SUNRISES & CAVES

Saturday – I think today is going to be another one of those ‘I better split this up’ days.  We have a full itinerary from sun up to sun down so you better get a drink and settle in for the long haul.  Our first stop will be sunrise at Vivonne Bay Jetty.

The alarm screams in my ear (OMGIE) and I slowly and begrudgingly get out of my nice warm, comfortable bed.  We will have breakfast when we return so coffee is all that is on offer at the moment.

Making sure I have everything, it is out to the bus and we collect our friends from up the road and are soon on our way.

Arriving at the jetty, I discover it is another one of those Robin Williams moments – OMGIBF – Oh my God, it’s bloody freezing.  I would just like to say here and now – it is cold, it is windy and I am not having fun.  The smile you see on the face belonging to the elegantly dressed me is more of a grimace.  I have my Ron Weasley hat to keep my head warm – and it is tied tightly under my chin so that it doesn’t blow away.

Apparently November on Kangaroo Island is not as warm as I thought it would be.  We set up our tripods and cameras (hoping they will not blow over and crash to the ground) and then we start clicking like crazy – hopping from one foot to the other to keep warm.

Even though it is cold I think I am enjoying the sunrise and experimenting with different angles.

The Lady Natsumi, Jonathan and Lachlan roam in and out asking us are we doing OK or suggesting ways that may be more interesting.  This is one of Lachlan’s photos – as you can see we are lined up like a turkey shoot.

It is on one of these jetty walks that the Lady loses her Australian Geographic hat which gets caught in a particularly nasty gust of wind and lands in the bay.

If there were any gentlemen amongst the group they would have gone and retrieved it – but alas chivalry is dead and also the water would turn anyone into an ice cube.  Maybe the cap may venture to shore on a wave – but no I think it sunk!

When everyone has taken their fill of the typical jetty shot as above, I walk back along the road and set up for some more.  The wind has increased so it really is a challenge to steady the camera so that it doesn’t blow into the water.

The sky starts to lighten and the wind gets stronger – it is also getting colder if that is possible.  Some of the group have decided to walk up the hill to the headland – this little black duck will stay here in at least a bit of protection – not much I’ll grant you but it’s better than having none.

As the sun starts to show itself, I have to admit that it was worth getting up early. What am I saying?  Yes, it really was worth it.

Adjusting settings for the arrival of even more clouds is difficult but it is great when you see how the photos turn out.

I love the rays of sunlight that are shining down on the earth – shame they are not shining on us – but you can’t have everything.

Here a two more photos – still of the sunrise but I like them –

You are most probably saying ‘for God’s sake Loz – a photo of a sunrise is a photo of a sunrise is a photo of a sunrise’.  Well, just enjoy and have another drink.

Back to the warmth of the house and breakfast – which consists of left over BBQ from last night and some pancakes – and then it is back on the bus and heading for Kelly Hill Caves.  It is not as cold and windy as the sunrise shoot so that is a good thing.

This is a remote little place – a short walk through the bush car park and we find the visitors centre that has a small stock of jackets and the usual touristy things like fridge magnets – YAY!

We meet our guide for the caves and we are away.

A hilly and rather breathless 200 metre walk sees me arrive huffing and puffing like an old steam train.  I have arrived at the cave entrance, where our guide gives us a brief discussion on the history of the caves.  To be honest I didn’t hear much as I was too busy concentrating on trying to keep alive after that bloody climb.  Then he tells us there are steep stairs that lead downwards into the belly of the caves (my knees do not like what they are hearing) where we will witness extensive caves with stalactites and stalagmites.

OK – let’s get this show on the road as if I sit for any longer I will not get up!  Yes, I do make it down the extremely steep stairs – I decided to be last on the line so as not to hold anyone up – we continue through the dark paths to be greeted by this wonderful sight – granted it is not as grand as Jenolan Caves – but it is still a wonder – –

Our group is the only one here – we had to make a specific booking slot – and it is great not to be hustled and bumped around.  We can take our time and just enjoy.

Tripods are placed so that we do not create a hazard for those walking around – we are so thoughtful.

Fisheye lenses are always fun – so I also get to experiment with that and different White Balance settings.

The photo above left is with WB on shade.  Too orange for me – so I try it with Auto white balance (above right) – yep, much better.  As we move around the Ranger turns on lights and turns off lights and then turns them on again so that we can get an idea of all the wonderful features.  It is at this stage that I make a mental note of getting back to Jenolan – it has been ages since the last visit but I digress.

Unlike Jenolan where the caves & features have names, I do not remember any particular feature here with names – so I will just let you look at the photos and enjoy.

So quiet here – what a wonderful place – and to think that there is only us to enjoy, but I am sure that there will be some more tourists arrive when it is time for us to leave.

After we take our fill of photos (is there ever a time when that happens?) Jonathan gets us doing some light painting.  This is always fun. With all the lights turned out it is pitch black and as Jonathan spins and twirls his lights he has to be careful not to fall over – better him than me.

He does have to have a couple of goes at it so that everything turns out properly.

 Aren’t they incredible?  We are having so much fun in the dark.  Jonathan then proceeds to do some fancy art work.  I do not know how he remembers where he has drawn so that the pictures come out and you can recognize what has been drawn.

After each drawing the lights are turned on so that we can all get organized for the next one.

I think this one is my favourite.

A nice desert island with breezes blowing and me sitting under the palm tree sipping a margarita as the sea gently laps the shoreline.  Can you see me? No? Look harder!

After this, Jonathan decides to do the ‘get in the picture and I will draw things around you’ and asks for volunteers.  I have already done my bit down the coast a few years back, so I leave it to someone else to put up their little hands.

First up is Leisa who gets the devil treatment.  Next up is Dave, and I can tell you that he is really no angel!

They get into the spirit of things and we all click away.  It is a great finish to a wonderful visit, but another group is in the cave so it is our turn to exit.

This means the climb back up the steep stairs but everything is OK and I take my time.

At least the walk back to the bus is all down hill – that has put a smile on my face!

It is now time to go back to the house for a break, maybe some downtime culling photos or maybe a nap?  It will then be time to visit Hanson’s Cafe for lunch and take a stroll through the Koala sanctuary.

Let’s hope we get to take some great photos of the furry bundles!