Bushwalking Fraser Island (K Gari) Australia

#Bushwalking_Fraser_Island_Australia

Many ways to get onto Fraser Island (between $165 per vehicle, but only a 4WD which requires an access permit), Motorbikes $65 or Walk-On Adult $50..... all via the ferry
  
KeyTip: 
 I would opt for one day with a 4WD vehicle, as going solo you will see much more
 But again, make sure to check with the rental insurance agreement if it covers you for beach driving

 Your other option will cost you; as a two day, one night tour with resort accommodations will be around $600 - $1000  

 Some Rules to Follow;
 A) Once here no swimming because of the strong currents plus riptides
 B) Another reason to avoid the ocean, Great White and Tiger Sharks along the coast plus Irukandji Jellyfish 
C) Saltwater Crocodiles (Salties as the Aussies call them which can be up to 6 meters /20 feet long) also have been reported to be in the area
D) No running on the island as it will trigger the Wild Dingoes, which then will be activating their instincts

Here is part of the 120km (75 mile) beach which is officially a National Highway

 Like any road system it has rules which are enforced by police from speeding (80km/50mph the posted speed limit) plus of course NO drinking and driving.
 Also you cannot drive on the beach during high tide for obvious reasons plus keep alert as
   sometimes its doubles as an unique landing strip for small aircraft

As you can see its a tough go if your hiking the island, so most opt to rent a 4X4 which you can find at Hervey Bay, Eurong or Kingfisher Resorts plus of course if you already brought your own rental

Now some places to see that i would recommend;

A) Central Station; takes you through the rainforest along the Wanggoolba Creek boardwalk 
 B) Lake McKenzie; which is the most popular site to visit with its white sand and blue waters
 C) Kingfisher Bay; it has a sheltered coastline giving you great views from the Great Sandy Trail of historical sites
D) Waddy Point Headland; to see from the beach sea turtles, sharks plus stingrays
E) Ocean Lake; great spot to view a variety of water birds, cypress, banksia and melaleuca woodlands 

The SS Maheno is one of the most famous wrecks (23 in total) that Fraser Island has claimed.
 It was built in 1905 and it was one of the first turbine steamers that did a regular route from Sydney to Auckland.

Finally it was sold for scrap to Japan in 1935 and as it was being towed it was caught in a cyclone (called a hurricane in the North American waters) which snapped the chain, then it drifted onto Fraser Island beach which now has become a famous photo landmark

Personally i took on the challenge of the 2.5 hour hike to Lake McKenzie through the sand.

It is tough as your are pushing off from the bottom of your foot at the same time sinking
 So if any of you followers have calf, achilles tendinitis or other foot/low legs issues, tour the island by vehicle

 

 It is one of those miracles of nature how it became the worlds largest sand island (1840kms or 710 sq miles) with its ancient rainforests, large dunes, pristine freshwater lakes (over 100) endless white sands (including Seventy Mile Beach) also an abundance of birds, free roaming wildlife such as Wallabies, Possums, Flying Foxes and of course the last place on our planet with wild Dingoes. Finally an offshore that has Humpback Whales which are now in the protected waters of Hervey Bay

                                                        So how is this all possible; 

Well the sand was carried here by strong offshore current and because of the volcanic rock it got trapped, add in the naturally occurring mycorrhizal fungi into the ground which then it provided the necessary nutrients for plants to start the cycle of life. 

 So what better way to see nature than going for a hike, (Bushwalking in Australia Mate) 

Now for the adventurous fit types there is a 90kms (56mi) Fraser Island Great Walk but because of time issues i have opted for the Kingsfisher Bay (ferry drop off point) to Lake McKenzie which a doable 23km (15mi) return trek

       

 Like any journey there are some planning and rules to follow specially because mobile phone coverage here is limited so help could be hours away, so lets be smart about it.

 A) Sturdy/Comfortable boots or shoes are a must as there are some sections that include soft sand which makes the walking slow plus tiring.

 B) The weather can change in a hurry so bring rain gear plus warm clothes.

 C) Carry your own drinking water plus First Aid Kit. 

 D)  Have a compass.....please know how to use it 😅  

 Now because Fraser Island is a Natural Treasure here are some additional guidelines to follow; 

 A) Its an offense to remove anything living or dead from the area. 

B) Stay on marked trails as shortcuts create erosion issues plus you might get lost.

 C) Do not use detergents, toothpaste or soaps in the waterways (creeks & lakes) plus also limit the amount of sunscreen on you before going in for a swim. 

D) Wash your dishes or yourself at least 50 meters away from the waterways.

 E) Use only a fuel stove.

 F) Use only toilets in camping areas.

 G) Hard to believe i would have to mention this one......bring all your rubbish out with you then dispose of it properly.

 H) Finally be Dingo safe, don't be stupid by trying to feed them as they are wild animals.

 I) Also don't leave anything around in your tents, store all food in storage lockers located in the campgrounds, walk in groups and again dispose of your food scraps/garbage properly.

 There it is folks, for all to enjoy a place that will leave you a mind full of amazing memories.

Rubber traction mats are everywhere for the those you dare 😃 to drive or hike on Fraser Island 

Fraser Island namesake has some history
Eliza Anne Fraser was an English woman that was a shipwrecked survivor in 1836.
 After she was rescued, wrote / talked about her experiences so then the island was given the designation after her husband Captain James Fraser
Finally it was renamed to its traditional name of Kgari in 2023

Happy Valley is basically the center of things on Fraser Island
You are close to the rainforest with a boardwalk around Wanggoolba, or check out the shipwreck of the SS Maheno among other things

On my way back to Northeast Australia (Hervey Bay/Rivers Head) which is a 50 minute ferry ride from one of the most unique places i have ever visited in all my travels 

Lisbon & Sintra Portugal

#Lisbon_Sintra_Portugal

 

Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in Western Europe predating Rome by several centuries which was settled by the Phoenicians around 1200BC As you walk the streets you will notice the beautiful hand painted ceramic tiles known locally as Azulejos, this tradition was brought here during the Moorish period of their history in the area. On my way to find the Pasteis de Belem Bakery and its famous custard tarts that were created by the Catholic Monks at the Jeronimos Monastery. History tells us they used the egg whites to starch their clothes so needed a use for the yolks 😀

 KeyTip; Sintra  by car is not recommended due to the narrow roads, traffic and the lack of parking plus its expensive Taxi/Uber is 40 Euro with no time saved with the gridlock, so take the train at Rossio Station and get there in approximately 40 minutes for under 3 Euro Once you arrive the place is magical with its Villas, Castles, Estates and Royal Retreats that even the Romans were so enamoured with the area they named it Cynthia (who was the Goddess of the Moon.) There is so much to see here but my picks would be  A) Pena National Palace; which on a clear day can been seen from Lisbon as it sits on top a hill overlooking the area and its a UNESCO World Heritage Site. B) Monserrate Palace; it was a villa built in the 1800s  C) Quinta da Regaleria Estate; which needs to be seen with its architectural styles and hidden features. All sites has extensive landscaped gardens besides the structures so a full day to explore all three areas properly

Pena Palace
The site began as a medieval chapel, later became a Hieronymite Monastery (which had only eighteen monks) finally was severely damaged by the 1755 earthquake
The ruins were then purchased by King Ferdinand in 1838 and was transformed into the summer residence
Today it is used for state occasions by the President of the Portuguese Republic and other government officials

Park
The palace is surrounded by a 500 acres of imported exotic plants and trees like the American sequoias or the Australian ferns
It has created a lush, labyrinthine type of gardens with hidden paths, grottos and viewpoints

Colors
Red was used on the older monastery section, yellow was applied to the "new palace" wing built in 1845 and the blue that is found on the rooftop elements plus some facades is the famous
   local ceramic tiles
Rumor says that the fantastical design and the vibrant colors here are what inspired Walt Disney when creating the Cinderella Castle

Quinta da Regaleria Estate

Developed by the wealthy businessman Antonio Monteiro
 He had a varied range of interests / views from the Knights Templar, Freemasonry, Rosicrucianism and Alchemy
 Which then is why he filled up his property with the symbols and designs reflecting on those ideologies

Unlike other historical landmarks in Portugal, this estate was neither royal or of a religious origin,
 but the product of the owners personal vision and the financial resources to put it into place

Today
The property remained in private hands until 1997,  then the local government acquired it
Which turned it into a museum and cultural center for the public to view

Initiation Well
 It was never used for water but was an inverted tower for symbolic rites
The spiral staircase (27 meters - 88 feet) is a metaphor for the journey from darkness to light
 or death to rebirth.
The climb has nine platforms, which some believe is to represent the same number of the founders of the Templar Order 

Gardens of Mystery
The park on the grounds is around 10 acres with lakes, fountains and grottoes that many
 have hidden meanings,
which served its purpose within the owners beliefs 
It was designed to create a sense of mystery and then a journey of discovery

Tunnels
With an extensive network of dark, subterranean shafts and walkways, the newcomers would have to navigate the labyrinth to complete their symbolic trek

Freemason
It started in the Middle Ages with the stonemasons (who built the castles and cathedrals) in which they used the hidden symbols plus handshakes to protect their trade secrets
It is the oldest surviving fraternal organization in the world, which is often misunderstood as a "confidential society" but they have a long and public history

The Symbols
 A) The Square; from the workers roots which is in the meaning to be honest and fair in ones dealings
 B) Letter G; has two meanings God as in the great architect of the universe
 Geometry as the noblest of the sciences that helped the Masons understand the order
 and the perfections of the world
C) All-Seeing Eye; is featured on the US one dollar bill which is linked to the Freemasons, but they did not design that final version
D) Forget-Me-Not; during the Nazi era many were persecuted, so to identify each other they started to wear the flower pin which became an official emblem to honor
 those who endured persecution

Famous Members
George Washington, Winston Churchill, Benjamin Franklin, Charles Lindbergh, Wolfgang Mozart, Mark Twain, Harry Houdini, Henry Ford, Shaquille ONeal and John Elway to name a few

Monserrate Palace
The structure is a blend of Islamic, Neo-Gothic and Indian architectural styles
It has an extensive botanical gardens with over 3000 exotic species, does not get the over-tourism as the other locations in Sintra and was used for the film Gullivers Travels
So many reasons to visit this location

Palacio Estoril Hotel
Because Portugal was neutral during the war, many elites plus royal families sought refuge in the country and with this hotel being "home" during those times

Spy Bar
It became a legendary spot where intelligence officers and double agents from many nations could be found having a drink just tables away from each other

James Bond
Author Ian Fleming (was at the time a British Naval intelligence officer) stayed at the hotel in 1941
With what he experienced and witnessed here during his time must of inspired some of his plots
 plus in the 1969 film On Her Majestys Secret Service,
  parts of the hotel were featured

Only to confirm or certainly add to the folklore of the location

Roman Galleries of Rua da Prata

The vaults were originally built as a network of corridors and galleries that were stabilizing the foundations of the larger buildings above it, which was on unstable grounds
The site was rediscovered in 1771 after the earthquake in Lisbon and during the rebuild of that city

Plan Ahead
The area is flooded most of the year which is drained for some guided tours
but only in the months of April and September

Sao Jorge Castle
When St. Vincent (Patron Saint of the City) was laid to rest in a tomb within the castle, the crows were said to have escorted the body to the location, then protect the remains from scavengers

Later on wealthy coal merchants in Lisbon would keep pet crows and name all
 of them "Vincent" to pay homage

40,000 Steps
That is how many (per day) in total for the locations of Lisbon and Sintra i put on my feet

KeyTip
If your not so incline for this number, there is a 24 hour unlimited travel card for around 7 euro
 which is a cost effective way to use the Metro, Buses and Trams here