Queensland

We have left Bundaberg...and all the excitement that came with fruitpicking. My was it exciting. Do miss the friends we made, as always...of course. Our first stop after leaving was Hervey Bay, which is where most people leave to Fraser Island from. We stayed at Beaches(backpackers) and had to leave the morning after arriving for our 3 day/2 night Fraser Island. Fraser is the biggest entirely sand island in the world, and the only place where rainforest grows on sand. It is 124kms long and about 30kms wide at its widest point. It is full of beautiful lakes, rivers, but you cannot swim in the sea because of the monstrous Tiger sharks. We were in a group of about 30 people, 2 thirds of which were Brits(which seems to be the trend on the coast). We packed 10 of us and all our gear into Landrovers and set off for a 4-wheel driving adventure. Its a tippy vehicle, but we were all very skilled and experienced drivers on sand so had to problems! I even drove it a couple times. Its so weird to drive on sand, as it tends to steer the car for you sometimes. The Fraser Island Motorway is actually just miles of sandy beach! The sea is so enticing there, but after our 2nd day trip to Indian Head, a cliff overlooking a feeding ground for different marine life and seeing 6 tiger sharks, some of which were about 4 meters, it wasn't too har d to stay out! We also saw mantarays, a dolphin and more sea turtles. It was facinating and one of my favourite parts of the whole trip. Some other stops were Champagne pools, kind of sandy rock pools carved out of the rock, Lake Mackenzie and some others. You can acutally go online and do a virtual tour of Fraser, which is probably a little more discriptive than me! Shan and I got on really well with 2 more english girls. There is so much more to tell about Fraser but I just can' t think right now. After Fraser we spent another day in Hervey Bay, going to the beach(which we can finally enjoy safely again) and waiting for my new camera to arrive. I finally have a camera again and have been slightly snap happy. Shannon and I went out to a club last night and had multiple photo shoots...it doesn' t get old. We came to Noosa yesterday and are absolutely loving it. Its a surfy beachy town and its just perfect. Today(and yesterday) we spent at the beach, which is fantastic here) but today it was closed due to multiple shark sightings! The canteen man I was talking to said he had been there for 40 years and it was the first time that the shark alarm was blown. We don't know how big or what kind, but they had also spoted a meter and a half wide stingray when they started patrolling for the shark. They didn't open the beach again until 4. Tomorrow we are going to the Australia Zoo! Its the one Steve Irwin started and his family runs. I finally get to cuddle a koala! I can' t wait. The day after that we are going to Noosa Head National park, which is just a quick walk away to explore and maybe canoe or something, then we are going to surf and body board for an afternoon cause our hostel(which isn't cheap) has free boards for hire. I can't wait. I haven' t had a go at since surfing since Steve took us to Nelson' s Bay in December! I can't imagine it will be pretty. There is so much to do here so we are staying til we feel like leaving. I would love to stay and work here for a month, but well, the flights are booked home in June so we just don't have the time. We need ample time in Surfer's Paradise and Byron Bay, thats for sure. Shannon and I are having a night in tonight, will probably play some Uno and table tennis like the true dorks we are.
Getting to know all these Brits is putting ideas in my head. England is desperate for teachers and I know have so many friends over there...conveniently. Something to ponder.