Australia 2017

Ah, back in Australia.  I've come for many reasons.
  +  AA Convention in Cairns- met up with mates of long standing I only get to see at conventions.
Laughs and love, can't beat that. Also to conquer the Great Barrier Reef by snorkeling. It was at this reef in 1988 that I could not put my face in the water, flash back to a near drowning in a truck.  I have tried before, however, the weather prevented me from this final conquest.  This time I succeeded, it's mine!
  +  4WD to the northern most point-Cape York.  Yes, it was camping, compared to other adventures, almost glamping.  I learned what a stretcher is, to sleep off the ground, hell yes! I have never seen so many 4WD rigs in total in my life.  All different and tough. Learned about Toots- pioneer truck driver who brought freight to this area on dirt roads, not nice roads either. And bore 8 children. And, kept on truckin!
   + Took my friend Flat Tyre Pete's offer of a ride from Darwin to Broome.  I took it, as this journey passed thru another part of Australia I had not seen.  The Kimberly's.  We gathered as a Tag A Long group from Darwin, south to Katherine, then West to Broome.  I had a real bed in the camper, a treat.  What I missed was the Bungle Bungles, these are worn away formations that look like Jaffa cakes-orange and black. Must have a 4WD to go to them, we did not. Must say, I was a bit pissy about missing them.  They are advertised as the must see in this area.  I mistakingly thought that the Kimberly area was painted mountains, NOT. this area is red and flat.  There are small canyons that have water running thru them, big climb down. Many steps, not safe in any way. And, so dam hot.
Needless to say, I missed most. What I didn't miss was the Sand Flies.  I capitalized them due to the hugh impact they make.  In Katherine, it was my second round of them. This round sent to me the emergency, which caused a great interest in the staff, for example-Hey nurse, come here to see this, what do you think these huge blisters and purple skin means? So comforting.  I got the normal treatment-antibiotics.  I still have scars.  When we got to Broome for their convention, we were put next to the horse corals at the race track to camp.  Now, we are talking flies the likes I have not seen in Australia before, and, that is saying much.  If one does not fan one's plate of food to keep the buggers off, one cannot eat. Period.  I caved and flew to Adelaide, no bugs, cooler and a house to stay in.
   +  Two of my friends keep bees.  One day, I graduated to be a midwife. Part of the hive was taken in the house to let the honey drip and as the bee emerged, I took it outside to be free.  I felt like Mother Nature. Actually, I tossed it out the window-fly be free.
   +  Then I got a distress call from my US room mates to help post surgery, so, I left good old OZ.