East Coast Australia

Sunrise across the Coral Sea.

Palm fringed golden sands of Trinity Beach where we relaxed for 2 weeks.

Kewarra Beach - the next bay north.

Cycling along the sand from Trinity Beach - north up to Palm Cove and back.

Sea turtle coming up for air in the warm tropical waters.

Kookaburra singing in an old tree.

4 Mile Beach viewed from Flagstaff Hill Lookout.

Boys in school uniforms - fishing from Palm Cove Jetty.

Box jellyfish are reported as one of the deadliest creatures in the world - they exist off north eastern Australia in spring and summer.

Great Barrier Reef - 80 kms offshore by high speed catamaran - a plethora of colorful corals and tropical fish only a few meters below the surface.

Tomo - our diving freind from Japan - with a mighty big grouper. [photo courtesy of Tusa Dive]

The sun crosses the horizon to mark another day.

Queensland, Australia

Mangos fall free from the trees - collected and eaten fresh at breakfast - last count was 18.

Lake Eacham - crystal clear, cool, crocodile free water.

Ellinjaa Falls .....

..... Zillie Falls .....

..... and Millaa Millaa Falls - part of the 'waterfall circuit' in the Atherton Tablelands.

500 year old Curtain Fig Tree is ginormous with thousands of roots draping down to the ground.

Butress roots support vast trees in the Daintree Forest - Wet Tropics World Heritage Site.

Lush undergrowth along the Daintree River.

Light penetrates a delicate fern.

Pink protea in full bloom.

Mossman Gorge where we swam in the cool, refreshing waters.

Daintree River - tranquil on the surface - crocodile infested below.

A wee bit of shade next to the flood level marker.

Kangaroo signs along the Captain Cook Highway .....

..... ah - there's one .....

..... later seen on the menu.

Sydney, Australia

Sydney Opera House roofscape - one of the world's most recognized structures.

A segment of the intricate roof tile pattern - tiles were purpose made for longevity and to reduce glare.

Aboriginal musician playing his didgeridoo.

Aboriginal elder.

Bondi Beach - the interface of warm tropical breezes, fine golden sand and clear turquoise waters.

Sunworshippers.

Jacaranda trees in full bloom align a section of Oxford Street in Paddington.

An aviation sculpture outside the Museum of Contemporary Art.

'Always was - always will be'. I am not sure what was nor what will be - but the paint job alone deserved a photograph.

Chile

The very peaceful courtyard at Universidad Catolica.

Entrance archway of colorful Bascilica de la Merced cathederal.

Fountain in extensive Santa Lucia Park.

Street art in the Bohemian District of Santiago.

Andes Mountains .....

..... where we did some hiking. Springtime in November in the Southern Hemisphere so much of the winter snow had melted.

Stairwell in the Mito Casa Boutique Hotel - where we stayed a few nights in Santiago.

Courtyard at the rear of the hotel - perfect for a late meal away from the city.

Their micro wine cellar from which we selected a smooth Carmenere.

Concha y Toro vineyards and winery - claimed to be the second largest winery in the world with 8000 hectares of vineyards.

Red wines are aged in French oak barrels in the extensive old barrel cellars.

Gran Reserva Carmenere - we tasted - we bought - we enjoyed !

Atacama Desert, Chile

Iglesia San Pedro on Plaza de Armas in San Pedro de Atacama.

The main street in San Pedro - just a dirt road - in a very quaint town.

Don Raul hotel where we stayed - great showers, breakfasts and WiFi.

Hiking the ridgeline in Moon Valley.

Standing at the bottom of an abandoned salt mine.

Laguna Piedra - salt content 7x the ocean makes for amazing flotation.

Sunset on the Atacama Desert - life is good in Chile.

Full moon over the Andes Mountains - behind Laguna Cejar.

Earth's moon photographed via telescope from Observatorio Comunal Cerro Mamalluca.