So much for thinking I was going to stay in one place for a while! But it's all good as I've had the usual fantastic time (god, it's going to be so hard to come home to a normal life again). And there I was thinking I was going to be living the quiet life for a while. I had a few chilled out days, just popping to the hypermarket to get some warm pjs and slippers, nice and cheap mind, and driving up the coast for fish and chips and a gaze at the sea. I spent the day in the city as well, checking out the Southbank, soaking up the glorious sunshine (I can't get enough of it) and observing how the Aussies really know how to build a swimming pool!
On Friday my cousin, Rodney, and his three kids swung by to pick me up for a few days further up on the Sunshine Coast. He had the brilliant idea on Saturday morning to head up to Tin Can Bay, stay the night and go and feed the wild dolphins in the morning. So after a visit to the local markets, a ginger factory and packing up our things, we headed on up to the sleepy town and found the perfect cabin in the marina to stop for the night. As the sun was setting, the kids checked out the pool and Rodney and I cracked open a bottle of vino - bliss! Later we had a very tasty meal at the restaurant in the marina, where slightly embarassingly I got mistaken for 'mum', and then it was off to bed for an early start in the morning.
The chilly mornings do not make it easy to drag yourself out of bed but the dolphins were worth it. Fulfilling a lifelong ambition to see, feed or swim with the fascinating creatures, I was thrilled that we got to admire them and ply them with fish once they appeared at the marina. I'm sure it gets packed out in the height of summer but on this winter's morning there were about thirty or so people, so plenty of opportunity for photos and to take our time. The male dolphin was looking a bit battered and bruised after a couple of nasty shark attacks, one of the volunteers having saved his life by nursing him back to health over two weeks, constantly monitoring him 24 hours a day in the water.
The rest of the day was jam packed on our way back down south to Bli Bli, following the coastal roads, a visit to a local creek, a bit of a walk to Poona Lake, lunch overlooking the beach, and a clamber up the rocks to check out the stunning view. Continuing the marine life theme, Rodney just managed to spot a whale while we were descending from the rocks. Another dream fulfilled, though I think a proper trip whale watching is definitely called for while I'm out here. Next it was four-wheel drive mode along the beach for miles until we reached a huge sand dune/hill where we sand surfed our way down as darkness set in.
On Monday I headed into work with Rodney and as he didn't have much on we went for a walk in the Noose National Park, round the coastline for more dolphin watching and beautiful beaches. We spotted a school of at least six or seven dolphins and marvelled at a guy kayaking right by them as he headed back into the bay. How fantastic it would have been to get up that close!
Spent that afternoon on the beach, soaking up the sun and plucking up the courage to go for a dip in the sea (I bottled it that day but did brave the chilly waters the next day). After the kids got back from school we headed on down to Mooloolaba for a BBQ on the beach, Aussie style! The following day it was time for more beach action and then we climbed up Mount Coolum for an awesome view in the afternoon.
On my way back to Brisbane yesterday I stopped at Australia Zoo, a shrine to one Mr Steve Urwin and family. A little cheesy and over the top in places but a great zoo to check out all the indigenous animals and more. Crocs take pride of place of course but they put on an amazing live show with birds swooping overhead, snakes being paraded round and the elephants make an appearance after their feeding time. I fed one of them as I missed out on that in Asia. Better late than never!
It was a very knackered Carrie that returned to Brisbane last night after what seemed like a long journey home - it wasn't really but I got stuck at the zoo for longer due to a big gap in the bus timetable. Now I just need the damn Chilean ash cloud to move on so I can start making plans for Melbourne and beyond...
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