February 14, 2026
Just off the coast of Townsville, Australia is a special little island (that used to be part of mainland, hundreds of thousands years ago). The island was formed by molten granite that was pushed to the earth's surface with volcanic force.Over time the volcanic overlay weathered away leaving an extraordinary landscape of rounded domes and boulders, many as big as a house and spectcularly perched. Over Seventy Percent of the center of the Island is a National Park. There is lots of wildlife here too - koalas, rock wallabies, snakes & birds.
I had originally rented the below Barbie car to tool around the island in, but getting in and out of the car ( no doors) is for a younger demographic. Plus it was stinking hot, so when we checked in we opted for a brand new, bright yellow mini cooper convertible with AC!
For the last 51 years on Wednesday night the Arcadia Holiday Resort has hosted Toad Races for the benefit of the Arcadia Junior Surf Life Saving Club and our Shipmates showed up in a big way to support the cause and play along, helping them raise over $800 AUD. It was a fun & different local experience we were privlidged and grateful to be able to part take. We even got the crowd coordinated to do a Wave!
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Angkor Wat is the largest temple and the Capital of Angkor World Heritage . We hired a separate English speaking guide and tuktuk driver for the morning to escort us though this massive complex. We entered Angkor temple thru the west entry, the same one King Suryavarman would have entered via elephant, back in 1150, when it was built as a Hindu temple, dedicated to Vishnu . It took roughly 38 years to build, starting in 1113 and was done with lots of elephants, thousands of men and a bamboo pulley system, maneuvering the giant blocks of lava stone for the base and sandstone, for the structure, all quarried from the surrounding area.
I am doing this getaway with my good buddy Basia, from the Ship. It has worked out beautifully, for a totally last minute throw together. We thought we would be dealing with rain the whole time, but we have been so blessed! Sunset this morning was stunning! Well worth getting up at 4 a.m.!
I heard you can't come to Cambodia without seeing Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the World and a masterpiece of ancient human engineering, art and spiritual design. So even though I am "templed out"; it's the heaviest part of the Cambodian rainy season (May thru October) and Siem Reap , where Angkor Wat is located, is a hour away by air or 7+ hours by car, I find myself on Air Cambodia , from our port in Sihanoukville , with 40+ ship people traveling to Siem Reap for a quick visit! I'll probably never get here again!