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Last night I worked with an AirServices briefer, who was kind enough to ring up Adelaide Centre ATC to negotiate a VFR route for me. The idea was to get something that ATC might actually approve in the morning, instead of me just guessing. Plan what you fly and fly what you plan, etc.

Just this once, everything worked out: direct Port Adelaide (PAL), overwater past Marino Light House (MLIT), overwater Sellicks Beach (SLB), then direct Kingscote (YKSC) at our discretion.

I elected to cross at the shortest overwater point, for obvious reasons, rather than go direct YKSC from, say, Cape Jervis. This way, it was short enough that I was never out of glide range in the unlikely event that the engine were to consume itself in a fiery blaze, and thus didn’t have to go buy life preservers to remain legal.

Hello again, Football Park!

We knew that we weren’t going to have enough time for a proper visit to Kangaroo Island, but it is difficult to comprehend the scope of what’s on offer unless you experience it yourself, or get your prose directly from a trusted correspondent.

We asked the rental-car woman to suggest a one-day whirlwind tour, so she promptly sent us to the direct opposite corner of the island. This was not a bad plan; driving after dusk can be treacherous, as that’s when the kangaroos come out and start keying cars. We were advised to work our way back across the island, and end our day without a long drive back to Kingscote.

Cape du Couedic Lighthouse, Flinders Chase National Park

In addition to that delightful lighthouse, Flinders Chase is home to Admiral’s Arch, New Zealand Fur Seals, and the Remarkable Rocks:

The rocks and arches and sleeping seals and such were great, but it was time for something that moves, and the koala walk fit the bill. Even even before we got there, though, this handsome fellow ran across the road:

Not much of a self-preservationist, but he was happy to pose while we frantically dug our cameras out of the back seat.

We did find three or four koalas on our koala walk, up in their big koala trees, including Yoda. This was the first time that I’ve ever desperately wanted my 75-300mm lens, and of course, I left it in Sydney. To save less than a kilogram. idiot.

Leaving the koala walk we stumbled upon our one (living) kangaroo sighting for the day. It patiently nibbled on the grass and paid us no mind.

Finally, we stopped in on the Australian Sea Lions in (aptly-named?) Seal Bay.

They’ve been giving tours of that beach for decades, so they know pretty well how to deal with the sea lions, and the sea lions are pretty used to people being around. They brought us and two other people startlingly close.

While we were there, a few returned from their three-day ocean feast, ready to start their three-day nap.

aww, she looks so sweepy

Back at the hotel I was truly excited to get my own slippery paws on some Kangaroo Island oysters, but by the fourth disgusting slurp I’d figured out that they were well and truly off. At first I thought it was a peculiar taste to this unique oyster, but with each taste I became more convinced that they were just spoiled. The fourth I had to spit out. The first hint should have been when they came out from the kitchen not cold to the touch.

We compensated for the oyster disaster with unbelievably delicious pan-fried haloumi cheese, a taste sensation not soon to be forgotten.

ALSO, SOUTH AUSTRALIANS, SERIOUSLY, WHAT IS WITH THE HOT WATER TAP BEING ON THE RIGHT? THIS IS NOT WHERE IT BELONGS. I WILL STOP YELLING WHEN YOU STOP BURNING ME WITH YOUR WATER.

(Complete photoset)