Kangaroo Island, Adelaide, day 1

Once in Adelaide, I heard about Kangaroo Island, and knew we just had to go.  We spent 3 days, 2 nights there.  It was quite expensive; the ferry+bus was a little over $100 round trip per person, then renting a car (in a remote location, so more expensive), and accommodation was pricy, too.  Needless to say, we did not keep to our budget at all, but it was worth it!

Here we are on the ferry.  And I thought this picture would be so cute... :). The weather was rough, so the ferry ride was NOT smooth!  45 minutes total - 5 minutes in and we each took a Dramamine.

After renting the car we drove to Cape Willoughby Lighthouse.

The lighthouse.

Dioptric lens - made in England in 1877.  It magnified a kerosine lamp and made a flash of light every 12 seconds and fully rotated every 112 seconds.

The Mercury Float - the mercury allowed the very heavy lens to rotate with minimal resistance.  The lens weighs 4318kg and needs 80 liters of mercury (weighing 1088kg) to float at a depth of just 25cm.  They of course did not know mercury was toxic.

View from the top.

It was so windy!  The wind was coming in at about 63 km/hour.  We were lucky because at about 65-70 km/hr they close the lighthouse to visitors.  It was pretty fun getting pushed around by the wind!

View of the lighthouse keepers' homes, now used as luxury rentals.

After the lighthouse we drove to Antechamber bay.  But we were so exhausted and under the sedating effects of the sea sickness medication!  So, we took a 2 hour nap in the car!  Great idea on Caryl's part.  :)  We finally got out of the car and walked along the beach - it was lovely but still windy.

Beautiful roads.

View from Prospect Hill.  The British explorer Matthew Flinders and naturalist Robert Brown climbed this hill in 1802.

Emu Bay! (Sadly, no emus around).

Another view of Emu bay.

More scenic views driving around the island.  Kangaroo Island is about 1/3 sanctuaries and national park and 2/3 farm land.  And one tiny town, where the "grocery store" closes at 5.

Another lovely view on our way to our rental apartment.