Travel

The 11-year solar-cycle was approaching it’s end. So it was time to go and see the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) since we hadn’t seen it before. Conditions aligned and a trip to Tromsø, Norway, at 69° 39′ N was the perfect fit. We met my nephew and niece and her family there for a week hoping we would get a chance to see the Aurora. We decided to go for a week to get the decent chance, since weather conditions and solar activity have to align for a viewing. For the day time we came up with some arctic latitude activities.

Continue reading “Arctic Sampler – Tromsø, Norway, March 2026”

A Scuba Live-aboard trip to Great Barrier Reef (GBR) with a group of friends in January 2026. We added a few days of land based activities (See Part-1) before spending a week on the Spoilsport, operated by Mike Ball Dive Expeditions.

The live-aboard portion of the trip was split into two parts. During a stop at Lizard Island participants who were on the 4-night trip left and new participants on the 3-night trip arrived

There was a marine biologist/photographer on board. Mike Balls Dive Expeditions (MBDE) shared some of her pictures and videos. All their pictures have a Watermark from MBDE. The focus of these images and videos was on the divers. A selection is shown in the galleries below. Links to the trip summary videos are at the bottom of this page.

Photos from MBDE, Part-1 (4-Nights)

Photos from Libby (MBDE), Part-1

Photos from MBDE, Part-2 (3 Nights)

Photos from Libby (MBDE), Part-2

Assorted pics from various photographers

Party Night pics (various photographers)

MBDE Trip Videos
Trip summary videos produced and shared by MBDE.
For the best viewing experience click on “Watch on YouTube” in the thumbnails below.

Part 1:

Part-2

A Scuba Live-aboard trip to Great Barrier Reef (GBR) with a group of friends in January 2026. We added a few days of land based activities before spending a week on the Spoilsport (See Part-2), operated by Mike Ball Dive Expeditions.

Kuranda Village Trip
We took the Kuranda Scenic Railway up to the village and then the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway back down. Afterwards we went to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, this one is kind of required on a visit to Queensland, Australia.
(Photo credits go to various trip participants)

(click on any image to enlarge/start slide show)

Tully River Whitewater Rafting
We went down the Tully River with Raging Thunder Adventures. Highly recommended!

Pauly’s Raft: (Amy, Gary, Linnea, Dave)

(click on any image to enlarge/start slide show
The group shots and rafting pics were purchased from the outfitter)

Rocky’s Raft: (Lisa, Dave, Fred, Uwe)

Atherton Tablelands

(click on any image to enlarge/start slide show
A lot of the pictures were taken and shared by our tour guide)