December 21, 2014 FINAL POST

Well the Round the World Trip is over.  Some ways I'm glad to get home, but other feelings wish I had some more time. The trip took about four months to plan and I had several changes before I left.  Probably the one change I wish now that I wouldn't have was to go to Peru instead of Rio.  I was going to be able to still hit the Amazon River/Rain Forest either way.

Some of my favorite memories:

Brazil

Spending time on the beach at Copacabana.
Seeing the massive and powerful Amazon River for the first time
Taking small tributaries of the Amazon to find animals, birds, lizards, insects
Hiking through the Amazon RainForest
Finding, capturing and holding a 3-toed sloth
Catching piranha and eating them for lunch
Lying in my hammock on the porch of my grass hut listening to the rain come in from the jungle
Seeing both sunset and sun rises on the Amazon
Visiting and spending the afternoon with a Juma indigenous indian family.

Netherlands

Staying in the beautiful canal city of Amsterdam
Seeing Red Light District, visiting the coffee houses and seeing beautiful building
architecture.
Visiting the Van Gogh Museum
Meeting a very nice person from Paris
Going to farmer and craft markets

Paris

Visiting Pere Lachaise Cemetery, where Jim Morrison is buried
Seeing the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triumph, Montmartre, Paris Hills
Riding the subways
Meeting interesting people
Visiting Museum de Orsay, home of Impressionism Era art
Taking the bullet train from Amsterdam-Paris and back

Kenya

Taking a Safari on the Serengeti and Maasai Mara plains
Being up close to wild animals and taking pictures
Staying in 5 star "tents"
Visiting, dancing and making a fire (from flint and a stick) with  a Maasai tribe
Walking the streets and going to night market in Nairobi

Bangkok/Thailand

Shopping the kiosks at night market in Patpong
Having drinks at the Oriental Hotel
Seeing the Golden Buddha
Taking a Thai long boat to the canal open markets

Kathmandu/Patan Nepal

Seeing the snow covered Himalayan Mountains/Mt. Everest
Living in Patan, one of the most ancient cities in Nepal
Seeing the temples shrines of Darfur Square
Staying upstairs in peaceful renovated monasetery
Meeting a couple of Hindu Holy Men
Walking the ancient cobblestone, dirt roads of Kathmandu/Patan

Tokyo, Nara, Ft. Fuji and Kyoto Japan

Walking the Ginza Shopping area.
Taking the bus to Mt. Fuji
Taking the bullet train to Kyoto
Visiting the many temples and shrines of Kyoto and Nara.
Enjoy wonderful meal with one of my colleagues from Kaplan, Janice Block

Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Barossa Valley

Had a great time visiting with old colleagues from my work at Carrick College in 2011-12
Saddened by the terrible Sydney Cafe tragedy and the Cairns
   murder of a women's seven children
Enjoying wine and friendship around the wine country, Barossa Valley
Met a nice new lady friend from Adelaide
Had a wonderful time staying at a cottage in the fields of a vineyard.
A beauty two hour drive from Barossa Valley to Adelaide.
Scuba the Great Barrier Reef.


Here is a map that shows my route of the trip in miles....almost 48,000.
Passed over the Equator seven times.
Hit every continent on earth, except Antarctica.
Passed over the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans.

Map Style: Plain Light Blue Marble

 Distances

From		To		Initial Heading			Magnetic Heading			Distance
21 segment path:										47368 mi
TUL (36°11'54"N  95°53'17"W)		RIO (22°54'S  43°14'W)		131.2°	(SE)		128.2°	(SE)		5324 mi
RIO (22°54'S  43°14'W)		MAO (3°02'19"S  60°02'59"W)		318.0°	(NW)		340.5°	(N)		1770 mi
MAO (3°02'19"S  60°02'59"W)		RIO (22°54'S  43°14'W)		141.9°	(SE)		157.3°	(SE)		1770 mi
RIO (22°54'S  43°14'W)		AMS (52°18'31"N  4°45'50"E)		27.2°	(NE)		49.7°	(NE)		5930 mi
AMS (52°18'31"N  4°45'50"E)		PAR (48°52'N  2°20'E)		205.2°	(SW)		204.4°	(SW)		261 mi
PAR (48°52'N  2°20'E)		AMS (52°18'31"N  4°45'50"E)		23.3°	(NE)		23.1°	(NE)		261 mi
AMS (52°18'31"N  4°45'50"E)		NBO (1°19'09"S  36°55'40"E)		142.0°	(SE)		141.3°	(SE)		4140 mi
NBO (1°19'09"S  36°55'40"E)		BKK (13°40'52"N  100°44'50"E)		74.3°	(E)		73.8°	(E)		4493 mi
BKK (13°40'52"N  100°44'50"E)		KTM (27°41'48"N  85°21'33"E)		316.6°	(NW)		317.2°	(NW)		1384 mi
KTM (27°41'48"N  85°21'33"E)		BKK (13°40'52"N  100°44'50"E)		131.1°	(SE)		130.7°	(SE)		1384 mi
BKK (13°40'52"N  100°44'50"E)		NRT (35°45'55"N  140°23'08"E)		51.1°	(NE)		51.7°	(NE)		2889 mi
NRT (35°45'55"N  140°23'08"E)		UKY (35°01'N  135°46'E)		260.1°	(W)		267.4°	(W)		266 mi
UKY (35°01'N  135°46'E)		NRT (35°45'55"N  140°23'08"E)		77.5°	(E)		85.0°	(E)		266 mi
NRT (35°45'55"N  140°23'08"E)		SYD (33°56'46"S  151°10'38"E)		170.5°	(S)		177.7°	(S)		4846 mi
SYD (33°56'46"S  151°10'38"E)		MEL (37°40'24"S  144°50'36"E)		232.3°	(SW)		219.8°	(SW)		439 mi
MEL (37°40'24"S  144°50'36"E)		ADL (34°56'42"S  138°31'50"E)		296.2°	(NW)		284.7°	(W)		399 mi
ADL (34°56'42"S  138°31'50"E)		CNS (16°53'09"S  145°45'19"E)		21.6°	(N)		13.6°	(N)		1321 mi
CNS (16°53'09"S  145°45'19"E)		SYD (33°56'46"S  151°10'38"E)		165.0°	(S)		158.2°	(S)		1222 mi
SYD (33°56'46"S  151°10'38"E)		LAX (33°56'33"N  118°24'29"W)		61.2°	(NE)		48.6°	(NE)		7488 mi
LAX (33°56'33"N  118°24'29"W)		SLC (40°47'18"N  111°58'40"W)		34.9°	(NE)		22.7°	(NE)		590 mi
SLC (40°47'18"N  111°58'40"W)		TUL (36°11'54"N  95°53'17"W)		104.8°	(E)		93.0°	(E)		926 mi
Total:										47368 mi

December 20, 2014 Leaving Sydney for USA, Customs, Summary

I'm up and ready to go home around 6AM.  After showering and breakfast, I finish packing my wheeled duffel bags.  I put all but a couple of  the gift items in the one new bag I bought in Cairns yesterday.
I'm not sure if you heard but yesterday a mother stabbed to death her seven children and a niece here in Cairns.  First the Sydney cafe tragedy standoff and now this, has left the population of OZ just devastated. The Aussies will get through this but now they will have to start looking over their shoulder....something I know that they never thought would every happen.
I hit the airport around 10:30AM, for a 1:10 PM departure.  I get to the check-in desk, weigh my bags, both cleared the under 70 lbs. international limit.  But, I run into a problem my new bag's handle will not retract.  It took a few people behind the counter and myself to try and pound the handle down into the bag...nada.  So the broken bag gets checked in, with the handle still sticking up.
I have $50AU left so I try and find a place to unload the last few dollars and it just so happens I have one more Christmas present to buy.
The flight takes off on time as we pass over the Sydney Harbor Bridge and Opera House for the last time.  I get to be in business class again, so I have the fully flat seat that makes into a bed.  Hopefully I can get some sleep on the long 15 hour flight to Los Angeles.  It doesn't take but ten minutes into the flight and we are already over the Pacific Ocean. We will be over the water the entire time until we land in LA.  I look at my international clock app and I'm going to try and get sleep using Oklahoma time as my gauge.  That means I need to try and sleep about 6 hours into the flight, which puts it about midnight central time in the US.  So at about 5 hours into the flight, I start asking for glasses of wine, for a bit of inducement. Actually, I do end up sleeping about 4 hours and that should do the trick.
We land into Los Angeles about 6AM Pacific Time and I'm doing okay.  I start to go through immigration and its takes just 10 minutes with the new automated system that the airport has installed.  Next, I go to pick up my baggage and it's some of the first to hit the conveyor. I walk to customs, give them my declaration document. "So, Mr. Stephenson, seems you been to a few countries along the way." Ding dong, I get sidetracked to have all my bags inspected.  The inspector was very nice and actually apologized, but said since I had been to so many places, it caused  an automatic inspection.  He pulled out EVERYTHING in my special bag for presents.  I had everything identified with a marker and its price, so it made it easy for him.  He said, "seems as if you were doing some Christmas shopping while you were away?" Yep, I have four kids and nine grandkids.  He looked at me and said, "You have nine grandkids?" He said what are their names? I guess this was a trick question to see if I was telling the truth.  I rattled off everyones name.  At that point, he happened to pull out the box of wrapped Cuban Cigars that I bought in Thailand...damn I forgot about those.  He said I could go ahead re-pack everything and he walked off with the box of cigars.  He had a discussion with someone at the end of the conveyor, where my bags were stripped open, came back handed me the cigars and said Merry Christmas.
I find my transfer flight baggage load area.  There I hand over the two wheeled duffels...one still with the extended handle broken.  I now fly to Salt Lake City, where I have a six hour layover.  I spend my time in the executive suite for Delta catching up with NetFlix.  The time goes by quickly and the flight to Tulsa is leaving on time.
I arrive in Tulsa where my son Bronce, daughter-in-law Robby and my sweet little red-headed grand-daughter Aly meet me in Baggage Claim.  I hope she remembers me....of course she does!  I'm greeted by Aly with a "PaPa" hug, which is a big squeezing hug where we both let out a big grunt.  Then as was our regular routine, I count her ribs, where she gives out the most precious giggle...that I sorely missed.  Oh yeah, I missed you too, Bronce and Robby. We pick up my bags and drive to Bronce's home in Collinsville.  There I take his truck home since my little Lexus convertible will not hold the two humungous bags that I've brought back to the US.  I drive home to Lake Skiatook, it's about midnight.  I get to my lake house where I find my grandson Jaden and my mother JoAnn waiting for me.
It was a great trip, but now I'm home.

December 19, 2014 Last Day in Cairns, Last Minute Shopping, Leave for Sydney

I slept like a rock last night.  I guess a little exercise and excitement will do that to a fella. I still can't get over the great dive from yesterday and again wish I had planned a second day.
Today, I need to start figuring out how I'm going to get all this stuff back.  I decide I just need to get a bigger bag that can hold about 60 lbs.  That will mean I will just have two bags to haul home plus my backpack.  So I venture out to the Central Cairns Mall about six blocks away.  Its about 11AM, since I took my time at the hotel to have breakfast and finish off reading Huckleberry Finn.  I now have just one classic book left to read before I get home.  It's already over 90 degrees here and I think how cold it will be back in Tulsa.
Tomorrow will be a long trip.  My first leg from Sydney to LA will take about 15 hours.  In LA I have a 2 hour layover before heading to Salt Lake City. Unfortunately, I have a six hour layover in SLC before getting into Tulsa around midnight.  So I should have plenty of time to read.
I get to the mall in Cairns and find a few more things for the kiddos.  I also find a perfect duffel bag like the one that Bronce let me borrow, so everything should fit into two bags.
So I'm all set for my flight from Cairns to Sydney, where I will spend the night at the Holiday Inn at the airport, until my flight to LA tomorrow on Delta.
I get to the Cairns airport, where I have to pay over weight charges for one of my bags.  It's a domestic flight, so I don't get the privilege to have a bag around 60 lbs. No worries, I just want to get to Sydney tonight.  Again, I use the new entertainment system on Virgin Australia that uses their system, but use your computer or other devices to receive the signal.  You can even start using it while you are sitting on the plane before take-off.  I literally can get a hundred movies and TV shows to pick from, also over 80 albums and individual songs from the music queue.  Makes so much more sense.
I land in Sydney after the three hour flight and get the free shuttle to the Holiday Inn hotel and remember the last Holiday Inn I was at...in Manaus, Brazil, just before my trek on the Amazon River.  Wow that seems so long ago.
Well tomorrow will be a long day.
I will write one more blog tomorrow before closing off my Round the World Blog for good.

Virgin Australia Planes Used While in OZ.

Favorite Local Ale

This tree is found all over OZ but I can't find the name of this

December 18, 2014 Drive to Port Douglas, Boat Dives, Ride back to Cairns.

Today is one of the days I've been looking forward to since I started planning this trip in March of this year.  I have had my scuba certificate since my son Bronce talked me into joining him in getting his certificate back in 1999.  We have had several dives over the years in Hawaii, Caribbean, Mexico and California,  And we both have had separate dives in Bermuda (for me) and Belize (for him).  But getting to dive in one of the most reknowned areas of the world is very exciting.
I'm picked up around 6:45 by the dive shops bus.  We will be heading on a two hour trip up to Port Douglas, where we will board our dive boat and head out to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). We stop at several hotels in Cairns (which is pronounced "cans", "r' is silent.  While traveling along the ocean highway I notice the number of large plantation like cane fields.  It reminds me of driving the north highway in Maui and seeing a similar site with both cane and pineapple fields.  The homes on these plantations are beautiful and look just like the ones I remember in Hawaii.  Very long one level homes with large wrap around porches.
We do make a direct east turn and go directly to the ocean highway that we will take for the last hour of our trip.  We stop and pick up a few more people in the coast town of Palm Cove, which is a wonderful small beach community with a large number of small bungalows and cottage, that lay right on the beaches of the Coral Sea (Pacific Ocean). Also there are beautiful old age trees that look like the same eucalyptus trees I noticed on my drive back to Adelaide from ta he Barossa Valley a couple of days ago. The drive to Port Douglas is just damn beautiful.  The road is a very quaint two lane road that seems to fit right into the landscape along the hills and treed roadway.  The Coral Sea has several colors, though the majority of the color is a deep blue coloring.  As we drive further north toward Port Douglas, you can start to see the coral reef colors of light blue, aqua, and green about 1-2 miles from shore.  The GBR is broken into basically five areas: sand beach, inner reef area, reef, outer reef (wall) and the sea.  We continue our breath-taking trek toward our dive boat location,
When arriving in Port Douglas you can't help seeing the numerous boats of all shapes and sizes, though sailboats are probably the most abundant. We arrive into the port area where many of the dive shop boats are docked.  We get off the bus and head inside to the Poseidon Dive Shop to check-in.  They direct me to dock D-1, where the Ship Poseidon is located.  This boat is a huge double catamaran, that I don't think I have ever seen that large of one. I'm greeted at dockside by the captain and the crew.  Once on board we are treated to a light breakfast and start listening to the safety and rules of the ship.  The Poseidon shoves off and it will take us just over an hour to get to the area where we will be diving, Agincourt Reefs.
There are several other people on the boat, around 80.  During the day I figured they were broken down into several categories: just passengers, there for the ride (about 12); snorkelers (about 35, the majority of the people); new school certificate learners (about 15); and the certificate experienced divers (about 18 of us).  We are broken down into our groups and assigned to dive masters.  I'm with a nice local lady named Dinah and she explains the dives that we will be taking.  Our group of about six.  I meet my dive buddy, Geoffrey, that lives locally in Port Douglas, after leaving the Seattle area 15 years ago to live here in this beautiful beach community.  I have to admit i'm a bit jealous of him.  We spent several minutes talking about our lives over the course of the day.
When it was time to start gearing up, I let my dive master know that it had been several years since I dove and may need a bit of help with the gear up.  She said it would be know problem because she helps make sure everyone gets her help no matter the experience.  We get fitted for our fins, snorkel and mask first.  They have several prescription dive masks which is great because without my glasses on dives is always a bit of a blur for me.  But with the prescription mask I was able to see clearly under water for the first time.  We are also given a light lycra full body suit to use.  I'm a bit surprised since the outside temperature is over 90 degrees and the water temperature is over 72 degrees.  I would have expected a "shorty" suit if anything.  But I find out from one of our group that between November and March small jellyfish are abundant and the suits will keep us from getting stung.  I'm all for that.
Okay time to jump ship, so to speak.  Unlike the snorkelers and the beginning divers that step off the end of a ramp into the Coral Sea, we certified divers jump off the stern side of the big ship.  I would say its about a 10 foot drop.  I must say my heart is beating very fast and my mask is starting to fog up due to my perspiration.  It doest help that there are about 5-6 small sharks swimming around the area where we will be jumping into the sea.  The dive master had warned us that we might see a few at the beginning, because when boats first come up to the area, the sharks think they are going to get feed.  Her advice, "just jump on top of them, they will move."  Okay it's my turn to jump off and I can see 2-3 sharks hovering around the spot where  I will be making a giant step into the sea.  I hit the water, and I'm floating with my air filled vest and I can now rinse out my fogged up mask.  I'm ready for my descent.  On this dive we will be going down to about 60-70 feet.  I maneuver pretty easily down to the sandy bottom while waiting for the rest of my six group partners descend as well.  It takes about five minutes for all of us to meet at the bottom, since one of the ladies was having some problems with her air device that permits her to descend.  My breathing is less labored now that I'm at the bottom and can relax a bit, no sharks seem to be around.
We head out toward the first signs of coral, and I notice that the area doesn't have the best visibility (vis).  As we pass by the many shaped types of coral, I do notice that some have lost their color (grey-white).  I find out between my first and second dive that the coral in the area is starting to die off due to many reasons but for the most part due to human effects: global warning (water is too warm), oil and material dumps, over fishing, tiny starfish from areas of the China Sea brought to the area by fishing vessels that kill coral. After about 40 minutes it's time to surface and move to our next dive sight.
The second site also is around 60-70 feet and has more and larger coral, plus a few more fish, which we didn't see a lot of on the first dive.  Again, we jump off the stern, and wait as a group to descend to the bottom.  This time everyone makes it down.  This dive I will be using my GoPro camera a lot more to video.  This dive has some great giant coral spots that I get some good video footage.  This dive also takes about 40 minutes and we are headed to the surface.  That was my last dive of the day and I must say it was a bit exhausting for an old guy of 62.  But I did get to fulfill one of dream dives, but wish I had planned two days of diving.  I hope when i get back Bronce and I can do more diving in the future.  Maybe we can convince others in the family to get certified.  
We start back to Port Douglas and I sit at the top of the boat where you can get a good look down into the water and see the multi-colored coral reefs pretty well. As we dock at the port, I'm reminded of one of my favorite Mark Twain quotes, "Years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than the ones you did do.  So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor and catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

Undersea Coral Beds

Coral Beds

Coral Beds

Old Man and the Sea?

Dive Prep Area

Relaxing between Dives

Do I Seem a Little Tense?

Time to Jump Off Board

My Dive Master

Dive Boat

December 17, 2014 Late Morning, Migraine, Book Dive, Shopping

I slept in a bit late this morning waking to a terrible migraine headache.  I get these periodically, but they are knee bucking.  I have medicine for this but I always think I'm going to wait it out.  I take a nice hot shower, let the water run over and down my neck, but it doesn't help.  I also can't stand light with these headaches, so I leave the curtains drawn.  I finally get smart and find my last pill for this problem.  It takes about 30 minutes for it to kick in and I end up nodding off for about 2 hours, waking up around 11AM.
I'm feeling much better and I go down stairs to book my scuba dive for tomorrow with the concierge.  I book a two dive trip that takes me up the coast about an hour to the main Great Barrier Reef area.  I'm so excited.  Its been about 3 years since my last dive here in Australia but it was near Melbourne off the coast near Torquay, which is the home of Rip Curl. It was fairly uneventful.
After booking my dive, I go have lunch at Dundee's (like in Crocodile), a place that my cabbie had recommended.  It was great...garlic linguini with New Zealand mussels.  I also had a local golden ale that was pretty smooth.
I decide to do a walkabout and venture through the local park and find all the tourist trap shopping areas.  I pick up a few more things and head back to the hotel.  I did notice there is a casino across from the Hilton, but think better and check into my room for the night.
Cairns reminds me a lot of some of the beach communities along the San Diego coast, probably a cross between Del Mar and Mission Beach.  There are also a lot of Asians at this resort town.  Seems this is a destination point for several Asian countries, notably China and Korea.  Many stores signs are in Chinese and Korean, catering to the large number of tourists from those countries.
I'm going to turn in early, since I leave a 6AM in the morning for the one hour bus ride north of Cairns and then onto our boat to head out to dive the GBR (Great Barrier Reef).  Really sort of miss having Bronce with me on this dive.  He was the one that talked me into getting certified back in 1999 when he wanted someone to share diving.  Thanks Bronce for enabling me to experience this once in a lifetime opportunity.

View od Hills and Pacific Ocean

Waterway leading to Pacific Ocean

December 16, 2014 Off to Adelaide Airport, Slow Drive through Barossa Valley, Cairns

Today is my last day in Adelaide/Barossa Valley and my little vineyard cottage.  Early this morning I was up around 3AM and walked out to the back deck and saw the thousands of stars that were parceling in the sky.  I realized these are stars I would never see in the Northern Hemisphere.  I can usually go out on my back deck in Oklahoma and can immediately find the North Star, Cassiopeia, Big and Little Dipper.  But in the Southern Hemisphere everything is new in the sky for me.  I spent about 30 minutes just sitting in the wicker lounge chair looking up at the sky and was lucky enough to see two shooting stars. p
Well I never did go back to sleep so I just stayed up, backed, showered and headed out for my 11AM flight at 5:30 AM.  Just before I left I also turn on the telly to find out how the stand-off in Sydney is going.  They were just announcing about that two innocent victims and the gunman were dead.  Such a tragedy in one of the most wonderful cities in the world.  It's just heartbreaking.  Then I hear about a report where over 130 school children had been murdered in their classrooms in Pakistan by the Taliban. What is wrong with people!
I decided to take a longer route back to Adelaide that sent me through the backroads of Barossa Valley, along a route called Eden and Torrens Valley Roads.  The morning sun was just appearing over the hills of the valley as I left Angaston.  The first hour was a drive I will never forget with rolling hills of vineyards, fields of sheep and cattle, small streams lingering along with me down the highway.  But mostly it was the old age eucalyptus trees that had grown so large they stretched over the roadway resulting in a beautiful tunneled canopy that went on for miles.  It's one of those experiences that you can't stop. take pictures and try to get people to understand, so I hope my words give you the pleasure I had on this first hour of my drive.
The two lane asphalt road lead me through small hamlets that had just a few stone and brick homes along the way.  The towns seem to be losing a little of their charm because some of the smaller vineyards that kept these places alive seem to be starting to vanish.
The second hour of my trip found me on very winding roads that took me up and down the green hills of continuing stretches of vineyards, but now I'm seeing large beautiful lakes and streams.  The water is very blue and shimmering from the newly rising sun, that is reflecting off the tops of these steams/lakes.  I also start seeing more evergreens that remind me of the same types that I remember passing on my way up to Mt. Fuji in Japan a few weeks ago.
Once I came to a town that had the first traffic light that I had seen in the last two hours, I knew my wonderful drive was coming to an end.
It took me about 2 1/2 hours to trek the back roads of Barossa and Adelaide, but it was time that I will always be able to lock away in my mind.  I had to think back and remember my guide Lucky that I had on my safari in Kenya.  He reminded me that the pictures left in your mind will always be the ones that you will remember for a lifetime.
I'm now in the city and traffic is heavy, since it is about 8AM, and people are heading to the CBD (Central Business District).  I thought I was doing pretty well and inching my way to the airport, south of Adelaide (I'm on the north northside).  But when I started seeing that I was going against traffic, I knew something was wrong.  I pull off the road turning on my wipers thinking it was my turn signal.  I look at my map and I have traveled about 5 miles away from my original plan.  So, I plot another route and even with the 3-4 roundabouts that I maneuver expertly, I start seeing the airport icon on the street signs.
I pull into the airport thoroughfare and find the rental car return sign.  I missed it.  So I have to do a pass through the airport and try again to find the turnoff for rental car return.  This time I make the turn and wonder why I didn't see it the first time. I gather my two big heavy bags, my cheap roller carry-on and my heavy backpack.  I check the car in and walk the few hundred yards to the check-in counter.  Since I'm flying Virgin Australia and Delta is a partner airline, I'm able to check through the executive check-in line again...no waiting.  I again get to go to the executive lounge, since I'm early by just an hour and half today.
The flight boards and the one hour flight is very uneventful.  I will be going to Cairns via Sydney, so it should be interested to sense the mood with all that has been going on in Sydney the last 48 hours.  I arrive at the airport and it is a bit quietter that usual.  People are gathered around the few televisions that are in the bars and restaurants at the airport, trying to get the latest news. The gunman apparently was a known entity in the community, having been arrested several times and was actually out on bail due to the alleged planning of the murder of his ex-wife.  I wonder why this guy was even on the streets!.
I walk over to my gate and people are already boarding for Cairns.  This flight is about three hours and I use the new inflight entertainment systems that is used through your own tablet or phone.  What a great idea.  I watch a few reruns of House of Cards,,,for the third time.
As we are descending into Cairns I notice the green hills that seem to encapsulate the city.  Also I notice the number of streams that lead into the city from the waters of the Pacific Ocean.  Cairns is a beach resort and this time of year (summer) it is very warm.  The pilot announces that it is 36 Celsius degrees, about 95 Fahrenheit.
The airport in Cairns is very open, much like the small airports of the Caribbean.  I gather my bags easily and I pick up a cab at the taxi queue.  We head to the Hilton.  The hotel is located right on the main river that leads into the Pacific Ocean.  There are several sailboats, tour liners and large cargo ships going both ways on the waterway.
I check into my room and find I've been given a beautiful view of the river that leads out to the Pacific Ocean with the very tall green hills in the background.  The view reminds me of the Halekalani Hotel near Diamond Head in Hawaii.  I'm a bit tired since I've been up since 3AM this morning.  I go down to the lobby cafe, grab a salad and soup.  I almost nodded off at the table waiting for my bill to sign.

Gnarly Root Tree

Canopy Eucalyptus Trees

Eucalyptus Trees along the Road

Worlds Largest Rocking Horse

Road out of Barossa Valley

December 15, 2014 Another Big Breakfast, Penfolds and Saltram Wineries

Well I did it again, made it out to my favorite breakfast place for the big breakfast.  This time I laid off the wine and had two lattes.  Today I'm going out to two of the larger wineries.  The Saltram Winery is actually the one where I'm staying.  The pictures of the vines in my pictures around my cottage are Saltram.  This winery has been in the valley for over 150 years.  It was started by a gentleman that came over from England, and wasn't a prisoner, William Salter. Saltram Wines are reputed to be the first in the valley to produce a shiraz.
Next, Penfolds, which is probably one of the better known wineries in the world.  When speaking of shiraz in most wordily circles, Penfolds is usually mentioned as the best.  While visiting and tasting today, it was interesting to se the vast history of this winery to include Penfolds being selected as the Australian Winery of the Year in 2014. The winery started in 1844 bean English doctor Christopher Penfold.  He actually bought vines from France to start his vineyard.  But it was his wife Mary, that actually created the original shiraz from here.  Another interesting fact, in June 2012 Penfolds released a limited edition run of the "2004 Block 42" wine that was only sold in glass ampoules. The wine was labelled by the Huffington Post publication as "the most expensive wine directly sold from a winery in the world", as the winery sought US$168,000 for each of the ampoules. The glass ampoules were designed and hand-blown by Australian glass artist Nick Mount.  I passed on buying one of these, but there was a display showing this expensive wine.  
I finished my day having a pizza of all things at the 40's Diner but the Hawaiian thin crust was pretty tasty. 

Lobby of Penfolds Winery

Penfolds Tasting Area

Barrels used at Penfolds

Big Breakfast

Gnarly vine wrapped around pole.

Penfolds Winery

December 14, 2014 Eating Well, Barossa Valley Wine Tasting Day.

I had probably my best rested night in the last month.  It helps that I'm mostly over my bronchitis and have adjusted to the time change.  I think the seven hour change when I went from Nairobi to Bangkok a month ago really got to me.  I need to get out and find a wi-fi since my sweet Scottish landlord hasn't quite got the hang of 21st century technology.  I bet she still uses an original dial style telly.  I found a nice wine bar in Angaston that had wifi and a breakfast that was overwhelming.  I had poached eggs, thick multi-grain toast, bacon (that was more like ham), pork apple sausages, spinach, tomatoes, kiwi, avocado, apricots and a sweet relish that was so tasty...top it off with two glasses of local shiraz...hey it's 8PM somewhere in the world! After that meal I needed a nap but not at 10AM.  I spend about an hour catching up on my postings and head back to my cottage to meet Paul and Julie Clifford for our afternoon of wine tasting.  The nice thing about Barossa Valley is that there are about 40 wineries all with 15 miles.
Paul and Julie arrive at my place, right at the designated time..1PM. We visited Bethany, Rockfords, Artisian and finished at Two Hands.  We could have visited more but the Cliffords did have a two hour drive back to Adelaide.  I can visit others tomorrow, my last day in Barossa Valley. The wine tasting was fun and very educational.  As I have mentioned before, the Barossa Valley is famous for their shiraz, but I even found some of the whites were pretty good.  Also the estates where these wineries are located are not like the huge complexes that you mostly find in Napa.  Most all of the wineries here are still family owned over several generations. My understanding is that the Australian and local governments frown upon the big mega businesses in this industry.  I find that to be inspiring...to be able to keep the family and local businesses thriving.  My favorite taste was probably Hobbs Shiraz 1905, 2012, of course it was $140 each.  This grape is grown from vines from 1905, thus the name.  Boy, it just laid in my mouth and it must be what heaven tastes like. We also had a very nice lunch at the Artesian, which actually represented seven of the smaller family wineries of the local area.  This is where I tasted the Hobbs.
We also had a great tasting series at Two Hands Winery.  This is a place that has only been around since 2005, but is really starting to produce a nice collection.  The grounds were very nice with their flower garden, fountains and a wonderful deck where we had our tasting series. The primarily manager waited on us and was quite the host.  He delivered each taste with background of grape areas and history on some of the names of his collection.  One in particular caught my eye, though it wasn't the best tasting.  It was called Gnarly Dudes.  It would have been the perfect name for Jeff Conlon and I if they were going to name a wine after us.
We ended the day by driving me back to my cottage.  We said our good byes.  What a nice couple the Clifford's.  But, you know what?  I find everyone in Australia to be some of the happiest people in the world.  They enjoy life, do a lot of outdoor activities and they are very proud of their country.  Tomorrow, I visit a few more wineries to include Penfolds.

Wanera Wines

Rockfords Winery

Paul and Julie Clifford at Rockfords Winery

Rockford Winery

When I drink wine.......

Julie Clifford and David at Rockford Winery

Rockford Winery

Bethany Winery

Bethany Winery fields

Favorite Shiraz, Hobbs 1905

Two Hands Winery gardens

Two Hands Winery Fountain

Two Hands Winery Deck

Gnarly Dudes Shiraz

Two Hands Winery

Two Hands Winery

December 13, 2014 Drive to Angaston, Strathlyn Coach House

 Today is when I drive the south Australian highways to the Barossa Valley, specifically the village of Angaston.  I call down from my room at the Hilton about 10AM to have them bring my right side drivers seat car. I get loaded up and I have maps just in case my GPS I rented from Hertz doesn’t do the job.  And of course, the damn thing won’t even recognize the address that I’m attempting to travel, two hours from Adelaide.  Okay, so I had already highlighted my route on the paper map, so off I go.  Just remember follow the cars in front of you and be aware way ahead of time any turn that you need to make.  If I can just get through central Adelaide I should be in good shape.  After about an hour, and no roundabouts to confuse me, I’ve managed to stay on the right path, clear of the busy streets.  It’s all highways to Angaston.  The route signs are very good along the highway and I make it into Angaston with any problems.  The address of the winery where I will be staying is clearly marked.

I drive off the main road and drive a few hundred yards through a curvy tree and grapevine lined gravel path.  I came up to an old but well maintained farmhouse front porch where I meet Heather, who will be my guesthouse manager.  I find her Scottish and Australian dialect as charming as she is.  She walks me up the road to the most wonderful old stone and timber coach house that sits at the bottom of an orchard, that has been made into a one bedroom cottage.  The floors are hardwood and the décor matches the area expectations…a winery and its farmland.  Everything is downstairs except for the loft bedroom.  The king size bedroom opens up outside to a deck and chairs that look out over the perfectly rowed grapevines that seem to go on forever over the horizon.  The scenery is breath taking.  It is a little warm out today, almost 100 degrees but it very dry, which I’m surprised since I was expecting a little less heat for raising grapes.  But it must work because Shiraz comes from here and is widely recognized throughout the world as a special wine selection.  I’ll come back later this evening when the sun goes down and cools off a bit. The kitchen downstairs refrigerator is already stuffed with milk, OJ, eggs, bacon, butter and jams/jellies.  There is also a fresh loaf of multi-grain bread that I can’t wait to toast and try some of the spreads that are in the frig.  This place is ….perfect. 

View from Back Balcony of Cottage

Vines at Bethany Winery

View from front yard of cottage

Coach House made into my Cottage

Front View of Cottage

Bathroom at Cottage

Guest Bottle of Wine

Church in Bethany

Bethany Lutheran Church

Place where I had breakfast

Bethany Vineyards

Bethany Vineyard Estate

Bethany Vineyard Grounds

Bethany Vineyard fields

Bethany Vineyards

Vines near Cottage

Wanera Wine Bar

Wanera Wine Bar

Wanera Wine Bar