Destination visited: Australia

Activities included: Birdwatching, Hiking/Trekking, Mountain Climbing, Scuba Diving, Walking, Whale Watching

I spent my first summer-type “winter” last Christmas in Australia learning how to snorkel in the crystal clear water of the Indian Ocean off the coast of Western Australia.

Flew into Perth and was surprised to find a city of over a million people with no billboards, traffic or pollution. Spent most days on the beaches wondering where aussies throw their beer cans since there weren’t any in the sand.

It was wonderful to swim among the fishes in water that was perfectly clear for several meters. The Milky Way was a beautiful sight, arched across the sky like a mother of pearl necklace on a swarthy chest.

Drove down the coast from Perth to the old lighthouses of Geographe Bay and Cape Naturaliste where remnants of the old Dutch and French colonists could still be seen.

I spent one day exploring a cave called Nilgi by the townfolk, but I renamed it the Temple of Doom. There are 1000 steps spiraling downward which in turn spiral back up an equal number of steps. A day I will neither forget nor repeat.

Scuba Diving, Water Sports
Australia, Birdwatching, Christmas, Down Under, Hiking/Trekking, Mountain Climbing, Scuba Diving, Walking, Whale Watching