Kangaroo Island: London/UK Profile, More Details!!

In Australia, Sydney, Great Barrier Reef, Melbourne, Tasmania, etc., tend to get most of the attention. But, below is more on Kangaroo Island and why we loved it so much. Plus, a few of my highlight pictures below from this area to prove its wonder and glory.

From the travel section of the Daily Mail in London this past weekend, they have this headline: "Wish 'roo were here! Australia's incredible Kangaroo Island is home to more than 60,000 marsupials (but only 4,500 humans)".

Here are some of the story highlights: "Explorer Matthew Flinders did not beat about the bush when naming the island off the coast of southern Australia where he washed up in 1802. He found a place devoid of humans but bouncing with marsupials yet to learn about guns and sailors' taste for 'roo meat. The sheer size of Kangaroo Island was my first surprise. Maps show KI (as it is known) as a speck in the Southern Ocean, but it's larger than Cornwall, though the population is just 4,500. Roos and their joeys in overwhelming numbers were foraging in scrub or bounding in mobs as far as the eye could see. This is what I had come to see: Aussie wildlife in profusion on the island dubbed the 'Australian Galapagos' because of the way creatures evolved into distinct species after rising sea levels left KI adrift from the mainland 10,000 years ago."

With this profile, there were lots of wonderful pictures and other details that brought back nice memories from our two-day visit last year to this unique island a few miles south of Adelaide. Loved KI so very much. It was one of the "best of the best" highlights from our visit to Australia and New Zealand.

Here is another key highlight noted in this article that we enjoyed so much: "Then there were the Australian sea lions. The climax of our day's safari was to leave our jeep and walk over the sand dunes to Seal Bay, where rumbustious bulls in their hundreds were blustering about on their flippered feet and butting potential rivals 'cos they herded females into protesting harems."

Full story at:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-3206885/Wish-roo-Australia-s-incredible-Kangaroo-Island-home-60-000-marsupials-4-500-humans.html

More pictures and details on KI, Australia and NZ on the full live/blog connected below.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 117,038 views for this posting.

Here are just two views from my many pictures from amazing Kangaroo Island, 70 miles south of Adelaide in South Australia. We had a great gourmet dinner and breakfast while staying at a charming family B&B on a historic sheep ranch there. First is an overall coastal/beach view within Flinders Chase National Park. Second is one view of the many angles and perspectives for what is correctly called Remarkable Rocks.:

With Craig Wickham, the operator of Exceptional Kangaroo Island on this famed Australian island near Adelaide, he took us on a "hunt", successfully, to find more Koalas out in the wild. Here is just one example of these Koala finds that we enjoyed so much. Aren't they cute? So lovable?:

Here is the amazing view through that famed stone at Admiral's Arch arch outward towards sea/rock/coastal scenery:

Here is a sampling from my many pictures of these interesting and playful Australian Sea Lions at Kangaroo Island's Seal Bay. Fun!!:

Thanks Terry

Thanks Terry. We're cruising there in March - can't wait!

Thanks Terry

mtn_couple: Thanks Terry. We're cruising there in March - can't wait!

Appreciate these nice comments and follow-ups. Good luck to mtn_couple with your upcoming March trip/adventure. Let me know any added questions' date=' info needs, etc.

Below are some more visuals from the wonderful sights and sites on Kangaroo Island. More later.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio[/font']

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 119,129 views for this posting.

Here are two more of my many pictures on amazing Kangaroo Island, 70 miles south of Adelaide in South Australia. First is a view of a little "action" with two seals at Admiral's Arch. Second is a picture of two Kangaroos doing what they do best on the open plains of this island.:

At the location of the famed Admiral's Arch is this view of its coastal areas, native plants, natural growths, etc.:

At Flinders Chase National Park, first is a longer view as we approached the Remarkable Rocks that dramatically overlook this coast region of Kangaroo Island. These are naturally-sculptured formations sit atop a base of granite. This rock formation appears like sculptures of the UK's Henry Moore. Second is a closer look at some of these formations, including this couple in our tour group from the London area capturing a picture under this dramatic rock overhang. Third is a view from these formations over to nearby beach/coastal area.:

From the Travel+Leisure magazine three days ago, their top editor visited this famed island and they have this headline: "Exploring Kangaroo Island, Off the Southern Coast of Australia".

Here are some of with the story highlights, including calling this unique area: "a hotspot for international travelers" and "an important environmental success story in Australia". Here was a key story summary: "Today K.I. is known throughout Australia for its produce: delicate, floral honey from the famed Ligurian bees; sustainably raised chicken, lamb, beef; sheep’s milk cheeses; wine."

The T+L editor hooked up with and used Craig Wickham of the touring company Exceptional Kangaroo Island. We used this company for our two days there and had a chance to spend some great, interesting time with Craig. The author noted that he "is an expert on all things K.I. (as everyone calls it), with an encyclopedic knowledge that does not prevent him from also being a highly entertaining guide." Yes, Craig and his company were wonderful!! He related this background about this island: "Craig explained to me that, after the Second World War, the Australian government gave land grants on the island to returning soldiers, who came here to raise sheep for wool. Although it took them a while to figure out how to get sheep to thrive on the island, eventually they succeeded, and sheep farming became the dominant industry."

He also noted: "when you stand on the island’s southern shore, there’s nothing between you and Antarctica except the waters of the Southern Ocean. As you might expect, the breezes are bracing."

This article brings back wonderful memories from our time on Kangaroo Island. Below are three pictures in connection with our time with super guide Craig.

Full story at:

http://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/exploring-australia-kangaroo-island

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

AFRICA?!!?: Lots of interesting and dramatic pictures can be seen from my latest live/blog at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

Now at 24,471 views for this reporting and visual sharing that includes Cape Town, all along the South Africa coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta area.

This is Craig Wickham, the operator of Exceptional Kangaroo Island, who picked us up on our second day and took us on a "hunt", successfully, to find more Koalas out in the wild. Then, here are a a couple more of my Koala pictures that we enjoyed so much. Aren't they cute? So lovable?:

From the London/UK Guardian today, they have this headline: “Kangaroo Island? More like ‘Noah’s Ark on an island’ ”.

Here are some of their travel profile highlights: “The island, discovered by British explorer Matthew Flinders in his 1802 circumnavigation of Australia, is a half-hour flight from Adelaide, and a haven for more than kangaroos. Flinders Chase national park has been a sanctuary for endangered animals since the early 20th century. At Admirals Arch – a rock formation just below the lighthouse – seal pups play in the freezing water while their mothers rest on the rocks.”

Nice graphics and pictures are a part of this article. It all brought back nice memories!! This author used the same firm and top guide, Craig Wickham, that we were fortunate to be connected with during our time on this amazing island. Love Kangaroo Island!!

Full story at:

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2017/apr/16/kangaroo-island-south-australia-wildlife-walking-trail

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Panama Canal? Just completed Feb. 28-Mar. 15, 2017, Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco adventure through the Panama Canal with our first stops in Colombia, Central America and Mexico, plus added time in the great Golden Gate City. Lots of fun pictures!! Those pictures start on the second page, post #26. See more at:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2465580