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Okinawa

On a ferry to Zamami-jima, an island of Okinawa. Finally, we got some nice weather!

Narita Airport

After a wind assisted 13 hour flight, I am safe in Japan. I'm having a beer (poured by machine of course, this is Japan) in the ANA lounge. It's ridiculously tranquil. I have about 3 hours to kill so I'll probably grab a shower, then off to Okinawa.

To Japan

On my way with a long trip from Chicago to Tokyo. I don't think you could have a more pleasant way to in than on ANA. The planes are spotless and the crew always excellent.

Antwerp

Brian and I decided to take a train to Belgium and check out Antwerp. This is the cathedral in Antwerp, one of the tallest in Europe. Antwerp is not a big city but a lot of fun and the beer is definitely better than Amsterdam! We had fun here for 1 night but now on our way back to Amsterdam.

Amsterdam

Well Amsterdam has been a bit cold and a bit rainy but not so bad that we couldn't explore. It's a very picturesque place, full of canals, courtyards, and churches. My friend Brian and I rented an apartment on a good weekly rate and although it wasn't quite as nice as expected, it works. This is an ice skating rink in Leidseplein (Leidse square)

Via Paris

Well for the first time in my life I flew Air France and it was also my first trip to Charles DeGauelle airport. This airport has a bad reputation for being confusing and let me tell you it is well deserved! I did ok but I was glad I had a lot of time to make my connection. I did have a good flight from Atlanta, got plenty of rest which was key after not sleeping well from Hawaii. The Air France folks did speak mostly French to me (but spoke English to some other perhaps more obvious Americans ) which made me wonder if I looked European. In any case a new airline, a new route, and a new airport makes me happy. :)

Cable Beach

The largest and nicest beach in Broome is Cable Beach. It is named because there used to be a telegraph cable that came ashore here from Indonesia! There are warnings for jellyfish here but the last sting was in March. I spent my morning in Broome here before showering up and heading to the airport. My western Australia road trip is over!

Broome

Broome is a very interesting and unique place. Like other Australian cities it was founded in the late 1800s, but not by the British, by Japanese pearlers! There is still a strong asian influence here. This is a statue of the city founders. It's a small city but has a lot to offer. Definitely compared to the desert surroundings!

Eighty Mile Beach

My last night with the 4wd camper was at Eighty Mile Beach. Not a surprise that it's 80 miles long. It's a very secluded and isolated beach like most I visited. There are mounds of shells here and since the beach is so Large you could make quite a collection if you wanted. The nearby area is very rich in iron and you can see the red dust on the wheels of the truck from the dirt road that leads here. I parked on the beach for the afternoon and watched the sun set. Not a bad day!

The Pinnacles

Sorry for the lack of updates but cell coverage has been sparse! Upon arriving into Perth I took delivery of my 4wd camper and headed north. No time to see Perth, i wanted to get going so I wouldn't have to rush the drive later. I spent the night in Cervantes, which is a tiny town just north of these limestone pillars called The Pinnacles.

Eastern Tasmania

Today I made my way from Coles Bay to Hobart. This meant traversing most of eastern Tasmania. The drive was beautiful and the weather could not have been better. Here I stopped for a quick photo, but most me the day was the same view; bright blue ocean and bright green countryside. I am in Hobart now awaiting my flight to Perth tomorrow, but I know I barely scratched the surface of Tasmania. What an amazing place.

Trouble in Tasmania

Well it wasn't a great Saturday! After arriving early to Devenport I set out east to the coast. I needed to cover a lot of ground that day on my way to Coles Bay. The road was very twisty and narrow, fun but not as much with a big camper. Somehow I managed to get a flat tire which was a bit of a pain, cost me about 30 min. But later I had a worse encounter with a short street post (trying to make room for am oncoming truck). It will cost me some money on the return. Then it started to rain! I was happy to finally reach Coles Bay and since then it's been a much better time.

Goodbye Melbourne

I'm on the Spirit of Tasmania II on my way to Devonport Tasmania. The sun is setting, this is an all night journey. The ferry is more like a cruise liner, with a few bars and a casino. I have a spot in a 4 bed shared room, this is paid for with my camper rental. It looks to be a great journey, and I am excited to see Tasmania. But I hate to leave Melbourne. It's got to be one of my favorite places and the weather has been perfect (as you can see from the blue skies). But off we go anyway!

Joey

On Philip Island I also stopped by a wildlife park. It's spring here so there are lots of babies. This gray kangaroo and her Joey were curious enough to come say hi.

Little Penguins

I spent last night on Philip Island which is about 2 hrs south of Melbourne. I camped in my van, but first I went before sunrise to the coast where hundreds of tiny Penguins come ashore at dusk. No photos are allowed there, but today I found this little guy under a walkway. I guess he took the day off, or maybe he is watching the nest.

Caravaning on Philip Island

Well, this morning I picked up my campervan. It's big, which is a bit of a pain but the one way price was right. I decided to drive it down to Philip Island tonight. I have to get back to Melbourne tomorrow to catch my overnight ferry to Tasmania. It's nice here, sunny and around 65. I am going to head over and try and see some penguins tonight.

Mount Dandenong

Well I've been in Melbourne for a couple days now; staying in style at the Marriott (with my Marriott points). It's been a good time in a great city. Yesterday I rented this Focus and drove to a few race teams shops around here. Most are near Melbourne. I got a decent response, but they were busy prepping for this weekend's event in Queensland. I decided as long as I have this car I'd head out of the city, so I am driving around Mount Dandenong at the moment. It's a fun little car, another one that Ford inexplicably does not sell in the US. It's a manual transmission so good thing I had some practice in England! That's the last time I drove a car so it was easy. Tomorrow I am picking up my camper van and starting the trip to Tasmania! Can't wait.

Byron Bay

I spent two nights in Byron Bay after the Blue Mountains. It is a beach town, popular with locals and tourists. It's pretty small but with good restaurants and shops. I took a three mile or so hike around the cape, there is a lighthouse there as well as the most easterly point of Australia. I also went surfing a lot. Great weather for surfing but the waves were a little weak. Still fun. Today I am flying from Brisbane to Melbourne.

The Giant Stairway

Photo of The Giant Stairway in the Blue Mountains near Katoomba. Over 900 steps going down the face of the cliff.