Turtle watching, Queensland

Watching a giant, ancient sea turtle emerge from the ocean and slowly make its way up the beach to nest is an amazing experience. November through to January is nesting time for the endangered loggerhead turtle. Turtle hatchlings appear from January through March. I have seen turtles nest on Heron Island, Curtis Island and Mon Repos Beach, Bundaberg. I have watched the hatchlings scurry down to the waters edge. Some of them make it across the sand, through the surf and out to sea to return years later. Others don't survive the first half hour. Disorientation, birds, sharks and all kinds of fish are waiting to claim them.

Mon Repos Beach is the most accessible location for turtle watching. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service provide ticketed beach access to allow turtle watchers to view nesting and hatching under the guidance of trained wildlife staff. For more information visit Queensland Environmental Protection Agency.

Surviving the long flight

I still call Australia home - Georgia USA is a long way from home but I get to fly home about 2 to 3 times a year. It takes up to 30 hours each way so I know all about jet lag, exhaustion, dehydration, itchy skin, sore back.....and a myriad of other woes. I've always preferred an aisle seat, long before DVT became a household word. Air travel makes me restless. I like to move around as much as possible. I rarely sleep for very long but I do get some rest. I take my lessons from the turtles that visit Mon Repos, Queensland in nesting season. While the laying process is happening the giant turtle goes into a trance. I cope with a long flight by going into a travel trance; I tune out from the noises and movement around me. It helps to have a cotton bandana to tie around my eyes especially when there are movies back to back. Flickering light from airplane movie screens can be a real annoyance when you are trying to rest. A lightweight bandana is an inexpensive travel accessory with 101 uses.