On the way to Eclipse 2013 - Western Sahara region of Morocco

We had a morning at Laayoune (El Ayoune), a region of western Sahara annexed by Morocco in 1975 (The Green March).

The Moroccan guide was keen to show us this church, attended mainly by UN personnel.

One of our coaches, led by obligatory escort.

One of the Tuareq performers at the oasis visit.

Date palm at the oasis.

Tea not unlike the Malaysian "teh tarik"

The captain and his wife.

A sand dune of the Sahara.

Fishing boats at Laayoune

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On the way to Eclipse 2013 - Lanzarote (Spain's Canary Islands)

Our next stop was Lanzarote Island, the nearest of Spain's Canary Islands to the Africa mainland. We did not know until we arrived at the Timanfaya National Park that it was the remains of a six-month long series of volcanic activities in the 18th century, and had remained a moonscape to the present day. Many parts of the area are still hot from the volcanic eruptions.

Approaching Lanzarote Island by ship.

Volcanic landscape of Lanzarote Island.

Demonstrating hot sands just below the surface.

Water quickly turn into steam below ground.

Unusual cultivation method for grapevines to cope with dry desert winds from the Sahara.

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On the way to Eclipse 2013 - Morocco

The unfortunate delay of two days in the departure squeezed out time for shore excursions, forcing us to rush through the sights of Casablanca and Marrakesh.

Casablanca - Hassan II mosque

Mohamed V Mausoleum

Kashbah of Udayas.

A house in Kashbah of Udayas.

A village "fantasia" between Safi and Marrakesh.

A modern lady in Rabat.

Souk at Marrakech's Jemaa.

Souk at Marrakesh Jemaa

Snake charmer at Marrakesh's Jemaa market.

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On the way to Eclipse 2013 - Malaga and Gibraltar

We were supposed to board the Corinthian at Malaga but last minute problems with the ship meant a two-day delay and change of port to Algeciras on the other site of Gibraltar. We ended up spending two nights at the Costa del Sol beach resort town of Torremolinos. Given the extra time in southern Spain, we took the opportunity to visit Gibraltar on our own.

Malaga revisited - city's Cathedral.

Tapas - octopus salad of a kind.

Lunch at Malaga.

A view from the top of the Rock of Gibraltar.

Mijas town in southern Spain.

A couple of the large population of macaques at the Rock.

We were all pleased to see The Corinthian at the pier. The cruise would finally begin.

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Meeting again

After about 40 years, Arthur and I met up again. Wives Grace and Kay were there too to catch up with the news.  Hope it will not be another 40 years before we meet again!

A strange accident at Epping

Saw this at Epping outside the Post Office this morning, had to take photos to show.  A car was sitting with its rear end on one of the bollards. Civil defence and police were busy trying to lift it out and eventually had to use an air bag.  How did it happen?  I could only guess that being a front wheel drive vehicle the driver had pushed the pedal a little too hard while in reverse gear. It pushed over a small tree and mounted the bollard.

Outback #7 From Eromanga back to Longreach

We took a slightly different route back to Longreach from Eromanga, passing through small places like Yaraka.  We had a couple of days at Longreach where we enjoyed the new attractions including the stagecoach ride and Thompson River cruise and lightshow, not mentioning the kind hospitality of Pete and Mary.

Eagle roadkill.

A brolga bird taking off.

Yaraka welcome.

A view from Mt Slocombe near Yaraka.

Stagecoach ride, Longreach.

Bustling Longreach.

Tourists at Longreach.

More photos of the journey back to Longreach from Eromanga CLICK HERE.