Travelling......heart racing moments

‘Experience - an event or occurrence which leaves an impression on someone’

We all yearn for events that evoke joy, lasting emotions and memories. So, this newsletter is about some of my Australian travel experiences that delivered for me. Australia is a lucky beautiful country with lots to explore and lots of distances to travel. I am proud to be Australian and also recognise the original owners and how clever they were living, preserving and recognising its beauty.

1.      Approximately two years ago, I grabbed the opportunity of free accommodation in Perth, so I could visit Rottnest Island. (originally named in 1696 by Willem de Vlamingh as he called the quokkas - large rats). Quokkas which are considered the happiest, cutest, most inquisitive small macropods. I caught a catamaran from Fremantle that sliced its way through the rough Indian ocean and we soon arrived. I did everything I could to learn the history and explore the island. But my main mission for this visit was to get up close and personal with these cute little creatures. I sought help from a local tour guide, went off the beaten path, lifted up the low-to-ground branches and saw these tiny little eyes locked on me! I had to control my joy and stop myself from doing my happy dance. With my camera now ready I squatted down on the ground and coaxed out my own personal quokka. The more I chatted, the closer she ventured towards me. I was trying to contain my excitement, remain still and hold my breath without falling over and frightening my cute little friend. My heart was racing and mouth was dry from the excitement.

I felt sorry for everyone else, who hadn’t taken the time to have a chat with a Quokka. I also felt sorry for the Quokkas who had been seduced by non-complying humans who feed them food scraps, as they were now mangy and would have a shorter life. They are herbivorous and mainly nocturnal. They usually live for 10 years, and the joeys are born after 28 days of pregnancy.  Mums can have up to 17 joeys in their lifetime.  Despite those non-compliant humans, there are no other natural predators on the Island, so hopefully they continue to survive and multiply.

Recalling this experience now, still makes me feel like a warm hug is washing over me. I am very pleased with myself for achieving my mission and also not touching the one I encountered, despite being highly tempted to scoop it up and cuddle it.

By direct route from my home to Rottnest Island is 3662 kilometres. Rottnest island is on  Wadejemup country.

2.      North Queensland – paragliding over Green Island and the Great Barrier Reef & White-water rafting in Tully. The direct route from my home to Green Island is 1326 kilometres and I am still in my state of Queensland and in Wuyani country .

Me upfront, holding on for dear life!?

Another lucky opportunity and heart racing moment for me was when my eldest daughter lived in Cairns and worked in tourism. On arrival at Green Island, which is off the cost of Cairns, my daughter arranged a paragliding trip for me. My nervousness about being high in the sky with only a rope being attached to the paraglide was immediately overcome by exhilaration and awe of the surrounding beauty. Below in the crystal clear waters, I could see the colourful reef, the snorkelers and the glass bottom boat. What’s not to like about the UNESCO World Heritage site?! Back on land, I was euphoric, exhilarated and constantly smiling over how amazing and thrilling this experience was. Now I am hoping that future generations will also get to see nature's colourful barrier creation, home to many colourful marine creatures.

Photo source https://wallpapercave.com/

3.      Next was an early morning Hot Air Balloon ride following the Brisbane River.  This was a surprise adventure given to me by a male friend.  He was obviously trying to impress me as, not only was I feeling bird-like as I floated over the green parks and meandering river, but there was champagne, strawberries and on landing a hot breakfast. I had not realised how many parks were scattered around the inner-city area of Brisbane until I was looking down from above.  My bird’s eye view made me comment that our forefathers had great foresight planning and ensuring there was lots of natural greenery for CBD dwellers to enjoy and help with pollution of the constant traffic stream. Another reason that this was memorable was that he also proposed and there was a sparkling antique 3 diamond engagement ring as a further enticement. (I am a ring person!) How I felt in the hot air balloon was like when you let yourself gently down onto the ocean and start floating….but I was in the air floating aloft, as free as a bird and with the best view of all the beauty below….and no that was not the champagne talking.

These are just some examples of the experiences you can have close to home. It made me think of some lines from our National Anthem.

‘Australians all let us rejoice, For we are one and free; We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil; Our home is girt by sea; Our land abounds in nature’s gifts Of beauty rich and rare;…’

I hope you are impressed, just as I was experiencing these events and that you will go out and create some of your own experiences…..that will give you the warm glow memories that we all cherish.