Davidson Woods

OUR FAMILY TRIP TO CHABLIS, BURGUNDY, AND THE LOIRE VALLEY OF FRANCE, 2019
Mark W. submitted on January 19, 1970
After reading Chuck’s various interesting and informative recent and previous travel blogs sharing his adventures with Anne, we are inspired to try and document our 2019 family trip to France. First off, a very special and heart felt thank you to Mark D. for all his lengthy efforts in planning this incredible travel opportunity. Anyone on this trip can add to this book so it will be updated frequently and just click read more. August 29-30 The early BirdsTravel to Burgundy
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BLOG TITLEBLOG CONTENTAfter reading Chuck’s various interesting and informative recent and previous travel blogs sharing his adventures with Anne, we are inspired to try and document our 2019 family trip to France. First off, a very special and heart felt thank you to Mark D. for all his lengthy efforts in planning this incredible travel opportunity. Anyone on this trip can add to this book so it will be updated frequently and just click read more. August 29-30 The early BirdsTravel to Burgundy Mark D, Mary Helen and Mark W had an easy drive to JFK, departing from Loudonville at noon on Thursday, August 29 and arrive in Paris on Friday, August 30. Auxerre We arrived at Charles DeGaulle airport, rented a car and drove two hours to our first stop, the very ancient town of Auxerre. We drove up along narrow stone paved streets and parked right in front of the historic Cathedral of Saint Etienne (11-16th centuries). Walking through the cathedral was a wonderful experience seeing the beautiful stonework arches, artwork, crypts, and even several monuments to Saint Joan of Arc. Afterwards, we walked down through town to the waterfront of the navigable river Yvonne, where we had lunch, walked under the pollarded Plane trees (Sycamore, Platanus), and soaked up the French atmosphere. We then walked back through town and visited the Abbey of Saint Germaine. The cloister of the abbey was very large in size, where we sat in the shade after walking through many significant rooms that now exhibit prehistoric, Gallo-Roman, and medieval finds from Auxerre. August 30’
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August 30 (this day really) - R&R in the Jungle
Anne and Chuck submitted on January 19, 1970
We are no longer spring chickens and needed a slow day today between two days of scuba diving and a couple of weeks of intense birding. As do many visitors to a rain forest we woke up to a shower. But, it was a warm shower and after breakfast we walked about with an umbrella to catch views of fabulous sqwacking Eclectus Parrots. Unusual for birds it is the female of this species who wears the fancy clothing. He is a fabulous lime green with crimson underwings. She wears a green suit as well but has a bright red head and neck and a golden tail.
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BLOG TITLEBLOG CONTENTWe are no longer spring chickens and needed a slow day today between two days of scuba diving and a couple of weeks of intense birding. As do many visitors to a rain forest we woke up to a shower. But, it was a warm shower and after breakfast we walked about with an umbrella to catch views of fabulous sqwacking Eclectus Parrots. Unusual for birds it is the female of this species who wears the fancy clothing. He is a fabulous lime green with crimson underwings. She wears a green suit as well but has a bright red head and neck and a golden tail. They feed high in the trees, and there are big ones here, so finding them is not easy despite the raucous sound they make. After lunch was an extreme low tide and we walked along the shore to encounter other birds and an unusual walking bug-eyed goby. They walked and hopped about out of the water along the shore. Distracted us from the birds. We had laundry done today. Despite being so far away domestic chores must be accomplished. We could carry very few clothes here and with the heat we must change often. But it all works out. Our trip is now changing as we join a tour. Our guide and the five other tourists will arrive shortly. We will share supper with them. Tomorrow we start chasing birds seriously in this land of jungle, oil palms, and volcanoes.
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August 30 - Second Day on New Britain
Anne and Chuck submitted on January 19, 1970
Almost dinner time. We are exhausted after two days of diving and snorkeling. Tropical fish and corals below the surface; scattered ocean clouds and volcanoes above. At least a half dozen varieties of both angel fish and butterfly fish entertained us. No idea how many damselfish we saw. All a blur. I distinctly remember the two sharks we encountered. A matching pair but not together, a white-tip and a black-tip. The white-tip followed us around a bit; mostly, I believe, to see if we stirred up any food for it. It was not much longer than we were, but still it was a toothy shark.
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BLOG TITLEBLOG CONTENTAlmost dinner time. We are exhausted after two days of diving and snorkeling. Tropical fish and corals below the surface; scattered ocean clouds and volcanoes above. At least a half dozen varieties of both angel fish and butterfly fish entertained us. No idea how many damselfish we saw. All a blur. I distinctly remember the two sharks we encountered. A matching pair but not together, a white-tip and a black-tip. The white-tip followed us around a bit; mostly, I believe, to see if we stirred up any food for it. It was not much longer than we were, but still it was a toothy shark. Tomorrow we join the birding tour and trade in our masks for our binoculars. Of course I have already used the latter a bit. Best birds so far have been White-bellied Sea Eagle and Brahminy Kite. Have seen parrot flyovers, lovely, but I can’t identify parrots from a view of the underside and a cackling call. That is why we are joining a guided tour. Accomodations are lovely and staff very helpful. We didn’t ask for it but had almost entirely guided dives. The guides know where the cool stuff hides.
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28 August - Arrived New Britain, Papua New Guinea
Anne and Chuck submitted on January 19, 1970
Long travel day. Rose early for a ride to airport and then flight to Port Moresby. We had been briefed on procedures there and did well. The terminal is new and the international terminal is best. We stayed there and violated several dietary rules for travelers buying our lunch. Then, when it was time we exited and entered the more earthy domestic terminal. We made it through the unusual security procedures and waited for our flight to be announced. Finally walked across the tarmac to a jet. The flight crossed the forested mountains of PNG and then the Solomon Sea.
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BLOG TITLEBLOG CONTENTLong travel day. Rose early for a ride to airport and then flight to Port Moresby. We had been briefed on procedures there and did well. The terminal is new and the international terminal is best. We stayed there and violated several dietary rules for travelers buying our lunch. Then, when it was time we exited and entered the more earthy domestic terminal. We made it through the unusual security procedures and waited for our flight to be announced. Finally walked across the tarmac to a jet. The flight crossed the forested mountains of PNG and then the Solomon Sea. Clouds obscured the Island of New Britain, but we saw a volcano rise alongside as we came down. Lots of palms, both oil and coconut filled plantations along the coast. We flew past the airport and turned to go in. The terminal there was simple and without a.c. We gathered our luggage and found the Walindi Plantation van. Driver announced it would be an hour. Distance not so far, roads irregular. The potholes suggest it has been a hard winter. Then there were the sections where the pavement turned into gravel. Most of the people using the road were walking. They seem to do a lot of that here. Little shopping stands are scattered along the road. Kimberly town had a real market and stores too. Houses varied. Some were finished, many were open sheds. Is a different world here. Resort is lovely but warm w.o. A.c. We will adjust.
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27 August - Frogmouths In the Botanical Garden
Anne and Chuck submitted on January 19, 1970
We visited the botanical garden. How do they get the orchids to grow so well? Enjoyed the palms and the rainforest trail. Having been told where to look for frogmouths we searched for broken off branches that weren’t and finally found two. Aptly named, looks as if they could swallow your hand. During the day they simply sleep. Took dinner a last time on the Esplanade watching brilliant Rainbow Lorrikeets going to roost at the end of a Main Street. We had stopped in the restaurant for snacks earlier in the stay and the waitress recognized our return. I said, “we are regulars.”
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BLOG TITLEBLOG CONTENTWe visited the botanical garden. How do they get the orchids to grow so well? Enjoyed the palms and the rainforest trail. Having been told where to look for frogmouths we searched for broken off branches that weren’t and finally found two. Aptly named, looks as if they could swallow your hand. During the day they simply sleep. Took dinner a last time on the Esplanade watching brilliant Rainbow Lorrikeets going to roost at the end of a Main Street. We had stopped in the restaurant for snacks earlier in the stay and the waitress recognized our return. I said, “we are regulars.” Made a last stop at the library before returning to the apartment. Watched the day shift of ibises returning as the great flying fox bats began rising for the night shift. Some show. My advice to all viewers is DON’T STAND UNDER THE TREES unless you want to be fertilized.
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26 August - Last Evening in Cairns
Anne and Chuck submitted on January 19, 1970
Visited Botanical Garden this morning. Lovely and no fee. We made a small contribution and also patronized the gift shop. Found strange looking Friarbird and a pair of Tawny Frogmouths. While in a conservatory we heard the laughing of a Kookabura and went outside to find these giant terrestrial (and arboreal) kingfishers. Sunny today and warm after a cool night. We prepare for much warmer weather in Papua New Guinea. Tomorrow we fly to Port Moresby and then on to Hoskins on the island of New Britain. We trust the resort will have a car for us there.
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BLOG TITLEBLOG CONTENTVisited Botanical Garden this morning. Lovely and no fee. We made a small contribution and also patronized the gift shop. Found strange looking Friarbird and a pair of Tawny Frogmouths. While in a conservatory we heard the laughing of a Kookabura and went outside to find these giant terrestrial (and arboreal) kingfishers. Sunny today and warm after a cool night. We prepare for much warmer weather in Papua New Guinea. Tomorrow we fly to Port Moresby and then on to Hoskins on the island of New Britain. We trust the resort will have a car for us there. We had to repack and leave about half of our gear here. A small airplane will take us to Hoskins. Our host at this Air B&B will keep our stuff and return it when we return for another stay in this pleasant apartment. Lots of logistics on this expedition. Now we are to downtown to buy PNG Kina (currency) and find a last supper. We will take another look at the bats on our way back. Then go to bed for an early rise tomorrow. We are all well if tired from all the walking. Almost finished with the jet lag. Woke up at four this morning, drifted back to sleep, and for the first time were woken by the alarm. In previous days we could not stay in bed to wait for that. I guess we are becoming a tuned to be Aussies.
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August 29 - Cairns is Batty
Anne and Chuck submitted on January 19, 1970
Anne and I returned to the Esplanade at four p.m. to look for birds and birders. We had heard that the four o’clockers might be there. In any case we knew that the tide would be in and the sun behind us making for good birding. We became optomistic finding a sign saying “Welcome the Winter Migrants” at the waterfront. Seems the local birding club added an event to the Cairns Festival. It’s members were great help to us identifying the shore birds and suggesting places to find birds.
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BLOG TITLEBLOG CONTENTAnne and I returned to the Esplanade at four p.m. to look for birds and birders. We had heard that the four o’clockers might be there. In any case we knew that the tide would be in and the sun behind us making for good birding. We became optomistic finding a sign saying “Welcome the Winter Migrants” at the waterfront. Seems the local birding club added an event to the Cairns Festival. It’s members were great help to us identifying the shore birds and suggesting places to find birds. They told us where the lorikeets roosted and we walked there at dusk. On the way we passed the library which has two giant ficus trees in the side yard. Something was chirping there and two people were looking up. I asked if they were looking for frogs. The lady looked at me as if I was crazy. She said, “the screeching are the flying foxes.” We looked up to see hundreds of giant bats waking as the sun set. The women explained that she was a volunteer. It was birthing season and they were rescuing fallen babies. Can you imagine? She said that the birds would begin flying soon. So, we went on to see hundreds of flashy parrots rush into street trees at the edge of downtown and then returned to see the bats with a wingspan of almost one meter flying from the trees. Quite a sight. When we were watching the parrots, a gentlemen reported on their roosting. We mentioned that we were going back to see the bats. He grimaced and said he hated them. “They should kill them all. Crap on your car and the paint comes off. I thought Ishould introduce him to the women we had talked too. Then again. Better not.
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25 August - Cairns Festival
Anne and Chuck submitted on January 19, 1970
We celebrate with Cairns, we know not what, this weekend. Yesterday morning we walked to the Esplanade stopping for most every bird to identify it as a new one for us. Was a kilometer to the beach. There we were greeted by a great mud flat at low tide. There we found north Asian migrants already arrived, both birds and primates. Rainbow lorrekeets cackled in the trees along the Esplanade, a walkway and park that extends along the shoreline in this tourist town.
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BLOG TITLEBLOG CONTENTWe celebrate with Cairns, we know not what, this weekend. Yesterday morning we walked to the Esplanade stopping for most every bird to identify it as a new one for us. Was a kilometer to the beach. There we were greeted by a great mud flat at low tide. There we found north Asian migrants already arrived, both birds and primates. Rainbow lorrekeets cackled in the trees along the Esplanade, a walkway and park that extends along the shoreline in this tourist town. In the afternoon we came back for the parade, but I wandered back to the water where I found an Aussie birder. He told me the council had considered dredging the mud and creating a sand beach there. They wanted to remove an International Natural Resource because the mud was muddy. I watched with him a flock of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers. These come from Siberia. Rarely one reaches North America, usually along the west coast. I had never seen one before yesterday. An hour later these birds left suddenly as the fireworks display began. I had observed the two boats in the harbour with warning signs on them. So, after the parade we had seats reserved and enjoyed the great show. The firing was clearly programmed and automatic. In the end the operators hosed down the fire that remained. We walked back to our lodgings. This morning we walked to the harbor for a Sunday breakfast and visited the aquarium. Tomorrow we will visit the botanical gardens. On Tuesday we go to Papua New Guiana.
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24 August - Have Arrived Cairns
Anne and Chuck submitted on January 19, 1970
It is a laid-back rustic touristy town a little rough around the edges. Our B&B is just at the edge. It is in a small apartment house. An argument woke us up at midnight but stopped when one party threatened to call police. At three a.m. we woke and could not go to sleep because it was mid-day U.S. time. Bummer. We rested and rose early to observe our first flying cockatoos. Yes, believe that. Mountains to the west. Town is jammed in on flat ground along the sea.
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BLOG TITLEBLOG CONTENTIt is a laid-back rustic touristy town a little rough around the edges. Our B&B is just at the edge. It is in a small apartment house. An argument woke us up at midnight but stopped when one party threatened to call police. At three a.m. we woke and could not go to sleep because it was mid-day U.S. time. Bummer. We rested and rose early to observe our first flying cockatoos. Yes, believe that. Mountains to the west. Town is jammed in on flat ground along the sea. Night was cool. It is now at breakfast 63 degrees in the apartment. Lovely to be cool in the tropics. We are about to go out. Have not figured out what the Aussies do about coffee. The B&B has only a one cup “plunger” that is not enough for this group. We shopped K-Mart and Coles last evening for a cofffee maker and could find only the super duper machines. We’re about to go out for brew. Our 15 hour flight across the great ocean was long but tolerable in Premium Economy. Definitely worth the coin. We book a second breakfast and lunch in the Sydney airport before taking an afternoon flight in Economy (coach) to here. That was only a three hour flight. This is a big country. Anne’s Uber app worked and a young man chatted us across town. I can’t keep writing. So much to do and to see.
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Arrived Sydney; On Way to Cairns
Anne and Chuck submitted on January 19, 1970
After the 15 hour flight we are zombies but continue our travel now north to Cairns in the Australian tropics. We arrive during the Cairns Festival and will try to join in, if we can stay awake. It is 3 p.m. and we are still in the air. In San Francisco it is 10 p.m. and my body seems to think something is amiss. Oh well. The question is, can we stay up tonight and wake early in the morning? Perhaps, but we will still be zombies.
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BLOG TITLEBLOG CONTENTAfter the 15 hour flight we are zombies but continue our travel now north to Cairns in the Australian tropics. We arrive during the Cairns Festival and will try to join in, if we can stay awake. It is 3 p.m. and we are still in the air. In San Francisco it is 10 p.m. and my body seems to think something is amiss. Oh well. The question is, can we stay up tonight and wake early in the morning? Perhaps, but we will still be zombies. On the plane I study the several hundred birds we might see in Papua New Guinea. Impossible to learn them all, but the more I learn the more we will see and identify. But, there are so many honeyeaters, and they all look alike. Our flight was entirely nocturnal but dawn arrived as we approached Sydney. Lights were the first sign of land. The plane had to circle once to comply with the take off and landing curfew and we saw a bit of the land through the clouds but did not catch a view of the harbor with its famous bridge and opera house. Oh well, we will come back to Sydney next month and see a show in the one and perhaps walk across the other. So touristy. Despite the exhaustion we are exhilarated to visit this continent for the first time. Now if we can just get used to it.
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