There and Back 2005

We got to Brisbane on the 18th of March (after a very indulgent St. Patrick's day in Christchurch) and Ward and Liz arrived shortly after. We made our way by bus to Hervey Bay where we joined our group for the three day tour of Fraser Island. It was the four of us and 5 other people packed into a Land Rover. Very tight squeeze. We had food and wine and beer on our laps and under or feet. By the end when all of our supplies were exhausted it was a bit more comfortable, but at first it was kind of ridiculous. The other 5 people in our group coundn't have been better. Americans dominated since it was all of us and then a couple from California, but Martin (from Ireland) was definitely the life of the party. He had all of us is stiches for three days straight. Andy and I are still talking about his--wishing he could do the rest of the trip with us! Fraser Island was a remarkable spot. It's the largest sand island in the world and holds more than half of the worlds perched lakes. We spent the day cruising around in the forest and on the beach--we went to a bunch of the lakes (Lake Mackenzie being the most spectacular) and the Champagne Pools--and area separated from the ocean by rocks, but the huge waves come over the rocks and fill small pools with ocean water. This is the only spot where you can safely swim in ocean water. The ocean is off limits because of very strong tides and sharks. I was dying to see a great white but it didn't happen. If you get a chance take a look at the pictures because they do more justice to the island than I can.

After Fraser Island we were off to Syndey. Our flight got in one Easter morning and from the city we got a ferry over to Manly Beach. The ferry ride was a highlight in itself because I got a great first look at the Sydney Opera House. What an amazing building! So much bigger than I had pictured it. Looking at it for the first time I thought, "Wow, I am really in Australia." Seeing those landmarks that you had previously only seen in pictures is an awesome feeling. Manly was a hub of activity when we got there. I was half expecting it to be dead quiet since it was Easter Sunday, but I couldn't have been more wrong. The beach was packed with people and along the Corso (the main strip with shops etc..) was a big street fair with art and clothes and jewlery. We put our stuff down at the hostel and headed straight for the beach. Easter on the beach was a very novel! We liked Manly so much that we stayed there for about week. Took a surfing lesson, shopped, ate at great restaurants on the water. If I could afford a second home (well, if I could afford a first home...but that's another story) I'd want a beach house in Manly. Oh, and I can't write about Manly and not mention our favorite little coffee shop/restaurant--Candy's. Candy's had the best sausages I have ever had in my whole life. Sorry Jimmie Dean, but there is really no competition!

After Ward and Liz left we stayed in Manly a couple days longer and then headed to the Blue Mountains. After all that sausage I was in serious need of some outdoor activity! The day we left Manly was spectauclar. The sun was shining and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. I was thinking this couln't be better weather for the Blue Mountains! I must have jinxed us because it seemed like the second we go off the train in Katomba (Blue Mountains) the weather took a steep downward turn. It rained the entire 3 days we were there. We hiked nonetheless, and day two really wasn't that bad--at least we had a little bit of visibility, but still it was disappointing. But thanks to our roommate at the Blue Mountains YHA, the rainy days and nights were anything but dull! He was a serious weirdo (who's probably reading this right now...). Farted in his sleep (my personal favorite), left a mini boomerang on Andy's bed, left about half the contents of his bag at the hostel when he finally checked out, kicked a leech to death in the corner of our room, and sang us awake in the very early hours of the morning. In retrospect it's humourous, but he made me a bit uneasy.

Back to Sydney a few days later and then we flew to Melbourne where we've been for about a week and a half. This is a really nice city--reminds me a bit of Boston in some ways. Our first night here were found this cool little bar in North Melbourne (where we're staying) called "The Townhall." It's here we discovered an excellent game we are sure to bring home with us. Sumo wrestling! You form a team, get a sheet of paper with sumo wrestlers and their stats on it, and pick who you think will win each match. After all the teams chose their wrestler the match (not sure if match is the technical word in sumo wrestling, but it'll have to work) is played on the big TV in the bar and if your team picked the right guy everyone in the team gets a free shot of saki. The fact that I don't like saki was the only downfall of the game, but maybe I was better off! We also met some great guys on sumo wrestling night and they were nice enough to extend a spare room in their house to us for a couple nights. We've had such a great time with them--so nice to have some friends to hang out with again! We have met some terrific people but since everyone we meet is on the move it's rare to see anyone on a regular basis.

Earlier this week we rented a car for a three days and did a trip along the Great Ocean Road. The weather was perfect and the views were beautiful. Although I must say that it's hard to beat the scenery in New Zealand--after seeing some of those views not too much can compare! We took advantage of the nice weather and did some hikes through the national park and the rainforest. Great time. Now we're back in the city making plans for our next move...

My internet time is running low so I'll end here. Hope everyone is doing well at home! Keep in touch!

xoxo