"When in Australia..."

 You know all those preconceptions you have about Australia? Well today, they came to pass. I'm not talking about the inevitability of being eaten by a crocodile or even meeting Crocodile Dundee. Nor am I talking about being stung by a box jelly fish or getting on the wrong side of a kangaroo. Today was a day of having fun, Australian style. The four of us drove to a bus station, caught a bus, caught a ferry then caught another bus. That's a lot of catching. Apparently, they would normally have gone to Stradbroke Island by car (putting it on the ferry) but it was all booked up. Why? Because it's the King's Birthday! There's something slightly odd about being prevented from booking a ferry because of a king who lives on the other side of the world. However, the public transport worked perfectly and we were pleased to use it for our journey to 'Straddie'. It meant that we saw what this part of the world means to other holiday makers. 

There was an abundance of holiday spirit. It was the King's birthday, after all, and the youths chose to remember this auspicious occasion by turning up in large numbers, with camping equipment, surf boards and guitars. We even spotted a ukulele. But moving on.

As before, it was clear to all that these young people were here to enjoy themselves. They smiled, laughed and joked as they helped each other onto an already crowded bus, lugging big surf boards and mountains of camping equipment on with them. Theirs looked like an idyllic life for young holidaymakers and there seemed to be an absence of the need to look cool. Perhaps I just couldn't read the signs. 

As we travelled through the woodland on the island, there were notices indicating the presence of Koalas. I made the most of not having to concentrate on the road and gazed up into the trees. Then I thought I spotted a Koala up in a tree. "Koala!", I exclaimed. It seemed the whole bus heard and all heads swung round. Then I wasn't sure. It could have been a dark tree stump high up in a tree. I realised that I should come clean and admit a possible mistake but when I saw all those faces earnestly gazing out of the windows, I allowed courage to fail me. For all I knew, I may have been ejected from the bus for causing such disappointment? 

We arrived at a pretty area high up, but right on the coast. It was 11am. There was only one thing to do and we did it. (See coffee pics)

We then followed a spectacular path along the cliff top, looking down on the sea. The sun was out, blue sky, blue sea therefore and it was very warm. At one point we stopped to watch sea turtles swimming just off the coast. 

Eventually, we dropped down to sea level. This was it. The reason why we had brought our swimming stuff. If we didn't do the stuff now, we would have taken them to the otherside of the world for nothing.

So, cossied up, we got into the Pacific Ocean. I was encouraged to see a narrow section of beach and sea which was the boundary in which to stay if you wanted to be watched over by life guards. The sea was rough with thumping great waves pounding the shore. Surfers were there, constantly waiting for the next big breaker and then leaping on to their boards and displaying the whole spectrum of talent and experience. It was exhilarating. I did manage to get dragged under by one wave and was reminded of just how salty the sea is, as I received a nose-full of brine but it was the most fun I've had in the sea for years. The chances of that were high seeing as it was also the first time I've been in the sea for years...

We arrived at the "Stradbroke Hotel' for lunch. Not one of us managed to notice the 'please wait here to be seated' sign. We sat at a table, once again, with stunning views over the sea, and were apprehended by the manager. Were we ignominiously ejected? Not at all. They insisted that we remain seated whilst they worked something out, and at no point did they treat us like we'd brought something nasty in on one of our shoes but continued to serve us with typical Australian politeness and friendliness.

All good things come to an end, and we bus, ferry, bus, carr ed it back home getting back before evening. 

Tomorrow is our last full day. We're not sure of plans yet but we do know that we're finishing the day with a bbq. Going home without having an Aussie barbie is probably a punishable offence. I'm not even sure you'd get through customs. 

At our lunch stop
Action time.
The cliff top path 
The beach were we took our dip

Words of warning from an Aboriginal community. Only to be heeded if part of your theology?
Coffee...
Getting to Straddie
Don't lose that hat!























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