mkagans Blog on RealTravel

Whitsunday Islands journal: Top Ten Adventures

Mon, 28 May 2007 19:24:28 GMT

When I started this trip I was hesitant to post goals - I knew I had only one - Adventure. To have adventures wherever I went and whatever I did. Now towards the end of my trip I have compiled a Letterman-esque Top Ten list of adventures that I have encountered.

Now allow me to digress for a moment about adventures. When talking to my fellow travelers about adventures they always come out with their biggest and best. Adrenalin-pumping, eye-popping, heart racing events like bungee jumping or skydiving. I am no adrenalin junkie (although I think I could learn to be). To me the ...

Ayr journal: Diving the S.S. Yongala

Fri, 11 May 2007 02:41:17 GMT

I should entitle my trip: The Top Tens. Top ten SCUBA dives, top ten walks, top ten beaches in the world. I have now ticked several of these off these exclusive lists. My latest was diving the S.S. Yongala (one of my last three goals in Australia - the other two being a surf camp from Byron to Sydney and the Rock). The S.S. Yongala is arguably the worst disaster in Australian maritime history and arguably one of the best wreck dives in the world and one of the best in Australia.

A little history about the wreck first. Built by Adelaide Steamship Company, which some of you may ...

Whitsunday Islands journal: Mike's Adventures in Sailing

Tue, 17 Apr 2007 01:55:04 GMT

Very similar to adventures in babysitting, but less dangerous.

Story 1: So, yachts have something called a keel which weights the boat down in the water and allows it to lean over from side to side without capsizing. The keel on the bottom of Waltzing (the boat I work on) is 2m below the waterline. We have several instruments that should be used for the prevention of the keel resting on the bottom. However, these need to be calibrated right.

The famous Whitehaven beach (http://www.photozone.de /pictures/australia/a8 .jpg) is inaccessible from the direct beach front access. I ...

Whitsunday Islands journal: Finally an update.

Mon, 02 Apr 2007 21:33:27 GMT

I must apologise for my lack of updates recently. I'm still in the same spot since my last post, and in my head not much has changed. However, in reality few things remain the same.

First off, Kev has been forced to go home, which I think is the smart decision. Even though for the last several months of our travels we were separated by about 2000km, he was still on the same continent. A friendly face in and amongst the world of strangers. But, we must push on.

I am still working on Waltzing Matilda and my sailing knowledge is growing by the day and this is quickly becoming a ...

Whitsunday Islands journal: My New Job.

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 20:35:59 GMT

I wrote at the very beginning of this blog that I didn't want to hope for anything because I did not want to be disappointed. I also wrote about jobs that I dreamed to have. I wanted to cook, I wanted to dive and I wanted to work on a boat. I've managed to bring those dreams to a reality. I've recently started a job on Waltzing Matilda. This boat sails the gorgeous Whitsunday Islands and hits the best snorkeling spots and meets up with dive boats for those enthusiastic about diving. My job is a host (make sure people are enjoying themselves), cook (for 16), and deckhand. So allow me to ...

Great Barrier Reef journal: The Unbelievable.

Fri, 19 Jan 2007 02:38:19 GMT

If there is one thing that you MUST do in your life it is visit the Great Barrier Reef. And if possible go SCUBA diving there.

I have recently returned from a 3 day/3 night sailing adventure to the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef. To put it simply, I loved every minute of it. The boat was amazing. It was an 82' Maxi yacht that raced in the Sydney to Hobart race and won. This was a serious boat, and considering I know precisely zilch about sailing, I was quite impressed. The group of 26 passengers on the boat was amazing and I really couldn't have asked for more ...

Airlie Beach journal: Lost Blogs

Thu, 04 Jan 2007 17:38:20 GMT

A couple of blogs have been lost amongst my travels. The first one deals with lost items. While I don't mind losing things that are truly lost, I really am frustrated by things that I've dropped along the way and know exactly where they are. These include a white t-shirt that is on the bottom bunk of room 4 at Nananu Island Backpackers in Fiji, SPF lip protection that is on a top bunk of the Clinton Huts on the Milford Track, and a compression sack that magically disappeared in the tiny Oturere Hut on the Tongariro Crossing. Although I think this one developed legs and walked away.

L ...

Fraser Island journal: Priscilla Queen of the Desert and our 4x4

Tue, 02 Jan 2007 17:42:25 GMT

Fraser Island is a beautiful place, absolutely worth its spot as a world heritage site. It is a relatively small island, about 150km tip to tip and about 30km wide. However, there are no roads so a 4x4 is required to drive along the beaches and sand 'roads'.

After meeting the other 10 people at the hostel I soon learned that the majority of them had never done a trip before, let alone gone camping. There was a German couple, an English couple, 2 Columbians, and 4 Brazlians. As most were sitting back and seemingly nervous about this, because while food was paid for, we had to plan the ...

Rainbow Beach journal: What is this Drought you speak of?

Fri, 29 Dec 2006 17:48:35 GMT

Everywhere you look you can't help but take notice of the ever increasing water restrictions. I think now Queensland is at Level 5 restrictions, which means you cannot water your lawn as well as time restrictions on showers. While watching the news yesterday there was a story warning that if households consume more than their 'allotted' water, the houses water pressure will be turned down to mere drops, making things like showers incredibly annoying. And yet, I can't help noticing the brilliant green lawns. This was especially true when I was in the Outback. Everything was coated with a ...

Mungindi journal: Kangaroos like Moose

Mon, 18 Dec 2006 20:33:32 GMT

You've got to be kidding me. I took a job as a "row weeder" for $16/hour for 12 hours a day. Good money, right? True, but this might be THE most boring, mindless job I've ever had. What's row weeding, you ask? Well, there's a tractor engine that has 4 arms that extend infront of the body and inbetween rows of cotton. Each arm has a seat mounted with a fibreglass covering to protect from the worst of the sun. The row weeder is driven from one of the arms that has one peddle for forwards, neutral and reverse and the other pedal has two buttons, one pivots left and the other pivots right. ...

Poor Knights Island journal: Snappers, eels, rays. (pictures to be added soon)

Mon, 04 Dec 2006 23:10:02 GMT

After firming up our travels plans for the next little while, Kev and I booked to dive the Poor Knights. This is listed as amongst the top 10 dives sites in the world by a Mr. Jacques Cousteau, maybe you've heard of him?

So on the way up north from Auckland we had a unique experience of Kiwi hospitality. A workmate of Marcos is an avid fisherman and goes out into the gulf about twice a week to fish for red snapper, and he invited Kev and I along for the morning. Up at 5am and on the boat and on our way by 6am, dropped line in the water by 6:30am and were hauling snapper up by 7am. ...

Brisbane journal: Figuring things out.

Mon, 04 Dec 2006 18:28:15 GMT

Just arrived here. Going to look at getting a job to finance my Dive Masters. More updates soon enough with plently of pictures.

Rotorua journal: Geothermal Parks & Sledging. (photos)

Sun, 26 Nov 2006 17:38:42 GMT

For those of you that don't know New Zealand is a hot bed for activity. Not just adventure activities like bungee jumping, but geothermal activities as well. Rotorua is essentially one massive geothermal park. This area of the north island sits in the crater of an old volcanic eruption, giving rise to many bubbling mud pools, superheated lakes and many other geological phenomena. However, it wreaks of sulphur (rotten egg). Chemistry lesson for the day: When elemental sulphur combines with water that creates a chemical reaction that releases heat, and if the circumstances are right can ...

Auckland journal: A little well deserved R&R.

Sun, 26 Nov 2006 16:46:23 GMT

We find ourselves in Auckland for several days to rest and relax from the pounding our bodies took last week.

We're staying with Marcos and just exploring the city at our own pace. Wednesday we will head up north to Tutukaka to dive the Poor Knight Islands and maybe a wildlife cruise for whales and dolphins.

We're sadly leaving this beautiful country on December 4 to head to Brisbane to look for a job.

Considering looking into dive masters.

Waitomo Caves journal: Throw me the whip! Give me the Idol!

Sun, 26 Nov 2006 16:40:21 GMT

If you can name the movie where that line comes from there might be some sort of reward.

The day after Tongariro Crossing brought us to Waitomo. The only thing in Waitomo are the Waitomo Caves. The caves are reknowned for adventure. We booked to the caving that had the highest "Rambo Rating". What this adventure invovled was abseiling (controlled rate of descent down a sheer face), squeezing through tight holes and rock climbing.

Starting at the top of the first of three abseils, we straped into the line, swung out over the edge and abseiled down the ~20m drop into the darkness ...

Tongariro National Park journal: There wasn't a monsoon in Lord of the Rings (photos).

Sun, 26 Nov 2006 16:17:40 GMT

It really seems that we can't do any adventure sports/adventures without getting rained on. Milford Track - rained. Rain, rain and more rain. There is a very famous tramp through the North Island called the Tongariro Crossing. This crossing takes you up and over through a massive volcano park. These volcanos are used as the volcanos for Mt. Doom from Lord of the Rings and are just as impressive in person.

The crossing can be done in one 8 hour day. But we had planned to hike Mt. Ngauruhoe (2291m) and Mt. Tongariro (1978m) and both active volcanoes. The most recent volcano activity ...

Dunedin journal: Oompa-Loompa's and Beer, how can you go wrong (photos)

Fri, 24 Nov 2006 20:28:13 GMT

My most sincere apologies for the lack of entries lately, Kev and I have been going quite hard since the Milford Track trying to see what we had left of the South Island, before we had to meet Marcos (Kev's friend from high school and I met him when we were all at Queen's). In addition, I also apologise for all of those random little dots on the map without a detailed entry. I was just using those to show you where we've been.

Not much to describe on the way through the south from Te Anau to Dunedin. This area is known as the Catlins and is meant to be quite scenic. However, ...

Invercargill journal: Just a dot on the map.

Fri, 24 Nov 2006 19:26:54 GMT

Literally, just a dot on the map. I think this is the furthest south that I've ever been. We didn't do anything here. Just hopped on the Internet quickly to plan some activities that would lie ahead of us. I'm sorry for this, but several entries will be used exclusively to show the route we took to get where we are. I will do my best to note this in the title of the entry so you do not waste your time reading a one-liner blog.

Milford Sound journal: Neverland, the place where no one grows up.

Fri, 24 Nov 2006 05:13:45 GMT

Tramp the Milford Track, one of the greatest walks in the world, CHECK. The Milford Track runs from the Glade Wharf on Lake Te Anau to the Milford Sound. The track runs a distance of 33.5 miles (53.5km), which doesn't sound all that far but includes going up and over Mt. Mackinnon through Mackinnon's Pass.

I am having serious trouble bring to words all of the thoughts, feelings, and emotions that come out on a trip like this. First of all the Fiordlands of New Zealand (essentially the southwestern corner of the south island) have some of the highest recorded rainfall in the world. On ...

Queenstown journal: Homesick.

Tue, 07 Nov 2006 22:51:09 GMT

I am not homesick in the way that I miss home and wish I was there. But that's not to say I'm not homesick. What I do miss are the people. I'm homesick in a way that I miss the people that I want to share in these amazing experiences (sorry Kev, not you, you are sharing these experiences with me, you are not missed).

When I climbed the Franz Josef Glacier, aside from focussing on each footstep, I let my mind wander to who would be the perfect group to experience this with? Who would I trust in front of me and behind me? Who would make the most of the wettest experiences of our lives? ...

Franz Josef Glacier journal: Glacial Hike. Redux

Sun, 05 Nov 2006 04:10:47 GMT

Hey, remember that time I hiked up a Glacier? Not any Glacier, the (currently)steepest glacier in the world, and at a time when it was advancing no-less. There is a lot of glacial physics that goes on and I will spare you the details, but essentially a glacier is always in a constant state of motion. Advancing, moving further down the valley, or receding, retreating back into the valley (neve). A glacier is essentially a massive 'sheet' of ice that is situated over a rushing river that comes out of its terminal face (pictured). When in a state of advance there are many more gasping ...

Christchurch journal: Casey Jones you better watch your speed.

Sun, 05 Nov 2006 03:19:21 GMT

Jada will be her name. Our Toyota Corolla XE Saloon. She's a beaut. We hired her in Christchurch and drove her through Arthur's Pass with some stellar mountain views. We would've liked to hike a trail called Devil's Punchbowl Falls, but it was closed for repairs. So we settled on an easy and sheltered hike to Bridal Veil Falls (I wonder how many waterfalls thoughout the world are named Bridal Veil Falls-Ryan?). With a brief hike through Castle HIlls (rock formation - pictured). I don't think I've seen a country with more spectacular or dramatic scenery. To quote Kev "It's like Canada, ...

Melbourne journal: Melbourne.

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 03:36:38 GMT

After a frustrating attempt to take public transport from Bronte to Sydney Aiport and a bumpy ride into Avalon Airport, I set off into the city to find another friend. Who yet again extended the top of hospitality. Five star service complete with a local tour guide, who could ask for more?

Blake has a great set-up. He and his housemate live above a restaurant - Gluttony, it's a sin - owned by his housemate's father. He doesn't pay rent, just works 1 shift a week in the kitchen. The apartment is a converted storage room. You had to walk down an alley (past the garbage), through a ...

Sydney journal: Picture Perfect - for some.

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 06:49:33 GMT

Sydney is a gorgeous city. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. It really works out well for me that I have my own personal travel photographer that can capture images such as these.

For much of the city we've done the tourist thing. Botanical Gardens, Opera House, Circular Quay, Fish Market, Aquarium, Taronga Zoo, the Rocks, walks from Bondi to Bronte to Coogee. The beaches were stellar (although we haven't swam - yet), the attractions were touristy. To be honest, that's what I was really looking for.

Sydney is very similar to Toronto (better public transit system). Wide ranges ...

Nadi journal: On-the-road-again.

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 05:33:40 GMT

Fiji sort of flew by. Even though we barely got to see it, missing things such as Pacific Harbour and the capital Suva. I have no regrets about not seeing them. Fiji was a great first stop outside of Canada. The people were warm and friendly with a cheery Bula for all fresh faces. Generally the food was very tasty with loud Indian influence. While Fiji is rich in indigenous history, the current culture has a heavy Indo-Pan Asian feel to it.

Side Note: After 3 flights with Air Pacific, I can only say good things. Service was fast and friendly and the food was surprisingly decent. ...

Nananu-i-Ra Island journal: Tops of the Bottom

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 05:32:15 GMT

Fiji is an interesting country. It reminded me a lot fo Cuba. Kev and I were trying to categorise Fiji. It is not a first world country and yet it didn't seem like a third world country either. Is there such a thing as a second world country? The overall impression I got was: Third world infrastrucutre with first world products. This all from a shuttle bus flying along the northern coast line from Nadi to Rakiraki.

To avoid the monotonous question of 'what did you think/did you like it?' for each individual activity on our trip, we resolved the question to be - 'Would you go back on ...

Yasawa journal: Crossing the Inernational (Blind) Date Line

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 05:27:50 GMT

Over 24 hours in transit delivers us on Beachcombers Island, about 1km in diameter, bordered by white sand beaches and soft coral. What a place to start the trip.

Once you cross the International Date Line and today becomes the day after tomorrow, everything changes. Each introduction becomes a blind date, regardless of sex. As a new Irish friend of mine said "It's like speed dating - Name, background, job - see you later". Male or females, everyone gauges each other to see whether they measure up to your standards. Until you realise that it actually doesn't matter, your're all ...

Vancouver journal: Fast Times; Faster Friends

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 05:20:51 GMT

Upon safe arrival in Vancouver ad a little bit of waiting we met Laura's roommate, Lauren. The three of us have an immediate connection and are proptly best friends. It was a meeting of old and new, roommates of course. Laura lived with Kev and I for fourth year at Queen's. Finally, east coast and west coast factions have came together.

We get to Laura's apartment and meet JP, and built a strong friendshup within minutes of introduction. JP is just as much of an outdoor adventure nut as Kev and I are, if not more. And he plans to really put us to the test. Affectionately termed ...

The World journal: Literary Littering

Sat, 30 Sep 2006 07:27:46 GMT

Here I go. If you are currently reading this you must know that I am about to embark on a trip through AustralAsia, India and hopefully South Africa. But who knows where I will end up.

I really have no plans, just ideas. My only plan is to explore. To explore scenery, culture and adventure. That's the general theme of our trip. Exploration. With a mascot picked as well as a soundtrack (Ode-lally from Disney's Robin Hood), Kev and I are pretty much set to go. Right now all we have is a general direction, west until Sydney with stops in Vancouver and Fiji.

The title of this ...

Toronto journal: The Beginning.

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 10:49:14 GMT

This is the beginning of a trip that will take me through until August of 2007. I start by quietly fretting about the stresses of travelling throughout the world. You see, for those that know me well know that I need to have everything planned down to the last detail. For this trip I want to have to ability to go with the wind. If it blows from the south, I want to pick up and head north, from the east - head west. I am starting by visiting a good friend in Vancouver, then down to Fiji for October 10. And then onto Sydney. Besides my first two nights accomodation in Fiji I have nothing ...