A Week At Lord Howe Island. Part One

 We came back last night, from our wonderful week at Lord Howe. What an amazing place it is. If you are into hiking, snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming and bike riding, the perfect place for you.

I am not, but still managed to do some of it which is amazing in itself. 

 We left from the Port Macquarie Eastern Air Services Hanger, weighing of the bags was about it, very relaxed formalities that is surprising, as  I am very used to the big airlines requisites.

Check in Desk, they also fly from Newcastle.

We parked out front for the week and handed in our car keys, and assured it was safe and miles from anywhere, being an airport.

The plane was a 9 seater, so an aisle seat and window at the same time. 5 traveled with us. I have only been on a small plane once to Brisbane but this was really small, and watching the pilot do his thing, but I wasn't scared by it at all. Read all the way which only took 1hr 10 mins and we were there by 8am. and greeted by a van for Pinetrees Lodge where we were staying and offered breakfast as it was still being served.

Our room wasn't ready so walked around the complex to get our bearings. The first thing that strikes you with this island is it is covered in Kentia Palms and Norfolk Island Pines.

Bike racks are everywhere as the tourists only means of travel.

Entrance

 The road outfront was the main one on which we ended up riding on daily, the island families, who use cars, numbered up to 400 depending on who was on the mainland,  and only 400 tourists are allowed to be there at one time. There is a maximum of 800 at any given time, this is due to conserving the ecosystem and bird life which has been bought back to life with the eradication of rats, cats, and wild pigs all bought to the island by early sailors, and which destroyed the habitats of native species some of which are now extinct.

The road well travelled.

 We decided to walk "into town" as the Island Trader ship was coming in for its fortnightly visit of all the goods necessary to run the island. Everything from food to building supplies, furniture, gas for cooking and diesel. So it was quite busy with cars going to pick up their supplies. 

 We then walked along the foreshore walking track, overlooking the water in some areas.

Maintenance cars also use this area. Right is the ocean.

 The CBD is right on the shoreline known as the Lagoon. A quiet waterway as the coral reef on the edge out to sea holds back the waves, sometimes quite large.The Lagoon is very, very clear with some Coral for viewing a fair way out. Many visitors use this for kayaks, and scuba diving.

The Island Trader out to sea on its way in.

On Right Mount Gower  is the higher one actually and Mount Lidgefield, taken from the Lagoon

Customs on the island is strictly adhered too, with sniffer dogs both at the airport and jetty. Everything accounted for, for the islanders to pick up. No-one is allowed on the jetty itself.

 Opposite all this is a small group of buildings that is the Post Office, a Hall, Restaurant, Shop.

By the time we walked back again, our room was ready, No. 24.

 I am going to leave it for now as there is a lot of pictures and do a part two next week. I will show you though that all over Pinetrees are boardwalks to all the rooms. 85 guests can stay here at a time.

 

 Lots of seating nooks as well

There is lots more to tell you.

 

 Till Next Time