The Ice berg that sank the Titanic

Bitten by Bug!

Home I am- after getting on the plane at 12.30 Tuesday and getting to Devonport at 12.30 Thursday- and some how I don't believe that the 4th of July 2007 was in my life - I lost it over the Pacific!
The constant time changes while travelling huge distances and the impact on the human being are not conducive to looking one's best!. As you get out at each port, walk around, checking out how neat some people are, well groomed etc - the reality of sleeping in a t- shirt, jeans and Crocs plus a warm jacket, hit home. By the time I got to Devonport , I had lost the power to walk, I was wearing 2 day old clothes that had been sat in slept in etc, my eyes had taken on the look of a haunted madwoman, and my feet hardly fitted in the Crocs. Lovely as I was , and aware that I had to be careful of my impact upon others , I swept down the steps into Pardoe Airport - noone noticed !!!!.
My dog was delighted to see me home!
I loved my trip - it has increased my awareness of other cultures, improved my understanding of geological and geographical processes, filled my head with awesome images, expanded the number of people I know, exposed me to a huge range of different experiences, fuelled my gastronomic desires and inspired me .
If you do nothing else in your life - make sure you always know and develop some understanding of how others live and where they live; it develops your individual awareness and increases tolerance- wise quote by very tired Lizzie.

Nova Scotia to the end.

Couldn't help myself! Had to step in and give out a bit more information. Last weekend was fantastic. Besides it being Canada Day, we went off to the area of Nova Scotia called the Evangeline trail. This was a discovery trail about the settlement of that area in 1604, how the Arcadians lived , the means by which the English threw them out and the status quo. The area is beautiful - lush and productive. In fact, it looks similar to the land in Tasmania. The houses are the real New England style - colourful and stylish.
We stayed at a place called Digby - famous for its scallops. We searched around Port Royal, Annapolis, Grand Pre and went to the Digby Neck( on the Bay of Fundy),
It was so interesting - the sad sad history of the Arcadians, but the absolute beauty was awesome - apparently a stark contrast to its winter time.
The next day we went down to Halifax via Lunenberg - a german/ swiss settlement even though the Arcadians had been there at the beginning together with the Mic maq people.
From there I went to Halifax for the night. It was difficult to feel inspired at this stage - but I did go to the Marine Museum and gazed at the information on the Titanic - very interesting. Will show the pics later.
Of course , as plans go , mine was well organised of course but the next morning as I was ready to get to the airport- well the bus didn't turn up , did it? Waited in my own inimically patient fashion.
I finally gave in and asked the hotel to phone- luckily they swept by , picked me up and dropped me at the airport. I had images of being stranded in Canada and how much you would all miss me. I was desperate at that thought!

The Last Post

Well, my time in the northern hemisphere is almost over. I have been here on Prince Edward Island since Monday and tomorrow mrning head off to Digby in Nova Scotia and onto Halifax from where I will fly out.
PEI is a lovely island - people are so friendly - they say " Oh Yea arh! " to every comment made. Then " Tasmania? OH My God where is Tasmania?" Do they really have devils? Oh my Gahd."
This weekend is Canada Day weekend - big celebrations Canada wide - music dancing etc. They' ve got Nickleback playing here this weekend but won't be here. I will be at townships on the Bay of Fundy.

It has been a wonderful trip/holiday. I find it hard to believe that I will be back at work in a short time - and yet I am half a world away.
I hope you who have read this have enjoyed sharing this - it has been a great way to keep track of what i have been doing.
I guess I will see you soon.

Vikings and travels

I got there to L'Anse aux Meadows - once called Lancey meadows by those who did not realise that it had been named by the French.
Again, when faced by the Viking saga, I was amazed at the extent of their travels and their influence on the world in general. They were such a fierce curious race- obstacles were there to be overcome.
The little B and B was very nice .
But I only wanted so see what I had known about with the Vikings. I walked outside- it was foggy and it seemed to be placed amongst the moors- sort of like in Wuthering Heights type thing. It was isolated and cold. Out on the sea , an iceberg calmly continued its path towards the other side of Newfoundland - where were the Vikings?
Stalwart and full of enthusiasm I set off down the road - following directions like a sensible person. I looked out across the moors and peat bogs- gazing steadily at me was a huge moose carrying a rather large rack( antlers). he didn't move - I wondered if I should. A moose can weigh about 500kg- big beasties. I gazed , in a friendly fashion signally that i was non threatening - then continued on my way. It stood - watching. I walked- faster; turned left down a side road and soon lost sight of the moose- then I breathed.
Came to a Viking replica village - on the coast, right next to the water. The buildings here are often built right close to the water as the bays are so shallow- centimetres deep- due to the glaciation . It is only when you get right out to sea that the depth increases- the jetties are all rather long. The bays are littered with granite rocks deposited by the glaciers- they are rocks that could be picked up if one so desired.
Anyway- I found the Viking place - I found the archeological dig where the presence of this race was first discovered in the 1960's- noone had known what those long raised lines were. It turned out to be the remains of the walls of the house they had built out of peat slabs.
These people were tough- they lived in communal houses, had a fire in each separate room( usually only three) no floor covering, and in winter it gets down to -35 to -40. At any one time there were 20 or so people living in each house - the winters would have been tough as it not always possible to even go outside there.
Still there were icebergs drifting by- they are huge and I only saw little ones.
The wind was relentless and I was there in summer. Mind you summer delivers many varieties of berries - partridgberries, bake apple berries, squash berries - there is no shortage of fruit and in those days - fish would have been abundant.
There is a museum there- well done and certainly provides a good background to the settlement.
It took me nearly all day for this - but I had travelled to Newfoundland to be there amidst that history.

Gros Morne National Park and Playing with whales

The funny thing about Newfoundland was the number of cash transactions - very rare these days in a supposedly sound country. Anyway , I was saved by wonderful local who let me get some money out- yes.
I had the opportunity for a boat trip around a bay called Bonne Bay - it is a fjiord of around 300m deep water, and some sides are headed that way too. Due to the lousy weather, there were several other people only on that trip and we travelled around the Bay, out to where the water met the Gulf of St.Lawrence then back. Two Minke whales chased schools of fish around us- it was as if the show had been laid on. Two pairs of Bald Eagles nested close to the shore, allowing us to view these magnificnet birds. Finally the dawning of the realisation of the age of the area I was in. Gros Morne National Park is so named due to the mantle of the earth's crust that had been thrust heavenward and contained a priceless history within its rocks- the history of where the Canadian shield had been, the physical tie with Africa, the proof of tectonic movements and a clue as to aging the earth. Some of these rocks are 1500 million years old( give or take a year or two) The Gros Morne itself contains toxic levels of heavy metals that were deposited in the rocks. It is truly humbling to be amongst such majesty as these geological wonders.

After that caught the bus up to L'Anse aux Meadows. Was looking forward toa nice little three hour cruise. Left Rocky harbour at 6 and got to the B and B at 1.30 a.m.- another long day.

Return of the Wanderer.

I am back from Newfoundland. Got in this afternoon after deciding not to pursue an extended voyage down to Amherst for a night . I left L'Anse aux Meadows yesterday at 10 a.m. -ferry left Port aux Basque at 2 a.m. this morning. With a ten hour bus trip then a little ferry ride , and a little bus trip- am feeling fatigued.

This evening's expose will be very brief - justa view of where I have been.

Newfoundland is huge and I didn't realise just how big it is - yesterday morning I was on the 50 degree N parallel. Think about that Devonport is the 42nd degreeS. Also- to imagine the environment of a place like Newfoundland, it is necessary to have a complete environmental picture of the geography, the geology and the cultural history - throw in the climate and you have a unique population of people who are intuitively aware of the strategies by which you build a supportive and strongly networked community which will sustain through the hardships of the environment and life. I think that this is a reality.

More detail tomorrow when I am not quite so stuffed!

On the Viking Trail

So- another one . I don't like to write too much in one post because...............
I caught the bus out of Port aux Basque yesterday morning . It has been good to just have a backpack and have no real idea about how I am going to get from A to B but knowing the major area I want to see. Freedom is what it is called and my ties are to bus timetables and to banks( of which there are too few here).
I travelled to Corner Brook , which is a town on the way either over to Saint Johns or ont he beginning of the Viking Trail up to St. Anthony's. The town is siituated around a very deep anad very long harbour. There is some incredible number of Cruise Ships that visit each year, and the Queen Mary ahd been one ( much to the pleasure of some of the locals I was talking with) . The inlets are similar to the Norwiegian Fjiords I sailed down- I guess they ahve a similar geological beginning. I caught a Viking Express bus and decided to go to Rocky Harbour as it was right on the coast and in the Gros Morne National Park.
I saw the Gros Morne- this is one of the oldest known slabs of rock on our earth. Millions of years ago, after its formation , it was thrust by enormous forces up from the bowels of the earth, unitl it stood high above the surrounding plateaux. here it has given up some of the history of the earth to the people who seek such knowledge. CAn you imagine the force needed? Can you imagine the age of the land that I am walking on now? I am overwhelmed by the history of this land. This morning I am going walking around the coastline to find all I can about here. I want to find out more about the Beothuk people the only Indian group that ever lived on this island) The last two women died in the late 1800's, and there are no descendants as they didn't mix with the white folk.
This afternoon I am heading up to St. Anthony's and will go to the Viking area to stay at the Viking Village B and B . This is where I have been headed all the time. It is a good feeling to have achieved three major things in life - I have travelled now to the only areas that I have really wanted to be - Norway, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland- and I made it.

Channel port aux Basque

I sit , in the small fishing village of Rocky Harbour, wondering how I am going to get the money to last in an area where banks are hours apart or non existant. Thank heaven for the plastic.
I arrived in Port aux Basque on Wednesday morning - tired out as I had been travelling since Tuesday early morning and you certainly don't get sleep on a ferry. My night was punctuated by the Symphony of Nasal Exhalations from the mighty nasal orifices of the truckers who move their trucks via ferry. When this music died down there were various other minor and major night noises accompanied by other titilating nasal stimuli.
Port aux Basque? It is a tiny town on a rocky shore line. The backdrop is Table Mountain which is a huge mesa over looking that town. It is actually called Channel Port aux Basque. It is like little fishing villages I have seen in Sweden but nowhere near as industrious. In fact it was very tired and , for the number of tourists who enter, I didn't feel as if it was quite prepared for them. The people here are wonderful. They are friendly and make overtures for conversation with strangers quite willingly. I stayed in a little Band B called Heritage Home- plenty of food. Had Patridge Berry jam for breakfast- yum.

Crossing the Provinces

OK- let's see if this computer will not shut down on me. here I am, sailing across the ocean - headed towards Newfoundland- wonderful isn't it. It is about 5 a.m. and after a rather peaceful night I gave up trying to stretch and contort( even tho' it was fairly comfortable in the chair) and have given i to the coffee urge and the computer.
Had an interesting day yesterday. I travelled from Prince Edward Island , into New Brunswick, and into Nova Scotia. I began my trip at 7.30a.m and finally got into North Sydney at 9 p.m.
Mind you, I did have an interesting little pitstop in a town called Truro. I couldn't actually find anything- I finally found a place to drink coffee - but the main town centre didn't actually seem to have anything in it - or maybe there were enormous glittery malls lurking behind the dull brick walls. Maybe I will check it out again next time I am in the area.
It is the forestation of this area that was so impressive. Imagine hectare upon hectare of boreal forest - green , so green and all those trees that people cultivate for their gardens - cedar, beech, maple, birch and various conifers. I had recently read that it was imperative to keep these boreal forests as there were groups who were interested in full on logging. Sound familiar? As you travel along the road , there are strong green stands of these trees looming above the road - but look behind. What you see are the guards to the corridor of destruction - behind stand the dwarf trees, young and immature. If you look carefully you will see that this is a common story. In the Rockies , it was easy to see whole areas degraded and worked under the clear felling policy. The avalanche danger through there is enormous in winter- the erosion must be horrendous.
Now - a bit of poetry in words- From the bus I gazed out at the green trees, seductively whispering that summer was here. With a heart full of hope, and a quick whipping off of the polar fleece, I melted into the beckoning of the summer. I alighted from the bus, urged on by the shimmering green, knowing that the warmth of summer was nigh - an icy blast of reality put a stop to that- I remember - northern summers are somewhat different to southern ones. here I am now dressed warmly in polare fleece, jumper and other undrneath bits and pieces, looking forward to a lovely summer's day in Newfoundland. I land in Port aux Basque soon. Thanks Amanda for the clothes....... I would have been an icy remnant without them.

Taking up the Viking Trail

Tomorrow I head off for Newfoundland - it is cold , windy and raining. Newfoundland is colder windier and rainier than here. Get the picture? Too bad - I catch a bus to north Sydney , Nova Scotia at 7.30.a.m. and get in at 9 p.m. All that time on a bus , then I turn around and catch the ferry across to the Island at 1.30 in the morning. I am feeling tired already. So - can't wait. This is the highlight of the trip. Don't know how long I will stay over there yet - I just want to go to places like Gros Morne National park and L'Anse aux Meadows ( the first Viking settlement in northern America)- maybe St John's too
Check out the hyperlinks and they will give you a clear picture of what it will be like.

So - I am Here in PEI

AAAAAh! Made it. There is something magnificent about the Canadaian flight system ( count Anerica in there too) . They are always so polite - yes ma'am etc ; take your shoes off as you go through security ; drop that water bottle it might cause a problem; take your jacket off in case you are hiding something; now what do you use this for?????????????????????? hey - like I am really taking care of my very fragile self here with this makeup>
That is where I was at this morning with getting through the security in Canada.
Finally got to the plane from CAlgary to Toronto and for three hours I flew over the prairie country. Flat? You bet. Roads? Maybe , if you looked carefully. I wondered , as I flew over the 3000km area, about the amazing freedom that the Plains Indians must have had. It wasn't until we closed in on the Great Lake area , where there is Lake Ontario, etc that I realise the resources that would have been available to these people.
I think with West Jet planes , that they figure the more you can pack into a certain area, the better things are - forget the demanding ideas of comfort- who knows what comfort is? Legs? Tuck them under the seat. Then - you Australians have all been spoilt with the service in a plane there. Want a drink? Want some food? PAy for it and it shall be yours.

Aside from all that, I did get to Toronto( or Tronnto, as called by the locals) and did find my way onto the plane for PEI.

I cannot find fault with the magnificent sight of flying into PEI from the area above Moncton. PEI has red sandstone - the only rock available on the island- so the beaches are red sand. This area is known as the Maritimes and it has been the mainstay of the fishing industry. This is the lobster season and one of my very selfish delights is going to be to eat evry bit of seafood that I can.
Today it was 23 degrees C- can you guys beat that?

Taxes and things

I wasn't actually going to write again until I got to Prince Edward Island but I seem to have time left on the computer and I will not waste the money. One thing that amazes me here are the taxes. Australia puts a price on something and what you see is what you pay for - GST is written into it. Here you see a price , get sucked in to the moment feeling all warm and fuzzy 'cos the price is so excellent then BAM. When asked for the money you find that the price has escalated to something you couldn't imagine. What happens is that the sellers don't have to show what taxes are addes and it seems to me that a lot of this is at their discretion. They add at least 10% ontp a price and that will probably be a state tax like a GST or VAT , then they can add little things like a resort tax, an environmental tax, whatever THEN there is gratuity( a tip for the person ) that is always at about 10%- CAn you imagine the escalation of the cost? I am constantly bewildered and suspect that there has been a little bit of ripping off of this naive Australienne.
Going out to dinner is lovely until the bill comes.
This afternoon am going to Calgary - where they hold the Calgary Stampede each year. Tomorrow early , fly out to PEI. Am looking forward to being on the eastern shore. By the way I did not go horse riding - I like to think that it was too cold but naybe I was being lazy.

I have forgotten to even speak about the First Nations. My first reaction was what a dignified title for the native canadians. I don't have a great deal of information yet but will be going off to their museum tomorrow morning before I go out trail riding( maybe). Have a loook at the images through this hyperlink and find out what you can about the CAnadian Indians.

I also wanted to write in about going to Lake Louise yesterday. Lake Louise is a glacial lake , situated about 20 minutes from Banff. It is a brilliant blue in colour, caused by suspended rock "flour" or fragments. This rock flour reflects the blue and green light, hence the colour of the water. It is quite a large lake , visited by thousands of people. I can't believe how many people collide during a tourist visit. At one end of the lake is this huge monument to capitalist greed - the Fairmont Hotel , built to entice the wealthy to this area. How such a thing ruins this wonderful natural environment.
Afterwards we went on to Moraine Lake and this , due to the fact that it had not been desecrated by greed, waas wonderful. The lake was ended by a terminal morraine - a huge p[ile of rock which was dumped by the retreating glacier about 16000 years ago. When I climbed to the top , it was possible to view the whole valley , and to place the wonder of this lake in a context of eons of time. Viewing the erosion across the rock walls, seeing the scratches of the glacier as it wended its ponderous way across the rock surface- this is truly amazing. I am inspired to start up my geological studies again after this.
After walking thousands of kilometres around the lakes and over rocky terrain , I felt it was time to rest my weary self, so after a little rest - out to the Magpie and something or the other for an evening of mex food complete with the hottest jalopenos ever, washed down with a few sangrias!
Make a comment -

Looking down on the World

I spent this morning riding high into the Rockies on a Gondola- you know what that is? It is a miniscule compartment meant to contain 4 adults , and it is sent high up to the 1600m level right up to the top of Sulphur Mountain. From this height it is possible to view the whole Banff Valley, and appreciate the enormity of those Rocky Mountains. The webcam on the hyperlink gives an amazing view- check it out.

I walked back down the mountain( not right from the top tho') and through the forests. I saw my first Bighorn sheep , marmot, squirrels, jay, elk, and a chipmunk.
Having never seen a squirrel , except for in Vancouver, it was pretty neat.
Aimed to do some more walking today , but have decided to go shopping instead- a very relaxing activity.

Oh the Rockies- I could warble along with JD - I did buy a tape of his yesterday and all ahd a good tune. I must confess we are now in Shania Twain territory so if you like Shania- she came from the back blocks of this area and I can tell you, her life WAS tough. The poor areas contain the trailers and their owners - really ugly areas.
We have driven through some amazing country and are now way up high. Finally found somewhere to stay here- it took a while and because we are on Alberta time - we have moved our watches forward an hour - i am really tired this a.m. I think I would like to just look around town do a bit of shopping - I think I might have to get a new case. T'is good to be in Banff. Take a look at some of th eimages I have sent you. Rockies and Banff.
When you use these links you only have to click on them ......
Will put in another before we leave here on friday.

Leaving the Coast

After leaving the coastal area, we headed parallel to the USA and Canada border, headed for the Okinagan Valley.My first impressions of the mountains left me feeling amazed. I am still awed by the sheer size of these sedimentary giants - the amount of earth movement and activity that must have occurred to shift these slabs of rock are unimaginable. The vegetation is so lush - very like temperate rainforest, but with different species. Only some snow was glimpsed as we were not high enough.
We are doing pretty well with the travel - taking it in turns to drive( says me who refused to take the wheel and compromise the safety of all individuals) But the mountains - we even felt the need to chorus along with john Denver songs ( of which we had none) so instead we warbled our own individual tunes - not a happy sound.
Anway we drove to Kelowna where we stayed the night and left early the next day headed for Banff. That was a long trip but driving throught he mountains again ,and climbing up so high was fantastic. We were really in the Rockies- this is the palace that every person should see. They are npot as high as the USA Rockies but are still quite able to make one draw breath!

Vancouver Island

I seem to way out of kilter.............. hwere I am in Banff and I am about to write about Vancouver Island! Anyway will continue. Last Friday we moved out of the very very nice accommodation in Vancouver , The Renaissance. We had decided to head off to Victoria on Vancouver Island. Originally we had just been gong to go off to the Rockies but 8 days is a long time to spend loooking at very large mountains.
Well, the day strated well, until we went to pick up the car- guess who had not finalised arrnagements( I can claim that the Tourist Information people failed to tell me that they had not done it) Fortunately I am accompanied by very competent individuals who solved the issue without a backward look- it was only my shame that kept me quiet. We collected the Chevvy ( or Dodge Caravan) which is actually like a roomy Tarago and then caught the ferry over to the Islands.
Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands are so numerous - they cover an enormous area. Look at the hyperlinks to those places and you will get some idea.
The main thing we wanted to see there was the Butchart Gardens - created out of a limestone quarry. Have a good look through the web page ( on the hyperlink) It gives you a much better idea than mere words can.
After that we collapsed , ate , slept and left sooooooooooooooo early again, on the ferry. We were off to begin the trek up to the Rockies.

Begging for a Life

There was one thing I did mean to put in the previous effort. Vancouver is beautiful but I have the distinct feeling that this culture, beauty and visuals hide a mass of social problems. Did you know that the Vancouver hospital is one of the world's major AIDS?HIV research hospitals? Beggars continually bombard you with demands for money and help. There was a boy with his dog, asleep on the pavement near a pillar........ how did that boy feed the dog? Was he one of those professional beggars who brings out his dog sdo that tourists will feel sorry for him? And what if he wasn't? I find it difficult to hand out money to someone who begs...... I did give to this amazing musician tho'. The others stand with signs saying "HIV and starving", or they just hold out a cap and won't look you in the eye......
So what goes on in a city like this? Maybe they should be like New York and hide its problems or like Sydney and Melbourne.
That is enough conscience awareness for one day!

After Vancouver BC

And so - my time in Vancouver is coming to an end. It has been great to be in a very very civilized hotel. I do like saunas and hot tubs and gazing across the water "cos where I am is really good.
Maybe tomorrow it will be over to Vancouver Island - t'is meant to be great. I really want to see the West Coast areas as they are pretty rugged and harsh but don't think there is enough time. Next time I will head up to the Queen Charlotte Islands which are up towards Alaska.
Anyway we are hiring a car tomorrow, and if not to Vancouver Island, we are headed up to the Rockies, and the wine growing area there and the spas. Ever heard of Ice Wine? Apparently it is made with grapes that have been frozen. Will probably stay at a place called Kamloops then onto Banff which will be the headquarters. Will write again as soon as I get near a computer. Maybe I might travel with a RCMP- hey

I have just created a post - which consequently disappeared (as they do) Now I seem to have lost the urge to tell you all everything but I will.

Vancouver is beautiful - diverse and culturally alive - so alive . It is not common to see the proverbial white face - many many races in Vancouver.

I finally made it here after the long flight - not as long as Europe tho. It was a real relief to fly into Vancouver - wonderful setting. Flying up the coast, I could see all these snow covered mountains and coming into Vancouver it was amazing to see the city surrounded ( or at least having those mountains as a backdrop) The city is situated on a river/bay. and the building is onto the lower slopes of that bay.

I have wandered around Stanley Park, gazed at Beluga Whales, and been amused by sea otters. I have flown up the coast through the gulf islands to a little settlement on one of the fjiord areas. Again it is very European , except the forests are more heavily grown with cedars which are harvested and floated down the rivers. I have shopped and shopped but bought very little. It was great to see the Hudson Bay Company - just like we all read about. Apparently Vancouver is where they shoot many movies and is second only to LA( I think). More shortly,

Melbourne to LA

So, tomorrow at some horribly early hour I will be leaving Tas and headed off. I love the way that I will be leaving Melbourne at 10.30 a.m. and getting into L.A at 7.30 a.m.
Was overjoyed ( not) today when I found that one of the flights from Calgary to Charlottetown had not been booked Even tho' my ticket confirmed that it had been , a long hard look told me the opposite. Consequently, when speaking calmly with the travel agent, I discovered that the flight now cost 1700. I was not a happy cherub at all. Fortunately , even tho' I now had to fly with West Jet, I got another cheap fare that was wholly supported by the travel agent who has paid half the cost because of their mismanagement. I was rather pleased with that. Can't believe that I could have been caught at the airport in Canada and hit for 1700 CAN.
Thanks to the lovely Mrs. White for a fond farewell and to Shooey as I know just how to provide the proof.
Won't be writing again til I get near a computer on about Monday as where I will be in Vancouver is a very poor cousin to where I will be ending up( from Kingston Band B to the Hotel Renaissance).

Nearly gone!!!!

Well the time is drawing near and I am so looking forward to going. I want this to be set up and readable by my class so that they can keep me up to date with news and can also take a look at any photos I might put up!

Playing with Blogs

Not my first effort but I think it is considerably better than that! I think it is a great idea to be able to put up things on here - not too sure about my thoughts but it is a good way to be able to stay in contact with others around the world. As I am on holiday at the moment, it is a good chance to take some time and to just play with this.
I am going to post a couple of pics just to test out the whole thing.