Paris on skates 2017

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25 members of Malmö City Skaters went on tour the 15 – 18 June to Paris to join a Pari Roller Friday Night Skate 16 June.

Thursday
One group flew with Easy jet in the afternoon and were picked up by two cars that drove us to the 3 Ducks hostel. On the way to city I noticed a lot of people on three wheel motorbikes with warning light on driving like crazy between the cars on the highway.
After checking in we had some rosé and food at a local bistro.
Took a walkabout to and around the Eiffel tower.

Friday
Some of us walked to the Arch de triumph where we should meet for a surprise lunch, and what a surprise!! Boarding a Bustronome double decker bus where we had a gourmet lunch with a wine meny. Multitasking taking to a new level – eating, drinking, looking at the beautiful views, listen to the interactive guide and talking with the company… A fantastic experience and many thanks to Patrik and Stefan for arranging it (and the other things).

In the evening, before the Pari Roller event, it was wining and dining at A La Tour de Eiffel, next to the hostel. After dinner it was time for the main event – Friday Night Skate/Pari roller. We meet outside the hostel and rolled to the starting point next to the Montparnasse tower. When we arrived, we were more or less the only ones there and thought maybe they moved the starting point or cancelled the event… Finally we met one that told us they started just around the corner.

The tour was about 30 km and took about 3 hours with an 8 min break 10 km from the end. It was a fun and exciting challenge with quite high speed between the many stops. The road quality was limited, at the best. Many parts with paving stone, bad asphalt, many hills (also with paving stone). The reputation said that there could be up to 20.000 participants back in the good old days. This evening we were around 500. As often at these kind of occasions, there were a couple of “show offs” that like to show how cool and good they were, even if it a risk for them that don’t skate that well. We were escorted by two polic men on Vespas in the front and a big ambulance at the back. When the the back blockers and the ambulance were ready, it gave a “symphony” of what all it had in sound and light, fun and loud 🙂

After skate at a local bar next to the hostel.

Saturday
Paris has a good “rent-a-bike-system”, Velib, where you pick up and return the bike at several places. Gisle, Kicki Anders and me biked to Montmatre were we had lunch at a nice and tasty “hole in the wall” Asian restaurant. We walked up to Sacre ceur and had some rosé breaks on the way. Anders and I decided to walk back to city via Forum des halles and Pompidou center.

Evening dinner at restaurant Café De L’Industrie and finishing with after dinner drink at a bar close by, with “people whatching”…

Sunday
5 people joined the Sunday tour that I planned should go along the Seine since it was quite warm and I thought along the water it was a little bit cooler and parts of the roads along the river is closed for traffic on Sundays. The Tour de Seine started at the Statue of Liberty and at Bd Peripherique we turned and went back, A few challenges on the way with walking down hill on cobble stone, but most of the time, very good asphalt and parts even with silky smooth concrete.

The plan was to join a Paris afternoon tour but it was cancelled due to an election. That’s why had decided to go home on Monday. The rest of the crowd left in Sunday afternoon. I got a new room and went out for dinner at the very nice Persian restaurant Mazeh, near the hostel, that was recommended by the receptionist at the hostel.

Monday
Early home bound with metro + bus to the airport…

El Caminito del Rey 2016

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28 August 2016 I had the pleasure of hiking The Caminito del Rey together with Mar, Andreea, Renny and Peter.

Caminito del Rey is located approx. one hour drive from Malaga.

After the drive from Benalamadena, we had a very nice lunch at El Mirador. The restaurant has a fantastic view over the lake. Bring swimming clothes for a dip in the lake, before or/and after the walk.

The total length of El Caminito del Rey is 7.7 km. It’s divided into a 4.8 km long access way and a 2.9 km long walkway that you need a ticket to visit.

The walkway of Caminito del Rey, called El Hoyo, is of spectacular natural beauty, breathtaking and fantastic. The path is more than just a walk in the hills. Parts of the walkway is a hanging footbridge that rises over 100 metres above the river below with steep walls, that can make you feel dizzy. The path is “hazardous” because of the heights and its narrow parts. It was rebuilt so it could be used for active tourism in the natural surroundings. It requires certain level of physical effort and skilfulness. You are not risking your life at all, but be aware of the strong impressions this place might have on you. That’s why this path is so spectacular.

It’s a good idea to book in advance to access the walkway. They let in 50 persons every ½ hour.

Note! The Caminito del Rey is linear, not circular. You need to make sure to come back to the start on your own. There are coaches between the northern access (Ardales) and the southern one (El Chorro), which go in both directions.

History
The walkway was originally built to provide workers at the hydroelectric power plants at Chorro Falls and Gaitanejo Falls with a means to cross between them, to provide for transport of materials, and to facilitate inspection and maintenance of the channel.

The construction began in 1901 and was finished in 1905. The original path was constructed of concrete and rested on steel rails supported by stanchions built at around 45 degrees into the rock face. An extra benefit with the path was that it created great joy for the locals that experienced easier access between the neighboring villages.

According to a local guide (that also was in the construction team for the new version) told us that approx. 200 persons died during the construction of the original walkway (the number of casualties was zero, building the new one).

King Alfonso XIII crossed the walkway in 1921 for the inauguration of the dam Conde del Guadalhorce and it became known by its present name – “The Kings Pathway“.

The old walkway deteriorated over the years and there were numerous sections where parts or all of the concrete top had collapsed. The result was large gaps bridged only by narrow steel beams or other supports. Few of the original handrails existed although a safety wire ran along the path. Several people lost their lives on the walkway and after two fatal accidents in 1999 and 2000, the local government closed both entrances. Even so, in the 4 years to 2013, four people died attempting to climb the gorge. It was known as the “The most dangerous walkway in the world”.

In March 2014, the cornerstone of the rehabilitation project was laid by specialized alpinists. The new walkway reopened on 29 March 2015.

Source: caminitodelrey.info | wikipedia

New York City 2016

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15 June

Arrived JFK – Airtrain to Jamaica – MetroCard – Took subway E to Rockefeller, changed to B “express” – Missed to get of at Columbus Sq. and ended up at 112 st. where we changed and returned to 59 st./Columbus Sq. – Walked 5 min. to 63 st. – Checked in at West Side YMCA.

16 June, DAY #1

High Line Park day. Little bit cloudy, warm.

Walked along Broadway to Ellen’s Stardust Diner for breakfast. They have singing staff, fun. – Times Square – M & M’s world, amazing a small chocolate candy can have 4 floors with a chemically smell of candy on Times Square – Hudson River Parkway – High Line Park, (one of the highlights of the trip and can be recommended) – Visited a cool gallery next to the Whitney Museum – Chelsea Market – Coffee break at FIKA – Madison Square Garden – NYC Public Library – Bryant Park – Grand Central Terminal with the Whispering gallery and we were allowed to stand at the doorway to Campbell Apartment Cocktail bar, admission 21!! (and our dress code was “maybe” not totally correct) – Passing Empire State Building (save the visit for later) and Chrysler Building – Dinner at Five Guys and Fries – Evening stroll in Central Park south end – Ice coffee break at Lincoln Center before heading “home”.

17 June, DAY # 2

Circle Line Landmark Cruise and Battery Park day. Sunshine and warm.

Walked down to Hudson River, booked the Circle Line – Landmark cruise at 11.00. Had a cup of coffee/water. Learned that one reason for long lines could be the taking of photos against a green screen for “tacky” backgrounds… – Lunch at Landmark Tavern, recommended by the guide on the boat. Nice place – Walked 47 st. with lots of small restaurants – Subway from 42nd str. to World Trade Center Station – One World Observatory – “Ground Zero” – Irish Hunger Memorial – Battery Park (Pier A, East Coast Memorial, American Merchant Mariners’ Memorial) – Wall Street – Charging Bull – Visit to a local liquor store. Mickey was told “don’t touch!!!” the bottles, the 21 year syndrome!! – Testing burger at Shake Shack on Murray Street – subway from Chamber st. “home” (59 st.).

18 June, DAY #3

Central Park day. Sunshine and warm.

Breakfast, smoothie @ Starbucks – visit Best Buy (electronics shop) – Central Park, The Mall, Belvedere Castle, Swedish Marionette House – The Metropolitan museum and roof top – Lunch at Tom’s Restaurant (famous from Seinfeld) (Jerry’s Big Salad, nice) – Interesting outdoor photo exhibition by Matt Black, The Geography of Poverty @ St John the Divine, 110th. – Strawberry Fields, Imagine, John Lennon – But where are all the roller skaters in Central Park?

After Centrapark drink @ the “Y”, Gin & Lemon/Lime juice (no admission and no ID required in the room, don’t tell anyone) – Walked Down 8th Avenue to Thai restaurant, Chai Thai – Times Square by night – Soft ice Dessert @ MacD

19 June, DAY #4

Brooklyn Heights day. Sunshine and warm

Subway to High Street st, Brooklyn – Walk Henry St. to Joralemon St. – Breakfast at Pier 6, a fruit bowl, $11 + coffee, same price as 4 big muffins!! …Burgers and fries cheaper… “It’s more expensive to be healthy…” – Walked along Brooklyn Heights Promenade to Brooklyn Bridge (another highlight of the trip and can be recommended) – Lunch at Pier 1, under the tent. Beer (for me), water (for Mickey, 21!!) and fries, “Alcohol consumed under the tent. ID required” – Manhattan Bridge – DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) – Jane’s Carousel – Sunday Flea Market – Brooklyn Bridge – Supreme Court – Chinatown, Mott st.- Little Italy – Pizza at Lombardi’s, first pizzeria in NYC, 1905 – Spring St. – Subway “home”.

“After walk drink”, nice gin/lemon/lime in the room – 6th, Avenue of the Americas, to Empire State Building (did you know it was built in 13 months!!) – Museum at 80th floor – Looong line to the elevator to the top at 86th floor. Walked. Clear sky with stars and full moon, TOTALLY MAGIC!!! Did several laps around the deck (another high light of the trip and can be recommended) – Walked back “home” on Broadway.

20 June, DAY #5

South Manhattan day. Sunshine and warm.

Subway to Downtown – Staten Island Ferry (it’s free) with a nice view of Statue of Liberty – Staten Island Boardwalk – Lunch at the River Dock Café, Salmon salad, yummy – Return Manhattan – Stone Street, many bars and pubs, 21!! – Short visit to a performing art show, River to River at Native Americans Museum, “little” weird – Battery Park for a beer break, “Alcohol consumed inside the roped area, ID required” 21!! – “Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog“, 21!! ID required – Dinner at Chipotle – Subway “home”.

21 June, DAY #6

Check out day.

Luggage label challenge. Label machine no work, WHAT TO DO!!! “Stupid tourist who suggest a solution”… (Mickey overheard conversation between the staff…) – Smoothie at Starbucks (again) – Talked to a girl from Vice magazine about New York music: New York – by John Lennon and what to spend the last ticket on, suggestion was visit the Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum – We spent over 3 hours there + at a Navy school ship + in USS Growler submarine. Very interesting visit – Testing burger at Island Burgers and Shakes – Walkabout in Hell’s Kitchen – Coffee break at Bryant Park – Time’s Square, talked to some “bus boys”, salary 20% commission – 7th st “home”

Collect luggage – Subway “A” to Herman Beach, $2.75 x 2 – Air train to JFK Terminal 1 $5 x 2! “Who said free terminal shuttle?” – Mickey liked to get some special sorts of alcohol, e.g. Tito’s Vodka, St Germain… – For some reason we managed to get “Premium Check In” and “First Class Security Line” – Flight departure was 2 hours+ late and not with a Norwegian flight but with Hi Fly, Portuguese low budget flight. No safety instructions, no information, no inflight entertainment, “nothing!!!”, they served “food”…it was NOT Norwegian standard…

PS:

I bought New York Explorer Pass ($77) with 3 tickets (x 2), that we used on Circle Lines Landmark Cruise, Empire State Observatory and Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum
Examples on other New York passes: City Pass and New York Pass
Zagat web site for restaurant recommendations
Apps for finding restaurants Yelp, Foursquare and Zomato
Ulmon app for offline map
Tourist in New York – Danish website

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New Year Menu 2015

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Starter: Salmon Carpaccio with scampi and pine nuts

Sliced smoked salmon
Scampi
Lemon
Pine nuts
Rocket sallad
Roasted italian ham, e.g. Serrano

Roast the pine nuts golden in a dry frying pan, add little salt.
Place the salmon and scampi on the plate. Sprinkle with lemon peel, horseradish and chives (optional). Season with a little sea salt and black pepper. Top with rocket salad and ham flakes. Drizzle with olive oil and little lemon-/lime juice.

Main: Pepper steak with red wine sauce, roasted rose mary potatoes, selection of “grilled” veggies and cucumber salad.

Pepper steak
Fillet of beef
Coarsely ground black pepper
Butter

Cover and press black pepper on the beef. Let it rest for 1 hour. Fry the beef in butter for apprx. 3 min. on each side. Let it rest for 5-10 min.
Tip: At the end, lower the heat, add some more butter if needed, turn the meat every 15 sek. a few times.

Roasted potatoes
Cut the potatoes in cloves. Put in a oven pan. Add cloves of garlic. Sprinkle with rose mary, lemon peel and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Bake in oven 180^o until golden.

Red wine sauce
4 pers.
1 carrot
3 dl red wine
3 dl water
2 tbs soy sauce
2 tbs honey
1/2 – 3/4 tsp salt
1 – 1 1/2 tsp pepper
2 tbs butter
1 1/2 tbs cornstarch mix (dark) (alternative, use cream)
Optional: beef stock, tomato puré, balsamic vinegar, garlic…

Peel and cut the carrots into small pieces. Boil them in the wine and water about 10 minutes. Remove the carrots. Add soy sauce and honey. Season with salt and pepper. Add the butter and whisk in cornstarch mix or cream. Cook for about 1 minute or until thickened.

Cucumber sallad
4 pers.
2 shallots
½ dl lemon juice
2 tbs honey
1 cucumber
½ dl sesame seed
crispy salad
olive oil, salt and pepper

Peel and chop the shallots finely. Mix onion, lemon juice, honey and 1 dl oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Peel and half the cucumber. Remove the seed and cut into fine dices. Roast the sesame seeds in a hot and dry frying pan. Mix Cucumber and sesame seed into the dressing and let it stand for approx an hour. Mix in the salad at serving.

Dessert: Chocolate mousse, whipped cream and raspberry topped with roasted white chocolate

Serves 6-8

3 egg
pinch of salt
2½ dl cream
100 gr dark chokolate (70%)
pinch of vanilla powder
optional: 1 teasp liquorice or coffe powder. I added a dash of Cointreau

Separate the yolks from the white. Whip the whites hard with salt. Whip the crea, not too hard. Melt the chocolate. Remove from heat. Add the yolks, one by one. Stir the chocolate mix gently into the egg whites. Stir in the whipped cream. Pour into serving dishes and place them in the fridge for min. 2 hours.
Garnish with whipped cream and raspberries, top with roasted chocolate and serve.

Berlin Inline Marathon 2015

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Thursday
The trip to Berlin Inline Marathon 2015 started from Malmö at 15.30, Thursday 24 September, with Patrik as driver and Lotta, Stefan, Gisle and myself as passengers. The time of departure involved rush hour on the southern motorway to Gedser. Patrik did a very good job and manage to get “in time” to the ferry. It was probably the tightest timing I’ve tried – 4 minutes before departure at the ticket office. Should mention that Patrik found a Super Duper deal on this specific departure, SEK 130!!, total price, one way for the car and passengers.

We arrived at the Acama hostel, Kreuzberg Berlin, at 22:00. Checked in and went out to an Ethiopian bar/restaurant in the neighbourhood where some tried Banana beer and palm beer served in a calebasse bowl. Finished the evening with a late night photo walk with Stefan to the Sience museum.

Friday
Some of us went “breakfast hunting”. After that Stefan found a green spot on the gps and it turned out to be a nice park called Victoria park. After a photo stroll it was time to head for Tempelhof Airport to pick up start number, chip and check out the different gear.

Lunch at a nice Italian restaurant on Bergman strasse.
Photo walkabout to the hostel with Robert where we passed a super cool shoemaker, totally retro, where it already was after work drinks 🙂

The afternoon was spent with a approx 20 km photo roll about with Stefan. Rollerskates is a great way to go around Berlin. Lot’s of really good bike pathways. Also some that’s not so good 😉 .

For Friday evening dinner, Ceci recommended a Singaporian restaurant, Mirchi, that was really good. Got a doggy bag with the fantastic lamb in coconut I couldn’t finish. Left in the reception at the hostel. Perfect for breakfast 😀

Saturday
The staff couldn’t find the doggy bag and I didn’t get that fantastic lamb dish for breakfast, øv 🙁

Preparing the gear for the Marathon. Lunch at the traditional Italian “around the corner”.
Some of us rolled to the Marathon start.

The race this year was a total good feeling and fun trip all the way. No sore back or anything. Finished on 1.40. Impressed by Torkel who joined the pack all the way after just practice inlines 4 x 10 km before!! (bonus info: he’s been practice a lot of ice skating…)

Some of us rolled back to the hostel, with a beautiful “pre sunset”. Feeling “natural high”…

The after skate dinner was at the same place as last year, at the steak and burger restaurant The Bird, X-berg. Unfortunately the fuse for the ventilation went and we had to wait quite some time for the food in a very smokey restaurant. The staff was friendly and brought starters and shots as an excuse for keeping us waiting…

Finished the night with After Skate Disco at Kosmos. Returning back to the hostel we all decided to take the U-bahn. It was a “interesting” trip but probably not the best decision, time wise, compared to a taxi 😉

Sunday
Returning home…

Thanks Malmö City Skaters and everybody else for a great weekend 😀

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Fish dish II – with bacon

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Photo from www.lchfgourmet.se

Inspired by the recipe “The fisherman’s chive cod with bacon”…

600 gr cod sirloin (the back of the cod)
1 pack of bacon
3 shallots onion, finally chopped. Alternative: use leeks and/or red onion
1 pinch of black peppar
2 dl cream
2 dl creme fraiche. Alternative: use a cream cheese with or without seafoodtbs
1 dl grated cheese, e.g. “västerbottenost”
1 tbs dijon mustard
1 dl finely chopped chives
2 pinch black pepper
1 tsp salt
Alternative: add some white wine and lobster stock if you like

How to:
Turn the oven to 225°C. Place the fish in a greased oven proof dish. Add little salt and pepper.
Fry bacon and onion. Mix cream fraiche/cheese, cream, lobster stock, mustard, chives. Note! Be careful with the salt. Taste. Spread the mix over the fish. Cover with grated cheese. Bake in the oven for about 20-25 min. Serve with a salad, mushed cauliflower and lemon wedge.

New Year Menu 2014

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Starter: Jerusalem artichoke mousse with sea food sallad

Serves 6

2 sheets of gelatin
300 g of Jerusalem artichoke
3 dl whipping cream
1 teaspoon of concentrated lobster stock
1/2 pinch cayenne pepper (fresh chili)
1 pinch of salt
1 pinch of pepper
300 g prawns in shell (fresh or frozen)
1 boiled lobster (450 g)
1 tablespoon sweet chili sauce
freshly squeezed juice of 1 lime
1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
50 g wakame seaweed or 1 cup coarsely chopped arugula
(I added sauteed scallops)

Mousse:
Soak the gelatin leaves in cold water.
Peel and boil Jerusalem artichoke soft in lightly salted water, about 10 minutes. Pour off the water.
Add 1 dl of the cream, lobster stock and cayenne pepper. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to boil. Remove from heat and blend with a hand blender until smooth.
Squeeze excess water from the gelatin leaves. Stir them into the puree. Let stand about 20 minutes.
Whip the remaining cream solid and mix it gently into the puree. Divide into 6 glasses, cover and let stand in refrigerator at least 3 hours.

Sea food salad:
Peel the prawns. Peel the lobster, cut the meat into pieces. Stir together sweet chili sauce, lime juice and ginger. Keep the dressing and seafood separately and covered in the fridge.
Prepare to here.

About 30 minutes before serving: Mix shrimp, lobster meat and seaweed/arugula with the dressing. Top the mousse with sea food salad.

Main: Marinated halibut in white wine and cream sauce

Serves 4

600 gr halibut filé
1 tsp salt
1 pinch of black pepper
150 gr crayfish tails
250 gr crayfish cream cheese
2,5 dl cream
2 tbs lobster stock
Finely chopped dill
Finely sliced leek
White wine
0,5 tsp salt
1 pinch cayennepeppar
1 dl grated “västerbottenost”

Marinate the fish for a few hours in herbs and spice of your choice, e.g thyme and lemon olive oil.
Turn the oven to 200° C. Place the fish in an oven proof dish. Add olive oil and white wine, season with little salt and pepper. Add leek. Spread the cray fish tails over the fish.
Mix cream cheese, cream, lobster stock, dill, salt and pepper. Note! Be careful with the salt. Spread the mix over the fish. Sprinkle over the cheese. Bake in the oven for about 20-25 min.

Served with cauliflower puree, baby spinach salad with crispy Italian ham and oven baked cocktail tomatoes.

Dessert: Elder flower Panna Cotta with whipped cream and strawberry

Serves 4-6

5 dl whipping cream
1 vanilla bean
3,5 sheets of gelatin
0,5 dl sugar (e.g. sukrin)
2 dl concentrated elder flower juice
Whipped cream and strawberries for garnish

Soak the gelatin leaves in cold water.
Spilt the vanilla bean and scrape of the seeds. Bring cream, sugar, vanilla bean and seeds to boil. Let it rest for 10 min.
Squeeze excess water from the gelatin leaves and mix it with the cream. Pick up the vanilla bean and add the elderberry flower juice.
Pour it into 4-6 glasses and leave it cold a few hours.
Garnish with whipped cream and strawberries and serve.

Fish dish – “Sandkullens lax”

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Photo “Gourmet morsan”

At the traditional department Christmas lunch Wednesday 10 dec. I made a fish dish called “Sandkullens lax” from a recipe that I got from my sister. Don’t know the original source but Google took me to “Gourmetmorsan” (in Swedish). The dish was a great success among my colleagues and I promised to post it here in English. Good luck 😀

Serve 4

600 gr salmon with out skin and bone. Cod works really well too
1 tsp salt
1 pinch of black peppar
1 jar of crayfish tails (340 gr)’
275 gr. crayfish cream cheese. Other seafood cream cheese works fine
2,5 dl cream
2 tbs lobster stock
1 dl finely chopped dill
0,5 tsp salt
1 pinch cayennepeppar
1 dl grated “västerbottenost” ( a special Swedish cheese with a characteristic taste that goes very well with seafood)
Some white wine if you like

How to:
Turn the oven to 200°C. Place the fish in an oven proof dish. I add a little olive oil in the dish first. Add little salt and pepper. Pour off the cray fish tails and spread them over the fish.
Mix cream cheese, cream, lobster stock, dill, salt and pepper. Note! Be careful with the salt. Taste. Spread the mix over the fish. Sprinkle the cheese over. Gratin in the oven for about 20-25 min. Serve with a salad, potatoes and lemon wedge.

Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt 2014

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Sharm el SheikhThe 25th October Mickey and I returned to Jolie Ville Maritim Golf Hotel & Resort, where we stayed 2012. The resort is still nice but the reef has been a bit worn out coz of some of the tourists. The number of restaurants that serves a la carte has also decreased and the resort cater mainly for the “all inclusive” guests – buffet and drinks.

The daily routine was a couple of laps in the 300 m. long Lazy River and some snorkeling along the local reef. Tuesday and Thursday we went on a boat trip, snorkeling at different reefs at sea. Fantastic experience where we saw a vast variety of fish. Close encounter with a Murray eel and a Napoleon fish. We also saw Lion fish and Sting rays among a lot of other kind.

Wednesday we went on quad bike ride in the dessert. At the end of the tour Mickey and I was asked to leave the rest of the group -” we go faster” the guide said. And we went FASTER!! FUNNY!!

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