After Townsville we continued to work our way down the east coast of Australia. The next stop for us was Airlie Beach where we took the opportunity to visit the work famous Whitsunday islands.



![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/Whitsunday_Islands_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500960346)

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/Whitsunday_Tropical_Paradise_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500960367)

Unfortunately the whole area had been devastated by a cyclone less than 3 months ago which left a trail of destruction, made evident when you see the usually pristine Whitehaven beach:

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/Whitehaven_Devastation_Vertical_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500960341)

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/DJI_0015_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500961692)
Despite this we still had a good time and I even managed to do a spot of snorkelling in the (admittedly cold) coral waters:

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/YDXJ0686_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500961918)

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/YDXJ0683_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500961909)
Whilst at Airlie beach we had a little bit of an accident.

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_7751_1024x1024.JPG?v=1500961935)

The whole back window of the canopy of our car shattered. We weren’t around when this happened but the witnesses to the event say it “just exploded”. My guess is that the continual rattling combined with heating and cooling weakened the window and when it finally gave the hydraulic levers punched through the glass shattering it.
Either way, for the rest of the trip we now have a very fetching plastic sheet covering the back.

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_7846_1024x1024.JPG?v=1502239692)

After a few days at Airlie we continued on down the coast stopping at Rockhampton and Bundaberg. Bundaberg was a surprisingly awesome place. In one day we did a tour of the famous rum distillery, the popular soft drink factory, had some excellent fish and chips and took some of the most spectacular drone pictures yet at Elliot Heads.

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/Elliot_Rainbow_Sands_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500960611)

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/Elliot_Kayak_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500960588)

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/Elliot_Buoy_Far_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500960737)

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/Elliot_Rainbow_Horizontal_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500960548)

It really was a spectacular little place for drone photography and I feel incredibly lucky to have stumbled across it.

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/Elliot_River_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500961768)

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/Elliot_Rainbow_Spear_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500960616)

A few days later we found ourselfs on the Gold Cost where we caught up with some friends and took some pictures of the famous Surfers Paradise.

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/DJI_0147-HDR_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500961683)

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/The_Gold_Coast_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500961866)

Then we were off again this time heading north to Brisbane where we caught up with some more friends for a few excellent action packed days.

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_0499_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500961785)

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/BrizzyPano02_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500961686)

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/Brisbane_River_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500961698)
Sadly though we had to move on to our last destination in South Queensland; Caloundra. Here we caught up with some of Kelsie’s relatives and took the opportunity to visit Steve Irwins famous Australia Zoo.

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_0587_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500961850)

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_0590_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500961853)

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_0578_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500961843)
And then that was it for the east coast of Australia for us. Time to start heading back home. Not to worry though as we have a few stops left to make including the world famous Uluru rock near Alice Springs. Until next time…
**This post was copied from my site [AboveUnder.com](https://aboveunder.com) a site dedicated to my travel drone photography.**

A few days after leaving Daly Waters and the NT we arrived into Cairns in the north of Queensland.



I was excited to arrive because I knew this was going to be the destination where I ticked off one item from my bucket list; swim at the Great Barrier Reef.

![me snorkelling](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/YDXJ0626_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500961620)

Before we went out to whats known as “The Outer Reef” we took a day trip to a nearby island called “Fitzroy Island”.

![fitzroy isand](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/Fitzroy_Pano_1_Output_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500961327)

It offered beautiful coral beaches, some great walks through the forest and of course some snorkelling on the reef just offshore.

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/Fitzroy_Shore_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500961365)

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/YDXJ0473_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500961566)

Fitzroy was just the warmup for us however as a few days later we were out on the water again, this time heading an hour and a half out to the Great Barrier reef proper. Here the water visibility was much better showing off the spectacular corals and wildlife.

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/YDXJ0575_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500961613)

I as usual had an immense amount of fun practicing my freediving skills diving deep to the bottom of the ocean startling the scuba divers.

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/YDXJ0558_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500961607)

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/DSC_9909_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500961310)

We stayed in Cairns for over a week just chilling out, enjoying the vibes and catching up with a number of jobs before proceeding one hour up the coast to the excellent Port Douglas.

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/Sunrise_Over_Port_Douglas_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500961579)

Port Douglas is a lovely little sea side town that I could totally imagine retiring to. We spent 4 days there enjoying the sun and sea and of course taking plenty of photos.

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/Port_Douglas_Bay_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500961556)

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_0369_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500961428)

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/Four_Mile_Point_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500961389)

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/Port_Douglas_Stingray_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500961561)

While at Port Douglas we took a day trip up the cost a little to the rainforests of the Daintree. It wasn’t a particularly sunny day for us sadly but that didn’t stop me having fun taking some drone shots.

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/Daintree_Coast_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500961224)

After Port Douglas we started to make our way back down the cost towards the seaside town of Townsville. We were there for a few days and decided to take a boat out to the beautiful nearby island; Magnetic Island.

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/Magnetic_Waves_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500961538)

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/Magnetic_Love_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500961498)

While there we were lucky enough to see some of the natives in the wild:

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_0460_1024x1024.jpg?v=1500961439)

And then it was time to move on again, this time heading into South Queensland…
**This post was copied from my site [AboveUnder.com](https://aboveunder.com) a site dedicated to my travel drone photography.**

Following on from our travels through the East Kimberly region we passed over the border from Western Australia into the Northern Territory. Our first port of call was the second largest city in the NT; Kathrine.



While in there we visited the local national park. Sadly many of the parks in the NT have a no drone policy so I was unable to take any aerial shots of these beautiful regions (unless I wanted to pay hundreds of dollars for a helicopter flight that is).

![some bats hanging from trees](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_9936_1024x1024.jpg?v=1497332641)

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_9932_1024x1024.jpg?v=1497332776)
We did other things while in Kathrine, I got a very short haircut from our campsite neighbor:

![me getting a hair cut](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_7555_1024x1024.jpg?v=1497332817)

We went to a bush-food and stories evening with an awesome dude called Marksie who told us tales about how over many many years he gained the trust of the local aboriginal women enough that they would share with him their bush food gathering and cooking knowledge which he now shared with us.

![bush tukka ](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_7569_1024x1024.jpg?v=1497332884)

It was a fantastic evening but after a few days of Kathrine we were ready to move on, first tho a nice refreshing shower:

![taps](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_7561_1024x1024.jpg?v=1497332914)

Our first stop after Kathrine was a couple of nights in the beautiful Litchfield National Park where we did a bunch of hiking and swimming in the awesome croc free watering holes.

![big waterfalls in litchfield](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_9952_1024x1024.jpg?v=1497332948)

![from under the water](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/YDXJ0408_1024x1024.jpg?v=1497332997)
In the evenings we gathered some firewood and cooked up some food around the campfire much to my great pleasure:

![me bbquing](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_7580_1024x1024.jpg?v=1497333068)

We were impressed by the facilities in Litchfield and in Northern Territory parks in general actually. Even though the NT has only roughly 250,000 people living there, they really have invested a lot in their parks particularly when compared to WA.

After a couple of excellent nights at Litchfield we packed up and hit the road again heading north to the capital of the NT, Darwin.

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/Darwin_Skyline_1024x1024.jpg?v=1497316115)

[AU0060 - Darwin Skyline
](https://aboveunder.com/products/au0060-darwin-skyline)
We checked into the Discovery park for 6 hot and humid nights. Over that time we spent some time catching up on some projects and generally enjoying being in a major city again, the first since leaving Perth really.

I spent some time taking some pictures with my drone.

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/Darwin_Fish_1024x1024.jpg?v=1497316159)

[AU0061 - Darwin Fish](https://aboveunder.com/products/au0061-darwin-fish)

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/Darwin_Shore_1024x1024.jpg?v=1497316241)

[AU0062 - Darwin Shore](https://aboveunder.com/products/au0062-darwin-shore)

We also spent some time hitting a few museums including the aviation history museum.

![big plane is big!](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_7591_1024x1024.jpg?v=1497333305)

I didn’t know much about the Australian history during WWII, I was obviously very familiar with the UK and Europe but I wasn’t aware that Australia played a part too fighting the Japanese and sending troops to Africa and Europe.

While in Darwin we learnt to be on our guard a their were thieves about.

![raccoon theif](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_7594_1024x1024.jpg?v=1497333336)

After the very hot and humid time in Darwin I was ready to head south again towards cooler climates. First tho we detoured into Kakadu to spend a few days in one of the most popular National Parks in Australia.

![Plains pano](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/Kakadu-Plains-WEB_1024x1024.jpg?v=1497333511)

Kakadu is a destination Kelsie has been looking forward to for a while. She was particularly keen to see the ancient Aboriginal rock art:

![aboriginal rock art](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_0021_1024x1024.jpg?v=1497334214)

![rock art](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_0025_1024x1024.jpg?v=1497334264)

Its crazy to think about the history of these people particularly when some of these paintings are over 10,000 years old.

We stayed at a few different campsites in Kakadu including Jaibaru, Coolinda and Gundon.

![camp](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_7623_1024x1024.jpg?v=1497334337)

![my feet and lizzy](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_9973_1024x1024.jpg?v=1497334383)

Soon it was time to move on however. Our first stop after Kakadu heading south was the hot springs of Mataranka.

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/Mataranka_Hotsprings_Pano_1024x1024.jpg?v=1497334434)

I wasn’t expecting too much from here but it turned out to be awesome with kangaroos and pheasants wandering around the campsite.

The springs themselves were warm, beautifully clear and I really didn’t want to leave but leave we sadly did. It wasn’t all bad tho because next up was something I had been looking forward to for ages, Dally Waters and its historic pub:

![dally waters pub](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_7634_1024x1024.jpg?v=1497334484)

In the evening we enjoyed a few cold beers and some awesome live country music.

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_7633_1024x1024.jpg?v=1497334522)

And then that was it for the Northern Territory, next up Queensland!
**This post was copied from my site [AboveUnder.com](https://aboveunder.com) a site dedicated to my travel drone photography.**

After the relaxing couple of weeks in Broome we were back on the road again. The original plan was to head along the Gibbs River road a 660 km long dirt road that has a number of beautiful stops at gorges along the way. We had done it once before in 2014 and enjoyed it so much that we wanted to do it again. This year however was one of the wettest wet season on record, the result is that the road has been closed much longer than usual and many of the gorges have been closed.



The result is that instead we decided to take the southern sealed road instead and see some other sights along the way. One of those sights was the impressive Wolfe Creek Crater.

![Wolfe Creek Crater](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/Wolfe_Creek_Crater_1024x1024.jpg?v=1496621336)

This massive 880m wide crater was formed 300,000 years ago when a meteor smashed into the ground and is a seriously impressive sight. We camped near the crater that night but which was great but we were feeling a little nervous having watched the horror movie Wolf Creek the night before.

![me handstand in wolfe creek crater](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_9791_1024x1024.jpg?v=1496621505)

After waking in the morning and taking a short hike down into the centre of the crater and back we hit the road once more, heading back to Halls Creek then heading east towards Kununurra.

Before reaching Kununurra tho we took a detour to spend a few days in the famous Bungle Bungles.

![A bungle from the bungle bungles](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/Bungle_1024x1024.jpg?v=1496621794)

![kelsie walking through the bungle bungles](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_9834_1024x1024.jpg?v=1496621849)

Some beautiful walks and hot nights later we headed to our next major stop of Kununurra.

![kununurra from above](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/Kununurra_1024x1024.jpg?v=1496621888)

We spent a week camping at the Discovery Park in Kununurra, enjoying the beautiful campsite right on the water and caught up on some projects while taking advantage of their excellent camp facilities.

![Me laptop on a bench in kununurra](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_7519_1024x1024.jpg?v=1496621929)

Kununurra was a little repair stop for us too as at the previous stop of Bungle Bungles we had somehow managed to break one of the support legs and jockey wheel on our trailer.

![trailer jockey wheel](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_7517_1024x1024.jpg?v=1496621965)

While at Kununurra we made friends with an awesome Dutch couple who were travelling and working their way around Australia called Erick and Kirsten. They run a popular dutch travel blog [Travelaar](https://www.facebook.com/pg/travelaar "travelaar") so if you understand dutch and are into travel you should definitely check them out!

Sadly we had to leave Kununurra after a week but didn’t have to travel too far down the road to the beautiful site of Lake Argyle.

![Lake argyle hills](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/Lake_Argyle_Hills_1024x1024.jpg?v=1496622006)

Lake Argyle really is a beautiful spot and I highly recommend visiting for anyone heading out this way. I personally enjoyed swimming in the surprisingly warm lake lake, taking some drone pictures and chilling out in the evening with a cold beer and the open air cinema.

They also have an awesome infinity pool that gives you a spectacular view over the lake.

![the infinity pool at lake argyle](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_7543_1024x1024.jpg?v=1496622206)

All in all we had an excellent time in West Kimberly and were sad to leave WA but if we wanted to get around Australia in 5 month then we had to move on, besides next up is somewhere I haven’t been to before and have been looking forward to seeing; the Northern Territory!
**This post was copied from my site [AboveUnder.com](https://aboveunder.com) a site dedicated to my travel drone photography.**

Wow, its been a while since I have written an update but so much has been going on I have struggled to find the time!



After a long hot and dusty trip from Millstream we finally arrived at 80 mile beach caravan park which was absolutely packed out due to it being Easter.

![eighty mile low tide](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/Eighty_Mile_Low_Tide_1024x1024.jpg?v=1494402749)

[AU0030 - Eighty Mile Low Tide](https://aboveunder.com/products/au0030-eighty-mile-low-tide "eighty mile low tide print")

We only had a coupple of hot nights there exploring some of the long (very long) sandy beach before we hightailed it out of there to our much anticipated destination of Broome where Kelsie's Brother and his wife Emily lives.

We have been to Broome before but we were so glad to arrive and unpack and unwind and have some creature comforts once again (forgot how much I missed ice on demand!).

While were were there we went out on a few drone photography trips and I took many many shots.

![Gantheaume point print](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/Gantheaume_Point_1024x1024.jpg?v=1494403114)

[AU0032 - Gantheaume Point](https://aboveunder.com/products/au0032-gantheaume-point)

![Gantheaume point rocks print](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/Gantheaume_Point_Rocks_1024x1024.jpg?v=1493381716)

[AU0034 - Gantheaume Point Rocks](https://aboveunder.com/products/au0034-gantheaume-point-rocks)

I really enjoyed having the comfort and time to spend really improving how the images I took around the place looked, perhaps if people are interested I may blog about some things I learnt in the future.

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/Gantheaume_Point_Dark_Side_1024x1024.jpg?v=1493380205)

[AU0033 - Gantheaume Point Dark Side](https://aboveunder.com/products/au0033-gantheaume-point-dark-side)

We took a trip out to James Price point one day which is about an hour and a half north of Broome along a sandy-dusty track until we reached the sea and spectacular red sandstone cliffs and stunning blue water.

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/James_Price_Point_Fire_Wave_-_Vertical_1024x1024.jpg?v=1493381241)

[AU0039 - James Price Point Fire Wave - Vertical](https://aboveunder.com/products/au0039-james-price-point-fire-wave-vertical "james price point picture print")

The sandstone here is getting worn away by the torrential rains they get leaving these incredible cracks, that can only truly be appreciated from the air.

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/James_Price_Point_Crumbles_Away_1024x1024.jpg?v=1493381387)

[AU0040 - James Price Point Crumbles Away](https://aboveunder.com/products/au0040-james-price-point-crumbles-away)

While at Broome we took a few days to go north to Cape Leveque and stay on the cliffs just below the lighthouse. It was yet another perfect opportunity for some stunning drone photography.

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/Cape_Leveque_Diagonol_1024x1024.jpg?v=1493557899)

[AU0041 - Cape Leveque Diagonol](https://aboveunder.com/products/au0041-cape-leveque-diagonol "cape leveque print ocean and rocks")

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/Cape_Leveque_at_Sunset_1024x1024.jpg?v=1493558220)

[AU0043 - Cape Leveque at Sunset](https://aboveunder.com/products/au0043-cape-leveque-at-sunset "cape leveque print with red rocks")

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/Cape_Leveque_Lighthouse_1024x1024.jpg?v=1493558368)

[AU0044 - Cape Leveque Lighthouse](https://aboveunder.com/products/au0044-cape-leveque-lighthouse "cape leveque lighthouse print")

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/Cape_Leveque_Painted_Rocks_1024x1024.jpg?v=1493558544)

[AU0045 - Cape Leveque Painted Rocks](https://aboveunder.com/products/au0045-cape-leveque-painted-rocks "the stunning red rocks of cape leveque")

We spent two nights at the cape and one night at Middle Lagoon before heading back to Broome. Middle Lagoon was nice but had some of the most numerous and aggressive clouds of Mosquitoes that I have ever encountered. They were literally swarming around us and biting through our clothes.

At night we also had this rather unwelcome visitor sneak into our trailer which I wasn't too impressed about seeings as he was extremely fast and had a tendency to jump about the place.

![scary spider](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_7500_1024x1024.JPG?v=1494405159)

Im not ashamed to say that it was Kelsie who was the one that showed it the door.

We spent another week or so at the lovely Broome. Just enough time for one drone photographing more trip out to Willie Creek and its famous Pearl Farm.

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/Willie_Creek_Pearl_Farm_1024x1024.jpg?v=1494464353)

[AU0048 - Willie Creek Pearl Farm](https://aboveunder.com/products/au0048-willie-creek-pearl-farm)

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/Willie_Creek_Standout_1024x1024.jpg?v=1494464540)

[AU0050 - Willie Creek Standout](https://aboveunder.com/products/au0050-willie-creek-standout)

The tides are seriously impressive in this part of the world and in Willie Creek had a habit of leaving these incredible patterns in the sand.

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/Willie_Creek_Rainbow_1024x1024.jpg?v=1494464617)

[AU0051 - Willie Creek Rainbow](https://aboveunder.com/products/au0051-willie-creek-rainbow)

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/Willie_Creek_Sands_1024x1024.jpg?v=1494464678)

[AU0052 - Willie Creek Sands](https://aboveunder.com/products/au0052-willie-creek-sands)

So after a very welcome two weeks we decided it was time to move on.

Until next time!
**This post was copied from my site [AboveUnder.com](https://aboveunder.com) a site dedicated to my travel drone photography.**

**This post was copied from my site [AboveUnder.com](https://aboveunder.com) a site dedicated to my travel drone photography.**

Karijini is a destination we have been looking forward to for a while. We are keen to get stuck into another one of our passions (other than drone photography); hiking.



Karijini National park offers some spectacular deep gorges you walk around, over and down into.

![kelsie sitting on the edge of gorge](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_9654_1024x1024.jpg?v=1492823223)

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/Dales_Gorge_1024x1024.jpg?v=1492822078)

[AU0023 - Dales Gorge](https://aboveunder.com/products/au0023-dales-gorge "dales gorge print")

The rocks here are billions of years old and stretch back to the birth of the planet. Infact hey are so old they done even have fossils in them because no life existed on Earth when they were formed.

![mike walking through a very steep but narrow gorge ](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_9668_1024x1024.jpg?v=1492823439)

![mike handstanding in a gorge](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_9720_1024x1024.jpg?v=1492826719)

I was fascinated by how these things can to exist as they form a pretty stark contrast to the mostly flat landscape around. Apparently (according to the Karijini Visitor Centre) they are created simply by the action of weathering from the water and plant life aided by the unique structure of the layered rocks.

![mike discussing rock formation](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_9730_1024x1024.jpg?v=1492823755)

Theres nothing better than a nice refreshing swim in a cool pool after a long hot hike and Karijini is definately the place for that with each gorge ending in beautiful pools or waterfalls.

![mike sat under a waterfall](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_9718_1024x1024.jpg?v=1492824432)

![mike flipping into kermit pool](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_9682_1024x1024.jpg?v=1492826419)

A common sight in the Pilbara are the kilometer-long iron ore trains and I was really keen to get a picture of them with the drone. I wasn't expecting to get two trains at once however:

![two iron ore trains](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/Karrijini_Trains_1024x1024.jpg?v=1492826251)

On the way out of Karijini we spent a coupple of nights in Millstream. There wasnt a whole bunch to do there but there was an excellent swimming creek which we took full advantage of.

![kelsie paddling up the creek](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/DJI_0699_1024x1024.jpg?v=1492826375)

After a 6 days without a proper shower we are really keen to get to Broome where we will be staying with Kelsie's brother for a few days, but before that a coupple of nights at 80-mile beach, more on that soon!

**This post was copied from my site [AboveUnder.com](https://aboveunder.com) a site dedicated to my travel drone photography.**

After the beautiful but fly-infested Shark Bay I was so happy to get the Exmouth and experience some of the beautiful corals and beaches. Unfortunately however the swimming gods weren't on my side for the 4 days we were here as the entire coast was infested with stinging red jellyfish and deadly Irukandji jellyfish.



![jellyfish in water](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/YDXJ0260_1024x1024.jpg?v=1492650703)

Because snorkeling was a no go I decided instead to book myself into a scuba diving trip, I havent done one since Columbia 3 years ago but I was told by several people that the Navy Pier dive was not to be missed in Exmouth.

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/YDXJ0340_1024x1024.jpg?v=1492651257)

Unfortunately the visibility was a little low while we were there which took a little bit out of the experience but still I enjoyed swimming with the incredibly varied wildlife.

![starfish pole](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/YDXJ0285_1024x1024.jpg?v=1492651337)

![white tip shark](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/YDXJ0300_1024x1024.jpg?v=1492651376)

We were also beset with electrical troubles in our trailer and thus were forced to spend a day with it in the garage with electrical specialists.

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_7422_1024x1024.JPG?v=1492651040)

In the end I didnt do too much drone flying during our stay there. I did get some nice videos of Kelsie while she paddled down Yardie Creek but those will have to wait for a later edit.

![yardie creek](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/DJI_0521_1024x1024.jpg?v=1492651459)

Well thats it for now, next stop is Karrijini park and the beautiful gorge walks and lots of red dust, stay tuned!

**This post was copied from my site [AboveUnder.com](https://aboveunder.com) a site dedicated to my travel drone photography.**

Shark Bay for us was a bit of a roller coast ride of highs and lows.



We arrived into Denham which is the hub for adventure in the region and spent a couple of days at a caravan park there exploring some of the lagoons of the area.

![Shark Bay pools](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/DJI_0384_1024x1024.jpg?v=1491520993)

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/DJI_0405_1024x1024.jpg?v=1491436278)

[AU0015 - Red Sands of Shark Bay](https://aboveunder.com/products/au0015-red-sands-of-shark-bay "red sands of shark bay")

We also took a day drip into Monkey Mia a spot I had heard a lot about from people in the South West.

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/DJI_0421_1024x1024.jpg?v=1491520591)

[AU0017 - Monkey Mia](https://aboveunder.com/products/au0017-monkey-mia "Monkey Mia")

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/DJI_0412_1024x1024.jpg?v=1491436222)

[AU0016 - Monkey Mia Beach](https://aboveunder.com/products/monkey-mia-beach "monkey mia beach")

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/DJI_0428_1024x1024.jpg?v=1491520589)

[AU0018 - Monkey Mia Boats](https://aboveunder.com/products/au0018-monkey-mia-boats "monkey mia boats")

Although we were treated with the beautiful waters and beaches we were continually plagued by swarms of flies which forced us to wear mosquito nets at all times. So after a couple of days we took off on our most ambitious camp yet.

We wanted to head to Steep Point which the most westerly point of Australia. The plan was to camp at False Bay for two nights and take the car up into Steep Point.

After a 3 hour bumpy (unsealed corrugated roads are a bitch) ride we finally reached what we thought was False Bay. There was no signposts as to where exactly we should be camping so we decided to follow some tracks we saw that led over the beach.

![the beach of tears](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_9568_1024x1024.jpg?v=1491521499)

Big mistake. We ended up getting seriously bogged in the sand thanks to the 1.5 tonne weight of the trailer plus the weight of all our gear in the back of the car. In hindsight it was inevitable.

We spent the next 3 and a half, hot, sweaty and sandy hours trying to dig ourselves out. We may still have been stuck there now if it wasn’t for a stroke of luck that another car was at the end of this remote beach. Even more luckily for us, they were locals who knew the area and were happy to help us out.

So massive thanks to John and Emma who run the Shark Bay Ocean Park centre for spending hours and hours of their Sunday helping two naïve tourists out. If you are ever in the area you should definitely go say hi and check out the excellent [Ocean Park](https://oceanpark.com.au/ "ocean park").

Well after that debacle we were so tired and run down we decided just to head back to Denham, get a hot meal, shower and recharge our batteries before our next move.

As we had one unplanned night spare now, we decided to head south to Nanga.

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/DJI_0461_1024x1024.jpg?v=1491520565)

[AU0020 - Nanga Beach](https://aboveunder.com/products/au0020-nanga-beach "nanga beach")

On the way down we also checked out Shell Beach, named after the trillions of tiny shells that make up its sands. I found it hard to capture that with a done however but noticed that the way the water rippled on the shallow sands made for a stunning pattern so I captured that instead:

![AU0019 - Shell Beach Water](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/DJI_0446_1024x1024.jpg?v=1491520587)

[AU0019 - Shell Beach Water](https://aboveunder.com/products/au0019-shell-beach-water "Shell Beach Water")

After Nanga we continued on with our plan to Hamelin Pool for two nights.

On the first night we were lucky enough to have perfect wind conditions at sunset so were able to get stunning photographs of the Stromatolites which make the area famous.

![hamelin pool](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/DJI_0511_1024x1024.jpg?v=1491521775)

![AU0021 - Hamelin Pool Stromatolites](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/DJI_0491_1024x1024.jpg?v=1491520547)

[AU0021 - Hamelin Pool Stromatolites](https://aboveunder.com/products/au0021-hamelin-pool-stromatolites)

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/DJI_0501_1024x1024.jpg?v=1491520525)

[AU0022 - Hamelin Pool](https://aboveunder.com/products/au0022-hamelin-pool)

The campsite of Hamelin Pool, although barren was beautiful in its own way with hundreds of butterflies covering the small plants on the grass:

![butterflies of hamelin pool](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_9634_1024x1024.jpg?v=1491521940)

A constant pain however was the flies, I have never experienced anything like it before and never want to again, fingers crossed that our next destination of Exmouth has none!

![so many flies at hamelin pool](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_9646_1024x1024.jpg?v=1491521972)

**This post was copied from my site [AboveUnder.com](https://aboveunder.com) a site dedicated to my travel drone photography.**

After the short one day stop in [Lancelin](https://aboveunder.com/blogs/news/campin-oz-2017-lancelin "lancelin blog post") we made our way north for 5 hours to the small sea side town of Kalbarri.



We were there for about 3 days which gave us just about enough time to see some of the highlights of the place including some of the incredible rock formations near the shore.

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/DJI_0304_grande.jpg?v=1491005545)

[AU0010 - Kalbarri Coast](https://aboveunder.com/products/au0010-kalbarri-coast "kalbarri coast")

We were particularly fascinated by the pink salt lakes found just south of Kalbarri. The bacteria in the lakes makes them pink which is really impressive when contrasted against the white sandy rocks around.

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/DJI_0309_grande.jpg?v=1491005524)

[AU0010 - Kalbarri Coast](https://aboveunder.com/products/au0010-kalbarri-coast "kalbarri salt lakes")

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/DJI_0289_grande.jpg?v=1491005507)

[AU0012 - Salt Lake Notch (Vertical)](https://aboveunder.com/products/salt-lake-notch-vertical "salt lakes virtical")

On the final morning before we left I got up early to watch the sunrise and try to get some morning drone shots of the rocks in the Kalbarri bay. Unfortunately most of the shots came out blurry, not sure why.

I still managed to salvage one or two however:

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/DJI_0353_grande.jpg?v=1491005574)

[AU0009 - Kalbarri Rocks](https://aboveunder.com/products/au0009-kalbarri-rocks "kalbarri rocks")

Onwards! Next stop Shark Bay :)

**This post was copied from my site [AboveUnder.com](https://aboveunder.com) a site dedicated to my travel drone photography.**

First stop on our epic 5-month adventure was at the sea side town of Lancelin just a few hundred K's north of Perth.



A seaside town that was super windy which the numerous Kite Surfers were taking advantage of.

We only had one night here so not much time to explore around but I was keen to take some drone photography one of the main attractions here; the dunes.

![AU0006 - Lancelin Dune](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/DJI_0235_grande.jpg?v=1490696915)

[AU0006 - Lancelin Dune](https://aboveunder.com/products/au0006-lancelin-dune "lancelin dune")

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/DJI_0249_grande.jpg?v=1490696981)

[AU0007 - Lancelin Dune Lady](https://aboveunder.com/products/au0007-lancelin-dune-lady "Lancelin dune lady")

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/products/DJI_0267_grande.jpg?v=1490697028)

[AU0008 - Lancelin Dune People](https://aboveunder.com/products/au0008-lancelin-dune-people "lancelin dune people")

We took a bunch of other pics, you can find them all on our [Facebook Page](https://www.facebook.com/aboveunder/ "above under facebook page") soon!

![](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_9487_grande.jpg?v=1490697847)

We finished off the day with a beautiful sunset and a glass on wine by the sea.

![wine by the sea](//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1830/7597/files/IMG_9506_grande.jpg?v=1490696021)

**This post was copied from my site [AboveUnder.com](https://aboveunder.com) a site dedicated to my travel drone photography.**

Finally after months of planning we have finally taken off on our epic 5-month camping trip around Australia. We have been discussing this for ages and im so happy that its finally here.

There so many things I want to see and do heres a few:

- Meet some of the most laid-back awesome people in the world
- Try 'Damper'
- Scooter around Broome
- Admire the beauty of the Milky Way without any artificial light to obscure it
- Freedive with some fishies in the Great Barrier Reef (before its too late!)
- Not get eaten by any of the 'friendly' wildlife
- See some of the more remote areas of the Australian outback
- Take loads of spectacular drone photos and upload them here on [AboveUnder.com](https://aboveunder.com "above under")
  We are going to be blogging as we go around so if you are interested in follow along then please so subscribe (see below).

We also put together [a map](https://aboveunder.com/pages/map "A map") that shows the route we are planning to take, where we are right now and the locations of the images showcased on this site: [https://aboveunder.com/pages/map](https://aboveunder.com/pages/map "the map")

First up is the sand dunes of Lanclin and the windy coast of Kalberri, stay tuned for updates on that soon!

Im very proud to announce this new venture [AboveUnder.com](https://AboveUnder.com). I have been talking about doing this for a while and happy to finally do it.



This site will hopefully serve as the location that I will use to present all the drone photography that we plan on taking while camping around Australis for 5-months (more on that coming in a later post).

For now the [print store](https://aboveunder.com/collections/all "The Print Store") is pretty bare and only contains a few images taken earlier in the year on some tester trips to Meelup Beach and to Augusta (both in South West Austalia).

We have also put together [a map](https://aboveunder.com/pages/map "The Camping Map") (in development) that shows the route that we are planning on taking around Australia when we leave on Friday.

Please do subscribe below to get updates as we travel around and like us on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/aboveunder "facebook").

Stay tuned for more updates very soon!
**This post was copied from my site [AboveUnder.com](https://aboveunder.com) a site dedicated to my travel drone photography.**

![screenshot_02](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/screenshot_02.png)

**Note: This is a condensed version of the pictures I took with some added narrative. The rest of the pics can be viewed in the album [The Trip 2013 – LA to Mazatlan](https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=1). Each picture can be clicked to see a larger version and comment / like**

Its been a while since my last post, the past three weeks spent travelling across Mexico have been an intense non-stop tour of northern and western Mexico. The small amount of downtime we have been afforded has usually been spent catching up on much needed sleep.



That being said its been incredible so far, heres the highlights.

The trip kicked off from the Hacienda hotel in LA on the 26th of May.

[![photo](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708306186031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

There I met the people I would be spending the next 32 days with. Kelsie, Colette, Madeline, Rosie, Jac, Ralph and one incredible shock, Dan Blackhurst.

[![photo-3](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-3.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708304921031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

Incredibly I had met Dan about 10 years ago on a holiday in Lanzarote, he is a friend of a friend and I had no idea he was going to be joining us on the trip, its a small world.

It was a short drive from LA down to San Diego, then a hop across the border at Tijuana and we were in Mexico!

Our first night was in a town an hour or two south of Tijuana called Ensenada. There I spotted something Karl Pilkonton was searching high and low for:

[![photo-6](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-6.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708309516031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

That first night we revealed some tension by going for a nice meal, sharing a beer or two and watching the Mexicans celebrate Mexico City América's victory in the Mexican football cup.

The next day was spent in a town called Guerro Negro, south of Ensanada. There some of us took a trip out to a salt farm in the desert. This place was pretty other-worldly:

[![photo-21](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-21.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708313181031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-19](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-19.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708312871031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

I had a ball:

[![photo-14](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-14.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708311706031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-15](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-15.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708311646031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-20](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-20.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708312971031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

Next up was a small town built round an Oasis called San Ignacio. We took a little trip out to see the oasis. The water was really warm and crstal clear.

[![photo-28](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-28.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708316531031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

A little around the corner was a small rock that you could only access by a rickety ladder.

[![photo-29](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-29.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708317581031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

There was no way that ladder was going to support us using it to get back, so there was only one thing for it..

[![photo-33](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-31.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708317761031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-32](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-32.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708319171031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-33](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-33.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708319171031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

That afternoon was spent in the hotel pool, splashing about enjoying the sun. Kelsie, had an underwater camera which we had a play with.

[![photo-46](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-46.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708327221031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

Had a great time that avo doing what I do best

[![photo-47](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-47.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708329711031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

Next up was a town calld Loretto next to the ocean, this place was really cool. Not literally as the temperature was into the 40's luckally there was plenty of shade.

[![photo-51](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-51.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708331796031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

In Loretto a few of us took a boat out to a nearby island and nature reserve. We weren't expecting much, perhaps some fish, the odd turtle. To our great surprise we stumbled upon a massive pod of dolphins:

[![photo-63](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-63.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708335686031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

We drove up and down and the dolphins chased us, darting in and out, over and under the boat, I have never seen anything like it before:

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4FiMkVPibUI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

After a little while I dived in with flippers and tried to chase them down with the underwater camera but they were too fast for me and I couldn't get any good photos. Still, at times they were very close to me it was incredible.

After that we hopped back in the boat and headed round the coast where we came upon a group of noisy sea lions:

[![photo-68](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-68.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708337366031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

I was really nervous about getting in the water with these things as they were noisy and smelly and looked a lot more aggressive than the dolphins. The boat captain assured me however that they were safe to swim with so I jumped in.

About 30 seconds after getting in I went under water and came up and this big bugger had disappeared:

[![photo-69](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-69.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708337686031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

I couldnt see him anywhere, everyone the boat was pointing behind me so I turned around the next thing I know Rosie sneaks up behind me and grabs my leg scaring the crap out of me.

I spent the next 20 minutes or so chasing after the sea lions trying to get a good photo, they were all around me but the water was kind of cloudy and they were fast making a picture difficult:

[![photo-72](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-72.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708339006031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

I eventually gave up when one of the ones I was chasing let go of his bowels directly in front of me, from then on I decided to take some pictures of more continent sea creatures:

[![photo-77](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-77.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708341586031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

On the way back the captain let Rosie drive the boat:

[![photo-85](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-85.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708344081031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

All was going well until..

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HC50W_PxA4o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Still I had a cracking time that day

[![photo-86](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-86.jpg)](<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HC50W_PxA4o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>)

That evening was spend drinking beer and enjoying the gorgeous sunset:

[![photo-95](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-95.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708346601031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

A few days later we found ourselves taking a ferry across from the Baja to mainland Mexico. Before hopping on the ferry however we spotted a big group of manta rays playing and jumping out of the water:

[![photo-99](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-99.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708347491031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

Apparently they do this to clean gunk off themselfs (technical term).

The overnight ferry across was fairly uneventful and boring, there wasn't much to do other than drink beer and take pictures. Here's one of the highlights:

[![photo-115](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-115.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708350201031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

When we finally arrived in Mazatlan we collectively exhaled as this was a place to chill:

[![photo-118](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-118.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708351941031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

During the day we took a boat then a Mexican taxi to the restaurant / beach:

[![photo-119](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-119.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708351891031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-144](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-144.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708361546031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

The water here was super warm. We were meant to go surfing but apparently in the usual surf spot the chances of jellyfish was too high. Instead we all jumped in the water and hired bodyboards and rode some of the surf on our bellys instead:

[![photo-149](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-149.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708362066031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

A coupple of the group hired horses and galloped up and down the beach:

[![photo-148](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-148.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708362061031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

That evening we hopped in another Mexican taxi, picked up some beers and cruised around the town:

[![photo-133](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-133.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708357891031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

We stopped up on one of the highest hills surrounding Mazatlan for a quick Pacifico promotional photoshoot:

[![photo-137](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-137.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708359116031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

We polished off an incredible day by eating and drinking in the best restaurant of the trip so far.

<iframe width="480" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lejkCYFJH00" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Suzanne our trek leader (the one singing in the above video) got talking to man who turned out to be the ex mayor of the city.

I cant believe all that is less than 10 days of travelling, so much stuff crammed into such a short amount of time, I cant wait to see what the next 10 days brings!

[![screenshot_02](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/screenshot_02.png)](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/screenshot_02.png)

So my trip has finally started! I have not had anywhere near as much free time thus far as I thought I would have before I left. A great thing as there is no chance of me getting bored, it does however mean that I haven't had time to write the frequent blog posts I had promised.



I have decided to try and write these posts a a sort of slideshow with narrative  Im not sure its the correct format however as it takes quite a while to write each one, so perhaps ill tweak the way I do this as I go along. Each photo taken links back to a publicly available image on facebook so you can like and comment and see a larger version if you wish.

This is just a condensed summary, there are more images in the album [The Trip 2013 - Washington DC](https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151640158721031.1073741830.593661030&type=1&l=5197ba3b4a)

So I left the UK early on the 7th of May, after saying goodbye to my parents

[![mumanddad](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/mumanddad.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151640173181031&set=a.10151640158721031.1073741830.593661030&type=3&theater)

I hopped on a train bound for Heathrow. A short 8 hour flight later I arrived in Washington DC where I bummed a bed from my Vietnam travelling buddy Martin

[![martins house](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/martins-house.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151640179236031&set=a.10151640158721031.1073741830.593661030&type=3&theater)

After a couple of beers at his local my jet-lagged body forced me to bed. The next day Martin went to work leaving me free to head downtown to do a spot of tourism. First up was a park full of wierd and wonderful artwork

[![spider pic](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/spider-pic.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151640190041031&set=a.10151640158721031.1073741830.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![mayan ruins](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/mayan-ruins.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151640194986031&set=a.10151640158721031.1073741830.593661030&type=3&theater)

it even had a pair of fountain spotters

[![fountain spotters](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/fountain-spotters.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151640191006031&set=a.10151640158721031.1073741830.593661030&type=3&theater)

After the park I took a wander around capital hill

[![capitol hill](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/capitol-hill.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151640198656031&set=a.10151640158721031.1073741830.593661030&type=3&theater)

before heading to the botanical gardens

[![botanical](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/botanical.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151640212346031&set=a.10151640158721031.1073741830.593661030&type=3&theater)

then the air and space museum

[![spaceship one](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/spaceship-one.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151640223256031&set=a.10151640158721031.1073741830.593661030&type=3&theater)

After lunch I shimmied over to the Washington monument

[![obelisk](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/obelisk.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151640227906031&set=a.10151640158721031.1073741830.593661030&type=3&theater)

then some ducks decided to photo bomb my pic of the Lincon memorial.

[![duck photobomb](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/duck-photobomb.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151640231586031&set=a.10151640158721031.1073741830.593661030&type=3&theater)

At about this point it started to rain so I scurried back to the house. That night I went out with Martin and his very lovely girlfriend Kim. We hit one of his local haunts followed by a gig venue. I drank too much as usual and spent most of the next day trying to remember what I had said to people.

The following day I woke and decided to head back to the area I was in the previous day and do the things I missed. First up was The Museum of Natural History. A fascinating place that has everything, including the most badass creature in the ocean

[![mantis shrimp](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/mantis-shrimp.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151640234691031&set=a.10151640158721031.1073741830.593661030&type=3&theater)

it even had an indoor butterfly enclosure, gingerly I took photos while trying not to crush the delicate insects

[![butterfly](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/butterfly.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151640242761031&set=a.10151640158721031.1073741830.593661030&type=3&theater)

After the museum I took the short walk over to the Whitehouse for the obligatory pic

[![whitehouse](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/whitehouse.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151640243686031&set=a.10151640158721031.1073741830.593661030&type=3&theater)

After the whitehouse I walked over to the Jefferson memorial and wrote my diary entry before finally heading back.

[![jefferson](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/jefferson.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151640246986031&set=a.10151640158721031.1073741830.593661030&type=3&theater)

That evening I went to watch Martins team play local football. Its really interesting how football is taking off in the states, particularly as they play it in mixed sex teams.

[![martins team](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/martins-team.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151640247956031&set=a.10151640158721031.1073741830.593661030&type=3&theater)

After the game Kim drove us over to a gig at breakneck speeds, we saw [Sir Sly](https://soundcloud.com/sirsly) warm up for the headline for someone. Even though its not traditionally my sort of music I really enjoyed it and was the perfect end for my rather short stay in DC.

[![night out](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/night-out.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151640248756031&set=a.10151640158721031.1073741830.593661030&type=3&theater)

The following day Martin and Kim were heading down to New Orleans for a stag and hen do so I grabbed a flight to my next destination, Toronto.

[![](/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/thheader.jpg "thheader")](/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/headfull.jpg)

The above is what it looks like from a speakers position at the [try { harder }](https://www.tryharder.org.uk/) conference. ([click to embiggen](/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/headfull.jpg)).



I had indented to write this post a couple of weeks ago, immediately after the conference but [STRATO denied that](/posts/strato-and-the-customer-support-circle-of-doom/). But oh well, here it is anyways.

This year was the second annual try { harder } conference / coder retreat / brain explosion. I have spoken about try harder in the past but it really is a uniquely awesome event. Its a rather intimate affair  where 10-15 people getting together and sharing ideas and knowledge in the tranquil forests of Center Parks Nottingham.

[![](/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/01-300x200.jpg "01")](/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/01.jpg)The format was largely the same as [last year](/posts/try-harder-my-haxe-slides-and-code/). Everyone gave a talk on a topic of their choosing, some were technical talks such as [David Arno](https://www.davidarno.org/)'s on C# (NCrunch, MVC &amp; Mono) or [Mattes Groeger](https://twitter.com/MattesGroeger)'s on developing iOS social games. Quite a few talks were on non-technical things such as [David Wagner](https://noiseandheat.com/)'s talk on 'the value of tinkering' or [Stray](https://www.xxcoder.net/)'s talk on 'Heuristics, collaboration special sauce'. Each talk was fascinating and the wide range of topics covered adds to the special feel of this event.

When deciding what to give my talk on I couldn't make my mind up. I have been through a lot this year from [launching my first business](/posts/introducing-printomi/) then [having it fail](/posts/sunsetting-printomi/) to exploring a great many [new](/posts/terrainicles-webgl-haxe/) [tools](/posts/conways-game-of-life-in-haxe-nme-massiveunit/) and [technologies](/posts/hxaria-terraria-like-terrain-in-haxe-and-webgl/) to creating and launching my [first mobile game](/posts/mr-nibbles-free-on-ios-android-browser/). Not to mention all the cool things I have had the pleasure to work on at [Playdemic](https://www.playdemic.com). In the end it was a tweet from David Wagner who suggested that I talk about an exciting tool I had been experimenting around with lately; Adobe Monocle.

Adobe Monocle is the new profiler for flash and mobile content from Adobe and really is very nice. It currently still in pre-release and hence under NDA so I had to ask for permission before giving the talk on it. I haven't had permission to blog about it get so if you want to find out more about it then check out this video that Thibault Imbert made a few months back:

<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/46917940?title=1&amp;byline=1&amp;portrait=1" frameborder="0" width="650" height="407"></iframe>

I personally think it is a game changer for flash game makers. It makes development so much easier by giving better insights as to what is going on inside your game.

Try Harder is more about simply giving talks however. Each afternoon was set aside for pair programming sessions. Like last year we were given a deceptively simply problem then split off in pairs to try to solve that problem in a test-driven way. The kicker was that at the end of your hour with your parter you then must delete all your work and start again with the next person.

[![](/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/02-300x200.jpg "02")](/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/02.jpg) The problem we were given this year was "to find and score the palindromes with a length greater than 3 chars in a given string". Seems simple, but when you get into it, it is deceptively complex. Because of the varied programming backgrounds of the attendees there were many different tools and technologies used.

Of the 6 different partners I had I solved the problem using: Javascript, Actionscript3, Haxe, C#, Java and Ruby using TextMate, Flash Builder, FlashDevelop, Visual Studio and IntelliJ. It was fascinating to see the multitude of ways to solving the same problem

Try Harder is held in the heart of the forests of Center Parks Nottingham. This adds to a sense of "getting away from it all" and I found it to be a really helped with concentrating on what we were doing. In many of the evenings I enjoyed walking around the forests or swimming in the pool or sampling David Wagner's rather excellent scotch whisky that he brought with his all the way from Scotland (cheers Dave!)

[![](/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/002-300x200.jpg "002")](/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/002.jpg) [![](/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/004-300x200.jpg "004")](/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/004.jpg) [![](/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/001-300x200.jpg "001")](/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/001.jpg) [![](/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/003-300x200.jpg "003")](/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/003.jpg)

So if you cant tell I had a great time at try { harder } this year. I think because I knew what to expect this time I could relax and enjoy the whole thing a little more. I also approached the event with a much more open mind which meant I could relax more and enjoy the format.

Bring on try { harder } 2013!

Final testing is under way here at mission control for the [Inputtie](https://www.inputtie.com) Beta.



[![](/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/photo1.jpg "photo")](/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/photo1.jpg)

1 Keyboard, 1 Mouse, 1 PC, 2 Laptops, 1 Netbook, 4 Operating Systems.

All systems are go! Almost ready for takeoff!