You know you’re in North Queensland when you drive by a giant mango.
After weeks of being in the red dusty outback we’re now in sugarcane country and the land of fresh mangoes and avocados.
Oh and lots of coconut trees.
There’s so much to take in, often I just have to stop to take it all on board.
Sometimes it’s simply a matter of breathing deeply and embracing it all, just as I’m doing here with Uluru on my shoulders.
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by nature? That’s how I felt when I saw this magnificent Ghost Gum tree and I simply had to hug it.
It’s all about living in the moment, where ever we are.
That’s what this trip has been about for me.
I’ve savoured every single day of the past month we’ve been on the road.
From the simple joys of waking up to the sound of birds, to bitterly cold mornings that turned into gloriously warm spring days, every destination has held its delights.
We’ve experienced spectacular salt lakes, visited underground homes in Coober Pedy and explored the ruins of Central Australia’s first town Arltunga.
We’ve eaten at a pub in the middle of nowhere that held unusual charms.
This pub, the Middleton hotel, has the distinction of being Outback Queensland’s most isolated pub. Population of the town, a total of just three.
We camped across the road at the ‘Hilton Hotel.’ Was it fancy? I’ll let you be the judge.
The Campground has nothing yet it has everything.
It has fresh air, huge skies, a never ending horizon with golden hues and a sense of peace that was priceless.
Not to mention cold drinks and cooked meals across the road.
We’ve seen plenty of unusual things on this trip, like this huge termite mound, the largest of many on the Plenty Highway.
After travelling across two states on Australia’s longest shortcut we are now on the coast of North Queensland.
It could be another world, yet it’s still the same country I call home.
The red earth and dust has been replaced by coral reefs and sandy beaches, blue skies and an ocean of never ending possibilities.
Today we were lucky enough to be able to walk to a lighthouse island that is usually inaccessible.
It was the only day of the year where the tide was at its lowest enabling people to walk across to reach it.
An ocean of impossibility that can become possible.
That’s what I wish as we continue our journey. That no matter where we are we look for the unusual and the possibilities of life, knowing that anything is within our reach.
Nothing is perfect but with the right frame of mind we can always find the extraordinary, even in the ordinary moments.
I have to admit that not much I’ve seen on this trip could be classed as ordinary.
I look forward to catching up with all of you and to lots of reading when I get home in two weeks.
Till then stay safe and keep enjoying the journey.
Sharing for The Weekly Photo Challenge: Unusual
If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary. Jim Rohn
Incredibly beautiful places – nature’s a true beauty!
Selly
http://www.enchantingnotions.com
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She absolutely is Selly.
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stunning photos, you made me fall in love with our outback all over again 🙂
and that ghost gum is surreal .. magnificent .. what a joyful amazing journey 🙂
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It really has been. I’m glad I could stir some outback love in you Kate. It really is a special part of Australia. 😊
P.S change of date again, I’ll be in touch about our catch up.
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loving the outback doesn’t take much stirring … just sent another email, hope this is more flexible 🙂
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wow! great pics! what an amazing place to see and tour.
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Yes, it really is Jim. Thanks matey.
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Thank you for sharing your wonderful journey. Walking to a lighthouse?? How amazing!
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Oh yeah, that was pretty special. I’m still on a high now from the experience.
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Wow Miriam we though everything big was only in Texas, lol. That is quite the avocado. The photo of the tree is beautiful.
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Absolutely. That tree was one of the most picture perfect ones I’ve ever seen.
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Frame-able!!
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Yes, absolutely.
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LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. Following you on this great adventure has been such a treat, Miriam, and I am just so happy for you guys that your eyes and souls are taking in all this breathtaking beauty! Your country is magical and is a wonderland of nature. One day I will get there to witness it myself. Enjoy the next two weeks and breathe in every last bit! xoxo
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Hi Tanya, I’m so glad you’ve been along for the ride. I’ve enjoyed sharing my beautiful country with fellow wonder lusters like yourself. And I do so hope you make it out here one day as I’m sure you’d absolutely love it. Take care xo 😊💕
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Wow! That mango is more than giant 🙂
In fact, everything is gigantic there. You’re in the Gulliver’s country, Miriam 😀
A beautiful journey in a land of magic, my friend. I am glad for you.
Mo-hugs and kisses ❤
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What a great comment Monica, love it! Yes, sometimes I do feel as though we’re living in a land of magic. We’re very blessed. 💖🙂 Hugs back my friend xo
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Yes you are, dear Miriam ❤
xo
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What an adventure – wonderful! Loved the tree, and who wouldn’t want to hug it? Staying at the Hilton – high end fancy, haha. Enjoy your ongoing adventures!
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Thanks so much PC. Great to hear from you. Yes, two more weeks and then we’re home so I’ll definitely keep enjoying. You too, whatever you’re up to. 🙂
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incredibly beautiful… Amazing places. Thank you for sharing your wonderful journey.
hope you like my last day visit
http://wp.me/p8g2rs-cw
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Thanks Monika, I have lots of reading to catch up on, yours included!
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Gorgeous photos!!
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Thanks George.
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I am so glad you are having such a great trip Miriam. It is a spectacular journey. I would have hugged that tree too. 😊
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I bet you would have Brigid. 🙂 it was just begging to be hugged!
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So amazing, everything is so spectaular and truly beautiful, enjoy this wonderful journey take care and please keep us updated with these fantastic details of your travel journal……………………..
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Thanks Brooke, I’m happy to be able to share our adventures when I can. Hope you’re doing well.
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Lovely post Miriam and what an adventure you have had! To be away for a month is amazing but to see all you have seen… wonderful! I’ve loved following you along on your journey!
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It’s been great to have you along too Nicole, both here and on Insta.
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Hi Miriam,
Always so great to hear from you and your fascinating and beautiful post brings your part of the world to life. I enjoy your deep and reflective thoughts among the fun. You two really are having a marvellous tour as you words, photos and smiles bear witness too.
Keep enjoying
Miriam
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Thanks so much Miriam, we really are having a lovely time. Hope you’re well.
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Wow! I could barely see you by that huge gum tree! That was amazing! Great photos.
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Thanks Wendy. It was an awesome tree.
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Well. I always tell people that everything is bigger in Texas, but I think that we may lose that challenge in the mango and boomerang categories. Lovely lovely pics – all of them! And did you find that incredible starfish??? I’m jazzed when I find two clamshells that are still connected. 😉 Beautiful post!
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Yes, the tide was so low that we could see lots of starfish just floating close to the surface. 🐚Thanks so much for your great comment. 🙂
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Oh I’m so jealous! (And I mean that in the very best way) 🙂
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Lovely post Miriam. Love the big mango with the insect and the photo of Uluru is very dramatic, it’s great. Kepp savouring the trip, drink it in, bathe in it. Oh, and that tree yes was a beauty. Louise
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Thanks Louise. I’m definitely savouring and bathing in it, especially the heat, cos I know in another couple of weeks I’m going to be back in freezing Melbourne. 😎 xo
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I thought there are mango trees there. Lovely captures though.
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Yes there are. Thanks Arlene.
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So much beauty- all looks wonderful. Loved that mango!
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Yep and the real mango sorbet I had today was pretty good too!
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Great photos , great post, great holiday. Wow i didnt know that oz has sugarcane etc.. sounds like your trip was amazing.
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Thanks Bella, it has been amazing. Two weeks left, then we’re home. xo
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Wow how long have you been traveling?
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A month. We have six weeks planned in total.
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Wow…
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Wow Miriam. I am in awe. The nature looks magnificent! I can only imagine how amazing it must have felt being surrounded by it for a whole month. I’d love to have such a trip myself. Beautiful, beautiful places. That pub sounds interesting, I am fascinated by isolated places. Those starfish look exactly the same kind like we saw in the Philippines! Great blog post 🙂
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Thanks Pooja, yes we’re blessed to have an abundance of natural beauty around us in Australia. I appreciate your comment. 🙂
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These photos are so beautiful, the world truly is a masterpiece.
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It truly is! Thank you.
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Your post confirmed that we need to see more of Australia, one day when we settle back in NZ!
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Ah and next on my bucket list is NZ! So much to see isn’t there?
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NZ is definitely worth visiting not that I am biased anything 🙂 We are based in Europe for the foreseenable future doing housesitting. Though we do go back to NZ for a few weeks each year.
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What a fantastic adventure, Miriam. Safe travels on your way home.
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Thanks very much Carol.
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Wow Miriam! I was still stunned by the size of that ghost Gum tree when I saw that Termite Mound. Texas has nothin’ on the Outback;)
And I love seeing your refreshed and invigorated smile in all these photos. This 30-day adult time-out sounds like great medicine!
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Oh, it’s been the best medicine Gabe, absolutely. The trick will be to keep it all in my system when I get home!
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I’m moving into the Middleton Hotel! Do they take dogs? 🐶
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Yep. It’s most definitely dog friendly. 🙂
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Wow I reckon you’ll pass us on your way back down. If you see a dusty caravan with way too much gaffer tape that’ll be us. But then again we’re averaging 30 clicks a day so I doubt that we’ll be moving. Travel safe guys.
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Sounds pretty good to me. Enjoy yourselves. Where are you heading, up north?
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South now.
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Ok, well take care.
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Your trip looks amazing! I’m so glad you are having fun and just enjoying all that nature has to offer! I think the effects of this trip will be with you for a long time after you return home, and I’m looking forward to reading all about it. Enjoy!!!
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Hi Ann, I hope you’re right. We’ve certainly seen some amazing places on this trip and met some very friendly people. Thank you. Sending you lots of warm ocean wishes from northern Queensland at the moment.
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This looks quite a unique trip, just as if nobody would dare to go out there ☺️
A town with just 3? Well, what to say!
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Yes and they were just the hotel owners! There were more campers there then the town. Very unique, to say the least. 😊
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mangos, avocados, adventure1 my kind of place. I need to travel here.
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Oh yes, you should, you’d love it! 😊
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Oh I know🙂
You must have had the time of your life there.
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I loved Central Australia especially but I’m still away, in Queensland, slowly making our way back home. 🙂
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How fun! Looks like you had a great time and saw lots of interesting things. That termite mound is crazy!
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It sure was. Thanks for your comment.
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Hello Miriam,
What an eye opening land of contrasts even for me as a fellow Aussie!
Your adventures, words and images make our country sound awesome.
As usual, a lovely, very thoughtful post. And those ‘big’ everything’s…so fun and unique, including that enormous tree…
Great to see your happy face too.
Happy rest of your travels my friend 🙋🏻💕💐
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Thanks so much Di, great to hear from you. Yes, you’re right, we live in an amazing land of contrasts and I feel as though I’ve barely scratched the surface. Still, it’s been fantastic and just whetted my appetite for more adventure. Take care and talk soon. 💕 xo
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You’re very welcome dear Miriam.
Oh that appetite for travel…you’ve awakened it for sure now! May you have many new adventures 🌎
Yes, we will talk soon 🙋🏻💕💕
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You look like you’re having an amazing time and I love your post of Unusual. Our country is pretty spectacular isn’t it? We’re off on an adventure to a new place next month and I’m so looking forward to it. Enjoy the next few weeks 🙂
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Thanks Debbie, yes, you’re so right, Australia is an amazing country, we’re so lucky aren’t we? Enjoy your adventure. Where are you going? 🙂
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Thanks, let’s hope this glorious weather holds. We’re averaging 25kms per day. A horse could go faster than us.
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What’s happened?
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Less driving and more exploring. It’s been very social too. Each trip we meet more people.
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Sounds perfect to me.
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Thank you for sharing so much of your world with us. This trip of yours is incredible. That gum tree…wow Miri. Amazing. ❤ Miss you!
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Thank you for sharing with us this trip Miriam…and as always you made me wonder why i haven’t done something like this yet?.but i know maybe in time i will…
And the ghost ghum tree….really amazing…looking at the picture itself is amazing..i could only imagine how it is you hugging it..
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Thanks Mich. And you know what they say, never say never. 🙂
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Fantastic photos. I especially like the one where you are hugging the tree. It captures the awe of nature. You are spot on with your message about mental framework giving us the world we see each day. Some would find much to complain about the campground with bare dirt. You chose to see it beautiful and it is. Bravo for you Miriam and for showing others the way to embrace possibility.
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I love how it had nothing, and everything. =) Wonderful experiences.
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I love these photos. Beautiful scenery and a giant mango, go figure. Of course, we have a giant peach in Georgia. Thanks for sharing, looking forward to more.
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Hi and thanks for your great comment. A giant peach hey? Well, peach and mango go well together 😊
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That’s certainly what you call a ‘mango’ Miri! Fab photo’s of your wonderful trip. I really have learned so much about Australia – I had no idea that avocados are grown there. Avocados always remind me of my mum. She was one of the ‘food demonstrators’ who introduced avocados to the UK in the 1970’s. Crates of avocados would be delivered and she’d make some wild and wonderful recipes and go out to demonstrate how to use them all around the country. Thanks for inspiring a lovely memory! x
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Oh Wendy, that’s so awesome. You mum sounds like she was quite an entrepreneurial woman. And I simply love avocados. I’m glad I was able to help rekindle such a special memory. Big hugs to you xo
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The funny thing was Miri that at that time, I hated the look of the avocados and wouldn’t try her fab recipes. It’s only in the last few years that I actually decided I liked them!! Mum was very entrepreneurial but virtually gave everything away.. she never made any money bless her! Big hugs returned with love xx
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It’s pretty ironic isn’t it. I was much the same, never liked avocados until a few years ago.
And how’s this for another similarity between us. Mum too was quite entrepreneurial but in a different way. She was an amazing seamstress and always helped others, gave away what she made for virtually nothing. I never appreciated what she did fully while I was growing up. Hugs and love to you my friend as I slowly head home. xo
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What a great trip! The Ghost Gum tree really is magnificent looking as is all your photos.
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Thanks Maverick, we had such a wonderful time. Finally back home tonight after six weeks on the road.
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There’s something about Uluru I can feel from your photo even sitting way here in Bombay! I like your posts!
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Thanks Kunal. You’re right, Uluru is a very special and spiritual place.
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I believe so, it’s on my wish list for when we finally make it Down Under 🙂
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We must be close to each other. I’ll be heading west back towards the country you have come through (Middleton)…you’ve got to love it, hey!
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These are incredible views.
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They really were!
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