lisa Hogger<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And a temporarily in storage Yacht
Lorelei.</span></span></b></div>
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sv_loreleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14235157985522355104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245635408700620959.post-25867305799951616112015-10-10T16:20:00.000-07:002019-02-09T17:37:37.917-08:00Episode 42 Bali and Lombok Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="color: yellow; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 37.3333px;">Lorelei’s Sailing Adventures</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZKTTmOXGXtrEFlut8vk_Oqv75BzxWZrgvddTRa85tFhcR87EWsgTWJ9NAWfk5NykBGnne2CcfZIsskNo1jEv7m8ihh66NslRX-9wrJYEwAaMKANP-5zlqjgPmuCzJJuBl-gmea-rlgfN/s1600/Episode+42+bali+and+lombok+pt.2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="1600" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZKTTmOXGXtrEFlut8vk_Oqv75BzxWZrgvddTRa85tFhcR87EWsgTWJ9NAWfk5NykBGnne2CcfZIsskNo1jEv7m8ihh66NslRX-9wrJYEwAaMKANP-5zlqjgPmuCzJJuBl-gmea-rlgfN/s640/Episode+42+bali+and+lombok+pt.2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Towards the
end of Episode 41, we were in Bali and doing a series of <br />
land-based tours with a local Balinese driver/tour guide Wayan.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had
enjoyed the Ubud and Uluwatu areas but were now looking at heading north into
the high lands with him.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lorelei was
safely anchored at Serangan Harbour on Bali’s SE coast.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our location for this
Episode of the Blog.<br />
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our route for this
Episode of the Blog.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt;">NORTHERN BALI HIGHLANDS TRIP<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For our third
day trip with Wayan, we headed up to the northern parts of Bali and into the
mountain areas.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first
stop was the Taman Ayun Temple.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This is an
old temple built during the Dutch colonial days.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Recently it
has been declared a UNESCO site.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the lower
section of the temple grounds is a large cock-fighting arena.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Cock fights
are a tradition of the area and up until recently were a regular attraction at
the temple.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However many
tourists complained about the fights, particularly when it’s inside temple
grounds and at a UNESCO site, so the locals reluctantly stopped them and put
figurines in the arena instead.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The top
section of the temple grounds has a series of small temples surrounded by a
moat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It looked
amazing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had made
an early start which had certainly paid off.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had the
place to ourselves and it was only as we were leaving that the hoards of other
visitors started to arrive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We then
headed up into the mountains.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The scenery
on the way up was fantastic with big views over the valleys and loads of local
market gardens.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Great view from 800m up
and loads of yummy Strawberries….<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Next stop was
the Temple on the Lake or Pura Bratan Temple.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The grounds
of the area are well manicured and huge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Being a
Sunday, there were loads of local families enjoying a great day out.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Unfortunately
due to the lack of rain, the water level in the lake had dropped considerably
giving the lake temple a dry dirt perimeter rather than being surrounded by
water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After a
fantastic lunch we drove up to 1200m to view a stunning twin lake system that
is nestled amongst some high mountains.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found some
beautiful Orchids around the edges of the lake.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Other parts
of the lake are busy with farming and aquaculture.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">From the
other side of the range we could see the coastline of northern Bali. We had no
idea we were so far north.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Up in the
mountains are also loads Rice Paddies.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We stopped to
watch the manual harvesting taking place.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The markets
in the hills had fantastic locally grown fresh produce along with a wide
variety of ground herbs and spices.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We did a walk
through a series of valleys that were filled with rice terraces.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The farmers
were having problems with irrigation so many of the terraces were left fallow
for the dry season.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At 4:30pm we
took off for a 45minute drive to the west coast to visit Paul’s highlight of
the day – the Tanah Lot Temple sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This location
is hugely popular for people wishing to view a west coast sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Inside the
temple grounds is packed with restaurants, cafés, shops and souvenir stores.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For Paul it
was hard to decide which location to view the sunset from as there was a small
temple with a natural arch as well as the main temple on the high rocky shoreline.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We looked
down over the rock platform to find 100’s of people gathered waiting for the
sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul found a
great location on a rock ledge that required a little climbing to get too but
was a perfect place to set the tripod up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa and
Wayan decided to stay a little further down.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The sunset
was great.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9P9mczs9dXY/Vg0NBmr9uzI/AAAAAAAATEc/XY-PWoJsiis/s1600/North%2BTrip%2BTana%2BLot%2BSunset%2B%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9P9mczs9dXY/Vg0NBmr9uzI/AAAAAAAATEc/XY-PWoJsiis/s640/North%2BTrip%2BTana%2BLot%2BSunset%2B%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">5 minutes
after the sun had set everybody left – except us…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The sun was
gone but a warm glow of colours formed over the horizon behind the temple.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul changed
camera settings to long 15-30 second exposures and was rewarded with some
silhouette temple photos with the soft blurred water.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LcdEEUDlCmU/Vg0M_ofxvWI/AAAAAAAATEM/Z1PE5dOhEVs/s1600/North%2BTrip%2BTana%2BLot%2BSunset%2B%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LcdEEUDlCmU/Vg0M_ofxvWI/AAAAAAAATEM/Z1PE5dOhEVs/s640/North%2BTrip%2BTana%2BLot%2BSunset%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It took 1
hour to get home which made for a 13 hour day on the road – and another 1100
photos to sort through the next day….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was only
day 2 of this blog episode and Paul had already made the title banner for this
month – but had to wait over 3 weeks to post it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ihdmBPNq2aQ/VhjDV1cecMI/AAAAAAAATYk/xHVM4N12OGY/s1600/epi%2B42%2Bheader%2Bmaster%2Bresized.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ihdmBPNq2aQ/VhjDV1cecMI/AAAAAAAATYk/xHVM4N12OGY/s640/epi%2B42%2Bheader%2Bmaster%2Bresized.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt;">SURFING BALI’S EAST COAST<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">2 days later
the swell started to increase again.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However this
time the swell direction was more from the south rather than SW.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With little
wind forecast we decided to stay in Serangan Harbour and have a crack at the
surf breaks within a few miles travel of the harbour.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We ventured
north to Hyatt’s surf break which can be a cranking right hander but it was
messy with a huge current pushing through the line-up so we went further north
and found a place called Tanjung Sari that was much better.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When the first
big set came through, it was huge and Paul and the other 5 surfers all got
cleaned up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There was
however one old guy on a big mal that patiently sat way out the back and rode
the big sets that came through every 20 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6W6ljWN6z18/Vg0OdrFvvwI/AAAAAAAATJQ/MyN_D_JrpkY/s1600/Surfing%2BTanjung%2BSari%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6W6ljWN6z18/Vg0OdrFvvwI/AAAAAAAATJQ/MyN_D_JrpkY/s640/Surfing%2BTanjung%2BSari%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One guy
paddled back out with his back completely covered in deep scratches and grazes
from where he got hammered on the shallow reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It didn’t
stop him getting some great waves though.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1tKjySlJtsk/Vg0OeAwyh7I/AAAAAAAATJU/ta5aqO3-x5U/s1600/Surfing%2BTanjung%2BSari%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="324" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1tKjySlJtsk/Vg0OeAwyh7I/AAAAAAAATJU/ta5aqO3-x5U/s640/Surfing%2BTanjung%2BSari%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Once
the tide came up the waves filled up making it much harder to take off and some
very late drops.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U0wr27KvjDc/Vg0OetBkEeI/AAAAAAAATJg/iNtGYOFmUPM/s1600/Surfing%2BTanjung%2BSari%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U0wr27KvjDc/Vg0OetBkEeI/AAAAAAAATJg/iNtGYOFmUPM/s640/Surfing%2BTanjung%2BSari%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O9stqIvLdo0/Vg0OiXqkumI/AAAAAAAATKE/GFQOzhd-POw/s1600/Surfing%2BTanjung%2BSari%2B%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O9stqIvLdo0/Vg0OiXqkumI/AAAAAAAATKE/GFQOzhd-POw/s640/Surfing%2BTanjung%2BSari%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our friend Hayley from
the yacht “Jack the Toad” on a big bomb<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The inside
section had a nice wall followed by a sucky barrel as it pitched over the
shallow coral reef.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KwkktzlJ0uA/Vg0Ogyh6NAI/AAAAAAAATJw/IbIS8WyzuhE/s1600/Surfing%2BTanjung%2BSari%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KwkktzlJ0uA/Vg0Ogyh6NAI/AAAAAAAATJw/IbIS8WyzuhE/s640/Surfing%2BTanjung%2BSari%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DXvmaRxF2Bk/Vg0Oh53JsbI/AAAAAAAATJ8/7sDd-_WMrxY/s1600/Surfing%2BTanjung%2BSari%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DXvmaRxF2Bk/Vg0Oh53JsbI/AAAAAAAATJ8/7sDd-_WMrxY/s640/Surfing%2BTanjung%2BSari%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As with all
bigger waves, heavy wipe-outs are always a risk and we all had our fair share.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Hayley had a
beauty that Lisa caught on camera.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ww1XvMFsJpM/Vg0Oimml5PI/AAAAAAAATKI/NbnGmqf9vEg/s1600/Surfing%2BTanjung%2BSari%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="324" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ww1XvMFsJpM/Vg0Oimml5PI/AAAAAAAATKI/NbnGmqf9vEg/s640/Surfing%2BTanjung%2BSari%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That night
(and most nights in Serangan Harbour) we had a great sunset that set behind the
boats in the harbour.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt;">LORELEI’S WOES<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Behind the
scenes it had been a difficult 6 weeks onboard Lorelei with lots of small
issues.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our
desalinator pump had blown a seal and was leaking salt water all over the
engine and engine room, our desalinator membrane salinity levels were too high,
the fresh water pump wouldn’t prime up, our washing machine died along with our
engine starting batteries and Paul’s laptop.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Additionally
the lack of rain had the boat covered in salt and volcanic ash and stains were
leaching everywhere around the deck and hull.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">To top it all
off, water was super expensive in Serangan Harbour, the mafia controlled the
fuel making it impossible to get decent fuel without paying exorbitant prices
and most of the emails we were sending to Balinese businesses to get new
products or spare parts were going unanswered.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">All in all it
was really getting us down and we felt like we were going 2 steps forward and
one back in an ongoing battle to keep Lorelei running smoothly.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We couldn’t
even order the parts internationally and have them shipped to Indo for fear of
paying up to 100% import duty, numerous “assistance fees” to get it through the
officialdom and that’s even assuming the parcel doesn’t go “missing” in the
meantime.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we hired
Wayan again for a day of running around in the car and using his knowledge to
try and source what we could.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were about
70% successful and just figured the rest would have to wait until we got to another
country.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt;">VISITING FRIENDS<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">September 19<sup>th</sup>
marked the start of school holidays in most of Australia and we were lucky to
have friends Chris & Cynthia and daughter Grace staying at Sanur in Bali
which was only a short distance from where Lorelei was anchored in Serangan
Harbour.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So on day 2
of their holiday we invited them out to Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We then
realised they had friends Casey and Jackson with them as well.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They are
fantastic people and the 7 of us had a great day swimming, eating, drinking and
playing on Nessie and the SUP.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Mid arvo we
packed up moved the party to their resort in Sanur and played in the pool,
talked and had drinks until dinner time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa and Grace playing
in the pool<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The view from Chris and
Cynthia’s Balcony<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For Dinner we
walked down to the Sanur night markets which are hugely popular and have loads
of Balinese stalls selling a large variety of local food.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Grace at one of the many
Warung style food carts<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul's favourite – Sate
Ayam (Satay Chicken Sticks)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa with a jumbo
chicken, vege and mushroom pancake<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">with 2 avocado
smoothies. Total cost – A$5.50<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The highlight
was the banana, chocolate and peanut pancakes that Grace showed us for dessert.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For $1.30
they were awesome!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Trouble in Paradise<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We woke the
next morning to terrible news that was spreading like wildfire through the
small cruising yacht community.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A group of
armed terrorists raided the Ocean View Marina in Davao, <br />
The Philippines at around midnight the night before.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They
overpowered the security guards and targeted 4 yachts.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Two friends
tried to fight back and managed to escape but were badly beaten and
hospitalised.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly though
the gunmen took 4 people and escaped in the 2 local bangka boats they arrived
in.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It really
rocked us and everyone in the small yachting community that is currently in the
Indo/Philippines area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul was
emailing back and forwards with one of the people taken only 3 hours prior to
the attack.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Additionally
we had been in the exact marina berth were the incident took place 1 year prior
to the day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Mountain biking on Samal
Island one year prior with<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">one of our friends who
was abducted.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">What was also
disturbing was the media’s coverage of the incident.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had
first-hand info of what had happened but just shook our heads as the story
built momentum with the media.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We read
report after report on the internet and they were all different and many were
incorrect on so many different things.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br />
Then sadly CCTV footage of the incident was plastered all over the news and it
was terrible to see friends being beaten and led away with barely nothing on.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Despite a
major manhunt going ahead, days later there was still no trace of the assailants
or victims (only their abandoned getaway boats) and no ransom had yet been
posted.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were due
to leave Serangan Harbour that day but we postponed for 48 hours as we wanted
to stay with internet reception for any further details and also the wind and
swell was up making for a less than pleasant next anchorage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had to get
out for a little while to clear our heads so we went for a kayak and SUP up
along the inside of the reef and Paul had a SUP surf at one of the breaks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
we headed back into Sanur and had a look around and lunch before heading back
to the Griya Santrian Resort where our friends were staying.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had
another great arvo swimming, relaxing and hanging out before going out for
dinner at the markets again.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By the time
we got back to the resort it was after 11pm and the grounds were still and
quiet so Paul took some time exposure shots around the resort.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Falun Dafa Event<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We got home
at 1:30am and despite being tired, we didn’t sleep very well.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At 5:30am
Paul could hear a lot of talking coming from a loud speaker onshore where the
kite festival was held 2 weeks prior (see the previous blog episode).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul grabbed
the binoculars and could see hundreds of people clad in yellow and white and a
large tower that wasn’t there two days ago.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So Paul put
the SUP in and paddled over to the park at 6am (with his camera backpack on….)
to see what it was all about.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At first he
was shocked to see scores of military vehicles and hundreds of people dressed
in military fatigues.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It seemed a
lot of people guarding what appeared to be a very peaceful event.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul walked
around to find it was a Falun Dafa Event.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iYAvAM4G6Yo/Vg0Ltu2rscI/AAAAAAAAS-U/trLcORAe-VI/s1600/Falun%2BDafa%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iYAvAM4G6Yo/Vg0Ltu2rscI/AAAAAAAAS-U/trLcORAe-VI/s640/Falun%2BDafa%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Falun Dafa or
Falun Gong is a Chinese spiritual practice that combines meditation and qigong
exercises.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In the
1980’s, up to 200 million people daily would fill the parks in China at dawn to
perform slow moving exercises known as qigong.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In 1992 a man
called Master Li introduced Falun Gong publicly and it was an instant hit. It
differed from qigong as it put an emphasis on self-cultivation toward spiritual
perfection and healing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Master Li
travelled all through China and the rest of the world promoting it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A worldwide
official study found that Falun Gong saved countries millions in heath costs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However in
1999 Falun Gong became China’s public enemy number one and the government had
it banned.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Communist
Party claimed is was a menace to society and a bad influence on the common
people.</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">While it is
still outlawed in China, it is still widely practised in over 20 countries
worldwide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul could
not quite understand whether the event in Bali was a statement, a PR rally, an
annual gathering or just a group of Falun Gong supporters enjoying what they
love.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They had the
name FALUN DAFA written in large blue letters on the ground and had built a
high scaffolding platform for the events photographers to view it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As Paul was
the only tourist/westerner there he asked if he could go up to the top of the
tower to take photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There was
certainly no OH&S building standard and the photo platforms had no rails
and only a bamboo pole at the back to lean against.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AgrE3fb8-Ko/Vg0Lr3PwLiI/AAAAAAAAS-I/hmj061fJ1Hc/s1600/Falun%2BDafa%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AgrE3fb8-Ko/Vg0Lr3PwLiI/AAAAAAAAS-I/hmj061fJ1Hc/s640/Falun%2BDafa%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CVlTmXE3o9Q/Vg0LuqchpwI/AAAAAAAAS-o/CjpV58qBgL4/s1600/Falun%2BDafa%2B%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CVlTmXE3o9Q/Vg0LuqchpwI/AAAAAAAAS-o/CjpV58qBgL4/s640/Falun%2BDafa%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We don’t normally do
selfies but Paul couldn’t resist on this occasion.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The early
morning sun cast long shadows over the field making for a great photo op of the
people and the tower.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4v8QjmZQzsg/Vg0Lp6MesSI/AAAAAAAAS9s/o3B9sQVKh2E/s1600/Falun%2BDafa%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4v8QjmZQzsg/Vg0Lp6MesSI/AAAAAAAAS9s/o3B9sQVKh2E/s640/Falun%2BDafa%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They had
about 50 people arranged to perform Falun Gong on each letter.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4g3YprwHbgo/Vg0Lumtb8JI/AAAAAAAAS-g/Y8PCxJ7D46c/s1600/Falun%2BDafa%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4g3YprwHbgo/Vg0Lumtb8JI/AAAAAAAAS-g/Y8PCxJ7D46c/s640/Falun%2BDafa%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zIK307wG99k/Vg0LruR9ILI/AAAAAAAAS-A/7PzFvYLM2nk/s1600/Falun%2BDafa%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zIK307wG99k/Vg0LruR9ILI/AAAAAAAAS-A/7PzFvYLM2nk/s640/Falun%2BDafa%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-051B_RKr1Cc/Vg0LsWJ56wI/AAAAAAAAS-M/V2DkN89cULI/s1600/Falun%2BDafa%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-051B_RKr1Cc/Vg0LsWJ56wI/AAAAAAAAS-M/V2DkN89cULI/s640/Falun%2BDafa%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt;">Clean and Green Day</span></u></b><br />
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When the
event was over Paul wondered where all the Military personnel had gone?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As he walked
back down the beach, he spied a huge amount of flags through the trees and
across a small inlet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
hundreds of military personal all lined up at attention.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They we also
standing alongside what looked like a large number of teenage Scouts.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Li0JKC_eKZg/Vg0LeumbVRI/AAAAAAAAS8c/8CPMOtLHx5o/s1600/Clean%2Band%2BGreen%2BDay%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Li0JKC_eKZg/Vg0LeumbVRI/AAAAAAAAS8c/8CPMOtLHx5o/s640/Clean%2Band%2BGreen%2BDay%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul
reluctantly walked across the bridge and asked numerous times if he could go
and see what was going on and if he could take photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He received
many smiling nods and welcomes but was still a little unsure.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Walking
uninvited into an Indonesian military exercise as the only plain clothed
westerner holding 3 Nikon DSLR cameras is not an ideal situation…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WiVzPxD00_E/Vg0Lgxkw7AI/AAAAAAAAS8s/Pzo8nkVSOX4/s1600/Clean%2Band%2BGreen%2BDay%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WiVzPxD00_E/Vg0Lgxkw7AI/AAAAAAAAS8s/Pzo8nkVSOX4/s640/Clean%2Band%2BGreen%2BDay%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However it
turned out to be an annual “Clean and Green Day” and within 5 minutes of Paul
arriving, the formalities had finished, only to be replaced with hundreds of
people with small mangrove saplings and stakes digging holes and replanting
entire sections of the shoreline and along the small inlet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They had loud
patriotic music blaring through the speakers and they sang along as they
worked.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VRyEz1tHeV4/Vg0LnleBSUI/AAAAAAAAS9g/nH5wKWe1oeQ/s1600/Clean%2Band%2BGreen%2BDay%2B%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VRyEz1tHeV4/Vg0LnleBSUI/AAAAAAAAS9g/nH5wKWe1oeQ/s640/Clean%2Band%2BGreen%2BDay%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The banners
paraded around the replanting areas and everyone would stop and gather to get
in the photos with the banners behind.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8tsyS82Kk6E/Vg0LnvX3ApI/AAAAAAAAS9c/MnP8DmrdiRc/s1600/Clean%2Band%2BGreen%2BDay%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8tsyS82Kk6E/Vg0LnvX3ApI/AAAAAAAAS9c/MnP8DmrdiRc/s640/Clean%2Band%2BGreen%2BDay%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Towards the
end, the most decorated Officer came and spoke to Paul and they had a great
chat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By 10am it
was all over and normal programming for the day had resumed – with one exception
that was the bogged military bus.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It had tried
to turn around on the sandy field and had become hopelessly stuck.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They tried
for ages to get it out but only succeeded to sink it deeper and right up to the
undercarriage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">No amount of
pushing was ever going to get it out….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The wind was
already up by the time Paul had arrived home and the kiteboarding schools had
started their lessons.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We watched as
one beginner lost control and got the kite and strings wound up around Harry
and Hayley’s yacht.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They weren’t
onboard so we took photos for them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wr6K7rgsHsQ/Vg0L1Jq86YI/AAAAAAAAS_k/3yCed61CpMs/s1600/Kite%2BWoes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wr6K7rgsHsQ/Vg0L1Jq86YI/AAAAAAAAS_k/3yCed61CpMs/s640/Kite%2BWoes.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had
decided to leave the next morning and head back out to Nusa Lembongan to get
back into the hunt for Mola Mola.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However when
we woke up it was already blowing quite strong.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We went into
town to get our final provisions but by the time we got back it was really
windy and for the first time since we had been in Bali, the Kiteboarders were
out on 12m kites.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So Paul
headed out to join them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At first it
was just windy enough for the twin tip and doing some smaller jumps and flips.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wBzY1ROEU5U/Vg0OO5cgkSI/AAAAAAAATHw/b60cb-YlVCc/s1600/Sanur%2BKiting%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wBzY1ROEU5U/Vg0OO5cgkSI/AAAAAAAATHw/b60cb-YlVCc/s640/Sanur%2BKiting%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Within 45
minutes the wind had dropped so Paul swapped to a strapless directional board.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E8vv8Q8jibU/Vg0OQ2ERBMI/AAAAAAAATII/uxNfWGBp314/s1600/Sanur%2BKiting%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E8vv8Q8jibU/Vg0OQ2ERBMI/AAAAAAAATII/uxNfWGBp314/s640/Sanur%2BKiting%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JH1QFeT_Lcg/Vg0ORQhG0TI/AAAAAAAATIE/7z_F1FsSq9g/s1600/Sanur%2BKiting%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="344" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JH1QFeT_Lcg/Vg0ORQhG0TI/AAAAAAAATIE/7z_F1FsSq9g/s640/Sanur%2BKiting%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul kited
until the sun was setting which cast a yellow glow over the harbour.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hR1aw5VlIo4/Vg0OPZTiRLI/AAAAAAAATH4/NwDC4dEn0Hs/s1600/Sanur%2BKiting%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hR1aw5VlIo4/Vg0OPZTiRLI/AAAAAAAATH4/NwDC4dEn0Hs/s640/Sanur%2BKiting%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That night it
was the night of the blood moon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were all
excited and had the cameras out and set up ready to go.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We googled
what time it would start only to find out it couldn’t be seen from Indonesia…..
Bummer!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However the
moon was yellow and bright and still made for a good shot.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xowL3kZ7jlE/Vg0LvMTf4JI/AAAAAAAAS-s/WnSNnkJiavE/s1600/Full%2BMoon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xowL3kZ7jlE/Vg0LvMTf4JI/AAAAAAAAS-s/WnSNnkJiavE/s640/Full%2BMoon.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt;">Nusa Lembongan</span></u></b><br />
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day
we finally left for Nusa Lembongan.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The crossing
was so slow with the current against us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first 90%
was fine but with 1.5 mile to go the tide turned and we were getting hammered
by a super strong current.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had all
sails up and reaching in 15 knots of wind along with the motor running at
higher than normal cruising revs. We should’ve been doing about 8-9 knots and
instead were doing 1 knot!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It took 90
minutes to cover the last 1.5nm. Crazy!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So note to
self – don’t try the crossing on a full moon spring tide!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were up at
5am the next morning rigging camera and scuba gear for our renewed Mola Mola
(Giant Sunfish) hunt.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had tried in
the last episode but failed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This time the
swell was small and the moon and tides were all right for an early start.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Like before
we got to Crystal Bay (the world’s best spot for Mola Mola sightings) at around
6:30am to beat the huge influx of dive boats that were sure to arrive from
about 8:30am onwards.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sure enough
we were the only boat in the bay and had the dive location all to ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The water was
cold and clear which was perfect.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This time
there was a lot more fish and the soft corals were all out.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FcpxestVkdw/Vg0L279G_YI/AAAAAAAAS_8/96Zfty5o6z0/s1600/Mola%2BMola%2BDive%2B1%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FcpxestVkdw/Vg0L279G_YI/AAAAAAAAS_8/96Zfty5o6z0/s640/Mola%2BMola%2BDive%2B1%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zW9v9lGH_SM/Vg0L4ZSf4RI/AAAAAAAATAQ/SI-f6jsmv6o/s1600/Mola%2BMola%2BDive%2B1%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zW9v9lGH_SM/Vg0L4ZSf4RI/AAAAAAAATAQ/SI-f6jsmv6o/s640/Mola%2BMola%2BDive%2B1%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DBwh5uyqz0o/Vg0L394tu6I/AAAAAAAATAI/j_b-Q9h4Hgg/s1600/Mola%2BMola%2BDive%2B1%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DBwh5uyqz0o/Vg0L394tu6I/AAAAAAAATAI/j_b-Q9h4Hgg/s640/Mola%2BMola%2BDive%2B1%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we swam
right out along the wall the current started to increase heading out of the
bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were just
about to turn around when Paul spied a shape in the distance and swam out to
find a large 1.8m (6ft) tall Mola Mola being cleaned by Banner Fish.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-azf_3X-6_6U/Vg0L5KJf9pI/AAAAAAAATAU/cbHJhwuPqQs/s1600/Mola%2BMola%2BDive%2B1%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-azf_3X-6_6U/Vg0L5KJf9pI/AAAAAAAATAU/cbHJhwuPqQs/s640/Mola%2BMola%2BDive%2B1%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XpvqcsLFimQ/Vg0L53xooCI/AAAAAAAATAg/ET4F-jkUwzA/s1600/Mola%2BMola%2BDive%2B1%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XpvqcsLFimQ/Vg0L53xooCI/AAAAAAAATAg/ET4F-jkUwzA/s640/Mola%2BMola%2BDive%2B1%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On our return
to the Bay, Madé who controls the moorings in the bay was happily waiting for
us for a chat, to see if there were Mola’s and his A$1.50 mooring fee.<br />
Paul took a photo of him on his kayak.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z04fwpoV8T4/Vg0L6a5E01I/AAAAAAAATAo/l7HEMMAccaA/s1600/Mola%2BMola%2BDive%2B1%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z04fwpoV8T4/Vg0L6a5E01I/AAAAAAAATAo/l7HEMMAccaA/s640/Mola%2BMola%2BDive%2B1%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Just as we
were leaving we said to Madé that we would see him tomorrow but he said that
diving and all water sports around the area were banned from sunrise to sunset
the next day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the
language barrier we couldn’t quite understand but got that it was a religious
occasion.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We googled it
to find the occasion is called Nyepi Laut (Sea Seclusion Day) which is done to
appease and pay homage to Dewa Baruna, the ruler of the seas and oceans.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sure enough
we woke the next morning to absolute peace reigning over what is normally a
very busy bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4AFBx4nVcis/Vg0Nf5QJbhI/AAAAAAAATGE/Q3gP1c7buy8/s1600/Nusa%2BLem%2BSunrise.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4AFBx4nVcis/Vg0Nf5QJbhI/AAAAAAAATGE/Q3gP1c7buy8/s640/Nusa%2BLem%2BSunrise.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">And it stayed
like that all day – no boats, no bikes, no music, no noise at all….. It was
like a holocaust had occurred as the locals were all meditating and relaxing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Politely, the
3 yachts in the bay also complied and we all left our dinghy’s up on the davits
and kept quiet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was pretty
surreal watching the Shipwrecks surf break peeling at high tide without a
single person out surfing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The ones who enjoyed
the day the most were the local dolphins who played freely in the bay without
fear of scores of boat flying past them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The peace was
great and it gave us a full day to finalise our travel plans and book
everything for our next month’s adventure which will be <br />
Episode 43.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the
quiet period ending at sunset, people celebrated with fireworks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It looked
great with the full moon and the fireworks but hard to capture with time exposures
from a rolling boat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e5qVdakrZ3g/Vg0NdXo67bI/AAAAAAAATF8/XdK65fDEPaQ/s1600/Nusa%2BLem%2BFireworks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e5qVdakrZ3g/Vg0NdXo67bI/AAAAAAAATF8/XdK65fDEPaQ/s640/Nusa%2BLem%2BFireworks.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt;">NORTHERN BALI</span></u></b><br />
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the big
spring tides and currents in progress, we decided to give anymore diving in the
area a miss, so we left Nusa Lembongan the following day and headed around to
the northern areas of Bali. The first stop was Amed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the
super strong south setting current, we had to go backwards first and crawl at snail’s
pace across to the mainland before staying 100m off the shoreline and motoring
up the coast.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It took us
most of the day to travel just 38nm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The beaches
along the coast were a mixture of black sand and white and we saw lots of great
things.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HnJFp8_iSX0/Vg0N87UMnlI/AAAAAAAATGg/5Oq2IIqspDw/s1600/Sail%2BNusa%2BLembongan%2Bto%2BAhmed%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HnJFp8_iSX0/Vg0N87UMnlI/AAAAAAAATGg/5Oq2IIqspDw/s640/Sail%2BNusa%2BLembongan%2Bto%2BAhmed%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><i>We
couldn’t actually work out what these huge structures were</i><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Further north
we had to play dodge the other boats as we went past a ferry terminal and a
popular dive area around some interesting rocky outcrops.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
tourist areas and dive resorts from 2 to 5 star.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hSoZ3nsww8c/Vg0OA0Q9DbI/AAAAAAAATGo/trsp0NNhfdA/s1600/Sail%2BNusa%2BLembongan%2Bto%2BAhmed%2B%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hSoZ3nsww8c/Vg0OA0Q9DbI/AAAAAAAATGo/trsp0NNhfdA/s640/Sail%2BNusa%2BLembongan%2Bto%2BAhmed%2B%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were
amazed at the amount of sailing canoes that were parked on the beaches. Virtually
every beach was packed with them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We literally
saw thousands of them over the 30nm trek.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JCiG7gGkXP8/Vg0OJaQLFNI/AAAAAAAATHQ/URhVo_UWnZw/s1600/Sail%2BNusa%2BLembongan%2Bto%2BAhmed%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JCiG7gGkXP8/Vg0OJaQLFNI/AAAAAAAATHQ/URhVo_UWnZw/s640/Sail%2BNusa%2BLembongan%2Bto%2BAhmed%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With Mount
Agung (Bali’s highest Volcano) behind the beaches, it creates its own
atmosphere and sucks the moisture away from the coast, making it very dry and
arid.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Most of the
sloping land was terraced. Sometimes right down to the water’s edge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We even went
past a pearl farm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ud6I-VWv08g/Vg0OMyYt_xI/AAAAAAAATHg/9Cmjx4SpsHs/s1600/Sail%2BNusa%2BLembongan%2Bto%2BAhmed%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ud6I-VWv08g/Vg0OMyYt_xI/AAAAAAAATHg/9Cmjx4SpsHs/s640/Sail%2BNusa%2BLembongan%2Bto%2BAhmed%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The pearl farm buoys
with the racks under the water.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Note the sailing canoes
and terraced hillside in the background<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Mount Batur
(Bali second highest Volcano) looked awesome as we headed towards it at Amed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JnicXR6lKZA/Vg0L8H8hVjI/AAAAAAAATA8/09kgdcLiLpM/s1600/Mount%2BBatur.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JnicXR6lKZA/Vg0L8H8hVjI/AAAAAAAATA8/09kgdcLiLpM/s640/Mount%2BBatur.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When we
arrived at Amed, we motored just off a black sand beach that was excellent for
macro diving.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We managed to
find a shallow shelf at the northern end of the beach and anchored up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">About 1 hour
later 4 boats sailed past (obviously from the sail Indonesia Rally) and decided
that if we were there then it must be a great spot and they diverted towards us
and proceeded to drop their anchors right next to us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HRcRRvgZtt8/Vg0Nzmyql8I/AAAAAAAATGU/tDV7EKWBsE0/s1600/Rally%2BBoats.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HRcRRvgZtt8/Vg0Nzmyql8I/AAAAAAAATGU/tDV7EKWBsE0/s640/Rally%2BBoats.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They must
have been cursing us because 2 hours later and just on sunset, a pulse of swell
hit the area from the north pushing waves into the bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was
really, really rolly but with Lorelei’s extra-large size we coped ok.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We felt
really sorry for the small 34ft yacht next to us with a family of 5 onboard.
They were rolling quite violently.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The swell was
supposed to be SW and instead we had NE so we were unsure where it was coming
from.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Mount Batur
looked even better on sunset when the land had cooled and the clouds had gone.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G_wrQ8VbYbc/Vg0L7SJMPnI/AAAAAAAATA0/9N2xR4Ux3Nc/s1600/Mount%2BBatur%2BSunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G_wrQ8VbYbc/Vg0L7SJMPnI/AAAAAAAATA0/9N2xR4Ux3Nc/s640/Mount%2BBatur%2BSunset.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It turned
into a difficult night to sleep and we woke the following morning bleary eyed and
still rocking.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The only good
thing was the amazing volcano view which different once again.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-buthfey1Gz8/Vg0L6mi4HuI/AAAAAAAATAw/f91UXqIdL5U/s1600/Mount%2BBatur%2BSunrise.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="344" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-buthfey1Gz8/Vg0L6mi4HuI/AAAAAAAATAw/f91UXqIdL5U/s640/Mount%2BBatur%2BSunrise.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was so
frustrating. We were only 100m from some world class muck dive spots and only a
dingy ride from the famous USAT Liberty Shipwreck, but we couldn’t even get the
RIB in the water, let alone rig scuba packs and underwater cameras.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we very
reluctantly aborted. We couldn’t head any further around the top of Bali as the
anchorages would all be the same so we headed east back across the passage
towards the Gili Islands which are on the NW corner of Lombok.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
across we were passed by a flock of birds and then the Marina Srikandi 11 fast passenger
boat with an impressive array of 9 x 300HP Suzuki outboards giving a top speed
of 45 knots.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-quHB79E995g/Vg0LeDlsyVI/AAAAAAAAS8Y/xRtmR8rViEU/s1600/Birds.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-quHB79E995g/Vg0LeDlsyVI/AAAAAAAAS8Y/xRtmR8rViEU/s640/Birds.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jdIevFVfzUA/Vg0L2REBI-I/AAAAAAAAS_4/TbaHD6-2o3U/s1600/Marina%2BSrikandi%2B11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jdIevFVfzUA/Vg0L2REBI-I/AAAAAAAAS_4/TbaHD6-2o3U/s640/Marina%2BSrikandi%2B11.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fortunately
we were able to find a protected bay (although very deep) and anchored safely
there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The bay had
black sand beaches which were perfect for muck diving and some nice headlands
and mountain ranges behind to give good protection.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was pretty
busy during the day with many boats coming and going between the bay and The
Gili Islands.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5QzjeaSnVeY/VhjDQS2hGOI/AAAAAAAATYU/BJdvqBw6zvY/s1600/Muck%2BDive%2BBay%2BLombok%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5QzjeaSnVeY/VhjDQS2hGOI/AAAAAAAATYU/BJdvqBw6zvY/s640/Muck%2BDive%2BBay%2BLombok%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Z4Y_zBz5vY/VhjDK0KA5oI/AAAAAAAATYM/uCEJ2zlIuS4/s1600/Muck%2BDive%2BBay%2BLombok%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Z4Y_zBz5vY/VhjDK0KA5oI/AAAAAAAATYM/uCEJ2zlIuS4/s640/Muck%2BDive%2BBay%2BLombok%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt;">THE GILI ISLANDS - LOMBOK<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After a great
nights sleep we woke to sunny skies, no wind and were able to do a 3nm run out
to Gili Air (one of the 3 Gili Islands) to do some diving.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When we
arrived we saw the phinisi dive charter boat “Lambo” moored in the bay. We know
the crew well after bumping into them so many times in the past 12 months. They
gave us some great hints on where to dive in the area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They
recommended somewhere other than where we were going.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We took their
advice and had a fantastic dive using macro lenses on both cameras.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The highlight
was Lisa finding a family of very small Hairy Squat Lobsters on a Barrel
Sponge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KUjFWZhosWU/VhivdnP_c5I/AAAAAAAATNo/nhU-VcZy-9s/s1600/Gili%2BDive%2B1%2BGili%2BAir%2BHarbour%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KUjFWZhosWU/VhivdnP_c5I/AAAAAAAATNo/nhU-VcZy-9s/s640/Gili%2BDive%2B1%2BGili%2BAir%2BHarbour%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Hairy Squat Lobster
(20mm long)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sm5VzZ9zzNA/Vhi2lb0mzbI/AAAAAAAATRU/1XhrT7oFU-s/s1600/Gili%2BDive%2B4%2BHarbour%2BMuck%2BPaul%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sm5VzZ9zzNA/Vhi2lb0mzbI/AAAAAAAATRU/1XhrT7oFU-s/s640/Gili%2BDive%2B4%2BHarbour%2BMuck%2BPaul%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Juvenile Hairy Squat
Lobster (10mm long)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4duHehaK0II/VhiuhV96MRI/AAAAAAAATNI/-Pjgq2M7zO4/s1600/Gili%2BDive%2B1%2BGili%2BAir%2BHarbour%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4duHehaK0II/VhiuhV96MRI/AAAAAAAATNI/-Pjgq2M7zO4/s640/Gili%2BDive%2B1%2BGili%2BAir%2BHarbour%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="422" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bDFy3JvR7gQ/VhiuiVfwG5I/AAAAAAAATNM/zS72mp7c5YI/s1600/Gili%2BDive%2B1%2BGili%2BAir%2BHarbour%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bDFy3JvR7gQ/VhiuiVfwG5I/AAAAAAAATNM/zS72mp7c5YI/s640/Gili%2BDive%2B1%2BGili%2BAir%2BHarbour%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xkSwz0FJspk/VhiveT034nI/AAAAAAAATNs/dyI46591lHs/s1600/Gili%2BDive%2B1%2BGili%2BAir%2BHarbour%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xkSwz0FJspk/VhiveT034nI/AAAAAAAATNs/dyI46591lHs/s640/Gili%2BDive%2B1%2BGili%2BAir%2BHarbour%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w9EszRomLH8/VhiwMKuRqBI/AAAAAAAATN8/TZWtTK54IGA/s1600/Gili%2BDive%2B1%2BGili%2BAir%2BHarbour%2B%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w9EszRomLH8/VhiwMKuRqBI/AAAAAAAATN8/TZWtTK54IGA/s640/Gili%2BDive%2B1%2BGili%2BAir%2BHarbour%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">For the
afternoon dive, we waited until after 4:30pm to dive the small wharf in the bay
Lorelei was anchored in.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VE-NEoDIjM0/VhjDTK_hwnI/AAAAAAAATYc/vMjzLLcT7XY/s1600/Muck%2BDive%2BWharf%2BLombok%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VE-NEoDIjM0/VhjDTK_hwnI/AAAAAAAATYc/vMjzLLcT7XY/s640/Muck%2BDive%2BWharf%2BLombok%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
still a few boats coming and going from the wharf but much less than during the
middle of the day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The bottom
was very silty and difficult to photograph things without throwing up a dust
cloud.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa found a
small red Frogfish in the first 3 minutes of the dive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W7rGcyKmH60/VhiwfQfAn7I/AAAAAAAATOE/bfF1f-ECyhw/s1600/Gili%2BDive%2B2%2BWharf%2BLisa%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W7rGcyKmH60/VhiwfQfAn7I/AAAAAAAATOE/bfF1f-ECyhw/s640/Gili%2BDive%2B2%2BWharf%2BLisa%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K9Pmiz_nySU/VhixMbsemGI/AAAAAAAATOc/R0fdp8HGUPk/s1600/Gili%2BDive%2B2%2BWharf%2BLisa%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K9Pmiz_nySU/VhixMbsemGI/AAAAAAAATOc/R0fdp8HGUPk/s640/Gili%2BDive%2B2%2BWharf%2BLisa%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We found some
great Nudibranchs including a stack of white Aeolids that we have not seen
before.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iB6ppG_68AE/Vhiy-c2JRVI/AAAAAAAATPU/vxvdVVnfVWI/s1600/Gili%2BDive%2B2Wharf%2BPaul%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iB6ppG_68AE/Vhiy-c2JRVI/AAAAAAAATPU/vxvdVVnfVWI/s320/Gili%2BDive%2B2Wharf%2BPaul%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Aeolid Nudibranch<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TKbUBoLQIF0/Vhiv5K2A3qI/AAAAAAAATN0/kfaOOCk6Q0A/s1600/Gili%2BDive%2B1%2BGili%2BAir%2BHarbour%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TKbUBoLQIF0/Vhiv5K2A3qI/AAAAAAAATN0/kfaOOCk6Q0A/s320/Gili%2BDive%2B1%2BGili%2BAir%2BHarbour%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Aeolid Nudibranch<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sdil0pUDddU/VhiwglBBmgI/AAAAAAAATOM/6ioIiEkVaYo/s1600/Gili%2BDive%2B2%2BWharf%2BLisa%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sdil0pUDddU/VhiwglBBmgI/AAAAAAAATOM/6ioIiEkVaYo/s320/Gili%2BDive%2B2%2BWharf%2BLisa%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o0317ygtiDY/VhixO5sG8LI/AAAAAAAATOo/u6tzKoqvB3I/s1600/Gili%2BDive%2B2Wharf%2BPaul%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o0317ygtiDY/VhixO5sG8LI/AAAAAAAATOo/u6tzKoqvB3I/s320/Gili%2BDive%2B2Wharf%2BPaul%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Unusual Arminid
Nudibranch<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5KG1n9FTkzY/Vhiwh-51EFI/AAAAAAAATOU/PtV2DwmUkrg/s1600/Gili%2BDive%2B2%2BWharf%2BLisa%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5KG1n9FTkzY/Vhiwh-51EFI/AAAAAAAATOU/PtV2DwmUkrg/s320/Gili%2BDive%2B2%2BWharf%2BLisa%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H42iKe_T1Mk/VhixPnZJvvI/AAAAAAAATOs/UvzJIUH87wo/s1600/Gili%2BDive%2B2%2BWharf%2BLisa%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H42iKe_T1Mk/VhixPnZJvvI/AAAAAAAATOs/UvzJIUH87wo/s320/Gili%2BDive%2B2%2BWharf%2BLisa%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">
Towards the end of the dive we found a Coconut Octopus that buried itself as we
took photos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QaUXX8HurYg/VhiyLpCVIzI/AAAAAAAATO0/S-PVgFi_Qu8/s1600/Gili%2BDive%2B2Wharf%2BPaul%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QaUXX8HurYg/VhiyLpCVIzI/AAAAAAAATO0/S-PVgFi_Qu8/s320/Gili%2BDive%2B2Wharf%2BPaul%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c7o2Sd7LAIw/VhiyM5FxbjI/AAAAAAAATPE/R7oPfT28kaE/s1600/Gili%2BDive%2B2Wharf%2BPaul%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c7o2Sd7LAIw/VhiyM5FxbjI/AAAAAAAATPE/R7oPfT28kaE/s320/Gili%2BDive%2B2Wharf%2BPaul%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7WBRZSQbFjQ/VhiyM2F0x6I/AAAAAAAATPA/hiprfyQ5abo/s1600/Gili%2BDive%2B2Wharf%2BPaul%2B%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7WBRZSQbFjQ/VhiyM2F0x6I/AAAAAAAATPA/hiprfyQ5abo/s320/Gili%2BDive%2B2Wharf%2BPaul%2B%25284%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The days
seemed to get better and better but still with a north swell and we were so
glad we made the break from Amed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We had a beautiful
clear sunrise and what was already promising to be a hot day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-toHqoR9qkCM/Vhi7_7Z6iYI/AAAAAAAATT4/y3Sj5vFkrOI/s1600/Lombok%2BSunrise%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-toHqoR9qkCM/Vhi7_7Z6iYI/AAAAAAAATT4/y3Sj5vFkrOI/s320/Lombok%2BSunrise%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h2D9M05qEsI/Vhi8azJcBhI/AAAAAAAATUI/tBaNFzjx_d8/s1600/Lombok%2BSunrise%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h2D9M05qEsI/Vhi8azJcBhI/AAAAAAAATUI/tBaNFzjx_d8/s320/Lombok%2BSunrise%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the nice
conditions, we went out to Gili Air to dive again.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This time we
dived a wall that started on a beach outside the bay and finished in the
harbour.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It turned
into a 2 hour marathon one-way swim.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At the end we
swam into the harbour shallows and Paul walked back around the harbour
foreshore and along the beach before swimming out to retrieve the RIB while
Lisa looked after the scuba packs and cameras.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zw7tNUhs76s/Vhiy6yL-GwI/AAAAAAAATPM/TjJM3M4fjmA/s1600/Gili%2BDive%2B3%2BNemo%2BCity%2BLisa%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zw7tNUhs76s/Vhiy6yL-GwI/AAAAAAAATPM/TjJM3M4fjmA/s320/Gili%2BDive%2B3%2BNemo%2BCity%2BLisa%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uZQSUCuJISc/Vhi0CuRN9QI/AAAAAAAATP4/Us4ID2266_o/s1600/Gili%2BDive%2B3%2BNemo%2BCity%2BLisa%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uZQSUCuJISc/Vhi0CuRN9QI/AAAAAAAATP4/Us4ID2266_o/s320/Gili%2BDive%2B3%2BNemo%2BCity%2BLisa%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="460" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">An unusual Crab that
Lisa found under an Anemone<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iCiRf581tU8/VhizxY_OJ9I/AAAAAAAATPw/MQk2YyjuBn8/s1600/Gili%2BDive%2B3%2BNemo%2BCity%2BPaul%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iCiRf581tU8/VhizxY_OJ9I/AAAAAAAATPw/MQk2YyjuBn8/s320/Gili%2BDive%2B3%2BNemo%2BCity%2BPaul%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">These are Nudibranch
eggs on a crab.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">WEIRD!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VgJsg4uFn_Y/VhizwqzJIiI/AAAAAAAATPs/U5ywTifDgkk/s1600/Gili%2BDive%2B3%2BNemo%2BCity%2BPaul%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VgJsg4uFn_Y/VhizwqzJIiI/AAAAAAAATPs/U5ywTifDgkk/s320/Gili%2BDive%2B3%2BNemo%2BCity%2BPaul%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aEgUTtqpkW0/Vhi0WCjTP-I/AAAAAAAATQM/6g_uWt-eKmU/s1600/Gili%2BDive%2B3%2BNemo%2BCity%2BPaul%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aEgUTtqpkW0/Vhi0WCjTP-I/AAAAAAAATQM/6g_uWt-eKmU/s640/Gili%2BDive%2B3%2BNemo%2BCity%2BPaul%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A very small (4mm long)
shrimp on a Starfish arm<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3NKqKyVizX4/Vhi0OiMu2QI/AAAAAAAATQA/tuurjebWSAc/s1600/Gili%2BDive%2B3%2BNemo%2BCity%2BPaul%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3NKqKyVizX4/Vhi0OiMu2QI/AAAAAAAATQA/tuurjebWSAc/s640/Gili%2BDive%2B3%2BNemo%2BCity%2BPaul%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In between
dives we did some exploring on the Island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Gili Air is
the most popular for tourists, particularly for backpackers.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The island is
small and therefore there are no paved roads, cars or motor bikes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Instead you
can hire a bicycle (A$3.50 a day), a horse & cart or simply walk on the
sandy tracks that weave in and around the island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sfPVx8bRKPo/Vhit1ozluQI/AAAAAAAATM0/g_AlV3aVY8Y/s1600/Gili%2BAir%2BExplore%2B%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sfPVx8bRKPo/Vhit1ozluQI/AAAAAAAATM0/g_AlV3aVY8Y/s640/Gili%2BAir%2BExplore%2B%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d3NG4X2UypY/VhisrPa0a1I/AAAAAAAATMM/FcLHVAJlJNo/s1600/Gili%2BAir%2BDay%2BTrip%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d3NG4X2UypY/VhisrPa0a1I/AAAAAAAATMM/FcLHVAJlJNo/s640/Gili%2BAir%2BDay%2BTrip%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One thing
that really stuck out was the amount of scuba and freedive schools.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Heev5d9Di2o/VhiuCbbnGlI/AAAAAAAATM8/2d4mUXfDgGA/s1600/Gili%2BAir%2BExplore%2B%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Heev5d9Di2o/VhiuCbbnGlI/AAAAAAAATM8/2d4mUXfDgGA/s640/Gili%2BAir%2BExplore%2B%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The island is
smartly designed to have a laid back feel whilst keeping the accommodation back
off the beachfront and away from the shoreline.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Instead there
are scores of small restaurants, seating areas and pathways along the shoreline
for everyone to access.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We liked the
place a lot.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8lyc4McQ1-A/VhitUZjjcPI/AAAAAAAATMk/73LqJwt5lsQ/s1600/Gili%2BAir%2BExplore%2B%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8lyc4McQ1-A/VhitUZjjcPI/AAAAAAAATMk/73LqJwt5lsQ/s640/Gili%2BAir%2BExplore%2B%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bfZHYhSM-ZM/Vhit08LOJvI/AAAAAAAATMw/Tfqn7u-4b6s/s1600/Gili%2BAir%2BExplore%2B%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bfZHYhSM-ZM/Vhit08LOJvI/AAAAAAAATMw/Tfqn7u-4b6s/s640/Gili%2BAir%2BExplore%2B%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q78JE0xrszw/VhivC_YZFQI/AAAAAAAATNU/HarywfBDrsA/s1600/Gili%2BAir%2BExplore%2B%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q78JE0xrszw/VhivC_YZFQI/AAAAAAAATNU/HarywfBDrsA/s640/Gili%2BAir%2BExplore%2B%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Dive 4 in the
Gilis’s was another dive at the first spot but this time we started about 100m
further east and closer to the point.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa found a
Velvet Ghost Pipefish which was a first for us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-toSidp5tiHs/Vhi0WwyclBI/AAAAAAAATQQ/i7tDE_C2rI4/s1600/Gili%2BDive%2B4%2BAir%2BHabour%2BLisa%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-toSidp5tiHs/Vhi0WwyclBI/AAAAAAAATQQ/i7tDE_C2rI4/s640/Gili%2BDive%2B4%2BAir%2BHabour%2BLisa%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="432" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Velvet Ghost Pipefish<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5CU5xQYcFhw/Vhi2KmRDALI/AAAAAAAATRE/BgalluS7O9c/s1600/Gili%2BDive%2B4%2BHarbour%2BMuck%2BPaul%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5CU5xQYcFhw/Vhi2KmRDALI/AAAAAAAATRE/BgalluS7O9c/s640/Gili%2BDive%2B4%2BHarbour%2BMuck%2BPaul%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Velvet Ghost Pipefish</span></i></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DkXpOZE_Ez0/Vhi0pdkHgrI/AAAAAAAATQY/xJsMn8ab8Fk/s1600/Gili%2BDive%2B4%2BAir%2BHabour%2BLisa%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DkXpOZE_Ez0/Vhi0pdkHgrI/AAAAAAAATQY/xJsMn8ab8Fk/s640/Gili%2BDive%2B4%2BAir%2BHabour%2BLisa%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--MsZylHAWtg/Vhi2sgDolTI/AAAAAAAATRc/fMmLy4ihMug/s1600/Gili%2BDive%2B4%2BHarbour%2BMuck%2BPaul%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--MsZylHAWtg/Vhi2sgDolTI/AAAAAAAATRc/fMmLy4ihMug/s640/Gili%2BDive%2B4%2BHarbour%2BMuck%2BPaul%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Razorfish in the
shallows<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That night
was the NRL Grand Final.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We are not
big Rugby League fans but it was an all Queensland final for the first time
ever and we would have liked to watch it but had no TV, no internet and no
radio. Oh well…..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So we went
for a night dive instead.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa had
spied a watercourse in the bay that had muck dive potential so we started
there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The darker it
got the better it was and it turned into a 1hr 45min night critter hunt.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We saw some
very unusual Pipehorse’s in the sea grass, Octopus, Robust Ghost Pipefish and
lots more….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s8S46o6uTKQ/Vhi3RzWMmYI/AAAAAAAATRk/OQgcYHSCDgg/s1600/Gili%2BDive%2B5%2BWater%2BCourse%2BMuck%2BNight%2BLisa%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s8S46o6uTKQ/Vhi3RzWMmYI/AAAAAAAATRk/OQgcYHSCDgg/s640/Gili%2BDive%2B5%2BWater%2BCourse%2BMuck%2BNight%2BLisa%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Coconut Octopus with 2
different shells for protection<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NqEl3hdGj8o/Vhi58CJuOQI/AAAAAAAATSw/X7fsDqKVwNo/s1600/Gili%2BDive%2B5%2BWater%2BCourse%2BNight%2BPaul%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NqEl3hdGj8o/Vhi58CJuOQI/AAAAAAAATSw/X7fsDqKVwNo/s640/Gili%2BDive%2B5%2BWater%2BCourse%2BNight%2BPaul%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Robust Ghost Pipefish<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lqoq3TmuNh8/Vhi5NgxMGhI/AAAAAAAATSg/bzDF4fdm8J0/s1600/Gili%2BDive%2B5%2BWater%2BCourse%2BNight%2BPaul%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lqoq3TmuNh8/Vhi5NgxMGhI/AAAAAAAATSg/bzDF4fdm8J0/s640/Gili%2BDive%2B5%2BWater%2BCourse%2BNight%2BPaul%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Emperor Shrimp on a
Synaptidae Sea Cucumber<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i-08q3mfYzs/Vhi3oDb7nII/AAAAAAAATRs/E-cw8qpgRAE/s1600/Gili%2BDive%2B5%2BWater%2BCourse%2BMuck%2BNight%2BLisa%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i-08q3mfYzs/Vhi3oDb7nII/AAAAAAAATRs/E-cw8qpgRAE/s640/Gili%2BDive%2B5%2BWater%2BCourse%2BMuck%2BNight%2BLisa%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Broad Club Cuttlefish<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0HbL3ltp9F0/Vhi303Gwe3I/AAAAAAAATR0/ubGhEwhIuTM/s1600/Gili%2BDive%2B5%2BWater%2BCourse%2BMuck%2BNight%2BLisa%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0HbL3ltp9F0/Vhi303Gwe3I/AAAAAAAATR0/ubGhEwhIuTM/s640/Gili%2BDive%2B5%2BWater%2BCourse%2BMuck%2BNight%2BLisa%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Burrowing Olive Shell
out at night<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TEmjcrq5IAI/Vhi4l6dOKrI/AAAAAAAATSA/aGrmI1bBOk0/s1600/Gili%2BDive%2B5%2BWater%2BCourse%2BMuck%2BNight%2BLisa%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TEmjcrq5IAI/Vhi4l6dOKrI/AAAAAAAATSA/aGrmI1bBOk0/s640/Gili%2BDive%2B5%2BWater%2BCourse%2BMuck%2BNight%2BLisa%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="444" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">An unusual Twin Horned
Helmet Crab<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-arV2xZ49vV4/Vhi4nvYlCkI/AAAAAAAATSQ/fiRIPAd0ASQ/s1600/Gili%2BDive%2B5%2BWater%2BCourse%2BMuck%2BNight%2BLisa%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-arV2xZ49vV4/Vhi4nvYlCkI/AAAAAAAATSQ/fiRIPAd0ASQ/s640/Gili%2BDive%2B5%2BWater%2BCourse%2BMuck%2BNight%2BLisa%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Juvenile Sole<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ODRsrsY916k/Vhi4nSeHvbI/AAAAAAAATSM/qf24pswoIBk/s1600/Gili%2BDive%2B5%2BWater%2BCourse%2BMuck%2BNight%2BLisa%2B%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ODRsrsY916k/Vhi4nSeHvbI/AAAAAAAATSM/qf24pswoIBk/s640/Gili%2BDive%2B5%2BWater%2BCourse%2BMuck%2BNight%2BLisa%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Jawfish waiting in
ambush<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Pygmy Pipehorse<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Elegant Crinoid Squat
Lobster<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We decided to
take a full day off from diving and have a relaxing day on Gili Air.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We hired
bikes and rode all around the island.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">At the top of
the island we saw a massive white boat anchored.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was the
Ocean Victory which was launched in Italy last year and at 140m (465ft) long, is
the 9<sup>th</sup> largest private boat in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It is owned
by a Russian Billionaire.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Their dive
tender was the same length as Lorelei……<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">With the west
winds, we decided to lunch on the east side and found a fantastic restaurant
overlooking the waters edge.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We spent the
afternoon ordering food then going for a swim until it was ready, going back to
eat and repeating the process.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lunch turned
into a 4 hour session and we nearly stayed for dinner….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Aqma5XnTajo/Vhis7c4omdI/AAAAAAAATMc/QRsycQIqCB0/s1600/Gili%2BAir%2BDay%2BTrip%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Aqma5XnTajo/Vhis7c4omdI/AAAAAAAATMc/QRsycQIqCB0/s640/Gili%2BAir%2BDay%2BTrip%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">As we headed
away from the full moon and towards neap tides, the current slowed around the
islands allowing us to get out and dive the more exposed areas.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We headed to
the NE tip of Gili Air and dived Frogfish Point.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This spot had
great viz, a coral and sand slope packed with Garden Eels and some huge bommies
covered in marine life of all shapes and colours.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Medana Bay - Lombok</span></u></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After a week at
the Gili’s, we left and headed 5nm around to Medana Bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Medana Bay
has a small floating wharf system and moorings designed for yachts.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They call it
Medana Bay Marina but it’s not a marina (yet) however it’s the closest you will
get in this area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It faces
north and we had heard reports that it was exposed and rolly in the summer
months but we wanted to have a look for ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Additionally
we still needed to refuel after refusing to deal with the Mafia in Serangan
Harbour with their low quality diesel and inflated prices.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bgcuUl6cDAI/Vhi8cV9CYBI/AAAAAAAATUQ/ILM8pF_tv68/s1600/Lorelei%2Bon%2BMedana%2Bbay%2BWharf%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bgcuUl6cDAI/Vhi8cV9CYBI/AAAAAAAATUQ/ILM8pF_tv68/s640/Lorelei%2Bon%2BMedana%2Bbay%2BWharf%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sure enough
the reports of being rolly were correct and it was also 45 minutes drive into the
city of Mataram to do any major reprovisioning.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However the
staff are very friendly, there was water and power on the dock (for an extra
charge) if you needed it, and it gave us somewhere to tie up to for the first
time in over a year to do some much needed cleaning inside and out.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The only
other boat on the wharf area was Yaniska, an English yacht with a family of 5
(spanning 3 generations). They were
really nice people and the first yachties we have spoke to (aside from Harry &
Hailey) for months.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It also meant
Paul could assemble his bike and do some riding around the area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lisa chose to
relax & read a book instead.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0cxex193h0g/Vhi8dVEZduI/AAAAAAAATUY/YfDgcbPDBts/s1600/Lorelei%2Bon%2BMedana%2Bbay%2BWharf%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0cxex193h0g/Vhi8dVEZduI/AAAAAAAATUY/YfDgcbPDBts/s640/Lorelei%2Bon%2BMedana%2Bbay%2BWharf%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was really
hot during the day so Paul started his first ride at 3pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was in the
direction of Tanjung, the closest town to Medana Bay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way he
stopped at lots of places to watch the rice harvesting taking place.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
rice paddies everywhere.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">One field had
an electric thrasher running and the harvesters manually held the bunches of
rice stalks in the machine and it separated the husked rice from the stalks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VLWj5XUE3kk/VhjAphQKqlI/AAAAAAAATWc/7T6btYslyqc/s1600/Medana%2BMTB%2BRide%2B1%2B%252813%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VLWj5XUE3kk/VhjAphQKqlI/AAAAAAAATWc/7T6btYslyqc/s640/Medana%2BMTB%2BRide%2B1%2B%252813%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the other
side of town the peanuts were also being harvested.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Most fields
in the area produce 1 crop of peanuts and 2 crops of rice per year.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4R3PfCMejFE/VhjApemuXhI/AAAAAAAATWU/1cd0xHBYzw4/s1600/Medana%2BMTB%2BRide%2B1%2B%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4R3PfCMejFE/VhjApemuXhI/AAAAAAAATWU/1cd0xHBYzw4/s640/Medana%2BMTB%2BRide%2B1%2B%252814%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They had to
sift the dirt off the peanut shells which made a hell of a dust cloud.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jUSbb9GraQ8/VhjBGxjSadI/AAAAAAAATW0/x7n07UsHLMc/s1600/Medana%2BMTB%2BRide%2B1%2B%252815%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jUSbb9GraQ8/VhjBGxjSadI/AAAAAAAATW0/x7n07UsHLMc/s640/Medana%2BMTB%2BRide%2B1%2B%252815%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were 3
large mosques being built in the area so Paul stopped to look at one that was
nearly finished.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He was
bombarded by the friendly kids who took an interest in his bike and helmet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QGih1y6rtyc/VhjCruRG1DI/AAAAAAAATX0/kyL_zvNko8M/s1600/Medana%2BMTB%2BRide%2B1%2B%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QGih1y6rtyc/VhjCruRG1DI/AAAAAAAATX0/kyL_zvNko8M/s640/Medana%2BMTB%2BRide%2B1%2B%25289%2529.JPG" width="460" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst the
boys loved being in the photos, the girls flee as soon as Paul aims the cam</span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">era their way.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S4iPGviMUWI/VhjCM0-6SwI/AAAAAAAATXc/vTStJM4RFDE/s1600/Medana%2BMTB%2BRide%2B1%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S4iPGviMUWI/VhjCM0-6SwI/AAAAAAAATXc/vTStJM4RFDE/s640/Medana%2BMTB%2BRide%2B1%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There was a
lot of fires around the growing areas which put a thick blanket of smoke over
the town.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tCWQF_0my3I/VhjBCmpanYI/AAAAAAAATWk/nhiCfyH4LiA/s1600/Medana%2BMTB%2BRide%2B1%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tCWQF_0my3I/VhjBCmpanYI/AAAAAAAATWk/nhiCfyH4LiA/s640/Medana%2BMTB%2BRide%2B1%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ovv9SljyXs8/VhjBkCA7t7I/AAAAAAAATW8/k85qcjI9ibk/s1600/Medana%2BMTB%2BRide%2B1%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ovv9SljyXs8/VhjBkCA7t7I/AAAAAAAATW8/k85qcjI9ibk/s640/Medana%2BMTB%2BRide%2B1%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Even at 5pm
the women were still out doing the washing and working.<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AJ1-h2WWres/VhjBsB3_NpI/AAAAAAAATXI/wp3xyYRRvRQ/s1600/Medana%2BMTB%2BRide%2B1%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AJ1-h2WWres/VhjBsB3_NpI/AAAAAAAATXI/wp3xyYRRvRQ/s640/Medana%2BMTB%2BRide%2B1%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
home he stopped in at a hill on the side of Medana Bay and took some photos
looking across the bay just before sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yos9sH30s7I/VhjBFA79U4I/AAAAAAAATWs/mb01cQyFKyw/s1600/Medana%2BMTB%2BRide%2B1%2B%252816%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yos9sH30s7I/VhjBFA79U4I/AAAAAAAATWs/mb01cQyFKyw/s640/Medana%2BMTB%2BRide%2B1%2B%252816%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When Paul
returned he was a little shocked to find scores of local people sitting on the
beach, walking all over the wharf and having an afternoon get together with music and smoking on the
wharf directly in between Lorelei and Yaniska.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">They were
holding onto Lorelei’s railing and looking all over our boat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There was no
security and no marina staff to be found.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We were not
impressed!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There is also
a small hotel set-up within the grounds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was well
lit up at night so Paul took some time exposure shots.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jl_BXN11iuQ/VhjCh7CivvI/AAAAAAAATXs/Xo8p3gRu6Co/s1600/Medana%2BNights%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jl_BXN11iuQ/VhjCh7CivvI/AAAAAAAATXs/Xo8p3gRu6Co/s640/Medana%2BNights%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4wb1v9wmgnM/VhjC0Mq5epI/AAAAAAAATX8/rpZIYHhVWs0/s1600/Medana%2BNights%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4wb1v9wmgnM/VhjC0Mq5epI/AAAAAAAATX8/rpZIYHhVWs0/s640/Medana%2BNights%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NZLml6AL5Pw/VhjC4JmPEHI/AAAAAAAATYE/OJjXFxZIxgg/s1600/Medana%2BNights%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NZLml6AL5Pw/VhjC4JmPEHI/AAAAAAAATYE/OJjXFxZIxgg/s640/Medana%2BNights%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next
morning Paul was up at 6am for another MTB ride in the opposite direction.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">He visited a
another Mosque that was in the early building stages.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Upon talking
to the overseer, he discovered there are over 1000 Mosques in Lombok and many
more are still under construction.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Every small
community or village wants their own one and this one was no exception.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The design, complete
contruction, and funding all comes from the people within the community.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In this case
the men (around 200 of them) work from dawn till dusk every Saturday and the
project is expected to take 3 years.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That’s a huge
commitment both physically and financially, particularly considering the modest
homes in which they live.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-evTO7wDJqnQ/Vhi9GU_gAUI/AAAAAAAATUw/QRP_URnnw5s/s1600/Medana%2BMTB%2BDay%2B2%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-evTO7wDJqnQ/Vhi9GU_gAUI/AAAAAAAATUw/QRP_URnnw5s/s640/Medana%2BMTB%2BDay%2B2%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul was able
to climb up to the top level to have a look around.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qDlZEN7HmMo/Vhi-APttRdI/AAAAAAAATVM/oLsaLaT-COQ/s1600/Medana%2BMTB%2BDay%2B2%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qDlZEN7HmMo/Vhi-APttRdI/AAAAAAAATVM/oLsaLaT-COQ/s640/Medana%2BMTB%2BDay%2B2%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qBpnO61zVbU/Vhi9_--GwVI/AAAAAAAATVI/8xORjArF6w8/s1600/Medana%2BMTB%2BDay%2B2%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qBpnO61zVbU/Vhi9_--GwVI/AAAAAAAATVI/8xORjArF6w8/s640/Medana%2BMTB%2BDay%2B2%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The line of workers
passing buckets <br />
full of mixed concrete up to the top<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SCco-dgyJfE/Vhi-ANPHbvI/AAAAAAAATVQ/Mi4tmWuHniM/s1600/Medana%2BMTB%2BDay%2B2%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SCco-dgyJfE/Vhi-ANPHbvI/AAAAAAAATVQ/Mi4tmWuHniM/s640/Medana%2BMTB%2BDay%2B2%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On this ride,
the road went along the coast and there was great views of the bays and out to
the Gili Islands.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-esytifR0z-8/Vhi-o0znETI/AAAAAAAATVo/_Sb3ommSnjQ/s1600/Medana%2BMTB%2BDay%2B2%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-esytifR0z-8/Vhi-o0znETI/AAAAAAAATVo/_Sb3ommSnjQ/s640/Medana%2BMTB%2BDay%2B2%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On the way
home he stopped for a drink at a shop and watched the men closing the road and
then cutting down tall coconut palms.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Going,
Going, Gone…..Smash!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It turned
into a long 47klm ride in 30 degree heat and by the time he returned to
Lorelei, he could hardly walk.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br />
That morning there was an incident at the Marina.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There were
only 3 yachts on Medana Bay moorings in the bay and one of the moorings had failed
and the yacht was drifting towards the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It was a
small modest boat owned by a single handed gentleman with only a row boat as a
tender. The mooring line was all wrapped up and he was unable to start the
motor.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">After talking
to a few other yachties we discovered it’s the third yacht to break from its
mooring in Medana Bay this month….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By
the third day we realised Medana Bay was certainly not suitable for leaving
Lorelei there unattended during the wet season so we could fly to Australia for
Christmas.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So
we cleaned up and left the next morning.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Future Plans</span></u></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">To
say our future plans have been thrown into chaos is an understatement!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Our
Indonesian visas expire next week and are non renewable again so we must leave.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We
had 4 options of where to go and just as importantly where to slip Lorelei and
leave her safely while we fly home to Australia for Christmas.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly
due to many different circumstances, all 4 options had to be cancelled.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
first option was Ocean View Marina in Davao, The Philippines, but in light of
the current kidnappings we have ruled that one out.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In
reality it’s probably the safest marina in Asia right now with all the armed
guards but with the marina manager having been abducted, we have no guarantees
of a berth or getting hauled out successfully.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
second and most probable option was the west coast of Borneo and the areas of
Miri, Brunei and Sabah.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">However
there has been a recent spree of yachts being robbed (some with owners onboard)
in southern Borneo which is within Indonesia and the place we needed to clear
out.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Then
there was the lack of responses from the marinas and supposed yacht assistance
companies in the areas.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Additionally
the only haul out facility big enough for Lorelei is in Sabah ,300nm from the Miri
marina.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> It is also within the problem area for potential
kidnappings.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">And
Lastly there is the major issues of the fires that are burning out of control
across the entire continent of Borneo.</span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></b>
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Byb6YxrkpeA/VhmZM4Gx3vI/AAAAAAAATZc/oTl2sXRcUzs/s1600/Indo%2BFires%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Byb6YxrkpeA/VhmZM4Gx3vI/AAAAAAAATZc/oTl2sXRcUzs/s640/Indo%2BFires%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly
these have been deliberately lit in an effort to clear areas for more illegal
palm oil plantations.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So
that’s Borneo crossed off the list.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Thirdly
there is the west coast of Malaysia or Thailand.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst
this is the most common area for yachts to cruise to from Indo, recently there
are also a few cases of break ins along this coast.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Then
there is the long distance of 1300+ Nm from Bali and the area offers limited
anchorages and only average diving at best.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We
had also heard many negative reports about the workmanship and dealings with
haulout facilities in the area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">And
lastly and most importantly, the rise in attacks on shipping in the Malacca Straight
(near Singapore and the only way to get to the Thai/Malay west coast) has
spiraled out of control in the past few months.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Whilst
there has been a lot of piracy in these water over the past few years, up until
now the attackers have been well trained and funded and have concentrated on
large commercial ships.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Sadly
now there is an increase in petty attacks on ships in which the pirates quietly
slip onboard at night and take anything they can from the ship and crews
quarters, all the while trying to remain undetected.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This
makes smaller vessels and yachts now very vunerable from these attackers. Just last week there were reports of an
average of 5 attacks daily.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
Singapore government has also recently implement a new law that all ships
transitting the area must have an AIS transponder.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Lorelei
only has an AIS receiver and do you think we can buy one here in Indo….haha very
funny….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
straight is also currently subjected to very bad visibility from the second lot
of Indonesian fires that are in the Riau Provience on Sumatra.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Currently
Singapore is under a blanket of smoke and the Singaporians are not happy at
all.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The
fourth option was to leave Lorelei in Indonesia at Medana Bay and fly home from
here but unfortunately it also got a big cross off the list.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In
stark contrast, we contacted the NZ manufacturer about or watermaker woes and 3
marinas in Darwin regarding berthing & hauling out and we had replies from
all of them within 24 hours.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Then
to rub salt into the wound, there’s the falling Aussie dollar against most
other currencies and the current religious issues which appear to be getting
worse.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">SO………..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In
light of all the issues listed above, we have decided not to “SAIL” to any
Asian destinations.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">So
look out for Episode 43.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We
wont be in Australia and we wont be onboard Lorelei but it will be a very big
month for us and will incorporate our 20<sup>th</sup> wedding anniversary celebrations
on October 21<sup>st</sup> and catching up with friends which we are very much
looking forward to<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It
should be posted around the 15<sup>th</sup> December 2015.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Paul
and Lisa<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Yacht
Lorelei<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
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sv_loreleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14235157985522355104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245635408700620959.post-91864934005656364862015-09-12T07:15:00.002-07:002019-02-09T17:37:00.688-08:00Episode 41 Lombok to Bali<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-size: 28pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Lorelei’s
Sailing Adventures</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">During
Episode 40, we spent time in The Komodo National Park Diving & Exploring
before heading to southern Sumbawa for 2 weeks of surfing, all with our Aussie
friend Nathan Evans.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our
location for this Episode of the Blog.<br />
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our
route for this Episode of the Blog.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-size: 20pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">SAILING FROM SUMBAWA TO LOMBOK<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
day our friend Nathan left, we were exhausted.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
had been an action packed 3+ weeks so we indulged in 36 hours of relaxing and watching
movies.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nathan’s
room returned to becoming the camera & storage room once again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
tidied up and prepped Lorelei for a 24 hour sail to our next destination –
Lombok.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
had originally planned on stopping at western Sumbawa to surf some well known
breaks there (Super Suck, Scar Reef, Yo-Yo’s, etc..), but the swell direction
and size was not right for the upcoming week so we decided to head further west
to south east Lombok to try Inside and Outside Ekas.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Inside
Ekas is a beginner to intermediate surf break which would suit Lisa much better
than the more advanced breaks at west Sumbawa.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
passage was 125nm so we left at 9am on Sunday 16<sup>th</sup> August.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
first half was your typical Indo passage – rough, wind up/wind down, motor
on/motor off, currents, tides and generally crappy conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
had a pretty cool sunset though.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That
night it was super clear with no moon and we were able to watch the much talked
about meteor showers which were all over the internet.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
saw some great ones and a huge one for Lisa that went right across the sky and
was bright green.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-size: 20pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">EKA’S - LOMBOK<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
arrived outside the Eka’s bay entrance to a very red sunrise and were greeted
by amazing cliffs with the rising sun shining on them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once
inside the bay we were shocked to see 100’s (probably more…) of the floating
fishing platforms. They were only 20 meters apart, right across the bay and as
far as the eye could see.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Weaving
through them and their mooring lines in the low light conditions and heavy haze
was a little nerve wracking.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8CnADtCsgiY/VfP8Zkk18lI/AAAAAAAASbw/XkAyqR2pCdA/s1600/Ekas%2BFishing%2BPlatforms%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8CnADtCsgiY/VfP8Zkk18lI/AAAAAAAASbw/XkAyqR2pCdA/s640/Ekas%2BFishing%2BPlatforms%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By
8am we were safely anchored up under the cliffs and right next to the Inside
Ekas surf break.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PYQSvg3ViBY/VfP8Xe0QmjI/AAAAAAAASbE/E0v_VvkJnRY/s1600/Ekas%2BCliffs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PYQSvg3ViBY/VfP8Xe0QmjI/AAAAAAAASbE/E0v_VvkJnRY/s640/Ekas%2BCliffs.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Up
on the top of the cliffs is the Heaven on the Planet surf resort.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They
own the surrounding beaches and outsiders are definitely not welcome and we
were warned not to step foot on land for fear of the wrath from the New Zealand
lady who is the owner.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sadly
they have made the surf break impossible to access from land to give their
guests exclusivity.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That
is unless you have a boat….<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They
cannot stop people using the waterways and that includes the surf break.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However
they have set up powerful lights on the cliff faces to allow guests to surf Inside
Ekas at night time and non resort guests are not welcome in the surf during
that time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
first night we went outside to find the bay looking like an airport runway at
night with 1000’s of lights from the fishing platforms spaning 180 degrees
right around the bay.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S7LsLkY4xTQ/VfP8gsOUxjI/AAAAAAAASdI/4xo7rCnsMZQ/s1600/Fishing%2BHuts%2BNight.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S7LsLkY4xTQ/VfP8gsOUxjI/AAAAAAAASdI/4xo7rCnsMZQ/s640/Fishing%2BHuts%2BNight.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
resort also turned it on with a fireworks display at 8pm.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oUKIdBG2afY/VfP8_hsj1_I/AAAAAAAASlI/LGQuoDeNmiE/s1600/Resort%2BFireworks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oUKIdBG2afY/VfP8_hsj1_I/AAAAAAAASlI/LGQuoDeNmiE/s640/Resort%2BFireworks.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For
2 days the surf was flat and the strong wind blew directly offshore. Paul
couldn’t even kite in the gusty conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
wasn’t until 2 days after we arrived that the haze cleared from the north
revealing a huge mountain towering over the bay.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
couldn’t believe we had not seen it until then.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
turned out to be Mount Rinjani which at 3726m high is the second highest volcano
in Indonesia.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That
morning we were finally able to go and have a look at the surf.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was still really small so we took a kayak and SUP.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
went to Inside Ekas and caught some small but fun waves.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j255PG1Zqqg/VfP90MWmDTI/AAAAAAAASvA/fhUiaLhCXJ8/s1600/Surf%2BEkas%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j255PG1Zqqg/VfP90MWmDTI/AAAAAAAASvA/fhUiaLhCXJ8/s640/Surf%2BEkas%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vKt9PfjVSdE/VfP90Y-ri_I/AAAAAAAASvI/IQ7RWJ0vNKM/s1600/Surf%2BEkas%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vKt9PfjVSdE/VfP90Y-ri_I/AAAAAAAASvI/IQ7RWJ0vNKM/s640/Surf%2BEkas%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Party
wave!!! Note Lorelei in the background…<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
decided to paddle out to Outside Ekas but the wind was getting up so we hugged
the cliff face for protection.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rUQEE3u6QhM/VfP91IBUkWI/AAAAAAAASvM/FhaHD5wrivc/s1600/Surf%2BEkas%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rUQEE3u6QhM/VfP91IBUkWI/AAAAAAAASvM/FhaHD5wrivc/s640/Surf%2BEkas%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Outside
Ekas was not very good.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
wave was shifty with the peak breaking all over the place and there was no face
to the wave.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hence
we didn’t stay long.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
decided to leave the next day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
are sure on its day Ekas would have a great wave but those days are few and far
between. It requires a certain swell direction and a big one at that.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At
least at places like Lakey and West Sumbawa you have the choice of many waves
in the area. Ekas has just 2…..<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
other issue we found was there are no other water sports to do if there is no
surf aside from flat water kayaking or SUP along the shoreline.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Land
tours are also limited as it is such an isolated location.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-size: 20pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">BELONGAS BAY - LOMBOK<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
decided to head further west to Nusa Lembongan which is a small island about
10nm east of Bali.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was 70nm away so we decided to break the trip up into 2 day passages.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
first was a small 30nm run from Ekas to Belongas Bay on the SW corner of
Lombok.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
steep and rocky shoreline looked amazing from Lorelei so we stayed close to the
coast.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lisa
renamed this island “Whale Rock”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As
we were rounding the last headland, Lisa looked over the side to see a large
Scalloped Hammerhead Shark swimming on the surface right next to Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By
the time Paul went downstairs and grabbed the camera, it had dived.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Belongas
bay was so flat and still!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After
having been in rolly anchorages for a long time it was a very nice change.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
also meant we could use the washing machine for the first time in over a month.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
had over 10 loads that needed to be done and Lorelei looked like a Chinese
Laundry.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
were up before dawn and reluctantly took
off for the 55nm passage to Nusa Lembongan.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Belongas
Bay at daybreak<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When
leaving the bay, we had to go over a shallow reef between the mainland and a
small rock island. We had less than 2m water under the keel down to the coral
bottom.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-size: 20pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">THE IMFAMOUS LOMBOK STRAIGHT…<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nusa
Lembongan is a small island that is located in the infamous Lombok Straight
that separates Lombok from Bali.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
is a major shipping channel and the currents are some of the strongest in the
world with speeds of up to 8 knots flooding north or south.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If
the currents are going against the wind, swell and tide on a rough day, it can
become a very nasty stretch of water.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
had read a bit about the straight but there were conflicting times about when
to cross.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So
we just took off and tried our luck.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our
Crazy route from Lombok to Bali<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
first 20nm around the bottom of Lombok was fine and entering the straight all
seemed well so we continued.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At
¼ of the way across we were heading straight into what looked like a surf zone
but we were in 200m+ water depth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As
we neared the rough water the boat speed slowly increased until we were being
sucked in at over 10 knots.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then
BANG - we hit this screaming south setting current and our speed went from 10
knots to -3 knots.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
were going backwards!!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
were going NW and all of a sudden we are heading south into the Indian Ocean.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After
10 minutes of going in circles (literally), we managed to crab crawl NE back
towards the rocky shoreline of Lombok and some respite from the impending
current.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
took 1 hour to get 4nm and then another 2 hours to sit 100m off Lombok and
crawl our way north and out of the main funnel section of the channel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
rounded a headland and passed the famous Desert Point Surf Break.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
renamed it Deserted Point as the surf was flat and we could not see a single
person at any of the accommodation places on the shore.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
deserted accommodation at Desert Point<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was mid afternoon, getting late and we were just about to head further up the
coast to find a protected anchorage at Lombok when Lisa spied a small local
sailing canoe hoisting sail and about to cross the straight.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
had read if you are unsure when to cross then watch and wait for the local
sailing canoes and go when they do.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So
we took a gamble and went west for the 20nm crossing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
wind was up but we left the motor on and motor sailed as fast as we could go
across the passage.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There
were huge ships everywhere and Lorelei’s AIS screen was packed full of
commercial vessels.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
played “dodge the super tankers” as we headed across.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
heavy haze (or maybe Volcanic Ash…)_across the channel didn’t help either.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As
we neared the island of Nusa Penida, we could see scores of the local sailing
canoes heading towards Lombok.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
looked great as they flew across the straight with their traditional shaped
sails.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-size: 20pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">NUSA LEMBONGAN<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finally
at 4pm we had crossed the straight, over the top of Nusa Penida Island and had
arrived at the hugely popular tourist destination of Nusa Lembongan.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Coming
into the bay was a shock for us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The bay was really busy with boat traffic and
there are resorts and buildings all the way along the shoreline catering to the
tourists.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What
was amazing was the water clarity in the bay.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was crystal clear with at least 30m underwater viz making it possible to see
everything clearly on the bottom.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
next day it went from busy to chaotic at around 9:30am as the scores of day
boats started to arrive bringing 1000’s of tourists.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was go-go-go and soon there was every type of water sport underway in the bay.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YYaGXezI_vU/VfP85MJud1I/AAAAAAAASjQ/PY8tM4Kr3PY/s1600/Nusa%2BLebongan%2BAntics%2B%252816%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YYaGXezI_vU/VfP85MJud1I/AAAAAAAASjQ/PY8tM4Kr3PY/s640/Nusa%2BLebongan%2BAntics%2B%252816%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There
were loads of dive boats but we thought this one was awesome with a top deck
for guests away from the dive gear.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
also had a giggle at the Banana Boats. They must be a complimentary thing as
nearly every day trip boat and pontoon had them and they would go nonstop all
day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All
the while with just one boat driver and no observer to make sure the passengers
are ok and haven’t flipped over or fallen off.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--u5Mi4SDsHI/VfP84__kXBI/AAAAAAAASjM/Wcnv8V4Lg4E/s1600/Nusa%2BLebongan%2BAntics%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--u5Mi4SDsHI/VfP84__kXBI/AAAAAAAASjM/Wcnv8V4Lg4E/s640/Nusa%2BLebongan%2BAntics%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From
our point of view the Bay looks like a maritime disaster just waiting to
happen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There
are no designated areas for anything, channel markers for boats or speed limits
for vessels to adhere too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There
are tourists swimming, surfing, SUP, kayaking, snorkelling and banana boating
whilst boats wiz through them at ridiculous speeds.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
biggest concern is the dozens of super high speed ferries that come and go at
full speed right though bay.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yGeM5Vc-N3I/VfP82Dhd2FI/AAAAAAAASio/7VT0DMrliDA/s1600/Nusa%2BLebongan%2BAntics%2B%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yGeM5Vc-N3I/VfP82Dhd2FI/AAAAAAAASio/7VT0DMrliDA/s640/Nusa%2BLebongan%2BAntics%2B%252811%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WoMUdtlSlg8/VfP83FnAMbI/AAAAAAAASi4/OrdWzcKkuVg/s1600/Nusa%2BLebongan%2BAntics%2B%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WoMUdtlSlg8/VfP83FnAMbI/AAAAAAAASi4/OrdWzcKkuVg/s640/Nusa%2BLebongan%2BAntics%2B%252814%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Check
out the outboards!!! 4 X 350Hp giving 1400HP…<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
wash from the ferries is huge and creates all sorts of dramas for everyone else
trying to enjoy the waterway.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0u9uMygQFGU/VfP85VOtYYI/AAAAAAAASjU/s9A8iHIr63g/s1600/Nusa%2BLebongan%2BAntics%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0u9uMygQFGU/VfP85VOtYYI/AAAAAAAASjU/s9A8iHIr63g/s640/Nusa%2BLebongan%2BAntics%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
ironic thing was despite the heavy marine traffic, a large pod of dolphins
happily swam around the bay all day much to the delight of some who stopped for
a look and not to others who drove straight past them without seeing them…<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By
4pm it was all over for the day and peace settled over the bay.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That
was until 9am the next day when it started all over again…..<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
stayed only for the weekend but elected not to go ashore or do any activities
as we knew we would come back in a week or 2’s time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Instead
we got stuck into the chores onboard Lorelei.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
had been chasing our tail for about 2 months and been re-active instead of
pro-active with Lorelei and her maintenance so it was time for catch up.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-size: 20pt;">SERANGAN HARBOUR
& SANUR - BALI</span></u></b><b><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On
the Monday morning we tackled the final 10nm crossing to Serangan Harbour on
Bali.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
had the current with us and averaged over 11 knots boat speed!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Serangan
Harbour was much busier than expected.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rather
than taking a mooring further in the bay, we decided to anchor further out with
all the super yachts and Phinisis.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
meant being closer to the water sports but further from the dingy jetty and the
hustle and bustle of the harbour.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
Harbour separates Serangan Island to the south and Sanur to the north.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dYipuB4AoI4/VfP9mQrXTsI/AAAAAAAASrk/hJnna4lQMv4/s1600/Serangan%2BBay.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dYipuB4AoI4/VfP9mQrXTsI/AAAAAAAASrk/hJnna4lQMv4/s640/Serangan%2BBay.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By
mid arvo it was kite central over at Sanur.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There
were traditional kites as well as kite boarders both in the protected lagoon
and out in the waves.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CnKxh5ItPEM/VfP9knsA-FI/AAAAAAAASrE/nkwYw9FZ-lA/s1600/Senangan%2BBig%2BKite%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CnKxh5ItPEM/VfP9knsA-FI/AAAAAAAASrE/nkwYw9FZ-lA/s640/Senangan%2BBig%2BKite%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Traditional
kites are hugely popular with the local people of Bali.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One
of the kites was huge with a 40m+ tail and then 40 minutes later another that
was massive with at least an 80m long tail.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
next morning we went ashore for our first time in Bali.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Unlike
most other Australians, we had never been to Bali before so we were excited but
also a little reserved about the high tourism aspect of the place.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fortunately
Serangan Harbour is out of the way of the popular tourist areas and we were
able to wander freely around the old town.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
harbour from the shore did look very busy though.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
one thing that makes Bali uniquely different from the rest of Indonesia is its
religion.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whilst
most of Indonesia is predominately Muslim, Bali has adopted an eclectic mix of
Hinduism with Buddhism which gives the areas its unique culture.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Most
houses have beautiful religious shines in their grounds and there are lots of
temples.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
walked down a few quiet streets and came across some old temples.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
found an older lady sitting in the shade at one temple making plates (complete
with dipping sauce inserts) out of palm fronds.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In
the arvo the wind was up again so we took the RIB over to Sanur packed with
Paul’s kite boarding gear and our Octopus kite.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once
ashore we noticed all the kite boarders were using massive kites.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Back
at home and all through the pacific, normal kite sizes are around 8 square
meters up to 12sq/m. Anything larger is rare.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At
Sanur the winds are always lighter so the kite companies use 15, 17 and 19sq/m
kites.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul
has 8, 10 & 12sq/m kites which were way too small for Sanur.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He
had only ever seen a 17sq/m once before and has never seen a 19sq/m kite.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
enquired at all 3 kite boarding schools about hiring a larger kite for Paul and
also kite lessons for Lisa but the costs were quite expensive and a lot more
than we were prepared to pay.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whilst
there, we went for a walk up and down Sanur Beach.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Like
Nusa Lembongan it was a bit of a culture shock and very touristy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Although
the area seems to draw in the more family orientated or mature/older guests who prefer higher end accommodation and restaurant options as opposed to the
younger surfers, backpackers and nightlife partiers that prefer the west coast.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
path along the beach had sand on one side with umbrellas, seats, lounges, bean
bags and massage huts, whilst the other side had manicured grass with scores of
different resorts, eateries, shops, yoga centres and spas.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
returned south to the area where we had seen dozens of the local kites flying
the day before.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
set up our octopus kite and flew that amongst the local kites.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
Balinese people were very excited to see a couple of westerners flying a kite.
Many came over to ask where we got it from and they all liked to feel the
string for how hard the pull was from the kite.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lisa
surmised that the strength of the string pull was directly related to the
perceived size of their masculinity.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J4GRs6Qqci8/VfP9DvRfNxI/AAAAAAAASmM/DOSzSlE9YDQ/s1600/okto%2Bkite.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J4GRs6Qqci8/VfP9DvRfNxI/AAAAAAAASmM/DOSzSlE9YDQ/s640/okto%2Bkite.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some
of the local kites were massive!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
watched them rig the kites and launch them. The big ones would have up to 10
people assisting in the launch.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All
of the kites have a bowed piece of timber top and bottom to which they attach a
large rubber band.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
band vibrates whilst flying which creates a large noise.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This
is a kite without the tail attached.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Attaching
the long tail<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
could take up to 10 people to launch them<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
figureheads of the kites where incredible with very intricate mask designs and
real horse hair<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Note
the crystal ball at the top of this figurehead which flashed in the sunlight<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
boys have to work very hard to get them up into the sky<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
photo below gives an indication of how big the kites are.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They
are flying next to our octopus kite which we consider to be large as it is 9
meters long.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul
flying our octopus with one of the large local kites in the background<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A
cool shot of the kites which looks like it was taken from very high up<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One
of the smaller kites with the red vibrating elastic bands top & bottom<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lisa
having fun flying our octopus<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-size: 20pt;">KUTA &
IMMIGRATION</span></u></b><b><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once
again it was visa renewal time and after our terrible experience in Labuan
Bajo, we were very reluctant to play the immigration game again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
weren’t the only ones to have had visa woes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
are in contact with only 4 other yachts who are also travelling along the Nusa
Tenggara island chain.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of
those 4, 1 had to leave mid trip and sail to Malaysia as they had problems with
an incorrectly processed visa, another had major woes in Bali and after
spending 6.5 days of their 7 days in Bali sorting the visa issue out, they also
cleared out and left very disappointed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
final 2 were Aussie surf friends in Labuan Bajo who were at a standstill as the
Immigration office would only accept original copies of their paperwork (which
are processed and stored with agents in Bali or Jakarta and emailed to the
yachts ) therefore making the request virtually impossible.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So
with all that in mind we sought help to hopefully get ours through this time
with minimal dramas.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fortunately
our agent Ruth from Isle Marine Services has her office in Serangan and we were
able to go and see her staff and get them to assist with the process. It was
going to take 7 -10 days and cost a little more but at least we didn’t have to
go to the Immigration office as they were going to take care of it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From
there it was into Kuta – in a Cab.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
had been warned not to ride motorbikes in the built up city areas and now we
knew why.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
traffic was absolutely chaotic!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5
people are killed every day on Balinese roads and now we understood why.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
did stop to have a look at one huge monument in the centre of a large
roundabout.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SGI2KBPh2uQ/VfP8v4Lqq-I/AAAAAAAASg8/l6Qo6jxl1dc/s1600/Kuta%2BRoundabout%2BStatue.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SGI2KBPh2uQ/VfP8v4Lqq-I/AAAAAAAASg8/l6Qo6jxl1dc/s640/Kuta%2BRoundabout%2BStatue.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
supermarkets in Kuta for reprovisioning are awesome and the largest variety we
have experienced since leaving Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However
it did come at a higher than normal cost as most of the imported products are
at western prices.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For
days we pigged out on French baguettes, vanilla slices, avocados, yogurt and
lots of other yummy treats we had not seen for a long time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VTzT8OJuqtE/VfP8h1tfg1I/AAAAAAAASdc/xXordBZ86Vk/s1600/Fruit%2BSalad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VTzT8OJuqtE/VfP8h1tfg1I/AAAAAAAASdc/xXordBZ86Vk/s640/Fruit%2BSalad.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ahh
the simple things in life – fruit salad with Strawberries and Yogurt<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sadly
though, it is the only time that we have felt embarrassed to be Australians in
all of our travels.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
way the Aussies looked, dressed, conducted themselves and spoke to the local
Balinese people was in our view disgusting and we were very embarrassed more
than once.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
doesn’t take much to stand up straight, dress decent (no Bintang Singlets and
bikini tops in the banks or offices), learn please & thankyou in Bahasa,
smile and not yell & talk down to the Balinese people because they don’t
understand your ocka version of English.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Maybe
we are just getting old and cynical…..<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
next day we took it one step further and went to Kuta Beach.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
streets were grid locked with road works and it took 20 minutes in a cab to travel 3klm from
Kuta central to Kuta Beach.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
beach is beautiful and long with some very nice white sand offset by 1000’s
beach goers and lots of umbrellas and chairs for rent.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kuta
Beach looking north<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-13O_szI7T3M/VfP8vGuBX3I/AAAAAAAASgs/562dFNz23tg/s1600/Kuta%2BBeach%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-13O_szI7T3M/VfP8vGuBX3I/AAAAAAAASgs/562dFNz23tg/s640/Kuta%2BBeach%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kuta
Beach looking south<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One
street back from the beach is retail central with everything from luxury malls
to small lane-ways filled with small trinkets and clothing shops.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1vAHBO1HHKA/VfP9Co9dHII/AAAAAAAASl8/XUrBJqxNNsg/s1600/kuta%2Bmall%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1vAHBO1HHKA/VfP9Co9dHII/AAAAAAAASl8/XUrBJqxNNsg/s640/kuta%2Bmall%2B1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
up-market retail section….<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
rear laneways that offer the imitations…..<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Surprisingly
there are more Tattoo shops than Surf shops and we felt a little out of place
without a Bintang singlet and numerous large tattoos.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However
the main reason we were there was to visit the Oro’s Board Cover store that
makes custom made board covers and anything else you can think of.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul
had the owner Mu’in make 2 new surfboard covers, 2 protective covers for our
underwater camera dome ports and a bag for our free diving fins.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They
were well made using thick foam, took 2 days to complete and the cost came in
at well under A$120 for the lot.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cdz8ZizDD7M/VfP8_UIpcII/AAAAAAAASlQ/6fU_dpYfUYk/s1600/Oros.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cdz8ZizDD7M/VfP8_UIpcII/AAAAAAAASlQ/6fU_dpYfUYk/s640/Oros.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
also found some board shorts for cheap and a large DVD store selling all of the
latest pirated movie releases.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(Most
of which we had never heard of…)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-size: 20pt;">SANUR VILLAGE
FESTIVAL</span></u></b><b><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
Sanur Village Festival is an annual event that runs for 4 days and this year
was on from the 26<sup>th</sup>- 30<sup>th</sup> August.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
event started back in 2006 in an effort to help re-promote tourism after the
Bali Bombings of 2002 & 2005.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
has gained in popularity & size each year and it is now one of the biggest events
on Bali’s tourist calendar.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This
year was extra special because it was the 10<sup>th</sup> annual festival and
the organisers had gone all out with a huge program spaning the 4 days.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There
were sporting events like a fun run, sailing races, surfing competitions,
cycling and lots more.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Additionally
there was a food festival, an international kite festival and a huge park set
up with stages and stalls that had traditional dances, live music,
performances, talent quests, body painting & ice sculpture contests and the
lists goes on and on.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
turned into an awesome few days.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
HUGE list of events<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-size: 20pt;">International Kite
Festival</span></u></b><b><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
Kite Festival for Paul was going to be the highlight of the 4 days and it
didn’t disappoint.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fortunately
it was in the park next to the kite boarding school and only 200m from where
Lorelei was anchored.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was supposed to be from 10am to 6pm but by 9:30am the sky was filled with kites
and we could sit on Lorelei and see them filling the sky.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whilst
there were loads of different kites being flown, there was a competition for
the 2 main types of traditional Balinese kites.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
unusual kites were left to fly off to one side all day but the 2 traditional
kites were judged and there were set times for them to fly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Officials
would call the teams onto the field to set and they would all launch together.
They were judged on launching, presentation, how they flew and the noise from
the vibrating rubber bands.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After
judging was finished they would land them and the other kites would have their
turn.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Each
style of kite flew at least 4 times during the day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
larger of the kites is called a Janggun<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These
kites are huge with the long tails that can be up to 100m long<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There
were less of them due to the high purchase cost and the size of the team
required to fly them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What
they lacked in numbers they more than made up for in wow factor as they flew.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Launching
was wild with teams of people running backwards with the rope to give the kite
lift.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
long tails would whip over the sand creating a sand storm in their wake.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whilst
these kites flew predictably and straight, there was still the occasional
tangle and kite going astray.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7DhKKcm1MFk/VfP8s8O5CuI/AAAAAAAASgM/KODawCl2e-E/s1600/Kite%2BFestival%2B%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7DhKKcm1MFk/VfP8s8O5CuI/AAAAAAAASgM/KODawCl2e-E/s640/Kite%2BFestival%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
teams are very proud of the figure heads on the kites and they attached them
just before launching and remove them just after landing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
figure head cost is between 5 & 10 million Rp. (A$500-$1000) which is not
cheap.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In
between the judging we went to check out the other types of kites being flown.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LXtErAChQ7A/VfP8lQsZqhI/AAAAAAAASeg/sd_QOcDcsZk/s1600/Kite%2BFestival%2B%252816%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LXtErAChQ7A/VfP8lQsZqhI/AAAAAAAASeg/sd_QOcDcsZk/s640/Kite%2BFestival%2B%252816%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
Bebean kites were a whole new level of chaotic!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Because
they are a lot cheaper to make, there are lots more of them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However
they are still really big and powerful.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Without
a tail they wander all over the sky creating havoc for the people flying, all
the while trying to dodge other kites and lines.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With
their bamboo outer frames they are quite dangerous and being out on the field
during launching and flying is fraught with danger.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A
child was killed by a falling kite at the festival 3 years ago.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Qejc6vFgrU/VfP8kU9FE4I/AAAAAAAASeQ/Wqu4apQ9-fE/s1600/Kite%2BFestival%2B%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Qejc6vFgrU/VfP8kU9FE4I/AAAAAAAASeQ/Wqu4apQ9-fE/s640/Kite%2BFestival%2B%252814%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Because
of the sheer numbers, they would bring them out onto the field and set up
whilst the Janggun kites were still flying.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWAL_FkSz-2CCjQTNoiD4xWL7NlHRqdXhSN1fVULg62-3iIH84uZJ25md1UkT-G8nDQyXPKYQyLPIWfXngqvyCqxm-fT4M4aEHG3pPC4RxjiRhy3NBr62wIJgxHymyRcV8dEavYdAv2pM/s1600/Kite+Festival+%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWAL_FkSz-2CCjQTNoiD4xWL7NlHRqdXhSN1fVULg62-3iIH84uZJ25md1UkT-G8nDQyXPKYQyLPIWfXngqvyCqxm-fT4M4aEHG3pPC4RxjiRhy3NBr62wIJgxHymyRcV8dEavYdAv2pM/s640/Kite+Festival+%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
teams take it very seriously and most have matching clothes, printed shirts and
fly flags or banners with the teams name or logo.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
traditional kite colours are red, black and white and the uniforms generally
reflected this colour combination.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not
sure what Harley Davidson would think of this team’s logo…..<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At
the end of the day they loaded the kites onto the trucks, piled into the back
and off they went. Try getting away with
that back at home….</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NlyoND6XOHE/VfP8qpXv9DI/AAAAAAAASfo/Z3Kq3OnHFlc/s1600/Kite%2BFestival%2B%252824%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NlyoND6XOHE/VfP8qpXv9DI/AAAAAAAASfo/Z3Kq3OnHFlc/s640/Kite%2BFestival%2B%252824%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span></b></div>
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-size: 20pt;">Sanur Festival
Arena</span></u></b><b><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
main stage and festival arena was about 3 km north of Sanur beach and Lorelei’s
anchorage.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
hadn’t seen the northern beach area yet so we decided to walk up to the arena along
the beach and have a look.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There
were lots of flash resorts but they were all very empty with only a few
patrons.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
saw this sign at the Rip Curl area, Stand-Up Paddleboard Yoga…??!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A
nice resort and not a single person in sight…..<br />
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<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
liked the bow sprit on this local canoe<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There
are many galleries in Sanur with some top quality local artists.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
were a little shocked to see the size of the main arena.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was huge with 1000’s of people coming and going.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
body painting artists were awesome and did a great job on their live canvasses.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After
they were finished painting, they went onto the main stage for judging.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As
the sun set the main stage came alive with live music and local performances.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
found a drone aerial photo of the event on the net.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
main stage at night<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">People
watching the performances<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There
were lots of food and stalls at night and the area was packed with people.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lisa
on the wrong side of the food counter with the friendly staff<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
festival coincided with the full moon.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On
the Saturday night of the week of the full moon, many communities perform a
traditional Barong Dance and they performed one at the festival.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was the first time we had seen a traditional Balinese performance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">During
the day and night there were modelling & talent quests for all ages.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Later
in the night when it was cooler they had an ice carving competition.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-size: 20pt;">Surfing Nusa
Lembongan</span></u></b><b><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
were really tired but there was no relaxing as the swell was due to arrive the
next day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So
we were up early after the last day of the festival to head back out to Nusa
Lembongan for some surfing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">According
to the forecast, the swell size & direction along with the tides, wind
strength & direction were all looking perfect for the surf breaks in the
Nusa Lembongan region.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If
it all came together it had the potential to be our best waves of the surf
season.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
day before the peak of the swell, Lisa took Paul around to an isolated left
hand point break called Ceningans.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
is a remote break and usually uncrowded.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul
did not surf the point break due to the large size and instead surfed an
isolated bommie about 150m further out off the rocks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was huge and right on the limit of comfort for Paul on his own and on his back
hand.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ceningan’s
Surfbreak<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When
the wind picked up, Lisa took Paul back around to the most well known break –
Shipwrecks which was much more protected from the wind and swell.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was less than half the size of Ceningans but much more fun.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
next morning it was a red sky in the morning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
old sailors saying is – “Red Sky in the morning is a sailors warning”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was a surfers warning and the peak of the swell was due at midday.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Shipwrecks
can only be surfed within a couple of hours either side of the high tide so
Paul was out at 8am in preparation for the 10am high.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was only small at 3-4ft and he was wondering what was going on.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There
were at least 25 surfers out and lots of intermediates.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lisa
erred on the side of caution and took the RIB in behind the reef instead of
staying in the channel like the day before.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank
goodness she did because at 8:45am a huge group of 7ft set waves came through
the line-up and wiped out every surfer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul
was the furthest person out the back and still got hammered by the 6 waves in
the set.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lisa
said there were surfers with eyes the size of saucers being washed in over the
reef and past the RIB.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5
minutes later the second lot of huge sets rolled through and cleaned up the
line up again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That
left Paul and just 3 others to surf the giant waves.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So
they banded together for safety and everyone knew Lisa was on standby for any
emergencies, pick-ups or just if we got washed in and needed a rest.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Over
the next 1hour the swell built until it was a solid 7-9ft with the occasional
bigger set.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was survival surfing at its best but we all got some great waves and came back
unscathed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For
Paul it was the biggest waves for the surf season and Lisa took some great
photos of him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For
Lisa though it was very difficult to stand in the RIB and balance holding the
camera. She nearly got swamped 3 times by the rogue sets.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Even
the inside section still had some punch as it doubled up onto the shallow reef.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There
were other surfers wanting to come out but the local surf boats were having a
very difficult time getting a flat period to get though the channel which by
now had waves breaking right across it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o7AV21DJOts/VfP9zRGkkpI/AAAAAAAASuw/t7dGq0nsbaQ/s1600/Shipwrecks%2BSurfing%2BDay%2B2%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o7AV21DJOts/VfP9zRGkkpI/AAAAAAAASuw/t7dGq0nsbaQ/s640/Shipwrecks%2BSurfing%2BDay%2B2%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After
the surf we went further into the bay to have a look a 2 other breaks,
Lacerations and Playgrounds, both of which are between tourist pontoons.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By
mid-afternoon it was low tide and the bay had huge lines of swell coming
though.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On
Lorelei it was very rolly but it was much worse in closer towards the tourist
pontoons.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They
were moving up and down a lot with the swell and the large boats had to detach
from the pontoons and sit off until it was time to go.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In
the end they had to ferry the day trip guests from the pontoons to the big
boats via smaller boats.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Up
& Down…..<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2
minutes after these photos, the boat detached from the pontoon.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Looking
back to a huge wave breaking over the reef near Shipwrecks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul
did a 4 shot sequence of this boat having a hard <br />
time getting its passengers onto the beach<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul
surfed for 2 more days after the peak until the swell dropped below 4ft.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-size: 20pt;">MOLA MOLA SEASON</span></u></b><b><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Above
all else, the number one thing we wanted to do whilst in the Bali area was to
scuba dive to try and see a Mola Mola or Giant Sunfish.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These
amazing creatures live in very deep water but come up into shallow water to get
cleaned.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WmGuosuFXH0/VfP80ixMV0I/AAAAAAAASiM/6kferRj_w4Y/s1600/Mola%2BMola.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="588" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WmGuosuFXH0/VfP80ixMV0I/AAAAAAAASiM/6kferRj_w4Y/s640/Mola%2BMola.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
area around Nusa Lembongan is probably the best location in the world to see
them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However
the season is only for 8 weeks and spans the months of August and September.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
issue was it is hugely popular with divers from all over the world and the
prices per dive from the dive operators reflected this and were at peak season
rates.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
had heard about large currents in the area but wanted to find out first hand
ourselves as to whether we could dive by ourselves or were forced to pay and go
with a dive operator.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So
we headed out for a day trip to circumnavigate Nusa Lembongan Island and to
have a look at all the Mola Mola dive locations.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
took Paul’s camera and our free diving gear.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On
the way down we stopped at a series of large sea caves to have a look.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One
was a large arch where we could take the RIB through and end up in a small
shallow bay on the other side.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
first dive stop was supposed to be Crystal Bay on Nusa Penida Island.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When
we were in the general area, we spied a lot of dive boats coming from around
the corner further south so we headed that way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
arrived to find 4 boats tucked in close to the high cliffs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
asked a nice local man waiting for his divers if this was Crystal Bay.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He
said it was Manta Ray Bay and Crystal Bay was around the corner.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He
pointed towards the rocks at 3 Manta Rays swimming along the surface.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So
we jumped in and quietly waited for the Mantas to come closer and closer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After
the other boats had left we stayed and continued swimming with them for over 1
hour which was a lot of fun.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
even saw a few Turtles…<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
then went into the small Crystal Bay only to find about 20 dive boats and about
150 divers in the water or waiting to go in.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was like a circus!!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However
we did see that all the boats were on moorings and for A$1.50 we could rent
one.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So
we went for a free dive on the point and saw the divers waiting for Mola Mola
and also schools of the Banner Fish that clean them so we knew we were in the
right place.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
next morning we up before daybreak and returned to Crystal Bay at 6am with
scuba gear and to our delight we were the only divers in the bay.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Leaving
Lorelei at daybreak<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
dived on the point and had a fun dive but sadly no Mola Mola.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
knew we had the low light levels right and the location but possibly not the
right tides so it was a case of returning at a later date with better tides and
keep trying.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
did however see a large Puffer Fish being cleaned, lots of bait fish in the
shallows and a couple of nice ladies snorkelling in the early morning rays of
sunlight.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After
a week of rolling at Nusa Lembongan we were a little over it and the chores
which we were not able to do were piling up so we headed back to the flatter
anchorage in Serangan Harbour at Bali for about a week before tackling the Mola
Mola hunting again at a later date.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-size: 20pt;">UBUD TOUR</span></u></b><b><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
really wanted to do some tours around Bali and were interested in things like
the Temples, Rice Paddies and getting up into the mountains but we didn’t want
to book onto a set tour with loads of other people.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So
after a little research we found there are many Balinese that have small family
run businesses where you hire a car and driver/tour guide and do your own thing
or ask them to help you plan your customised trip.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
cost for a full day/10hour trip was around A$50 for the both of us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
decided to use a smaller company called Dipa Bali Tour owned and operated by
Wayan Kariasa.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
had 3 full day trips in mind, so we started with Ubud and did one every second
day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ubud
is a village in the mountains rich in traditions and culture that is a popular
area with artists of all kinds ranging from painting, jewellery, glass designs
all the way to kite making and wood carving.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Additionally
there is beautiful scenery, great food and fantastic temples.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our
first stop on our tour was the Batuan Temple which was built around 1022AD.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Like
most temples in the region, you are not permitted to enter unless you have the
correct clothing – and that usually means a sarong with a sash. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once
inside we found many smaller temples and shrines, some with amazing statues and
designs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From
there we ventured into the main area of Ubud.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
were staggered at the amount of retail stores selling art and jewellery items.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There
were literally 100’s of them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As
a result the traffic in the area is way too much for the small roads and the
place is gridlocked and bumper to bumper for most of the day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
did stop at a few places for a look.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
stopped at a timber carving place first.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
items for sale were beautifully crafted but soooo expensive and in US dollars.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul
noticed that 25m up the road was a series of kite shops that were making kites
of all shapes and sizes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
went into one shop that made and painted them and we brought a great one with a
dragon figure head.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iL4WpOn8VZs/VfP-Qr2dyeI/AAAAAAAASx0/SsuOgGo_zY0/s1600/Ubud%2BKite%2BStore%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iL4WpOn8VZs/VfP-Qr2dyeI/AAAAAAAASx0/SsuOgGo_zY0/s640/Ubud%2BKite%2BStore%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Silver
Jewellery is also manufactured in huge quantities in the area.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
stopped at one of the scores of places for a look.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They
manufacture on site and their showrooms are huge.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3t3acI6zd9I/VfP-ti3d4VI/AAAAAAAAS2M/03qE8F1D3bY/s1600/Ubud%2BSilver%2BStore%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3t3acI6zd9I/VfP-ti3d4VI/AAAAAAAAS2M/03qE8F1D3bY/s640/Ubud%2BSilver%2BStore%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whilst
driving along, we kept seeing these massive open air stores with glass bowls
melted onto timber drift wood.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
asked to stop at one for a look at these unique designs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Even
in the quieter areas the streets were lined with small art shops filled with
every type of art you could think of.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
last stop before lunch was the Sacred Monkey Forest and Temple.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s
only A$3 entrance fee and sarongs are not required.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There
are 100’s of Long Tailed Macaques (Monkeys) that do not have any fear of
interacting with the 1000’s of tourists that visit the place daily.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One
of the cheeky males even stole Paul’s water bottle out of his camera backpack.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Aside
from the Macaques, there are some great temples, water features, bridges and
other stone structures.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
have had a few interactions with the Macaques over the past few months so Paul
was more interested in photographing the smaller baby ones as this was the best
opportunity we have had to see them so far.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
thought the photo below was the shot of the day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
labelled it “Rack Off Paparazzi”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By
the time we stopped for lunch in was 3pm so we ate at a small café that
overlooked some rice terraces.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After
lunch we walked up into the terraces with Wayan.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There
were a lot of tourists walking all around the area.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With
the afternoon sun shining onto the terraces, it must be a popular last stop for
day tours.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once
we reached the top there were a few larger rice paddies.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Looking
over the side we saw more interesting shaped terraces.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At
the top Paul had said to Wayan that it was great but not the super special
terraces and photos he had seen on the internet.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So
Wayan said to follow him…..<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
hiked around to the back of the hill.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There
was no one there and we came around the side to see the most amazing valley
that was lush green and filled with terraces on both sides.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was spectacular and the lighting was perfect. Paul was in photo heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
even met the owner of the terraces.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By
the time we hiked back over to the main area the sun had all but gone so we
took another track home.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From
the terraces back to Serangan Harbour it was still an hour’s drive.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Half
way home we stopped at a new statue that had only been built about 6 months
ago.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was right on dusk so Paul set up his camera and tripod on the side of the road
and took some time exposures.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
following night something really special happened – IT RAINED!!!!!</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was the first time we had seen rain in over 4 months and it was very welcome.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Poor
Lorelei was looking quite dirty outside (as is every other boat) so the rain went
some ways towards giving her a bit of a wash off, particularly the rigging,
sails and masts were we cannot wash with a hose.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-size: 20pt;">ULUWATU TOUR</span></u></b><b><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Being
surfers we really wanted to see the SW coastline which is the most popular area
for surfing in Bali. It incorporates the famous areas of Padang Padang and
Uluwatu.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
didn’t take boards and instead just wanted to see what the area was like and
take some photos.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wayan
took us to Balangan Beach first which had some amazing cliff areas and 2 very
picturesque headlands.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
found a small set of stairs off the side of one of the headlands that went down
to a small temple hidden inside a cave that faced out to sea.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There
was nobody there so Paul slipped in to take some photos.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wo6ULGo8rcY/VfP-9khnR5I/AAAAAAAAS5I/rGsFFVepZUs/s1600/Uluwatu%2BSurf%2BSpots%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wo6ULGo8rcY/VfP-9khnR5I/AAAAAAAAS5I/rGsFFVepZUs/s640/Uluwatu%2BSurf%2BSpots%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
then went to the famous Padang Padang Beach which is the location for the Rip
Curl Pro surfing contest that is held annually in August.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
beach is unusual because it is tucked away below a series of cliffs and is well
protected.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N-tOPBb_Cso/VfP-8Ba8QdI/AAAAAAAAS4w/lqd40bEwcBw/s1600/Uluwatu%2BSurf%2BSpots%2B%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N-tOPBb_Cso/VfP-8Ba8QdI/AAAAAAAAS4w/lqd40bEwcBw/s640/Uluwatu%2BSurf%2BSpots%2B%252811%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To
get to the beach you have to walk down a narrow path between the high rocks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
beach is covered in unusual shaped rocks and at low tide there is a large rock
platform extending out to the surf breaks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iRzdLZ-eayY/VfP--S7QrUI/AAAAAAAAS5Y/7Sj6snVJfoM/s1600/Uluwatu%2BSurf%2BSpots%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iRzdLZ-eayY/VfP--S7QrUI/AAAAAAAAS5Y/7Sj6snVJfoM/s640/Uluwatu%2BSurf%2BSpots%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From
above the breaks around the Uluwatu area looked promising with lots of
different peaks to surf.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F7VvTCZ7OCQ/VfP_AeiEcDI/AAAAAAAAS5w/MHYqe_2nZkk/s1600/Uluwatu%2BSurf%2BSpots%2B%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F7VvTCZ7OCQ/VfP_AeiEcDI/AAAAAAAAS5w/MHYqe_2nZkk/s640/Uluwatu%2BSurf%2BSpots%2B%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What
we didn’t like was the crowds and the parking lot was packed with motor bikes
with board racks and hundreds of surfers running around with boards under their
arms.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Late
in the arvo we went to the Uluwatu Temple which is on a rocky headland and a very
popular place to view the sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
were required to wear sarongs inside the temple.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There
were some stunning views over the cliffs from the walkways linking the
headlands.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As
the sun set, it cast a warm glow over the cliff faces which looked amazing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
highlight of our visit was the traditional Kecak Dance which is held in an
amphitheatre on the cliff edge looking towards the sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
dance is unusual and the music is comprised of unusual sounds that the 40 men
make to create a unique harmony.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
performance lasted for 1 hour. It started in the light and finished in the
dark.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
view of the performance from the top of the amphitheatre gives a completely
different perspective.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BT6KK14l5hI/VfP9CZDzFHI/AAAAAAAASl4/owjKpRMmdDM/s1600/kecak%2Bdanke%2Bfrom%2Btop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BT6KK14l5hI/VfP9CZDzFHI/AAAAAAAASl4/owjKpRMmdDM/s640/kecak%2Bdanke%2Bfrom%2Btop.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tToDXaXli_M/VfP-zRPX4CI/AAAAAAAAS3E/gh1xFhHNpUU/s1600/Uluwatu%2BKecak%2BDance%2B%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tToDXaXli_M/VfP-zRPX4CI/AAAAAAAAS3E/gh1xFhHNpUU/s640/Uluwatu%2BKecak%2BDance%2B%252811%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
character who stole the show was a white monkey who was very funny and got up
to all sorts of antics, particularly with the audience.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pIPupFLXnw0/VfP-yA4UzuI/AAAAAAAAS28/JjMmYPQN8II/s1600/Uluwatu%2BKecak%2BDance%2B%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pIPupFLXnw0/VfP-yA4UzuI/AAAAAAAAS28/JjMmYPQN8II/s640/Uluwatu%2BKecak%2BDance%2B%252810%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">About
¾ through the performance there was a scene where the monkey was captured and
they lit a fire around him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just
as the fibre was lit a wind gust blew into the amphitheatre and sent the
burning fibres into the male singers and the audience in the front row (which
was us). It created havoc for a few minutes as everyone tried to help and
extinguish the fires.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4rU6E4gIVbk/VfP-3wMAYVI/AAAAAAAAS38/9c0ion-iAR0/s1600/Uluwatu%2BKecak%2BDance%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4rU6E4gIVbk/VfP-3wMAYVI/AAAAAAAAS38/9c0ion-iAR0/s640/Uluwatu%2BKecak%2BDance%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After
the performance the main actors stayed in the arena and people were able to have
their photos taken with them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By
the time we got home it was after 9pm. It had made for a long but fun day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was nice to visit the famous Uluwatu Surfing area just to say we had seen it,
but to be honest we have no real desire to surf there.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From
a surfers holiday experience, we consider it a mission to surf there.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Most
surfers have to hire a motor bike, wait for the right tides, then pay an entrance
fee into the beach area, walk down the cliff, walk a long way across the
exposed reef wearing booties and finally paddle out into a line up jam packed
with other surfers eager to get their money’s worth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What
a mission just for a surf……<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
makes other areas like T-Land at Rote and Lakeys at Sumbawa much less hassle,
less crowded and cheaper.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
also made us realise just how spoilt we are both onboard Lorelei and back at
our home on the NSW Central Coast where you can park at any number of car parks
or small beach laneways, run down across the beautiful white sand and paddle
straight out into the line up.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So
that’s it for this Episode 41 of our blog.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
successfully renewed our visa so we have another 30 days here in Bali.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
plan to do one or two more tours with Wayan before going on the Mola Mola hunt
again at Nusa Lembongan.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From
there we are heading around the top of Bali to do some fantastic diving before
crossing to Kalimantan/Borneo to visit the Orang-utans at Kumai.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
are also looking forward to seeing some Aussie friends that are holidaying in
Bali over the next few weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
all makes for another action packed month ahead….<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cheers
for now!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul
Hogger<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lisa
Hogger<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yacht
Lorelei</span></span></b></div>
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sv_loreleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14235157985522355104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245635408700620959.post-29998453280953032752015-08-14T15:55:00.002-07:002019-02-09T17:36:22.348-08:00Episode 40 Indonesia - Central Nusa Tenggara<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow; font-size: 28pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Lorelei’s
Sailing Adventures</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">During
Episode 39, we spent time in Alor diving & exploring and had travelled
along the Eastern Nusa Tenggara Island chain.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> We had just arrived at Labuan Bajo – the
gateway to The Komodo National Park.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: orange;">Our
location for this Episode of the Blog</span></i>.<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: orange;">Our
route for this Episode of the Blog.</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-size: 20pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">LABUAN BAJO<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our
first impressions of Labuan Bajo from Lorelei were great.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Loads
of islands of all shapes and sizes offset by blue, clear and flat water.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
had found a great anchorage about 1km north of the main town in a quiet bay so
we were away from the busy hustle and bustle of the main harbour and eliminated
the need to have any contact with the Harbour Master.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When
we went ashore our opinions changed pretty quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
main wharf and harbour area was nice enough but walking up the main street
wasn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Due
to Labuan Bajo being the main centre for tourism and access to the Komodo area,
the town is a popular area for tourists.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Unfortunately
the town does not reflect this and we thought it was poorly laid out, dirty,
dusty and in a poor state of repair.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Considering
the huge amount of money injected by tourism, we were expecting something a little
better.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After
being in the country now for 9 months we are very use to the types of towns in
the regional areas but this was well below par.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
craziest thing though was the amount of dive shops in the main street.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
counted over 20 dive stores all with their own live aboard and day boat with
signs plastered all over the street trying to get tourists in and get them
signed up.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And
this was just the dive shops…<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That
didn’t include the 30 or so booking agents for Komodo Dragon and land based
tours.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Having
worked in the dive industry and lived in areas with a huge diving culture (like
Cairns) we are very used to the diving way of life, however we thought this was
a bit over the top.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul
put a photo collage together of all the dive shops to give you an idea of the
enormity of it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
decided to lash out for lunch and go to a seafood restaurant that had nice
harbour views.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
had to order 3 times as they kept returning saying they had none of the seafood
we ordered.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After
waiting for over 75 minutes for our chicken meals, we walked out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Treetops
Seafood Restaurant – Nice views, limited seafood, long waits… <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That
arvo we went to the Komodo National Park Tourism Office and Immigration but
both were closed. It was a Tuesday….<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We returned to Lorelei a little shocked at how the day had turned out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
next day went from bad to worse when we went to immigration.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was to be our 7<sup>th</sup> visa renewal in Indo.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And
(surprise, surprise) the things that were required had changed yet again from
the last renewal.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
won’t go right into it but what they wanted us to do was completely out of line
and incorrect.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
were at a standstill and sought the assistance of our sponsor in Bali and our
Agent in Kupang before continuing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
tried to not let the first 36 hours get us down and decided to move on and
start to enjoy ourselves and the area for what is was.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sure
enough, like most places we have been to in Indo, the local people were
fantastic and very accommodating.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
met Joseph, a nice man who lives opposite the main wharf.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He
organised a great berth at the wharf for our RIB anytime we needed it and we
felt it was very safe there, day and night.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Joseph
also organised to get Lorelei refueled.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
couldn’t believe we were bunkering again. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When
we refueled in Kupang 30 days ago we expected the diesel would last at least
until Bali and hopefully until Borneo in Nov but with the unseasonal westerly
winds and currents, it wasn’t the case.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Day
3 of our Bajo experience turned out fantastic.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
hired Peter’s car and a local guide Matheius for the morning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
went out to the local markets and did a large restock of fresh fruit and veg.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then
we went to a cave system called “Batu Cermin” or the Stone Mirror Cave system.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
cave system was awesome.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
had to have a guide and for most of the internal area, a hard hat.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul
took his 10mm fish eye lens, tripod and our 2 large dive lights.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After
practising in the Kupang caves, we were becoming confident with long camera
exposures and using the dive lights to wave around and illuminate certain
areas.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
are unsure of the name of the technique but it was working well and we were
rewarded with some well lit shots of the large caverns.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Note
Lisa and her light in the background<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HRGkpG8WCrk/VcWO2rhlSYI/AAAAAAAARro/pr1_-4uHyko/s1600/Bajo%2BMirror%2BStone%2BCave%2B%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HRGkpG8WCrk/VcWO2rhlSYI/AAAAAAAARro/pr1_-4uHyko/s640/Bajo%2BMirror%2BStone%2BCave%2B%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This
shot below was a dual effort.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lisa
maned the camera and illuminated the foreground areas.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul
sat still up high on the rock holding a light behind his back and waved it
around to illuminate the background of the cave.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
found some cute little micro bats and flying foxes inside the caves.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On
our return to the wharf we were happy to find Joseph had found and purchased
some fresh Cumi Cumi (Squid) at the fish markets for us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> He had cleaned and bagged them up for us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From
there we rushed home, stashed the shopping, showered, changed and went to a child’s
Catholic Baptism.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Peter,
Matheius and Joseph were all going so they asked us if we wished to come so we
gratefully accepted.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hendrik
and Maria were the parents and hosts (it was at their house) and are lovely
people who own the www.gotokomodo.com travel and guiding business.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
priest was a really funny guy and the ceremony was light hearted with lots of
singing, prayers and laughing people.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XUIE4evgefw/VcWOjrUeGUI/AAAAAAAARpI/vZ6slPm8ofw/s1600/Bajo%2BBaptism%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XUIE4evgefw/VcWOjrUeGUI/AAAAAAAARpI/vZ6slPm8ofw/s640/Bajo%2BBaptism%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lunch
was plentiful and great.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In
the afternoon the music kicked in, the singing started and so did the dancing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nksg4UY9lz0/VcWOm_1ykeI/AAAAAAAARps/yJO6yHmQOBc/s1600/Bajo%2BBaptism%2B%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nksg4UY9lz0/VcWOm_1ykeI/AAAAAAAARps/yJO6yHmQOBc/s640/Bajo%2BBaptism%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Maria
the host is an excellent singer<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some
of the men in their traditional dress were happy to pose for photos with us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul and
Blasius got on famously and had a great afternoon together.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He gave
Paul the traditional hat as a gift.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-size: 20pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">IMMIGRATION……….<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
immigration saga ended very badly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
had involved our Agent and Sponsor to sort out the issues.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They
had sent emails to us and phoned us & immigration.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Agents
were telling us to do one thing and immigration was requesting another.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
were the meat in the sandwich and didn’t know which way to turn.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
knew without a doubt that our agents were completely correct and what
immigration was asking was wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However
when the agents are 100’s of miles away and Immigration are holding our
Passports and threatening us with deportation, we had no option but to comply.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However
it came at a huge cost as they were very angry that we had sided with our
agents. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
were grilled, had stern talking’s to and were still threatened with deportation
because we had offended them. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lisa
took most of the tirade.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In
the end at 7pm on a Friday night, Lisa was issued with our passports with a new
30 day visa.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
were told not to return, had been blacklisted and were not allowed back to
Labuan Bajo Immigration ever.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
were shocked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
had done all the correct paperwork, had arrived in time, smiling, happy and
appropriately dressed for business. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And
this is how we were treated.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All
because their interpretation of the law and procedures for yachts was different
from all other immigration offices we had visited.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By
Friday night we were completely drained – emotionally, physically and mentally.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
had been a pretty wild few weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our
friend Nathan was arriving at 9:30am the next morning and we needed to find
some energy fast!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-size: 20pt;">Welcome Mr. Nathan Evans</span></u></b><b><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nathan
was also having his share of woes. The Denpasar airport in Bali had been closed
on and off for days now as ash from a nearby active volcano was blanketing the
area.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1000’s
of tourists were stranded in Bali as the major carriers cancelled their
flights.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At
one stage we didn’t think Nathan would make it but they opened the airport on
the Thursday arvo and he flew in Friday morning from Sydney (albeit a few hours
late).<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He
over-nighted in Bali and took a smaller plane to Labuan Bajo on Saturday
morning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul
went to pick him up from the airport and was amazed to see this super modern
and fantastic looking airport just 5 minutes out of town.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
had been built for the Sail Komodo Rally in 2013.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iLKlGf2Cmmg/VcWOh6Jw7fI/AAAAAAAARos/As1cDXRek10/s1600/Bajo%2BAirport%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iLKlGf2Cmmg/VcWOh6Jw7fI/AAAAAAAARos/As1cDXRek10/s640/Bajo%2BAirport%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MBnVaKnMQ3o/VcWOiqpM8pI/AAAAAAAARo0/XvDN33j2l4I/s1600/Bajo%2BAirport%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MBnVaKnMQ3o/VcWOiqpM8pI/AAAAAAAARo0/XvDN33j2l4I/s640/Bajo%2BAirport%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was so awesome to catch up with Nathan again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Aside
from Paul’s parents George and Chez, Nathan is the only person who has ever
joined us whilst we have cruised full time on both Lorelei and our catamaran
Purranha.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nathan’s
time onboard Purranha in 2002/2003 was probably the best weather we had in our
whole 3.5 years of cruising on our cat.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RGXhagytovY/VcWP-TT2tgI/AAAAAAAAR6E/zAASt6-3Ouk/s1600/Nathan%2BPurranha%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RGXhagytovY/VcWP-TT2tgI/AAAAAAAAR6E/zAASt6-3Ouk/s640/Nathan%2BPurranha%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">An oldie
but a goodie of us and Nathan 13 years ago cruising on Purranha.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P4K8jAuEU7Q/VcWP_rGW4EI/AAAAAAAAR6Y/OTWc57uAV6M/s1600/Nathan%2BPurranha%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P4K8jAuEU7Q/VcWP_rGW4EI/AAAAAAAAR6Y/OTWc57uAV6M/s640/Nathan%2BPurranha%2B2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nathan onboard
Purranha with a 55lb Cobia Kingfish and Coral Trout<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
had lots of catching up to do and went out for lunch in town before spending
the arvo on Lorelei drinking and chatting away.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MAydbXEBLWE/VcWOoaS3P9I/AAAAAAAARqE/1HaC9aRM2o8/s1600/Bajo%2BLunch%2BNathan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MAydbXEBLWE/VcWOoaS3P9I/AAAAAAAARqE/1HaC9aRM2o8/s640/Bajo%2BLunch%2BNathan.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On
the way home from lunch we stopped in the harbour to show Nathan the
traditional Phinisi Boats, many of which were set up as dive boats.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uzr3mFtMjtg/VcWQNu2KfnI/AAAAAAAAR-E/D5uJ9RnSOLE/s1600/Phinisi%2527s%2BBajo%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uzr3mFtMjtg/VcWQNu2KfnI/AAAAAAAAR-E/D5uJ9RnSOLE/s640/Phinisi%2527s%2BBajo%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jbw3sE47Pgk/VcWQOZ7cP0I/AAAAAAAAR-U/LVFwmCf15Z0/s1600/Phinisi%2527s%2BBajo%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jbw3sE47Pgk/VcWQOZ7cP0I/AAAAAAAAR-U/LVFwmCf15Z0/s640/Phinisi%2527s%2BBajo%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-size: 20pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">SCUBA DIVING KOMODO<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nRTbXMYEu_M/VciZ0vR6S9I/AAAAAAAASDE/u69YIYxsW1A/s1600/Komodo%2BRoute%2BMap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="548" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nRTbXMYEu_M/VciZ0vR6S9I/AAAAAAAASDE/u69YIYxsW1A/s640/Komodo%2BRoute%2BMap.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our
routes through the Komodo National Park.</span><span style="font-family: "arial rounded mt bold" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
next day was straight into the activities.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After
doing a lot of research on the dive sites in Komodo, we surmised that it would
be prudent to dive with a local operator, particularly considering there were
now three of us and most of the dive sites had strong currents.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So
we looked for a local operator to go with.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
had heard many good reports from other yachts about The Komodo Dive Center.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
other thing that they had in their favour was unlike most operators, they did
not promote dive courses for beginners and instead the dive staff prided themselves
on being excellent guides for advanced divers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
boat only took 11 guests too so numbers were small.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
visited their shop the day before and they gave us a great standby rate so we
booked on.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Best
of all their boat was moored in the next bay north from Lorelei and they had to
drive right past us to go to the main wharf to pick the guests up. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So
they simply stopped on the way and we loaded us and our gear on.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jwFGyd-fQ6A/VcWO4l3PKhI/AAAAAAAARsM/sGqGdf379TI/s1600/Dive%2BKomodo%2BBoat%2BDay%2B1%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jwFGyd-fQ6A/VcWO4l3PKhI/AAAAAAAARsM/sGqGdf379TI/s640/Dive%2BKomodo%2BBoat%2BDay%2B1%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
took 90 minutes to get to the sites so we all relaxed on the top deck or hung
out and took photos.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pywrwd84Fys/VcWO6dnTneI/AAAAAAAARso/454W8-C07OE/s1600/Dive%2BKomodo%2BBoat%2BDay%2B1%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pywrwd84Fys/VcWO6dnTneI/AAAAAAAARso/454W8-C07OE/s640/Dive%2BKomodo%2BBoat%2BDay%2B1%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mc8OWAgT_1k/VcWO6ObU1bI/AAAAAAAARsg/UFTJeHWe6hg/s1600/Dive%2BKomodo%2BBoat%2BDay%2B1%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mc8OWAgT_1k/VcWO6ObU1bI/AAAAAAAARsg/UFTJeHWe6hg/s640/Dive%2BKomodo%2BBoat%2BDay%2B1%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They
first day we dived 3 sites around the central part of the National Park.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
first 2 dives were screaming drift dives which we great fun but made it a
little hard to take photos.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lisa
left her camera in the boat for them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-brdHsQBiOJA/VcWPOWNsFxI/AAAAAAAARw0/sXUJgQNGtkY/s1600/Dive%2BKomodo%2BPaul%2BDay%2B1%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-brdHsQBiOJA/VcWPOWNsFxI/AAAAAAAARw0/sXUJgQNGtkY/s640/Dive%2BKomodo%2BPaul%2BDay%2B1%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0OdoKxYuz34/VcWPPmIrdoI/AAAAAAAARxE/yssismzuhfg/s1600/Dive%2BKomodo%2BPaul%2BDay%2B1%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0OdoKxYuz34/VcWPPmIrdoI/AAAAAAAARxE/yssismzuhfg/s640/Dive%2BKomodo%2BPaul%2BDay%2B1%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
had some thumping big fish overhead including large GT’s, Blue Line Trevally
and Long Nosed Emperor.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
2 photos below are of the same Long Nose Emperor as he swam around Paul
changing colour.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In
between dives we would normally moor in a nice protected bay on one of the many
islands.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Because
you cannot anchor, boats would raft up or tie off the back of one another. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lunch
on the boat was great with enough room to eat downstairs at the table.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In
the arvo we dived one of the premier sites called Batu Bolong.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In
the world’s Top 100 dives list, Batu Bolong comes in at No.26.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
is a round volcano style pinnacle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With
the normally strong currents you dive on just one face and zig-zag up and down
but the current had slowed during the dive and we were able to swim right
around which is unusual.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
guides liken the dive to swimming in a fish bowl or aquarium.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was an incredible dive with lots to see and millions of fish both large and
small.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lisa
took her camera on the dive and got some great shots including Pygmy Seahorses
and Leaf Fish.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pygmy
Seahorse.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By
the time we got back to the wharf the sun was setting putting a dull glow over
the scores of boats in the harbour.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
got home, charged cameras, ate and flaked into bed stuffed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
were still stuffed when the alarm went off at 5am….<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
next day we were going to Komodo’s premier dive locations which were at the top
of the National Park.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was going to be a long trip of 2+ hours each way so they picked us up an hour
earlier that day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
only had 6 guests onboard for the day and all were very experienced which was
great.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 3 of
us having a sleep on the boat waiting for the <br />
other guests to arrive.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
packed wharf at daybreak.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-av61Hbx0uw8/VcWO-O7ZfAI/AAAAAAAARtc/bQKN6ACk40U/s1600/Dive%2BKomodo%2BBoat%2BDay%2B2%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-av61Hbx0uw8/VcWO-O7ZfAI/AAAAAAAARtc/bQKN6ACk40U/s640/Dive%2BKomodo%2BBoat%2BDay%2B2%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The equally packed harbour at daybreak.</span></span></i></b><b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One
thing we thought was excellent on the boat was the quality of the dive briefs.
We think they are the most comprehensive briefs we have experienced outside of
Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And
they need to be. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With
huge currents, up & down surges, many things to look for and specific
routes to take it makes for a detailed briefing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Iet8-hkYEBU/VcWO-QhODAI/AAAAAAAARto/xBSvuz-jgxo/s1600/Dive%2BKomodo%2BBoat%2BDay%2B2%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Iet8-hkYEBU/VcWO-QhODAI/AAAAAAAARto/xBSvuz-jgxo/s640/Dive%2BKomodo%2BBoat%2BDay%2B2%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
did the first dive at a pass between 2 islands called The Cauldron.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
is known to have a strong current but for our dive the current was mild making
for a slow and incredible dive and one of the best we have ever done.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
saw Manta Rays, Sharks, loads of fish and some unusual small creatures.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lisa
was in macro heaven and we had Frogfish, Pygmy Seahorses and a first for her, a
Pink Leaf Fish.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
were so excited. It meant we had now seen and photographed every Leaf Fish
colour variation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">L:
Frogfish R: Pygmy Seahorse just 4mm
long.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul
was able to get some fun shots of the Leafies too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fgFb9Y9af_c/VcWPaW4_e7I/AAAAAAAARzQ/Hr9QHxcS8F0/s1600/Dive%2BKomodo%2BPaul%2BDay%2B2%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fgFb9Y9af_c/VcWPaW4_e7I/AAAAAAAARzQ/Hr9QHxcS8F0/s640/Dive%2BKomodo%2BPaul%2BDay%2B2%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There
are 4 Leaf Fish in this Photo – 2 White, 1 Yellow, 1 Pink.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Can you
see them?? Lisa is photographing one....<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nathan
with the coral on the edge of the cauldron.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Odi our
awesome dive guide<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
stopped in a beautiful bay in between dives.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NDwIuL0pmHU/VcWO-upYn3I/AAAAAAAARts/MPNH2bHtcbU/s1600/Dive%2BKomodo%2BBoat%2BDay%2B2%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NDwIuL0pmHU/VcWO-upYn3I/AAAAAAAARts/MPNH2bHtcbU/s640/Dive%2BKomodo%2BBoat%2BDay%2B2%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
2<sup>nd</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup> dives were also fantastic and we did Crystal
Rock and Castle Rock which are both isolated pinnacles.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lisa
was also rewarded with some great macro opportunities at these sites.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A Sea
Spider only 10mm long<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nathan
with some huge Barrel Sponges<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VpIUITA-bp4/VcWPYGWbvZI/AAAAAAAARy0/iKueVgfNPEA/s1600/Dive%2BKomodo%2BPaul%2BDay%2B2%2B%252817%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VpIUITA-bp4/VcWPYGWbvZI/AAAAAAAARy0/iKueVgfNPEA/s640/Dive%2BKomodo%2BPaul%2BDay%2B2%2B%252817%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4-cWWuFGFyk/VcWPc9iKS-I/AAAAAAAARzw/bRwSf9cjtG0/s1600/Dive%2BKomodo%2BPaul%2BDay%2B2%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4-cWWuFGFyk/VcWPc9iKS-I/AAAAAAAARzw/bRwSf9cjtG0/s640/Dive%2BKomodo%2BPaul%2BDay%2B2%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3jBpQzT8H8E/VcWPVpQN9YI/AAAAAAAARyQ/sOWIKDQ8BBI/s1600/Dive%2BKomodo%2BPaul%2BDay%2B2%2B%252813%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3jBpQzT8H8E/VcWPVpQN9YI/AAAAAAAARyQ/sOWIKDQ8BBI/s640/Dive%2BKomodo%2BPaul%2BDay%2B2%2B%252813%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By
the time we got back to Lorelei it was well after dark.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
crew had worked hard during the day to make it one of the best days diving we
have had whilst cruising.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
boat didn’t run the next day (the crew had done 16 days straight) so we didn’t
dive.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Huge
thanks goes out to the crew and also the other guests onboard who were happy,
friendly and made it a fun couple of days.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
would highly recommend Komodo Dive Center.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They
don’t have the biggest or flashest day boat (and it’s certainly not the worst),
but they do have smaller guest numbers, fantastic boat crew, excellent dive
guides and briefings.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was just as well we hadn’t planned to dive the next day. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was an overcast day and it rained.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Additionally,
just like our friend Matt did just 2 months prior, Nathan became sick with a
fever on the 3<sup>rd</sup> day and was bed ridden for 36 hours.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So
we let him sleep and spent the day installing all the new bits and pieces
Nathan had kindly brought for us from Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
had a new depth sounder/fish finder, engine room blowers, winch spares, new
kitesurfing bar & lines and Nikon camera parts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ADc0fStU6J4/Vc5otPu2NuI/AAAAAAAASJ4/acVyTpJV0fU/s1600/Depth%2BSounder.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="324" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ADc0fStU6J4/Vc5otPu2NuI/AAAAAAAASJ4/acVyTpJV0fU/s640/Depth%2BSounder.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="color: orange; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Finally! A bottom profile again after both our depth sounders died</i></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zo1w0FwD9W4/Vc5otsUgzOI/AAAAAAAASKM/mB-FMULvghQ/s1600/Blowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zo1w0FwD9W4/Vc5otsUgzOI/AAAAAAAASKM/mB-FMULvghQ/s640/Blowers.JPG" width="422" /></a></div>
<span style="color: orange; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Paul installing the new engine room ventilation blowers</i></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Additionally
Paul’s brother Rod (who is also close friends with Nathan) slipped Nathan 10
blocks of good old aussie Cadbury Chocolate to bring with him for us. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
were very happy…. YUM!!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qfsfpXHwlGw/Vc5ot-XLU3I/AAAAAAAASKE/HMTbIJNasj0/s1600/Chocolate.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qfsfpXHwlGw/Vc5ot-XLU3I/AAAAAAAASKE/HMTbIJNasj0/s640/Chocolate.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When
Nathan was better we left Labuan Bajo.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
sailed to an Island just outside of the National Park Zone called Palau
Sebayur.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HS6uKHk4nSc/VcWQYqROkDI/AAAAAAAASA0/z6JKlo58IRY/s1600/Sailing%2Bout%2Bof%2BBajo%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HS6uKHk4nSc/VcWQYqROkDI/AAAAAAAASA0/z6JKlo58IRY/s640/Sailing%2Bout%2Bof%2BBajo%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjOldCEHlHzzpYBG7b-DRmaKh3jnMLQ54sutpsUEFixxqM9uRrGz3QQMax0c5PJ5R3GtDmYnxVdmNDYnjxx2HtmtW-U5iGyE97QimIDUpe8DJoJwYtNdUiw3fhtLbo3qmVdqWRiIZYJm5/s1600/Sailing+out+of+Bajo+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjOldCEHlHzzpYBG7b-DRmaKh3jnMLQ54sutpsUEFixxqM9uRrGz3QQMax0c5PJ5R3GtDmYnxVdmNDYnjxx2HtmtW-U5iGyE97QimIDUpe8DJoJwYtNdUiw3fhtLbo3qmVdqWRiIZYJm5/s640/Sailing+out+of+Bajo+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On
the way we passed a small island that had a village which was unusual as most
of the islands are uninhabited.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_9nuFxpU8Rw/VcWQYzIxPzI/AAAAAAAASA4/tGEyFXQdnNY/s1600/Sailing%2Bto%2BRinca%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_9nuFxpU8Rw/VcWQYzIxPzI/AAAAAAAASA4/tGEyFXQdnNY/s640/Sailing%2Bto%2BRinca%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jjBjFlcohXo/VcWQaHXyljI/AAAAAAAASBA/69nKbmp2EQo/s1600/Sailing%2Bto%2BRinca%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jjBjFlcohXo/VcWQaHXyljI/AAAAAAAASBA/69nKbmp2EQo/s640/Sailing%2Bto%2BRinca%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At
the anchorage the water was very deep right up to the reef edge so we tied up
to the only mooring a bay. We were surrounded by 3 islands and some great rock
formations.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TFcruLtN3rE/VcWQLKLlSmI/AAAAAAAAR9Q/DWqabAKFrtM/s1600/Palau%2BSebayur%2BLorelei%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TFcruLtN3rE/VcWQLKLlSmI/AAAAAAAAR9Q/DWqabAKFrtM/s640/Palau%2BSebayur%2BLorelei%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--zLH4Cm7i3U/VcWQK3R9NZI/AAAAAAAAR9U/aw-XdZtsw7E/s1600/Palau%2BSebayur%2BLorelei%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--zLH4Cm7i3U/VcWQK3R9NZI/AAAAAAAAR9U/aw-XdZtsw7E/s640/Palau%2BSebayur%2BLorelei%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
had a relaxing arvo swimming and drinking.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b4BS91gxNcA/VcWQJ3HMN3I/AAAAAAAAR88/kcblYn5iww4/s1600/Palau%2BSebayur%2BDrinks%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b4BS91gxNcA/VcWQJ3HMN3I/AAAAAAAAR88/kcblYn5iww4/s640/Palau%2BSebayur%2BDrinks%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3zfTE5RJrBg/VcWQKR8MzvI/AAAAAAAAR98/Z8r5aUPv6UI/s1600/Palau%2BSebayur%2BDrinks%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3zfTE5RJrBg/VcWQKR8MzvI/AAAAAAAAR98/Z8r5aUPv6UI/s640/Palau%2BSebayur%2BDrinks%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At
sunset we had a Phinisi Dive live aboard sail out of the bay under the setting
sun. It made for great silhouette photos.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c8aA4vi6UoI/VcWQMd84PrI/AAAAAAAAR9s/394JcvGP6BI/s1600/Phinisi%2BSail%2BSunset%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c8aA4vi6UoI/VcWQMd84PrI/AAAAAAAAR9s/394JcvGP6BI/s640/Phinisi%2BSail%2BSunset%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O8r8qoiBFU4/VcWQMlbPDLI/AAAAAAAAR9w/TjfcTBQ7-5I/s1600/Phinisi%2BSail%2BSunset%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O8r8qoiBFU4/VcWQMlbPDLI/AAAAAAAAR9w/TjfcTBQ7-5I/s640/Phinisi%2BSail%2BSunset%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6B3ceHWVJEI/VcWQM2ccjlI/AAAAAAAAR90/hdPQSaCnFgY/s1600/Phinisi%2BSail%2BSunset%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6B3ceHWVJEI/VcWQM2ccjlI/AAAAAAAAR90/hdPQSaCnFgY/s640/Phinisi%2BSail%2BSunset%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That
night we feasted on fresh salt & pepper squid in the cockpit and had a
fishing contest.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul
and Nathan both lost as it was Fish 3 – Paul & Nathan 0.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
were getting smoked on some big fish that we had no chance of turning – even
with 50lb braid and big bait runner reels.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
next morning we decided to climb to the peak of Palau Sabayur.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
sun was behind us and casted a great glow over the bay where Lorelei was moored
and the surrounding islands.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
took 2.5 hours for the round trip up to the peak and back.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul
took his tripod and got some fun panoramic shots.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_bXFkIDWg3I/VcWQGYgcIaI/AAAAAAAAR78/9wsXJ516h60/s1600/Palau%2BSabayur%2BClimb%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_bXFkIDWg3I/VcWQGYgcIaI/AAAAAAAAR78/9wsXJ516h60/s640/Palau%2BSabayur%2BClimb%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">¼ of the
way up. Note Lorelei in the bay.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6cAIlfhXnDs/VcWQHhlyEMI/AAAAAAAAR8Y/JXOZ6jpUyKk/s1600/Palau%2BSabayur%2BClimb%2B%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6cAIlfhXnDs/VcWQHhlyEMI/AAAAAAAAR8Y/JXOZ6jpUyKk/s640/Palau%2BSabayur%2BClimb%2B%25285%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">½ way up<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QFquMrqHo_s/VcWQHXuLKPI/AAAAAAAAR8M/yNMncNfnuI0/s1600/Palau%2BSabayur%2BClimb%2B%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QFquMrqHo_s/VcWQHXuLKPI/AAAAAAAAR8M/yNMncNfnuI0/s640/Palau%2BSabayur%2BClimb%2B%25286%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">¾ of the
way up<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u3bZRrSBNdo/VcWQIN31wYI/AAAAAAAAR8c/MPhaVZdKGOQ/s1600/Palau%2BSabayur%2BClimb%2B%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u3bZRrSBNdo/VcWQIN31wYI/AAAAAAAAR8c/MPhaVZdKGOQ/s640/Palau%2BSabayur%2BClimb%2B%25287%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The view
from the top looking NE <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EMR03IMQ6d4/VcWQIQ91IRI/AAAAAAAAR8g/NnKWxbtBu1E/s1600/Palau%2BSabayur%2BClimb%2B%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EMR03IMQ6d4/VcWQIQ91IRI/AAAAAAAAR8g/NnKWxbtBu1E/s640/Palau%2BSabayur%2BClimb%2B%25288%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The view
from the top looking SW<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On
the return trip, Paul managed to get some shots of us hiking back down.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l-h_dZjMkPE/VcWQGMGcRyI/AAAAAAAAR70/LWFPnzqsHB4/s1600/Palau%2BSabayur%2BClimb%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l-h_dZjMkPE/VcWQGMGcRyI/AAAAAAAAR70/LWFPnzqsHB4/s640/Palau%2BSabayur%2BClimb%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Note
Nathan sitting on the rocky outcrop<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From
the peak we could see a couple of nice isolated pinnacles off the main reef
edge that looked good for spearfishing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In
the afternoon we went out spearing. We tried a few different spots and saw
turtles, sharks and trevally but no decent eating fish.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-size: 20pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">KOMODO DRAGON TOUR – RINCA ISLAND<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whilst
the diving is incredible in Komodo, the main reason tourists visit the area is
to see the legendary Komodo Dragons.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For
Lisa, this was one of her “Bucket List” things to do on our trip.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Even
though there are Komodo Dragons on Komodo Island, the best place for tourists
to get a Komodo Dragon experience during trade wind season is on the smaller
Rinca Island which is between Komodo Island and Labuan Bajo.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GU9l6vVJl7A/VcWPxe0RoUI/AAAAAAAAR3k/5vfeMeWq_Xk/s1600/Komodo%2BLogo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GU9l6vVJl7A/VcWPxe0RoUI/AAAAAAAAR3k/5vfeMeWq_Xk/s640/Komodo%2BLogo.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
arrived at Loh Buaya Rinca at 9am to
find a hive of activity with over a dozen day boats already there and 6 or 7
liveaboards.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At
10am we started to head to the main wharf.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
seemed like the first wave of tours had finished and many boats were already
leaving.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
wharf was still packed though.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
hopped onto the wharf to find a female Long Tailed Macaque (Monkey) sitting on
the wharf railing holding her baby.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vELrqIDKyIY/VcWPhADIfrI/AAAAAAAAR0s/rEfaQWAd3aY/s1600/Komodo%2BDragon%2BTour%2B%2528101%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vELrqIDKyIY/VcWPhADIfrI/AAAAAAAAR0s/rEfaQWAd3aY/s640/Komodo%2BDragon%2BTour%2B%2528101%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As
we walked up from the wharf to the ranger station we spotted a 2m long Dragon
crossing the path.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wdp1wSZuYHo/VcWPgvuyUFI/AAAAAAAAR0k/XZbiuapABqk/s1600/Komodo%2BDragon%2BTour%2B%2528102%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wdp1wSZuYHo/VcWPgvuyUFI/AAAAAAAAR0k/XZbiuapABqk/s640/Komodo%2BDragon%2BTour%2B%2528102%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
ranger station was well set-up with a few offices, kiosk, souvenir shop and
small resort.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After
paying for a tour, we were surprised to get a private guide for just the 3 of
us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
were very happy as we saw many other very large groups heading out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our
guide named Boonie was very experienced and knowledgeable.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First
we had a look at a few larger dragons which were around the Ranger Station
area. One had been marked with red paint as it is aggressive and had bitten 2
tourists in the last 4 months.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From
there we hiked into the interior and started our search.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On
the way we saw many monkeys running around on the ground and sitting up in the
trees.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sBMzspGF2cA/VcWPtIt87EI/AAAAAAAAR20/3O7zlIcJguY/s1600/Komodo%2BDragon%2BTour%2B%2528108%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sBMzspGF2cA/VcWPtIt87EI/AAAAAAAAR20/3O7zlIcJguY/s640/Komodo%2BDragon%2BTour%2B%2528108%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
had been told it was mating season for the Dragons.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
had its good and bad points.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
downside was most of the large males were out chasing females and were hard to
spot.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
upside was the females were busy digging large holes to deposit their eggs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With
just 4 of us we were able to divert off the main track and quietly hunt though
the dense bushland.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After
only a few minutes Boonie had found a large female digging her hole.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
had to be very quiet but were able to get up close and watch.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well
it wasn’t only mating season for the Dragons….<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
monkeys were certainly getting their fair share of the action.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
hiked well up into the hills. The area was very dry but the palms were huge and
looked awesome.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As
we were going down through a small path in the rocks, Boonie spied an old
female that he knew well hiding in the shade.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
were able to sit with her for a long time and had morning tea while we watched
and took photos.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She
kept sticking her tongue out and Paul was able to get a few great shots.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On
the return loop we had a small female Dragon walk out of the bush and across
the path. As she spied us, she stopped and put her head up before continuing
on. Paul had about 5 seconds to get the shot – and he did.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ka8ts730c-A/VcWPtOC_pQI/AAAAAAAAR2s/f4oUVau1bio/s1600/Komodo%2BDragon%2BTour%2B%2528119%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ka8ts730c-A/VcWPtOC_pQI/AAAAAAAAR2s/f4oUVau1bio/s640/Komodo%2BDragon%2BTour%2B%2528119%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They
put lots of Timor Deer in the park as food for the Dragons.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
were able to see a few of them relaxing in the shade.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WIxsBuVtRJM/VcWPt-f6XAI/AAAAAAAAR24/RhVIlAe8gXQ/s1600/Komodo%2BDragon%2BTour%2B%2528120%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WIxsBuVtRJM/VcWPt-f6XAI/AAAAAAAAR24/RhVIlAe8gXQ/s640/Komodo%2BDragon%2BTour%2B%2528120%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When
we returned to the Ranger Station, we relaxed and had a drink at the Kiosk.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After
listening to many others talk about their tour, we realised we had done really
well and had seen many more Komodo Dragons than most.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
surmised that having a small group of just 4 people including the guide was the
key.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When
we returned to the wharf, there was a local family throwing bananas into the
water towards 2 Monkeys which were hanging in the mangroves.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
watched the monkey’s antics as they jumped from the mangroves out onto rocks to
get to the floating bananas.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
saw one monkey jump into the water to retrieve a banana.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was funny to see the other one holding its tail for security in the Crocodile
infested waters.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
sat in the mangroves, soaked but happy to eat its reward.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CbYC3RsrBMw/VcWPw503bmI/AAAAAAAAR3c/b_9RAPxBxUw/s1600/Komodo%2BDragon%2BTour%2B%2528125%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CbYC3RsrBMw/VcWPw503bmI/AAAAAAAAR3c/b_9RAPxBxUw/s640/Komodo%2BDragon%2BTour%2B%2528125%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By
the time we got home it was mid arvo and once again, we were stuffed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So
we decided to stay in the inlet for the night before continuing further south
the next morning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-size: 20pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">EXPLORING RINCA ISLAND<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
motored 15nm around the top of Rinca Island and half way down the west coast.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
had read about a fantastic bay in the area that had beautiful beaches, monkeys,
dragons and protection from the increasing SE trade winds.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
topography also looked amazing and we spent the day and one night there.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
went ashore mid morning armed with cameras in the hope to find some more
wildlife.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just
as we hit the beach, a large male dragon walked across the water course and
along the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lisa
was taking no chances and took a defend stick with her on the walk.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She
also found a deer’s skull and evidence of where the Komodo Dragons had eaten
it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul
climbed a little way up the slope to get a better view.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After
our walk we had a swim.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
sand under the water was very soft and if you put pressure on it, it would
release heaps of bubbles. It was like walking around in a spa bath.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YG6z-DvAgEhKSEYKtAwKz97R8vf8aslQb4-zbEUlLSAfYIRpWRTaOrVShlb41vBlQlrghO-GYzz0nHsg-Y9bQqbTSA4sdNcyJq5QYiiGQYF7y2QcFDq95VimOX1Uq50vQVtt9NXJDn1J/s1600/Rinca+Beach+Swim+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YG6z-DvAgEhKSEYKtAwKz97R8vf8aslQb4-zbEUlLSAfYIRpWRTaOrVShlb41vBlQlrghO-GYzz0nHsg-Y9bQqbTSA4sdNcyJq5QYiiGQYF7y2QcFDq95VimOX1Uq50vQVtt9NXJDn1J/s640/Rinca+Beach+Swim+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After
a jam packed few days we were feeling a little lazy after the swim.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some
more than others…...<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In
the arvo we ventured ashore again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This
time it was spring low tide making for lots of exposed sand and rocks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
went to a different beach this time which was in the next bay around from
Lorelei. It was black sand rather than the white sand of the first beach. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nathan
spied a very large male Dragon coming out of the bush and onto the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was by far the biggest one we had seen and we estimated him to be around
3m/10ft in length.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
could see fresh scars and blood on its neck and body from fighting with other
males to gain the right to mate with the females.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul
went up close to take photos.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was unusual that it appeared not to show interest in Paul when he advanced but
would rise up and show a lot of interest when Paul turned to retreat.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They
are known to attack from behind and after a few times going forward and back,
Paul retreated to the safety of the rocks – not wanting to tempt fate and a
little intimidated by its large size.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
stayed until sunset hoping to see the monkeys up close.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
could see large amounts of them at the other end of the beach but they would
take off when we got too close.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
sunset was fantastic.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Overall</b></span><b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> we had a fun time in Komodo.</span></span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The issue from a yachtie and tourists point of view is the fees for entry into the Komodo National Park.</span></span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They have recently risen and are now very expensive.</span></span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With Nathan on board the daily fee was over A$80 a day and that was for no activities or benefits - just entry fees for us and Lorelei.</span></span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Add scuba diving, going ashore, tours, camera fees, etc and the pries increases further.</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Its a real pity as there are scores of beautiful bays for yachts to explore - just most cannot afford it.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>So far it is the most expensive place we have visited for fees on a daily basis.</b></span><br />
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-size: 20pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">TRAVELLING TO SUMBAWA<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
took off the next morning for the 99nm run west to Sumbawa.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
decided to split it into 2 days of 45nm and 54nm.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
first day was very challenging.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
first had to cross the passage between Rinca and Komodo Islands.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
current was brutal heading south.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
had Lorelei’s bow pointing over 45 degrees from the direction we were heading
as we crab crawled across the passage.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fortunately
our speed along the rhumb line didn’t really drop.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was really rough with the currents working against the wind.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Around
the bottom of Komodo Island was fine but the place looked like Jurassic Island
- very rugged & remote.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Things
came to a screaming halt (literally) when we rounded the rocky headland and
entered the pass between Komodo Island and Sumbawa.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For
the first time ever we actually went down to 0 knots whilst at normal boat
speed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
had no choice but to run with the current away from the island and crab crawl
our way into the straight and hope the current was not as strong away from the
land.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sure
enough it slowly subsided but it was a slow and tedious trip across.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
closer we got to Sumbawa, the faster we went.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
finally made it to an isolated little bay on the east side of Sumbawa at around
3:30pm.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There
was a small but clean little fishing village tucked into the corner of the bay.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
were so paranoid about pushing current and arriving late the next day so we got
up at 3am and were underway before 4am.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
wind was up so we set sail straight away.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was Nathans first time sailing at night.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QhukWhe87Yw/VcWQWtpeIuI/AAAAAAAASAQ/a3LCdfBQDPA/s1600/Sail%2BKomodo%2Bto%2BSumbawa%2B2%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QhukWhe87Yw/VcWQWtpeIuI/AAAAAAAASAQ/a3LCdfBQDPA/s640/Sail%2BKomodo%2Bto%2BSumbawa%2B2%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As
luck would have it we had current with us most of the way and we averaged over
7 knots.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
passed a headland with a very remote stilt house on the rock face.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LXC4v8kW6GA/VcWQWtxdQGI/AAAAAAAASAc/P5GYI9poEx0/s1600/Sail%2BKomodo%2Bto%2BSumbawa%2B2%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LXC4v8kW6GA/VcWQWtxdQGI/AAAAAAAASAc/P5GYI9poEx0/s640/Sail%2BKomodo%2Bto%2BSumbawa%2B2%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As
we headed into the bay from the deeper water our speed slowed, so we swapped
trolling lures from skirts to bibbed lures.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
change worked and 20 minutes later Nathan had landed his first Spanish
Mackerel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hV0ZXst-Pvo/VcWQALzrMsI/AAAAAAAAR6g/Sat1TloL7WI/s1600/Nathan%2BSpanish.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hV0ZXst-Pvo/VcWQALzrMsI/AAAAAAAAR6g/Sat1TloL7WI/s640/Nathan%2BSpanish.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-size: 20pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">LAKEY BAY, SOUTH SUMBAWA<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With
the faster boat speeds, we arrived at the Lakey Bay anchorage just after noon
and a lot earlier than expected.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
took us 4 attempts to get the anchor to set in the rocky bottom but we were
still not overly happy with the exposed and rolly location.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However
it was right in between the 2 excellent surf breaks of Periscopes and Nungas,
allowing Paul and Nathan to have an arvo surf at Nungas.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x9k8eaENdEE/VcWPzOUw8HI/AAAAAAAAR4g/lDOdm6qAOtY/s1600/Lakey%2BMap.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="502" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x9k8eaENdEE/VcWPzOUw8HI/AAAAAAAAR4g/lDOdm6qAOtY/s640/Lakey%2BMap.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8X2dKj-a-II/VcWP_yyuUxI/AAAAAAAAR6U/xYpAVElqYtc/s1600/Nungas%2BLeft.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8X2dKj-a-II/VcWP_yyuUxI/AAAAAAAAR6U/xYpAVElqYtc/s640/Nungas%2BLeft.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nunga’s
Surf Break<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
next day it was straight into the surf.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
surfed the famous right hander called Periscopes for 2 hours in the morning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was really good. Not sure if it was the
waves, the low crowds or the 3 stunning blondes surfing in g-string bikinis
that made it great…..<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YRxjzK8Rkn4/VcWQLoOoInI/AAAAAAAAR9Y/ExUGoRhrLIE/s1600/Perisopes%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YRxjzK8Rkn4/VcWQLoOoInI/AAAAAAAAR9Y/ExUGoRhrLIE/s640/Perisopes%2B1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Periscopes
Surf Break<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MGcWWTXkrlM/VcWQL8tFtYI/AAAAAAAAR9c/a1CPf3ZAS2o/s1600/Perisopes%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MGcWWTXkrlM/VcWQL8tFtYI/AAAAAAAAR9c/a1CPf3ZAS2o/s640/Perisopes%2B2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-AU"> In the arvo</span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red; font-size: 20pt;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU">we took the dingy over
to Lakey and anchored in the channel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
surfed Lakey Pipe first which as the name suggests is a sucky left hander that
is a hollow barrel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aZJvi2beX4c/VcWP3VsfpwI/AAAAAAAAR4s/4avOmgvuFrU/s1600/Lakey%2BPipe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aZJvi2beX4c/VcWP3VsfpwI/AAAAAAAAR4s/4avOmgvuFrU/s640/Lakey%2BPipe.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lakey
Pipe Surf Break<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When
the tide got too low and the reef became exposed, we paddled over to the area’s
most famous break Lakey Peak.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lakey
Peak is an A-frame peak that breaks both left and right, although the right is
suckier and shorter while the left is longer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gf3o4hT-cM8/VcWPzt_W2UI/AAAAAAAAR4M/tuX6T-iE0hQ/s1600/Lakey%2BPeak%2BAerial%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gf3o4hT-cM8/VcWPzt_W2UI/AAAAAAAAR4M/tuX6T-iE0hQ/s640/Lakey%2BPeak%2BAerial%2B1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lakey Peak<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R6vsw2CKKuM/VcWP0V9Bt4I/AAAAAAAAR4E/puQFxAmuWwQ/s1600/Lakey%2BPeak%2BAerial%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R6vsw2CKKuM/VcWP0V9Bt4I/AAAAAAAAR4E/puQFxAmuWwQ/s640/Lakey%2BPeak%2BAerial%2B2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lakey
Bay from the Air<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lakey
Peak is the sight for the annual Rip Curl Grom Search contest and there are two
large viewing/judging towers on the reef right in front of the peak.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6abn-FKAAlo/VcWP58c7W_I/AAAAAAAAR5A/YodLgvFvrqg/s1600/Lakey%2BTown%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6abn-FKAAlo/VcWP58c7W_I/AAAAAAAAR5A/YodLgvFvrqg/s640/Lakey%2BTown%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
local kids that surf there are really talented surfers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SzH7knqrvAM/VcWP4TfIGkI/AAAAAAAAR4k/lO7iTLbpG5A/s1600/Lakey%2BRights%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SzH7knqrvAM/VcWP4TfIGkI/AAAAAAAAR4k/lO7iTLbpG5A/s640/Lakey%2BRights%2B2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This
young local must be sponsored by Hurley as every time we saw him paddle out he
was in Hurley gear and had Hurley stickers on his board.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2uI0o3UVGZI/VcWP49jFKVI/AAAAAAAAR4o/rlrI4C3yv58/s1600/Lakey%2BRights%2B3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2uI0o3UVGZI/VcWP49jFKVI/AAAAAAAAR4o/rlrI4C3yv58/s640/Lakey%2BRights%2B3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lakey
Rights<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WVJ3ziLHkQk/VcWPyc0FjJI/AAAAAAAAR3w/nOqTTVxWZRg/s1600/Lakey%2BLefts%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WVJ3ziLHkQk/VcWPyc0FjJI/AAAAAAAAR3w/nOqTTVxWZRg/s640/Lakey%2BLefts%2B1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lakey Lefts</span></span></i></b><br />
<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After
5 hours of surfing we ate dinner, enjoyed a great sunset, and flaked into bed
stuffed – again….</span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vnqZHVEdmVM/VcWP5urTC7I/AAAAAAAAR48/VdQBcEzAAxg/s1600/Lakey%2BSunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vnqZHVEdmVM/VcWP5urTC7I/AAAAAAAAR48/VdQBcEzAAxg/s640/Lakey%2BSunset.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
next day was the half-way point for Nathans stay onboard with us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was also the smallest forecasted day for surfing for the next week.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So
with that in mind we decided to take the RIB ashore and explore the area.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vqmpeJWeoAg/VcWP6TWwJAI/AAAAAAAAR5E/jdB4mY2FrEU/s1600/Lakey%2BTown%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vqmpeJWeoAg/VcWP6TWwJAI/AAAAAAAAR5E/jdB4mY2FrEU/s640/Lakey%2BTown%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was a nice view looking up and down the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DDMr9fnvf_Y/VcWP7Tk-flI/AAAAAAAAR5Q/yAtE8QsnWUw/s1600/Lakey%2BTown%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DDMr9fnvf_Y/VcWP7Tk-flI/AAAAAAAAR5Q/yAtE8QsnWUw/s640/Lakey%2BTown%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
walked up to Lakey Bay to have a look at what it had to offer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
noticed that the locals also harvest seaweed just like they do in Rote.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0H2CIih8UKU/VcWP7a6c_1I/AAAAAAAAR5Y/bgeK13aRKrM/s1600/Lakey%2BTown%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0H2CIih8UKU/VcWP7a6c_1I/AAAAAAAAR5Y/bgeK13aRKrM/s640/Lakey%2BTown%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There
was a lot of accommodation options for visiting surfers from 4 star to basic
losemans.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WCvqpd83oVc/VcWP9XaEC8I/AAAAAAAAR50/t14sIUTayeM/s1600/Lakey%2BTown%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WCvqpd83oVc/VcWP9XaEC8I/AAAAAAAAR50/t14sIUTayeM/s640/Lakey%2BTown%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
met lots of nice local people with most speaking reasonable English.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On
the beach in the centre of the accommodation area was a large concrete 3 story
viewing platform looking over Lakey Peak and Pipe.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
made for a great place to take photos from.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ba4cr9Lw2YI/VcWP73HsDPI/AAAAAAAAR5g/s-OaIKJK2rw/s1600/Lakey%2BTown%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ba4cr9Lw2YI/VcWP73HsDPI/AAAAAAAAR5g/s-OaIKJK2rw/s640/Lakey%2BTown%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-147P7uULqok/VcWP8YDeJqI/AAAAAAAAR5o/rEXcM54WyPY/s1600/Lakey%2BTown%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-147P7uULqok/VcWP8YDeJqI/AAAAAAAAR5o/rEXcM54WyPY/s640/Lakey%2BTown%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Note the
platforms out on the reef in the background<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
saw a novel use for an unused boat – a new restaurant.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xAsux1O9CcA/VcWP8xSYsLI/AAAAAAAAR5w/DffoVhCk2Ek/s1600/Lakey%2BTown%2B%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xAsux1O9CcA/VcWP8xSYsLI/AAAAAAAAR5w/DffoVhCk2Ek/s640/Lakey%2BTown%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For
lunch we stopped at a local warang for a great lunch (A$10 for the 3 of us
including drinks) before heading home and another 2+ hour session at Periscopes
in the arvo.<br />
It was only small at 2-3ft but we had
fun riding short fun boards and taking turns with Nathans new 5’10” quad fin.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hqjifx4BCkU/VcWP-NvOmlI/AAAAAAAAR6A/uThGn_rfdk0/s1600/Lakey%2BTown%2B%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hqjifx4BCkU/VcWP-NvOmlI/AAAAAAAAR6A/uThGn_rfdk0/s640/Lakey%2BTown%2B%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That
night there was a large fire onshore that was burning up the side of the
mountain. It burnt for 3 days at various levels if intensity.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On
the fourth day we noticed they had started water bombing it with a helicopter.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B2iQd1jjUN8/VcWPx3bKUvI/AAAAAAAAR3s/v1ZphbacMrs/s1600/Lakey%2BFire.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B2iQd1jjUN8/VcWPx3bKUvI/AAAAAAAAR3s/v1ZphbacMrs/s640/Lakey%2BFire.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">According
to the forecast the following day was supposed to be 20 knots of wind and we
were ready to break out the kite surfing gear.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
were surprised to find the wind was virtually nonexistent all day and the surf
small.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So
in the morning Nathan and Lisa took a kayak and SUP over to Nungas for some fun
in the small waves.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
surfed Periscopes from 2pm until 4:30pm and were really surprised to be the
only ones out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At
5pm we went in for dinner at a small bar called Ali’s Bar which is out of the
main tourist area and overlooking Nungas surf break and the small bay Lorelei
was anchored in.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r-5ZgTLx0oI/VcWOhtYv7YI/AAAAAAAARok/YoKUr2OTIqM/s1600/Ali%2527s%2BBar%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r-5ZgTLx0oI/VcWOhtYv7YI/AAAAAAAARok/YoKUr2OTIqM/s640/Ali%2527s%2BBar%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ali
and his wife Wati are the nicest people you could meet and are great hosts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
drinks are cold and the view of the sunset is amazing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6jbKcYsWbKc/VcWOgZnnKZI/AAAAAAAARoQ/vbKWDPJ-TBc/s1600/Ali%2527s%2BBar%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6jbKcYsWbKc/VcWOgZnnKZI/AAAAAAAARoQ/vbKWDPJ-TBc/s640/Ali%2527s%2BBar%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ali
had told us that due to the unseasonal light west winds, the Bali airport was
closed yet again due to the volcanic ash. It may have been a contributing
factor as to why there were so few tourists at Ali’s, in town and in the surf.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
certainly were not complaining!!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul, Ali and Nathan</span></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wati’s
food is superb and probably the best food we have experienced in Indo.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Her
spring rolls are the best we have ever had.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Needless
to say, it became a regular spot for us to eat and hang out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Getting
home was quite funny.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
had left our RIB (with the large outboard) on a roving anchor in deeper water.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
checked it at 8pm to find it high and dry. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
waited at the bar until 9pm (and drank more) until the water was just lapping
under the hull.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
dragged it in and proceeded to paddle over very shallow reef, <br />
all the while avoiding fisherman’s nets and breaking waves.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
fact we were slightly intoxicated (some more than others – Nathan) and had no
torch didn’t help.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However
we did make it home – eventually…..<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By
the weekend of the 8/9<sup>th</sup> August we were closer to neap tides and the
tides had advanced forward so that the high tides were now 6am and 6pm.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
meant we could get out for dawn surfs for the first time since we had arrived.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So
at 5am on the Saturday morning we were up and in the water at Lakey Peak at
5:40am.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
had 3 waves each before the sun came up or other surfers had paddled out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jumping
off the RIB was a lot easier than walking over the reef in the dark which is
what everyone else had to do if they wanted first waves.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Each
day the local fishing boats would come into the bay to anchor up and rest
before heading out again at 5pm.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Saturday
seemed to be unusually busy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KMrdIN31rw0/VciaGBMNznI/AAAAAAAASHE/gBFLOwAId2U/s1600/Lakey%2BFishing%2BBoats.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KMrdIN31rw0/VciaGBMNznI/AAAAAAAASHE/gBFLOwAId2U/s640/Lakey%2BFishing%2BBoats.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In
the arvo the swell started to build in size so Nathan decided to try his bigger
board.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He
was about to swap his fins off his smaller board but Paul offered him a set of
new carbon fins to try.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“They’re
sharp” Nathan said. “Harden Up” Paul said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Two
hours later Nathan comes home with a nasty fin chop to his hand….<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_W9Z9xVpdiU/VciaGpDG0OI/AAAAAAAASHI/zyUJhDJhIK4/s1600/Nathan%2BFin%2BChop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_W9Z9xVpdiU/VciaGpDG0OI/AAAAAAAASHI/zyUJhDJhIK4/s640/Nathan%2BFin%2BChop.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rather
than having a windy arvo, it glassed off and the waves were great.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
were cheering!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So
were about 2 million Aussies that night as The Wallabies beat The All Blacks in
the Bledisloe Cup Rugby Union.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was the first win against them since 2011.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
next morning we received this awesome photo of our friend and spearing partner
Greg Holmes (with fellow prop & QLD Reds team mate James Slipper) with the trophy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What
a really proud moment!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cfdVy3qDVHk/VcmcQNWpGJI/AAAAAAAASHw/EgLUYYgeBPc/s1600/Greg%2BHolmes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cfdVy3qDVHk/VcmcQNWpGJI/AAAAAAAASHw/EgLUYYgeBPc/s640/Greg%2BHolmes.JPG" width="594" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
surfed again at dawn on Sunday and it was fun but the wind was up by 8:30am making
it a one surf day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lisa
wasn’t feeling too good and wanted a quiet day, so Paul and Nathan decided to
hire motor bikes for the day and go exploring.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gHuCFIjn3DU/VciZ0aFEvhI/AAAAAAAASC4/JWC5iSKc-l4/s1600/Lakey%2BBike%2BRide%2B100%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gHuCFIjn3DU/VciZ0aFEvhI/AAAAAAAASC4/JWC5iSKc-l4/s640/Lakey%2BBike%2BRide%2B100%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First
we headed north up the coast and checked an alternate anchorage for Lorelei if
required.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was a quiet little fishing village with many boats in the water and a few
larger ones being built.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f7cgll7poGg/VciaD2BapSI/AAAAAAAASGg/uDiuHZIOokE/s1600/Lakey%2BBike%2BRide%2B100%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f7cgll7poGg/VciaD2BapSI/AAAAAAAASGg/uDiuHZIOokE/s640/Lakey%2BBike%2BRide%2B100%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wUuHzEz1KSE/VciaDAfU4mI/AAAAAAAASGY/WD4ptBangtM/s1600/Lakey%2BBike%2BRide%2B100%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wUuHzEz1KSE/VciaDAfU4mI/AAAAAAAASGY/WD4ptBangtM/s640/Lakey%2BBike%2BRide%2B100%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
This boat was over 15m/50ft long.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ITxSS0EgmPA/VciaC60cVhI/AAAAAAAASGQ/UvAo7562ujw/s1600/Lakey%2BBike%2BRide%2B100%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ITxSS0EgmPA/VciaC60cVhI/AAAAAAAASGQ/UvAo7562ujw/s640/Lakey%2BBike%2BRide%2B100%2B%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jUxFVxc6ucU/VciaA5tKOOI/AAAAAAAASF4/G3E15KaNgXs/s1600/Lakey%2BBike%2BRide%2B100%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jUxFVxc6ucU/VciaA5tKOOI/AAAAAAAASF4/G3E15KaNgXs/s640/Lakey%2BBike%2BRide%2B100%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="430" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On
the side of the road was a lot of small white bait style fish drying in the
sun.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A
lady walked around with her stick turning them over to cure both sides.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
drying fish covered an area over 75m/250ft long.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VgGBpjK8dKo/VciaErWnpBI/AAAAAAAASGs/qNQgTxP9Nq4/s1600/Lakey%2BBike%2BRide%2B100%2B%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VgGBpjK8dKo/VciaErWnpBI/AAAAAAAASGs/qNQgTxP9Nq4/s640/Lakey%2BBike%2BRide%2B100%2B%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eF37SyzQWtk/VciaFKw4F0I/AAAAAAAASGw/wzlh3aRJbH0/s1600/Lakey%2BBike%2BRide%2B100%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eF37SyzQWtk/VciaFKw4F0I/AAAAAAAASGw/wzlh3aRJbH0/s320/Lakey%2BBike%2BRide%2B100%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
passed a huge shed filled with sacks of dried seaweed which they were loading
onto a large truck.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sizyJX_R3ds/VciZ34TUbmI/AAAAAAAASD0/61xopFTF8HI/s1600/Lakey%2BBike%2BRide%2B100%2B%252815%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sizyJX_R3ds/VciZ34TUbmI/AAAAAAAASD0/61xopFTF8HI/s320/Lakey%2BBike%2BRide%2B100%2B%252815%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FrcCon0RePI/VciaFwxqHLI/AAAAAAAASG8/sImpYXuDgpc/s1600/Lakey%2BBike%2BRide%2B100%2B%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FrcCon0RePI/VciaFwxqHLI/AAAAAAAASG8/sImpYXuDgpc/s320/Lakey%2BBike%2BRide%2B100%2B%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A
typical house along the main road<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once
inland the area is predominately farming communities.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
fields were a mixture of dry and wet as it was the dry season and the limited
wet areas were from irrigation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IL-NpmfEG74/VciZ1KjnATI/AAAAAAAASDM/7-kFzVfhk1s/s1600/Lakey%2BBike%2BRide%2B100%2B%252810%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IL-NpmfEG74/VciZ1KjnATI/AAAAAAAASDM/7-kFzVfhk1s/s320/Lakey%2BBike%2BRide%2B100%2B%252810%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A
panoramic view from a ridge we climbed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Gq7LDvw9b4/VciZ1gXz6BI/AAAAAAAASDU/Ll73SxDBvcU/s1600/Lakey%2BBike%2BRide%2B100%2B%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="324" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Gq7LDvw9b4/VciZ1gXz6BI/AAAAAAAASDU/Ll73SxDBvcU/s320/Lakey%2BBike%2BRide%2B100%2B%252811%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wFkLxqIQpd4/VciZ3ocp0_I/AAAAAAAASDs/_G2vpFlxYl8/s1600/Lakey%2BBike%2BRide%2B100%2B%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wFkLxqIQpd4/VciZ3ocp0_I/AAAAAAAASDs/_G2vpFlxYl8/s320/Lakey%2BBike%2BRide%2B100%2B%252814%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Even
though it was Sunday, there were many people working in the fields.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Gq7LDvw9b4/VciZ1gXz6BI/AAAAAAAASDU/Ll73SxDBvcU/s1600/Lakey%2BBike%2BRide%2B100%2B%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="324" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Gq7LDvw9b4/VciZ1gXz6BI/AAAAAAAASDU/Ll73SxDBvcU/s320/Lakey%2BBike%2BRide%2B100%2B%252811%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tWPpoi9JDvw/VciZ2X62tOI/AAAAAAAASDc/i-ZZqophYC4/s1600/Lakey%2BBike%2BRide%2B100%2B%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tWPpoi9JDvw/VciZ2X62tOI/AAAAAAAASDc/i-ZZqophYC4/s320/Lakey%2BBike%2BRide%2B100%2B%252812%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As
with all the transport in Indo, we saw some amazing things on the roads.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d8DCxLipBGk/VciZ4exT2dI/AAAAAAAASEE/Nzo0olcN5qM/s1600/Lakey%2BBike%2BRide%2B100%2B%252816%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d8DCxLipBGk/VciZ4exT2dI/AAAAAAAASEE/Nzo0olcN5qM/s320/Lakey%2BBike%2BRide%2B100%2B%252816%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That’s
one packed bus!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ip-OrTf1Puc/VciZ4y-srqI/AAAAAAAASD8/IUeCXt_8jpw/s1600/Lakey%2BBike%2BRide%2B100%2B%252817%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ip-OrTf1Puc/VciZ4y-srqI/AAAAAAAASD8/IUeCXt_8jpw/s320/Lakey%2BBike%2BRide%2B100%2B%252817%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
spotted a bike that was doing slow passes through the towns.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
kids would see it coming and flock to see what goodies were on offer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
guessed it was a Sunday only treat as there were loads of people having picnics
and a family day together.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you
thought the front of the bike was busy, check out the back half…!!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In
the farming area we saw a few horse and carts on the road.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There
were lots of other animals wandering along the roads too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
returned to Lakey’s for lunch and Nathan found a great restaurant a few doors
back from Ali’s Bar.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After
lunch we headed south and decided to have a look along the coast road.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
checked the bay that Cobblestones surf break is located in.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
found lots of paddocks close to the water’s edge that had Water Buffalo, Goats
and Cows.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
rode all the way down to where they were still building the tared road.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
view along the coast was great. It was remote and rugged terrain.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As
we were parking the bikes back at Lakey’s in the late afternoon, a group of
older Muslim ladies asked to have their photo taken with us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By
the time we had returned to the beach, the wind was up and the kite surfers
were out at Nungas surf break.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
wanted to go out too but it was getting late and the wind was a little inconsistent.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lisa
came ashore at 5pm and we decided to have dinner at Ali’s.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Within
the hour we had 3 other groups turn up. By chance we knew them all and the 8 of
us had a great evening talking, eating and drinking.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">L to R:
Joel & Jess, Lisa, Nathan, Joey, Hien, Doony and Dillon.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wati’s
kitchen – Wati and her staff cooking up some fabulous meals.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
swell was supposed to be increasing to 3-5ft on the Monday morning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Unfortunately
it wasn’t the case.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nathan
went and surfed Lakey Peak with the boys, while Paul and Lisa took a kayak and
SUP to Nungas.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
met up for lunch at Nath’s new restaurant before he headed out for a massage to
help get his back right, while we went for a walk.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finally
on Tues 11<sup>th</sup> the swell peaked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was expected to rise to 6-9ft but in reality it was 5-7ft.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul
dusted off</span></span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> his big wave barrel boards for the first time in Indo.</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
were first out again at 5:40am at Lakey Peak but within 20 minutes there were
20 surfers out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> A couple of big bomb sets came through and broke
leg ropes, snapped boards and wiped a few surfers out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Within
the hour it was back down to a dozen keen surfers and we all got a stack of waves.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
turned into an epic 3+ hour marathon session with over 25 waves each, resulting
in the best surf of the year so far.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After
a midday sleep we backed it up with a 2 hour session at the smaller Nungas left
hander.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lisa
sat on Lorelei and took a few pics.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nathan
on the sucky inside section<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qhJahLJ5A-c/Vcx--Kc408I/AAAAAAAASII/xvGtunZX6OI/s1600/Nath%2BNungas%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qhJahLJ5A-c/Vcx--Kc408I/AAAAAAAASII/xvGtunZX6OI/s320/Nath%2BNungas%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sadly
Nathan hurt his back during the surf and that night he was in a bit of pain.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was nothing a few beers and a great sunset couldn’t fix.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Or
so we thought…….<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SrzkoZPda7w/Vcx-_XPqRLI/AAAAAAAASIc/l6LPzb-4G5A/s1600/Nungas%2BSunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SrzkoZPda7w/Vcx-_XPqRLI/AAAAAAAASIc/l6LPzb-4G5A/s320/Nungas%2BSunset.JPG" width="422" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wednesday
the 12<sup>th</sup> was like Groundhog Day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
were out at Lakey Peak lefts by 6am but this time Nathan’s back was really sore
and he only lasted 20 minutes before retiring early.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul
surfed the rights for the rest of the morning but did manage to sneak a few lefts </span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nathan
ended up on the massage table again that afternoon….<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nathan’s
last full day was Thursday 12<sup>th</sup>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
started early again by surfing Periscopes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lisa
sat on the beach in a small bamboo hut and took photos of us surfing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Once again his back gave in after only 15
minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He
did manage 2 great waves though.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nathan
lining up for a barrel<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul
stayed out and got a stack of great waves before a group of French guys came
out and totally ruined the fun vibe.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9MAsyBPP6xA/Vcx-_xKBjFI/AAAAAAAASIs/iYXjSnJHfmk/s1600/Periscopes%2BLast%2BDay%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9MAsyBPP6xA/Vcx-_xKBjFI/AAAAAAAASIs/iYXjSnJHfmk/s320/Periscopes%2BLast%2BDay%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Crazy arrogant
French antics! <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Check out
the Aussie in the barrel being dropped in on by a French guy with a go-pro in
his mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The French antics didn't stop Paul from getting some great waves.</span></span></b><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ztuDdngewxk/Vcx_C3hIDqI/AAAAAAAASJg/dWtLQYAiqJM/s1600/Periscopes%2BLast%2BDay%2B%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ztuDdngewxk/Vcx_C3hIDqI/AAAAAAAASJg/dWtLQYAiqJM/s320/Periscopes%2BLast%2BDay%2B%25289%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What
makes this pic so interesting?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Note the
leg rope on Paul’s front foot as he surfs goofy (right foot forward)<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JxbW60IYHWQ/Vcx_CVWvCzI/AAAAAAAASJc/lAWhOCrlpNc/s1600/Periscopes%2BLast%2BDay%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JxbW60IYHWQ/Vcx_CVWvCzI/AAAAAAAASJc/lAWhOCrlpNc/s320/Periscopes%2BLast%2BDay%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #ffc000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Looking back
to Lorelei from Periscopes<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
were going to head to our favourite restaurant for lunch but with Nathan barely
able to walk we decided on the next best thing – <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul’s
Sushi!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p0YH6SX32-s/Vcx_DnSvYpI/AAAAAAAASJo/SYBIvGnkdVY/s1600/Sushi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p0YH6SX32-s/Vcx_DnSvYpI/AAAAAAAASJo/SYBIvGnkdVY/s320/Sushi.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
was a sombre afternoon as we helped Nathan pack his bags, boards and other toys
in preparation for leaving the next day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Friday
we took Nathan into to Ali’s Bar at 9:30am to link up with his booked car to
take him to Bima Airport for his flight to Bali.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
arrived at the beach to find a nasty shore break which made it really difficult
to get Nathan’s bags and all of us ashore without getting soaked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iYgEdGs8tDo/Vc5ourmMChI/AAAAAAAASKQ/8UguNorKZ1M/s1600/Nathan%2BLeaving%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iYgEdGs8tDo/Vc5ourmMChI/AAAAAAAASKQ/8UguNorKZ1M/s320/Nathan%2BLeaving%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
pickup was at Ali’s Bar so Wati came to say goodbye too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ash
cloud permitting he should be back in Australia on Saturday.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
had an awesome 3 weeks together – great weather, lots of activities, no major
dramas and lots of laughs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So
that’s it for Episode 40 of the Hog Blog.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our
future plans for the next month are to slowly head west.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Areas
of interest include West Sumbawa, South & West Lombok and eventually Bali.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Look
out for Episode 41 “Lombok & Bali” in around 1 month’s time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
had so many photos of Scuba Diving Komodo and the Komodo Wildlife that we have put
together a separate page for them both.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They
are available on the home page or here are the links:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">SCUBA DIVING KOMODO<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Click Here<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">KOMODO WILDLIFE<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://yachtlorelei.blogspot.com/p/komodo-dragons.html">Click Here </a><o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cheers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul
Hogger<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lisa
Hogger<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">&
our guest Nathan Evans<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">PS. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whilst we wanted to put our immigration issue behind us and move
forward, other people had other ideas.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Many people in the Labuan Bajo tourism industry were very angry
at our treatment. Our agent was furious and the matter was taken further.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: yellow;">We found out that a report of the incident had made it all the
way to the Director General of Immigration in Jakarta and he is dealing with
the matter personally.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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sv_loreleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14235157985522355104noreply@blogger.com