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Published: September 17th 2006
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Copping a feel
Koalas might seem sleepy and dopey but this one knew EXACTLY where he was putting his dirty little paws. Alrighty, as promised I'm gonna bring you all up to date on the last 7-8 weeks of travel. I'm gonna be real brief but I'll whack a few photos in to spice it up a bit.
So... after leaving the rabble on the Gold Coast, Ange and I headed north to Brisvegas. For the next week or so my life read something like a personals ad in the paper, "long romantic walks, watching the sun set over the beach, sleeping under the stars, touring beer breweries etc." Ange and I spent a couple of night's camping on North Stradbroke Island which was beautiful. While in Brisneyland we stayed with Auntie Sue and Uncle John and, like everyone who has been nice enough to offer me a bed since I left home, they were absolutely fantastic to us.
The Brisbane highlight was definately our tour of the Castlemaine Perkins XXXX brewery. I learned so much interesting stuff. For example, did you know it's called XXXX coz you're not allowed to write PISS on beer cans? (Just kidding, I actually quite like the stuff). But did you know that if to drink the amount of beer in one of their processing
Dog Exercise Area
Sometimes I see things that just shout "BLOG!" vats you'd need to have 1 six pack every day for 200 years. And they have up to 17 vats running at one stage. The best part about that fact was the two guys in front of us (who had had plenty to drink already). One looked at the other and, without either of them saying a word, just by their facial expressions Ange and I translated the exchange:
Reckon we could give it a nudge?
Shit yeah. Wanna have a crack?
Shit yeah. Start tomorrow?
No Wuckas. I got the first shout.
So following Brissy we headed to Noosa. Noosa is fantastic. First place I been since I left home where I thought, "I could live here". But maybe it was just the company ;o)
After Noosa Ange went back to Brisbane and I headed up to Rainbow Beach and Fraser Island. The island was fantastic. I did a trip where you get lumped together in a 4x4 with a bunch of goons you never met, get given a map, food, an esky for drinks, tents etc. then you just go and do your best for 3 days 2 nights. I had a fantastic group and we had a belter. Got to drive the truck along the beach and through the inland sand tracks too which was
Fraser Island Crew
There are plenty of better photos of Fraser Island that I could show you, it's just that in this one my guns look particularly good. L to R Ciaron, Carol, Bec, Katarina, Nina, and someone who's name escapes me! a bit of fun. Also continued my Chunky Albers-like duty that I started on surf camp of making sure everyone got to bed safely (ie. going to bed last). Found out that Irish people are legends. I love "havin' the craic!" When I got back from Fraser I did the skydive which was AWESOME (See "Freefallin'")
So from Rainbow Beach I went to Bundaberg and caught up with Ange and her mate Rae who is working as a dentist up there. They have a fantastic place in Bargara, about 20mins from Bundy on the coast. Stayed there for about 4 days. before heading to Rocky, then Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays.
The Whitsundays are amazing. I did a 3 day 2 night sailing trip on a Maxi Yacht called Siska - former Sydney to Hobart winner. Out of the 21 people on board, 12 were a bunch of Irish fellas. Damn do those blokes know how to have fun. The weather was fantastic and we spent our time at see sailing, swimming, snorkelling, visiting beaches, drinking and partying. Sailing the Whitsundays is another thing that I encourage EVERYONE to do at some stage. There are boats that cater
Another tough day
Life on Siska was hard work. Luckily we had plenty of beer to put back what the sweat took out after our long days of sunbaking, swimming and snorkelling. for different types of people (party boats, SCUBA boats, big boats, little boats, sailing boats) and it is just a beautiful part of the world. Oh, and to add to the authenticity of the trip Siska's deckhand only had one eye - what more could you want in a sailing trip?!
From Airlie Beach I went to Townsville which is a quality joint. I did a 5 day open water SCUBA course in Townsville which was a great experience. We spent 3 days and 3 nights out on the Great Barrier Reef and dived some great sights including the shipwreck of the Yongala - a passenger ship that sunk in 1911 killing all 120 people on board. Now it's an artificial reef that has the most dense ecosystem of anywhere in the world. It's amazing.
Townsville to Cairns and Cape Trib. Also very nice but I got real crook. As you can imagine also, all this stuff i've been doing didn't come for free and I been kinda broke for a few weeks now. Being sick, unemployed, not having much luck looking for work I was so close to turning south and heading for home but, just as
Whitehaven Beach
Whitehaven Beach is a horrible place. I was ready to check out the following day I had a chat to old mate Neil Wrigg who encouraged me to press on and gave me a few tips. The next day I headed up to the tablelands (amazing agricultural area), chatted to a few people, made a few calls and found myself some work on a cattle station in Mt Surprise, 350km SW of Cairns. And that is where I'm heading tomorrow.
So, that brings you all up to date in an ugly, piece-meal kinda way. Not as entertaining as usual but hopefully it fills you all in. For now I got a 3 week trial on the station and if all goes well I'll stay there indefinately. If i'm home in 4 weeks it probably means I'm not cut out for life in the bush!
Anyway, please send plenty of messages and make plenty of comments coz I always enjoy hearing what people are up to.
Everyone look after yourself, good luck for the coming cricket season for those involved, and keep in touch.
Don't play the pull-shot before 20,
Simmo.
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Munerz
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Coast with the most
Quality post mate. Sounds like your having an absolute ball. Glad to hear your pressing on after speaking to you the other night. Sounded like you were having reservations. Congratulations on getting work on the land, that is a quliaty true blue out back experience. You will have to sew a blue collar onto your already blue 'bluey' singlet! I can see you at tempy heighs on your push bike chasing Jonty with a make-shift lasso!! Best of luck out there mate, keep us posted, literally! Your partner in time, Munerz