Still Alive

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Holy crap it's been a long time since i updated this blog. I assure you that I'm not dead. Life is still good down here in Busselton. Summer has arrived full on. I took the liberty of checking the weather reports for edmonton. I know I shouldn't be rubbing it in, but the average day here at the moment is 27 degrees and sunny. The ocean is finally comfortably warm enough to swim in.

There isn't too much new to report. The big news for the moment would be i now have a girlfriend who I'll be travelling with. Her name is Yumi (you-me) and as you can see she's a ridiculously cute japanese girl. The plan is to leave Busselton in 2 weeks and drive back up to perth. Yumi has to fly home for a visit, but she'll be returning to perth in one month. In the meantime I'll be doing a tour of the southwest corner. There is plenty to see and do down here. Although I've been here for more than 2 months, I've only just begun to scratch the surface. Then it's back to Perth to pick up Yumi and we will take the arduous trek across the Nullarbor to the great ocean road and Melbourne.

I'm still working the vineyards but I have a different job. Pruning season ended a month ago and after a well deserved week off I found a new job doing contract vineyard maintanence work. It's way less destructive to the body than pruning was and the money is still very good. Basically i spend all day driving around to different vineyards to do all the menial jobs which crop up between pruning and the harvest. I am definatly enjoying it as I can set my own hours and pretty much work for myself.

I'm keeping busy on my days off as well. Usually once a week I'll take a tour of some of the regions attractions. This place is full of many incredible things to see and do, and yet it is so untouristed. One of the coolest dates i took Yumi on was to Giants cave. It's a monstrous cave that people can go through unguided. They basically give you a flashlight and a helmet and say "have at it." It's a two hour walk, crawl, climb and slide to the other side. Turn off the flashlights and you can't see an inch in front of your face. Very good fun. Another interesting trip was to Cape Leeuwin, which is in the very far South West corner of Australia. It's the point where the indian ocean meets the southern ocean. As well, this is the time of year that all the whales are migrating down the coast to Antarctica. There is several lookout points from which you can observe dozens of humpbacks leaping out and crashing back into the water.

Another thing I'm getting into is fishing, or more acurately, squiding. Squid is surprisingly easy to catch and even easier to clean and cook. On a lucky day it's possible to pull up an octopus as well. All you need is a roll of fishing line and a squid jig. The squid jig can be used many times over and the whole setup only costs around 3 dollars. That's very cheap considering i get to eat fresh squid or octopus 2 or 3 times a week. The only downside is the 18 gallons of squid ink that stains everything within a 2 kilometre radius black when you don't get the squid into a bucket fast enough.

That's all for now. I could go on longer describing more of the scenery around here but I'll just post a few pictures of the nicer things instead. They're much better than descriptions anyways. My next update should be longer and more exciting as I'll actually be travelling again. I can't wait to get on the road. Be sure to keep in touch until next time. Au revoir.

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Photos

Sunset
Picture taken from Busselton Jetty

Sea Cave
Just a 45 minute scramble over massive rocks along the sea to get to this beauty

Giants Cave
Picture taken underground with no flash

The Spelunkers
Yumi and me underground. We're both drenched in sweat as it was 300+ degrees down there.

Squid
The biggest one is an absolute monster compared to all the others i've seen

Octopus
Fresh from the sea and eaten raw with a bit of wasabi. Nothing better.

Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse
This lighthouse overlooks the southern and indian oceans

Comments

[Scott C]

Sounds like you're having a freaking amazing time dude. MAD PROPS. I anxiously await your next post. PEACE OUT

[Aunt K]

EEEWWW, raw squid!!!!
Well Brianski, it appears you are expanding your culinary horizons, and more power to you. Yumi is, indeed, cute as a button and she must be fun to hang out with too. I guess you always have to wear black when you bag an octupus , eh?

[Fan]

We Meet Again BRIAN
Hello Mr. Brian Glad to know you are still alive and kicking. I do believe my studying for midterms and general Fannery far out weigh your squid catching adventures. Do you happen to have a permanent address currently? We have a special package to send you post haste. Anyways dude, taker easy and spread the good word of Fan all over the world for me.

[Usher]

Word up to that squid man. I don't think I'll be joining in the eating of any of that with you, unfortunately. Did you ever get Nairb's email, I should try and save up and come with him in April...that would be awesome. Anyway, have fun with the rest of your time on the West coast, and then with your time back on the South/East coast as well! Take it easy dude.