This year, we celebrated our 20th Anniversary in Norfolk Island, along with good friends Anna and Gary. Anna celebrated an important birthday as well and we have travelled with them before, having a great time in each other's company.
Only a small aircraft needed to fly to Norfolk, just 2 hours flying time and under 200 passengers.
It's time, and always a little exciting.
Arriving at it's little airport, we soon get a taste of the local dialect.
We stayed at the Day Dreamer Apartments. Self contained units and highly recommended.
The nearest club is the local Bowlo, but just a little further is the RSL. Both great, friendly venues with lovely meals. Everything was within walking distance from the apartments.
Checking out the tourist map, on our walk back.
Gary and I had a chartered fishing trip booked for our first morning on Norfolk, while the girls took a complimentary tour around the island, gathering information for our own drives.
Although overcast, we enjoyed the views at the pier.
No boat ramp on this pier so the boat gets lifted by crane in to the water.
They hold it at this level while we hop on.
Gary's first time on a charter and what an initiation he got. Advanced Fishing Charters are excellent and well equipped to give fisho's an experience to remember. They also do tours around the island.
The electronic chart on the left says it all. $30,000 worth on it's own.
The big Shark Cat made for a comfortable ride.
Luke, our guide knows his stuff. Here, he prepared 4 lines out for trolling, after seeing a few large King Fish below on the sounder.
it doesn't take long before this beautiful Kingy is brought up.
We move spots and all hell breaks loose. One fish after another, after another. I didn't have time for photos until Gary brought this huge Trumpeter up. I had already caught 3 King Fish but no time for pics until later, as you'll see.
These Trumpeter aren't the best fighting fish, but probably the best tasting fish we've ever had.
Over 3 hours of non stop action, it was time to head in. By now our arms are hurting and adrenalin still running high.
The proof is in the pudding.
Smiles all round, as we prepare the hoist the big Shark Cat back out of the water.
One last shot before Luke and his Dad fillet and skin the catch.
Up she comes.
Best boat I've been on.
Here's a few more I caught, that I had no time to photograph.
The fellas hard at work. We are allowed 3kg each, but was way too much. We took what we needed for a BBQ of fresh fish fillets while the rest go to the few venues around the island. These boys are also relied on to stock local fridges, remembering the remoteness of Norfolk.
Before long, the sharks gathered around the pier for a feed of carcasses. Nothing goes to waste here.
After lunch, the sun came out and we decided to do a little exploring by car.
This is a small lookout over beautiful, historical Kingston.
Time for a couple of lovey dovey pics.
The view was stunning.
This row of historical homes are now housing Australian Government Officials.
This is Betsy. Betsy likes to be photographed and wouldn't moooove.
Only in places tranquil places like Norfolk, do animals wander freely and look the part.
Alot to see, walking around the old town.
If you look up Norfolk Island, you're sure to see pics of these boats.
As beautiful as it looks, the south coast of the island can get rough.
Time to take a closer look at some of the old buildings, starting with the church.
To imagine, this home once housed a family.
A walk across to the old gaol.
The girls showing the tiny size of the cells.
And out the other end.
Norfolk is very calming. No stress at all here.
More old relics, just on the hill.
Not much left of these ones.
Nice view from up here.
That's one huge shackle.
This area is a must see.
Next, we take a look at Captain Cook's tree.
Apparently, he painted this tree, when he discovered Norfolk Island.
It overlooks Emily Bay. A pleasant swimming spot.
More beautiful coastline.
Making our way back through Kingston, we drive to another historic site.
There's something special about a place where livestock have right of way on the roads.
The story goes that a member of a gang of convicts, murdered an officer while the bridge was being constructed. Thus the name.
This is it, although only one side remains, because the other lane was washed away in flood waters.
And just up the road a little, another old boat used as garden decor.
That evening, we cooked up our fish fillets on the BBQ at our apartments. The best fish we'd ever eaten accompanied by a few different salads, made the perfect meal.
The next day, we found ourselves doing a little more exploring by car. Mt Pitt was just up the road a little.
Cathy enjoying the beautiful 360' view.
So much fun travelling with these two.
Someone said we looked like the Teletubbies. Scary thing is, they may be right.
Further on, we come across St Barnabas Chapel.
A beautiful small church amongst green countryside.
So much beautiful, original woodwork.
Gary, preaching to the faithful.
Note the roof is shaped like a ship's hull. Back in the day, large roofs of churches were in fact constructed by boat builders.
The rear of the church, just as interesting.
Always interesting to have a read of the headstones in old cemetaries.
Behind the church, was this enormous fig tree.
Couldn't get over the size.
Next stop, Headstone Point. part of Headstone Reserve.
The namesake.
More breath taking coastline, not unlike the west coast of /Ireland.
Quick pic before we get back in the car.
Still part of the reserve, along the road a little more.
You could take a horse and cart ride through the reserve.
But we had Gary to guide us on a walk.
This bizarre soft toy was stuffed in to the trunk of a tree to amuse children.
Sometimes, you just have to capture those little moments in time.
Following the west coast, further north, the scenery just keeps coming.
There's quite a few roadside stalls along the way.
Simply choose what you want and leave the money in the honesty box.
More gorgeous coastline.
Eventually we arrive at Captain Cook's lookout and monument.
This is the monument, but further on was probably the best coastal views on the island.
This lookout was absolutely beautiful.
We were all on such a high, enjoying the view here.
Another example of the local dialect.
That evening, we returned to Mt Pitt for some "romantic" sunset shots. After all, We were celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary.
We've had so much fun together over 20 years.
Nothing wrong with a little bromance.
It was also Anna's birthday a few days earlier.
Picture perfect.
Not quite the Titanic, but hey.
Gary always believed the sun shines from Anna's arse, and here's proof.
So peaceful and picturesque.
There's a short walk down into the valley behind our apartments that we had to check out.
One downside to Norfolk, and there aren't many, is the price of groceries. They're quite expensive as it all needs to be shipped in. Those tiny trolleys still cost to fill.
Just up from our accommodation, was the botanical garden.
A great example, showcasing the native flora of the island.
Plenty of stairs to go down and climb back up.
We returned to the pier, knowing the fishing charter was returning, so the girls could see the sharks feed. This young fella is Cody and was on the boat with us. A very focused young man who, I'm sure will have his own fishing charter one day, and we promised to return and seek him out.
His Mum having a chat with the girls.
Time for a coffee.
Gary got a little jealous, his coffee didn't have a fancy design on it, so created his own.
It was a warm afternoon, so we decided to take a dip.
Emily Bay is popular with bathers.
The weather was warm but the water was still a little cool.
We took a little walk to dry off.
Just on the other side of the bay, we found this small salt pool, which would have been considerably warmer to take a dip in.
Photo time.
This was our rental. Did the job quite well.
These air plants simply grow off the surface of trees and fence posts, living off the humidity and local rainfall.
This morning, we returned to Captain Cook's lookout to tackle the Bridle Track.
There are a few, but this one promised the best coastal views.
And we've just begun.
The older Norfolk Pines are enormous.
This is a great walk and a must do.
Great exercise made easier, preoccupied with the scenery.
There were places to stop and rest, but the problem is, it's hard to get up and start off again.
Then this stunning sight.
As mentioned, the fishing charter we were on, also does island cruises and it just so happened he was passing below as we watched from above.
Luke, the owner, gets right in amongst it too.
We added a little extension on to the walk.
Bird rock is a bird sanctuary, where they are safe to nest away from predators..
Where the only shots fired are from a camera.
Looking down on Elephant Rock.
Here tis.
"Look sexy Cath" . Ok that'll do.
We love travel, but the icing on the cake is to have good mates to share with.
"Nearly there Anna."
This supply ship comes in from mainland Australia every four to six weeks, depending on demand.
It comes in as close as possible, then large boats ferry the goods to the pier. The lifeblood of Norfolk Island.
This is how cars come in and craned off.
After dinner, we decide to revisit Kingston by night.
Adding a whole new perspective.
Quite eerie too. There are ghost tours held here too.
The night light also adds character.
This pic doesn't do it justice, but the Milky Way was plain to see without light pollution around. The darkness in itself was amazing.
The next morning, it was off on another walk. This time the Summit Track.
Again, the sub tropical plants were quite a wonder.
No shortage of steps.
An old winch, lay rusting in the bushes.
Again, the views.
This walk, took us from Mt Pitt to Mt Bates.
The remains of the signal station used during the war.
Then it was back to Kingston to take a closer look at a few of the old homes.
Free to enter and interesting to see.
The floor boards were long gone and replaced by a boardwalk.
Out the back.
And another.
Kind of sad this was once someone's home.
Only the walls remained of this old girl.
A quick look at the local golf course.
Lovely and green but very flat.
The main cemetery on Norfolk.
These were once the main gates in.
This poor fella, didn't get much of a send off after being executed.
They didn't live very long.
Finally, we find the very unassuming grave of Colleen McCullough, a famous Australian author, who made Norfolk Island her home.
Gary, enjoying a fresh made cake from a roadside stall.
Norfolk Island's civic centre.
A quick visit to what once was the home of Colleen McCullough.
Quite a beautiful driveway, but the home can't be seen from the road.
Then an attempt to catch sight of a waterfall.
The walk to the viewing platform, but was actually better to walk down to it.
Looking back up to the platform with the rather inactive waterfall below it.
This was our last day and as you can see, it became quite cloudy.
It soon became time to beautiful Norfolk Island, but not before taking a last quick visit to Kingston. It just so happened that channel 7 was there doing a morning news clip and we got to see it all unfold.
Waiting for the live crossover.
Cathy far right.
One last walk up to another lookout, passing the old Government House.
Closer.
Climbing higher, you can take a break on one of these.
Then, nearing the top, this great view.
Finally, it was off to the airport to return the car and board the jet back home.
Great time with greater mates.
Would we go back? Well as a matter of fact, another trip is being planned as this blog is being completed. This time a group of 4 boys enjoying a week of Fishing, Golf and laughter. We may even indulge in a drink or three.
