To Oz and Back - Science Techs Down Under: 11/25/12

Leipers Landing --- Cowaramup, Western Australia

Karen and I had an uneventful, but interesting flight to Perth... the trip from Calgary was 31 hours, unlike Scott's 49!

After the usual going through customs and collecting luggage, it was renting a car and the 3 hr. drive to Leiper's Landing, which is a short ways from Margaret River.

After mostly freeway and highway driving, we turned onto a smaller highway and then a more rural road and then we were in the country,,, wine country.

The shoulderless two-way traffic highway maintained the 110 Km/hr.
speedlimit!

This is "home" for the first two nights in Australia.

We are staying with Anita and Gavin and Phoebe.

Out for an early morning walk down the lane.

Rebecca & Karen - Sydney bound

R & K aboard Qantas flight 7 bound for Sydney, AU

After a 4 hour layover in Los Angeles airport (and an excellent roast chicken (K) / lasagna (R) dinner in the Tom Bradley International Terminal) we are on our way over the Pacific - on time out of LAX. Our Captain says we will arrive early into SYD on Sunday morning Nov 25. So far, so good...!

Leaving Calgary,

Karen with Rebecca's and her luggage... we are excited to be on our way.

It is about 6pm local time and we arrive at LAX in a light fog... first leg of the journey is done and off to find the Qantas check in and phase two!

Caves and Coasts

There are numerous caves in the Margaret River area. Too many to explore them all in a day so taking some suggestions from locals I chose Lake Cave and Jewel Cave. Also went to Hamelin Bay, an area that is a protected sanctuary for all species of rays. Was unable to see any rays but the scenery was great. And also saw the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse. It lies on the most south-westerly portion of mainland Australia and is the dividing point between the Southern and Indian Oceans

Stalactites inside Lake Cave

Columns inside Lake Cave

Although quite shallow, there is a "lake" inside Lake Cave. Much of the floor is covered by water. If you look closely in the upper centre of this shot you might see some interesting formations in the rock face.

The rock forms what appears to be a "koala's face" and a "poorly drawn chicken"

Reflections of columns in the water in Lake Cave

The caves in the Margaret River area are mostly limestone - a.k.a. calcium carbonate. Surface water from above slowly percolates through the rock and enters the caves. Water begins to drip from the roof of the cave carrying dissolved calcium carbonate with it. The water slowly evaporates leaving behind the calcium carbonate. Over years this leaves a hollow tube that is called a "straw", so named because it resembles a drinking straw. Over years the straw may become plugged causing a build up of rock hanging from the ceiling of the cave. These are called stalactites. Sometimes the water drips from the stalactite onto the floor which causes a build up of rock called stalagmites. Below are 'straws' hanging from the ceiling of the cave.