Above Pinnacle Dessert
Above Harry Jakes Point Kalbarri
Above Harry Jakes Point Kalbarri
Above Jakes Point Kalbarri!! Tomestones @ Gnaraloo!!
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Exmouth WA
Hello there, is any body there????? I know it seems like we have just fallen off the face of the earth, but we are just traveling through the communication impaired and frequently impossible Western Australian outback. Well we are back in cyber space for a small and hopefully more regular period.
Today finds us in sunny and windy Exmouth. Last blogg we had just arrived back in oz after Peru and US. Let us fill in the blanks for the last 6 weeks.
After a fab trip overseas we arrived back to a sunny Perth. We spent a week here re grouping and exploring. We had an overnight trip to Rottnest Island which was great. Off to the Pinnacles we went. We decided to ride through this limestone finger desert on our bikes which was fantastic. See pics.
We then hit the road and head for Geralton, stayed at Greenough River mouth and surfed fun waves. Next head off to Kalbarri. Arrived at Jakes Point to 8 foot bombs, not a good way start the heaviest wave in Australia. As Harry learnt he had his best go downs on the smaller days with a good mopping over the reef. Did a bit of fishing and caught and threw back about 2 dozen tiny nemos. Great for kids big and small. Meet up with some great families whom we continued to travel on with for a while. After 5 days at Kalbarri we made our way to Shark Bay/Denham/Monkey Mia. Much to Harry and Piper surprise there was NO monkeys only man eating mosquitos and untouchable dolphins. We were going to spend a week here but the mossies were so bad we left after two nights. So bad in fact they bombed the entire town after we left. Monkey Mia was great for the kids they got to experience dolphins close up and feed them fish BUT no touchy touch unlike Seaworld USA, much to Marlon’s disappointment. Although a Pelican did try and eat Marlon for lunch!!!
From Shark bay we drove to Carnavon to refuel, water and food up before heading into Gnaraloo. Great fruit and veggies!! Then off to Gnaraloo. 2 hour sandy road into 3 mile camp was a good work out for the van. Had booked months ago so had a fantastic site right on beach front next to lagoon. Wow what an amazing place. Simple existence, luke warm, low pressure, salty bore water showers, toilets and open camp fires. BYO everything else including copius amounts of h2o. No mobile phone reception. We ended up extending and spent a total of 5 weeks in here with 3 trips to Carnavon for supplies an friends. It was fantastic, best place we have been to date. Surf was great, lots of variety depending upon the conditions. The Lagoon out front was sheltered and housed an abundance of tropical coral, fish and turtles in less than 2 metres of water. So many fish that one day melis had a swim got out and was chatting and thought that she had a bug crawl into her bather bottoms but on examination pulled out a 10cm fish. Every day we would snorkel. The water was warm and clear. Simple stunning. The kids loved snorkeling and paddle boarding around the lagoon.
After a week a good friend of ours Jeff Sweeney arrived solo to spend a week with us. We had good weather and surf and lots of fun. Surfing turtles and Tombstones. Camping next to us were the 4 Rye lads, Hank, Flash, Rob and Kelvin!! We had a great time with them too. Hey Sweens jokes over!! But we were only alone for 2 days for Paul Trigger and Simon Forward arrived. They had hired a caravan up the back but when they arrived and opened up it had not been used this season. It was full of mice, spiders and dirt. So after about 2 minutes discussion they moved into Parklane and the East wing at Camp Harrison (aka small tent). We had a really interesting 10 days with them including one day that it rained for 24 hours straight and flood out the place. See muddy pics of Piper and Marlon. We had great waves with the fellas. After 10 great days they hit the sky too! 2 days later Dawnie and Brucie (aka mum and dad) came to join us for 8 days. We had a great time lots of laughs, snorkels and camp fires. Another highlight was Harry and Piper surfing Tomestones on the tandem. Fantastic!! See the pics. We took them to Carnavon and hit the road ourselves for Warroora station.
After plenty of tears of departed grandparents from Piper we arrived at a Warrorra. We followed a seedy 4wd track into Stephens a huge test for the van. We stayed here and had a great 3 days. Surf was small but clean and fun. Harry caught a 5 foot reef shark by the tail in the shorebreak at Warrora while about to paddle out for a surf and feed the entire camp. But the challenge of getting out of the camp up a huge sandy, curvy, mountain track was huge. But we did it much to our relief without destroying the car or van.
We then head off to Coral bay for a couple of nights. We spent our time snorkeling and paddle boarding around the bay. Nice but not as pretty as Gnaraloo lagoon and lots of people. Off to Exmouth we head to meet up with our friend form Peru Frank Hayter. Arrived to stormy unsetteled weather. First day drove into the Cape Range National park exploring to mouth of Yardie creek. Nice. Then we drove back to Turquoise bay for a drift snorkel. You drop into one end of the lagoon and the currents take you to the other end over the coral. Frank and Melis went first seeing plenty including a pair of 7 foot reef sharks directly under them. Harry, Frank and Piper went second of course stretching the realm and swimming out further and closer to the exit reef drift than anyone else with a outstanding last minute exit from the lagoon just missing the huge current to the outer reef. Very memorable to say the least.
Yesterday we all had a small offshore surf at the Dunes at Lighthouse. Piper had a great surf getting heaps of waves and even surfing with turtles and dugongs. Fishing in the afternoon catching heaps of little coral things but barely a meal. The wind is up and we have a week further here. Hope the surf improves but you can’t complain its warm and sunny unlike home!! Bad luck!! Living the eternal summer. Thinking of you all keep safe. A huge congratulations to Sam and Des on the early arrival of their son. Drop us an email all.
Today finds us in sunny and windy Exmouth. Last blogg we had just arrived back in oz after Peru and US. Let us fill in the blanks for the last 6 weeks.
After a fab trip overseas we arrived back to a sunny Perth. We spent a week here re grouping and exploring. We had an overnight trip to Rottnest Island which was great. Off to the Pinnacles we went. We decided to ride through this limestone finger desert on our bikes which was fantastic. See pics.
We then hit the road and head for Geralton, stayed at Greenough River mouth and surfed fun waves. Next head off to Kalbarri. Arrived at Jakes Point to 8 foot bombs, not a good way start the heaviest wave in Australia. As Harry learnt he had his best go downs on the smaller days with a good mopping over the reef. Did a bit of fishing and caught and threw back about 2 dozen tiny nemos. Great for kids big and small. Meet up with some great families whom we continued to travel on with for a while. After 5 days at Kalbarri we made our way to Shark Bay/Denham/Monkey Mia. Much to Harry and Piper surprise there was NO monkeys only man eating mosquitos and untouchable dolphins. We were going to spend a week here but the mossies were so bad we left after two nights. So bad in fact they bombed the entire town after we left. Monkey Mia was great for the kids they got to experience dolphins close up and feed them fish BUT no touchy touch unlike Seaworld USA, much to Marlon’s disappointment. Although a Pelican did try and eat Marlon for lunch!!!
From Shark bay we drove to Carnavon to refuel, water and food up before heading into Gnaraloo. Great fruit and veggies!! Then off to Gnaraloo. 2 hour sandy road into 3 mile camp was a good work out for the van. Had booked months ago so had a fantastic site right on beach front next to lagoon. Wow what an amazing place. Simple existence, luke warm, low pressure, salty bore water showers, toilets and open camp fires. BYO everything else including copius amounts of h2o. No mobile phone reception. We ended up extending and spent a total of 5 weeks in here with 3 trips to Carnavon for supplies an friends. It was fantastic, best place we have been to date. Surf was great, lots of variety depending upon the conditions. The Lagoon out front was sheltered and housed an abundance of tropical coral, fish and turtles in less than 2 metres of water. So many fish that one day melis had a swim got out and was chatting and thought that she had a bug crawl into her bather bottoms but on examination pulled out a 10cm fish. Every day we would snorkel. The water was warm and clear. Simple stunning. The kids loved snorkeling and paddle boarding around the lagoon.
After a week a good friend of ours Jeff Sweeney arrived solo to spend a week with us. We had good weather and surf and lots of fun. Surfing turtles and Tombstones. Camping next to us were the 4 Rye lads, Hank, Flash, Rob and Kelvin!! We had a great time with them too. Hey Sweens jokes over!! But we were only alone for 2 days for Paul Trigger and Simon Forward arrived. They had hired a caravan up the back but when they arrived and opened up it had not been used this season. It was full of mice, spiders and dirt. So after about 2 minutes discussion they moved into Parklane and the East wing at Camp Harrison (aka small tent). We had a really interesting 10 days with them including one day that it rained for 24 hours straight and flood out the place. See muddy pics of Piper and Marlon. We had great waves with the fellas. After 10 great days they hit the sky too! 2 days later Dawnie and Brucie (aka mum and dad) came to join us for 8 days. We had a great time lots of laughs, snorkels and camp fires. Another highlight was Harry and Piper surfing Tomestones on the tandem. Fantastic!! See the pics. We took them to Carnavon and hit the road ourselves for Warroora station.
After plenty of tears of departed grandparents from Piper we arrived at a Warrorra. We followed a seedy 4wd track into Stephens a huge test for the van. We stayed here and had a great 3 days. Surf was small but clean and fun. Harry caught a 5 foot reef shark by the tail in the shorebreak at Warrora while about to paddle out for a surf and feed the entire camp. But the challenge of getting out of the camp up a huge sandy, curvy, mountain track was huge. But we did it much to our relief without destroying the car or van.
We then head off to Coral bay for a couple of nights. We spent our time snorkeling and paddle boarding around the bay. Nice but not as pretty as Gnaraloo lagoon and lots of people. Off to Exmouth we head to meet up with our friend form Peru Frank Hayter. Arrived to stormy unsetteled weather. First day drove into the Cape Range National park exploring to mouth of Yardie creek. Nice. Then we drove back to Turquoise bay for a drift snorkel. You drop into one end of the lagoon and the currents take you to the other end over the coral. Frank and Melis went first seeing plenty including a pair of 7 foot reef sharks directly under them. Harry, Frank and Piper went second of course stretching the realm and swimming out further and closer to the exit reef drift than anyone else with a outstanding last minute exit from the lagoon just missing the huge current to the outer reef. Very memorable to say the least.
Yesterday we all had a small offshore surf at the Dunes at Lighthouse. Piper had a great surf getting heaps of waves and even surfing with turtles and dugongs. Fishing in the afternoon catching heaps of little coral things but barely a meal. The wind is up and we have a week further here. Hope the surf improves but you can’t complain its warm and sunny unlike home!! Bad luck!! Living the eternal summer. Thinking of you all keep safe. A huge congratulations to Sam and Des on the early arrival of their son. Drop us an email all.
Monday, April 28, 2008
back in oz
Hello friends and family
well after the journey of a lifetime we are back in freezing melbourne. We had the most incredible trip. The contest was amazing. Despite harrys alimemts it was amazing. Piper carried Aussie flag for cermony. She was the Face of Australia!!! Australian team came second. The aussie team members were great to go away with, the surf fantastic, peru amzing. After the contest finished we head to Cuzco and Manchu Picchu. This was incredible. We were at 3500-4200 metres. The alitude really affected the adults kids were great. So Lloydy came with the harrisons. We toured the Sacred Valley and ruins around cuzco which which mindless. We then caught the train through amzing jungle and mountains to Machu Picchu. This just left you speechless. See the pics. Then back to cuzco then back to lima where we had a great time with Patty dartys peruian friend. After a fab time there we flew to Los angeles. We flew over night and drove straight from LA to San Francisco. Spent Harry Birthday the San Fran. The drove on down the coast to LA, which is awesome through monterray and carmel. On arrival back to LA we did Disneyland which the kids loved big and small. 13 hour day, every ride. A then didnt wast a minute and head down to San Diego. Harry was surfing La Jolla 1 km away from where the guy was fatally taken by white pointer. Off to seaworld. Killer whales were great. We all got to hand feed and pat dolphins which was incredible. Spent last day in Newport beach with Juju then flew at midnight home. We have not waste a minute. It was crazy but fantastic. The kids were awesome, loved it all, soaked the experience up like a sponge. Missing you all and thinking of you often. Fly back to perth on Thursady and resume our around australia trip, just for something different. We are living the year of our life!! LOve to you all.
Melis, Harry, Piper and Marlon XXXX
Monday, April 14, 2008
LIMA PERU
Hola amingos from South America.
well the trip continues its amzing journey. The contest finished about 9 days ago. It was fantastic. Our Ausssie team came 2nd overall and harry 10th after doing his back in the middle of the contest. We then head to the Mountains of Cuzco at 3500m with Lloydy. Amazing place. Went up to machu Picchu and were completely blown away, the whole country just knocks your socks off with contrasts. Mountains, Jungles to desert. Machu pichu was just incredible, better than I could have imagined. Kids have had a blast. Loving all the ruins, climbing and spanish. They are travelling amaing. really lapping up the experinece. Both are speaking spanish. marlon introduces himself as Nombre (name) Marlon, Hola (hello), Gracias (thanks). Amazing really. Weather is very warm we packed too many warm clothes. Heading back south to the beaches for a couple of days before flying to LA on Friday night. Caught up with Dartys friend patty which has been great. Missing everyone heaps, feels like we have been away forever. Thansk for the emails.
Love and hugs to everyone
Melis, harry, Piper and Marlon xxxx
Sunday, March 30, 2008
viva peru
Hi everyone
well here we are in very hot and sunny peru. We have been here nearly a week now and it has been crazy. Surf has been great, an amazing amount of great breaks, people really friendly. Very dry. had excitemnet if you call it that of two earthquakes 5.5 of ricter scale!!!! One during middle of night where we just lie in bed trying to fathom what was going on adn one at breakfast where we couldnt get out of the concrete death box quick enough. Very scary, normal here but not for us. We are all ok and apparently they come in twos pop out of place then back into place. Staying in cool place clean and nice. Pool and right at the contest break. Contest begins tommorow. had opening cermony, like surfing olympics. Really big deal, team parades with flags exhibitions. Twenty counteries competeing Peru is now recognised as the home of surfing in latin America. Country clubs on beach. Settling into place, my nerves are easing. Hope all is great at home. Missing you all heaps
Mel, harry, Piper and Marlon
well here we are in very hot and sunny peru. We have been here nearly a week now and it has been crazy. Surf has been great, an amazing amount of great breaks, people really friendly. Very dry. had excitemnet if you call it that of two earthquakes 5.5 of ricter scale!!!! One during middle of night where we just lie in bed trying to fathom what was going on adn one at breakfast where we couldnt get out of the concrete death box quick enough. Very scary, normal here but not for us. We are all ok and apparently they come in twos pop out of place then back into place. Staying in cool place clean and nice. Pool and right at the contest break. Contest begins tommorow. had opening cermony, like surfing olympics. Really big deal, team parades with flags exhibitions. Twenty counteries competeing Peru is now recognised as the home of surfing in latin America. Country clubs on beach. Settling into place, my nerves are easing. Hope all is great at home. Missing you all heaps
Mel, harry, Piper and Marlon
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Peru Peru Peru 27th March
Hi everyone
Well we are now on planet Mars, no only joking it just looks like it. We are on the West coast of peru south of Lima at El Silencio. It is really warm and humid despite being like a desert. The kids were amazing on the 36 hour joruney here, not a squeak out of them. I think they have recovered quicker too. Our Spanish is improving by the minute as very limited english is spoken which is great. Surf is amazing, point breaks everywhere and huge, first day 10-12 ft. No onshore breezes, glassy all day, not many surfers.
Lima is like the wild west to look at but the people are freindly and love children. They are not as shocked by the blonde hair as I thought. Piper and marlon are loving the experience. Contest starts in a few days should be great, huge event, people from everywhere.
Sorry for not being able to catch up with anyone when in melbourne we were running organising Peru.
Will keep in touch, have another 9 days here then head for the Andes, Cuzco and machu Pichu.
Love to you all
Melis, Harry, Pipers and Marlon XX
Well we are now on planet Mars, no only joking it just looks like it. We are on the West coast of peru south of Lima at El Silencio. It is really warm and humid despite being like a desert. The kids were amazing on the 36 hour joruney here, not a squeak out of them. I think they have recovered quicker too. Our Spanish is improving by the minute as very limited english is spoken which is great. Surf is amazing, point breaks everywhere and huge, first day 10-12 ft. No onshore breezes, glassy all day, not many surfers.
Lima is like the wild west to look at but the people are freindly and love children. They are not as shocked by the blonde hair as I thought. Piper and marlon are loving the experience. Contest starts in a few days should be great, huge event, people from everywhere.
Sorry for not being able to catch up with anyone when in melbourne we were running organising Peru.
Will keep in touch, have another 9 days here then head for the Andes, Cuzco and machu Pichu.
Love to you all
Melis, Harry, Pipers and Marlon XX
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Home sweet home!!! If only for a few days
Hi Hi Everyone
wEll strangely enough we now find ourselves back in Melbourne after a huge effort. Great to be home, but weather extremly hot. Great to see family. The peninsula to beautiful but dry. Will be spending a couple of days getting organised then flying to Peru over easter via LA. Tha above of pictures from the Margaret River region. The first at the Lake cave. Amazing! The other was taken at the top of the tallest lighthouse in Australia at Cape Leewin. It is the most South west point of our continent. At this point the Indian ocean warm currents and Cooler Southern ocean currents meet. Creating aparently amazing amounts and varieties of sea life. We send you all our love over Easter and are thinking of you all. until next time!
LOve
The Happy Harrisons
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