Riding on Hot Air and Marching Band

Friends, I’ve been dragging my feet on this blog entry and the only reason I can come up with is this entry has so many COOL photos I’d like to load and this site has become a pain to load photos on. I finally stopped putting it off and sat down to type it out.

Back on Australia day, January 26th Iral and I had one very busy day. We awoke at 3:30am and placed a call to the balloon pilot for the final confirmation that our ride was taking place. We had one weather delay just before leaving for Cairns but today Mother Nature graced us with a beautifully clear day. We met the shuttle vans and the other passengers at the Hilton hotel near the central business district at 5:15am.

Once everyone had filled out the health and safety forms we jump in the 12 seater van and set off for Yarra Bend Park, northeast of town. Arriving at the launch site just as the first faint rays of light started to illuminate the sky. You could see the giant fruit bats heading back to the tree tops. It was a chilly morning and most people brought light jackets but not yours truly. I braved the dampness and 55 degrees with just a t-shirt. The pilot and his assistant soon put us to work unpacking the balloon anyway. The basket was a lot bigger and heavier than I imagined. It always looks so tiny way up in the sky. The wicker sides are about 4’ high and has a few foot holes in one end to help you climb into it. There are 3 compartments, one interior wall is parallel with the short side containing the fuel and pilot. The other wall down the centre of the long side split the basket into 2 areas for passengers. Once the balloon was laid out and attached to the basket our pilot, Nick, started to fill it with cool air. I was asked to hold on to a 150’ long rope attached to the top end and try to hold it down as long as I could. There were 2 other big guys with me and I thought more than once the balloon was going to lift me into the air with it. We had been asked to do this to inflate the balloon as much as possible before it was completely upright and at the point where we started heating the air inside it.

Once the balloon was fully inflated we all climbed in and got ready for takeoff. There were 3 groups of about 10 passengers each taking off this morning with Global Ballooning. Ours was the first to leave the ground. I never really felt anything as we started to rise above the earth. There was just this realization that “Oh, we’re going up!” Immediately the views of the city and the sun rise take your breath away. There’s no breeze at all since we moved with the wind. The only sounds you here is the chatter on the radio of Melbourne’s air traffic control tower, the talking of the other passengers and the occasional burning of fuel to keep us aloft. The flame is about 1.5 meters long (4’ +) and the heat from it feels like it’s scorching your head. I was very glad I brought at hat. We floated along effortlessly on a smooth current of air. There are really no other words to describe the feeling so I let the photos entertain you for a minute. Of which we took almost 300 in the 3 hours the whole encounter took. You can go to my facebook page to see more.

We stayed in the air for about 75 minutes circling around the eastern side of the city. We would rise to about just under a kilometre (3000’). Then slowly float to a lower elevation, turning from a valley/mountain view to the awesome site of Melbourne’s skyline. Finally the time came to land and we skimmed the tree tops of Faulkner Park about 8km (5 miles) from where we started. Just as with set up the passengers are expected to help deflate and pack away the balloon. With all hands on deck this didn’t really take very long and we were back at the hotel by 8:30.

Over all the experience was SPECTACULAR! Our pilot told us we had a perfect day for flying. I highly recommend it to everyone. (Grandma, you’re not too old! Mom, I’ll send some money to help) Even if you have height issues you should do this. It was worth the money and I’ll be looking for another place to do this again.

From there Iral and I headed into the city to meet my friends in the Melbourne Rainbow Band to march in the Australia day parade. Think of 4th of July without the fireworks. A quick change of outfit in the car on the way over, a snack for breakfast and warm up the lips then stand around and wait for the parade to start. In the formation area there are all kinds of groups of people proud and honouring their Australian citizenship. Thai, Greek, Italian, Pilipino along with armed forces people. The premier of Victoria (governor) speaks for a while. A f16 flies over head and the parade steps off. We walk the 4 city blocks over the Yarra River and quickly pack it all up to head to Mt Macedon. An hour’s drive northwest of town to a private residence to perform for the JOY FM 94.9 (gay radio station here) fundraiser picnic. These are both events the band does every year and our host out at Mt Macedon is one of the band’s benefactors. We perform a set break for lunch while the Melbourne Gay and Lesbian chorus performs and then do a 2nd set afterwards. By the time we load all the band equipment back into Tommy the Tank and get back to town it’s just after 5pm. It was a wonderful but very long and exhausting day. Iral and I relax on the couch for a few hours to end the day.

Remeber you can click on any image to make it larger.

Thanks to Ben Baker and Gwen Kalvelage for letting me know they read my blog.
Congradulations to my mom who will soon be retiring! Happy birthday to Kam Sisco I think it's soon.

who's reading this blog??

Friends and Family,
I'm thinking about changing my blog to another website but am interested in know who's really reading this.
Please send me an email at bkhpdx@yahoo.com and let me know you're interested in future updates.
It'll help me know how much effort I should continue to put into my stories too.

Cairns part 3 – The Great Barrier Reef

On January 2nd Iral got up early once again to return the rental car and to find the boat taking us to the reef. We woke up to another rainy morning and this time it was pouring bucket loads of giant raindrops. It didn’t matter because in a few hours we’d be 80km (50 miles) out to sea snorkelling on the reef all wet anyway. Returning the car I managed to find a covered spot for us to wait under for the shop to open at 7am. But as I made the dash to the door I stepped squarely in a puddle about 4” deep. After the paperwork was taken care of the rental company was nice enough to give us a ride to the docks about 1.5km (1mile) away. By now the rain had let up a little and it was only raining cats and dogs. With our overnight bags we walked up and down the dock looking for the Reef Encounter and only seeing the Reef Experience. There were several similar type large catamarans doing day tours and it wasn’t easy to tell which one we should get on. There were lots of people getting on several different ships. With a perplexed look and about to call the number on the receipt another passenger noticed us and let us know the Reef Experience was the ship we wanted. As we boarded someone took our luggage and we headed inside to fill out the required forms. As the shipped filled up with tourists the rain subsided and overnight guest we escorted to the upper deck lounge. We were informed that this was a day tourist boat and we’d be transferred later to our overnight ship. Sitting in the lounge we met 2 very nice ladies from Nova Scotia, Jill and Francine. They had been travelling around Oz for a couple weeks and had a 2 night stay on the reef planned.

About 90 minutes later we arrived at the reef and were shuttled over to the Reef Encounter with the other guests and piles of luggage. We were all given the safety briefing and information about our stay. Lastly being assigned our rooms and allowed to store our bags. A quick costume change and Iral and I were out on the reef snorkelling. This was my 2nd time on the reef and Iral’s first. The rain had stopped and the sun was out. We grabbed fins and goggles. Being sure to spit in the mask and rub it around before rinsing with salt water as a trick to keep it from fogging up. I then swabbed a finger full of Vaseline in my moustache to help seal the edge of the mask. Air and water temperatures were around 30 C degrees (86 F), just perfect for jumping in the water. As we entered and swam away from the boat the full life of the reef comes into view. Hundreds of fish in all sizes, shapes and colours are swimming around you. Tiny little bright blue ones, plates size yellow ones with black stripes, and large parrotfish. There are corals of many types, hard and soft, sea cucumbers deep dark purple lying in the soft sand beds. Floating in the water is millions of tiny particles, so much it’s floating on the underside of the surface and in the water like a film of pollen might on top of a lake. It’s really beyond words and unfortunately I don’t have an underwater camera to show you photos. You’re just going to have tom come visit me and see it for yourself. The Great Barrier Reef is an absolute must thing to do in your life and I’ll gladly go again at any time!

A couple hours in that spot we were served lunch in the dining room and sat with our new friends, Jill and Francine. They were headed to Tasmania after the reef and then to Melbourne for a few days. Iral and I filled them in on a bunch of things to do in both places. After lunch the boat moved to another location on the reef. We were given the scuba diving safety speech and filled out our introductory dive forms. Iral has mild asthma so was not able to do the dive that came with our trip. He tried several times to convince the crew it wasn’t a problem and put up a good fight but in the end they wouldn’t budge, citing safety concerns. He was very disappointed and I was too. But the bright side was they let me take his dive instead since it was already paid for. While I suited up for my dive Iral did the best he could and become the photographer for a few minutes before doing some more snorkelling on his own. As our group of 4 plus a guide started to descend down the anchor rope I cleared my ears several times from the pressure that built up and gave the ok signal every few feet to our leader. At about 5 metres (16’) below the surface we left the security of the rope and started off in the direction of the reef. Here the water was much clearer. Gone were all the coral sperms, fish poo, and itchy sea lice that got in your way at the surface. Here you can’t feel the waves but you can feel the ocean current trying to pull on you. As we approached the reef the full magnitude of this most incredible of Mother Nature’s wonders overwhelms you. The multitude of fish swam all around you. The colours are a little less vibrant because the water filters out red first at these depths. While we swim around the corals I get to see a full grown green sea turtle. He’s (or She’s kind of hard to tell) is about 2’ across and chomping on some soft vegetation. Our guide takes us closer to it and while the turtle does seem to notice us he’s not overly concerned that we’re watching. Our guide then takes us to a sea cucumber about a 1’ or so in length and 4” in diameter. He is a dark purple, almost black colour and I can’t tell which end is which. We drift around trying to take as much notice of all the details as I can. Trying to keep my breathing slow and even to maximize the amount of time I have in this beautiful place. Here you lose all sense of time; you become part of the sea, one of the many creatures of a complex ecosystem. You begin to understand what we as humans are missing by being at the top of the food chain. Why we must try and save this planet and the reef itself for all others to experience. When the time finally comes to return to the world above the water I’m sadden that my time is over, but excited about the next time I’ll be able to enter the underworld again.

In the afternoon the boat moves again allowing Iral and I do more snorkelling together at a 3rd location. Since he wasn’t able to dive he tries to just holding his breath and diving below the surface. I do this a couple times and then come back up with my ears full of water and very painful. We make our way back to the boat and dry off. I’m pretty waterlogged at this point so a little time out of the sun and water would be good. I talk to some of the staff and find out I can barely hear anything my ears are so blocked. They recommend tilting my head to try and drain my ears and told me at this time of years it happens quite often because of all the stuff floating at the surface. I decided t go one step further and lay down for a little while before dinner.

When we hear the dinner page about 7pm I’m feeling a little better but not great. We go down to dinner and meet up with Jill and Francine again. Jill got to dive today but they wouldn’t let Francine for medical reason too. I found out Francine’s ears had gotten blocked up that day snorkeling also. What this meant mostly was Jill and Iral chatted while Francine and I just tried to hear what was going on. Shortly after dinner I went to lie down again. About 9pm I woke up feeling better. My ears had drained some and the pain was much less. Iral and I went up on to the sun deck and stared at the stars for a while. The moon was half full, very bright in the sky and shimmering on the water. The stars this far off the mainland, even with a bright moon are in the thousands. So many you never see living in the city. We were able to see Orion’s belt a constellation most of you can see in the northern hemisphere and is part of what southerners call the saucepan. We get a great view of the Southern Cross and are clearly able to see the 5th star that is so hard to see at home. Even the Milky Way is stretching from one end of the horizon to the other. After star gazing for some time we headed below deck and caught the tail end of dessert, brownies and ice cream. What a fabulous way to end a wonderful day.

In the morning we awoke to calm seas and beautiful sunshine once again. This day was spent much like the one before. Iral and I got some snorkelling in after breakfast then Jill and I got to go on another dive. My ears were much better but I was still a little hesitant. So I explained the situation to our dive guide and we took it really slow on the decent checking my ears and making sure the pressure didn’t build too much. Once things were good we set off from the anchor rope and headed for the reef. This time I was lucky enough to see 2 white tipped reef sharks, each more than a meter long (maybe 5’). They were circling near the sandy bottom at the base of a tall coral formation. Beautiful tropical fish all around with 1 eye on these menacing carnivores. After our dive the boat moved again and we did more snorkelling. By lunch I was pretty waterlogged again and we had to move out of our room so the next guest could move in so we lounge in the common area for a while. Iral and I watched the newbies come aboard all excited and eager to get in the water. They got the welcome and safety speech before being assigned rooms. We got another chance to chat with Jill and Francine and swapped information. Promising them a little tour of Melbourne after they visited Tasmania. (We're all facebook friends now too) After lunch us  and the rest of the departing guest were shuttled to the other ship and then back to the main land. Iral with a smile on his beautiful face and me not too badly sunburned!

In the evening we had dinner and repacked our luggage for the trip home in the morning. Chris the resort bartender made us one more Mango daiquiri and we sucked up what we could of the booze in our room.

I’ve ended this entry a little abruptly because I have another one to type up and get out to. Not to mentioned I’m almost a month behind now. The next blog is one you won’t want to miss and t's all about my Australia day adventures! There’ll be a lot less text and a lot more photo’s in that one if I can get this website to load the photos properly.

Happy birthdays go out to my grandmother who turned 87 on January 30th, my friend Dean here in Melbourne who also had a birthday on the 30th. I did have a drink for you both!

My apologies to anyone I have missed.

Cairns Part 2

New Years Eve was a relaxing day. Iral and I had breakfast at the resort, poolside, before having facials and full body mud wraps that morning. This being my first body wrap I didn’t know quite what to expect. Wayne,, one of our hosts was going to do them. While he’s a nice front desk person, a pleasant waiter and a good bartender. I don’t think he’s well schooled in spa treatments. At my thanksgiving gathering back in early December I was speaking with a guest about this trip and he warned me Skinny Dips had a reputation for what we’ll call “less then professional behaviours in spa treatments”. Wayne is a mid 60s gay guy in a relationship with a mid 40 guy. He’s has a full grey beard and the time has come where he has more body hair than head hair. His Richard Simmons like outfit didn’t flatter him at all. After preparing myself in the private bath I came into the treatment room in my robe. Wayne proceeded to bath me with a warm cloth and took his time. He then applyed the facial substance and mud over my body, finally wrapping me in a warm moist blanket and a large sheet of plastic. Courtesy of Bunning’s (Home Depot of Australia) Wayne then left me alone and I drifted in and out of sleep with the warm damp cloth over my eyes. When we finished Wayne was more than helpful at removing the mud. Unfortunately, I needed his help as the stuff took a little elbow grease to remove and I was not able to reach the far points on my back. I do have to say over all the experience was pleasurable and my skin did feel clean and refreshed but I think I’d prefer a younger and much hotter man to administer it next time. Wayne asked me to send Iral in once I had dressed and I made my way back out to the pool area. I took a few minutes to brief Iral on the experience. He was a little nervous and in the end had the same feelings I did.

After our wraps we walked into town and picked up a rental car we’d reserved for a New Years short road trip. We wandered around a little and found a cute local place for lunch, The Lily Pad, a kind of vegetarian, hippy style cafe. The place was busy and the food was good. We did some window shopping then stopped into the casino for a reprieve from the humidity and to kill some time. At 3pm we had massages scheduled back at the resort. 1 of these came as part of the package when I made the booking months before and the other one was paid for already. Our wrap experience at least gave us some knowledge of Wayne’s techniques. I had laid a little ground work earlier in the day letting him know that Iral was a licences remedial masseur and how an unprofessional massage could cost one their licence. So while our massages were sensual and I learned a few moves I’d like Iral to use on my next home massages, I’m hoping Wayne wasn’t able to try all the tricks he had in his bag. You live and learn and you’ll never know unless you try. So lesson learned and now I know!

The rest of the afternoon was spent near the pool and the bar with trips into our room for air conditioning. In the evening we had a nice dinner at the bistro in the resort. I have to say Wayne makes a much better chef too. We were one of the first people to get dinner so while the other guests ate Iral and I relaxed in our room, which then turned into being asleep by 10pm on New Year’s Eve. (I know we’re SO OLD! But how many of you partied all night yourself???) Luckily the crowd gathered just below us and woke me up at 11:50. I looked outside, it was pouring down rain. People were gathered under the canopy or were enjoying the hot tub. I woke Iral and we did our own little count down in bed. As the other guest partied in night away Iral and I drifted back off to sleep only to be awakened by them several more times before 3am when they finally had enough New Year cheer.

At 6:30am we were well rested, up and getting ready for our road trip to Cape Tribulation and Mossman Gorge north of Cairns. After 17 years in Oregon a little rain wasn’t going to bring a halt to my plans and our first stop was this viewpoint at Rex Lookout. The spot is named after a politician that helped construct the Captain Cook highway. A single lane in both directions road, that we were travelling on. Not really a highway but the only main road in the area and one of the few paved ones this far north. A little farther along and we came to the tourist town of Port Douglas. Very nice but not really much beyond hotels, guest cottages, golf resorts, restaurants and souvenir shops.

Our first taste of the famed Daintree National Park came at Mossman Gorge in the southern most portion of the park. Not really a “gorge” like my friends in Portland are used to but more like a rocky river to raft down. There were some kayakers there practicing moves in the fast moving waters. I got a couple cool videos of them, but this site won’t let me load videos anymore. Walking back the short loop trail to the car park (parking lot in Australian) we saw a wild bush turkey. I’m told they’re not the ones we can get in the stores. These guys are like a big chicken and nowhere near the size of the typical Thanksgiving Tom.

We also spotted this VERY cool mushroom. I’m not sure of the name but it was about 5” tall and so neat I just had to take a photo. If someone knows the name please fill me in.

From there we continued to head north. We had to board a small auto ferry to cross the Daintree River to get to the main coastal section of the national park. We decided to travel as far north on this narrow winding road as we could on sealed pavement then try and hit some of the sites on the way back. So we passed places like Cape Kimberly and Cow Bay, Bailey Creek and Thornton Beach heading for the point we’d have to turn around, Cape Tribulation. Here we took a walk along the beach where there are signs warning the tourist to watch out for saltwater crocodiles in the brush line and along the water’s edge. You’re also told not to swim in the water because of the deadly Iracongi Jellyfish. They even had a bottle of vinegar there used to pour on a wound if you’re stung by one of the tiny creatures. It won’t save your life or even stop all of the excruciating pain but it will help ease it as you rush to the nearest hospital 90 minutes away back in Cairns. Luckily the beach is about 15 metres wide (50’). So I ignored Iral’s pleads and stroll along down the middle of the beach. Figuring I can out run a croc if I had too and staying out of the water. About 30 metres ( 92’) into our walk I spot this fella, a Lace Monitor Lizard. He’s about 2 metres long (6’) and sunning himself quite happily on the beach. As I edged closer to get a photo he did seem to take notice of me but didn’t really move very much allowing me to snap several photos and get within about 10’ of him. We also saw some tiny ½” size sand crabs, a few birds but never a croc or a jellyfish. This was probably a good thing and I was able to tell Iral “I told you nothing bad would happen”. (You all know I’m not one to follow the rules, especially if someone tells me I can’t do something I want to do)

From there we headed back south a little ways to Dubuji beach where we sat in the sand and had a nice picnic lunch of potato chips, salami, mixed nuts, mango and Lycee. If you never heard of Lycee and I hadn’t until about a month ago. It’s a small round fruit about the size a large walnut. It has a tough bumpy outer skin you peel off and a peanut size seed in the middle. The flesh is pink and it’s VERY juicy and sweet. Most stores here carry the tropical fruit and you MUST try it if you can find them! The beach was sunny and warm. The sand was soft but firm to sit on and scattered with little balls of sand from the sand crab homes. We listen to the waves lap at the shore line and ate our snacks gazing out at the water and the Great Barrier Reef beyond.

After lunch we continued south and stopped at Jindalba rainforest boardwalk to do a short hike in the woods. It was here we found this really cool tree growing at an angle and in a maze pattern. I’m not sure of the type of tree but it’s one of the ones I mentioned in the last blog that grows up around a host tree eventually killing it and then the inner tree rots away leaving an empty space.

By now it was getting late in the day and Iral and I started our drive back down to Cairns. We stopped at another Gay Resort we had heard about Turtle Cove, to check it out on our way home. It’s about 45 minutes north of town and really in the middle of nowhere. They have a VERY private beach that some of the rooms look out over. It has a nice pool and plenty of space to play beach volleyball and other things. Being New Years it was totally booked out and we weren’t’ able to check out any of the rooms. I had heard a lot about this place over the last few years and wanted to see for myself. It’s under new ownership and they’re making a lot of renovations to bring it into the new millennium. So maybe next time we’ll stay here?



There’s one more blog entry to this trip and it’s all about the GREAT BARRIER REEF. I have 2 performances with the band on Tuesday for Australia day (think 4th of July without the fireworks). So it’ll probably be next weekend before I start to type it up.



Hope everyone is well and enjoying the last few weeks of winter. Until next time my dear friends take care! And come VISIT!!!

New Years in Cairns

From Lake Eildon National Park on Christmas we go all the way north to Cairns Queensland and Skinny Dips all male resort for 6 nights including New Years Eve.

The flight left at 7am, meaning Iral and I had to get up early on the Tuesday the 29th. Security for domestic flights here is quite different from the states. We checked in at the kiosk for Jetstar and got our boarding passes. At the counter we show them to the clerk and our luggage gets the usual sticker. The only questions asked, “Are we flying to Cairns and do we have any explosive items in our bags”. No identification is required at all. This relaxed approach continues at the security gate. We are not required to take off our shoes or open our CPAP bags (Iral has one too) or even show our boarding passes to anyone. We just empty our pockets, throw our bags on the conveyor belt and stroll right on by. Iral’s bag did get sent through the scanner a second time but it came out fine and no one even spoke to us. We got some beverages and I started to read my book. (A true story about an Jewish American family that moves from LA to live in Jerusalem Israel in 2001, entitled “Coming together, Coming apart” by Daniel Gordis, regardless of your political views it’s very interesting reading) I managed to get us into row 1 of economy class and we arrived in Cairns a few hours later just fine.

Cairns is only has about 150,000 residents and nearly 3 million visitors a year. Our resort offered a free pick up at the airport and we had been instructed to obtain our luggage then place a call to them and they’d come get us. Only being a few minutes from the airport it saved us cab fare. We obtained one of our 2 bags and thought the other would be coming along any minute so I gave Wayne at the resort a ring to come get us. He mentioned where we should wait for him and he’d be there in a jiffy. After a few minutes all the bags had been claimed and our 2nd piece of luggage was nowhere to be found! I ran out to meet Wayne while Iral waited in line at the baggage service desk. Wayne said he’d make the loop and I went and filled out some paper work. We had a direct flight from Melbourne to Cairns and the missing bag contained all of the clothes for both Iral and me, including brand new Christmas clothes. After about 20 minutes with a very polite customer service girl, Ebony. I was assured most bags turn up in 24 hours and that it was probably still in Melbourne. I surely hoped so because the outfit I was wearing was quickly becoming damp with sweat from the 95% humidity Cairns has in summer.

Wayne was polite and made his 3rd or 4th loop pass. Just like in Portland cars are not allowed to linger in the pickup area. A heavy set woman with a white nose and wide brimmed hat made sure he moved himself along. Once at the resort things got back on track and we were shown our room that over looked the courtyard pool and hot tub. As I had requested a bottle of champagne was chilled in the refrigerator. Since we were on holiday we started it off right by drinking the entire bottle before heading to the local shopping mall to buy some new outfits to wear. A little tipsy and off we go in a cab to Cairns Centre Mall, hoping to score some after Christmas deals on clothes. I got 2 t-shirts and a pair of swimming trunks and Iral got the same all for only $80. Not too bad, Thank god for Target! We spent the rest of our afternoon between the resort pool and our air conditioned room only stopping at the bar occasionally of course. That evening we decided to take a stroll into the central business district and find a place for dinner. 3km later we made it to Outback Jack’s on the edge of the tourist area. The walk taught us that our flip flops were not good shoes for long distances and the humidity has zapped us of our energy. With our feet up I gulped down some water and Iral enjoyed a cold beer waiting for our food. The establishment was a HUGE gimmick and tourist trap. There wasn’t an Australian in sight and that included all of the employees which were mostly backpacker kids. However, I have to admit the food was very good. After our meal we had more energy and found a local public pool to sooth our tired pig toes in for a few minutes while enjoying a ice cream cone. 

From there we drifted over to the casino for a little while and lost a total of $10 in more than an hour of playing games. Every large town in Australia has a casino and the gaming industry is run by private investors not the indigenous people. This one only has 500 slots and about 20 tables really quiet small by American standards and gambling is about the only vice I have anymore. (I know some of you may find that hard to believe but its true) A vice I have learn to keep in check or at least try to. Back outside the humidity hasn’t dropped at all and in minutes you are sweat covered. A short cab ride back to the resort and our first day is over before we know it.

Wednesday morning was another early to rise day. I had booked us on a rainforest waterfall tour with Bob Stranger http://www.gaycairnsaccommodation.com/GayTours.htm Bob and his partner Andrew own Boyz on the Beach B&B, north of town. Bob had been a National Park Ranger for many years and knows the area VERY well. He only accommodates 4 guest per day. Iral and I got lucky and we were his only clients for the day. He immediately put us at ease by letting us know what was planned and that we could adjust the itinerary as we desired. Our first point of interest was the small tourist town of Kuranda Queensland in the hills above Cairns. We didn’t stop here really as most places weren’t even open yet and I had planned this trip to get out and enjoy nature. So Bob gave us the narrative while we cruised through on our way to Barron Gorge National Park and the wonderful Barron Falls. It may not look like much but the view was great and at the end of the rainy season (we were just in the first few days of the 3 month period) Bob said there would be several metres of water flowing over the falls. The link to Wikipedia shows a good photo if it with more water and has other information on it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barron_Falls. From there we did a little 4x4 on some dirt tracks and got a horticultural lesson about some of the native plants. We learned about how the grass tree (see earlier blog of the Brisbane Range National Park hike for a photo) needs a forest fire to germinate. How some types of trees live off established trees by growing around them and eventually killing them. How there’s a species of palm tree the shoots out spiky vines to help advance it up into the canopy and that those spikes have a poison in them that is highly troublesome to people with asthma. He showed us several kinds of orchids which unfortunately weren’t blooming at the time. Damn Mother Nature doing things on her own schedule not mine! Plus many more facts of useful information I can’t remember anymore. Around 10am we had morning tea by a creek. Complete with home baked cookies, several kinds of herbal teas, a table cloth and even didgeridoo lessons. The trick is to loosen your lips and flap them like a horse, here's Iral have a try at it!

After morning tea Bob took us farther down another road where Iral and I were able to take a walk by ourselves for a while. He just dropped us off and said follow the dirt road until you see me again. We had about 45 minutes to enjoy the sounds of nature, the exotic plants and butterflies of the rainforest and smell the clean humid air. It was great! I do really enjoy the outdoors and after months in the big city this is exactly what was needed. We met up with Bob again and proceeded on our journey. From the deep forest he took us to a fresh fruit stand where Iral picked up a flat of his beloved mangos. I was able to get some chilli mango sauce, some termite tea tree honey for my flatmate back home and a jar of mango jam for a friend of Iral’s.

The rest of the day was spent at another out of the way spot Bob knew about Emerald Creek Falls. This area was not a national park but it was a spectacular afternoon. On the road out to the trailhead we passed a giant termite mound. This mound is about 6’ in height and at least that in diameter. Bob says this would have taken over 100 years to construct. I have to assume that means many queens have ruled the palace in that time. The termites in this part of Australia eat only dead material and the traditional way to make a didgeridoo is to sick a log of wood in one of the mounds. The little sawdust makers only eat the soft centre and leave the outer hard wood. You can see that someone has placed a log beside it in hopes that a year from now it’ll be hollow.

Once at the parking area Bob showed us a spot where we could cool off in the stream while he prepared our lunch. About 45 minutes later we returned and found this lovely setting beside the water.

 Bob had cooked a hot meal for us on his propane camp stove, Steak, green salad, coleslaw, roasted veggies and a nice bottle of champagne. We enjoyed our meal cooled from our swim with the cascading waters at our side, the chirping birds in the trees and one of the mangos for dessert. After we helped Bob pick up the picnic items then he took us on a stroll up to a spot of amazing beauty. The reason he brought us here, the lovely Emerald Creek Falls. Along the stroll we came across a green ants nest. These little buggers make their home in the leaves of trees and fold the leaves over coating them with a substance that holds them together. Bob informed us that the Aborigines eat them for protein. So I tried one and it sort of tasted like a lime. The natives also used them to create a green paste for painting of the face, didgeridoo and shelter hieroglyphics.

Once up at the falls we were awestruck by its grandeur. We were the only people here! The large pool of water is cool and inviting. You had to swim about 40’ to reach the falls. Iral and I played in the water for a lon cssfloat: right; floaus for a little while but then wandered of assuring us he’d be back and allowing us to have some time to ourselves. We spent time taking many photos from several angles, very few of which I can actually post on this blog.
 After a long while of fun and I spotted a viewing platform point above the falls. As I often to I have to climb to the top of things. So we started back on the trail to a fork we had passed along the way. I was sure it would take us up above the falls and it did.

Once back at the car the day was nearly over. Bob placed an Elton John CD in the dashboard and we enjoyed the scenery as it passed along the highway. Heading back to town we stopped along the way for some ice cream and it dawned on me that Jetstar hadn’t called to tell us if they had found our luggage yet. So I tried to call them and made several attempts at various numbers to no avail. Without me even realizing it Bob called the resort and found out that our luggage had been delivered and was sitting in our room waiting for us. Our last stop of the day before getting home was this great viewpoint on the hillside as you climb up from the ocean’s edge. In the distance you can see Cairns airport tower. It was a wonderful day and one of the best tours I had ever taken. I highly recommend if you’re ever in Cairns to look Bob up. He’s a great host and knows the area well. He has 4 different tours he takes guests on so I know I’ll be looking him up the next time I’m in town.

This is just the first 2 of the 6 nights we spent in Cairns os stay tuned for more updates.

This website has changed how I load images and not for the better. I am no longer able to load small movies and it's much more of a pain in the ass to load pictures. I'm going to quit for the night since it's almost midnight and try to finish loading the photos in the morning. If anyone reads this and knows a better sight to post a blog let me know please by emailing bkhpdx@yahoo.com.

Thanks!

Christams in OZ

It’s hard to believe that Christmas is here again. The long warm sunny days don’t feel like Christmas at all. But I guess I’ll get used to that in years to come. I’m easing back into the holiday season a little more this year by cooking a small dinner and exchanging gifts with my Australian friends.

But let us begin at the office on Christmas Eve. I had a VERY busy morning with 3 projects that just had to get finished before the long holiday break. I coined a new phrase that the project managers would just have to deal with by telling them “Santa doesn’t work here and you’re not getting everything you want for Christmas!” (Feel free to use that one next year Ruth and P, I’m sure Mark will appreciate it!) I managed to complete enough to keep them all happy and get the deliverables sent out. In the afternoon the office had a sausage sizzle. Basically, flavoured hotdogs cooked on the grill out on our patio. But all the kids came into the office and even Santa reared his hairy face for a little while. I escaped before he came. Leaving the office about 2pm and getting paid until 5. Now that’s a nice holiday gift from the office.

Once at home I ran to the store to pick up some things for the dinner I was making. I made a small ham in the crock pot along with some baked potatoes and a fresh green salad for my flatmate, Michael and my boyfriend Iral. Christmas morning Iral and I exchanged gifts. He got me a collapsible bucket for camping, a nice pen set, some cuff links and a alarm clock that projects the time on to the ceiling at night. I got him the movie Bruno a 12 pack of Dr. Pepper (yes I turned him on to it) and a gift certificate to his favourite store, David Jones. (It’s like Nordstroms). I got a few other things from home too. Phyllis sent me a care package of things like grape jelly an Oregon calendar and some hazelnut chocolates. My mom sent me some much needed bed linens and Michael bought me 2 tickets to the gay pride T dance on the 17th of January. It’s a outdoor dance party with about 3,000 people. I didn’t go last year and have heard it’s a lot of fun so I’m looking forward to it.

Christmas day Iral and I took a drive to Lake Eildon National Park about 2 hours northeast of the city. We spent the afternoon lounging by the lake side on a blanket after a picnic lunch. Then we waded in the water for a little while before doing dome 4x4. In the evening we went to one of his 4 sister’s house for Christmas dinner of raw oysters, cooked jumbo prawns, spring rolls and Asian noodles. Most Australians celebrate with a bbq since it’s so warm and nice at this time of year. Iral’s family is from the Philippines so that’s where the menu varies from what you and I are used to having. We spent most of the time singing karaoke with his mom, sister Susan (our host), and niece Nadine. Iral and Nadine have beautiful voices while Susan and I croaked out a few lines here and there. It was a lot of fun and the first time I’ve ever done karaoke completely sober!

On Saturday the 26th we did a little shopping and then had drinks at Max and David’s house in the afternoon. Sunday the 27th we took a ride on Iral’s motorcycle out into the countryside. I’ve ridden with him 3 times now and am getting past the fear of death I had on the first ride. Although on our way home he got on the freeway and did 130 kph (80 mph) for a short stretch and I just put my head down and prayed. Don’t worry mom. I wear a helmet, leather jacket, boots and gloves while I’m on the back and trust me I hang on to Iral like his life depends upon it! He can tell when I’m nervous by how tight I’m holding on to him. He wants me to get my motorcycle licence and buy a bike but I just don’t see that happening anytime soon! LOL.... I’m too old to die stupidly I hope!

On Monday the 28th we had scheduled a hot air balloon ride over Melbourne but some low clouds that morning cancelled the trip and we had to reschedule it for January 26th, Australia Day.

On the 29th we left for Cairns for 6 nights but you’ll hear more about that trip in my next blog update.

I hope everyone’s Christmas was wonderful! Brian

Thanksgiving and the Xmas Concert

It's been a couple weeks since I left you all on Phllips Island with the penquins. Time has ticked away and now it's the middle of December. Winter has settled in where most of you live and you're in the throws of the holiday rush.

Down under we celebrated Thanksgiving a week later then you, on Sunday December 6th. Michael and I had 8 friends over to our place and I cooked a $85, 15 lbs fresh turkey. It was the largest one I could get from my local butcher. I could have picked up a smaller froozen bird at the grocery store for about $50 but cooking 2 just wouldn't have fit in my Australian sized oven. This year I knew a few more Americans and was able to con them into cooking the classic side dishes. Leaving me with just the turkey, gravy, stuffing and 3 pumpkin pies.  This years festivities included some of the guests from last year and a group of new friends like Iral, Dean, Adam and Max and David (2 American's that just moved here a few months ago) So the tradiation has been started. Like so many of you we talked, laughed and ate WAY too much food. By evening time when the guests had all left and the kitchen was cleaned I was just a lump on the sofa.

The next week just flew by and before I knew so did being 40! All of a sudden I was 40 something. The day was spent at work. Where I shared a pumpkin cheese cake with my coworkers. It's the tradiation, at least in my office, that the birthday person brings in a treat to share. Last year I resisted this custom. Still hoping to hang on to the events of Portland where all the people that loved you in the office would take you to lunch. Not all was lost because my friends Dean (in the blue shirt sitting on the sofa, on the left side of the photo) did take me to lunch in the city. Thanks! Dean. In the evening I went to the gym after work (I know I am getting old!) then Iral and I had a nice dinner at an italian resturant with a view of the Yarra river and the city skyline. To top the evening off we went to the casino and paid them to entertain us for a little while. The big highlight of the day was when Phyllis called me and I got to catch up with her for a few minutes. It was almost like I wasn't 10,000 miles away. I need to thank all those people that wished me happy birthday. The new friends I have here made my tranistion much easier and the old friends I have around the world still bring me joy from so far away.

Part of the reason I kept my birthday calm this year was the Melbourne Rainbow Band had thier Christmas Concert, "Carols by Queerlight" the following night and I need to be at my best to perform well. The evening was a lot of fun. The band of 35 musicains where accompanied by the 60 people strong Melbourne Gay and Lesbian Choir and about 400 people attend the free concert. The evening was wonderful. Mother natured cooperated by not doucing us with buckets of rain like last year and kept us near 75 degrees all evening. Perfect weather to play a night time concert.
Hopefully some of you braved the long, cold, dark night and tuned into JOY fm for the live web broadcast. 

That's the big things that have been keeping me busy. I've been doing a lot of the same things you have trying to get ready for Chrsitmas. But this morning I bought the last gift! I have 2 packages to get in the mail and I'm hoping they make it to the states before the big day. There are 2 more weeks of work until the office shut down on Christams Eve. Then I'm off work until January 11th.  WAH FREAKIN HOO! It's customary for a lot of business to close for 2 full weeks in Australia. So in the middle of summer you're forced to take a vacation. I know that many of you are say... Oh boy that's a rough life! But since it's a forced leave and we are also forced to use our vacation time or take it without pay. I am short a little time so I'll be taking 1 or 2 days without pay.

Last year I spent the holidays in Tasmainia camping. This year I'll be home for xmas and then heading up to Cairns, The Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef for 6 nights at a gay resort over New Years Eve. Now that's a rough life! When I get back from that trip I'll still have 6 day before returning to work. So I might take a few and go camping. You'll have to tune in next year to find out what happens.

Happy birthday to Robin Melin on the 23rd. Merry Christmas and a Happy 2010 to everyone!

Maybe someone will make a New Year's resolution to visit Australia!

Take care and enjoy the holidays I miss you all!