Donsol Philippines

Donsol Philippines

We flew into Legazpi in the Bicol region of Luzon Island in the Philippines.  We had a great view of the majestic Mayon Volcano as we landed on the runway.  We were hoping to get some better shots before we flew back to Manila but unfortunately the weather didn’t cooperate!  The hour van transfer down to Donsol on the South Coast went through beautiful palm fringed paddy fields and small villages.  The scenery reminded me of some of the Vietnam style war films which is hardly surprising as the Philippines was used in the filming of Apocalypse Now, Platoon, Hamburger Hill, Born on the 4th of July and more recently, the Bourne Legacy.  Donsol is the main place in the Philippines where you can spot Whale Sharks or Butanding as they are known locally.  We stayed at the Vitton Beach Resort which is adjacent to the registration centre and boat departures for the whale watching.  The first evening we were treated to the most amazing sunset, one of the most colourful we have ever seen.  The next morning I went out with another 5 Europeans in search of the elusive whale shark.  It was an exciting trip out into the bay and we all ended up diving into the sea on three sightings and frantically snorkeling to where the shark was spotted.  A couple of people from our boat caught a sighting of the tail but unfortunately I didn’t see a thing so I’ll have to try again another day!

Inverloch Victoria

Inverloch Victoria

We spent a memorable weekend with Megan & Darren in Inverloch, a beautiful seaside resort located on the Bass Highway, 143 km south east of Melbourne, at the mouth of the Anderson Inlet.  We rented a great house and had the traditional ‘Aussie Barbie’.  Darren & I found a great place for the sunset called Twin Reefs.  We even had our own Yoga model meditating in the last of the days sun.  My goretex trainers were again tested by the incoming waves?????

12 Apostles Port Campbell

12 Apostles Port Cambell National Park Victoria

I managed a sunrise and sunset at the 12 Apostles, Port Campbell National Park on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria.  The sunrise shots were taken from the main viewing platforms looking both East to Gibson Steps and West to the 12 Apostles.  The sunset shots were taken looking back east at the 12 Apostles so not such a well taken shot.  This is because you have to tramp across a few hundred metres of thick bush which I was imagining were snake infested.  Hence I made plenty of noise on the way and way back, the lone Kangaroo I disturbed must have thought I was crazy!!!!

Gibson Steps Victoria

Gibson Steps Victoria 12 Apostles Great Ocean Road

These are a few sunset shots from Gibson steps on the Great Ocean Road.  It is the beach adjacent to the 12 Apostles, you cannot get access to the 12 Apostle beach because it has a protected Penguin colony.  The weather was quite cold with strong winds and high seas.  I managed to test out my goretex traniners while taking a few of these shots – apparently they don’t work when the water gets in from the top????