Holiday Part 2: Shoo fly, don't bother me!

We left Adelaide by bus to catch a ferry to Kangaroo Island. Kangaroo Island is Australia's third-largest island (after Tasmania and Melville Island). The island has become one of Australia's top tourist destinations (shockingly though everything seems to close at 5:30 pm, which to me screams anti-tourist), as most of the island remains uninhabited. Adam and I were very excited to go because the wildlife isn't cage and all animals are free to roam around plus there are many conservation parks and one major national park so lots of great hiking. Our arrival to the island was pretty uneventful, as once again we got to our destination fairly late in the evening.

Our first day got off to a rather slow start. Probably because we were rudely awakened at about a quarter past 4 in the morning by the hotel's fire alarm, a first for both of us. Of course we grabbed our passports and ran. We got to the front porch where everyone was congregated and asking what was going on. The manager promptly turned-off the alarm and told everyone to go back to their rooms. Apparently someone went a little nuts with the bug spray claiming that the mozzies (mosquitos) were attacking. Adam and I didn't have a single bite.

We eventually rolled out of the hotel and picked up our rental car, which is the only way one can get around Kangaroo Island, as there is no public transportation and everything is miles and miles apart. First thing we did we head over to Flinders Chase National Park to do a little hiking. Sadly we were barely able to get out of our car because as soon as we opened the doors were were attacked by swarms of flies. While harmless they are extremely annoying. Our entire first day was spent trying to get out and do things. Ultimately, we packed it in and drove the 100 km back to Kingscote where our hotel was located and the biggest town on the island (population 1800). We made it back to town in time for the pelican feeding and the penguine walk (night time stroll along the cost to view fairy penguines ( the world's smallest penguine) in their natural habitat - of course the mozzies were out in force and we were eaten alive).

The flies seemed to have calmed down a little by the next day as we went out to the Hanson Bay Sanctuary (the photos on the left is an example of fewer flies). There were lots of koalas just resting in the trees. It was very cool to see them in their natural setting.


We then went over to seal bay were a colony of Australian Sea Lions live. We were actually able to get on the beach with them, not too close, but it was still pretty amazing. Most of the sea lions were lying around on the beach like big blobs but a few of the males were fighting and barking at each other. Sadly the Kangaroo Island Kangaroo (a fluffy reddish-brown furred roo) remained elusive throughout our stay, which shocked everyone we told because apparently they are everywhere. Oh well, I guess we'll have to settle for seeing them in the wildlife parks.