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As I made my way up the Gold Coast, my next stop was at Surfer's Paradise. Surfer's Paradise is known for it's great hiking...no, I'm just kidding. It's exactly what it's name states. I wouldn't know though since I didn't surf there. It's a very touristy place, as it is basically hundreds of hotels and resorts on a beautiful beach with great shopping. It also has about 4 or 5 different theme parks around the area. I thought of you, Kristin, as I knew it would be the perfect vacation spot for you.
As I left the Gold Coast, I entered Brisbane. I spent just a couple of days there as it is just a normal big city. I did enjoy cuddling the koalas at the Koala Sanctuary and took in the beautiful view of the city from the lookout point on Mt. Coot-tha.
Then out of Brisbane and into Noosa on the Sunshine Coast. My four days in Noosa were sun-filled and hot! My first day I trekked through the Noosa National Park. I came across Alexandria Beach which I quickly found out was a nudey beach...with mostly men...old men. So I breezed through there and enjoyed the
beautiful coastal walk around Noosa (of which everyone was fully clothed!) The remainder of my time in Noosa I spent at the beach and swimming. The main beach was great and didn't have the big surfing waves, so I could swim without being swallowed by the salty ocean! But that did happen when I got to Rainbow Beach and had my first surf lesson! It actually wasn't too bad because the waves were small; good for a beginner like me. It was good fun considering it was 7:30 in the morning.
The main reason I went to Rainbow Beach is because it is the gateway to Fraser Island. Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world. I did a 4WD, 3 day/2 night, self-drive tour around the island. There were 11 of us in my group all jammed into our 4WD jeep. It was an absolute blast and we all got along great. We visited a couple fresh water lakes, one being Lake McKenzie which was the most beautiful lake I have ever been to...other than Rowan's, of course! This tour was much like my outback tour being that we didn't shower for three days and only
Mt. Coot-tha
Nice lookout over Brisbane.had a few decent bathroom stops. It was fun cooking outside and sleeping along the beach. You didn't want to sleep on the beach though, as that is the roadway for the 4WD's and the runway for the planes! My Fraser Island tour has definately been one of the highlights of my entire trip so far.
Then it was a few days in two very small towns, Agnes Water and the town of 1770. There is a lot of cheap little activities to do there, but I just did the main one-the Chapparoo tour. The tour runs 60 kms around the two towns on your very own chopper. It was pretty cool and lots of fun.
My next stop was Airlie Beach to sail the Whitsunday Islands and over the Great Barrier Reef. I was on an old raceboat named Boomerang. There were 27 of us on board as well as four crew members. It was a 2 day/2 night trip that included sailing, snorkelling, beach visits, sunbathing and partying. It was good and we had greast weather for it.
Now I'm on "Maggie" (Magnetic Island) which is just 8 km from the coast and one of
Sunshine Beach
Good surfing beach in Noosa. my last stops in Australia. I've just been relaxing, laying on the beach and thinking about home. It's really hard dealing with a friends death when you're alone and so far from home. I really wish I could be there for the funeral and be there to support my friends. I just hope everyone knows how often I think of home and how much I miss everyone.
RIP Kelly. We're sure going to miss your always smiling face and your amazing attitude towards life.
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Kristin
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So Pretty
Hey Shy, I love all of the pictures you posted they are absolutely beautiful. You're so damn lucky to be up there, just remeber that. And thanks for thinking of me, as soon as you said theme parks I was like Ooo fun, then you mentioned me, I kindda laughed and said 'yep.' lol This one picture, titled 'Maggie' totally reminds me of that one picture from Our second trip to Lynn Valley. Khalid, Dar and Kamal all extended a 'come down to Vancouver and visit' to us. We'll have to go to Lynn Valley, Whale Watching and to the Odyssey and check out Numbers for Kelly. I know if she was down there now, she'd be right beside you surfing, sky diving and doing all those different crazy things. however I don't think she'd be going to Tailand... Well... maybe to make sure you were safe up there she's 'suck it up' and go as your gaurdian. I know she'll be watching over you while you're up there. Anyways take care and have tons of fun on your LAST MONTH (holy cow...) away from home! Cause you'll be having to deal with ME when you get home, no more Aussies for YOU! LoL. Make lots of memories for us and be prepared to come home and tell us everything and be ready for us to be ever so jelouse! Take care, have fun, Love and miss you Kristin