Rhine River Cruise - Day 1 and 2

Tuesday 23 May

It is 4am and suffering jet lag from our long flight from Australia, I am wide awake.
Our arrival in Amsterdam was greeted with cool, cloudy damp weather, which quickly turned to warm sunshine for the past 2 days. So blest!

Amsterdam
5pm


8pm


5pm


8pm


5pm crowds




Canals






Saturdays are party time.




Boarding Gate1's 'Monarch Baroness', midday Sunday.




My close friend Jocelyn, was also setting off on a river cruise - Danube, from Amsterdam. We had hoped to meet up in the morning, but it didn't pan out. I knew her boats departure time was 12.30pm, so sat on the river bank until I saw her boat approaching. She did spot me and there was mad waving to one another. A small police car pulled up and tooted and waved as well. Very exciting.






The afternoon was spent exploring the local canals.






Monday morning the pace of the river and city went up a notch or two.

We were taken on a bus and walking tour, followed by a local canal cruises












Back onboard by midday, we soon set sail for an afternoon of rural, picturesque magic.
Here is where I sat when not up snapping pics.


























Fresh hay being transported for storage.




At about 3pm we entered the first of 2 locks.




And one final rural vista taken from our cabin, as we dressed for dinner at 7pm.

Day 3 has dawned equally beautifully.
Breakfast and  view.


Dusseldorf




Feeling very privileged and spoilt. Happiness metre riding high!

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Coombabah Conservation Park

Thursday 11 May

"This ecologically significant conservation area of the northern Gold Coast protects 1290 hectares of wetlands, endangered eucalypt forest, salt marshes, and mangrove swamps, and is home to more than 11 threatened or vulnerable species of fauna, including the painted snipe, powerful owl, wallum froglet, grey-headed flying fox, and square tailed kite. The area also accommodates one of the Gold Coast's largest koala populations." - Walking the Gold Coast.

Coombabah is just a stone's throw from the hustle and bustle of the tourist mecca of our Gold Coast. To me it should be on top of the list for tourists to see the Australian bush. Thankfully it isn't.

This week I took the Gaiter Girls for their 1st visit. Within the first 100m we had seen several kangaroos grazing. They were constantly spotted the length of the track. 

We were delighted to spot the shy Red Necked Wallaby. A first for me.

The creamy Banksia's were flowering - bud opening.

Full bloom.

Seed head.

There is a wonderful boardwalk through mangroves and Swamp Paperbarks.

Bottlebrush on one side of the channel and prostrate Grevillea on the other, making a lovely reflection.

Yes, it is a tough life for some! What a perfect day.

Coombabah Lake

The Channel.

Today, 18th May, the Gaiter Girls hiked at White Rock Conservation Park. 

The Hungry Hikers hiked here 2 weeks ago and I was frustrated that I was unable to climb to the top of the rock.

Yeah - We tried the route that I had pinpointed in my photographs and SUCCESS!

I thought you might enjoy this U-tube of Australia's amazing 'deadly' animals, but please don't let it put you off visiting us.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNEeq5qGh8I

Getting to the top of White Rock was a terrific feeling. I love to climb, but of late my body tries to tell me otherwise, which is quite frustrating. Yes, another fantastic day in our Aussie bush, but now I am packed for our departure tomorrow, for a month in Europe - Rhine Cruise, Switzerland and Italian Dolomites.

I would love to read your comment.