Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Tuesday March 8th - LEI to UpAndDown

Last night I had a return engagement with the dreaded Mutton Birds.  Their shreaking baby cry did its job for another sleep challenged night.  But let that not deter from the wonders of the day.  
Another gorgeous sunrise greeted me and got me going for the day.

Started the day with another fantastic snorkel.  Got some fantastic footage on the GoPro swimming with the sea turtles.    Snorkeled the lagoon again but missed the shark sighting.  Caroline saw a black tip reef shark patrolling the lagoon for food.  She said it swam by but did not pay her any attention.  Had an interesting encounter with a Picasso Fish.  I was swimming along and felt a bite on my leg.  I looked down and there was this Picasso Fish swimming around me.  I aimed the GoPro at him to capture a video.  He kept swimming at and hitting the lense of the camera.  He was relentless.  I had to swim away quickly as he tired of hitting the camera and started going after me. 
My attack friend.  He just wouldn't stop coming at me.  :)

Late morning we had to depart Lady Elliot Island.  Caught the little plane that had seen its day to get back to the mainland...
Some of the beauty of the island...

Once back on the mainland we headed to UpAndDown, the farm of my host and guide, Janice.  It is situated in a beautiful rolling hills section of Australia in from the coast about an hour and a half.  Upon arrival at the farm we rode 4 wheelers around the property, fed their cattle bales of hay, rode down to the river, started a bonfire, cooked dinner over an open campfire and watched a stunning sunset.
  

After the sunset we were treated to a moonless star display.  The sky was so clear and no lights to pollute the view that the Milky Way could be seen clearly.  You could see so many stars that it looked cloudy with starlight!  Just wonderful!!!

Some of the beautiful birds on the farm.  There a couple off cockatoos but they were so shy I could not get a shot of them.


1 comment:

  1. Sounds like a Spectacular Day, Mike. I grow envious of you with every single posting you do. Sounds like you are seeing the best parts of Australia and doing it in a way that is truly authentic.
    So glad you have the GoPro. Can't wait to see footage (I'm just happy your hands will remain on the bike and the GoPro will capture all the excitement).

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