Hazelnut Swirl

 Guess where we went on Wednesday?

Yes, Maria Island.  A boat trip with Eastcoast Cruises to circumnavigate Maria.  We pulled in for a bit of commentary where the ferry pulls in at Darlington

and then we left the wharf behind and travelled north

towards Bishop and Clerk.

Most amazing weather.  Warm and little wind.  Looking towards Freycinet.

There are so many extraordinary geological phenomena that I decided to do a dedication to Mr Doherty who tried valiantly to give us an understanding of these events in high school.

bit hard to see, but there is a slim waterfall coming out of the rock and feeding the greenery

These are the Fossil Cliffs where whole fossilised organisms can be found.  To me, it looks like a built structure.

stalactites where the calcium carbonate leaches from the sandstone and over the metamorphic rock

entrance to a cave which reminded me  of Caerfai and the seacave haunted by The White Lady

going along the northern end of the island now

another amazing geological phenomenon and cave

 now along the island's east coast with yet another type of rock

into a cave which brought back memories of Halong Bay.  I love the colours.

this cave does a horseshoe bend, but is a bit narrow for the boat to enter

Whalers Bay, where we have morning tea

and some of our crew notice a sea eagle behaving strangely.

It doesn't move as we approach and the consensus is that it is injured.  It does finally take flight.  I think it had its eye on a pied oyster catcher nest or brood.  That tiny bird shaped dot between the mounds is an adult pied oyster catcher.

We cruise along the long white sands of Reidle Bay and are just heading out to sea again when we spot whales,

humpback whales, who seem to surround us.  There has been a great increase in the number of whale sightings this year, and I don't know if this is a good or bad thing.  Our fellow passengers go crazy.

We round the southern end of the island at Point Peron and head up the more familiar west coast.

note the owl face at the Painted Cliffs

Then we're back at Darlington

and homeward bound, after an amazing 6 hour cruise.  I had constantly felt the excitement of being on holiday that I had felt as a child.  Steve and I both rated it as one of the best days of our lives - one out of the box.  And my favourite from the Dairy Box selection is the Hazelnut Swirl.

Coming back into the harbour we saw this intriguing sign which begs further investigation, possibly by bicycle.

Triabunna hoves into view

and we climb the gangplank to dry land.

We both decided we would take the trip again although we'll have to pay full price next time.  This was a trip organised by my friend Jane to help out a local business and we got a very reduced rate.  It was lovely being on board with all mates, and Michael, the young owner and boat driver, is totally endearing with his love of the sea and Maria Island.

But then again, Steve and I are thinking it could never be that perfect again...