Location photographer. Getting behind the scenes. Showing off the secret, and not so secret, treasures of the world.
Summer holidays...
Summer holidays. Where I expect sun and warm weather, but get rain and grey skies. Moreton Island and Tangalooma Resort is still fun.
When I booked an island holiday in Queensland, I just presumed it would be sunny and warm. After all, it was going to be October. And coming from Adelaide, even mid-twenties would be a treat.
So, grey skies, rain and 18 degrees was a bit of a shock. So much for the summer holiday to Tangalooma Resort on Moreton Island. Where are my relaxing afternoons lazing on the beach after touring around? Instead, we are scrambling around for umbrellas and ponchos and venturing about the resort when the rain subsides a little. We don't even get to see outside of the resort. Something that annoys me - I love to know where I am and go discovering when somewhere new.
But, we adapt. We grab the umbrellas and ponchos and wander. Ashton wades through puddles. Belle cartwheels across the lawn. They both build a fort with their umbrellas on the beach. They even get me in the pool once. Brr.
Reception has board games, we play a few games of pool, and visit the marine centre where we learn about marine life. I am shocked at how dolphins and sharks have been slaughtered. I never knew that sharks were caught for their fin and then chucked back in the sea to die.
I'd definitely like to re-visit with the sun and warm weather. Moreton Island looks magical, and the resort itself is a little haven of relaxation and chill.
Herdenkings Day (Remembrance Day) in the Netherlands is... today.
Remembering the Netherlands.
the coffee shops
the red light district
the windmills
the sex museum...
but also,
Texel island
the bike rides
being able to drive to another country in a few hours
daggy looking exterior apartments with gorgeous fit outs inside
and the pop up male toilets in the city square at night time.
Also...
Compare the Netherlands to my home suburb and it's like comparing a pancake with a piece of home made rockyroad.
A holiday to visit friends in the Netherlands about 10 years ago saw us getting to know the way the locals live, have fun and see their own country. We did the touristy must-do's also, but some of the most fun came from getting out of town.
One day we hopped on a ferry, hired a few bikes, and rode around Texel island. Over 50km's on a hire bike doesn't make your bum very happy. But the scenery and local tourist feel did make me very happy. Picnicing on a deserted beach, riding through fields of yellow tulips, popping in to the locals shops. Not seeing another international tourist the whole day. I felt like we had insiders knowledge, and an experience that was truly special.
Doing this sort of thing, visiting where the locals holiday, is becoming a done thing on our holidays. Spain too, saw us down the bottom of the country, at Matalascanas in off season. To the point where, after a few nights, we got kicked out of our hotel due to it's closing to be cleaned and de-bugged. And more recently, even with kids, we travel the backstreets of our destination. More fun, more knowledge, more locals, more experience.
