Off the Beaten Track to Outback Australia - 4 days to go

Not long now before I head Off the Beaten Track to Outback South Australia.



Day One is Adelaide to Port Wakefield, Port Pirie (pictured) and Port Germein. Then on to Telowie Gorge and Port Augusta before finishing near Quorn.




If you'd like to see more of these places you can join me on my trip, by remote via the web, by going to this site
http://theworldbyweb.com/global/blogs/entry/Fran-West-Off-the-beaten-track-1-week-till-launch

The DVD of this trip, "Outback Adventure", is available now. Click here.

Flyabout around Australia's Coast - Cape Liptrap Lighthouse

On my flight around Australia's coast I passed quite a few lighthouses.
This one is situated at Cape Liptrap in Victoria.

I took off from Phillip Island, in Western Port Bay, and headed southeast along the coast.

Cape Liptrap is in South Gippsland, between Inverloch and Wilsons Promontory, the southern most point on the Australian mainland.

Here's a bit more about Cape Liptrap Coastal Park
http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=84
and the lighthouse http://www.lighthouse.net.au/lights/vic/Cape%20Liptrap/Cape%20Liptrap%20Lighthouse.htm

Off the Beaten Track to Outback Australia - 5 days to go

Not long now before I head Off the Beaten Track to Outback South Australia.
One of the places that I'll be visiting is Arkaroola in the Gammon Ranges. It's north of the Flinders Ranges and I'll be making my way there after going to Marree and Lake Eyre.

During my flight around South Australia's coast and Outback in 2002, I landed at Arkaroola and spent a couple of nights there.

While there, I went on the world famous Ridge Top Tour which I hope to do again depending on availability.

It's not just the scenery which is impressive but also the skill of the drivers when they park on the lookouts.

If you'd like to see more of this place you can join me on my trip, by remote via the web, by going to this site
http://theworldbyweb.com/global/blogs/entry/Fran-West-Off-the-beaten-track-1-week-till-launch

The DVD of this trip, "Outback Adventure", is available now. Click here.

Flyabout Adventure around Australia's Coast - Port Germein

Port Germein, on Yorke Peninsula, is just another small country town which I flew past on my flight around Australia's coast. It's north of Port Pirie, in my home state of South Australia.

These places around Spencer Gulf are great for holiday makers to just relax, go for walks along the beach or go fishing in a boat or off the jetty. Here the Flinders Ranges are close handy too.

This spot is famous for its long jetty and catching Blue Swimmer Crabs - yum! Read all about it at http://www.portgermein.com.

I'll probably call in to Port Germein next weekend, to see it from ground level, on my way Outback.

You can join me on my trip, by remote via the web, by going to this site
http://theworldbyweb.com/global/blogs/entry/Fran-West-Off-the-beaten-track-1-week-till-launch

Walkabout around Sydney Harbour

Sydney Harbour is without doubt one of the harbours of the world. You could spend days if not weeks exploring all the little bays and inlets around the harbour.

The ferry system is extremely good and you can obtain a travel pass which you can use on other types of transport. But one of the best ways of getting around Sydney is by walking.

You may even see my boat that I take fishing when I'm in Sydney (only kidding!).

The Harbour Bridge is available for walking tours if you want a bird's eye view but you have to book well in advance.



New Year's Eve here is just spectacular with the bridge providing the magnificent setting for the fireworks.

Sydney Harbour is a photographer's delight and that's one of the reasons that so much of it is featured in my DVD, "Maritime Mix".

Flyabout Adventure in Outback Australia - Flinders Ranges

The main draw card of the Flinders Ranges in South Australia's Outback is Wilpena Pound.

I landed near the Pound on one of my flights. At Rawnsley Park Station I had to watch out for eagles in flight and at Wilpena I had to wait until kangaroos bounded off the runway before I could take off. Am I an animal magnet or what?

Even if you don't like planes you must admit that a plane with a background like this looks mighty fine.

Shortly I'll be heading up to the Flinders and beyond but by 4 wheel drive this time.



You can join me on my trip, by remote via the web, by going to this site
http://theworldbyweb.com/global/blogs/entry/Fran-West-Off-the-beaten-track-1-week-till-launch

Walkabout in Puerto Iguazu, Argentina

Time for somewhere hot and steamy. Like walking around Puerto Iguazu on a very hot and humid day.

South America seems so vibrant and colourful and I love practising my Spanish - lots of words but not many verbs. Heaps of laughter though.

Before visiting the falls, I had a spare afternoon to walk around the town and head down to the river past the bus station.

However, I spent quite a bit of time here photographing for my next DVD, "Getting Around", about different kinds of transport.


I'm sure people thought I was nuts and in the end drivers and passengers just waved at me.

But who could resist all the brightly coloured buses? What a pleasure to travel in a vehicle painted like this and what a brilliant way to promote a country's beauty spots. Go Argentina!

Enjoy the pic and remember to zoom in on it.

Off the Beaten Track with Fran West - 1 week till launch

In a week's time I'll be heading Off the Beaten Track to the Flinders Ranges, Gammon Ranges, Lake Eyre and the Cooper Creek. In other words, I'll be heading to Outback South Australia.

As well as the sightseeing, there will be a ride on the Pichi Richi Railroad, hot air ballooning near Wilpena Pound and a flight over Lake Eyre.


This photo of Wilpena Pound was taken during Sea, Sky and Sand, a fundraising flight I did for the Royal Flying Doctor Service in 2002.

You can join me on my trip, by remote via the web, by going to this site
http://theworldbyweb.com/global/blogs/entry/Fran-West-Off-the-beaten-track-1-week-till-launch

The DVD of this trip, "Outback Adventure", is available now. Click here.

Flyabout around Australia's Coast - Steep Point, Western Australia

On mainland Australia's coast there are four places which are the extremities of the continent. The most westerly point is, funnily enough, found in Western Australia.

It's this spot, Steep Point, found in the Shark Bay area.

Perhaps it's not quite as remarkable a feature as the other three places - Wilsons Promontory, Cape York and Cape Byron, nor as accessible.


However, this place certainly is steeped in history being in an area touched by the early Dutch navigators. It's near Dirk Hartog Island.

To see more of this World Heritage region I can recommend Shark Bay Air http://www.sharkbayair.com.au/.

Flyabout to Preservation Island, Bass Strait

To finish my flyabout around Australia's coast, I had to cross Bass Strait to reach Tasmania.

I left the mainland coast at Wilsons Promontory and headed over Hogan Island and the Kent Group of Islands to Flinders Island.

While there, I met up with Leedham Walker and he took us for a flight to some of the other Bass Strait islands.

We did land on Preservation Island and went for a walk up the hillside where we found this "loo with a view".


The top half of the door was open so you could sit and enjoy the island vista.

However, I decided to give this pit stop a miss when I saw a tiger snake skin on the ground just near the door. No thanks. I'll wait!

When I tell this story to young children they always ask me why the tiger snake left its skin outside when it went to the toilet. I don't have the answer to that one, do you?

Another "loo with a view" http://franwest2.blogspot.com/2010/08/walkabout-on-tasmanias-overland-track.html

Off the Beaten Track with Fran West

The next adventure's coming up soon from the 4th to 12th September.

We've actually had some rain in Australia this year and I'm heading up through the Flinders Ranges and Gammon Ranges to photograph Lake Eyre and the Cooper Creek in flood. The last time the Cooper Creek was in flood was in 1991, so it's going to be an exciting trip.

More about the trip will be posted soon. Stay tuned.

Flyabout around Australia's Coast - Cooktown, Queensland

Cooktown, in far north Queensland, was one of the places I landed during my flight around Australia's coast.

This statue of Captain James Cook is an indicator of how the town got its name.



Cook beached his ship "Endeavour" here in 1770 and the river is named after that.





A century later, the town had over 90 pubs and more than 30,000 people attracted by the Palmer River gold rush. Today the town is much smaller and has only a few thousand people, with cattle, fishing and tourism being the mainstays. A real Outback town worth exploring.

Try http://www.guurrbitours.com/

Walkabout on Tasmania's Overland Track

Walking on Tasmania's Overland Track you discover a few quirky little things. Like this "loo with a view" near the historic Du Cane Hut.


People in the bush are very inventive. In order to preserve the wilderness near this hut, an ingenious open air toilet has been fashioned out of a remnant tree trunk.




It's all very mod con, with a hollow for the loo, two lids and a flag system to let others know that the loo is occupied.

This truly is a "loo with a view", not only for the user but also for anything wandering around in the bush nearby!

Oh, the joys of trekking!

Another "loo with a view" http://franwest2.blogspot.com/2010/08/flyabout-to-preservation-island-bass.html

Flyabout around Australia's Coast - Port Hedland

Port Hedland, Western Australia, was one of the places I landed at during my flyabout around Australia's coast.

I actually landed here twice (the airport is in the top left of the photo). The first time was on the leg from Broome and the second time after a detour inland to Newman and Karijini National Park with my friend, Ken Wansbrough.

When some people first see this photo they think that it's farm land with the various paddocks. However, it's salt pans. Some bright spark once commented about the different colours "So that's how they make celery salt and garlic salt as well as sea salt!"


Here's some more information about the salt http://www.dampiersalt.com.au/ENG/sales/1148_port_hedland.asp

Flyabout Adventure in Outback Australia - Oenpelli

During my flyabout around Australia's coast I landed at Oenpelli in Arnhem Land.

It lies inland from the north coast of the Northern Territory and was a Church of England mission for about 45 years.

To reach it, the route was over the East Alligator River. No alligators but probably lots of crocodiles.


A wonderful place for birdwatching but it is on Aboriginal land and a permit is required. I flew in with a MAF (Missionary Aviation Fellowship) pilot so that's how I was able to stay there overnight before heading for Darwin.

America’s Great West

Here's the link to an article I wrote for Tourism Adventures.

More photos of the Grand Canyon but from the South Rim this time.

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/5GOHJl/www.tourismadventures.com/americas-great-west/r:t

Prison Boab Tree near Derby, Western Australia

On the way from Derby Airport into the town, the Aboriginal taxi driver was very obliging and stopped off at the Prison Tree.


It's actually a huge boab tree about 14 metres around with a hollow trunk that you can walk inside.

In the 1890s it was supposed to have been used as a temporary jail for prisoners.


It just goes to show that people in the Outback were very resourceful in the early days. In fact they still are.

Flyabout around Australia's coast - Derby

During my flight around Australia's coast, I landed at Derby in the northwest of Western Australia. It's located on King Sound and the last part of the flight from Mount Hart Station was across miles and miles of mud flats as you can see in the photo.

Derby is a major centre for the Kimberley area and is a jumping off spot for the spectacular gorges in the region, like Windjana and Geikie.

It's also one of a few places in the world that has high tides like the Bay of Fundy in Canada.

And by the way, the airport was miles from town.

Flyabout around Australia's Coast - Sweers Island

Flying around Australia's coast offered many opportunities for landing on islands.

This one, Sweers Island, lies about 20 miles off the Queensland coast in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Although not very big, it's long and skinny.

After landing, we were picked up and taken back to the little settlement and had a BBQ lunch under the open air bar/restaurant shelter.

The main attraction of the island is the solitude, the sandy beaches and of course the fishing.

The island can be reached by air or boat. A good place to chill out in the sun.

Father's Day Gift: Australia's Coast from the Air DVD

Has your dad ever dreamt of flying, soaring like a bird above the earth?

Does your dad love the beach and anything to do with the ocean?

Is your dad the intrepid adventurer travelling to far away places?

If you've answered "YES!" to any of these questions, then your dad would love "Australia's Coast from the Air" DVD.

http://franwest2.blogspot.com/p/dvd-australias-coast-from-air.html

To order: email fran@franwest.com. mailto:fran@franwest.com

Flyabout Adventure around Australia's Coast - Horn Island

Here's an interesting place to land - Horn Island, Queensland.

This airstrip is actually Thursday Island's Airport because there's no room on Thursday Island.

These islands are located in the Torres Strait off the top of Cape York Peninsula, near the very tip of the Australian mainland.


Here pilots have to land in one direction and take off in another direction because of the hills at the end of the runway. Not a good idea to fly into a hill instead of the wide blue yonder!

Mule Riding in Bryce Canyon, Utah

I missed out on a mule ride down into the Grand Canyon, so I jumped at the chance to go mule riding at Bryce Canyon.

My first time on a mule (a bit scary because I don't like heights) but I was assured that my mule Angie knew what she was doing.

She did, I didn't.

All the mules followed our guide, John Henry, who was on horseback.


We followed the narrow winding trail down into the canyon stopping every now and then for photos and commentary. Spectacular scenery with the various colours of the canyon.



I was a bit sore in the backside at the end of the ride and I was definitely walking funny for the rest of the day. Another adventure ticked off the list.

Here's the rest of the story http://pilotyourlife.wordpress.com/2010/04/25/pilot-your-life-7/

Flyabout Adventure in Outback Australia - Mount Hart Station

This is another place that I landed in the Outback on my flight around Australia's coast.

Mount Hart Station, in the northwest of Western Australia, was a spot to take a break and land. The owner did have fuel available in a drum if I needed it but I calculated that I had enough to reach Derby.



This property farms more tourists than it does cattle, indicating just how resourceful people are in the Outback. It's miles from anywhere but the place was just packed.

Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah

This photo was taken towards evening in Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah, with a storm brewing in the background.

The colours in the rocks are quite mesmerising.


I arrived late in the afternoon and had just enough time to fit in some sightseeing.

It was so comforting to find my campsite with my name on the site tag.



Booking my accommodation on the internet before I left Australia was a distinct advantage. It meant I could keep travelling for longer and still be assured of a place at the end of the day.

One day is not enough time here because there's so much to see and do. A spot to return to for sure.

My favourite saying for Utah - "Will someone please turn off the scenery!"

Train Adventure on the Verde Canyon Railroad with Fran West

The Verde Canyon Railroad was one of three train adventures during my trip to Arizona last year. The historic route from Clarkdale to the ghost ranch of Perkinsville and back is the only way to see the canyon.



The hills, red sentinels against the blue Arizona sky, are the territory of the majestic bald eagle (also the logo of the train).

Although not in the same class as the Grand Canyon in the north of the state, the rock formations and the desert flora and fauna still make this a very pleasant rail journey. Between the carriages are open areas where you can sit or stand and listen to the local guide give a commentary about the railroad and its history. Well worth the trip.

The pink prickly pear juice wasn't bad either!

Flyabout Adventure in Florida with Fran West

A recommended flyabout adventure in Florida is to go for a biplane ride.

There were four of us for this one. Two squashed together up the front, then two squashed together in the seats behind. The pilot then sat in his seat right at the back of the New Standard D25.



Normally in a smaller biplane it's the single passenger in the front compartment and the pilot at the back. Something different this time.





We even had the goggles and old-fashioned helmets for the very breezy ride. Great fun even though not a sunny day but it was very calm.
Big smiles all around.

Flyabout Adventure around Australia's Coast with Fran West

During my flyabout adventure around Australia's coast, I landed at Broome, in Western Australia. Coming in to land over the sea I could see huge manta rays swimming in the water beneath me. I thought that was pretty special and I've never forgotten it.

This video, however, tops what I saw in the pastel blue waters off Broome. My friend's brother is a documentary maker and one of the people he worked with filmed this - a manta ray ballet. Just beautiful. Enjoy.

Trekking Adventure in Nepal with Fran West

The Annapurna - Dhaulagiri Trek in Nepal was a real adventure for me.
It was a challenge more than just a simple reward for my big birthday.


I'm not only afraid of heights (even though I'm a pilot), but I'm also an asthmatic. My aim was to reach the Holy Lake, with its snow covered shoreline, and return without having an asthma attack or needing to use my inhaler due to the altitude.


The hardest physical and mental challenge I have ever had – climbing along steep rocky paths, crossing over bridges, walking through waterfalls, inching my way across slippery landslides and eventually reaching the lake at 4,600 metres.

After setting off early in the morning in the dark, the group returned in the twilight eleven hours later with a herd of yaks accompanying it.

No asthma attack though. Amazing what being determined can achieve!

Flyabout Adventure around Australia's Coast with Fran West

Here's another flyabout adventure around Australia's Tasmanian coast.

I just love the Tasmanian coast so there will be more photos and stories of this island gem of Australia.

What recurring man-made features would you expect to see on a coastal flight?

Lighthouses of course.


They're all different but the one thing they have in common is the rugged coast that they're beacons for.

This one, the Eddystone Point Lighthouse, on the east coast of Tasmania, just offered a spectacular photo opportunity.

Diamond Adventure in Australia's Outback with Fran West

Hands up those who knew that there were diamonds in Australia's Outback!
Not many, I bet.

On my flyabout around Australia's coast, I detoured inland to Kununurra.

I had a day off and went on a joyflight to the Bungles and the Argyle Diamond Mine in northern Western Australia.

The pilot, Kylie, was also the bus driver and tour guide in the mine area.

Security is very strict, naturally, and if you do your own flight into the airstrip you have to fill out all the security paperwork before leaving Kununurra.


It's well worth the trip though, with lunch at the cafeteria, the tour around the mine area and a visit to the diamond viewing room and natural history museum.

Flyabout Adventure around Australia's Coast with Fran West

My flyabout around Australia's coast covered several thousand nautical miles.

Some of the flying legs, like the Great Australian Bight, seemed to go on forever.

The Bunda Cliffs on the South Australian side do have several spots for lookouts at ground level. But in between, the stretches of cliffs extend into the distance.


One of the memorable things that this expanse of coast had to offer was the whales and their calves edging close to the cliffs. My first whales from the air. I couldn't believe it.

Definitely an Outback drive to take and a joyflight in whale watching season is a must.

To purchase copies of "Australia's Coast from the Air" DVD or "Plane Reflections: about life and a flight around Australia's coast", email fran@franwest.com.

Portage Glacier Adventure in Alaska with Fran West

There are thousands upon thousands of glaciers in Alaska and the Portage Glacier is one of them. Fortunately, it's an easy drive from Anchorage.


Once you arrive at Portage Lake you board the vessel, Ptarmigan, to head up to the glacier.

Blue fingers of ice reach up towards the sky as other sections of the glacier break off and crash into the water below.

No glacier walking here but plenty of photo opportunities with a backdrop of snow-covered mountains and brightly coloured wildflowers.

Flyabout around Australia's Coast with Fran West

During my flyabout around Australia's coast, I landed at a very interesting airport in Tasmania.

It was Burnie Airport located at Wynyard on the north coast.


This must be one of the very few airports in the world where planes have to give way to trains. The train line crosses the runway in the foreground just near the light patch.




To purchase copies of "Australia's Coast from the Air" DVD or "Plane Reflections: about life and a flight around Australia's coast", email fran@franwest.com.

Fishing Adventure in Alaska with Fran West

Alaska is the place for adventure. On one of my drives out of Anchorage I stopped off at a parking area near a bridge. Everybody seemed to be getting out their fishing gear and heading down to the river.


I've never seen anything like it before. People fishing everywhere, with hardly any room between each other to cast their lines.

Apparently, this is called combat fishing and I can understand why.


It was even worse right in the middle of Anchorage.










Give me the open spaces of Australia!

Flyabout Gliding in Durango, Colorado, with Fran West

When I travel I like to pack as much into the day as possible.

In Durango, Colorado, I had one action-packed day.

I spent the day on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, then as soon as the train arrived back in Durango, I hopped (because I'm an Aussie!) into the car and rushed back to the glider field.

Then it was a real rush to get into the glider and take off behind the tow plane just as the second D&S train was passing the airfield. I was then photographing the passengers in the train photographing me in the glider.

So peaceful in the glider. Really soaring like a bird. True flying I guess but as a pilot of non gliders I prefer to have an engine up the front.

After the train and the glider I headed off to Mesa Verde National Park and arrived just before sunset.



Here's a bird's eye view of the tow plane up ahead.

The fuzzy bit sticking up on the left is a piece of wool called the yaw string.

Adelaide Zoo Walkabout with Fran West

I live in a beautiful city which has many interesting places to visit, like the Adelaide Zoo.

Fortunately for me the zoo is small.

When I was photographing for my DVD, "A day at the Zoo", I walked around it three times to capture photos of the various animals and birds at different times of the day, especially feeding times.


This photo of one of the lionesses is an optical illusion taken using a telephoto lens. You can read more about it in my newsletter at
http://pilotyourlife.wordpress.com/2010/04/25/pilot-your-life-3/


Travel doesn't always have to be to faraway places it can be exploring what's in your own backyard.

Flyabout Adventure to Theda Station with Fran West

As mentioned in one of my previous blog posts, I flew in to Theda Station on my way around Australia's coast.

I ordered a drum of avgas to be trucked in for me so the plane could be refuelled.

Before I left on my trip I checked that the fuel had arrived at Theda. Sometimes in the northwestern part of Western Australia the roads can be flooded and trucks can't get through with the fuel.

One of the things I remember about Theda was not only the flies and the wonderful hospitality but the fact that I had company when I had a shower.

The local frogs seemed to enjoy having a shower with guests - just as well it was poorly lit!

The photo shows the accommodation block which had the toilets and showers in the middle and the eating area on the right.

Flyabout Adventure around Mt Everest with Fran West

After we returned from the mountain flight to Everest, on my big occasion birthday, I looked back at the plane and took this photo.

However, because I have a very weird sense of humour, the pilot seemed to be saying "Look at those windows, man. I told you to clean them before we left. All I had was complaints from passengers who couldn't see a .... thing!"



Having a sense of humour when you travel can be a real asset because it can help you see the funny side of things which aren't really funny.



Travel throws all sorts of different experiences at you and how you handle them can determine whether you have a good or bad holiday.

Flyabout Adventure around Australia's Coast with Fran West

Cape Wiles, near the bottom of Eyre Peninsula, South Australia, is a spot not to be missed on either a flyabout or a driveabout adventure.

It was named in 1802, by Matthew Flinders, after James Wiles, the botanist on board the sailing ship "Investigator".

Today it forms part of "Whalers Way", a scenic drive out of Port Lincoln.



My flight around Australia's coast wasn't just a journey in a plane but also a lesson in historical geography with the English, French and Dutch names.



Matthew Flinders named a lot of places in South Australia, particularly around this area which is rugged, wild and beautiful and also dangerous to mariners.

Bryce Canyon Adventure with Fran West

In 2009, one of the best holidays I organised myself was a trip to the Southwest of the USA and southern Utah's national parks.

I started in the west with Zion National Park and followed a tourist route recommended on one of the internet sites.

At Zion Canyon, you have to look up to appreciate the canyon, whereas at Bryce Canyon, you have to look down to view a breathtaking panorama.

There are many drives and walks at the top of the canyon as well as walking and mule trails down into the canyon.

The features of the park are not only the vegetation and wildlife but in particular the rock formations and their various hues.


Sunrise and sunset are brilliant at certain points of the canyon.

One of the places I'd like to return to and explore a bit more.

Check out http://www.nps.gov/brca/index.htm

Fran West Flyabout Adventure in a Hot Air Balloon, Florida

This is a really good adventure to do providing you don't mind getting up early in the morning.

I was fortunate to have a superb hot air balloon ride in Florida.

We launched from a field at Boggy Creek, near Orlando. Three balloons took off ahead of us and then our balloon launched just ahead of two others. Great photos looking up at airborne balloons and then others looking down from aloft.

So calm and peaceful in the air floating over swamp and forest draped in Spanish moss. A good time for reflection.

One good tip - wear a beanie, gloves and warm clothes because it can be very cold in an open hot air balloon basket at dawn.


After we landed we had the traditional champagne, orange juice, crackers and cheese.

Fran West Rafting Adventure on the Seti River, Nepal

After finishing the trek in Nepal, I had another adventure lined up, rafting on the Seti River.

There had been a lot of trouble in the country previously because of the royal family deaths, so there weren't as many tourists around.

My trip consisted of me and three Nepalese men (all a bit young for me though!) in the raft.


The guide even thanked me for paddling, particularly when we were going through the rapids. What kind of raft trip is it if the guide does all the work and everyone just sits there? That's not rafting.



Anyway, a great trip with one overnight stop. I had a good night's rest, after all that hard paddling, in my own cosy tent which was close to the Royal Palace (loo tent). More stories about the trip later.

Flyabout around the coast of Tasmania with Fran West

Australia has some pretty spectacular coast - different spots in all of the states and the Northern Territory on the mainland.

But the Tasmanian coast, because it's not as long, has all the beauty spots relatively close together.

The best coastline in Australia just has to be in the southeast corner with Tasman Island (pictured), Cape Pillar, Cape Raoul etc. etc. etc.!



I have photos of this place everywhere, even in the loo.

It's even on the DVD label!



You must visit Tasmania and walk this coast, fly over it or take a tour boat ride.

Check this out - http://www.pennicottjourneys.com.au/

And yes, Tasmania is Australia's island gem.

Fran West Adventure on a mountain bike in Nepal

After our trek in Nepal had finished, I spent a couple of days in the Royal Chitwan National Park. While there, I was talking to a couple who had done a mountain bike trip around Kathmandu. They said that they hired a guide and he took them to wherever they wanted to go - a tailor made trip.


Because I had a few days to spare in Kathmandu, I did the same thing too, so it always pays to talk to fellow travellers about their experiences and suggestions.




My guide, Tilak, took me past some of the embassies (and we actually went into the Australian High Commission grounds), the wealthier areas and then up into the hills around the city. We had lunch at a monastery overlooking Kathmandu and then biked back down the valley through farming villages.

Riding through busy traffic was scary and hair raising but Tilak said just keep going and don't look back! It worked and I'm still alive.

Fran West Flyabout to Kangaroo Island, South Australia

If you're going to do a flyabout over Kangaroo Island, then one of the places not to miss is Admiral's Arch.

A fantastic view from above because of the rock formations and also the patterns of the walkway.


It's located on the southern shore of the island which was named, by the way, by English maritime explorer Matthew Flinders because of the kangaroos on it.

KI is also Australia's third largest island after Tasmania and Melville Island near Darwin, Northern Territory.

This photo is one which appears in my DVD, "Australia's Coast from the Air".

Fran West Adventure at the Grand Canyon, Arizona

This is one of the scenic wonders of the world without a doubt.

However, most people tend to visit the South Rim only. On this trip I made a point of heading for the North Rim which is a bit out of the way to reach.



There are still magnificent views and great walks and it is a lot quieter by comparison than the South Rim.

This is the view from Bright Angel Point.


Check out my Pilot Your Life newsletter #2 for a great story about this place and http://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm

Fran West Flyabout to Theda Station, Western Australia

One of the things I remember about Theda Station was my flying shirt.

Theda Station is a cattle property (or ranch) in the northwest of Western Australia. Consequently there are a lot of cow pats around and also lots of flies relishing those tasty titbits.

Here in the Outback I had lots of practice doing the Aussie salute (brushing flies away from my face). The flies don't just head for the face either.

My white flying shirt had been converted to a black and white polka dot shirt.

I was almost totally covered in flies.

I just love the Aussie Outback!

Fran West Adventure in Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park, Queensland

To reach Lawn Hill Gorge, my coastal flight detoured from the Gulf of Carpentaria to Burketown and then headed further inland to land at Adel's Grove.

After dropping off my gear in the tent accommodation, the Savannah Guide drove me to the national park.

I spent time doing several of the walks, checking out the Aboroginal rock art and climbing up to a vantage point to view the Lawn Hill Gorge and Creek. It was very hot walking at that time of day and I drank copious amounts of water. Do your walking early in the morning or towards evening when it's not so hot.

After that I spent the rest of the time canoeing on the creek enjoying the ponds and waterfalls. A real oasis in the desert.

http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks/boodlamulla-lawn-hill/index.html

Fran West Flyabout to Bruny Island, Tasmania

I like to try landing on various airstrips, not only for the challenge but also for the entry in my log book.

Bruny Island, named after Frenchman Bruni D'Entrecasteaux, is a tiny island off the southeast coast of Tasmania, not that far from Hobart. So, during my circumnavigation of Australia, I decided to land there.

The strip wasn't very long, so I did a short field landing, turned the plane around, taxied back along the runway and took off. Short and sweet!

A feature of the island is The Neck, a long skinny isthmus, which divides North Bruny and South Bruny.

For a small island it seemed to be a big magnet for the early European maritime explorers - Dutch, English and French.

Fran West Adventure on the Colorado River, Utah

Moab, in southern Utah, is a real adventure capital. It's the hub of an area which has several national parks, state parks and national monuments and has been in numerous movies.

One of the activities is rafting on the Colorado River. You have a choice to kayak or sit in a raft which takes several people.

I'd recommend the latter if you're wanting to take photos. There are rapids which are a lot of screaming fun but you have to watch out for your camera (the guide does provide a small metal box to keep valuables dry).

You will definitely get drenched but that's the joy of rafting. The compensation is the stunning scenery along the way.