Cathedral Cove

The Coromandel Coast’s most favoured beach was Cathedral Cove. Hoards of people flocked there to stand near its gigantic arch that connected it to Mare’s Log Cove for a photo or three. Others swam out to the stack off Mare’s Log Cove to dive into the chilly water.

Halong Bay

I know. This was about as touristy as it got. It sure felt like it when I arrived amongst the countless people, buses and boats blocking the bay. Out on the sea, the congestion continued with small boats passing through a cave. Did I wish I’d never bothered coming?

Ngo Dong River boat ride

A thousand boats lay in wait for the on-slaught of tourists ready to embark along this muddy river in Tam Coc, just out of Ninh Binh.

Western Brook Fjord, Gros Morne

The southern trails were in sharp contrast to Western Brook Pond fjord. I’d hiked for an hour through low, but lush vegetation to arrive at a jetty where the tour boat would head out. I was told they weren’t sure when the next sail would be because the weather looked ominous. The only family waiting and I shrugged our shoulders. We’d taken the hike, so might as well see how the day turned out.

Crocodile country – Murchison Falls Game Park

Murchison Falls: Photo courtesy: sarahemcc – Wikimedia.org

After my memorable Masindi stay, I met up with the Nile again and another piece of luck. I was invited to stay with the park’s warden and his wife and had my first taste of African cooking.

It may seem strange to be in Africa for nearly two months and not having tried African food (except mandazi), but I was addicted to spicy food and there was no shortage of Indian restaurants.

My second piece of luck was

Paihia and the Bay of Islands boat ride

I headed to the tiny town of Paihia amidst the Bay of Islands. Booked on a boat cruise the following morning, I foolishly stepped on to the launch even though I’d caught a bug the day before and felt queasy.

The glowworms of Waitomo Caves

Top image: photo courtesy Karora – wikimedia.org

Before we entered the cave, south of Auckland, our guide informed us to remain silent. Any noise we made, would frighten the glowworms. This silence, added to the magic of the boat tour.

Malta’s Blue Grotto

I hadn’t been impressed by Malta’s main island. But a year and a half after my last visit, that was about to change. My daughter drove south to the Blue Grotto where we took a boat ride out of a fiord shaped inlet over water of the most beautiful colour, into the Blue Cave and past arched rock formations.

Gozo’s Azure Arch, Dwejra

We hiked from Xlendi to Rabat, then out along another winding road to Dwejra. Stepping into a small boat on a tiny lake, we motored along a tunnel in the cliff out into the Mediterranean Sea where we followed a rocky coastline to Azure Arch.