Poo Bought a Jeep

We have struggled in the last twelve months trying to find a new caravan that would come into the weight range for the Patrol. Thought we had found one that we would have been happy with, signed, sealed then the company went into receivership. Happens went you don't pay your taxes. So back to the drawing board but finally decided we had no real option than to look for a new vehicle. So we bought a Jeep.

First trip to put Klms on in readiness for towing was a trip to the Richmond Ranges and the Cambridge Plateau scenic drive.

First stop was Tooloom Falls

Continued on and found a great place for lunch at Hootons Crossing.

Then we moved on to the start of the scenic drive

A severe storm the previous night gave Poo some track clearing

Next stop was the very pretty camping and picnic area.

We then continued on and made our way home through Tenterfield. A very pretty drive

A busy time now preparing the Jeep for towing. The Patrol will be used for beach camping and any rougher trips with the 4wd club.

Next trip will be India and Bhutan in February-March, then it will be home and hopefully the new van will be ready for pick-up.

 

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The Panama Canal and Home Across the Pacific

After sailing the Suez Canal we straight away planned a trip through the Panama Canal and we were lucky enough to find that the Celebrity Millennium was sailing through the canal and then after a stop in San Diego was then coming across the Pacific and on to Australia. Perfect, Poo could see the Canal and I would get to see Bora Bora.

So we flew to Ft. Lauderdale Florida and allowed time for a trip to Walmart as well as the Everglades.

Then it was time to board the ship. We have sailed Celebrity once before and again we were not disappointed. Leaving Ft. Lauderdale

First port was Cartagena in Columbia. Really enjoyed our time there.

Two sloths together

Then it was back to the boat

Next stop Colon, Panama

 

Then the start of our day through the Canal. Really interesting to think how this was done and way back without the machinery of the modern day.

 

The Centennial Bridge, that now carries the traffic of the Pan American Highway

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The skyscrapers of Panama City

Under the Bridge of the Americas

 

That was the end of our day in the canal. We really enjoyed it, so different to the Suez but so interesting.

Next stop was Puntarenas, Costa Rica where we took a trip to a coffee plantation. Another great day.

 

 

 

Then a visit to a factory where they made the typical CostaRican carts.

 

Next port was Puerto Quetzal Guatemala where we made a very interesting stop at a very beautiful monastery.

 

We made three stops in Mexico, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada.

 

 

 

The day we spent riding in the Baja Desert was great fun

 

San Diego was the next stop and for those only sailing the canal it was the end of the trip but for us it was the start of a glorious trip across the Pacific with our stops being the Hawaiian Islands. Some very pretty scenery as we spent a day on each of the islands?

Honolulu of course, in my opinion a very overated beach.

 

Once we left Honolulu we stopped at Papeete, Moorea and Bora Bora. Just beautiful.

 

 

 

Fiji and then Noumea and then one of the most beautiful sights, the entrance to Sydney Harbour so very early in the morning. Nothing beats that. A wonderful trip!

 

 

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