Australia 2009

Cape Tribulation is nothing like I expected. It is total rainforest running down to a beautiful coast. To enter one must cross the Daintree river which is alive with hungry crocs. Fortunately there is a car ferry going every 15 minutes. On arrival I went to Cape Trib beach, a gorgeous white sandy beach. It was hot and the water so inviting. I thought of swimming and there saw the sign. Danger Crocs!!!! OMG it would be so easy to just go for a dip. The stinger season has finished but there are still some of them around as well if the crocs don't get you. I aliken Cape Trib to Waiheke Island but not so commercial. The locals seem to be living the perfect life albeit a bit isolated by the Daintree River and the crocs!

Checking it at the yoga retreat I met Janadan the owner operator with his lovely wife Mara. Janadan is a likeable Kiwi. The retreat is a beautiful temple with candles burning 24 hours above very simple rooms. Showers and toilets are shared and facilities are run by solar power and water tanks, so one is always mindful of water and power. There was another couple and two single girls staying there at the same time as me. Each day commences with the sound of peaceful yogi music at 10 to 7. A bell rings to let you know you have 3 minutes to be upstairs in the temple for meditation. There is a yoga class each day and alternate meditation at evenings. Noble silence is observed from 9.30pm at night until after meditation in the morning. I don't know how the women survive! haha Meals are all vegeterian and delicious with a touch of Italian from Mara's heritage.

Nearby is a sacred swimming hole called "The Blue Hole," which is saphire blue from minerals upstream. It is quite stunning and spiritual. I was told it is perfectly safe to swim there but still can't get the image of being dragged under by a 3m croc out of my head, so viewed from a respectable distance instead. I went out on a half day trek with Mick, a local Mick Dundee type personality with the bush knowledge to match. We came accross casawaries, giant birds, bigger than emus, with stunning shiny black coats and colourful faces. A green snake! All sorts of poisoness fruits and trees and an amazing waterfull where we stopped for aussie damper with maple syrup and a cup of tea. I am sure Mick could live out there for weeks on end, the rest of us would perish miserably by eating or being stung by something poisoness. 80% of the delicious looking fruits were toxic!

On my third night, following yoga and dinner it was sad good byes and off to Cairns. I had formed quite close friendships in a short time. I returned my house on wheels (another sad goodbye lol) and off to the airport to return home.

What a wonderful, amazing, eventful trip. Although us Kiwis love to hate the Aussies, they are a likeable, friendly lot, who always seem to be upbeat. I went to Aussie looking for something. Perhaps a sign of where I should be heading for a job, or a fresh start. I got some ideas but most of all what I found was restoration of my faith in people. I found beauty in the beaches, the townships, caravan parks, rain forests, other tourists, locals, vegetarian food, crocs, sunshine, stars ................ Janardan would say "that is God!" "God is omnipresent!" "Just open your eyes and see!"

God Bless you all. I invite you to come to my Hari Chrishna debut on Queen St next Saturday night! haha Just joking!!! Thank you for taking an interest in my trip and my life. I look forward to seeing you all soon! The End!

I left Cairns in the evening and followed the Coast line up to Port Douglas. I could see the ocean on my left as I drove and decided I wanted to see it, so parked up along side the ocean under some trees and awaited the morning. There are "no camping or vans" signs about so I decided to park where I couldn't be seen from the street. The downside being I was in the wilderness with the thought of muggers, crocs, snakes, spiders and for all I know the boggie man. Fortunately the days driving had taken it out of me, so after completing my really good novel it was lights out.

I continued on to Port Douglas in the morning. A beautiful beach yet again and a quaint little township of shops and tourism places. I found a gym and did a workout. It is amazing how weak and fat a person can become in only 3 weeks. Why is it it takes months to get fit and only days to lose it. Another one of life's injustices! The upside of the workout was a nice hot shower at the end. Phew I feel human again.

Today I just relaxed on the beach and meandered the shops. I received some sad news about a friend back home so have been in a bit of a spin. It is amazing how a tragedy can spark thoughts that had somehow been locked in the "don't want to think about it" compartment of the brain. (Or is that the heart)

Tomorrow I am off to Cape Tribulation to the yoga retreat. I am really looking forward to it. Breathing and stretching and being settled! mmmmm

Up early and off driving. I went through Townsville which I always imagined would be a town of little miners huts with curtains for doors and real rough mining type Aussies. As it turns out it is quite a big city and has a lovely river flowing thru it. Nevertheless I kept pressing North deciding this was a day for driving as my skin could probably do without another day in the sun. Next stop was Mission Beach, yet another pristine beach with a cosy small town feel about it. Had a swim and nap on the beach and then continued to Cairns, arriving about 6pm just as it was getting dark. The further North I go the later it gets dark. People told me there is nothing to do in Cairns and that you may as well just carry on to port Douglas but to my surprise it is a wonderful vibrant city. Once again tourism dominates the shops and activities but the city has a nice feel and is clean and tidy. In the heart of the city is another man made swimming area with bbqs and park surrounding. It was in full use with backpakers cooking up their Kanga (kangaroo) bangers and steaks, and the odd keen person doing laps in the pool. (Some people are obsessed with exercise) Not that the water temperature would deter anyone. I walked around the shops and looked for presents, but decided a digeridoo and boomerang had limited use back home so saved my money instead. Sorry!

The catermaran trip was memorable. Its not every day you sail "The Whitsundays", a beautiful set of islands on a perfect sunny day. The wind got up slightly in the afternoon so we could actually sail without engine assistance and we managed 12.5 knots. We passed Hamilton Island and saw the houses of the rich and famous as well as the resorts and beach, up towards Alderman Island, and snorkled off Hook Island. Named after Captain Hook as it was here that he had his hand bitten off by a salt water croc ( just added that for excitement). The vessel was a little bit crowded for my liking, backpackers sprawled themselves over the trampolines at the front and got into the free alcohol from 11am. We had a lunch stop on Whitehaven Island, voted one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and I can see why. the sand is very white and very very fine coming from a 130m hole just off the island. Apparently it is great for cleaning your jewellery. What jewellery? We passed a couple of giant turtles sunning themselves in the water so all in all a very memorable day. 7am pick up and not home til 6.30pm so I am feeling quite burn't and tired, but happy another box ticked.

Drove from Hervey Bay further north. Firstly thru Bundeberg where the old Bundeberg Rum factory is. I decided not to do the tour but headed for the nearby beach at Bagara. I see why it is called Bagara because there is Bagara all to do. hehe I had a beautiful pristine beach all to myself save for a couple of desolate surfers. Very nice. After an hour or two in the sun I ventured on to MacKay, another big city on the neverending Bruce Highway North. There I stopped for a workout and dinner. (Another can of Heinz Chunky mmmmmm) and camped the night in a quiet street. Then up and off through Rockhampton and up to Prosperine. The highway is long and straight and the land baron. It looks like something out of Africa. I half expect to see an elephant sharpening its tusks on a tree. I have seen no live Koalas although there are signs saying they are everywhere. The odd dead kangaroo is squashed at the side of the road. Checked out the squash and fitness centre for sale in Prosperine and then travelled 22km to the wonderful Airlee Beach at the Whitsundays. The weather is just perfect, blue skies, hardly any wind and must be late 20s. There are superyachts berthed which remind me a bit of Monte Carlo. The beach is not quite up to the sand and surf of Surfers and Maroochydoore and has rocks. They have however built a manmade lagoon with sand, littered with sun worshipping holiday makers. Tomorrow I hope to go out on The Camira a giant catermaran that will take us around the Whitsunday Islands, snorkeling etc. With the weather so good it should be idyllic.