Tasmania May 2008

With four nights and five days we aimed to see as much of Tasmania as possible. Almost like a little preview of the Apple Isle, we managed to do more than we could have hoped for.

With some thorough planning from our accommodation in Hobart's Constitution Dock we visited the old Port Aurthur, Tahune State Forest, Freycinet National Park, Wineglass Bay, Mt Wellington and more.

There's such a beautiful natural element to Tassie. There's little wonder it can lay claim to the beginning of the Green movement. I'm looking forward to some further travels, perhaps in the Western part of Tasmania, hopefully in the near future.

As usual, don't forget to check out the photo set here

"Charlie" the Fruit Bat

Ahh Charlie, the baby fruit bat was dropped by Mum from high up in the trees along the Daintree River. When we found him he would have been at most a few meters above the water line. Slightly dehydrated, he faced certain death from snakes, crocs or slow starvation.

Part of us realised that this is just the unforgiving cycle of nature at work. But when our guide saw those beady little eyes, and cute little ears we knew Charlie had to be rescued. We positioned the boat as close to him as possible and tried to get him to attach himself onto a broom stick. With a bit of luck, he jumped aboard and Charlie will spend a significant part of his childhood sipping fruit smoothies before strong enough to re-join a colony.

Check out the photos of Charlie and his rescue here

Daintree and Cape Tribulation Nov 07

Away from the relative "hussle and bussle" of Port Douglas Heidi and I managed 3 days in the Daintree and Cape Tribulation region. I can only describe the Daintree as a fantastic natural wonder with so much life and beauty all around you.

My favorite activities were;

1. Bird watching on the Daintree. On the water at 6.30am. Pretty keen!
2. The numerous forest walks, Mossman Gorge and the "Croc Free" swimming holes.
   
3. Daintree Ice Cream co. Tropical fruits turned into Ice Cream. What a great place to hang out.

So it's of no surprise that the camera was fairly busy over those three days. In that time we did our best to capture as much natural wildlife as we could.

Click Here if you would like to see the photo set.

Port Douglas and Region Nov 2007

Finding our way up to North Queensland we were greeted with what even the locals referred to as "unusual" weather. Cyclone Guba was making it's presence felt even though we were quite a distance south from it's real force.

However without being a chore, we braved the early inclement weather and enjoyed a wonderful holiday. Port Douglas highlights for me? Well, it's hard to go past the outer reef cruise, George the resident "Groper" and Lake Eacham in the Atherton tablelands. Let's call it a three way tie all for different reasons.

Enjoy the photo set of Port Douglas and surrounding areas here

Berlin 2007

Berlin is an amazing city ...truly. There are just so many interesting things to do here. I didn't have nearly enough time to do it all.

The first thing I decided to do was a tour of the city by bike with a very well informed tour guide. The history here is nothing short of intimidating. Berlin in one century alone has seen the beginning and demise of two Reiche's (Empires) we know as the great wars of the 20th century. No other city in the world can claim such recent (significant) history such as this. It's profound, and the price the city has paid is all around you - the history of this place had always engaged my interest.

Additionally I was moved by the stories of the Wall - the most effective border control system ever devised. The numerous stories alone from this is worth visiting the city alone.

But what really grabs you about all this is Post unification Berlin/Germany and massive undertaking of construction and projects that are happening everywhere. Berlin, particularly the East is transforming rapidly.

With such projects, buildings, memorials and renovation all around you one might think that quality and design may be an after thought. But not here in Berlin. There is such an artistic flair here that is of course quintessentially "Berlin". New construction isn't just a building it's a statement that encompasses the new vision of the city - "The Unified Berlin".

So what is the choice building product of a new era?

Glass, Glass and more Glass. Glass is all over new buildings in Berlin. But why? Glass is slowly transforming the city replacing an infamous era of stone, rocks, tawdry and grey. Essentially the building style of an old era, of intolerance, one that Berlin would rather forget. Glass on the other hand is 'transparent', 'smooth' open, in essence a reflection of tolerance in society - Democracy! ...And another thing is that if you stand in front of glass, sometimes you can see you're own reflection! ...powerful stuff!

This is used in such clever ways. In the Reich's Tag for example (Parliament) they've build a glass dome on top of the parliament. Therefore any person can effectively 'watch' their government at work for the people. The significance is that gone are the days where people will be looked down upon by oppressive regimes and politicians. It is such a powerful statement, it's brilliant. There are other numerous examples all over this place. This city has moved me in so many ways. I hope to return here someday.

Berlin wow! What a place. ..And if there is not enough happening for you during the day then you won't believe how crazy this place is by night!

Link to photo set: here

Viele GrÜsse,

Macht's Gut!

Markus

Cormet De Roselend

With some extra time up my sleeve I knew I had to explore the scenic way back to Basel Switzerland. From Bourg Saint Maurice I found the turn off to Le Cormet De Roselend a 1967m alpine pass and began to really enjoy the scenery of the french alps.

Fortunately the weather was also superb and I'm constantly reminded how lucky I've been with it thus far.

Just over the pass I had my most memorable "coffee break" so far. And make no mistake the french do a really good cup of coffee!



Check out the other pictures in the set right here

Au-Revoir mes amis!

Markus

Le Tour De France 2007

Well this part of my "Dream" has finally been realised. I think I've needed a couple of days for it all to sink in and think about what has just transpired. For me, the Tour De France has lived up to everything I'd hoped for. It was unforgettable!

The day began quite early, and I was out of the hotel fairly quickly as I wasn't exactly sure when they would close the road to the Val D'Isere. While driving up I noticed a serious of sharp hairpin bends on about a 6% gradient. I knew there was a fantastic spot where I could see the riders come up the hill and then view them as they left me. "This is it!" I thought to myself and easily found a carpark another 300m up the hill. Being early, as I was later to find had really payed dividends..

As the day wore on the traffic volumes coming up the Val D'Isere became more and more conjested. Once the road was closed to spectator traffic, the Tour turned into a circus of dazzling advertisement and marketing. Wave after wave of vehicles would throw food and other samples out to the crowd and we all began to have some fun - whatever nationality you were.

As the hellicopter arrived I knew the leaders were fast approaching. The crowd clapped and screamed "Aller"..Aller" as the leading climbers boldly jostled for position. The excitement gave me goose-bumps all over. Being there, and seeing close up the faces of anguish of the riders giving everything to wear the Maillot Jeune was truly amazing.

So by the end of the day Rassmussen the Danish rider proved too strong. So far he has proved himself as a formidiable climber but has he left anything for the Pyranees? To me Valverde looks the business, however we will just have to wait and see.

I've waited a very long time for this and am quite happy with the photos/memories that I have of this day. Follow the link to have a look right here

Or as a slideshow

See ya later and "hello" to all back home.

Cheers,

MK