Time for culture and history, Victoria, Vancouver Island

Baskets of begonias hanging from the lamp posts

We had the Butchart Gardens on our bucket list at Victoria on Vancouver Island. We had a few hours in the city before visiting the gardens. The city itself stood on display for us, with its beautiful harbour with historical stone buildings lining the streets and the harbour front. The Houses of Parliament and Fairmont Empress Hotel stand guard over the city and there is something about museums that always attracts us.  Maybe that was why I liked history at school  

The boardwalk was busy with buskers and market stalls

 Fairmont Empress Hotel

British Columbia Parliament House

The Royal British Columbia Museum, had a display on the first people of the area
 

Canoe

Totem poles

Clothing of the first people, 

Greedy Pelican, would not share with his mates, Harrington breakwall

        

When we go caravanning, we always try to take our bikes, and ride where ever we can.  I had ridden down to the Manning River breakwall at Harrington hoping to photograph or film something interesting. The fishermen were cleaning their catch and the pelicans were hanging around them and wouldn't leave. One particular pelican seemed to have lost his neck down into his body. One of the men told me he had a fish he was ingesting and had been like that for a while. However, the pelican had two mates who were very intent on sharing his meal with him, but he was having none of that. They chased him trying to tire him out and eventually they all flew out of sight.  I wonder who won the argument?

Stockton Beach, sand dunes, panorama photo

What an amazing sight, white sand as far as the eye can see, we found 

Stockton Beach on the last day and have promised ourselves a return trip, to take a camel ride and a bus 4wd trip up the beach 

Dive Bombing Pelicans, Tea Gardens, Port Stephens

We left the pier where we had landed to walk across the bridge and discover Hawkes Nest. The dreadful racket of the pelicans waiting for a free feed attracted my attention. They were coming in  from all directions, divebombing into land.  Screeching and squawking as they fought with each other over the scraps from the fishermen cleaning their catch.

Tea Gardens panorama taken from the bridge linking Hawkes Nest. Tea Gardens sits on the Myall River flowing into Myall Lake and   surrounded by Myall National Park, the Myall River emptying into Port Stephens.

Tea Gardens Panorama

Beautiful yacht

 We caught the ferry, a quaint, old fashioned boat, from Nelson Bay, after missing the first trip by ten minutes, we had to wait for the next schedule. We could hear the chugging before we saw the boat. We all looked at each other with apprehension, as the boat pulled into the pier, we were a little concerned that we wouldn't make the trip.

Our mode of transport was a little more rustic, quaint, antiquated, but cute

Wind power

Canoeing the Myall Lakes

House without mortgage

Diamond Head, Port Stephens, panorama photos

A visit to Diamond Head, for Sunday lunch, this is the view, I can't stop using the panorama setting on my Fuji Xe2.
What a glorious secluded spot in the Crowdy Head National Park, with the beachside caravan park almost full when we visited even out of season. With a modern amenities block, picnic tables and on the beach, what more could you want for a holiday.

We had a wander on the beach, through the rocks, and the boys went for a quick swim, using the beach shower after and we spent a relaxing afternoon enjoying the company of good friends and a picnic lunch.

Seagulls on Diamond Head Beach

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Diamond Head Beach

Diamond Head Beach

Diamond Head Beach

Strolling Diamond Head Beach

Waves on Diamond Head Beach

Seaweed in rockpool on Diamond Head Beach

Party time in Las Vegas

Oh My God!!!! If I didn't see it, I wouldn't believe it. The people, the neon lights, the gambling machines and tables, the high rise hotels and casinos, most in a theme i.e ours New York New York, plus Caesars Palace, Circus Circus, Mirage, Excalibur. 

Stepping off the plane and entering the terminal, we are greeted by poker machines. The party had started.

It was unbearably hot, but we are used to it, however, we stay in the casinos and hotels during the day, playing the machines. Spending $5 at a time, the last of the big spenders!! Venturing out into the streets at nights time.

Every night the spectactular water show, set to classical music entertained the crowds outside Caesars Palace.  Further down the strip the lava mountain show, had us enthralled with anticipation as the birds and crickets, creatures of the night, go silent and we wait for the display to start. The mountain erupts into fire and  lava flows.  Only in Las Vegas!!

Statue of Liberty, made out of jelly beans!!

Excalibur

Bubba Gump ShrimpCo cafe 

Elvis Presley wedding chapel

M & M world sign

Hard Rock Cafe

Ladies Washroom at New York New York Hotel Casino

Luxor and Mandalay Bay Hotel Casino

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Mandalay Bay Hotel Casino

Mandalay Bay Hotel Casino

Rollercoaster which starts inside our hotel New York New York

Mandalay Bay and Luxor Hotels

Visiting Goannas - Harrington

Staying at the Big 4 Caravan Park on the Beach at Harrington, there were a family of goannas resident in the bush next door. They visited the park regularly. They are quite vicious and not to be played with

 

Goannas are regular visitors

Harrington pier strectches into the bay

Trying out the panoramic setting on my new Fuji Xe2.  The Harrington breakwall stretches across the mouth of the Manning River, controlling floods and tides

Sunset dinner at Ibis Styles River Lodge Harrington. A beautiful hotel with an Irish Pub, we watched the sun set over the Manning River. Our meals were delicious and we had some great company

Kookaburra watching over the caravan park residents