Enjoying the Blue Air in the Blue Mountains of Australia
Up early – we are heading to see the Blue Mountains, a 90-minute drive west of Sydney. Eric has lent us his car for the day, and he arrives at our place to drop it off just after 9, and of course there is a hamper for our morning...
A Panicky First Dive in Botany Bay, Australia
Through our drive from Cairns to Sydney, we had stopped in various places known for good diving and had been frustrated in our desire because of the weather. We had booked to dive upon arrival in Sydney, but these had been...
Our Last Day in Australia
We sleep in a bit this morning on our last day in Australia, but have the suitcases and gear out of the Francis Street apartment by 10:00. We have made a few phone calls home and in particular to John’s Mum in Stratford,...
Best of Australia: Next Stop: Singapore
I find it difficult to believe that we are no longer in Sydney and Australia. It feels like we are just out for the day and will be back at Francis Street this evening or meeting Eric or Graham for dinner or drinks. Or finishing...
At the Night Zoo in Singapore
It is a very hot day today with the sun beating down through slightly hazy skies. No real schedule planned for the day but we walk down to Marina Quay and across to SunTech City, which is a huge shopping and office complex...
The Day After Nyepi: A Time for Family
The hotel is deserted this morning – everyone is out early after the enforced stay-at-home of the day before. We are also of a mind to get out and do more exploring and head out as soon as we finish breakfast. Although it is...
Over Morning Breakfast:
Over morning breakfast: The hotel is building two new bungalows next door to us and the buildings are erected but the finishing and terracing are all to be done. This is not a typical construction site with jack-hammers or...
Managing a Difficult Balinese Macaques Relationship
Ubud has a monkey (specifically Balinese Macaques) forest. We had gotten different opinions on whether it was worth a visit. Eric, in Sydney, was of the view that there were no point: “dirty, nasty, vile creatures”; Bev from...
Swimming with Sharks in Padang Bai, Bali
This will be remembered as one of the best dives we have had so far and one of those special, easy-going days that make Bali what it is. We are up again at the crack of dawn to be picked up at 7:00 am by the dive bus. It is a...
#BloggersLife: Dealing with Slow Internet in Bali, Indonesia
A day for sleeping in! Hooray! We have a late start, and a wonderful breakfast compared to the rolls we’ve been grabbing as we head out for the long drives to dive sites. We spend most of the morning choosing pictures for...