Surfing Noosa

After an awesome week in Airlie Beach with a beautiful sailing trip and too much party we were heading further down the east coast to Noosa Heads. On the map it didn´t look that far, but underestimating that huge country, we surley had to spend 17 hours on the Greyhound bus. What a journey! And why doesn´t anyone tell the bus company that trashy comedys of the 90ies or cartoons are not the best way to entertain the passengers. Seriously.

Arriving in Noosa - a rather posh Australian holiday destination, we soon found out that there is quite lot to do during the day, but not really much going on during the night. It´s also still off season, so there aren´t a lot of people hanging around either.

We spent our days crusing around Noosa in our scooter. Checked out all the beaches and maybe there was a nice bar we missed during the day, but not really. Everything peaceful and quiet. So we spent the nights at the neat bar at our hostel, the beautiful and laid back Halse Lodge. The hostel is in an old Queenslander building on a hill overlooking the town. It has a surrounding verandah with sofas and comfy chairs, and a bar/bistro downstairs.

We did the beautiful coastal walk in the Noosa National Park, with amazing views out to sea. The walk takes you right along the coastal line and back through lush woods. Really pretty.

Last night we hung out at the bar and met some crazy locals, who took us out around town - hey, there are some nice bars here, not crowded but at least. So after a few drinks we all ended up in Noosa´s niteclube "rolling rock"... a tiny little place... but it has to be said, that it´s only good there, when you are drunk. Seriously. We had some fun and also got to know our security man at the hostel, doing his rounds during the night, while we sat at the verandah eating our "after midnight snack".... :-)

Today I braved the waves and took 2hrs of surfing lessons. Hey, after 5 months in Australia, it was about time, to get to know their national sport first hand. And I surely did. High surf, strong current, chilly water and big beginners board mad my day. Having fallen off a gazillion times, swallowed litres of salt water, being thrown up side down and who knows where... I finally got it and stood on the board... like for 5 seconds... what a thrill. It was wicked. Now I am ready for more surfing...

Images are here

another day in paradise

After 7 weeks of squash picking in Ayr it was finally time to move on and open another chapter in my journey down under. HAving talked about spending our days after the hard work on Magnetic Island, just off Townsville, we headed over there to relax, rewind and recharge.

The first few days we spent at the beautiful, but very tranquilo YHA Bungalow Bay at Horseshoe Bay in the northern part of the island. We had a three bed hut to ourselves. First things first, so we walked the five minute path to the beach for some sunset barbie and recharged with some aussie beer! :-) The next days we spent sightseeing, speeding around the island in those little Mokes, they have for rent there, did The Forts Walk to spot some koalas snoozing in the trees. Cute little creatures they are. We sunbaked at Alma Bay, played frisbee and volleyball and visited the Koala Sanctuary on site. There I actually overcame my fear and disgust of snakes and brave me held one for like 1 min.! It was not too bad, but just thinking about it gives me still the chills. Cuddling the koala was much more fun, I have to admit.

At the end of the week we relocated to Base backpackers in Nelly Bay. known for its full moon partys and its location right next to the beach. That place was amazing, that was a glimpse in paradise. Stepping out of our little dorm, you had full view of the sea and palm trees. Brilliant. The days at Base we spent lying on the beach, snorkeling, reading and having some drinks at the open air bar at night. What a life!

After Magnetic Island we hopped on the bus to continue our journey south to Airlie Beach. There we went on a 3 day sailing trip to the Whitsundays. That was amazing. This is what picture postcardsare made of. Seriously. We spent the first night outside on deck, and let me tell you, that night was rather shaky and rough. But what don´t you do for the astonishing sunrise in the morning?! Exactly. During the day we cruised around the island and snorkeled on the reef. Saw some turtles, Maori sth. fish, Nemo´s cousins, parrot fish and many more. We even spotted two whales off shore. What amazing creatures! The snorkeling off Black Island was my personal favorite... the corals could be seen from above the boat since they were so close to the water edge. You just walked into the water and floated with the most colorful fish only inches below you. Some real cheeky fishes swam right to my goggles.... Awesome trip it was.

Images of the last two weeks are here and here


another day in paradise

song of the moment

LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!!! This is my personal "Australia" theme! Perfect song!
First heard it 2005 in Cairns and from then all the way up the coast in the car!

NB: not official video, but surf images make my day as well!