AUSTRALIA: BACK ACROSS THE PACIFIC

Our president, Melita Wade Thorpe, was in Australia polishing our eclipse tour for next November.   Here is her blog.... AUSTRALIA - A Land with a Big Story Back again across the blue Pacific to Cairns and Green Island then north to Dundee country, Darwin.  The flight was made sleep  comfortable in Qantas' s Premium Economy with fluffy blankets and strong pillows and a courteous staff offering dinner with a great wine list, snacks and plenty of water.  Arriving early at LAX, was delighted that the Qantas Brisbane flight departed from American Airline's Terminal.  The Admiral's  Club was near the Qantas gate, which made waiting for a midnight flight a little easier. December 3 - 4, 2011 - Cairns Overnight at the historic Pacific International Hotel, Cairns, with its walls decorated with photos of era past.  From WWII to gala occasions with movie stars. With the Pacific International GM we enjoyed a Brazilian inspired Australia style BBQ at the hote's Bushfire Flame Grill.  The final was a favored cinnamon pineapple and Churros.    Visited the popular Cairns Night Market: Aboriginal prints, beachwear, even massages for $15 AUD.  Today the Sunday Market offers the same wares but has the fruit and vegetable stalls that bring the locals. This afternoon will be crossing over the turquoise sea from Cairns to Green Island. December 4 - 5, 2011 - Green Island - Romancing Totality  Green Island has the good fortune of being on the path for the 2012 total eclipse.  It is a secluded resort within a rain forest national park, long stretches of beach surrounded by the sea.   A perfect place for romancing totality.   Joined by the friendly and professional Green Island Resort staff we got up at 5am to be on the beach at sunrise and selected several viewing spots along the sandy stretch for the sunrise eclipse.  Matt, dive master, encourages that dive times are reserved prior to arrival due to others coming over for day trips. Enjoyed a swim with the turtles before breakfast. December 5 - 7, 2011 - Darwin - Dundee Country After arriving Darwin and checking in at the beautiful Crown Plaza Hotel, we set out to harbor and the Charles Darwin for a three hour dinner cruise.  Greeted with champagne we enjoyed the view of Darwin harbor passing sites of the 1942 bombing - lovely buffet of seafood and turkey main course and a variety of salads in the air conditioned dining room.     Up early for a 7am departure to the most pristine, wide expanse floodfields and bird, birds' birds at Kakadu National Park which holds some incredible Aboriginal Rock Art. Kakadu National Park - Wow Factor Kakadu is a living cultural landscape of billabongs, vast flood plains, monsoon forests, savanna woodlands, hills, ridges and escarpments. Kakadu has the wow factor at every turn.  In the word of Bundt  Clan, Natasha Nadji, "People need to come here and relax, sit on the country, feel the spirits of this country and go home and feel the same way."    A mesmerizing day with birds, crocodiles, rock art, flora and fauna. Each vista takes your breath away.  Truly this land has a big story to experience. Tomorrow we board the Ghan for an overnight to Alice Springs.