I'm sorry that I've fallen behind on my Sydney postings. Something came up that I had to tend to. I will be posting more soon. Thanks for reading, and again...sorry for the delay.
Sunrise over Sydney Harbour (part one)
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Hands down, Sydney, Australia is one of my top 5 favorite cities around the world. Having been to Sydney before, I was certainly excited to be going back to this beautiful and thriving city that boasts such a diverse palette of life, culture and energy. It would be impossible for me to write everything that there is to do and see in Sydney, that is why there are many books on the subject. It's always humorous to me when I get emails from readers who remind me of the thousands of things I forgot to mention about their country or city, such as underwater basket weaving workshops and nymph hunting trips through the enchanted forests. Sadly, I just can't do it all. However, I am going to try to give you a visual and written sample of what I saw on this particular trip and hope that it inspires you go to there someday if you haven't had the chance. This is only part one of multiple posts that I will be writing on Sydney, so check back each week.
Sydney, Australia Harbour
I thought the best thing to do was to start off with a post on Sydney Harbour at sunrise. I love to be out on the water and the bay around this city is absolutely breathtaking, no matter what time of the day you're viewing it. However, the golden sunrise seems to add something special while the buildings and trees creep out from behind their shadows.
Sydney, Australia Harbour
Sydney has a wonderful skyline, along with other famous landmarks that are recognizable around the world. As I have explained in previous posts, it is quite common for people to think that Australia is merely outback and wildlife, but this is far from the case. Sydney, is a rather large city that spreads out over many miles. You can't walk it all, and it takes days to explore. There are lots of hills, trees, scenic views and modern development that keeps this city in the world's top destinations. I will show you many more photos in upcoming posts.
Sydney Opera House
The most famous, or I should say "recognizable" landmark in this city is the "Sydney Opera House". It's unique architecture has been the subject of multiple photographs and articles since it's creation. What surprises many people is that it's construction began in 1959. The design was such that it's been timeless ever since. My purpose here is not to give everyone a history lesson, so I will mainly just point out some interesting facts here and there.
Sydney Opera House
As I began to write about earlier, Sydney is not in a dry desert climate, but a city that sits by the ocean and enjoys endless fresh breezes, along with enough moisture in the air to create a humid environment. I wouldn't ever say that the weather is uncomfortable, but it can get hot during the summer months. I've been there in Spring, Summer and Fall, and the seasons do tend to be defined.
Sydney, Australia Harbour
One of my favorite views is of the Sydney Harbour bridge, which was opened in 1932. According to Guinness World Records, it's the widest long-span bridge in the world. You can view this bridge from many places around the waterfront, and it sits right across from the Opera House. I find the design to have that structural appeal of something that has been grandfathered down to us, that retains it's historical value, but can stand strong among the best of bridges in the world. There's an aged feel to it visually, yet it's endurance is a testament to it's well designed architecture.
Sydney. Australia Harbour
As you can see, the rising sun just brings this beauty to life. It's easy to sit here for a long while and just stare. The accessible wharf provides a place to walk up and get great views, along with being able to see it from the water if you're out on a boat or Ferry.
Sydney Harbour Bridge
Various buildings along the wharf are also quite beautiful. There is a mixture of both old and new architecture that fits quite well together. It is clear that the city has put some thought into it's layout and has pride in what it presents. These buildings never look out of date.
Sydney Harbour wharf
Many cruise ships come into the Harbour and port right here at the dock. This dock sits across from the Opera House as well and obviously provides some great views. The port building was designed well and gives convenient access to downtown. There is also an ATM machine there if you need one. You can actually walk from the pier to downtown, but depending on where you're staying, it's generally best to take a cab. My experience with cab drivers in Sydney has been good over the years, and I didn't find them overly expensive. In fact, the drivers were always quite friendly and honest.
Sydney Harbour Port
A number of lucky individuals get the opportunity to live right at the waterfront. I can't begin to tell you how jealous I am, nor would I even attempt to guess how incredibly expensive a flat in one of these buildings might cost. After living in San Francisco so many years, I know how unobtainable waterfront property can be.
Sydney, Australia Harbour
It's great how one side of the Harbour is filled with large skyscrapers, and the other side has almost a quaint feel to it, as if it was a small fishing village. The bay just wraps around for miles in both directions and blends into other towns. Most of these places are accessible by the various Ferries, buses and trains. I talk a little more about that in future posts.
Sydney, Australia Harbour
There is a small theme park that sits right across the bay, it's called "Luna Park". You can see it from the wharf. I've actually never been to it, but it provides slightly creepy imagery that reminds of something out of a Stephen King novel. Mind you, it's been there for many years and seems to thrive with locals and tourists alike. You should see it light up at night.
Luna Park on the Sydney Harbour
If you want a close up view of the bridge, you can walk underneath it on that side as well. Not only is the bridge a sight to see, but you can actually climb up to the top of it on a guided tour. Certainly not for everyone, but if you have an adventurous spirit, then go for it. They say it's amazing if you're not afraid of heights.
Sydney Harbour bridge
I took a number of photos of the bridge, so I hope you don't mind me sticking a few in this post. The picture above will you give a better perspective of where Luna Park is.
Sydney Harbour
On the wharf, there is a place where you can buy tickets for the various harbour cruises. Captain Cooke Cruises seems to be one of the more popular companies, even though they are not the only choice, and not the cheapest way to get out on the water. Many people take the Ferry across to the Zoo as well. I will show more pictures of the wharf later on to give you an idea of where to buy tickets.
Sydney Harbour
This is not a long post, but just a short introduction with some sunrise pictures that I hope you enjoy. I will be posting more on Sydney each week.
Sydney Harbour Bridge
There are a few more pictures of the harbour in my Flickr photo album HERE.
Sydney, Australia Harbour
Sydney has a wonderful skyline, along with other famous landmarks that are recognizable around the world. As I have explained in previous posts, it is quite common for people to think that Australia is merely outback and wildlife, but this is far from the case. Sydney, is a rather large city that spreads out over many miles. You can't walk it all, and it takes days to explore. There are lots of hills, trees, scenic views and modern development that keeps this city in the world's top destinations. I will show you many more photos in upcoming posts.
The most famous, or I should say "recognizable" landmark in this city is the "Sydney Opera House". It's unique architecture has been the subject of multiple photographs and articles since it's creation. What surprises many people is that it's construction began in 1959. The design was such that it's been timeless ever since. My purpose here is not to give everyone a history lesson, so I will mainly just point out some interesting facts here and there.
As I began to write about earlier, Sydney is not in a dry desert climate, but a city that sits by the ocean and enjoys endless fresh breezes, along with enough moisture in the air to create a humid environment. I wouldn't ever say that the weather is uncomfortable, but it can get hot during the summer months. I've been there in Spring, Summer and Fall, and the seasons do tend to be defined.
One of my favorite views is of the Sydney Harbour bridge, which was opened in 1932. According to Guinness World Records, it's the widest long-span bridge in the world. You can view this bridge from many places around the waterfront, and it sits right across from the Opera House. I find the design to have that structural appeal of something that has been grandfathered down to us, that retains it's historical value, but can stand strong among the best of bridges in the world. There's an aged feel to it visually, yet it's endurance is a testament to it's well designed architecture.
As you can see, the rising sun just brings this beauty to life. It's easy to sit here for a long while and just stare. The accessible wharf provides a place to walk up and get great views, along with being able to see it from the water if you're out on a boat or Ferry.
Various buildings along the wharf are also quite beautiful. There is a mixture of both old and new architecture that fits quite well together. It is clear that the city has put some thought into it's layout and has pride in what it presents. These buildings never look out of date.
Many cruise ships come into the Harbour and port right here at the dock. This dock sits across from the Opera House as well and obviously provides some great views. The port building was designed well and gives convenient access to downtown. There is also an ATM machine there if you need one. You can actually walk from the pier to downtown, but depending on where you're staying, it's generally best to take a cab. My experience with cab drivers in Sydney has been good over the years, and I didn't find them overly expensive. In fact, the drivers were always quite friendly and honest.
A number of lucky individuals get the opportunity to live right at the waterfront. I can't begin to tell you how jealous I am, nor would I even attempt to guess how incredibly expensive a flat in one of these buildings might cost. After living in San Francisco so many years, I know how unobtainable waterfront property can be.
Sydney, Australia Harbour
It's great how one side of the Harbour is filled with large skyscrapers, and the other side has almost a quaint feel to it, as if it was a small fishing village. The bay just wraps around for miles in both directions and blends into other towns. Most of these places are accessible by the various Ferries, buses and trains. I talk a little more about that in future posts.
There is a small theme park that sits right across the bay, it's called "Luna Park". You can see it from the wharf. I've actually never been to it, but it provides slightly creepy imagery that reminds of something out of a Stephen King novel. Mind you, it's been there for many years and seems to thrive with locals and tourists alike. You should see it light up at night.
If you want a close up view of the bridge, you can walk underneath it on that side as well. Not only is the bridge a sight to see, but you can actually climb up to the top of it on a guided tour. Certainly not for everyone, but if you have an adventurous spirit, then go for it. They say it's amazing if you're not afraid of heights.
I took a number of photos of the bridge, so I hope you don't mind me sticking a few in this post. The picture above will you give a better perspective of where Luna Park is.
On the wharf, there is a place where you can buy tickets for the various harbour cruises. Captain Cooke Cruises seems to be one of the more popular companies, even though they are not the only choice, and not the cheapest way to get out on the water. Many people take the Ferry across to the Zoo as well. I will show more pictures of the wharf later on to give you an idea of where to buy tickets.
This is not a long post, but just a short introduction with some sunrise pictures that I hope you enjoy. I will be posting more on Sydney each week.
There are a few more pictures of the harbour in my Flickr photo album HERE.
Hamilton Island, Australia...and the legal limits of adorable
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Okay, Australia... I'm on to you!! Here I am trying to innocently visit another one of your amazing islands, and you just have to pull out all the stops. Never mind that your country is already one of the most incredible destinations in the world, full of life, nature and down to earth folks. No, it's not enough that you find yourself often bathing in the joy of actually being exactly what you claim to be... a country that really reaches out and shakes your hand. Nope, instead, you coincidentally happen to have a few of these laying around.
Koala paw, Hamilton Island, Australia
While we will certainly come back to the subject of Koala's and Australia's shameless, if not barely legal cuteness levels inflicted upon unsuspecting tourist, I feel it is now necessary to go on with my Hamilton Island experience. After all, Hamilton Island is a wonderful place to visit.
Hamilton Island, Australia
It's important to note that Hamilton Island is part of the Whitsunday Island chain (74 Islands) at the Great Barrier Reef and a part of Queensland. I also feel that it's important to note that one of my all time favorite movies, "Muriel's Wedding" was partially filmed here as well. If you've never seen the movie, it's fantastic. You might be familiar with the stars Toni Collette and Rachel Griffiths, but enough about that.
Whitsunday Islands, Australia
Sailing through the island chain was quite beautiful. What surprised me was that it almost felt as though I was sailing through the Vancouver, B.C. area islands. I only mean that the trees and various islands had that familiar northern look to them. The weather was quite different though, being tropical and humid.
Whitsunday Islands, Australia
The morning I arrived, the sea was perfect. The Tender took us through the small islands as it headed towards the dock. Various buildings and houses doted the island, and I couldn't help but to feel jealous of those who were lucky enough to wake up every morning to such as view.
Hamilton Island, Australia
The many yachts at the small marina made it obvious that this was certainly a playground for the wealthy, or at least those who saved up a nice vacation nest egg. Once I stepped onto the pier, I could see the immaculately clean town that lined the waterfront.
Hamilton Island Marina
Golf carts darted up and down the small roads. It was explained that this was the preferred method of getting around the island, and they could be rented by the day or week. Although the island isn't huge, it's large enough that the many hills and trees make it seem to go on forever. The trees, coves and terrain make it feel like you've landed on Fantasy Island, instead of a typical tropical beach.
Hamilton Island, Australia
Even though there were people walking about, it wasn't crowded at all. This was a nice treat. We were told that a free shuttle bus was offered to take people to various stops around the island. It took a short while to wait on the bus, and after riding it up and over the hill...we realized that it would have been just as easy to walk.
Hamilton Island, Australia
Granted, the shuttle was comfortable and air conditioned. There are different routes for the shuttle, but the one that my travel partner and I got on, dropped us off at what looked like a hotel. There was a large, open air lobby that was quite beautiful. The trees surrounded the building and a nice ocean breeze blew through as we walked towards the swimming pool.
Hamilton Island Resort
Although I didn't take pictures of the whole property, it spread out quite a bit. Once we passed the pool, we saw the entrance to the beach. Wow...really beautiful! On this side of the island, the beach was in a large and spectacular cove. Again, not over crowded.
Hamilton Island Resort
It only took us a few seconds to find some white plastic beach chair to lounge in. We kept wondering when someone was going to run over and try to charge us for the luxury of laying there while gazing at the beach, but no one came.
Hamilton Island Beach
There was a small shack to the right of us, which house many types of water equipment for rent. Various surf boards and wind sails were laid out in the sand for those who so chose to participate.
Hamilton Island Beach
I couldn't believe how beautiful and relaxing this beach area was. I truly felt as though I had made it to the far side of paradise. As usual, it's nearly impossible to accurately capture the immersion of one's senses in a photograph.
Hamilton Island Beach
None of my pictures could do this place justice. Between the breeze, the smell and the sounds, it was perfect.
Mother and Daughter on Hamilton Island
There were two mothers and two daughters who sat next to us. They were very kind and friendly and seemed to be in the same intoxicated, blissful state of awe as we were. I took some photos of them to share.
Mother and Daughter on Hamilton Island
It was fun watching people play around with the water sports equipment. The boards with the sails on them proved particularly difficult for most everyone. We watched as a young lady tried numerous times to stand up on hers, while nearly braining (with the sail) anyone who happened to be within 10 yards. Finally, she made it up for a few moments.
After enjoying the wonderful beach for a number of hours, we decided to go see more of the island. We had only taken a day trip there and wanted to find out more of what Hamilton Island offered. After walking back up towards the information desk, we noticed that there was another large and elaborate pool. I have to say, this place was luxurious.
Hamilton Island, Australia
We really felt as though we were illegally crashing a resort. I decided to ask the young lady at the front desk about the cost of their hotel rooms. She gave me a puzzled look and said that they didn't have any rooms, since it wasn't a hotel. Hmmm...okay. So, after a few more questions and strange looks, it appears that we were simply enjoying what amounted to a all-inclusive resort. Apparently, if you pay to go to the island, then the resort is there for your use. Of course, this doesn't include the cost of food and certain equipment rentals.
Hamilton Island, Australia
Since the walk back to town was so simple, we decided to skip the shuttle and enjoy the short trek. Walking from the beach to the other side takes you on a nice, shaded road. There is a bit of a hill...and it's hot and humid, so it depends on whether you're up for that or not. As we began walking, we saw some really interesting and nice bungalows that lined both sides of the street.
Hamilton Island, Australia Bungalos
It didn't take long before we saw a small entrance to what seemed like a zoo. There was a small shop with the usual zoo items, but after looking around and asking, we found out that it was an animal park. The star attractions were....yep...cute and cuddly Koala. We gladly paid the entrance fee and walked up the short steps to the park. This would be my first time seeing Koalas in real life. Even on my previous trips to Australia, I had never taken the opportunity to see one up close.
Koala on Hamilton Island
The area where the Koalas were, was right at the entrance. I instantly saw a number of lounging around on the small trees with not a single eye open. It was nice being so close that you could almost...but not touch them.
Koala on Hamilton Island
Okay, I have to warn you, even the hardest of hearts would be foolish to try and resist the overwhelming cuteness of the Koala. This is Australia's trump card (well, one of them anyway). What you see here is simply a bundle of fur, eyes, paws and the occasional Koala yawn. Resistance is futile.
Koala on Hamilton Island
Now, it's time for some Koala education. This is going to be similar to revealing that there's no Santa Clause, because there's more to this little critter than meets the eye. First, Koala's are small, and some are tiny. When you see a photo of one, you generally imagine that they are a bit bigger than they really are. I'm sure that some do get bigger, but all of the ones that I saw there, were bite size...and you can imagine that this clearly has NO effect whatsoever on their adorable appeal.
Koala on Hamilton Island
Second, most photos of the Koalas that you see with wide-eyed stares are the result of someone sneaking up on them and giving them a good fright. Okay, that's probably not true, but let me explain. Most people know that Koalas eat Eucalyptus leaves...and that's pretty much all they eat, aside from the occasional snack of other tree leaves. Koalas rarely drink water, because they receive most of their moisture through the leaves that they consume.
Koala on Hamilton Island
Of course none of that sounds too bad, right? However, here's the clincher that would even temp Nancy Reagan to restart her "Just Say No" campaign. Koalas are constantly asleep, except for a couple of hours a day. Now, most people who do research on these animals will tell you that Koalas sleep because the Eucalyptus leaf has toxins in it that the Koala has to digest and process slowly and it takes a lot of energy to do so, therefore they have to sleep it off.
Koala on Hamilton Island
However, there's been a rumor going around for years that the Eucalyptus leaf causes a reaction in their stomach that is similar to a narcotic, therefore, they spend most of their time in a drugged out, addicted state. I should have told you to cover your children's eyes for that part.
Koala on Hamilton Island
I don't know what's really true, but I do know that I've seen stoned, and I've seen not-stoned and, well...I'll leave that conclusion to you. LOL
Koala on Hamilton Island. "Just Say No"
However, in all seriousness, these little guys are amazing. There have been issues over the years with development of highways and so forth causing many of them to die out. I am told that in order to get from one tree to the next, they have to crawl down one tree and up the next. They don't seem to move too fast and this makes them susceptible to predators. Development makes it difficult for them to get to the next tree and therefore an issue. I was told though that Australia is working hard to fix this issue by creating safe pathways for the Koalas to reach protected areas. I don't know much about it, but I know Australia takes pride in it's nature and animals and of course is doing all they can.
Koala on Hamilton Island
I have to tell you that the nature park where I took these photos, is quite small. In addition to the Koalas, it houses a few other small animals....including a very stuck up Kangaroo who apparently is really fed up with all the attention that they Koalas are getting.
Kangaroo on Hamilton Island
Don't get me wrong, the small size of the park is not a problem. I felt the experience was well worth it, and the staff were great. They don't give you a time limit on how long you can watch the animals, and the way the walkway is built, it's easy to see them from every angle. There are certain times of the day where you can pay extra to hold a Koala and have your photo taken with it. As I said though, Keep in mind that these little one are generally asleep and rarely move around unless they want to get more comfortable. I was only able to capture a few moments of movement here and there.
Hamilton Island, Australia
After spending a while in the park, we decided to continue heading back to the main town area. The main town is very clean and nice and consists of a few blocks worth of businesses. There is a small store to buy food items and drinks, along with a number of cafes and upscale places to eat.
Hamilton Island, Australia
We decided to try out a fish and chips place that was supposed to be all the rage. Had I know that I was going to be more comprehensive with this blog at the time, I would have taken more photos of these places. However, we found the shop and placed our order. The lines were pretty long and the prices were slightly higher than I'd have liked, but the results were great. I thought that getting one piece of fish and some chips wasn't going to be enough, but I honestly couldn't hold it all.
Hamilton Island, Australia
There's not much seating there, so we walked over to a grassy area a few yards away where the Palm trees gave some shade. I was amazed that there were a number of wild Cockatoo walking all over the grounds. I tried to get a quick snapshot while balancing everything else in my hands. Cockatoos apparently are not ashamed to ask for food...although I didn't share since I wasn't sure if it would be safe for them or not. However, they are friendly enough that you can sit on the ground and they will come right up to you.
Wild Cockatoo on Hamilton Island
Overall, Hamilton Island is amazing and beautiful. I could have stayed there for weeks. I wasn't able to see the whole island and I didn't even do a fraction of the hundreds of things to do there. This is a resort island that consists of hotel accommodations and condos. I would be lying if I said that Hamilton Island was for the budget conscious, because it's a bit pricey.
Hamilton Island, Australia
However, it's well worth that price. It's possible to get accommodations as low as $300 Australian per night, but the average prices is a bit higher than that, depending on the season. There are plenty of "Packages" offered to go there and some of them include breakfast, but generally you have to eat in the cafes, or buy your own groceries if you rent a place with a kitchen.
Hamilton Island Condos
The condos on the island are very, very expensive to buy, so you're not likely to get a good deal if you're in the market. There is an airport on the island, so you can fly directly in from other Australian cities (which is what many people do, unless you're on a cruise). There are also boats that you can take from the mainland, such as Shute Harbor (which is not really close to the major cities). There are plenty of excursions to the Great Barrier Reef from the island, if you want to snorkel or dive.
Hamilton Island, Australia
As with all Australian tourism, the people who work on this island take good care of their visitors. I found it wonderful that I could just use the resort facilities, pools, etc... just by being on the island. I didn't get the feeling that the island was full of rowdy college kids either, although I'm sure that changes during school breaks.
Hamilton Island, Australia
I would highly recommend Hamilton Island. In fact, I plan to go back there are stay a while at some point. There were many more things I wanted to do and I felt completely at home and safe. As usual, you have to take lots of sunblock, but at least you can generally find shade. There is a link to the main website HERE, which will help you find accommodations and information. My little report on my day there certainly doesn't do this place justice. There are also a few more photos that you can access on my Flickr site HERE.
Hamilton Island, Australia
It's important to note that Hamilton Island is part of the Whitsunday Island chain (74 Islands) at the Great Barrier Reef and a part of Queensland. I also feel that it's important to note that one of my all time favorite movies, "Muriel's Wedding" was partially filmed here as well. If you've never seen the movie, it's fantastic. You might be familiar with the stars Toni Collette and Rachel Griffiths, but enough about that.
Sailing through the island chain was quite beautiful. What surprised me was that it almost felt as though I was sailing through the Vancouver, B.C. area islands. I only mean that the trees and various islands had that familiar northern look to them. The weather was quite different though, being tropical and humid.
The morning I arrived, the sea was perfect. The Tender took us through the small islands as it headed towards the dock. Various buildings and houses doted the island, and I couldn't help but to feel jealous of those who were lucky enough to wake up every morning to such as view.
The many yachts at the small marina made it obvious that this was certainly a playground for the wealthy, or at least those who saved up a nice vacation nest egg. Once I stepped onto the pier, I could see the immaculately clean town that lined the waterfront.
Golf carts darted up and down the small roads. It was explained that this was the preferred method of getting around the island, and they could be rented by the day or week. Although the island isn't huge, it's large enough that the many hills and trees make it seem to go on forever. The trees, coves and terrain make it feel like you've landed on Fantasy Island, instead of a typical tropical beach.
Even though there were people walking about, it wasn't crowded at all. This was a nice treat. We were told that a free shuttle bus was offered to take people to various stops around the island. It took a short while to wait on the bus, and after riding it up and over the hill...we realized that it would have been just as easy to walk.
Granted, the shuttle was comfortable and air conditioned. There are different routes for the shuttle, but the one that my travel partner and I got on, dropped us off at what looked like a hotel. There was a large, open air lobby that was quite beautiful. The trees surrounded the building and a nice ocean breeze blew through as we walked towards the swimming pool.
Although I didn't take pictures of the whole property, it spread out quite a bit. Once we passed the pool, we saw the entrance to the beach. Wow...really beautiful! On this side of the island, the beach was in a large and spectacular cove. Again, not over crowded.
It only took us a few seconds to find some white plastic beach chair to lounge in. We kept wondering when someone was going to run over and try to charge us for the luxury of laying there while gazing at the beach, but no one came.
There was a small shack to the right of us, which house many types of water equipment for rent. Various surf boards and wind sails were laid out in the sand for those who so chose to participate.
I couldn't believe how beautiful and relaxing this beach area was. I truly felt as though I had made it to the far side of paradise. As usual, it's nearly impossible to accurately capture the immersion of one's senses in a photograph.
Hamilton Island Beach
None of my pictures could do this place justice. Between the breeze, the smell and the sounds, it was perfect.
There were two mothers and two daughters who sat next to us. They were very kind and friendly and seemed to be in the same intoxicated, blissful state of awe as we were. I took some photos of them to share.
It was fun watching people play around with the water sports equipment. The boards with the sails on them proved particularly difficult for most everyone. We watched as a young lady tried numerous times to stand up on hers, while nearly braining (with the sail) anyone who happened to be within 10 yards. Finally, she made it up for a few moments.
After enjoying the wonderful beach for a number of hours, we decided to go see more of the island. We had only taken a day trip there and wanted to find out more of what Hamilton Island offered. After walking back up towards the information desk, we noticed that there was another large and elaborate pool. I have to say, this place was luxurious.
We really felt as though we were illegally crashing a resort. I decided to ask the young lady at the front desk about the cost of their hotel rooms. She gave me a puzzled look and said that they didn't have any rooms, since it wasn't a hotel. Hmmm...okay. So, after a few more questions and strange looks, it appears that we were simply enjoying what amounted to a all-inclusive resort. Apparently, if you pay to go to the island, then the resort is there for your use. Of course, this doesn't include the cost of food and certain equipment rentals.
Since the walk back to town was so simple, we decided to skip the shuttle and enjoy the short trek. Walking from the beach to the other side takes you on a nice, shaded road. There is a bit of a hill...and it's hot and humid, so it depends on whether you're up for that or not. As we began walking, we saw some really interesting and nice bungalows that lined both sides of the street.
It didn't take long before we saw a small entrance to what seemed like a zoo. There was a small shop with the usual zoo items, but after looking around and asking, we found out that it was an animal park. The star attractions were....yep...cute and cuddly Koala. We gladly paid the entrance fee and walked up the short steps to the park. This would be my first time seeing Koalas in real life. Even on my previous trips to Australia, I had never taken the opportunity to see one up close.
The area where the Koalas were, was right at the entrance. I instantly saw a number of lounging around on the small trees with not a single eye open. It was nice being so close that you could almost...but not touch them.
Okay, I have to warn you, even the hardest of hearts would be foolish to try and resist the overwhelming cuteness of the Koala. This is Australia's trump card (well, one of them anyway). What you see here is simply a bundle of fur, eyes, paws and the occasional Koala yawn. Resistance is futile.
Now, it's time for some Koala education. This is going to be similar to revealing that there's no Santa Clause, because there's more to this little critter than meets the eye. First, Koala's are small, and some are tiny. When you see a photo of one, you generally imagine that they are a bit bigger than they really are. I'm sure that some do get bigger, but all of the ones that I saw there, were bite size...and you can imagine that this clearly has NO effect whatsoever on their adorable appeal.
Second, most photos of the Koalas that you see with wide-eyed stares are the result of someone sneaking up on them and giving them a good fright. Okay, that's probably not true, but let me explain. Most people know that Koalas eat Eucalyptus leaves...and that's pretty much all they eat, aside from the occasional snack of other tree leaves. Koalas rarely drink water, because they receive most of their moisture through the leaves that they consume.
Of course none of that sounds too bad, right? However, here's the clincher that would even temp Nancy Reagan to restart her "Just Say No" campaign. Koalas are constantly asleep, except for a couple of hours a day. Now, most people who do research on these animals will tell you that Koalas sleep because the Eucalyptus leaf has toxins in it that the Koala has to digest and process slowly and it takes a lot of energy to do so, therefore they have to sleep it off.
However, there's been a rumor going around for years that the Eucalyptus leaf causes a reaction in their stomach that is similar to a narcotic, therefore, they spend most of their time in a drugged out, addicted state. I should have told you to cover your children's eyes for that part.
I don't know what's really true, but I do know that I've seen stoned, and I've seen not-stoned and, well...I'll leave that conclusion to you. LOL
However, in all seriousness, these little guys are amazing. There have been issues over the years with development of highways and so forth causing many of them to die out. I am told that in order to get from one tree to the next, they have to crawl down one tree and up the next. They don't seem to move too fast and this makes them susceptible to predators. Development makes it difficult for them to get to the next tree and therefore an issue. I was told though that Australia is working hard to fix this issue by creating safe pathways for the Koalas to reach protected areas. I don't know much about it, but I know Australia takes pride in it's nature and animals and of course is doing all they can.
I have to tell you that the nature park where I took these photos, is quite small. In addition to the Koalas, it houses a few other small animals....including a very stuck up Kangaroo who apparently is really fed up with all the attention that they Koalas are getting.
Don't get me wrong, the small size of the park is not a problem. I felt the experience was well worth it, and the staff were great. They don't give you a time limit on how long you can watch the animals, and the way the walkway is built, it's easy to see them from every angle. There are certain times of the day where you can pay extra to hold a Koala and have your photo taken with it. As I said though, Keep in mind that these little one are generally asleep and rarely move around unless they want to get more comfortable. I was only able to capture a few moments of movement here and there.
After spending a while in the park, we decided to continue heading back to the main town area. The main town is very clean and nice and consists of a few blocks worth of businesses. There is a small store to buy food items and drinks, along with a number of cafes and upscale places to eat.
We decided to try out a fish and chips place that was supposed to be all the rage. Had I know that I was going to be more comprehensive with this blog at the time, I would have taken more photos of these places. However, we found the shop and placed our order. The lines were pretty long and the prices were slightly higher than I'd have liked, but the results were great. I thought that getting one piece of fish and some chips wasn't going to be enough, but I honestly couldn't hold it all.
There's not much seating there, so we walked over to a grassy area a few yards away where the Palm trees gave some shade. I was amazed that there were a number of wild Cockatoo walking all over the grounds. I tried to get a quick snapshot while balancing everything else in my hands. Cockatoos apparently are not ashamed to ask for food...although I didn't share since I wasn't sure if it would be safe for them or not. However, they are friendly enough that you can sit on the ground and they will come right up to you.
Overall, Hamilton Island is amazing and beautiful. I could have stayed there for weeks. I wasn't able to see the whole island and I didn't even do a fraction of the hundreds of things to do there. This is a resort island that consists of hotel accommodations and condos. I would be lying if I said that Hamilton Island was for the budget conscious, because it's a bit pricey.
However, it's well worth that price. It's possible to get accommodations as low as $300 Australian per night, but the average prices is a bit higher than that, depending on the season. There are plenty of "Packages" offered to go there and some of them include breakfast, but generally you have to eat in the cafes, or buy your own groceries if you rent a place with a kitchen.
The condos on the island are very, very expensive to buy, so you're not likely to get a good deal if you're in the market. There is an airport on the island, so you can fly directly in from other Australian cities (which is what many people do, unless you're on a cruise). There are also boats that you can take from the mainland, such as Shute Harbor (which is not really close to the major cities). There are plenty of excursions to the Great Barrier Reef from the island, if you want to snorkel or dive.
As with all Australian tourism, the people who work on this island take good care of their visitors. I found it wonderful that I could just use the resort facilities, pools, etc... just by being on the island. I didn't get the feeling that the island was full of rowdy college kids either, although I'm sure that changes during school breaks.
I would highly recommend Hamilton Island. In fact, I plan to go back there are stay a while at some point. There were many more things I wanted to do and I felt completely at home and safe. As usual, you have to take lots of sunblock, but at least you can generally find shade. There is a link to the main website HERE, which will help you find accommodations and information. My little report on my day there certainly doesn't do this place justice. There are also a few more photos that you can access on my Flickr site HERE.
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