24th-27th - Tangalooma

Tangalooma is a resort on Moreton Island just outside Brisbane – a short one hour boat ride gets you there. The island is mostly national park so, with a few exceptions, the resort is the only thing built there.

The NP has a wide range of animals that generally are not afraid to get relatively close to humans, so you can get into some pretty close-up situations, even if they are all wild animals. The resort has a bunch of activities that covers most of the wildlife on the island; feeding, walks, presentations, cruises, whale watches, tours, etc. And there are facilities for snorkeling, diving, walking on your own on most of the island, ATV tours, helicopter rides, massages and so on. The big thing on the island is the nightly dolphin feed where a small group of wild dolphins come in at night to be fed by the tourists under strict supervision of the staff. A very popular activity which any visitor can only do once every visit (unless you know the right people… *cough*).

We spent three nights here; me taking in all the sights, Ina showing me around the first day before she had to work the last 3 days.

Due to low numbers in tourists there were no whale watches until the last day we were on the island. This was also the last day in the whale watch season which must have been why they chose to go out, even though they didn’t manage to fill up the ship at all. But lucky for us – I would have been sad if I came down there in whale territory and didn’t get to see a single one. Success!

Late the 27^th we went back to the main land as I was on a late flight out to Kathmandu. Big thanks to Ina for having me there and showing me around!

Looking down on the Tangalooma Wrecks from a ridge that goes behind the resort. The resort is right below us to the left.

A kookaburra ready for food during a feed. 

A cormorant.

A whistling kite.

A sea turtle.

Dugong.

Tinkerbell with her calf Tangles.

The dolphin feed.

Feeding Bella - and old, half-blind, almost toothless dolphin. This meant that you had to be prepared to be bumped into a lot while standing there trying to feed her.

Feeding Tinkerbell and Tangles (yup, two dolphin feeds in one visit... All about who you know... ;) ).

This parrot-things were seen quite alot.

22nd-23rd - Lamington NP

I arrived in Brisbane Sunday the 21st where I got picked up by Ina at the airport and the following morning we drove to Lamington NP where we would spend a single night. This national park is known for its bird life so our hopes were that we would be seeing a large variety of birds - and getting some good shots as a bonus.

The weather wasn’t quite as we had hoped; overcast some of the time and not too warm. But it didn’t get too bad, either, so we did get to see a few birds during the afternoon after we arrived, especially because they weren’t too shy and got quite close to the resort where we were staying.

The next morning we had a small tour around the resort where we were introduced to the less visible birds. After breakfast we went for a long walk – the weather wasn’t too optimistic, and the bird sightings were limited, but we got a good impression of the surrounding areas and nature, and that wasn’t too bad either.

After this walk we drove back to Brisbane, readying ourselves for an early departure to Tangalooma, a resort on Moreton Island just outside Brisbane, the next morning.

Third and last vacation this year confirmed!

Finally I managed to get time off from work in the fall which enabled me making reservations for the last vacation I have been hoping to go on this year. Without further ado; the itinerary:

20th of October

Leaving Copenhagen to arrive in Brisbane the 21st.

21st - 27th of October

Spending time in Brisbane which, among other things, will include a visit to Tangalooma Resort on Moreton Island just outside Brisbane. This resort has a wide range marine wildlife which can bee seen on the various safaris that they host.

28th of October

Depart Brisbane to go to Kathmandu.

28th of October - 11th of November

Trek in the Himalayas with the goal of reaching Everest Base Camp. The 29th we will fly to Lukla and from there walk to Phakding, where we will be spending two nights for acclimatization. The 1st of November we will push on to Tengboche and after one night we will continue to Dingboche and spend two nights here. After this we will go to Lobuche, continue to Everest Base Camp (app. 5300m) and the 6th we will end up in Pheriche. From here we will spend 3 days going to Gompa, Tengpoche, Monjo and back to Lukla. The 10th we take a flight back to Kathmandu, and the 11th the group disbands.

11th of November

Flight back home.