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Published: February 1st 2006
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Brisbane from Afar
Tha lookout from Mt. Coot-tha After 6 weeks of stagnation, i've been on the move nonstop since leaving Brisbane. Left one of the best jobs I've ever had a little bit early as there just werent enough hours for casual backpackers. Understandable.
So Wednesday (one of those wednesdays ago) i sped up to hervey bay, which is only notable for its easy passage to fraser islands, a small island off the coast that has no real roads. Its highway is the beach, and getting through the island consists of unpaved sand roads that are only accessible via 4WD vehicles. Companies send out 10 backpackers and all their gear, food, and camping equpiment in one of these big campers with a map and tell them to have a good time! INSANE! My group was that of 9 good friends from london whod known each other for years, and me. They were really nice and accomadating, but I cant help thinking the experience wouldve been enriched if i had also had only strangers to meet. REgardless though, we were the only group to make it to Lake Wabby, which you can see from the picture was well worth it. The trip was good, and I was ecstactic
Mondos
My job and one of my bosses, Sonja. Best job I've ever had, likely. to be out of Brisbane.
The night after we got back, i took the overnite bus to airlie beach, known for its obnoxious parties but also accessiblity to the Whitsunday ISlands, an island group that is basically uninhabitated except for resorts and boasts breathtaking beaches and coral. I sailed the SV Whitehaven with 23 other people and the first time i got in the water for snorkelling, I was absolutely floored. The sea was alive with fish schools and more shapes and structures then I Couldve ever imagined. It was like watching a nature video. On the second day we went to the famous Whitehaven Beach, a beach I had promised someone in sydney that I would see, a beach where the sand is like silk and the water is clear even at depths over 6 ft. We had to go swimming in our stinger suits, which took a little of the fun out, but it was nonetheless amazing.
That night I stayed up while everyone slept on the dock and watched the moon rise. Yes, the moon rised. The next morning, we saw a dolphin.
After a night at the bars, I went north to townsville
Baby Eating Dingo
Dingo at Lake Mackenzie on Fraser Island and then took a ferry to Magnetic Island, where I had a 4-day scuba course to complete. The day it began, the island saw more rain then it had in 15 years. A creek had water in it for the first time in decades. IT didnt affect the pool course and theory lessons much, except that we were cold. I made the decision that I can no longer afford alcohol for the rest of my journey and studied up.
The first day in the ocean, was disatorous for me. Because of the rain, we took a 4WD to Radical Beach in hopes that visibility would be better then the hostel's beach. IT wasn't. Visibility was all of 3 inches, barely being able to see the person next to you. And I discovered my mental block against scuba diving. In scuba, you have to breathe consistently, in and out, never holding your breath. you have to equalize the pressure in your ears constantly. and the air you are breathing is dry, moisture-less. I couldnt handle it and had to surface. I made three more attempts to go underwater and swim for extended periods of time throughout the next 24 hours
Lake Wabby
Desert Paradise in tha middle of Fraser Island. Smells a bit though, as its a rainwater lake (no ocean connection) and all ended in me not feeling comfortable and surfacing, and I am not a SSI-certified diver as a result.
This was very dissapointing to me, as one can imagine, and I have resolved to one day be able to overcome my fears and be able to go scuba diving.
Now I am in Cairns, which is way smaller then I expected, with a beach that turns into mud flats at low tide. I feel like this isn't really Cairns, its a fake Cairns and that somewhere there is a city much bigger and busier that is hiding from me.
Tomorrow I go to cape tribulation and hopefully spot some crocodiles, and then saturday i am off on a 3-day tour of the outback, ending in alice springs, and then I will finally see Ayers Rock and the Olgas. It is extremely expensive, but important to me that I make it. From then on, we will see how fast or slow I travel, as long as I'm back in Sydney by early March, its not really important. I would really like to see Tazmania, but due to bad budgetting it might not be possible. We shall see.
Fraser Group
Me and 9 long-term friends. They all had nicknames. It was a little confusing. One more day in Cairns and then on the road again. Catch you on the flip-side and happy february!
*the route map is not working. Just assume I've gone pretty far north in a short period of time*
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Jay
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Speakin of the moon....
this might be a stupid question but me and kev were wonderin if the moon appeared upside down in Australia?