Category: Queensland

January 27, 2012

See Ya!

The end of the trip has come. Truly feels like I’ve been away for a long time. While there have been a TON of adventures and experiences on this trip, the best has been meeting my nephew, Jackson Allen.

He is the most adorable baby – so sweet and chill… a tiny peanut of cuteness and love. I enjoyed every second spent with him, watching my mom work her baby magic, smiling at what fantastic parents my sister and Brad are, and taking pictures of all his funny faces.

I expect daily photos until I see him next!

I came to Australia thinking this would be a once-in-a-lifetime trip, but I am overwhelmingly smitten with this country. I will definitely be back to explore more.

January 26, 2012

Surfing Level 1

Today I learned (1) how to surf and (2) that I’m not a natural at it. That shit is hard! My instructor TBone was really thorough and clear on how to paddle, catch a wave, pop up, wipeout…on shore. I even practiced on the sand – really good at that part. But taking it to the ocean is a totally different story. It’s all about balance; need to pick up some of that when I get back to the States.

Despite all the rinsing and wipeouts, it was so much fun. And, no, no photos of me biting it.

January 25, 2012

Great Barrier Reef

A mild, overcast day means pretty perfect conditions for a boat cruise cum snorkel venture out on the Great Barrier Reef.

Lady Musgrave Island, a 2-hour rocky boat ride from the Town of 1770, was created entirely of dead coral. It was an easy 40-minute walk around the whole thing, stopping to check out all the Black Noddy nests in the Pisonia forest and a few photos at the most picturesque spots.

Snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef is an unbelievable experience. I’ve never seen so many different varieties of coral, with so many different colors. We learned that coral in the cooler south is of a harder variety so not much swaying with the waves but still quite serene. My favorite: a giant mollusk with huge mouth. Its wavy ‘lips’ – which opened and closed in pace with my breathing it seemed – were black, pink, green, blue, purple… Surrounded by all the yellow brain coral and blue stag antler coral, it was a scene I’ll never forget.

January 24, 2012

This Vaca Needs a Vaca

Early start for a mini vaca down to the beach in Agnes Water, Queensland, with the entire fam. Though it’s only a 90-minute drive, the ‘highway’ came to a complete halt with a semi laying across the road for a few hours. Why not play a little paddleball while ya wait?

: Jackson’s First Beach Trip

Bush fired forests then lush hillsides pretty much made up the scenic drive until a lunch stop right before arrival at this AMAZING condo: super modern furnishings, a view of the Coral Sea and plenty of time to relax.

The last thing left to do for the day: a walk on the beach followed by dinner at a local outdoor cafe with exceptionally flavorful fish and local burnt caramel ice cream. It’s going to be so so hard to come back to winter in the States.