Article Archive for Year 2010
Brisbane and Surfers Paradise
Brisbane was our first large city since Sydney and we arrived by Greyhound under pouring rain. Bad weather is less frustrating in the city than at the beach, we thought, and at least in Brisbane we could shelter in one of the numerous malls if we needed to.
Noosa
“Are these jellyfishes?” I asked one of the lifeguards. “Yay mate”, he replied, bending down to pick one up on the sand. ”See the tentacles?” he added, squeezing the long blue thread I hadn’t noticed. “Are they…er… deadly?” I asked, wary of jellyfishes after seeing so many warning about Irukandji in Northern Queensland.
Water and Fire
We were in Agnes Water/ Town of 1770 for Christmas, where Captain Cook made his first landing in Queensland (hence the “1770”). We hadn’t really planned anything and I don’t care much about Christmas. To be honest, I don’t even know which day we are most of the time so I could have forgotten it was Christmas but for the palm trees sporting decorations.
Outback Queensland
We may still be close to the coast, but it feels like outback Queensland. Back to reality, after Airlie Beach and the hordes of backpackers. This is Australia, a bit rough around the edges, remote and wild with a pioneer spirit.
The Whitsundays
After a couple of days in Airlie Beach, we took a trip to the Whitsunday, a group of islands sitting on the Great Barrier Reef. After an hour boat trip, we reached Whitsunday Island, home of the famous Whiteheaven Beach, a seven-kilometer long beach of pure-white silicon sand. The sand was so thin it looked like flour or clear dust and the light was blinding us.
Airlie Beach
I had the most interesting shower today. As I was bending to rinse off the salty water (late swim at the beach) in a shower made for Lilliputians, two spiders were fighting over the same ant right above my head. Eventually, a huge butterfly flew in and distracted them long enough for the ant to escape.
Magnetic Island
Once you step out of the airport or any air-conditioned place you were lucky to be in, the heat hits you. It’s moist, humid, the sun hit any inch of bare skin and you can’t escape. Welcome to Queensland.
Living Out Of A Bag
Hostels are chaotic places. Shared bathrooms, communal kitchen, dorms… living with perfect strangers is both surprisingly easy and quite weird. You can tell the kids who have never lived outside home (hint: they leave dishes everywhere and walk around in filthy clothes because they are quite not sure how the washing-machine works) from those who have some experience being on their own.
Sydney Fish Market
It’ no secret that I love markets: they are often the best place to sample cheap fresh food and local delicacies. That’s why I was so happy when I heard about the Sydney Fish Market.
Sydney, Australia
Sydney hasn’t changed that much in seven years. The landmarks, the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, are still there. The city looks busier but it may be because it’s summer—it was fall last time we were here and the weather was getting cold. There are more tall buildings and King’s Cross, Sydney’s sketchier district, was cleaned up much like Carnaby Street in London.
