Fim Fam - Day 4

(Rush hour on K.I.: Michael Lowe)

Day 4 – June 23, 2009

0500 Wake up and Check out

0530 Pick up and transfer to airport

0600 Check in for Qantas flight QF671

0710 Depart Melbourne

0800 Arrive Adelaide and meet Maite Conway at the base of the escalators

0815 Check in for Regional Express flight ZL4753

0925 Depart Adelaide

1000 Arrive Kingscote, Kangaroo Island

(A kangaroo hops around overturned grass: Michael Lowe)

Kangaroo Island has been called the Galapagos of Australia due to its similar formation years ago. Unlike most of the mainland, kangaroos here run rampant and have grown to an exceptional size due to no native predators on the island. K.I. (as they called down under) is the third largest island off the coast of Australia and has so much to offer. From a seal conservation area to a gnarled shipping history, the island is a beautiful example of man’s inevitable respect for nature only found in few places. As the Southern Ocean crashes against cliffs, you can’t help but think: Next stop, Antarctica.

1015 Meet with Exceptional Kangaroo Island Tours

1030 Transfer to morning tea
“Don’t touch that wire,” said Rob our tour guide. “It’s an electric fence and will definitely wake you up.” It was his way of saying “It will probably kill you and I don’t want to drag your dead body back to the airport” nicely.

The owner of Exceptional Kangaroo Island Tours has an incredible network of friends and colleagues allowing for a unique touring experience. In exchange for bottles of wine, his tours are allowed access to normally roped off private properties.

(Morning tea on a private property: Michael Lowe)

Here, at morning tea, a small table was set next to a bubbling stream in the middle of a field used for cow grazing, but the nature and wildlife had been kept in such pristine condition, you could imagine yourself a downright pioneer.

www.exceptionalkangarooisland.com

1115 Transfer to Seal Beach

1145 Arrive Seal Beach
You guessed it – lots of seals. Not much more to say here, but, yup, seals.

(Seals making out. Nice.: Michael Lowe)

1300 Transfer to Southern Ocean Lodge

1400 Lunch at Southern Ocean Lodge and Site Inspection
The Southern Ocean Lodge is the most beautiful property I have ever seen. I will be writing a story on it for TravelAge West shortly, so you’ll just have to wait for that. Until then you can check it out for yourself here:

www.southernoceanlodge.com

(View from the patio of Southern Ocean Lodge: Michael Lowe)

1630 Massage at Southern Ocean Lodge

1800 Sunset Canapes

1930 Dinner at Southern Ocean Lodge