Dolphin Point to Eden.............

We camped right beside the water near Dolphin Point and I went off to find some ‘ever priceless’ local knowledge about the area before the children were allowed to paddle – no worries!
On our way to Eden we stopped off at a trading post in Mogo. There were plenty of didgeridoos to see and one in particular that would have settled right in beside our fireplace at home! However, the size and shape caused us a problem and a trip to the nearby post office confirmed that the postage cost back home would be well over the cost of the didgeridoo. We need more thought on how to conquer our didgeridoo challenge! (may -be it will end up as hand luggage?!)

Eden was our last stop in New South Wales before we reached Victoria. The children met some friends in the swimming pool and we continued our happy hour trend in the evening over a chat with an Auzzie family! It was to our good fortune that we were camped next to the ‘locals’ as Steve and Jenni told us ‘horror stories’, we began to learn a little about the diverse and often unique characteristics of Australia. This country has the highest variety of species that could, at the very least kill you or eat you.

Acts of nature sometimes occur at a most destructive and devastating level and we arrived into Australia as the north was experiencing record-breaking flood levels, during the wet season, during which some lives were lost.  Ironically, at the same time in the south, much of Victoria was suffering with extreme wild bush fires. Many, many people lost their lives as fire swept through whole communities, taking with it everything in its path. As countless others were injured, including members of the public, members of the rescue and emergency services and wildlife too, we heard many appeals for extra blood donations. As we donate back at home, we phoned the help line to try and do something to help. Unfortunately, we discovered that visiting Brits blood was not accepted.

So, as we continue along our Australian learning curve, it was time to take this country seriously and to start learning to behave in a safety manner that is a world away from our environment at home! Care must be exercised as we intrude into the country of the native animals (both large and small).

We have noted a variety of levels of caution and concern in the people along our way. The majority of people that we have met seem to have a very matter of fact attitude (in our opinion) about the creatures and dangers with which they share their country! Following  a few shark attacks which happened around Sydney within a few days of each other, we were taken aback by those who still insisted that this was most uncommon –and who were refusing to stop surfing and swimming in those waters?!

We found out about crocodiles (both fresh and salt water varieties), sharks, and numerous and most deadly spiders (including the most tiny ones or the ones that actually jump at you!) We have seen the biggest ants and mosquitoes ever and it has become second nature to shake clothing and check footwear and seats first – prevention is better than cure!

We heard of a 93 year old lady on the recent news who has made history by surviving two funnel web spider bites. The lady put her foot into her slippers and felt something.....wondering what it was she took her foot out and put her hand in there instead – resulting in a bite on her hand and foot. Luckily she received very prompt medical attention and beat the odds by surviving a double dose of the deadly venom.

Following a second helping of happy hour at Eden, we were invited to tag along with Steve and Jenni for a while as we are all travelling onwards towards Melbourne.

That’s all for now folks – more next time!!

 

FACTOIDS-

·         Koala is an Aboriginal word for “No drink”.

·         Australia’s first shore-based whaling station was set up in Eden in 1828 until 1929

·         Today whale – watching experts consider Eden to be one of the best places to observe these magnificent creatures. They can often be seen here feeding or resting during their southern migration back to Antarctic waters.

WILDLIFE HITS-

·         Galahs

·         Little Corella

·         Sulphur Crested Cockatoo

·         Laughing Kookaburra

·         Brush Tailed Possums

·         Ring Tailed Possums

·         Black Glossy Ibis

·         Pied Currawong

·         Sea Eagle

·         Australian King Parrot

 

 

 

Wednesday, 25 March 2009 07:02:29 (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)      Comments [0]  Australia