Category Archives: Travels

I HAD BOOKED THE WRONG TOUR

Posted on September 8, 2025 by jbwye

CAIRNS and the ATHERTON TABLELANDS Villa Carlotta Tour – June 2025 Saturday I had booked the wrong tour. I knew that from the beginning. As you can (not) see from the pictures, I really don’t like cities, and Cairns is … Continue reading →

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A MORNING OF ‘LIFERS’

Posted on November 1, 2024 by jbwye

Sunday 1st September, 2024 A morning of “lifers” during a three-hour drive / walk in the forest surrounding the Seven Spirit Bay lodge. A bantang – Indonesian buffalo with slim horns and a white bum, there are now 3000 of … Continue reading →

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A STRANGE, STRANGE FEELING

Posted on October 26, 2024 by jbwye

Saturday 31st August, 2024 After a 45-minute dash down the eastern side of the Coburg Peninsular, our classy craft cut its engines and glided onto a pristine beach. But we were warned to look out for crocodiles and hastened up … Continue reading →

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BREAKDOWN! AND STUNNING ROCK ART

Posted on October 19, 2024 by jbwye

Wednesday 28th August The flora changed as we drove south, then west, then northwards, entering stone country with Zimbabwe-like gigantic outcrops. In a little donga by a wettish patch, we stopped with a punctured back tyre. Aidan, instructed by Ian … Continue reading →

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MORE STORIES AND A BUMPY BOAT RIDE

Posted on October 11, 2024 by jbwye

Sunday 25th August 2024 – Arafura swamp An old bay stallion was cropping the short green grass alongside our tent when I awoke. He raised his head and strode swiftly away towards the swamp as we walked up the path … Continue reading →

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A LOVELY WELCOME

Posted on October 4, 2024 by jbwye

Friday 23rd August 2024 It was such a relief being met at the tiny Nhulunbuy Airport on Gove peninsula by Outback Spirit Tour leader Ian, who had damaged his shoulder hefting luggage. His helper Aiden was on hand to grab … Continue reading →

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A CHAPTER OF MISHAPS

Posted on September 27, 2024 by jbwye

I’d checked into my Qantas flight online the day before, and waited ‘til after the 9am rush hour before calling an Uber…… when my phone peeped. It was a message from Qantas at 8.59am. “We have had to make changes … Continue reading →

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THEN THINGS BEGAN TO UNRAVEL

Posted on September 3, 2022 by jbwye

Day 4. Tuesday 9/8/22 An 8.15am start for the 309km journey to Ayres Rock. We stopped to view Uluru on the skyline, seeing the outline of its “toothbrush”, a distant range of hills providing the handle. Then we crossed the … Continue reading →

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It Could Only get Better

Posted on August 27, 2022 by jbwye

4.30 pm on Day 1. My heart fell. I couldn’t believe it: we were part of a dreaded package tour … The enormous coach was full. Did I discern similar dismay on the faces of some other passengers? We packed … Continue reading →

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CAUGHT IN THE NET AND LEFT WANTING

Posted on August 20, 2022 by jbwye

How could I have been so stupid? Ratings: Imagine – 2; Tour partners – 7; Overall Impression – 3 They are not on Trip Adviser, but I found them afterwards on Trustpilot. The reviews (including mine) are there for all … Continue reading →

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