Playing on the East Coast

Back to the land of English speakers, dairy, and diet books. Upon reaching Australia, we were surprised to be hit with a dose of Western-World culture shock. Our senses were no longer overloaded with new sights, smells, and tastes, but our brains didn't know how to process all the understandable language around us (well, semi-understandable; someone must have changed our passport names to 'luv' and 'mate' at immigration.)

After our standard new-country travel logistics day (internal transport inquires, bus schedules, flights, money conversion, more vaccinations, accomodation bookings, etc. etc. etc.) in Brisbane, we made our way north to Arlie Beach on the WHITSUNDAY COAST. By the end of the day, our Australin holiday officially began as we set out on for three days and nights aboard a 65 foot Catamaran Pacific Star sailing boat. (Apparently, 'big ass cat' isn't an official make as my dad told me). Fortunately, the boat was only at half capacity, so we had plenty of room to spread out. Had a terrific time with the eight other passengers representing Ireland, Sweden, Slovenia and England. Passed the time either on deck watching for whales, snorkeling in little coves, jumping ship to scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef, or learning multicultural drinking games.

We stayed on with the Irish boys, Mark and Michael, from the boat trip and travelled south to FRASER COAST on the backpacker trail. From here, we signed up for a three-day 4-wheel drive amd camping trip to Fraser Island -- the largest sand island in the world. Before they would hand over the keys, the tour company hosted a 'Planning Meeting' which would have been better named 'How Not to Die on Fraser Island.' We learned about deadly dingos, rip tides, snakes, tiger sharks, jeep rollovers, sand washouts, and get this, box stingers because of whom one cannot swim in the ocean! Refund please!

Nevertheless, eleven of us piled bags onto and bodies into a huge SUV and off we went. We explored lakes, pinnacles, dunes, beached shipwreckes, and the intricacies of driving in loose sand. Setting up camp with nine non-campers was a cross between a Three Stooges episode and a reality TV show.The Irish boys iced down thre cases of beer neatly and efficiently within minutes and spent the next hour tangling up a wind tarp. The Brazilian guys went straight to work constructing a walled and vented fire pit worthy of a museum exhibit. Unfortunatley, their tent didn't receive the same attention and collapsed on them while they were sleeping. The British couple gave orders, the German couple made out, and the American woman talked about herself incessantly, making it clear why no one else chose to travel with her. Jim and I tried to stay out of the way by making dinner both nights. Well, you would have thought our basic meals were nectar of the gods. The Brazilians told every person they met that we could cook 'amazing pasta out of darkness and no electricity... better than my momma!' The best part was that it kept us off dish duty.

As much as we loved these trips, we were glad to be on our own again on the SUNSHINE COAST. We spent three terrific days with Broni, a SERVAS host in Coolum. She introduced us to the art of the Australian 'barby.' We sat around for hours chatting over fresh,delicious meals, Australin wines and cheeses, and the best coffee since Italy. In the nearby town of Noosa, Jim stood up on a surf board for the first time! Another cause for celebration!

Back in BRISBANE, we reunited with the Irish boys one last time and toasted to flash friendships.