Friday, March 9, 2007

Kangaroo Island



We decided to take a day trip to kangaroo island. This is the third largest island off the coast of South Australia (SA). Our day started with a wake up call at 5:45 in the morning and we were off. WE were driven to our drop off point by our gracious host (uncle Pete) and boarded the bus for our 2 hour ride to cape Jervis (most southern point in SA) and were guided through the hills and drive by a nice old bloke who didn't realize the time and that people were actually trying to sleep (okay maybe just Katie and i, something about too much wine the night(s) before). We were treated though, so a heard of roos on the side of the road and alot of nice scenery. We arrived at the cape and boarded the ferry which took 45 minutes to get to the island. Once there we boarded yet another bus and were on our way.

We started out at seal bay, where the sea lions come into shore to rest. They stay out at sea for 3 days and nights simply feeding, then once they do that they come into sleep and rest for three days and then back out. We were able to walk right on the beach and see the seal lions basking and even riding the surf in the ocean. It was neat to see. We then headed for lunch and had a nice walk through a park where we spotted some koalas and wallabies.

From there we proceeded to the remarkable rocks, which are granite formations that can withstand the fury of the sea. They were very nice and quite picturesque. After this we soon realized that our tour was quite a fast one and that we wouldn't be able to spend all that much time at each place so we made the most of it. Along the road was the state park and there were miles and miles of eucalyptus (gum) trees, but by the time we reached the sea, the tower gums were no more than a foot or so high. Again the strength of the sea and nature is seen everywhere we look.

We ended at a place called the arch where a natural arch had formed and also was a place where New Zealand fur seals come the play and feed. We were mesmerized by the strength of the sea, but more so how the seals would simply play right along the jagged rocks and not be throw against them violently, but simply play and dive and swim. We would be killed instantly by these waves and the seals simply lavished them. It was neat to see.

Finally we boarded the bus and headed home to the ferry. On the ferry we were treated to a beautiful sunset and Katie actually saw a dolphins jump over the wake of the ferry. It was a long day, but somehow we still found time to have some wine at 11:00 when we returned home.












1 comment:

Anonymous said...

AMAZING pics guys, it sound like you guys are really enjoying your trip. You sound a little down that it is ending. Do you not want to come home to see us? Do you not love us anymore? Enjoy the rest of your trip!!!

Scott V


ps. 6 inches of snow today!!! Now do you want to come home?