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O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat Big family and big business |
   
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Our last visit was to a guesthouse called O'Reilly's. A very well-known "Resort" by many innkeepers in the New South Wales and Queensland region, located near Brisbane in the "Rainforest" at the top of a mountain about 1000 m. above sea level.
It will take us 2 days by car to get there, 1300 km further north of Young and Wagga-Wagga, and finally a winding road that leads us deep into this tropical virgin forest of Lamington National Park. Under the rain and an hour late for our appointment, we finally reach the end of the world. The tunnels that the road digs through this jungle are impressive. Finally, some lights, a parking lot, signs, civilization...
A prestigious family in the region, who arrived in the twenties as adventurers and, through their diligence and efforts, have become the leaders of personalized hospitality in Australia. The family's history is rich in events; the Stinson epic, this bi-plane that crashed in the thirties in the middle of the rainforest, and Mrs. O'Reilly took part in the rescue.
Everything has changed a lot since then, the Guesthouse is more comfortable, and the adventure is less present, but Shane, the owner, welcomes us with simplicity and a lot of friendliness. Spacious and comfortable room with a view of Mount Lines and the occasional helicopter landing strip. Activities are ongoing here, and everything is very organized. The staff is numerous and very professional, perhaps a little too much for my taste.
The O'Reillys each have a position of responsibility, like Michael, in his sixties, who guides you to meet the birds. He knows them like the back of his hand and can talk about them for hours. He is a sensitive person, very kind, always giving his best.
In the afternoon, we participate in a 7 km walk through Lamington National Park with Murray, the guide, and a few guests of the Guesthouse. Very quickly, we become friends with an American couple, Gordon and Murry from San Francisco. The Yosemite Park and the Harley Davidson that Gordon tells me about makes me want to head back east and not west. Gordon is passionate about motorcycles and big "trucks," which he drives regularly. He has the beard of a biker and a Harley T-shirt.
A grand piano dating from 1896 is in the living room, but no one plays it; discreetly and after closing the doors behind me, I can't help but let my fingers slide over it. I would have liked to see it in the large dining room. Strangely, not many people play the piano anymore, and often, it becomes a decorative piece of furniture that eventually goes out of tune over time.
The bell rings, and tea time (The-time) with a muffin does not attract many people; we are four. This moment is nevertheless pleasant and privileged. It does not have the formal aspect of a meal, and the great discussions give way to the working atmosphere that can be heard from the kitchen. A moment conducive to writing and brief but effective contacts with the staff who are always open and available despite the work that the entire staff takes very seriously.
An important person in the business, Rob the "chef," with whom I have an appointment shortly for some photos in his large kitchen. There is the "sous chef," the pastry chef who prepared us a really delicious coffee cake for "tea time," and also Trudy always smiling and Michelle always friendly, "the little hands" with whom I manage little by little to sympathize. They are small, smiling, and dynamic.
Trudy tells me about her experience at Orpheus Island Bed and Breakfast Resort between Cairns and Townsville. She misses this place near the sea with its coral reefs and colorful fish. It is for sale, she tells me. Probably too expensive, as she dreams of having her own B&B. Michelle's ancestors are from Scandinavia and landed in Australia ten generations ago.
Shane O'Reilly has had the honor of welcoming many important people here, such as the Prime Minister of Singapore. He also owns vineyards and a chic restaurant in the Canungra Valley. Again, the famous Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, kept in a cellar at a temperature of 17 degrees. Elizabeth welcomes us to this little paradise that only Australians manage to create in the middle of nowhere. The vines have only been planted for barely 4 years, and beautiful clusters of grapes are appearing.
The wine here is very good; it is matured with care.
O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat, Shane, Michael, and Tim O'Reilly, Canungra, QLD, Australia - Map 
Former resort hotel with a garden on the banks of the Allier River, L'Etoile Guesthouse is located in La Bastide-Puylaurent, between Lozère, Ardèche, and the Cévennes in the mountains of southern France. At the crossroads of the GR®7, GR®70 Stevenson Trail, GR®72, GR®700 Regordane Way (St Gilles), GR®470 Sources and Gorges of the Allier, GRP® Cévenol, Montagne Ardéchoise, Margeride, and many day loop hikes. Ideal for a relaxing and hiking stay.
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