San Francisco

#SanFranciscoCityByTheBay

Palace of Fine Arts
The structure was built for the 1915 Expo and the Panama-Pacific International Exposition
 which was helping San Francisco recover from the earthquake and fire (1906)
The building was initially built with temporary materials
but then redone between 1964-1974 and because of that, it is still standing in its original location
 

Lombard Street
The one block section was made this way on purpose, as the hills 27% grade was too steep for the vehicles of that time
So even though its called the most crookedest street in the world, engineers have determined Vermont Street in the city is more angled, but certainly gets far fewer tourists

My number one city (for me) to visit in North America is that city on the bay in Northern California; yes San Francisco (Spanish for Saint Francis)

  From its humble beginnings of a small settlement and sea port it all changed with the gold rush of 1849 (hence the name 49ers, the year of all the those wide eyed fortune seekers that descended to this area) 

 Because of all the new wealth coming in, many entrepreneurs grabbed the opportunity to satisfy all the needs and wants of  these prospectors plus dreamers. Folks like Levi Strauss in dry goods (bedding, combs, handkerchiefs) but most famously for his sturdy blue jeans with the copper rivets to strengthen the pockets. Domingo Ghirardelli for his chocolate; as actually it was at his factory here that they accidentally discovered by hanging a bag of ground cacao beans in a warm room it could be converted into ground chocolate

  

The banking sector; Wells Fargo and the Bank of California also got its start during these times. Then the 1906 earthquake/fire changed the city forever, so at this time it was a great opportunity to upgrade or build new infrastructure. Also the areas that survived the fires had a chance to restart and develop those neighborhoods which saved a lot of those magnificent Victorian Homes; from Union Square, Fisherman's Market, Nob Hill,  Chinatown , Haight-Ashbury Districts, its got it all.  Now don't be going here for the weather, as Mark Twain once famously said "the coldest winter i ever spent was a summer in San Francisco" (its because the city is surrounded on three sides by the cooler currents of the Pacific Ocean)  

                     Fun Facts

A) Social Media: only in San Francisco would they have their 

   own "fog" which they call Karl

 and also has an Instagram page 😅

 B)  Size: as you walk around the city you know the terrain is steep, but would you of guessed over fifty hills

Also its approximately 10kms (6 miles) in both length and width, so not very large as most metropolis are in our world

C) Cable cars; were brought into use to stop the horses  (previous transportation on the streets) 

from sliding to their deaths

D) No burials; since 1902, which created a city of the dead next door in Colma south of San Fran

E) Great Depression; no bank here failed

F)  Parrots; once were house companions then flew to freedom and now live on Telegraph Hill  

G) Presidio Pet Cemetery; founded in the 1950s, which is the final resting place for the military families (that were stationed here) and for their animals

Chinatown
As we enter the famous gateway

 I was told it was a gift to the city from the Republic of Taiwan, plus the multi-tiered roofs are influenced by Buddhist and Taoist beliefs about enlightenment
Also that the canopy is curved this way because of superstition, as to protect against evil spirts

The original Chinatown was destroyed by the 1906 earthquake, but now has become the largest outside Asia as it spans nearly thirty city blocks
This makes it the most densely populated area in the United States except for Manhattan New York 

Music Scene
As i walk by this street art

 How fitting, as i am heading to the Fillmore District Hub area
 Known as the "Harlem of the West" (where in the 1940s & 1950s) with the influx of African Americans who were working in the military shipyards fueled a vibrant  jazz plus blues scene

Jumbos Bop City
Was a famous after-hours club that hosted jam sessions lasting all night,
 where names like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong performed

Today
Fillmore Jazz Festival is an effort to revitalize the music scene in this area

The Architectural Styles
 The city is diverse because of the rebuilding or the saved structures after the earthquake
 and fire of 1906
You have a mix of Queen Anne Victorian, Art Deco, Italianate, Streamline Moderne
and Mid-Century Modern

Pier 39
The Sea Lions began appearing on the docks in 1990 shortly after the Loma Prieta earthquake
A few reasons they stay;
A constant food supply in the area plus their natural predators (White Sharks and Orcas) typically
 do not venture into the bay

Haight-Ashbury
The birthplace in 1967 of the Summer of Love

 It brought thousands of young people to the area, with the neighborhood became a central hub for the hippie counterculture 
 Was the starting point for the iconic rock bands The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane and Quicksilver Messenger Service
With this culture it also became home for many other influential music artists such as Janis Joplin ,
 Jimi Hendrix plus Crosby, Stills and Nash

Modern Times
A) Amoeba Music; is one of the worlds largest independent record stores that also has a stage on site
 for live performances
B) Victorian Architecture; the area was developed in the late 1800s
 and survived the 1906 earthquake / fire
C) Other Cafe; legendary comedy club that provided a platform for the upstarts like Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg and Dana Carvey
D) Hippie Hill; George Harrison borrowed a guitar and started playing here back in 1967
E) Grateful Thursdays; the area continues to be a lively center for music with local venues
hosting live performances

Iconic Cable Cars

Beginnings
Started in 1873 with the first successful run on Clay Street using an unique technology with an underground cable that holds the car onto the surface
This mechanism is manually controlled by a "Gripman" using a large lever

Saving the Cars
In the 1940s with buses and electric streetcars that were more safe and cost-effective, the local government attempted to remove them
The citizens campaigned against it, which lead to a landslide ballot victory for their protection
Then in 1964 in recognition of their historical status, the cable cars were designated
 a National Historic Landmark

Fun Facts
A) Brake Pads; were made of Douglas Fir wood that had to be replaced every 72 hours of service due to the wear and tear
B) Fannie Mae Barnes; in 1998 she became the first woman to be a cable car Grip Operator, proving she had the upper body strength to do the job
C) Bell Ringing; a contest every year to show off their unique rhythms and styles
D) Movies: the cars have been featured in films like Mrs. Doubtfire,
Dirty Harry and The Net

Golden Gate
The bridge opened in 1937 with the US Government initially opposed to its construction
It has only been closed three times due to weather and survived a 7.1 magnitude earthquake in 1989

 Events on the Structure
A) Safety Net; was installed during its construction which saved the lives of nineteen men
who became known as the "Halfway to Hell Club"
B) Babies; three have been born on the span and all were boys
C) Film Star: Hollywood has used it ( to name a few) for Risky Business and Chinatown

Sausalito
As i look back at San Francisco

 I am reminded of the Otis Redding classic song he wrote here
"Sittin On the Dock of the Bay"
I left my home in Georgia
Headed for the Frisco Bay
Ive had nothing to live for
Look like nothins gonna come my way

So im just gonna sit on the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away
Im sittin on the dock of the bay
Wastin time

Globetrotter
As the street art i found here suggests, i am a traveler 
Onto my next adventure

Cruising 101

#Cruising101

Leaving Miami (as the sun goes down) and with its seven main terminals this port is one of the cruising industries biggest hubs with more than 4 million passengers
With these large numbers it can be stressful, but keep reading as we shall take some of the questions out of the equation

If arriving by air;
 Miami International Airport is 20 minutes drive
 Fort Lauderdale / Hollywood International is 45 minutes away
 With both depending on traffic conditions to the port

Now most of the cruise lines provide shuttles from Miami Airport but generally only on the day the ship is embarking, plus they charge $23.00 PP; so lets forget about this option
So  use either a taxi ( $40 per car load ) or any of the ride-hailing services such as Uber or Lyft starting at $25 and again per vehicle not per person

Now if staying at a nearby hotel;
Most offer free shuttle services or if traveling by car and staying a night before your ship leaves

KeyTip
 Its cheaper to park it at the motel until you return ( compare their daily rate) than pay those expensive port parking fees ($22.00 per night)
Finally a majority the car rental companies offer a free shuttle after you check in your returned vehicle
 

One of the best ways to get a "feel" of many countries is to board a ship and go cruising. Now depending on your comfort level here there is a few ways to save big dollars if you decide to hit the sea;

 A)  First up is to book your trip last minute or keep an eye open on the Internet for deals as the cruising industry want to get you aboard as this is where they make their money from their captive audience, you!. 

 B)  Next is to arrive the day of embarking, as most travel agents suggest a day or two before and that means sometimes a Friday/Saturday which is higher airfare plus of course factor in hotel rooms.

 I just recently flew on a Sunday (saved $1,000.00 on 2 tickets) and i called the cruise line to say i had a two hour window, which they were very accommodating if i was running late as boarding starts hours before they hit the sea

C) Also your allowed to bring a case of water or soda aboard for your personal use which comes in handy plus some shipping lines allow your duty free purchases to come with you, but ask before you buy as i have had mixed results on this issue.

 D) Speaking of (again comfort level) i usually wait to i get on shore to book any adventures as you pay more on the ship for the convenience of having all arranged for you, but there is that off chance what you want to visit is sold out because you waited

Plus once on land i avoid the Cruise Ship Shuttle if there is a fee and just take the Public Bus which is always nearby the cruise terminal to City Centre at a huge saving 

 E) Also make sure you eat before you leave for the day, as its what you paid for on the ship ( plus i always buy some energy bars from my last stop on land and put them in my backpack)

 F) Plus remember everything is charged to your room, so i usually put so much cash down on account to avoid any surprises by using a credit card as we know how that can add up quickly if not managed. For your convenience there are kiosks around the ship to check your balance and status which isn't  a bad idea to do every few days.

 Speaking of additional fees, a 18% gratuity is added to your bar tab or drink package, spa treatments, etc  plus for staff your Cabin Stewart, Dinner Waiters and others a $14 to $18US per day per person  (even if you have young children which the industry needs to address as its not fair) is charged to your rooms account for their weekly tip

But also you can go to the reception desk to ask to lower the daily amount for the staff or just say politely that you will tip the workers personally and for the ship to not charge your room. 

BUT this must be done before final billing

 G) Be careful of internet plans on the ship as these are expensive and sometimes the service is spotty on the open sea, so why not just wait until you get to shore; visit a cafe, buy a coffee then use the free WiFi.

 H) Specialty Restaurants onboard can cost big dollars so be aware of this and my way of thinking is  your already paying for a La Carte Dining so why pay an extra  $100 for a steak meal for example

 I) Exercise Facilities are free but perhaps Spin Class or Yoga is not, so ask before you get sticker shock 

J) Finally your traveling to explore new countries or cities, not drink 12 plus alcohol beverages per day to get your moneys worth out of a drink package. So yes, for me a waste of money

KeyTips on the Cruise Buffet;

A) I would avoid the Sushi Bar as raw fish needs to be eaten immediately

B) I go to the Omelette Station as its made in front of you and avoid the scrambled eggs, which are probably powdered anyway

C) I ask for new pizza and avoid the one that has been sitting for awhile because of the cheese

D) Always pass on the giant bottles of condiments (which have been touched by many hands) and opt for the single serve packets

E) Never use the same plate when going back for seconds

F) Be wary of the utensils that are used for multiple serving trays which could cause cross-contaminated food 

KeyTips on Shore Excursions;

 A) Avoid the ones that give you a limited time to explore that destination  If the roundtrip total time by bus is say 4 hours and you have only 2 hours to sightsee, to me that is a waste of money

 B) Tours that involve animals; for example swimming with the dolphins, horseback riding on a beach, donkey rides up steep stairs. In most cases the animals are mistreated or not well cared for so i personally avoid 

C) Any activities that indicate how strenuous the tour is, so lets be honest with yourself or family members with their fitness levels and if you can complete it before you sign up. Or again a waste of money

 D) Do not book those beach excursions through your ship, just take a local taxi or bus as they will know where to take you, plus if there is a fee to enter the beach through a resort it will be cheaper paying at the hotel

 E) The all day bus panoramic tours......really, do you want to explore a historic city in a motor coach plus if on the wrong side of the bus you will not see anything interesting. If physically able, walking the streets is ALWAYS the best way to view a city in my opinion

  KeyTips to enlarge your cabins small bathroom;

 A) Bring a shoe organizer or toiletry hanger to fit your shampoo, lotions, conditioners etc  plus maybe bring a night light for the bathroom, as its dark in these cabins especially the inside ones with no windows

 B) No irons or steamers are allowed ( fire prevention of course) so bring a wrinkle-free spray so you avoid the expensive laundry service onboard your ship

 C) Bring a Tide Pen to prevent future stains by rubbing it on the area so prepping it for a later cleaning

D)  Make use of the provided clothesline inside your bathroom, mainly if your doing your own laundry or using the ships pool / hot tub areas to allow your clothes to dry properly

 E)  Personally i bring my own soap, body lotion shampoo and so on (as what the ships provide is a generic 3 in 1 product) especially if you have dry skin, textured hair or sensitive face which may add to unwanted stress if using the ships product

Now some personal observations about cruising;

 A lot of the glamor is gone (in my humble opinion) because of the buffets with its no dress code, how the industry pushes the sale of alcohol drinks, photos, their duty free stores, casino/bingo's etc.

 But i look beyond that and take advantage of the free nightly formal dinners, Vegas type entertainment, the exciting ports of call and of course the fantastic views from your ship as you cruise the waters of our amazing planet.

• 
  

  

  
   

  KeyTip;   Ask if any of your ports of call require a Tender to Shore  Why; as this will add a few hours for you to get to your destination, plus any clients who book tours through the ship get first right of way, then yourself so plan accordingly  
• 
  

• 

  
  Unpleasant Reality Facts
   As unfortunately, sometimes not everyone aboard are nice people
  
  A) For passengers or crew that commits a serious crime, all ships have an holding area that is called the Brig (barebones room with a bed and bathroom)
  until the boat makes port and the offender is handed over to Law Enforcement
   B) For the passenger who gets too drunk and disorderly he or she are put under Cabin Arrest,
  then can only leave their room with a security escort

  
  

My Recommendations
If your planning your first cruise i would strongly suggest the Mediterranean Sea area
 You wake up every morning in exciting, historical city and generally have a full day to explore as the ships can stay longer, as the next days destination is not far away

No Crossing Oceans
Finally for sure i would avoid a Transatlantic repositioning cruise for your first time
 A) as its a lot of days at sea
B) you may not like the shipboard experience
 C) the weather is unpredictable  

Some Fun Facts on Cruising;

A) As you probably noticed there are no Deck 13s because of Western Cultural folklore, but for some of the ships that sail the Asian Market it has that floor as its not considered bad luck
B) For the MSC cruise line there are no Deck 17s, as the founder was Italian and that number is considered a bad omen in his country
C) There is a water filtration plant on your vessel
D) Cruise cabin walls and doors are metal for safety / fire reasons, so bring some magnet hooks for hanging clothes and extra storage space
E) Cruise Ships purposely have different colored or patterned carpets to allow you to remember if your on the Port Side (left) or Starboard Side (right)
 F) Champagne became the christening wine of choice with promises of good fortune and prosperity
in the late 1800s 
 G)  Why most ships are colored white is to reflect light thus it does not heat up as quickly.
 So with less heat, less operating cost plus it conserves energy 

Happy Cruising Everyone 😎

Georges Island, Halifax Nova Scotia

#GeorgesIslandHalifaxCanada

Finally now since 2020 you can visit this National Historic Site with a ferry ride from the Cable Wharf area on the Halifax Boardwalk and then explore Fort Charlotte
 Lots of history here from its tunnels, fortifications, prison cells, ammunition magazines and much more with guides (in period correct costume) to tell the stories of the area, or if you choose self tours

 Fun Fact
As you walk the island, under your feet it is considered a drumlin from the days of yesteryear
 It is the debris (boulders, clay and gravel) that was left behind from the receding glaciers
over 10,000 years ago.
Interestingly this is how its "big brother"(on the mainland) the Citadel Hill Fort was also formed 

Dignified Transfer
Little know fact that Georges Island (named after King George of England) was earlier selected as the gravesite for the French Admiral Duc dAnvile who had tried to reclaim the Fortress of Louisburg (450 kms or 280 miles from Halifax) from the British military 
After Britain settled in Halifax (1749) a French warship was permitted to visit the harbor to reclaim the Admirals body, then it was shipped back to his home country for proper burial

Beginnings
The first fortifications on Georges Island were constructed in 1750 to protect against any enemy ships from entering the harbor
But with the French Revolutionary Wars beginning in 1792, Halifax became the principal Naval Base in North America for the British, so more upgrades were required
Then the son of King George (Prince Edward) was dispatched and put in charge for the construction of Fort Charlotte on the island 

 

 During the American Revolution the island defense systems were once again updated and renewed 

 But it did not see an attack like other points of my Province of  Nova Scotia as Georges Island was just one of five parts of the Halifax Defense Complex, which included the Citadel, Fort McNab, Prince of Wales Tower and York Redoubt military structures

 

During the 1850s the fort was rebuilt to be mostly subterranean with a maze of tunnels, corridors, storage rooms plus sleeping quarters buried deep inside the island.

 Then in the late 1890s with the rapid pace of weapon development it soon rendered the fortress guns obsolete, so then the British installed a new torpedo system and established a manually operated submarine mine field across the harbor's channel, again by using Georges Island as its base.

 

Grim Past
Other history of Georges Island was the years of the French Acadian Interment Camp
The island was used as a so called holding area for around 900 prisoners, which were then exiled to various parts of North America, Caribbean or some back to Europe. Because of the harsh conditions on the island from the freezing temperatures, malnutrition and disease many died before the transport ships ever arrived This was known as the Great Upheaval ( Le Grand Derangement) during the years of 1755 to 1764 which was a "dark stain" in the history of my area

Something Positive
 Some ended up in Louisiana because of language (still a French Territory at this time) thus brought with them the Cajun Culture which that area is now famous for, that all started here.
 

Finally during the First World War the island was used as an anchor to hold submarine nets to prevent the German U-Boats from entering the inner bay. This was where all the ships would gather to form a convoy to cross the ocean, with the Canadian Navy to provide protection

Atomic Blast
But with that overcrowded harbor, this is was what caused The Halifax Explosion (December 6th 1917) as two ships collided by accident, the Belgian relief vessel Imo and the French munitions
 ship Mont Blanc.
 The end result was the biggest made made explosion before the bombing of Japan by the American Military, with at least 1782 people who lost their lives plus another 9,000 injured from this tragedy
 (many blinded because of the shattered flying glass) 

Boston
This city was one of the first to "step up" and sent by train medical personal, supplies plus equipment. Starting the next year (1918) we Halifax starting sending a Christmas Tree to our "sister city" as i way of saying Thank You 

 

Fact & Fiction
A) Subterranean Myth; because the island was closed to the general public for so long of course the rumors grew, there is no underground tunnels under the ocean floor that go all the way up to the Citadel Hill Fort

B) Wild Fruit; because of its isolation, it accidentally became a sanctuary for the wild overgrown blueberry bushes

C) Serpents; the island is home to a thriving population of Garter Snakes which are docile
 and completely harmless.
 I remember my first time visiting; (as they had an open weekend to gauge interest) the ladies behind me were always motioning me to lead the way, which in Eastern Canada this is not unusual as we are a friendly bunch or so i thought
 They told me later, yes we are nice but it was because we have a fear of the snakes, so i guess
 you can say i was the "test subject" 😂

Hangmans Beach
People mistake that it was Georges Island for this location, but it was actually Maugher Beach
on McNabs Island
The Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars (1799-1815) would execute deserters,
 mutineers and pirates here.
Their tarred bodies were then left swinging as a gruesome warning to incoming sailors as
they entered Halifax Harbor

Edward Jordan
He was an Irish rebel and convicted pirate who was found guilty of murdering the crew of
the Three Sisters Schooner.
Folklore says his tarred body was on view here at Georges Island, but this was too far inside the harbor to be used as a reminder if you decided to choose this dangerous lifestyle
His hanged remains was on display in Point Pleasant Park near Black Rock Beach

Bushwalking Fraser Island (K Gari) Australia

#BushwalkingFraserIslandAustralia

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

Traffic Network Rules
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

Hard Trekking
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
It 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

My Challenge
Personally i took on the 2.5 hour hike to Lake McKenzie through the sand
 and it is tough as it looks
 Your are pushing off from the bottom of your foot at the same time sinking,
 so if any of you 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

                                                            The Reasons How         

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
They are everywhere for the those you dare 😃 to drive or hike on Fraser Island 

Fraser Island Namesake History
Eliza Anne Fraser was an English woman that was a shipwrecked survivor in 1836.
 After she was rescued, wrote and talked about her experiences on the island and so the rumor was
it was named after her

Stirling Castle Ship
 Actually the area was named after her husband Captain James Fraser (who died during the wreck) and under 19th century British colonial practices, landmarks were typically named after male authority figures, ships or deceased captains

Today
It was renamed to its traditional name of Kgari in 2023

Happy Valley
It 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

Returning
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